Africa -China Review Africa -China Cooperation and Transformation
Published: May 04,2022
By Gerald Mbanda
Today, May 4, China is celebrating the National Youth Day in commemoration of a patriotic campaign launched by intellectual youth on May 4, 1919. Three years later, The Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) was formed, and became an important pillar in national development with the “May 4th Spirit.”
The date marks an important era in Chinese history, when young people joined hands to fight against imperialism, sparking a thirty years revolution that ultimately bore fruits for an independent nation established in 1949 under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
May 4th is a reminder of the dedication and commitment of the founding father of the Chinese nation, the spirit of patriotism, and the quest for a better life and good governance for all the Chinese people. It reflects the spirit of hard work towards self- improvement, self-determination and national development.
This year 2022, marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the CYLC. China issued a white paper titled “Youth of China in the New Era,” which highlights the achievements of the youth, calling on them to contribute wisdom and strength to a community of shared future and a better world.
The Chinese youth today have greater advantages than their counterpart who lived more than 100 years ago, to make a greater contribution to the development of their nation and the world. More and more youth have had access to better education and interaction across the globe. The advancement in Information and Communication Technologies have enabled the young generation to better understand their country and the world and what is needed to contribute to national development and improving their lives, those of their fellow citizens, and how they can impact the global community.
An opinion poll conducted in 2017, in 20 countries, revealed that young people in China are the most optimistic globally about the world’s future, but are also the most fearful about the impact of climate change. Fifty-three per cent of those questioned in China thought the world was becoming a better place, the highest percentage among the countries polled. Indian youth were the second most optimistic, with 49 per cent taking a positive view of the world’s prospects. Again, Chinese youth believe that their country is headed in the right direction, and have trust in their government.
When I had the opportunity to visit China in the summer of 2019, I saw and interacted for the first time with the Chinese young generation who are at peace with themselves and also wish peace to others. I found the young generation respectful, hardworking, focused and proud of their culture and country. Peking University and the Global village residence were like my second home where I felt the love of everyone.
The young generation has taken part in the miraculous transformation of China in various fields including poverty alleviation. China has been able to win the war on absolute poverty in a single generation. The advancement in science and technology for a better China is undertaken by majority young people. In the current fight against COVID19 pandemic, the Chinese young generation has made significant contribution both at home and abroad. Many young Chinese soldiers are participating in peacekeeping missions in various countries around the world.
On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping encouraged youth in the aerospace sector to contribute more to China’s realization of greater self-reliance in aerospace science and technology. Xi made the comments in a letter to a youth team working on space station construction at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
As the Chinese young generation is following in the foot-steps of their peers who led a revolution to liberate their country more than 100 years ago, they should not lose momentum to take China to greater heights in the long match towards national rejuvenation.
The mission of the previous generation may have been tougher and more challenging given the conditions that prevailed at the time. The mission of the current generation is to carry forward the torch of making China greater. One writer Frantz Fanon in the book, The Wretched of the Earth, puts it this way that, “Each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it, in relative opacity.” With the guidance of the CPC, I am sure that the Chinese young generation has discovered its mission and feel the demand to fulfill it with enthusiasm of the May 4th Spirit. Have a great May 4th day celebration.
