By Charles Onunaiju
THE third volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China is a continuum of the elucidation of the thoughts, issues and policies that are central to the governance of contemporary China, as articulated in the two earlier volumes by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. This volume reflects expansive and dynamic ideas fleshed out by China’s specific social realities and the broader social milieu of the contemporary international situation.
The 650-page book begins with Xi’s historic report to the 19th CPC National Congress in October 2017, which traverses all key issues that are central to the governance of China.
The report dispels all insinuations of wavering and vacillation, often leveled by so-called experts in the Western scholarly community and political establishment toward the CPC. It says, “The path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics is the logical outcome of the evolution of history, theory, and practice as the Chinese people have long engaged in struggles since the advent of modern times. It is a requisite for maintaining the very nature of the Party and fulfilling its fundamental purpose.”
In addition, the report offers contributions to the scientific study and understanding of comparative politics underlining the fact that “no two political systems are entirely the same, and a political system cannot be judged in abstraction without regard for its social and political context, its history, and its cultural traditions. No one political system should be regarded as the only choice.”
The tradition of constantly updating socialism with Chinese characteristics reached a new stage of theoretical breakthrough with the establishment of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Looking from the historical context and summary of the experiences accumulated in the exploration of contemporary national social realities, the scientific theory of Marxism-Leninism combined with the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics gave clarity to Xi’s thought as the latest development in the theoretical guide to the work of the CPC and the political flagship in the governance of China for a considerable time to come.
Xi’s thought is the crystallization of the collective wisdom of the CPC from the summary of its experiences and the decisive leadership of the Central Committee of the Party. The volume captures Xi’s innovative thought and how it has decisively shaped the governance of China.
Volume III offers critical insight to understanding the nature, structure and practice of the state of China. This would help enormously to clarify and understand China, a major country and responsible state, and its behavior on the world stage. Representative of the broadest interests of the people, the CPC and the state of China are free from vicious corporate special interests that make most modern states behave in ways that conflict with the general interests of the people of the world for collective security, peace, development and shared prosperity.
The CPC is a proletarian party of the working classes, constantly broadening its base and expanding its outlook in accordance with evolving historical realities, which encompass the contemporary global reality and China’s own existential national condition.
The book explores key issues of global governance and China’s contributions.
The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative, is a major international platform. It gives practical expression to the international democratic order of participation and multilateral engagement of all states and other stakeholders in the international system. It is now in full throttle, having accorded to the aspirations of all peoples to inclusive participation in global governance. A scientific contribution of the CPC in understanding the social forces shaping the emerging community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative gives practical effect to the trend of common development as an anchor for collective security and sustainable peace.
Xi Jinping: The Governance of China Volume III is a compelling treasure trove that gives unique insight into the complex web of issues that provide the critical policy framework for the governance of China. The effort invested by the leadership of the CPC and the state in governing China is here, laid bare and made easy to understand by Xi’s insights.
The volume would enrich researchers and political leaders who seek to understand the issues involved in the exponential growth of China.
– The Daily Mail-Beijing Review news exchange item
