BEIJING: In recent years, trainees from Cuba, Mexico, Ethiopia and many other countries studying at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (China National Academy of Governance) paid visits to the Forbidden City, Beijing Temple of Confucius and Imperial College to learn more about Chinese history.
They were impressed by Chinese moral and spiritual values, as well as the nation’s perspective on harmony. They took careful note of China’s achievements in national governance and its people-centered philosophy to build a community with a shared future for humanity. They also reflected on Confucian philosophy taking root in the Chinese people. Numerous principles of ancient governance philosophies have merged in the process of the country’s modern development. When officials from other countries glimpse into the stories of China’s effective governance in the new era and into the extraordinary traditional Chinese culture, can they discover the secret to China’s successful governance?
Traditional Chinese culture is the “root” and “soul” of China, representing the strongest cultural soft power and holding copious wisdom for national governance. The 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization has nourished the Chinese characteristics. This is crucial to the success of the socialism with Chinese characteristics.
China’s socialist system and national governance model with its own characteristics did not come out of thin air. They have been developed under the country’s social and cultural context. The national system and national governance have taken shape from its thousands of years of history.
How to govern such a big country? Chinese President Xi Jinping said that to govern a big country with so many people and so complex national conditions, the leaders of China must be aware of China’s reality and aspirations of its people, treating their responsibilities with utmost care as if they are walking on thin ice or standing on the edge of an abyss, and understand that “governing a big country is like cooking a small fish.”
Leaders should neither overdo things nor slacken in their efforts. This philosophy is reflected in its Five-Year Plan for developments goals. The guiding principle, “seeking progress amid stability” for economic development, has been repeatedly raised by the central government. –Agencies
