The Star: November 30, 2023

The Star Thursday November 30 2023
Chinese
modernisation
leaves no one
behind
He Ying
Consul General
of the People’s
Republic of
China in
Christchurch
Modernisation is the common pursuit
of all people around the world. As a
developing country with 1.4 billion
people, how can China achieve its
modernisation? This topic has drawn
worldwide attention and discussion
through these years. Some people
may not be so familiar with the term
Chinese modernisation. Here, I would
like to interpret the implication of
Chinese modernisation from the
perspective of common prosperity
which makes modernisation not a
luxury for the privileged few, but every
household.
As President Xi Jinping points
out, common prosperity is what
socialism is essentially about and
what the people want. Since the 18th
National Congress of the Communist
Party of China, achieving common
prosperity for all has featured
ever more prominently in China’s
agenda. Through balancing regional
development and winning the fight
against poverty, China is getting closer
to the goal of building a moderately
prosperous society in all respects.
Common prosperity is not the same
as absolute egalitarianism. China’s
common prosperity aims at vigorously
promoting high-quality development,
generally raising the income levels of
urban and rural residents, gradually
narrowing the distribution gap,
resolutely preventing polarisation and
unifying efficiency, equality together
with social stability. We allow some
people to get rich first, and encourage
those having got prosperous first
to help others catch up, so that the
prosperity of the entire population will
be realised in the end.
In recent ten years, China has realised
remarkable achievements, creating
good conditions for realising common
prosperity. The value added by
manufacturing sector takes up nearly
30 percent of the global total, topping
the world. Its per capita food supply
is over 470 kg, far above the 400 kg
international food security line. More
than 200 million Chinese people
have received higher education.
Around 60 percent of its economic
growth are spurred by scientific and
technological advancement. China
boasts a notable edge in emerging
sectors like new energy vehicles and
artificial intelligence. In 2022, China
contributed 17 percent of the world’s
GDP. Its urban/rural ratio of per
capita disposable income, an index on
income disparity, has lowered from
2.88 ten years ago to the current 2.45.
China has claimed unprecedented
victory in the tough battle against
poverty, lifting 100 million people out
of poverty, which is one of the most
celebrated achievements at home and
abroad. The following are some typical
measures taken in this process:
First, targeted poverty alleviation.
A primary-level government identifies
each and every poor household under
its jurisdiction, creates a file for it
and starts the ongoing process of
lifting it out of poverty. Second, blood
making rather than blood transfusion.
Poor households are encouraged
to seek sustainable development
on their own, by tapping into their
unique location advantages and
local resources, focusing more on
the production side, such as helping
people to set up businesses, secure
start-up loans and get skills training.
Third, all-out efforts by governments
at all levels. Poverty alleviation
performance is a key criterion in
the evaluation, appointment and
promotion of public servants at all
levels of government. And finally, full
participation of the society. Many
Internet companies in China have
voluntarily helped remote regions sell
their products via live streaming, and
taught rural residents how to utilise
social media platforms to grow their
business. As a result, many must-buy
local products and must-visit places
are known to the world.
Prosperity is not real until common
prosperity is achieved, and
development is true only when
development of all countries has
been made. In 2021, President Xi
Jinping proposed Global Development
Initiative. While marching toward
modernisation, China will increase
its input to global development
cooperation, provide more
opportunities for the world, share the
development fruits more widely and
fairly, and embrace a brighter future
of common development with people
of all countries in the world.
20
LETTERS
Sea level rise a worry for
Coastal Pathway users
The finished Coastal Pathway will be a
great asset for those living in the east and
able to use it daily or weekly. To be riding
along so close to the sea is a big part of
the attraction, but I do wonder about the
decision to spend so much on this when
important access roads on Banks Peninsula
will be threatened by sea level rising in 25
years time.
The ocean rises and falls equally around
the world and certainly within the same
city limits (Banks Peninsula is part of
Christchurch city).
If the access roads on Banks Peninsula
face uncertainty, surely the road across Mc-
Cormacks Bay and the whole pathway will
be threatened as well.
The pathway is certainly nice to have, but
can ratepayers afford increases to pay for
such luxuries?
-D Downward, Bryndwr (abridged)
Crusaders jerseys
I think the new Crusaders jerseys (The Star,
November 23) look great.
Both home and away reflect this region
brilliantly. Well done to all involved in
this design and what a wonderful cause,
KidsCan, to have front and centre. Could
not think of anything better.
-Graham Paterson, Redwood
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