Interview: Kenyan experts hail pragmatism, vibrancy of Chinese socialist model

The socialist model that has sustained China's political, economic and social institutions since 1949 has unleashed huge benefits to the Asian giant and across the globe, Kenyan experts told Xinhua on Wednesday.

The experts said socialism with Chinese characteristics has stood the test of time thanks to its emphasis on practical benefits to individual, community and nation state.

Prof. Macharia Munene, a diplomacy scholar at Kenya's United States International University - Africa, said the Chinese socialist model has triggered a global consciousness on re-inventing system of governance, economic management and human relations while respecting the constitution and cultural diversity.

"Among the benefits of socialism with Chinese characteristics is releasing of potential for individuals and groups to develop themselves in materially productive ways in the context of general good as guided by the constitution," Macharia told Xinhua in an interview.

Munene, who has published widely on China, hailed the Asian giant for adopting a socialist model that fuelled its peaceful rise while unleashing huge benefits to the entire world.

"The internal energies harnessed through socialism enabled China to shoot up to the top of the world economic ladder without losing its essence as China," said Munene, adding that socialism underpins China's enviable stature as a global manufacturing and investment hub.

Chinese brand of socialism has a growing appeal in developing countries that are yearning to re-invent their political, social and economic systems.

Munene said socialism with Chinese characteristics is not only pragmatic but gives leeway to a sovereign state to determine their destiny without adopting foreign concepts that may have a backlash locally.

"There is need for every country to focus on its core interests while exploring models that can have greatest impact to citizenry. Legitimate national leaders should avoid being derailed by foreign experts whose perspectives could be at variance with local objectives," Munene said.

He hailed the time honored resilience, adaptability and pragmatism that has made Chinese socialist model unrivalled.

"The advantage that socialism with Chinese characteristics has over other types of socialism is its emphasis on nationalism as opposed to ideology. As a result, China's interests are not likely to be subordinated to the whims of other geopolitical entities," said Munene.

China has managed to integrate socialist ideals in all spheres of life since 1949 thanks to visionary leadership.

Dr. Gerishon Ikiara, a diplomacy scholar at the University of Nairobi, said that Chinese brand of socialism has served as a guiding tool for national renewal in the last seven decades.

"As for China, socialism is not just an ideology that is used as a tool to guide the country's political and economic affairs. The concept has been effectively used as a way of life that promoted the attainment of China's vision and goals," said Ikiara.

He added socialism with Chinese characteristics has weathered political, economic and social upheavals thanks to its resilience and adaptive capacity.

Ikiara said the Chinese brand of socialism has unleashed economic prosperity and political stability.

"China's socialist model has created a conducive environment for rapid socio-economic transformation," said Ikiara, adding that China's diplomatic clout has been on the rise thanks to the success of the Chinese socialist model.

Developing countries could emulate Chinese socialist model in a bid to promote economic growth, peace and cohesion, the expert said.

Ikiara said China has managed to spread prosperity evenly while strengthening peaceful co-existence among diverse ethnic groups courtesy of socialism.

"Chinese socialist model seems to have been an effective tool of managing ethnic and political diversity. It has created greater space for the top leadership to allocate resources to the identified priority areas," Ikiara said.

He said China has utilized its socialist model to foster its engagement with developing countries that have gained immensely from its peaceful rise. Endit