China's CPC National Congress Magnetizes Global Attention (III)

The 19th CPC National Congress is crucial to the country as it embarks on the decisive final stage of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and enters a vital period in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The congress concerns the fundamental interests of Chinese people, and also exerts profound influence on the future of the entire world in this era of globalization. What, then, are the main focal points of the international community regarding the congress? What significance does China's experience in running the country hold for the world as a whole? To gain insight into these questions, China Today interviewed two ambassadors to China, as well as various visiting foreign officials, party leaders, and organizational heads during the thematic briefing on green development organized by the  by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. 

Bringing the Experience Home

"I think lifting people out of poverty is the most important thing that the Communist Party of China has done for China and the rest of the world," presidium member of Bangladesh Awami League Central Working Committee Muhammad Faruk Khan told China Today."We know that 50 years ago, many countries including China were very poor. But over the past decades, 700 million people here have risen from poverty. I think that's exactly what the world should learn from China, to see how it can be done. And I'm sure China has already shown the world the way in this respect," Khan said.

Ambassador of Rwanda to China Charles Kayonga told China Today,"I think consistency and focusing on serving the people is a great lesson we can learn from the Communist Party of China. I think it's the original focus of liberation, which means not just defeating your enemies and taking control of your country, but also liberating people from the shackles of poverty and other limitations on development. So the Communist Party of China has demonstrated the consistency of that focus. I think this is the big lesson we have learned, and it's also what we're trying to do in Rwanda."

"I think the fact that the CPC operates a consultation system, whereby the Party consults with other parties, even if they have different ideologies, before taking certain decisions, is highly commendable. It means that the final decision is taken in the best interest of Chinese people," Marc Vella Bonnici told China Today.  

Viorel Neaga, a director of a business Incubator in Northern Moldova, praised China's economic development and the CPC's practice of combining practice with theory building."First of all, China sets an example to the world of a growing economy. China is also an example of structural development, in the sense that it is not just about practice. China has corresponding theories and policies and knows how to implement them, step-by-step. Every leader of a Party in the world wants to do all he can as quickly as possible during his tenure, to show his nation and population that he is the best in every way. But many inevitably make mistakes, because in your haste to grow fast you might overlook something. I think this is not the case with China or with the CPC, because they've done a brilliant job. They combine good theory and practice in governing the country," Neaga said.

Ambassador of Greece to China Leonidas C. Rokanas commended China's successful practices in green development."You know, green development doesn't happen by itself, but deterioration does if you just leave things out there without supervision. That's why you need to be vigilant." Rokanas believes the CPC is indeed vigilant in this area."So China can and will, I think, if it continues along the same path, and I hope it does, play a decisive, global role in this regard. It could be a world leader in this respect," he concluded.

The ambassador also applauded China's efforts towards curbing air pollution and protecting biodiversity."I think what has been done could be emulated, and also used as a sort of grounds for international cooperation," Rokanas said. He went on to express admiration for China's progress in taming desertification."The Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia is just one example. It's impressive how China has tackled the problem of desertification, which is a major issue of environmental protection that affects the economies of many countries. China has formulated an original, innovative way of making desert green once more. By regenerating topsoil, lost due to agricultural practices, through special approaches, Chinese specialists combine desertification control with economic development. I think this example of China's is one that we should follow," Rokanas said.

Chairman of the Friendship Group Bulgaria-China under the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Dimitar Petrov spoke highly of China's practice of rating cities in specific fields."During our visit to Fuzhou, we learned that the city had been awarded national sanitary city in 2015. I think this system of nationwide city rating is fantastic. It encourages every city to take the necessary measures to reach a certain standard. We saw one such well-managed city in Fuzhou, very clean and pretty. So we're thinking of introducing the city rating method to my country."

 (To be continued)