On 30 November, 2021, the Nation and the Today, two largest-selling newspapers in Seychelles, published a signed article by Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles H.E. Mme GUO Wei on the Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century entitled Century-long Endeavors toward New Heights in the New Era. The full text is as follows:
The 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) convened its sixth plenary session in Beijing from November 8th to 11th, 2021. At the session, the Central Committee considered and adopted the Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, which is the CPC's third resolution in its century-long history. The Resolution takes stock of the major achievements and historical experiences in the century-long endeavors.
I Major achievements of CPC in the century-long endeavors especially in the new era and valuable historical experience accumulated
While summarizing the key achievements in the 100-year history of the Party, the Resolution has divided history into four different periods - the period of the new-democratic revolution; the period of socialist revolution and construction; the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization; and the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
During the new-democratic revolution period of 28 years, the CPC led the Chinese people to defeat imperialist aggression of Japanese militarists, overthrow the reactionary rule of the Kuomintang, and found the People's Republic of China. The Chinese nation entered a new historic era. During the socialist revolution and construction period, the CPC laid the political, institutional and material foundation needed to build a better life for the people and realize national rejuvenation. During reform, opening up and socialist modernization, the CPC launched reform and opening up as basic state policies and ushered in socialism with Chinese characteristics. China became the world's second largest economy, the largest exporter and joined the ranks of upper-middle-income countries.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, thanks to the continued efforts of the whole Party and the entire nation, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era and China has made historic achievements. China had realized the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. This means that it has put an end to absolute poverty, and is now marching in confident strides towards the Second Centenary Goal of building a great modern socialist country.
With regard to upholding the Party’s overall leadership, the Party Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership have remained robust,and the Party has significantly boosted its capacity to provide political leadership, give guidance through theory, organize the people, and inspire society.
Regarding pursuing economic development, China’s economic development has become much more balanced, coordinated, and sustainable. China’s GDP has exceeded 100 trillion yuan, while per capita GDP has topped US$10,000. Our economy is now on a path of higher-quality development that is more efficient, equitable, sustainable, and secure.
As for spurring ecological advancement, the Central Committee has devoted greater efforts than ever before to ecological conservation. We stay true to the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. Our environmental protection endeavors have seen sweeping, historic, and transformative changes. China has also played an active role in global environmental and climate governance, and pledged to reach peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, demonstrating its commitment to act as a responsible major country.
The Resolution draws lessons from history and points the way forward. The century-long experience boils down to ten points: upholding the Party's leadership, putting people first, advancing theoretical innovation, staying independent, following the Chinese path, maintaining a global vision, breaking new ground, standing up for ourselves, promoting the united front, and remaining committed to self-reform. The ten points are closely connected and mutually reinforcing, and is set to serve as guidelines for the CPC in steering the future of China.
II Developing whole-process people's democracy
Developing whole-process people's democracy and ensuring it is the people who run the country was emphasized in the Resolution.
Democracy is a shared value of humanity. The CPC has always been committed to the development of socialist democracy. Countries vary in history, culture, social system and stage of development. China firmly opposes the use of a single yardstick by some countries to measure the world's various political systems and democratic models, which deprives other countries of the right and freedom to explore their own democratic paths.
The vision of whole-process people's democracy was put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping in the context of developing China's democracy. It will be fully reflected in the development of institutions, standards, and procedures of democracy on the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics. It is evident that the whole-process people's democracy, which fits into China's national conditions and effectively addresses pressing issues, is an advanced model of democracy with full chain, comprehensive coverage and representation. It is results-oriented democracy that is most broad-based, genuine and effective. It is true people's democracy in its form and substance, and is warmly received by the Chinese people.
III Build a community with a shared future for mankind
As was stressed in the Resolution, with its global vision, the CPC has a history of joining hands with all progressive forces in the world, and has set its sights on bettering the future of humanity.
Under the firm leadership of the CPC, China has actively participated in reform and development of the global governance system. It has worked to safeguard the international system centered on the UN, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China has upheld and practiced true multilateralism, resolutely opposed unilateralism, protectionism, hegemonism, and power politics, and worked actively to make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial for all.
China has played a constructive role in the political resolution of regional and international hotspot issues, and it has been a positive force on issues such as climate change, poverty reduction, counterterrorism, cyber security, and regional security. In combating Covid-19, China has engaged in international cooperation and launched the largest global emergency humanitarian operation since the founding of the People’s Republic, providing supplies, medical support, and vaccine assistance for many countries, especially developing countries, and engaging in vaccine cooperation with a number of them. China has thus built its image as a responsible major country.
History contains not only wisdom from the past, but also knowledge into the future. The century-long history of CPC is a history of unflagging endeavors, theoretic explorations and party-building. The great achievements are inspiring; the valuable experience should be cherished; and the historic mission is the source of motivation. From a new starting point, the CPC, in keeping with its founding aspirations and path, is striving to break new ground in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and lead the Chinese people into scaling new heights on the journey toward the great national rejuvenation.