By Amin Kef Sesay (Ranger)
A major political event is taking place this week in the People’s Republic of China when the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) started on 16 October in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping, on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee, delivered to the Congress a Report titled: “Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects”, which was adopted unanimously by the deputies.
The Report itself was divided into 15 parts all detailing concrete achievements made during the past five to ten years as well as recommendations proffered into the future.
Xi pointed out that in the past five years since the 19th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee has pursued a strategy of national rejuvenation amid global changes of a magnitude not seen in a century and made major strategic plans for advancing the cause of the Party and the country.
He informed how the central committee has brought together the entire Party, the military, and the Chinese people and led them in effectively responding to grave, intricate international developments and a series of immense risks and challenges.
It is important to note that the General Secretary made mention of major achievements which include the dedication of the CPC to achieving lasting greatness for the Chinese nation and committed itself to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity.
He also highlighted the issue of self reform within the CPC but emphasized that the structure and ideology of the party still remains intact. In other words, the General Secretary was underscoring the importance of sustainability of the party side by side various reforms instituted.
One key thing he mentioned in the report is that corruption is a cancer to the vitality and ability of the Party, and fighting corruption is the most thorough kind of self-reform there is. He maintained that as long as the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption still exist, they must keep sounding the bugle and never rest, not even for a minute, in their fight against corruption.
This is very much important for the development of any nation because it has been confirmed that for development to thrive then corruption must be fought ruthlessly and with might. Under his leadership and watch, the world has witnessed the efficacy with which Xi Jinping fought corruption to an extent that today China stands as a nation is having zero tolerance for corruption.
The Chinese Leader also strongly pointed out that political consistency is very much significant in order to keep development going. He continued by admonishing that they must keep to their path and not sway in their commitment. The leader also enjoined that they must develop their country with their own strength and maintain a firm grasp on the future of China’s development and progress.
What this portrays is that it is important to drive development independently instead of relying on external support for assistance. This is true because a nation cannot be truly independent if they are only dependent on others for survival.
Another important thing he stated was that they must foster a firmer sense of purpose, fortitude, and self-belief in the whole Party and in themselves so that they cannot be swayed by fallacies, deterred by intimidation, or cowed by pressure.
He was saying that to be resolute is strength, key and must not allow others to dictate what should be done. China’s issues must be dealt with by the Chinese people in light of the Chinese context.
The Chinese leader mentioned the importance of unity while recommending that they should continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort, but was firm in saying that they will never promise to renounce the use of force, and reserve the option of taking all measures necessary.
This is a political reality that cannot be compromised in any shape or form because it is factual that wherever there is disquiet progress could not materialize. A divided nation cannot stand on its feet. Peaceful co-existence and peaceful reunification are requirements for development to flourish.
Still another enlightenment for the world is the Chinese way of practising democracy: the whole-process people’s democracy, which is unique but transparent and accountable and most important of all, fits China’s own situation and brings long-term peace, stability and prosperity for the Chinese people.
It could be concluded that the 20th National Congress of CPC not only marks yet another milestone for the development of the CPC and the Chinese people but also brings very much enlightenment for the rest of the world.
