Chen Wenling: The Future-Oriented Reform and Opening Up Will Never Stop

In the report of the 19th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that socialism is the only way to save China and reform and opening up is essential for the development of China, socialism and Marxism. This important statement has given reform and opening up a new historical significance. The reform and opening up is a great creation in the history of the CPC party, which has made great achievements in the new era. The practices have proved that reform and opening up is the source of vitality for the development of contemporary China, an important magic weapon for the party and the people to make great strides in keeping pace with times, and it is the only way to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics. The reform and opening up has greatly unleashed the creativity and dynamics of the entire society. It is the driving force behind China’s achievement and has given millions of Chinese people a rare historical opportunity. As the production factors like manufacturing, talent, and capital flow to China, the Asia-Pacific region has become the focus of the global economy, and China has become the most dynamic economy in the Asia-Pacific region.

The reform and opening up have enabled the Chinese market to connect with the world market, making China an attractive destination for capital, industry and talent. During the reform and opening up, China has transformed its rudimentary industrial system to a well-established one. Millions of people are inspired to unleash their motivation and creativity, and entrepreneurship has spread all across China. Since the beginning of China’s reform and opening up, the socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics has entered the fast lane and gradually entered the center of the world stage. The opening up is broadening people’s horizon, while the reform is aimed at solving the problem relating to motivation, system and mechanism.

China’s reform will keep going to meet the people’s pursuit of a better life. Since the party’s 18th National Congress, the party’s Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core has been working hard to overcome difficulties and has gained significant progress. More than 1500 measures have been implemented to promote comprehensive reforms. At present, the socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era and the major social contradictions in our country have changed to the contradiction between the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life and the unbalanced development. Therefore, we must continue to promote development, solve the problem of unbalanced development, vigorously improve the quality and efficiency of development, and better meet the people’s needs in the areas of politics, economy, and culture, so as to promote a comprehensive development and social progress.

In the new era, the task of reform will become harder than ever and more details can be described as follows.

First, how can we modernize the national governance system and governance capacity? Compared to the reform of the micro economy, the reform of the top-level governance structure will be much more difficult. Second, we should continue to discard all the outdated ideological concepts and systems, including the solidified concepts formed at the beginning of China’s reform and opening up. Third, we should break through the barriers created by different interest groups and enhance the public’s sense of acquisition. Fourth, we must establish a sound and effective system, draw experience from other countries and modernize the national governance system and governance capabilities in all aspects. Fifth, we should continue to be a participant, builder, promoter, or leader of economic globalization. Since the party’s 18th National Congress, China has contributed to the world by offering global public goods such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the establishment of a common community of shared future for all mankind. In the new era, we should further deepen reform and opening up in order to make greater contributions to mankind and be recognized by more countries. Lastly, we should work hard on meeting the needs of the people for a better life. With the socialism with Chinese characteristics and China’s economic development entering a new era, the economy has shifted from a phrase of high-speed growth to high-quality development and therefore, it is necessary to examine the three major changes in quality, efficiency, and power, insist on quality, give priority to efficiency, and build a modern economic system.

Compared with the gradual opening up in the past, the opening up and reform in the new era will be deeper, more active and confident. 2018 is the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up. Making new progress is the best commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up. The reform and opening up will make significant progress and we will surely realize our dream of rejuvenating China and make China a great country.