Hon. Sen. Winston Garraway, Minister of State with Responsibility for Disaster Management & Information,
Friends from media,
Ladies and gentleman,
Good Morning,
Welcome to the Symposium of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Hon. Sen. Winston Garraway for attending this event. Thank you for the wonderful speeches and discussions of all media present. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the well-prepared and comprehensive presentation of China’s development and the 19th National Congress of the CPC from Mr. Titus and Mr. Richardson.
For some time, the international community is very concerned about China's development philosophy, development path and internal and external policies. Ever since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, with the original aspiration of the Party and intrepid commitment in its endeavors, has formulated a series of new vision, thinking and strategies for China’s governance, led Chinese people of all ethic groups to achieve new and glorious victories on the road of the new Long March to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. Where will China head? What will the development of China bring to the world? The 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China comprehensively and systematically answered the major theoretical and practical problems of China's development under the new conditions of the times. At the same time, it showcases the Communist Party of China’s ideology of governing the country and the ruling strategy. It is an important window for the international community to understand contemporary China and a key to find answers to Chinese questions.
On behalf of the 18th Central Committee of the CPC, Xi Jinping delivers a report titled “Secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era” to the Congress.
The theme of the congress is to “Remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind, hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and work tirelessly to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation”. And the original aspiration and the mission of Chinese Communists is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.
The congress elected a new Central Committee and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. It holds high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and is guided by Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the Thought of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development. It put into practice guiding principles from Xi's major policy addresses as well as new ideas, thoughts and strategies regarding governance by the CPC Central Committee.
The Congress reviewed the Party's work over the past five years and summarized the historical process and the experiences the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as its core has gained uniting and leading people of all ethnic groups to carry on and advance socialism with Chinese characteristics. With decades of hard work, socialism with Chinese characteristics has crossed the threshold into a new era. This is a new historic juncture in China's development.
The Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era makes clear that the overarching goal of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is to realize socialist modernization and national rejuvenation, and, that on the basis of finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, a two-step approach should be taken to build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful by the middle of the century.
It makes clear that the principal contradiction facing Chinese society in the new era is that between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life. China will continue commitment to our people-centered philosophy of development, and work to promote well-rounded human development and common prosperity for everyone.
It makes clear that the overall plan for building socialism with Chinese characteristics is the five-sphere integrated plan, and the overall strategy is the four-pronged comprehensive strategy. It highlights the importance of fostering stronger confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
It makes clear that the overall goal of deepening reform in every field is to improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernize China’s system and capacity for governance.
The Congress thoroughly examined the current international and domestic situation, fully take into account new requirements for the Party and the country's development as well as new expectations from the people, drew guidelines for actions and major policies that meet the requirements of the times and called upon all members of the Party and all the people of China to fortify their confidence in the socialist path, theories, system and culture with Chinese characteristics.
The period between now and 2020 will be decisive in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects for China.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of the international and domestic environments and the conditions for China’s development, there will be a two-stage development plan for the period from 2020 to the middle of this century. In the first stage from 2020 to 2035, China will build on the foundation created by the moderately prosperous society with a further 15 years of hard work to see that socialist modernization is basically realized. In the second stage from 2035 to the middle of the 21st century, China will, building on having basically achieved modernization, work hard for a further 15 years and develop China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful.
Bearing all these missions and tasks, China will focus on the real economy, give priority to improving the quality of the supply system, and enhance our economy’s strength in terms of quality. We will create networks of cities and towns based on city clusters, enabling the coordinated development of cities of different sizes and small towns, and speed up work on granting permanent urban residency to people who move from rural to urban areas. We will further reform of State-owned enterprises, develop mixed-ownership economic entities, and turn Chinese enterprises into world-class, globally competitive firms. Contrary to some western countries, China will not close its door to the world; we will only become more and more open. China will improve the system of institutions through which the people run the country and developing socialist democracy. China will build stronger cultural confidence and helping socialist culture to flourish. China will grow better at ensuring and improving people’s wellbeing and strengthening and developing new approaches to social governance. China will speed up reform of the system for developing an ecological civilization, and build a beautiful China. China will stay committed to the Chinese path of building strong armed forces and fully advancing the modernization of national defense and the military. China will uphold "One Country, Two Systems" and move toward national reunification. China will exercise strict governance over the party and improve the Party's ability to govern and lead. Last but not the least; China will follow a path of peaceful development and work to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Communist Party of China not only strives for the wellbeing of the Chinese people but also human progress. To make new and greater contributions for mankind is our Party’s abiding mission. The major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics aims to foster a new type of international relations and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit and uphold its fundamental foreign policy goal of preserving world peace and promoting common development. China remains firm in its commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and to forging a new form of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation. China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace. We respect the right of the people of all countries to choose their own development path. We endeavor to uphold international fairness and justice, and oppose acts that impose one's will on others or interfere in the internal affairs of others as well as the practice of the strong bullying the weak. China will never pursue development at the expense of others’ interests, but nor will China ever give up its legitimate rights and interests. No one should expect China to swallow anything that undermines its interests. China pursues a national defense policy that is in nature defensive. China's development does not pose a threat to any other country. No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion.
China has actively developed global partnerships and expanded the convergence of interests with other countries. China will promote coordination and cooperation with other major countries and work to build a framework for major country relations featuring overall stability and balanced development. China will deepen relations with its neighbors in accordance with the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness and the policy of forging friendship and partnership with its neighbors. China will, guided by the principle of upholding justice while pursuing shared interests and the principle of sincerity, honesty, affinity, and good faith, work to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries. We will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the political parties and organizations of other countries, and encourage people's congresses, CPPCC committees, the military, local governments, and people's organizations to engage in exchanges with other countries.
China adheres to the fundamental national policy of opening up and pursues development with its doors open wide. China will actively promote international cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative. In doing so, we hope to achieve policy, infrastructure, trade, financial, and people-to-people connectivity and thus build a new platform for international cooperation to create new drivers of shared development. China will increase assistance to other developing countries, especially the least developed countries, and do its part to reduce the North-South development gap. China will support multilateral trade regimes and work to facilitate the establishment of free trade areas and build an open world economy.
China follows the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration in engaging in global governance. China stands for democracy in international relations and the equality of all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor. China supports the United Nations in playing an active role in international affairs, and supports the efforts of other developing countries to increase their representation and strengthen their voice in international affairs. China will continue to play its part as a major and responsible country, take an active part in reforming and developing the global governance system, and keep contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to global governance.
This diplomacy calls on the people of all countries to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, to build an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity. We should respect each other, discuss issues as equals, resolutely reject the Cold War mentality and power politics, and take a new approach to developing state-to-state relations with communication, not confrontation and partnership, not alliance. We should commit to settling disputes through dialogue and resolving differences through discussion, coordinate responses to traditional and non-traditional threats, and oppose terrorism in all its forms. We should stick together through thick and thin, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, and balanced so that its benefits are shared by all. We should respect the diversity of civilizations. In handling relations among civilizations, let us replace estrangement with exchange, clashes with mutual learning, and superiority with coexistence. We should be good friends to the environment, cooperate to tackle climate change, and protect our planet for the sake of human survival.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China attaches great importance to its relations with Latin America and Caribbean as a whole. The development of China cannot be possible without the development of other developing countries, including countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. As important members of emerging economies and the developing world, Latin American and Caribbean countries play a major role in safeguarding world peace and development. Since the resumption of diplomatic relations 12 years ago, China and Grenada have witnessed together the comprehensive development of our bilateral relations and fruitful cooperation in all fields. Grenada has become an important cooperation partner and close friend of China in the Caribbean.
As China enters new era, approaches the center of international stage and continues to make a significant contribution to global peace and development, China will continue to make greater contributions to mankind.
Entering new era, it means that China has greater capacity and power to boost global economic growth, and promote common development of the world. China's development potential will bring unprecedented new development opportunities to the world.
Entering new era, China's civilized progress will provide a new and attractive alternative to human society. China's development success not only draws on all the outstanding achievements of the world, but also adheres to the road in line with national conditions. It provides a new alternative way of modernization for other developing countries.
Entering new era, there will be profound changes to the interactive mode between China and outside world. As the trends of global multi-polarity, economic globalization, IT application, and cultural diversity surge forward; changes in the global governance system and the international order are speeding up; countries are becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent. No country can alone address the many challenges facing mankind; no country can afford to retreat into self-isolation. Adhere to the road of peaceful development, China’s opportunity and the world’s opportunity can be transformed to each other. Building a community with a shared future for mankind in the process of promoting positive interaction between China and the destiny of the world is China's strategic choice and goal. China is in a new historical position and has made a new era layout, the outside world also needs to adjust their way of view of China and make choice that follows the trend.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
China not only has the confidence and ability to build our own country, but also has the confidence and ability to make the rest of the world share this "new era".
Thanks.