China's national flags are seen fluttering on Tian'anmen Square and atop the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. /Xinhua
Editor's note: Andrew Korybko is a Moscow-based American political analyst. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presented a government work report on March 5 during the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress.
Much has already been written about the comprehensive details that he shared concerning China's many successes over the past year, especially with respect to containing the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring rapid economic recovery, so the present analysis will risk redundancy by reviewing all of them. Instead, this piece will focus more on the bigger picture of China's impressive achievements and its visionary plans for a truly win-win future for all.
Containing COVID-19 was a miraculous achievement that was made possible by President Xi Jinping's leadership and direct involvement in this pressing task of global significance. The Communist Party of China, the country's armed forces, and the Chinese people all contributed to this glorious victory, which in turn enabled China to bounce back faster and more effectively than many other places on earth. All the while, China succeeded in eradicating absolute poverty, which contributed to stabilizing its economic fundamentals and ensuring a subsequent GDP growth of 2.3 percent last year.
This achievement made it possible for the Chinese government to set the goal of six percent GDP growth this year, which it is confident will be reached as the country continues to implement its new development philosophy of dual circulation.
In connection with this, innovation-driven development will be prioritized in parallel with reducing taxes and other business costs. Administration will continue to be streamlined and power will increasingly be delegated for regulation. Environmental progress will continue apace, as will improvements in healthcare and education. The people's intellectual and cultural needs will also be taken care of.
Workers are seen working in a workshop of an automobile manufacturing plant in Qingzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, February 28, 2021. /Xinhua
The consolidation of China's successes in building a moderately prosperous society that's nevertheless still in the primary stage of socialism will enable the country to continue playing a confident role in the global economy. As the world's largest developing nation, China's growth will naturally assist others, to which end the country will encourage high-quality foreign trade and investment per its new dual circulation paradigm. China will keep opening up and implementing market-friendly reforms, including the extending of credit support for some foreign firms and adjustment of import tariff policies.
This is the epitome of China's win-win philosophy of cooperation with all. Since its economy recovered more quickly and efficiently than other country's, China has a responsibility to help the rest of the global economy follow in its footsteps. A rising tide lifts all boats, as the saying goes, and China's rising economy will indeed lead to others growing as well.
With this in mind, Premier Li reiterated China's intentions to deepen international and regional cooperation. It's worthwhile recalling last year's agreements on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) with the EU.
Just last month, China also expressed interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). This confirms its positive intentions in ensuring that all others can benefit as much as possible from its post-COVID-19 economic growth.
Observers must remember that this isn't rhetorical, but grounded in the reality of China's domestic economic consolidation last year which survived the difficult test given to it by the pandemic. This proved how solid the country's economic fundamentals are that they could weather this challenge so successfully and now put it in a position to help the rest of the world.
Building upon its impressive achievements of the past year with an eye on its visionary plans of mutually beneficial cooperation with the rest of the international community, everyone can therefore expect China to fulfill the ambitious tasks set out for it by the central government. These include promoting peaceful reunification with Taiwan and pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace predicated on a new model of international relations. China will surely succeed in continuing to build a moderately prosperous society that serves as a beacon of hope for the rest of the world as it struggles to find its way out of the dark COVID-19 pandemic.
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