A better China makes for a better world

Editor's note: Xin Ping is a commentator on international affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News Agency, CGTN, Global Times, China Daily, etc. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

The People's Republic of China has made remarkable achievements since its founding 75 years ago.

In the century preceding 1949, China was a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society at the mercy of foreign powers, subjected to frequent aggression and barely able to meet its people's basic needs, not to mention ensuring their rights and freedoms.

China today stands tall in the world of nations as the second largest economy, largest manufacturer, and largest trader in goods, and has delivered moderate prosperity for a quarter of the world's population. Statistics show that between 1949 and 2023, China's GDP skyrocketed by over 200 times, and its per capita disposable income increased over 70-fold.

The Chinese people now live longer and better. Their life expectancy has grown by 43.6 years to 78.6 since 1949, their illiteracy rate has dipped from over 80 percent to below 3 percent, and absolute poverty has been eliminated in this country. This is a huge contribution to global development.

However, some in the West are under the false belief that a better China is not in the world's best interests.

But facts do not lie. They speak just the opposite.

An engine and anchor of the global economy

China has been the source of more than 30 percent of global growth for many years in a row, expanding at an average annual rate of 8.9 percent between 1979 and 2023, much higher than the global average of 3 percent during the same period.

China is not only an engine but also an anchor of the global economy. Like a safety net, the country's decades-long strong growth has been a buttress for the world economy through ups and downs.

During the financial crises in 1997 and 2008, China's steady and strong economic performance was an important source of strength for the world economy to get back on its feet.

China's economy continued to grow in the first half of this year, reaching $8.7 trillion at a year-on-year rate of 5 percent, despite challenges at home and global economic headwinds. Bloomberg projects that from this year through 2029, China will take up around 21 percent of the world's new economic activities. In contrast, the G7 countries combined will be 20 percent and the U.S. will be less than 12 percent.

Given the size and weight of China's economy and its enormous market, there is still huge potential for the country to scale new heights. A better Chinese economy will create more opportunities for the development of other countries.

A promoter of common development

China is calling for, and working to build a community with a shared future for mankind. This vision is deeply rooted in the time-honored belief in Chinese culture that all people under heaven are of one family and all nations should live in harmony.

But there are a handful of politicians pushing to build an exclusive "small yard with high fences" and stoke block confrontation. Which philosophy works better for a world that has seen enough wars and conflicts? The answer couldn't be more obvious.

As a member of the Global South, China not only seeks to develop itself, but also works to promote common development with other countries, fellow developing countries in particular, through win-win cooperation.

The Belt and Road Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping is a typical example. The visionary initiative is reported to have created more than 421,000 jobs worldwide by 2023, showcasing remarkable ability to build connectivity and fuel economic prosperity.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is another case in point. At its recent Beijing Summit, China and Africa set out to develop an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, and adopted 10 partnership actions for modernization to deepen cooperation and drive modernization in the Global South.

A guardian of world peace

The ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius observed over 2,000 years ago, "Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you." Knowing full well from its historical experience the suffering war inflicts on people, China always stands on the side of peace. It does not talk the talk, but walks the walk.

China has never provoked a war or occupied an inch of foreign land. Nor has it ever engaged in any invasion or territorial expansion or sought any sphere of influence. Its commitment to peaceful development has been codified into the country's constitution.

Committed to upholding the UN-centered international system and promoting political settlement of hotspot issues, it has been the second largest contributor to the UN's regular budget and peacekeeping assessment, and has sent more than 40,000 troops to the UN peacekeeping missions since 1990, more than any other permanent members of the Security Council.

It successfully mediated talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which led to the historic rapprochement between the two countries – a rare peaceful development in the conflict-ravaged region.

A contributor to climate action

"Green is gold."

China understands that economic growth should not come at the cost of the environment, and greater prosperity for mankind lies in the harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

Following a new development philosophy that advocates green and low-carbon growth, China has shifted gear from high-speed growth to high-quality development, taking concrete actions to protect the environment, improve energy mix, and tackle climate change.

China exceeded its climate action goals for 2020 and put forth new nationally determined contributions. 

It is striving to meet its self-imposed targets for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, under which it will make the biggest reduction in carbon emission intensity in the world and move from carbon peaking to carbon neutrality in the shortest time span in world history.

It has put carbon dioxide emissions under strict control, reducing carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP from 2005 levels by more than 51 percent in 2022, and aiming to cut it by over 65 percent by 2030.

It has been working hard to optimize the energy mix, leading the world in the development and utilization of renewable energy, and in the production and popularization of new energy vehicles.

This is good news for the green transition of the world.

Earth is the only place we call home. Decoupling and division will not make our world a better place. Working together to meet global challenges will.

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