‍Zheng Bijian is the chairman of China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, a research institute dedicated to researching and strategizing the best methods of innovation and development for China. 

Zheng is the former executive vice president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. The Central Party School is the highest educational institution that specifically trains officials for the CPC. Zheng is the primary architect of the China "peaceful rise" theory.

The followings are the highlights of Zheng Bijian's interview in July, 2018. The video reflects the guest's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN. 

What are the primary characteristics of China's new era?

There are changes in four main areas. 

First, the worldwide change in productivity. 

Second, the shift in international and major-country relations in general. 

Third, the changes in China-US relations. 

And fourth, the changing environment within each country especially in China and the US. 

China's peaceful rise is remarkable. Many efforts have been contributed to the cause for 40 years and have achieved today's achievements. In another 40 years, it will be at mid-century.

There will be two scenarios after another 40 years. One is a new round or phase of economic globalization, which would be promoted by emerging developing countries, including China. 

The other is a new direction in Sino-US relations. These two aspects are closely intertwined. 

After four decades of reform and opening-up, why must China now comprehensively deepens reform and further opens up?

There are two factors. The first is a requisite of domestic growth. China's domestic growth, fundamentally, must meet the public's aspirations for a better life, by scaling to new heights of productivity. No stagnation can be tolerated.

The second reason is the international environment. There was a major change in productive forces. This should not be ignored, because it may lead to a serious shift in international relations, especially in China-US relations.

What's the relationship between political reform and economic reform?

The essence of this question is how to examine the CPC leadership. Some claim that China doesn't seem to have experienced any reform of its political institutions, but only the economic ones.

This is a grave misunderstanding of the reality. China launched its reform and opening-up process in the late 1980s, or in 1978, 1979 and 1980. Since then, China's political restructuring was also elevated.

In fact, it was the starting point of all reforms. There would be no reform at all without the restructuring of the political institutions. 

What's the ultimate goal of CPC?

CPC defined itself as "two vanguards". First, the CPC is the vanguard of the working class. At the same time, the Party was born in China, and supported by the Chinese people. Therefore, the CPC is also the vanguard of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation.

Liberating the Chinese people and the Chinese nation on China's land, including the war of resistance against Japanese aggression was an important goal. Japanese imperialist and militarist aggressors occupied vast land of China and killed many Chinese people. Thus, the CPC is also the vanguard of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. 

The "two vanguards'' are defining features of the CPC, and have been written into the Party Constitution after the approval of the CPC National Congress. So, CPC's mission is to strive for bright prospects for the Chinese people.

President Xi Jinping has set three key dates: 2020, 2035 and 2050. What's the role of reform and opening-up for each of those dates?

Ever since 1978, the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, China's vision of development has experienced shifts.

First, simply providing enough food and clothing for the people. Then, working toward"Xiaokang", a moderately prosperous society, and full modernization by the middle of 21st century.

However, from "Xiaokang" society to a fully modernized China, it might take another 50 years. So, some additional time will be provided.

From 2020, China's focus will be on full modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 

The 18th CPC National Congress further clarified that once a moderately prosperous society in all aspects is built, a full industrialization by 2035 is the next aim. 

Then, by 2050, full modernization and the great rejuvenation will be realized.

How do you think about the current critical period? 

After 40 years of reform and opening up, there are huge opportunities and challenges. And, challenges should be turned into opportunities.

Opportunity needs to be seized, not to be missed. Previous efforts would be in vain if the opportunity is missed.

What do peaceful rise and peaceful development mean and what are the differences between them?

The concept of peaceful rise and peaceful development that is conditional. What is the condition?

That relative peace and stability is possible in the late 1970s, when the U.S. retreated from the Vietnam War, and then the former Soviet Union failed in its occupation of Afghanistan. Thus, there was possibility of peace and stability.

Deng Xiaoping said that peace and development was the theme of the times. The proposal was critical and that is the CPC'‍s view of the times.