Jia Qingguo: Institutional reforms call for strong leadership

World
Europe

The institutional reform plan for both the Communist Party of China and the state has been released. Jia Qingguo, CPPCC Member and Dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University, spoke to CGTN host Tian Wei on understanding the reform proposal.

“During the past years of development, problems revealed that some of the Party and state institutions may be outdated and overlapping in their responsibilities. There is a great demand to streamline and rationalize these institutions, and to make sure they function properly and more efficiently,” Jia said.

However, the task does not look easy.

The dean said that the Chinese government has a lot to do. First of all, it needs to make sure the Chinese people understand the rationale of the reform. "Why do you want to combine this ministry with that ministry, or set up new ministries? You need to explain to the people why you can do things better this way. "

“Established interests” can pose another obstacle to reform. Jia said they don't want changes, so the country needs a strong leadership to ensure that institutional changes can happen.

“We have to make sure the resistance of established interests is subdued to some extent. At the same time we should make sure people have their voices heard, and their concerns are reflected in the plan for change. The Chinese government is courageous enough to take up the challenge."

Military delegates arrive for the fourth plenary session of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 13, 2018. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, the rest of the world is becoming more interested in learning what China is up to and where the country is headed. “It's natural because China has been rising very fast, and this is a very big country. Whatever it does, it affects the rest of the world,” explained Jia.

Jia called for China to have an “open mind,” saying that the country “should try to encourage others to learn about China; at the same time encourage our own people to tell the Chinese story by themselves.”

As China grows, Jia notes that the country has a different role to play. “This is the time for China to adapt to its new status: China is a country of great strength and influence. It's no longer the poor and backward country of the past.”

World Insight With Tian Wei is a 45-minute global affairs and debate show on CGTN. It airs weekdays at 10:15p.m. BJT (1415GMT) with rebroadcasts at 4:15a.m. BJT (2015GMT).