China and the world benefit from opening-up

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Editor’s note: Tom Watkins has had a lifelong interest in China and has worked for nearly four decades to build economic, educational and cultural ties between the U.S. and China. He serves on the Michigan-China Innovation Center Advisory Board and is an adviser to the Detroit Chinese Business Association. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Forty years of "China's opening-up" have produced meaningful progress for the world and, especially, for the people of China.

Without question, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has taken many steps to address poverty since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. The CPC has lifted hundreds of millions of its citizens out of abject poverty to the equivalent of a Chinese middle-class over the past 40 years – a truly remarkable and universally acknowledged feat.

Poverty has a devastating impact on the growth and development of individuals (especially children), families, and society as a whole. China deserves credit for what it has accomplished.

Tourists take pictures at the "Reform and opening-up" exhibition held at the Chinese National Museum in Beijing, December 22, 2018. /VCG Photo

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in speaking to the Chinese Congress, emphasized the accomplishments of its past leaders – Mao in making China independent, and Deng who made it prosperous – and how now Xi would make China stronger while propelling the country into its "new era." This new era is the Chinese equivalent of his policies that will "lift all boats." The goal of eradicating poverty is certainly a lofty goal.

Channel News Asia reported: "The poverty rate among the rural population dropped to 3.1 percent in 2017 from 97.5 percent 40 years ago."

The Chinese government and its people are investing in education, infrastructure, and technology – fully embracing the future. They understand that knowledge, innovation, and creativity are the currency in the 21st century that propels individuals, families and a nation forward, and the country is investing heavily in education as a poverty alleviation tool.

40 years of opening-up

As the 1980s unfolded, China changed course, beginning with Deng Xiaoping, the pre-eminent leader following Mao. Now, President Xi continues to change the course of the world in the 21st century.

Deng began the process and President Xi has put it on steroids, establishing policies and practices that have lifted more people out of poverty than any other nation in the world. Twice as many people have escaped poverty in China than in the U.S.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump (L) at a dinner on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 1, 2018. /Xinhua Photo‍

Today, some argue that the 20th century belonged to America and the 21st century will ultimately be led by China. I do not know if their arguments will withstand the test of time. However, I do know that the destinies of China and the U.S. are linked and the two countries must find ways to live, work, and solve problems together or else they will surely fall together.

I have traveled throughout China numerous times since 1989, to popular cities like Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Lhasa – plus those less familiar like Lanzhou, Changsha, Beichuan, Bengbu, Changchun, Mianyang, Nanjing, Huizhou, Jurong, Shenzhen, Turpan, Urumqi, and Wuhan. During my travels I have seen the ultramodern as well as scenes that remind us of the past centuries.

China with all its progress remains, in many parts of the country, a developing nation.

China has stood up

There's no doubt that China has soared. Consider:

• 700 million people have moved from abject poverty to Chinese middle classes.

• China has become the world's second-largest economy that is also fastest growing.

• Many Chinese students significantly outperform U.S. students on international tests.

• China is the world's largest auto producer.

• China has become a banker to the U.S., owning more than 20 percent of our total foreign reserves or more than 3 trillion dollars.

In addition, these three underlying factors make China vital to world affairs historically and – more importantly – going forward:

1) One out of every five people on the planet is Chinese.

2) China is the oldest surviving civilization.

3) China was shaken from its historical pedestal as the "Middle Kingdom," has spent decades attempting to regain its equilibrium, and has clearly arrived. As Mao once said, "China has stood up."

The special envoy on G20 Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, Wang Xiaolong, during a press conference on the second day of the G20 Leader's Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 01, 2018. /VCG Photo

I love the Chinese culture and people, I have traveled across China enough to know more than an average Westerner. I see both its strengths and weaknesses.

China Dream

China will continue to build on its plan to lift the remaining Chinese citizens out of poverty while propelling China forward as they continue to re-establish "fuqiang" – "wealth and strength."

I love the U.S. and want its people and values to prevail as the 21st century unfolds. Yet, I do not believe that America was pre-ordained to be the number one— it has been historically proven that this is something America must continually earn.

China is investing in improving its infrastructure, education (from the cradle to the grave), technology (especially, artificial intelligence/AI) and research and development – even as the U.S. is disinvesting or not improving in these areas. Thus, instead of whining about China's rise, the U.S. needs a national strategy to assure it remains the number one and start investing in its collective future.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)