CHINA and Russia have reaffirmed their strategic and defense treaties. They have resolved to create a new economic order in the world and to strengthen BRICS. This is part of China’s new vision. The SCO conference held in Astana has further cemented the relationship not only between China and Russia but has also mapped a framework for the SCO member countries, as outlined in the signed declaration.
In the changing global geopolitical milieu, China has emerged as a dominant player, while the third world war is already on through proxies. China has achieved spectacular success in governance, economy, poverty alleviation and military potential, serving as a beacon of light for others. Emphasizing quality and the role of science and technology in future economic development, Chinese universities have been restructured and modernized. China’s development has not been easy, given its vast landscape, but connectivity initiatives have made the impossible “possible”. Today, China stands as the world’s number one economy and a growing military power. Successive Chinese leadership has used development as a foreign policy instrument, sharing growth with developing countries through soft diplomacy which has enhanced China’s global image. Despite Western critics claiming that Chinese lending makes countries debt-ridden, this is seen as subtle propaganda.
The development and growth are subordinate to the vision of the leadership. Chinese leadership were very clear about its future ever since creation of PRC in 1950. The scope of this article does not permit the space to articulate on the pre-revolution glorious periods. Chinese supremacy both in economy and governance has always been acknowledged. The role of the Chinese leadership under Mao and ever since the Communist Revolution 1950s was to address the decline generated by the opium wars and invasions carried out by the Japanese and British into the mainland China. China lost Hong Kong consequent to these wars. It reverted back its fold after 100 years.
The leadership vision is a key factor in shaping the destiny of nations. China is a classic example. From Mao to Xi, each leader has determined their goals. The path has not been easy and has demanded blood and sweat. There were three major tasks in front of the Chinese leadership. First, to break the shackles of the opium era. Chairman Mao’s Long March symbolizes this period and struggle. It required not only a clear-cut strategy for China, but also immense dedication. The Chinese, under the banner of the Communist Party and Chairman Mao, accomplished this task. Millions sacrificed their lives for this purpose.
China has been the bastion of empires with a very rich history. The grandeur they enjoyed in the past is unprecedented until the foreign invasions. CPC Chairman Mao ruled the longest since 1950, following the Long March. He was the paramount leader until 1975. His task was to rebuild China from the ravages of civil war and re-establish the authority of the state, inculcate confidence, and improve the condition of the peasantry. The task of creating the PRC was accomplished. The nationalists had to take refuge in the Straits of Taiwan, which was recognized by the USA as the legitimate government, while the PRC was not recognized by the USA.
The main event during Mao’s period was the re-initiation of the Cultural Revolution. Mao observed the loosening of revolutionary values, largely to reassert his authority. He felt the CPC was being driven in the wrong direction. The goal was to reset the course and for younger leadership to adopt the true values enshrined in the spirit of revolution, removing impurities. It was also a response to the failure of the Great Leap Forward policy. The spirit of the civil war served as a beacon of light for the revolutionaries. During this period, the Gang of Four became very famous. The revolution ended with Mao’s death in 1976, but it left the society in deep turmoil and directionless. Almost 1.5 million people were killed in the Cultural Revolution.
The period after Mao can be termed a flux, marred by the rivalry of different political groups. In the aftermath, the significant feature was the rise of Deng Xiaoping, who had been purged in 1976. The Gang of Four was pushed out after Mao’s demise in September, ending a very volatile period in China’s history. Despite the ravages and destruction of the Cultural Revolution and low growth in both agriculture and industry, China re-emerged with a new vision under Deng, preserving its integrity and global status. Liu Shaoqi, considered Mao’s successor, had died in prison. Regaining control in 1977, Deng remained the paramount leader for the next 20 years, a period that can be termed as reconstruction.
Earlier, the path was marked by three leaders: Mao, Zhou, and Deng. The rise of Xi manifests a new vision of China with the advent of the 21st century. This new vision aims to get rid of old habits, old customs, old culture and old ideas (generally termed as the Four Os). President Xi’s period can be termed as the new vision of China: a modern and vibrant China. During the 19th Congress in 2017, President Xi, who by then had gained all powers, spelled out his vision of a new China. He outlined detailed plans to transform China into the world’s greatest economic and military power by 2050. China has already become the dominant economy of the world. The vision of new China embodies the merger of socialism and Chinese cultural characteristics to drive the country into the world of modernism. Zero tolerance for corruption, emphasis on quality over quantity in industry and science & technology as drivers backed by research. Regional connectivity initiatives focus on green energy. Today, China has become the largest manufacturer of EVs.
In the global diplomacy, BRI is termed a master stroke. It is not only economically and strategically important for China but the project is helping developing nations and soft face of diplomacy, unknown earlier. For countries like Pakistan, China is a shining example.
—The writer is a senior researcher and analyst. He regularly contributes to the national press.
