Developing alongside China
President Xi Jinping, the then General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, while delivering his speech at 'The Road to Rejuvenation' exhibition in Beijing said, "China in future will move forward like an enormous ship against strong wind and giant waves. All party members must on evaluating the past remember that the backward journey will always pose risks. Only development will strengthen us".
The expectation of Xi Jinping from Chinese citizens, particularly from party members, echoes the expectations in Bangladesh. The ministers belonging to the party in power wants citizens to know that the country has leapfrogged and is already on the development highway. If the ministers truly believe what they say, the statement of the Chinese President equally applies to Bangladesh.
Xi Jinping assumed presidency on March 14, 2013. When he took over the presidency from his predecessor Hu Jintao, the biggest challenge that he faced was corruption. The challenge of corruption has been tamed during his presidency. The most talked about issue during his presidency has been to establish China as a powerful nation.
The most significant national programme is that of the materialisation of what is now being termed as the 'Chinese Dream'. This is essentially a dream of Xi Jinping. He wants to see China in 2049 — on the centenary of her independence — as a rich, powerful, democratic and culturally advanced country, and a friendly nation with its century's old tradition and legacy. In his effort to translate his dreams into reality, he has now focused on building a skilled workforce to forward his country and nation towards the rejuvenation he had spelt out. One of the issues of prime importance to Xi is that of a political reform more in line with global needs that rebuilds China's own brand of socialism.
President Xi Jinping pledged to extend further facilities to friendly countries in order to boost its economy surrounding its continued reform programmes. In a statement Xi Jinping declared on April 8, 2013, not to close Chinese doors to the outside world. China kept all her commitments to the WTO. China has kept her doors wide open for foreign investors to come and assess the market, examine the security of investment and return and decide. He reasonably expects open doors and similar treatments for Chinese investors in other countries.
Bangladesh is also looking to invite big Chinese investments. The Bangladesh government views President Xi Jinping's visit to Dhaka as an opportunity to negotiate such investments. Possible investment, in fact, may reach a colossal 40 billion US dollars.
China is strategically well groomed in its judgment of global politics and maintaining international relations. Both Russia and the United States are of great significance to President Xi Jinping who is also the commander-in-chief of the army. Russia comes first to China while considering geo-political issues, nearness to ideals and political philosophy and probability of strategic partnership.
Building a powerful China essentially requires closer ties with the United States. In a joint press conference with President Obama, Xi Jinping said, "We will graduate our military relationship with United States and build a new model of China-US military ties". Drawing attention to the proverb where there is a will there is a way, he said that both the countries have the political will to build a model acceptable to their nations.
Referring to 90 bilateral issues now under discussions at different stages, he suggests it would build the platform for the new model to work and flourish in both countries. He said, "I think both sides should work hard to build a new type of relationship between big powers. The two sides should cooperate with each other for a win-win result in order to benefit people from the two countries and the world."
A major goal of China remains the 'Silk Road Economic Belt'. For modern China, he envisions the development of the Silk Road economic zone as essential. It will also build a network for regional cooperation. The great Chinese plan aims at including Eurasian, South Asian and West Asian countries within its fold. By developing a framework of economic cooperation among these countries, it will promote cultural communication and interaction among the people.
Recently Sayed Ashraful Islam, Minister for Public Administration put emphasis on direct road communication with China. Referring to the fact that such communication prevailed before, the minister suggests that we should follow the same path.
While President Xi Jinping focused on the promotion of regional, international and bilateral relations, he was not oblivious to building the foundation of good governance in China. This political leader, who has emerged from the grassroots, knows well that unless the hopes and aspirations of the citizens are met, no initiative will sustain in the long run. He is absolutely right when he said to his countrymen: "Happiness does not fall out of the blue and dreams will not come true by themselves. We need to be down-to-earth and work hard. We should uphold the idea that working hard is the most honourable, noblest, greatest and most beautiful virtue."
Analysts are of the opinion that the Chinese Communist Party obtained its legitimacy to rule over its economic achievements during the last three decades. A major share of the population has reaped the benefits of continued economic progress. Yet, the increasing rich-poor gap remains a cause for concern. Reforms in administration, calculated reduction in inequality and adequate development works will eventually reduce the gap and push the nation towards achieving the great Chinese dream. It is high time we embrace the Chinese development model tailored to Bangladesh's needs and develop alongside China.
The writer is President, Scholars Bangladesh Foundation and Centre for NRB Foundation.
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