The essence and value of a political party in a democracy is measured by its ability to aggregate peoples’ interests, for good governance. It is able to stand the test of time and history only because of its positive impact on the people and society.
The Communist Party of China (CPC), one of the oldest but impactful political parties in recent history of democratic governance is unique in its history, governance and impact. The Pew Research Center, in a recent survey declared that China tops the 2019 global ranking in terms of level of satisfaction with government performance. It shows over 86% of the Chinese people surveyed expressing satisfaction, far above the global average of 47 percent. This acceptance rate is due to CPC history emanating from the people, hence the symbiotic relationship between the two. It all started in1921 with only 57 members at the CPC first national congress in the city of Jiaxing, east China’s Zhejiang province. The founding fathers envisioned achievement of happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for Chinese nation. This inspiring spirit galvanized their efforts to achieve unity of purpose to resist any unpopular or foreign authority. Another historic event that provided the needed platform for the peoples’ collective resolve was the “Long March” of 1934-1946. It was forged with the lives and blood of the Chinese Communists and Red Army soldiers. Because the spirit of the Long March represented a willingness to sacrifice everything to save the country and the people, it meant putting the fundamental interests of the Chinese people and nation above all else. This is the spirit that became ingrained in the CPC and infused deep into the veins and soul of the Chinese nation. In their belief that every nation has its Long March, the current struggles and efforts are considered the new Long March which is a necessity to carry on in realizing their dream of national rejuvenation. Sustaining the spirit is necessary because the Chinese believe “there can be no future for a people who do not remember the road that brought them to where they are today”. Ultimately, the Long March succeeded because the CPC and the Red Army stood together with the people, went through ‘thick’ and ‘thin’ with the people, hence ‘the People” became the source of strength of CPC. This development has allowed Chinese socialism to constantly advance. This also explains why the CPC has always won the peoples’ support and the existence of mutual trust and confidence between them. The people, the government and the CPC are therefore inseparable. While the CPC remains the engine and driving force, the people are the vehicle by which the policies are carried out. The CPC and is leaders therefore have no option but to be people focused in governance.
How have they succeeded in translating this bonding spirit into reality one may ask. The path taken to realize this dream has been through shaping and reforming the party into a governing party that can maintain the “Party-state “system indefinitely. This was meant to provide inclusive, effective and responsive political leadership that is deeply rooted in, and sustained by popular support. They often refer to Qin dynasty which defeated itself and lost the masses’ support through its unpopular policies. They succeeded through strategy and sincerity of purpose and commitment
The 19th CPC national congress of 2017 did not only consolidate but further ushered in Socialism with Chinese characteristics into a new era and, drew a blue print for turning China into a great moderate and prosperous modern socialist country in all respects. Throughout the reform period also there has been a transformation of the people’s mind which directs their attention towards the development of major economic profession, Chinese intellectual entrepreneurs and comprehensive reform strategy. With the acquired “performance legitimacy” and strong leadership the CPC indeed represents the true common will of the people.
President Xi Jinping confirmed recently that China owed is progress to reform and opening up, and will continue to advance on this path. It is thus not surprising, that within a generation, China fulfilled its plan of lifting 800 million people out of poverty in year 2020 a feat without precedent in human history. Changing so many lives for better in such a short span of time is very unique indeed. The poverty alleviation programme succeeded because the China poverty reduction roadmap used people/community targeted approach by for instance adopting the “Two no-worries” and the “three guarantees”. The “Two no-worries” meaning the poor should have no worries about food and clothing and, the “Three guarantees” meaning children from poor families be guaranteed compulsory education, basic healthcare and livable housing conditions. By implication the multidimensional empowerment concept which targeted the people was strategically embedded in China’s poverty reduction framework. With the opening up and people focused governance, China alone accounts for over 75 percent of poverty reduction in the developing world over the last 20years. Encouraged by the spirit of the opening up, president Xi Jinping has introduced the concept of “building a community with a shared future for mankind”. For the first time this concept sets the course for future development of mankind on a just, and equitable basis. To transform this vision into reality, President Xi Jinping who is also the General Secretary of CPC put forward the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013 with the aim of improving connectivity and cooperation on a transcontinental scale. With over 125 countries and over 30 international organization that signed BRI cooperation documents with China, it is paving way to further open up China’s domestic market and help the world tap new potentials of growth cooperation. A recent World Bank report suggests that by 2030, Belt and Road projects could help lift 7.6 million people from extreme poverty and 32 million people from moderate poverty across the world. It is also instructive to note how China’s Good governance policy is committed to building closed partnership, strengthening cooperation and inclusiveness on green infrastructure green energy and green finance. It is also committed to making ‘Green Initiatives’ a defining feature of Belt and Road Cooperation.
The spirit and philosophy of people centeredness of the CPC led government is manifestly clear in the on-going fight against COVID-19. This is confirmed by president Xi Jinping when he said, “we must put people and their lives above anything else, scale up information sharing and collective efforts, enhance public health and medical cooperation, and give full play to the key role of the world health organization (WHO)” All these comprehensive measures are meant to improve global governance on public health security for a global community of health for all. It is this people centered policy that made China today globally the most proactive leader in successfully managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CPC good governance of inclusivity has made it successful in managing ethnic and religious diversities especially for its 56 different ethnic, cultural groups including Hong Kong and Macao compatriots. The CPC policy of promoting cultural and ethical progress centering on improving the people’s wellbeing is also relevant to realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. This is because when the people are firm in their convictions, the country will prosper and the nation will grow stronger
It is with CPCs Xi Jinping we have new concepts for people-oriented policies including, “building a global community of shared future;” “a community of health for all”, “a community of life for mankind”. The CPC now has more than 91 million members across the country which is far less than 10% of the population. Yet, the CPC impact goes beyond China positively affecting rest of humanity. The major lesson of this for other democracies is that it is not the number of politically registered members of a party that makes the party rule properly in a democracy. Also, party success is not measured by abstract ideology or GDP but good policies and ideas that are people centered. In this case, the CPC good governance in China is a huge success because its philosophy holds “the People” as paramount because they are considered the foundation and life blood of the party. It is indeed a feat worthy of commendation and emulation by other democracies. The UN scribe Anthony Guterres sees China in this wise as providing a “meaningful opportunity to contribute to the creation of a more equitable, prosperous world for all”. International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde says “China is now building a bridge of prosperity and also a bridge to the future”. We agree no less
We join in congratulating China as they mark the centenary of the CPC this year. We stand by them in appreciating their century long struggles for pursuit of happiness and rejuvenation for their people and common good for the shared future of the world. We wish them well as they continue with this commitment in building world peace, promoting global development and defending international order.
Professor Golwa is former Director-General of the Institute
for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja
