“The Governance of China” – President Xi Jinping
I thought I would bring this Book Mention forward as it follows nicely from my last post “Understanding Korea (DPRK)”, but also because I was prompted (‘triggered’) by a very nice conversation with Tereza Coraggio (The Third Paradigm) regarding the power of words and the reading of first hand sources, rather than agenda-driven second hand treatises.
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“The Governance of China” is the full collection of speeches and essays by President Xi Jinping since 2012.
This collection has now expanded into a fourth volume. I have all four but have only read random segments at this time. What I have read, I have found profoundly impressive. I filter out any reference to certain ideologies because I don’t think they really apply when talking about universal common sense values, sense of right and wrong, and statesmanship – such as alleviating poverty and stamping out corruption.
I live in Australia. When challenged about my ‘radical neutrality’ on topics such as China, I pose the scenario – think about Australia’s parliamentary political system (‘machine’) “administering” (for want of a better word) 25 MILLION people and then imagine trying to apply this model to a nation of 1.3 BILLION people – that is, Australia’s bureaucracy and government multiplied by 52 (yes, FIFTY TWO!). I don’t think so!!
The historical ‘awareness’ of the average Australian, with European settlement not yet 250 years old can hardly be compared with a history and culture that can be documented back 5,000 years.
I have already pre-empted this topic with one of my earlier ventures down this rabbit hole …
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In “The Governance of China” the speeches and essays are grouped in sections by broad topic and within each section they are in chronological order.
Here is the first, very short chapter in full – it is part of the speech at the press conference by members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee.
From the first section “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”
· The People’s Wish for a Good Life Is Our Goal
· November 15, 2012
Friends from the news media have extensively covered the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), conveying to the world many voices from China. On behalf of the Secretariat of the Congress, I wish to express our sincere thanks to you.
We have just held the First Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, and elected a new central leadership. I was elected general secretary of the Central Committee. On behalf of the members of the newly-elected leadership, I wish to express our thanks to all other members of the Party for their trust in us. We will do our utmost to be trustworthy and fulfill our mission.
We are deeply encouraged by both the trust from the Party members and the great expectations from the people of all ethnic groups in China, and we are keenly aware that this is also our important responsibility.
We are taking on this important responsibility for the nation. Ours is a great nation. Throughout 5,000 years of development, the Chinese nation has made significant contributions to the progress of human civilization. Since the advent of modern times, our nation has gone through untold tribulations and faced its greatest perils. Countless people with lofty ideals rose up for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but each time they failed. After it was founded in 1921 the CPC rallied and led the Chinese people in making great sacrifices, forging ahead against all odds, and transforming poor and backward China into an increasingly prosperous and strong nation, thus opening completely new horizons for national rejuvenation.
Our responsibility is to rally and lead the entire Party and the people of all China’s ethnic groups in taking on this task and continuing to pursue the goal of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, so that China can stand firmer and stronger among the world’s nations, and make new and greater contributions to mankind.
We are taking on this important responsibility for the people. Our people are a great people. During the long history the Chinese people have worked with diligence, bravery and wisdom, creating a beautiful homeland where all ethnic groups live in harmony and developing a great and dynamic culture. Our people have an ardent love for life. They want to have better education, more stable jobs, more income, reliable social security, better medical and health care, improved housing conditions and a beautiful environment. They hope that their children will have sound growth, good jobs and more enjoyable lives. The people’s wish for a happy life is our mission. A happy life comes from hard work. Our responsibility is to bring together and lead the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to free their minds, carry out reform and opening up, further unfetter and develop the productive forces, solve the people’s problems in work and life, and resolutely pursue common prosperity.
We are taking on this important responsibility for the Party. Dedicated to serving the people, our Party has led them in making remarkable achievements, which we have every reason to be proud of. Nevertheless, we should never be complacent and rest on our laurels. In the new circumstances our Party faces many severe challenges as well as many pressing issues within the Party that need to be addressed, particularly corruption, being divorced from the people, and being satisfied merely with going through formalities and bureaucracy on the part of some Party officials. We must make every effort to solve such problems. The whole Party must stay on full alert. “It takes good iron to make good products.” Our responsibility is to work with all Party members to uphold the principle that the Party should supervise its own conduct and run itself with strict discipline, effectively solve major problems within the Party, improve its work style, and maintain close ties with the people. By so doing, our Party will surely remain at the core of the leadership in advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics.
The people are the creators of history. They are the real heroes and the source of our strength. We are fully aware that the capability of any individual is limited, but as long as we unite as one like a fortress, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome. One can only work for a limited period of time, but there is no limit to serving the people with dedication. Our responsibility is weightier than mountains, our task arduous, and the road ahead long. We must always bear in mind what the people think and share weal and woe with them, and we must work together with them diligently for the public good and for the expectations of history and of the people.
China needs to learn more about the rest of the world, and the outside world needs to learn more about China. I hope our friends from the press will continue your efforts for mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world.
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· Study, Disseminate and Implement the Guiding Principles of the 18th CPC National Congress*
· November 17, 2012
* Speech at the first group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee which Xi presided over.
The political report to the 18th National Congress of the CPC has charted a grand blueprint for bringing about a moderately prosperous society in all respects, accelerating socialist modernization, and achieving new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new historic circumstances.
It was emphasized at the 18th National Congress that we should uphold socialism with Chinese characteristics, that the socialist system with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental accomplishment made by the Party and the people during the arduous struggle over the past 90 years, and that we must cherish what has been accomplished and never deviate from it but rather continue to enrich it.
[…] Only by upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics can we bring together and lead the whole Party, the whole nation and the people of all ethnic groups in realizing a moderately prosperous society by the centenary of the CPC in 2021 and in turning China into a prosperous, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious modern socialist country by the centenary of the People’s Republic of China in 2049, so as to ensure the people greater happiness and the nation a brighter future.
[…]
It is important to pay particular attention to the following areas when applying theory to practice:
First, we must understand that socialism with Chinese characteristics is a fundamental accomplishment made by the Party and the people during long-term practice.
Second, we must thoroughly understand that socialism with Chinese characteristics consists of a path, theory and system.
Third, we must have an in-depth understanding of the basic foundation, overall planning and main mandate of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.
[…] China is in the primary stage of socialism[18], that its overall plan is to seek economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress, and that its main objective is to achieve socialist modernization and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
[…] The whole Party and the country must act with one mind, work in a down-to- earth manner, be creative and pioneering, and forge ahead in realizing a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and continuing reform and opening up in all areas.
Fourth, we must have a thorough knowledge of the basic requirements for achieving new victories for Chinese socialism, which the 18th National Congress identified and which we must fulfill with firm determination in the new historic circumstances.
[…] Socialism with Chinese characteristics is a cause for the people in their hundreds of millions – this is why we must give full play to the role of the people as the masters of the country.
[…] Peaceful development is an inevitable prerequisite of Chinese socialism – this is why we must pursue development through opening up and cooperation to benefit all, expand areas of common interests with all others and build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity together with other countries.
Fifth, we must fully understand why we need to ensure that the CPC is always the firm core leadership guiding the cause of Chinese socialism. […] the CPC shoulders the great responsibility for bringing together and leading the people in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, in advancing socialist modernization and in achieving the great renewal of the Chinese nation. The Party’s strength and its close ties with the people have ensured China prosperity and stability, and the Chinese people peace and happiness. The new developments, the need for progress in our cause and the people’s expectations have all made it imperative for us to carry out the great new undertaking of Party building in the spirit of reform and innovation, and upgrade our efforts in all respects to a new level. To run the country well we must first run the Party well, and to run the Party well we must run it strictly.
[…]
If we stray from the people and lose their support we will end up in failure. We must bear in mind the new characteristics and requirements for public work in the new circumstances. We must organize our people, communicate with them, educate them, serve them, learn from them, and subject ourselves to their oversight. We should always be part of the people, work for their interests, and maintain close ties and share good and bad times with them. We should draw wisdom and strength from their great practice; deliver more concrete services to the people that meet their needs, relieve their burdens and benefit their lives; and put a stop to all acts that prejudice their interests.
[…]
It has always been the CPC’s consistent and clear political position to combat corruption, promote political integrity and keep the Party healthy. Building a fine Party culture and a corruption-free Party is a major political issue of great concern to the people. “Worms can only grow in something rotten.” In recent years, long-pent-up problems in some countries have led to resentment among the people, unrest in society and the downfall of governments, with corruption being a major culprit. Facts prove that if corruption is allowed to spread, it will eventually lead to the destruction of a party and the fall of a government. We must keep up our vigilance. Serious violations of Party discipline and state laws that have occurred inside our Party during the past few years are of a vile nature and have produced shockingly harmful political consequences. Party committees at all levels must firmly oppose and combat corruption, and prevent and crack down on it more effectively to ensure that all officials are honest and upright, governments clean and incorruptible, and Communists of political integrity. Officials at all levels, especially high-ranking officials, must conscientiously observe the code of conduct. They should exercise strict self-discipline, strengthen education and restrain their own family and staff. It is absolutely impermissible to abuse one’s power for personal gain or to seek privileges. All violations of Party discipline and state laws must be punished without exception, and we shall not be soft in dealing with them.
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From the section “Culturally Advanced China”
· Young People Should Practice the Core Socialist Values
· March 28, 2014
(Speech at the seminar with teachers and students of Peking University)
“Dear students, teachers and friends,“
Today, as we celebrate China’s Youth Day I’m glad to be here with you, honoring the 95th anniversary of the May 4th Movement. First of all, I’d like to extend, on behalf of the Party Central Committee, my festival greetings to the teachers, staff and students at Peking University and young people of all ethnic groups across the country. Also, I want to express my deepest respects to those who work in the fields of education and youth work throughout the country!
[…]
Looking at human history and social development, we find that the most lasting and profound power for a nation and country is the core values acknowledged by all. Core values carry the spiritual aspiration of a nation and country, and represent the standard for judging right and wrong.
An ancient proverb goes, “The way to great learning is to manifest bright virtue and to treat the people as one’s own family, thereby arriving at supreme goodness.” Core values are in fact individual virtues, as well as public, social and national virtues. A country cannot prosper without virtues, nor can anyone succeed without virtues. Without shared core values, a nation and country will be at a loss to know what is right and what is wrong, and its people will have no code of conduct to follow, the result being that the nation and country can never progress. It has commonly occurred in our history, and still happens across the globe.
[…]
The values of prosperity, democracy, civility and harmony are for the country; those of freedom, equality, justice and the rule of law for the society; and those of patriotism, dedication, integrity and friendship for citizens. They explain what sort of country and society we are striving for, and what kind of citizens we are cultivating.
[…]
Since the Opium War of the 1840s the Chinese people have long cherished a dream of realizing a great national rejuvenation and building China into a strong, democratic and harmonious modern socialist country – the highest and most fundamental interests of the nation. And that’s what our 1.3 billion people are striving for.
[…]
“Today, we advocate and carry forward the core socialist values through absorbing the rich nourishment of Chinese culture, so as to invigorate its vitality and broaden its influence.
Here are some quotations from ancient classics that I’d like to share with you today:
• “The people are the foundation of a state,”
• “The harmony of Nature and man,”
• “Harmony without uniformity,”
• “As Heaven changes through movement, a gentleman makes unremitting efforts to perfect himself,”
• “When the Great Way prevailed, a public spirit ruled all under Heaven,”
• “Everyone is responsible for his country’s rise or fall,”
• “Govern the country with virtue and educate the people with culture,” “A gentleman has a good knowledge of righteousness,”
• “A gentleman is broad-minded,”
• “A gentleman takes morality as his bedrock,”
• “Be true in word and resolute in deed,”
• “If a man does not keep his word, what is he good for?”
• “A man of high moral quality will never feel lonely,”
• “The benevolent man loves others,”
• “Do things for the good of others,”
• “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you,”[23] “Care for each other and help one another,”
• “Respect others’ elders as one respects one’s own, and care for others’ children as one cares for one’s own,”
• “Help the poor and assist those in difficulty,”
• “Care less about quantity and more about quality.”
These thoughts and ideas all displayed and still demonstrate distinctive national features, and have the indelible values of the times. We have updated them in keeping abreast of the times, while carrying them forward in an unbroken line.
As Chinese, we should always keep our own unique inner-world spirit, uphold values that we practice every day without noticing. The core socialist values we advocate today represent the inheritance and upgrading of outstanding traditional Chinese culture.”
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From the Section Peaceful Development
· “China’s Commitment to Peaceful Development”
· March 28, 2014 (page 291)
Mutual understanding is the foundation of state-to-state relations. Deeper mutual understanding will cement and broaden the foundation of our exchanges and cooperation.
[…]
Let me take this opportunity to share with you China’s reform and development, focusing on its commitment to peaceful development. I hope this will help your understanding of our country.
Long ago, China made the solemn declaration to the world that it is committed to pursuing peaceful development. It has developed itself by upholding world peace and maintained world peace through development. Pursuing peaceful development is China’s response to international concern about the direction it is taking.
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· From President Xi Jinping's report to China's 2022 party congress
The theme of this Congress is holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implementing the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carrying forward the great founding spirit of the Party, staying confident and building strength, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, forging ahead with enterprise and fortitude, and striving in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.
Our Party has dedicated itself to achieving lasting greatness for the Chinese nation and committed itself to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity.
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Audio Readings by Chet Ozmun
In an incredible feat, Chet Ozmun has produced a lasting legacy in the form of an audio reading of the entire “The Governance of China” series here:
A PDF of Volume 1 can be found here
https://bannedthought.net/China/Individuals/XiJinping/XiJinping-TheGovernanceOfChina.pdf
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Xi Jinping himself
· Xi Jinping - Scholar in a cave
“Reading is my biggest hobby. It’s a way of life for me. Reading all kinds of books, I guess, will be my hobby all my life.“
“I’d go everywhere looking for books. One should be deeply ashamed of any gap in one’s knowledge. That was the basis of the demands I made on myself.”
Xi Jinping also mentions having read: the Dictionary of Idioms, the Xinmin Dictionary, A Concise Dictionary of Philosophy, Shakespeare, Das Kapital and literary classics – both Chinese and foreign, Goethe’s Faust, books on military strategy such as von Clausewitz’s On War (and I bet Sun Tsu)
“Later I started reading books on politics and philosophy. But books on history were my favourite.”
“I even read the Twenty Four Histories all the way through.“
[3213 volumes, 40 million words]
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Twenty-Four_Histories#Books_of_the_Twenty-Four_Histories
[I just shake my head in amazement every time I reflect no this]
· Xi Jinping's youth: Humble beginnings in the Chinese countryside - New China TV
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A few miscellaneous titbits
· 茉莉花 05年春节歌舞晚会 现场版--彭丽媛
· Jasmine 2005 Spring Festival Song and Dance party live version - Peng Liyuan
Some may have recognised Peng Liyuan as the First Lady, “Mrs Xi”. She is a performing superstar in China
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· Playlist Chinese Folk Tales
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· Mastering Chinese Poetry Ep. 3: The Golden Dress 金縷衣
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