Preface

On June 15, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong delivered a speech at the preparatory meeting of the New Political Consultative Conference. He said, “The Chinese people will see that once China’s destiny is in the hands of the people themselves, China will be like the sun rising in the east and shine on the earth, swiftly remove the muddy water left by the reactionary government, heal the wounds of war, and build a new and strong people’s republic worthy of the name”.

On October 1, 1949, Chairman Mao’s solemn proclamation on the Tian’anmen Rostrum marked Chinese people have since then stood up. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people plunged themselves wholeheartedly into socialist construction. The founding ceremony of New China, completion of the first Yangtze River Bridge, explosion of the two bombs, launch of Dongfanghong 1, China’s resumption of its legitimate seat in the United Nations, Xiaogang Village as a glorious pioneer, establishment of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, Hainan standing ahead of the times, Pudong emulating the best and Xiong’an setting sail, all these vivid historical coordinates record the unity and unremitting struggle of the Chinese people, and the Chinese wisdom and strength that have made countless “impossible” visions come true. In the process of arduous exploration, we have blazed a trail of socialism with Chinese characteristics, established a theoretical system of socialism, set a socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and developed the socialist culture with Chinese characteristics. We have entered a new era and lifted ourselves out of poverty. Soon we will complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and embark on a new journey to build a modernized socialist country in all aspects.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, we should sum up the brilliant achievements of the People’s Republic of China since the CPC came into power from various angles, directions, fields and levels. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that development must be scientific and adhere to the concept of “innovation, coordination, green, open and shared development”. Innovation is the primary driving force for development, and innovative development stresses seeking the source of impetus for development. Coordination is the inherent requirement of sustainable and sound development, and it focuses on addressing the problem of unbalanced development. Green development is a necessary condition for sustainable development and an important manifestation of people’s pursuit of a better life. Green development stresses harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Opening-up is the only way for a country to achieve prosperity and development, and the focus of opening-up and development is to achieve internal and external linkage for development. Sharing is the essential requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and it focuses on enhancing social fairness and justice. Such a concept has been developed on the basis of a profound summary of the successes and lessons of development learned at home and abroad as well as an in-depth analysis of the international and domestic general development trends, and proposed in view of the prominent contradictions and problems in China. It can also be said that this concept takes form on the basis of summing up the brilliant achievements made since the founding of New China. The new development concept further answers the question of what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it.

A look back upon the path and achievements of the People’s Republic of China since its founding once again proves by irrefutable facts that only the CPC can save China and only the CPC can develop China. Development is the foundation and the key to solving all the problems in China. Therefore, as the general volume of the “Brilliant China” series, we follow the “innovation, coordination, green, open and shared development” concept as the central framework to make a concentrated demonstration of the Chinese people’s great blueprint and glorious achievements made through conquering untold obstacles and difficulties under the leadership of the CPC. It is hoped that this exploratory summary can give people new inspirations.

Hong Xianghua

November 2020