Ringing in the New Year

2022 already passed, and 2023 has arrived.

Time moves on but uncertainty has left the world with inertia.

Amidst profound changes unseen in a century aggravated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of the world is in a blur.

The second-largest economy in the world, China tried to inject some certainties as the Communist Party of China (CPC) held its 20th National Congress, mapping out a blueprint for the country’s development in the next five years and beyond.

Despite all the hardships, the year 2022 showcased a resilient and dynamic China with its diligent and respectable people making persistent progress in all fields.

Forging Ahead

China managed to present an extraordinary Winter Olympics by implementing the closed-loop management system amid the pandemic. When the Olympic flame was lit at the National Stadium in Beijing, the world seemed to be able to temporarily escape all the troubles but indulge in athletic spirit across borders.

The Chinese economy has remained the second largest in the world and enjoyed sound development. China’s GDP for the whole year is expected to exceed 120 trillion yuan (US$17.4 trillion). Despite a global food crisis, the country secured a bumper harvest for the 19th year in a row, ensuring the food supply for the Chinese people. In 2022, it continued to consolidate its gains in poverty elimination and advance rural revitalization comprehensively.

Over the past year, the Chinese people worked hard in agriculture, enterprises, communities, schools, hospitals, and research institutes, among other areas. Throughout the year, they devoted due efforts, contributed greatly, and received thick returns.

Shenzhou-13, Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 soared into space. China’s space station was fully completed. The C919, China’s first homemade large passenger aircraft, was delivered. And the Baihetan hydropower station went into full operation... None of these achievements would have been possible without the sweat and toil of countless Chinese people. Sparks of talent landed to drive the strength of China.

Putting People First

Over the past three years, China has always put the people and their lives first by keeping COVID-19 under control while promoting economic and social development. China’s recent optimization and adjustment of response measures was based on a scientific assessment of virus mutations and the pandemic situation. Practices in many countries have shown that although the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, its virulence and pathogenicity are weakened. The majority of infected people can fully recover within a short period of time, and the rates of severe cases and mortality have significantly reduced.

China has administered 3.4 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines. In this context, 90 percent of all Chinese people, including 86 percent of those aged 60 and above, have been fully vaccinated. China has been vigorously promoting booster shots with a focus on strengthening the vaccination and health management of older people.

“It in no way means giving up the fight against the virus or a complete exit from prevention and control measures,” said Li Bin, deputy head of the National Health Commission. “China will continue improving management, services, and guarantees.”

With the Spring Festival, the most important festival for Chinese people, just around the corner, a peak infection stretch may ripple across rural areas as countless people return home for family reunions. China is enhancing its efforts in rural areas to tackle the mounting challenges. According to a document recently released by relevant authorities, comprehensive measures should be dedicated to facilitating the operation of anti-virus systems in the countryside to ensure drug supplies, swift treatment of severe cases, and protection of the elderly and children.

Over the past three years, officials and the general public, particularly medical professionals and community workers, have bravely maintained their posts through it all. China now has entered a new phase of COVID response where tough challenges remain. It is not an easy journey for anyone.

Chinese Path to Modernization

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress reiterated the Party’s goal of building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. The method to reach the goal was also clarified: through the Chinese path to modernization.

The report listed five characteristic features that make China’s modernization drive special, including how it involves the world’s largest population and achieves common prosperity for all; seeks harmony between humanity and nature; and promotes peaceful modernization, avoiding the old path of war and colonization.

Chinese-style modernization contains elements common to the modernization processes of all countries, but it also has features unique to China. Common prosperity, which is essential to socialism, is a significant feature of Chinese-style modernization. It refers to the prosperity of all people, not a few.

Rather than a synonym for egalitarianism, common prosperity is more like an antonym of polarization between the rich and poor. The wealth gap is a worldwide problem hindering development in many countries. Hard as it is, China has made progress on that steep front.