US scholar explains why Chinese people should be proud in illustrious achievements
Print Edition
I read Chinese Premier Li Keqiang鈥檚 excellent report last week with considerable interest, albeit with a wish that the government of the United States would manage to be equally coherent and substantive!
So, here are my thoughts.
First, Chinese nationals must be 鈥 and, indeed, deserve to be 鈥 very proud over the number of substantial achievements of their government in the past year, over the past five years, and over the 70-plus years. That so many good and decent things have been accomplished in such a short time is an occasion for pride by all of us, wherever we live, since it represents what we can do when we unite behind common purposes.
Second, while I know that not everything is perfect in China 鈥 is this true anywhere? 鈥 and that different groups have their own complaints, that your government has nonetheless done so much that is tangible, measurable and of value to great numbers of its citizens is an occasion for celebration 鈥 your government is working!
Third, on almost every page of Premier Li鈥檚 report I experienced sadness as it stood in such stark contrast 鈥 in its reported accomplishments, in its march of specific goals attained, and indeed in its very language of calmness laden with facts 鈥 to what we have increasingly seen in the United States in recent decades. It is true that President Biden 鈥 unlike his horrific predecessor 鈥 did come into office having run on a platform of proposed concrete actions to assist the majority of American citizens, and this is something worth noting and commending. But, he is faced with a very unrepentant opposing party that is increasingly one of symbols rather than substance. They appear to have reached the conclusion that their only path to remaining competitive in the future is to limit who can vote and to lock in a politics of rage and resentment. How can the United States remain prosperous, let alone competitive, with this insanity so pervasive and apparently shared by so many citizens?
An ungrounded assumption
Fourth, I am a political scientist as well as a historian. When I was in graduate school, much was made of the difference between different structures of government 鈥 one-party states, multi-party states, parliamentary systems, presidential systems, etc 鈥 and the assumption throughout was that multi-party states that were democratic republics were innately superior. I now understand that this presumption was itself an ungrounded assumption, but it certainly is far from being demonstrably true today. Throughout the West, allegedly democratic governments are struggling to govern! The United States has been 鈥 or is still 鈥 governed by people and parties with a substantial crazy element. It is of little surprise, therefore, that so little tangible has been accomplished for the majority of citizens here in recent years.
If there were a way of accurately measuring citizen sentiment toward their governments with respect to its effectiveness (getting things done) and in responsiveness to the wishes of the majority, I have little doubt that China would be ranked very highly and the United States much lower. And this would be a just and accurate judgement!
Fifth, as for the Hong Kong issue, I recognize that when the protests filled Hong Kong streets prior to the arrival of COVID-19, the United States鈥 loud comments about the situation only falsely encouraged the protestors that 鈥渨e鈥 would somehow 鈥渉elp them鈥 鈥 never a realistic option or possibility. I have similar feelings about our policy toward, and comments on, Taiwan. I understand that China considers this an absolutely non-negotiable situation, something which we also agreed to 30 years ago!
Lastly, I do not consider the Chinese mantra of 鈥減ursuing peaceful coexistence and common development with all other countries in accordance with the principle of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit鈥 to be an idle or meaningless phrase. The United States ought to give it a try!
I found these sections near the end of the report to be quite stirring and worthy of note.
鈥淐hina will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy of peace. We will actively work to develop global partnerships and promote the building of a new type of international relations and a human community with a shared future.
鈥淲e will continue to pursue the policy of opening up and cooperation and work to make the system of global governance fairer and more equitable. We will continue to deepen international and regional cooperation, and actively participate in international cooperation to prevent and control major infectious diseases.
鈥淐hina remains committed to pursuing peaceful coexistence and common development with all other countries in accordance with the principle of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. China will join hands with them to meet global challenges and work tirelessly to promote world peace and prosperity ...
鈥淟et each and every of us keep making tireless efforts to build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful, and fulfill the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.鈥
Greg Cusack is a retired US statesman from Iowa. He now lives in Oregon.
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