4月9日，由中央广播电视总台、博鳌亚洲论坛秘书处、中国公共外交协会共同主办的“亚洲媒体高峰会议”在三亚召开。来自亚洲40个国家的140余位主流媒体负责人出席了此次会议。察哈尔学会印度籍研究员魏克然·钱纳应邀出席并发表题为“中国改革开放四十年：中国发展与全球机遇”的演讲。
Good afternoon. I would like to approach the topic in a broader historical framework.
And start by pointing out there are 3 noteworthy decades which were/are critical in determining our collective fate.
One such decade is the one we find ourselves in today - 2010 to 2020. But let’s dial back further for the sake of argument.
1810 - 1820
1910 - 1920
As an amateur student of history and international relations I would like to share an observation that over the last 200 years of the modern period these are the definitive decades that determine the rules for that particular century.
Let me be specific.
Between 1810 and 1820 we witnessed the coming together of the Europeans in what is called the ‘Concert of Europe’ at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The goal was to shape a new set of rules that would maintain a peaceful International order for the 19th century and avoid the re-emergence of Napoleon Bonaparte and his legacy of war.
Exactly a 100 years later these rules would collapse with World War One in 1914. Which saw the end of empires across the world and the first steps towards a new international order based on nation states. However a poorly negotiated peace in 1918 would lead to the rise of Hitler and extend this chapter into a Second World War.
Although initially contested by the Soviet Union an American led vision emerged after this period which matured into a framework of globalisation determining the rules of much of the progress made in the post world war, 20th century.
But now, once again, we find ourselves in another such disruptive decade 2010 - 2020. Where new rules are needed more than ever to guide the community of nations and face square on the challenges the 21st century has thrown at us.
It is in this light China’s unique experiences, it’s pathway to astounding development and growth in a mere 40 years of opening up and reform are extremely significant.
The overall China model including the course balancing of the last five years represents a comprehensive and alternative paradigm of development that many in rest of the world are noting in order to take relevant lessons.
With the continuity of a strong leadership team and policies under President Xi Jinping, what we have for the first time is an opportunity for an Asian perspective via China to meaningfully influence and impact the new set of rules being debated globally to determine the best way to shape the considerable challenges we face.
Growth of income disparity.
A movement away from trade and internationalism.
And a looming environmental crisis.
On all 3 counts, the journey of China over the last 40 years since the opening up and reform is instructive including the ongoing recalibration of the development strategy under President Xi in order to adapt to tough times that lie ahead and convert them into opportunities.
Efforts in particular to redress income disparity through targetted poverty alleviation programmes.
Hastening of infrastructure in the hinterland together with smarter planning to aggregate urban spaces into more connected, efficient systems.
Applying the ‘new normal’ of an innovation led economy instead of GDP or pure growth led approach in the past.
China’s playbook that took 40 years to emerge has in it the power to signal to the world, a blueprint for balanced growth in the wake of multiple issues that inform governance today.
It stands poised at this critical and historically disruptive juncture and decade (2010 - 2020) to offer a much needed counter perspective through which to frame the opportunities and challenges of today.
In this context President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a bold new template for globalisation in the 21st century - An innovative initiative with the ability to be a new forum for dialogue and exchange that goes beyond trade.
For these new rules of engagement that China is championing are rooted in the vision of ‘shared common destiny’ is more relevant than ever before to set the tone of collaboration instead of blind competition when the need for peace and development are the urgent needs of our times.
As we collectively seek to define
the 21st century the concept of ecological civilisation suggested by President XiJinping is truly the key that must be at the heart of any strategy pursued no matter where.
The world will watch as China pursues a ‘green destiny’ and applies it to its own development with vigour.
Of Nature By Nature and For Nature - is a powerful way to describe the timeless essence of chinese civilisation.
As China seeks to balance traditional values associated with Wood and Stone with those of Steel and Glass - the development template for a clean future will emerge.
These will be the ultimate rules that China’s new era will influence in our collective quest to build a sustainable and harmonious century.
Thank you.
