Sunday, March 17, 2013

CHINA – THE NEW LEADERSHIP TAKES OVER THE REINS OF POWER


Upon completion of the scheduled period of one decade in power Hu Jintao, Chinese President and Secretary of Communist Party of China, Wen Jia Bao Prime Minister stepped down from power paving the way for Xi Jing Ping for post of President General Secretary of Communist Party of China and Li-Quenkamg as Prime Minister, both top leaders of Communist Party of China took over the reins of power on 14th and 15th of March respectively. Xi-Jing-Ping had already taken over the post of Supreme Commander of Peoples’ Liberation Army after getting confirmed as the heir apparent to Hu-Jintao. Like Hu-Jintao and Wen-Jia-Bao, both Mr.Xi-Jing-Ping and Li-Quenkamg are pro-reform advocates and hence much could be expected from these two leaders in the coming days, in the capacity of President and Prime Minister. Though Hu Jintao and Wen Jia Bao could do a lot for China, though they could feel elated before abdicating power, it is worth noting that both must be nursing a bit of dissatisfaction due to the fall in GDP which is currently 7.8% of the lowest since the last thirteen years, rampant corruption plaguing the country and mounting pollution which has aggravated with the overall progress in the industrial sector. In the eyes of the world, both, Hu and Wen occupy a defining position as they could during their one decade tenure catapult the economy of China to the second place in the world after US which currently occupies the number one position. With the volatile economy of US showing a slump in its economic growth, it is just a matter of time, China overcomes US by climbing to the top of the world relegating US to the second or third place within approximately five years.
From the two pro-reformers at the helm of affairs, it is quite plausible that China would be able to make a leap in the field of economy. Prime Minister Li-Quankemg ‘s words underscore his attitude towards reforms. ‘Reform is like rowing upstream’.
Keeping such a mindset towards reforms means both leaders are poised to initiate an array of reforms in the coming decade. Even before assumption of power both had envisaged a more prosperous China, and in the efficient hands of them China’s future is likely to turn more and more brighter. While initiating steps for the progress of economy with the sincere co-operation of the entire Chinese, simultaneously these leaders should have to concentrate on improving relations with foreign countries. It is a fact that former President Hu-Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jia Bao during their tenure took all steps to get friendly with nations the world over by undertaking several visits to not only developed nations like Russia, US, European nations and they could establish cordial relations with nations across  Asian and African Continents and have made large-scale investments in various fields like business, industry, mineral resources and mines contributed a lot to the developments of Asian and African nations like India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Thailand, South Korea et al.
What all we are expecting much from the current leadership of China spreading the investment network more, efficiently, vigorously across more and countries so as to reach the benefits to more and more people. Also the enemical attitude it still continues to nurse towards certain nations like Japan, could be improved through mutual visits and dialogues thereby opening a new chapter in the betterment of relations.
Since the assumption of power by Deng-Xiao-Ping in the 1980s, the architect of modern China by opening up the nation to the entire World, China has virtually made a quantum-jump within three decades. The leap forward continues in full swing. 
One issue which I omitted to note is the internal problems like the ethnic wars between muslims and Hans community in the province of Uighur in Zinkiang district and the rising demands of Chinese citizens especially the intelligentia and youth, majority of them are students to bring in reforms so as to pave the way for a more democratic China where freedom of expression and speech are not curtailed. While elevating China to the top of the world by the Chinese leadership ,we should never forget the blood spilt at Tian-An-Men-Square in 1989, which was a determined revolt by lakhs of youth demanding more freedom to express fearlessly their opinions and also the freedom to give vent to their ire against the mounting corruption, sky-rocketing pollution and the leadership’s attitude towards those who dare to question certain anti-people measures like imprisoning the youth and intelligentia without giving them chances for fair trials. We should find time to recall the thousands who braved guns, grenades, water canons, mortars and tanks and who laid down their lives for the cause of freedom of speech and expression. If the current leadership hesitates to concede the demands of millions for a democratic  transition in China, the rulers will have to face the wrath of a more determined lot which the  former would find difficult to suppress…China’s pro-reforms leadership would take this prominent fact into consideration while proceeding along with their reforms.          

       

No comments: