What to know about Xi's speech on deepening reform to senior officials
Building a broad consensus is crucial for future reform.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday delivered a speech on deepening reform at the opening of a study session of senior officials at provincial and ministerial levels.
Xi called for more deeply implementing the guiding principles of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee (a meeting of milestone significance in July that rolled out a new package of comprehensive reforms), guiding the whole Party and the people of the country to build up confidence in reform, and getting more united and pooling strength to advance reform steadily, according to Xinhua News Agency.
What's the purpose of the study session and Xi's speech?
The study session of senior officials is designed to unify thoughts and actions of the whole Party and the country to ensure the effective implementation of the reform measures outlined during the Third Plenary Session.
Currently, China faces a complicated external environment that features rising hostility from the United States, while internal economic recovery remains sluggish, with GDP growth rates declining over the past three quarters. It is crucial for China to build confidence and consensus, pushing forward with reforms and opening up, rather than retreating in the face of difficulties.
The Third Plenary Session introduced over 300 significant reform measures, addressing various systemic, institutional and mechanistic issues. Many of these measures aim to refine past reforms, while others are newly proposed in response to practical needs and pilot projects.
A communiqué released after the Third Plenary Session emphasizes the term "reform" over 50 times, highlighting its application across a wide range of sectors including education, technology, talent development, taxation, finance, land systems, foreign trade, and healthcare. This breadth underscores China's commitment to robust and comprehensive reform.
A series of reform initiatives have already been implemented since the Third Plenary Session, positioned to drive significant economic system reforms in the coming years. The initiatives include promoting comprehensive green transformation, enhancing market access, building a skilled workforce, gradually raising the retirement age, and supporting inclusive childcare services.
How will China forge ahead with reform?
Xi said deepening reform is a systematic undertaking, outlining key areas of focus for future initiatives.
First, he stressed the need to deepen reforms in the rule of law, which should play a crucial role in overcoming obstacles and solidifying reform outcomes. Xi highlighted the necessity of applying the rule of law to ensure that significant reforms are well-grounded and that the rights of all citizens and legal entities are equally protected.
Additionally, Xi called for a dialectical approach of "establishing the new before abolishing the old." The approach was frequently mentioned in official documents in recent years, which means ensuring a smooth transformation from old patterns to new patterns in key spheres, including the country's energy structure and economic driving forces.
Furthermore, he underscored the integration of reform and opening-up policies, advocating for a gradual expansion of institutional opening. Xi stressed the importance of aligning with international high-standard economic and trade rules to create a top-tier business environment that is market-oriented, based on the rule of law, and internationalized.
Xi also pointed out the critical relationship between planning and implementation. He called for reform plans to adhere to objective realities, ensure coordinated measures, and enhance the consistency of various initiatives, all while strengthening follow-up assessments to ensure effective implementation.
What kind of responsibility will China's senior officials shoulder?
Xi emphasized that senior officials bear the crucial responsibility of advancing reform. They must confront problems and challenges head-on with political courage to tackle difficulties, decisively addressing entrenched issues and braving risks without hesitation.
Xi also stressed the importance of strengthening public communication and interpretation of the reform measures unveiled in the Third Plenary Session in a bid to timely address confusions and respond to the concerns of society. Officials and the public should be guided to think with a broad perspective and have a correct understanding of the adjustment of interests and personal gains and losses in the reform.
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