人民日報評論部
人們常常用“奇跡",來形容中國過去40年的發(fā)展。美國學者雷默在《不可思議的年代》一書開篇就寫道:如果你生活在中國,就會看到關于社會福利、醫(yī)療衛(wèi)生、外交政策和技術進步的新想法不斷涌現(xiàn),而且中國正在以越來越快的速度探索和試驗這些新想法。其實,外部世界對中國改革開放的看法,早已從“不可思議"變?yōu)椤爸档蒙钏肌?,特別是當人類與新的時代問題迎面相遇時,更會設身處地認真思考中國的“關鍵一招"。
回頭看看,更覺習近平主席的一個判斷言約而旨遠一“改革開放這場中國的第二次革命,不僅深刻改變了中國,也深刻影響了世界”。在世界的坐標體系中審視,這個“20世紀最重要事件之一”,不僅讓中國成為世界經(jīng)濟重要的“增長極”,更向世界證明,通向現(xiàn)代化的道路不止一條,只要找準正確方向、馳而不息,就一定能抵達目標。
改革開放催動了中國40年不停歇的前行,極大改善了近14億人的生活,這本身就是對世界的巨大貢獻。進入新時代,中國更是以年均對世界經(jīng)濟增長超過30%的貢獻率,以推進“一帶一路”建設、構建人類命運共同體,成為世界和平的建設者、全球發(fā)展的貢獻者、國際秩序的維護者。
改革開放40年,中國主動融入經(jīng)濟全球化這個不可逆轉的歷史大勢,成長為引領經(jīng)濟全球化的“新旗手”。中國的發(fā)展屬于全世界,中國的發(fā)展經(jīng)驗也屬于全世界。這不是說中國的改革開放是一種放之四海皆準的模式,而是因為中國雄辯地證明了“走自己的路"的重要性。1979年,中國的人均收入還不到撒哈拉沙漠以南非洲國家的1/3。而今天,非洲的許多國家正在學習中國,孵化出自己的“模式"
下一個40年,中國不會停下改革的腳步,中國不會關上開放的大門,世界的明天也會因為中國的變革與發(fā)展而越來越好。
China, ASEAN set a good example for cooperation
By Tang Min
As?a champion of interdependence among countries?and regions, and common interest and sustainable?development, President Xi Jinping has proposed the concept?of a community with a shared future for mankind, in order to?promote common progress of the international community.China is already in the process of establishing a community of?shared future with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.In fact, cooperation between China and ASEAN has become a?model of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.
How can we build a China- ASEAN community of shared?future?
To begin with, we should enhance strategic coordination,?among which the Belt and Road Initiative provides plenty of?room for cooperation. We should also deepen cooperation?along the Lancang River and the Mekong River.
Second, cooperation in the traditional sectors of trade and?investment should also be deepened. China and ASEAN havemade many achievements on this front. For instance, despite?being one of the world's most profitable free trade zones,?the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area has been constantly?improving. In addition, trade between China and ASEAN has?increased by about six times over the past 15 years, with thetrade volume reaching $514.8 billion?and two- way investment?surpassing $200 billing 2017.
Third, infrastructure could be a major area of deeper?cooperation, as a number of ASEAN states lack sufficient?expertise in the sector. As a matter of fact, the two sides have?already announced a series of new projects to collaborate on?which will significantly strengthen connectivity in the region??and improve regional economic prospects in the long run.
Fourth, the two sides should enhance capacity cooperation,?as the Joint Statement on China- ASEAN Capacity Cooperation?offers plenty of ways to deepen cooperation on the industrial?chain, talents and financing. The Asian Infrastructure InvestmentBank, the Silk Road Fund and the China- ASEAN InvestmentCooperation Fund will try to ensure adequate funds are available?in areas that need them most so they can greatly benefit the?locals and regional economy.
Fifth, China and ASEAN should promote people-to- people?and cultural exchanges. Actually, cooperation in this area has?been fruitful - 50 million people traveled between China andASEAN states and the exchange of students reached 200,000last year. The key to deepen exchanges lies in innovation, in?which vocational and technical colleges in Tianjin have seta good example. These colleges have established Lu BanWorkshops in Thailand, Indonesia and India to offer vocational?and technical training, enhancing mutual exchanges and?understanding.
And sixth, exchanges and cooperation on ecological and?environmental protection will be an important part of building?a China-ASEAN community of shared future. Thanks to its?rapid economic development causing massive environmental pollution, China has lamed?quite a few lessons and gathered?much experience in environmental protection. And ASEAN?states, many of which are still in the initial stages of economic?development, could lean?many a lesson from that experience.
China not only advocates the concept of a community with?a shared future for mankind, but also practices and contributes?to it, together with ASEAN. Therefore, given the increasingly?complex global environment, China and ASEAN should deepen?and widen cooperation, and help develop a more prosperousAsia-Pacific and build a better world.
The author is a counsellor of the Counsellors' Office at StateCouncil.