Opinion

Scope of 'Chinese model' too wide

By Zhao Qizheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-04 11:56

China's development in the last three decades has been an enticing topic for the international community. Joshua Cooper Ramo, an expert on contemporary China, was a pioneer who summarized the reasons for China's economic success. He believed China had a developmental route that suited the conditions of the nation and the needs of society, and it sought fairness and growth of quality.

His "Beijing consensus" explanation cited hard work, active innovation, bold experimentation, incremental progress, accumulation of talent, and resolute defense of the national sovereignty and interests as the keys to success. "Commitment to innovation and constant experimentation" was the soul of his Beijing consensus theory that advocates dealing with problems in a flexible and case-by-case manner.

Many comments since then have extended the "Beijing consensus" to a "Chinese model", and many works on this theme have emerged. Those authors give different accounts of the so-called Chinese model from various perspectives. Many of them are fairly objective, but there are also malicious voices from ideologues who preach the platitude of the "China threat" and warn of the export of the Chinese model. In fact, neither the "Beijing consensus" nor the "Chinese model" is brought up by China.

The word "model" has an implication of pattern, and may imply that China is to teach other countries. China does not have that intention, however. Hence, we must be very cautious when using the phrase "Chinese model". I would prefer to use "Chinese case" and include the ideas, policies, practices, achievements and problems in the process of China's development since the foundation of the People's Republic, especially in the last three decades. It combines a socialist system and a market economy. It is a process rather than a status, since it is still developing.

Some Westerners comment that the 19th century was the British century, since Great Britain was the master of the ocean. The 20th century was the Americans' century due to the US' military and economic supremacy.

But the 21st century will be China's century, or at least the Asian century. If the Chinese century or Asian century means that China and Asia is to revive economically and culturally, it is a probable scenario. If it implies China is to dominate the world just like the UK and the US did, then it is a false judgment. Considering China's cultural tradition, contemporary foreign policies, national power and the will of the people, Chinese hegemony in the 21st century is merely a fantasy and will never come true. The international surroundings do not allow for another hegemonic nation.

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