Editorials

Somber-mindedness

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-10 07:50

On the front page of the Study Times on Dec 7 was a signed commentary titled Somber-Mindedness More Important Amid 'Praise'. The entire Page 5 was devoted to four articles on one single theme - the so-called "China model" of development.

"Be Cautious About 'China Model'." "Too Early to Propose 'China Model'." "China Has No Intention to Export 'Model'." "Focusing on Scientific Development Is Priority."

The titles tell it all. They might not have attracted much attention had these pieces not been published in the paper affiliated to the Central Party School (CPS) or if they did not include one by a former CPS vice-president.

Background information aside, these articles are impressive in that they demonstrate precious cool-headedness when even some in decision-making positions have had their heads turned by the country's recent achievements.

We can understand the pervasive anxiety to prove the worth of the different path this country has carved out. Or even the eagerness to contribute another option for those wanting something that differs from the route of the West's.

Somber-mindedness

But as the Study Times articles pointed out, this is no time to talk about a model of our own. The modest authors proposed "Chinese characteristics", "Chinese experience", "Chinese road" and "Chinese case". Every one of them is better than the "model" theory, indeed.

Yet let us not indulge in word games. And do not look away from this simple truth - we ourselves are more or less at a loss about some immediate next steps. And most of those steps are of crucial significance.

No matter how successful we have been in the past more than three decades, we remain a low-income developing country, whose per capita GDP is less than one-tenth of that of developed countries. This is a basic circumstance many of our countrymen have tended to neglect when touting the country's recent progress. Cheap flattery only adds fuel to the ballooning sense of self-importance. In a sense, the media and some decision-makers are joining forces to present an illusive picture of prosperity and mislead the public.

The seldom-mentioned reality, however, is that the most challenging part of the reforms needed for the anticipated modernity is by and large not tackled. After enjoying the tantalizing dividends of the decisive break from past systems, we still face thornier tasks. And this country can no longer afford to concentrate solely on economic indicators.

The Study Times authors are right in numerating some of the conspicuous downsides of the so-called "China model". Single-minded pursuit of GDP growth, for one, while boosting wealth in mathematical terms, has imposed upon the country a backbreaking environmental debt.

So, if our scholars are truly into doing something useful, they should stop bragging about a "China model", and instead reserve their brainpower for tackling the numerous conundrums the country faces.

(China Daily 12/10/2009 page8)