From Chinese Press

Three 'nots' characterize China's peaceful rise

By Le Yucheng (peopledaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-06-23 16:14

Second, China's peaceful rise is not a copy of any other countries' success

Indexes can be more convincing. Some 400 million Chinese have shaken off poverty over the past 30 years. Now there are some 400 million Chinese learning English. The two indexes do not seem related, but they are. The 400 million English learners mean China has realized the importance of advanced foreign technological and management expertise and started to seek cooperation and absorb international capital and talent. That explains why China eliminated poverty for 400 million of its citizens over the past 30 years.

Drawing lessons from advanced global experience does not equal copying other countries' success. Unique national conditions require China to stick to a growth pattern that fits the country's real development.

China's endeavor has proven to be effective. For example, the principle of "one country two systems" successfully solved Hong Kong and Macao issues. Setting up township enterprises and encouraging rural people to work in the cities has created jobs for rural surplus laborers. The partner assistance model accelerated the reconstruction in quake-ravaged Wenchuan. But China still faces many difficult problems, such as environmental protection, urbanization, food safety and so on.

With scientific outlook on development as the guiding principle, China needs to develop its economy rapidly, sustainably and ecologically.

Third, China's peaceful rise is not in conflict with the existing international system

China's road to peace and development does not intend to overthrow the existing international system. China is not the former Soviet Union and does not attempt to build its own military bloc and expand its influence. China takes part, helps build and contributes to the system and meanwhile benefits from it.

China has joined over 100 inter-governmental organizations and signed some 300 international treaties. In recent years, China actively took part in activities held by international organizations, such as the United Nations and the G20 and amazed the world with the splendid Olympic Games and World Expo. It is groundless that the West has accused China of trying to overthrow the existing international system, build up its own and challenge the West.

But the international system must keep abreast with times and adjust itself to the development because there is no hard-and-fast rule. For instance G20 emerged and became a key governing body for global economic management following the international credit crunch.

It is reasonable for emerging economies to recommend their candidates as the International Monetary Fund is selecting the new chief. As the new economies develop, their share in global economic management should be expanded and increased accordingly.