Xi Jinping's The Governance of China, Volume Four: from a Western viewpoint

It is a sign of the continuing development of Party thinking that Xi writes of "whole-process people's democracy" and how it is integrated with "results-oriented democracy." Democracy covers all sectors of society. In it the Party is asked to expand participation by the people in the people's congresses as they are essential to the political vitality of China.

One thing I have always admired in Xi's approach has been his readiness to address younger people and to enlist their support and enthusiasm for the Chinese Dream as he did in a speech on the centenary of the Communist Youth League of China.

In his speech, Xi says young people in the Youth League have to learn from the Party's experience and apply it for their own self-improvement. They should do this with the help of the League which itself will always look to set high standards in self-governance in a spirit both of reform and to reflect the spirit of the times.

Xi's fourth volume is the most confident statement yet for the mission and prospects of the Chinese nation. It is directed to the people of China but such is their historic experience and recent achievements that the rest of the world should regard it as an example of what is possible. It is an inspiration for the common effort to secure our shared future on this earth.

Editor's note: Martin Albrow is the author of China and the Shared Human Future: Exploring Common Values and Goals.