The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held from July 15 to 18, 2024. The Session gave a deep analysis of the new circumstances and challenges facing Chinese modernization, formulated systematic plans for further deepening reform across the board, which is not only a practical continuation of further deepening reform, but also a new chapter in advancing Chinese modernization. It thus had a milestone significance and provided an important window for the world on China’s pursuit of high-quality development and high-standard opening up in the new era.
Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization is the most important outcome of the Session. The Resolution closely focus on the theme of advancing Chinese modernization and reforming the systems and mechanisms, put forward over 300 important reform measures, and make it clear that all of them shall be completed by the time the People’s Republic of China celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2029, which sent a strong message to the world about China’s steadfast commitment to reform and opening up in the new era and demonstrated China’s determination to face up to the challenge and remove institutional obstacles, and will provide a solid guarantee for Chinese modernization. We are confident that further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization will also bring about more opportunities and offer more path options to developing countries, including Tonga, for their self-driven development.
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is of great significance in guiding the development of China-Tonga relations. Here, I would like to share some of my views with friends from all walks of life in Tonga.
First, we must advance Belt and Road cooperation on the basis of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. The Resolution proposed that China will improve the mechanisms for high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, build a multidimensional network to connect countries along the Belt and Road and make coordinated efforts to advance both major signature projects and “small but beautiful” public welfare projects. Located in the southward extension of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Pacific Island countries are China’s important development partners. Moreover, China and Tonga have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative. Currently, the Tonga High School Sports Complex Project and the Peripheral Area of Mala’ekula Royal Tomb Improvement Project are well underway, especially the Tonga High School Sports Stadium will be launched ahead of schedule for Tonga to host the 53rdPacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. This is a full testament that China is a reliable friend and sincere partner of Tonga. Active participation in Belt and Road cooperation had delivered tangible benefits to Tonga and Tongan people. Going forward, China and Tonga should enhance Belt and Road cooperation, and mobilize the dynamics for common development and achieve win-win results.
Second, we must actively respond to climate change and promote harmony between humanity and nature. The Resolution pointed out that Chinese modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature. We must work to improve ecological conservation systems and handle climate change properly. As a vulnerable small island developing state, climate change poses a existential threat to Tonga. China and Tonga are working closely on green development. The Wind Farm Project, the Household Solar Power Generation and Storage Facility Project and the “Plant One Million Trees” Project are all in line with Tonga’s actual needs to cope with climate change. Responding to climate change is the common responsibility of all nations around the world. China attaches great importance to it and is working with Tonga to carry out further pragmatic cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, carbon emission reduction and disaster prevention and mitigation, enhance greater synergy with 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and contribute more Chinese wisdom and effort to Tonga’s green and sustainable development.
Third, we must adhere to the people-centered approach and improve people’s wellbeing. The Resolution specified that ensuring and enhancing the people’s wellbeing in the course of development is one of the major tasks of Chinese modernization. We must refine the systems of basic public services, with the focus on providing inclusive services, meeting essential needs, and providing a cushion for those most in need. We will strive to resolve the most practical problems that are of the greatest and most direct concern to the people so as to meet people’s aspirations for a better life. These statements are consistent with the concept of “ the greatest asset – the people of Tonga” written in the newly released Tonga Budget Statement 2024-2025. Over the past 26 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, our two countries have carried out all-round cooperation in improving people’s wellbeing. The China-Aid Agro-Tech Cooperation Project have enriched the varieties of vegetables and fruits on the tables of the Tongan people; the Peace Ark hospital ship and the China-Aid Medical Team have provided fine and professional medical services to the Tongan people; Chinese volunteer teachers to Tonga have shown the unique charm of Chinese language and culture to Tongan students; “small but beautiful” public welfare projects such as water tanks and fishing boats have injected new vitality into the growth of community’s revenue and household income. The important foundation of friendship between China and Tonga lies in the people. We should cement the people-to-people friendship between the two countries, take improving people’s wellbeing as the starting point of development cooperation, so as to bring the hearts of our two peoples closer.
Last but not least, we must follow the path of peaceful development and promote a community with a shared future for humanity. The Resolution emphasized that Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development. As a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order, China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace, advocating the common values of humanity featuring peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, pursuing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, calling for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization and promoting a human community with a shared future. This chimes with the foreign policy “Friends to all, Enemies to none” of Pacific Island countries, including Tonga. China has established the comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development with PICs, which laid solid ground for building an even closer community of shared future between China and PICs.
The Chinese modernization is not for China alone, but for all including developing countries. Through our joint efforts, we hope to achieve the Global modernization featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity. In the first half of this year, China’s economy generally maintained the momentum of steady growth. China’s GDP expanded 5 percent year-on-year and surpassed USD 8.4 trillion. The total volume of imports and exports of goods was around USD 3 trillion, setting a new record compared with the same periods of previous years. China has long contributed around 30 percent to global economic growth, which plays an important role as a stabilizer and source of strength despite the rising instability and uncertainty in the global economy. In the future, China will integrate itself into the global economy more proactively and deliver more dividends of opening up to the world including Tonga.
China and Tonga are both developing countries and members of the Global South. The friendly cooperation has been moving from strength to strength. China stands ready to take advantage of the Session to share with Tonga the new opportunities brought about by Chinese modernization, build a closer China-Tonga community with a shared future, and inject new impetus into the exchanges on domestic governance, the sustainable development and the enhancement of people’s wellbeing of our two countries.
The views expressed here do not reflect the position of Talanoa ‘o Tonga.
