Note on the 'Four Comprehensives'
- By Martin Lees
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 27, 2015
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More than a tune-up [By Zhai Haijun/China.org.cn] |
The concept of "Four Comprehensives" can provide a valuable guide for the next critical phase of China's reforms. Since the late leader Deng Xiaoping initiated the policies of reform and opening up in the late 1970s, China has instigated a remarkable transformation of its economy and society, bringing more than 700 million people out of poverty and offering a better life to all Chinese.
With the Chinese economy expanding to more than $17 trillion (in PPP terms), the complexity of its economic, financial and social conditions imply that the next phase of reform will be even more challenging and difficult. It is by no means guaranteed that the remarkable progress achieved over the past 40 years can be consolidated and preserved, for both international and domestic reasons.
Internationally, the Chinese economy is integrated into the global economic and financial systems, both of which have shown deep instability in recent years. In addition, it is clear that the impacts arising from an increasing global population cannot increase indefinitely on our fragile and limited planet. China, as other countries, cannot rely on an neverending flow of natural resources to fuel its growth while depending the present resource-intensive, fossil fuel-based economic model of production and consumption.
Domestically, China has to adapt its economy to face internal challenges, particularly the dangerous environmental, resource and climate issues which have been largely put aside in the race for economic growth to improve the lives of the Chinese people. High levels of air, water and land pollution which affect life expectancy and food security are critical issues that must be dealt with. China is particularly vulnerable to the accelerating impacts of climate change on agriculture, industrial production, water resources, coastal areas and extreme weather.
In short, the economic model and strategy which have guided China's growth in the past must now be adapted to move the Chinese economy toward progress that is both more environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.
Fortunately, China's leadership has recognized these challenges for many years and is already responding. The goals of the 12th Five-Year Plan will re-orient the Chinese economy on to a less environmentally damaging path, with the leadership of China repeatedly emphasizing its intention to change the trajectory of China's development, moving beyond a narrow focus on GDP growth, and to take account of environmental, health and social consequences and costs.
This will require a deep restructuring of the present economic and energy systems and a greater emphasis on services, social support, education and quality of life. It is within this context that the "Four Comprehensives" are of such profound importance.
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