Xulio Ríos: Observing China before the 20th National Congress of the CPC
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is about to be held in Beijing. The development and changes in China over the past ten years and the policies intended for China after the Congress are attracting attention worldwide.
Such as from Xulio Ríos, a well-known Spanish expert on China. As the founder and honorary president of the Galician Institute of International Relations in Spain, Ríos founded the Obervatorio de la Política (China Policy Observation Network). Over the years, he has written various books based on China and translated Sun Tzu's Art of War. For his dedication to introducing the real China, he was awarded the annual cultural and social category of "Asia House", a subsidiary of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Julio Ríos, born in Galicia, northwestern Spain, in 1958 and graduated from Santiago de Compostela University majoring in law.
At the beginning of September, Ríos stepped down as director of the China Policy Observation Network and announced his retirement, but he still holds China dearly in his heart. Recently, Ríos accepted an interview with East Meets West of China News. This was a chance for him to review the path China has travelled in the past ten years and discuss the new journey China will embark on after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Looking back on the past ten years in China, what developments and changes have impressed you?
This decade has been very complex, and China has shown great determination and resilience. First of all, China resolutely promoted the construction of a new development model; eradicated extreme poverty; achieved extraordinary successes of truly historic significance; and made remarkable progress in science and technology and the environment. Secondly, China proposed the "One Belt, One Road" initiative with a view to seeking common development with other countries. What’s more, China prudently responded to US competition, such as the trade war and tech wars launched by the United States, and tensions on the Taiwan issue. Last but not least, China’s decisive response to the COVID-19 pandemic put people’s safety first.
In short, China has proved itself as a responsible member of the international community, with a clear definition of its own interests, a firm will to achieve its goals, and a high level of flexibility to deal with the uncertainties of the past decade. At present, an historical turning point has arrived where China is ready to become a major hero on the world stage.
On the evening of September 25, the giant flower and fruit basket that reads "Blessing the Motherland" in Beijing's Tiananmen Square is lit. Credit: Tianyong Jia.
How do you evaluate China’s measures and performance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
The pandemic has been a severe situation for everyone. It is inevitable that different approaches will be taken when handling it, and it is necessary to analyze and learn lessons in case similar challenging events occur again in the future. China’s response to the pandemic is based on blocking infection, and it has made a huge effort and persisted up until now. If you compare data such as infections and deaths, China is doing better than other countries, including those countries with better medical resources. However, the pandemic is not over yet, and it is still necessary to strike a balance between prevention and production, so as to reduce losses.
On April 26 in Shanghai, medical staff conduct PCR tests for citizens. Credit: Liqin Yin.
You once said that China’s worldview is completely different from that of the West. The West is not familiar with the Chinese worldview. Could you please elaborate on this?
I think the West actually has very little understanding of China, and ignorance is the biggest reason for misunderstandings, such as the "China threat theory", "China hegemony", etc... It reflects the fact that some people are trying to maintain the so-called "rule-based international order", trying to shape China into a certain "image" and taking the opportunity to fabricate the "hostility" needed to maintain this order.
In this context, it should be kept in mind that China's population accounts for almost one-fifth of the world's population. As the world's second-largest economy, China still has to make strenuous efforts to overcome structural shortcomings, and much work has to be done to expand domestic demand. By insisting on its own path, China has also ruled out "imposing on others". China’s commitment to promoting world multipolarity has also rejected hegemonism. Another way of looking at the world is focusing on cooperation rather than confrontation, insisting instead on development, inclusion and sustainability. For China, the key to maintaining peace and security lies in development.
The signing ceremony of the 7th China-Asia-Europe Expo. Credit: Xin Liu.
How can developing countries seek common development? Are BRICS countries setting a good example?
Common development is a vivid example of how cooperation can be more effective than ideological confrontation in promoting the well-being and progress of respective societies. On the contrary, there is an emphasis on "exclusive security" in the era of hegemony, and if it becomes the norm, we will continue as we do now, confusing "liberalization" with development, but it’s not the only model that works.
In this sense, BRICS countries are setting a good example every day, and we can see how the relationship between some BRICS countries and China has evolved over the years. In short, "achieving progress”; the space for constructive policies is expanding through advancing common prosperity.
The 2022 BRICS New Industrial Revolution Partnership Forum was held in Xiamen, Fujian. Credit: Bin Zhang.
From studying Sinology, to publishing books on China and translating Sun Tzu's Art of War, what wisdom have you drawn from Chinese culture?
I think that if you want to understand China, even if you just want to get a preliminary understanding of contemporary China, you can't ignore Chinese history, culture and philosophy. They shed light on the main factors that have continued to affect China's development since ancient times. By simply applying Western cultural perspectives to China will never be right. What’s more, it is not necessary to "culturally colonize" China, the diversity of Chinese civilization is actually very impressive. Today, under the protection of economic, political, technological, strategic and other forces, it has become more popular and powerful.
On September 26, this themed flower bed appeared on Chang'an Avenue in Beijing. Credit: Qiming Jiang.
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is about to be held in Beijing, and China will stand at the crossroads of a new beginning. What are your views and suggestions for China's future?
This conference is very important. After celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party in 2021, it is the starting point for the Chinese Communist Party to move towards its second century in power. China has put forward long-term goals for 2035 and even further to 2049 (the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China). These two goals are the real touchstone for testing the Communist Party of China, since it is conceivable that national governance will undergo various kinds of tension, and the future will be full of difficulties and obstacles.
Achieving goals in the Chinese way will have a significant impact, and many experiences will undoubtedly become valuable lessons. It can even be said that the Chinese Communist Party carries a heavy responsibility for both Chinese society and the international community.
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