by Rahul Basharat
Editor’s note: The author is a journalist based in Pakistan and visiting China under the program of the China Association of Public Diplomacy. The article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of China Economic Net.
As my steps headed towards the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, I witnessed a historic moment of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China convened in Beijing.
The October wind in Beijing fluttered the red-colored national flags on all government buildings around the Great Hall of the People. Together with reporters from China and all parts of the world, I rushed to get into the press gallery and get a seat at a suitable place from where we can get a clear live view to see the Chinese president.
All the media seemed to oscillate between excitement and curiosity. They walked fast, stopping at different places to take photos in front of the imposing national buildings around the venue.
All journalists, including locals, foreigners and those like me who were making their first visit to China, were thinking in their hearts and minds that what was going to happen today as China becomes the epicenter of World Scene.
After going through the elegantly crafted security protocols, reporters reached the press gallery and took their seats to observe and report on today’s meeting.
The enthusiasm generated by participation in this historic conference was at its height. Surely everyone wanted to have an image with the hammer and sickle socialist symbol in the background.
On the right side of the press seats, a sophisticated military orchestra was assembled to play the national anthem and tunes.
Although I had been in journalism for the past decade, for the first time I felt more proud of my profession than before.
“History is being made and I am part of it,” I said to myself.
Soon the hall bells began to ring, conveying the message that delegates and senior government officials were about to enter the hall.
Delegates arrived first and approximately 350 seats were filled. Then President Xi Jinping led the senior leaders in and there was thunderous applause.
The military band played the national anthem and the prime minister invited President Xi Jinping to deliver the report. Now there was a stunning silence in the room and everyone was focused on the President’s dice.
“What message would the president send to the world?” I asked myself.
The President started his speech in Chinese and I became anxious because I didn’t understand the language, but soon calmed down when I started receiving the immediate English translation from our official host in a WeChat group. A Chinese reporter sitting next to me also offered me a hand and interpreted every important point to me. It was another relief.
President Xi presented to Congress a report entitled “Hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and strive in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects” and began to deliberate on the report point by point. complete.
According to Xi, today our world, our times and our history are changing like never before. China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace, he said, adding that the country adheres to the five principles of peaceful coexistence in pursuit of friendship and cooperation with others. country, and remains committed to its fundamental national policy of openness to the outside world. .
He was talking about peace as it has become a distant dream over the past two decades. Since the United States went to war in Afghanistan after the attacks of September 11, the underdeveloped countries have found themselves in a situation of perdition. Developed Western countries have tried to sell their narrative of establishing peace with invading wars against countries in Asia and Africa, and the results have been death, displacement and hunger. The continued expansion of NATO has aggravated the development of the Russian-Ukrainian situation and plunged the world into new turbulence. Their theory destroyed the social fabrics of society and caused suffering to mankind.
As President Xi emerged on the political canvas of the world and brought the idea of the Belt and Road Initiative, a completely different pattern of economic growth to strengthen the global economy.
The BRI has connected the continents through the economy and improved people’s livelihoods. The concept has brought a ray of hope to weaker economies and they think of a world of peace, with better living standards and without hunger.
Governments and people in Asia, Africa, Eurasia, South America and the Pacific Islands have responded to President Xi Jinping’s idea and are convinced that economic growth is possible without wars. They feel that their resources are protected and beneficial to them under the Belt and Road Initiative. They see the light at the end of the tunnel.
As stated in the report, China is adhering to the right path of economic globalization. It strives to promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, to advance bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation and to strengthen international coordination of macroeconomic policies.
The country is committed to working with other countries to foster an international environment conducive to development and create new engines of global growth.
“What do you think is the message behind the president’s speech?” asked a Chinese journalist sitting next to me as he left the press gallery.
“The message is loud and clear – it’s world peace and economic growth for everyone,” I replied and walked out of the great hall.
