By Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
The 14th Five Years Development Plan for the period 2021-2026 is of very high significance. It focuses on the developments under the changed geopolitics.
In the past, either Western World was supporting China or offering no resistance to China’s rise. But the newly emerged situation is evident that the US is openly ganging up its allies against China and can go to any extent to contain China, Counter China, and resist China’s rise.
In the past few decades, China’s developments were rapid miraculously, but it might be an uphill task in the future. Although China is one of the most resilient nations, with hard working people and enthusiastic visionary leadership, the outside world’s obstacles, especially the US and its allies, might adversely affect Chinese growth. Today, China has developed to a stage where it can grow further without outside help. Even, can overcome resistance faced from the outside world. China has surpassed that threshold already.
Since the outbreak of Coronavirus in late 2019, the whole world has become a victim, and the global economy has suffered heavily. Some countries like the US, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc., have suffered more, whereas some countries might have suffered fewer losses. Still, almost all countries have suffered losses, irrespective of more or less magnitude.
China also suffered economic losses in the early days of the Pandemic, but it came out of crisis and won against COVID-19 quickly due to effective measures. In fact, China was the first country to become a victim of COVID-19 and the only country that can claim victory against COVID-19. China restored its economic activities and kept its tradition of GDP growth.
The 14th Five-year Development plan is focused on the domestic market and generating more economic activities within China. The Chinese domestic market is 1.4 billion – a massive. It will help to eradicate poverty absolutely and help to establish a moderate prosper society. The Plan is focused on the total welfare of the Chinese public.
The Plan will be discussed in “Two Meetings, widely, and a broad-based consultation process already started on the 4th of March 2021. Based on consensus, people’s representatives, and subject experts’ recommendations, the 14th Five-year Development Plan will be finalized for implementation.
It is believed that as the CPC is well-groomed and fully matured, it can perceive all threats and challenges. The “Two Meetings” will discuss all aspects of the Plan under emerging geopolitics and can finalize a comprehensive perfect Plan ready for implementation. After passing several ups and downs in history, the Chinese people have learned few bitter lessons and have become more wise and more mature.
China is a rising global power and will definitely keep on growing. No other country can harm China or resist China’s peaceful rise. It is the legitimate right of any nation to rise. No other country should create obstacles in their way of peaceful rise. China has reached a stage where no country can destabilize or coerce China.
It is perceived that the 14th Five Year Plan will cater to all challenges expected to come across in the near future. It will help uplift the standard of life of Chinese people, overcome the environmental challenges, create new jobs, and further improve the governance system. It is also expected that China will facilitate foreign investors and provide legal protection and safety of capital. It is further anticipated that China will enhance its international cooperation, especially under the umbrella of BRI, more projects will be initiated with foreign countries. China will keep contributing to international developments and toward the global economy.
Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy or views of World Geostrategic Insights).
Image Credit: Xinhua/Xing Guangli