On October 25th, 2010, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Centre for City and Competitiveness Research, The CASS Institute of Finance and the Trade Economics and Social Sciences Academic Press jointly issued the "National Competitiveness Blue Book". It states that by 2020 China strives to enter the top five in the G20. By 2030, the comprehensive national strength of China will rank only second to the United States and the European Union. In 2050, it will become the world's second power after the United States. Once we realize these targets, the dream of becoming a powerful country for our nation will once again come true.

 

There is no doubt that this is possible, with the successive growth of the GDP year after year, state revenue at an all time high and surpassing Japan's economic output to become the second largest in the world.

China has become a powerful engine of global economic growth, but rapid development has also made China pay a tremendous price and thus has accumulated a large number of social contradictions and problems. Issues such as the widening gap between rich and poor, social class division, the Gini coefficient rising and a lack of equality and justice has let down our citizens’ sense of happiness.

What the nation needs to be a super power

For a nation to be strong and for a country to be prosperous, every citizen needs to become the beneficiary of social development. Like a person having goals, a nation should also have a development strategy. China has the largest population in the world, the world's third largest area, is resource-rich and has a splendid history and culture. In the national development strategy, targeting to become a world-class power is understandable, but in the development of ambitious goals, livelihood indicators are also very important. If the country is rich and the people poor or if the gap between rich and poor people is too great, a country definitely cannot be a strong powerThe development of an economic society or an enormous increase of government finances is not the ultimate goal. We can’t assume that we are a powerful country if we only get a certain GDP number or based on how advanced our technology has developed.

Rich people make rich countries; when the people are strong the country is strong. We often think of becoming a world power. Other than being able to overcome one hundred years of shame, gain self esteem as a nation and find former glory, the most important thing is that each person has dignity and lives happily. National power should bring more for people.

According to the report that was published by the Academy of Social Sciences, some people believe the world’s second superpower should have these characteristics: The world’s second best education system, housing, health care, pension and other security system should meet people’s basic needs "from cradle to grave ". The world’s second superpower should be clean and highly efficient, open and transparent. The administrative system officials should be diligent, efficient and be able to handle self-discipline. It should have the second best fair and strict justice system, so that every citizen can afford to lift their head before the law, without fear of retaliation. The world’s second superpower should also be the second safest with environmental and consumer protections.

In fact, for superpowers, not only does the economy need to be strong but more importantly it needs to have a fair and just judicial system. With such a system, we can effectively convert the wealth of the nation to promote sustainable economic development to allow an overwhelming majority of people to enjoy universal happiness.

The Role of Happiness and Wellbeing

Historical experience shows that the most powerful nations of the world are not necessarily good countries. However, if the vast majority of people live a happy life, it must be a good country. If China wants to make people happy, it must follow a fair and just road. The goal of China to enhance wealth, reduce inequity and increase justice must be achieved. Rich countries lie in rich people; enriching the people is fair. A Peking University professor once proposed a “social decay" theory about social and economic development: if the GDP is skyrocketing while underlying benefits of development are ignored, this leads to the erosion of fairness and justice which will tear apart the very fabric of society. Then even if the GDP surpasses the United States as the world’s first, it would be difficult to lay claim to being a super power.

As long as everyone's rights are respected and protected, and everyone has a decent and dignified life, everyone can participate in fair competition. If everyone can enjoy the fruits of social development in a fair and just way, this country is invincible. That is real power.

External glory, or honor for the government is not real strength. Only abundant well-being of our people can be counted as the basic element of a strong country.

This article was originally written by Zhao Haijun (赵海均), an independent economics graduate with an MBA from Xi'an Jiaotong University, and who pursued advanced studies at the prestigious Wharton School in the United States. He is currently Enterprise Group Chairman, visiting professor at a number of universities and a research expert on China's economy.

Source: economictalks.blog.sohu.com 
 

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Keywords: what does China lack chinese academy of social science china super power National Competitiveness blue book