Why China stresses common prosperity

HANGZHOU - In China's journey toward its second centenary goal, a future where everyone shares prosperity is envisioned. There is, however, neither any ready-made experience, nor any textbook for the country to follow.

Why common prosperity counts

Common prosperity refers to affluence shared by everyone both in material and cultural terms. In particular, it emphasizes that such prosperity does not cover only a few people or parts of the country.

Rather than being egalitarian at the expense of efficiency, common prosperity should be attained through hard work and innovation, with chances for more people to become wealthy.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the country has gradually put common prosperity in a more prominent position. Now, with victory in the anti-poverty fight and in the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, China has favorable conditions for promoting common prosperity.

The goal is also vital to improving people's well-being. As China marches toward its second centenary goal, the focus of promoting people's well-being entails boosting common prosperity.

"Common prosperity is not only a concept of social development, but also a social change marked by the narrowing of the gap between regions, urban and rural areas, and in people's incomes," said Yuan Jiajun, Party secretary of Zhejiang Province.

Realizing that the quest for common prosperity will be a long-term, arduous and complicated task, the country has decided to pursue it in a gradual and progressive manner, which includes supporting one region to generate replicable practices and models.

Zhejiang, an economic powerhouse in East China, has been designated as such a demonstration zone for promoting common prosperity.