First month of leadership

Speaking in Moscow on March 23, Xi called for establishing a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation at the core. The "Chinese dream", advocated by Xi, is a dream not only of China's rejuvenation, but also one that can benefit the rest of the world. The urgent task for countries is to build the requisite strategic mutual trust, for the lack of mutual trust - because of historical, ideological, cultural, economic and social differences - is often the cause of turmoil or even war. The challenge for countries, therefore, is to remove their differences to seek common good.

This is why China, without compromising its sovereignty and core interests, always advocates win-win neighborly and peaceful dialogue. An apt example of China's sincerity is its efforts to ease tensions and establish permanent peace in Northeast Asia.

In Tanzania, one of the many African countries that have strong ties with China, Xi delivered a major foreign policy speech on China's relations with Africa. He said China and Africa have shared destinies, similar historical experiences, and common development and strategic interests. He pledged that China would continue to provide assistance, including loans and training programs, for African people. From 2013 to 2015, China will open a 20-billion-dollar credit line for African countries, help train 30,000 African professionals and provide 18,000 government scholarships for students from the continent.

China and the Republic of Congo will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. And Xi said China's ties with the Republic of Congo could be cited as a model of South-South cooperation.

South Africa, "the Rainbow Nation", was admitted to BRICS in 2011 and hosted the fifth summit of the grouping last month. Xi's attendance at the summit is especially important because he supported the establishment of a BRICS development bank to enable China and other BRICS member states to advance the formation of a balanced world economy and democratic international relations.

Li's first media briefing as premier to 800-plus journalists from around the world on March 17 lasted two hours. His briefing was laced with humor, characteristic ease, and exhibited his mastery over international and domestic affairs. The world will, obviously, be interested in what he does during the rest of his term.

China's stated national goal, which Xi and Li have spelled out, is the building of a moderately prosperous (xiaokang) society by 2020, when the GDP and per capita income of the country is expected to be double that of 2010. Also, by then Chinese society is expected to be more equitable, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious. This is the Chinese dream.

Immediately after the national leadership transition in March, Li said that to fulfill the GDP and per capita income growth dreams, the "reform of public finance and taxation, and a medium- to long-term program for urbanization should be completed as soon as possible". He stressed "the importance of developing modern agriculture", and said: "China is likely to import as much as $10 trillion worth of commodities and services in the next five years to boost domestic consumption."

Li's March 17 press briefing gave an idea about how society would develop. He said the new government will be lean and mean in discharging its functions. For example, "the market-oriented economy must be free of undue interference from the government". On March 20, the State Council, China's cabinet, issued a 58-point Government Work Rule to promote frugality, efficiency, accountability and clean government. Accordingly, the new government sounded the anti-corruption warning bell within two weeks of taking power, vowing to build a "clean" government. Finally, Li called for "building a modern economy, modern society and modern government with the spirit of the rule of law".

The achievements of Xi and Li in their first month in office indicate that they have successfully, as a Chinese saying goes, "inherited the past and opened up the future". And the future looks good.

The author teaches philosophy at Montclair State University, the United States.

(China Daily 04/16/2013 page9)