Source:

03-08-2006 14:27

China began its policies of reform and opening-up at the end of the 1970s. And it has since embarked on a road of fast economic development. As James Chau reports, China wants to show to the world that its development is peaceful and benificial to the world.

When President Hu Jintao visited Britain last November, he made it clear to the world that China adheres to a peaceful development path.

He said:"We remain firmly committed to the path of peaceful development. We'll work hard to deepen the opening-up, promote friendship and cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and the mutual benefit, and contribute our due part, to the lofty cause of peace and development in the world."

In December last year, China published a White Paper, explaining in full, and for the first time, its program of peaceful development.

Chinese analyst Ma Xiaojun has studied China's development for several years. He says this shows the government is determined to develop peacefully: "Historically speaking, some countries take the road of militarism and imperialism when they rise, such as Nazi Germany and Japan. But this path will only lead to failure. China will not choose this way. China wants to learn from certain European countries which adopted peaceful development and made notable achievements after World War II. Moreover, China's 5000-year-old culture, which stresses peace and harmony, makes it unlikely that China will opt for an autocratic style of economic development."

Recent statistics indicate China has overtaken France and Britain to become the world's fourth largest economy. But China's growth has spawned the so-called "China Threat" theory among some western countries.

Analysts say the "China Threat" theory is groundless. Ma said:"What China takes is the road of peaceful development. That means its development relies on its own strength, reform and innovation, rather than military force. Some countries see China's rapid development as a threat. That's because they find it hard to accept China's rise. In fact this rise is good, not only for Chinese people, but also for the world at large. If a country has 1.3 billion poor people, this will be a real threat to the world. "

China's development not only brings prosperity to its own people, but also brings benefits to the world. In fact, China has become a main driving force behind the world economic growth.

Though China has had remarkable success in its economic development, it is still the largest developing country in the world. There's a long way to go before modernization can be achieved. China has every reason to stick firmly to a program of peaceful development.

 

Editor:Wang Ping