Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

China's history is the beacon of its present and the foundation of its future. The course of the Communist Party of China (CPC) since 1921 is interwoven with the making of new China in 1949 and with its impressive transformation in the following decades. The journey has been arduous and difficult. After passing through different stages the Chinese economy was finally stabilized - at first by boosting agricultural production and encouraging infrastructure works. The opening-up and reform process launched in 1978 unleashed China's economic potential in an international environment it soon acquired globalized features, which became largely evident in the post-Cold War era.

The economic path of China, albeit different from Western standards, produced tangible results. Living conditions of its citizens did continuously improve after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the country became a basis for multifaceted investments of foreign companies. The 2001 WTO accession accelerated China's prospects. Twenty years later China is the second-biggest economy in the world. In so doing, it has already achieved its first centenary goal by eliminating extreme poverty.

Challenges, however, are multiplying. The COVID-19 pandemic in parallel with rising China-US tensions generate uncertainties. The mission of the Chinese government is to minimize the impact these uncertainties could cause to the international system and to its own effort to patiently work to meet the second centenary goal by 2049. Against this backdrop, the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of CPC has dealt with previous experiences in designing policies for the new era. 

The main reason China makes a difference in the international system is its commitment in implementing long-term plans invented by its leadership in the hope of making the country strong. Although continuity certainly matters, the emphasis on technological advancement in the 21st century marks China's future path through research and development. A few years ago, for example, Chinese space missions would have been almost unthinkable. But they are now a recurrent feature, underscoring the fruits that hard and smart work can bring. 

By relying on new technologies the Chinese government has managed to place the COVID-19 pandemic under control. It is thus able to stop infections from generating new waves when they do flare up. Daring to take draconian measures, China protects lives and health of its people. Success in protecting human lives under extreme circumstances involves necessary sacrifices.

China will perhaps have to navigate stormy seas in the next years. This is not a new element in its history, reflected in its past determination to succeed. The same will is now accompanied with a sentiment of self-confidence that derives from the realization of its strength, which is not static but meteorically increases. Disagreements with the West are part of the agenda and have to be managed in a spirit of preserving peace and creating prosperity. 

While the world is expected to return to some normalcy in 2022, China's contribution to growth across the globe will be critical in securing a safe transition to the post-pandemic era. By remaining committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Chinese government will be able not only to achieve national objectives but to also further elaborate on its vision of a community of shared future for mankind. Greater responsibilities, domestically and internationally, will outline progress and interpret the meaning of socialism with Chinese characteristics. 

The author is a lecturer at the European Institute in Nice, France. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn