Driven by Chinese-style modernization, China’s comprehensive rise and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation have become an irreversible historical trend. Over the past years, China’s comprehensive rise has accelerated at an intensified pace. Today, as a superpower, China is increasingly shouldering its responsibilities to humanity, and the trust and expectations placed on it by the Global South. Therefore, the 76th National Day holds special historical significance.
The Trump administration launched an unprecedented tariff and trade war against much of the world earlier this year, primarily targeting China, which the US designates a “strategic competitor”. However, over the past decade, in confronting the US-led containment campaign, China has accumulated considerable experience and enhanced its capabilities to counter aggressive trade practices. Far from forcing China to yield, the US tariff offensive has instead faced a vigorous counterattack, completely exposing its shortcomings, particularly in industrial production and technological capabilities. The US’ failed tariff war has not only inflicted significant losses on itself but also reduced China’s dependence on the US in economics, trade, and finance. China’s status as an economic, trade, and technological power has been further consolidated.
On Sept 3, at the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, China demonstrated its unparalleled military might. In response to US military threats, to prevent Washington from making strategic miscalculations, and to deter the increasingly aggressive forces advocating “Taiwan independence”, China has displayed its independently developed and high-tech military equipment over the past years. In addition to a comprehensive display of China’s cutting-edge domestic weaponry, the Sept 3 military parade also showcased China’s superior capabilities in high-tech and systemic warfare. Following the parade, the international community reached a consensus that the US can no longer militarily overwhelm China. Today, China’s position as a military superpower is widely recognized.
A fully rising China will be more open, more actively involved in international affairs, and play a more crucial role in reshaping the global order and promoting the well-being of humanity
With its superior national strength and brimming with confidence, China is resolutely shouldering greater responsibilities for human society, prompted by the earnest expectations of the Global South and some Western countries, and injecting greater stability, certainty, fairness, and momentum into the world’s development.
On Sept 1, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus Summit, expressing China’s willingness to work with all countries to promote a more just and equitable global governance system. The new initiative, following the previous three global initiatives, injects Chinese wisdom and solutions into reshaping the international order and institutions. These four initiatives represent the aspirations of and values cherished by the people of the world, and stand in stark contrast to the US’ unilateralism, isolationism, and bullying. Some opinion polls in the US and other Western countries suggest that the US’ soft power is rapidly eroding, while China’s is steadily increasing.
On Sept 26, Chinese Premier Li Qiang solemnly declared to the world at the 80th United Nations General Assembly that China, as a responsible developing country, would not seek new special or differential treatment in current and future World Trade Organization negotiations. This move demonstrated China’s high economic confidence, selflessness, and responsibility as a global power. It also upheld the authority of the WTO, strengthened China’s moral prestige, and facilitated further promotion of economic globalization, trade liberalization, and reforms in global economic governance.
On Sept 24, President Xi Jinping delivered a video address at the United Nations Climate Summit, held in New York, solemnly pledging to reduce China’s economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10 percent below their peak by 2035. China’s move will make a substantial contribution to the global response to climate change.
Given the unstoppable and irreversible trend of China’s comprehensive rise, this year’s National Day has practical significance for Hong Kong.
First, with the support and protection of a strong motherland, Hong Kong will be more capable and courageous in confronting the increasingly complex and treacherous international environment and challenges, particularly foreign interference. External forces, deterred by China’s strength, will likely curb their sanctions and sabotage against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Second, as a significant force in initiating and promoting economic globalization, multilateralism, and free trade, China’s economic, trade, financial, and technological cooperation with an increasing number of countries worldwide, including some in the West, will continue to strengthen. The Belt and Road Initiative, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership are vital platforms for China to expand its international economic activities. Amid continued economic and trade pressure from the US and some of its allies, coupled with the US’ trade protectionism and bullying, Hong Kong is ardently exploring economic, trade, and financial opportunities in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Central Asia. It is also seeking to become a hub for finance, services, logistics, and communications in various regional cooperation platforms with China as a core or primary member. The country’s comprehensive rise will surely provide Hong Kong with numerous opportunities to expand its international economic activities and presence, and Hong Kong can also make significant contributions to the country’s increasingly active and proactive opening-up strategy.
Third, as the country’s soft power rapidly increases, Hong Kong will have greater ability and opportunities to leverage its advantages as a global center for cultural exchange between China and the West to tell the “China story” well to the outside world.
Fourth, the nation’s comprehensive rise will inject new impetus and content into patriotic education in Hong Kong. The nation’s numerous and brilliant achievements serve as the perfect tool for enhancing the national pride and self-confidence of Hong Kong residents, deepening their understanding of the nation and strengthening their commitment to it.
In short, this year’s National Day celebrations mark the nation’s comprehensive rise. A fully rising China will be more open, more actively involved in international affairs, and play a more crucial role in reshaping the global order and promoting the well-being of humanity. As China’s most open and internationalized metropolis, Hong Kong can leverage its unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” policy to make greater contributions to China’s external strategy and further consolidate its own status.
The author is a professor emeritus of sociology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a consultant for the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
