Chinese People’s Well-Being Is a National Priority

“国之大者”就是人民的幸福生活

 

Chinese Ambassador to Canada, H. E. CONG Peiwu Published a Signed Article on TDS NEWS

驻加拿大大使丛培武在TDS新闻网发表署名文章

 

11 August 2022

2022年8月11日

 

“National Priorities” has recently become a trending phrase in China. I had always pondered how to overcome the barriers of language and culture and to express this sentiment to my Canadian friends. Not long ago, while wandering in Beijing, I passed by a government agency in China – the National Rural Revitalization Administration, which explained the inspiration behind this phrase. This Administration was established in early 2021, with its predecessor the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, as the name indicates, aiming to alleviate national poverty. Following China’s victory over poverty, the National Rural Revitalization Administration is entrusted to transition from poverty alleviation to focus more on economic vitalization of rural areas.

“国之大者”是当前中国的一个热词。我一直在思考如何更好地向有着语言文化和国情差异的加拿大朋友阐述好它的意义。前不久，我在北京路过一家单位——国家乡村振兴局，它猛然给了我讲清楚“国之大者”的灵感。国家乡村振兴局于2021年初设立，前身系“国务院扶贫开发领导小组办公室”，顾名思义其旨在扶贫。国家乡村振兴局则是在中国取得脱贫攻坚战全面胜利后，主要承担从脱贫攻坚向全面乡村振兴的过渡工作。

 

Just like Canada, China is a massive agricultural nation. Based on the 2021 National Census in China, a total of 510 million people (36.11% of the population) reside in rural areas. The Chinese Government has consistently devoted great attention to the economic development of the countryside, in recent years, amelioration of the conditions in rural areas has been the focus of the war against poverty in China.

中国是一个农业大国。据2021年中国人口普查数据，居住在乡村的人口约为5.1亿人，占中国总人口的36.11%。中国政府一向高度重视农村工作，近年来把解决农村贫困问题作为脱贫攻坚主要方向。

 

It is the pledge of the Communist Party of China to the Chinese people to achieve a total alleviation of poverty with no one left behind and to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects where no one is precluded.

全面脱贫一个都不能少，全面建成小康社会一个都不能少。这是中国共产党对中国人民的庄严承诺。

 

That is a big goal, but it is a worthwhile endeavour. In order to achieve total alleviation of poverty, over the last 9 years China has invested over RMB 1.6 trillion toward poverty relief, and issued over RMB 9.2 trillion in poverty alleviation loans. More than 5 million members of the Communist Party of China had dedicated their time and energy on the front line of poverty alleviation across China, and over 1,800 of them sacrificed their lives.

为了实现全面脱贫的目标，中国在8年时间里累计投入扶贫资金近1.6万亿元人民币，发放扶贫贷款9.2万亿元，500多万名党员干部深入基层日夜奋战，1800多名党员干部将生命定格在脱贫攻坚征程上。

 

In 2021, China achieved a momentous victory, reaching a major milestone in the mission to eliminate poverty. All 98.99 million rural people living in poverty under the current standard were lifted out of poverty. We have achieved the poverty reduction target of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. This marks a significant milestone, some might call it an economic miracle, in the annals of history. It is a story that moved the hearts of countless people.

2021年，中国脱贫攻坚战取得了全面胜利，现行标准下9899万农村贫困人口全部脱贫，完成了消除绝对贫困的艰巨任务，提前10年完成联合国2030年可持续发展议程的减贫目标，创造了彪炳史册的人间奇迹，演绎出无数感人的故事。

 

Shiba Dong Village of Hunan Province is a village of the Miao ethnic group, located in the Wuling Mountains. The inhabitants there have lived in poverty for as long as anyone can remember. In 2013, the average per capita disposable income was a mere RMB 1,668. Following the construction of basic infrastructure that provided water, electricity and road, Shiba Dong Village has transformed into a renowned scenic area that is now a favourite destination for tourists. The gorgeous mountains and rivers enlivened by the characteristic Miao culture have contributed to the booming development of the tourism sector, with thousands of travellers visiting daily. By 2020 the average income of the villagers had already reached RMB 18,369. The story of Shiba Dong Village is the epitome of China’s work to alleviate poverty and develop rural areas.

十八洞村是湖南湘西的一个苗族村落，地处武陵山区，村民们曾长期徘徊于贫困线以下，2013年全村人均可支配收入只有1668元。但随着水、电、公路等一系列基础设施的修建，现在十八洞村成为了“九曲十八弯”的著名景点，秀美山水和苗族特色文化助推旅游经济蓬勃发展，日均接待游客一度达到数千人，2020年村民人均收入已增至18369元。十八洞村的故事是中国贫困乡村实现脱贫振兴的一个缩影。

 

In recent years the development of China’s agricultural regions has been rapid, with basic infrastructure gradually reaching optimal levels. The basis for this infrastructure development is founded on a five-pronged approach of ensuring that every rural community has access to roads, electricity and water, public transportation, courier services, and internet. These projects have greatly benefited rural communities, and are financed by the government. Following its victory in the war against poverty, China is now directing its efforts towards promoting rural development and accelerating the modernization of agricultural regions. For the numerous citizens in agricultural regions, this is paramount for overall quality of living. The Communist Party of China places quality of life for the people above all else – this is a national priority.

近年来，中国农村快速发展，基础设施逐渐完善，基本实现了五通，即：村村通公路、村村通水电、村村通客车、村村通快递、村村通网络。这些都是由政府财政支持的惠民工程。随着脱贫攻坚的胜利，中国正致力全面推进乡村振兴，加快农业农村现代化。对于广大中国农民而言，这是事关其生活质量的大事。对于中国共产党而言，让老百姓过上好日子，是自己最大的责任。

 

The Communist Party of China has always adhered to the original aspiration of seeking happiness for the people, aiming to make life better for everyone across the country. The interests of the majority of the people are a priority for China, ensuring quality of life is protected and enhanced with each passing day. The success or failure of this original aspiration is evaluated based on whether the people support, whether the people approve of, and whether the people align with the work of the government. This is the underlying logic and secret of success behind the Communist Party of China’s robust and continuous development since its founding 101 years ago. This is also the primary reason why each year the Communist Party of China enjoys an approval rating of over 90% from the Chinese people, according to authoritative reports issued by western institutions such as Harvard Kennedy School.

中国共产党始终坚守为人民谋幸福的初心，始终把实现好、维护好、发展好最广大人民的根本利益作为奋斗目标，始终把人民拥护不拥护、赞成不赞成、答应不答应作为衡量一切工作得失的根本标准。这是中国共产党建党101年来不断发展壮大的深层逻辑和成功密码，也是哈佛大学肯尼迪学院等西方机构民调显示中国民众对中国共产党的满意度连年超过90%的原因所在。

 

While China is now the world’s second largest economy, the challenges of low per capita income as well as unbalanced and insufficient development are still prominent. The Communist Party of China’s focus on national priority is based upon the conviction that a higher standard of living for China’s populous is critical, that it must continue to tirelessly promote socioeconomic development, and aspire to meet the needs of a people that yearn for a better, more prosperous life. At the same time, China wishes to continue to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with every nation of the world, including Canada, and realize shared success around the globe.

中国虽然已经是世界第二大经济体，但人均收入水平总体较低，发展不平衡、不充分问题依然突出。中国共产党将坚持“国之大者”就是人民的幸福生活的理念，努力推进经济社会发展，不断满足人民对美好生活的向往。同时，中国愿继续同包括加拿大在内的各国促进互利合作，实现全人类共同发展。