With the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, socialism with Chinese characteristics provides wisdom and new thoughts for global development, drawing extensive attention around the world. Giusto Patricio Javier, graduate student of the class of 2017 from Institute of China Studies, Zhejiang University, and professor of Politics at Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, shared his views on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics in interviews with China Radio International (CRI) and CCTV.

Patricio is the winner of the “Scholarship for Youth of Excellence Scheme of China – Master Program (YES China)” and the graduate student of the class of 2017 from Institute of China Studies, Zhejiang University.

Patricio is the winner of the “Scholarship for Youth of Excellence Scheme of China – Master Program (YES China)” and the graduate student of the class of 2017 from Institute of China Studies, Zhejiang University.

Academic degree photo

During his time in Zhejiang, Patricio outstandingly has completed all necessary courses and thesis procedures. The courses he has taken included several fields of China Studies, ranging from Chinese history, Chinese Revolution, Chinese society and Chinese life. His thesis focused on the diplomatic thoughts of Xi Jinping and its meaning and expectation for the relationship between China and Latin-America, which was highly praised by the defense committee.

Patricio making presentation in class

The Program of China Studies lays emphasis on the exploration of Chinese society through “The Second Classroom”, with its curriculum covering many fields such as Chinese history, reforms, society and lifestyles. From east to west, from city to countryside, many places in China have witnessed the footprints of Patricio and his MCS-YES classmates during their study. He benefited from the fieldtrips a lot. Especially through the fieldtrip of Yan’an, the holy place of Chinese revolution, Patricio gained general comprehension of the history, present and future of the Socialism with Chinese characteristics, and got deep acquaintance with the contribution of China wisdom to the world, in particular the meaning of Chinese Anti-Poverty enterprise for the developing countries.

The visit of Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Museum(Patricio, the eighth one from left)

Giusto Patricio Javier expressed his confidence in the great rejuvenation of Chinese nation in the new era under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. He said in the interview that “I believe that the main achievements of Xi's administration in the past first five years have been: deepening the economic development with a focus on technology and innovation; implementing the "One Belt, One Road" Initiative (the largest infrastructure plan in the history of mankind), the green development with an impressive transformation of China's energy mix and the relentless anti-corruption campaign. Undoubtedly, these achievements will be part of his legacy. It's deepening in the next five years is what will pave the way to achieving the goals of the "two centennials”.

Appendix: the full text of Patricio’s interview with CRI

The last speech of President Xi Jinping is of enormous significance, for China and for the world. This is undoubtedly the Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) which has attracted more international attention in history. This has to do with the leading place that China occupies today, a superpower on the rise, ready to surpass the United States. But it also has to do with the consolidation of Xi's undisputed and assertive leadership in China and its growing influence as a global leader, in times of much uncertainty, since Donald Trump came to power in the United States.

China has become a decisive factor of stability for the global order, as never before in its millennial history. In that sense, Xi's long speech defines a very clear path for China, facing the goals of the "two centenaries" (2021 and 2049). But Xi has also invited the rest of the world to follow the successful development model and join China, which, as Xi has said, "it will become more and more open." The greater openness of the Chinese economy is good news for the world, at the same time the United States closes and isolates, raising fear and uncertainty to its historical partners.

I believe that the main achievements of Xi's administration in the past first five years have been: Deepening the economic development with a focus on technology and innovation; implementing the "One Belt, One Road" initiative (the largest infrastructure plan in the history of mankind), the green development with an impressive transformation of China's energy mix and the relentless anti-corruption campaign. Undoubtedly, these achievements will be part of his legacy. Its deepening in the next five years is what will pave the way to achieving the goals of the "two centenarians".

The future of the CPC and the "Socialism with Chinese characteristics"

To achieve the economic goals, Xi has ratified the unquestionable leadership of the Communist Party for the government and transformation of China. To do this, it is essential to keep moving forward with the purging of the corrupt elements, while generating a "new thinking, for a new era". Precisely, "new era" is one the expression that Xi repeated most during his speech. Following the historical theories of Marxism-Leninism, and the contributions of Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaponig, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, Xi proposed that both the Party and the “Socialism with Chinese characteristics” must be adapted to the new global context, which will have China emerging peacefully as the greatest global power by the middle of this century. 

It was very relevant that Xi remarked that China will never seek hegemony and expansionism. Chinese history backs it up. I believe that the great challenge that the Party faces now is the renewal of its cadres to expand the participation of members of the so-called “sixth generation”, who will be the ones who will lead China in the coming decades.

China in the face of tough global challenges

China emerges as the great superpower of the 21st century in a very complicated and uncertain world, full of problems and tough challenges. For instance: the slow recovery of the world economy, the growing threat of terrorism and separatism (which mainly affects Europe), along with the declining and growing isolationism of the United States. 

This means that China will have to assume a global role that it has never had in its history. At the same time, China will have to face an additional effort to implement its policies at the global level, mainly the "One Belt, One Road" initiative. This will also require additional support from China to its main partners in Asia and other regions of the world. This is coupled with the challenge of maintaining, in this context, a cooperative and peaceful relationship with the United States, basically due to commercial disputes and strategic issues arising from the reaffirmation of Chinese sovereignty in the East and South China Sea.