Speech by Dr. Ezzat Saad

Director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA)

In

“China’s New Development and World’s New Opportunities – The First Eyes on China and Ears to the World Forum”

(November 28^th, 2022)

First, I would like to express my deep thanks and gratitude to both the China Center for Contemporary Global Studies (IDCPC) and the Secretariat of the Silk Road Think Tanks Association (SRTA) for inviting me to this important international forum, which comes about five weeks after the very successful Twentieth National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

Ladies& Gentlemen;

There is no doubt that China plays a  significant role in the international system, taking into consideration it’s status as the world’s second largest global economic power and the world’s largest trading nation, it was only natural that the whole world watched, with great interest, the 20^th  National Congress of the Party,its proceedings, findings and repercussions, domestically, regionally and globally.

In this context, I would like to refer to a number of geopolitical and Geo-economic messages that the 20^th Congress conveyed to the world, namely:

1. China’s determination to strengthen its global status as a responsible power:

Emerging Markets and Developing country economies are now playing a larger role on the global stage. According to the IMF since 2008, Emerging Markets have contributed more than 80% of new global economic growth since the financial crisis, which has played a crucial role in allevtiating global poverty. China, with other emerging markets, have been at the forefront of these developments. This increased role necessitates that China along with other emerging markets have the right to play a significantly larger role in Global Economic and Political Governance inclusively, responsibly and effectively.

It is within this context, that President Xi Jinping stressed that China is fulfilling its responsibilities as a global major power within the framework of governance principles, which the Chinese president often emphasizes on various occasions. In his report to the 20th Congress, Xi stressed China’s firm opposition to all forms of hegemony and power-based policies, its opposition to the Cold War mentality and interference in other countries’ internal affairs, its rejection of the policy of double standards, and its firm defense of multilateralism in international political and economic relations.

President Xi also stressed that China avoids the path of unfair competition, avoids hostility and conflict, and moves forward with a comprehensive and positive vision for the future that measures China’s success by its achievements, instead of underestimating or hindering each other’s capabilities and initiatives.

President Xi’s remarks during a meeting with foreign and domestic press, on the eve of the congress, included a balanced reading of the position of China and the CPC on developments in Asia and the world, stressing in this regard that the Party “will not be intimidated by high winds, volatile waters or even dangerous storms, because the people will always be supportive and trustworthy to its leadership.” The President pledged to work with people from all other nations to promote common human values such as peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom to safeguard world peace and advance its development.

2. Affirmation of China’s position on Taiwan region:

The results of the 20^th Congress reflected a firm message to the countries hoping to change their position on the “One China” Principle as well as the current ruling authorities in Taiwan region, and forces seeking to enable so-called “Taiwan independence”, not to renounce the use of force on the Taiwan issue. Amendments to the CPC’s constitution also confirmed the stipulation, for the first time, to “firmly oppose and curb Taiwan’s independence,” blocking any attempt by Taiwan territory to secede from the motherland. Amendments to the Party’s constitution also included the term “struggle” or “fighting spirit” in the Party’s charter, emphasizing the “Chineseness” of Taiwan.

Some U.S. analysts, rightly, believe that Xi’s speech to the 20th Party Congress did not include accelerated goals of military modernization, nor did it contain aggressive language against talk of so-called “Taiwan independence.” Instead, Xi stressed that China “will continue to pursue peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort.” This balanced position, expressed by the party’s leadership, compels efforts to bolster the credibility of its well-known position on Taiwan region that has maintained peace for decades. It is also a clear response to the misguided assumptions of many American commentators, writers, and even some American officials, who have presented the war in Ukraine as a “warm-up” for a more important and longer-term conflict with China, some have even asserted that war with China over Taiwan is inevitable, and others have even set a deadline for China to use force to retake Taiwan within the next two to five years.

China’s modernization of its military capabilities as a great power is natural, and it does not mean in any way, the use force or set a timetable for it. President Xi’s speech to the Twentieth Congress was clear and frank on this matter.

3- China’s continued openness to the outside world:

The Reform and Opening up of the economy by the Chinese Leadership was crucial for the immense economic success witnessed over the past 4 decades, including the last decade, which saw the charting of a new path for growth and end poverty in China, also providing a potential model for emerging markets and developing countries to learn from taking into consideration their local context.

The results of the congress confirmed Beijing’s determination to continue reform and opening up to accelerate the formation of a new development pattern, and to continue its pursuit of high-quality development. President Xi stressed the need to “fully and comprehensively implement the new development thinking, adhere to the reform trend of socialist market economy and high-level opening-up to the outside, and take the new development pattern as its core domestic major economic cycle and be characterized by mutual reinforcement between the domestic and international economic cycles,” adding that his country cannot develop without the world, and the world also needs China.

It is important to note that China’s continued Reform and Opening up to the world is a crucial cornerstone to it’s economic success and maintaining strong relations with countries to continue developing economic, political and people to people ties.

In conclusion, the geopolitical and Geo-economic messages that the Twentieth Congress of the Communist Party of China was keen to send to the world, have highlighted many contents that will have direct effects on shaping the map of the next stage politically and economically on the international arena. The main scene of the Twentieth National Congress reflected the fact that the new China cannot be bypassed when re-reading geostrategic calculations in light of what the People’s Republic of China has achieved as an inspiring economic, social, political and military model for many countries.

Thank you so Much.