On October 24, the twice-a-decade National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) successfully completed in Beijing its week-long session where I was present as Chinese ambassador to India.

Progress of Party guidelines

As the most important outcome, the 19th CPC National Congress has endorsed Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding ideology that the whole Party will long adhere to.

First of all, the Thought originates from the political judgment that socialism with Chinese characteristics has crossed the threshold into a new era. China has witnessed historic changes since reform and opening up nearly 40 years ago, especially in the past five years. The Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation—it has stood up, grown rich, and is now becoming strong.

Second, the Thought originates from the new changes of the principal contradiction in Chinese society. It has greatly evolved from the contradiction between the ever-growing material and cultural needs of the people and the backwardness of social production to the one between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life. The evolution of the principal contradiction in Chinese society has raised new demands for the work of the Party and the state. We will devote ourselves to addressing development's imbalances and inadequacies, driving China's economy from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development, in a bid to meet the people's ever-growing demand for a better life.

Third, the Thought will serve as a guideline to implement the new blueprint. As per achieving the Two Centenary Goals, China aims to accomplish the task of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects by 2020 when the CPC celebrates its centenary anniversary. Building on this achievement, we will strive for developing China into a strong modern socialist country by 2050 when the country celebrates its centenary anniversary. The 19th CPC National Congress drew up a two-step approach to achieving this goal. In the first stage from 2020 to 2035, socialist modernization will be basically realized. In the second stage from 2035 to 2050, we will develop China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful.

Fourth, the Thought is abundant in content which includes comprehensively deepening reform, advancing law-based governance, exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party as well as policy guidance on political affairs, economy, culture, education, foreign affairs and national defense. The overarching goal is to realize socialist modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Benefiting China's cooperation with India

I have noticed that the Indian media paid close attention to the 19th CPC National Congress. The emerging concerns and misgivings focus on the allegation that a rising China would be a threat. The doubts are pretty much misplaced.

First, to bring China's new blueprint into reality, we are committed to building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and thereafter developing a great modern socialist country. China will maintain a stable society with its economy booming, which in itself contributes to world peace and stability.

Second, to bring the new blueprint into reality, China will certainly make greater contribution to world peace and development. The essence of President Xi Jinping's thought on diplomacy is to forge a new form of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and a community with a shared future for mankind and build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity. China is opposed to zero-sum games and never seeks hegemony.

Third, to bring the new blueprint into reality, China will continue putting development as the top priority, continue reform and opening up, and promote further integration into the world. This will present greater opportunity for China to advance mutually beneficial cooperation with India and the rest of the world.

Fourth, to bring the new blueprint into reality, a stable and sound international environment and order are highly required for China. This has determined that China must stay committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, upholding the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and promoting good neighborliness and friendship.

In a word, to make new and greater contributions to mankind is the CPC's abiding mission. Xi's thought on diplomacy is highly innovative and consistent. It will further enhance the closer interactions between China and the outside world, and exert positive influence on the international community.

After the 19th CPC National Congress, China's diplomacy has already taken on a new look. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev made a successful visit to China. President of the United States Donald Trump completed his first China visit. Chinese leaders participated in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the Series of Leaders' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation and visited some countries. China-South Korea and China-Japan relations have also made positive progress.

Both China and India are developing countries and face the common tasks of developing their economies and improving people's wellbeing. At a critical stage of deepening reform and advancing modernization, both countries need to foster a favorable external environment. China and India are neighbors that cannot be moved away. We live under the same sky. As important members of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China and India are committed to advancing globalization and multi-polarity and upholding democracy in international relations. We believe that the New India initiative proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese dream are closely connected and can be synergized as well.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to its relations with India. President Xi and Prime Minister Modi have met many times. In early September, the two leaders reached important consensus on bilateral relations during the meeting in Xiamen, China. We need to implement the consensus, enhance mutual trust and focus on cooperation while properly managing differences in a bid to take our bilateral relations to a new level.

The author is Chinese Ambassador to India

The story is first published on the China-India Dialogue magazine

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