30 YEARS OF REFORMS
Key factors: Bold reforms, embracing globalisation, gradual implementation
THE recipe for China’s phenomenal success story lies in three main ingredients, says its ambassador to Singapore, Madam Zhang Xiaokang.
They are: being bold in pushing through reforms, brave in opening up but cautious in implementing change, doing it one step at a time.
Madam Zhang was speaking at an event yesterday to mark 30 years of reforms, which have propelled the once-isolated regime into a global economic power.
A litany of figures points to the Asian giant’s stunning transformation.
Thirty years after Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping made the bold switch from state-planned to market economy, the country’s share of the global gross domestic product (GDP) has expanded to 6 per cent from 1 per cent in 1978. Its GDP per capita has also gone up to US$2,461 (S$3,622) from US$190 in the pre-reform days.
“On today’s occasion of commemorating the 30th anniversary of reform and opening up, a question is being asked by the whole world: Why is it that China can be so successful in reform and opening up?” Madam Zhang said in her opening speech.
The secret lies in its commitment to “forceful reforms” and “embracing globalisation”, she told the 600-strong audience.
The Chinese leadership also made sure political and economic reforms were implemented gradually without upsetting stability, she said.
Cooperating and learning from the experience of other countries is another crucial factor, she added.
“The China-Singapore relationship is a classic example of win-win cooperation,” she noted.
“Although our two countries are different in national conditions, and are at different stages of development, we have managed to respect each other, learn from each other and benefit from each other.”
Yet another advantage is China’s plethora of talent, said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who also spoke at the event.
A telling example, said Mr Lee, was its search for an astronaut to lead its first manned space mission in 2003.
It could choose from a large pool of 1,500 candidates, before finally deciding on the best man for the job – a luxury Singapore does not have.
“You tell me to find one astronaut in Singapore? Can I produce one? We can’t,” he said. “If you have 1.3 billion people, you have choices which very few countries can equal.”
The abundance of talent means China could select the best and brightest for its top jobs, he said, noting that many Chinese officials are PhD holders. “The competition for the top jobs is intense.”
But success is not only about having the right people, but also the right system – one that is organised with a clearly defined chain of command, Mr Lee noted.
“You must be well organised, you must have a government which runs throughout the country from the centre of power, from the capital, to the smallest village.
“And you must have capable, competent people at every ladder to execute those plans,” he said.
“And I think that is the secret of China’s success. They got the right people into the right jobs and it’s organised.”
hwee@sph.com.sg
Courtesy of The Straits Times, 17 Dec, 2008