It is a country that is striving to improve livelihoods, remove or at least minimize the disparity between urban and rural regions, struggling to ensure quality social housing and trying to regulate income distribution.
That is why the politbureau of Communist Party of China remains the pivot of power and still considered a guarantee against large-scale socio-political upheaval as western concepts of economic and political freedoms follow economic affluence.
But despite the deficit in democratic practices, China’s astounding growth continues to attract foreign investment in billions, its reserves hovering above a whopping four billion dollars. It was against this backdrop that the Italian prime minister, Mario Monti, delivered a passionate appeal to China.
“Will Chinese companies and government entities make more financial and industrial investments in Italy? I flew to Asia with this objective, to present my ideas and also urge Chinese investments in Italy and elsewhere in Europe to help ease Euro-Zones’s financial crisis,” he said.
The Boao Forum, held every year at this scenic town in South China's island province of Hainan, not only showcases the breath-taking growth in China, but also epitomizes this mammoth country’s desire to take lead in the new global economic order while allaying fears that China may seeks geo-strategic hegemony.
The Hainan province is a largely rural, farming region with little significant industry. Because of its natural beauty and absorbing coastline, the authorities are trying hard to turn it into a tourist attraction. The Hainan Airline counts among the best, and the only 5-Star Chinese carrier.
Much of the discourse that has taken place at successive Boao Forums so far, particularly the Chinese presentations, bear a telling lesson for Pakistan -- put politically contentious issues at the back-burner and fix the economy. Therein lies the real sovereignty.
Chinese leaders conveyed this message to Premier Gilani in the latest round of bilateral meetings too. Vice Premier Li advised again that we should focus on economy to ride out of our current socio-economic crisis, Gilani told the Tribune before leaving for Islamabad. “We will pursue the Chinese advice very seriously as part of our “Look East Policy”, he said. To what extent does this translate into relieving the people of crippling inflation, crushing load-shedding and heel-burning misgovernance, is an altogether different matter.