by Suelin Low Chew Tung
On this day 44 years ago, Maurice Bishop’s “Bright New Dawn” speech was heard over Radio Free Grenada on 13 March 1979. He said the revolution objectives are for “food, for decent housing and health services, and for a bright future for our children and great-grandchildren.” Essentially, the revolution was for the aspiration of the Grenadian people. The Grenada Revolution had begun.
Like the 1979 Grenada Government, the 2023 Chinese context concentrates on a people’s government taking a people-centred approach to improve and promote the country’s development.
On Friday, 10 March, Xi Jinping secured a third term as President of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) during the 14th National People’s Congress. On Monday, 13 March, Xi stressed, “Security is the bedrock of development, while stability is a prerequisite for prosperity,” during his closing address of the NPC. Following the closing, for almost 90 minutes, Chinese Premier Li Qiang briefed domestic and international media on financial stability, employment, science and technology, high-quality development, rural development, farmers and food security, and domestic and foreign investment. In short, Li echoed President Xi’s assertion that the people’s aspiration should be the government’s goal, and China’s achievement of its long-term objectives largely depends on gaining the Chinese people’s trust and bettering their lives.
Premier Li briefed domestic and international media on critical issues in some detail, including rural development and farmers, apart from foreign investment and science and technology to address the people’s needs and better the lives of the Chinese people. He took great pains to speak to the new government’s focus: people’s aspirations for a better life is the ultimate goal; promoting high-quality development; deepening reform and opening up. On the economy, Li was confident in institutional strength as advantageous for China’s economic growth, and promoted positive support for private enterprises.
President Xi said that putting people first is paramount, as people are the decisive force for building China into a great modern socialist country and advancing national rejuvenation. According to Xi, a whole-process people’s democracy, and a people-centred philosophy of development, including uniting Chinese people of all ethnic groups, domestic and in the Diaspora, will “form a mighty force that will facilitate the building of a great modern socialist country and the advancement of national rejuvenation” that will benefit all people equitably. Because quality human resources remain China’s notable strength, Li said that employment-first strategies would be promoted to boost employment. The Premier called on local officials to keep their ears open at the grassroots level and encouraged companies to engender social responsibility.
Other highlights of Premier Li’s news conference were promoting rural revitalisation through economic, ecological, social and cultural values; implementing the blueprint to invigorate China through science and education, innovation-driven development and environment protection; becoming a significant contributor to global green development.
Chinese leaders make century plans.
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is enshrined in the supreme law of China, the Chinese Constitution, laying the foundation for the future, with him at/as the core. China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), drafted in October 2020, anticipates future growth based on domestic consumption of goods and services, further implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, aggressive goals on sustainable energy, boosting research and development in agricultural, medicine and deep space, deep sea and polar exploration. The end of China’s 100-year marathon will see it become an economic, trade, currency, cultural, resources and military superpower in 2049, on the century anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The Grenada Strategic Development Plan (SDP) is supposedly our version of a nonpartisan development master plan. So far, two versions have appeared, one ending in 2030, the other in 2035, apparently due to slipping deliveries. While the Grenada Investment Development Corporation (GIDC) website still lists the SDP 2020–2030 version as announced in the 2015 Budget Statement, the Regional Observatory on Planning for Development in Latin America and the Caribbean lists the 2020–2035 version, which sets out the vision for the country’s sustainable development and long-term transformation.
Both versions allude to similar language concerning the empowerment of our people (2030) and of the Grenadian people (2035). I am unaware of further versions, concrete actions, or if the SDP is still viable given the recent change in governing administration.
In the Grenada context, it always struck me that barely is a party voted in power — into the service of the people — within 100 days, the ruling party is expected to create miracles, lest they lose their followers, and provide grist for the mill of the opposition. Once the 100 days have passed, the rest of the term appears to be occupied with defending policies, conclusions and personal inaccuracies rather than serving the people. And then, once the ruling party settles and work is seen as being done with the objective accomplished, it is election campaign time, which negates any serious implementation, then elections. If the party is unlucky and ousted, the incoming party throws baby, bathwater and soap out the door, and begins afresh. The circle continues because we have not, as a nation or a people, produced a “Thought with Grenadian Characteristics” — with the country at its core, supported by and enshrined in the Grenada Constitution.
To paraphrase President Xi, Grenada must commit to putting its people first, because our upskilled, motivated and empowered human resources are the decisive force for building a sustainable and self-sufficient tri-island state. However, Grenada thinks in election cycles, and apparently, there is no master plan.
Suelin is a Grenadian visiting Beijing, hosted by China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC), to report on China with a Grenadian view
I don’t think it’s fair parallel as communist China curtailed many freedoms.
So I don’t see the aspirations of the people. Taiwan wants to be free.
This seems to be Chinese propaganda
Politicians and government lies and distort the truth to their own narrative.
There hardly any teachings on the role and importance of politics in our society in schools.
The electorates remains ignorant and is often exploited. It does seems anyone wants to break the viscous cycle as doing so will be giving up the balance of power.
Viscous rumshop politics continues.