Friday, August 8, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

“China’s third plenary session will have a major impact on global developments”

The modern China

The resolution adopted at the last CCP plenary session states that China will continue to help build a common future for humanity. This, together with the five principles of peaceful coexistence, should henceforth be the criterion for international relations, writes Stephen Brawer, Chairman of BRIX Sweden.

Published 7 August 2024
Great Hall of The People: this iconic building in Beijing hosts many important government meetings, including plenary sessions.
3 minute read
This is an opinion piece. The author is responsible for the views expressed in the article.

World history is being shaped by processes and events larger, more profound and more complex than most people can imagine. One such recent event was the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The resolution adopted at the plenum makes it clear China will continue to implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan and redouble efforts to develop multilateral platforms for cooperation in green development, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, energy, taxation, finance, disaster mitigation, and other areas.

The third plenum also elaborated on how the CPC Central Committee has assessed China’s success and achievements in the new era, and emphasized the need to further deepen reform to advance Chinese modernization.

A new direction for global economic development.

Since the launch of reform and opening-up in 1978, China has made unprecedented, remarkable economic achievements. This, along with the Belt and Road Initiative, has helped the country chart a new direction for global economic development.

Incidentally, the initiative was proposed in 2013, the same year that the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee was held.

The resolution of the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee states: “The present and the near future constitute a critical period for our endeavor to build a great country and move towards national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization … We must purposefully give more prominence to reform and further deepen reform comprehensively with a view to advancing Chinese modernization in order to deal with the complex developments both at home and abroad, adapt to the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and live up to the new expectations of our people”.

The emphasis on the need to pursue national rejuvenation and Chinese modernization, and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is a unique aspect of Chinese policymaking, with the latter having more profound philosophical aspects, referring to Confucius. Chinese civilization has a long history of making efforts to maintain social and political stability, and pursuing development based on the principle of common good.

Despite the many transformations of Chinese society over millenniums, the country has maintained its salient socioeconomic features, which have allowed it to remain a proud and cultured society.

The proposal of the top Chinese leader to build a moderately well-off society by 2020, as part of his “four comprehensives” for good governance, was realized on schedule, facilitating the country’s pursuit of national rejuvenation and Chinese modernization. On the other hand, the goal of building a high-standard socialist market economy by 2035 is a relatively long-term pursuit. All of this will lay a solid foundation for building China into a great modern socialist country by 2049, when the country will celebrate the centenary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Besides, the resolution of the third plenum makes it clear that, contrary to claims of some Western media and politicians, China has no intention of closing the door on the global economy. Instead, it will continue to open up its economy to the outside world.

It’s time the West changed its attitude and policy toward China for the sake of global common good.

However, the international landscape is becoming more complex, with the United States, the European Union and some other Western economies resorting to trade protectionism and non-cooperation with China. They prefer to cynically ignore what China has achieved over the past more than four decades and perceive China as a threat.

Their short-sightedness and general ignorance are shaped by the Hobbesian view of being the dominant force under what can be called the law of the jungle. They wish to dominate the global economy and global governance system by brute force because they lack the insight and long-term development policy necessary to achieve sustained development, eliminate poverty and continue to create new jobs. It’s time the West changed its attitude and policy toward China for the sake of global common good.

As the resolution of the third plenum says, China will continue to help build a community with a shared future for mankind. As such, building a community with a shared future for mankind, along with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, should become the criterion for international relations.

 

Stephen Brawer,
Chairman of BRIX Sweden – Belt and Road Institute in Sweden

BRIX Sweden - the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, is a non-profit association formed by the organizers, speakers and participants of a seminar in Stockholm on 30 May 2018 on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its economic and strategic importance for Europe and Sweden. The seminar was jointly organized by the Schiller Institute and the China-Sweden Business Council.

BRIX members include entrepreneurs, economists and strategic experts with a wide range of expertise in Swedish and Chinese economic issues. Their common conclusion is that BRI is not only of importance for a good economic and political relationship between China and Sweden, but fundamentally beneficial for economic development and peace between all countries.

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China introduces national child allowances to reverse demographic decline

The modern China

Published 29 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Many local Chinese authorities, such as Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, have already introduced their own child allowances to encourage childbearing.
3 minute read

China is implementing its largest-ever initiative to increase the country’s declining birth rate by offering all parents national child allowances. Each child under three years old entitles parents to approximately €500 annually in state support.

The Chinese government presented a comprehensive reform on Monday where parents will annually receive about $500 per child under three years old, equivalent to approximately €500. The decision comes as a direct response to the country’s serious demographic crisis where the population has declined for three consecutive years, reports AFP according to France 24.

According to UN population projections, China risks seeing its population drop from today’s 1.4 billion inhabitants to 800 million by 2100. Last year, only 9.54 million children were born in the country – half as many as in 2016, the year when the controversial one-child policy was abolished after more than three decades.

“This is a major nationwide policy aimed at improving public wellbeing”, reported the state television channel CCTV. The support applies retroactively from January 1 this year and is based on a decision from the ruling Communist Party and the State Council.

Parents welcome initiative but want more

In Beijing, parents have received the news positively, but many believe significantly more is needed for them to consider having more children.

For young couples who just got married and already have a baby, it might actually encourage them to consider having a second child, says Wang Xue, who is mother to a nine-year-old son.

The subsidy does help ease their burdens… and also offers some psychological comfort, Wang continues.

The 36-year-old mother emphasizes, however, that the new measures are not enough to convince her to have another child.

Having one child is manageable, but if I had two, I might feel a bit of financial pressure, she says.

Zhang Wei, a 34-year-old father of a daughter and a son, calls the new allowances “a good start” as the costs of raising children continue to rise.

Compared to our generation, the costs have definitely increased exponentially, he notes.

Analysts: Right direction but insufficient

Economic experts believe the allowances are a step in the right direction but warn that the measures alone will not reverse population decline or stimulate domestic consumption.

It is encouraging that the government finally moved to use fiscal subsidies to boost fertility, says Zhiwei Zhang, CEO and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management.

Zichun Huang, China economist at Capital Economics, describes the policy as a “major milestone” regarding direct payments to households and believes it could lay the foundation for more tax transfers in the future. He notes, however, that the amounts are too small to have “any short-term impact on birth rates or consumption.”

Local initiatives already in place

Many local authorities have already introduced their own child allowances to encourage childbearing. In March, Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, began offering residents up to 100,000 yuan (€12,000) per newborn child for couples with three or more children. First and second children entitle parents to 10,000 and 50,000 yuan in allowances respectively.

In Shenyang, in northeastern Liaoning province, families who have a third child receive 500 yuan per month until the child turns three. More than 20 provincial authorities now offer various forms of child allowances according to official statistics.

Prime Minister Li Qiang promised to provide national child allowances during the government’s annual work report in March.

Aging population creates concern

China’s shrinking population is also aging rapidly, raising concerns about the country’s future pension system. In 2024, there were nearly 310 million inhabitants who were 60 years or older.

The country also lost its position as the world’s most populous nation to India in 2023, after the population decreased by 1.39 million last year. Low marriage rates and young couples’ concerns about high child-rearing costs and career impact contribute to the continued decline in the number of births.

China’s economy grows faster than expected despite trade war

The modern China

Published 16 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The Bund's historic waterfront promenade in Shanghai — once the heart of international trade and finance in Asia — still bears witness today to the city's unique role as China's open port to the world and center for global business exchange along the bustling waters of the Huangpu River.
2 minute read

The world’s second-largest economy grew by 5.2 percent in the second quarter and is on track to meet this year’s growth target. Exports and investments are driving growth while domestic demand remains weak.

China’s economy grew by 5.2 percent in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, which was slightly better than the 5.1 percent that economists had predicted. The growth means the country is on track to meet its full-year target of around 5 percent, despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States, reports Financial Times.

Exports sustain growth

The results show how China has managed to keep its economy on track through strong exports and investments, even though demand in the domestic market is weak. Industrial production increased by 6.8 percent in June, significantly more than analysts’ forecast of 5.7 percent.

Manufacturing and high-tech industries are leading industrial growth, with standout gains in, for example, robotics, new energy vehicles and equipment, says Yuhan Zhang, chief economist at The Conference Board’s China Center.

Retail sales, however, grew only 4.8 percent in June, which was lower than expected and a decline from the previous month’s 6.5 percent.

Challenges ahead

Economists warn that the second half of the year could be more challenging. Shuang Ding, chief economist for China at Standard Chartered, points out that first-half growth has benefited from companies rushing to export ahead of potential US tariffs.

Higher tariffs will take a toll on China’s exports, says Ding.

The real estate sector continues to drag down growth, with new housing prices falling 3.7 percent compared to the previous year. Economists are also concerned that overproduction combined with weak demand is driving deflationary pressure.

China is likely to need more policy stimulus as well as structural reform measures in the second half of 2025 to bolster the economy’s performance and make growth more balanced, says Eswar Prasad, economics professor at Cornell University.

“Strengthening dialogue among civilizations and creating a better future together”

The modern China

History has repeatedly shown that openness fosters mutual understanding, and exchanges deepen mutual trust. The Chinese and Swedish peoples share a deep consensus on this, writes China's Ambassador to Sweden, Cui Aimin.

Published 19 June 2025
For Aimin, dialogue is the key to advancing human civilization and building a shared future.
4 minute read
This is an opinion piece. The author is responsible for the views expressed in the article.

On June 10, we celebrated the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations of the United Nations. This commemorative day, jointly initiated by China and over 80 countries, carries the common expectations of the international community for peace, development and friendship. It also marks a new starting point for different civilizations in the world to jointly meet challenges and embrace a better future. Dialogue among civilizations is a good way to resolve differences, mutual learning among civilizations is the source of human progress, and inter-civilizational exchanges can provide a continuous flow of fresh ideas and strong impetus for China-Sweden friendly cooperation.

Dialogue among civilizations: The “golden key” to meeting the challenges of the times

At present, the international landscape is undergoing profound changes, marked by intertwined crises and risks, along with increasing deficit in peace, development, security and governance. Against this backdrop, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Civilization Initiative in 2023, which has received broad support from many countries and injected strong momentum into the modernization of human society and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In 2024, the 78th UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, which reflects the universal aspiration of people of all countries to foster dialogue among civilizations and advance human progress. It also makes important contributions to enhancing equal exchanges and dialogues among different civilizations and promoting world peace and development.

History has repeatedly shown that openness fosters mutual understanding, and exchanges deepen mutual trust. The Chinese and Swedish peoples share a deep consensus on this. Nobel’s belief of serving humanity as a citizen of the world and the statement from China’s Book of Rites, “A just cause should be pursued for the common good,” both embody the philosophy of transcending civilizational barriers and striving for harmonious coexistence. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, dialogue among civilizations holds even greater significance. Barriers and prejudices only exacerbate conflicts; only through inter-civilizational dialogue can we build a solid foundation for mutual trust and ensure common security.

Mutual learning among civilizations: The anchor of promoting China-Sweden cooperation

Human history is an epic of encounters, mutual learning, and symbiosis among different civilizations. Although China and Sweden are located at the opposite ends of the Eurasian continent, the two countries share a long history of friendly exchanges. More than 280 years ago, the merchant ship Götheborg established the bond of exchanges between China and Sweden. Seventy-five years ago, Sweden became the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have maintained active exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, culture, and education. In the digital age, people-to-people exchanges have been further invigorated, depicting a vibrant picture of mutual learning among civilizations in the new era.

Sweden became the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.

Civilizations have become richer and more colorful with exchanges and mutual learning. The complementary strengths of China and Sweden in the fields of scientific and technological innovation, green development and cultural exchanges have not only promoted the steady development of bilateral relations, but also contributed Eastern wisdom and Nordic experience to global sustainable development. This kind of mutual learning among civilizations, based on mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness, transcends geographical and cultural differences. It builds a bridge of win-win cooperation, and stands as a vivid practice of mutual success and shared progress of countries with different civilizations, different systems and different stages of development.

Mutual advancement of civilizations: The compass for creating a better future

President Xi Jinping has pointed out that countries are not riding separately in some 190 small boats, but are rather all in a giant ship on which our shared destiny hinges. It is the cherished vision of the Chinese people that a noble cause is never a lonely pursuit and the whole world is one family. Promoting human progress and world harmony has been a relentless pursuit of the Communist Party of China. China and Sweden should take the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations as an opportunity to draw on historical wisdom, seize the opportunities of the times, carry forward traditional friendship, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation. We should actively promote international free trade, jointly oppose unilateralism and the law of the jungle, firmly safeguard their legitimate rights and interests as well as the common interests of the international community, and contribute greater stability and certainty to the world.

Dialogue among different civilizations has always been a timeless theme in the progress of humanity. China is ready to work with Sweden and other partners around the world to uphold equality among civilizations, promote exchanges among civilizations, advance the progress of civilizations, move toward the inspiring vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and join hands to create a better tomorrow.

 

Cui Aimin, China’s Ambassador to Sweden

Mike offers a unique glimpse into everyday life in China

The modern China

Published 24 March 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Mike at a stop on the highway between Jiayuguan in Gansu province in northwest China to Beijing, a journey that is over 2000 kilometers long.
3 minute read

Is it dangerous to travel in China? Is it forbidden to move freely, take photos and investigate what life is really like? Have international geopolitics and propaganda in our media at home in the Western bloc affected our view of the populous country to the east? British video blogger Mike Okay, 28, is hitchhiking 2,000km across the country to investigate, document and hopefully get answers to his questions.

Mike Okay is embarking on an audacious 2,000km journey across China, with the ambition of challenging conventional wisdom about the country. With a daily target of 500 km, he plans to reach Beijing in just four days – a plan marked by both courage and a sense of adventure. The journey begins with him presenting a small piece of paper, written in Chinese, which clearly explains the purpose of his journey. As he puts it:

– I have this piece of paper in Chinese. It basically says: who I am and what I’m trying to do, and it’s really fucking helpful.

The journey quickly picks up speed as he gets his first ride within the first few minutes. Although the drivers are traveling at high speeds and at some risk, he is met with unexpected hospitality they happily share eggs and a red Chinese soda, which Mike says may even be illegal in the UK. As he makes his way through the changing itineraries, with drivers altering their route to drop him off closer to Beijing, he is sometimes forced to walk along the side of the highway a risky but necessary part of the adventure.

Along the way, he encounters everything from mysterious tombs with ancient stone patterns to encounters with the local police. In one incident where he is asked to disembark at a service facility, he is met with unexpected kindness: the police offer him lunch and directions. This unexpected humanity is a recurring theme throughout the journey and contrasts strongly with the otherwise cold and unpredictable landscape.

Spending the night in a wind turbine factory

One night, Mike finds himself in an uncomfortable situation when, after being misdirected, he is forced to spend the night in an abandoned wind turbine factory. Despite the eeriness of the place, he finds a gas station nearby, where he buys beer and snacks to keep his spirits up until morning. As he travels through China’s varied landscapes from deserts to lush green areas the language barriers also become apparent. Misunderstandings and misinterpretations marked several encounters with local drivers, where he sometimes had to wait a long time for the next ride or even take a taxi out of the city center.

In one of the most memorable encounters of the trip, he bonds with Mr. Chen, a British-speaking truck driver who soon becomes an unexpected friend. Mike describes how meeting Mr. Chen opens up a new dimension of the trip one where the helpfulness and genuine friendliness of everyday people takes centre stage. He notes:

– His name is Mr. Chen, which I feel bad about because he said, ‘I’ve been driving with you for ten hours and you don’t even know my name’.

The journey ends with Mr. Chen, after helping him through both linguistic mishaps and unexpected detours, taking him towards Beijing where Mike plans to end the adventure with a train ride into the city. Despite all the challenges from dangerous highways to feeling isolated Mike highlights how meeting ordinary people, from customs officers to friendly police officers, revives his faith in humanity.

With a mixture of laughter, frustration and wonder, Mike Okay gives us a unique insight into everyday China far from the touristy facade and with a humane side rarely seen in the Western bloc’s establishment media.

Mike O'Kennedy, known as “Mike Okay” on YouTube, is a British travel blogger with over half a million followers. He is best known for his documentaries on travel to remote and controversial places, including North Korea and Xinjiang in China. His content focuses on providing a personal and uncensored insight into these areas, often with humor and a sense of adventure.

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