Speakers at a seminar on Sunday said Bangladesh has many things to learn and apply from the Chinese experience of modernisation and good-governance which has attracted widespread attention of the international community. They said that while maintaining socialist philosophy China focused on massive economic transformation in order to keep pace with the international business. It introduced creative technology developed by the Chinese and explored the potentials of its own manpower resources to turn China into a global economic powerhouse.
They made the observation at a dialogue titled, ‘Modernisation of the System and Capacity for Governance: A Chinese Experience’ at Pan Pacific Sonargoan in the capital on Sunday. The dialogue was organised by Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum. In his speech as the chief guest, Planning Minster MA Mannan said, “China is the largest development partner of Bangladesh. We have considered China as very close and realistic friend. In this modern age, China has achieved an equivalent progress. Bangladesh was a deprived and oppressed region before independence. Now, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we are moving forward towards the development highway.
We are constructing Padma Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel, and Metro Rail while implementing many other mega projects. We will also construct 2nd Jamuna Bridge.” The Minister said, “Poverty, though declining gradually, is still a main problem in Bangladesh. There is still a wide difference between village and town. So, our government has undertaken a vision to reach the facilities of town to villages. The poverty rate of Bangladesh has reduced compared to past 10 years. About 20 percent (one fifth) of the population in the country is poor now. We hope the poverty rate would further decline.”
Li Jiming, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh said, “Recently, at a high-level meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) several decisions were adopted on issues concerning how to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance. This is a meeting of fundamental importance held at the historical juncture of China's two centenary goals, a groundbreaking one held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and a crucial stage of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
Jiming said, “The decision is programmatic for developing and improving China's national governance systems, which expounds on the significance, general requirements and overall goals of the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance, and makes arrangements for upholding and improving the systems.”
The Chinese ambassador mentioned four key aspects of the session. Leadership of the CPC The decision gives top priority to upholding and improving the Party's leadership, as well as strengthening its capacity to govern in a scientific and democratic way and in accordance with the law. It emphasizes the guiding role of the Party's leadership in the national governance system.
The state demonstrates strong capacity of organization, mobilization, long-term planning, decision-making and implementation, making sure that China, led by the Party, can cope with a series of major challenges and obstacles, and advance smoothly towards the right direction.
People as the Masters of the Nation Governance for and by the people is the ultimate objective and means of the CPC leadership. Improving these systems means putting the people first, closely relying on the people to govern the country Improving the people’s well-being is the major goal of ensuring “people are the master”. Since its founding, the CPC has established its purpose as “serving the people”. The Party was founded for public interests; it governs the country only to serve the people. Improving the people’s well-being and promoting the people’s all-around development have always topped the agenda of the CPC.
Supervision of the Exercise of Power The plenary session confirmed the Party and state supervision systems as a pivot in upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance.
The plenary session aims to improve monitoring the distribution and exercise of power. It made a series of decisions to ensure that power and responsibility are law-based, transparent and interdependent. Building a system that ensures officials dare not, cannot and have no desire to engage in corrupt practices. Peaceful and win-win Cooperation China has always been a peace-loving country throughout its time-honored history. Since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has been upholding an independent foreign policy of peace, and following the 5 principles of peaceful co-existence.
Li Jiming further said, “Led by the CPC, the great journey of the Chinese nation towards a wealthy, strong and democratic country and the realization of the Chinese dream will always feature four key phrases.” He continued, “The leadership of the party, the people as the masters of the country, supervision of exercise of power, and peaceful and win-win cooperation. Following the spirit of the plenary session, China will uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and enhance exchanges on the national governance with Bangladeshi government and political parties.
With an even more profound and friendly strategic Partnership of Cooperation between us, China is willing to work with Bangladesh to promote our traditional friendship, consolidate the strategic cooperation, deepen our mutual trust, and usher in a promising future pictured in the Chinese Dream and the Sonar Bangla dream.”
Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmed presented the keynote paper at the programme. In his keynote speech, Munshi Faiz Ahmed said, “China, the most important development partner of Bangladesh, is trying to approach the need for modernization the system and capabilities of her governance is very useful and important for Bangladesh. Although there are many differences in our (BD) systems of governance, there are many similarities in our visions, aspirations and goals.”
He also said, “In recent times, China is making great progress in information technology, nano-technology, bio-technology, medicine, space technology, super computers, robotics and automation. China is also moving ahead quite fast in matters of renewable and green energy.”
Dilip Barua, general Secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh said, “Western model and our social backwardness may create obstacle to accelerate our development program and capacity building. We can take the wisdom of china for bridging the gap of our economic disparity; minimize the corruption and better governance for being cost effective.”
Renowned writer and journalist Sayed Abul Maqsud, President of Communist Party Bangladesh Hasanul Haque Inu, BNP standing committee member Dr Moyeen Khan, among others, also spoke at the event.
