People's Democracy

In The Cities And Villages Of China

Tapas Sinha

IN early August, a 10 member team of representatives on behalf of the youth leaders of the political parties of UPA government and Left parties went to China on an invitation by the Communist Party of China (CPC). We were welcomed by CPC and by the friends of All China Youth Federation who were in charge of international departments. 

At 8 o'clock in the morning, we started for the Great Wall of China. On the hill top a huge Neonboard Slogan for the Beijing Olympic was looking at us "One world one dream."

At 11.30 AM, an important meeting took place with Shen Beili, deputy director general of international department of CPC Central Committee. After introduction, she told about China's development plan. We wanted to know about many aspects of China's economic reforms, know how agricultural sector is developing in such an unparalleled way. Miss Beili cleared all our queries. She also had a curiosity about the Left parties' role in UPA government. 

After that, we went to see Beijing university. On the third day, we went to Tien-an-men Square. People from all over the world come to see Tien-an-men Square.This was the place from where Mao-ze-Dong announced China's Freedom. This was the place where stood "The Great Hall of People" - two excellent sculptures depicting China's revolution. 

From Tien-an-Men Square we went to the office of Communist Youth League. It was a sight to see the youth organisation's office and some of my colleagues could not resist their exclamation. There we met Xiang Xuaping, the ACYF general secretary. We discussed various aspects of youth organisation. They informed us as to how they have adopted another 36 youth organisations, and how the workers of those organisations are involved in governmental works and awareness campaigns in villages and cities. We also discussed about the role of youth organisations in our country. They were told about DYFI, its role, aims and objectives. They were happy to know that the membership of DYFI was 15.3 millions. 

From Youth League office, we went to the office of the Central Committee of CPC. We had a meeting with Tiu-Eng-Chai, vice minister, international division, CPC. In this meeting our main topic was Indo-China friendship. I spoke about our plans and discussed about the convenience of both the countries after opening of Nathu La Pass. After discussing about an hour, we went to see Beijing city exhibition, and from there to world famous restaurant 'Roust Duck', 

On August 3 we started off for Wuhan. Xi-Yong and Inkhua accompanied us from Beijing. Inkhua was our interpreter. It is one of the centers for politics and culture. It has old heavy industries and it has modern factories as well. This state is the richest in agriculture and this advancement is the result of using Yansi River. 

We moved around the industrial zones and found 940 industries were there in a single zone. The joint ventures and foreign companies are also getting attracted along with nationalised companies. While from foreign company cars to fountain pens are all available in the market, but all of them are produced in China itself. According to the agreement with any company's marketing - all products have to be produced in China only. Basically, this decision was aimed for creating more employment. 

We had several meetings and discussions like with Luce, Director Hu-bi provincial development and reform commission; Ding Xuhuan, deputy director Youth League Echo Chi. The discussions were mainly on industrial issues and the role of youth organisations. We also met Hu-bi, provincial deputy minister Xhuang Guibao and CPC Union Li Mingbo. 

On the 5th, we started in early hours to see the villages, but before that we saw Ju-bi Provincial Museum and went to the top of Greentower Howley to see the entire village. We went to farmers houses individually and discussed. Their homes were all double storeyed flats with beautiful drawing rooms.Though the government supplies gas, electricity and water but that has to be consumed according to the norms. We talked to one Hu-ti-Xhan, a villager who said with a big smile - "we are so happy here. And of course we have to work. Otherwise how our country will progress?" There lies the difference. They work for their country. That is why work culture here is 100% effective. Every village has shops and restaurants and, of course, children's parks. On 6th August, we reached at Iching city - Iching is situated at china's west province Hu-bei. Iching is the link between east -west and north-south. This city is the main centre for resource allocation and significant centre for China's development. Till 1976, Iching was one of China's five main trading ports. It has the famous Turee Georgeons Hydraulic Project. 

At present Iching has been given special importance, because of its development for natural beauty and economy and specially for its Hydro-Electric Plants. It is being developed as the biggest Hydro-Electric Power Centre of the world. Three Hydro -Electric Centres are being created surrounding the city. 

China has no power deficiency today. Electricity is at surplus even after supplied into each and every households. The Huang Ho Iyanshi river was once called sorrows of China is called today "Mother of China" because of its boon to the people of China. After having seen this project and coming back to the city we met various leaders of 'CPC Iching' Committee and Hu Youai Provincial People Governments Director General Hi-Shoping. We discussed various matters on Hydro-Power project with him.
After watching the city we left for Shanghai one of the main centres of world trade. In transport Shanghai developed very fast at almost every aspect. At the end of 2005, the number of telephone subscribers of the city was 9,967 million and subscribers for cellphone were 12,442 million. Only in the main city centre 8.03 million people have been connected to the internet. This city is pollution free in air in 322 days a year! For this only 307 projects (FDI) from 120 countries have invested here. Investing amount of each FDI project was at least 10 million USD. A significant enhancement has occurred in education and science and technology also. The amount spent for research is 2.34 per cent of total GDP. The city has 60 higher educational centre, 807 middle schools, 81 secondary schools and 640 primary schools. 

Later we met Shao Hui Xhiav, Director General Shanghai Municipality.

Next day we had a meeting with the Chairman Shanghai Standing Committee

On August 9, we went to see Alkatel Shanghai Bell. At the very entrance, there was a large picture of Fiedel Castro hanging on the wall. When went to China, Fiedel went to this factory. State-of-the-art telephones are produced here. Just pick up the receiver and one could see the picture of the person talking to him. We were taken for a trip in the Magnetic train. After we boarded, the train started and in a few seconds it was at a speed of 432 kmph. After this joy ride, we had our last meeting of China visit with Wang Hong Wi, the chairman of China Youth Federation. We discussed various matters in respect of youth organisations and how the young people are working for development of Shanghai city. 

Today, when the question of lack of rapid development is raised during various discussions, leaders of our country immediately cite huge population as an excuse. When I asked the Chinese about their population – whether it was creating any hurdles in growth, they answered with a big smile, "The best resource of the earth is human resource. We use them in our development." Today, China has made education compulsory to all, housing and medical treatment guaranteed. Employment is fast progressing, agricultural progress is proceeding apace. Every six months there is a big progress in these issues. They use 100 per cent of the allocated money in implementation of government projects. 

That is why they are able to take their country on a path of rapid advance. And across the whole country, in the cities and in the towns and in rural areas the world's largest youth organization, ACYF, is doing its part in furthering this progress. Even at a time when the global economy was sluggish in growth, the Chinese economy is progressing at an average growth rate of 10 per cent or more. And our country being liberated two years earlier by them and with much lesser population, still lags behind. From transport to electricity, everywhere China is much more advanced. In early nineties, India was ahead of China in rail communication. And during 1992-2002, while China enhanced its rail network by 24 per cent, India had done so by 17 per cent during the same period.

People naturally have curiosity about such impressive progress made by a country where one fifth of global population lives and that is why China has been the most talked about country for the last 10 years in the world. What is important to remember here is that the foundation for such a remarkable growth has been laid by the Revolution and the Communist Party which led it. They brought about such transformation in the lives of general masses who were in deep poverty and backwardness. Today the Chinese are brimming with self-confidence, self-reliance and developing productivity with the full hearted participation by the people. 

Although China is experiencing a faster growth in their economy, this is not without problems. An in depth research and discussion is going on in the country on these problems in respect of socio-economic disparities and other problems. There could not be any predetermined model of socialistic construction. Socialism has to be built taking into consideration the concrete realities of the country. The Communist Party of China has declared that they are continuing with building Socialism according to China's features.