The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China held at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 19 has authenticated the rise of Chinese President Xi Jinping as equal to Mao Zedong with even greater powers. Xi has revealed that China will lay greater emphasis on establishing world class military and Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era”.
CPC had prepared a road map to be achieved under his leadership till 2022 and beyond and listed out “14-point” fundamental principles that are central to China’s envisioned socialism, ie “people-centric” developmental approach while the nation must equally ensure party’s supremacy in a “new era” and equally emphasizing on key foreign policy issues which are crucial to China’s national interest.
His new era refers to China’s regional and global status while applauding the peaceful and diplomatic capture of South China Sea by the naval branch of the People’s Liberation Army.
Highlighting his ambitious targets to be achieved during the next 30 years, Xi said, “From 2035 to 2050, China should become a nation with pioneering global influence by boosting national security and the party would resolutely protect its sovereignty and interests. ”
Xi also spoke of “historical breakthrough” in national defence and military reform: “The navy has protected the nation’s maritime interest and its army rapidly upgraded its weaponry… The People’s Liberation Army should be a ‘world class’ force by 2050.”
He has pledged to step up ideological guidance within the party, strengthen its anti-corruption campaign, retain the government’s grip on China’s national security matters concerning Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and matters linked to land and maritime territorial interests.
Domestically,Xi addressed to reduce the existing provincial disparities in the country. Underlining the success of lifting 60 million people out of poverty over the last five years, Xi highlighted the gross domestic product (GDP) of China rising from $8 trillion to $12 trillion, thus making the Communist state an attractive investment destination for the world.
The pioneering rise of China will have a great impact on India and there are many lessons to be learnt. Indian leadership is devoid of laying down any road map for the country rather they are engaged mainly on perpetuating their political hold in the various parts of the country ignoring what will be the concrete achievements in terms of betterment of the country’s economic and military conditions.
What it means for India
China is a direct military threat to India especially in the wake of border disputes.With the revelation of China’s new plan, it is almost certain that Doklam like incidents on border areas will increase as in last roadmap of China, Xi Jinping never revealed his mission of completing ‘One Belt One Road’ and seizing the control of South China Sea (SCS) in his first tenure, therefore,the next five years will again bring challenges for the Asia and the US.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has less time ( two years of his tenure) to boost his military, reviving the economy and make use of his tactical diplomacy to safeguard national interests and soverignty including building up morale of his armed forces.
According to Ministry of Defence (MoD) data for the period January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017, at least one defence personnel from the three wings of the armed forces has committed suicide every three days, and most from the army.In the 1,185 days, 348 defence personnel have killed themselves on duty, particularly those deployed for longer periods in terror-hit J&K or the insurgency-affected northeast.The Indian government should raise emoluments of defence personnel so as to bring them at par with the forces of the other countries.
The growing influence of China in international organizations like the United Nations and in new regional institutions like in Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will hamper Indian interests and goals in multilateral forums.
China’s economic and strategic ties with Pakistan and deepening relations with other South Asian countries throws a prominent challenge to India’s position in the region. China’s rise as economic power and its relations with India’s neighbouring countries is detrimental to New Delhi’s interests.
India should bear in mind that being an ally of US will not help New Delhi in matters of military confrontation with China as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speech was just like firing a salvo on China using India’s shoulders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be cautious in calculating US support in military confrontation.
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