Decoding the Chinese dream

It is something that helps mobilize people and create a positive vibe, says academic

Bilateral relations are the top priority for President Xi Jinping during his European trip, but it is also a rare opportunity for European leaders to understand his thoughts on the Chinese dream, says a top academic from Belgium.

"I believe that Xi advocated the Chinese dream to mobilize the people and it may also have an impact in Europe," says Nicolas Standaert, professor and head of the Sinology department at KU Leuven, a Dutch-language university in Flanders.

Standaert, who gained his doctorate in Sinology from Leiden University in the Netherlands in 1977, says the new leadership in China has advocated several new concepts and policy intentions that could raise its standing in the world. Prominent among these are the Chinese dream, commitment to deeper reforms and the resolve to root out corruption.

"New thoughts and concepts have been synonymous with the Chinese leadership. These include the former leader Deng Xiaoping's reform and opening up policies, former president Jiang Zemin's Three Representatives and former president Hu Jintao's Scientific Concept of Development and Harmonious Society.

Standaert says that while it is not uncommon for new leaders to propound new perspectives, it is rare to come across refreshing concepts like the "Chinese dream".

"It is quite a broad term, something that is more of an umbrella term. You can put all kinds of meanings to it, but it is something that helps mobilize people and create a positive vibe."

Xi's goal, or the Party's goal, is to transform China into a modernized and well-off society and to deepen reform, he says.

"What the leaders need is a slogan and this term is aimed at 'revitalizing the nation'."

Standaert says that Xi did not mention the concept of Chinese dream at the 18th Party congress in 2012 and has instead been more focused on the welfare of the people.

He even suggests that Xi and his entourage are not the first people to propound the Chinese dream concept, since it was used by "globalized Chinese", such as two young Chinese women who studied in the US: Helen H. Wang, author of The Chinese Dream, and Peggy Liu, head of an environmental NGO that already used the concept China dream.

"What matters is its impact on the middle-class in China," he says.

China has a huge middle-class population, which is forecast to grow from 300 million to 800 million by 2025. It is important to have this burgeoning middle-class for future development, and China seems to be on track.

"The big question is what do we really want to have?

"A decent place to live, to provide good education to children, having weekends where one can spend quality time with family and friends and also indulge in other forms of relaxation like trips to the museum, community service, etc. I believe these are the typical aspirations of most middle-class people.

"Let me reiterate that I am not talking about those who are extremely rich and don't know how to spend their money."

Standaert says the Chinese dream can also be interpreted from an international perspective.

For instance, in his New Year speech, Xi was quoted as saying that, "Chinese people seek to realize the Chinese dream, a great revitalization of the Chinese nation, and also wish that the dreams of people of all countries will come true."

It is obvious that the middle-class has a very important role to play, Standaert says. "These could be through a variety of things such as economics, entrepreneurship or education. I hope it could also include cultural and academic advances," he says, adding that the Chinese dream appears in all kind of media speeches, blogs, publicity on the streets and even fashion shows.

"Concepts like The Scientific Concept of Development or Harmonious Society may sound alien to Europeans, but are very powerful terms in China. I think it's very important to have a Chinese dream for the Chinese people. But if its tone becomes aggressive or assertive, it will stoke fears of nationalism."

Policymakers should consider the academic and cultural aspects, apart from the economic angle, while outlining the broad Chinese dream. "My hope is that the Chinese dream can co-exist with other dreams and include academic, cultural aspects also," Standaert says.

An encouraging sign is the new leadership's determination to fight corruption and deepen reforms in China. "One can note that Premier Li Keqiang has used the word reform 77 times in his annual work report."

However, Standaert feels that the word reform needs to be understood more clearly. "Is it economic, political or structural reforms which will lead the fight against corruption? The answer really matters."

Standaert says corruption is still a cause for concern in China. "But you really need autonomous institutions to fight corruption and promote the rule of law.

"One could even search for inspiration in Chinese history. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, there was an independent body of inspectors to fight corruption in China. This body was separate from politics, economics and the military.

"Corruption is all around us. But that is not the point, rather the onus should be on how to solve and prevent it."

Standaert hopes that Chinese leaders will take steps to encourage culture and heritage. "I hope that cultural and academic elements will be an integral part of the Chinese dream," he says, adding that, "people to people exchanges matter and we want to share everything that is beautiful in our culture".

He hopes that the relationship between China and Belgium will not be confined to political and economic exchanges but include cultural and academic (not only medical and sciences, but also humanities) interactions.

"My 'dream' is that Chinese tradition can help us rediscover the value of 'useless' learning." In this context he cites the ancient classic Zhuangzi as saying "people all know the use of usefulness while they don't know the use of uselessness".

"It is important for Europe to learn and understand from China, and be the cultural bridge."

Contact the writers at fujing@chinadaily.com.cn and lixiaofei.chinadaily@gmail.com

(China Daily European Weekly 03/28/2014 page10)