Dream big and aim high

"Omnishambles" is the Oxford Diction- ary's "Word of the Year 2012". It denotes "a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations".

Dictionary.com chose "bluster", because "2012 was full of bluster from the skies and from the mouths of pundits".

In China, no established institution has come up with a credible word of the year yet. But judging from the scattered lists and rankings available, the choices appear a lot less dismal, a lot more optimistic.

True, 2012 has not seen substantial differences in some of the problems that average Chinese face. Corruption in public offices, skyrocketing housing prices, wealth gap, food insecurity and expensive yet poor medical services and public education continue to unnerve the nation. And the lackluster overseas markets along with the domestic economic slowdown once raised fears of further trouble.

But in China there has not been anything even close to "eurogeddon", which is high on Oxford Dictionary's shortlist of runners-up. There is no "financial cliff" to worry about either.

The outgoing year might not have been a completely cheerful one for every Chinese. But it surely has been one of hope.

The economy outperformed expectations and is showing signs of recovery in the second half of year - assuring signs that the feared "hard-landing" is a hyperbole, and that the economy remains healthy and brisk.

Earlier this year, the country finally announced the establishment of a social security network, which theoretically covers all citizens.

The confidence of the Party - in its theory, system and chosen path - is not just about continuity of policy. It is the hallmark of sophisticated helmsmanship.

The new Party leadership's initial moves, focusing on style changes, are endearing and have left the impression that it is a team that ordinary citizens can access.

The "men of the people" image the new leadership has created in its first days in office will facilitate the coveted solidarity with the public, which will prove a precious political asset when faced with gargantuan problems.

The fine momentum of constructive interactions thus far is the best the country could aspire for at the end of a year. It inspires the nation to dream big and aim high.

And there will be no better time to open up a new chapter than when we greet the New Year on Tuesday.

(China Daily 12/31/2012 page8)