Domestic Responses and Interpretations of the Chinese Dream
The call for realizing a moderately prosperous society, national rejuvenation and people’s happiness has resonated among the people and become a primary public discussion point. Its appeal draws from public confidence of its attainability, as well as trust in, and support of, the new central leadership. A survey conducted in June 2013 found that most respondents endorsed the Chinese Dream and were optimistic about its realization. Specifically, 89.4% believed the Chinese Dream can be achieved.
As it is put in China Daily, the Chinese Dream is to have a “common world”. The world’s seven billion people of thousands of ethnic groups living in 239 countries and regions share a common home and also have common interests: to build a beautiful and peaceful world rather than a world ruptured by wars and turmoil, an equal and prosperous world rather than a world of yawning disparity, a green world rather than a world haunted by environmental disasters. This is the dream of the Chinese people as also people in the rest of the world. A “common world” is neither a utopia nor beyond reach. It is a “mutually beneficial” proposition put forward by Chinese leaders. Economically, the idea is that all countries should cooperate and complement each other to achieve common development through mutually beneficial means. Politically, the proposal is for countries to respect and consult each other, treat each other equally, and work together to create a more democratic, equal and balanced world. As far as security is concerned, it has been urged that countries do not infringe upon or interfere in each other’s internal affairs. Culturally, it has been proposed that all countries communicate with and learn from each other, and protect and promote cultural diversity and uniqueness. And ecologically, the expectation is that countries will help each other and work together to cope with climate change.
Foreign Responses and Analyses of the Chinese Dream
The initiation of the concept “the Chinese Dream” has also aroused wide responses and popular comments in the western countries. Kristie Lu Stout with CNN makes a detailed explanation about the meaning of the Chinese Dream and believes that the Chinese Dream has been decidedly more captivating. In his understanding, the Chinese Dream is to keep the economy growing.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn explains in The New York Times that the Chinese Dream has four parts: Strong China; Civilized China; Harmonious China; Beautiful China. Evan Osnos, China correspondent for The New Yorker, says that people today are looking for things that are more than just about their pocketbook and the good life for people means the cleaner air and reasonable judgment in courts.
The BBC’s Martin Patience says that China and the US are global rivals—yet when it comes to inspirational appeal, China had no match for the American Dream. But that may be changing, as the Chinese Dream has been promoted. A London-based research agency released a report The Power and Potential of the Chinese Dream, which tells that the Chinese Dream can help brands grow in China, that brands that match the Chinese Dream have higher brand value and that brands help narrow the gap between the national dream and personal dreams by ensuring food safety, taking more social responsibility.
Asha-Rose Migiro, a former senior UN official, says that the “Chinese dream” resonates with the dream of Africa as China and Africa can achieve common development through common efforts. She says that the “Chinese dream” has received immense appeal in Africa as it conjures a vision of collective achievement and espouses the same objectives that the continent is striving to reach: poverty alleviation, economic growth, and attainment of sustainable development. She addsd that Africa also stands to benefit significantly from the increased trade relations with China as a gateway to other Asian markets.
China will be a friend to any country or region which loves peace. In fact many countries have benefited from some aspects of the Chinese Dream. That the entire world derives material benefits from the Chinese Dream is apparent in a global economy. China’s commitment to science enables all peoples to share in China’s success, often by making new technologies widely available at low costs.
