I am sure that the headline on this article will raise eyebrows, but there is a strong and powerful argument in favor of the Communist Party of China. No one can deny that the Party, one of the most prestigious political entities in the world, has made more contributions to mankind during the last 100 years than it needs to justify a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
China’s 2020 GDP was $14.72 trillion, which equated to the second-largest economic power by total GDP compared with the United States’ 2020 GDP of $20.94 trillion. Given the trajectories of both countries and the fact that the US has already developed into a mature economy while China is in its uphill struggle for high-speed economic growth, China is projected to overtake the US in terms of overall GDP volume at the earliest by the year 2027 and will eventually be the world’s No 1 superpower.
Should the estimation turn out to be true, China and the CPC will have achieved success and prosperity that no other country or political entity has ever attained in history: ascension to the world’s top economy without invading other countries or plundering the resources extraterritorially by force.
It has overturned the zero-sum-game rule that has dominated the world for hundreds of years. Thanks to the CPC’s implementation of a win-win strategy, China triumphs by generating mutual beneficiaries, not by imposing destruction and distress on other nations. The Chinese economy leaps forward by empowering other countries to pursue prosperity
Let that sink in for a moment. Among the regimes and political parties that have ever emerged and existed in the history of mankind, none has achieved the pinnacle of economic success the way the CPC has — this is not a “once in a lifetime” achievement, but a “once in the history of mankind” achievement.
As President Xi Jinping beautifully decreed in his July 1 speech on the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the CPC, “Peace, concord, and harmony are ideas the Chinese nation has pursued and carried forward for more than 5,000 years. The Chinese nation does not carry aggressive or hegemonic traits in its genes. The Party cares about the future of humanity, and wishes to move forward in tandem with all progressive forces around the world. China has always worked to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, and preserve international order.”
Xi further stated: “We have never bullied, oppressed, or subjugated the people of any other country, and we never will.
“We will continue to champion cooperation over confrontation, to open up rather than closing our doors, and to focus on mutual benefits instead of zero-sum games.”
The spirit of win-win, which is heavily enshrined in Chinese culture, makes the CPC’s achievement remarkable in world history. It has overturned the zero-sum-game rule that has dominated the world for hundreds of years. Thanks to the CPC’s implementation of a win-win strategy, China triumphs by generating mutual beneficiaries, not by imposing destruction and distress on other nations. The Chinese economy leaps forward by empowering other countries to pursue prosperity.
If that does not satisfy the Nobel Peace Prize’s criteria of having “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses”, it will be hard to believe anyone else can do so.
How has the CPC managed to achieve it? The success’s roots come from the CPC’s three outstanding characteristics: First, it wins through inspiration, hard work and perseverance; second, the continuous reforms, self-reflection and self-improvement are necessary for securing sustainable development; third, the CPC has successfully united Chinese people, guided them and instilled faith in their minds.
I have been very fortunate to be able to work closely with many members of the CPC along my career path, which many people around the world may never get to experience in their lifetime. The international community should understand that the CPC is the most competitive political party in the world, although few publications are available on this aspect. Most of the members embody the spirit of the three characteristics described above. A close observation of the Party members proves that they are elite hard-working leaders, who constantly strive for improvement by self-reflection, with the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation as their ultimate goal.
With 95 million such dedicated CPC members taking the lead to make our country a great place, it should be no surprise that China has made such staggering economic, social and technological improvements.
The time is nigh for the international community to recognize the CPC’s achievements over the last 100 years. I cannot think of a better way than to nominate the CPC for the Nobel Peace Prize when China officially overtakes the US as the world’s No 1 economic superpower.
The author is a law graduate and scholar of University of Cambridge, a CPPCC National Committee member, an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and co-founder of Hong Kong Coalition.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.