Flourishing a Nation and Enriching the People

Foreword

The In Dialogues with Masters Series Lectures, a brand activity organized by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China (RDCY), has been receiving extensive attention from all fields including governmental departments, colleges and universities, research institutions and the media. Since the first lecture, an audience of about 6,000 has been attracted to the lecturing rooms of the Renmin University of China by the profound thoughts and insightful opinions of renowned experts and scholars in different fields, immersing themselves in a sea of wisdom that those experts and scholars have accumulated over the long years. More than a million people have learned about their interpretation of China’s development through the Internet and other media. There is no denying that the lectures are highly influential in society. The enthusiastic responses from the audience are undoubtedly the best support for the In Dialogues with Masters Series Lectures organized by RDCY.

To intensively display the insightful thoughts and opinions of these renowned masters, we publish a new edition, Flourishing a Nation and Enriching the People: Interpretation of China’s Development—RDCY Master Lectures, of the RDCY Think Tank Series, following the To Lectures by Renowned Professors at the Renmin University of China., First Volume of the RDCY Think Tank Series. In this new volume, the thoughts and opinions regarding the interpretation of China’s development were offered by 16 well-known experts and scholars including Zheng Xinli, former deputy director of the Policy Research Center of the CPC Central Committee and executive chairman of the China Association of Policy Science, Zhao Suisheng, professor of the School of International Relations and director of the Center for China-U.S. Cooperation at University of Denver, Wu Xiaoqiu, vice president of Renmin University of China, Yang Guangbin, director of the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, Shi Yinhong, second-level professor of the School of International Studies and director of the Center for American Studies at Renmin University of China, Nie Huihua, executive vice president of the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, etc. They review, sort out, and summarize the paths China has taken, the remarkable attainments China has achieved, and the difficulties China has been facing in its course of development from the aspects of “a stronger nation” and “an affluent people”. By comparing China and Western countries, they explore the rationality and innovation embodied in China’s path of development to outline China’s future path of development. Relying on their profound academic knowledge, long-term field research experience, and abundant work experiences both at home and abroad, they make, with the help of both theories and examples, understandable and vivid descriptions of the path of development and its future. With their proposals of practically feasible policies and recommendations, this book is highly readable for its profound ideas and knowledge. As a book full of vivid and detailed information, it will help scholars, governmental personnel, and ordinary readers to understand the path of China as well as Chinese society.

The In Dialogues with Masters Series Lectures have achieved desirable social effects and are popular among people from all fields. All the topics of the lectures are closely associated with hot and hard issues of great strategic significance for the people in the course of development in contemporary China, such as the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative and building a community with a shared future for mankind, the significance of expanding domestic demand for China’s economic development, how to deal with China-US trade frictions, the history of the United States’ changing policies about China, China’s surrounding environment and security strategies, China’s financial reforms, China’s political reforms, China’s fiscal and taxation reforms and other critical frontier issues. Taking advantage of their profound fascinating speeches in plain words and inspiring thoughts and wisdom, famous scholars and masters communicate with the public and audience face to face. Therefore, the lectures have shortened the distance between the audience and cutting-edge knowledge, the latest ideas, and the pulse of China’s development in this era. This kind of university spirit featuring inclusiveness and academic freedom, and the fervent scenes of people crowding the lecturing halls will remain the same at the RDCY lectures.

As a new type of think tank with Chinese characteristics, RDCY has always been committed to bringing the functions of the think tank into full play in political consultation, human enlightenment, provision of suggestions, and cultivation of talented people. To build a bridge between the academic world and society, ideas and the public, and policies and research, we wish to introduce the thoughts and academic achievements accumulated over a long period in various cutting-edge fields to more people and help them to learn from and exchange ideas with each other. Above all else, we sincerely hope that accomplishments in thoughts as a result of such exchanges and communications can be timely submitted to relevant decision-making departments for the making of greater decisions that are more influential in society.

Welcome to the In Dialogues with Masters Series Lectures of RDCY. We will continue to share the feast of thoughts in the future.

Wang Wen

Executive dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China

Beijing

I. Flourishing a Nation

1. The Belt and Road Initiative: Any Practice Pursuing Fast Success is Inappropriate

Yang Shu

China has made remarkable achievements since its proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative. However, there are still fields that leave much room for improvement. In the face of such an unprecedentedly innovative undertaking, the academic world remains exactly the field with the slightest endeavor—no effort is dedicated to research. For the achievements and problems that we have had over the past six years, we shall analyze and summarize them carefully. For the Belt and Road Initiative, a colossal project in collaboration with other countries, six years is just the beginning of a plan that would last at least 20 to 30 years. Any ideas and practices that pursue fast success and go against reality are inappropriate. Only by facing the problems head-on can we solve them successfully. That’s the self-confidence in the true sense.

This book mainly focuses on the Silk Road Economic Belt. In fact, the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road cannot be separated. As a result, some chapters in the book talk about the Belt and Road as a whole. When it comes to certain specific issues, the main attention is usually on the Silk Road Economic Belt.