The overall leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) guarantees the steady and sustained advancement of Chinese modernization, which pursues the balance of innovation, social progress and sustainability, said Jiri Mantysalo, vice chairperson of the Communist Party of Finland.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Jiri Mantysalo discussed China's development path under the CPC leadership.
"I think that what impressed me most was the combination of technological development, and modern infrastructure, and also visible efforts to improve people's everyday life, especially in rural areas, and throughout the country," he said.
Mantysalo visited east China's Zhejiang Province in November, where he was impressed by the ongoing Chinese modernization.
"In Zhejiang, when I visited in last November, I saw a model that also emphasizes public planning, social development, environmental improvements, and environmental protection, and technological innovation. And another important feature was the confidence with which local authorities discussed about long-term development goals. And it was very impressive. I saw that Chinese modernization appears to place strong emphasis on balancing economic development with social stability, poverty reduction, and also ecological sustainability," he continued.
As Chinese modernization is not only about an ambitious blueprint, it's more importantly about planning, execution and implementation, the five-year plans are vital to the work of the CPC, as well as China's development, Mantysalo said.
"I see that five-year plans provide a very vital strategic framework for the work of CPC and for the work of Chinese society, and it allows to set priorities in near future, but also in longer future to coordinate the development in different sectors in society. And, rather than relying solely on market forces, the five-year plans identify key national objectives in areas such as industrial development and technological innovation, modernization in rural areas, environmental protection, for example, and also, building the public services," Mantysalo said.
"From the European perspective, when I view it, it's remarkable that national goals can be pursued consistently over decades, with the help of five-year plans in China. And with these five-year plans and leadership of CPC, I think that it's trustworthy that the goals that will be set will be also implemented. So the plans are not just words on paper, but they are promises to create a better everyday life for Chinese people," he said.
Finnish Communist Party leader hails China's development path under CPC leadership
