国内英语新闻:Commentary: New China turns 70, witnessing a golden age

BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- While turning 70 often signals the beginning of a person's twilight years, for the People's Republic of China (PRC) it marks a golden age full of hope and vigor.

The PRC celebrated its 70th birthday on Oct. 1. China's transformation from an agricultural society isolated from the West into the world's second-largest economy open wide is nothing short of a miracle.

More importantly, it has charted a new path for developing countries to modernize.

Seven decades ago, the war-ravaged country started from scratch. Observers are astonished at China's large-scale modernization, its reduction of the number of people living in poverty and the sheer volume of its consumer market. Their heads have been turned not only because of the speed of the transition but also by the unique path taken to realize this great transformation.

Reflecting on its past and present, and through experimentation, China has identified and will continue down the right path -- socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Reform is the engine of China's miracle. There is no ready-made solution for the development issues facing China. From creating special economic zones to building free trade pilot zones, from carrying out family-based production contracts to revitalizing state-owned enterprises, China has been one of the most successful countries in piloting reforms over the past decades. Now the reform is more in-depth and more comprehensive in economic, political, cultural, social and ecological sectors.

The Chinese government stresses being effective and responsive to the public interest. Development outlines are far-sighted. For example, the five-year plans are made to deal with comprehensive aspects that concern human development: food, transportation, communication, environment, health and education. These plans are a priority for the government.

Of course these achievements could never have been realized without the leadership of the CPC.

From the people and for the people, the CPC has always upheld its principle of striving for the happiness of the people and the rejuvenation of the nation.

At a life-or-death moment, the CPC shouldered the mission of saving the nation from existential peril. After 28 years of bloody struggle, it led the Chinese people to overthrow the "three mountains" placed on their heads and put an end to the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society of old China. Gone are the days where any attempt to bully China with "fists" or "intimidation" would succeed.

Despite overseas doubts, misunderstandings and predictions that its survival would be short-lived, the CPC has stunned the world with its leadership, innovative theories and ability to unite and organize the people.

It abolished the agricultural tax that had been in place for more than 2,600 years; it established a political system in which people are masters of their own affairs; it did its utmost to help people shake off poverty and keep nearly 1.4 billion people well-off.

No ruling party in the world can match the CPC's record of adhering to the truth, versing itself in self-reform and self-purification, and turning impossibility into certainty in the face of difficulties and challenges, again and again.

The 70-year journey was never smooth. Trials and hardships abounded. The Chinese people dealt with floods and massive earthquakes and guarded against SARS and financial tsunamis. Yet these twists and turns never blocked China's way forward but made it more sober, determined and mature.

Today, more than at any other time in history, China is closer to, more confident and more capable of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. However, lofty goals are never easily reached.

The world has been undergoing tremendous changes unseen in a century. Resistant external forces and headwinds still remain. "Zero-sum game" and "superior civilization" mentalities, among others, are prevailing.

The CPC will continue to lead the Chinese people to fight trade bullying, blackmailing and hegemonism. Only the CPC can lead China to emerge as a stronger country.

It all started long ago, and the journey is far from over.