State Affairs Recollections

Author: Chen Jinhua
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-07-01
Features: The book Recollections of National Affairs recounts significant events in China since the 1970s through the author's personal experiences. It covers topics such as China's second and third large-scale imports of complete sets of technical equipment, the work of the central government's team sent to Shanghai after the suppression of the "Gang of Four," and the establishment of Sinopec by utilizing domestic oil resources. A dedicated chapter reflects on the three stages of the development and growth of Sinopec, using its history as a case study to summarize the successful path of China's large state-owned enterprises. Through these historical reflections, the book offers many insightful observations. The publication of this book holds great significance for people to understand the development of the Party and the nation since the reform and opening-up, as well as for promoting the glorious achievements of China's reform and opening-up. Comrade Jinhua, as a leader in key positions for a long period of China's history, was an eyewitness to many major events. In Recollections of National Affairs, he truthfully records the origins, implementation, significant outcomes, crucial roles, and profound impacts of a series of major decisions during China's reform and opening-up. This highlights the theoretical and practical journey of the Communist Party of China in exploring socialism with Chinese characteristics, deeply reflecting the historic changes brought by the reform and opening-up. It not only holds invaluable research value but also carries great historical significance. Its publication is highly beneficial for the study of Party history and national history, as well as for meeting the needs of cadres, young people, and readers from all walks of life to understand the development of the Party and the nation. , with a grand vision and extensive content. The book covers nearly 30 years, from the early 1970s to the early 21st century, detailing the origins and processes of a series of important events and decisions. For example, China's second and third large-scale imports of complete sets of technical equipment, the work of the central government's team sent to Shanghai after the suppression of the "Gang of Four," the establishment of Baosteel in Shanghai during China's third large-scale import of technical equipment, the utilization of domestic oil resources and the founding of Sinopec, the establishment of China's socialist market economy system, the macroeconomic regulation in 1993 and the successful "soft landing," the activities of the Standing Committee Inspection Teams of the Fourth Session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and their visits to Africa, the origins and evolution of the China Enterprises Association, the founding of the Boao Asia Forum and the role of the Chinese chief representative, visits by leaders of Russia, Japan, Cuba, and the United States to China, and so on. These topics span multiple fields such as economy, politics, diplomacy, and society, showcasing a broad perspective. What is even more valuable is that while recounting these major events, the author also shares his genuine reflections and offers many profound insights, providing incisive summaries of historical experiences and lessons, and distilling many law-like understandings. Therefore, we can confidently say that this is an invaluable historical work that accurately reflects, from a certain perspective, the development process of the Party and the nation since the reform and opening-up.
Second, the historical materials are rich and the narration is objective. Due to the author's significant positions in these historical events, the book is distinguished by extensive firsthand materials and abundant archival records, which are rare in similar works. The book is accompanied by over 90 photographs, most of which are provided by Xinhua News Agency and the author himself, many of which are publicly released for the first time and hold high historical value. It is particularly noteworthy that when recounting the decision-making and implementation processes of these major events, the author places them within the context of China's socialist modernization, emphasizing the strategic thinking and grand blueprints of central leaders across different administrations and showcasing the leading role of the Communist Party of China in China's socialist modernization efforts. It also highlights the glorious achievements of the new China in politics, economy, and diplomacy, as well as the historic changes in China over the past 30 years and the profound impact of the reform and opening-up on China's industrial modernization and the construction of a strong nation. Therefore, this book greatly helps readers fully understand these 30 years of history, provides rich materials for professionals to study this period, and opens new perspectives, making it of great importance.
Third, clarifying facts and correcting misconceptions. The book, through extensive facts and the author's personal experiences, clarifies some events in Party and national history that were once controversial or widely misunderstood. For example, the two large-scale imports of foreign complete sets of technical equipment in the early and late 1970s, the work of the central government's team sent to Shanghai after the suppression of the "Gang of Four," the process of establishing the goal of China's socialist market economy system, and the founding of the Boao Asia Forum, etc. While objectively recording the origins and processes of these major events' decision-making and implementation, the book also explains the important roles these measures played in China's socialist modernization process, clarifying some inaccurate understandings and providing a reliable basis for people to correctly interpret these major events. It also offers important intellectual enlightenment.
In summary, this is a book that combines promotion and research, truly a gem among historical works. Its publication will undoubtedly play a significant role in guiding governance and nurturing people. The famous Tang Dynasty historian Liu Zhi once wrote Shitong, arguing that history is "a pressing matter in life and a key path for the nation," advocating the pursuit of governance principles from history. The late Qing Dynasty thinker Gong Zizhen also said, "To understand the great way, one must first study history," meaning that one must explore the laws of social development from history. Comrade Jinhua has set a fine example in this regard, making important contributions to the Party's governance capacity building and the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics through his serious reflection on history, summarizing experiences, and exploring patterns.