Second Wave - The Second Revolution of China's Track Shift

Author: Wang Haiming (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Every step forward in history requires full intellectual enlightenment. Following the broad-minded ideological liberation movement of the 1980s, Chinese social thought surged again in the 21st century, sparking the [Second Wave] of intellectual enlightenment, this time grounded and initiated by the economy. If the focus of discussions in the 1980s was on whether to be "socialist" or "capitalist," whether to reform, and whether to advance the market economy system, then now the question lies in adhering to what reform direction and establishing what kind of market economy system. The entire debate is intertwined with ideological disputes, and reflecting on reform can easily slip into anti-reform. It can be predicted that the consensus formed by this major debate will provide direction and momentum for the next phase of reform, further validating Deng Xiaoping's [Reform is China's Second Revolution] argument. As early as the mid-1980s, people recognized that free and substantive in-depth discussions on relevant issues were a necessary condition for the success of reform. This book is a collection of debates by experts on major theoretical and policy issues of China's development and reform, held at the ongoing "21st Century Beijing Roundtable." It is hoped that its publication will help the academic community reach as much consensus as possible on these issues. Wu Jinglian, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, and Wang Haiming, the host of the "21st Century Beijing Roundtable," select major issues related to China's economic and social development, which are of concern to the general public, and invite scholars, officials, and entrepreneurs to engage in free discussions, pooling wisdom and gaining many valuable insights. This not only benefits the democratic and scientific decision-making of the government but also promotes academic democracy and the development of China's economics. Sincerely hope this forum continues and improves, with ever-growing influence, making greater contributions to China's reform and development. Han Qide, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology.
The development of the economy and the advancement of reform depend on a good public opinion arena. If we acknowledge that the future must be in our own hands and that we must share governance, then the future we need must be established through continuous and repeated communication. Practice produces truth, but truth is difficult to present in the short term, but practice will definitely produce consensus, as long as we are willing to sit down and reflect repeatedly. Welcome to the "21st Century Beijing Roundtable," where whether you listen or speak, it is all for a better future. Shen Hao, Publisher of the 21st Century Business Herald.
Every step forward in history requires full intellectual enlightenment. Following the broad-minded ideological liberation movement of the 1980s, Chinese social thought surged again in the 21st century, sparking the [Second Wave] of intellectual enlightenment, this time grounded and initiated by the economy. If the focus of discussions in the 1980s and 1990s was on whether to be "socialist" or "capitalist" and whether to pursue market-oriented reform, then now the question lies in adhering to what reform direction and establishing what kind of market economy system. China on the path of modernization is about to embark on the "Second Revolution" from the economic system to the political system. In 2005, over 200 domestic and international economists, scholar-officials, and business thinkers gathered at the "21st Century Beijing Roundtable" to debate China's reform and boost historical transformation.