On Human-Centeredness: From Things to People

Author: Han Qingxiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: In the past, we had misunderstandings about the relationship between economic growth and social development, often equating economic growth with development, making all work primarily revolve around the growth rate of GDP. In reality, economic growth does not entirely equal development; it is merely a means to an end. Because, the growth of per capita GDP cannot fully reflect the comprehensive development of society, and instead may mask issues such as environmental pollution, a significant wealth gap among residents, uneven regional development, and unfair social distribution. Economic growth also cannot consciously promote social progress and human development. The ultimate goal of economic growth should be economic and social development centered on people, meeting their fundamental needs. That is to say, economic growth should exist for the sake of people, not just for people to exist for economic growth. Currently, the main challenges China faces are not further accelerating economic growth, but ensuring its sustainability and fairness, reducing poverty, and promoting the comprehensive development of people. The comprehensive development of people is the essential requirement of a socialist society, and material growth cannot naturally promote the comprehensive development of people; it often obscures it. Therefore, we must not only focus on economic growth itself but also on the purpose of this growth, which is to meet the growing material and cultural needs of over a billion people. In other words, we should first ensure people's basic survival needs, and then, on this basis, strive to meet their developmental needs. Material wealth is the foundation of human development, and we must remain firmly focused on economic development. However, we should also ensure the sustainability of economic development, ensuring that all people can enjoy the fruits of economic growth. We should also recognize that human development and economic development are closely linked. Economic development is conducive to promoting human development, while human development is even more conducive to promoting economic development. Starting from the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the Communist Party of China has proposed the major strategic task of building a harmonious socialist society in the new era. The construction of a harmonious socialist society was proposed against the backdrop of profound changes in China's economic and social conditions and its domestic and international environment since the reform and opening-up. Currently, China's economic and social development has entered a critical period. Since the reform and opening-up, China's economy has developed rapidly, with per capita GDP now exceeding $1,000. As Professor Xiao Zhuoji has pointed out, from an international perspective, the stage where per capita GDP rises from $1,000 to $3,000 is a period of intense socio-economic changes. Currently, domestically, the dual structure of urban and rural areas is prominent, labor-capital conflicts have emerged in some areas, relations between cadres and masses have become tense, income gaps have widened, and social contradictions are complex. Internationally, due to rising labor costs, China's competitiveness has declined. If these relationships are managed well during this period, the economy will develop smoothly, and society will tend toward harmony. If not, there may be economic stagnation, social unrest, resource waste, ecological imbalance, and psychological crises. This is also a golden period for socio-economic development: peace and development are the mainstream of the world; economic globalization is an inevitable trend; although the danger of war still exists and localized conflicts continue, the likelihood of a world war in the near future is low, and we may enjoy a prolonged period of peace. The interests, rights, democratic aspirations, and demands for justice of the people are becoming increasingly awakened and strengthened. All these factors are conducive to us seizing the opportunity to develop ourselves. Against this backdrop, China has proposed the goal of building a harmonious society. The harmonious society we aim to achieve is a people-centered society, where the fundamental purpose of all our activities is ultimately to ensure people's survival, development, and enjoyment. A harmonious society is one where governance is smooth, the economy is prosperous, people live and work in peace and contentment, social welfare is continuously improved, and it is a society that constantly promotes the comprehensive development of people.