Comparison (Issue 18)

Author: Wu Jinglian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This issue of Comparative is closely focused on the theme of "economic growth." When "development is the hard truth" is replaced by "harmonious development," and as China debates how to balance social equity while maintaining rapid economic growth, how to use resources reasonably, and how to protect the environment, will there be a tendency to ignore "growth" and fall into another seemingly reasonable but flawed misconception? Professor Xian Yingyi, the editor-in-chief, says: "Internationally, China is now enjoying unprecedented respect and attention, mainly because of its high-speed economic growth. If we had to summarize China's achievements with a single number, it would be the 9% annual GDP growth of over 1 billion people. From a domestic political perspective, high-speed economic growth is a crucial foundation for national and social stability. Under the same conditions, the faster the economic growth, the more stable the society and the more stable the regime." In China, stability and development have become a common consensus, and building a prosperous and strong modern society is a widespread aspiration. People are reluctant to disrupt the pace of China's economic development for any other goals. Therefore, we explore many issues closely related to sustainable development from multiple levels and perspectives, including theory, policy, and international comparisons.