How Does China See the Future?

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) promulgates an image of historical ascendance. China is set to become, in 2049, a “Modern Socialist Country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, civilized, and harmonious,” while the international realm will blossom into a harmonious and multi-civilizational “Community of Common Destiny.” Sociologist Eric Hendriks, who previously worked for Peking University and is presently a visiting fellow at the Danube Institute, will argue the CCP’s official vision of the future constitutes a sober utopianism. Transmitted through party-speak, GDP statistics, and the dull rhythm of party gatherings, this utopianism draws on Marxist-Leninist and classical Chinese sources while resonating with optimism in the broader society. “Things are getting better and better” (yue lai yue hao), a common Mandarin idiom insists. But are the Chinese really still that optimistic? And how different is the sense of the future in Western politics?

Participants:
-Dr. Eric Hendriks, Visiting Fellow, Danube Institute
-Dr. David L. Dusenbury, Senior Fellow, Danube Institute
Moderator: David Oldroyd-Bolt, Visiting Fellow, Danube Institute

[etow]

If the Danube Institute wants to have any credibility, at least get The Communist Party of China (CPC) right instead of The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) !

[NuestraPatriaGrande]

There is an absence of the principle of “Best Practices “ in this discussion. China is constantly changing because its leadership uses best practices in governance! This meritocratic tradition is also part of Chinese culture!!

[DBGE]

The Danube Institute is a conservative think tank founded in 2013 and based in Budapest, Hungary.
The institute is financed through the Batthyány Foundation (BLA) and receives Hungarian state funding.

[stephenyang]

Eric and guest questioner talked about China threat conutering the Chinese efforts in doing good for the world; they don‘t appreciate the Chinese psyche --striving for prosperity and harmony in the world.

[michael]

Excellent interpretation. Some little details are not exactly the same as in the Chinese language-Unseen change in a century-is more like “Centurial Change” or changes unseen in centuries. Not really referring to Century of Humiliation but 500 years of Western world dominance under imperialism and now finance capitalism hegemony. That has little to do with Datong or ancient philosophies but real world conflicts and wars, financial crises, global warming, or poverty brought about by some people of the West at large. This is the common understanding of the global south, BRICS, SCO and some other governments, as well as many in the US and in the West.
Harmony is one thing and China doesn’t bully or invade but certainly capable of fighting aggressively.
We do have Covid data. After the first wave centered at Wuhan causing some 4800 deaths, the 20 months between May 2020 and January 2022, China’s zero Covid period, China had less than 50 Covid deaths while the US exceeded a million. Also the majority of cities were only locked down for 4-6 weeks, so happened it was Chinese New Year Holidays during February. People had extended holidays at home with family. After 2 months the parks and tennis courts were opened again. No more lockdown until the end for most except several places hit by first waves of omicron. Of course western media needed to completely shut out the good and stick in the bad including outright lies.

[harryloo]

What a great breath of fresh air. Thank you for the objective and rational discussion.

[vanveakrin]

Dutch REVOLT against the SPAINISH ROYAL POWER served as A SYMBOL for Self Determination for the Dutch population... well done for the DUTCH NATION

[henryterranauta]

🇨🇳🇨🇳Original lecture🇨🇳🇨🇳on Chinese millenarism🇨🇳🇨🇳followed by insightful questions and answers🇨🇳🇨🇳It shows Blaue Donau is alive and well. Grüss ❤

[ministermark]

Being Chinese American, I so enjoy these snippets of congeniality. Someday soon is best

[vanveakrin]

In the 19 th Century .. Chinese was ruled by an outsider The MANCHU EMPERORS and the MANCHU military power..

[JIANGTG]

1. China sees the future with two different perspectives.
2. The first internal vision is to create a much better living and harmonious environment for the people, in addition to achieving strong economic and military objectives so as to counteract the current " world order " dominated by hegemony which is the root cause of world chaos.
3. The second external vision is to help other countries, including Africa, to achieve continuous development based on China's mutual prosperity concept (相互尊重 ， 共存共荣 ，人类命运共同体 ）.

[organizer]

Congratulations Eric, you got the essence and dominant value of harmony in Confucius. Thank you!

[vanveakrin]

Ming emperors were involved in the Burmese Eastern Province until now 2024:..

[vanveakrin]

The Chinese in 2024 lays the RAIL at 5 km at a time by Automatic rail laying machine to smooth the Quality of Rail Line .. this is a definite Change. One rail is 5 km long

[seikai]

I would recommend that you spent your efforts to improve your western system to be truly more fare and just because as the rest of world see that western world are practicing double standards, propaganda to their own population, messianic to convert others just to democracy just as a religion. Look at the world today, the western liberalism has failed, Reconnect to you population and you will the path. You stop worrying about the Chinese problem but more focus on you own problem. The Chinese has their own problems and the positive thing is they are fully are aware of that, in contrast you as western governments still believe your values are universal, higher than others therefore the values of the rest of the world are considered inferior. That’s is ok, continue in this intellectual biased and you will see how this will look like in 30 years. Aware, Assess, Adapt and Adjust are the way to improve oneself.

By the way if you still use Wall Street journal, New York Times, Foreign Affairs etc, as your source of information, well you are the victim of your own western propaganda. Read more others non-western sources.

[vanveakrin]

NEW UYGHURS generation are willing to join the PLA because of Palestine... young UYGHURS are speaking Chinese Mandarin and are joining the PLA for Better outlook and for Preparation for Palestine

[Brisamars-qc]

Ill give you the answer - to be left alone peacefully to trade and improve the lives of her citizens. To be strong enough to prevent another colonization, to defend it's territorial integrity. That's all.

[Hello.Sailor]

A European expert on the Italian Renaissance didn't realize the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria were Spanish? Dude needs to hand back his diploma

[adindahutabarat_sinolog]

Eric your talk was so unstructurred, i barely get any clear points/messages, is it intended to be so...anw finally in 43:00 the moderator concluded something about utopianism, thanks to him....btw there is a term of "Sinologist" fyi, its not an exaggerative, you can refer it to H.E. Kevin Rudd for sure 😊

[vanveakrin]

CPC ' s Moto is the Constant Struggle to win