Sixty glorious years

Today is the 60th Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution that ushered the birth of new China under the leadership of Great Leader Mao Tse Tung. It was the last of the revolutions that swept across the world following the end of the Second World War. Its historic significance is, perhaps, second only to that of the October Revolution in Russia in 1917. Though the gains of October were reversed by the tumultuous developments in the late 1980s and the early 1990s the Chinese Revolutions lives on.

The uniqueness of the Chinese Revolution lies not only on the fact that it covered a third of mankind at that time but also in the fact that it could unify a country that had hitherto being divided and fragmented.

During the historically short span of 60 years China has been transformed from the status of a poor Third World country to that of a fast developing economic giant. For example, from 1979 to 2007 its GDP increased at an average annual growth rate of 9.8 percent, This is an unparalleled feat in the modern world. By 2007, China's GDP ranked fourth highest in the world after the United States, Japan and Germany. In another two decades China will become the strongest economy in the world.

China's development reached this accelerated pace after the reforms introduced by Den Xiaoping. These reforms have reduced poverty tremendously. For example the number of poor rural people had declined from 250 million in 1978 to 14.79 million in 2007. In fact this has contributed to the reduction in the number of the poor in the world significantly.

The 21st Century is certainly China's Century as the centre of gravity of the world economy shifts to China. This is mainly dependent on its rapid advance in science and technology. Today China has outclassed Japan and USA and has reached the first place in the world in terms of handling patent applications. With 1.36 million researchers (in 2008) China holds the second place after the USA in the number of researchers. It has become the third country in the world to master manned space technology. The spectacular Beijing Olympics saw China's leadership in the field of sports by ranking first winning 51 golds, 21 silvers and 28 bronze medals.

China's success is not limited to its domestic policy.

In foreign policy it has recorded tremendous successes with the majority of nations accepting the One China Policy. Its prestige has grown throughout the globe and it has become a major player in world trade and politics.

The beauty of Chinese foreign policy is that it has consistently pursued a policy of peace and friendship eschewing politics of domination and hegemony that characterized other powerful nations. Its growing strength has contributed to peace in the world and in the Asian region in particular.

Sri Lanka and People's Republic of China have had friendly relations even prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In this sense the Rice- Rubber Pact between the two countries signed in 1952 was a landmark. Today, these relations have increased tremendously. Particularly phenomenal is the development after President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office. China is a friend in need. Its disinterested assistance for various development projects including the Hambantota Port and Norochcholai Power plant stand as monuments to an exemplary friendship.

Sri Lanka, on its part, has consistently followed the One China Policy in its foreign relations. It has collaborated with China and other developing countries in almost all international fora.

It would be opportune here to record our appreciation of the assistance rendered by China to Sri Lanka in the United Nations Security Council and the Human Rights Council when certain western nations tried to censure it on alleged human rights violations.

We could also draw appropriate lessons from China, especially in pursuing a path of independent development. While opening to the world China has consistently defended its sovereignty and followed pragmatic policies that suit its national interests. That is why it did not follow in toto World Bank and IMF prescriptions while drawing upon their funds for development. The emphasis it placed on development of R & D and human resources is also worthy of emulation, if we are to leap frog into the status of an advanced country in the foreseeable future.

On this happy occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China the Daily News wishes its Government and people many more successes in the future.