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This is the Year of the Wooden Dragon, according to China's classic
wuxing ("five elements") culture. The dragon, one of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, is a symbol of power, nobility and intelligence. Wood adds growth, development and prosperity.
Call it a summary of where China is heading in 2024.
The second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was finalized on Sunday in Beijing.
The wider world should know that within the framework of grassroots democracy with Chinese characteristics, an extremely complex - and fascinating - phenomenon, the importance of the CPPCC is paramount.
The CPPCC channels wide-ranging expectations of the average Chinese to the decision level, and actually advises the central government on a vast range of issues - from everyday living to high-quality development strategies.This year, most of the discussion focused on how to drive
China's modernization even faster. This being China, concepts - like flowers - were blooming all around the spectrum, such as "new quality productive forces, "deepening reform," "high-standard opening-up," and a fabulous new one, "major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics."
As the Global Times
emphasized, "2024 is not only a critical year for achieving the goals of the '14th Five-Year Plan' but also a key year for achieving the transition to high-quality development of the economy."
Comment: Unfortunately, that's not quite how NATO vassal status works; one doesn't get the 'benefits' without the suicidal burden. Also, in case the FM hadn't noticed, we're hardly in 'peace times', because the West's numerous war fronts could essentially be considered a world war in its relatively early stages: