China held a ceremony celebrating the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at Tian'anmen Square today on July 1. GDToday invited Jerry Grey who called himself as "an adventure cyclist and freelance writer" to share his take on the celebration and the progress he witnessed over the past 17 years during his stay in China.
Jerry Grey
I was impressed by how President Xi priorities the people
I was impressed by the way Xi Jinping prioritized the people at his speech at the ceremony. The main goal for the centenary didn’t involve China’s place in the world order, it enshrined into the minds of Chinese people that they are the most important reason for the CPC to exist.
In fact, I can’t think of many addresses by world leaders that have done this, they usually talk about their success in the world order, how powerful and strong they have become. President Xi, by praising the Chinese people for their contribution has instilled a very strong sense of national pride.
Life is getting better and more convenient in China
I can only really relate to examples from the past 17 years that I’ve lived in Zhongshan, Guangdong. In that time, I’ve seen several major highways, several new bridges, an incredible link to the HK airport and Macao by road and bridge as well as a high-speed rail which we can use to get anywhere inside of the Chinese borders within about 24 hours.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is under construction. [Photo/Nanfang Daily]
In terms of social progress, I remember when I arrived here there was no such thing as a smart phone. Now these are ubiquitous, but more importantly, they work absolutely everywhere. On the trains, wherever we travel (even through the distant deserts of NW China) and even in elevators and underground car parks.
One other major social change is that, when I arrived, it was rare to meet a person who had a car. Now, it’s rare to meet someone who doesn’t. This is a strong indicator that the economy is much stronger than it was.
In the rural areas I appreciate this isn’t the case, but the obvious improvement from donkey carts and old diesel tractors into three-wheel motorbikes, modern machinery and decent roads to drive them on is just as big an improvement.
I hope China bring development to more countries and regions
As it enters poor underdeveloped economies, China builds infrastructure, helps operate it and improves the lives of many people both in those economies and through doing business there, in China’s economy too.
New buildings are replacing the older buildings in Ningxia. [Photo provided by Jerry Grey]
China has made enormous progress in poverty alleviation, but there is still a long way to go. When we look at some of the super cities of Shanghai, Shenzhen etc, it’s easy to think that China is already a rich and prosperous nation. However, travel through the rural areas reveals a very different story – China is working very hard to lift these regions and obvious signs of success are already in place but there is another generation of work to be done.
This is where I see China’s progress in the future; bring development to the underdeveloped world, the places we know as “the third world” or “ the global south” and to ensure Chinese people in rural and underdeveloped communities at home get much of the benefit of future growth.
GDToday: What impressed you the most during the recent celebration of the centenary of the CPC?
Jerry’s mother and father-in-law gained the medals. [Photo provided by Jerry Grey]
Jerry Grey: About 18 months ago I found out that my mother and father-in-law were both party members. I had no idea; it was never mentioned around me and I had never thought to ask. Two days ago, I was very proud to see they had both been awarded the 50 year anniversary medals. I think they are the only husband and wife team to receive them from the community they live in.
Jerry Grey is a British born Australian currently living in Zhongshan, Guangdong. Having earned a master degree in cross-cultural management, and was a manager of a multi-national organisation in Australia, he has a good understanding of cultures across China, the United States, the UK, and Australia.
Author | Jasmine
Editor | Zhao Yang, Wing
