Inspirational political documentary drums up consensus for continuous reform

A political documentary on China's ongoing reform will remind the Chinese of the country's glorious national achievements, while sending a clear message about the enhanced reform that will happen after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to be held later this year.

The ten-episode documentary, "Jiang Gaige Jinxing Daodi," which in English translates as "carrying the reform through to the end," summarizes the progress and achievements since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012.

It features authoritative theoretical discussions on reform, with examples from the grassroots, covering a number of topics ranging from the Party's self-governance to social management.

"The documentary serves as an inspiration to Chinese people and is conducive to uniting all forces of society to carry forward the reform," said Liu Feng, professor of politics with the Chinese Academy of Governance. "It reminds us that the ultimate goal of reform is to bring benefits to the people."

About five years ago, against the backdrop of a global economic downturn and a complex international situation, China's new leadership pledged to make continued efforts to carry out reform and opening up and achieve the renewal of the Chinese nation.

Over the ensuing years, President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and his team have developed various reform strategies.

In November 2013, the third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee raised the curtain for comprehensively deepening reforms and drew a blueprint for specific reform goals.

"Economic reform is key, and the core solution is the proper relationship between the government and the market, leaving the market to play the decisive role in allocation of resources," according to the meeting.

Despite a global economic slowdown, China's economy is stable and has seen growth as reform gains momentum. In the first half of 2017, China's economy continued steady expansion with GDP up 6.9 percent year on year to about 38.2 trillion yuan (5.6 trillion U.S. dollars).

"Only by practicing comprehensively deepening reform, can our country become more prosperous, people live a happier life, and our great Chinese dream come true sooner," netizen Xiao Yang'er said on Mgtv.com, the official website of Hunan TV station.

Now, the country has embarked on a "new normal" economic development path, featuring higher quality, efficiency, equality and sustainability.

The CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core has attached great importance to reform. In December 2013, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee decided to set up the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform and appoint Xi as its head.

At a meeting of the leading group last June, Xi and group members said they believed that "reform will cause pain, but without reform the pain will be longer-lasting."

"Reform is a revolution that aims to rectify the system and challenge vested interests. There is no way to do it other than using real swords and spears," said a statement after the meeting.

Song Shiming, professor of politics with the Chinese Academy of Governance, said that the benefits of the people were always at the heart of President Xi's vision of reform.

Currently, as many countries stagnate in state governance amid growing regional conflicts and terrorism, the world wonders how and in what way China will sustain its economic growth.

The answer lies in reform.

The 19th National Congress of the CPC comes as China is striving to achieve its two centennial goals -- to build a moderately prosperous society by 2020, and building a modern socialist country by the middle of the 21st century.

"The documentary demonstrates the Party's confidence and determination to further deepen reform after the 19th National Congress of the CPC," said Sun Xiaoli, professor of politics at the academy.