The 10 years following the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will be a most memorable decade in China's history. The nation, once again, will be the No 1 economic power in the world and reach a significant milestone in its drive for a great resurgence under the leadership of the CPC. This prospect will have a profound and lasting impact on the world and noted in its history.

The huge success the CPC has achieved in its long and stable rule has given birth to a new source of legitimacy for government in modern society. Since humanity entered modern times, there have been two primary sources of legitimacy for government. One is democratic election, which is the prevailing source of legitimacy for capitalist administrations in capitalist societies; the other is to seize the governing power through revolution, which is the primary source of legitimacy for Communist governments in socialist countries.

By leading the Chinese people in their drive for the rejuvenation of the nation, the CPC has cemented the legitimacy of its rule on the basis of not only its glorious revolutionary past, but also its outstanding performance as the country's ruling party. When China once again becomes the largest economy in the world some time in near future, more people will realize the importance of the CPC's source of legitimacy and may even try to emulate it.

The success of the CPC will be a blessing for many developing nations. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the "China model" has been gaining significance in other countries, as China's overall national strength grows at a blistering pace. Many developing countries with similar experience to China's but now lagging far behind are particularly interested in the "China model".

More importantly, China has given its blessing to many developing nations in the form of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation, increasing investment in developing economies and partial or complete forgiveness of debts they owe China. These initiatives have provided tangible help to the economic development of those countries and efforts to improve the quality of life of the people.

The course of peaceful development the CPC designed for China has brought hope for lasting world peace and common prosperity. China's national development strategies and foreign policies are based on: first, its understanding of the socialist movement, which is that Communist parties that have not gained governing power of their respective countries through revolutionary war, are highly unlikely to succeed if they attempt to do so today under current conditions; the socialist movement does not and should not have a center and the CPC should not initiate the founding of an international organization of Communist parties or export revolution to other countries; second, China does not believe another world war is possible, as peace, development and cooperation have become the dominant themes of world affairs.

Based on this understanding the CPC has designed a great development strategy for China, to achieve national development and rejuvenation through peaceful reform and opening. Also on this basis China will realize the democratization and rationalization of international relations, by actively participating in international affairs.

In comparison, the course of peaceful development designed by the CPC for China has allowed the nation to attain the goal of national development and rejuvenation at the lowest cost possible, with minimum effect on international relations, as well as to bring hope to the world for lasting peace and common prosperity. That is a blessing for peoples all over the world, as well as the Chinese nation.

The author is a veteran current affairs commentator.

(HK Edition 11/09/2012 page3)