Coordination: From Development Concept to Methodology Innovation

Tian Pengying

Coordination: From Development Concept to Methodology Innovation

Tian Pengying*

Coordinated development focuses on ensuring an integrated, systematic and coordinated development approach. It exhibits the new thinking of social engineering, and concerns value orientation, distribution change, strategic direction and problem orientation. It is of great methodological significance in boosting the economic and social development of China during the 13th Five－year Plan and beyond. Coordinated development requires a top－level design in social engineering, which includes deconstructing urban－rural dual structures, mending the“short planks”, synchronous advancement of the new“Four Modernizations,”as well as the joint development of cultural－ethical production and material production. As a methodology of social engineering, coordinated development contains the methods of social design, social reflection and social evaluation and has become a basic model to guide and hold the new normal of China’s economy.

coordinated development; social engineering thinking; development concept; top－level design; “five－in－one”general layout

“Challenge echoes the times.” From a political perspective and based on the overall political situation, General Secretary Xi Jinping correctly assesses the situation and strategically puts forward the five major development concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, opening–up and sharing. He also stresses that coordinated development should focus on ensuring an integrated, systematic and coordinated development approach. Coordinated development is a new concept and a new way of social engineering thinking designed to deal with the “challenge of the time” impeding China’s development. Moreover, it is of great methodological significance to China in realizing its “TwoCentenary Goals,” which are to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the Communist Party of China celebrates its centenary in 2021; and to turn China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, with a harmonious social structure by the time the People’s Republic of China celebrates its centenary in 2049.

1. Coordinated Development Demonstrates the New Thinking of Social Engineering

“The conflicts and risks facing modern civilization today are challenging human beings in an unprecedented scale and urgency. As a new thinking mode, ‘social engineering’ has become a basic tool for modern society to control such conflicts.”[1]

By utilizing a series of social engineering methods concerning existence and time, tool and purpose, design and construction, innovation and trial–and–error, process and result, system and coordination, etc., we attempt to deal with a variety of conflicts and problems existing in the decisive stage in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. We have discovered that imbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable problems have become a combined constraint of economic growth. Under such circumstances, the new concept of coordinated development, which fully demonstrates the charm of social engineering and echoes integrated, systematic and comprehensive requirements, is an innovative response to the imbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable problems. It is also a social engineering thinking to tackle current conflicts and difficulties.

1.1 Value orientation–Coordinated development is included in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects

From a Marxist perspective, human society is a social organism. Likewise, the general layout of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a “five–in–one” system comprising economic development, political development, cultural development, social development and ecological development. The“one” in the term “five–in–one” means that the five elements are interdependent and jointly form an organic whole. Therefore, for “building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects,” the term “all aspects” is not just the core but also a key and difficult point. In theory, coordinated development is an indispensable part of Marx’s theory of social organism and is a necessary requirement of “all aspects” in “finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects.” In practice, good coordination ensures overall improved efficiency and all–around social progress and is capable of pushing forward the proceedings of innovation, coordination, green development, opening–up and sharing. From a methodological perspective, coordinated development is the CPC’s social engineering consciousness developed to tackle the challenge of the times, i.e. the imbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable development during the construction of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects.

First, coordination refers to the coordinated development of all sub–systems (elements) within a social organism. The 18th CPC National Congress set forth the objective of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, which includes the sustained and healthy development of the Chinese economy, constantly extending scope of people’s democracy, the significant enhancement of soft power, the comprehensive improvement of people’s livelihoods and substantial progress in the construction of a resource conserving and environmentally–friendly society.[2]The realization of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects is the general objective concerning the spheres ofeconomy, politics, culture, society and ecology. As an integrated system, a well–off society cannot be realized if any of the five spheres is ignored.

Second, coordination refers to the coordinated development in different regions. In different development periods (phases), different regional development strategies are adopted. Since the Reform and Opening–up, the coastal regions of East China, taking advantage of the national conditions and regional superiority, have managed to take the lead in economic development. Since the beginning of the 21st century, China has launched a series of development campaigns, including China Western Development, Rise of Central China, and Revitalizing Northeast China in a bid to improve its unbalanced development status and extend its opening–up scope from coastal regions to the entire country. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has introduced more new strategies (i.e. Coordinated Development of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region, Development of the Yangtze River Economic Zone, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative)to boost regional development and the scope of opening–up. Thanks to this, China’s regional development ushers in a new phase of all–around two–way opening–up with links running eastward and westward over land and sea and coordinated development among regions across the country.

Coordinated Development of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region

The Yangtze River Economic Zone

Third, coordination refers to the coordinated development among all components of society. A moderately prosperous society in all aspects must cover all urban and rural areas. The toughest and most challenging part of this job lies in rural areas, particularly those with greater poverty. By contrast, developed regions should further improve their economy and complete the tasks of industry substitution, structural transformation and upgrading, and revenue gap bridging so as to take all of their subordinate areas into a moderately prosperous society as scheduled.

Fourth, coordination also refers to the coordinated development between social entities. The purpose of finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and realizing the second “Centenary Goal” is to ensure everybody has a chance to thrive, enjoy the benefits of social development, and achieve free and all– round personal development. Through productivity improvements, China aims to satisfy its people’s new requirements and expectations for education, employment, income, public services, as well as social security. Based on this, it hopes to offer better job opportunities and full social security coverage, narrow the income gap, and subsequently showcase the superiority of socialism.

1.2 Layout Steering–The “Five–in–One” Lay out Requires Coordinated Development

The “five–in–one” general layout is a social organism. From the perspective of social engineering, the evolution of this “five–in–one”general layout inevitably requires integrated,coordinated, balanced and systematic development, which is elaborated as follows.

The first aspect concerns integration. Social organism consists of a range of factors, including politics, economy, culture and environment. The criterion for social development assessment is the overall efficiency of all elements, instead of the pros and cons of an individual element. The integrated function, the whole, is greater than the sum of the individual elements. The whole, determines, dominates, restricts and coordinates the parts. The whole creates a vast development prospect for the parts. Once separated from the whole, a part will turn into a “non–organism.” All elements and parts are subjected to and at the service of the development of the whole. Given that, coordinated development is the all–round development of a social organism.

The second aspect concerns coordination. The elements of the whole are interactive. The whole is not a simple summation of all elements. Instead, it is formed in an organic way. Economic development lays a material basis for the development of politics, culture, society and ecology, while the development of the superstructure has a reaction on the economic basis. For example, the “five–in–one” general layout is injected with the element of ecological progress, which enriches the social and economic development with “greenery” and subsequently enables sustainable development.

The third aspect is about balance. In a social organism, every part is indispensable and therefore is an “organic element.” It is not allowed to promote the development of an element at the cost of another, which will result in deformed development, form its own “disadvantages” and eventually impair the overall efficiency of the social organism. In this sense, equal importance should be attached to the social organism’s evolution in economy, politics, culture, society, ecology, etc. Only when there is a harmonious relationship between human beings and nature, between individuals and society, and between these two relationships, can people create and enjoy a happy life in an environment with green mountains, clean water and blue sky.

1.3 Strategic Orientation–The New Normal of the Chinese Economy Calls for Coordinated Development.

According to Carl Marx, “The evolution of the economic formation of society is viewed as a process of natural history,”[3]which has its own law independent from man’s will. As General Secretary Xi Jinping put it, “China is still at a crucial stage with strategic opportunities; given that, we need to strengthen our confidence, have a clear understanding of the characteristics of our current stage of economic development, adapt ourselves to the ‘new normal’, and keep calm from a strategic point of view.”[4]Xi has also pointed out that the Chinese economy has entered a “new normal” stage. The “new” in the term “new normal” indicates that current economic development takes on new features. While getting rid of the “old normal,”which is characterized by excessive economic growth, the Chinese economy is approaching a new period of “three overlapped phases,” i.e. simultaneously dealing with the slowdown in economic growth, making difficult structural adjustments, and absorbing the effects of previous economic stimulus policies. In the face of the “new normal” economic growth, China must accurately assess the internal and international situations from the view of Karl Marx’s historical materialism and world history, have an objective understanding of the “new normal,” adapt itself to and take the lead in this “new normal,” place emphasis on long–term strategies from a macro perspective, and grasp the law of the “new normal” economy. The management of this new situation requires the involvement of new modes of thinking regarding social engineering. Being integrated, systematic, comprehensiveand coordinated, this new mode of thinking can help tackle the bottleneck constraints, facilitate structural upgrading, and cultivate the philosophical consciousness of coordinated development. It gives full consideration to economic growth, the balance of economic structures and the driving force of economic development. It aims to bring about steady economic growth, diversify growth drivers and create better development prospects. Any attention to one aspect over another may drag the “five–in–one” social organism into a state of imbalance. Therefore, coordinated development, as a mode of thinking for social engineering in a methodological sense, has bright prospects and can be applied in a range of major strategic projects, including coordinating the relationships between man and nature, improving our living environments, promoting harmony between man and nature, optimizing the development space for society, facilitating combined all–around two–way opening up with links running eastward and westward over land and sea, and realizing innovative, balanced and coordinated joint development.

1.4 Problem Focus–Comprehensively Deepening Reform Directly Concerns Coordinated Development

As the world’s second largest economy, China is now faced with a variety of pressing conflicts and problems, such as unbalanced regional development, uneven development between urban and rural areas, uncoordinated economic and social development, non–synchronous advancement of material progress and cultural–ethical progress, ecological pollution, and the uncoordinated development of hard and soft power. To tackle these conflicts and problems, the concept and the approach of coordinated development are in urgent need. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that, “Revolving around these major issues, we need to have a strong problem–solving awareness and be major issue oriented. We should identify key issues for in depth research and strive to solve a series of pressing contradictions and problems facing China today. The CPC’s long engagement in the Chinese revolution, construction and reform is to solve the existing problems in China. It is fair to say that reform is initiated under the pressure of such problems and is deepened during this problem–solving process.”[5]The first problem concerns the unbalanced and uncoordinated development of regional economies. It is true that through major strategies such as China Western Development, Rise of Central China, and Revitalizing Northeast China, the Central Government has offered a variety of preferential policies to less developed regions. Still, central and western China, covering over 60% of Chinese territory, contributes far less output than eastern China, with the central and western China’s per capita income less than 1/3 that of eastern China. The second problem lies in the unbalanced and uncoordinated development between urban and rural areas. Under such circumstances, acute conflicts still exist in the urban–rural dual structure and intra–city dual structure. Rural China cannot expect to compete with urban China in terms of infrastructure and public services. Now, there are 250 million migrant permanent residents in urban areas, who cannot enjoy the same public services as registered permanent urban residents. The third problem is the unbalanced and uncoordinated distribution of wealth. In China, the gap between the rich and poor seems to be widening. Worse still, such a wealth gap has been consolidated, resulting in social stratum solidification and intergenerational transfers. Some in temporary poverty are now on the verge of long–term poverty. The fourth problem lies in the unbalanced and uncoordinated development of people’s material wealth and spiritual wealth. Over the past three decades of Reform and Opening–up, there has been unbalanced and uncoordinateddevelopment of society and economy in China. Despite moderate prosperity, the overall social development in China is still far from satisfactory. Given that, promoting cultural–ethical progress remains a long–term task.

Therefore, the Chinese government should implement coordinated development concepts, coordinate concerned parties, give full consideration to the development of all sectors, focus on enhancing the backward and weak aspects, make efforts to lengthen the short plank of social development, grasp the direction of the general situation, and improve overall developmental efficiency. It is hoped to comprehensively deepen reform through coordinated development; enable sustained development by lengthening the short plank of social development; and forming a momentum of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects through maximization of the integrated function.

2. Coordinated Development Requires the Top–level Design in Social Engineering

Regarding the “five major development concepts,” coordinated development does not naturally form into relevant spheres, phases or aspects of economic and social development. Instead, it requires the spontaneous and creative engagement of social entities with theoretical and practical consciousness. These social entities must truly understand and grasp “coordination” as a target activity and practice. It is noteworthy that unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable problems have tormented society for a long time. As the Chinese proverb goes, “Pull one hair and the whole body is affected.” Therefore, “Priorities should be given to promote the coordinated development of urban and rural areas, the coordinated development of the economy and society, and the synchronous advancement of new industrialization, informatization, urbanization and agricultural modernization. While enhancing the hard power of China, we should also attach importance to the improvement of our soft power so as to constantly consolidate the integrity of development.”[6]In particular, special efforts should be made to solve development problems, lengthen the “short planks”of social development, enhance support to backward regions, impoverished populations and vulnerable groups, keep extending development space, cultivate development capacity, and realize coordinated development. We must strategically optimize our top–level design from the perspective of social engineering.

2.1 The Deconstruction of the Urban–rural Dual Structures

Coordinated development requires integrated and balanced development in all regions. It also needs to tackle the challenge of the urban–rural dual structures, eliminate poverty, and enable all people to share the fruits of social development. During the “13th Five–Year Plan” China aims to fight poverty, help all nationally designated poor counties to alleviate poverty, and wipe out the overall poverty of different regions. Thanks to the rapid development of the Chinese economy, people’s livelihoods have seen significant improvement. Even so, the poverty alleviation and development work remains tough and is now at the “final sprint” stage, where the toughest issues are to be grappled with. It is in this context that the CPC Central Committee, led by General Secretary Xi Jinping, launched a targeted poverty alleviation campaign, which is arguably an active response and correct guideline to the poverty alleviation work in this new era. The urban–rural dual economic and social structure is the primary constraint against the integrated development of urban and rural areas. The urban areas have witnessed rapid development while therural areas are stuck in a sluggish economy. The urban areas enjoy abundant resources and sound and complete infrastructure while rural areas suffer resource shortages and backward infrastructure. There is a world of difference between urban and rural area. Through policy adjustments and system innovations, China aims to endow rural residents with more property rights, promote equal exchange of elements and even distribution of public resources between urban and rural areas, and improve the urbanization system to ensure healthy development. Once coordinated development between regions and between urban and rural areas is achieved, China will enjoy a brand–new spatial distribution, a rational benefit structure and great forthcoming development strength.

2.2 The Lengthening Short Planks of the Social Development

Since the launch of Reform and Opening–up, the Chinese economy has experienced rapid development. By contrast, its social development has been relatively slow. That explains the existing“one leg–long, one leg–short” phenomenon. Economic development is the prerequisite of social development. Development is of overriding importance and is the top priority of the CPC to govern and rejuvenate the country. On the other hand, social development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods are the objectives of economic development. When the economic level has risen to a certain level, there is a need to strike a balance between economic and social development. Or else, unbalanced development will give rise to a series of problems and conflicts, which will in turn impose negative impact on economic development. The increase in economic aggregate does not necessarily come along with a harmonious society. Economic development also brings about a huge income gap between the rich and poor, between urban and rural areas, between different regions, and between sectors. Besides, there are a range of other challenges, such as the incomplete social security system, unsatisfactory local education quality, backward medical systems, complicated school enrollment procedures, expensive medical treatment and mounting employment pressure. While boosting economic growth, China should spend more on improving education quality, job markets, social security, medical and public health systems, environmental protection, etc. Also, it should properly deal with the relationship between economic growth and revenue distribution, keep improving its systems concerning social security, revenue distribution, public education and transfer payment, and stick to a proactive employment policy. Furthermore, it should provide better basic public services for the low–income earners both in urban and rural areas and solve benefit issues that concern the Chinese people the most. By properly handling issues like employment, health care, senior care, food safety and eco–protection, China can create a beautiful life for its people and enhance their happiness, sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

2.3 The Advancement of the New “Four Modernizations”

From a perspective of social engineering, we look ahead and discover that compared with rapid industrialization, informatization and urbanization, agriculture is the weakest sector of this development process. Agricultural modernization lags significantly behind others. Therefore, it is imperative to integrate agricultural modernization with industrialization, informatization and urbanization, highlight the priority of agricultural modernization, and emphasize the back–nurturing effect of industrialization, informatization and urbanization on agricultural modernization. The emphasis on coordinated development means giving full play to industry’s back–nurturing effect on agriculture and urban area’s support of rural areas toform an all–round coordinated development scenario. If agricultural development cannot follow the step of modernization, it will eventually stand in the way of industrialization and urbanization. Informatization is a defining feature of the development of the time. The proceeding of informatization, the introduction of high technology and the injection of innovative power have strengthened the vitality of industrial development and structural upgrading, and boosted urbanization and agricultural modernization. Only through synchronous advancement of the new“Four Modernizations” can we expect to fulfill the requirement of comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development and achieve leapfrog development of social productivity. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “We must be aware of the fact that agriculture is still the ‘short leg’ of the synchronous advancement of the new‘Four Modernization.’ Rural areas are still the short plank of our finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. To become a truly powerful country, China must enhance its agriculture. To become a beautiful country, China has to make countryside beautiful. To become a prosperous country, China has to make its rural residents prosperous.”[7]In order to enhance the top–level design, China should pay attention to and properly handle the relationships between urban and rural areas, between industry and agriculture, between agricultural modernization and industrialization, informatization and urbanization. Also, it should cooperatively promote people–oriented new–type urbanization so that the “five–in–one” general layout can come true.

2.4 The Joint Development of Cultural–ethical Production and Material Production

According to General Secretary Xi Jinping,“Socialism with Chinese characteristics can advance smoothly only when both material progress and cultural–ethical civilization witness equally good development, when both national material strength and spiritual strength are significantly enhanced, and when Chinese people of all ethnic groups enjoy better material and intellectual lives.”[8]To this end, China must follow Marx’s theory of all–round production in the social organisms to boost both its material production and cultural–ethical production and guard against any possible short plank. The imbalanced development of cultural–ethical progress is a pressing concern for finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. At the crucial stage of finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, it is necessary to further deepen our understanding of the upmost importance of the coordinated development of the “two productions,” keep enhancing the political consciousness, ideological consciousness and practical consciousness of cultural–ethical production. It is hoped that this two–pronged approach can simultaneously strengthen the “hard power” and “soft power” of China. China should always keep to the socialist cultural development path; carry forward advanced socialist culture; boost cultural development and prosperity; and build a socialist country with a cultural superiority. First, the “Chinese Dream” is designed to build consensus and gather strength. More specifically, we must keep to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, promote the Chinese spirit, gather Chinese strength, and unite the Chinese people of all ethnic groups. With a common goal and shared destiny, the Chinese people should strive for the realization of the Chinese Dream, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Second, the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation is adopted to nourish the core values. The traditional culture of the Chinese nation is the “root” and “soul” of the Chinese nation. It is the essence of our national spirit. Therefore, we should continue inheriting and promoting the traditional culture of the Chinese nation,innovatively develop it, lead the Chinese people to develop and adhere to correct views of history, nation, country and culture, and enhance their confidence and moral integrity. Through exchanges between civilizations and mutual learning, we can draw on the merits of others to enrich and develop Chinese culture. Third, we can enhance our soft power through a good “interpretation of Chinese characteristics.” As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “The enhancement of China's soft power concerns our positioning in the global cultural context, our international status and international influence, as well as the fulfillment of the ‘Two Centenary Goals’ and the realization of the Chinese Dream, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”[9]We have developed a socialist path with Chinese characteristics, which has proven to be successful in practice. Through experience, summarizing and distillation, we aim to promote and showcase our achievements via international exchange and communication platforms, showcase the unique charm of Chinese culture, tell the story of China, and make the Chinese voice heard.

3. Turn Coordinated Development from a Concept to a Social Engineering Methodology

Coordinated development is a concept concerning the overall situation in the long run. Consequently, it means the integration of objectives and approaches, requirements and models, purposes and methodologies.

As a development concept of methodological significance, coordination is a type of social engineering thinking within the framework of the new normal of economic development. Yet, it is more than a development concept; it is also a methodology containing social design, social reflection and social evaluation, and a basic approach for us to grasp and lead the new normal of economic development. Within the framework of social engineering thinking, theory comes from practice, and its fulfillment depends on the degree of practical needs. Without actual production and practice, no theory can be developed or realized. Theory originating from production and practice does not passively reflect the reality. Instead, it utilizes its idea/concept, which is conformed with its purpose and reality, to conduct critical reflection, rectification and ideals–guiding, to bring the reality closer to the idea/concept. The idea/concept, which can guide the reality, must be thorough and profound.imust be capable of grasping the essence, i.e. the idea/concept of human beings. Only such an idea/concept can be grasped by the masses, and subsequently transformed into material strength and make a difference to the world.

3.1 Coordination: Presupposing Necessary Frameworks of Social Organisms

If “Current society is not a solid crystal, but a changeable organism in constant change”[10], coordination, as a type of theoretical thinking, inevitably presupposes developmental integration, and systematically balances the social organism. The social organism is a constantly developing organic whole, consisting of “all parts of a social system”, which are coexistent and interdependent. For this reason, it is an integral category, which demonstrates the comprehensive relationships and organic interactions between relevant elements in social life.

First, a social organism consists of a range of elements, each of which is subordinate to the whole. The primary elements that constitute a social organism are the natural environment and people. The natural environment here refers to part of the natural environment that is integrated with human society; and people here refer to socialized people involved in social relationships. While transforming nature, people also transform themselves anddevelop interpersonal relations. Social relations extend at multiple levels in multiple dimensions, from simple to complicated, from direct to indirect, and from local to the whole, forming a stratified, rigorous organic system.

Second, the elements of a social organism are interactive. The mode of production of material life conditions the general process of social, political and intellectual life. Material production is the base. Production relationships react on productivity; and there is a decisive action–reaction relationship between economic foundations and superstructures.

Third, a social organism is a process of dynamic development. The contradictions between productivity and production relationships promote social organisms that are in constant change and progress. To realize the coordinated development of social organisms, relevant elements should be analyzed in the overall system of the social organism and its interactions with other elements. An isolated analysis cannot serve such a purpose. Finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects requires the coordinated development of the economy, politics, culture, society and ecology. In the meantime, it also means realizing coordinated development of the economy and society, ensuring the joint progress of cultural–ethical and material development, and facilitating beneficial interactions among elements, rather than only paying attention to the development of individual elements. We must realize that parts can develop better only when in an organic whole.

In nature, the “five in one” strategic layout, the five major development concepts and the Four–Pronged Comprehensive Strategy are the theoretical presupposition and practical anticipation of our adherence to and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Such a presupposition and practical anticipation is facilitated by coordination as a type of theoretical thinking.

3.2 Coordination: Reflection of the Existing Contradictions in Social Organisms

As a type of theoretical thinking, coordination is of great significance and criticism. It is a reflection and criticism of unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable development. During the process of realizing the “Two Centenary” Goals, coordination is sure to give full play to its functions of normalization, correction and reflection, and solve problems based on people’s living conditions and practical needs. On the one hand, in a social organism, individuals engage in practical activities and are the subject of social history. Only through practice can they identify, enrich and develop their subjectivity in social history. Through practical activities, they transform nature, and develop a variety of activities, including production and politics. On the other hand, individuals in a society develop interpersonal relationships in practice. Individuals perform social activities in an organism created by themselves. All relations in human society are developed or generalized from human activities. The entire human history is a process in which human beings have continually enriched their prescriptive nature, developed their comprehensive capacity, and cultivated their free personality. The development of a social organism is in line with individuals’ free and comprehensive development, for which the practice of coordinated development should always be people–oriented. It needs to be realized that the masses are the creator of history and are the subject of social development. Therefore, we should adjust interest relations of relevant parties and inspire the creativity of the masses. Also, we should try our best to pool the wisdom and strength of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, and mobilize and organize tens of millions of people to participate in the great cause, the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We should give full play to the initiative of the masses andfacilitate their free and comprehensive development. Furthermore, finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation are to create a better future for the masses. The fulfillment, safeguarding and increasing the fundamental interests in the broadest terms for the masses should always be the starting point and goal of the CPC and the Chinese government. Meanwhile, we should also respect the subject position of the Chinese people, safeguard their due rights, and take them onto a path of common prosperity. Social development should serve and rely on the people, development achievements should be shared by the people, and more favorable conditions should be created to boost the free and comprehensive development of the people.

3.3 Coordination: Evaluating the Operation of the Social Organism

Coordinated development is a development standard. We should coordinate the relationships between economic basis and superstructure, and between productivity and production. We should also keep to a civilized development path for production progress, a well–off life and a good eco–environment; build a resource conserving, environmental–friendly society, strike a balance between economic development and quality efficiency, and coordinate economic development based on population, resources and the environment. Such moves are requirements of social development and also reflections and evaluation criteria of social development. Human beings’ purposeful engagement in social organisms must observe objective laws, rather than blindly and randomly creating laws. We have no other option but to recognize laws and to consciously apply objective laws to advance the development of our social organisms. On the one hand, when dealing with their relationships with nature, human beings should respect the objective laws of nature. Human beings’ production and reproduction indicate social organisms have both a vertical and horizontal continuity. To ensure social organism’s lasting harmonious operations, we must keep to the path of sustainable development and properly deal with the relations between humans and nature. Economic development should not be pursued at the sacrifice of future generation’s resources and environment. Rather, it should create better conditions for them. On the other hand, the change and development of the social organism follows its own objective laws. While actively creating history, the masses should also observe the objective laws of social development. Only in doing so can the masses’historical choice be realized.

The advancement of economic and social development requires a full consideration of the tolerance capacity of resources and the environment. Equal importance should be attached to both the economic growth index and the environmental resources index. Both current development and future development must be taken into full account. We should satisfy the material and cultural needs of the masses and at the same time leave sufficient development space and create favorable development conditions for generations to come. We must take ecological progress as a key index to assess economic development, take the path of new–type industrialization, enable people to live and work in a good eco–environment, and realize the sustainable development of the economy and society.

Within the framework of social engineering thinking, we should have a full and in–depth understanding and grasp of coordinated development from the view of Marxist historical materialism. We must not confine ourselves merely to facts as they are, or simply understand coordination as an “economic” concept. Instead, when studying the “five major developmentconcepts” and shifting our focus from development concepts to methodological innovations, we should assess coordinated development from a higher perspective of philosophical thinking in a bid to raise our philosophical consciousness of the “five major development concepts” and enhance our determination to thoroughly implement them.

(Translator: Wu Lingwei, Editor: Jia Fengrong)

This paper has been translated and reprinted with the permission ofStudies on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, No.3, 2016.

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[5] Xi Jinping. The Governance of China [M]. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2014:74.

[6] Communiqué of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee [EB/OL].Xinhuanet, http://news.xinhuanet.com/for–tune/2015–10/29/c_1116983078.htm.

[7][8][9] The Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Speech Series [M]. Beijing: Xuexi Publishing House & People’s Publishing House, 2014:68,105,102.

[10] Selected Works of Marx and Engels: Vol.2 [M]. Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 1995:102.

*Tian Pengying, professor, the School of Marxism, Northeastern University.

*Foundation item: This paper is a phased achievement of“Researches of the Generation Logic of Chinese Road”(Ref: 201502), a foundation item commissioned by the Publicity Department of Liaoning Provincial Party Committee.