On July 22, Ambassador Ren Hongyan published a signed article entitled “Insights from Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building” in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. The article elaborates in depth on the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building from four key aspects: uphold strong leadership to set the future course, adhere to the people-centered philosophy of development, attract the brightest minds from all over and exercise comprehensive and strict governance over the party. It notes that Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building is an open theoretical system of global significance, offering valuable Chinese insights into governance, leadership, institutional capacity, and national development that may be of interest to countries pursuing their own development paths.
The full text is as follows:
During my nearly one year in Trinidad and Tobago, I have made many friends here, some of whom have visited China. They enthusiastically recount their experiences: advanced infrastructure, effective urban planning, a safe and harmonious society, a vibrant cultural and artistic atmosphere and the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature. A wave of vitality sweeps across every sector, and everyone feels confident in their future.
Since the successful convening of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, China has indeed embarked on an extraordinary journey: by 2025, its economy had surpassed RMB 140 trillion (US$20 trillion), maintaining annual growth of around five per cent alongside long-term social stability. China's path to modernisation continues to reach new milestones.
People can't help but wonder how a nation of more that 1.4 billion people managed to achieve such profound transformation in just over a decade. This is a complex question, however, I believe the answer lies in the formation and refinement of a particular theoretical system known as Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building. It provides a comprehensive framework and strategic guidance that enables a political party to lead social transformation and advance national development. Within this theoretical system, there are several insights that my friends in Trinidad and Tobago should consider:
Firstly, uphold strong leadership to set the future course. The key to China's success lies with the CPC. I've often heard friends across the world praise China's foresight in long-term planning and strategic resolve to realising its vision. How have these ambitious plans been carried out? Their fulfilment should be credited to the CPC's formidable ability to oversee the overall situation, coordinate all parties and build consensus. China has achieved significant progress during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) in areas such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy and agricultural modernisation. These accomplishments reflect effective leadership that coordinates efforts to turn ambitious plans into reality.
Secondly, adhere to the people-centered philosophy of development. Trinidad and Tobago's national motto, "Together We Aspire, Together We Achieve," resonates deeply with the CPC principle, "This country is its people; the people are the country." Improving people's lives, delivering tangible results and empowering them to realise their own potential have remained central to the CPC's objectives.
China's success in poverty alleviation is one such notable achievement: by 2020, the overall number of residents lifted out of poverty, and the overall number amounted to 70 per cent of global poverty reduction figures.
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the CPC designated 160 key counties for rural revitalisation assistance, helped more than six million people with targeted support to prevent a relapse into poverty and established the "work-for-relief" programme to provide employment opportunities through infrastructure projects. Each year, stable employment is ensured for more than 30 million people who have been lifted out of poverty. The CPC remains dedicated to the people's well-being, earning their respect and building an unshakeable foundation of governance.
Thirdly, attract the brightest minds from all over. With 101 million members and over five million primary-level party organisations, the CPC is not only the world's largest political party but also a platform for identifying and nurturing young talent. In the aerospace sector, members of the "Chang'e" and "Beidou" teams are, on average, only in their thirties. In cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence and bio-medicine, it is also young professionals who are taking on significant responsibilities. In China, talented people at all levels and sectors can find their own place to shine and make a difference in the noble cause of building a great modern socialist country.
Fourthly, exercise comprehensive and strict governance over the Party. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. Having weathered a century of challenges, the CPC has discovered how to escape the historical cycle of rise and fall, and become the most progressive vanguard force in society.
To win such trust among the people, it relies on both internal self-reform and external oversight through the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC and the National Commission of Supervision of the People's Republic of China. Both have published monthly reports on the investigations and disciplinary violations within the Party for 153 consecutive months, while citizens are encouraged to report misconduct through accessible public channels. A 2025 survey by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that 95.5 per cent of respondents expressed satisfaction with the CPC’s governance effectiveness, fully demonstrating that efforts to build a clean party and combat corruption have yielded tangible results.
Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building continues to evolve alongside China's modernisation journey, being continuously enriched and developed through practice. It represents an open theoretical system of global significance, offering valuable Chinese insights into governance, leadership, institutional capacity, and national development that may be of interest to countries pursuing their own development paths.
The political parties in Trinidad and Tobago have always attached great importance to strengthening their own development, as well as to cultivating officials and inter-party exchanges. Over the years, China and Trinidad and Tobago have achieved fruitful results through inter-party cooperation. I am confident that, in the future, the political parties of both countries will continue to advance together, making even greater contributions to the well-being of our peoples.
