By Shamim Zakaria（India）

Any journalist would consider it a career highlight to cover a major historical event or witness a ground-breaking breakthrough.I am thankful that the milestone 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) came as a fortuitous stroke of serendipity in my professional life.

I deem it a milestone as it was held at a time when China is embarking on a new journey in building a modern socialist country in all respects and marching toward the second centenary goal. During this landmark event, I was tasked with writing columns for Xinhua News Agency with an emphasis on relevant aspects of the work report that may pique the interest of foreign audiences.

It was one hell of a grueling week but it was well worth it. Covering this significant political event was an enlightening opportunity, as it afforded me a chance to delve deeper into Chinese political affairs and hone my understanding.

The aim of my first piece titled “Milestone CPC congress spells out China’s unwavering development goals” was to provide an overview of China’s significant accomplishments of the past decade as detailed in the report.

In accordance with President Xi Jinping’s address at the opening session of the congress,my article attempted to illustrate how China’s outstanding past successes will determine its course of action for the next five years and beyond. What struck me most as I listened to President Xi’s opening session remarks was how vital the Chinese people are to China’s governance. I still remember what he said in his speech during the centenary celebrations of the CPC. In Xi’s words: “This country is its people; the people are the country.” “The Party has in the people its roots, its lifeblood, and its source of strength.”

I believe such an approach serves as an inspiration for world leaders that the success of any government is determined by how effectively the people have been served. It is evident the development of people is at the core of China’s governance. Chinese leaders attach great importance to people’s interests,happiness and well-being, and, consequently,remarkable results have been delivered.

My second article was titled, “China’s modernization path offers inspiration for global peace and development” . In keeping with the work report, the article attempted to outline the Chinese concept of modernization through which China seeks to attain“common prosperity for all” and secure “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049.

As I worked on this, I came to appreciate the intricacy of such concepts and the variety of ways they have been interpreted. China’s modernization path is anchored in the ancient philosophies of “xiaokang” (well-being) and“he” (harmony), based on which the country strives to create “common prosperity.”

China’s modernization drive is unique to the Chinese context. The proper course of action always depends on the local circumstances. The success of the country’s own modernization efforts serves as a compelling reminder that there is more than one road to achieving modernization, and every nation has the right to pursue its own path to modernization. China never talks about exporting its political or governance model. Instead, it suggests that other countries create their own systems that are best suited to them, as different countries have distinctive cultural traditions, historical backgrounds and political structures.

My final piece titled “Opening-up pursuit to bolster Chinese rejuvenation spirit” tried to debunk the notion that China’s opening up is shrinking, as has been suggested by some socalled “observers.”

On the contrary, the work report reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening opening up and promised further efforts to advance reform, serving as a rebuke to baseless claims that the country will slow down or even halt its reform and opening up process. My piece factually underlined the ample assurances that China’s opening-up door will only open wider and broader.

It isn’t always easy for external observers to comprehend China’s convoluted labyrinth of politics and policies. As a result, for me, it was not about producing a 1000-word article but rather the extensive reading and thinking that precedes its composition. My research into the topics I wrote about has given me a richer grasp of Chinese issues and a chance to put my pen to work in telling the China story and telling it well. Penning the aforementioned articles required several reads of the English version of the work report. Every time I skimmed through the report, China’s commitment to multilateralism and forging a community with a shared future of humanity gave me hope as an expat.

I see President Xi’s words as a reassurance to the world that China remains steadfast in its resolve to safeguard global peace and pursue common development despite fundamental geopolitical shifts and challenges. At a time when hegemony and bullying by certain forces are posing a great threat to the world order,China is rising to the occasion by adhering to its commitment to maintaining global peace,stability and security.

My greatest takeaway from the 20th CPC National Congress is China’s insistence that unity is the vital cornerstone of human existence. As the adage goes, if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far then go together. We are all different yet there are similarities that connect us as humans. So, we can acknowledge the differences and appreciate the similarities. In the same vein, it is perhaps prudent for countries to temporarily set aside differences and focus on commonalities to cultivate the virtue of mutual respect,deepen mutual understanding and foster communication benefiting everyone.