New Type Urbanization: A Path to Realize China Dream "A China Story II – New Pathways to Urbanization" Organized by the China Energy Fund Committee Held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York July 7, Monday, 2014
UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, New York, 7 July 2014 – A Forum entitled “A China Story II: New Pathways to Urbanization” was held in New York today, hosted by the China Energy Fund Committee (CEFC) and attached to the High-level Political Forum on sustainable development (HLPF) organized by UN DESA.
The forum brought together the UN System organizations, major group representatives and policy makers with the Honorable guest speakers included Dr. Pan Jiahua, the Director-general of the Institute for Urban & Environment Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Dr. Zhu Dajian, the Director of Institute of Governance for Sustainable Development, Tongji University, and Prf. Ho C.P. Patrick, Deputy Chairman and Secretary General of CEFC. Mr. John W. Ashe, the President of the 68th Session of United Nations General Assembly, also delivered the officiating speech before the forum commenced.
Discussion focused on prospects for the world's sustainable development, in the context of China’s recently released “National New-Type Urbanization Plan (2014-2020)” (The Plan). It is believed that this plan is a new model for promoting sustainable development of the country as a whole, and the Chinese are confident and are capable of sharing their experiences of sustainable development with cities all over the world.
Dr. Pan remarked that current urbanization levels in China are comparable with the world average, creating a platform stimulating the country’s rapid economic growth as well as international economic cooperation and competition. Because the lack of quality in China’s urbanization process itself has become increasingly evident in recent years, the Chinese Government recently released the plan is to reveal the importance of finding new ways to avoid some of the challenges arising from the development progress.
In his speech "Transformative Urbanization in China: Inclusiveness, Livability and Sustainability", Dr. Pan said, "During the past 60 years, China’s rate of urbanization increased from 10% to over 50%, indicating an overall change from a rural to an urban- dominated society. However, multiple concerns over incoordination, imbalance and unsustainability have been growing along with the process of rapid urban expansion. Dr. Pan believes that China’s new urbanization will attach great importance to inclusiveness, livability and sustainability, characterizing a transformative development of harmony, quality and efficiency."
Dr. Zhu in his speech "New-Type Urbanization and Sustainable Cities in China: Critical Issues and Policy Choices" mentioned that China is facing major challenges in terms of quantity (size of population, the rate of urbanization), quality (pollution, inequity and quality of life), and capacity (institutional capacity, technological capacity and urban governance). It is estimated that 1 billion people will be living in Chinese urban areas within these 20 to 30 years, accounting for 70% of the population, China will need to implement policies to make Chinese cities sustainable, while reconciling the conflicts between economic development, social justice and environmental conservation.
Prof. Ho began his speech by drawing the attention of the audience to the “China Dream”, which was first put forth by Chinese President Xi Jinping in late 2012.
“To realize the great renewal of China is the greatest dream for the Chinese people in modern history”, said Prof. Ho, “The China Dream is an inexhaustible motivation for the Chinese people for constant self-improvement and renewal; and to redefine, periodically the age-old traditional values so that they can be once again applicable and relevant to the time of the modern days.”
Prof. Ho emphasized that the Plan is a strategic platform to take the country forward to the next level of development in a sustainable manner. "The plan stresses human-centered development as a crucial aspect for China’s sustainable growth. It is not about building cities. It is about building people, about turning rural residents into citizens. It is a modernization process of generations of Chinese people and of the Chinese society, in which every person can share in the fruits of progress and growth attained and lead life with dignity and pride so that individuals can realize their potential and attain their ultimate goals of personal achievements. The Plan will be the path of moulding modernity for realizing the China Dream."
Prof. Ho concluded, "China’s New Type Urbanization is a new model for promoting sustainable development of the country as a whole. It sets a future course for sustainable development that will revitalize the entire Chinese nation. China is one of the most important participants and contributors to the world's sustainable development, and the Chinese are confident and are capable of bearing such a responsibility, to make significant contribution to achieving the world’s sustainable development goals, and to share their experiences and opportunities with cities all over the world."
About China Energy Fund Committee
China Energy Fund Committee (CEFC) is a nongovernmental, nonpartisan, not-for-profit Chinese think-tank registered in Hong Kong. It has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). CEFC is dedicated to fostering international dialogue and understanding of cultural values, regional cooperation, energy security, and issues relating to China’s emerging place in the world. It also aims to promote international cooperation and mutual respect through public diplomacy.