To what extent are greater political reforms required to counter challenges to

Chinas economic growth?

Grater political reforms mean changing the policies or even the modus
operandi of the Chinese government. The absence of which would imply that
the CCP regime retains its highly authoritarian and opaque form of
governance. Greater political reforms are largely required to solve economic
challenges that are caused by the obscurity, inflexibility and corruptibility of
parts or whole of the Chinese bureaucracy. Meanwhile, the current system
given its arbitrary nature is suited to resolve problems that necessitate the
mobilization of vast resources, allowing also for swift and decisive actions.
Great economic success has been made by the incremental political reforms
form the CCPs government since 1978. Ideological transformation from a
strictly Maoist theory of socialist egalitarianism to Dengs advocacy of
enhancing socialism with capitalist methodology heralded the beginning of
Chinas opening up. Promotion of officials is now based on meritocracy which
could either be their education level and experiences at facilitating local
economic growth, rather than their avowed loyalty to communism. Jiangs
Three Represents has allowed for more private entrepreneurs to join the
government, thus enhancing the relevance and efficacy of policy-making
regarding Chinese economics. Much of the Chinese bureaucracy has been
streamlined to reduce wastage, facilitate a more business-friendly
environment for investors and to ensure flexibility at dealing with economic
problems. Albeit its flexibility at managing and adapting to the demands of
Chinas economic opening up, the CCP regime has remained authoritarian
and its intolerant of political opposition.
Subsequently, reforms that allow for greater public participation in
governments policy-making can result in the solution of challenges that are
socially related. The regime should learn to tolerate voices of public dissent
and protests, so that social grievances that impede continued high economic
growth could be resolved quickly and effectively. Unfavorable demographics,
meaning Chinas graying population and gender disparity in the near future,
are results of the inflexible One Child Policy. This long-term economic
challenge could be ameliorated if the government is willing to listen to public
concerns and aspirations on birth issues. NGO and civic groups should be
allowed greater freedom. These people could help the government monitor
and remedy problems such as environmental degradation, labor rights and
corruption.
By making officials more accountable to the people, rather than being loyal
solely to their reporting superiors in the bureaucracy, many challenges
regarding local misgovernance could be resolved effectively. This could help
solve agrarian and environmental problems that are threatening the
sustainability of Chinas growth. Mass migration to the cities, which has

resulted in shortage of labour in the countryside and social problems in the

coastal provinces are often spurred by peasants intolerance of malpractices
by local officials. Environmental degradation in the inland provinces, which
hurt the well-being of their inhabitants, is often the undoing of officials who
are the major reasons for social unrests in China, which in turn threaten the
sustainability of its economic growth. These problems could be dealt with if
the officials influence is circumscribed by the mandate of the people.
Greater bureaucratic transparence is also needed for effective measures to
be taken on economic problems. This could solve many problems, such as
the recent spate of food-poisoning incidents, which are often hidden from the
public until they have compounded into catastrophic proportions. Chinas
credibility as the worlds manufacturing hub is therefore at stake. Chinas
dysfunctional state banking system, largely caused by bad loans and poor
investment portfolio, can also be remedied to some extent as its financial
dealings are opened to public scrutiny. More state transparency could also
expose the existence, hence probable subsequent elimination of the various
SOEs and SIEs that are making losses yet are subsidized using public funds.
Rule of law must be instituted and observed by all to ensure the eradication
of many economic challenges. This could help prevent the abuse of power
and corruption, ensure strict observance of laws and regulations that are
beneficial for Chinas economic growth. Adhering to the Intellectual Property
Rights/ Law could promote creativity within the country and improve foreign
investors confidence at transferring their technology to China. Law of
Property rights if given due respect, could enhance social stability and
private business initiatives that are vital for Chinas development. Instances
of defective Chinese manufactures and poisoned food products would be
checked if regulations on quality control are strictly observed by all
industries.
The authoritarian nature of the CCP regime however, is suited to solve
problems that require drastic solutions. Long-term solutions to Chinas dire
energy shortages can only be undertaken by a decisive and powerful
government. These include the construction of the Three Gorges Dam and
diplomatic maneuvers to purchase resources from foreign countries. Drastic
environmental policies such as the ban on manufacturing thinned plastic
bags, limiting daily car usage in Beijing to lessen air pollution, can only be
carried out be an arbitrary state. Purchase of farmlands in Africa to solve
Chinas food woes could not have been possible without the vast resources
of the government. Development of the western provinces and the massive
subsidies given to the underprivileged peasants are possible only with
determined governmental actions.
Meanwhile, certain challenges, which are inevitable by-products of Chinese
industrialization and trade practices, cannot be solved by political reforms.

Hyperinflation pressure caused by the twin surpluses incurred in Chinas

current and capital accounts, is a systemic problem that would require
economic solutions. The undervalued yuan that involved great domestic and
international sensitivities is an issue that could not be simply solved through
reforms.
The challenge of imbalanced regional development is
predetermined by Chinas differing geographical endowments and the
governments prerogative to Let some get rich first. This could hardly be
solved by any political reforms.
In conclusion, greater political reforms are indeed useful at resolving those
economic challenges that require more responsive and responsible
governmental reactions. However given the immensity and complexity of the
Chinese economy, one could not on the other hand discount the utility of
CCPs authoritarianism.