China is at an important point in its history:the spectacular progress over the past two decades has resulted in dramatic reductions of the number of poor in China and in improving the lives of the Chinese people. Signs of progress are visible almost everywhere in China. Yet this progress brings its own challenges- the primary one being of rising inequality and the pressing need to re-balance development. Responding to these challenges, China has articulated its vision of 'Xiaokang' (the all around moderately prosperous society) with emphasis on a 'Harmonious Socialist Society', a vision closely connected to the promise of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
China is rapidly becoming a global player, whether measured in trade volumes or international politics or for that matter multilateralism broadly. How China responds to these challenges is likely to shape not only the country's own future but also significantly influence that of its neighbours and the rest of the world. As such it represents a historic challenge for China and its partners.
For the UN system in particular, it represents an opportunity to help China deliver on Xiaokang and the MDGs,strengthen multilateralism and reinforce global and regional stability.
This Common Country Assessment (CCA), produced by the UN Country Team, provides the analytical basis for looking at these challenges. Produced in close consultation with the government and other partners in China,it analyzes the current situation of the country and its future challenges. It draws upon the findings of China's recent MDG progress report (2003), and outlines the
key elements of the Xiaokang vision, to be reached by 2020, and charts how this vision is playing into national policies and programmes.
China has put renewed emphasis on achieving balanced and human centered sustainable development. In 2003,it introduced the concept of 'five balances' to achieve the Xiaokang society. This interest in sustainable development
has prompted the UN system in China to focus the CCA on the issues and challenges that are inherent in attaining such balanced development. Issues
of pro-poor growth and of inequalities are highlighted in the analysis. Sex-disaggregated data to the extent possible have been integrated in each chapter.
This CCA is a rights based perspective on these concerns and of protecting the vulnerable groups of society.
Based on this analysis, the CCA suggests priority areas for international cooperation, where the UN system and its partners can make a difference drawing upon their comparative strengths. The CCA serves as a key input to the preparation of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and the Country Programme Documents of the UN funding agencies.
The UN in China greatly appreciates the active participation and thoughtful comments from our partners, first and foremost the Chinese government and NGOs and also the many donor colleagues who took time to comment on drafts of the CCA. We would in particular like to acknowledge the work of the Ministry of Commerce for its able coordination of the CCA/UNDAF process.
This broad consultation and participatory process is strong testimony of the shared commitment of China and its partners to the achievement of common results in attaining the MDGs and establishing a Xaokang society. We look forward to an active debate of the issues raised in this CCA.
