The International Dialogue on the Chinese Dream convenes from Dec. 7 to 8 in Shanghai, drawing up to one hundred scholars from home and abroad. [China.org.cn]

The Chinese Dream in the 21st Century as Seen from Mexico: towards A "Mexican Dream"?

Maria-Cristina Rosas

Professor for the Center of the International Relations Studies, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

When President Jin Xinping explained his China Dream in his first address to the nation as head of state on March 17, he said: "We must make persistent efforts, press ahead with indomitable will, continue to push forward the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and strive to achieve the Chinese Dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." This statement seems to suggest that despite international challenges, China intends to face them, by its own means and placing in the first place, the national interest, so that China fullfills its goals of prosperity and security in the 21st century.

The international environment places enormous challenges to nations. The current financial crisis has led to a stagnation where developed economies are experiencing difficulties due to growing unemployment, decreasing productivity and competitiveness, etcetera, These problems, due to globalization, are being also experienced by developing economies, because financial and trade relations between them and developed nations are very profound and ultimately their internal prosperity is linked to international events.

The Chinese economy's dynamism has been considered a key issue to sort the challenges of the current international environment, especially when it comes to the stagnation of the international economy. A number of analysts have suggested that the traditional leadership exercised by the United States and the European Union is severely damaged, thus placing their hopes in emerging countries like China and India. Very prestigious publications have indicated that China and India are the engines of the international economy. Yet, China faces enormous domestic challenges, such as its demographic transition, environmental degradation, food and energy requirements and it is in this sense that the "Chinese dream" comes to place. Several countries look at the international community to develop new strategies to cope with the mentioned challenges. Yet, internally, countries posses certain capabilities that, if maximazed, can contribute to more prosperous societies. This seems to be the message of the "Chinese dream": despite the difficulties the international community is facing, China has a growing internal market, a growing skilled labor-force, natural resources and the political will to respond, from the inside, to a highly unpredictable "outside."

Mexico has experienced an economic transition from the middle 80's until today, and has a very interdependent relationship with the United States, whose difficulties are easily transmitted to the Mexican economy. Even though this has led to a more predictable and regulated relationship between the two countries, it is undeniable that every time the American economy experiences difficulties, these are also felt by Mexico. Thus, the "Chinese dream" seems to be an option to re-discover, in the case of Mexico, internal capabilities that may contribute to a more harmonious and equitable economic and social environment within the country.