Lessons in governance from the Chinese Communist Party

• “Sri Lankan political parties talking about prosperity in 2048 should pay close attention as the CPC built the world’s second-largest economy within 75 years.” 
• “When the Ceylonese were starving, the CPC-led PRC signed the Rubber-Rice Pact (1952), signalling diplomatic relations with the PRC even though Ceylon was cornered by some in the West.” 
• “In the aftermath of the conflict, the CPC-led PRC was the first to send Foreign Direct Investments through the Colombo Port City, signalling to the world that Sri Lanka was safe.”  
• “Sri Lankans should know that a political party cannot be like the CPC just because its name sounds communist or socialist.” 

As the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates its legacy of historic growth, its path offers profound lessons for Sri Lanka’s own economic goals. From the lifelines of the 1952 Rubber-Rice Pact to modern landmark infrastructure like the Colombo Port City, the CPC-led nation has consistently reinforced Sri Lanka’s development. President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on continuous party self-reform highlights the vital blueprint required to achieve long-term national prosperity.  

The Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded on 1st July 1920. Alleviating poverty in China within a century was its primary goal. It achieved the goal in December 2020 by raising nearly 100 million above the poverty line. The CPC established the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) on 1st October 1949 and PRC’s centenary goal is to create a ‘Xiaokang’ (a moderately prosperous socialist state) by 2049. The CPC led PRC is on schedule after 77 years. Sri Lankan political parties talking about prosperity in 2048 should therefore, pay close attention as CPC built world’s 2nd largest economy within 75 years (Ref CPC).   

CPC Ceylon and Sri Lanka

Soon after CPC founded the PRC, Ceylon recognised its historic friend. When the Ceylonese were starving, CPC led PRC signed the Rubber Rice Pact (1952). Though Ceylon was cornered by some in the west it started diplomatic relations with PRC (1957). Then Ceylonese became Sri Lankans. The CPC lead PRC gifted them the BMICH to host the world. Sri Lankans then opted to be Democratic and Socialist (1978). CPC lead PRC gave them the Supreme Court (1987) to ensure rule of law. When Sri Lankans gave a human face to the open economy (1994), CPC led PRC helped them to defeat violence protecting them at all international forums. In the aftermath of the conflict, CPC led PRC was the first to send Foreign Direct Investments (Colombo Port City) signalling the world that Sri Lanka was safe. In addition the Norochcholai power, Hambantota Sea/ Airports, Hambantota rail road and the lotus tower were constructed. When Sri Lankans decided to govern good CPC led PRC helped Polonnaruwa people to build the Kidney hospital and beat Parakramabahu the great with the Moragahakanda reservoir.   

When the ‘working man’ was working to control COVID 19, CPC led PRC gifted vaccines to energize the economy. One might feel that Sri Lankan economy might have taken a positive turn if the working man worked more closely with the CPC led PRC. Sri Lankans should know that a political party cannot be like the CPC just because its name sounds communist or socialist. As they have seen political parties rising & falling since 1935 should study how the CPC govern the great civilisation for 77 years amidst fast changing challenges. Hence, below advice from its leader is valuable.   

Facing the rise and fall cycle

In 2026 Chinese President Xi Jinping quoted an 80 year old conversation which took place in CPC’s former revolutionary base Yan’an about escaping the cycle of rise and fall and being in governance. The popular ‘cave-dwelling conversation’ took place between Chairman Mao and respected Chinese educationist Huang Yanpei. Mao’s view has been of a government under the supervision of the people. President Xi (son of the Deputy Prime Minister under Chairman Mao) added the most important line. He identified the importance of the CPC self reforming to be with the times. Coming from one of the most powerful men on earth and the leader of the world’s largest political party, this should be taken seriously by all political parties in the world.   

CPC sees within party corruption as the most significant threat to long term governance of the party. Since Sri Lankans have seen this happening within most parties which ruled since 1948, they should ensure that it doesn’t happen with their executive power in future. CPC sees corruption control methods as fox hunting operations. Sri Lankans familiar with abandoning Deer hunting during the month of June to start good governance should be able to understand this easily (Ref. CPC).   

CPC members must bear in mind that full and rigorous self governance is an unceasing endeavour and that self reform is a journey to which there is no end – President Xi Jinping.