Debunking ten misconceptions of the ideal of the Chinese dream (2)

Misconception six: Chinese dream is just a dream of constitutionalism, of human rights or of democracy.

It is reasonable that different people are eager to give different interpretations of the Chinese dream based on their own desires. The Chinese dream accommodates all kinds of legitimate, reasonable and fair voices.

However, if the general "dream" was excessively emphasized on some specific "dreams," such as constitutionalism, human rights or democracy, this kind of interpretation would oversimplify it.

Misconception seven: Chinese dream is just a dream of modernization.

Modernization has been the dream of the Chinese nation since 1840. But this does not justify the fantasy of fully Westernizing Chinese society. In fact, modernization alone is not enough to summarize the dramatic changes that are happening in China.

Misconception eight: Chinese dream is just a dream of rejuvenation.

President Xi has clarified that the rejuvenation of Chinese nation is the Chinese dream right now. Unfortunately, Xi's explanation has been reversed by some neighboring countries on purpose that the Chinese dream is intended to revive the heyday of ancient China, or even to bring the abandoned tributary system back to life. This kind of misinterpretation not only incurs unnecessary misgivings, but also aids and abets some people's attempt to equate the Chinese dream with the "China threat."

Misconception nine: Chinese dream is just a dream of China's rise.

China's rise, an outdated Western term in the context of the current international system, is not the equivalent of the Chinese dream. In fact, the significance of the Chinese dream has surpassed that of China's rise, extending the vision from domestic economic construction to a change of focus in China's confidence to advance socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Misconception ten: Chinese dream is the incarnation of Chinese liberal nationalism.

Since the Chinese dream is carried forward in a top-down manner, some overseas media have defamed it as China's "new nationalism."

Actually, the Chinese dream is so inclusive that it will be conducive to other countries, especially developing countries, to help them realize their own dreams.

The author is a distinguished professor at the Renmin University of China and senior research fellow at the Charhar Institute.