高健：中国经济可持续发展的文化基础

中国论坛清华大学战略与安全研究中心

2024-09-03

高健

清华大学战略与安全研究中心中国论坛特约专家、上海外国语大学英国研究中心主任

编者按

2024年4月19日，清华大学战略与安全研究中心中国论坛特约专家、上海外国语大学英国研究中心主任高健受邀参加在上海举办的斯洛文尼亚中国经济论坛并致辞，该致辞以英文形式整理成文于4月21日首发于《环球时报》。以下为高健在斯洛文尼亚中国经济论坛上发表的讲话及译文：

非常荣幸受邀参加斯洛文尼亚中国经济论坛（Slovenian Chinese Business Forum），作为一名来自中国高校的学者，我很珍惜这一与众多商业人士共同交流中国经济现状与未来营商环境的机会。作为一名专门从事文化比较与地缘政治研究的学者，关注国家经济发展的趋势是我们的必修课。非常有趣的是，最近很多商界友人都来咨询地缘政治的问题，看来政治意识形态议题与正常的经贸关系已经密不可分了。
在这里，我首先想要和大家分享一个基本事实。根据我们的调查研究，四十多年来中国经济增长的神话用现有的西方经济学教科书的理论无法解释。我也可以很负责任地告诉大家，根据我们的统计，一些西方主流媒体关于中国经济发展的预测都是错误的。请大家注意，这不是什么开放式议题，这是被证明了的事实。
那么，如何理解中国经济持续发展的秘密？我在这里和大家分享四个理论视角：坚强持久的政治保障、不断发展的广阔市场、完备的制造业体系、丰富的科技人才与劳动力。时间所限，我重点谈谈对前两个方面的认识，这也是中国社会文化的独特优势。

女士们，先生们，中国是一个人口众多的大国。要治理好这么一个国家真不是件容易的事情。无论是中国的历史还是中国的现实都告诉我们，坚强有力的政治领导是我们做好任何事情的根本保障。中国这样一个人口大国走现代化道路没有现成的规律可寻，我们有一个形象的比喻，叫摸着石头过河。在中国共产党的领导下，中国人民走出了一条具有中国特色的经济发展道路。中国的文化传统与政治传统决定了中国政府在经济发展的长远战略规划与总体政策导向中必须发挥根本重要的作用。这是中国经济持久发展的首要条件。
女士们，先生们，当代经济发展的核心要素究竟是什么？这是一个需要不断思考的问题。但是，我想在座的所有朋友都不会否认“市场需求”的重要意义。19世纪德国思想家恩格斯说过，在人类历史发展的进程中，不知道有多少发明创造被扔进了历史的垃圾堆，因为人们并不需要。中国的市场是一望无际的大海，还是一个不断扩张的大海。大海总是会有风浪，可是风浪过去了，大海还在那里。
经济学家们非常喜欢用数据讲道理，可是那些抽象的数字模型往往令人望而生畏。中国哲学思想认为，道理就在日常生活世界之中。身处中国社会，你可以轻而易举地感受到中国的活力，体会到中国社会的活力。今天，中国人在努力学习，为了我们能够过上好日子努力打拼。奋斗是一个普通中国人的基本信条，学习是每一个中国有志青年的进步阶梯。中国人对生活怀有最为朴素的现实需要，对富足美好的现世生活充满热爱与追求。这就是中国经济持续发展的根本动力。

我个人认为，对于中国未来经济发展而言，继续保持可持续的增长不是问题，这是经济发展的一般性规律决定的，历史与未来从来都不会辜负积极向上、勤劳奋斗的民族。我们真正需要思考的问题是，经济发展是不是仅仅就意味着GDP的增长呢？经济为谁发展？如何平衡好物质生活与精神生活发展？如何达成社会与生态环境的和谐发展？这是未来中国社会着力解决的重要问题。我们经常说营商环境，试想一想，如果一个社会完全为纯粹的物质主义所掌控，如果一个社会的经济发展不能为全民享有，如果一个社会的自然生态环境被无节制的破坏，这样的经济发展可持续吗？这样的营商环境可以持久吸引来自世界的投资吗？
中国式现代化，中国特色的社会主义制度，就是要给出人类现代化历史命题的中国方案。在中国古典文化思想中，经济的根本解释是“经世济民”，最终的目的就是为了建构以人民为中心的经济生活，为了人民的福祉与利益，为了社会的和谐与安乐。中国的现代化道路，也绝不会偏离这一社会发展的根本宗旨。
女士们，先生们，就世界范围而言，我们今天所处的时代存在诸多不稳定因素，一些因素甚至是根本性的危机。这是我们需要共同面对的危机。作为一名学者，我有时因为无法与外国同行达成共识深感苦恼。我总在思考，怎样才能开展有效沟通？文化交流是一种非常重要的沟通方式。但是，客观而言，文明之间、国家之间最最实际有效的交流方式还是商品贸易。正如马克思所说，物质世界的问题只能用物质的方式来解决。大家来到中国促进中斯经贸合作的发展，体验中国，触碰中国，理解中国，这就是实实在在的沟通。文明因多样而丰富，世界因交流而精彩。欢迎加入中国的现代化盛宴！
What is the cultural foundation for the sustainable growth of the Chinese economy
For the past two years, the sustainability of China's high-speed economic development has been a hotly debated topic. The Western media's criticism of China's economy is nothing new, dating back nearly 30 years. For researchers specializing in geopolitics, monitoring national economic trends is essential.
China, as the world's second-largest economy, provides a wealth of subjects due to its economic environment. The country's economic growth over the past four decades defies traditional Western economic theories. Many economic predictions about China by mainstream Western institutions and media have been proven wrong.
So, what is the secret behind China's economic development? Four key factors shall be given full consideration: stable and enduring political guarantee, an ever-growing market, an overall and integrated manufacturing system, as well as abundant technological talents and well-trained skillful labor forces. Comparatively speaking, the first two factors are rooted in Chinese tradition and culture.
China is a very populous nation. It is never an easy task to govern such an enormous country with typical social characteristics. Both Chinese history and its present social reality ensure us that strong and effective political leadership is the fundamental guarantee for success in any endeavor. As is said in China, a person without a long-term vision will always be troubled. China's cultural and political traditions dictate the powerful central government must play a fundamentally crucial role in the long-term strategic planning for economic development.
What is the most effective element for contemporary economic development? It is a question that requires continuous consideration. However, no one would deny the vital significance of market needs, because without needs, there will be no growth.
China's market is like an expansive ocean that continues to grow due to the sustainable improvement of living conditions. While storms sometimes may arise, the sea remains steadfast afterward.
Economists often rely on data to support their arguments. However, Chinese philosophical thought suggests that wisdom and truth can be found in our daily lives, rather than in abstract concepts. Chinese people hold very dearly practical needs for life, and we ardently pursue prosperity and well-being in the secular world. This fundamental drive fuels China's sustained economic development, known as the "vitality of the nation."
In my opinion, the main challenge for China's future economic development is not simply sustaining growth, but rather considering what economic progress truly means beyond just GDP growth. Who benefits from this economic development? How do we strike a balance between material and spiritual well-being? How can we achieve harmony between society and the ecological environment? These are the fundamental questions that China must answer in its future development.
While a favorable business environment is conducive to economic growth, it is essential to question whether an economy can be sustainable if it is solely driven by materialism, if it does not benefit the entire population, and if it does not prioritize the protection of the natural ecosystem. These are crucial considerations for China as it continues to develop in the future.
The business environment is a comprehensive reflection of social and ethical conditions, not just economic terms. China's path to modernization, with its unique social characteristics, aims to provide a distinct "Chinese solution." Rooted in classical Chinese cultural thought, the fundamental purpose of the economy is to "manage affairs for the benefit of the people." Constructing a people-centered economy remains paramount. China's road to modernization will never deviate from this core principle of societal development.
On a global scale, our era faces numerous instabilities, some of which pose fundamental crises. As a scholar, I sometimes feel frustrated by the challenge of reaching a consensus with our international colleagues. I always think about how effective communication can be achieved. Few people are genuinely interested in philosophy, but there are some who find solace in the arts. However, the most practical and effective means of communication is trade. Only by coming to China, experiencing China, touching China and engaging with China, can you experience genuine communication. The world is beautiful for its diversity of cultures; the world is promising for our willingness to communicate.
The author is a research fellow of European Studies at Shanghai International Studies University and China Forum expert of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University. This is an excerpt of his speech at the recent Slovenian-Chinese Business Forum.