Chinese-style
modernization and its global importance
La modernización al estilo chino y su importancia
global
Wang Gonglong I
I School of Marxism, Shanghai Administration Institute, People's Republic
China
*Author to direct correspondence: wglsai2011@163.com
Classification JEL: E20, O11, P20
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10813676
Received: 04/02/2024
Accepted: 05/11/2023
The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
noted that the primary task is to unite and lead the people to build a modern
country and promote the great revitalization of the Chinese nation through
Chinese-style modernization. Among the essences of Chinese-style modernization
is that it should be connected to the Party leadership, adhere to socialism
with Chinese characteristics, achieve high-quality development, etc.
Chinese-style modernization not only has the common characteristics of
modernization of all countries, but also has Chinese characteristics based on its
own national conditions. Chinese-style modernization is carried out in a state
of close contact and deep interaction with the world. With the advancement of
Chinese-style modernization, China that continues to modernize will surely
provide more opportunities for global development and inject greater impetus
into international cooperation. The general objective of this article is to
expose Chinese-style modernization, as well as its importance at a global
level.
Keywords: chinese-style modernization, leadership, people,
characteristics
Resumen
El informe del XX Congreso Nacional del Partido
Comunista de China señaló que, la tarea primordial es unir y liderar al pueblo
para construir un país moderno y promover la gran revitalización de la nación
china a través de la modernización al estilo chino. Entre las esencias de la
modernización al estilo chino se encuentra que debe estar conectada al
liderazgo del Partido, que debe adherirse al socialismo con características
chinas, lograr un desarrollo de alta calidad, etc. La modernización al estilo chino
no solo tiene las características comunes de la modernización de todos los
países, sino que también tiene características chinas basadas en sus propias
condiciones nacionales. La modernización al estilo chino se lleva a cabo en un
estado de estrecho contacto y profunda interacción con el mundo. Con el avance
de la modernización al estilo chino, un China que continúe modernizándose
seguramente brindará más oportunidades para el desarrollo mundial e inyectará
un mayor impulso a la cooperación internacional. El presente artículo muestra
como objetivo general exponer la modernización al estilo chino, así como su
importancia a nivel global.
Palabras clave: modernización al estilo chino,
liderazgo, pueblo, características
Introduction
China has been theorizing and developing the idea of modernization for
more than a century. In 19211 the Communist Party of China was born,
which has led the Chinese people to successfully achieve national independence
and eliminate absolute poverty. Over the years until today, the Party has
charted a path towards modernization taking into account the Chinese reality
through ideologies, principles, reports and with the congresses held since
1921, the year in which the First Congress was held. until 2022 when the XX
Congress was held.
Among the essences of Chinese-style modernization is that it must be
linked to the leadership of the Party, adhere to socialism with Chinese
characteristics, and achieve high-quality development, among others. Party
leadership determines the fundamental nature of Chinese modernization.
The nature, purpose, original mission, beliefs and political proposals of
the Party determine that Chinese-style modernization is socialist
modernization, not any other type of modernization. Building a modern socialist
country is the constant goal of the Party, which has been successively
encouraged from generation to generation and has continuously achieved
important achievements, which have enhanced world attention.
The Communist Party of China has always aimed at the people's will for a
better life, promulgated the idea of people-centered development, working hard
to protect and improve livelihoods and to solve urgent, difficult and anxious
problems. The people are the main element of Chinese modernization. Only by
closely trusting him, respecting his creative spirit and gathering everyone's
wisdom and strength can the continuous development of Chinese modernization be
promoted.
Chinese-style modernization not only has the common characteristics of
modernization of all countries, but also has Chinese characteristics based on
its own national conditions. Compared with the paths and models of Western
modernization, the main characteristics of Chinese-style modernization are:
modernization with a huge population; modernization with common prosperity for
all peoples; modernization with harmonious material and spiritual civilization;
modernization with harmonious coexistence of man and nature; and modernization
with a peaceful and development path.
Based on the above, it is expressed that the following article presents
the general objective of exposing Chinese-style modernization, as well as its
importance at a global level.
Materials
and methods
This article exposes Chinese-style modernization, from the socialist
leadership led by the Communist Party of China, the assessment of its
importance at a global level, addressing its characteristics and essences,
among others. It was carried out through bibliographic reviews, such as the
report of the XX National Congress of the Communist Party of China.2
The analysis considered the experiences obtained over the years of
Chinese modernization, both from the congresses held, the ideas of President Xi
Jinping and the achievements obtained, among others.
Results
and discussion
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China2
clearly stated that from now on, the core task of the Communist Party of China
is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups to comprehensively build a
modern and powerful socialist country, achieve goal of the second centenary and
comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through
Chinese-style modernization. Chinese-style modernization not only benefits the
Chinese people, but also makes great contributions to the peaceful development
of the world and the progress of human civilization.
Chinese-style modernization is a socialist modernization led by the
Communist Party of China
The essence of Chinese-style modernization is2: “Adhere to the
leadership of the Communist Party of China, adhere to socialism with Chinese
characteristics, achieve high-quality development, develop people's democracy
throughout the process, enrich the spiritual world of the people, achieve
common prosperity. for all people, promote harmonious coexistence between man
and nature, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future
for humanity to create a new form of human civilization.”
Party leadership determines the fundamental nature of Chinese
modernization. The nature, purpose, original mission, beliefs and political
proposals of the Party determine that Chinese-style modernization is socialist
modernization, not any other type of modernization. Entering a new era, the
Party adheres to and improves the system of socialism with Chinese
characteristics, continuously promotes the modernization of the national
government system and governance capabilities, and forms a complete set of
institutional systems including the fundamental system, the basic systems and
important systems of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Furthermore, it
serves as a foundation to provide strong institutional guarantee for the steady
progress of China's modernization. The Party upholds and develops socialist
culture with Chinese characteristics, stimulates cultural innovation and
creative vitality of the entire nation, and provides strong spiritual power for
Chinese-style modernization.
The Party leadership ensures that Chinese-style modernization adheres to
the goal of striving for long-term stability and progress. Party leadership is
a great advantage of the Chinese system. Under the leadership of the Party,
once the Chinese people set a goal, they will not give up their goal and will
continue to fight, work hard and tirelessly. Since the reform and opening up,
China's goal of building a modern socialist country has been gradual and
consistent, and has been continuously enriched and improved with the
development of practice. Building a modern socialist country is the constant
goal of the Party, which has been successively promoted from generation to
generation and has continuously made brilliant achievements that have attracted
world attention.
The Party leadership inspires strong motivation to build Chinese-style
modernization. Reform and opening up are key measures that determine the
destiny of contemporary China, and they are also key measures that determine
the success or failure of Chinese-style modernization. Under the strong
leadership of the Party Central Committee, with President Xi Jinping at the
core, the Party has comprehensively deepened reforms with great political
courage, highlighted problem-orientedness, dared to
break into deep water areas, gnaw hard bones, venture into dangerous shoals and
face new contradictions and new challenges.
In addition, to break the chains of ideological concepts, the barriers of
solidified interests, resolutely eliminate the deficiencies of systems and
mechanisms in all aspects, and reform from partial exploration and breaking the
ice. Many areas have achieved historic changes, systemic reshaping and overall
reconstruction, creating a solid foundation for Chinese-style modernization
that injects an inexhaustible source of power.
The Party leadership has gathered great strength to build Chinese-style
modernization. The people are the main element of Chinese modernization. Only
by closely trusting him, respecting his creative spirit and gathering
everyone's wisdom and strength can the continuous development of Chinese
modernization be promoted. The Communist Party of China has always aimed at the
people's desire for a better life, adhered to the idea of people-centered
development, worked hard to protect and improve people's livelihood, and tried
hard to solve urgent, difficult and anxious problems.3,4,5 All with
the aim that the results of Chinese-style modernization can increasingly
benefit all people more equitably. The Party develops people's democracy in the
whole process, expands democratic channels, enriches democratic forms, expands
the people's orderly political participation, and ensures that the people
manage state affairs, economic and cultural enterprises and social affairs
through various channels and forms in accordance with the law, with a spirit of
ownership.
Main features of Chinese-style modernization
Chinese-style modernization not only has the common characteristics of
modernization of all countries, but also has Chinese characteristics based on
its own national conditions. Chinese-style modernization is carried out in a
state of close contact and deep interaction with the world. With the
advancement of Chinese-style modernization, China that continues to modernize
will surely provide more opportunities for global development and inject
greater impetus into international cooperation and make greater contributions
to human progress.
• Modernization with a huge
population will provide the world with a huge market
First of all, China's ultra-large-scale market will stimulate the
vitality of the global market. The COVID-19 epidemic of recent years has
damaged global industrial and supply chains to varying degrees. At the same
time, economic globalization still encounters crosscurrents. In this context,
the scale effect of the Chinese market and its importance for the global
economic recovery are becoming more evident. In the process of promoting
Chinese-style modernization, China will rely on its ultra-large-scale market
advantages to attract global resource elements through internal circulation,
enhance the linkage effect of two resources in domestic and international
markets and further improve the quality and level of international trade and
investment cooperation.3,4,5
Second, China's ultra-large-scale market will improve the resilience of
the global market. Today's global market faces many risks and challenges. On
the one hand, some countries are interested in "decoupling" and
"breaking ties" and building "small courtyards and high
walls." Global value and supply chains are constantly disrupted by the
political games of great powers.
On the other hand, geopolitical conflicts have intensified risks to the
security of the global supply of food, precious metals, oil, etc. The existence
of these risks increases the fragility and uncertainty of global markets. Once
the global market cycle is interrupted or hindered at a certain link, the
uncertainty and instability of the global economic cycle will increase. As a
very large economy, China's economy has strong resilience and development
potential. The development of China's modernization will boost global economic
growth, help promote global market stability, and improve global market
resilience against recession.3,4,5
• China's promotion of
common prosperity for all people will boost the common development and progress
of all countries
First, contribute Chinese wisdom to reduce the gap between rich and poor
in various countries. When China solves the problem of the gap between rich and
poor, it adheres to the fundamental principle of public ownership as the
pillar, constantly releases and develops productive forces, and optimizes the
distribution system on the basis of creating more wealth. China's successful
experience in promoting common prosperity, such as upholding centralized and
unified leadership of the Party, targeted poverty alleviation, people's
dominance, industrial poverty alleviation, technological poverty alleviation
poverty and the combination of "will" support with
"technological" support, etc., can provide inspiration for other
developing countries to get rid of poverty.
Second, promote balance and justice in global development. Since modern
times, Western capitalist countries have been leading the development of the
world. Under the control and dominance of the logic of capital, the gap in the
distribution of wealth between developed and developing countries is widening.
Global prosperity and stability cannot be built on the poor becoming poorer and
the rich becoming richer. Real development is the common development of all
countries, and each country has the right to pursue modernization. In the
process of promoting Chinese-style modernization, China has proposed the
"One Belt, One Road" initiative, global development initiatives, etc.
based on the concept of common development, with the aim of promoting shared
development and common development among all countries and enabling developing
countries to obtain more development opportunities.6
• China's continuous
improvement of the material and spiritual living standards of its people will
promote exchanges and mutual learning among human civilizations
Firstly, it brings enlightenment to the general social development of
developing countries. In the process of capitalist modernization, due to the
excessive emphasis on the accumulation of material wealth and the relative
neglect of the construction of spiritual and cultural fields, some countries
have the phenomenon of "one leg is long" for material civilization,
which does not only restrict the sustainable development of the material field
but also causes spiritual emptiness and decadence among the general public.
Chinese-style modernization not only focuses on the accumulation of material
civilization, but also devotes itself to the construction of spiritual
civilization. It has created two miracles: rapid economic development and
long-term social stability, and provides important inspiration for the overall
development of societies around the world, especially developing countries.
Second, promote high-level exchanges between Chinese and foreign
civilizations. The history of the development of human civilization is a
history of exchanges between different civilizations. It is impossible for any
civilization, country or nation to retreat to an isolated island. They can only
learn from each other through exchanges and learn from each other's strengths.
The process of promoting
Chinese-style modernization is a historical process of creating a
higher-quality civilization, including a material civilization and a spiritual
civilization, and generally improving the development level of the modern
civilization of the Chinese nation. China has carried out in-depth cultural
exchanges and cooperation with other countries, widely participates in
dialogues among world civilizations, deepens exchanges and mutual learning
between civilizations, promotes Chinese culture in the world, and will make
increasing contributions to dialogue and exchanges between different
civilizations.3,4,5
• China's insistence on the
harmonious coexistence of man and nature will promote the world's green and
low-carbon transformation
First, inject a strong push into the world's green and low-carbon
transformation. From a global perspective, green and low-carbon transformation
is a new direction to improve the economic structure of various countries,
giving rise to new space for economic growth. Chinese-style modernization
firmly grasps this development trend and adheres to a green, sustainable and
low-carbon development path. China's huge demand for green modernization of
traditional industries and green consumption is giving rise to the world's
largest green market, which will provide a huge boost to global green
development by fostering new technologies, generating new business formats,
creating new supplies and form new demands for effect.
Second, provide Chinese solutions for the world's green and low-carbon
transformation. Countries around the world generally face the double pressure
of economic growth and environmental protection in the modernization process.
Not only should we pursue the development of productivity, but also pay
attention to the protection of the ecological environment. The practice of
Chinese-style modernization shows that to protect the ecological environment,
the key is to integrate the concept and thinking of green development into
modern development strategy and implement it in all aspects and throughout the
entire process of economic and social development. It is necessary to manage
ecological and environmental problems from the results, but also to prevent the
emergence of ecological and environmental problems from the source.
Thirdly, promote cooperation among the international community to
encourage harmonious coexistence between man and nature. On the international
stage, China has always insisted on carrying out international cooperation on
climate change within multilateral frameworks, has actively participated in the
formulation of international rules and standards, and has actively promoted the
establishment of a fair, reasonable, cooperative global climate governance
system beneficial to all. China promotes the construction of a green Belt and
Road Initiative and supports the development and utilization of clean energy in
countries joining the Belt and Road Initiative.6 China takes the
lead in helping developing countries improve their ability to cope with climate
change and supports the development of green and low-carbon energy in
developing countries.
• China's pursuit of the
path of peaceful development will promote world peace and development and
promote the progress of human civilization
First, promote global peace and stability. Historically, some Western
countries have achieved modernization through war, colonization, plunder, and
other methods. That old path of benefiting oneself at the expense of others and
full of bloody crimes has brought great suffering to the people of developing
countries. China has always stood firmly on the right side of history and the
progress of human civilization, held high the banner of peace, development,
cooperation and mutual benefit, and is determined to follow the path of
peaceful development. This will help get rid of the "Thucydides
Trap", the so-called "obstacle" to the rise of great powers, and
is of great importance in promoting global peace and stability.
Secondly, promote the establishment of a new type of international
relations. The world today is experiencing profound changes that have not been
seen in a century. In this context, China actively promotes the establishment
of a new type of international relations characterized by mutual respect,
fairness, justice and mutually beneficial cooperation. China adheres to the
diplomatic policy of friendship, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness,
and by being good friends and partners with its neighbors, deepens friendship,
mutual trust and integration of interests with neighboring countries; adheres
to the correct view of justice and interests, strengthens solidarity and
cooperation with developing countries, and safeguards the common interests of
developing countries.
Currently, changes in the world, times and history are developing in an
unprecedented way. On the one hand, the historical trend of peace, development,
cooperation and mutual benefit is unstoppable. The will of the people and the
general trend determine that the future of humanity will eventually be bright.
On the other hand, hegemonic and bullying behaviors, such as bullying,
looting, and zero-sum games, have caused serious harm. The peace, development,
security and governance deficits have worsened, and human society faces
unprecedented challenges. The world finds itself once again at the crossroads
of history, and where it goes depends on the decisions of the people of all
countries. China has always adhered to the foreign policy purpose of
safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, and is committed to
promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.
To this end, China advocates that the people of all countries in the world
should carry forward the common values of peace, development, equity, justice,
democracy and freedom, promote mutual understanding among the people of all
countries, respect the diversity of civilizations in the world, and use
civilization exchanges to transcend barriers and learn from each other. Beyond
the conflict of civilizations, the coexistence of civilizations transcends the
superiority of civilizations, they jointly respond to various global challenges
and work together to build a beautiful world of lasting peace, universal
security, common prosperity, openness, inclusion, cleanliness and beauty.
Conclusions
To expose Chinese-style modernization and its global importance, it is
necessary to know the role of the Party, because among its essences is that it
must be connected to the leadership of the Party.
Chinese-style modernization not only has the common characteristics of
modernization of all countries due to its deep interaction with the world, but
also has Chinese characteristics based on its own national conditions.
Compared with the paths and models of Western modernization, the main
characteristics of Chinese-style modernization are: modernization with a huge
population; modernization with common prosperity for all peoples; modernization
with harmonious material and spiritual civilization; modernization with
harmonious coexistence of man and nature; and modernization with a peaceful and
development path.
With the advancement of Chinese-style modernization, China that continues
to modernize will surely provide more opportunities for global development and
inject greater impetus into international cooperation.
Bibliographic
references
1.
Xi
Jinping. Speech at the conference to celebrate the centenary of the founding of
the Communist Party of China. Beijing: People's Publishing House; 2021. [consulted 11 october 2023] Available in: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/special/2021-07/01/c_1310038244.htm
2.
Xi
Jinping. Report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
In: XX National Congress of the Communist Party of China; 2022. [consulted 11 october 2023] Available in:https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202210/t20221025_10791908.html
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Xi
Jinping. The Governance of China. Volume I. Beijing: Published by Foreign
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Xi
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Xi
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Conflict
of interests
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest