Chinese modernisation offers a new option for developing countries to achieve modernisation
Modernisation represents a hallmark of the development and progress of human civilisation. It is also the common goal that all countries have always been striving for since modern times.
Today, our world, our times, and history are changing in ways like never before. All of this is posing unprecedented challenges for human society.
The world has once again reached a crossroads in history, and its future course will be decided by all the world’s peoples. People in all countries are reflecting deeply on ways and means to advance the process of modernisation under new circumstances.
Past experience has proven that there doesn’t exist any supreme model of modernisation, nor any one- size- fits- all criterion. Modernisation does not mean Westernisation.
For people of all countries in the world, it is their common aspiration to explore their own path towards modernisation compatible with their respective national realities so that they maintain a firm grasp on the future of development and progress.
“From this day forward, the central task of the Communist Party of China will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realise the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernisation.”
In the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly expresses the central task of the Communist Party of China on the new journey in the new era, and calls upon the entire Chinese nation to strive in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.
Chinese modernisation is grounded in China’s own realities. It contains elements that are common to the modernisation processes of all countries, but it is more characterised by five features that are unique to the Chinese context:
First, a huge population, which means China is working to achieve modernisation for more than 1.4 billion people.
Second, common prosperity, which means to maintain and promote social fairness and justice, to bring prosperity to all, and prevent polarisation.
Third, material and cultural- ethical advancement.
Fourth, harmony between humanity and nature, which means sustainable development.
Fifth, peaceful development. Dedicated to peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, China will strive to safeguard world peace and development as we pursue our own development, and we will make greater contributions to world peace and development through our own development.
The essential requirements of Chinese modernisation are as follows: upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China and socialism with Chinese characteristics, pursuing high- quality development, developing whole- process people’s democracy, enriching the people’s cultural lives, achieving common prosperity for all, promoting harmony between humanity and nature, building a human community with a shared future, and creating a new form of human advancement.
To build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects, we have adopted a two- step strategic plan: Basically realise socialist modernisation from 2020 through 2035; Build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful from 2035 through the middle of this century.
So far, the total population of developed countries and regions that have achieved industrialisation is no more than 1 billion. China is working to achieve modernisation for more than 1.4 billion people. It is an unprecedented task with great significance in human history.
The Party has led the people in pioneering a uniquely Chinese path to modernisation, creating a new model for human advancement, and expanding the channels for developing countries to achieve modernisation.
This has offered a new option for countries and nations who want to accelerate development while preserving their independence.
China is ready to strengthen governance experience sharing with all developing countries including African nations, and support our friends in exploring a modernisation path that meets their national conditions.
The advancement of Chinese modernisation will bring more opportunities to the world. Two weeks ago, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania. President Xi pointed out that even when China was poor, it tightened its belt to help its African brothers build the Tazara Railway.
Now that China is more developed, it is better placed to act on the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, help our African friends achieve common development, and build a stronger China- Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
China’s continuous development will create new opportunities for Africa. China will speed up the implementation of the ongoing nine initiatives under the framework of Forum on China- Africa Cooperation ( FOCAC) with African countries.
With a particular focus on infrastructure, we will continue to nurture new drivers for ChinaAfrica cooperation through trade, investment and financing.
China stands ready to work with African countries to uphold the basic norms governing international relations including the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, actively operationalise the Global Development Initiative, increase the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance, and do more to bring about a community with a shared future for mankind.