Modernization in the Chinese style is deeply rooted in systematic planning and comprehensive governance practices.
By Pablo Vommaro
Executive Director of the Latin American Council of Social Sciences
Guangming Daily – 07/23/2026
For centuries, many countries in the Global South seemed trapped by a misconception: that modernization has only one paradigm and is synonymous with “Westernization.” This outdated model, centered on unbridled plunder, the blind pursuit of profit, and brutal competition, often ensnares developing countries in what are termed “impoverished growth” and “dependency traps.” It not only exacerbates social inequality but also causes severe environmental damage and impacts. Faced with this historical dilemma, China has offered a powerful response through its innovative governance practices: humanity can achieve civilizational progress without sacrificing its own subjectivity, severing its cultural roots, or losing its autonomy in development.
Modernization in the Chinese style is not only reflected in the continuous rise of economic indicators, but is deeply rooted in the systematic planning and comprehensive governance practices of the Communist Party of China. It eloquently demonstrates that a modernization process capable of eradicating extreme poverty, ensuring that technology truly serves the common good, and promoting equity and social justice is not merely a theoretical concept, but has been transformed into a vibrant reality. Modernization in the Chinese style is orderly and coordinated, not blind and chaotic; it adheres to the sustainable coexistence of humanity and nature, and places respect for cultural diversity and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind at the heart of its strategic planning.
To explore the trajectory of governance under the Communist Party of China, it is necessary to understand its most fundamental political character. Unlike Western modernization, which prioritizes capital accumulation, Chinese-style modernization has always focused on the well-being of the people. In China, this is not just a slogan, but a guiding principle deeply embedded in the national governance system and political practices.
This is reflected, first and foremost, in the institutional pursuit of common prosperity. The Communist Party of China clearly recognizes that the criterion for judging modernization cannot be based solely on the rate of economic growth or the accumulation of wealth by a minority group; the key lies in whether the entire population can equitably share in the benefits of development. It is precisely thanks to the strong leadership and comprehensive planning of the Communist Party of China, and through unprecedented national mobilization and precise social governance, that China has historically eradicated extreme poverty. This sends a powerful message to the Global South: poverty is not an insurmountable structural destiny. As long as the ruling party possesses excellent governance capabilities and can unite the entire nation into a powerful force of unity, developing countries are fully capable of reshaping the distribution of social resources.
This political foundation also permeates the political practice of comprehensive people's democracy. Many countries in the Global South, having transplanted Western-style representative systems without considering their own national conditions, often find themselves trapped in governance dilemmas stemming from political polarization and social division. China, however, drawing on its own history and current national conditions, has explored a comprehensive democratic model that balances procedural integrity, substantive fairness, and governance effectiveness, effectively connecting all stages of democratic elections, democratic consultation, democratic decision-making, democratic management, and democratic oversight. This governance model ensures that the national will is not hijacked by the logic of capital, fostering institutional cohesion to address major challenges and accurately responding to the most basic needs of the population. It serves as an important source of inspiration for developing countries to explore pathways of political development tailored to their own national conditions.
At a time when economic globalization faces setbacks and technological barriers are high, China, in its new era, exhibits a distinctly different development trajectory. In China, the exclusive pursuit of large-scale expansion has been abandoned in favor of a commitment to innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and exchange. In this profound transformation, we are witnessing a unique historical fusion: on the one hand, China is making great strides in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and the aerospace industry, injecting new digital dynamism into its vast industrial system; on the other hand, it meticulously preserves its rich historical and cultural heritage and its commitment to building livable and sustainable cities, imbuing urban development with a humanistic approach. It is this wisdom of governance, combining state-of-the-art technology with a solid humanistic foundation, that transforms technology from a tool that alienates people into an effective support for improving public welfare and promoting social inclusion.
Furthermore, in the ecological sphere, which concerns the future of humanity, the Chinese concept of ecological civilization is redefining the global understanding of economic development. The historical lesson of “pollute first, clean up later,” inherited from a century of Western industrialization, has plunged many developing countries into a dilemma between development and environmental protection. Today, the Eastern philosophy that affirms that “crystal-clear waters and lush mountains are priceless assets” demonstrates that ecological protection and economic prosperity can go hand in hand. By promoting a systematic transformation toward green energy and low-carbon development models, China has not only laid a solid foundation for its own sustainable development but has also provided a valuable practical solution for the vast majority of the Global South to break free from dependence on the “high-carbon development” model and collaboratively address the climate crisis.
China’s remarkable modernization achievements have not only provided valuable lessons for other countries but have also instilled a firm confidence in the Global South to move forward. More importantly, the government of the Communist Party of China in the new era is consistently guided by a world vision based on “universal benefit.” China is not only committed to achieving its own prosperity but also actively promotes the common development of the world while improving its own well-being. Traditional hegemonic thinking often falls into zero-sum games and the “Thucydides Trap,” while China has always believed in harmony without uniformity and mutual benefit. In a world filled with turbulence and uncertainty, President Xi Jinping has successively proposed initiatives for global development, security, civilization, and governance. Both the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative and the comprehensive implementation of the four major global initiatives are concrete examples of the grand vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. These initiatives have provided valuable opportunities for developing countries to achieve connectivity, job creation, infrastructure modernization, and mutual learning. Undoubtedly, China is transforming its development achievements into global public goods, collaborating closely with other countries toward a more inclusive, equitable, and mutually beneficial modernization.
For intellectual communities in the Global South, the profound impact of Chinese-style modernization lies in its epistemological awakening. We are increasingly aware that freeing ourselves from Western “academic intermediaries” and “ideological filters,” and directly and deeply understanding the logic inherent in Chinese governance, is a fundamental requirement for safeguarding the intellectual sovereignty of countries in the Global South and promoting cultural and scientific cooperation on an equal footing.
In the process of modernization, the Communist Party of China has successfully combined the core principles of Marxism with China's specific realities and rich traditional culture. This highly creative integration has undoubtedly dismantled the stereotypical Western discourse of a "binary opposition between tradition and modernity." This reinforces our conviction that developing countries can completely abandon their blind reliance on external theories and, with a clear cultural awareness, construct their own discursive system for the Global South. Therefore, we aspire to use openness, mutual learning, and the exchange of experiences as a bridge to transcend cognitive barriers, deeply assimilate Chinese wisdom, and jointly explore a path of just, inclusive, and independent development.
The world today is going through a period of turbulence and change, with rising geopolitical tensions and serious ecological challenges. In this era of transformation, the grand project of building a community with a shared future for humanity demands that we continue to break down barriers and deepen strategic dialogue and close cooperation. For the course of history reveals that the measure of modernization lies not simply in cold economic data, but in the profound well-being of people, the flourishing of their cultural roots, and the inalienable dignity of every nation on the world stage.
Translator: Lou Yu (Special Research Fellow, Xi Jinping Thought Research Center on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)
