“Modernization in the Chinese style is deeply rooted in the systematic planning and comprehensive governance practice of the Communist Party of China.”
By Pablo Vommaro
Executive Director of the Latin American Council
of Social Sciences (CLACSO)
For centuries, the vast majority of countries in the Global South have seemed trapped by the myth and assumption that there is only one paradigm of modernization, and that this is equivalent to “Westernization.” This archaic model, whose core is unbridled exploitation, the blind pursuit of profit, and ruthless competition, has frequently led developing countries into the so-called traps of “impoverishing growth” and “dependency.” This has not only exacerbated social inequalities but has also generated serious environmental impacts and damage. Faced with this historical crossroads, China has provided a firm response through its innovative governance practices: humanity can fully achieve civilizational progress without sacrificing its own subjectivity, without severing its cultural roots, and without losing autonomy in its development.
Modernization in the Chinese style is not merely 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 absolute poverty, ensuring that science and technology truly serve the public good, and promoting equity and social justice is not merely a theoretical concept, but a living reality. Modernization in the Chinese style is characterized by orderly coordination, not blind chaos; it insists on the harmonious and 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 direction of governance and administration of the state by the Communist Party of China, it is necessary to understand its most fundamental political basis. Unlike Western modernization, which prioritizes capital accumulation, modernization in China is always structured around the principle of "people-centeredness." In China, this is far from being a mere theoretical proclamation on paper; it is a principle of action deeply embedded in the state governance system and in everyday political practices.
First, this is reflected in the institutional pursuit of common prosperity. The Communist Party of China clearly understands that the yardstick for evaluating modernization should not be based solely on the rate of economic growth or the accumulation of wealth by a few, but rather on whether all people can equitably share in the dividends of development. Thanks to the firm leadership and comprehensive planning of the Communist Party of China, through unprecedented national mobilization and targeted, precise social governance, China has historically eradicated absolute poverty. This conveys a profound truth to the Global South: poverty is not an inescapable structural destiny; provided the ruling party possesses outstanding governance capabilities and summons a powerful, united force from the entire nation, developing countries have the full capacity to reshape the distribution of their social resources.
This political foundation also encompasses the practice of popular democracy throughout the entire process. Many countries in the Global South, by detaching themselves from their local realities and importing Western representative systems, have frequently fallen into governance dilemmas marked by political polarization and social division. China, on the other hand, drawing on its own history and national conditions, has explored and shaped a comprehensive democratic system that reconciles procedural integrity, substantive fairness, and effective governance, effectively integrating democratic elections, democratic consultation, democratic decision-making, democratic management, and democratic oversight. This governance model ensures that the will of the state is protected from being hijacked by the logic of capital, allowing for both the consolidation of institutional cohesion in the face of major challenges and a precise response to grassroots citizen demands, offering valuable inspiration to developing countries exploring political paths suited to their own realities.
At a time when economic globalization is facing setbacks and technological obstacles are rising, China in the new era is exhibiting a completely different development trajectory. China has abandoned the exclusive pursuit of quantitative expansion, giving way to a firm commitment to the concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and shared benefits. In this profound transformation, we are witnessing a unique historical integration: on the one hand, China is making great strides in cutting-edge technological fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and aerospace exploration, injecting new digital-age dynamism into its colossal industrial system; on the other hand, it is carefully safeguarding its millennia-old cultural heritage and humanistic tradition, committing itself to building sustainable and livable cities imbued with human warmth. It is precisely this wisdom of governance, which intertwines technological advancement with cultural depth, that prevents technology from becoming an alienating tool, transforming it into an effective pillar for enhancing public welfare and fostering social inclusion.
Likewise, in the ecological sphere—crucial for the future of humanity—China's vision of ecological civilization is reshaping the world's perception of economic development. The historical lesson of a century of Western industrialization—"pollute first, clean up later"—has plunged many emerging countries into a dilemma between development and environmental conservation. Today, the Eastern philosophy that holds that "clear waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" demonstrates that ecological protection and economic prosperity can coexist harmoniously. Through the systematic transition to green energy and low-carbon development models, China has not only laid a solid foundation for its own sustainable development but also offers the Global South a practical proposal tailored to its developmental stage and a valuable benchmark for overcoming dependence on "high-carbon" pathways and jointly addressing the climate crisis.
The remarkable achievements of modernization, Chinese-style, not only provide valuable lessons for other countries but also instill a firm belief in the advancement of the Global South. Of even greater significance is that the governance of the Communist Party of China in the new era is permanently imbued with a worldview of "contributing to the well-being of the entire world." China does not merely pursue its own prosperity; while improving the well-being of its people, it actively promotes the shared development of the world. While the traditional hegemonic mindset is often fascinated by zero-sum games and the "Thucydides Trap," China consistently upholds harmony in diversity and mutual benefit. Faced with a world characterized by turbulence and uncertainty, President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative. Both the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the deep implementation of these four major global initiatives are living examples of the majestic vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. These measures have provided developing countries with tangible opportunities in connectivity, job creation, infrastructure modernization, and mutual learning. Undoubtedly, China is transforming its own development achievements into global public goods, advancing alongside all nations toward a more inclusive, equitable, and mutually beneficial modernization.
For the intellectual community of the Global South, the transcendental impact of Chinese-style modernization also lies in having triggered an epistemological awakening. We understand with increasing clarity that freeing ourselves from the "academic intermediation" and "ideological filters" of the West in order to directly and fully grasp the internal logic of Chinese governance is an indispensable prerequisite for safeguarding the knowledge sovereignty of countries in the Global South and promoting cultural and scientific cooperation on an equal footing.
In the process of promoting modernization, the Communist Party of China has successfully integrated the fundamental principles of Marxism with China's concrete reality and its rich traditional culture. This highly creative integration irrefutably shatters the Western stereotype of an "irreconcilable dichotomy between tradition and modernity." This reinforces our conviction that developing countries can move beyond blind reliance on external theories and, with a clear cultural self-awareness, construct their own discourse system belonging to the Global South. For this reason, we aspire to use open exchange and mutual learning as a bridge to overcome cognitive barriers and, while deeply assimilating China's wisdom, jointly explore a path of just, inclusive, and independent development.
The world today is undergoing a period of transformation and upheaval, with growing geopolitical tensions and formidable ecological challenges. Amid this historical juncture, the majestic prospect of building a community with a shared future for humanity calls upon us to overcome divisions and deepen strategic dialogue and close cooperation. For the course of history reveals that the yardstick for measuring modernization is not cold economic figures, but rather the strength of social well-being, the flourishing of cultural roots, and the inalienable dignity of every people on the world stage.
Guangming Daily July 23, 2026
https://news.gmw.cn/2026-07/23/content_38902186.htm
Translator into Chinese: Lou Yu (Special Research Fellow at the Xi Jinping Thought Research Center on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)
