Opinion
Pursuing Chinese-style modernization
The emphasis on Chinese-style modernization will foster the next step in China’s decades-long push for modernization that began with reform and opening up, continued with the pursuit and accomplishment of a moderately prosperous society in all respects
By Jon Taylor  ·  2022-10-21  ·   Source: Web Exclusive

In his report delivered to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on October 16, Xi Jinping, in his capacity as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, stressed that “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will be comprehensively promoted through Chinese-style modernization.” 

Xi’s statement was a particularly important element of his report to the 20th CPC National Congress because it decisively announced that this will be a central task of the Party as it moves forward. It not only set the tone for the 20th Party Congress, but will serve as the main driver of significant policy initiatives for the next five years and beyond.  

The emphasis on Chinese-style modernization will foster the next step in China’s decades-long push for modernization that began with reform and opening up, continued with the pursuit and accomplishment of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and now heads toward achieving the Second Centenary Goal of building a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by 2049, the centennial of the People’s Republic of China.  

Achieving the Second Centenary Goal will be driven by the Chinese path to modernization and articulated by key elements of Party policy and praxis. This will require a modernization process based on self-sufficiency, national security and shared prosperity--all of which are in line with the Party's long-term development goals. 

Chinese-style modernization means that China will have to make the economic cake bigger in order to divide it more equally. This concern for income inequality has been and is an abiding concern for both Xi and the Party as China pursues the goal of achieving socialist modernization. 

Xi made it clear that Chinese-style modernization can provide an alternative path for developing countries. Xi noted that the successful practice of Chinese-style modernization shows that modernization is not the exclusive purview of the West. He suggested every country choose a modernization path that suits its own national realities. China will encourage modernization through peaceful development, coordination and cooperation. 

In this respect, China’s modernization path serves as a juxtaposition to the Western approach to modernization. It signals the country will pursue a more assertive foreign policy in keeping with its role of major global power.  

In his report, Xi observed that China’s rejuvenation is now an “irreversible historical process” and the Party had already created a “new choice” for humanity with its unique path to modernization--a nod to China’s emergence as an alternative to Western democracies. With the goal of Chinese-style modernization, the question of where China wants to head is clear. There will be a greater emphasis on reducing income inequities to ease issues through social harmony.  

So what exactly is Chinese-style modernization? A quick perusal of Xi’s report reveals that it’s multifaceted. It’s a modernization that encompasses all of China’s population; a modernization in which all Chinese are prosperous; a modernization that coordinates material civilization and spiritual civilization; a modernization in which people and nature coexist in harmony; and a modernization that takes the path of peaceful development. What does this mean in practical terms? The answer is simple: China's path to modernization is unique. As a result, the country’s development will remain a top priority, but with an increasing emphasis on high-quality development.  

While Chinese-style modernization is new, the discussion of modernization is not. During his work report, Xi linked Chinese-style modernization to the Party’s long-term theory and practice of development, one that can trace its roots to the founding of the People's Republic of China, through the reform and opening-up era and to the present.  

Xi’s report provided an overview of what Chinese-style modernization will entail and outlined how to achieve it. The next five years are critical for the Party as it works to reach the goal of achieving a modern socialist China in all respects.  

China's path to modernization is unique. Sharing the fruits of modernization among 1.4 billion people is an arduous task, one that aims to achieve common prosperity. In practical terms, Chinese-style modernization‘s ultimate goal is a China where no one will be left behind in the process of social, economic and cultural development.  

The author is a professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography at the University of Texas at San Antonio.   

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon  

Comments to taozihui@cicgamericas.com  

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