Seventy-five years may be a brief moment in human history, but for China, it marks a remarkable journey from the founding of the People's Republic in 1949 to its status as a major global power today.
This journey has been driven by the pursuit of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization. Embracing socialism with Chinese characteristics, China has demonstrated that modernization does not have to follow a Western-centric path.
The prevailing myth equating modernization with Westernization likely stems from the fact that modernization first took root in Europe, initiated by the capitalist system. While the West led the way in industrialization and modernization, it is clear that there are multiple routes to achieving modernity.
From a historical perspective, Western modernization has undoubtedly contributed to social progress and global development. However, it has also caused significant suffering. Events such as the Enclosure Movement, the transatlantic slave trade, and brutal colonization highlight the dark side of capitalist expansion, where exploitation and conflict often followed.
Even today, the West grapples with the inherent issues of its modernization model, including the relentless pursuit of capital, societal polarization, materialism, and overseas exploitation. These recurring crises underscore the systemic flaws of capitalist civilization, particularly its prioritization of capital over people and the maximization of profits at the expense of the majority.
In contrast, Chinese modernization, guided by the Communist Party of China (CPC), places people at the center. China has achieved rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, accomplishments rarely seen in human history.
This approach addresses many of the challenges facing global development and offers an alternative to the Western model. The Chinese model provides a new pathway for developing countries to modernize, contributing Chinese wisdom to humanity's quest for better social systems.
Peaceful Modernization
Amid rapidly changing global geopolitics, Chinese modernization is rooted in peaceful development.
Emphasizing independence and self-reliance, China leverages the diligence and innovation of its people while making peaceful use of external resources. Unlike other nations, China does not oppress or plunder the resources of other countries. Instead, it supports developing nations wherever possible, striving to make significant contributions to global peace and development.
A prime example of this is China's cooperation with Africa. By introducing hybrid rice varieties, China has helped increase crop yields from an average of 2 tons per hectare to 7.5 tons in several African countries. Additionally, demonstration village projects on rice cultivation for poverty alleviation, initiated by Chinese agricultural experts, have made the goal of "everyone has food, everyone has savings" a reality.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
