A mighty tree grows from its roots and a long river springs from its source. Likewise, the success of Chinese modernisation did not come from heaven or by itself. It was achieved through the systematic, determined, and diligent efforts of the Chinese people led by the Chinese Communist Party, while always remaining true to their founding mission. Chinese modernisation is deeply rooted in Chinese history, practices and philosophies.
The modernisation of for China was a journey of hardship and perseverance, heartbreak and glory, honor and dreams. The country has grown from an impoverished and backward country into the second-largest economy in the world, the leading trader in commodities, the largest holder of foreign exchange reserves and the largest manufacturer. The country has built the world’s largest compulsory education system, social security system, and health and medical system. In a short span of several decades, China has achieved the industrialization that has taken the developed countries several centuries.
Chinese modernization is the natural prerequisite for promoting national rejuvenation on all fronts. Two great miracles were accomplished: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. Absolute poverty was eradicated. A society moderately prosperous in every respect came true. The goal of the first century has thus been achieved.
Numerous facts have shown that there is no fixed model or single solution for modernisation. Any country can achieve modernization as long as the path is adapted to its conditions and responsive to the development needs of its people. Mechanical copying of poorly tuned foreign models is counterproductive and can even have disastrous consequences.
China’s modernisation will be a stronger impetus for world economic recovery. In the past 40 years of reform and opening-up, the Chinese government has lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty and expanded the middle-income group to more than 400 million people. Today, China is the top trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, attracts US$320 million in global direct investment every day, and attracts more than 3,000 foreign companies every month. Over the past decade, China has contributed more to global growth than all G7 countries combined.
China will give the global economy a much stronger boost. The China Development Forum and Asia Boao Forum, held successfully in March, attracted many political and business leaders from around the world. The call most heard was about seizing new opportunities that will come with high-quality development and opening up of China at a high level.
The Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) are public goods that China offers to the international community. They are also open platforms for the pursuit of common development and prosperity. Ten years after the launch of the BRI, more than 3,000 collaborative projects have been launched, requiring an investment of nearly $1 billion and creating 420,000 jobs for participating countries. In this way, many nations have realized their dreams of railroads, great bridges and poverty reduction.
The GDI is also very well received by the international community. With the support of more than 100 countries and many international organisations, as well as around 70 countries in the Friends of GDI group, the initiative provides strong impetus for the early achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. China is serious about debt issuance by developing countries.
Subsequently, it is actively and fully implementing the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and has contributed up to 63 percent of total suspended debt payments. It is fair to say that China’s modernization has helped boost confidence in many countries’ pursuit of modernization. As one African leader said, the Chinese way inspires all developing countries to believe that all countries can achieve development even from scratch.
Modernization is not the disappearance of old civilizations but the renewal of traditional cultures. Launched by President Xi, the Global Civilization Initiative upholds the importance of civilizations’ heritage and innovations, promotes respect for the diversity of civilizations, and promotes the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusivity among civilizations.Chinese modernization will bring new strength and vitality to China’s profound civilization, and contribute more Chinese wisdom to world peace and prosperity and human progress.
China readily accepts its responsibility for protecting the environment and climate change, and is a world leader in many respects: in terms of forest cover, which accounts for a quarter of the world’s total area; in the development and use of renewable energy, with a third of the world’s installed capacity of wind and solar energy; and in the production and sale of new energy vehicles, with half of the world’s new energy vehicles on China’s roads.
China will work more vigorously for a community of all life on earth. We will intensify efforts to build a strong economic structure that facilitates green, circular and low-carbon development, and promote the transition to green economic and social development in all areas. Adhering to the principle of common but distinct responsibilities, we will actively participate in international cooperation in climate protection, ocean governance, global biodiversity protection and other fields, and promote a fair and equitable global environmental management system with win-win cooperation on global challenges such as climate and environment and build a clean and beautiful world.
