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17
Oct
Chinese modernization exhibits universal characteristics similar to the modernization processes of other countries in terms of mode of production, political system, social relations and opening-up. Meanwhile, it also shows particular Chinese characteristics on fronts such as leadership, fundamental institutions, civilization development, ecological conservation, and foreign relations. Such a harmonious combination of universality and particularity has shattered some of the preconceived notions about modernization. To put it differently, modernization is not confined to the only path or model dictated by the West. Chinese modernization offers other countries, especially those in the Global South, a model that is more compatible and consistent with their respective national conditions.
Chinese modernization has fundamentally transformed the global economic order, reshaped the global landscape, altered the traditional Core-Periphery structure of the world economy, and changed the unequal exchanges between the Core and the Periphery in the world economy. During this process, with the rise of China and China-centered developing and emerging economies as a whole, the value orientations and interests of developing countries and regions have begun to increasingly influence and reshape the international order. This is altering the unilateral and exclusionary nature of global economic governance.
Chinese modernization is not only a vital component of the global modernization process, but more importantly, it depicts the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all path to modernization. This is the most significant implication of Chinese modernization.
(Translated excerpts from the views of YU Chunhai, Researcher at the National Academy of Development and Strategy (NADS), and Executive Dean of the School of Economics at Renmin University of China (RUC), at the fourth session of the Jiangshan Forum· Expert Talks, an original short video interview series of NADS.)