The 2024 Global Times Annual Conference, themed “Following the Path of Chinese Modernization, Coping with Changes Unseen in a Century” was held in Beijing on Saturday. To understand the implications of Chinese modernization in this turbulent world and analyze what China can do to stay on this path and overcome various challenges in 2024, the Conference invited over 100 representatives from all walks of life as well as experts and scholars to share their views on four major themes. The following contains excerpts from the second theme – “Development, security and civilization: the global vision of Chinese modernization.”
Chinese modernization carries global significance
Jin Canrong, professor of the School of International Studies at the Renmin University of China:
Modernization began in the West; however, after centuries of industrialization, the success rate of modernization for non-Western countries remains low. Given this background, Chinese modernization carries global significance. When studying development economics, I had a feeling that the development theories of developed Western countries, which became the first to climb the ladder of industrialization and achieve modernization, actually played a role in hindering other countries’ development. From this perspective, it is even more important for us to promote and achieve Chinese modernization. Only by successfully achieving this goal can we create a new path for modernization exploration for non-Western countries and regions.
Huang Jing, professor at Shanghai International Studies University:
Development, security, and civilization – these perspectives themselves reflect the global vision of Chinese modernization. From China’s perspective, the international order is supported by three pillars: the international political order centered around the UN, the world economic and trade order centered around the World Trade Organization and other international economic and trade organizations, as well as the world financial order centered around the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The foundation of these three orders is multilateral mechanisms rather than unilateral mechanisms. Therefore, China firmly adheres to multilateralism in diplomacy, which is promoting the improvement of the international order based on multilateral mechanisms.
Chinese modernization is embedded with a peaceful gene
Zhao Xiaozhuo, deputy director of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum Secretariat:
One of the characteristics of Chinese modernization is to walk on the path of peaceful development. China’s culture emphasizes that peace is precious and that harmony brings wealth. Peace is also in line with the best interest of China, and one of the reasons for the great development achievements since the reform and opening-up is that we have seized the opportunity of such a long period of peace.
Regarding the relationship between Chinese modernization and peace, first, China is a defender and builder of peace in the region and the world. At present, wars are raging from Europe to the Middle East and Africa, but the Asia-Pacific region has enjoyed decades of peaceful and prosperous development, in which China has undoubtedly played a significant role.
Second, China is a provider of international public security products. China has always been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping and escort operations and is the second-largest contributor to the UN’s regular budget and peacekeeping assessments. In the event of natural disasters in its neighborhood, China has always tried its best to deliver aid and rescue. The activities of the Chinese military, especially overseas, have never overridden the UN framework, but have always been based on UN mandates or resolutions.
