Deeply Understand and Comprehensively Grasp the Theoretical System of Chinese-Path Modernization

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people with a vigorous spirit, facing challenges head-on and forging ahead against difficulties, continuously achieving theoretical breakthroughs and practical innovations, laying a solid material foundation and stable institutional guarantees for the further expansion of Chinese-path modernization, and initially constructing the theoretical system of Chinese-path modernization. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC pointed out: “From now on, the central task of the Communist Party of China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country to comprehensively build a great modern socialist country, achieve the second centenary goal, and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.” [1]1 The “second centenary goal” refers to the goal of building China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful by the middle of the 21st century, the centenary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Realizing this central task is a systematic project. To smoothly advance the new journey of modernization, it is necessary to deeply understand and grasp the theoretical system of Chinese-path modernization. Only by deeply understanding and comprehensively grasping this theoretical system can Chinese-path modernization become “more clear, more scientific, more perceptible, and more feasible” in both understanding and practice.

党的十八大以来，中国共产党带领中国人民以奋发有为的精神，直面挑战，迎难而上，不断实现理论上的突破和实践上的创新，为中国式现代化的进一步拓展奠定了坚实物质基础和稳固的制度保障，初步构建了中国式现代化的理论体系。党的二十大报告指出：“从现在起，中国共产党的中心任务就是团结带领全国各族人民全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现第二个百年奋斗目标，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。”实现这一中心任务是一项系统工程，顺利推进现代化新征程，必须深刻理解和把握中国式现代化的理论体系。只有深刻理解和全面把握这一理论体系，中国式现代化才会在认识和实践上变得“更加清晰、更加科学、更加可感可行”。

Comprehensively Demonstrating the Scientific Value of Chinese-Path Modernization

全面展现中国式现代化的科学价值

The 20th National Congress of the CPC made a dual determination of the conceptual connotation of Chinese-path modernization, pointing out that the socialist modernization explored and established by China “has the common characteristics of modernization in all countries, and more importantly, has Chinese characteristics based on its own national conditions.” On the one hand, modernization is an inevitable trend and direction of effort for all countries. Since modern times, the history of human society’s development has also been a history of countries pursuing modernization. On the other hand, different countries have different historical and cultural traditions and development issues, which influence and shape possible choices of modernization paths. That is to say, as a historical and universal phenomenon, the true realization of modernization inevitably unfolds within the specific space of the nation-state. Whether conceptually or practically, the origin of modernization is closely linked to Western countries, and countries often regard the Western development path as a model for modernization, forming a mindset of modernization construction that takes Western social evolution as a reference. Therefore, to grasp the theoretical innovation significance and world-historical significance of Chinese-path modernization, the key lies in clarifying in what aspects Chinese-path modernization has deconstructed and transcended the Western linear evolution theory.

党的二十大对中国式现代化的概念内涵做出了双重规定，它指出中国探索建立的社会主义现代化“既有各国现代化的共同特征，更有基于自己国情的中国特色”。一方面，现代化是各国发展的必然趋势和努力方向，自近代以来，人类社会的发展历史，也是一部各国追求现代化的历史；另一方面，各个国家有着不同的历史文化传统和发展问题，从而影响并塑造了可能的现代化道路选择。也就是说，作为一种历史性的、世界性的普遍现象，现代化的真正实现，又必然是在民族国家这一特定空间内展开的。无论在概念上、实践上，现代化的源头都和西方国家紧密联系在一起，各国也往往将西方的发展道路视为现代化的样板，形成了以西方社会演进为参照的现代化建设的思维定势。因此，把握中国式现代化的理论创新意义和世界历史意义，关键在于阐明中国式现代化在哪些方面完成了对西方单线进化论的解构与超越。

First, it has shaken the dominant position of the Western modernization model and theory, depicting a completely new picture of modernization. Chinese-path modernization breaks through the inherent mindset of “modernization = Westernization,” and with the value standards it upholds, such as people-centeredness and win-win cooperation, it transcends the standards of modernization set by Western countries, opening up an independent path of modernization. On the basis of summarizing the development experiences and lessons of other countries, combined with its own actual conditions, it has gradually reformed and innovated, achieving “overtaking on curves.” [2]2 “Overtaking on curves” (弯道超车) is a Chinese idiom used in policy discourse to describe catching up and surpassing competitors by exploiting opportunities during periods of transition or change, often in technological or economic development. World historical experience proves that a development model that blindly follows the West can only be attached to the division of labor system dominated by developed countries, being “locked in” at the low end of the world economic system. Chinese-path modernization is not only a representative of progressive forces but also a condensation of just forces. With concrete, flexible development practices recognized by the world, it further supplements the development possibilities of modernization that Western countries believe are nearly exhausted. The development experience of Chinese-path modernization not only provides other developing countries with a diversified choice, avoiding single dependence on the Western model, but also injects and adds confidence for other countries to explore their own modernization development paths.

一是动摇了西方现代化模式及理论的支配地位，描绘了另一幅现代化的崭新图景。中国式现代化突破了“现代化=西方化”的固有思维观念，以所秉持的人民至上、合作共赢等价值准则，超越了西方国家制定的现代化的标准，开辟了独立自主型现代化道路，在总结其他国家发展经验教训的基础上，结合本国实际情况逐步改革和创新，实现了“弯道超车”。世界历史经验证明，对西方亦步亦趋的发展模式只能依附于发达国家主导的分工体系，被“锁定”在世界经济体系的低端。中国式现代化不仅是进步力量的代表，同时也是正义力量的凝结，它用具体的、灵活的、被世界所看到和认可的发展实践，进一步补充了西方国家所自以为的已近乎穷尽的现代化的发展可能。中国式现代化的发展经验，不仅为其他发展中国家提供了一种多元化的选择，避免了对西方模式的单一依赖，同时也为其他各国探索自己的现代化发展道路注入和增添了信心。

Second, it continuously seeks institutional innovation, avoids imitating and copying the Western path of modernization, and enables Chinese-path modernization construction to achieve great leapfrog development achievements. Chinese-path modernization is based on its own conditions, creatively excavating and utilizing modern factors in historical traditions. On the basis of studying and identifying the experiences and lessons of capitalist modernization, it fully leverages the advantages of a latecomer and the advantages of the socialist system, using informatization to drive and enhance the development vitality of industrialization, agricultural modernization, and urbanization. Under the premise of achieving an overall leap in productive forces, it creates unprecedented development miracles, winning historic victories that are recorded in the annals of the Chinese nation’s development and have a profound impact on the world. Chinese-path modernization, with a vision and pattern that lives up to the people and benefits the world, creates and composes a completely new history of modernization. The leapfrog development achieved by Chinese-path modernization is high-quality development characterized by steady economic progress, continuous improvement of people’s livelihoods, and priority on green and low-carbon development. This development experience shows that developing countries can adopt a leapfrog development strategy, finding a path of modernization that suits their own national conditions between independent innovation and absorbing reference, which also provides new ideas and paths for the global modernization process.

二是不断谋求制度创新，避免模仿照搬西式现代化道路，使中国式现代化建设取得跨越式发展的伟大成就。中国式现代化立足自身，创造性挖掘和运用历史传统中的现代性因素，在研究识别资本主义现代化经验教训的基础上，充分发挥后来者优势和社会主义制度优势，以信息化带动、提升工业化、农业现代化和城镇化的发展活力，在实现生产力整体跃升的前提下，创造出前所未有的发展奇迹，赢得了彪炳中华民族发展史册、对世界具有深远影响的历史性胜利。中国式现代化以不负人民、兼济天下的胸怀与格局，创造和谱写了全新的现代化历史。中国式现代化所实现的跨越式发展，是经济稳中求进、民生持续改善、绿色低碳优先的高质量发展。这一发展经验表明，发展中国家可以采取跨越式发展战略，在自主创新和吸收借鉴之间找到一条符合自身国情的现代化之路，这也为全球现代化进程提供了新的思路和路径。

Third, it transcends the simple type of modernization in the West and constructs a discourse system of “Chinese-path modernization.” Unlike the historical unfolding of modernization in Western countries, in terms of starting point, process, etc., China seeks to realize its own modernization under extremely complex real conditions. This kind of modernization is a comprehensive modernization, achieved under the background of heavy development tasks, fierce international competition, and compressed technological progress cycles. For example, Chinese-path modernization faces greater pressure in solving problems such as urban-rural gaps, wealth gaps, and environmental pollution, which places higher demands on how to take more comprehensive and powerful measures to solve more complex problems. Chinese-path modernization is not just the four modernizations, [3]3 The “four modernizations” (四个现代化) were a historical policy goal set in the 1960s–1970s, referring to the modernization of agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology. not just economic modernization; it also pays attention to the realization of modernization at various levels such as people’s livelihood and society, ecological civilization, and human self-development. It is a modernization rich in comprehensive and multiple meanings, a dual inevitable choice of theoretical development and practical development. Chinese-path modernization contains the bright prospects for China’s future development, has become an important concept for countries and nations around the world to understand China’s development, and is a symbolic category for interpreting China’s development.

三是超越了西方简单类型的现代化，构建了“中国式现代化”话语体系。不同于西方国家现代化的展开历史，在起点、进程等方面，中国是在面临异常复杂的现实条件下谋求实现自身现代化的，这种现代化是一种综合型现代化，这种现代化是在发展任务繁重、国际竞争激烈、技术进步周期压缩的背景下实现的。例如，中国式现代化在解决城乡差距、贫富差距、环境污染等问题上面临更大的压力，这就对如何采取更为全面有力措施、解决更为复杂的难题提出了更高要求。中国式现代化不单单是四个现代化、不单单是经济的现代化，同时它也关注到了民生与社会、生态文明、人自身的发展等各个层面的现代化的实现问题，是富有全面性、多重性含义的现代化，是理论发展、实践发展的双重必然选择。中国式现代化，蕴含着中国未来发展的光明前景，成为了世界各个国家和民族理解中国发展的重要概念，是解读中国发展的标识性范畴。

Vividly Interpreting “What Kind of” Chinese-Path Modernization

生动诠释“是怎样的”中国式现代化

The five characteristics of Chinese-path modernization revealed by the 20th National Congress of the CPC interpret “what kind of” Chinese-path modernization and constitute an important part of the theoretical system of Chinese-path modernization.

党的二十大所揭示的中国式现代化的五大特征，诠释了“是怎样的”中国式现代化，构成了中国式现代化理论体系的重要内容。

First, a huge population size is a significant feature of Chinese-path modernization. The scale and inherent differences of China’s modernization constitute both the support and advantages of Chinese-path modernization and produce severe constraints and challenges. On the one hand, the super-large market and consumption potential create enormous space for modernization construction, and the “talent dividend” provides a huge high-quality talent team for Chinese-path modernization. On the other hand, as the “demographic dividend” gradually weakens, the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development across regions and fields becomes prominent. How to mobilize the enthusiasm of all parties and achieve an overall improvement in the quality of the population? The establishment of the goal of achieving high-quality development, upgrading the “people-centered” innovation development path, places higher demands on fully utilizing the domestic market and its potential advantages generated on the basis of the huge population size, and better meeting the people’s growing needs for a better life. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “China’s 1.4 billion people entering modernization as a whole, a scale exceeding the total population of existing developed countries, will greatly change the world map of modernization.”

第一，人口规模巨大是中国式现代化的显著特征。我国现代化规模体量及其内在差别之大，既构成了中国式现代化的支撑和优势，也产生了严峻的约束和挑战。一方面，超大规模市场和消费潜力为现代化建设创造巨大空间，“人才红利”为中国式现代化提供了庞大的高素质人才队伍。另一方面，随着“人口红利”的逐渐减弱，各地区各领域发展不平衡不充分问题凸显，如何调动各方面积极性、实现人口整体素质的跃升。实现高质量发展目标的确立，升级“以人民为中心”的创新发展路径，对充分利用巨大人口规模基础上生成的国内市场及其潜力优势，更好满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要的发展提出了更高的要求。习近平总书记指出：“中国14亿多人口整体迈入现代化，规模超过现有发达国家人口的总和，将极大地改变现代化的世界版图。”

Second, common prosperity for all the people is the essential characteristic of Chinese-path modernization. From the perspective of the world modernization process, capital becoming the sole determinant of economic activity has led to severe distortion of social relations among people. Based on criticism and reflection on the Western capitalist modernization model, China takes people-centeredness as the fundamental orientation of modernization, explores solutions to various difficulties in economic development with a people-centered approach, and designs a basic institutional framework for better managing capital under socialist conditions. “The greatest superiority of socialism is common prosperity, which is something that embodies the essence of socialism.” Integrating common prosperity throughout the entire process of socialist modernization, and ensuring that the achievements of building a modern socialist power benefit all the people, have become the goals of modernization. Especially since socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era, from the proposal of the “people-centered” development thought at the macro-strategic level to the implementation of specific policies such as “targeted poverty alleviation,” the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has carried forward a great historical initiative, committed to solving the key and difficult problems in China’s economic and social development, and greatly promoted social fairness and justice. Achieving common prosperity through Chinese-path modernization is an arduous and complex long-term task. “We must place the promotion of common prosperity for all the people in a more prominent position, work steadfastly and persistently, and strive more actively and effectively toward this goal.” [4]4 The 20th National Congress of the CPC was held in October 2022; its report outlined the guiding principles for China's development in the current period.

第二，全体人民共同富裕是中国式现代化的本质特征。从世界现代化进程来看，资本成为经济活动的唯一规定性导致了人与人社会关系的严重畸形。基于对西方资本主义现代化模式的批判与反思，中国把人民至上作为现代化建设的根本导向，以人民为中心探索解决经济发展中的各种难题，设计出了在社会主义条件下更好地驾驭资本的基本制度架构。“社会主义最大的优越性就是共同富裕，这是体现社会主义本质的一个东西”，把共同富裕贯穿于社会主义现代化建设的全过程，让现代化强国建设成果覆盖全体人民，成为现代化的目标追求。尤其是中国特色社会主义进入新时代以后，从宏观战略部署上“以人民为中心”发展思想的提出，到“精准扶贫”等具体政策实施，以习近平同志为核心的党中央，发扬伟大的历史主动精神，致力于解决中国经济社会发展中的重难点问题，极大地促进社会公平正义。以中国式现代化实现共同富裕，是一项艰巨而复杂的长期任务，“我们必须把促进全体人民共同富裕摆在更加重要的位置，脚踏实地、久久为功，向着这个目标更加积极有为地进行努力”。

Third, Chinese-path modernization inherently requires the coordination of material civilization and cultural-ethical progress. On the one hand, “the mode of production of material life conditions the general process of social, political and intellectual life,” and the development and progress of material civilization are the prerequisites for realizing the people’s good material life, playing a foundational role. This is the general stipulation of Chinese-path modernization in line with human modernization. On the other hand, “although the mode of material existence is the primary cause, this does not preclude the ideological sphere from reacting upon the mode of material existence in turn.” Enhancing the degree of coordination between material civilization and cultural-ethical progress to promote the all-round development of people is an important task dimension of Chinese-path modernization construction at the current stage. Therefore, while promoting rapid economic development, the Party has deepened its understanding of the characteristics of the Chinese-path modernization path. After entering the New Era, it has advocated and promoted the core socialist values, formed a spiritual genealogy with the great founding spirit of the Party as its source, and the people’s cultural confidence has significantly increased. As the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC clearly states: “Material abundance and spiritual enrichment are fundamental requirements of socialist modernization. Material poverty is not socialism, nor is spiritual impoverishment.”

第三，中国式现代化内在要求物质文明与精神文明相协调。一方面，“物质生活的生产方式制约着整个社会生活、政治生活和精神生活的过程”，物质文明的发展进步是实现人民美好物质生活的前提，具有基础性作用，这是中国式现代化符合人类现代化的一般规定。另一方面，“物质存在方式虽然是始因，但是这并不排斥思想领域也反过来对物质存在方式起作用”。通过提高物质文明和精神文明相协调的程度促进人的全面发展，是当前阶段中国式现代化建设的一个重要任务维度。因此，党在推动经济快速发展的同时，对中国式现代化道路特征的认识更加深入，进入新时代以后，倡导和弘扬社会主义核心价值观，形成以伟大建党精神为源头的精神谱系，人民文化自信明显增强。正如党的二十大报告明确指出的：“物质富足、精神富有是社会主义现代化的根本要求。物质贫困不是社会主义，精神贫乏也不是社会主义。”

Fourth, harmony between humanity and nature is a distinctive feature of Chinese-path modernization. Marx divided productive forces into “the natural productive forces of labor” and “the social productive forces of labor,” while emphasizing that “apart from the degree of development of the form of social production, labor productivity is linked to natural conditions.” The experiences and lessons of world modernization prove that the modernization path of exchanging temporary development at the cost of the environment limits the productive potential inherent in a country’s natural resources. Chinese-path modernization effectively breaks away from the “pollute first, treat later” development model, a costly and misguided path taken by Western capitalist countries, and emphasizes the realization of a modernization characterized by harmony between humanity and nature. After the founding of New China, although environmental issues were not the main problem facing the country, China adhered to a prevention-first policy and initiated the institutionalization process of ecological and environmental protection, represented by the “three simultaneities” system for effectively preventing and controlling environmental pollution. [5]5 The quotation is from Mao Zedong's 1956 essay "On the Ten Major Relationships." After the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core placed the realization of harmony between humanity and nature in an important position in modernization construction. In the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan overall layout, ecological civilization construction is one sphere; in the basic strategy for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, upholding harmony between humanity and nature is one element; in the new development philosophy, green is one concept; in the three critical battles, pollution prevention and control is one battle; in the goal of building China into a great modern socialist country by the middle of this century, a beautiful China is one goal. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “China’s socialist modernization has many important features, one of which is that China’s modernization is a modernization of harmony between humanity and nature.”

第四，人与自然和谐共生是中国式现代化的鲜明特点。马克思将生产力划分为“劳动的自然生产力”和“劳动的社会生产力”，同时强调“撇开社会生产的形态的发展程度不说，劳动生产率是同自然条件相联系的”。世界现代化经验教训证明，以牺牲环境为代价换取一时发展的现代化道路，限制了本国自然资源蕴含的生产力潜质。中国式现代化有效摆脱了“先污染，后治理”这种西方资本主义国家走过的代价高昂、本末倒置的发展模式，强调实现的是人与自然和谐共生的现代化。新中国成立后，虽然环境问题并非我国面临的主要问题，但我国坚持以预防为主的方针，启动了以有效防治环境污染的“三同时”制度为代表的生态环境保护的制度化进程。党的十八大以后，以习近平同志为核心的党中央将实现人与自然和谐共生放在现代化建设的重要位置，在“五位一体”总体布局中，生态文明建设是其中一位；在新时代坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的基本方略中，坚持人与自然和谐共生是其中一条；在新发展理念中，绿色是其中一项；在三大攻坚战中，污染防治是其中一战；在到本世纪中叶建成社会主义现代化强国目标中，美丽中国是其中一个。正如习近平总书记指出：“我国社会主义现代化具有许多重要特征，其中之一就是我国现代化是人与自然和谐共生的现代化。”

Fifth, taking the path of peaceful development demonstrates the openness and inclusiveness of Chinese-path modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Some old-line

第五， 走和平发展道路呈现中国式现代化的开放包容。习近平总书记指出：“一些老牌资本主义国家走的是暴力掠夺殖民地的道路，是以其他国家落后为代价的现代化。我国现代化强调同世界各国互利共赢，推动构建人类命运共同体，努力为人类和平与发展作出贡献。”具体来看，开放包容作为中国式现代化的一个标识性特征，在政治上推动了把共建共享作为一种新型国际政治伦理准则的进程，进一步巩固了“共商共建共享”的全球治理观；经济上表现为坚持建立开放型的经济体系，如为创造世界经济新的增长点，中国提出了实施“一带一路”建设的倡议；在生态上表现为坚持环境友好发展策略和全球合作；在安全上表现为坚持以对话解决争端，反对一切形式的恐怖主义和霸权主义。正如习近平总书记指出：“中国共产党是为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴的党，也是为人类谋进步、为世界谋大同的党。”

Concentratedly elucidating "how to realize" Chinese-path modernization

集中阐明“如何实现”中国式现代化

The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC [1]1 The “second centenary goal” refers to the goal of building China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful by the middle of the 21st century, the centenary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. summarized and put forward the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization: "upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China and socialism with Chinese characteristics, pursuing high-quality development, developing whole-process people's democracy, enriching the people's cultural-ethical progress, achieving common prosperity for all, promoting harmony between humanity and nature, building a community with a shared future for mankind, and creating a new form of human civilization." [2]2 “Overtaking on curves” (弯道超车) is a Chinese idiom used in policy discourse to describe catching up and surpassing competitors by exploiting opportunities during periods of transition or change, often in technological or economic development. These nine essential requirements clarify the main direction for Chinese-path modernization to achieve further great successes.

党的二十大报告概括提出了中国式现代化的本质要求：“坚持中国共产党领导，坚持中国特色社会主义，实现高质量发展，发展全过程人民民主，丰富人民精神世界，实现全体人民共同富裕，促进人与自然和谐共生，推动构建人类命运共同体，创造人类文明新形态。”这九条本质要求，明确了中国式现代化进一步取得巨大成就的主攻方向。

"Upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China" is the fundamental guarantee for the strategic layout of Chinese-path modernization; the Party is the leading core that formulates, advances, and leads the strategic layout of Chinese-path modernization. From the perspective of the world modernization process, political parties were formed during the transformation of human society from traditional politics to modern politics, and they are also an important force driving the progress of modern civilization. In this process, whether a political party can effectively "mobilize all positive factors, both direct and indirect, inside and outside the Party, and at home and abroad" [3]3 The “four modernizations” (四个现代化) were a historical policy goal set in the 1960s–1970s, referring to the modernization of agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology. is crucial to modernization. As the backbone and pillar of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Communist Party of China, relying on its rigorous organizational system and strict enforcement of discipline, mobilizes and integrates various forces of social construction, driving China's rapid development. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must clearly recognize that China's greatest national condition is the leadership of the Communist Party of China." [4]4 The 20th National Congress of the CPC was held in October 2022; its report outlined the guiding principles for China's development in the current period. In the New Era, standing at a new starting point for development, China has deepened its understanding of the essence and institutional advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully leveraging the leadership of the Party, which is the greatest advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC first emphasizes that Chinese-path modernization is a socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China, and places "upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership" at the top of the "five major principles" [5]5 The quotation is from Mao Zedong's 1956 essay "On the Ten Major Relationships." that China must adhere to, highlighting the strategic significance of Party leadership in advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization.

“坚持中国共产党领导”是中国式现代化战略布局的根本保证，党是制定、推进、领导中国式现代化战略布局的领导核心。从世界现代化进程而言，政党是人类社会从传统政治向现代政治的转型过程中形成的，也是推动现代文明进步的重要力量。在这一过程中，政党能不能有效地“把党内党外、国内国外的一切积极的因素，直接的、间接的积极因素，全部调动起来”，对现代化建设至关重要。作为中国特色社会主义的主心骨和顶梁柱，中国共产党依靠其组织体系严谨、纪律执行严明，调动整合起社会建设的各支力量，带动我国实现了快速发展。习近平总书记指出：“一定要认清，中国最大的国情就是中国共产党的领导。”新时代，站在新的发展起点上，我国深化了对中国特色社会主义本质和制度优势的认识，充分发挥党的领导这一中国特色社会主义的最大优势。党的二十大报告首先强调中国式现代化是中国共产党领导的社会主义现代化，并把“坚持和加强党的全面领导”列入我国所要坚持的“五项重大原则”中的首要位置，凸显了党的领导对推进和拓展中国式现代化的战略意义。

“Upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics” highlights the direction of China’s modernization. In the process of modernization, different countries and regions have made various choices and attempts at social governance models and development systems. The capitalist system, possessing the first-mover advantage of overcoming the feudal mode of production, was the first to achieve the goal of modernization in a few countries; the socialist system in the East, in less than a hundred years, has explored a governance system and institutional system suited to its own national conditions, history, and culture, embarking on an irreversible modernization journey toward national rejuvenation. Although the Western capitalist system remains the “beacon” for developed countries, the inherent contradictions within its social structure that cannot be self-resolved still greatly limit its own development. “Institutional advantage is the greatest advantage of a political party and a country.” Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the correct path opened up by the Party and the people through long-term practice and is the fundamental guarantee for China’s development and progress today. Guided by the direction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, China has created a development model of sustained economic growth and long-term social stability, attracting increasing attention from countries around the world. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC profoundly pointed out, “We must stay on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, remain firm in our resolve, and neither revert to the closed and rigid old path nor take the erroneous path of changing our banner and system. We must base the development of the country and the nation on our own strength, and firmly grasp the destiny of China’s development and progress in our own hands.” [8]8 The 20th National Congress of the CPC was held in October 2022. The quoted passage is from the report delivered by Xi Jinping on behalf of the 19th Central Committee.

“坚持中国特色社会主义”彰显我国现代化的前进方向。在现代化进程中，不同国家和地区进行了各种社会治理模式和发展制度的选择与设计尝试。资本主义制度拥有战胜封建社会生产方式的先发优势，率先在少数国家实现了现代化目标；东方的社会主义制度用了不到一百年的时间，探索出适合自身国情和历史文化的治理体系和制度体系，踏上了不可逆转的民族复兴的现代化征程。西方资本主义制度虽然仍是发达国家的“灯塔”，但其社会结构中无法自解的固有矛盾仍大大限制了其自身发展。“制度优势是一个政党、一个国家的最大优势”，中国特色社会主义是党和人民在长期实践中开辟出来的正确道路，是当代中国发展进步的根本保证。在中国特色社会主义的方向指引下，我国创造经济持续发展和社会长期稳定的发展模式，并受到世界范围内越来越多国家的关注。党的二十大报告深刻指出，“坚持道不变、志不改，既不走封闭僵化的老路，也不走改旗易帜的邪路，坚持把国家和民族发展放在自己力量的基点上，坚持把中国发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中”。

“Achieving high-quality development,” “developing whole-process people’s democracy,” “enriching the people’s cultural-ethical life,” “achieving common prosperity for all,” “promoting harmony between humanity and nature,” and “promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind” reveal the modernization goals commonly oriented toward in various specific fields, as well as the practical requirement of advancing in an integrated and coordinated manner. Modernization is a holistic and comprehensive concept of development. It covers many fields related to human thought and practice, such as the economic development, political principles, social systems, ideology, culture and history, livelihood security, and ecological environment of Chinese-path modernization. It systematically responds to various problems emerging worldwide, such as the “middle-income trap,” “worsening income inequality,” and “frequent ecological disasters,” fundamentally implementing the people-centered development philosophy.

“实现高质量发展”“发展全过程人民民主”“丰富人民精神世界”“实现全体人民共同富裕”“促进人与自然和谐共生”“推动构建人类命运共同体”揭示了各具体领域共同指向的现代化目标，以及一体推进、协同发力的现实要求。现代化是整体性、综合性的发展概念。涵盖中国式现代化经济发展、政治原则、社会制度、思想意识、文化历史、民生保障、生态环境等与人类思想意识和实践方式相关的诸多领域，对世界范围内出现的“中等收入陷阱”“收入不平等恶化”“生态灾难频发”等各种问题进行了系统性回答，从根本上落实了以人民为中心的发展思想。

“Creating a new form of human civilization” points to the civilizational achievements of Chinese-path modernization. The process of human social progress is the process of the evolution of human civilization. The selection of development paths by various countries in the process of modernization has accelerated the cycle and pace of change in the forms of human civilization, profoundly influencing the direction of social development and the mode of individual existence within these civilizational forms. On the one hand, through a century of exploration and practice, Chinese-path modernization has started from deep-level changes in multiple dimensions, such as the relationship between humans and themselves, humans and others, humans and society, humans and nature, and humans and the world. It has broken the monopoly of the Western modernization path over human civilizational forms for more than two hundred years, effectively shouldering the epochal responsibility for the transformation of human civilizational forms. By strengthening the comprehensive civilizational connotation of social progress and making up for the deficiencies and shortcomings of previous civilizational forms, it minimizes the conflict of interests between positive achievements and negative costs. On the other hand, in the current era, the pursuit of modernization by various countries is intertwined and overlapping with the development of economic globalization, forming more complex, deeper, and closer connections among countries around the world. Chinese-path modernization vividly and comprehensively presents the Chinese form of future human civilization.

“创造人类文明新形态”指明了中国式现代化的文明成果。人类社会的进步过程就是人类文明的演进过程。各个国家在现代化进程中对发展道路的甄选加速了人类文明形态变革的周期与速率，深刻影响着处于人类文明形态之中的社会发展走向与个体存在方式。一方面，通过百年的探索实践，中国式现代化从人与自身、人与人、人与社会、人与自然、人与世界关系等多种角度的深层次变革入手，打破了西方现代化道路对人类文明形态二百余年的垄断，有力承接人类文明形态变革的时代责任，通过强化社会进步全方位的文明内涵、补齐以往文明形态所具有的不足和短板，从而将正向成果与负面代价的利害冲突降到最低。另一方面，当今时代各国追求现代化的进程与经济全球化的发展交织、重叠在一起，使世界各国形成更加复杂、深入、密切的联系，中国式现代化生动全面呈现出人类未来文明的中国形态。

The nine essential requirements constitute an organic whole with internal connections. Upholding the leadership of the Party holds a commanding position among the essential requirements. Upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics plays a mainline role among the essential requirements. Centered on this mainline, the theoretical system of Chinese-path modernization plans development from economic, political, social, ecological, and other fields with a forward-looking global perspective. Comprehensive policies and coordinated efforts in various fields together constitute the great practical achievements of the new form of human civilization.

九条本质要求是具有内在联系的有机整体。坚持党的领导，在本质要求中处于统领地位。坚持中国特色社会主义，在本质要求中发挥主线作用。围绕这一主线，中国式现代化的理论体系从经济、政治、社会、生态等领域以超前的世界眼光谋划发展，各领域综合施策、协同发力，共同构成了人类文明新形态的伟大实践成果。

Online editor: Zhang Fujun

网络编辑：张福军