The Unique Advantages of Chinese-Path Modernization

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “Only by grounding ourselves in the magnificent history of over five thousand years of Chinese civilization can we truly understand the historical inevitability, cultural connotations, and unique advantages of the Chinese path.” The most essential feature and greatest achievement of the Chinese path is the successful advancement of Chinese-path modernization. When examining this important proposition and narrative, we must consider and summarize the unique advantages of Chinese-path modernization from multiple dimensions, including culture, history, theory, and practice, in order to understand why this path and model was opened up and why it is Chinese.

习近平总书记指出：“只有立足波澜壮阔的中华五千多年文明史，才能真正理解中国道路的历史必然、文化内涵与独特优势。”中国道路最本质的特征、最伟大的成就，就是成功推进了中国式现代化。在审视这一重要命题和叙事的时候，我们需要从文化、历史、理论和实践等多个维度思考总结中国式现代化的独特优势，方能理解开辟这一道路和模式何以中国。

Strong Leadership Force

领导力量强大

Chinese-path modernization is a socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that the Party’s leadership determines the fundamental nature of Chinese-path modernization, ensures that Chinese-path modernization anchors its goals and advances steadily, inspires the strong impetus for building Chinese-path modernization, and gathers the mighty forces for building Chinese-path modernization. The Communist Party of China possesses a powerful force for leading Chinese-path modernization, a fact that has been proven by history and reality. Since its founding, the CPC has taken the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as its mission, leading the people to overcome difficulties and challenges in various fields such as politics, economy, culture, society, and ecological civilization, exercising overall leadership and coordinating all sides, formulating plans from the First Five-Year Plan to the 14th Five-Year Plan, responding to changes in the situation, calming disturbances, fighting floods, preventing SARS, resisting earthquakes, and resolving crises, propelling the great ship of Chinese-path modernization to ride the wind and waves and advance steadily. In contrast, Western political parties lack common ideals and beliefs, only having hypocritical slogans of “defending freedom, democracy, and human rights”; their electoral platforms contain no long-term blueprints for governing the country, only false promises for short-term rule; the so-called “democratic” system of party alternation has gradually evolved into a political sales activity operating according to commercial rules, and it has not changed the essence that state power is controlled by the ruling bourgeoisie, especially the large capital groups within it; they make extravagant promises during elections but often lose the trust of the people after taking office, causing many countries that had already embarked on industrialization and modernization in their early stages to become increasingly mired in difficulties due to the lack of a strong leadership force.

中国式现代化是中国共产党领导的社会主义现代化。习近平总书记指出，党的领导决定中国式现代化的根本性质，党的领导确保中国式现代化锚定奋斗目标、行稳致远，党的领导激发建设中国式现代化的强劲动力，党的领导凝聚建设中国式现代化的磅礴力量。中国共产党具有领导中国式现代化的强大力量，这已经被历史和现实所证明。自诞生之日起，中国共产党就以实现中华民族伟大复兴为使命，领导人民战胜政治、经济、文化、社会、生态文明等各领域的困难挑战，总揽全局、协调各方，制定“一五”计划到“十四五”规划，应变局、平风波、战洪水、防非典、抗地震、化危机，推动中国式现代化巍巍巨轮乘风破浪、行稳致远。反观西方政党，没有共同的理想信念，只有“捍卫自由民主人权”的虚伪口号；各党的竞选纲领，没有治国理政的长远蓝图，只有短期执政的虚伪承诺；所谓“民主”的政党轮替制度，逐渐演化为一场按商业规则运作的政治推销活动，更没有改变国家政权是由占统治地位的资产阶级尤其是其中的大资本集团控制的实质；竞选时说得天花乱坠，上台后常常失信于民，致使不少早期本来已经迈向工业化、现代化的国家因为没有强大的领导力量，越来越步履维艰。

Unique Cultural Tradition

文化传统独特

“Without the five-thousand-year Chinese civilization, where would Chinese characteristics come from? Without Chinese characteristics, how could we have such a successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics today?” This statement, repeatedly emphasized by General Secretary Xi Jinping on various occasions, points us in the direction and provides the way to unravel the Chinese puzzle that has captured global attention—Chinese-path modernization. Chinese-path modernization has five characteristics: a huge population, common prosperity for all the people, coordination between material and cultural-ethical progress, harmony between humanity and nature, and peaceful development. “How can the canal be so clear? Because there is a source of flowing water from the head.” The genes of fine traditional Chinese culture are deeply engraved in the characteristics of Chinese-path modernization. The characteristic of a huge population originates from the people-centered concept of “the vast heaven and earth, the common people come first,” the benevolence principle of “ceaseless generation,” and the humanistic pursuit of “participating in and assisting heaven and earth”; the characteristic of common prosperity for all the people inherits the political ideal of “the way of governing a country begins with enriching the people” and the heavenly principle of “taking from the surplus to supplement the deficiency”; the characteristic of coordination between material and cultural-ethical progress manifests the governance experience of “when granaries are full, the people know propriety and justice; when clothing and food are sufficient, they know honor and disgrace”; the characteristic of harmony between humanity and nature contains the ecological wisdom of “unity of heaven and humanity,” “taking with measure,” and “regarding all people and things as one community”; the characteristic of peaceful development continues the national genes of “honoring trust and maintaining harmony,” “being kind to neighbors and good at neighborly relations,” and “stopping war with martial force.” Looking at the world, “Chinese civilization is the only great civilization that has continued unbroken and developed in the form of a state to this day.” The unique cultural tradition constitutes the greatest advantage and foundation of Chinese-path modernization, endowing this path with a strong Chinese flavor, deep Chinese sentiment, and rich Chinese charm.

“如果没有中华五千年文明，哪里有什么中国特色？如果不是中国特色，哪有我们今天这么成功的中国特色社会主义道路？”习近平总书记在不同场合多次强调过的这句话，为我们解开中国式现代化这个令全世界关注的中国之谜指明了方向和出路。中国式现代化具有人口规模巨大、全体人民共同富裕、物质文明和精神文明相协调、人与自然和谐共生、走和平发展道路5个特色。“问渠那得清如许？为有源头活水来。”中华优秀传统文化的基因深深镌刻在中国式现代化的特色之中。人口规模巨大的特色，根源于“天地之大，黎元为先”的人本理念、“生生不息”的仁道理念、“参赞天地”的人本追求；全体人民共同富裕的特色，传承着“治国之道，富民为始”的政治理想、“损有余而补不足”的天道品格；物质文明和精神文明相协调的特色，彰显了“仓廪实而知礼节，衣食足而知荣辱”的治理经验；人与自然和谐共生的特色，蕴含着“天人合一”“取之有度”“民胞物与”的生态智慧；走和平发展道路的特色，赓续着“讲信修睦”“亲仁善邻”“止戈为武”的民族基因。放眼全世界，“中华文明是世界上唯一绵延不断且以国家形态发展至今的伟大文明”，独特的文化传统成为中国式现代化的最大优势和底色，让这条道路彰显出浓郁的中国味、浓厚的中华情、浓重的华夏韵。

Theoretical Innovation Leading

理论创新引领

The “Two Integrations,” profoundly discussed by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development, are a true portrayal of our theoretical innovation over the past hundred years and also a unique advantage of ours. Over the past century, the Communist Party of China has consistently adhered to inscribing Marxism on its banner, insisting on integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture, continuously opening up new realms of Marxism, and forming scientific theoretical achievements that are both inherited in one continuous line and advanced with the times. The first leap in the sinicization of Marxism created Mao Zedong Thought, laying the key political and institutional foundation for the path of Chinese-path modernization. The second leap in the sinicization of Marxism formed the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Under the guidance of this theoretical system, the Communist Party of China led the people of all ethnic groups in the country to emancipate the mind and continuously forge ahead, and Chinese-path modernization showed unprecedented prospects. The latest theoretical achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is the establishment of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which has put forward a series of new ideas, new concepts, new judgments, and new strategies. It is the essence of the times of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit, a brilliant model of the Party’s theoretical innovation in the New Era, providing an immensely powerful ideological weapon and highly inspiring spiritual strength for comprehensively advancing Chinese-path modernization, leading Chinese-path modernization to continuously create miracles. In contrast, the modernization of Western countries lacks scientific theoretical guidance. Different political parties “take turns on stage,” with viewpoints clamoring for individualism, ideas agitating for colonial plunder, theories laying foundations for the few, policies clearing the way for capital, and experiences becoming fetters that constrain the development of other nations in the world. All these capitalist trends of thought cannot save the decline of the capitalist system. Great practice once again tells us an irrefutable truth: The reason why the Communist Party of China can succeed and why socialism with Chinese characteristics works is ultimately because Marxism works, and Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times works.

习近平总书记在文化传承发展座谈会上深刻论述的“两个结合”，是百余年来我们推进理论创新的真实写照，也是我们的独特优势。一百年来，中国共产党始终坚持把马克思主义写在自己的旗帜上，坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，不断开辟马克思主义新境界，形成了既一脉相承又与时俱进的科学理论成果。马克思主义在中国实现第一次飞跃创立了毛泽东思想，为中国式现代化道路奠定了关键的政治基础和制度基础。马克思主义在中国实现第二次飞跃形成了中国特色社会主义理论体系，在这一理论体系指导下，中国共产党领导全国各族人民解放思想、不断进取，中国式现代化展现出前所未有的前景。马克思主义中国化时代化的最新理论成果是创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，提出了一系列新思想、新理念、新论断、新战略，是中华文化和中国精神的时代精华，是新时代党的理论创新的光辉典范，为全面推进中国式现代化提供了无比强大的思想武器和极具号召力的精神力量，引领着中国式现代化不断创造奇迹。反观西方国家的现代化，则缺少科学理论指导。不同政党“你方唱罢我登场”，观点为个人主义呐喊、思想为殖民掠夺鼓噪、理论为少数人筑基、政策为资本开道、经验成为裹挟世界其他民族发展的羁绊。所有这些资本主义思潮，都挽救不了资本主义制度的衰落。伟大的实践再次告诉我们一个颠扑不破的真理：中国共产党为什么能，中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是因为马克思主义行，中国化时代化的马克思主义行。

People-Centered Value Orientation

人民价值取向

Marx and Engels pointed out, “The first premise of all human history is undoubtedly the existence of living human individuals.” The path of Chinese-path modernization is a people-centered modernization, committed to promoting shared prosperity and common prosperity for all the people, maintaining social fairness and justice, and advancing the comprehensive development of individuals, embodying the socialist value orientation of modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, “Only by adhering to the people-centered development philosophy, insisting on development for the people, development relying on the people, and development achievements shared by the people, can there be a correct outlook on development and modernization.” The internal driving force of the path of Chinese-path modernization lies in the people’s initiative and creativity, and its fundamental value manifestation is the realization of the modernization of people, adhering to a people-centered approach and putting the people first, which is essentially different from the capital-centered modernization of Western countries. Western-style modernization is a modernization that prioritizes capital interests, where a minority seizes the interests of the majority. Research by French scholars in *Capital in the Twenty-First Century* on the trend of distribution changes in Western countries shows that wealth inequality has long existed in capitalist history, and the degree of inequality in the United States and other Western countries today has reached or exceeded historical highs and will continue to worsen. The path of Chinese-path modernization, jointly created by the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, attaches great importance to “the people’s aspiration for a better life,” has historically solved the problem of absolute poverty, successfully achieved the grand goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and is now striving toward the goal of achieving common prosperity for all the people and the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This path will also make greater contributions to the world, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind on a global scale.

马克思恩格斯指出，“全部人类历史的第一个前提无疑是有生命的个人的存在”。中国式现代化道路是以人民为中心的现代化，致力于促进全体人民共享共富、维护社会公平正义和推动人的全面发展，体现了现代化的社会主义价值取向。习近平总书记指出，“只有坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，坚持发展为了人民、发展依靠人民、发展成果由人民共享，才会有正确的发展观、现代化观”。中国式现代化道路的内在动力就在于人民的积极性与首创性，其根本价值彰显就是实现人的现代化，坚持以人民为中心、坚持人民至上，和西方国家以资本为中心的现代化有着本质的区别。西方式现代化是资本利益至上、少部分人攫取大多数人利益的现代化。法国学者在《21世纪资本论》中对西方国家分配变化趋势的研究表明，财富不平等现象在资本主义历史上长期存在，当今美国等西方国家的不平等程度已经达到或超过了历史最高水平，而且将继续恶化下去。中国共产党和中国人民共同创造的中国式现代化道路，高度重视“人民对美好生活的向往”，已经历史性地解决了绝对贫困问题，胜利实现全面建成小康社会的宏伟目标，正在向着实现全体人民共同富裕的目标和中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦砥砺奋斗。这条道路也将为世界作出更大的贡献，在世界意义上推动构建人类命运共同体。

Ecological Civilization Value

生态文明价值

In the process of transforming nature, humanity must not become overly intoxicated with its conquest of the natural world; violating the laws of nature will inevitably invite nature’s retaliation. General

在改造自然的过程中，人类不能过分地陶醉于对自然界的征服，违背自然规律必然会招致自然界的报复。习近平总书记明确指出：“中国式现代化是人与自然和谐共生的现代化。”党的十八大以来，中国式现代化的推进始终坚持人与自然和谐共生。过去十年，我们不断加强生态保护修复，推进山水林田湖草沙一体化保护和系统治理。森林面积和森林蓄积持续增长，全国森林覆盖率由21.63%提高到24.02%，人工林保存面积居全球第一，城市空气质量逐步改善。坚持一切为了人民、一切依靠人民，使得“增绿”“护蓝”工作取得突出成效，为人民留下可持续发展的“绿色银行”，为全球生态文明建设提供了中国方案和中国智慧。积极参与全球气候治理，率先在世界上作出实现碳达峰碳中和的承诺。比较而言，西方式现代化在生态文明上教训很多。西方工业革命以后，随着科技的进步、生产力的提升，人类改造和利用自然的能力得到极大加强，在资本逐利本质助推下，生态环境破坏严重，惨痛案例时有发生。以20世纪发生的“全球重大生态环境污染事件”为例，比利时马斯河谷烟雾事件、日本水俣病事件、库巴唐“死亡谷”事件、印度博帕尔毒气泄漏事件、莱茵河污染事件等，涉及大气污染、水污染、核泄漏、固体废弃物污染等多个领域，造成了极为恶劣的影响。尽管今天西方有的国家环境治理也有很大成效，但是“先污染、后治理”的现代化发展模式警醒深刻，是教训而不是经验。

Contributing to Human Peace

贡献人类和平

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of peaceful development." [15]15 Xi Jinping, " Adhering to peaceful development, seeking one's own development while firmly safeguarding world peace and development, and in turn better safeguarding world peace and development through one's own development, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, are the prominent features and unique advantages of Chinese-path modernization. The Chinese nation and the Chinese people have loved peace and upheld fairness and justice since ancient times; this cultural gene is deeply engraved in the process of Chinese-path modernization. Chinese-path modernization, which follows the path of peaceful development, has clearly transcended the ideological shackles of "Western-centrism," the value distortion of "capital logic," the mindset of "zero-sum game," and the cultural concept of "heterogeneous conflict." China has never launched a war of foreign aggression, never occupied an inch of another country's territory, never controlled a single overseas colony, and never plundered any overseas resources. We rely on ourselves—independence and self-reliance, hard work, and upholding fundamental principles while breaking new ground—to have completely relied on our own strength to forge a path different from "modernization equals Westernization." The Chinese-path modernization we advance is a blessing for the world and an opportunity and hope for those countries and nations that wish to develop themselves without becoming dependent on others.

习近平总书记指出：“中国式现代化是走和平发展道路的现代化。”坚持和平发展，在坚定维护世界和平与发展中谋求自身发展，又以自身发展更好维护世界和平与发展，推动构建人类命运共同体，是中国式现代化的突出特征和独特优势。中华民族和中国人民自古以来就爱好和平，崇尚公平正义，这种文化基因深深镌刻在中国式现代化进程中。走和平发展道路的中国式现代化明显超越了“西方中心”的思想禁锢、“资本逻辑”的价值扭曲、“零和博弈”的思维方式和“异质冲突”的文化观念，中国没有发动过一场对外侵略战争，没有占领过一寸别国的领土，没有控制过一块海外殖民地，没有掠夺过一份海外资料。我们独立自主、艰苦奋斗、守正创新，完全依靠自身的力量走出了一条有别于“现代化=西方化”的道路，我们推进的中国式现代化是世界的福音，是世界上那些既想发展自身又不想依附别人的国家和民族的机会和希望。

(The author is the Deputy Head of the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Group of the Sichuan Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision stationed at Sichuan Agricultural University, Deputy Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Sichuan Agricultural University, and a specially appointed researcher at the Research Center for the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics of the Communist Party Youth League Central Committee.)

（作者系四川省纪委监委驻四川农业大学纪检监察组副组长、四川农业大学纪委副书记、共青团中央中国特色社会主义理论体系研究中心特约研究员）

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