A Scholarly Explanation of the Stepwise Progressive Realization of Socialist Modernization

The “Proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development” (hereinafter referred to as the “Proposal”) states that “realizing socialist modernization is a historical process of stepwise progression and continuous development and progress, requiring unremitting effort and sustained struggle.” This important thesis is not only a profound summary of the practical experience of China’s socialist modernization but also a scientific generalization of the laws governing Chinese-path modernization. An in-depth explanation of the scholarly implications of stepwise progression has significant theoretical and practical importance for deeply grasping the strategic intent of the Party Central Committee and enhancing the consciousness and resolve to implement the spirit of the plenary session.

《中共中央关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十五个五年规划的建议》（以下简称《建议》）提出，“实现社会主义现代化是一个阶梯式递进、不断发展进步的历史过程，需要不懈努力、接续奋斗”。这一重要论断不仅是对我国社会主义现代化建设实践经验的深刻总结，也是对中国式现代化发展规律的科学概括。深入阐释阶梯式递进的学理意涵，对于深刻领会党中央战略意图、增强贯彻落实全会精神的自觉性与坚定性，具有重要的理论与现实意义。

The Profound Connotation of Stepwise Progression

阶梯式递进的深刻内涵

Stepwise progression, as an important concept for explaining the laws of development of socialist modernization, possesses profound theoretical connotations and a solid philosophical foundation.

阶梯式递进作为阐释社会主义现代化发展规律的重要概念，具有深刻的理论内涵与坚实的哲学根基。

First, “step” metaphorically refers to the stage-like nature of development. It emphasizes that modernization is not achieved overnight but is formed by the connection of multiple stages, each with its own corresponding development goals, tasks, and missions.

一是“阶梯”喻指发展的阶段性。它强调现代化不是一蹴而就的，而是由多个阶段衔接而成的，每一个阶段都有自己相应的发展目标、任务和使命。

Second, “progression” highlights the leap-like nature of development. On the one hand, a stage-based leap requires the quantitative accumulation over a period of time; the material foundation, institutional achievements, and development experience formed in each stage constitute the basis and starting point for the development of the next stage. At the same time, when quantitative accumulation reaches a certain level, it gives rise to qualitative change, entering a new stage.

二是“递进”突出发展的跃升性。一方面，阶段性跃升需要一段时间量的积累，每一个阶段形成的物质基础、制度成果与发展经验，构成下一阶段发展的基础和起点。同时，量的积累到一定程度就会形成质变，进入到一个新的阶段。

Third, “stepwise progression” reveals the regularity of Chinese-path modernization development. Stepwise progression embodies the inevitable logic of development moving from lower to higher levels, from quantitative to qualitative change, emphasizing that realizing socialist modernization inevitably entails a historical process of successive connections and gradual ascension. This is a stable and dynamic path to modernization that both follows universal laws of development and is rooted in China’s specific national conditions, both emphasizes gradual accumulation and dares to make timely leaps, and both maintains historical patience and manifests historical initiative. Stepwise progression, as a whole, elucidates a development path distinct from the Western modernization model, with distinct Chinese characteristics, fully demonstrating confidence in the path, confidence in the theory, confidence in the system, and confidence in the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is not only a profound summary of the successful experience of China’s socialist modernization construction but also provides important guidance for understanding the development trend and future direction of contemporary China. The strategic planning for the “15th Five-Year Plan” period in the Proposal is precisely a general mobilization and overall deployment based on advancing toward the second centenary goal and continuing to push forward a new historical stage of Chinese-path modernization construction; it is a conscious application and vivid practice of the law of stepwise progression.

三是“阶梯式递进”揭示了中国式现代化发展的规律性。阶梯式递进体现了发展从较低级向高级、由量变到质变的必然逻辑，强调实现社会主义现代化必然经历前后衔接、逐步攀升的历史进程，这是一条既遵循普遍发展规律又立足中国特殊国情，既强调渐进积累又勇于适时跃升，既保持历史耐心又彰显历史主动的稳健而充满活力的现代化之路。阶梯式递进从总体上阐明了一条不同于西方现代化模式、具有鲜明中国特色的发展路径，充分彰显了中国特色社会主义道路自信、理论自信、制度自信、文化自信。它不仅是对中国社会主义现代化建设成功经验的深刻总结，也为理解当代中国的发展态势和未来走向提供了重要指引。《建议》对“十五五”时期的战略谋划，正是立足于迈向第二个百年奋斗目标、接续推进中国式现代化建设又一新的历史阶段作出的总动员和总部署，是对阶梯式递进这一发展规律的自觉运用与生动实践。

A Critical Connecting Link Between the Past and the Future

承上启下的关键一程

The Proposal clearly states that “the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’ period holds an important position of connecting the past and the future in the process of basically realizing socialist modernization” and is “a critical period for consolidating the foundation and exerting full force.” Understanding this judgment can be grasped from three levels.

《建议》明确指出，“‘十五五’时期在基本实现社会主义现代化进程中具有承前启后的重要地位”，是“夯实基础、全面发力的关键时期”。理解这一判断，可以从三个层面来把握。

First, the “15th Five-Year Plan” period is a critical connecting period linking the past and the future on the path to basically realizing socialist modernization. “Connecting the past” means that, viewed from the long-term perspective of socialist modernization construction over more than 70 years since the founding of New China, it is necessary to carry forward the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability created by the previous 14 Five-Year Plans, especially to carry forward the historic achievements and historic changes achieved since the New Era, transforming these existing development advantages and institutional advantages into a more stable long-term winning position. “Linking the future” means that the “15th Five-Year Plan” period happens to be in the crucial stage of completing the halfway point of the task from building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on the centenary of the founding of the Party to basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035. This determines that during this period, decisive progress must be made on strategic tasks concerning the overall situation and the long term, completing the key leap from quantitative accumulation to qualitative improvement.

一是“十五五”时期是迈向基本实现社会主义现代化承前启后的关键衔接期。“承前”是指从新中国成立70多年的社会主义现代化建设长时段来看，就是要承接前14个五年规划创造的经济快速发展和社会长期稳定两大奇迹，特别是承接新时代以来取得的历史性成就和发生的历史性变革，要将这些已有的发展优势、制度优势转化为更为稳固的长期胜势。“启后”是指“十五五”时期恰好处于从建党百年全面建成小康社会到2035年基本实现社会主义现代化任务过半的攻坚阶段，这决定了该时期必须在事关全局和长远的战略性任务上取得决定性进展，完成从量的积累到质的提升的关键跨越。

Second, the “15th Five-Year Plan” period is a strategic window period for promoting a systematic leap in high-quality development. During this period, the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating and evolving, forming a historic convergence with the in-depth advancement of Chinese-path modernization. China’s development is in a period where strategic opportunities and risk challenges coexist, and uncertain and unpredictable factors increase. On the one hand, during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, we must lead the development of new quality productive forces, accelerate breakthroughs in key core technologies by improving the innovation system led by national strategic scientific and technological forces, promote the deep integration of digital technology, green technology, and intelligent technology with the real economy, and form a number of innovation highlands and industrial clusters with global influence. On the other hand, deepen supply-side structural reform, through institutional innovation and systemic integration, break down institutional and mechanism barriers that hinder the efficient coordination of science and technology, industry, finance, and talent, promote the transformation of economic development from factor-driven and scale expansion to innovation-driven and quality-efficiency, and achieve the deep integration and virtuous cycle of the innovation chain, industrial chain, capital chain, and talent chain. Ultimately, truly transform the “key variable” of innovation into the “maximum increment” of development.

二是“十五五”时期是推动高质量发展系统跃升的战略窗口期。在这一时期，新一轮科技革命和产业变革加速演进，与中国式现代化的纵深推进形成历史性交汇，我国发展处于战略机遇和风险挑战并存、不确定难预料因素增多的时期。一方面，“十五五”时期我们要引领发展新质生产力，通过完善以国家战略科技力量为引领的创新体系，加快关键核心技术攻关，推动数字技术、绿色技术、智能技术与实体经济深度融合，形成一批具有全球影响力的创新高地和产业集群。另一方面，深化供给侧结构性改革，通过制度创新和系统集成，破除制约科技、产业、金融、人才高效协同的体制机制壁垒，推动经济发展从要素驱动、规模扩张向创新驱动、质量效益转变，实现创新链、产业链、资金链、人才链的深度融合与良性循环。最终，真正将创新的“关键变量”转化为发展的“最大增量”。

Third, the “15th Five-Year Plan” period is a comprehensive consolidation period for safeguarding the new journey of Chinese-path modernization with a high level of security. The fierce international competition and domestic risk challenges faced during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period are intertwined. The smooth realization of its role in connecting the past and the future fundamentally lies in the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, consistently adhering to coordinating development and security, and safeguarding high-quality development with a high level of security. During this period, it is necessary to place the defense of political security in the first position, safeguarding the Party’s long-term governance and the country’s lasting peace and stability; it is necessary to uphold the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological domain; it is necessary to deeply advance the Party’s self-revolution, resolutely win the protracted battle against corruption, and ensure that the Party never changes its nature, color, or flavor; it is necessary to advance the modernization of social governance in depth and substance, maintaining social fairness, justice, harmony, and stability; it is necessary to effectively prevent and defuse major risks, holding the bottom line of preventing systemic risks… By coordinating development and security, gaining strategic initiative in dynamic balance, securing the new development pattern with a new security pattern, and ensuring that the great ship of Chinese-path modernization always sails forward on the correct course amidst turbulent times.

三是“十五五”时期是以高水平安全护航中国式现代化新征程的全面巩固期。“十五五”时期面临的激烈国际竞争与国内风险挑战相互交织，其承前启后的顺利实现，根本就在于以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导，始终坚持统筹发展和安全，以高水平安全保障高质量发展。这一时期必须将捍卫政治安全摆在首位，为党长期执政和国家长治久安保驾护航；必须坚持马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位；必须深入推进党的自我革命，坚决打赢反腐败斗争攻坚战持久战，确保党不变质、不变色、不变味；必须推进社会治理现代化走深走实，维护社会公平正义与和谐稳定；必须有效防范化解重大风险，守住不发生系统性风险的底线……通过统筹发展和安全，在动态平衡中赢得战略主动，以新安全格局保障新发展格局，确保中国式现代化巨轮在风云激荡中始终沿着正确航向破浪前行。

The World Significance of Stepwise Progression

阶梯式递进的世界意义

The successful practice of China’s socialist modernization through stepwise progression has not only profoundly changed the country’s appearance but also provided enlightening Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions for the world’s modernization process and the development of human civilization.

中国社会主义现代化阶梯式递进的成功实践，不仅深刻改变了国家面貌，也为世界现代化进程与人类文明发展提供了富有启发的中国智慧和中国方案。

First, it breaks the single narrative that modernization equals Westernization, proving the diversity of development paths. China’s practice shows that modernization does not have only one model. Countries can, on the basis of respecting their own historical traditions, cultural characteristics, and actual national conditions, explore a path to modernization that suits their own reality through independent, gradual, and stage-by-stage strategies. This provides important practical reference and ideological inspiration for developing countries to break free from dependent development and explore independent transformation paths.

首先，它打破了现代化等于西方化的单一叙事，证明了发展道路的多样性。中国的实践表明，现代化并非只有一种模式。各国完全可以在尊重自身历史传统、文化特质与现实国情的基础上，通过独立自主、循序渐进、分阶段推进的策略，探索出一条符合本国实际的现代化路径。这为广大发展中国家摆脱依附性发展、探索自主转型道路提供了重要的实践参照与思想启示。

Second, it transcends the capital-centered logic of modernity, demonstrating a people-oriented value orientation. Stepwise progression has always taken the improvement of people’s well-being and the comprehensive progress of society as its fundamental orientation. From solving the problem of food and clothing to building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and then to solidly promoting common prosperity and promoting the all-round development of people; from focusing on economic growth to comprehensively advancing the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan, each stage of evolution closely responds to the people’s growing multi-level and all-round needs for a better life. This provides an important value model for solving the common dilemmas of Western modernization, such as polarization between rich and poor, social fragmentation, and ecological crises, and for building a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable modern civilization.

其次，它超越了以资本为中心的现代性逻辑，彰显了以人为本的价值取向。阶梯式递进始终以人民福祉的提升和社会的全面进步为根本导向。从解决温饱到全面建成小康社会，再到扎实推动共同富裕、促进人的全面发展；从聚焦经济增长到统筹推进“五位一体”总体布局，每一阶段的演进都紧密呼应人民对美好生活日益增长的多层次、全方位需求。这为破解西方现代化进程中常见的贫富分化、社会撕裂、生态危机等困境，构建更加公平、包容、可持续的现代文明，提供了重要的价值范本。

Finally, it abandons the old path of conflict and confrontation in the rise of traditional great powers, pioneering a paradigm of peaceful development in international relations. China has always upheld the concept of peaceful development, advocating and practicing the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and building a community with a shared future for mankind through its own stepwise development. The Proposal clearly states “expand high-standard opening up, create a new situation of win-win cooperation,” which provides the international community with a new practice of common development based on equal cooperation and mutual benefit, transcending the outdated logic of zero-sum games and hegemonic struggle, and contributing a new solution to the cause of human peace and development.

最后，它摒弃了传统大国崛起的冲突对抗老路，开拓了和平发展的交往范式。中国始终秉持和平发展理念，通过自身的阶梯式发展，倡导并践行共建“一带一路”、构建人类命运共同体。《建议》明确提出“扩大高水平对外开放，开创合作共赢新局面”，这为国际社会提供了一种基于平等合作、互利共赢的共同发展新实践，超越了零和博弈与霸权争夺的陈旧逻辑，为人类和平与发展事业贡献了新的方案。

(The author is Secretary of the Party Committee of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Professor at the School of Marxism.)

（作者系电子科技大学党委书记、马克思主义学院教授）