中文
By Shahrokh Saei
The Houhai area in Nanshan District of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, September 17, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]
A new chapter is unfolding in China's long-term development journey – one rooted in its unique governance model, cultural heritage and strategic foresight. October's fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), alongside the preparatory framework for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), offers a clear and confident articulation of the Chinese modernization path with Chinese characteristics. These are not abstract policy blueprints; they are living strategies, shaped by experience and driven by conviction in the country's system, its people and its future.
Having spent several months immersed in China's diverse regions and attended the 2025 "two sessions," I observed how these national goals extend beyond official documents. They are visible in daily life: in the infrastructure that connects communities, the innovation that powers industries and the social cohesion that binds people together, from bustling urban centers to revitalized rural towns.
The Chinese modernization model stands apart. Where Western approaches often emphasize liberalization and marketization as ends in themselves, China's path is holistic, people-centered and deeply anchored in civilizational values. The fourth plenary session reaffirmed this trajectory, highlighting high-quality development, technological self-reliance, ecological civilization, national security and deeper reform and opening up – all under the vision of building a modern socialist country.
This model blends economic dynamism with political stability, cultural continuity with innovation and national rejuvenation with global responsibility. It does not seek to imitate others, but to chart a course uniquely suited to China's history, conditions and aspirations.
The idea of "new quality productive forces" is more than policy language. It marks a strategic shift toward innovation-led growth. China is not just upgrading its industrial base; it is reshaping its economic foundations through advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, green technologies and digital infrastructure.
In Tianjin, Lenovo's zero-carbon factory demonstrates how sustainability and productivity can work in tandem. In Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, BYD's electric vehicle operations reflect China's growing leadership in green mobility. These are not isolated examples. They are part of a nationwide transformation powered by policy support, local initiative and a shared vision of progress.
In Beijing's Zhongguancun and other innovation hubs, the energy is palpable. Huawei's breakthroughs in 5G and digital ecosystems underscore China's push for technological sovereignty, a cornerstone of its modernization strategy.
One of the most compelling aspects of Chinese modernization is its integration of development with cultural preservation. In Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, traditional lifestyles coexist with renewable energy projects and smart agriculture. This synthesis reflects the CPC's emphasis on cultural confidence as a source of national strength.
In Shandong and Liaoning provinces, I witnessed how historical legacy and industrial renewal complement each other. The sense of order, optimism and civic pride was unmistakable. Local governance, guided by the principle of "serving the people," has translated national goals into tangible improvements from efficient public services to vibrant community life.
This balanced development, encompassing both urban and rural areas, as well as coastal and inland regions and both material and spiritual aspects, is a hallmark of China's approach. It is not growth for growth's sake, but growth that uplifts, includes and sustains.
The Hainan Free Trade Port is a vivid symbol of China's new phase of reform and opening up – more institutionalized, rules-based and globally integrated. Innovations in customs, finance and digital trade reflect a broader strategy to align domestic modernization with international cooperation.
China's diplomatic engagements, high-level dialogues with major powers and leadership in multilateral forums demonstrate a modernization that is outward-looking and peace-oriented. The vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity is not just a diplomatic phrase; it is a guiding principle that shapes China's global posture.
This strategic confidence is grounded in the belief that China's development can contribute to global stability, prosperity and equity, especially for the Global South.
An inbound plane is under maintenance at a one-stop aircraft maintenance base in Hainan Free Trade Port in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, February 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
China's ecological transformation is a central component of its modernization strategy. The shift from pollution-intensive growth to green development is evident in cleaner skies, restored ecosystems and a thriving clean energy sector.
The "Beautiful China" initiative reflects a civilizational ethos that sees harmony between humanity and nature as essential. From solar farms in Qinghai to electric buses in Shenzhen, the green transition is not symbolic – it is systemic, policy-driven and widely embraced.
This ecological vision goes beyond environmental protection. It redefines prosperity in terms of sustainability, health and intergenerational responsibility.
The fourth plenary session made clear that modernization cannot advance without security and stability. China's concept of holistic security, spanning economic, technological, social and geopolitical dimensions, ensures that development is resilient and risk-aware.
The CPC's governance capacity, refined through decades of reform and crisis management, enables long-term planning, rapid mobilization and adaptive policymaking. This institutional strength is a defining feature of Chinese modernization.
The vision for 2035, basically achieving socialist modernization, is not a distant aspiration. It is a structured, measurable and widely supported national goal. The alignment between central policy, local implementation and public sentiment is a powerful engine of progress.
What I observed across provinces, cities, and communities was not just development; it was a shared sense of direction. Patriotism, social cohesion and cultural pride are not manufactured; they are lived realities that reinforce China's strategic confidence.
Chinese modernization is not a borrowed model. It is a homegrown path shaped by its history, culture and governance philosophy. The fourth plenary session and the forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan are not merely technocratic exercises; they are expressions of a civilization-state advancing with clarity, confidence and purpose.
As the world navigates uncertainty, China's steady progress offers a compelling example of how modernization can be inclusive, sovereign and sustainable. This is modernization with Chinese characteristics, and it is reshaping the global future.
The author is a special commentator for CGTN, serves as editor of the International Desk at Tehran Times.
