In 1933, a Shanghai-based monthly journal published a special issue on "China's modernization" in which some scholars discussed the path to China's modernization. While a few advocated "total Westernization", others argued that China embrace Soviet socialism on the road to realizing modernization. The scholars couldn't reach a consensus, though, as China was nowhere near achieving modernization at the time.
Almost 90 years later, the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October laid out the "Chinese path to modernization". The concept is not an abstract term written on a piece of paper. Instead, it reflects China's progressive development on the way to becoming a great modern socialist country. Here are glimpses into the Chinese path to modernization.
Chinese-made products shine at Qatar World Cup
The path to China's modernization follows the general law of promoting productivity and development through industrialization, informatization, and economic globalization. The 2022 Football World Cup provided China with a perfect stage to showcase and share the fruits of its journey toward modernization.
Jointly built by China Railway Construction Corporation and HTK Contracting and unveiled just before the World Cup in Qatar, the Lusail Stadium looks like a burnished golden vessel with its design inspired by the sail of a traditional dhow. Apart from being one of the most complex, intricately designed, and advanced World Cup stadiums, the Lusail edifice not only features the new Qatari 10-riyal banknotes but also demonstrates Chinese companies' competence, craftsmanship, and creativity.
Qatar also bought in 888 energy vehicles from China to provide shuttle services for players, officials, and fans across the desert. A majority of soccer-related products such as balls, trophies, and medals sold at the World Cup stores in Qatar are also made in China.
Since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949 when the country had no industrial base, China has traveled a long way, realizing a level of development that took the advanced Western economies centuries to achieve.
Today, China is the biggest manufacturing nation and the second-largest economy, because it learned from the experiences of other countries and explored traditional means to realize modernization. As motivational speaker Ghanim Al Muftah, reciting a verse from the Quran, said at the World Cup opening ceremony, we were scattered on this earth as nations and tribes, so we could learn from each other, and find beauty in our differences.
The grass that delivers happiness and wealth
Some say modernization is a game played by winners and powerhouses. So how can the weak and the poor enjoy the fruits of modernization?
There is a "magic plant" in China called juncao (which literally means mushroom and grass). "Juncao technology", used to grow edible and medicinal mushrooms among other things, is a unique Chinese invention aimed at eradicating poverty.