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China's modernization an opportunity for all
First Voice
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President, attended the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting via video link and delivered a keynote address, March 15. /Xinhua
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President, attended the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting via video link and delivered a keynote address, March 15. /Xinhua

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President, attended the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting via video link and delivered a keynote address, March 15. /Xinhua

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Against the backdrop of unprecedented challenges, humanity's modernization process stands at a new crossroads. As a significant force steering modernization process, political parties shoulder the responsibilities to choose between hostile confrontation and mutually beneficial cooperation. The modernization of China will be an opportunity for the world.

One of the defining features of Chinese modernization is putting the people first. "The ultimate goal of modernization is people's free and well-rounded development," Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chinese President, said at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting on March 15.

With a population of over 1.4 billion people — a number larger than the combined population of all developed countries, China is ensuring the gains of modernization will benefit all its people fairly. The country pledged to increase its middle-income population to more than 800 million and halve its low-income population by 2035. For this end, China has put extra efforts in rural revitalization in recent years. In 2022, the growth of rural residents' incomes outpaced that of their urban counterparts for the 13th consecutive year, according to the government work report released earlier this month.

As Xi said, "modernization is not only about indicators and statistics on the paper but more about the delivery of a happy stable life for the people." This calls for sustainable development of humanity. Chinese modernization is not just about its 1.4 billion people, but strives to provide new opportunities for global development, as the future of humanity is closely connected.

Aerial photo taken on August 14, 2019 shows a view of poverty alleviation and relocation residential areas in Xingye County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. /Xinhua
Aerial photo taken on August 14, 2019 shows a view of poverty alleviation and relocation residential areas in Xingye County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. /Xinhua

Aerial photo taken on August 14, 2019 shows a view of poverty alleviation and relocation residential areas in Xingye County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. /Xinhua

The world today is plagued by regional conflicts. Major-power zero-sum rivalry is making the situation more sophisticated. There can't be stable development without peace. Against this backdrop, China's modernization is safeguarding international fairness and promoting world peace. "In advancing modernization, China will neither tread the old path of colonization and plunder, nor the crooked path taken by some countries to seek hegemony once they grow strong," said Xi during Wednesday's meeting.

China strives to settle disputes through talks. The Global Security Initiative (GSI), for instance, is China's solution to global security challenges. Open to all countries, the GSI has been welcomed by more than 80 countries and regions. Under the GSI scheme, China will invite various parties, not a select few countries, to share views on security matters – an example of true multilateralism.

China has played a constructive role in mediating regional conflicts. Beijing-brokered agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran on restoring diplomatic ties, for instance, has been supported by the UN and Middle East. The deal, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, is "clearly an opportunity" for the resolution of conflicts in Yemen.

Peace is for better development and global prosperity. China stands dedicated to narrowing the North-South gap, and supporting developing countries in their pursuit of modernization. China's contribution to global economic growth averaged 38.6 percent between 2013 and 2021, according to the World Bank. That is higher than the contributions of all G7 countries combined.

Modernization, as Xi noted, is not an exclusive patent of a small handful of countries. Demonization of China's development under the guise of democracy only brings harm. The CPC seeks to strengthen exchanges with other political parties, so as to ensure different modernization drives form a mighty force driving common prosperity. Amid unprecedented challenges, China stands ready for mutually beneficial cooperation – the only right choice for modernization of all humanity.

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