Editor's note: Cheng Shujing, a special commentator for CGTN, is an assistant research fellow of the Department for Global Governance and International Institutions at the China Institutes of International Studies. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In his speech commemorating the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, unveiled what keeps this century-old party vibrant and thriving.

The CPC's ability to surmount formidable challenges and forge historic triumphs over the past 105 years lies in its unique political advantages. At the very soul of this capacity is its people-centered approach. Deeply embedded in the theories and practices of both the Party and the state, this approach remains the master key to understanding China's governance success.

This people-centered philosophy draws from diverse intellectual wells. It is rooted in the Marxist view that people are the creators of history; it inherits the traditional Chinese wisdom that "the people are the foundation of a state; the state will have peace only when the people all lead a happy, stable life," and distills the invaluable experiences forged throughout China's extraordinary journey of revolution, construction and reform.

Ultimately, this philosophy is crystallized into Xi's profound insight: "The country is its people, and the people are the country." This enduring philosophy underscores the supreme and central role of the people, reaffirming that serving the people wholeheartedly remains the CPC's fundamental purpose.

More than a conceptual slogan, this philosophy serves as a pragmatic methodology. Since its early days, the CPC has institutionalized the "mass line" as its core working method. In practice, this demands listening closely to people's needs, integrating public input into governance and making people's satisfaction the ultimate criterion of policy success.

Crucially, this philosophy is actualized through whole-process people's democracy. Distinct from Western-style electoral democracy, this framework empowers the people to manage state affairs through diverse channels. Public participation spans the full policy cycle: from policy formulation through implementation to evaluation. This holistic approach prevents democracy from degenerating into mere procedural democracy or a battleground for interest groups, ensuring that policies best reflect the aspirations of the majority of the people.

The people-centered approach constitutes the defining feature and core values of Chinese modernization. At its essence, Chinese modernization is a journey centered on the people, one deeply committed to promoting well-rounded development for the people and achieving common prosperity for all. This commitment is put into practice by ensuring that development is for the people, reliant on the people and its fruits shared by the people.

"Development for the people" underscores that the true essence of growth lies in consistently fulfilling the people's aspirations for a better life, rather than a mere chase for economic velocity and scale. Prioritizing the people's livelihoods and well-being, China has built the world's largest social security system through continuous improvements in employment, education, healthcare, housing and elderly care.

Guided by the conviction that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," China firmly adheres to a path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development to enhance the well-being of future generations.

"Development reliant on the people" focuses on fully unleashing the people's creative potential. Tapping into the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the people is essential to fueling economic momentum.

China's technological leap relies not only on top-down national strategies, but crucially on the collective intelligence of frontline scientific researchers, engineers, workers and entrepreneurs. To this end, China continuously fosters an enabling institutional environment where all talents can give full play to their abilities.

"Development fruits shared by the people" culminates in the ultimate pursuit of common prosperity. China strives to balance efficiency with equity: continuing to expand the economic pie through innovation-driven growth while simultaneously promoting social equity.

Marked by the historical elimination of absolute poverty, Xi announced at the CPC centenary ceremony five years ago that China had successfully built a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China is continually optimizing its income distribution structure to narrow the wealth gap, ensuring a more equitable distribution of more dividends of development for all the people.

As China assumes an increasingly pivotal role and deepens its engagement in global governance, its people-centered approach, a wisdom time-tested by its own domestic success, is being shared with the global community.

China's vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, alongside its four global initiatives, presents a blueprint and a clear path for advancing human well-being worldwide. Both the Global Development Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative pivot on a people-centered approach.

Pragmatically, China upholds that the rights to subsistence and development are the most fundamental human rights, urging that development be repositioned at the very center of the international agenda. China strives for a more just and equitable global system to better tackle challenges facing humanity and ensure that the benefits of global governance reach the majority of people worldwide.

By reaffirming its people-centered stance, the CPC remains steadfast in its original aspirations and founding mission. As China steps into a new era, the Party will continue to carry forward its people-centered philosophy, galvanizing the entire nation to promote high-quality development and achieve a higher level of modernization.

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