Join Hands on the Path Towards Modernization

Leaders of political parties from around the world，

Ladies and Gentlemen，

Friends，

It gives me great pleasure to join all of you for the discussion on “Path Towards Modernization： The Responsibility of Political Parties”.

The history of human development is full of twists and turns. Similarly， the journey of each country to explore the path to modernization is also arduous. In today’s world， multiple challenges and crises are intertwined. The global economic recovery remains sluggish， the development gap is widening， ecological environment is deteriorating， and the Cold War mentality is lingering. Humanity’s modernization process has once again reached a crossroads of history.

Polarization or common prosperity？ Pure materialistic pursuit or coordinated material and cultural-ethical advancement？ Draining the pond to catch the fish or creating harmony between man and nature？ Zero-sum game or win-win cooperation？ Copying other countries’ development model or achieving independent development in light of national conditions？ What kind of modernization do we need and how can we achieve it？ Confronted with these questions， political parties as an important force steering and driving the modernization process are duty bound to provide answers. Here， I wish to share some of my observations.

We must put the people first and ensure modernization is people-centered. The people are the creators of history and are the strongest bedrock and force in advancing modernization. The ultimate goal of modernization is people’s free and well-rounded development. For a modernization path to work and work well， it must put the people first. Modernization is not only about indicators and statistics on the paper but more about the delivery of a happy and stable life for the people. With a focus on the people’s aspirations for a better life and further progress of civilization， political parties should strive to achieve material abundance， political integrity， cultural-ethical enrichment， social stability， and pleasant living environments so that modernization will better address the concerns and meet diversified needs of the people. In this way， modernization will promote the sustainable development of humanity by not only increasing the wellbeing of this generation but also protecting the rights and interest of future generations.

We must uphold the principle of independence and explore diversified paths towards modernization. Modernization is not “an exclusive patent” of a small handful of countries， nor is it a single answer question. It cannot be realized by a cookie cutter approach or simple “copy and paste”. For any country to achieve modernization， it needs not only to follow the general laws governing the process， but more importantly consider its own national conditions and unique features. It is the people of a country that are in the best position to tell what kind of modernization best suits them. Developing countries have the right and ability to independently explore the modernization path with their distinctive features based on their national realities. We must develop our country and our nation with our own strength， and we must maintain a firm grasp on the future of our country’s development and progress. We should respect and support the development paths independently chosen by different peoples to jointly usher in a new prospect for humanity’s modernization that is like a garden where a hundred flowers bloom.

We must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground and ensure the continuity of the modernization process. In the face of various new issues， conditions and challenges in the modernization process， political parties should boldly take on responsibilities and excel in their work. We should break the shackles of stale thinking， remove institutional barriers， explore new methods and new approaches， and break new ground in theories and practices to instill unceasing dynamism into the modernization process. We should work together to reform and develop the global governance system and make the international order more just and equitable as we advance humanity’s modernization in an environment of equal rights， equal opportunities and fair rules for all.

We must help others to succeed while seeking our own success and ensure all can enjoy the outcomes of modernization. Humanity lives in a community with a shared future where we rise and fall together. For any country to achieve modernization， it should pursue common development through solidarity and cooperation and follow the principles of joint contribution， shared benefits and win-win outcome. The frontrunners should sincerely support other countries in their development. One will not be seen in a more favourable light after blowing out others’ lamp; nor will they go farther by blocking others’ paths. We should share opportunities， create a future together and make the pie of humanity’s modernization bigger to ensure more people enjoy the outcomes of modernization in a fairer way. We stand firmly opposed to the practice of preserving one’s own development privilege by suppressing and containing other countries’ endeavor to achieve modernization.

We must forge ahead with enterprise and ensure firm leadership over modernization. Modernization does not fall into our lap automatically. It is the result of hard work with the strong historical initiative. Political parties are the leading and driving force for modernization. Their values， ability to lead and govern， ethos， willpower and character have a direct bearing on the orientation and future of the modernization process. As an ancient Chinese philosopher said， “He who conquers himself is strong.” Political parties should integrate party building with national modernization， forge ahead with enterprise and resolve， and excel themselves. In this way， they will have the confidence， determination and capability to respond to the challenges and questions presented by the times， meet people’s expectations， and steer the course and marshal strength for the modernization cause.