China’s Modernisation

By Amna Ejaz Rafi : Research Associate at Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Pakistan 31-08-2026

Chinese people’s progress is a testament to the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) humanistic vision. Chinese modernisation carries a socio-economic indicator wherein the fundamental focus is on people’s economic uplift. Minning Hemei E-commerce Workshop established in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region offers economic opportunities for women. Within a short span of time, the initiative has generated annual sales of revenue of over 10 million yuan. The Workshop has been recognised as a “Best Poverty Reduction Case at the 5th Global Solicitation on Best Poverty Reducation Practices.” Such initiatives are reflective of empowerment of low income households. China’s investment in infrastructure, education, health and employment creation has led to development of rural areas. China’s achievements in poverty reduction have been recognised globally. According to the World Bank, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty. China’s strategy of poverty reduction involved a targeted approach wherein every region was dealt according to its specific needs and challenges. For instance, the people of Shibadong, a village in Hunan province through skills training and infrastructure access were empowered. Resultantly, the rural communities of the area were enabled to participate in economic growth. China’s achievements in poverty reduction is an inspiration for the developing world to learn and follow.

As outlined in the 15th 5-year plan (2026-2030) of the CPC, China’s modernisation is a global stabilising force. China’s engagement with the developing world reflects this philosophy. China’s led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) envsions win-win development among countries, and regions along the road. The China-Laos Railway (1,035 kilometre electrified line) built under BRI framework has transformed landlocked Laos from a remote hinterland into a regional logistics hub. BRI has become a catalyst for green transformaion. In Pakistan, the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, operating at 400 MW is supplying electricity to hundreds of thousands of households while driving clean energy adoption under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship BRI project. BRI funding to renewable energy, low-carbon transport and eco-industrial projects are China’s commitment to green development.

In backdrop of regional connectivity and trading linkages, economic cooperation and collective growth are rapidly emerging as global trends, and this can largely be attributed to BRI. More than 150 countries representing 75 per cent of the world’s population, and over half of global GDP have joined the Initiative. Thus, China’s modernisation and road to development has provided the developing South with an alternate path of development. China’s Ministry of Commerce reports that cumulative BRI investment and construction contract values have exceeded US$ 1 trillion across the participating countries. With economic integration, the conflicting approcahes if not completely eliminated can be mollified and this could be pivotal to world peace.

China’s modernisation and economic advancement is a testament to the fact that a country can progress and widen its geopolitical horison in a peaceful manner. Chinese modernisation also places emphasis on environmental protection. This approach disqualifies the argument that industrialisation has to be accompanied with environmental depletion. China at the UN Climate Summit (September 2025) announced “2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)”. Accordingly, China plans to reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 – 10 per cent by 2035. China also plans to expand the installed capacity of wind and solar power to 3,600 gigawatts. This shows the importance China gives to environment. China’s production and sales of energy vehicles is yet another step to reduce carbon emissions in air.

The global challenges of peace, extremism, climate crisis, food security and economic inequalities cannot be addressed by one country alone rather a collective approach is needed to overcome these challenges. In this regard, inter-civilisation dialogue could be an answer. Through inter-civilisation dialogue at global level, extremist tendencies can be countered. The diverse civilisations need to embrace each other. Meanwhile, through cooperative approach, technolohgical exchange can benefit a broader spectrum of people. Likewise, to translate economic growth into opportunities for people, inclusive approach needs to be in place. All this can be materialised with a collective outlook / dialogue.