China's path to modernization can inspire world: Scholar

BEIJING -- The path to modernization China has followed over the past three decades could inspire the world, a China studies expert said on Wednesday.

The rise of China is testament to the success of the "Chinese path", which features practicality, people's livelihoods, mixed economy and opening up at its core, Zhang Weiwei of Fudan University told Xinhua.

"Finding a unique path to modernization, undergoing earth-shaking industrial, technological and social revolutions; managing to maintain stability and improve people's lives; and surviving the financial crises of 1997 and 2008 -- these are not leisurely tasks for any country, let alone for one that boasts one fifth of the world's population," said Zhang.

Not a single one of these tasks was easy, but China accomplished them all, he said.

For Zhang, the Chinese path is underpinned by "practice-base reasoning"; its most striking feature.

Through the lens of practicality, China has sidestepped the "pitfalls of economic and political romanticism", proving that conjecture about Western-style democracy and market economy as solutions to China's problems was unrealistic, he said.

Zhang also noted that by prioritizing people's livelihoods, China has lifted 600 million people out of poverty in a little over three decades.

Any political reform, according to Zhang, has to eventually come down to improving people's lives, through better services and ensuring security, freedom, happiness and dignity.

He also lauded China's "socialist market economy", which draws strength from both the visible hand of the government and the invisible hand of the market.

This mixed economy approach has helped Chinese economy avoid financial, fiscal and economic crises while elevating the lives of the majority of Chinese at an unprecedented speed, Zhang said.

He went on to elaborate on the opening up drive, saying that China had managed to achieve self-improvement and development by embracing international competition.

"Through competition and mutual learning, China has rebranded itself, all thanks to opening up," Zhang said.

He added that the opening up strategy had given China the confidence to share its experience and wisdom with the world.

"We are not perfect, but we could still work to improve ourselves through continuing to deepen reform ... The path toward the great rejuvenation of the nation may continue to inspire the entire world," Zhang said.