"China's modernization effort which is highlighted in its 15th Five-Year Plan, has challenged the long-held belief that to modernize is to Westernize and offered a new path for countries in the Global South," said Zheng Bijian, Founding Chairman of China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy, in a keynote speech at the 2025 Understanding China Conference on December 1.
He emphasized that although China is the world's only country with all UN-listed industrial sectors, it remains open to the world, welcoming other countries to take part in its development and seeing its own reforms as opportunities that can benefit all.
The 2025 Understanding China Conference is being held in Guangzhou from November 30 to December 2. Approximately 200 delegates from 72 countries are attending the conference to explore how Chinese modernization offers a fresh perspective for global governance.
Reporter | Chen Siyuan, Xie Hongzhou, Zhang Ruijun
Video & Cover | Liang Zijian
Editor | Ouyang Yan, Steven Yuen, Shen He
