Fundamental elements of the China model

Abstract

The present study takes as its departure point theoretical reflections on the concept of ‘model’ for a discussion of the China model in particular, a model that has attracted increasing attention all over the world due to China's dramatic development. It surveys the origin and major conceptualizations of the China model in both the Chinese and the international context and presents on that basis a series of fundamental constituents of the China model in relation to China's economic, political, cultural and social development. Its central point is that the China model expresses socialism with Chinese characteristics, and therefore constitutes a developing country model with qualities that are specific to the Chinese context.

Keywords:

• China model
• socialism with Chinese characteristics

Notes

¹ With regard to the experiences and conceptualization of the achievements in China's three decades of reform, see the following summary in the report of the Seventeenth National Congress of CPC:

• The Party has combined adhering to the basic tenets of Marxism with adapting it to Chinese conditions, upholding the Four Cardinal Principles with adhering to the reform and opening up policy, respecting the people's pioneering initiative with strengthening the Party's leadership, adhering to the basic system of socialism with developing the market economy, effecting changes in the economic base with promoting reform of the superstructure, developing the productive forces with improving the cultural and ethical quality of the whole nation, raising efficiency with promoting social equity, pursuing independent development with taking part in economic globalization, promoting reform and development with maintaining social stability, and advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics with making progress in the great new undertaking to build the Party. In this course the Party has gained invaluable experience in eliminating poverty, accelerating modernization, and consolidating and developing socialism in a large developing country of over one billion people.

² The ‘Three Represents’ refers to the idea that the Communist Party represents the development trend of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cheng Enfu

Translated by Liu Zixu

Xin Xiangyang

Translated by Liu Zixu