#China #Guangzhou #Understanding China #Global Governance #Chinese Modernization

The 2025 Understanding China Conference: A Glimpse into the Future of Global Governance

The 2025 Understanding China Conference kicked off on December 2 in Guangzhou, attracting a diverse array of global influential figures including top government officials, scholars, business leaders, and international organization representatives. The central theme of the conference, "New Plan, New Development, New Choices -- Chinese Modernization and the New Vision of Global Governance," aimed to delve into the implications of China's 15th Five-Year Plan.

Redefining Modernization

Zheng Bijian, the Founding Chairman of the China Institute for Innovation Development Strategy (CIIDS), emphasized that understanding China's contemporary landscape is pivotal to grasping the essence of Chinese modernization. He articulated that the exploration stemming from the 15th Five-Year Plan challenges the long-held belief that modernization must equate to Westernization, thereby providing developing nations, particularly in the Global South, with alternative pathways for modernizing.

Focus on Technology and AI

A thematic forum titled "Leading the Future 'Artificial Intelligence+' in the Context of the 15th Five-Year Plan's Industrial Upgrading and Talent Cultivation" was also introduced, focusing on how artificial intelligence can be leveraged in practical industrial applications. The discussion highlighted the importance of AI in future industries, showcasing how technological enhancement is integral to the modernization process in China and beyond.

Regional Development Highlights

The conference spotlighted successes from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the urban development of the Hainan Free Trade Port. It featured three dedicated dialogue sessions that revolved around crucial topics such as high-level openness in the Greater Bay Area, the strategic importance of the Hainan Free Trade Port in enhancing international trade, and urban initiatives showcasing Shenzhen's progressive measures.

Xu Weixin, President of CIIDS, noted a significant rise in participation from Global South countries, underlining the conference's expanding influence as a premier platform for these nations to engage with Chinese modernization. Approximately 200 representatives attended from 72 different countries and regions, with a remarkable 70% from Global South countries, many attending for the first time. This reflects a growing interest and recognition of the conference as a critical point for international dialogue on modernization and shared global futures.

Bridging Perspectives

As participants engaged in discussions on global governance, the conference facilitated an exchange of ideas on collective modernization experiences. This platform not only allows for an exploration of what modernization means in different contexts but also seeks to promote a shared future for humanity through collaboration and mutual understanding.

With its focus on collective growth and innovative governance, the Understanding China Conference establishes a significant step in reframing the narratives surrounding globalization and modernization. The insights garnered from such conferences are invaluable for shaping policies and fostering international relations that can adapt to the complexities of the modern world.

For further details, you can visit CIIDS's official website.