“Chinese-style modernization” is now the flagship program of Xi Jinping's regime, having become the overarching summary of the CCP's current governing line. So what exactly does this term mean? Given the brevity of this piece, it is difficult to lay out systematic evidence for an in-depth exploration, but it may still help to briefly analyze it against the broader backdrop of the history of “modernization” in human history.
After a bit of analysis, you will see that “Chinese-style modernization” is not only rhetorically self-contradictory as a phrase and cannot stand on its own logic, but as a governing line it is nothing less than a trap—to use popular language, a pit, a huge pit. Why is Xi Jinping so keen on digging such a huge pit? We will touch on that as well.
Where Does “Modernization” Come From?
This column has previously noted that over the past several years the CCP has published endless reams of propaganda extolling “Chinese-style modernization,” yet it rarely mentions what modernization actually is. This phenomenon in itself is quite telling: if even the meaning of “modernization” itself is unclear, then whatever variations and flourishes are added on top of it amount to nothing more than a tree without roots.
I do not intend here to offer my own definition of “modernization” either. First, in free academic inquiry, any given concept can have multiple definitions, so what would be the point of my adding yet another one? Second, some people like to accuse this column of “starting from a predetermined position” or “arguing from concepts,” and I accept that criticism—I will try to discuss as few abstract concepts as possible. But in fairness, I hope such critics will also direct the same criticism at Xi Jinping and the CCP authorities: you constantly talk about concepts like “Chinese-style modernization,” always putting the position of “upholding the CCP's leadership” front and center before saying anything else—so why is it that no one in China is allowed to criticize what you do? Those who insist that China's system is superior—why do they specifically come here to enjoy the freedom of speech offered by Voice of America?
The CCP's refusal to specify what modernization actually is follows the same underlying logic: modernization originated in Europe and was first achieved in the West. This is a historical fact, unrelated to any particular position or concept. The very phrase “Chinese-style modernization” already implicitly acknowledges this fact. You clearly want to accomplish what the West has already accomplished, yet you insist on opposing the West at the same time—this is precisely the self-contradiction built into the phrase “Chinese-style modernization.” This is the same absurd logic as using the freedom of speech that exists in the United States to attack Voice of America for publishing criticism of the CCP.
Since he takes the modernization already achieved by the West as the goal he is striving to reach, this shows that he himself regards Western modernization as a good thing. But there are certain elements within Western modernization that he does not want, and so he has twisted the concept into this notion of “Chinese-style modernization.” What is it that he does not want? Once you understand this, you will probably also understand the biggest secret behind “Chinese-style modernization.”