China is undergoing significant and comprehensive changes, guided by the strategic resolutions of the 20th Congress and the Third Plenary Session of the CPC Central Committee, aimed at deepening reforms to promote Chinese-style modernization. The country seeks to balance economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability, paving the way for both the well-being of its citizens and its role on the global stage.

1. The Importance of Comprehensive Reforms 

Historically, reforms in China have been a powerful force driving modernization. Significant milestones were achieved during the 11th and 18th Central Committee sessions, which laid the foundation for socialism with Chinese characteristics. These reforms ushered in a period of rapid economic development, transforming China into the world’s second-largest economy. 

Today, the world is more complex. Domestically, China must balance economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability. Internationally, it must navigate geopolitical competition and tensions. Against this backdrop, comprehensive reforms are essential to sustain progress and ensure the stability and predictability of China’s growth. Reform is the key to adapting China’s systems to meet modern demands.

2. Ideological Guidance: The Pillar of Reform 

At the core of China's approach are the guiding ideologies of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, and the modern contributions of Xi Jinping Thought. Xi’s ideology on socialism in the new era emphasizes reform as a means to align China’s social, economic, and environmental systems with its developmental goals. 

The resolution underscores that China’s reforms must balance economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability. In this context, the reforms are not only about advancing China’s economic ambitions but also about ensuring the well-being of its people. This vision reflects a commitment to a balanced and inclusive approach.

3. Goals for 2035: A High-Level Socialist Market Economy 

By 2035, China aims to complete its transformation into a high-level socialist market economy. This includes: 

- Improving market mechanisms to reduce government interference and promote innovation. 

- Fostering technological advancements and industrial modernization to ensure China remains at the forefront of global innovation. 

- Enhancing social welfare and governance, with a particular focus on fairness and accessibility in public services, ensuring that all citizens benefit from the nation’s growth. 

Additionally, environmental sustainability will be a critical focus. The resolution emphasizes creating an ecological civilization based on low-carbon development and sustainable resource management. This shift ensures that China’s modernization aligns with global environmental goals.

4. Reforming Public and Private Sectors 

To further integrate the public and private sectors, reforms will aim to strengthen state-owned enterprises while creating more opportunities for private enterprises to thrive. This includes improving access to markets and capital for non-state enterprises and fostering a more competitive and unified national market that promotes fair competition and encourages innovation.

5. Party Leadership and Governance 

A crucial element of China’s modernization is the centralized leadership of the Communist Party. The Party’s role in steering reforms ensures that the modernization process remains aligned with China’s political and social objectives. This leadership will be reinforced by ongoing governance reforms that emphasize transparency, anti-corruption measures, and more efficient administration.

The Central Committee’s resolution represents a forward-thinking approach to reform, one that seeks to bring China closer to its goals of national rejuvenation and global leadership. By 2035, China envisions a robust socialist market economy that balances economic growth, social justice, and environmental stewardship. Through the comprehensive reforms outlined, China is not only shaping its future but also setting an example for the world on how to achieve sustainable and inclusive modernization.

Sources: 

Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, July 2024 

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Halo Hassan Saeed is a writer and journalist, a member of the International Union of Journalists, and the author of two books on the People's Republic of China.