Think tank report on new model for human advancement widely hailed by experts

The report examines how Chinese modernization has generated a unique civilizational model, analyzes shared global challenges, and presents China's approach as a valuable reference for other countries, especially the Global South, to navigate their respective modernization journeys.

SAO PAULO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The think tank report "A New Model for Human Advancement and Its Global Significance" has been widely hailed by experts for providing insights and support for the Global South's shared quest for sustainable development.

The report, written by the joint research group at the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and New China Research, was unveiled at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum held in Sao Paulo on Monday and Tuesday.

The report examines how Chinese modernization has generated a unique civilizational model, analyzes shared global challenges, and presents China's approach as a valuable reference for other countries, especially the Global South, to navigate their respective modernization journeys.

A NEW APPROACH

The report addresses an array of challenges facing today's world, including the deficits in peace, development, security and governance, which demand new solutions.

Experts at the forum agreed that humanity must explore new development paths to cope with the shared crises we are facing.

Munetsi Madakufamba, executive director of Zimbabwe's Southern African Research and Documentation Centre, said "when war or climate crises hit one part of the world, the effects ripple across all borders. Humanity's fate is interconnected."

Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, pointed to the weakness of today's global financial and political systems and attributed these strains to the decline in economic and trade vitality after the 2008 financial crisis and the rise in geopolitical conflicts, both of which jeopardize global stability.

Bunn Nagara, director and senior fellow of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for the Asia-Pacific, emphasized that threats such as trade conflicts and proxy wars undermine the goals of Global South countries. "We need a united front to address these shared challenges," he stressed.

CHINESE MODERNIZATION

Huseyin Bagci, president of Turkey's Ankara Global Advisory Group, who has visited China 12 times, praised the Chinese modernization, calling it a compelling model for the Global South.

"China has achieved something unprecedented, lifting 800 million people out of poverty in record time. This approach offers valuable insights and choices for other nations," he noted.

Chai Yu, director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Chinese modernization is "both unique to China and universally applicable," since it is rooted in China's practice and has the spirit of seeking truth from facts, openness and inclusiveness.

She suggested that developing countries draw from the report's insights, adapting them to suit their own contexts and goals.

Hu Zhengrong, director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, appreciated the measured approach of the report.

"The report clearly lays out China's experience in a way that resonates globally, without overstating China's uniqueness. It's an effective approach," he said.

A SHARED VISION

The report underscores that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to modernization; each country should pursue a path that aligns with its unique conditions and culture.

Mahbub Morshed, managing director & chief editor of the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, reflected on the impact of colonial histories, noting that many people in Asia, Africa and Latin America were once led to believe that Western values were superior.

"In reality, every part of the world has produced civilizations with rich and distinct cultural values. True progress requires respecting these differences and fostering a spirit of equality and mutual respect," he said.

"Civilizations differ in their origins and characteristics, but none is superior to another. We must value the diversity of human cultures," added Tang Tao, deputy director of the Research Planning Department at China's Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee.

Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, emphasized that building a "community with a shared future" is not only an ideal but an essential response to challenges like climate change, pandemics and poverty. He advocated for unity and mutual respect as the foundations of sustainable human progress.

Brazilian Minister of Institutional Relations Alexandre Padilha highlighted the importance of strengthening exchanges between China and Brazil, especially in trade, technology and cultural understanding.

"Through equal partnership, we can support each other in modernization efforts and face global challenges together," he said.

The forum, guided by the State Council Information Office and jointly organized by Xinhua News Agency and Brazil Communication Company, attracted about 350 participants from 170 media organizations, think tanks, government departments and enterprises from over 70 countries and regions.■