Prominent scholar Zheng Yongnian outlined the dual pillars of Chinese modernization during the 2025 International Forum on Mutual Learning Among Civilizations, which kicked off in the Macao Special Administrative Region on December 16. The event, attended by over 50 government leaders, global organization representatives, and experts from 10 countries and regions, focused on fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
Zheng, director of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), emphasized that China’s modernization model maintains cultural subjectivity while engaging globally. "After achieving modernization, China has extended the ladder it climbed to help other countries realize shared prosperity," he stated, framing this approach as a blueprint for equitable development.
The forum coincides with the 26th anniversary of Macao’s return to China, underscoring its role as a bridge for international dialogue. Participants discussed sustainable development strategies aligned with China’s emphasis on civilizational exchange as a driver of economic progress.
