Hundreds gather in Guangzhou for ninth Understanding China Conference

The 2025 Understanding China Conference came to a close in Guangzhou on Tuesday after more than 800 Chinese and international participants explored Chinese-style modernization and a new pattern of global governance.

"Their discussions and exchange of views during the event further have shattered the myth that 'modernization equals Westernization' and offered a highly referential governance model for the world," said Xu Weixin, chairperson of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy.

According to Xu, the three-day event not only effectively communicated to the international community the global significance of the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and the profound implications of the 'Four Global Initiatives', but also provided a chance for the international community to grasp China's development blueprint and share in the opportunities presented by China's progress.

The Four Global Initiatives proposed by China are the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Initiative for Ecological Environment Governance.

Mulatu Teshome, former president of Ethiopia, said that China's path to modernization offers a new alternative for developing countries, particularly African and Global South countries.

It presents a "highly referential development paradigm" to the world, powerfully demonstrating that modernization is not solely achievable through the capitalist path, he said.

Former Egyptian prime minister Essam Sharaf said China has become a "stabilizing force in the international community," with its pace and quality of development garnering global admiration and providing confidence to Global South countries.

According to organizers, the record high of more than 800 politicians, officials, experts, entrepreneurs, foreign envoys and representatives of international organizations and multinational companies from around the world who attended this year's event demonstrated that China's modernization and development is gaining broader recognition across more countries and regions.

Themed "New Plan, New Development, New Choices - Chinese Modernization and New Vision for Global Governance", the ninth edition of the event was co-hosted by the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Guangdong provincial government.