The world today is undergoing a significant transformation of international relations and global trade rules, which raises many questions about future development. Therefore, the topic of China’s unique modernization phenomenon is more relevant than ever. 

China’s modernization began with the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and has passed through various stages. The most important outcome has been the clear demonstration that scientific approaches, perseverance in achieving goals, and resolute defense of national interests on the international stage can yield remarkable results.

Today, China is the world’s second-largest economy. In 2024, China's GDP reached a record 18.4 trillion U.S. dollars with 5 percent growth. It also holds the world’s largest foreign currency reserves, amounting to 3.2 trillion dollars. High-speed rail networks span about 47,000 kilometers. In areas such as artificial intelligence, China leads in the number of patents related to generative AI, outpacing the U.S. sixfold over the last decade.

Today, Central Asian countries are observing these achievements, leading Chinese companies like Huawei, Alibaba, Baidu, Xiaomi, and many others attract global consumers not only through affordability but also through technological innovation.

Even in daily life, Kazakhstanis feel the impact of China’s modernization -- using Chinese smartphones, internet standards, computers, online marketplaces, and now also Chinese-made cars. In neighboring Uzbekistan, China’s poverty alleviation strategies are officially embedded in the national program to eradicate poverty.

It is important to note that poverty undermines human dignity and hinders economic potential. China’s experience shows that when poverty is eliminated, streets in even the smallest villages become clean -- people stop struggling to survive and start caring for the environment, investing in education, and raising overall living standards. 

The trade war launched by The United States Government, which led to tariffs, poses new challenges and conflict.

Yet this also creates new incentives within the Chinese economy. Recently, I visited Urumqi for personal reasons and once again observed the rapid modernization underway in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Today, Xinjiang is a new growth point influencing the Chinese, and therefore the global economy. In 2024, its GDP exceeded 273 billion dollars, with 6.1 percent growth. It’s also worth noting that it’s a region with a relatively young population: only 13.7 percent of the population is over 60. The pace of modernization in Xinjiang’s cities, especially Urumqi, is astonishing. For example, the Urumqi metro opened only in 2018 and already spans about 32 km. For comparison, Almaty’s metro, launched in 2011, covers only about 13 km -- and it’s still uncertain whether it will ever reach the airport.

The development of China’s western regions provides a crucial area for economic expansion. High-speed rail construction in Xinjiang -- including its route to Yining, then Kashgar and other cities -- represents major orders for Chinese companies and strong motivation for internal growth.

For Central Asia, China has indeed opened a new path to modernization for developing countries-- a large-scale development model that can be leveraged for joint development. It has provided states and nations seeking accelerated development -- while preserving their independence and sovereignty -- with an entirely new option.

Under current conditions, the importance of Xinjiang and regional cooperation is growing as we move toward co-development within the framework of a Community of Shared Future.

Auther: Adil Kaukenov, Board Member of the Kazakhstan "Belt and Road" Experts Club