Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 7, 2021

CPC-Led Socialist Industrialization and Its Historical Experience

(Abstract)

Huang Qunhui

Promoting socialist industrialization in a big agrarian country like China with a large population and underdeveloped infrastructure is undoubtedly a time-consuming, complex and arduous mission. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China(CPC), the Chinese people have embarked on a path of socialist industrialization that suits China’s national conditions through proactive exploration and hard work. The Party-led industrialization has made brilliant achievements of immense historic significance. Within the short span of several decades, China has accomplished what took developed countries hundreds of years and has put in place a very complete modern industrial system, making it the second largest economy and the largest manufacturer in the world. Over the Party’s hundred-year history, the victory of the New Democratic Revolution against imperialism and feudalism created fundamental political conditions for socialist industrialization in China. Over the years of socialist revolution and construction, the Party guided the establishment of an independent and relatively complete industrial system and a national economic system. After putting forward the reform and opening-up policy and building socialism with Chinese characteristics, China under the CPC witnessed a tremendous increase in the level of industrialization and rapid economic catch-up. In the new era, China has built a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the goal of industrialization has basically been attained through a process emphasizing high quality. The fundamental experience drawn from the successful Party-led industrialization demonstrates three points. First, the CPC has strong leadership and remains true to its original aspirations while unswervingly constructing socialist industrialization. Second, it applies the general principles of Marxism to China’s reality, setting out on a road of socialist industrialization that conforms to national conditions. Third, it actively explores and follows the laws governing major countries’ industrialization processes, advances with the times, and carries industrialization forward in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.