The 2025 Understanding China Conference opened on December 2, 2025, in Guangzhou, uniting prominent global statesmen, scholars, industry leaders, and representatives from international organizations. This year’s theme, “New Plan, New Development, New Choices — Chinese Modernization and the New Vision of Global Governance,” aims to explore the implications of the 15th Five-Year Plan for both China and the world.
Zheng Bijian, Founding Chairman and Chairman of the Academic Committee of the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy (CIIDS), emphasized the importance of comprehending contemporary China to understand its modernization efforts. He stated that the ongoing exploration of modernization, as outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan, challenges the notion that “modernization equals Westernization.” This perspective offers a “new choice” for countries in the Global South on their developmental paths and promotes a vision of collective progress.
The conference featured a thematic forum titled “Leading the Future: ‘Artificial Intelligence+’ in the Context of the 15th Five-Year Plan’s Industrial Upgrading and Talent Cultivation.” This session aimed to examine how industries can harness the power of artificial intelligence effectively.
Key Topics and Increased Participation
Significant discussions at this year’s conference included the development experiences of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Innovative dialogue sessions focused on crucial themes such as high-level openness in the Greater Bay Area and the implications of Chinese modernization on international trade.
Xu Weixin, President of CIIDS, highlighted a notable increase in participation from Global South countries, indicating the conference’s growing international influence. Approximately 200 representatives from 72 countries and regions attended, with 70% coming from Global South nations and 70% being first-time attendees. This growth underscores the conference’s role as a vital platform for these countries to learn from Chinese modernization initiatives and contribute to building a community with a shared future.
The Understanding China Conference not only fosters dialogue on modernization but also emphasizes collaborative efforts in global governance. As the world navigates complex challenges, understanding different pathways to development becomes increasingly essential.
For more information about the conference, please visit the CIIDS website at http://en.ciids.cn/.
