A vessel carrying zero-tariff petrochemical raw materials arrives at Yangpu Port in Danzhou, Hainan Province, on Dec. 18, 2025, following the launch of island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Photo: IC PHOTO

China’s reform and opening up represents a profound transformation in the country’s institutional trajectory and civilizational development. It has reshaped the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, revitalized socialism worldwide, and propelled the great rejuvenation of Chinese civilization. These three dimensions are closely intertwined, together forming a panoramic view of the profound historical significance of reform and opening up.

Self-improvement of socialism in China

The most direct and fundamental relationship between reform and opening up and China’s socialist system lies in its success in resolving long-standing historical challenges that had constrained socialist construction. Through “self-reform,” the socialist system was freed from rigid institutional models and infused with unprecedented vitality.

Reform and opening up was initiated against a backdrop in which China’s socialist development path was in urgent need of adjustment. After the founding of the PRC, the CPC led people of all ethnic groups in the arduous transition from new democracy to socialism, embarking on a new phase of socialist construction. As socialism was still a new undertaking for China, shortcomings and deviations inevitably arose in grasping national conditions accurately and in understanding socialism itself, even as the Party adhered to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities.

Through deep reflection, the CPC came to recognize that China remained in the primary stage of socialism and that “socialism must eliminate poverty.” To eradicate poverty, promote development, and advance modernization, socialism must make effective use of market forces, along with reform and opening up. This, in turn, required actively absorbing and drawing upon the achievements of human civilization, including positive outcomes from the West. Reform and opening up thus represented a rational and historically inevitable choice.

Injecting vitality into global socialism

From the perspective of the global socialist movement, China’s reform and opening up constitutes not only an exploration of socialism within the nation, but also a concrete practice of world socialism on Chinese soil. By breaking through rigid interpretations of socialism and innovating its understanding, this practice has exerted a demonstrative influence extending beyond China itself.

In the early stages of socialist construction, socialist countries around the world, to varying degrees, drew upon the Soviet development model. Planned economy was often regarded as a defining feature of socialism, accompanied by an emphasis on the purity of public ownership and the strengthening of central authority. Consequently, socialism became increasingly dogmatic and struggled to adapt to changing realities, giving rise to a series of crises.

Against this backdrop, identifying a development path suited to national conditions without deviating from socialist principles became a pressing issue for socialist countries. China’s reform and opening up stands as a successful exploration of how to improve and develop the socialist system. It enabled China to become a central pillar of global socialism, reverse the downturn experienced by socialism in the late 20th century, and achieve accomplishments that have captured attention worldwide.

Reform and opening up has also deepened understanding of the laws governing socialist construction and generated important theoretical insights. China’s socialist practice has successfully navigated a series of complex relationships, including those between reform, development, and stability; between planning and the market; between the government and the market; and between independence and openness. Major theoretical innovations such as the “primary stage of socialism,” the “socialist market economy,” and the “community with a shared future for humanity” have enriched and advanced Marxism and scientific socialism. Rooted in China’s experience, these innovations offer valuable reference points for other socialist countries: On the path of socialist construction, it is vital to integrate specific national realities while advancing and applying theoretical innovations in Marxism at home.

Rejuvenating Chinese civilization

The deeper significance of reform and opening up also lies in its activation of the enduring “genes” of Chinese civilization. It initiated a historic transformation from a traditional agrarian civilization to a modern industrial—and even an information—civilization, enabling Chinese civilization to shine anew in the course of modernization.

In practical terms, reform and opening up has served as a sustained driver of the rejuvenation of Chinese civilization. China has introduced technology, management expertise, and capital, while more importantly absorbing modern civilizational elements such as market concepts and an ethos of innovation. By adhering to the principle of maintaining initiative in its own development while selectively integrating useful external elements, the intrinsic qualities of Chinese civilization—collectivism, a strong sense of family and national responsibility, unremitting self-improvement, and the pursuit of harmony and balance—have collided and fused with modern requirements such as competition, efficiency, innovation, and the rule of law. This fusion has given rise to a distinctive development model that is both modern in orientation and deeply rooted in China’s fine traditional culture.

Reform and opening up has facilitated opportunities for exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, deepening recognition of the enduring value of China’s fine traditional culture and promoting its creative transformation and innovative development. As a result, Chinese civilization has emerged on the world stage as a vibrant, dynamic form of human civilization.

Lin Jinping is a professor from the School of Marxism at Sun Yat-sen University.