High-speed trains park at a train maintenance station in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Photo: TUCHONG

As Oct. 1 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, CSST conducted a questionnaire survey titled “When did you feel the strength and confidence of China as a major country?.” This survey invited young, middle-aged, and senior scholars from various regions within the social science community to share their perceptions of their homeland.

A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed, yielding 109 valid responses. The surveyed scholars answered questions and selected options regarding China’s political system, economic development, sci-tech achievements, and cultural influence. Among the respondents, those aged 20 to 30 represented the largest demographic, comprising 47.71% of the total. Academics aged 31 to 45 and 46 to 60 followed, accounting for 26.61% and 17.43%, respectively. Scholars aged 60 and above accounted for only 8.25% of the respondents.

Leapfrog economic development

In response to the question “When did you feel the strength and confidence of China as a major country?,” 60.55% of the scholars surveyed selected the option when “China became the second largest economy in the world with the most complete industrial system.”

Yang Geng, a professor of philosophy at Beijing Normal University, attributed this phenomenon fundamentally to the leapfrog development of the Chinese economy since the founding of the PRC, particularly following the 18th CPC National Congress. He noted that the expanding economy and increasing composite national strength have bolstered national confidence. Furthermore, the Chinese path to industrialization has laid the foundation for economic development, and Chinese modernization, particularly the establishment of the socialist market economy, has opened up broad spaces, he emphasized.

In 2023, China’s GDP reached 126 trillion yuan (approximately $17.86 trillion), accounting for about 17% of the global total. From 2013 to 2023, the Chinese economy contributed more than 30% to world economic growth annually on average, serving as the primary locomotive of the global economy.

In the view of Wei Houkai, a Member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and director of the Rural Development Institute at CASS, one of the key factors behind China’s remarkable economic accomplishments is its commitment to the right direction, anchored in the long-term goals of building a modern country and rejuvenating the nation to advance the strategies in a phased manner. The synchronized advancement of industrialization and urbanization significantly boosts economic growth and provides robust industrial support. This dual advancement also creates effective pathways for transferring rural labor and increasing residents’ incomes, ultimately setting the stage for improving the people’s wellbeing and enhancing composite national strength.

Remarkable high-tech achievements

Scholars of different age groups registered different focuses of attention concerning China’s development. Specifically, individuals aged 20 to 45 expressed the strongest sentiments toward high-tech fields, such as high-speed rail and 5G technology. In contrast, those aged 46 to 60 and over 60 exhibited a heightened awareness of achievements in poverty alleviation, improvements in political institutions, and China’s rise as the world’s second largest economy.

75 years ago, the Chinese populace could have hardly envisioned such dramatic transformations. Starting from a weak foundation—where the country struggled to produce automobiles, airplanes, tanks, and tractors—to implementing 14 five-year plans successively, operating high-speed trains around the clock, launching spaceships into orbit, and securing more than one-third of global essential patents for 5G standards, today, the nation has a vastly different and diverse landscape.

Ouyang Kang, director of the Institute of State Governance at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, noted that the development and application of 5G technology and high-speed rail have improved the people’s living conditions, and revolutionized the ways in which people produce, live, and interact. With reduced travel times, expanded spaces, increased speeds, and enhanced efficiency, both economic and social development have accelerated and grown healthier.

Over the past 75 years, particularly since reform and opening up, China has steadily progressed from being a follower to a leader in 5G technology and high-speed rail, Ouyang continued. This trajectory epitomizes China’s evolution from a manufacturing powerhouse to a leading country in manufacturing, while demonstrating its strength in infrastructure construction and technological innovation, as well as the wisdom and creativity of its people.

Better life for the people

In the open Q&A section of the questionnaire, some scholars wrote that they were most impressed by the increasing sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security among the people.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has placed greater emphasis on improving the livelihoods and wellbeing of its citizens, said Guan Xinping, a professor from the School of Sociology at Nankai University. With the implementation of an ever-increasing range of policies aimed at ensuring living standards and the refinement of related systems, the people’s lives have improved substantively.

Guan informed CSST that in the field of education, obstacles hindering children from going to school have largely been eliminated. The rights of Chinese children to receive free compulsory education have been effectively safeguarded, and the enrollment rate in higher education has approached levels seen in developed countries. Additionally, medical and health service institutions have been continuously improved, with the primary-level three-tier hospital system steadily optimized. By combining market forces with public services provided by the government, related services and security systems are becoming increasingly sound. “These are visible and tangible improvements from which the people can derive a sense of fulfillment and happiness,” Guan said.

Moreover, the sky has become bluer, the land greener, and the water cleaner. According to Chen Jiyin, a professor from the School of Journalism and New Media at Xi’an Jiaotong University, the relationship between humanity and nature has been redefined over the past 75 years. From past challenges like raging winds, sandstorms, and soil erosion, the nation has transitioned to lucid waters and lush mountains, thanks to relentless environmental protection and resource conservation efforts. The vision of a beautiful China is gradually becoming a reality, and improvements in the ecological environment have further strengthened the people’s sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security, Chen added.