I recently concluded a two-week trip to China, spending time in both Beijing and Shanghai, and I was not only inspired but also deeply challenged.

Walking through the streets of these two cities, riding on high-speed trains, navigating cashless markets, and observing the rhythm of daily life made one thing crystal clear: China's modernization is not just about infrastructure or economics—it is a philosophy, a national project, and a social contract.

Planning with a Long-Term Vision

No wonder there is an enduring Chinese proverb: "To get rich, first build roads." This is not just about asphalt and highways; it's about establishing connections—between rural and urban areas, between people and opportunities, between vision and implementation. In Beijing and Shanghai, I witnessed the results of this mindset: cities operating with surgical precision. Here, planning is not bureaucratic; it is a moral obligation to future generations. South Africa has yet to embrace such a unified vision despite its promises.

To truly understand what is happening in China, one must look beyond skyscrapers and bullet trains. The phrase "Chinese-style modernization" refers to a development model rooted in China's unique history, culture, and governance structure.

This model prioritizes common prosperity over extreme individual wealth; material and cultural development coexist harmoniously, making progress not just about GDP but dignity; it promotes green development, balancing growth with respect for the environment; it advocates peaceful international cooperation, rejecting dominance and promoting mutual respect.

In contrast to the Western model that often emphasizes rapid liberalization and profit maximization, Chinese-style modernization adopts a holistic, long-term approach, moving forward with discipline and direction, without haste.

Efficiency with Clear Objectives

The Chinese also believe in another adage: "Time is money, efficiency is life." I saw this reflected not only in how services are implemented but also in how people act, work, and think. From the seamless metro systems in Shanghai to the meticulously managed public spaces in Beijing, the emphasis is not on doing things as fast as possible but on doing them right—precisely and with clear objectives.

In South Africa, we waste precious time due to inefficiencies—both structural and human. Delayed projects, ineffective procurement mechanisms, and the growing gap between policy and action erode public trust. What if we respected efficiency even a fraction as much as China does? What if our municipalities were held accountable for delivering services on time within budget? What if time became sacred in South Africa?

South Africa often views infrastructure as a political tool rather than an enabler of inclusion. Roads are built where they can harvest votes, not where they can transform lives. But China teaches us that infrastructure is the nervous system of modernization; without it, economic progress cannot move forward.

In the two cities I visited, infrastructure is a right, not a privilege, connecting even the remotest areas via top-tier public transportation. Communities benefit from reliable utilities, smart city technologies, and clean, safe public facilities. Importantly, China's infrastructure is used to narrow, not widen, gaps.

South Africa must do the same. Our townships must be fully integrated into the national development strategy. A well-paved road can form a supply chain, a reliable power grid can launch digital businesses, and railway lines can enable labor mobility. We need more than just roads; we need "roads" driven by vision.

Professional and Efficient Government Governance

Another lesson from China is the government's strong capacity to enforce policies. In many parts of the world, "government" has become a euphemism for inaction. In China, the government remains an enforcement mechanism. Appointments are based on performance and results, goals are set and measured, and corrupt behavior is swiftly punished.

By comparison, South Africa's public sector suffers from severe lack of trust among the populace. This is not just a governance issue; it is also a moral one. To achieve modernization, we must professionalize. We need mission-driven, capable, and ethical civil servants. Governance must transform from a liability into an asset. Without this, no amount of foreign investment, technology, or goodwill can save us.

China's transition to a digital society is remarkable. In Beijing and Shanghai, I didn't need to carry cash at all. From street vendors to large shopping malls, everything operates through digital payment systems.

South Africa has a high mobile phone penetration rate. With appropriate investment and political will, we could digitize public services, improve access to information, and bring informal merchants into the formal economy. We don't need to digitize the entire economy overnight, but we can start by digitizing our intentions.

The Chinese model is not just about material progress; its emphasis on the harmonious relationship between cultural development and economic growth offers profound insights. In South Africa, we often treat art, culture, and heritage as secondary to development.

Yet, it is precisely these elements that make development meaningful. China reminds us that a society must know itself while strengthening its foundations. Cultural spaces, historical preservation, and national pride are deeply embedded in their urban planning. China's modernization is not rootless; it has firm grounding.

China's story is not a script we can copy verbatim; it is a chapter we must read carefully. South Africa's modernization cannot and should not mirror China entirely. However, those principles—discipline, long-term planning, efficiency, fairness, and cohesion—are universal. We must find our own path to modernization.

Building roads is not just for getting rich; it is also about giving our people dignity. Valuing time is not just for economic growth; it is also for saving our democracy. If China can transform dramatically in a generation, so can we.

(Translated by Zhao Feifei)

This article was published on April 22 by South Africa's Independent Online news website, originally titled "Taking a Chapter from China's Modernization Journey: Lessons South Africa Can Learn." Written by Sithole Mathebane.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498536272202383891/

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