CGTN: How China's Development Path Has Become a Model for Global Growth
Beijing, (ANTARA/PRNewswire) – Following the annual Two Sessions in China, CGTN published an article analysing the country’s steps to promote high-quality development through green transformation and innovation in recent years. The piece also discusses China’s sustainable development model as a reference for developing countries while opening new opportunities for the global economy.
Located in Huangyan District, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, the Huangyan Grottoes has long been a source of natural stone material since the Tang Dynasty for building city walls, roads, bridges, and houses. The industry has also underpinned regional development. However, in the 1980s, mining activities were halted, leaving large empty caves.
A turning point came in 2023 when a design team from Tsinghua University joined the revitalisation project. Through strengthening structures, ecological restoration, and creative redesign, the abandoned quarry was transformed into a network of art spaces, concert halls, and cafes. Since opening in February this year, the site has attracted more than 500,000 visitors and generated tourism revenue of about RMB 11 million (approximately USD 1.6 million) by November.
“Development is the key to improving people’s well-being,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping in the general debate of the 76th UN General Assembly in September 2021. In that session, Xi proposed the Global Development Initiative, emphasising development, a people-centred approach, drive for innovation, harmony between humanity and nature, and tangible results to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Since 2013, China has sharpened its approach to transforming traditional growth models and gradually built a governance approach to a modern economy rooted in green development, people-centredness, and driven by innovation.
Model of green-growth, people-centred development
The Huangyan Grottoes transformation reflects this shift, but it is not the only example. Across China, many cities and regions are tailoring development strategies to local conditions and leveraging unique resources to boost industry and sustainable growth.
In Panzhihua, a mining city, the coal-based industry once accounted for 78% of industrial value in the Western District, reflecting a resource-based growth model. Yet as this model became unsustainable, the district embarked on a green transformation.
Thirteen enterprises with outdated capacity have ceased operations, 133 environmentally polluting enterprises have been closed, and 109 industrial storage sites were demolished. At the same time, industry has been steered toward the sectors of new materials, new energy, advanced processing of vanadium-titanium steel, and resource recycling.
The results have been significant. In the 2022–2024 period, carbon emissions and emission intensity have continued to fall. By 2024, emissions reached around 303,500 tonnes of CO2, while emission intensity declined by 24.8% year on year. The district now aims to develop as a zero-carbon industrial zone within three years and to grow strategic industries in the field of advanced materials and new energy.
Beyond industrial transformation, several other regions are also leveraging local cultural strengths to drive development.
In Guizhou Province, the village football league known as the “Cun Chao” has grown into a national cultural phenomenon. This activity drew more than 5.19 million visitors, generated tourism revenue almost RMB 5.99 billion, and created over 12,000 flexible jobs. Meanwhile, in Beidaihe, Beihai Province, the Aranya coastal community has evolved into a creativity hub hosting theatre, music, and dance festivals, attracting designers and artists from across the country.
Gyula Thurmer, Chairman of the Hungarian Labour Party, assessed that despite the volatile global economy, China’s economy remains resilient. He argued that China’s governance approach—focused on the people and with a long-term vision—could serve as an important example for countries facing complex global challenges.
Providing opportunities for global growth
Against the backdrop of a fragile global economy due to protectionism and geopolitical tensions, China seeks to provide stability through steady domestic growth and sustained open-door policies.
Over the past five years, China has contributed around 30% to global economic growth each year, making it one of the world’s largest contributors. With a population of 1.4 billion, China’s market offers significant potential for trade in goods, services, and investment; China has been the world’s largest trader of goods for several recent years.
In international cooperation, numerous Belt and Road Initiative projects—including the Jakarta–Bandung High-Speed Rail, China–Laos Railway, and the Piraeus Port in Greece—have helped upgrade infrastructure, create jobs, and support economic recovery in partner countries.
Moreover, China continues to streamline the list of negative foreign investment and hosts various international trade platforms such as the China International Import Expo, to open markets for global business.
Hamid Moghadam, Co-founder & CEO of Prologis, said that the surge in consumer demand in China presents a “huge opportunity”, and that advances in the Chinese market directly drive the growth of the company.
Meanwhile, Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), described China as an “important example”