This open-access book systematically examines the theoretical foundations, developmental trajectory, and future prospects of modernization with Chinese characteristics. Through rigorous historical analysis and empirical research, it addresses pivotal questions: What is modernization with Chinese characteristics? How has it evolved, and what sets it apart from other models of development? Why did China propose to basically realize the goal of socialist modernization? What major impact will this modernization have on China and the world?

The book offers three major contributions: first, a systematic methodology for assessing modernization progress that incorporates both quantitative metrics and qualitative institutional innovations; second, empirical evidence of China's ability to achieve modernization while advancing green development and common prosperity goals; and finally, a forward-looking perspective that situates China's developmental achievements within broader global debates about inequality and sustainable growth. Through comparative analysis and historical contextualization, this book provides fresh insights into modernization with Chinese characteristics and development strategies.

Angang Hu is Senior Professor of Liberal Arts at Tsinghua University, and the Honorary Dean of the Institute for Contemporary China Studies, Tsinghua University. Hu received his Ph.D. (1988) from the China Academy of Science and conducted postdoctoral research (1991–1992) at Yale University. He received an honorary doctorate from the Russian Academy of Science’s Institute of Far Eastern Studies in 2004. Professor Hu is one of the leading experts in China Studies. His research and teaching interests include China Studies, macro-economics, economic and social development strategy, and the theory and practice of Chinese development. He has published widely in these areas. With his achievements in research, he was awarded the First Prize of the Science and Technology Progress Awards of the China Academy of Science (twice), the Sun Yefang Economic Papers Prize (2000), and the Fudan Premium Fund of Management (2008). He is also a member of the Advisory Committee for the Twelfth and Thirteenth Five-Year Plans under the NDRC, an advisory member of the National Disaster Mitigation Committee, and a member of the Advisory Committee under the Ministry of Agriculture. He was elected as a representative of the 18th CCP National Congress in 2012.