In recent years, China's urbanization process has achieved remarkable success, with airports, railways, and streets in major cities resembling a dazzling painting. However, beneath this grand spectacle lies a heavy truth—people are living in hardship. What significance does a modernized nation with a beautiful facade hold if its people are suffering?
Recalling the era of Zhu Rongji, China drew inspiration from German urbanization, focusing on developing medium and small cities to absorb more employment. However, since Xi Jinping came to power, there has been a pursuit of grandeur, prioritizing the construction of large cities for the sake of prestige, causing many small and medium-sized cities and rural areas to fall behind due to the suction effect of big cities.
Now, let's admire the appearance of these cities wrapped in grandeur. China's airports resemble soaring dragons in the sky, railways resemble a modernized network of arteries, skyscrapers rise from the ground, and streets are wide and tidy. All of this seems to be a testament to prosperity, a symbol of national strength. However, it is merely a superficial glitter.
Approaching the corners of the city, you will find a group of unknown individuals. They either endure high living costs or are relentlessly exploited while working hard. In these so-called "modernized" cities, the lives of the lower-class populace have not become better because of the grand facade. Instead, they have become sacrifices in this process of modernization, tightly bound by the cold chains of reality.
China's urban development seems to only focus on external splendor, ignoring the suffering of the lower class. High housing prices, medical burdens, and educational pressures have become three heavy burdens on ordinary people, pushing them to the edge of life. Meanwhile, land in some cities is being massively developed, and villages and pastoral scenes are disappearing rapidly. Forced demolitions, illegal arrests, and persecution, accompanying the entire process of land acquisition, have led to numerous tragedies, leaving farmers only with confusion about the future.
So, what is the significance of having such a beautiful facade? Shouldn't we reflect on the true meaning of modernization? Is true modernization merely the prosperity of a city's outward appearance, without caring about people's inner feelings and quality of life?
At this moment, we need profound reflection and a return to the essence of modernization. Modernization should not only be about the skyscrapers of a city or bustling commercial streets but should also involve the improvement of people's lives, where everyone can enjoy fair and reasonable social resources. Only when the fruits of modernization truly benefit all people can the beautiful facade become a truly meaningful existence.
China needs a modernization path that is humane and cares for people's livelihoods. It should not only focus on economic growth figures but also pay attention to people's happiness and quality of life. All of this cannot be separated from freedom and democracy. By allowing people to truly participate under the facade of grandeur, by allowing people to truly be masters of their own destiny, we can truly fill the nation with the smiles of its people, enabling each individual to find their own value and happiness in the tide of modernization. This is the true modernization concept that China needs to pursue.
