China: A Role Model for Developing Countries

Jawed Ahmed Malik

Chief Editor The News Lark, Karachi

http//: www.thenewslark.com

The wonderful and astonishing story of China’s success is a matter of great interest for the people of developing countries. In just four decades, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, a remarkable achievement. Developing countries should follow the path of China to achieve their economic development goals. Pakistan particularly needs to learn from China. China believes in peace, investment, business, and sharing resources, and its influence in the global economy and politics, which would pave the way for a balance of power, peace, and stability.

China is the factory of the world. In 1970 its global production contribution was only 3% now it is 27.7%, it is exporting to about 200 countries and producing about 80% of the world’s air conditioners, 70 % of mobiles, 60% of shoes, 74% of solar sales, 60 % cement, 50% coal, 45% ship building, 50% steel, is being produced by just one country “CHINA”. It is also astonishing that about 50% of apples are produced by China, while the USA, which is second in rank, only produces 7 % apples of the world. It is now the world’s largest economy with a GDP of $ 40.71 trillion (PPP). It is also the largest exporter in the world with $ 3.57 trillion in exports. Surprisingly, 90% of American flags were manufactured in China. It is normally thought that China can only produce cheap goods, but people are highly surprised when they are told that 60% of the most branded luxurious items are produced in China. In the 1970s, it was poorer than African countries. In 1978, its per capita income was just 155 dollars, while it jumped to $ 13,687 nominal and US$28,978 PPP.   Its mass production policies destroyed the price structure of most of the world’s famous companies and countries. It has a competitive edge over many countries due to its mass-scale production. Its workforce is highly trained, efficient, active, vibrant, and experienced. China is the largest economy in the world by PPP since 2014, the world’s second-largest economy by nominal GDP since 2010, and the largest economy in Eurasia. Since the introduction of economic reforms in 1978, China’s economy has been the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with an annual growth rate consistently above 10%.  One of the world’s foremost infrastructural giants, China has the world’s largest bullet train network and the most super tallest skyscrapers in the world. China borders 14 countries, more than any other country except Russia.

Chinese World Share in High Quality Patents in Selected Technologies 2010-2025

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised China’s 2025 GDP growth forecast upwards to 4.8%, citing stronger-than-expected activities and government support for consumption. This enabled China to achieve its annual growth target of 5% which is the highest among all developed countries. This achievement is despite tariffs imposed by US President Trump. China’s manufacturing and modern services are performing well, especially in high-tech areas like Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles, and advanced robotics. Strategic diversification has boosted exports to regions like ASEAN, Africa, and Latin America, offsetting declines in trade with the USA.

President Xi Jinping is a farsighted, visionary, able, and committed leader, and under his dynamic leadership, China is leading the world in economic and scientific development.

After India’shumiliating defeat at the hands of Pakistan, now China is the focus of global power, and a military parade in September 2025, attended by leaders from Russia, Pakistan, Turkiye, North Korea, and many other countries, demonstrated China’s growing military hardware and was seen as a major military power in the world. China is rapidly advancing in artificial intelligence, with companies like Huawei and Deep Seek releasing highly efficient AI models and chips. National strategies, including the AI+ Initiative, are integrating AI across key sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and autonomous vehicles.Manned missions and asteroid exploration projects are planned for 2025, signaling China’s growing ambitions in space.The “Made in China 2025” strategy, although no longer a prominent slogan, continues to drive technological independence in strategic industries like robotics, green energy, and aerospace. 

In 2025, China launched a plan to become a technology superpower by 2049. The China 2025” strategy defined core industries, such as robotics, pharma, electric vehicles, aerospace, and advanced digitization, in which China wants to become globally competitive and largely independent of foreign technology. By 2025, the strategic goal was to significantly increase innovation capacity. At the World Economic Forum 2025, presented new analysis was presented on where China currently stands in these strategic technologies from a high-quality patent perspective. China’s goal to significantly increase its innovation capacity is a massive understatement. China is already the world leader in five high technologies: railways, advanced digitization, ships, robotics, and green energy, and second in four others: new materials, power equipment, aerospace, and electric vehicles. In Artificial Intelligence, which is going to decide the world’s future, China has a world share of 47%.

In 1997, China had the world’s largest poor population, with 16 million government employees and only 5% share of the private sector in its GDP. Its per capita GDP was 30% less than Pakistan’s, and India’s GDP was double that of China. With only 4 million government employees, it’s achieved the economic miracle of lifting 800 million people from poverty and achieving zero absolute poverty in 2020. Now see the difference in 2025

The difference is self-explanatory. China is standing at the victory stand, and I am proud that my newspaper, “The News Lark” of which I am chief editor, is a part of the historical Pakistan-China friendship, and we have always given priority to publishing and giving due coverage to Chinese news and activities. Our Senior Research Editor, Dr. Syed Mehboob, recently completed a century of his articles on China, which is indeed a great achievement and a great contribution. I pledge my commitment that I will, Insha Allah, continue promoting Pakistan-China Friendship.