Professor Zhao Yiliang from the School of Marxism at Beihang University has published a significant research paper, titled "The Narrative Structure of Chinese Modernization," in the English-language edition of Social Sciences in China (Vol. 47, No. 2, 2026). The paper has been indexed in major international databases including Web of Science.

The article was originally published in Chinese as The Narrative Mode of Chinese Modernization in the Chinese edition of Social Sciences in China (No. 7, 2025). This latest publication marks Professor Zhao's fourth publication in the journal across both its Chinese and English editions, significantly advancing the academic standing of Beihang's School of Marxism both at home and abroad..

The paper argues that, viewed through the broad perspective and grand logic of world historical developmentand the enduring coexistence of socialist and capitalist systems, Chinese modernization has forged an entirely new path toward a shared future. It introduces a novel conceptual framework encompassing the subject, essence, characteristics, and evaluative criteria of modernization.

Central to Professor Zhao's argument is a tripartite narrative structure built on "subject-cooperation," "elements-coordination," and "wholeness-organicity." This framework, he contends, fundamentally breaks from the Western "core-periphery" model that has long dominated modernization discourse. In its place, the paper constructs a distinct narrative logic centered on historical orientation, leading subjects, essential requirements, defining features, value objectives, and strategic approaches.

Oriented toward the future with the idea of "a new form of human civilization," Chinese modernization offers a fresh vision for the future of human progress and provides ananswer to the fundamental question of humanity's direction. The Chinese path and its accompanying logic, the paper concludes, have emerged as a new consensus and source of hope for building a better world.

Founded in 1980 and sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Social Sciences in China (English Edition) is widely recognized as one of the most influential international academic journals in the humanities and social sciences in China. It serves as a vital window for showcasing the latest and most significant research achievements of Chinese scholars to the global academic community.

Link to the article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02529203.2026.2706297

Editor: Lyu Xingyun