For decades, the Western path to modernization has played a leading role in advancing industrialization and globalization, making significant contributions to the progress of human civilization and serving as an influential model for development. However, it has also fostered the widespread perception that modernization must follow a single predetermined trajectory.
In reality, modernization has never been confined to a universal template. Based on its own national conditions, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has developed a people-centered philosophy anchored in the principle of “putting the people first,” challenging the long-held notion that modernization is synonymous with Westernization.
Rooted in China’s millennia-old traditions of governance, this modern value has brought profound changes to the lives of more than 1.4 billion people. Achievements that took many developed nations centuries to realize have been accomplished by China within just a few decades. Today, even residents in the country’s most remote regions have access to electricity, internet connectivity, and essential healthcare services.
The cultural foundations of this development philosophy can be traced to ancient Chinese wisdom passed down over thousands of years. Its practical effectiveness has been demonstrated by China’s historic campaign that lifted nearly 100 million people out of poverty. Increasingly, countries around the world have begun to recognize the broader global significance of this governance approach.
The Formation of the “People First” Philosophy
The concept of “People First” is a central element of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s governing philosophy. It represents both the contemporary inheritance and the creative development of the Marxist principle of serving the people.
Since its founding, the Communist Party of China has regarded serving the people wholeheartedly as its fundamental mission.
As a key component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, “People First” is far more than an abstract political slogan. It constitutes a comprehensive ideological framework that integrates theoretical foundations, cultural heritage, practical governance, and universal values.
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, the Party Central Committee, with Xi Jinping at its core, has incorporated the principle of serving the people into every aspect of reform and development, social governance, and the protection of public well-being, establishing a governance philosophy centered on the people.
Cultural Roots of the “People First” Concept
The “People First” philosophy represents a creative transformation of China’s long-standing people-oriented governance tradition.
More than two thousand years ago, the ancient Chinese classic Shangshu (Book of Documents) stated: “The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is secure, the nation enjoys stability.”
Ancient philosopher Mencius further emphasized that “the people are the most important, the state comes next, and the ruler is of the least importance.”
Another enduring Chinese proverb captures this philosophy: “Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it,” underscoring the idea that the strength and legitimacy of a government ultimately depend on the support of its people.
Historically, however, traditional people-oriented governance largely viewed the people as subjects to be governed rather than as masters of the state. The CPC’s “People First” philosophy seeks to transcend this historical limitation.
While inheriting the essence of traditional people-centered thought, it also embraces the Marxist principle that “the people are the masters of the country.” In doing so, it transforms citizens from objects of governance into the true owners of the nation.
This ancient wisdom has thus been revitalized for the modern era. Xi Jinping’s assertion that “the country belongs to the people, and the people are the country” reflects a deeper exploration of the values underpinning the “People First” philosophy.
Putting “People First” into Practice
In contemporary China, “People First” serves as a fundamental principle of governance.
Its most prominent achievement has been the historic elimination of extreme poverty through lifting nearly 100 million rural residents out of poverty, effectively resolving a challenge that had persisted for thousands of years.
China has also established the world’s largest education system, healthcare system, and social security network, serving more than 1.4 billion people.
In responding to emergencies, China has embraced the principle of “Life First,” placing the protection of human life above all other priorities during public health emergencies, natural disasters, and other crises. Regardless of circumstances, safeguarding every citizen’s fundamental rights remains the primary objective.
In the area of reform, China has consistently maintained that reform and opening-up should serve the interests of the people. The effectiveness of reform measures is evaluated by the extent to which they improve public well-being.
This approach prioritizes addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens while ensuring that the benefits of development and reform are shared as broadly as possible across society.
In governance, the people’s well-being is regarded as the highest political achievement, while public satisfaction serves as the ultimate benchmark for evaluating government performance. A system of public participation and oversight is also intended to ensure that state power is exercised in the interests of the people.
Global Significance of the “People First” Philosophy
The practical influence of the “People First” concept has long extended beyond China’s borders, offering new perspectives for global governance.
For decades, Western-led modernization has largely been driven by capital-oriented development. While generating economic growth, it has also contributed to widening wealth disparities, increasing social divisions, and a growing global development gap, posing significant challenges to the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
China’s “People First” philosophy presents an alternative approach by demonstrating that a country can prioritize the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority over the pursuit of capital profits or the interests of a privileged minority. At the same time, it seeks to balance efficiency with fairness while pursuing a modernization path tailored to its own national circumstances, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of capital-centered development.
The concept also offers developing countries an alternative model of governance. It promotes a more practical approach to human rights by emphasizing development as the foundation for improving people’s rights and well-being, rather than relying solely on rhetorical commitments. More broadly, it contributes fresh momentum toward building a more equitable and balanced international order inspired by China’s governance philosophy.
Source: Ruby, Faisal and Labannya, China Media Group (CMG).