by Bahtier Hamdamov

As the Communist Party of China (CPC) marks its 105th anniversary, I often find myself reflecting on a question: How did a political party founded at a time of national crisis, with only a few dozen members at its inception, lead a once impoverished nation to prosperity while revitalizing a civilization with more than 5,000 years of history?

China cannot be fully understood through economic statistics or technological achievements alone. Behind the country's extraordinary transformation stands the strong leadership of the CPC. Under its leadership, more than 1.4 billion Chinese people have united in pursuit of national rejuvenation, accomplishing one of the greatest development transformations in modern history.

My interest in China began in my youth. Ancient Persian writings often described the country as a land of profound wisdom, rich civilization and enduring cultural heritage. Those stories inspired my long-held dream of visiting China.

That dream became a reality several years ago when, as editor-in-chief of People's Tribune, the newspaper of Tajikistan's ruling People's Democratic Party, I was invited to visit China. The journey allowed me not only to witness China's remarkable achievements firsthand but also to gain a deeper understanding of the Party that has led the country's transformation.

Among all the places I visited, the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the CPC in Shanghai left the deepest impression. Standing before the modest building, it was hard to imagine that this was where, in 1921, a small political party embarked on a journey that would fundamentally reshape China's future and the destiny of the Chinese nation.

During my visit, I toured enterprises, communities and rural villages. From ordinary farming households to world-leading high-tech companies, every visit prompted the same question: How had a country with such a large population achieved such remarkable development in just a few decades?

Curious to know the answer, I asked a Chinese friend what the secret behind China's success was.

He smiled and replied: "China's secret is that it has no secret."

Only later did I truly understand what he meant. China's success stems not only from the diligence, resilience and creativity of its people, but also from the CPC's unwavering commitment to pursuing a development path suited to China's national conditions, putting the people first, and maintaining long-term strategic consistency.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, China has comprehensively deepened reforms, won the battle against extreme poverty as scheduled, proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, and developed Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, opening a new chapter in Chinese modernization.

China has also contributed its wisdom to addressing global challenges. President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity advocates dialogue over confrontation, win-win cooperation over zero-sum competition, and joint efforts to tackle common challenges, including development, security and climate change. The vision has won growing support from the international community.

Equally impressive is China's ability to preserve its cultural heritage while advancing modernization. Rather than sacrificing its traditions in the process of globalization, China has drawn strength from its history and civilization. Respect for cultural heritage, confidence in its own civilization, and a commitment to innovation have enabled this ancient nation to embrace a vibrant new era.

As my plane departed China, one thought became ever clearer. A nation that once suffered from war, poverty and humiliation has achieved national rejuvenation under the leadership of the CPC. China's development demonstrates that there is no single path to modernization. China's experience provides valuable inspiration for developing countries seeking their own road to modernization.

Editor's note: Bahtier Hamdamov is head of the Information Support Department of the Center for Strategic Research under the President of Tajikistan.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency.