Abstract: The process of exploring and promoting the Chinese path to modernization is also a process for China to continuously deepen its understanding, mastering, interpretation and innovation of international law. The establishment of the Chinese path to modernization and the clarification of its connotations have provided significant guidance to the relevant theories and practices of international law. The prominent theoretical contribution of Chinese modernization to international law is the formation of the significant idea of building a community of share future for humanity. As the core idea of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the lofty goal of the major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, this idea achieves a dialectical unity between the national standing of independence and the global perspective of “no exception in the world”. The remarkable practical contribution of Chinese modernization to international law lies with China’s exercise of the rights and performance the duties of a major country in good faith in accordance with the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests. By practicing the true multilateralism, upholding the authority of international law, and promoting the democratization of international relations, China has demonstrated how to be a responsible major country. Relying on the new form of human advancement as created by Chinese modernization, China should make further efforts to innovate the discourses of international law, so as to construct its own independent knowledge system of international law on the basis of the “Two Combinations”.

Key Words: international law; Chinese path to modernization; pursuing the greater good and shared interests; responsible major country; independent knowledge system

Author: Liao Fan, Professor and doctoral supervisor, Law School of the University of CASS;

Source: 1 (2025) Jilin University Journal Social Sciences Edition.