Four Modernizations

plural noun

1. goals of the political leadership in China after the death of Mao Zedong: modernization of agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Four Modernizations¹

Translation of Chinese sìge xìandaì-huà

Example Sentences

Deng, who had reemerged after being purged from the leadership, carried out a program called the “Four Modernizations.”

From Washington Post

In 1978, Deng Xiaoping formally launched a policy known as ‘Four Modernizations’, which placed a renewed focus on agriculture, industry, national defence, and science and technology.

From Nature

From the May Fourth Movement that gave birth to contemporary Chinese national consciousness to the “Four Modernizations” of Deng Xiaoping, imagined visions of a technology-infused future have always propelled China’s progress.

From Slate

Deng Xiaoping first signed on with the “Four Modernizations,” then added the “Four Cardinal Principles” and many other catchphrases, and tried to synthesize them as “One Center, Two Basic Points.”

From New York Times

Since Deng Xiaoping created the Four Modernizations in 1978, China has surged from being a marginal player on the global stage to a powerhouse that has attracted $2 trillion of foreign direct investment.

From US News