Research on the Role of the Third Front Construction in China’s Modernization

Abstract

The Third Front Construction was a major national strategy implemented by China in the 1960s, aimed at promoting the industrialization of the central and western regions while addressing external security threats. This initiative not only laid a solid foundation for China’s industrialization but also revealed unique paths of Chinese modernization, such as regional coordinated development and the integration of national defense and economic growth. However, the Third Front Construction also brought about environmental degradation and over-exploitation of resources, providing important lessons for contemporary China’s development. In the modernization process, it is crucial to draw on the experiences of the Third Front Construction, focusing on regional coordinated development and enhancing social mobilization capabilities. By summarizing the experiences and lessons of the Third Front Construction, this paper provides historical references and future directions for the development of Chinese-style modernization.