Abstract: In order to promote the modernization of education to a higher level, implement China's Education Modernization 2035 Plan, and contribute theoretical strength to the formation of a Chinese atmosphere, Chinese style, and Chinese paradigm of education modernization, the breakthrough in the theoretical construction and practical exploration of China's education modernization urgently needs to be made: it is urgent to deepen the understanding of the relationship between the Chinese characteristics of China's education modernization and the universality of the world; it is urgent to systematically consider the relationship and systematicity of China's education modernization; it is urgent to think, with a local view, the essential connotation and indicator system of China's education modernization; it is urgent to proactively respond to the turning point and historical opportunity of China's education modernization; it is urgent to further explore how the modernization of Chinese education can promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The “Chinese path”, which is rooted in the local context and reflects characteristics and highlights traits, bears three dimensions of value orientation, namely “strengthening oneself”, “serving the country” and “assisting growth”. The proposal of Chinese path to modernization provides a new framework for the future development of China's education modernization, and also provides a new pattern and value implication for the theoretical innovation and practical direction of China's education modernization: the “Chinese path” leads China's education modernization to take an independent and endogenous development path; it overcomes the drawbacks in the process of education modernization; it transcends the past analytical frameworks; it highlights the unique path of socialist education modernization with Chinese characteristics; it positions the unique pattern and value implication of China's education modernization. The Chinese path bears four implications—in the comparative sense, it presents Chinese characteristics and world-class; in the sense of development, it adheres to the path, and reform and innovation; in the structural sense, it embraces priority development and coordinated promotion; in the systemic sense, it focuses on comprehensive development and structural optimization. The inherent correlation of Chinese cultural traditions may still serve as the foundation for carrying out socialization and emotional education in the context of modern education in China. In other words, education modernization should be nurtured in Chinese cultural traditions, because tradition not only provides us with a “perspective” to view the world, but also allows us to draw nutrients from it to better construct modern education.

Key words: modernization of education in China, Chinese modernization, new quality talents, Chinese cultural traditions