The sources describe how China charted its own course of economic development, contrasting it with the "Third Wave" theory advocated by futurist Alvin Toffler and embraced by certain Chinese figures like Zhao Ziyang. Here's a breakdown:

• Toffler's "Third Wave": Toffler proposed that societal evolution progresses in waves, with the "Third Wave" representing an information-driven society that transcends traditional industrialism. He believed developing nations could bypass the "Second Wave" of industrialization and leap directly into this information age. This approach aligned with the interests of figures like Henry Kissinger, who envisioned a post-national world order where countries like China functioned as sources of cheap labor for Western consumer markets. Zhao Ziyang, influenced by Toffler, advocated for "special economic zones" focused on low-tech manufacturing for export, with investments directed towards information-based industries like genetic engineering and AI, neglecting large-scale infrastructure and development projects.
• China's Rejection of the "Third Wave": The sources argue that China ultimately rejected this model, recognizing its inherent limitations and potential for exploitation. After the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, which the sources frame as a failed color revolution orchestrated by figures like George Soros and Zhao Ziyang, China purged proponents of this "Third Wave" approach. Instead, China pursued a path of economic development centered around:
• Sovereign Economic Policy: Maintaining control over its economic destiny through national banking and separating commercial and investment banking activities.
• Centralized Planning: Utilizing the strength of a central government to guide long-term development strategies and prioritize national interests.
• Technological Progress: Investing in large-scale infrastructure projects and promoting scientific innovation across various fields to achieve genuine economic growth and improve living standards.
• The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): This initiative, launched in 2013, embodies China's chosen path, emphasizing global cooperation, win-win partnerships, and shared technological advancement to create a more multipolar and equitable world order. The sources suggest this approach aligns with the "Four Modernizations" vision articulated by Zhou Enlai, which stressed balanced development across industrial, agricultural, defense, and scientific/technological sectors.

In essence, China's economic trajectory diverged from the "Third Wave" model by prioritizing national sovereignty, strategic planning, and technological progress as the foundations for genuine economic growth and global cooperation.

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