Abstract: Different historical traditions and national conditions have led to different educational development pathways across countries worldwide. From a global perspective, contemporary Western capitalist nations–constrained by the interplay of their educational tradition and political systems–have confined the role of political parties to a narrow sphere, resulting in an apolitical party approach to educational development. By contrast, the socialist education pathway with Chinese characteristics follows a fundamentally different trajectory: it unfolds under the leadership of the political party, representing a party-led model. The Communist Party of China plays a pivotal role in educational development by exercising leadership functions–theoretical innovation, interest articulation, policy formulation, institutional construction and organizational mobilization–thereby shaping the guiding philosophy, value orientation, policy support, institutional safeguards, and strength support for China's educational advancement. It serves as the overarching mechanism that coordinates all stakeholders. On the new journey ahead, it is imperative to fully recognize this defining feature of party leadership, which provides the key to understanding both the theory and practice of socialist educational development with Chinese characteristics.

Key words: political party leadership, leadership of the CPC, developmental pathway of socialist education with Chinese characteristics