Focusing on the guiding principles of the Central Urban Work Conference and major strategic initiatives related to new-type urbanization, this study reviews the phased achievements of China’s new-type urbanization. The findings indicate that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China’s urban spatial structure has been continuously optimized, with accelerated agglomeration of population and industries in urban agglomerations and metropolitan areas. Meanwhile, cities’ overall carrying capacity and development quality have improved significantly, marking a transition from extensive, expansion-oriented development toward a new stage characterized by intensive, quality-oriented growth. On this basis, the study comprehensively examines and systematically elaborates the new positioning and missions of high-quality urban development. It further identifies key directions and policy priorities for promoting high-quality urban development from multiple dimensions, including optimizing the modern urban system and advancing the development of innovative, livable, green, resilient, culturally vibrant, and smart cities. This study aims to provide theoretical insights and practical implications for advancing people-centered modern cities and promoting the high-quality development of new-type urbanization in the new era.