Shang Zhixiao: Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform to Advance Chinese-path Modernization
Further comprehensively deepening reform was initiated within the great practice of advancing Chinese-path modernization and is unfolding upon the broad platform established by Chinese-path modernization. Empowered with the mission of promoting the profound development of Chinese-path modernization, the further comprehensive deepening of reform must be carried out by centering closely on the advancement of Chinese-path modernization itself. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at a symposium with entrepreneurs and experts:
"To further comprehensively deepen reform, we must stick closely to the theme of advancing Chinese-path modernization, highlight the priorities of reform, maintain a firm grasp on value orientations, and be mindful of methods and modalities, so as to add momentum to the fulfillment of central tasks and the achievement of strategic goals."
This reveals the status of Chinese-path modernization as the "theme" and the role of further comprehensively deepening reform as the "momentum." The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee emphasized: "Chinese-path modernization has been socialized and advanced through reform and opening up, and it will certainly elective open up broad prospects through reform and opening up," [1] elucidating the close connection and internal unity between Chinese-path modernization and reform and opening up from the perspective of the historical process. The Plenum required that "the whole Party must consciously place reform in a more prominent position and further comprehensively deepen reform by centering closely on advancing Chinese-path modernization." This is the wish of the Party and the people, and the necessity for the development of our cause.
Focusing on the advancement of Chinese-path modernization to further comprehensively deepen reform is determined by the historical status and realistic role of Chinese-path modernization. Chinese-path modernization is the result of long-term practical exploration by the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people; it is a great and arduous undertaking. It emerges from the historical depths of the Chinese nation, carrying the dreams and pursuits of the sons and daughters of Huaxia [2] for thousands of years. It germinated from the history of the Chinese nation’s tenacious struggle since modern times, marking the difficult progress and glorious achievements of the Chinese people from standing up to becoming prosperous and then to becoming strong. [3] Chinese-path modernization has already created the miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, and is now marching toward the grand goal of building a strong country and national rejuvenation. The Report to the 20th CPC National Congress pointed out:
"From this day forward, the central task of the Communist Party of China will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization."
As the central task of the Party at the current stage, Chinese-path modernization holds an irreplaceable and important position in contemporary China. It plays a role in commanding all fields, industries, and aspects, serving as the fundamental reliance and the only path for us to realize the grand goals of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. Under the new historical conditions, our overall coordination of the domestic and international imperatives, [4] our integrated promotion of the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan," the coordinated advancement of the "Four Comprehensives" strategic layout, and our promotion of theoretical innovation, practical innovation, institutional innovation, cultural innovation, and innovation in all other aspects are all for the purpose of constructing Chinese-path modernization effectively. Further comprehensively deepening reform to promote the better alignment of the relations of production with the productive forces, the superstructure with the economic base, and national governance with social development, has the fundamental aim of providing powerful momentum and institutional guarantees for Chinese-path modernization and promoting its sustained and healthy development.
Focusing on the advancement of Chinese-path modernization to further comprehensively deepen reform is required by the objective pursuit and functional orientation of further comprehensively deepening reform. The general goal of further comprehensively deepening reform is to continue improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and to promote the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance. By 2035, we will have finished building a high-standard socialist market economy in all respects; the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics will be further improved; the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance will be basically realized; and socialist modernization will be basically realized. This will lay a solid foundation for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century. Such an objective pursuit adapts to the requirements for advancing Chinese-path modernization and embodies its essence and core meaning; it is precisely the essential prescription and practical direction of Chinese-path modernization.
Furthermore, further comprehensively deepening reform focuses on solving "bottleneck" problems [5] restricting high-quality development, "hotspot" problems affecting social fairness and justice, "difficult" problems regarding people's livelihoods, prominent problems in Party building, and risk problems in various fields. It continues to work hard on being "comprehensive," striving to ensure that reform measures fully cover the prominent problems that need to be solved in advancing Chinese-path modernization. It persists in applying real effort toward "deepening," highlighting the reform of the economic system as the priority, and striving to break down deep-seated institutional barriers and structural contradictions. The development conditions thus created, the development environment así established, and the development vitality thus stimulated are all at the service of Chinese-path modernization construction, and are exactly what that construction needs most.
As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "To further comprehensively deepen reform, we must anchor ourselves to the general goal of improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and promoting the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance. We must stick closely to the theme of advancing Chinese-path modernization, persist in combining goal-orientation with problem-orientation, go where the problems are and rectify what is problematic, resolutely break down the ideological concepts and institutional drawbacks that hinder the advancement of Chinese-path modernization, strive to solve deep-seated institutional barriers and structural contradictions, and continuously inject strong momentum and provide powerful institutional guarantees for Chinese-path modernization." The objective pursuit and functional orientation of further comprehensively deepening reform require that it must be advanced around Chinese-path modernization and play its due role.
Focusing on the advancement of Chinese-path modernization to further comprehensively deepen reform requires a tight link between the two. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee brought these two aspects—further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization—to the fore, clearly manifesting their dialectical link and inseparability. While making systematic deployments for further comprehensively deepening reform, it also initiated a new journey for reform to safeguard and escort Chinese-path modernization. On one hand, Chinese-path modernization is the practical base for further comprehensively deepening reform, providing a broad platform and giving it a clear theme and direction of effort. On the other hand, further comprehensively deepening reform is the source of strength for Chinese-path modernization, providing driving support and equipping it with complete institutional guarantees and sufficient internal vitality.
Looking back at the course of Chinese-path modernization, we can clearly see that its entry into the "fast lane" was facilitated by the powerful kinetic energy of reform and supported by the institutional vitality continuously released by reform. The reason reform has come this far and continuously expanded in breadth and depth is that Chinese-path modernization provided ample space for development; Chinese-path modernization paved the way for reform with its demands and capacity, experiments and creations. Chinese-path modernization inherently contains the spirit of reform and objectively requires the kinetic energy of reform. It needs continuously deepening reform to clear obstacles for itself, while it strives to create conditions and smooth the path for the advancement of reform. Reform, existing within the process of modernization, regards the advancement of Chinese-path modernization as its own responsibility and consciously takes up the mantle. It aims to resolve the contradictions between the productive forces and the relations of production, and between the economic base and the superstructure. By providing institutional guarantees, stimulating creative vitality, and improving governance levels, it ensures the successful advancement and effective expansion of Chinese-path modernization. Reform has already become the catalyst for the rapid development of Chinese-path modernization—an indispensable and irreplaceable developmental engine, and an important means and basic path for promoting the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Advancing Chinese-path modernization and further comprehensively deepening reform are mutually dependent and interactive; they must be planned as a whole and advanced in coordination, amplifying effectiveness through interconnectedness and advancing together through concerted efforts.
Focusing on the advancement of Chinese-path modernization to further comprehensively deepen reform is a basic experience gained from summarizing historical practice and the fundamental follows for promoting comprehensive deepening of reform on the new journey. Chinese-path modernization is the correct path of development suited to China's national conditions, explored by our Party through leading the masses through untold hardships and at great cost; it is the "greatest politics" [6] of contemporary China. Reform and opening up is the "important magic weapon" [7] for the cause of the Party and the people to catch up with the times in great strides, and reform is the driving force for modernization. The comprehensive deployment and systematic planning of the further comprehensive deepening of reform by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee will surely shine in the annals of history with its strategic leadership significance, its role as a guide for practical paths, and the new achievements and experiences it continuously attains.
Source: Study Times (学习时报) Web Editor: Hui Hui