Huang Yibing: The Grand View of History of Contemporary Chinese Communists
History is a book of the practice and wisdom of our predecessors, recording the threads of civilizational development and reflecting the direction of our future path. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has attached great importance to history, treating it correctly and applying it scientifically. He has distinctly proposed the significant and landmark thesis of establishing a "big picture view of history" (大历史观) [1] and has integrated it into the great practice of governance in the New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s big picture view of history profoundly clarifies scientific concepts, modes of thinking, and methodologies for studying, managing, and utilizing history. Through a series of original viewpoints and theoretical achievements, it realizes the concrete application and innovative development of the Marxist historical materialism, as well as the sublation [2], inheritance, and creative transformation of traditional Chinese historiography. It provides a powerful ideological weapon for contemporary Chinese Communists to accurately grasp our historical position, gain profound insight into the major trends of the times, correctly reveal the laws of development, and practice our goals and directions with firm conviction.
The Essential Scientific Attributes
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Historical materialism is the fundamental method for us Communists to recognize and grasp history." "Only by adhering to historical materialism can we continuously raise our understanding of the laws of socialism with Chinese characteristics to a new level and continuously open up new realms for the development of contemporary Chinese Marxism." The big picture view of history is the New Era Chinese Communists' effort to uphold the fundamentals and break new ground regarding Marxist historical materialism.
The big picture view of history emphasizes the objectivity of historical development. Respecting historical facts and acknowledging the objectivity of history is the starting point and the ultimate goal of the big picture view of history. To objectively acknowledge, respect, and hold history in awe is the mark of a mature and confident nation and political party. Regarding the objectivity of history, Marx provided a very incisive explanation: "Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances, but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "History is history, and facts are facts; no one can change history or facts." The objectivity of history is reflected in various aspects, including the objectivity of historical events, historical laws, and historical cognition. Whether one acknowledges the objectivity of history is the touchstone for distinguishing historical materialism from historical idealism. To deny the objectivity of history is to deny the direction of historical necessity, to extinguish historical traditions and values, and to fundamentally deny the scientific nature of history. Only by adhering to the objectivity of history, respecting its original appearance, understanding history with the greatest degree of truth, and examining and grasping the experiences and lessons accumulated by human practice can history become the best textbook, the best nutrient, and the best sobering agent.
The recognition of specific historical issues, in particular, requires adherence to historical objectivity. In his evaluation of specific historical figures, General Secretary Xi Jinping once proposed: "They should be analyzed within the historical conditions of their own era and society. We cannot detach ourselves from a comprehensive understanding of historical conditions and processes or a scientific grasp of historical laws; nor can we ignore the relationship between historical necessity and historical contingency." Historical necessity and contingency are a dialectical unity; historical necessity often carves its own path through contingency. Therefore, distinguishing the themes, main threads, mainstream, and essence of historical development amidst the surging river of history, and correctly treating the errors and setbacks experienced on the path of historical development, are basic requirements for grasping historical objectivity.
The big picture view of history emphasizes the continuity of historical development. Marxism emphasizes that the world "is a collection of processes" and that "history is nothing but the succession of the separate generations." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "History marches from yesterday to today and toward tomorrow; historical connections cannot be severed. People always develop by building upon the foundations of their predecessors." "History is the reality of the past, and reality is the history of the future." History exists as a process; only by being familiar with and mastering the process of historical development can we truly clarify where we came from and where we are going. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Without the five thousand years of Chinese civilization, where would 'Chinese characteristics' come from? And without Chinese characteristics, how could we have the successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics we have today?" By recognizing and grasping the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics through the lens of the prominent continuity of Chinese civilization, we can more profoundly appreciate the unique national genes and deep historical foundations of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and thus more confidently firm up the historical necessity of its success.
Acknowledging the continuity of historical development also requires acknowledging its stages. History is linked by a series of relatively independent stages; each historical period has its unique background and conditions, presenting different characteristics while remaining interconnected. Historical development is the dialectical unity of continuity and stages. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the historical development of the Communist Party of China "is a process of continuous struggle and a complete undertaking of saving the nation, prospering the nation, and strengthening the nation, thereby realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." The missions and tasks of each historical stage of this undertaking are different, but they all involve a collective struggle for national rejuvenation. General Secretary Xi Jinping also specifically proposed the important thesis of correctly understanding the "two historical periods" [3], noting: "We cannot use the historical period after reform and opening up to negate the historical period before reform and opening up, nor can we use the historical period before reform and opening up to negate the historical period after reform and opening up." The former laid the institutional foundation and fundamental political prerequisites for all development and progress in Chinese society; the latter is the adherence to, reform of, and development of the former. This is both a concrete historical viewpoint and a method of historical understanding with universal significance. That historical connections cannot be severed and historical stages cannot be polarized is the distinct stance and scientific attitude of using the big picture view of history to grasp history comprehensively, relationally, and dialectically.
The big picture view of history emphasizes the progressive nature of historical development. Historical materialism holds that contradictions are universal; human cognitive and practical activities are, fundamentally, a continuous process of recognizing and resolving contradictions. The whole world "is a picture of an endless entanglement of relations and reactions, in which nothing remains at rest and unchanged, but everything is moving, changing, coming into being and passing away." Social history is always a process of the unity of spiral-like ascent and wave-like progress. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the world always develops through the movement of contradictions; without contradiction, there would be no world. Throughout history, humanity has grown by overcoming test after test and developed by resolving crisis after crisis. The big picture view of history follows basic Marxist principles, studying problems starting from the contradictions between the productive forces and the relations of production, and between the economic base and the superstructure. It links the internal logic of human social history with the realistic logic of contemporary China's development, emphasizing that the forward progress of society is an eternal logic. At the same time, it emphasizes that although history presents complex appearances, its essence follows laws that can be identified. From the perspective of materialist dialectics, the development of things is inevitable, and its essence is the victory of new things over old things, but the process of development is tortuous and full of contradictions. Therefore, we must firmly believe that "the future is bright, but the road is tortuous. This is the historical logic of the development of all just causes. Our cause is great precisely because it achieves continuous success through hardships rarely seen in the world."
The big picture view of history emphasizes the subjectivity of historical development. Recognizing the status and role of the masses in history is a major question that any view of history must answer. Historical materialism solved this problem thoroughly for the first time, proposing that historical activity is the cause of the masses and that the masses are the creators of history. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The people are both the creators and the witnesses of history; they are both the 'actors in the play' and the 'author of the play'." "History is written by the people; all achievements are credited to the people." "The achievements of socialist revolution and construction were worked for by the masses; the great historical drama of reform and opening up has been performed by hundreds of millions of people." The big picture view of history is a view of history centered on the masses that clearly identifies the subject of history.
On one hand, the big picture view of history uses multiple historical perspectives to depict the overall picture of the masses creating history. Following the historical thread of the development of the Chinese nation, it reveals the historical logic that "the magnificent history of the development of the Chinese nation was written by the Chinese people." Summarizing our Party's historical experience of relying on the people to advance our cause, it reveals the historical conclusion that "the Party’s roots are in the people, its lifeline is in the people, and its strength is in the people." Looking back at the historical process of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, it reveals the profound truth that "the creative practice of the people is the inexhaustible source of theoretical innovation in Marxism." This fully proves that for any great cause to succeed, it must find its roots among the people, gather strength from the people, and be completed by uniting and leading the people. On the other hand, the big picture view of history places greater emphasis on the value orientation of being "people-centered." it regards the realization of free and comprehensive human development as the ultimate goal of advancing modernization, emphasizing that whether the path to modernization can be successfully traversed and sustained depends crucially on whether it remains people-centered. It takes whether something conforms to the fundamental interests of the broadest reaches of the people as the standard for evaluating history, examining reality, and surveying the future. It emphasizes that the people are the fundamental force determining the future and destiny of the Party and the country, and are the supreme judges and final evaluators of our Party's work, fully demonstrating the distinct character of the "people-oriented" (人民性) nature of our theory.
A Grand Vision and Framework
General Secretary Xi Jinping places great emphasis on examining our country’s development from broad perspectives of time and space. He has repeatedly emphasized that recognizing things "requires a broad perspective and needs to be placed within the grand history of world and domestic development." "Only within the long river of the history of all human development can one perceive the essence of historical movement and the direction of the development of the times." "Only by understanding history can one see far; only by comprehending history can one go far." The big picture view of history is a view of history possessing a broad logic of time and space. With a grand vision, a grand framework, and a grand heart, it places the social and historical development of our country within the vast time and space of human historical development to recognize, analyze, and solve problems.
The big picture view of history demonstrates a long-term vision that connects thoughts across a thousand years. History is like a ten-thousand-mile river; only by standing at the high point of time can one understand the full picture and grasp the trends. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our understanding of time is not measured in tens or hundreds of years, but in hundreds or thousands of years." The recognition and grasping of historical laws is not achieved overnight; it is completed through the cycle of practice, recognition, further practice, and further recognition. Only by lengthening the time scale and broadening the historical vision can we maximize the overcoming of the fragmentation of historical cognition, making historical conclusions more persuasive and explanatory, and demonstrating a powerful historical insight.
The big picture view of history highlights grasping the causal relationships of the objects of historical research from the perspective of historical totality. It emphasizes examining the regular movements and long-term development trends of history from a long-term temporal dimension, striving to find the basis for solving realistic problems through the connection between history and reality. Applying the big picture view of history, our Party—with a broad perspective and a long-term eye—grasps the developmental threads and the correct direction of world history. It recognizes the grand logic and major trends of our society's development and human society's development, and grasps the historical evolution and practical requirements of Chinese-path modernization. Within the new round of technological revolution, the global pattern of economic development, and the staged characteristics of our country’s development, the Party deepens its law-based understanding of promoting high-quality development and building a new development pattern. Through the comparison of the fates of Marxist political parties worldwide and the realistic trials faced by our Party in its long-term governance, the Party deepens its law-based understanding of the strategic thought of the Party's self-revolution. It comprehensively and systematically proposes scientific concepts and effective countermeasures to solve realistic problems, allowing contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism to demonstrate an even more powerful and persuasive force of truth.
The macro-historical view exhibits a world vision that "sees across ten thousand miles." Marxism maintains that human society will move from the history of individual nations toward world history—a process no force can obstruct. Inheriting and developing the Marxist theory of world history, General Secretary Xi Jinping particularly emphasizes examining current global development trends and major issues from the height of world history. One must analyze and investigate history with a historical and comprehensive eye, grasping the dialectical unity between the continuity and stages of historical development, and between nationality and worldliness, within a grand perspective that connects the ancient and the modern, links China and the foreign, and coordinates the overall situation. Applying the macro-historical view, our Party analyzes and compares the changes in the relationship between China and the world across a broad historical field. By scientifically understanding general global development trends and gaining profound insight into changes in the world landscape, the Party made the significant judgment that "the world today is experiencing profound changes unseen in a century." This has demarcated the world-historical coordinates of China's development within the longitudinal and latitudinal axes of the Chinese nation's progress and the shifting balance of global power. Our Party examines the paths to modernization taken by other countries and nations—their successes, failures, gains, and losses—and clearly proposes that Chinese-path modernization has created a new form of human civilization. The Party leads the Chinese people to walk the road of Chinese-path modernization with confidence and self-reliance, while respecting the right of every country to independently explore modernization paths suited to their own national conditions. We strive to let diverse modernization undertakings converge into a contemporary torrent promoting world prosperity and progress, driving Chinese-path modernization to continuously make new and greater contributions to humanity.
Profound Historical Logic
General Secretary Xi Jinping noted, "If one does not understand China from the perspective of its long historical continuity, it is impossible to understand ancient China, impossible to understand modern China, and even more impossible to understand the China of the future." The macro-historical view scientifically grasps the historical characteristics of the Chinese nation and profoundly summarizes the historical practice of the Communist Party of China's revolution, construction, and reform since modern times. Through a systematic historical construction, it reveals the overall pulse of historical development; through heavy historical substance, it answers the great questions of our era—"Where did we come from, where are we now, and where are we going?"—exhibiting a complete historical logic of drawing on wisdom and strength to seek the road to rejuvenation.
Grasping historical inheritance from the historical development of the Chinese nation. The history of a nation is the foundation upon which it stands. General Secretary Xi Jinping, grasping a vast and far-reaching historical depth, has systematically expounded the historical logic of the Chinese nation's development, presenting a panoramic view of the historical pulse of the origin, formation, and development of Chinese civilization: "All ethnic groups in our country jointly opened up the vast territory of the motherland, jointly created a unified multi-ethnic state, jointly wrote a brilliant Chinese history, and jointly created a splendid Chinese culture"; "The history of China is a history of various ethnic groups being interdependent, merging with one another, and converging into an inseparable whole of the Chinese nation; it is the history of all ethnic groups jointly creating, developing, and consolidating a great unified motherland." Conforming to the grand development trend of the Chinese nation moving from history to the future, from tradition to modernity, and from diversity toward unity, General Secretary Xi Jinping further systematically summarized the prominent characteristics of Chinese civilization. He expounded on the pattern of "diversity in unity" [4] of the Chinese civilization, emphasizing that "contemporary China is the continuation and development of historical China, and contemporary Chinese thought and culture are also the inheritance and sublimation of traditional Chinese thought and culture. To understand today's China and today's Chinese people, one must deeply understand China's cultural lineage and accurately grasp the cultural soil that nourishes the Chinese people." By clarifying the historical development and cultural traditions of the Chinese nation over five thousand years, and identifying the historical origins and unique advantages of Chinese civilization, one can possess a deep-rooted confidence in our path, theory, system, and culture, and can more resolutely forge ahead while continuing the nation's cultural lineage.
Grasping historical trends from the historical development of socialism. China's adoption of the socialist path was the choice of history and the choice of the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "Socialism with Chinese characteristics was initiated in the new period of reform and opening up, but to understand the pulse of its formation and development, and to recognize its historical inevitability and scientific truth, one should lengthen the time scale and grasp it within the process of the evolution of world socialism." "As early as over 170 years ago, Marx and Engels scientifically revealed the historical law [5] that socialism will inevitably replace capitalism. This is the irreversible general trend of human social development." General Secretary Xi Jinping systematically summarized the historical process of socialism from nothing to existence, from utopia to science, from theory to practice, and from practice in one country to development in multiple nations through six stages: the emergence and development of utopian socialism; the creation of the theoretical system of scientific socialism by Marx and Engels; Lenin's leadership of the victory of the October Revolution and the practice of socialism; the gradual formation of the Soviet model; our Party's exploration and practice of socialism after the founding of New China; and our Party's historic decision to carry out reform and opening up and the creation and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Connecting and grasping the historical development of Chinese society alongside the historical development of the world socialist movement profoundly reveals that socialism with Chinese characteristics is a dialectical unity of the theoretical logic of scientific socialism and the historical logic of Chinese social development. It profoundly reveals that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only way (必由之路) [6] rooted in Chinese soil, reflecting the will of the Chinese people, and adapting to the requirements of China's and the era's development and progress.
Grasping the historical mission from China's modern historical development. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our country's ancient, modern, and contemporary history constitute the rich historical tapestry of the Chinese nation." "Without understanding Chinese history and culture, especially without understanding Chinese history and culture since modern times, it is difficult to comprehensively grasp the social conditions of contemporary China, the aspirations and dreams of the contemporary Chinese people, and the development path chosen by the Chinese people." Since the start of the modern era [7], saving the nation from subjugation and ensuring its survival became the urgent historical mission of the Chinese nation and people. Striving for national independence and people's liberation, and realizing national prosperity and people's happiness, became the two major historical tasks the Chinese people had to complete. These two historical tasks are interconnected: the former is the foundation for the latter, and the latter is the continuation of the former. Consequently, what kind of road must be taken, what kind of ideological theory should serve as guidance, and which class and which political party should lead the people in their struggle to achieve these two historical tasks became the core issues of modern and contemporary Chinese history. By correctly answering these core questions, the Chinese revolution gained a correct direction, the Chinese people gained a powerful spiritual force, and China's destiny gained a bright prospect for development. Revealing the fundamental tasks of national independence, people's liberation, national prosperity, and people's happiness from the magnificent history of struggle since modern times allows us to have a more profound understanding and grasp of the historical theme of national rejuvenation.
Grasping historical creation from the historical development of the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "The history of the Communist Party of China is the most heroic and moving chapter in China's history since modern times; in studying modern and contemporary Chinese history, one must pay special attention to studying the history of the Communist Party of China." General Secretary Xi Jinping understands and grasps the Party's history with a broad historical vision, revealing the thematic main line and the mainstream essence of the Party's history within a historical logic that connects the past, present, and future, endowing the Party's history with new connotations. General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "History created the Communist Party of China through the exploration and struggle of the people, and our Party, in turn, has led the people to create a new historical brilliance for the long-standing Chinese civilization." The great cause of socialism led by the CPC is the continuation and relay of the Chinese nation's five thousand years of struggle; it is a "magnificent chapter in the history of the Chinese nation's development that cannot be forgotten or denied, and it is the realistic basis for the Chinese people and nation to carry forward the cause and forge ahead." Upon its birth, the Party established its original aspiration and founding mission: to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. The theme of the Party's united struggle is the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. For over a hundred years, the Party has united and led the people in winning the great victory of the New Democratic Revolution, completing the socialist revolution and promoting socialist construction, carrying out reform and opening up and socialist modernization, and initiating the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, leading the Chinese people toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics with irreversible momentum. In a century of continuous struggle, the Party has united and led the people to open up a great path, establish great achievements, forge a great spirit, and accumulate valuable experience, creating miracles in the history of the Chinese nation's development and the history of human social progress that have caught the world's attention. Today, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than at any time in history, and we have more confidence and capability than ever before to achieve this goal. The Chinese nation is marching toward great rejuvenation with unstoppable strides. This grand historical logic, which connects the bitter yet glorious past, the ever-changing present, and the bright and grand future, profoundly demonstrates that the Party has led the Chinese people in writing the most magnificent epic in the thousands of years of the Chinese nation's history. It profoundly reveals that with the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the close unity of the people of all ethnic groups, the goal of comprehensively building a great modern socialist country will surely be realized.
Powerful Practical Functions
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that to establish a macro-historical view, one must "analyze the mechanisms of evolution and explore historical laws from the long river of history, the tides of the times, and global fluctuations, proposing responsive strategies and tactics, and enhancing the systematic, predictive, and creative nature of our work." The ultimate goal of correctly learning from and treating history, and scientifically observing and researching history, is to obtain historical wisdom and promote historical development. As Engels said: "We have no intention of doubting or slighting the 'revelations of history'; history is all and everything to us."
The macro-historical view is a view of history that grasps historical laws. History is not a mere listing and piling up of simple historical events; rather, it has its own laws of development. Only by acting according to historical laws can one be invincible. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The history of human social development proves that no matter what twists and turns are encountered, history always develops according to its own laws, and no force can stop the wheels of history." "In thinking about problems and making decisions, one must have a historical perspective, be able to draw experience and wisdom from the past, and consciously act according to historical laws and the dialectics of historical development." The historical process is governed by internal general laws; this causal connection, characterized by universality and necessity, often exists deep within socio-historical phenomena. Establishing a macro-historical view requires us to elevate general historical experience into regularized theoretical understanding (规律性的理论认识) through macroscopic reflection on history and reality. We must continuously deepen our understanding of the laws of human social development, the laws of socialist construction, the laws of the Communist Party’s governance, and a series of specific laws governing economic and social development, using them to observe realistic problems and guide future development. Consciously basing ourselves on the new historical coordinates and themes of the times, we must grasp the laws of economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological civilization construction in socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, and formulate national development strategies more scientifically. Focusing on the contradictions and difficulties of comprehensively deepening reform, we must continuously deepen our regularized understanding of reform and enhance the scientific, predictive, proactive, and creative nature of further comprehensively deepening reform. Looking at the practical requirements of Chinese-path modernization, we must both follow the general laws of modernization and deeply explore the specific laws of China's modernization. By continuously expanding the breadth and depth of Chinese-path modernization, we will gradually enter the "realm of freedom" [8] of modernization construction, thereby vigorously promoting the "development of socialism with Chinese characteristics more in line with [historical] laws."
The macro-historical view is a view of history that grasps historical trends. To know the "Great Way" (大道), one must first study history; this emphasizes the mastery of historical trends. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "For a country to develop and prosper, it must grasp and follow the general trend of world development." "Only with a very broad vision, by correctly recognizing and actively following the general trend of development in China and the world, and by correctly recognizing and properly handling the major issues facing the Party and the country, can we gain the initiative in our work, keep up with the pace of the times, and promote the smooth development of our cause." Historical trends are general tendencies independent of human will; they are the external manifestation of historical laws and represent the aspirations of the people and the future of humanity. Historical experience tells us that mastering historical trends is a major issue concerning the cause of the Party and the state. By moving with the trend, being proactive, and taking responsibility, we can always stand on the right side of history, thereby transforming the general trend of historical development into a great historical creation for the progress of the Party and state's cause. Establishing a macro-historical view requires us to see clearly the general trends and currents of historical development, follow the correct direction indicated by historical trends, plan the great cause of the Chinese nation's rejuvenation amidst the changes unseen in a century, consider the future and destiny of humanity before the world map, and always struggle for the progress of human civilization amidst complex historical evolution and the shifting winds of the times. We must strive to promote the common development and prosperity of China and the world through the historic practice of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
The macro-history view is a historical view that maintains historical patience. The achievement of any major historical accomplishment, the completion of historical tasks, and the opening of new historical stages do not happen overnight. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "There is no enterprise in the world that enjoys smooth sailing. Looking at world history, the development of any country or nation will experience ups and downs and even be full of twists and turns." "Many problems must be examined within the great process of history; do not be in a hurry to act on those that cannot be seen clearly for the time being." History is never a simple linear progression; long-term duration, complexity, and tortuousness are the salient characteristics of historical development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized: "The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation can by no means be achieved easily with the mere beating of drums and gongs [9]. The whole Party must be prepared to exert even more arduous and even more painstaking efforts." "We must always start from national conditions when considering problems, making decisions, and handling affairs; we must neither reach for the impossible nor stick to old ways. We must maintain historical patience, and persist in seeking progress while maintaining stability, proceeding step by step, and continuing to push forward." To establish a macro-history view, we are required to profoundly recognize that building a great modern socialist country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a relay race. To run one lap after another, we must always guard against arrogance and impetuosity, upholding the conviction that "success does not have to be mine, but I must contribute to it" [10]. We must cultivate both "conspicuous achievements" and "latent achievements" [11], unifying long-term vision with immediate action. We must both strengthen strategic confidence and maintain the belief in certain victory, while also maintaining historical patience and strategic resolve. We must be prepared at all times to withstand major tests of high winds and choppy waves or even stormy seas [12], using the tenacity of "biting down on the green mountain and not letting go" [13] and the determination of "not returning until Loulan is broken" [14], to persist over the long term and press forward courageously along the broad road of Chinese-path modernization.
The macro-history view is a historical view of grasping historical initiative. Historical development has its laws, but human beings are not entirely passive or inactive within them. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: we must "further grasp the laws and general trends of historical development, and always grasp the historical initiative for the development of the Party and the country's cause." "History only favors those who are firm, those who forge ahead, and those who struggle; it will not wait for those who hesitate, the slackers, or those who fear difficulties." Historical initiative acknowledges the laws of historical development while emphasizing the driving role of human subjectivity in the historical process. Establishing a macro-history view requires us to develop a spirit of historical initiative, actively explore the laws of historical development, consciously and proactively discern the trends of historical development, and seize the initiative in historical development. Advancing Chinese-path modernization is an expedition full of glory and dreams; it is a great and arduous undertaking, and a historical process of step-by-step advancement and continuous development and progress. Only by giving full play to historical initiative and creativity, focusing on gaining inspiration from history, combining the understanding of history with the analysis of new situations, the grasping of new conditions, and the resolution of new contradictions, can we use historical experience as an important ideological weapon for correctly judging situations, scientifically foreseeing the future, and grasping historical initiative. Only by continuously promoting theoretical innovation, practical innovation, institutional innovation, and cultural innovation—constantly discovering, inventing, creating, and advancing—can we better overcome difficulties, combat risks, and meet challenges. We must concentrate our strength on managing our own affairs well, write new chapters for the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, and strive to create a new situation for the construction of Chinese-path modernization.
(The author is the Vice President of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee) Source: Guangming Daily (December 03, 2025) Web Editor: Chu Yang