Du Feijin: Continuously Advancing the Systematization and Academic Substantiation of the Party's Innovative Theories
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Promoting the systematization and academic grounding of theory is an inherent requirement and an important avenue for theoretical innovation." The reason Marxism has such a profound influence lies in its use of deep academic logic to reveal the truths of human social development and its use of a complete system to demonstrate the scientific nature of its theory. The development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a process of continuous enrichment and expansion, as well as continuous systematization and academic grounding. On the new journey of the New Era, we must focus on promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party’s innovative theories, further expanding the depth and breadth of research and interpretation, so that contemporary Chinese Marxism and twenty-first-century Marxism can demonstrate even more powerful truth-force.
Promoting the Systematization and Academic Grounding of the Party's Innovative Theories by Adhering to the "Two Combinations"
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping, standing at the strategic and overall height of adhering to and developing Marxism, creatively proposed the major thesis of the "Two Combinations" [1]. This revealed the must-take path for opening up and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as the must-take path for promoting theoretical innovation and cultural prosperity. The "Two Combinations" are our greatest magic weapon for achieving success; they have pointed the way and provided a framework for promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party’s innovative theories.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The major proposition of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism itself determines that we must never abandon the soul-vein of Marxism, nor the root-vein of fine traditional Chinese culture. Holding fast to this soul and root is the foundation and prerequisite for theoretical innovation." To promote the systematization and academic grounding of the Party’s innovative theories, we must hold fast to this soul-vein and root-vein. Only by unswervingly adhering to Marxism as the foundation for establishing and strengthening the Party and the country, and by ensuring the root-vein of fine traditional Chinese culture remains uninterrupted, can we ensure that the systematization and academic grounding of the Party’s innovative theories always advance in the correct direction. Marxist theory is not a dogma but a guide to action; we must persist in promoting theoretical innovation based on practice. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the crystallization of wisdom and the essence of Chinese civilization. Only by adapting it to socialist society through creative transformation and innovative development [2] can we better construct Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength. Therefore, to hold fast to the soul-vein and root-vein, we must "make the past serve the present and foreign things serve China" [3] on the basis of upholding the fundamentals, practicing dialectical selection and "weeding through the old to bring forth the new" [4], so that theoretical innovation can have deep roots and luxuriant leaves.
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the essence of the times of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit; it is a glorious example of adhering to the "Two Combinations" and promoting theoretical innovation. As the essence of the times of Chinese culture, this important thought emphasizes using Marxism to activate the vital and excellent elements within fine traditional Chinese culture, endowing them with new connotations of the era, building a modern Chinese civilization, and creating a new form of human advancement. As the essence of the times of the Chinese spirit, this important thought emphasizes vigorously promoting the national spirit centered on patriotism and the spirit of the times centered on reform and innovation, promoting the Great Founding Spirit of the Party [5], and injecting the great spirit and rich wisdom of the Chinese nation at a deeper level into Marxism to forge new glories for Chinese culture. Only by promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party’s innovative theories while adhering to the "Two Combinations" can we effectively integrate the essence of Marxist thought with the cream of fine traditional Chinese culture, better inheriting the nutrients of humanistic spirit, moral values, and historical wisdom from over 5,000 years of splendid civilization to achieve a polymer fusion into new theoretical advantages. Only then can we draw upon excellent ideological and cultural resources from the "sum of human knowledge," promoting the renewal and modern transformation of Chinese civilization on a larger scale and deeper level, and forming a grand theoretical landscape that is inclusive and draws on the strengths of all.
Promoting the Systematization and Academic Grounding of the Party's Innovative Theories by Grasping the "Six Must-Persists"
A scientific worldview and methodology constitute the "master key" for researching and solving problems. The report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC proposed and expounded upon the "Six Must-Persists" [6]. The "Six Must-Persists" are an important embodiment of the stance, viewpoint, and method of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; they are the essence and core meaning of this important thought, providing scientific worldview and methodological guidance for promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories.
We must persist in putting the people first, clarifying the fundamental stance for promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a theory loved, recognized, and owned by the people; it is a powerful ideological weapon guiding the people to understand and transform the world. Putting the people first is a red thread running through it. To promote the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories, we must deeply understand the distinct background of putting the people first and the value pursuit of creating benefits for the people inherent in the Party's innovative theories. We must adhere to a people-centered research orientation and focus on summarizing fresh experiences from the people's creative practices to elevate them into rational knowledge. At the same time, we must focus on ensuring, through systematized and academically grounded research and interpretation, that the Party's innovative theories enter the hearts of hundreds of millions, becoming a theory that is grounded, gathers the wisdom of the people, follows the will of the people, and wins the hearts of the people.
We must persist in self-confidence and self-reliance, clarifying the foothold for promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories. Self-confidence and self-reliance reflect the faith of the Party and the people in Marxism, their belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and their confidence in achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. They also embody the cultural subjectivity of Chinese civilization in developing itself, responding to challenges, and opening up new frontiers. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era vividly embodies the spirit of independent exploration and practice, and is permeated with the firm determination and confidence to persist in taking one's own path. To promote the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories, we must base ourselves on the reality of China's development, deeply understand the scientific, populist, practical, and open nature of the Party's innovative theories, and promote theoretical innovation and development with a more active sense of historical responsibility and creative spirit.
We must persist in upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, clarifying the basic framework for promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories. Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is a distinct feature of the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics and a prominent hallmark of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. To promote the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories, we must adhere to the fundamental system of Marxism's guiding position in the ideological sphere, adhere to the fundamental requirements of the "Two Combinations," and uphold the CPC's cultural leadership and the Chinese nation's cultural subjectivity. On the basis of upholding the fundamentals, we must have the courage to explore and open up new realms, continuously expanding the breadth and depth of our understanding, and promoting innovation in systems, ideas, discourse, and methods, thereby better unifying the adherence to Marxism with the development of Marxism.
We must persist in a problem-oriented approach, clarifying the practical requirements for promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories. The viewpoint of practice is the basic viewpoint of Marxist epistemology. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was conceived, founded, enriched, and developed while facing contradictions and problems and answering the questions of the times. To promote the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories, we must focus on new problems encountered in practice, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, the urgent anxieties and hopes of the masses, major problems in the changing international situation, and prominent problems facing Party building. Following the theoretical innovation process of discovering, studying, and solving problems, we must strengthen the systematic summary of theory and practice, strengthen the comprehensive and systematic research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories, and achieve a benign interaction between theory and practice.
We must persist in applying systems thinking, clarifying the foundational method for promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories. Systems thinking emphasizes observing things from the viewpoints of universal connection, comprehensive systems, and development and change to grasp the laws of development. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to systems thinking, profoundly embodying systematic planning and strategic mapping that discerns the situation and takes in the whole picture, providing us with a scientific framework for dealing with complex situations and promoting the development of our cause. To promote the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories, we must profoundly recognize that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a scientific theoretical system that is systematic, comprehensive, logically rigorous, rich in content, and internally unified. We must clarify the logical relationships and structural framework between various parts and reveal the unity of the theoretical, historical, and practical logic of this important thought.
We must persist in maintaining a global vision, clarifying the perspective and breadth of mind for promoting the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories. Proceeding from the future and destiny of humanity, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has proposed the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity, promoted the common values of all humanity, and initiated the "Belt and Road" Initiative, demonstrating the grand perspective and broad mind of a Marxist political party. To promote the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories, we must learn from and draw on all the excellent achievements of human civilization with an open mind that "admits a hundred rivers" [7]. We must persist in not forgetting our origins, absorbing external influences, and facing the future. We must look inward to deeply study major issues concerning the national economy and people's livelihood, and look outward to actively explore major issues concerning the future and destiny of humanity. We must look forward to accurately judge the development trends of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and look backward to be adept at inheriting and promoting the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture.
Promoting the Systematization and Academic Grounding of the Party's Innovative Theories by Grasping Internal Connections
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a scientific theoretical system that is systematic, comprehensive, logically rigorous, rich in content, and internally unified. To promote the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories, we must conduct deep research into and provide thorough interpretations of the core tenets, spiritual essence, rich connotations, practical requirements, and original contributions of this important thought. We must use concepts, categories, discourse, and expressions with distinct Chinese characteristics to clearly explain the foundational theoretical achievements of this important thought and their internal connections, as well as the logic, academic grounding, and philosophy within them, so as to promote the Party’s innovative theories to take deep root in the hearts of the people.
Grasping the internal connections of the content system. The report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC summarized the main content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Among these, the "Ten Clarifications" [8] summarize the core content; the "Fourteen Persists" [9] summarize the basic stratagem for adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era; and the "Achievements in Thirteen Areas" [10] reflect the historic achievements and transformations in the cause of the Party and the country in the New Era. These contents cover all aspects including reform, development, and stability, internal affairs, foreign policy, and national defense, as well as the governance of the Party, the state, and the military, constituting a complete scientific system. General Secretary Xi Jinping has proposed a series of new concepts, new thoughts, and new strategies for development in various fields, forming Xi Jinping's economic thought, legal thought, ecological civilization thought, thought on strengthening the military, diplomatic thought, and cultural thought, which have become important components of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The "Two Combinations" and the "Six Must-Persists" profoundly reveal the theoretical characteristics of Marxism and the internal mechanism of Marxism's innovative development in China. As a worldview and methodology and as scientific methods for promoting the Party's theoretical innovation, they permeate all the contents of the scientific system, embodying the distinct characteristics of combining theory with practice and unifying epistemology with methodology.
Grasping the internal connections of original concepts and categories. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has proposed a series of original new concepts and new categories, marking a new height in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. For example, the basic theoretical viewpoints originating from original concepts and categories such as the original aspiration and founding mission of Chinese Communists, the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the great self-revolution have deepened the understanding of the laws of the Communist Party's governance. Basic theoretical viewpoints originating from original concepts and categories such as Chinese-path modernization, the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan," the "Four Comprehensives" strategic layout, whole-process people's democracy, the new development stage, the new development philosophy, the new development pattern, and high-quality development have deepened the understanding of the laws of socialist construction. Basic theoretical viewpoints originating from original concepts and categories such as the world's once-in-a-century profound changes, a community with a shared future for humanity, the common values of all humanity, the "Belt and Road" Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative have deepened the understanding of the laws of human social development. To promote the systematization and academic grounding of the Party's innovative theories, we must keep pace with the Party's theoretical innovation and continuously refine new concepts, categories, and expressions from the benign interaction between theory and practice.
Grasping the internal connections of original contributions to Marxism. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method, adheres to the basic principles of scientific socialism, and enriches and develops Marxism with brand-new ideological content based on the changes of the times and practice. For example, in terms of Marxist philosophy, it has made a series of original contributions in the views of practice, nature, contradiction, and development, enriching and developing the basic viewpoints of Marxist philosophy. In terms of Marxist political economy, it has enriched and developed Marxist political economy theories regarding the relationship between economy and politics, the essence of the socialist economy, principles of economic development, stages of economic development, the market economy, the relationship between production and needs, social reproduction, and the world economy through a series of theoretical achievements with distinct contemporary and creative characteristics. In terms of scientific socialism, the "Ten Clarifications," "Fourteen Persists," "Achievements in Thirteen Areas," the "Five Must-Take Paths" [11], and the theory of Chinese-path modernization have enriched and developed scientific socialism at both the theoretical and practical levels. With a series of original contributions, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has advanced the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism to a new theoretical height, fully demonstrating the scientific and truthful nature, populist and practical nature, and open and contemporary nature of Marxism.