Zhou Ye: The Theoretical System of Chinese Modernization—Theoretical Logic and Practical Requirements of the Guiding Ideology for the 15th Five-Year Plan | Marxism Research Network

Professor Zhou Ye, Dean of the School of Marxism at Fudan University, elaborates on the guiding role of the theoretical system of Chinese-path modernization for the "15th Five-Year Plan," emphasizing the dialectical unity between theoretical logic and practical requirements.

On the theoretical level, this system constitutes the fundamental compliance ^[1] for the "15th Five-Year Plan." Its logical foundation is manifested in four aspects: adhering to the Marxist principles of productive forces and relations of production, maintaining economic construction as the center, and emphasizing the dialectical unity of "effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth" ^[2] to promote high-quality development; upholding the people-centered position of the theory on the essence of socialism ^[3], while taking the enhancement of people's well-being and the promotion of common prosperity as the ultimate goals; rooting itself in the extensive and profound Chinese civilization by drawing wisdom from fine traditional Chinese culture to shape the distinct characteristics of Chinese-path modernization; and aligning with the characteristics of the new stage of development ^[4] by leading the new development landscape ^[5] through the new development philosophy, thereby responding to the challenges of the times and changes in the principal contradiction ^[6] of society.

On the practical level, the "15th Five-Year Plan" period must implement four key tasks: taking high-quality development as the theme, building a modern industrial system based on the real economy, cultivating new quality productive forces, and expanding domestic demand; coordinating development and security by building a security barrier through the optimization of strategic layout, prevention of key risks, and the enhancement of the resilience of industrial and supply chains; promoting a comprehensive green transition guided by the "dual carbon" goals ^[7], deepening the reform of ecological systems, and fostering green industries; and solidly advancing common prosperity for all people by dismantling the urban-rural dual structure, improving the income distribution system, and promoting urban-rural integration and social equity and justice.

Notes

↩ [1] 根本遵循 (gēnběn zūnxún): A term frequently used in CPC discourse to denote the ultimate guiding principles, authoritative instructions, or the fundamental theoretical framework that must be strictly followed in policy formulation.

↩ [2] 质的有效提升和量的合理增长 (zhì de yǒuxiào tíshēng hé liàng de hélǐ zēngzhǎng): A formulation introduced at the 20th CPC National Congress. It reflects a shift from growth-at-all-costs to a balanced approach where "quality" (efficiency, innovation, sustainability) is prioritized alongside a stable growth "quantity."

↩ [3] 社会主义本质论 (shèhuì zhǔyì běnzhì lùn): Originally formulated by Deng Xiaoping, defining the essence of socialism as "liberating and developing the productive forces, eliminating exploitation, eliminating polarization, and ultimately achieving common prosperity."

↩ [4] 新发展阶段 (xīn fāzhǎn jiēduàn): A term used by Xi Jinping to define the current period where China, after finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society (Xiaokang), embarks on a new journey of building a modern socialist country.

↩ [5] 新发展格局 (xīn fāzhǎn géjú): Refers specifically to the "dual circulation" strategy where domestic and international markets reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

↩ [6] 社会主要矛盾 (shèhuì zhǔyào máodùn): In 2017, the CPC redefined the "principal contradiction" in Chinese society from that between the "growing material and cultural needs of the people and backward social production" to that between "unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing pride for a better life."

↩ [7] 双碳 (shuāng tàn): "Dual carbon" refers to China's specific climate commitments: reaching peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.