Cheng Enfu and Dong Jinming: The Enrichment and Development of the Essential Connotation of Socialism
I. Introduction: Emphasizing the Marxist Perspective on the Essence of Things
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC): "Practice knows no bounds, and theoretical innovation knows no bounds. Continually writing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists." [1] To achieve this, we must adhere to a systemic concept, "being adept at viewing reality through history and perceiving essence through phenomena. We must properly manage the relationships between the whole and the part, the present and the long term, the macro and the micro, principal and secondary contradictions, and the particular and the general. We must constantly improve our capacity for strategic, historical, dialectical, systemic, innovative, legal, and bottom-line thinking, providing a scientific ideological method for forward-looking contemplation, overall planning, and the holistic advancement of the various undertakings of the Party and the state." [1] Having the guidance of the scientific theory of Marxism is the "fundamental basis upon which the Party strengthens its belief and conviction and seizes historical initiative." [1] General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "Marxism reveals the essence, internal connections, and laws of development of things; it is a 'great tool for cognition.'" [2] High importance must be placed on Marxist discourse regarding the essence of things and its cognition.
First, Marxism holds that scientific theory is the cognition of the essence of objective things and their laws of development. Cognition and grasp of the essence of any theory cannot be exhaustive or achieved overnight; this is an inherent stipulation of the relativity of truth. As practice advances, the era develops, and objective things change, the essential connotation of a theory will expand and deepen accordingly, thereby better guiding practice. In On Practice, Mao Zedong stated: "Perception only solves the problem of phenomena; theory alone can solve the problem of essence." [3] In On the Question of Agricultural Co-operation, Mao also emphasized that when analyzing things, one should look more at the "essential and main aspects." [4] The reason Marxist theory occupies the moral high ground of truth and can reflect and reveal the internal essence and laws of change in the development of objective things and social practice lies in its ability to enrich and develop its own theoretical connotations while advancing with the times.
Second, Marxism holds that the essence of things is tiered. Lenin pointed out in his Philosophical Notebooks: "Appearance is a determination of essence, one aspect of essence, one moment of essence. Essence possesses an appearance. Appearance is the manifestation of essence itself in itself." [5] Lenin further believed: "The infinite process of the deepening of man's knowledge of the thing, of phenomena, processes, etc., from appearance to essence, from less profound to more profound essence." [5] That is to say, the essence of things possesses a tiered nature; it includes the most fundamental characteristics, general essential characteristics, and the various aspects of essential characteristics reflected through different phenomena. In Lenin's view, essence is both layered and constantly enriched and developed as practice deepens. Mao Zedong also argued in On Contradiction that specific essences are contained within a common essence, and many essences remain to be studied in depth. He said: "When people have come to know this common essence, they use this knowledge as a guide and go on to study various concrete things that have not yet been studied or have not yet been studied thoroughly, so as to find the specific essence... only thus can the knowledge of the common essence be supplemented, enriched, and developed, and prevented from becoming something withered and petrified." [3]
Third, Marxism holds that "all social life is essentially practical." [6] The essential connotation of socialism will also be continuously enriched along with the construction and development of socialism. Viewed from multiple dimensions such as theoretical innovation, historical orientation, and practical direction, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era represents an epochal extension and assignment of meaning to the essential connotation of socialism within the specific practice of the Sinicization of Marxism.
By applying the Marxist methodology concerning the essence of things and its cognition, one can clearly recognize that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a theory that enriches and develops the essential connotation of socialism. In the Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly and completely explained the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization, namely: "upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China, adhering to socialism with Chinese characteristics, achieving high-quality development, developing whole-process people's democracy, enriching the people’s spiritual world, achieving common prosperity for all, promoting harmony between humanity and nature, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and creating a new form of human civilization." [1] This contains the practical essence and connotation of a "six-in-one" framework encompassing economy, politics, culture, society, ecological civilization, and diplomacy. Below, we shall elaborate from these six aspects how Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era enriches and develops the theoretical system of the essence of socialism.
II. Adhering to Common Prosperity based on the Primacy of Public Ownership is the Economic Essence of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
Proceeding from historical materialism, the economic essence determined by the ownership of the means of production is the primary economic base of a society, directly or indirectly determining the superstructure of that society. In the preface to the 1883 German edition of the Manifesto of the Communist Party, Engels explicitly emphasized: "The economic production and the structure of society of every historical epoch necessarily arising therefrom constitute the foundation for the political and intellectual history of that epoch." [7] Marx pointed out: "With the change of the economic foundation the entire immense superstructure is more or less rapidly transformed." [7] Furthermore, "Capitalist production is essentially private production, even if the individual capitalist is replaced by the associated capitalist." [8] The economic essence of capitalist society is the bourgeois private ownership or monopoly private ownership of the means of production, which fundamentally determines the nature and aims of the political and cultural superstructure of capitalist society.
Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "The essence of socialism is the liberation of productive forces, the development of productive forces, the elimination of exploitation, the eradication of polarization, and the ultimate achievement of common prosperity." [9] "In reform, we have always adhered to two fundamental principles: one is the primacy of the socialist public ownership economy, and the other is common prosperity." [9] This identified the two essential characteristics of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasized once again: "Common prosperity is the essential requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics and is also a long-term historical process." [1] Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era further enriches and develops the economic essential stipulations of socialism and the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization.
First, the dominant position of public ownership and the leading role of the state-owned economy in the socialist economic essence must not be shaken. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our basic economic system is an important pillar of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the foundation of the socialist market economy. The dominant position of public ownership must not be shaken, and the leading role of the state-owned economy must not be shaken. This is the institutional guarantee for ensuring that people of all ethnic groups in our country share the fruits of development, and it is also an important guarantee for consolidating the Party’s governing position and adhering to our country's socialist system." [10] "State-owned enterprises are an important material and political foundation for socialism with Chinese characteristics, and an important pillar and relying force for our Party’s governance and national rejuvenation." [11] General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized several times the need to "make state-owned enterprises stronger, better, and larger." This clarifies that the dominant position of public ownership and the leading role of the state-owned economy serve as the important economic and political foundations of socialism with Chinese characteristics, highlighting its essential economic traits. The reason socialist public ownership serves as the most fundamental essential characteristic of socialism is that, provided the institutional mechanisms are operated correctly, it can be efficiently and organically integrated with the market economy. This reflects incomparable superiority in terms of both equity and efficiency, fundamentally overcoming the essential defect of private ownership of the means of production in the capitalist market economy. Socialist public-owned enterprises can manifest the performance advantages of society as a whole by correcting the functional weaknesses of the law of value, promote economic growth by providing strong financial support, and avoid excessive disparities between the rich and the poor through primary distribution within state-owned enterprises, thereby providing a vital property rights guarantee for the overall and rapid development of the national economy and people's livelihoods. [12]
Second, the elimination of poverty, the improvement of people's livelihoods, and the gradual realization of common prosperity are established as essential requirements of socialism. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Eliminating poverty, improving people's livelihoods, and realizing common prosperity are the essential requirements of socialism" [13]; "Common prosperity is the fundamental principle of socialism with Chinese characteristics, so we must make the fruits of development benefit all people more extensively and fairly, and advance steadily toward the goal of common prosperity" [14]. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has remained true to its original aspiration and founding mission, uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups in the country to work toward the goal of common prosperity. They achieved a complete victory in the battle against poverty and attained great historical achievements in the comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society. At the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping further emphasized "solidly promoting common prosperity," aiming for "more obvious and substantive progress in the common prosperity for all" by 2035 [15], and proposed a series of major measures such as increasing people's income levels, strengthening the employment-first policy, and improving the multi-tiered social security system. From the comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society to the development of a demonstration zone for common prosperity, the essential characteristic of common prosperity in socialism has been further highlighted. This necessitates making state-owned enterprises and state-owned capital stronger, better, and larger; giving full play to the strategic supporting role of the state-owned economy; and preventing the disorderly expansion of capital to narrow the gap in wealth and income between social strata and strengthen the foundation of common prosperity. The Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasized: "Deepen the reform of state-owned assets and state-owned enterprises, accelerate the optimization of the layout and structural adjustment of the state-owned economy, promote state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises to become stronger, better, and larger, and enhance the core competitiveness of enterprises." [1] Compared to the Report to the 19th National Congress, a significant change in the 20th Congress Report is the refinement of "promoting state-owned capital to become stronger, better, and larger" [16] into "promoting state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises to become stronger, better, and larger." [1] On the new journey, state-owned assets and state-owned enterprises are by no means mere forms of capital; the mutual promotion and construction of both are the important pillars and relying forces for the Party’s governance and national rejuvenation. They are the concentrated embodiment of the leading status of the working class, the locus of the advantages of the "new-type whole-nation system" [1] designed to mobilize resources for major undertakings, and the main force and "ballast" for comprehensively building a great modern socialist country and achieving common prosperity.
Third, the distribution relations based on the primacy of distribution according to work and the property rights relations based on the primacy of public ownership are treated as an inseparable set of essential economic system stipulations. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee provided a new characterization of our country's basic economic system, incorporating both "public ownership as the mainstay with diverse forms of ownership developing together" and "distribution according to work as the mainstay with multiple modes of distribution coexisting" into the basic economic system of the primary stage of socialism. This new characterization reflects the superiority of the socialist system and highlights the economic essence of common prosperity based on these "two mainstays," representing a theoretical innovation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC further clarified the distribution system as the foundational system for promoting common prosperity. Within this, the ownership structure with public ownership at its center is the fundamental economic system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, reflecting its economic essence and determining the overall pattern of its socialist economic nature. The distribution structure with distribution according to work at its center is the realization of the interests of the ownership structure, determining the overall pattern of shared prosperity and happiness. The erroneous view that severs the primacy of public ownership from common prosperity deviates from economic dialectics. Of course, the development of the mainstay of public ownership must be organically combined with the non-public economy to mutually promote the rapid improvement of fields related to the national economy and people's livelihoods; we must further liberate and develop the productive forces and "consciously stimulate the vitality of social productive forces by adjusting the relations of production." [17]
III. Adhering to the Leadership of the Communist Party of China is the Political Essence and the Most Essential Feature of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
Marxism posits that the leadership of the proletarian party is the political guarantee for the success of the socialist cause. Without the leadership of the party of the proletariat, the socialist cause loses the most fundamental political force for realizing social transformation. Marx pointed out: "In its struggle against the collective power of the possessing classes, the proletariat can act as a class only by organizing itself into a distinct political party, opposed to all the old political parties formed by the possessing classes." 23 Only under the leadership of the proletarian party can the masses be mobilized, a powerful political force be formed, and the cause of socialist revolution and construction possess a strong organizational foundation. Lenin pointed out even more incisively: "In our country, all the political and economic work of the state power is led by the Communist Party, the conscious vanguard of the working class." 24 The leadership of the proletarian party over the state power of socialist countries and socialist economic construction ensures the smooth progress of all socialist undertakings.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has enriched and developed the theory of the political essence of socialism. First, he proposed that the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is the most essential characteristic of socialism with Chinese characteristics. At the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping reviewed the historic achievements and transformations in the cause of the Party and the state since the 18th CPC National Congress, noting that we must "comprehensively strengthen the Party’s leadership, clarifying that the most essential characteristic of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the greatest strength of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Communist Party of China is the highest force for political leadership, upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee is the highest political principle, and systematically improving the institutional system of Party leadership" [6]. Linking the leadership of the CPC to the political essence and the deepest essence of socialism is a theoretical innovation resulting from the combination of the basic principles of scientific socialism with the practical development of socialism with Chinese characteristics; it is also a deepened understanding of the laws of the Party’s governance and the laws of socialist construction.
Second, he proposed that the CPC is the core of leadership for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and that upholding the Party’s leadership is the "root and origin" (běngēn) [6] of socialist politics. Under the leadership of the CPC, China’s cause of revolution, construction, and reform has achieved great success, providing the most fundamental political guarantee for China’s political stability, economic development, ethnic unity, and social stability. It can be said that the CPC is the most fundamental political force for realizing the development of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and upholding the leadership of the CPC is the fundamental guarantee for doing all work of the Party and the state well. As General Secretary Xi Jinping revealed: "The root and origin of our national governance is the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system." 25
Third, he proposed that upholding the Party’s leadership embodies the political advantages of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. "Party, government, military, society, and academic; east, west, south, north, and center—the Party leads everything." The leadership of the CPC is conducive to "concentrating resources to accomplish great things" [7], fully embodying the political advantages of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Whether it is the great victory in comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society in all respects or embarking on the new journey to build a great modern socialist country, under the leadership of the CPC—with public-owned enterprises and institutions as the main force—the human, material, and financial resources of society have been fully mobilized. The political situation of the great unity of the people of the whole country has been continuously consolidated, and the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics has moved forward steadily with irresistible force. Especially in the face of the sudden global pandemic of "COVID-19," under the leadership of the CPC, the people of the whole country united to fight the epidemic and won the defensive battle against its prevention and control. This once again demonstrated the wise leadership of the CPC and the political and economic advantages of concentrating resources to accomplish great things. As General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly stated: "In this response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the leadership and institutional superiority of various countries were immediately apparent in the contrast. Time and momentum are on our side; this is where our determination and confidence lie, as well as our composure and resilience." [26]
IV. Upholding the Guidance of Marxism and its Sinicized Theory is the Cultural Essence of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
Marxist theory is the guide to action and the ideological-theoretical foundation for the proletarian party, the ideological guarantee for the party to achieve success in its cause, and the core and soul of the socialist ideological and cultural system. Engels pointed out: "A great advantage of our party is that it has a new scientific worldview as its theoretical basis." 12 Mao Zedong wrote in On New Democracy: "After the May Fourth Movement [8], a completely new cultural force emerged in China: the communist cultural thought led by the Chinese Communists—that is, the communist world outlook and theory of social revolution." 27 Deng Xiaoping emphasized: "For things belonging to the cultural sphere, Marxism must be used to analyze, distinguish, and criticize their ideological content and methods of expression." 14 Addressing various forms of chaos in the ideological and cultural spheres, he further pointed out: "We must thoroughly reverse this abnormal situation so that the propaganda of Marxism, socialism, and communism—especially the correct viewpoints on all major theoretical and principled issues—can truly play a leading role in ideological circles." 14 In his report to the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping further emphasized that combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with China’s fine traditional culture ("the two combinations") [9] is the theoretical and practical guarantee for correctly answering major questions posed by the times and practice, and for ensuring that Marxism always maintains its vigorous vitality. He pointed out: "To uphold and develop Marxism, we must integrate it with China’s fine traditional culture. Only by taking root in the fertile soil of the history and culture of one’s own country and nation can the tree of Marxist truth remain evergreen." [6] Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which we base our Party and our country; the guidance of Marxism and its Sinicized theory is the cultural essential characteristic of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Regarding this, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward many new viewpoints and judgments in his series of discourses.
First, under the guidance of Marxism, upholding the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country. The lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics embody the unremitting pursuit and heroic struggle of generations of Chinese Communists. It is precisely under the inspiration and guidance of this ideal and conviction that the CPC possesses a high degree of theoretical, political, and practical consciousness, leading the Chinese people and the Chinese nation to achieve great success. Therefore, establishing the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics consolidates the common ideological foundation of the Chinese Communists and the Chinese people, providing them with a shared faith. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Publicity, ideological, and cultural work must firmly grasp the fundamental task of consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological sphere and consolidating the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the whole Party and the people of the whole country." 28
Second, Marxism and its Sinicized theory have pointed out the correct direction for our country's construction of a "cultural powerhouse" (wénhuà qiángguó). Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires the great development of both material and spiritual civilization; building a socialist cultural powerhouse is the historical mission bestowed upon Chinese Communists by the Chinese nation. Since entering the New Era, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has taken Marxism as its guide, stood firm in the position of Chinese culture, based itself on contemporary Chinese reality, and combined this with current conditions to actively develop a socialist culture that is national, scientific, and popular—and oriented toward modernization, the world, and the future. By following the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics, the Party has pointed out the correct direction for the construction of a socialist cultural powerhouse.
Third, the guidance of Marxism and its Sinicized theory is an important condition for constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics and mastering international "discourse power" (huàyǔquán). General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Upholding the guidance of Marxism is the fundamental hallmark that distinguishes contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences from other philosophy and social sciences, and it must be upheld with a clear-cut stand." [29] If we do not persist in the guidance of Marxism and its Sinicized theory, philosophy and social sciences will lose their soul and direction, and ultimately fail to play their due role. Therefore, for today's China to form philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese flavor, it must adhere to Marxist theoretical guidance, emphasize the inheritance and nationality, originality and contemporaneity, and systematic and professional nature of philosophy and social sciences. We must continuously leverage the disciplinary advantages of basic Marxist theory to more timely emit a Chinese voice, more clearly demonstrate Chinese thought, and more loudly put forward Chinese propositions.
V. Social Harmony Centered on the People is the Social Essence of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
Based on the social ownership of the means of production and highly developed productive forces, establishing an "association of free individuals" and realizing the free and comprehensive development of human beings and true social harmony is the social ideal and goal of Marxists. Engels pointed out that once society takes possession of the means of production, "it will be possible to secure for every member of society, by means of an increasingly abundant material life, a life which is not only fully sufficient but also guarantees them the free development and exercise of their physical and mental faculties." 30 Lenin believed that socialist production is meant to "ensure the full well-being and free, all-round development of all members of society" 31, and that "only socialism can widely expand and truly subordinate social production and distribution of products according to scientific principles... so as to make the life of all working people the most beautiful and happy. Only socialism can realize this." 32
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Social harmony is an essential attribute of socialism with Chinese characteristics." 19 In his report to the 20th CPC National Congress, he clearly emphasized: "The country is its people; the people are the country. As the Communist Party of China has led the people in fighting to win and maintain control of the state, it has actually been fighting to develop and maintain the support of the people. Governance has its constants, but centeredness on the people's interests is the root." [10] Consequently, "bringing benefits to the people is the essential requirement of staying true to the Party's commitment to serving the public interest and governing for the people." [6] Socialism is about realizing, maintaining, and developing the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people, so that all people can achieve common prosperity and social harmony on the basis of identical fundamental interests; this fully embodies the social essence of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
On the one hand, adhering to people-centered development, continuously improving the quality of life for all people, and promoting social harmony are essential social attributes of socialism. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must listen to the voices of the people and respond to their expectations at all times, ensure their rights to equal participation and development, maintain social fairness and justice, and make continuous progress in ensuring that the people have access to education, employment, medical care, elderly care, and housing. We must continue to realize, maintain, and develop the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people, so that the fruits of development benefit all people more and more fairly, and we must move steadily toward common prosperity on the basis of continuous economic and social development." 19 Socialism with Chinese characteristics is rooted in the people, and the people’s aspiration for a better life is the goal for which the CPC strives. The CPC always regards realizing, maintaining, and developing the fundamental interests of the broadest masses as the starting point and goal of all its work, continuously resolving the most direct and realistic interest issues of greatest concern to the people. It strives to let the people live better lives and ensures they live in peace and work in contentment, ensuring social stability and long-term peace for the country. This promotes the development of a people-centered harmonious society, which fully reflects the essential requirement of socialism to let all people live the most beautiful and happy lives.
On the other hand, adhering to people-centered development and coordinating the relations between different interest groups while maintaining the fundamental interests of all people embodies the social essence of socialism by safeguarding social fairness, justice, and harmony. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "We must persist in the basic socialist economic system and distribution system, adjust the pattern of income distribution, and improve the redistribution adjustment mechanism primarily through means such as taxation, social security, and transfer payments. We must maintain social fairness and justice, resolve the problem of the income gap, and ensure the fruits of development benefit all people more and more fairly." 33 In the New Era, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, through comprehensively deepening reform, has continuously solved difficult problems in economic and social development, striving to narrow the development gap between regions and between urban and rural areas, and struggling to realize social fairness, justice, harmony, and stability.
VI. Persistence in the Harmonious Coexistence of Humanity and Nature is the Ecological Civilization Essence of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
Humans and nature are eternally situated within an inseparable dialectical unity. Ecological civilization [11] thought, as a vital dimension of the dialectical materialist view of nature, is essentially a scientific grasp of this unity. Engels pointed out that with the progress of human society, the "oneness of man with nature" [35] would be increasingly recognized by people. He warned: "Let us not, however, flatter ourselves overmuch on account of our human victories over nature. For each such victory nature takes its revenge on us" [35].
The report to the 20th CPC National Congress clearly stated: "Respecting, adapting to, and protecting nature is an inherent requirement for building a modern socialist country in all respects" [11]. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s concept of "harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" [39] reflects the essence of ecological civilization in socialism with Chinese characteristics.
First, it reveals the essential characteristics of ecological civilization under two different social systems. General Secretary Xi Jinping once noted: "Starting from the 1930s, several environmental disasters occurred in Western countries, causing massive losses and shocking the world, which triggered profound reflection on the capitalist development model" [40]. Compared to the capitalist system, which onesidedly pursues the maximization of private interests even at the cost of destroying the ecological environment, "harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" has become the distinct essence of ecological civilization under socialism with Chinese characteristics. The ecological crisis of capitalism is directly related to the private ownership of the means of production; it is a direct product of capital’s profit-seeking nature. Furthermore, developed capitalist countries frequently transfer their own ecological problems to the vast number of developing countries. Therefore, "ecological and environmental problems are, in the final analysis, problems of development and lifestyle. To fundamentally solve ecological and environmental problems, it is necessary to implement the new development philosophy of innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and sharing" [39]. The socialist mode of production—which implements the new development philosophy, maintains public ownership as the mainstay, and remains people-centered—demonstrates the ecological essence of "harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" in socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Second, it enriches and develops the essence of ecological civilization in socialism with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We want both gold and silver mountains, and clear waters and lush mountains. We would rather have clear waters and lush mountains than gold and silver mountains; moreover, clear waters and lush mountains are themselves gold and silver mountains" [41]. This essential requirement dictates that when economic development conflicts with environmental protection, the latter must be prioritized, as "clear waters and lush mountains" hold greater strategic value than "gold and silver mountains." This grasps the strategic positioning of the relationship between humanity and nature from the essence of ecological civilization. "Clear waters and lush mountains are not only natural and ecological wealth, but also social and economic wealth. To protect the ecological environment is to protect natural value and increase natural capital; it is to protect the potential and momentum of economic and social development, allowing clear waters and lush mountains to continuously provide ecological, economic, and social benefits" [39]. Protecting the ecological environment is protecting the productive forces; improving the ecological environment is developing the productive forces.
Third, it enriches and develops the essence of ecological civilization through the construction of a life community of humanity and nature. Constructing a life community of humanity and nature is an inherent part of building a community with a shared future for humanity and achieving sustainable development. Xi Jinping emphasized: "humanity and nature form a life community" [39], "Earth is the common and only home for humanity" [42], and "Building a beautiful home is the common dream of humanity. Facing ecological challenges, humanity is a community with a shared future where we prosper or suffer together; no country can remain unaffected" [39]. Attending the 2021 Leaders' Summit on Climate, he further emphasized the need to persist in green development, multilateralism, and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities to jointly build a life community of humanity and nature [43]. Humanity faces common ecological challenges such as global warming, desertification, air pollution, and extreme weather. From being an important contributor to and active implementer of the Paris Agreement to a series of new initiatives for China's voluntary contributions—such as "striving to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060"—these all fully demonstrate that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization marks a scientific confidence in and a high degree of consciousness regarding the essence of socialist ecological civilization. An ecological civilization defined by the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature essentially requires all nations to work hand-in-hand, effectively addressing global ecological issues through the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity and a life community of humanity and nature.
VII. Persisting in the Construction of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity Based on the Holistic Approach to National Security Is the Diplomatic Essence of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
The world is itself an indivisible unity, particularly under the drive and influence of economic globalization, which has made the connections across the entire world even tighter. Marx and Engels pointed out in The German Ideology: "The more the original isolation of the several nationalities is destroyed by the perfected mode of production and intercourse, and the division of labour between different nations naturally brought about by these, the more history becomes world history" [44]. As the mutual connection and interdependence between nations continue to deepen and common risks and challenges increase, humanity is increasingly forming a community with a shared future where joys and sorrows are intertwined.
General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly pointed out in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress: "National security is the foundation of national rejuvenation, and social stability is the prerequisite for national strength. We must unswervingly implement the holistic approach to national security, integrate national security into all aspects and the entire process of Party and state work, and ensure national security and social stability" [11]. Constructing a community with a shared future for humanity based on the holistic approach to national security is the diplomatic essence of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which can be explained through the following two aspects.
On one hand, we must implement the holistic approach to national security [12]; this is an essential requirement of the diplomatic essence of socialism with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "National security is a matter of paramount importance" [45]; "National security is an important cornerstone for national stability, and maintaining national security is in the fundamental interest of the people of all ethnic groups nationwide" [26]; "Security is the guarantee for development, and development is the purpose of security" [21]; "Coordinate development and security, strengthen awareness of potential dangers, and remain prepared for danger in times of peace [13]" [40]. To comprehensively implement the holistic approach to national security means taking political security as the fundamental basis, economic security as the foundation, and people’s security as the purpose. It means taking military, cultural, and social security as the guarantee, and the promotion of international security as the support. It involves balancing internal and external security, homeland and citizen security, traditional and non-traditional security, development and security issues, and one’s own security and common security. The status of national security within the overall work of the Party and the state, as well as within the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, has become increasingly prominent. In the New Era, where profound changes unseen in a century [14] and the "golden period" of China's development are intertwined, there is a greater need to recognize the general trends of international and domestic development and continuously coordinate economic development with national security. Xi Jinping emphasized that "security should be universal" [46], and that we must adhere to a universal security concept covering both the internal and external. Internally, the diplomatic essence requires universal security at the political, economic, social, and national levels. This is to say, the holistic approach to national security runs through the essential characteristics of socialism with Chinese characteristics, serving as the premise and guarantee for other essential characteristics; it requires the organic unity of people's security, political security, economic security, social security, and national security. Externally, the diplomatic essence requires the establishment of a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept. Only by upholding the diplomatic essence of holistic national security can we work with other countries to build a community with a shared future for humanity and jointly build a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, cleanliness, and beauty.
On the other hand, we must build a community with a shared future for humanity, which is another diplomatic essential requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In 2015, Xi Jinping appealed to all nations at the UN General Assembly: "Let us join hands to build a new partnership of win-win cooperation and work together to create a community with a shared future for humanity. Let the concept of beating swords into plowshares and ending war forever take deep root in people's hearts, and let the concepts of development, prosperity, fairness, and justice be practiced throughout the world!" Building a community with a shared future for humanity involves promoting the common development of all nations while seeking one’s own development. it contains a series of global values such as a sustainable development view of human symbiosis, a common security view, a common interest view, and a common governance view, providing important ideas for addressing the various crises and challenges facing human society [47]. In today's world, unilateralism, trade protectionism, and counter-globalization sentiments are continuously rising, appearing in new forms. Facing these trends, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "the reality of the ‘global village’ dictates that the interests and destinies of all countries are increasingly intertwined" [40], and "open cooperation is the inevitable logic of scientific progress and the development of productive forces" [40]. "This is determined by economic laws and is independent of human will" [40]. Building a community with a shared future for humanity can not only maintain world peace and development but also further promote the diversity of human civilizations. The destiny of humanity should be managed by humanity together; world affairs should be governed by the people of all countries together; world security should be maintained by all countries together; international rules should be formulated by all countries together; and development results should be shared by the people of all countries together. This is the inevitable trend of historical development and the common demand of the people of the world.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the important international cooperation platforms advocated and organized by China—such as the "Belt and Road Initiative," the "Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank" (AIIB), "BRICS," and the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization" (SCO)—have sought happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation while also seeking peace and development for humanity. These fully demonstrate that constructing a community with a shared future for humanity based on the holistic approach to national security is the diplomatic essential characteristic of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
VIII. Conclusion: A Dialectical Understanding of the "Six-in-One" System of the Essential Meaning of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
In summary, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has enriched and developed the essential meaning of socialism. It clarifies that persisting in common prosperity with public ownership as the mainstay is the economic essence of socialism with Chinese characteristics; persisting in the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the political essence and the most defining feature; persisting in the guidance of Marxism and its Sinicized theories is the cultural essence; persisting in a people-centered social harmony is the social essence; persisting in the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature is the ecological civilization essence; and persisting in constructing a community with a shared future for humanity based on the holistic approach to national security is the diplomatic essence. Together, these form the basic theory of the "six-in-one" complete system of the essential meaning of socialism with Chinese characteristics. According to the general principles of historical materialism and materialist dialectics, within this six-level system of socialist essence, the economic essence belongs to the most foundational and fundamental level—meaning that in the sense that the economic base determines the superstructure, common prosperity based on public ownership and distribution according to work is the most fundamental feature and decisive element. The political essence belongs to the highest and most essential level—meaning that in the sense that politics is the concentrated expression of economics, the leadership of the CPC is the most essential feature and the most critical element. At the same time, the essence of each level is closely connected and mutually interactive, forming a synergy that drives the modernization of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Any view that severs the connection between these levels is inaccurate.
The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the choice of history and the people. The practice of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation proves that only the CPC can lead China and develop China. The leadership of the CPC is the fundamental guarantee for comprehensively advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and ensuring that socialism never changes its nature. These theories, lines, programs, and experiences of our Party "are the most essential things, the things that embody the laws of the CPC's governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society" [24]. Naturally, the essential meaning and specific manifestations of socialism will continue to be improved and enriched in constant practice. Marxism, which advances with the times—especially Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—will continue to provide more extensive and in-depth scientific interpretations of this matter.