Deng Chundong: Strive to Write a New Chapter in Building a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects
From July 26 to 27, 2022, a special seminar for provincial and ministerial-level primary leading officials, themed "Studying the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Speeches and Welcoming the 20th Party Congress," was held in Beijing. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, emphasizing the need to strive toward composing a brand-new chapter in the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country. Earnestly studying and deeply understanding the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech is of profound significance for the vast number of Party members and cadres to better grasp Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and to welcome the successful opening of the 20th Party Congress with practical actions.
Holding High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "On the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country and marching toward the Second Centenary Goal [1], the whole Party must hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, adhere to the guidance of the latest achievements in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, remain firm in the 'Four Confidences' [2] in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and unswervingly advance the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." A banner is a guide; it determines direction. The Party's century-long history of struggle demonstrates that what banner is raised in different historical periods bears upon the Party’s line, principles, and policies, as well as the direction of the Party's progress and the success or failure of its cause. Holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a conclusion proven by the arduous and glorious history of the Chinese nation seeking liberation and rejuvenation since the dawn of modern times. It is a conclusion reached through the arduous exploration of the Party over the 70-plus years since the founding of New China in how to build socialism in a major country with such a massive population. It is an inevitable requirement for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Further clarifying the nature and characteristics of Chinese-path modernization. In the contemporary world, a group of countries has already achieved modernization, while many other developing countries are racing to embark on the path of pursuing their own modernization. It should be recognized that modernization is the only path to national strength and prosperity for the people, but there is more than one road leading to it. Different countries enter modernization at different times, with different national conditions, different choices of paths, and different outcomes—these factors have created diverse models of modernization. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "On the basis of long-term exploration and practice since the founding of New China, especially since the start of reform and opening up, and following theoretical and practical innovations and breakthroughs since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, we have successfully promoted and expanded Chinese-path modernization. There is no such thing as a singular 'superior' modernization model in the world, nor is there a universal standard for modernization. The modernization we are promoting is a socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China. We must persist in advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization, neither taking the old path of being closed and rigid [3], nor taking the evil path of changing the banner [4]. We must persist in placing the development of the country and the nation on the basis of our own strength, and hold the fate of China’s development and progress firmly in our own hands."
Continuously deepening the understanding of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is not a simple continuation of the "master copy" of our country’s historical and cultural heritage, nor is it a simple application of the "template" envisioned by classical Marxist writers. It is not a "reprint" of the socialist practice of other countries, nor is it a "replica" of foreign modernization development. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our Party has always emphasized that socialism with Chinese characteristics not only adheres to the basic principles of scientific socialism but also is endowed with distinct Chinese characteristics according to contemporary conditions. This means that socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism, and not any other 'ism'." Therefore, to hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must continuously deepen our understanding of it and remain firm in our confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, persisting in placing the development of the country and the nation on the basis of our own strength.
Persisting in the guidance of the latest achievements in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is the distinct political character and powerful political advantage of our Party. Practice tells us that why the Communist Party of China 'can' and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is 'good' is, in the final analysis, because Marxism 'works'." Since the 18th National Congress, new changes in the domestic and international situations and new developments in practice have urgently required us to provide deep answers to a series of major theoretical and practical questions. We have persisted in combining the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture, forming the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which realized a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is rooted in the great practices of the New Era, promotes theoretical innovation for the New Era, represents a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism, and serves as the scientific guide to continue pushing forward the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. On the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, we must earnestly study and accurately grasp Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially grasping the worldview and methodology that permeate it. We must adhere to and apply the positions, viewpoints, and methods running through it, continuously opening up new frontiers for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism in the great practice of the New Era, thereby creating a solid theoretical foundation and ideological prerequisite for striving to compose a brand-new chapter in the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country.
Firmly Grasping the Central Task of the Party on the New Journey of the New Era
Through the sustained struggle of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country, we have achieved the First Centenary Goal and comprehensively built a moderately prosperous society (shǎokāng shèhuì) on the land of China. On this basis, we have embarked on a new journey toward comprehensively building a modern socialist country. The upcoming 20th Party Congress is a very important congress at a critical moment in this new journey. It will scientifically map out the goals, tasks, and major policies for the development of the Party and state for the next five years and even longer. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "We must firmly grasp the central task of the Party on the new journey of the New Era, proposing new ideas, new strategies, and new measures. We must continue to coordinatively promote the 'Five-Sphere Integrated Plan' and the 'Four Comprehensives' strategic layout, forging ahead with enterprise and fortitude, moving forward with courage and unity, and striving to compose a brand-new chapter in the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country."
Continuously deepening the understanding of the laws governing socialism with Chinese characteristics and scientifically grasping and resolving the current principal contradiction in Chinese society. The report of the 19th Party Congress pointed out: "Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era; the principal contradiction in Chinese society has been transformed into the contradiction between the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development." On the basis of continuing to promote development, we must focus on resolving the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development, vigorously improving the quality and efficiency of development, better satisfying the ever-growing needs of the people in the economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological spheres, and better promoting the comprehensive development of the individual and the overall progress of society. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The 19th Party Congress made strategic arrangements for comprehensively building a modern socialist powerhouse. The overall strategic arrangement consists of a two-step process: from 2020 to 2035, basically realizing socialist modernization; and from 2035 to the middle of this century, building our country into a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful modern socialist powerhouse. The 20th Party Congress will provide a macro perspective on the two-step strategic arrangement for comprehensively building a modern socialist powerhouse, with a focus on deploying strategic tasks and major measures for the next five years. The next five years are the critical period for the start of comprehensively building a modern socialist country; managing development in these five years is vital to achieving the Second Centenary Goal. We must focus closely on solving the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development, putting effort into addressing deficiencies, strengthening weak links, reinforcing foundations, and leveraging advantages, while researching and proposing new ideas and measures to solve these problems."
Adhering to the concepts, principles, ideas, and experiences of advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics since the 18th Party Congress. Starting from the 18th Party Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics entered a New Era. Over the past ten years, we have adhered to Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development. We have comprehensively implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Party's basic line, and the basic strategy. We have adopted a series of strategic measures, promoted a series of transformative practices, achieved a series of breakthrough developments, and obtained a series of landmark results. We have overcome many difficult problems that remained unresolved for a long time, accomplished many major events concerning long-term interests, and withstood the tests of risks and challenges from politics, economics, ideology, and the natural world. The cause of the Party and the state has achieved historical achievements and undergone historical changes. The great changes of the past ten years in the New Era hold landmark significance in the history of the Party, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, the history of the development of socialism, and the history of the development of the Chinese nation. To grasp the central task of the Party on the new journey of the New Era, we must earnestly study, summarize, absorb, and apply the precious practical experience of the ten years of the New Era to provide a reference for striving to compose a brand-new chapter in the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country.
Adhering to the Fundamental Tenet of Serving the People Wholeheartedly
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "On the road ahead, the whole Party must adhere to the fundamental tenet of serving the people wholeheartedly, firmly establish the mass viewpoint, implement the mass line, respect the people’s pioneering spirit, persist in doing everything for the people and relying on the people in everything, and implement 'from the masses, to the masses' [5]. We must always maintain a flesh-and-blood connection with the people, always accept the people's criticism and supervision, and always breathe the same breath as the people, share the same fate, and keep our hearts linked to theirs." Since the day the Communist Party of China was founded, it has engraved "the people" on its red banner. Chinese Communists have always stood on the side of the people to seek national independence and people's liberation, realize national strength and people's happiness, and consistently uphold the fundamental tenet of serving the people wholeheartedly. They have accurately identified the political coordinate that "in all the practical work of our Party, all correct leadership must be 'from the masses, to the masses.'" Under new era conditions and in a new social environment, during the practice of building the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important expositions and proposed a series of important viewpoints on how to adhere to the fundamental tenet of serving the people wholeheartedly and how to carry forward the Party’s fine tradition of maintaining close ties with the masses. We must study these earnestly, understand them deeply, and strive to put them into practice.
Taking the fundamental interests of the broadest possible majority of the people as the fundamental starting point and ultimate goal of all work. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The people’s aspiration for a better life is our goal." This is not only a vivid depiction of the CPC’s governing philosophy of "holding the Party for the public and governing for the people," but also a profound answer to the historical question of "for whom, by whom, and who am I?" Every Party member must understand that the Party has no special interests of its own other than the interests of the people. All the Party's work is for the sake of realizing, safeguarding, and developing the fundamental interests of the broadest possible majority of the people. Aside from seeking interests and happiness for the people, the CPC has no special interests or special happiness; the Party’s cause is the people’s cause, the Party’s position is the people’s position, and the people's well-being and hardships are what the Party thinks about. The Party and the people are one and inseparable.
Always maintaining a flesh-and-blood connection with the people. As a Marxist party, the CPC is the faithful representative of the fundamental interests of the broadest majority of the Chinese people. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our Party comes from the people, was born for the people, and thrives because of the people. We must always be of one heart with the people, share their joys and sorrows, and struggle together with them." History and practice tell us that once separated from the support and endorsement of the people, Party members, cadres, and Party organizations can hardly survive, and the Party's cause can hardly develop. It must be soberly recognized that looking down on the masses, being detached from the masses, and acting in a high-handed manner are risks that Party members, cadres, and Party organizations face over the long term. Therefore, we must always maintain a flesh-and-blood connection with the people, rely closely on the people, continuously benefit the people, and remain firmly rooted in the people.
Persisting in respecting the principal status of the people. Adhering to the principal status of the people and ensuring the people are masters of the country has always been a consistent proposition of our Party. For a long time, we have unswervingly followed the path of socialist political development with Chinese characteristics, persistently maintained, comprehensively implemented, and continuously developed the system of people's congresses, the system of CPC-led multi-party cooperation and political consultation, the system of regional ethnic autonomy, and the system of grassroots self-governance. We ensure that the people participate extensively in national and social governance, truly implementing the principle of the people as masters of the country into the political and social life of the nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized:
“We must adhere to the principle that all power of the state belongs to the people. We must ensure that the people exercise democratic elections according to the law, and also ensure that the people exercise democratic decision-making, democratic management, and democratic oversight according to the law. We must earnestly prevent the phenomenon where sweeping promises are made during elections but no one is held accountable after the elections.” Therefore, we must deeply understand and earnestly promote whole-process people's democracy. In particular, we must ensure that in the decision-making and implementation processes involving the interests of the broad masses, we strive to fully absorb the opinions and suggestions of the people and fully reflect their will and interests, thereby ensuring that the masses exercise practical and effective oversight over Party and state organs and their staff.
Respecting the People’s Spirit of Originality
The masses are the subjects and creators of social history; they are the source of the Party’s strength and the foundation of its victory. The fundamental reason why the Communist Party of China (CPC) has been able to neutralize danger after danger, overcome difficulty after difficulty, continuously grow in strength amidst bloody winds and driving rain [6], and establish Red political power through hardships and tribulations, lies in the fact that the CPC has always relied closely on the people, remained deeply rooted among the people, and regarded the people as the Party’s source of strength. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “As long as we always persist in acting for the people and relying on the people, respect the principal position and spirit of originality of the masses, and fully stimulate the wisdom and strength inherent within them, we will surely be able to continuously create more human miracles that make the world look at us with new eyes!” Therefore, we must continuously improve policies in all areas to fully stimulate the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the broad masses. The steadfast support, active participation, and vivid creations of the masses will serve as the source of strength for our efforts to write a brand-new chapter in comprehensively building a modern socialist country.
Leading Social Revolution through the Party’s Self-Revolution
Advancing Party building as a "Great Project" is a major pioneering undertaking of our Party and an important "magic weapon" [7] for our Party to lead the people in carrying out a great social revolution. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “The key to building a modern socialist country in all respects and realizing the goals and tasks of the New Era and the new journey lies in the Party.” Today’s world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and our country is in a critical period for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Our Party is leading the people in a great struggle with many new historical characteristics. The speed of change in the situation and environment, the weight of the tasks regarding reform, development, and stability, the number of contradictions, risks, and challenges, and the magnitude of the tests facing our Party’s governance of the country are all unprecedented. Therefore, our Party must have the courage to carry out self-revolution to ensure the Party maintains its eternal vitality and strong combat effectiveness.
Fully recognizing the extreme importance of advancing Party building.
The advanced nature of a Marxist party is the objective basis and prerequisite for it to undertake its historical mission. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, faced with the “Four Tests” and “Four Dangers” [8] that the Party must emphasize and guard against during its long-term governance, and confronting the long-standing problem of the “Four Impurities” [9] and the period where the governance of the Party was "relaxed, soft, and lax," the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has advanced comprehensively and strictly governing the Party with indomitable courage and unwavering determination. It has persisted in rectifying conduct and disciplining the Party, simultaneously promoting an environment where officials "do not dare to be corrupt, cannot be corrupt, and do not want to be corrupt." The flesh-and-blood ties between the Party and the masses have become closer, and a healthy political ecosystem within the Party has continuously taken shape and developed, providing a strong political guarantee for the development of all undertakings of the Party and the state. Although historic achievements have been made in comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, it is far from the time to claim total victory. On the new great journey, we must effectively summarize and utilize the valuable experience accumulated since the 18th National Congress, unswervingly adhere to the strict underlying tone, persist in the "spirit of driving nails" [10] to strengthen conduct building, persist in punishing corruption with zero tolerance, and unremittingly push the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party toward greater depth.
Leading social revolution through the Party's self-revolution.
Practice has warned us time and again that we cannot relax the governance of the Party for even a moment; it must be grasped constantly and firmly. We must never allow for sentiments of relaxing, taking a breather, or fatigue and wariness. We must persistently advance the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, deeply advance the New Great Project of Party Building in the New Era, and lead the great social revolution with the great self-revolution. We must keep in mind the truth that “it takes a good blacksmith to forge good steel” [11], and take the enhancement of the Party’s long-term governance capacity, advanced nature, and purity as the main line. We must take the Party’s political building as the overarching guide, firm ideals, convictions, and purposes as the foundation, and mobilizing the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the whole Party as the focus to continuously improve the quality of Party building. We must prioritize the Party’s political building, deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," resolutely achieve the "Two Upholds," and resolutely eliminate the "Seven Improper Practices" [12]—which ignore the Party’s political discipline and political rules—thereby continuously improving the political awareness and political ability of Party members and cadres. We must firm up ideals and convictions, cultivating and strengthening the faith of Party members and cadres in Marxism and Communism, their belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and their confidence in realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This will enable them to maintain a tenacious will and firm conviction in victory, ensuring they do not lose their bearings in the face of complex situations or shrink back before arduous struggles, but instead bravely overcome various major difficulties and severe challenges.
In short, through the full implementation of all tasks of the New Great Project of Party Building in the New Era, we must continuously enhance the advanced nature and purity of the Party. We must ensure that the Party never changes its nature, its conviction, or its character [13], and ensure that the Party remains the strong leadership core throughout the historical process of adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. We must ensure the success of building a modern socialist country in all respects through the success of the Party’s own building.
Strengthening the Will to Struggle and Enhancing the Ability to Struggle
Not fearing sacrifice and struggling heroically have already been integrated into the lifeblood of the members of the Communist Party of China. History tells us that no other party in the world has encountered so many hardships and obstacles, experienced so many tests of life and death, or made such tragic sacrifices as ours; nor has any other party achieved such brilliant and great successes as ours. It can be said that throughout the Party’s journey, it has sought survival, achieved development, and won victories through struggle. In the ten years since the 18th National Congress, the risks and challenges we have encountered have been high and turbulent—sometimes even terrifying waves—and various risks and challenges have followed one after another, with an unprecedented level of complexity and severity. We have firmed our confidence, faced difficulties head-on, and fought one battle after another. All the achievements we have made were won by the Party and the people working together.
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “In planning and advancing the various tasks of the Party and the state, we must deeply analyze the major international and domestic trends and scientifically grasp the strategic opportunities and risks and challenges we face. At present, the accelerated evolution of the world's profound changes unseen in a century is making the characteristics of changes in the world, the times, and history more obvious.” Regarding the international environment, although peace and development are the common aspirations of people in all countries, hegemonism and unilateralism still exist. In particular, certain countries cling to a Cold War mentality and a "zero-sum game" mindset, exaggerating the so-called “China threat,” using various excuses to contain and suppress our country, and even crudely interfering in China's internal affairs and violating China's sovereignty. China unswervingly develops friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries and never obstructs the development of other countries, but it also absolutely does not accept any country interfering in China's internal affairs or obstructing China's development. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The Chinese people will never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress, or enslave us. Anyone who tries to do so will find themselves on a collision course with a steel wall forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people!” Regarding the domestic environment, China's development faces new strategic opportunities, new strategic tasks, a new strategic stage, new strategic requirements, and a new strategic environment. The risks and challenges to be responded to and the contradictions and problems to be solved are more intricate and complex than ever before. Therefore, we must implement the new development philosophy, construct the new development pattern, and promote high-quality development. We must increase our awareness of potential dangers, adhere to bottom-line thinking, firm our will to struggle, and enhance our ability to struggle. We must respond to changes, nurture new opportunities, and open new frontiers through correct strategies and tactics, relying on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for the development of our cause and ensure that we handle our own affairs well.
In summary, faced with difficulties and hardships from all sides, interference and sabotage from all sides, and risks and challenges from all sides, the CPC always displays a spirit of heroic fearlessness and courage to forge ahead. As pointed out in the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century [14] adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee: “Daring to struggle and daring to win are the invincible and powerful spiritual forces of the Party and the people. All the achievements made by the Party and the people did not fall from the sky, nor were they bestowed by others, but were achieved through continuous struggle. Born amidst internal strife and external aggression, growing through hardships, and expanding by overcoming difficulties, the Party—for the sake of the people, the country, the nation, and its ideals and convictions—has never feared, never shrunk back, and remained indomitable regardless of how powerful the enemy, how dangerous the road, or how severe the challenge.” On the new great journey, we must establish an awareness of potential dangers and maintain a "sitting-for-an-exam" [15] mentality over the long term; we must never rest easy. We must adhere to bottom-line thinking, fully recognize foreseeable and unforeseeable risks and challenges, and make the greatest efforts to prepare for the worst-case scenarios. We must correctly understand the meaning of "daring to struggle," and build the courage to face difficulties and challenges and actively eliminate interference and sabotage. We must enhance our ability to struggle, adopting targeted struggle strategies based on the specific circumstances of the difficulties, risks, and challenges we face. Through active, brave, and "principled, advantageous, and restrained" struggle, we will strive to write a brand-new chapter in comprehensively building a modern socialist country.
(The author is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and the former Party Secretary, President, and Professor of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.)