Marxism Research Network
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Tao Wenzhao: The Main Manifestations and Requirements of the Times for Upholding Fundamental Principles and Breaking New Ground

Journals & Yearbooks

Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground (shouzheng chuangxin), together with the five principles of putting the people first, maintaining self-confidence and self-reliance, staying problem-oriented, applying systems thinking, and maintaining a global perspective, form the "Six Must-Upholds." These constitute the worldview and methodology permeating Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, embodying the stance, viewpoints, and methods of this thought. Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is an innovative concept introduced since the 18th Party Congress [1]; it adheres to Marxist dialectical materialism, inherits the excellence of traditional Chinese culture, and sublimates the struggle-hardened experience of the Communist Party of China. This principle maintains the correct path through adherence and pursues innovation through development; it responds to the shifting landscape of the times and resolves contemporary problems, holding profound significance for enriching and developing Marxism and guiding practice in the New Era.

I. The Conceptual Foundation of Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground

"Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" is a new concept proposed since the 18th Party Congress. General Secretary Xi Jinping has expounded on this concept from various perspectives on different occasions, providing a solid foundation for its inclusion in the 20th Party Congress report as part of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The first major occasion was the 2018 conference commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx on May 4, where General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He pointed out: "The vitality of a theory lies in constant innovation, and promoting the continuous development of Marxism is the sacred duty of Chinese Communists. We must persist in using Marxism to observe, interpret, and lead the times. We must use the vivid and rich practice of contemporary China to drive the development of Marxism, and use a broad vision to absorb all the excellent achievements of human civilization. We must persist in upholding the fundamentals while bringing forth the new (shouzheng chuxin) [2] through reform, constantly surpassing ourselves; and we must draw on the strengths of others through openness, constantly perfecting ourselves. We must continuously deepen our understanding of the laws of governance by a communist party, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of human social development, and continue to open new frontiers for contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism!" This speech was of great significance for the debut of "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground." First, it was a major occasion rather than an ordinary one; the new concepts used in the speech were well-considered and solemn. Second, it was directed specifically at theoretical innovation, rather than general remarks on culture or other work. Third, although the term used here was "upholding the fundamentals while bringing forth the new" (shouzheng chuxin) rather than "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" (shouzheng chuangxin), the meaning is the same.

The first time General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly used the phrase "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" (shouzheng chuangxin) was on December 10, 2018, in a congratulatory letter to the symposium commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He pointed out that as the times evolve and human rights progress, "human rights researchers in our country must advance with the times and uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, making greater contributions to enriching the diversity of human civilization and promoting the development of the global human rights cause."

General Secretary Xi Jinping has used and elaborated on this concept on various important occasions, including but not limited to the following areas. Regarding propaganda, ideological, and cultural work: "Our country's cultural construction has achieved historical achievements and undergone historical changes through a process of clearing the source (zhengben qingyuan) [3] and upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground." He noted that literary and art workers should "demonstrate new responsibility in nurturing the roots and soul of the nation (peigen zhuhun) [4], achieve new accomplishments in upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, and radiate a new outlook in cultivating virtue and self-improvement." He further stated: "We must persist in upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, promote the adaptation of excellent traditional Chinese culture to socialist society, showcase the unique spiritual symbols of the Chinese nation, and better construct the Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese power." In recent years, General Secretary Xi Jinping has used the term in his congratulatory letters and replies to Guangming Daily, the China International Communications Group (CICG), the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, the editorial department of Journal of Literature, History & Philosophy, and Xinhua News Agency. Regarding Party history and theoretical work: "We have formed the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics through upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground." He also stated: "Over the past century, our Party has persisted in the unity of liberating the mind and seeking truth from facts, and the unity of consolidating the foundation (peiyuan guben) [5] and upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, constantly opening new frontiers for Marxism." And: "Since the 18th Party Congress, our Party has led the people to be self-confident and self-reliant, to uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, achieving a series of major theoretical, practical, and institutional results." Regarding cultural traditions and civilizational exchange: "The Chinese nation is a nation that upholds the fundamentals and breaks new ground. Chinese civilization has continued to this day without interruption; it is never exclusive but rather continuously derives and develops through inclusiveness." He added: "We must uphold the fundamentals and break new ground; we must engage in mutual learning and carry forward the past from the rich cultural heritage left by our ancestors, while also innovating (gegu dingxin) [6] and opening the future from the trends of global development." Regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): "We must follow the laws of development for Traditional Chinese Medicine, inherit the essence, and uphold the fundamentals and break new ground." He noted that "the combination of Chinese and Western medicine and the joint use of Chinese and Western drugs was a major feature of this epidemic prevention and control effort, as well as a vivid practice of inheriting the essence and upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in TCM." He emphasized the need to "do a good job in upholding the fundamentals, breaking new ground, and the inheritance and development of TCM," so that traditional medicine can be revitalized to provide better health services for the people. Regarding governance and reform work: The decision of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee "highlighted upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground and forged ahead with enterprise, demonstrating confidence in the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics." He also stated: "We must uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, pioneer and innovate, and boldly explore our own path for future development." Furthermore: "We must strengthen forward-looking research on reform, grasp the laws of the movement of contradictions, uphold the fundamentals, and break new ground... more actively and effectively respond to unstable and uncertain factors, enhance our capacity for struggle, expand policy space, and increase institutional tension."

Regarding these discourses on "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground," first, they cover a wide range of fields—beyond theoretical innovation, they include cultural work, TCM, and various other sectors. Second, the descriptions are relatively generalized; most instances simply use the phrase without further elaboration. Third, they are often directed at specific matters and had not yet been explicitly elevated to the level of worldview and methodology.

The inclusion of "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" in the 20th Party Congress report is of great significance. First, it appeared in the theme of the Congress. The theme is the most important summary of the spirit of the Congress, and it explicitly includes this concept. Second, it was incorporated into the "Six Must-Upholds" as a worldview and methodology. Worldview and methodology represent the most important aspects of theoretical innovation at the 20th Party Congress, and "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" is one of these six. Third, it was given an authoritative and expanded exposition. The 20th Party Congress report used an entire paragraph to provide a highly concentrated elaboration on the important aspects of this principle. It is rare for such a large section to be dedicated to a single concept in an authoritative political document like a Party Congress report, providing us with the most fundamental and important basis for studying "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground."

"Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" possesses distinct Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese spirit; it also carries deep Chinese connotations. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the latest achievement in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. It not only explicitly proposed the "Two Combinations" [7] for the first time but is also a glorious example of them. "Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" is undoubtedly a product of the "Two Combinations," inheriting the excellence of traditional Chinese culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The Chinese nation is a nation that upholds the fundamentals and breaks new ground," and "The Chinese nation has a tradition of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground." The sources of the concept "upholding the fundamentals" (shouzheng) can be found in Chinese historical classics. For instance, regarding shouzheng, Confucius emphasized: "If names are not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things" (ming bu zheng, ze yan bu shun) [8]; "To govern is to rectify" (zheng zhe, zheng ye) [9]; and "If a ruler's own conduct is correct, his government will be effective without the issuing of orders" (qi shen zheng, bu ling er xing). He also argued that statecraft should "follow the middle and the correct" (xing zhongzheng). Regarding innovation (chuangxin), the "Inscription on the Bathtub of King Tang" (Tang zhi panming) [10] states: "If you can renovate yourself one day, then you may do so every day, and keep doing so day after day" (gou ri xin, ri ri xin, you ri xin). The Book of Songs (Shijing) states: "Although Zhou was an ancient state, its mandate is ever new" (Zhou sui jiu bang, qi ming wei xin). These famous aphorisms regarding shouzheng and chuangxin in Chinese classics have remained popular through the ages and have had a far-reaching influence. Among the world's four great ancient civilizations, only Chinese civilization has continued to this day without interruption; the contribution of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground has been immense. Looking back at the civilizational journey of the Chinese nation, no matter how much we have changed, we have always maintained a continuous lineage by upholding the fundamentals; and in our quest for survival and strength amidst historical shifts, we have constantly radiated vitality and moved forward through innovation. Today's concept of "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground," from its form to its content, is deeply rooted in the genes of excellent Chinese culture and is the result of its "creative transformation and innovative development." In March 2021, during an inspection in Fujian, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "In following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must promote the Sinicization of Marxism. Without the 5,000-year-old Chinese civilization, where would Chinese characteristics come from? And without Chinese characteristics, how could we have the successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics we have today?" The historical process of the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture is, in itself, the act of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground for Chinese culture.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the inheritance and development of Marxism-Leninism, and its worldview and methodology are also the inheritance and development of Marxist dialectical materialism. Since the 18th Party Congress, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee has conducted multiple collective study sessions on Marxism, specifically focusing twice on historical materialism and dialectical materialism. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that our Party regards Marxism as its "mastery of the house" (kanjia benling) [11], particularly stressing the need to grasp the Marxist worldview and methodology. "Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" must grasp its theoretical foundation from the development of Marxism. "Upholding the fundamentals" (shouzheng) means adhering to the right path and acting according to objective laws. "Breaking new ground" (chuangxin) refers to conscious and purposeful creative cognition and practical activities. Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground requires people, in the activities of understanding and transforming the world—including both the objective and subjective worlds—to respect and follow the laws of development. Through innovative practice and innovative thinking, they should change existing things and constantly create new practical and cognitive results that unify law-abidingness with purposiveness. This principle integrates materialism, dialectics, epistemology, and axiology, embodying the worldview and methodology of dialectical and historical materialism. From a historical perspective, the history of the development of Marxism is a history of struggle against various non-Marxist and anti-Marxist erroneous trends of thought. During the revolutionary struggles of the First and Second Internationals, Marx and Engels waged a resolute and unremitting struggle against various forms of opportunism, holding high the banner of communism. At the same time, in their revolutionary practice, they constantly enriched and developed their theory, demonstrating its open and evolving nature. Amidst the complex situation of the international workers' movement, Lenin severely criticized the revisionism of the right wing of the Second International. He criticized their erroneous views that used changes in historical conditions as an excuse to negate the basic principles of Marxism and proclaim that Marxism was "outdated." He ultimately broke with them organizationally to establish the Communist International (Comintern). Starting from the new reality of the era of imperialism, Lenin proposed creative theories such as "the victory in one country" and led the October Revolution to victory, opening a new era for the international communist movement. The history of the development of the Communist Party of China is a history of innovation that constantly eradicates old evils and breaks sets of conventions. For over a century, through upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, we have produced Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Popular Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and finally Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, providing scientific theoretical guidance for the development of the cause of the Party and the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must accurately grasp the general trend of the times, have the courage to stand at the forefront of human development, listen to the voice of the people, and respond to reality's needs. We must persist in liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts, and upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. We must better unify the persistence in Marxism with the development of Marxism. We must persist in using the 'arrow' of Marxism to shoot the 'target' of New Era China, and continue to promote the combination of the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific realities and with excellent traditional Chinese culture. This will allow Marxism to take on more Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese spirit, writing a new chapter in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism."

II. Major Manifestations of Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground

Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is manifested within the theory and practice of the New Era. Worldviews and methodologies can exist as independent content, but more importantly, they permeate entire ideological systems. Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground possesses this permeating quality, manifesting in every aspect of the theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. From a holistic perspective, "The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have persisted in combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with China’s fine traditional culture; persisted in Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development; profoundly summarized and fully applied the historical experience gained since the Party’s founding; and from new realities, created Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era." In this important judgment, if "persisted in" signifies the intent to "uphold the fundamentals," then "from new realities" signifies the intent to "break new ground." The organic unity of the two demonstrates the character of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground inherent in this thought.

Regarding the themes of the times, major questions such as what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be persisted in and developed in the New Era and how to do so; what kind of great modern socialist power should be built and how to do so; and what kind of long-term governing Marxist party should be built and how to do so, possess a clear internal connection with the major themes addressed since the beginning of reform and opening up—namely, what is socialism and how to build it, what kind of party to build and how to build it, and what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it. For instance, "what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to persist in and develop and how to do so" corresponds to "what is socialism and how to build it"; "what kind of great modern socialist power to build and how to do so" corresponds to "what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it"; and "what kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build and how to build it" corresponds to "what kind of party to build and how to build it." Between these questions, there is both a relationship of successive persistence and inheritance, and a relationship of development and innovation through advancing with the times. That is to say, they stand in a relationship of "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" regarding the major themes of the times.

Regarding the primary content, the "Ten Clarifications," the "Fourteen Perseverances," and the "Achievements in Thirteen Areas" proposed at the 19th National Congress and the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee summarize the main content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Surveying this main content, on one hand, it "upholds the fundamentals" by persisting in major principles such as Marxist guidance, the leadership of the CPC, and the socialist system; on the other hand, it "breaks new ground" by comprehensively deepening the understanding of the laws of governance by a communist party, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society through new original contributions.

Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is expressed even more prominently and directly in our persistence in Marxism, the leadership of the Party, the socialist path, and our firm adherence to the stance of Chinese culture, while advancing theoretical innovation, institutional innovation, technological innovation, and cultural innovation to push the cause of the Party and the state to achieve historical achievements and undergo historical transformations.

Upholding the fundamentals of principles means persisting in the basic tenets of Marxism without wavering. Marxism is a scientific theory; in the history of human thought, no other theory has exerted such a broad and immense influence on the progress of human civilization as Marxism. History and reality fully prove that Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for the founding and flourishing of our Party and country. The scientific and truthful nature of Marxism has been repeatedly verified, its commitment to the people and its practical nature fully implemented, and its openness and contemporaneous nature continuously highlighted. On the fundamental question of adhering to the guiding status of Marxism, we must remain unswerving. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "Marxism is the root of the towering tree of our Party and people's cause, and the source of the ten-thousand-mile river of our Party and people's continuous progress." The CPC profoundly recognizes that "Why the CPC works, why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, at the end of the day, it is because Marxism works, and Marxism that is Sinicized and adapted to our times works." To persist in the basic tenets of Marxism without wavering, we must adhere to the fundamental system of Marxism’s guiding position in the ideological sphere, comprehensively implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and use the Party’s innovative theories to arm the whole Party, educate the people, and promote work. We must take a clear-cut stand against and resist erroneous views, and dare to "unsheathe the sword" [12] against erroneous views such as the "Marxism is outdated" theory, the "Marxism is useless" theory, and "ideological pluralism," as well as various erroneous trends of thought like historical nihilism [13], fundamentally clarifying blurred understandings.

Upholding the fundamentals of principles means persisting in the Party's comprehensive leadership without wavering. Since the 18th National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has clearly proposed the persistence in the Party's comprehensive leadership. The first of the "Ten Clarifications" of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era states: it is clarified that the most defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the CPC, and the greatest advantage of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the CPC. The comprehensive leadership of the CPC is the "core code" [14] for the Chinese people to create miracles and the fundamental guarantee for the Chinese nation to achieve its eternal great cause. Without the CPC, there would be no New China, and no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The comprehensive leadership of the CPC is the choice of history, the choice of the people, and the choice of the times; it is the fundamental basis and lifeblood of the Party and the state, and the crux of the interests and destiny of the people of all ethnic groups nationwide. On the major principled question of adhering to the Party's leadership, our minds must be particularly clear, our eyes particularly bright, and our stance particularly firm; there must be no ambiguity or wavering. To persist in the Party's comprehensive leadership without wavering, we must keep in mind "what the CPC is and what it does." "The reason the CPC is called the Communist Party is that from the day of its founding, our Party established communism as its lofty ideal. Our Party has been able to withstand setbacks time and again and rise again each time because, ultimately, our Party has lofty ideals and sublime pursuits." To persist in the Party's comprehensive leadership without wavering, we must persevere in comprehensively and strictly governing the Party and lead the great social revolution through the Party's self-revolution.

Upholding the fundamentals of the path means persisting in socialism with Chinese characteristics without wavering. Whether in revolution, construction, or reform, the question of the path is the most fundamental issue. Our ability to create development achievements unprecedented in human history is fundamentally due to having taken the correct path. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a path that conforms to China’s objective reality, reflects the will of the Chinese people, and adapts to the requirements of the development of the times; it is the only correct path to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Persisting in the leadership of the CPC, the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and comprehensively implementing the Party's basic theory, basic line, and basic strategy; based on the basic national conditions, taking economic construction as the center, persisting in the Four Cardinal Principles [15], and persisting in reform and opening up; liberating and developing the productive forces, promoting the well-rounded development of the individual, and gradually achieving common prosperity for all people—"all these are the contents that embody the basic principles of scientific socialism under new historical conditions. If these are lost, it would no longer be socialism." As we move forward on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we will neither take the old path of being closed and stagnant, nor the "evil path" [16] of changing our banners.

Upholding the fundamentals of culture means adhering to the stance of Chinese culture without wavering. Only by not forgetting the original [17] can we open up the future; only by being good at inheritance can we better innovate. Fine traditional culture is the foundation for the transmission and development of a country and a nation; if it is lost, the spiritual lifeblood is severed. In the long river of human civilization, the Chinese people have created a long-standing and profound fine traditional culture, providing a powerful spiritual support for the continuous growth and development of the Chinese nation. The rich philosophical ideas, humanistic spirit, value concepts, and moral norms of China's fine traditional culture contain important insights for solving the difficult problems facing contemporary humanity. They provide useful inspiration for understanding and transforming the world, for governance, and for moral construction. China's fine traditional culture is the root and soul of the Chinese nation, the prominent advantage of the Chinese nation, and the foundation upon which we stand firm amidst the turbulence of world cultures. Since its founding, the CPC has been both an active leader and practitioner of advanced Chinese culture, and a faithful inheritor and promoter of China's fine traditional culture. China's fine traditional culture is the deepest root of the fundamental achievements of China's revolution, construction, and reform, and it is also where our aspiration, integrity, and confidence reside. Only by guarding civilization can we have "roots"; China's confidence is, in essence, cultural confidence. We must take Marxism as our guide, persist in the stance of Chinese culture, base ourselves on the reality of contemporary China, combine with the conditions of the present era, and develop a socialist culture that is national, scientific, and for the masses, oriented toward modernization, the world, and the future.

Innovation must first lead the times by grasping the times. Firmly grasping the trend of the times is the foundation and prerequisite for innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "Correctly recognizing the historical position and developmental stage of the Party and the people's cause is the fundamental basis for our Party to clarify the central tasks of each stage and formulate lines, principles, and policies, as well as an important experience for our Party's continuous victories in revolution, construction, and reform." General Secretary Xi Jinping has made many new judgments on the development of major trends at home and abroad. First, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era. "Through long-term efforts, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era; this is a new historical position for our country's development." The 19th National Congress comprehensively expounded the connotation and significance of the New Era through "Five Is" [18] and "Three Means" [19]. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee summarized the hundred-year history of the CPC's struggle, clearly defining the "New Era of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" as one of the four periods of the Party's hundred-year history, alongside the New Democratic Revolution, the Socialist Revolution and Construction, and Reform, Opening up, and Socialist Modernization. Second, the new stage of development. "The new stage of development we are in today is a stage within the primary stage of socialism, and at the same time, it is a stage that has reached a new starting point after decades of accumulation." "Comprehensively building a modern socialist country and basically achieving socialist modernization is both a requirement of China's development in the primary stage of socialism and a requirement for China's socialism to advance from the primary stage to a higher stage." Third, the world's great changes unseen in a century. "Looking at the world, we are facing great changes unseen in a century." "The world today is experiencing great changes unseen in a century. The rise of emerging market countries and developing countries is faster than ever before. The metabolism and fierce competition brought by a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation are unprecedented. The maladaptation and asymmetry between the global governance system and the changes in the international situation are unprecedented." Fourth, world socialism moving from twists and turns to resurgence. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, world socialism suffered serious setbacks. "So, what is the situation now?" "Socialism with Chinese characteristics is becoming the banner of the development of scientific socialism in the 21st century and the mainstay for the revitalization of world socialism. Our Party has the responsibility, confidence, and ability to make greater historical contributions to the new development of scientific socialism." The resolution of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee gave the answer: "it has caused a major shift in the historical evolution and competition between the two ideologies and two social systems of socialism and capitalism worldwide in favor of socialism." The times are the mother of thought; these new judgments about the times provide the foundation and prerequisite for a series of major theoretical innovations.

Innovation manifests as new philosophies, ideas, and strategies for governance. General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "Contemporary China is undergoing the most grand and unique practical innovation in human history. The weight of the tasks regarding reform, development, and stability; the number of contradictions, risks, and challenges; and the magnitude of the tests of governance are all unprecedented. The profound shifts in the world’s changes unseen in a century [20] are also unprecedented, presenting a vast number of theoretical and practical issues that urgently need to be answered." He further emphasized: "The world is changing every moment, and China is changing every moment. We must keep pace with the times theoretically, continuously recognize objective laws, and persist in promoting theoretical, practical, institutional, and cultural innovation, alongside innovation in all other sectors." Since the 18th CPC National Congress, our innovation has been comprehensive. We have proposed: advancing Chinese-path modernization; the New Normal [21] in economic development; grounding our efforts in the new stage of development, implementing the new development philosophy, and fostering a new development paradigm; promoting high-quality development; ensuring the market plays the decisive role in resource allocation while better utilizing the role of government; winning the battle against extreme poverty and finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects; developing whole-process people's democracy, advancing the comprehensive law-based governance of the country, and modernizing the national governance system and capacity; promoting well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all; coordinating development and security; the goal and strategy of strengthening the military in the New Era; upholding and implementing the Central Authorities' overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong and Macao; constructing a new form of human advancement; the joint construction of the "Belt and Road"; advancing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, promoting a new type of international relations, and building a community with a shared future for humanity; and adhering to and strengthening the Party's overall leadership, implementing the strategic policy of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, and leading a great social revolution through the Party's great self-revolution. These proposals, rooted in the development and changes of contemporary China and the world, the result of assessing the situation, scientific judgment, and deep reflection, have provided scientific theoretical guidance for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. They have driven the cause of the Party and the state to achieve historical milestones and undergo historical transformations, propelling our country onto a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects.

III. The Requirements of the Times for Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground

Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is the essential "magic weapon" [22] for Communists to continue advancing theoretical and practical progress on the new journey in the New Era. To uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, one "must treat science with a scientific attitude and pursue truth in the spirit of truth." Objective reality is always in a process of continuous development and change. Only by constantly adjusting our understanding in practice according to the changes in objective things can we arrive at a subjective understanding that conforms to objective reality. In the past, we adhered to upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground to respond to changing situations, grasp the big picture, and open up new horizons.

On the new journey in the New Era, we must scientifically apply the special status of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground within our worldview and methodology. We must respond to changing situations while upholding the fundamentals—ensuring we do not lose our direction or commit subversive errors—and open up new prospects, speak new words, and do new things through innovation, so as to build a modern socialist country in all respects and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the New Era and on the new journey, the emphasis on upholding the fundamentals is vital because it responds to the "three changes" currently being encountered. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress pointed out: "At present, the changes of the world, of the times, and of history are unfolding in an unprecedented manner," and "the world has once again reached a crossroads in history." More specifically, as we build a modern socialist country in all respects, we face a complex and volatile situation. Internationally, the impact of the century's pandemic is far-reaching; a trend of anti-globalization is rising; unilateralism and protectionism are clearly on the ascent; the global economic recovery lacks momentum; local conflicts and turbulence occur frequently; and global issues are intensifying. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. Domestically, our country's development has entered a period where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and where uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing. Various "black swan" and "gray rhino" [23] events could occur at any time. We must be prepared to withstand major tests of high winds, surging waves, and even perilous storms. "We are a large party leading a large country in a great cause; we absolutely cannot afford to make strategic errors. It is difficult to completely avoid minor oversights or various mistakes in specific areas. Such mistakes involve localized matters, have a limited impact, and are relatively easy to correct. However, if a deviation occurs at the strategic level, the consequences will be extremely serious, and the cost will be immense." Therefore, the emphasis on upholding the fundamentals is about enhancing the awareness of potential dangers, adhering to bottom-line thinking [24], and meeting all changes with constancy, thereby injecting stability and positive energy into a world full of change and uncertainty.

By upholding the fundamentals to respond to change, we avoid errors in direction. The tide of the world is surging forward. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will encounter unprecedented opportunities; the competition between the two systems [25] is shifting in a direction favorable to socialism; and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity shows a bright prospect. Viewed from the perspective of grand historical trends, these points are beyond doubt. At the same time, we must recognize that the US-led West still occupies a dominant global position. While the "Enlightenment of the East and Decline of the West" [26] is the trend, the reality remains that "the West is strong and the East is weak." Hostile forces in the US and the West are still doing everything possible to suppress China, attempting to change China's path and direction of development. On the question of direction, we still face real challenges and potential threats; we cannot yet say the issue of direction has been completely and permanently resolved. Moreover, this is not an issue that can be settled once and for all. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "Ultimately, convincing those who do not believe in socialism depends on our development. If we reach a moderately prosperous level by the end of this century, that will sober them up a bit. When we build a socialist country of intermediate development by the middle of next century, we will go much further in convincing them; only then will the majority of them truly realize they were wrong." He also noted: "We have only been practicing socialism for a few decades and are still in the primary stage. Consolidating and developing the socialist system requires a very long historical period, demanding the unremitting struggle of several generations, a dozen generations, or even dozens of generations. We must never lower our guard."

Looking back at the century-long struggle of the Communist Party of China, generations of Chinese Communists have hacked through thorns and thistles in the face of danger, remaining true to their original aspiration despite the wind and rain. This has allowed our country to maintain long-term rapid economic growth, social harmony and stability, and a peaceful life for its people. Over more than 100 years of the CPC, 70-plus years of the New China, 40-plus years of reform and opening up, and 10-plus years of the New Era, we have blazed a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, formed a theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, established the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and developed a culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Facing the future, we must strengthen our confidence in our path, theory, system, and culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Following our own path is the fundamental basis of all the Party's theory and practice, and it is the historical conclusion drawn from the Party's century-long struggle." Facing risks and challenges rarely seen in the world or in history, we should not drift with the tide, change our convictions, or yield to pressure. Instead, we must tread the Chinese path even more steadily. "The greatest fear for a governing party is to be wavering on major issues. When that happens, society becomes clamorous and divided, and those with ulterior motives take the opportunity to fan the flames and stir up confusion—inevitably leading to trouble! Therefore, there can be no ambiguity on the question of the path; we must send a correct and clear signal to the entire society." We have identified and committed to this path of socialism with Chinese characteristics; we must follow it unswervingly. We must always remain sober and determined, maintaining a strong strategic focus, unawed by any risk and unswayed by any interference, truly achieving the state of being "still strong after a thousand impacts, indifferent to the winds from north, south, east, or west." [27]

On the international stage, based on the major achievements since the founding of the People's Republic and especially since reform and opening up, the level of our country's productive forces has significantly increased overall. National economic strength, scientific and technological prowess, national defense capability, comprehensive national power, and international influence have all risen markedly. However, the US-led Western countries are not reconciled to and will not stand by as they lose their dominant position; they use every calculated scheme and unscrupulous means to suppress China. After the Cold War ended, Deng Xiaoping predicted: "It is possible that one Cold War has ended, but two other Cold Wars have already begun. One is directed against the entire South and the Third World, and the other is directed against socialism. The Western countries are fighting a Third World War without the smoke of gunpowder." In recent years, deep-seated contradictions in global development have become prominent. Hegemonism and power politics persist; protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise; wars, terrorist attacks, famines, and pandemics occur alternately; and traditional and non-traditional security issues are complexly intertwined. The deficits in governance, trust, peace, and development have become severe challenges facing all of humanity. On one hand, we must maintain strategic focus, carry forward the spirit of struggle, and never submit to any external pressure or swallow any bitter fruit that harms the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. We must have the courage and the skill to struggle, enhancing the ambition, backbone, and confidence of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups. We must not believe in heresies, fear ghosts, or yield to pressure [28]. We must press forward in the face of difficulties, coordinate development and security, and strive to overcome all hardships and challenges on the road ahead, relying on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for the cause. On the other hand, we adhere to the path of peaceful development and do not subscribe to the logic that "a strong country must seek hegemony." We uphold the ancient concepts of "do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you," "the world is for the public good [29]," and "harmony among all nations." We do not accept zero-sum games where one’s gain is another’s loss. China must stand firmly on the right side of history and the side of human progress, occupying the "correct position under heaven," following the "great path of the world," and seeking "Great Harmony" (Datong) for the world. We must hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, seize the strategic initiative, leverage our institutional advantages, and better lead the world’s major changes toward a direction favorable to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and toward global peace and progress.

By upholding the fundamentals to respond to change, we avoid subversive errors. To prevent subversive errors, we must deepen our understanding of the laws governing the CPC's governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society. Regarding the leading force, the key to building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation lies with the Party. As the world's largest Marxist governing party, we must always maintain the sobriety and determination to solve the unique challenges facing a large party if we are to win the people's support and consolidate our long-term governing status. Adhering to and strengthening the Party's overall leadership is vital to the future and destiny of the Party and the state; our entire cause is built upon this foundation. Errors on this issue are often catastrophic and subversive. Regarding development strategy, the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is at a critical juncture. The key period for development and the most difficult stage of reform are often periods where contradictions become prominent. Today, we are closer to, and more confident and capable of achieving the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than at any time in history. However, we also deeply realize that this rejuvenation will definitely not be achieved easily or by "simply beating drums and gongs," and it will not be a smooth journey reached overnight. On one hand, "recently, the most prominent characteristic of the world is 'disorder,' and this trend seems likely to continue." However, "time and momentum" are on our side—this is the source of our focus and confidence. On the other hand, the appearance of "gray rhinos" and "black swans" amidst these great changes serves as a warning bell, urging us to remain vigilant and "think of danger in times of peace." The 20th CPC National Congress sounded the clarion call for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. We must "guard the source and origin, the root and soul of Chinese-path modernization, unswervingly adhering to its Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles to ensure its correct direction." We must coordinate development and security, maintaining high vigilance against risks while paying special attention to the spirit of struggle, actively recognizing, responding to, and seeking change through upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, and taking the initiative to prevent and resolve risks.

In the New Era and on the new journey, when emphasizing innovation, the critical task is to respond to the "Four Questions" [30] posed before us. An era of great transformation is precisely an era of great innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Facing a rapidly changing world and China, if we stick to conventions, remain rigid in our thinking, lack the courage for theoretical innovation, and fail to scientifically answer the Questions of China, the World, the People, and the Times, not only will the cause of the Party and the state be unable to move forward, but Marxism will also lose its vitality and persuasiveness." "Through change, there is connection; through connection, there is endurance" [31]. The correct attitude toward change is to act in response to change and adapt measures to changing circumstances. Since the beginning of Reform and Opening-up, we have scientifically answered the questions of the times, propelling China to achieve a great leap from "catching up with the times" to "leading the times." Entering the New Era, we have realized this great leap. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Socialism with Chinese characteristics entering a New Era is of great significance in the history of the development of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese nation; it is also of great significance in the history of the development of world socialism and human society." Every period has its own historical mission and tasks, and every generation has its own historical responsibility. Persisting in and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era is a difficult and great social revolution. Facing a rapidly changing world and China, we must plan according to the situation, act in response to the situation, and move in harmony with the trend.

On the New Era’s new journey, we must open up new horizons through innovation. The report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC pointed out: "We must keep pace with the times, respond to the development of practice, treat all new things with great enthusiasm, and constantly expand the breadth and depth of our understanding" to answer the Questions of China, the World, the People, and the Times, "daring to say new things that our predecessors have not said, daring to do things that our predecessors have not done, and guiding new practice with new theories." Engels pointed out: "The so-called 'socialist society' is not something immutable; rather, like any other social system, it should be regarded as a society that is constantly changing and reforming." For a socialist society, "change and reform" are the norm. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Only by striving to realize an internal leap through discarding the old and establishing the new [32], and through upholding the fundamentals while bringing forth the new, can we continuously inject vitality into the cause of the Party and the people." Under the Great Changes [33], a large number of profound and complex realistic problems have emerged, posing numerous urgent questions of the times. In terms of theory, on the New Era’s new journey, the task of advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism has not become lighter, but heavier. We must continuously advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism to answer and resolve new problems encountered in practice, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, the urgent anxieties of the masses, major issues in the changing international landscape, and prominent problems facing Party building.

In terms of practice, we must continue to advance and expand Chinese-path modernization, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, focus on promoting high-quality development, implement the strategy of invigorating China through science and education, strengthen the support of talent for modernization, develop whole-process people’s democracy, ensure the people are masters of the country, persist in the comprehensive rule of law, advance the construction of a Rule of Law China, promote cultural self-confidence and self-improvement, create new brilliance for socialist culture, enhance the well-being of the people, improve the quality of people’s lives, promote green development, facilitate the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, modernize the national security system and capacity, and resolutely safeguard national security and social stability. In terms of Party building, we must always remain clear-headed and determined in resolving the unique challenges facing a large Party [34]. Comprehensively and strictly governing the Party is always a work in progress, and the Party's self-revolution is always a work in progress. We must persist in advancing the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party over the long term, deeply advance the new great project of Party building in the New Era, and lead social revolution through the Party’s self-revolution. We must fully implement the general requirements for Party building in the New Era, improve the system for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, and comprehensively promote the Party's self-purification, self-perfection, self-renewal, and self-improvement, so that our Party adheres to its original aspiration and founding mission and remains the strong leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In terms of diplomacy, we must promote world peace and development and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. The world’s development needs China, and China’s development cannot be separated from the world. Building a community with a shared future for humanity is the future for people of all countries. China has proposed the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative and is willing to work with the international community to implement them. China persists in dialogue and consultation to promote the construction of a world of lasting peace; persists in joint construction and sharing to promote a world of universal security; persists in win-win cooperation to promote a world of common prosperity; persists in exchange and mutual learning to promote an open and inclusive world; and persists in green and low-carbon development to promote a clean and beautiful world. We sincerely call on all countries to promote the common values of humanity—peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom—to promote mutual understanding and affinity among peoples, respect the diversity of world civilizations, and let civilization exchanges transcend barriers, mutual learning transcend conflict, and coexistence transcend feelings of superiority, so as to jointly respond to various global challenges.

Upholding the fundamentals to respond to the changing landscape; innovating to open new horizons. In a shifting global landscape, what is needed most is strategic resolve; in fierce competition, what is most important is to forge ahead against the current; in meeting challenges, what is most fundamental is reform and innovation. At present, the central task of the Communist Party of China is to comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. Chinese-path modernization is a major achievement attained by the Party in leading the people of all ethnic groups through long-term exploration and practice, involving untold hardships and great costs; we must cherish it all the more, always adhere to it, and continuously expand and deepen it. Chinese-path modernization is a great and arduous undertaking. It is great because it is arduous; it is all the more glorious because it is arduous. We must both safeguard the essence and source, the root and soul of Chinese-path modernization, while also actively identifying, responding to, and seeking change, vigorously promoting reform and innovation, continuing to advance and expand Chinese-path modernization, and constantly enriching and developing the new form of human civilization.

(Author Profile: Tao Wenzhao is the Vice Dean of the Institute of Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era at Renmin University of China, Vice Dean and Professor of the School of Marxism, and Director of the Collaborative Innovation Center for 21st Century Chinese Marxism.)