Zhuo Gaosheng and Wei Qixing: The Theoretical and Practical Foundations of Strengthening Faith in Marxism in the New Era
Faith constitutes a powerful trust, conviction, and confidence in a particular matter. Firming one's faith in Marxism is a choice that the Communist Party of China (CPC) has made with increasing certainty amidst the currents of history. This steadfast faith is the choice of history and the choice of the Chinese people. In the New Era, facing profound changes unseen in a century [1], addressing the difficult problems of the times, and answering the questions posed by our era, firming one's faith in Marxism possesses an irrefutable theoretical and practical foundation.
I. Marxism Occupies the Commanding Heights of Truth and Morality in the History of Human Thought
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Possessing the guidance of the scientific theory of Marxism is the distinct political character and powerful political advantage of our Party." Marxism possesses a profound theoretical basis and a rich historical heritage. The CPC unwaveringly raises the great banner of Marxism for the fundamental reason that history and practice have already proven that Marxism works. Marxism works because it is a scientific theory, a theory of the people, a theory of practice, and an open theory.
(1) Scientific Theory Points the Way for China’s Path
To save the nation from subjugation, people of high ideals in the Chinese nation searched high and low [2]. Reformism, liberalism, pragmatism, and populism took the historical stage in succession, but like the fleeting broad-leaved epiphyllum [3], they failed to change China's fate—until "the salvos of the October Revolution brought us Marxism-Leninism." New ideas led the movement for national salvation, and the CPC consolidated revolutionary forces amidst historical transformations. Once Marxism reached China, through the "Two Combinations" [4], China found the revolutionary path of "encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing power by armed force." China explored the path of struggle to "get rich" through reform and opening up, and China created the path to becoming a strong nation through Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era.
Under the guidance of Marxist theory, the Chinese people have progressed from standing up and getting rich to becoming strong. The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in achieving the First Centenary Goal, defining the strategic arrangements for the Second Centenary Goal [5], and pushing the cause of the Party and the state to achieve historical achievements and undergo historical transformations.
(2) The Theory of the People Recruits the Strength of the People
Marxism is a theory of the people; seeking liberation for humanity is its fundamental goal. The free and well-rounded development of each individual is the condition for the free and well-rounded development of all. Roots held deep among the people, Marxism clarifies that the people are the fundamental force driving history forward, and that relying on the masses is the only "right path under heaven" [6]. From its birth, the CPC fused the quest for the happiness of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation into its original aspiration and founding mission. The CPC insists that the people are the creative subjects of historical development, focuses on the principal status of the people, respects the pioneering spirit of the masses, and insists that "power be exercised for the people and interests be sought for the people." It adheres to a people-centered outlook on development, ensuring all people share in the fruits of reform and the great achievements of the path of Chinese-path modernization. For the CPC, "hitting the rivers and mountains and keeping the rivers and mountains" is fundamentally about keeping the hearts of the people [7]. The Chinese people have coalesced into a majestic "China Power," which serves as the inexhaustible momentum for the Party’s millennial cause.
(3) The Theory of Practice Profoundly Changes China
The birth of Marxism produced a broad and massive impact on the progress of human civilization; Marxism has profoundly changed China. Practicality is the prominent feature that distinguishes Marxist theory from other theories. Marxism was never about "discussing the Tao while sitting" [8], but is rather a weapon for "action." Once scientific theory is grasped by the masses, it can manifest as a powerful material force.
Following the October Revolution, Marxism was introduced to China, and since then, the fate of Marxism has been closely linked with the fates of the CPC, the Chinese people, and the Chinese nation. The introduction of Marxism demonstrated the intellectual power of scientific theory. Under the guidance of Marxism and the leadership of the CPC, the poverty and weakness of old China became history. In the New Era, a self-confident and self-reliant Chinese nation is forging ahead with great enterprise and fortitude [9].
(4) Open Theory Advances Sinicization and Modernization
Marxism is never self-cloistered; it grows and strengthens through the courage of self-negation. Upon reaching Chinese soil, Marxism found fertile ground for growth. The basic tenets of Marxism, in combining with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture, have achieved three historical leaps: from the founding of Mao Zedong Thought, to the formation of the theoretical system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, to the creation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. These have continuously opened new frontiers for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism through the great practice of the New Era.
Marxism was never a book of "scripts" or dogmas, but a scientific worldview and methodology—a standpoint and viewpoint for how we view and solve problems. Marxism continuously absorbs the fruits of human civilization, evolves alongside the development of practice, and resolves major theoretical and practical problems. We must insist on using the "arrow" of Marxism to shoot the "target" of China in the New Era [10], firming our faith in Marxism through practical transformation.
II. China’s Developmental Achievements are the Life-Foundation of Firm Faith in Marxism
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Marxism has profoundly changed China, and China has also greatly enriched Marxism." The CPC takes Marxism as its fundamental guiding ideology and has led the Chinese people to achieve a series of great successes. Looking across the globe, the significant superiorities demonstrated by Socialism with Chinese Characteristics have forged the Chinese people's confidence in their path, theory, system, and culture. The "Four Confidences" upheld by the Chinese people are the practical proof of our firm faith in Marxism.
(1) Marxism Guides China’s Transformation, Firming Confidence in the Path
The CPC has led the sons and daughters of China through countless dangers to carve out the path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. History proves that the Chinese people can only take the path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics; they cannot take the old path of being closed and rigid, nor can they take the evil path of "changing the flag" [11]. The path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is the only road to achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Under the guidance of Marxism, the CPC led the Chinese people in conducting broad and profound social revolutions, construction, and reform, achieving one victory after another. Especially through more than 40 years of unremitting effort in reform and opening up, we have achieved world-renowned historical successes in all aspects, with Socialism with Chinese Characteristics displaying vigorous vitality.
After the 18th Party Congress, Socialism with Chinese Characteristics entered the New Era, and Chinese history entered a brand-new position. In the ten years of the New Era, China has achieved world-renowned and landmark successes in the history of the Party, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, the history of socialist development, and the history of the development of the Chinese nation. The attainment of these achievements proves once again that the path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is full of vigorous vitality and is the correct choice of the Chinese people.
(2) Three Historical Leaps in the Sinicization of Marxism Firm Confidence in Theory
If a nation wishes to stand at the forefront of the times, it cannot for a moment be without theoretical thinking, nor for a moment be without the guidance of correct ideas. As the Party’s guiding ideology, Marxism provides the correct intellectual guidance for China’s transformation and development. Marxism’s arrival in China and its combination with China’s specific realities and fine traditional culture overcame the problem of being "unsuited to the local soil" [12]. It achieved the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and in this process realized three great leaps: the founding of Mao Zedong Thought, which enabled the Chinese nation to "stand up"; the formation of the theoretical system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, which enabled China to "get rich"; and the creation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which has enabled the Chinese nation to truly "become strong." These three major theoretical fruits of the Sinicization of Marxism are the treasures derived by the Chinese people through long-term struggle and practice, and through the "Two Combinations" of the basic tenets of Marxism; they are the source of our confidence in theory.
This confidence in theory is the Chinese people's firm faith in and conscious, proactive compliance with Marxism and the theoretical fruits of its Sinicization and modernization. This confidence comes, on one hand, from the scientific truth of Marxism itself and, on the other hand, from the pivotal role played by the theoretical fruits of Sinicized and modernized Marxism across various historical periods. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the latest theoretical fruit of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism; it is contemporary Chinese Marxism, the Marxism of the 21st century, guiding the Chinese people to open the path of Chinese-path modernization in the New Era and guiding the Chinese people to build a great modern socialist country.
(3) The Enriched Development of Marxism Firms Confidence in the System
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "In today's world, if one is to speak of which political party, which country, or which nation has reason to be confident, then the Communist Party of China, the People's Republic of China, and the Chinese nation have the most reason for confidence." This confidence is not blind optimism or arrogance, but a full confidence brought to the Party and the people by the system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and the distinct advanced nature and superiority of that system.
The system and national governance system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics are rooted in the rich soil of the Chinese nation’s five millennia of fine traditional culture, possessing unique advantages. They take Marxism as their guide, with the scientific, pro-people, practical, and open nature of Marxism serving as their political base-color. This system and state governance framework have a broad mass base and enjoy the support of the people.
Facing major natural disasters and sudden major public health crises, the system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, when compared with Western capitalist systems, has demonstrated unique high efficiency and a pro-people nature. Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people completed within a few decades the industrialization process that took developed countries centuries, creating a development miracle that has caught the world's attention. Under the Party's leadership, through "targeted poverty alleviation" where "no one is left behind," China created a miracle on earth that will shine in the annals of history. Faced with an "unprecedented public health crisis in human history," the "governance of China" stands in stark contrast to the "chaos of the West." This fully proves that under the leadership of the CPC, the system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is demonstrating significant superiority and advancement.
(4) Marxism Draws from All Strengths to Firm Confidence in Culture
Confidence in culture is confidence in the value and vitality of China’s own culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Without the active guidance of advanced culture, without the great enrichment of the people's spiritual world, and without the continuous strengthening of the nation's spiritual power, a country or a nation cannot stand tall among the nations of the world."
Marxism occupies the commanding heights of truth and morality in the history of human thought. As the guiding ideology of our Party and state, it guides us in understanding the world, grasping laws, pursuing truth, and transforming the world. China's confidence in culture consists of firming the guiding status of Marxism in the ideological field; it is the inheritance and promotion of fine traditional Chinese culture by the Chinese people; it is the increasing presence of Chinese elements on the international stage; it is a more rational view of foreign cultures; and it is the abundant spiritual and cultural fulfillment of the Chinese people. Under the guidance of Marxism, the Chinese people in their practical processes pay more attention to internal cultural awakening, more carefully scrutinize choices regarding foreign cultures, and more innovatively create a culture that is national, scientific, and for the masses. The Chinese people are moving toward the center of the world stage with a more confident, self-reliant, and self-strengthening spirit.
III. Firming Faith in Marxism Amidst Great Changes
The world today is facing profound changes unseen in a century; great changes bring great challenges, but they also bring great opportunities. Amidst these global changes, the CPC unswervingly firms its faith in Marxism to respond to the changes; it nurtures new opportunities by promoting the combination of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional culture; it opens new horizons by struggling tenaciously to "do our own business well"; and it rings out the strongest note of faith in Marxism throughout the world.
To firm one's faith in Marxism amidst change means truly studying, truly understanding, truly believing in, and truly applying Marxism to respond to the situation. Truly studying Marxism requires starting from the original works, insisting on reading the original works, learning the original texts, and grasping the principles. One must become a firm believer in Marxism on the basis of understanding it thoroughly. In practical work, one must master the "housekeeping skill" of the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method to solve difficult problems in practice. Through "learning, thinking, practicing, and realizing" [13], one must internalize Marxism as a genuine core thought and test and uphold it through long-term social practice.
To firm one's faith in Marxism amidst change means continuously promoting the Sinicization of Marxism to nurture new opportunities. The process of Sinicizing Marxism is one of using Marxism to guide China's transformation, and conversely, continuously testing Marxism. The practice of China's development powerfully proves that Marxism works, precisely because the Party continuously promotes the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and uses it to guide practice. As Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the latest theoretical fruit of the Sinicization of Marxism, we must grasp its worldview and methodology to guide practice and nurture new opportunities.
To firm one's faith in Marxism amidst change means insisting on tenacious struggle and "doing our own business well" [14] to open new horizons. At present, the international situation is shifting like clouds and winds, and the profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating. Facing a new strategic environment, China's most important task is to "concentrate strength on handling our own affairs well." Only by struggling tenaciously and maintaining long-term stability and sustainable development under the leadership of the CPC can we make the greatest contribution to human society.
To firm one's faith in Marxism amidst change means ringing out the strongest note of faith in Marxism in the world. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which our Party and country are founded; it is the soul and banner of our Party." The achievements of China's development are the best test of the scientific nature and truth of Marxism. Internationally, we must clearly raise the great banner of Marxism, continue to absorb all the excellent fruits of civilization created by humanity with a broad vision, and continuously promote the development and innovation of Marxism.