[Original] Jiang Dujun: Youth Should Strive to Be the Vanguard Force in Realizing the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation
We are currently in an era of unprecedented change, carrying out a great undertaking without parallel in history. In the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "From this day forward, the central task of the Communist Party of China will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese-path modernization." The grand blueprint and majestic vision charted by the 20th National Congress require the unremitting struggle of the entire nation. "In the past, the present, and the future, Chinese youth have always been the vanguard force for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." Youth in the New Era are the fresh reinforcements for the development of the cause of the Party and the state; born at this auspicious time, they bear an inescapable responsibility. They must consciously take the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as their individual responsibility, firm up their ideals and convictions, stand firm on the people's position, and develop rigorous skills. They must be determined to practice the youthful pledge of "Rest assured, dear Party, the country will be strong with me," allowing the flowers of youth to bloom brilliantly in the fervent practice of building a great modern socialist country in all respects.
I. Persistence in Firming Up Ideals and Convictions Throughout the CPC’s Century of Struggle
Only by knowing where we come from can we be clear about where we are going. Our Party is committed to the eternal grand cause of the Chinese nation and dedicated to the noble cause of human peace and development; its responsibility is immensely heavy, and its mission is supremely glorious. For over a hundred years, the CPC has changed the historical destiny of the Chinese people, ushered in the bright prospects of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and made outstanding contributions to the development of all humanity. Youth of the New Era must "see clearly why we were able to succeed in the past and understand how we can continue to succeed in the future, so as to remain more steadfast and conscious on the new journey in keeping in mind our original aspiration and founding mission and in creating a better future." The century-long journey of struggle in which the CPC united and led the Chinese people is the best textbook and nutrient. Youth of the New Era should perceive the power of thought, firm up their ideals and convictions, and carry forward the "red bloodline" [1] through the Party's century of struggle, aspiring to be good youth of the New Era who possess ideals, dare to take on responsibilities, are capable of enduring hardships, and are willing to struggle.
Perceive the power of thought and act as loyal practitioners of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. "Practice tells us that why the CPC works and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good is, in the final analysis, because Marxism works, especially when it is Sinicized and adapted to our times." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is contemporary Chinese Marxism and twenty-first-century Marxism. It is the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit in our times; it is a universal truth, proven by practice, that guides all undertakings of the Party and the people in the New Era; and it has achieved a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Youth of the New Era must perceive the power of thought, draw the power of truth, and consolidate the momentum of practice from Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They must earnestly grasp the theoretical connotations, truth value, practical paths, and spiritual character contained therein. They must persist in integrating study, thought, and application, and unifying knowledge, belief, and action, ensuring that they arm their minds, guide their practice, and promote their work with the latest achievements in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
Firm up ideals and convictions and act as loyal guardians of the original aspiration and founding mission. "Once it was born, the CPC established seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation as its original aspiration and founding mission." Over the past century, every great achievement, every glorious deed, and every advanced figure has profoundly demonstrated that the CPC has not failed the great trust of the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The theme of the Chinese youth movement in the New Era, its direction, and the mission of Chinese youth in the New Era, is to uphold the leadership of the CPC and work together with the people to struggle for the realization of the 'Two Centenary Goals' and the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." Youth of the New Era must persist in arming their minds with the Party's scientific theories, loyally guard the Party's original aspiration and founding mission, and consciously "fasten the first button" [2] of life. They must firm up their ideals and convictions in the historical journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, combining individual ideals with the future of the country and the destiny of the nation, and maintaining consistency between personal pursuits, social needs, and the interests of the people. "The vast number of young people should unswervingly listen to and follow the Party, harbor dreams while remaining down-to-earth, and dare to think and act while being capable of achieving results." They must guard the original aspiration of serving the people and shoulder the mission of seeking national rejuvenation, allowing their ideals and convictions to be sublimated in the great cause of rejuvenation.
Carry forward the red bloodline and act as loyal inheritors of the "red gene." [3] "The red socialist state [4] was not easily won; guarding it is a heavy responsibility." From Shikumen [5] to Tiananmen, from Xingye Road to the Road of Rejuvenation, the spiritual map constructed and the red bloodline carried forward by the CPC during its century of struggle are the spiritual power sources for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. To carry forward the red bloodline in the New Era means to promote the Great Founding Spirit of the Party [6], practice the original aspiration and founding mission, and struggle in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Youth of the New Era must consciously carry forward the red bloodline, continuously excavate and deeply interpret it within the Party's centenary history, making revolutionary relics "come alive," revolutionary history "move," and the revolutionary spirit "spread." They must draw the red power of the era’s development from the red bloodline, using the "red sparks" to ignite the prairie fire [7] of advancement, guarding the hard-won red state during the great journey, and writing a brand-new chapter for the red gene of the New Era on the new journey.
II. Persistence in Standing Firm on the People's Position During the Construction of a Great Modern Country Through Chinese-path Modernization
There are constants in governing a country, of which benefiting the people is the fundamental. The report to the 20th National Congress emphasized: "To build a modern socialist country in all respects, we must give full play to the creative power of the hundreds of millions of people." Chinese-path modernization must always adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, respect the people's pioneering spirit, be for the people and rely on the people, and aggregate the majestic force formed by 1.4 billion people. Youth of the New Era must "take the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as their own responsibility, live up to the expectations of the Party, the people, and the nation, and live up to this great era of ours." They must hold fast to the "defining color of youth" [8], insist on the supremacy of the people, stimulate innovative vitality, and strive to write an even more brilliant chapter for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era during the construction of a great modern country through Chinese-path modernization.
Hold fast to the defining color of youth and do not fail the expectations of the Party. "Building a modern socialist country in all respects is a great and arduous undertaking; the future is bright, but the road is long and the task is heavy." If the youth are strong, the country will be strong. The contemporary generation of youth moves in the same direction and advances together with the New Era. Born in a flourishing age and burdened with heavy responsibilities, they must strengthen their awareness of potential dangers, adhere to bottom-line thinking, remain vigilant in times of peace, and prepare for major tests involving high winds, turbulent waves, or even terrifying storms. Youth of the New Era must display the "defining color of struggle" in the great cause, remaining modest, prudent, and hardworking. They must integrate the "small self" of youth into the "great self" of the era, shedding their sweat on the earth and writing their struggles into time. They should forge ahead with the spiritual state of "success does not have to happen through me" and carry forward the cause with the historical responsibility of "I will surely contribute to the success." They should perform meritorious deeds, write history, and create miracles on the land of China, contributing bricks and mortars to the construction of the motherland and paving roads and bridges for national rejuvenation as the "youthful I" and the "struggling I."
Insist on the supremacy of the people and do not fail their expectations. "Our promotion of economic and social development is, in the final analysis, to continuously satisfy the people's needs for a better life." Our Party comes from the people; its roots and bloodline are in the people. Insisting on the supremacy of the people is a distinctive feature of the CPC. Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the people to win the battle against poverty and finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, taking a solid step on the road to creating a better life for the people—a vivid manifestation of putting the people first. "If contemporary Chinese youth want to achieve something, they must immerse themselves in the great struggle of the people." Youth of the New Era must always persist in unremitting struggle for the interests of the people, taking the benefit of the people as their greatest political achievement. They must strive together with the people, "align" themselves with the requirements of the masses, and "compare" themselves with models of serving the people. They must integrate knowledge with action, ensuring their words match their deeds; they must "examine" themselves through the new expectations of the masses and "scan" themselves from the perspective of the masses. In the "great melting pot" of practicing service to the people, they should temper their will and character, striving to forge themselves into "pillars of the state" [9] capable of great use and heavy responsibility.
Stimulate innovative vitality and do not fail the nation's trust. "Innovation is the soul of a nation's progress, an inexhaustible source of a country's prosperity, and the most distinctive national endowment of the Chinese nation." Looking at the global landscape, all great modern powers are powers of innovation and technology. Only through continuous innovation can one grasp and lead the era. Currently, a new round of global technological revolution and industrial transformation is burgeoning, triggering a major adjustment in the international division of labor, thereby reshaping the global competitive landscape and changing the balance of power among nations. Meanwhile, China faces challenges: its economic development is large but not yet strong or optimal; the driving force of traditional factors has weakened significantly, and new momentum has not yet fully taken over. The demand for scientific and technological innovation in economic and social development has never been as urgent as it is today. Innovation is the primary engine of development and the inexhaustible drive for creating a modern power and realizing the great dream. Youth of the New Era are the main force of national innovation. They must dare to, be diligent at, and be good at innovating in their studies and work. They must hold fast to their ideals and have the courage to challenge authority; they must stand on truth and have the composure to face questioning; they must persist over the long term and have the perseverance to "roll a stone up a hill" [10]; they must master theory and have the ability for innovation and creation. They must strive to create a "youthful China" [11] with their "youthful selves," contributing youthful strength to the great cause of national rejuvenation.
III. Persistence in Developing Rigorous Skills Through the Practice of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation
To achieve knowledge, one must act; to carry on a cause, one must improve it. "Talent is the strategic resource for us to realize national revitalization and win the initiative in international competition." Whether the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation can be realized depends on action and on people; it requires a high-quality workforce of talents across all industries. Contemporary youth are the builders of and successors to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Whether the builders are qualified and the successors are reliable relates to the quality of the construction of a modern socialist country and whether the rejuvenation can be achieved. Youth of the New Era must take the great rejuvenation as their responsibility, persist in the conviction of truth, consolidate professional knowledge, and bravely shoulder historical responsibilities in the practice of the rejuvenation, continuously pushing socialism with Chinese characteristics forward with rigorous skills.
Persist in the conviction of truth and be firm believers in Marxism. "In the New Era, the Chinese Communists must still study Marx, study and practice Marxism, and continuously draw scientific wisdom and theoretical power from it." Throughout world history, youth, as the most active group among the masses in terms of action, have never played the role of outsiders in the process of socio-historical development. However, because the social experience of youth is not rich enough, if they lack the guidance of a correct worldview and scientific methodology, they are prone to losing their way. "The era is the mother of thought, and practice is the source of theory." Youth of the New Era must persist in the conviction of truth, deeply study the positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism, studying with specific problems in mind and in connection with reality. They should strive to comprehend the essence of Marxism, use its scientific theories to firm up their faith and conviction, grasp historical initiative, and continuously improve their ability to understand and transform the world, constantly proposing new concepts, ideas, and methods that truly solve new problems.
Consolidate professional knowledge and be honest laborers who love and respect their work. "The great achievements of the New Era were fought for, acted out, and struggled for by the Party and the people together!" On the historical journey toward the great rejuvenation, high-quality laborers in all industries are needed, and high-end talents are needed to lead. Times change, but the defining color of struggle remains the same. On the new journey, one must always remember the truth that "to forge iron, one must be strong oneself." [12] We must promote the spirit of model workers and craftsmanship, creating a social fashion where labor is glorious and a professional atmosphere of striving for excellence. We should consciously throw ourselves into various undertakings of the Party and the state with high spirits, full passion, and a pragmatic style. Youth of the New Era must use the tenacity of "honing a sword for ten years" [13] to strengthen their study of basic theory, improve their professional comprehensive quality, cultivate their innovative and creative abilities, and forge their professional level. This will lay a solid foundation for their involvement in building a great modern socialist country, allowing them to become experts in various fields. They must promote the spirit of craftsmanship—loving whatever they do and specializing in whatever they practice—learning from frontline grassroots workers, inheriting the fighting spirit of the Chinese Communists, and writing the most magnificent chapters in their own posts with the "spirit of driving nails." [14]
Courageously shoulder historical responsibilities and become strivers who lead the trends of the times. "A scholar must be broad-minded and resolute, for the burden is heavy and the road is long" [15]. Having successfully achieved its First Centenary Goal, the Communist Party of China is now uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country toward the Second Centenary Goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. As the builders and successors of the cause of the Party and the state, youth in the New Era must utilize their historical initiative to place themselves within the grand perspective of 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 civilization. They must strengthen their ambition, integrity, and confidence; refuse to believe in heterodoxy, fear no ghosts, and withstand all pressure [16]; press forward in the face of difficulties and meet challenges head-on. Through diligent study and hard practice, they must enhance their capabilities and keep the "Three Musts" [17] firmly in mind. In their study and work, they should strive to "compete with the sun and moon in radiance" [18], maintain self-confidence and self-reliance, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, strive with enterprise, and move forward with fortitude. With a sense of urgency that "time waits for no one" and a spirit of "seizing the day and the hour" [19], they must live up to the historical responsibility of "working at the grassroots, standing at the forefront, and leading the tide." They must strive to overcome all difficulties and challenges on the road ahead, relying on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for the development of our cause.
The journey is long, and only through struggle can we prevail. Today, the Chinese nation is marching toward great rejuvenation with unstoppable strides. "Contemporary Chinese youth are born at the right time; the stage for displaying their talents is incomparably vast, and the prospects for realizing their dreams are incomparably bright." Youth in the New Era should be even more self-reliant, self-confident, and self-strengthening, keeping the "greatest interests of the nation" [20] in mind and practicing their original aspiration and founding mission. They should embrace dreams while remaining down-to-earth, and be both daring to act and capable of succeeding. They must draw the strength to forge ahead from the Party’s century-long history, compose a magnificent chapter of the times in the construction of a strong nation, and let the light of youth shine in the great cause of rejuvenation. With firm confidence and one heart and one mind, they must immerse themselves in hard work and move forward with fortitude, striving to become socialist builders and successors with an all-round development in morals, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor. They must strive to compose a noble and magnificent song of youth, truly becoming pillars of talent capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities, and courageously serving as the vanguard force for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
(Author biography: Jiang Dujun is the Dean of the School of Marxism at Henan University of Technology, a PhD holder, professor, and doctoral supervisor. This article is a staged result of the Henan Provincial Higher Education Teaching Reform Research and Practice Project "Precision and Synergy: Optimization and Practice of the 'Four Histories' Education System in University Ideological and Political Courses" (2021SJGLX946), and the Henan Provincial Key Research Base for Humanities and Social Sciences in Universities, "Research Center for the Inheritance and Development of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture.")
Online Editor: Tongxin Source: Marxism Research Network [Original]