Han Zhenfeng: On the Internal Basis of Why Marxism Adapted to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times Works

The basic principles of Marxism constitute the theoretical foundation of Sinicized and modernized Marxism, while Sinicized and modernized Marxism represents the innovative fruit of Marxism’s development in China. General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly pointed out in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress: "Why the Communist Party of China works and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good is, in the final analysis, because Marxism works, and particularly because Sinicized and modernized Marxism works." This important discourse profoundly reveals the deep-seated reasons why Sinicized and modernized Marxism works, elucidates the significant guiding role of Marxism—especially its Sinicized and modernized forms—for socialism with Chinese characteristics, and provides a scientific theoretical guide for us to further break new ground in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism in the New Era.

From the perspective of theoretical origins: The fundamental reason Sinicized and modernized Marxism works is that Marxism, as its theoretical foundation, works.

The relationship between Marxism and Sinicized and modernized Marxism is one of "source" and "stream" (源和流). The basic principles of Marxism provided a solid theoretical foundation for the formation and development of Sinicized and modernized Marxism; likewise, Sinicized and modernized Marxism consists of the major theoretical achievements formed by generations of Chinese Communists through the continuous integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture in the process of advancing the Chinese revolution, construction, and reform. From this perspective, the fundamental reason Sinicized and modernized Marxism can exert its immense guiding role is that it originates from scientific Marxist theory. As a scientific worldview and methodology, Marxism was born more than a century and a half ago, yet it continues to possess powerful vitality and influence today. In the contemporary world, Marx has been voted the "Man of the Millennium" and the "Greatest Thinker of the Millennium" by Western intellectual circles. This demonstrates that Marxism has not only profoundly influenced the course of human civilization but remains an ideological and discourse system with significant international impact. As General Secretary Xi Jinping stated in his speech at the commemorative meeting for the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth: "In the history of human thought, no other ideological theory has exerted such a wide and profound influence on humanity as Marxism."

Thought is the precursor to action; theory is the guide for practice. The revolutionary mentor Engels long ago said that if a nation wants to stand at the pinnacle of science, it cannot for a moment do without theoretical thinking. To build a modern socialist country in all respects and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we similarly cannot for a moment depart from theoretical thinking. Looking back at the more than one hundred years since the founding of the Communist Party of China, Marxism, as the Party’s guiding ideology, has always been our powerful ideological weapon for understanding and transforming the world. While various theoretical doctrines have emerged in succession throughout the world, most of them either influenced a specific time or place; scientific theories like Marxism—which have influenced both the Western and Eastern worlds, as well as the past, present, and even the future—are truly rare. The fact that "Marxism works" has been proven by the history of the development of world socialism and, even more so, by the century-long history of the Communist Party of China. The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century explicitly pointed out: "Over the past century, the Party has persisted in writing Marxism on its own banner, continuously advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism," and "the scientific and truthful nature of Marxism has been fully tested in China, the people-centered and practical nature of Marxism has been fully implemented in China, and the open and contemporary nature of Marxism has been fully displayed in China."

Why does Marxism, as the Party’s guiding ideology, "work"? Why could it catalyze the founding and development of the Communist Party of China? Why could it guide and verify that only socialism could save China and only socialism with Chinese characteristics can develop China? Fundamentally, it is for four reasons: First, because Marxism is a scientific theory; it creatively revealed the laws of human social development, pointed out the path for humanity to leap from the "kingdom of necessity" to the "kingdom of freedom" ^[1], and illuminated the road for the people to achieve freedom and liberation. Second, because Marxism is a theory of the people; its people-centered nature is the essential characteristic of Marxism, and it was the first to create an ideological system for the people to achieve their own liberation. Third, because Marxism is a practical theory; it not only helps people understand the world but also helps them transform it. Marxism was formed in the practice of the people’s quest for liberation and is enriched and developed within that same practice. Fourth, because Marxism is a continuously developing and open theory; advancing with the times is its distinct feature. From the birth of Marxism to the present day, although human society has undergone earth-shaking changes, the basic principles elucidated by Marxism still shine with the dazzling light of truth!

From the perspective of theoretical innovation: The fundamental reason Sinicized and modernized Marxism works is that it consists of major theoretical achievements formed by Chinese Communists through the "Two Integrations."

From the very beginning of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the historical process of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism commenced; our Party is a loyal believer and steadfast practitioner of Marxism. For over a century, the Party has always held high the great banner of Marxism. In the process of leading the people through revolution, construction, and reform, it has consistently integrated the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture (the "Two Integrations" ^[2]). It has persisted in using the basic stance, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism to study and solve major theoretical and practical problems of various historical periods, continuously forming new achievements in theoretical innovation. This, in turn, has guided the Chinese revolution, construction, and reform to achieve world-renowned achievements and has opened new frontiers for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

Materialist dialectics teaches us that there is a dialectical unity between the universality and the particularity of contradictions. The universal truths of Marxism must be integrated with the specific practices of various countries to exert their guiding role; likewise, only under the guidance of scientific Marxist theory can countries form innovative theoretical achievements suited to their own realities through the "Two Integrations." In leading the revolution, construction, and reform, the Communist Party of China has consistently adhered to the "Two Integrations," thereby forming major theoretical achievements of Sinicized and modernized Marxism across different historical periods. During the period of the New Democratic Revolution ^[3], facing the historical task of achieving national independence and the people's liberation, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, persisted in integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the specific practice of the Chinese revolution. They formed the first major theoretical achievement of Sinicized and modernized Marxism, established Mao Zedong Thought, and achieved the first historic leap in the Sinicization of Marxism. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, continued to advance the process of Sinicizing and modernizing Marxism in close connection with the realities of socialist revolution and construction, forming a series of scientific theories and viewpoints concerning socialist construction, which enriched and developed Mao Zedong Thought under new historical conditions. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee ^[4], China entered the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization. During this new period, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their chief representative, began to explore a series of major theoretical and practical questions concerning socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new period, founding Deng Xiaoping Theory. After the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Jiang Zemin as their chief representative, conducted unremitting exploration around a series of major questions concerning socialism with Chinese characteristics and Party building at the turn of the century, forming the Theory of Three Represents. After the 16th National Congress of the CPC, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Hu Jintao as their chief representative, continued to explore deeply around a series of major questions such as how human society should develop at the beginning of the 21st century—especially how socialism with Chinese characteristics should develop—forming the Scientific Outlook on Development, which is people-centered, comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable.

Since the beginning of the New Era, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has taken a strategic perspective of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. With extraordinary theoretical courage and a strong sense of mission, they have led the whole Party and the people of the country to continue exploring the "great essay" of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In advancing the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have persisted in the worldview and methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism. They have conducted profound reflections and provided scientific answers to a series of major questions concerning the development of the Party and the country’s cause, such as how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, how to build a great modern socialist power, and how to build a long-term governing Marxist party. They have proposed a series of original new concepts, new thoughts, and new strategies, founding Xi Jinping armies of Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is contemporary Chinese Marxism, 21st-century Marxism, and the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit in our times.

1. The Main Content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

In the report to the 20th National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly stated when discussing the main content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: "The 'Ten Clarifications' (十个明确), 'Fourteen Perseverances' (十四个坚持), and 'Thirteen Aspects of Achievements' (十三个方面成就) proposed at the 19th National Congress and the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee summarize the main content of this Thought; these must be adhered to over the long term and continuously enriched and developed." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a scientific system with rich connotations and profound breadth. This system includes both the core content of the "Ten Clarifications" and the basic strategy of the "Fourteen Perseverances," as well as the "Thirteen Aspects of Achievements" summarized at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

First, the "Ten Clarifications" constitute the core content of this ideological system. The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, summarized the core content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the "Ten Clarifications," namely: clarifying the most defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the greatest strength of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics; clarifying the overarching task of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics; clarifying the principal contradiction in Chinese society in the New Era; clarifying the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four Comprehensives as the general and strategic layouts of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics; clarifying the general goal of comprehensively deepening reform; clarifying the general goal of comprehensively advancing the law-based governance of the country; clarifying the necessity of upholding and improving the basic socialist economic system; clarifying the Party’s goal of strengthening the military in the New Era; clarifying major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics; and clarifying the strategic policy of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party.

Second, the "Fourteen Perseverances" constitute the "basic strategy" (基本方略) within this ideological system. The content of the "Fourteen Perseverances" includes: ensuring Party leadership over all work; a people-centered approach; continuing to comprehensively deepen reform; adopting a new development philosophy; ensuring that the people run the country; ensuring every dimension of governance is law-based; upholding core socialist values; ensuring and improving living standards through development; ensuring harmony between humanity and nature; pursuing a holistic approach to national security; upholding absolute Party leadership over the people’s forces; upholding the principle of "one country, two systems" and promoting national reunification; promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity; and practicing comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. The "Fourteen Perseverances" basic strategy is both an important component of the scientific system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the basic requirement for the Party to fully implement this important thought in practice.

Finally, the "thirteen aspects of achievements" constitute an essential component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. In the section titled "Entering the New Era of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics," the Resolution ^[5] adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee systematically summarized the thirteen aspects of "historic achievements" made by the Party and the state since the 18th National Congress under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. These encompass achievements in: upholding the Party's overall leadership; comprehensively and strictly governing the Party; economic development; comprehensively deepening reform and opening up; political development; exhaustively advancing the law-based governance of the country; cultural development; social development; ecological civilization development; National Defense and Armed Forces development; safeguarding national security; upholding "One Country, Two Systems" and promoting national reunification; and diplomatic work. In his Explanatory Note on the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, Xi Jinping pointed out that these thirteen aspects "summarize, by field, the historic achievements and transformations in the cause of the Party and the country in the New Era, with a focus on summarizing the original ideas, transformative practices, breakthrough progress, and landmark outcomes of the past nine years." The "original ideas" within each aspect form integral content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, while the "transformative practices, breakthrough progress, and landmark outcomes" are both major achievements secured under the guidance of this Thought and the practical foundation and impetus for its innovative development.

2. The Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

In his speech at the first collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping pointed out that a scientific worldview and methodology serve as the "master key" ^[6] for us to study and solve problems. On the basis of summarizing the main content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Report to the 20th National Congress systematically expounded upon its worldview and methodology, as well as the stances, viewpoints, and methods running through it. It emphasized the necessity of adhering to the "Six Musts": we must persist in putting the people first, maintain self-confidence and self-reliance, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, adopt a problem-oriented approach, apply systems thinking, and maintain a global perspective. This represents theoretical innovation continued on the basis of practice.

First, persisting in putting the people first is a concentrated expression of the fundamental principle of historical materialism that the masses are the creators of history. It is the fundamental requirement of the Marxist worldview and methodology regarding the subjectivity, creativity, and values of the people, as well as the mass viewpoint. In practice, putting the people first requires us to stand firmly on the side of the people, grasp their aspirations, respect their creativity, concentrate their wisdom, safeguard their interests, and realize shared benefits for them, always taking the continuous satisfaction of the people’s yearning for a better life as our goal.

Second, maintaining self-confidence and self-reliance is a concentrated expression of the relevant basic principles of dialectical materialist epistemology and dialectics. It is the fundamental requirement of the Marxist worldview and methodology regarding the theory of the subject of cognition, the theory of principal contradictions, and the theory of internal causes as the decisive factor. In practice, maintaining self-confidence and self-reliance requires us to ground the development of our country and nation on the basis of our own strength, firmly grasp the destiny of China's development and progress in our own hands, and remain steadfast in the "Four Confidences" ^[7] at all times and under all circumstances. We must ensure we have the resolve and independent judgment to resist "heretical beliefs," ^[8] ghosts, and pressure in the face of major political issues and matters of principle, forging a path toward modernization through self-reliance.

Third, upholding the fundamentals and break new ground is a concentrated expression of the basic principles of materialist dialectics concerning the law of the unity of opposites and the dialectical view of negation. In practice, this requires us, on the one hand, to remain unswerving in adhering to the basic principles of Marxism, the Party’s overall leadership, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. On the other hand, we must keep pace with the times, advance with the times, continuously promote the development of the Party and state's cause in light of new practices, and write new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

Fourth, adopting a problem-oriented approach is a concentrated expression of relevant basic principles such as Marxist epistemology and the theory of contradiction. In practice, it requires us to focus on the major problems facing China's development and the Party's governance, especially the new problems encountered in the practice of the New Era, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, the urgent concerns of the masses, and major issues arising in the changing international landscape. We must continuously propose new concepts, ideas, and methods that truly solve problems and resolve contradictions.

Fifth, applying systems thinking is a concentrated expression of the relevant basic principles of Marxist materialist dialectics. It is the fundamental requirement of the Marxist worldview and methodology regarding universal connection, coordinated development, and dialectical unity. All things in the world are interconnected and interdependent. Only by observing things from a perspective that is universally connected, comprehensive, developmental, and characterized by the unity of opposites can we grasp the laws of their development. In practice, this requires us to be adept at managing dialectical relationships between the part and the whole, the short-term and the long-term, the micro and the macro, and primary and secondary contradictions. We must learn to make overall plans, carry out systematic designs, and advance tasks holistically.

Sixth, maintaining a global perspective is a concentrated expression of the relevant basic principles of materialist dialectics and historical materialism. It is the fundamental requirement of the Marxist worldview and methodology regarding universal connection, the transformation of contradictions, the mission of the political party, and human civilization. It reflects the stance, viewpoint, and method of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in terms of "global vision" and "care for all under heaven" (tianxia). In practice, this requires us to observe the laws of world history from a global perspective, commit to solving the common problems facing humanity, and contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to the cause of seeking progress for humanity and the "Great Harmony" ^[9] for the world.

The worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, centered on these "Six Musts," have enriched and expanded the contemporary connotations of Marxist worldview and methodology, opening up new horizons and providing a new scientific theoretical basis for why Sinicized and modernized Marxism works.

From the Dimension of Practical Effects: Sinicized and Modernized Marxism Works Because it Has Guided China’s Revolution, Construction, and Reform to World-Renowned Achievements

"How can the water in the canal be so clear? Because there is a source of fresh water flowing in." ^[10] Advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is the secret to the Communist Party of China's success in creating its great historical cause. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The reason why Marxism works is that the Party has continuously advanced the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and used it to guide practice." Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. From the founding of the CPC to the present, our Party has, on one hand, persisted in advancing the Sinicized and modernized Marxism through practice; on the other hand, it has used these scientific theories to lead great practices, enabling China—this ancient oriental power—to achieve the great leap from standing up to becoming prosperous and then becoming strong, creating development miracles unprecedented in human history.

In the period of the New Democratic Revolution ^[11], it was precisely because of the guidance of Mao Zedong Thought—the first major theoretical achievement of Marxism's Sinicization—that our Party was able to lead the people in overthrowing the "three great mountains" ^[12] of oppression and establishing the People's Republic of China, where the people are the masters of the country. During the period of socialist revolution and construction, it was also under the guidance of Mao Zedong Thought that the Party united and led the Chinese people to be self-reliant, strive for strength, establish the basic socialist system, and promote socialist construction, achieving the great leap into a socialist society for a populous oriental country that was once "poor and blank." ^[13]

In the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, it was because of the correct guidance of the innovative theories of Sinicized and modernized Marxism that our Party could unite and lead the people to emancipate their minds and forge ahead. We achieved the strategic shift of the focus of Party and state work, launched the historically significant reform and opening up, established the Party's basic line for the primary stage of socialism, overcame various risks and challenges, and created, persisted in, defended, and developed socialism with Chinese characteristics.

As socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era, it was because of the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—the Marxism of contemporary China and the 21st century—that our Party could lead the people to be self-confident and self-reliant, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground. We have exercised overall leadership over the "Four Greats," ^[14] coordinately advanced the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" and the "Four Comprehensives," and overcome a series of major risks and challenges. We have realized the First Centenary Goal ^[15] and mapped out the strategic arrangements for the Second Centenary Goal, ensuring that the cause of the Party and the state has achieved historic successes and undergone historic transformations.

The century-long history of the Party’s development tells us that the great path, great cause, and great achievements opened, created, and secured by the Party are the results of the innovative theories of Sinicized and modernized Marxism formed through the "Two Combinations." ^[16]

From the Dimension of Future Development: The Secret to Ensuring the Vitality of Sinicized and Modernized Marxism is to Grasp the Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly stated in the Report to the 20th National Congress: "To continue advancing theoretical innovation on the basis of practice, we must first grasp the worldview and methodology of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and adhere to and make good use of the stances, viewpoints, and methods running through it."

While the Marxist philosophical worldview and methodology form the theoretical foundation, the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping’s Thought were summarized and formulated by the General Secretary by closely integrating the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. This has not only deepened our understanding of the basic theories and methods of contemporary Chinese Marxism but also enriched and developed the Marxist philosophical worldview and methodology. The worldview content is specifically manifested as: a New Era materialism of national conditions (based on the new historical coordinates and new principal contradictions); a New Era materialist dialectics (based on strategic and systems thinking); a New Era epistemology (based on being problem-oriented and goal-oriented); and a New Era materialist conception of history (based on a macro-perspective on history and putting the people first). Its methodological content is expressed as: New Era ideological methods (contradiction analysis); New Era work methods (top-level design and precision implementation); and New Era thinking methods (innovative and systems thinking). Of course, worldview and methodology are organically unified and inseparable; they form an interconnected and interacting whole.

The "Six Musts" summarized in the Report to the 20th National Congress are the core of this worldview and methodology. As Xi Jinping emphasized when presiding over the fourth collective study session of the Political Bureau, only by accurately grasping these stances, viewpoints, and methods can we better comprehend the essence of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The "Six Must-Upholds" ^[17] constitute an interconnected and internally unified organic whole. They centrally embody the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as well as the stance, viewpoints, and methods running through this Thought. They provide us with a "golden key" ^[18] to grasp and utilize the essential spirit and core meaning of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

At present, our country has entered a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country and achieving the Second Centenary Goal ^[19]. Continually composing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists. Standing at a new historical starting point, we must earnestly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, profoundly grasp its worldview and methodology, and persist in using Sinicized and modernized Marxism to observe and lead the times. We must continuously advance theoretical innovation based on practice and strive to compose new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism!

(Author's affiliation: Institute of Contemporary Chinese Marxism, Beijing Jiaotong University; Beijing Jiaotong University Research Base, Beijing Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era) Online Editor: Tongxin Source: Contemporary Chinese Marxism Studies, 2023, No. 2