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Ren Jie and Xia Yipu: Research Report on Frontier Issues of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (2023)

Xi Jinping Thought (New Era)

In the process of scientifically answering the "Questions of China, the World, the People, and the Times," Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has deepened the understanding of the laws governing the development of human society, the laws of the Communist Party's governance, and the laws of socialist construction, thereby realizing the goal of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in Marxism. In 2023, the academic and theoretical circles conducted in-depth research on major hot-button issues, including the systematization and crystallization of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, Chinese-path modernization and the new form of human civilization, the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the "Two Combinations" [1]. This resulted in a series of high-quality research outcomes. Systematically organizing these results is of great significance for expanding the depth of research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and furthering the new frontiers of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

Deepening the Systematization and Crystallization of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

The development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a continuous process of systematization and crystallization. In recent years, academic circles have emphasized a systematic, comprehensive, and integrated interpretation of this Thought. Research has centered on the significance of researching its scientific system, the criteria for judging such a system, and grasping its themes, main threads, categorical systems, internal logic, hierarchical structure, and overall integrity. During the sixth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping emphasized that "promoting the systematization and crystallization of theory is an inherent requirement and an important path for theoretical innovation," and that "the development of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a process of continuous enrichment, expansion, systematization, and crystallization." This requires academic circles to further strengthen research in these areas. Currently, academic focus is on the connotations, significance, content systems, and methodologies for advancing this process.

1. The Scientific Connotation and Great Significance of Promoting Systematization and Crystallization Regarding the scientific connotation, Han Qingxiang argues that systematization focuses on the logical structure, general framework, and the integrity and completeness of theoretical viewpoints. Crystallization focuses on the depth of ideological excavation, the academicization of discourse and content interpretation, the theoretical refinement of essences, and the logical construction of theory, while deeply mining the "reasons, logic, and philosophy" (道理学理哲理) behind major political propositions and assertions. Systematization and crystallization are interrelated; the former inherently requires the latter, while the latter serves the former. Regarding its significance, Yan Xiaofeng maintains that comprehensively understanding the scientific system of Xi Jinping Thought is the primary task of "studying the Thought" within the thematic education campaign for the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This meets the developmental need to deepen the Party's armament with innovative theories, providing a clearer compass and more effective weapon for the entire Party to maintain unity in thought, will, and action. Quan Heng argues that crystallized research can provide powerful support for the disciplinary, academic, and discourse systems of the New Thought, manifesting its inherent academic character, innovativeness, and integrity. This reveals its epochal, scientific, and truthful nature and demonstrates the superior quality and academic style of contemporary Chinese Marxist theory. Han Qingxiang believes that the proposition of "promoting systematization and crystallization" shows that domestic theoretical research into the Party’s innovative theories is entering a new stage, layer, and level.

2. Logical Construction and Content Systems Yan Xiaofeng argues that the series of major outcomes from the Party’s theoretical innovation in the New Era constitute the "four beams and eight pillars" [2] of the scientific system. The main thread consists of the in-depth answers to major epochal questions, such as upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. The essence lies in the "Six Must-Upholds" [3] regarding stance, viewpoint, and method. The New Era's innovative theories constitute a series of basic viewpoints that are ideologically distinct, highly innovative, logically rigorous, and systematic. Han Qingxiang argues the system's structure and logic follow a path: historical positioning—philosophical foundations—systemic trunk (goals)—systemic branches (overall strategies)—comprehensive guarantees—leadership subject—original contributions. Other scholars demonstrate these results by interpreting the structure of two key reference works: The Study Outline for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (2023 Edition) (referred to as the Outline) and An Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Yuan Jifu argues the Outline is the latest achievement in systematization, articulating the historical status, basic content, and practical requirements of the Thought. Gu Hailiang notes that the Introduction comprehensively displays the scientific system, main content, theoretical essence, and fundamental methods of the Thought.

3. Methodologies and Paths for Systematization and Crystallization Han Qingxiang suggests that the basic path to grasping the "trunk" of the system involves philosophical foundations, epochal issues, the primary contradiction in society [4], the "Four Questions," "historical significance," "main content," and the "Five Acts and Five Missions" (五为五谋) [5]. Zhang Yifan argues that the path involves text-based research to clarify rich connotations, categorical research to clarify the scientific system, and generative research to clarify internal mechanisms. Zhong Minghua believes the key is grasping internal logic—using dialectical thinking to reproduce the relationships and structures within the system according to the laws of cognitive movement. The key to crystallization lies in discourse: handling the relationship between political/policy discourse and academic/disciplinary language to achieve an organic combination and a law-governed transformation, thereby deepening the scholarly interpretation of the Party’s innovative theories.

The Formal Proposing and Systematic Elucidation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has coordinated the overall strategy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the world's once-in-a-century profound changes. They have accurately grasped the trends of ideological and cultural turbulence worldwide and the profound changes in social concepts domestically. Centering on cultural construction in the New Era, a series of new ideas, viewpoints, and assertions were proposed, forming Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. In October 2023, the National Conference on Public Communications and Culture was held, formally proposing and systematically elucidating this Thought. Academic circles have conducted research on its significance, rich connotations, scientific system, and original contributions.

1. On the Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture Qu Qingshan argues that the formal proposal of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a major strategic decision of great significance in the process of the Party’s theoretical innovation and marks a milestone in the history of the Party’s public communications and cultural work. Gao Xiang maintains that it provides a powerful ideological weapon and scientific guide for action, serving as the banner and soul of cultural prosperity in the New Era.

2. Rich Connotations and Scientific System Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is an integrated system that encompasses both innovation in cultural theoretical viewpoints and requirements for cultural strategic layout—a system that "clarifies the essence and achieves practical application" (明体达用, míng tǐ dá yòng) and "integrates essence and application" (体用贯通, tǐ yòng guàn tōng) [6]. Qu Qingshan summarizes the "essence" (ti) through 11 aspects, including upholding the Party’s leadership over culture, promoting the coordinated development of material and spiritual civilizations, the "Two Combinations," the new cultural mission, and firming up cultural confidence. The "application" (yong) refers to the 16 specific aspects of cultural work deployment, involving theory, public opinion, internal and external communication, and arts and culture. Guo Jianing summarizes the core essentials into five points: the epochal issue of cultural confidence/strength, the "Second Combination" [1] as a hallmark of ideological liberation, consolidating cultural subjectivity, the mission of building a modern Chinese civilization, and the global vision of promoting shared values of humanity. Shen Zhuanghai divides the content into theories of cultural value, mission, path, fields, spirit, and leadership.

3. Original Contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture Han Zhenfeng argues that this Thought is a theoretical summary of the Party’s practice in cultural construction and an innovative development of Marxist cultural theory. Fu Wenjun maintains it summarizes the laws of socialist cultural construction and human civilizational evolution. Xi Jinping has not only proposed building a "modern Chinese civilization" but also emphasized shaping the "cultural subjectivity" of the people, using "cultural confidence" to help realize national rejuvenation and "create new glories for socialist culture." Song Youwen argues that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture answers the major epochal question of "who we are, where we came from, and where we are going," reflecting the unity of the CPC's cultural subjectivity and historical initiative.

Research on Chinese-path Modernization and the New Form of Human Civilization

At the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping...

In a speech at the centenary celebration, [Xi Jinping] pointed out: "As we have upheld and developed socialism with Chinese characteristics and driven the coordinated development of material, political, spiritual, social, and ecological civilizations, we have created a new path to Chinese-path modernization and created a new form of human civilization." The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee once again emphasized this major scientific thesis. In his keynote speech at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, Xi Jinping further proposed that "Chinese-path modernization, as a new form of human civilization, will exchange mutual lessons with other civilizations around the globe, and will surely greatly enrich the garden of world civilizations." The academic and theoretical circles have conducted in-depth discussions on issues such as the relationship between Chinese-path modernization and the new form of human civilization, the contributions of Chinese-path modernization to this new form, the distinct characteristics it manifests, and its transcendent features.

  1. The relationship between Chinese-path modernization and the new form of human civilization Du Zhizhang believes that Chinese-path modernization enriches and interprets the new form of human civilization. The so-called "newness" refers both to its novelty relative to all old civilizations, including traditional Chinese civilization, and its novelty relative to all modern civilizations, including Western modern civilization. This new form of civilization is the crystallization of the efforts of Chinese Communists—guided by the Marxist theory of community (the theory of world history) and rooted in the soil of five thousand years of Chinese civilization—to extensively absorb and learn from all the positive achievements of human civilization. It transcends all previous forms of human civilization and represents the correct direction of human civilizational development. Zhang Jijiao argues that Chinese-path modernization and the modern civilization of the Chinese nation jointly promoted the emergence of the new form of human civilization. The development path of Chinese-path modernization and the modern civilization of the Chinese nation exhibit the typical characteristics of this new form. Song Cai-fa argues that Chinese-path modernization innovates the developmental logic of human civilizational forms. The new path of Chinese-path modernization interprets the essence, enriches the connotation, and creates the experience of this new form of human civilization.

  2. The contribution of Chinese-path modernization to the new form of human civilization Chen Jiangsheng believes that Chinese-path modernization has made original contributions to the new form of human civilization, reflected in its innovations regarding the development of human material, political, spiritual, social, and ecological civilizations. Tu Liangchuan argues that Chinese-path modernization unfolds a philosophical narrative through its advanced political civilization, comprehensive social civilization, systematic developmental civilization, and practical civilization of aspiration. It triggers emotional resonance, political empathy, and civilizational coexistence through its practical feasibility, national creativity, and temporal self-awareness; moreover, it uses the "new form of human civilization" to characterize philosophical concepts and civilizational ideals.

  3. Distinct characteristics of the new form of human civilization manifested by Chinese-path modernization Hou Yanshe and Ge Shujin believe that Chinese-path modernization persists in putting the people first, manifesting the "people-centeredness" of the new form of civilization; it persists in common prosperity, manifesting its fairness; it persists in the coordinated development of the "two civilizations" [7], manifesting its coordination; it persists in the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, manifesting its adherence to objective laws; and it persists in peaceful development, manifesting its inclusiveness. Han Qingxiang and Zhang Jian argue that the essence and characteristics of Chinese-path modernization reflect the CPC's conscious application of dialectical materialism and historical materialism to the issue of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, its firm adherence to socialist values, its critical transcendence of capitalist modernization, and its unremitting pursuit of comprehensively building a great modern socialist country. Du Zhizhang believes that the new form of human civilization is a civilization of coordinated development across material, political, spiritual, social, and ecological dimensions. This new form of civilization signifies a new model of economic and social development: namely, persisting in a people-centered approach, following the path of common prosperity, promoting the coordination of material and spiritual civilizations, persisting in the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, and promoting well-rounded human development and overall social progress. Among these, the people-centered approach is the fundamental distinction between this new form of civilization and all old civilizations. This new form also signifies a new model of international interaction and global governance: namely, upholding the common values of humanity—peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom—and actively promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

  4. Transcendent features of Chinese-path modernization and the new form of human civilization Xin Xiangyang and Lyu Yaolong believe that Chinese-path modernization created a new form of human civilization and established a new human political civilization, industrial civilization, agricultural civilization, and urban civilization with unique Chinese characteristics, as well as a new path for human rights development. It achieved a comprehensive transcendence over Western political, industrial, agricultural, urban, and human rights civilizations. It has thoroughly transformed the history since the beginning of the modern era in which the country was humiliated, the people suffered, and civilization was covered in dust [8], laying a solid foundation for the prosperity of human civilization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Ding Zhigang and Xiong Kai argue that under the new form of human civilization, there are vast differences between Chinese-path modernization and Western-style modernization. Western modernization is the modernization of "conceptual" tools, of vicious competition, and of decline. Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of the unity of knowledge and action [9], of mutual benefit and win-win results, and of promoting prosperity. Leading the new form of human civilization with Chinese-path modernization is not only China's greatest contribution to human progress but also provides a reference for the vast number of developing countries, assisting in the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity. Zhou Wen and Shi Xuanling believe that Chinese-path modernization has achieved transcendence over Western modernization in five aspects: First, it transcends the capital logic of Western modernization by setting "red and yellow lights" for capital [10], achieving the organic unity of an effective market and a capable government. Second, it transcends the industrial civilization paradigm of Western modernization; the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" reflects a scientific layout of systems thinking, achieving the organic unity of industrial and ecological civilizations. Third, it moves from Western one-dimensional modernization to a modern economic system; in the process of transcending single-dimensional comparative advantage to build a modern economic system, it achieves the organic unity of national autonomy and the people’s role as masters of the country. Fourth, it moves from Western high-speed growth to the New Development Philosophy of high-quality development, transcending the Western economic growth paradigm and achieving the unity of instrumental and value rationality. Fifth, it moves from the Western model of market expansion through overseas colonization to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, transcending the zero-sum game model of "Western-centrism" and achieving the organic unity of nationality and worldliness. Chinese-path modernization provides a new modernization model and path for developing countries and has initiated a new form of human civilization.

Research on the Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress for the first time elucidated the major theoretical proposition of the "worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era." This is a major theoretical crystallization formed by Xi Jinping based on new temporal characteristics and China's strategic goals, through the conscious adherence to, flexible application of, and creative development of a scientific worldview and methodology. Over the past year, the academic and theoretical circles have conducted in-depth research on the theoretical and practical logic of this worldview and methodology, its inheritance and innovation regarding the Marxist worldview and methodology, and its original contributions.

  1. Accurately grasping the theoretical and practical logic of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Theoretical logic is the golden key to revealing theoretical connotations, origins, and internal connections. Zhang Laisheng and Hangzhou believe that the theoretical logic of this worldview and methodology can be divided into two basic aspects: external and internal. From the perspective of external theoretical logic, this worldview and methodology inherits, applies, and develops the Marxist worldview and methodology through the "Six Must-Persists" [11]. From the perspective of internal theoretical logic, it is mainly manifested as "three unities": the unity of the materialist conception of history, the materialist conception of practice, and materialist dialectics; the unity of commanding elements and functional elements; and the unity of standpoint, viewpoint, and method. This has achieved innovation in the content, system, and path of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

Hou Huiqin believes that the proposal of this worldview and methodology follows a logical path of providing "Chinese answers to the questions of the times." This specifically manifests as: expanding historical materialism with a "Big View of History" [12] that leads the era to strengthen historical confidence; innovating state governance through the historical orientation of the "New Era" to strengthen political confidence; sublimating self-revolution through "remaining true to our original aspiration and keeping our mission firmly in mind" to strengthen confidence in the "big exam" [13]; and deepening dialectical thinking through "community consciousness" to strengthen moral confidence.

Chen Zhigang believes that the theoretical logic is deeply embedded in the "Two Combinations" [14]. It is a major theoretical achievement of the "Two Combinations," reflecting both the inheritance and development of the Marxist worldview and methodology, and a scientific summary of the CPC's century-long struggle and historical experience, as well as the promotion and sublimation of fine traditional Chinese culture.

Practical logic reveals how to unswervingly lead the great practice of China's development and progress in the New Era with this scientific theory. Shen Jiangping believes that the practical logic is manifested in three dimensions: tracing the path of the "Two Combinations," the value guidance of the unity of people-centeredness and practical nature, and the methodological innovation of problem-awareness and systems thinking. Liu Honglin believes that the worldview and methodology emphasize application and have their soul in practice. Their practical logic is manifested in three aspects: putting the people first as the starting point and fundamental yardstick for integrating theory with practice; taking scientific thinking ability as the "bridge" for integrating theory with practice; and persisting in permeating all work with Marxist praxis and methodology.

  1. In-depth research on the inheritance and innovation of the Marxist worldview and methodology by Xi Jinping Thought To scientifically grasp the rich connotations of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, one must proceed from the overall trajectory of the development history of Marxist theory, scientifically locate its position in the history of thought, and further grasp its theoretical inheritance and innovation. Ma Yongjun believes that the theoretical source of "putting the people first" is the historical conception of the masses; the source of "self-confidence and self-reliance" is the principle of subjectivity; the source of "upholding fundamentals and breaking new ground" is the viewpoint of practice; the source of "problem-orientation" is the method of contradiction analysis; the source of "systems thinking" is the viewpoint of connection and development; and the source of "maintaining a global vision" is the viewpoint of world history. Zhang Ming believes that seeking truth from facts is the fundamental path for the CPC to inherit and develop the Marxist worldview and methodology. The worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought reflect the New Era Chinese Communists' adherence to and conscious internalization of the Marxist worldview and methodology, systematically summarizing the basic principles for advancing theoretical innovation. Han Zhenfeng believes that "putting the people first" in the "Six Must-Persists" reflects the fundamental requirements of historical materialism regarding the theories of the people’s subjectivity, creativity, value, and the mass viewpoint. "Self-confidence and self-reliance" reflects the fundamental requirements of dialectical materialism regarding respecting objective laws and the decisive role of internal factors. "Upholding fundamentals and breaking new ground" reflects the requirements of materialist dialectics regarding the law of the unity of opposites and the dialectical view of negation. "Problem-orientation" reflects the requirements of Marxist epistemology and the theory of contradictions. "Systems thinking" reflects the requirements of materialist dialectics regarding universal connection, coordinated development, and dialectical unity. "Maintaining a global vision" reflects the fundamental requirements of the Marxist view of the party’s mission and of human civilization.

  2. Profoundly recognizing the original contributions of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought Zhang Laisheng and Hangzhou believe that this worldview and methodology provide not only a scientific and systematic worldview and methodology but also new methods for advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, achieving innovation in content, system, and path. Shi Dejin argues from...

Approaching from the perspective of the "Two Combinations" [15], it is argued that the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era have laid a new philosophical foundation for further advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. This has achieved a creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese modes of thinking, strengthened the integrity of the Marxist system of dynamics, content, and values, and provided new conceptual guidance for creating a new form of human civilization.

Research on the Thought of the "Two Combinations"

In 2023, the academic and theoretical communities conducted extensive and in-depth discussions surrounding the generative logic, internal correlations, and practical paths of the "Two Combinations" thought, achieving fruitful research results.

1. On the generative logic of the "Two Combinations" An in-depth analysis of the generative logic of the "Two Combinations" is a theoretical response to why Marxism needs and is able to achieve these "Two Combinations"; it is an objective requirement for deepening our understanding of the laws governing the "Two Combinations." He Zhonghua argues that a high esteem for "practice" constitutes a shared or similar basic orientation between Marxism and traditional Chinese culture (with Confucianism as its backbone); the concept of the "unity of heaven and humanity" [16] has its own typical manifestation in both Marxism and traditional Chinese culture; and in the pursuit of a future "social vision," Marxism also aligns with traditional Chinese culture represented by Confucianism, thereby providing theoretical possibility for the "Two Combinations." Wu Wenlong argues that the "Two Combinations" are an experiential summary of the century-long evolution of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism: the preliminary practice of the "Two Combinations" occurred during the New Democratic Revolution period [17], their continued advancement during the period of socialist revolution and construction, their innovative development during the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, and their elevation to a new realm in the New Era. Shang Qingfei argues that the "Two Combinations" have achieved a deep integration of traditional Chinese culture and Marxism, moving from form to content and then into value concepts. This highlights the transition of the Party's innovative theory from "being-in-itself and for-itself" [18] to a state of high "self-consciousness and self-confidence," extending from answering the "Questions of China" to answering the "Questions of the World."

2. On the internal correlations of the "Two Combinations" Clarifying the internal correlations of the "Two Combinations" is not only a necessary prerequisite for guiding people toward a correct understanding of them but also an objective requirement for the holistic promotion of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism in the New Era. Hao Lixin and Zhang Yingyun argue that the "First Combination" [19] is the practical foundation and necessary support for the "Second Combination" [20], while the "Second Combination" is the historical extension and cultural expansion of the "First Combination." The "Two Combinations" constitute a closely linked, mutually reinforcing, and internally unified organic whole; they must be grasped holistically and advanced as one. One cannot simply subsume the "Second Combination" within the "First Combination," nor replace the "First" with the "Second." Xu Guomin and Wang Guohong argue that the "First Combination" summarizes the fundamental requirements of "combination" from the height of theoretical innovation, inherently containing China's history, culture, and national conditions. The "Second Combination" summarizes the methods and pathways of "combination" from the levels of the foundations, nutrients, and cultural identity of Marxism, further deepening the understanding of the relationship between Marxism and excellent traditional Chinese culture. The relationship between the two is a dialectical unity of opposites, representing two aspects of the process of promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and of adhering to and developing Marxism. He Zhonghua argues that while the "First Combination" already logically contains the "Second Combination," in the specific historical context of the present, the "Second Combination" must be specifically highlighted and thematized. This is to adapt to the objective requirements of establishing the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, the continuous deepening and expansion of the Sinicization of Marxism, and the historical transformation of the cultural psyche of the Chinese nation.

3. On the practical paths of the "Two Combinations" Adhering to the "Two Combinations" is both a matter of theoretical self-awareness and historical necessity; how to practice the "Two Combinations" is an important proposition. Xiao Guiqing argues that we must take the strengthening of cultural self-confidence as the correct stance for realizing the "Two Combinations" to build Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength. We must uphold openness and inclusiveness as the basic attitude for persisting in the "Two Combinations," integrating Chinese and Western elements, discarding the dross while selecting the essential, and eliminating the false while retaining the true to promote the localization and Sinicization of foreign cultures. We must uphold the fundamentals and break new ground as the scientific method for promoting the "Two Combinations," focusing on the elements and characteristics of excellent traditional Chinese culture that align with the New Era, and strengthening the excavation and interpretation of excellent traditional Chinese culture. Liu Cang argues that adhering to the "Two Combinations" must take the strategic arrangements for a great modernized power as its practical vehicle, following the logic of Chinese social development in the New Era and the new stage of development. It must take the political guarantees, directions/paths, structural content, fundamental requirements, strategic goals, global concerns, and civilizational forms of Chinese-path modernization as its primary directions of attack. It must take the resolution of specific social problems as its focus and point of exertion, then summarize fresh experiences from successful practice and extract new ideas, concepts, and assertions from those experiences, making them new growth points for the "Two Combinations." Wang Tianmin and Zheng Lili argue that adhering to the "Two Combinations" requires a clear recognition and grasping of the concrete realities of China's development, positioning the "Two Combinations" within the holistic framework of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism using objective and rational methods. We must inherit and develop excellent traditional Chinese culture, identify the correct point of entry for integration, and construct a Marxist theoretical form with Chinese characteristics and national traits. We must unswervingly follow the new path of Chinese-path modernization, solidify the landing point of the integration, and deepen the future direction and practical requirements of the "Two Combinations."

Reviewing the research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era by the academic and theoretical communities in 2023, there is a clear trend toward scientific, holistic, systematic, and theoretical study. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to a problem-oriented approach, emphasizing the advancement of theoretical innovation through answering major theoretical and practical questions, which reflects that this Thought possesses a distinct orientation toward and intense awareness of problems. In the new year, the academic and theoretical communities should continue to broaden their research horizons, grounding themselves in China while facing the world, to provide deep interpretations of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This will demonstrate the scientific nature and truth-value of the Thought and further enhance its international influence.

(Institutional affiliation: Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) Online Editor: Zhang Jian Source: Studies on Contemporary Chinese Marxism, No. 4, 2023