Jin Minqing: The Original Theoretical Contributions of the "Two Combinations" in the New Era
General Secretary Xi Jinping, grounding his stance in the historical coordinates of the New Era, drawing upon the Party’s experience in theoretical innovation, and responding to the requirements of new practical developments and theoretical innovations, has further advanced the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture (the "Two Combinations" [1]). He has creatively answered major questions concerning the development of the cause of the Party and the state, forming a series of original theoretical achievements.
First, by applying Marxist theory regarding historical epochs to analyze the essence and staged characteristics of the contemporary era, he proposed the important thought of "great changes unseen in a century" [2]. Many Western countries continue to experience economic sluggishness, intensifying polarization, and deepening social contradictions, which indicates that the inherent contradiction of capitalism between the socialization of production and the private ownership of the means of production remains, though its forms of expression and characteristics have evolved. As economic globalization continues to deepen, the basic landscape of the world economy is undergoing profound changes: world multipolarity is advancing rapidly, and relations between major world powers are undergoing significant adjustment. Changes in the world, in the times, and in history are unfolding in unprecedented ways, and the great changes unseen in a century are accelerating.
Second, by applying the basic tenets of Marxism to analyze the overall strategic situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he proposed a "New Era" perspective and a "new contradiction" thesis. By scientifically grasping the dialectics of "constancy and change" in the basic national conditions, he formulated strategic deployments for China's development in the New Era, driving historical transformations in the cause of the Party and the state. Through unremitting efforts, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era, and "the principal contradiction facing Chinese society has evolved into one between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life" [3]. The new contradiction and the new national conditions in the New Era have placed many new requirements on the work of the Party and the state. They require the Party to lead the people in focusing on resolving the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development on the basis of continued promotion of development. This involves vigorously improving the quality and efficiency of development, pushing modernization to a higher level, better meeting the people's needs in economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological dimensions, and better achieving well-rounded human development and all-around social progress.
Third, by organically combining the common features of modernization across all countries with the distinct characteristics of Chinese modernization, he has further advanced and expanded Chinese-path modernization, developed a new form of human advancement, and established the theory of Chinese-path modernization. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress provided a comprehensive and systematic exposition of Chinese-path modernization, noting that it is a socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China. Party leadership is its greatest advantage and most essential feature, while socialism is its fundamental institutional attribute. On one hand, Chinese-path modernization possesses the common features and universal requirements of modernization in all countries—such as highly developed productive forces, a solid economic base, and improved standards of living—reflecting the general laws of human social development. On the other hand, Chinese-path modernization is firmly rooted in China's specific realities and possesses distinct Chinese characteristics: it is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development. Chinese-path modernization differs essentially from capitalist modernization in terms of its leadership, nature, objectives, value orientation, and developmental path; it overcomes the defects of capitalist modernization and creates a brand-new model and path for human modernization.
Fourth, by embedding the Marxist worldview and methodology into cultural construction in the New Era, he has proposed fundamental positions, principles, attitudes, and methods for treating fine traditional Chinese culture, raising the CPC's understanding of fine traditional Chinese culture to a new height. This involves using Marxist dialectics to examine traditional Chinese culture. From the perspectives of contemporary Chinese practice and future development, we must better inherit its excellent achievements, carry forward its fine traditions, and put them to use for ourselves, for the present, and for the future, thereby achieving an effective linkage between historical culture, contemporary practice, and future development. It means adhering to the principles of "making the past serve the present" [4], "dialectical selection," and "weeding through the old to bring forth the new." We must treat culture with discernment and inherit it with both sublation and preservation—discarding those outdated, negative ideas carrying the ideology of the exploiting classes, while carrying forward those positive ideas that transcend time and space, possess universal value, and play a promoting role in contemporary development, striving to cultivate and educate people through culture.
Fifth, by incorporating fine traditional Chinese culture into the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, he has unearthed and promoted its essence, allowing it to release powerful vitality in the New Era. The most essential feature of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics is the guidance of Marxism; its most practical foundation is the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and its deepest cultural roots lie in fine traditional Chinese culture. We must promote the "creative transformation and innovative development" [5] of fine traditional culture, making it an organic component of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and a powerful support for strengthening cultural confidence.
Regarding the spiritual pedigree of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has organically combined fine traditional Chinese culture with the CPC’s guiding ideology, political stance, and ideals and beliefs, proposing the Great Founding Spirit of the Party [6]. This spirit is an important manifestation of the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, adding brand-new content to the spiritual world of the Chinese nation.
Regarding the Core Socialist Values, General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that many thoughts, concepts, and moral norms in traditional culture possess timeless value. They have become common values that the masses "use daily without even realizing it" [7], providing important resources for nurturing Core Socialist Values.
Regarding philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that the Chinese nation possesses a profound cultural tradition and has formed a distinctive system of thought, reflecting the knowledge and wisdom accumulated by the Chinese people over thousands of years. Constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics must reflect inheritance and nationality. We must be adept at integrating the resources of Marxism, the resources of fine traditional Chinese culture, and the resources of foreign philosophy and social sciences, persisting in "not forgetting our origins, absorbing external contributions, and facing the future." We must activate the powerful vitality and value appeal of traditional culture in the contemporary era so that, alongside the diverse civilizations created by people of all countries, it provides correct spiritual guidance for humanity.
Sixth, using profound philosophical thinking and a systems perspective, he has scientifically revealed the points of convergence between the basic tenets of Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture. In the process of promoting their integration, he has formed major theoretical creations. General Secretary Xi Jinping has linked the Marxist view that the masses create history with the "people-as-the-basis" [8] (minben) thought in fine traditional Chinese culture, highlighting "the people-centered approach" as a fundamental position and method. He has linked the Marxist ideal of the "true community" with the ideal of "Great Unity" (Datong) [9] for the public good in fine traditional Chinese culture, proposing the thought of a community with a shared future for humanity. He has linked the Marxist dialectical unity of transforming and respecting nature with the thoughts of "harmony between humanity and nature" and "following nature's way" [10] in fine traditional Chinese culture, proposing the thought of an ecological civilization characterized by harmony between humanity and nature. Finally, he has linked the Marxist theory on the advanced nature and purity of the proletarian party with the traditional Chinese thoughts of "seeking the cause within oneself" [11] and "self-reflection and self-exhortation," proposing the theory of self-revolution.