Yang Weijun and Xu Liping: Deeply Understanding the Three Dimensions of the "Two Combinations"
The century-long history of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) struggle is a history of persistent adherence to the "Two Combinations," and a history of continuously advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. In his important speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the "Two Combinations" are the "path that must be taken" and the "greatest magic weapon" for socialism with Chinese characteristics; the "Two Combinations" have consolidated cultural subjectivity; and the "Two Combinations" represent another round of ideological liberation. By adhering to the "Two Combinations," the CPC has successfully opened and expanded a new path of Chinese-path modernization and created a new form of human advancement.
Keywords: Communist Party of China; the "Two Combinations"; Marxism
In his speech at the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping, standing at the height of the overall historical and contemporary situation, first proposed the major theoretical assertion of "persisting in combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with China’s fine traditional culture." [1] In the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping provided a new interpretation of the "Two Combinations," clearly pointing out the need to "integrate the essence of Marxist thought with the cream of fine traditional Chinese culture and with the common values that the people apply in their daily lives without even realizing it." [2] In his important speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the "Two Combinations" are the path that must be taken and the greatest magic weapon for socialism with Chinese characteristics; the "Two Combinations" have consolidated cultural subjectivity; and the "Two Combinations" are another ideological liberation. [3] These important expositions provide a guide for action for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation, and are of extremely significant importance.
I. Why the "Two Combinations"?
(1) The "Two Combinations" are necessary for advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism
The "Two Combinations" constitute the fundamental principle for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and the fundamental path for Marxism to maintain its eternal vigor and vitality in China. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress: "Chinese Communists have come to realize that only by combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional culture and only by applying dialectical materialism and historical materialism can we provide correct answers to the major questions presented by the times and practice, and discover the truth, and ensure that Marxism retains its vigor and vitality." [4] Marxism possesses scientific rigor and can correctly recognize the laws of change and development in nature and human society. Only by adhering to the guidance of Marxism can our Party find the correct direction to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The achievements of the Party's century-long history demonstrate that "why the CPC is capable and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good is, in the final analysis, because Marxism works, and Sinicized and modernized Marxism works." [5]
The Sinicization and modernization of Marxism are necessitated by the need to solve practical problems. As the report to the 20th CPC National Congress pointed out, the "Two Combinations" must "focus on solving the practical problems of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization in the New Era, and continue to provide correct answers to the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times that are consistent with Chinese reality and the requirements of the times." [6] The evolution from the "First Combination" to the "Two Combinations" is closely linked to the practical development of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. It reflects the prominent characteristic of the "Two Combinations" in unifying the development of the times with practical requirements. Adhering to a scientific and dialectical attitude toward Chinese culture, promoting the modern development of fine traditional Chinese culture, and constructing a Marxist theoretical system with Chinese characteristics is the best entry point for promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism in the New Era.
(2) The "Two Combinations" are necessary for promoting new breakthroughs and progress in Chinese-path modernization
From the perspective of the history of Chinese-path modernization, the "Two Combinations" are the key to advancing modernization and the methodological basis for comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. The 20th CPC National Congress clearly summarized the five major characteristics of Chinese-path modernization: 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. The proposal of the "Two Combinations" not only indicates that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has ushered in a bright prospect but also proves through practice that the path of Chinese-path modernization is the correct path for national rejuvenation and building a strong country. General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development provides us with a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and civilization, further advancing the "Two Combinations" and allowing the path of Chinese-path modernization to become broader through this integration.
II. The Possibility of the "Two Combinations"
The Communist Party of China is the subject that promotes the "Two Combinations." Possessing the scientific theoretical guidance of Marxism is the theoretical advantage of Chinese Communists; it is the soul and banner of the CPC because the CPC is a firm believer in and theoretical inheritor of Marxism. During the process of Chinese Communists exploring the "Two Combinations," erroneous trends of thought such as dogmatism and empiricism, as well as historical nihilism [1] and cultural conservatism, have appeared. These erroneous trends obstructed the "Two Combinations," yet Communists have always maintained a clear head, stood firm in their political position, and persisted in carrying forward the spirit of struggle—daring to struggle and being good at struggle—to clear the obstacles for the "Two Combinations." Chinese Communists possess a high degree of theoretical consciousness and always continue to strengthen the Party's leadership, providing the fundamental political guarantee for the "Two Combinations."
Mutual compatibility is the prerequisite. If Marxism is the "soul-vein" (hunmai) of the "Two Combinations," then the profound fine traditional Chinese culture is the "root-vein" (genmai). There is a compatibility between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture in terms of values and political ideals, and this compatibility is exactly the foundation and prerequisite for the two to be combined. Although Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture have different origins, the concepts contained in fine traditional Chinese culture—such as pursuing the common good for all (tianxia wei gong), regarding the people as the foundation of the state (min wei bang ben), governing by virtue (wei zheng yi de), weeding out the old to bring forth the new (ge gu ding xin), appointing the virtuous and capable (ren ren xian neng), harmony between heaven and humanity (tian ren he yi), tireless self-improvement (zi qiang bu xi), and maintaining friendship with neighbors (qin ren shan lin)—are highly compatible with the values and propositions of scientific socialism. Only with mutual compatibility can there be an organic combination.
It must be deeply recognized that the result of this "combination" is mutual achievement. The "combination" is not a "platter" (a mere collection of parts), nor is it a simple physical reaction; rather, it is a profound chemical reaction that creates a new, organically unified cultural lifeform. It makes Marxism Chinese and fine traditional Chinese culture modern, allowing the new culture formed through this "combination" to become the cultural form of Chinese-path modernization. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the crystallization of the wisdom of Chinese civilization. The combination of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture not only extends the cultural horizon of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism but also enriches its cultural connotation.
Creative transformation and innovative development are the basic methods. General Secretary Xi Jinping further pointed out at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development that the "Second Combination" is another ideological liberation, allowing us to fully utilize the precious resources of fine traditional Chinese culture within a broader cultural space and explore theoretical and institutional innovations oriented toward the future. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on how to treat fine traditional Chinese culture emphasize that only through skillful inheritance can there be better innovation, and only by not forgetting the "original source" (benlai) can the future be opened. They emphasize adaptation to contemporary society and coordination with modern civilization, specifically highlighting "creative transformation and innovative development." These expositions profoundly clarify the dialectical relationship between cultural inheritance and cultural development, fully reflecting the principles of "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" and "consolidating the foundation while opening the new" in the building of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics.
The transition from "studying the ancients and seeking truth from facts" [2] to the Party's ideological line of "seeking truth from facts"; from "the people are the foundation of the state, and when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace" to the people-centered development philosophy; and from "harmony among all nations" and "Great Unity under Heaven" (tianxia datong) to the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity—these represent inheritance, and more importantly, creative transformation and innovative development. The combination of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture is the path that must be taken and the greatest magic weapon for socialism with Chinese characteristics. It gives Marxism more Chinese characteristics, a Chinese style, and a Chinese flavor [3], and it endows Chinese culture with new contemporary features, spirit, and connotations. This profoundly demonstrates that the fruit of the "combination" is mutual achievement and two-way empowerment. It fully embodies the interpenetration and internal unity of "fine traditional Chinese culture is the 'root' of the Party's innovative theories" and "using the power of Marxist truth to activate Chinese civilization."
III. The Major Significance of the "Two Combinations"
In his important speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the "Two Combinations" are a realization of the laws [of development] we have reached in exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and they are our greatest magic weapon for achieving success. [7] By adhering to the "Two Combinations," the Party has led the people in creating and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, forging a new path of Chinese-path modernization, and creating a new form of human advancement.
(1) Creating and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics
The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a socialist road with Chinese characteristics forged under the guidance of Marxism. Looking back at the century-long struggle of the CPC, Chinese Communists have combined the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional culture, focusing on solving practical problems in revolution, construction, and reform. Our Party possesses a high degree of theoretical consciousness, localizing Marxism in China, gradually forming Sinicized and modernized Marxism, and pushing socialism with Chinese characteristics forward in the right direction. Without the combination of Marx and China's specific realities, there would be no socialism with Chinese characteristics. Deng Xiaoping Theory scientifically answered a series of basic questions about building socialism with Chinese characteristics, providing a guide for action and a practical following for its better development.
The "Three Represents" [4] creatively answered the questions of what kind of Party to build and how to build it, providing a reliable political guarantee for promoting the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Scientific Outlook on Development deeply recognized and answered major questions such as what kind of development to achieve and how to develop under new circumstances. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era scientifically answers major contemporary questions such as what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to adhere to and develop in the New Era and how to do so. It is an important achievement of the CPC's theoretical innovation in building socialism with Chinese characteristics and is the contemporary fruit of the CPC's promotion of the "Two Combinations." The "Two Combinations" are the path that must be taken to open and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics. By adhering to the "Two Combinations" and allowing Marxism to blossom and bear fruit on Chinese soil, the CPC can better advance socialism with Chinese characteristics.
(2) Opening and expanding a new path of Chinese-path modernization
Achieving modernization is a goal pursued by all countries in the world. After the Opium War, China gradually fell into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. From then on, to realize the dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the Chinese people began to explore paths to save the nation from extinction. All classes of Chinese society sought paths to achieve national rejuvenation, but history has proven that these attempts failed to find the correct path for China's modernization. Since its founding, the CPC has united and led the people through long-term practice and arduous exploration, combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional culture, and has explored a path of Chinese-path modernization. As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters the New Era, Chinese-path modernization has become tangible, feasible, and more scientific.
The "Two Combinations" represent a great innovation of Marxism based on China's reality and the changes of the times, requiring continuous development and practice along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new journey, we will face even greater tests. Currently, the world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, and we are faced with unprecedented risks and challenges. Our Party should always adhere to using the basic tenets of Marxism to analyze and solve problems, consciously combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional culture. This will allow Marxism to exhibit more of a Chinese style and Chinese characteristics, promoting the steady and long-term progress of Chinese-path modernization.
(3) Creating a new form of human advancement
The new form of human advancement was not created out of thin air. In his speech at the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping...
In his important speech at the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, [5] General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the original contribution made by the new form of human civilization to the patterns of civilization. The creation of this new form of human civilization is the result of the Communist Party of China's persistence in taking Marxism as its guidance, and its persistence in integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby continuously advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture depicts a beautiful prospect for this new form of human civilization. At the Meeting on Cultural Inheritance and Development, Xi Jinping emphasized that continuing to promote cultural prosperity, building a leading country in culture, and building a modern Chinese civilization from a new starting point is our new cultural mission in the New Era. [6] This important discourse pointed out the direction for the development of fine traditional Chinese culture, promoting its innovative development and adding rich cultural connotations to the new form of human civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping further pointed out: "The best way to inherit history is to create new history; the greatest tribute to human civilization is to create a new form of human civilization." [7] Chinese-path modernization endows Chinese civilization with the connotations of the times, while Chinese civilization endows Chinese-path modernization with cultural depth. Chinese-path modernization is deeply rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture, embodies the essence of scientific socialism, and absorbs all the outstanding achievements of human civilization. It presents a brand-new landscape on the world stage that differs from Western modernization. The essence of Chinese-path modernization is being people-centered, which is fundamentally different from the "logic of capital" found in Western modernization. Chinese-path modernization creates a new form of human civilization. This new form of human civilization achieves a transcendence of Western capitalist civilization; it is rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture, draws upon and absorbs all fine achievements of human civilization, and represents the direction of progress and development for humanity.
[Project Fund: This article is a staged achievement of the Major Project of Basic Research in Philosophy and Social Sciences of Henan Province, "Philosophical Research on Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization" (2023-JCZD-03); and the Special Research Project for Ideological and Political Theory Courses in Universities under the Henan Provincial Philosophy and Social Science Planning (2022ZSZ023).]
(Author Biographies: Yang Weijun is a Level-3 Professor at the School of Marxism, Henan University of Technology; Xu Liping is a master's student at the School of Marxism, Henan University of Technology.)
References: [5] Speech at the Ceremony Marking the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China, People's Publishing House, 2021 edition, p. 13. [6] Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects—Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, People's Publishing House, 2022 edition, p. 15. [7] Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Meeting on Cultural Inheritance and Development," Xinhua Net, June 2, 2023. [8] Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects—Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, People's Publishing House, 2022 edition, pp. 14–15. [9] Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects—Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, People's Publishing House, 2022 edition, p. 14. [10] Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects—Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, People's Publishing House, 2022 edition, p. 15. [11] Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Meeting on Cultural Inheritance and Development," Xinhua Net, June 2, 2023. [12] Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Meeting on Cultural Inheritance and Development," Xinhua Net, June 2, 2023. [13] Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Meeting on Cultural Inheritance and Development," Xinhua Net, June 2, 2023.
Source: China Theory Online (shuliun.cn) Web Editor: Hui Hui