Li Li: Methodological Insights from General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Practice of Research and Investigation in Ningde
Investigation and research is a "familial treasure" [1] of our Party; it is the foundation for planning tasks and the path to achieving success. During his tenure in Ningde, Comrade Xi Jinping conducted in-depth investigation and research, proposing a series of creative strategic ideas, forward-looking institutional theories, and targeted practical perspectives. This opened a brand-new chapter in the People of Eastern Fujian’s declaration of war against poverty, laid a decisive foundation for the economic and social development of Eastern Fujian, and left behind an extremely precious wealth of ideas, theory, and practice. Amidst the Party-wide launch of the theme education program for studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the vigorous promotion of investigation and research, it is of great significance for our current work to revisit the two volumes Xi Jinping in Ningde and Up and Out of Poverty. By drawing wisdom and strength from General Secretary Xi Jinping’s rich practice of investigation and research and profoundly grasping the Marxist methodology contained therein, we can better carry out our own investigative work.
I. Adhering to Starting from Reality in All Aspects, Using Investigation to Open the Way
Starting from reality in all aspects and seeking truth from facts is a basic thread running through all our Party’s theories and its great practice of revolution, construction, and reform; it is a vital conclusion drawn by the Communist Party of China through a profound summary of historical experience. Investigation and research are the essential foundation for starting from reality, and starting from reality is an inevitable requirement for conducting successful investigation and research. During his time in Ningde, Comrade Xi Jinping insisted on starting from reality in all aspects, speaking only after investigating and making decisions only after investigating, thereby establishing the guiding ideology and general framework for the development of Eastern Fujian through seeking truth from facts.
Beginning with investigation; opening the path with research. Without investigation, there is no right to speak. When he first arrived in Ningde, facing the reality of relatively backward economic development and considerable poverty among the masses, Comrade Xi Jinping did not put on the airs of "starting three fires" [2]. Instead of sitting in his office listening to reports, he delved into the local gazetteers and county records of Ningde Prefecture. He began his work by "investigating before speaking," "thinking before acting," and "respecting others before seeking respect." Comrade Xi Jinping led several leading comrades of the Ningde Prefectural Committee to every one of the nine subordinate counties and also visited neighboring areas such as Wenzhou, Cangnan, and Yueqing in Zhejiang Province. He conducted nearly a month of investigation and research, seeking the truth, ideas, and answers at the grassroots level. He summarized three major characteristics, three major weaknesses, and three major advantages of Eastern Fujian, eventually forming the investigation report "How a Weak Bird Can Fly Early: Reflections on the Survey of Nine Counties in Eastern Fujian." He clearly pointed out that "the key to what kind of development path Eastern Fujian takes lies in how the two wheels of agriculture and industry turn," getting his administration off to a good start through scientific decision-making.
Grounding in reality and clarifying development ideas. Comrade Xi Jinping adhered to a scientific outlook on development and a correct conception of political achievements [3]. He cautioned that "one cannot hope to embrace a 'golden baby' [4] all at once" and "should not advance development goals that are difficult to implement in the near term." He insisted that solving the problems of food, clothing, and housing should be the primary thread of work for shaking off poverty, creating the foundation, conditions, and energy for the leapfrog development of the next stage, and encouraging the people of Eastern Fujian to "work with feet on the ground and achieve results." On the basis of deep investigation and a full command of the situation, he emphasized that "the unique geographical location and specific conditions of economic development in impoverished areas dictate that their change can only be a gradual process." In determining the path for Eastern Fujian’s economic development, he stated one must "consider the general arrangements of the Central Committee and the province, the background and premises of the overall situation, and the actual conditions of the region." He noted, "Eastern Fujian relied on agriculture in the past and will remain inseparable from the comprehensive development of agriculture in the future. Developing 'Great Agriculture' [5] is the unswerving direction for Eastern Fujian and the root of the farmers' struggle to shake off poverty and get rich." He explicitly proposed: "The future development of Eastern Fujian requires not only the spirit of arduous struggle but also the search for a path suitable for Eastern Fujian’s economic development. I summarize its guiding ideology as: 'adapting to local conditions, classification-based guidance, acting within one's capabilities, doing one’s utmost, and focusing on efficiency.'" This profoundly answered major theoretical and practical questions in promoting the economic and social development of Eastern Fujian.
II. Adhering to the Mass Line and Conducting Personnel Investigation at the Grassroots
The mass line is our Party’s fundamental work line and a familial treasure that ensures the Party maintains its vitality and combat effectiveness forever. During his time in Ningde, Comrade Xi Jinping insisted on using the mass line as the basic premise for conducting investigation and research and as the fundamental way to understand the people's conditions and master the facts, ensuring that he sought policy, needs, and wisdom from the people.
Plunging down and submerging into the front line. Comrade Xi Jinping insisted on keeping his eyes downward and his steps downward, taking the initiative to conduct investigation and research in places with many difficulties, complex situations, and sharp contradictions. Ningde was once one of the 18 contiguous impoverished areas in China. During his one year and eleven months in Ningde, Comrade Xi Jinping visited 123 out of 124 townships. Of the four extremely poor townships that had no road access at the time, he spent a full day visiting three of them; he was unable to visit the last one only because he was transferred to Fuzhou. For this reason, he specifically told his successor, Comrade Chen Zengguang: "I have left one extremely poor township unvisited; you must go there on my behalf in the future." By going deep into the grassroots to observe the people's conditions, pool their wisdom, and solve their worries, he greatly enhanced the sense of gain and happiness of the people in Eastern Fujian. On July 19, 1989, Comrade Xi Jinping led a team over mountains and across rivers to Xiadang Township in Shouning County. He held an on-site meeting in a crude primary school classroom, deciding to take the lead in solving three urgent problems—road access, water/electricity, and office space—thereby beginning the "Xiadang Practice" of shaking off poverty. This remains a vivid and true portrayal of his work.
Integrating into the daily and performing it regularly. The grassroots is the place General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited most, and the masses hold the greatest weight in his heart. During his time in Ningde, it is unknown how many "pot lids he lifted, table covers he pulled, or bed quilts he turned." He emphasized that cadres must "painstakingly practice the basic skill of maintaining close ties with the masses," making it a conscious action. He encouraged opening and broadening channels for contact with the masses, "advocating that leaders at all levels go to the grassroots with tasks and questions to 'dissect the sparrow' [6]." He summarized and established the "Four Down to the Grassroots" [7] system: petition reception down to the grassroots, on-site office work down to the grassroots, investigation and research down to the grassroots, and propaganda of the Party’s policies down to the grassroots. In his parting words to the leading cadres of Ningde’s prefectural organs, he pointed out: "The 'Four Down to the Grassroots' has already become the trend... In the future, we must continue to persist in this, pay attention to continuously improving it in practice, and explore new avenues and methods for maintaining close ties with the masses." The "Four Down to the Grassroots" is an innovative measure that originated in practice and in turn guides practice; it is an important way to maintain close ties with the masses and enhance feelings for them, and an effective way to make scientific decisions and promote development. Its essence is to take the initiative to learn from the masses and serve them, discovering and solving problems at the front line. This practice is not outdated; it still holds important guiding significance and strong vitality today.
III. Adhering to the Method of Contradiction Analysis to Pinpoint Crucial Problems and Solve Difficulties
The method of contradiction analysis is the fundamental method of materialist dialectics. Its core lies in being good at analyzing the particularity of contradictions and achieving "concrete analysis of concrete conditions." During his time in Ningde, Comrade Xi Jinping insisted on using the method of contradiction analysis to conduct investigation and research, effectively grasping the essence of problems and understanding and solving them from the root.
Correctly handling the relationship between internal and external causes. Everything develops and changes under the dual influence of internal and external causes. The internal cause is the basis of change, while the external cause is the condition for change; the external cause acts through the internal cause. In response to the widespread problems among cadres and the masses—such as being content with poverty, being "comfortably poor," relying on the state ("wait, lean, and ask"), and blaming others—Comrade Xi Jinping pointed out in the postscript of Up and Out of Poverty: "The title of the whole book is 'Shaking Off Poverty' (baiduo pinkun); its significance lies first in shaking off the 'poverty' of consciousness and ideas. Only by first 'shaking off' the poverty in our minds can we enable the region we govern to shake off poverty." In the opening chapter, he emphasized that "though the locality is poor, your concepts cannot be 'poor'." He insisted that "poverty alleviation must first start with the will" and that "the 'poverty consciousness' must be diluted ideologically." He required Party members, cadres, and the masses to "emancipate their minds, renew their concepts, and spread everywhere the dialectics that 'weak birds can fly early, and the extreme poor can become rich first.'" By pinpointing the "poverty root" of Eastern Fujian and prescribing the right "medicine"—first supporting thoughts, concepts, and confidence—he fully stimulated the fighting spirit and endogenous motivation of "weak birds flying early and water dripping through stone" among the Party members, cadres, and masses of Eastern Fujian.
Correctly handling the relationship between the two-point theory and the key-point theory. Comrade Xi Jinping saw both the shortcomings and the advantages of Eastern Fujian's development. He pointed out that open counties in Eastern Fujian should focus on improving the investment environment and developing development zones based on existing urban layouts, while also strengthening the "soft environment," noting that "soft power is the superb art by which the 'weak bird' of an impoverished area crosses the sea." He emphasized that Eastern Fujian mainly relies on agriculture; it is poor because of agriculture, so it can only become rich through agriculture. It is necessary to grasp "Great Agriculture," "sing mountain songs when living in the mountains, and recite sea sutras when living by the sea." At the same time, the driving force for Eastern Fujian’s development lies in industry; the relationship between the speed and benefits of industrial development must be handled correctly, "grasping both simultaneously without neglecting either." Comrade Xi Jinping was also good at grasping the key points and the "ox's nose" [8], producing real and hard-hitting moves to solve problems. Regarding the main contradiction in economic development, he proposed concentrating forces from all sides and giving full play to the mountain-and-sea advantages of Ningde to create an "Economic Grand Chorus." Regarding the main path for shaking off poverty and getting rich, he proposed that mountain and forest resources were a major advantage for Eastern Fujian, stating "the potential for Eastern Fujian’s economic development lies in the mountains, and its prosperity lies in the forests" and "forests are reservoirs, money vaults, and grain stores," and so on. Practice has proven that these ideas and concepts are both far-sighted and law-abiding, deep and unique, and practical and feasible, fully complying with the objective reality and development laws of Eastern Fujian, pointing the way forward for its people.
IV. Adhering to the Method of Systems Analysis, Coordinating All Factors, and Implementing Comprehensive Policies
The systemic concept is an important category of Marxist epistemology and methodology, as well as an important thinking and working method for Chinese Communists. During his time in Ningde, Comrade Xi Jinping adhered to the method of systems analysis, using points of view characterized by universal connection, comprehensive systems, and evolutionary change. He strengthened forward-looking thinking, overall planning, strategic layout, and holistic promotion to achieve maximum effectiveness of investigation and research.
He who does not plan for the overall situation cannot plan for a single area. During his investigation of the nine counties of Eastern Fujian, Comrade Xi Jinping pointed out: "The coastal development strategy is an important part of the national economic development strategy. We must consider the position of Eastern Fujian, which is located in the gap between the two economically active open cities of Fuzhou and Wenzhou." After full investigation and research, he coordinated the overall situation and looked to the long term, using a grand vision to systematically plan and promote Eastern Fujian’s efforts to shake off poverty and accelerate development. Several chapters of Up and Out of Poverty provide a comprehensive discourse on this, proposing that Eastern Fujian should develop a diversified economy while protecting the environment and planting trees. Every county should formulate different development goals based on its own characteristics, and Ningde City should leverage its advantage as the regional seat to lead the mountainous areas with the coast and build a regional economic development center. This included both the general concept for Eastern Fujian’s economic development and specific requirements for promoting the She ethnic minority [9] economy, forestry economy, Great Agriculture, and rural collective economy, offering new perspectives for the "weak bird" to fly early, fast, and high. This successfully guided the great practice of shaking off poverty and implementing the coastal development strategy in Eastern Fujian.
One must strike a balance when dealing with matters of weight. Comrade Xi Jinping scientifically grasped the mutual and internal connections between various links, levels, and fields, comprehensively promoting the coordinated economic and social development of Eastern Fujian. He comprehensively considered the unfavorable and favorable factors facing Eastern Fujian’s economic development and emphasized the correct handling of the "Six Relationships": long-term goals vs. near-term planning; economic growth speed vs. economic benefits; resource development vs. industrial structure adjustment; the regional layout of productive forces between mountainous and coastal areas; reform and opening up vs. poverty alleviation; and science/education vs. economic development. He systematically analyzed many contradictions in the operation of Ningde’s fiscal economy, emphasizing the correct handling of the "Four Relationships": the whole vs. the part; contraction vs. development; increasing fiscal revenue vs. revitalizing enterprises; and doing more things vs. acting within one's means. He seriously explored the path for building spiritual civilization [10] in Eastern Fujian, emphasizing that "the construction of spiritual civilization is one of the major components of the strategy for shaking off poverty and getting rich," and that the relationship between "destruction" and "construction" must be handled correctly. He deeply studied the management of education in Eastern Fujian, emphasizing that "the problem of education is absolutely not allowed to 'wait a bit,'" and that the relationship between quantity and quality must be handled correctly, achieving the "two combinations" of quantitative development with structural adjustment, and popularization with improvement, and so on. All of these embody dialectical thinking and fully demonstrate the scientific application of the method of systems analysis.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized: "Investigation and research is not only a work method but also a major issue concerning the success or failure of the cause of the Party and the people." In the New Era and on the new journey, facing the major tests of high winds, swift waves, or even terrifying stormy seas, we must adhere to and apply Marxist methodology, safeguard and use the familial treasure of investigation and research, nurture new opportunities in crises, and open new situations amidst changes, ensuring that the giant ship of the Chinese nation’s rejuvenation braves the wind and waves and sails far.