He Husheng: Theoretical Implications, Practical Approaches, and Developmental Goals of Comprehensively Deepening Reform
Since the beginning of the New Era, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has maintained the correct direction, managed major affairs, and planned the overall situation. They have profoundly summarized the historical achievements and fresh experiences of our country's reform, pushing the comprehensive deepening of reform toward greater breadth and depth. They have responded to major theoretical and practical questions, such as why reform must be comprehensively deepened in the New Era, what should be reformed, and how to advance it. This process has formed a series of new ideas, viewpoints, and judgments regarding comprehensively deepening reform, deepening the CPC’s understanding of the laws governing socialist reform and manifesting the theoretical character of Marxism in advancing with the times. The "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese-path Modernization" (hereinafter referred to as the Decision), adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, proposed "deeply studying and implementing the series of new ideas, viewpoints, and judgments of General Secretary Xi Jinping on comprehensively deepening reform." It distilled from these the guiding ideology, overall goals, and principles for further comprehensively deepening reform, clarifying the basic guidelines to be followed. Entering the critical period of comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization, we must profoundly grasp the theoretical implications, practical paths, and developmental aims of comprehensively deepening reform. We must continuously enhance our political, ideological, and active consciousness in implementation, transforming the strategic deployments for further comprehensively deepening reform into a powerful force for advancing Chinese-path modernization.
I. The Theoretical Implications of Comprehensively Deepening Reform
The series of new ideas, viewpoints, and judgments by General Secretary Xi Jinping regarding comprehensively deepening reform have pushed the theory of Chinese-style socialist reform to new heights; they constitute a magnificent chapter in the theoretical innovations of comprehensively deepening reform in the New Era. Within this framework, upholding the Party's overall leadership serves as the fundamental guarantee for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization, constituting the "Core Theory of Reform." Adhering to the overall goal of further comprehensively deepening reform as the yardstick constitutes the "Standard Theory of Reform." Adhering to the power-generation mechanism of Chinese-path modernization and the power-transmission mechanism of comprehensively deepening reform constitutes the "Dynamics Theory of Reform."
(1) Defining the core of leadership to provide a fundamental political guarantee for comprehensively deepening reform
Upholding the Party's overall leadership is the fundamental guarantee for doing all work of the Party and the state well. It is a precious experience in the successful advancement of our country's reform and opening up, as well as the political theme running through the comprehensive deepening of reform in the New Era. The Decision systematically expounds on the six principles that must be upheld in further comprehensively deepening reform, the foremost and commanding of which is upholding the Party's overall leadership. It emphasizes "integrating the Party's leadership into all aspects and the whole process of reform to ensure that reform always proceeds along the correct political direction." As the supreme political leadership force in our country, the CPC is the pioneering subject, the source of authority, and the active hub for further comprehensively deepening reform. It consistently bears the core functions of setting the reform agenda, leading and coordinating all parties, and implementing decisions.
Upholding the Party's overall leadership provides scientific theoretical guidance for further comprehensively deepening reform. Xi Jinping noted: "Marxism is an open theoretical system that develops continuously alongside the times, practice, and science. It has not ended truth, but has opened up a path toward truth." Reform began with the Party’s theoretical awakening and the liberation of the mind; the comprehensive deepening of reform in the New Era cannot be separated from using the Party’s innovative theories to observe, grasp, and lead the times. The series of new ideas, viewpoints, and judgments by General Secretary Xi Jinping regarding comprehensively deepening reform profoundly manifest our Party's theoretical confidence and pursuit of truth, concentratedly reflecting our Party's deepening grasp of the laws of socialist reform. Their theoretical construction is rooted in the basic positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism regarding reform and development; it draws on the philosophical essence of "discarding the old to establish the new" [1] and of reform and openness found in fine traditional Chinese culture. This represents another leap forward for the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, serving as an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and expanding a brand-new theoretical schema for further comprehensively deepening reform.
Upholding the Party's overall leadership injects a conscious historical initiative into further comprehensively deepening reform. Xi Jinping emphasized: "History only favors those who are firm, those who forge ahead, and those who struggle; it does not wait for the hesitant, the slack, or those who fear difficulties." The spirit of historical initiative is a distinctive character of the CPC, manifested as respecting the laws of historical evolution, following the general trend of the times, and seizing major historical opportunities. For over 40 years, with a strong sense of potential hardship and risk, the CPC initiated the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, enabling China to thoroughly escape the danger of being "expelled from the global stage" [2]. With a high degree of mission-consciousness and responsibility to the era, the Party called for carrying the reform through to the end, creating a whole new situation for our country's reform and opening up. With deep insight into the times and innovative courage, the Party has closely focused on advancing Chinese-path modernization to further comprehensively deepen reform and continuously push reform and opening up to greater depths. History and practice eloquently prove that only a political party that masters historical initiative can possess historical confidence and responsibility, can "nurture opportunities in crisis and open new horizons in a changing landscape" [3], and can accumulate the momentum for victory from existing advantages, thereby injecting strong certainty into profound and great social transformations.
Upholding the Party's overall leadership provides a solid organizational guarantee for further comprehensively deepening reform. Xi Jinping pointed out: "No other country or political party can promote such a wide-ranging, large-scale, and intensive reform in such a short period of time. This is a vivid feature and a significant advantage of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics." The CPC is the initiator, leader, and promoter of our country's socialist reform. The system of Party leadership is the fundamental leadership system of our country; the Party’s leadership concerns the fundamental nature, the path and direction, and the future destiny of the reform. Further comprehensively deepening reform involves consolidating consensus and synergy for reform, breaking through institutional and mechanistic obstacles, reconstructing the mechanisms of interest reproduction, and handling clusters of contradictions and problems. Its complexity, sensitivity, and difficulty are no less than those of the early period of reform and opening up. Only by relying on a more mature and finalized system of Party leadership, a highly rigorous organizational system, iron discipline, and the organizational principle of democratic centralism—and by giving full play to the Party’s leadership, mobilization, organizational, and executive capacities—can we continuously overcome the risks, challenges, and obstacles on the road ahead.
(2) Charting the scale of reform and unswervingly following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics
The goal is the direction; the goal is the driving force. Improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and providing a set of more complete, stable, and effective institutional systems for the development of the cause of the Party and the state, is precisely the objective requirement for the "second half" of the reform. Scientifically calibrating the structural coordinates and functional modes of comprehensively deepening reform within the overall cause of the Party and the state—while systematically answering what the purpose of advancing reforms in various fields is and what overall effects should be achieved—allows for a better grasp of the strategic focus, priorities, and main directions of further comprehensively deepening reform. This is where the political firmness and strategic clarity of the Chinese Communists lie.
Further comprehensively deepening reform has a direction, a stance, and principles. The overall goal of further comprehensively deepening reform constitutes the normative expression of the "Standard Theory of Reform." Xi Jinping pointed out: "What to change and how to change it must take the overall goal of whether it conforms to improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity as the fundamental yardstick." Viewed from a long-term historical perspective, reform will inevitably encounter structural resistance from institutional evolution and multiple tensions from the reconstruction of interests. However, precisely because the direction is correct and the management is appropriate, the feedback mechanisms and error-correction systems can be activated to continuously achieve historical successes. The political principles and bottom lines of reform are consistent throughout, fundamentally determined by the Party's nature, purpose, ideals, beliefs, and goals. From the comprehensive deepening of reform to further comprehensively deepening reform, "it is not to cater to the applause and cheers of certain people, and even less can we take Western theories and viewpoints and force them upon ourselves." Reform agendas such as top-level design, goal anchoring, content allocation, path selection, and practical implementation must all revolve around the overall goal of further comprehensively deepening reform.
Further comprehensively deepening reform must avoid taking the old path of being closed and stagnant, adhering to the principle that what should and can be changed must be resolutely changed. Xi Jinping pointed out: "The purpose of promoting reform is to continuously promote the self-improvement and development of our country's socialist system, and to endow socialism with new vigor and vitality." On one hand, our country's socialist reform is a great undertaking without precedent. Our country's fundamental system has been continuously fortified during reform and opening up; our basic systems have been continuously improved; and our important systems have been continuously innovated. Without the political courage to "enter deep waters, gnaw on hard bones, and navigate dangerous shoals" [4], there would be no more mature or finalized national system. On the other hand, reform cannot be accomplished in one stroke, nor can it be done once and for all. As reform moves toward greater depth, the cumulative effect of diachronic contradictions and the superimposed effect of synchronic challenges become more obvious. The institutional inertia of the developmental field, the practical tension of emerging governance needs, and the theoretical boundaries of institutional innovation become more complex. Consequently, there is an even greater need to use reform thinking and methods to solve new situations and problems arising in reform, so as to ensure society remains full of vigor, vitality, and greater fairness and justice.
Further comprehensively deepening reform must also avoid taking the evil path of "changing flags and banners" [5], adhering to the principle that what should not and cannot be changed must resolutely not be changed. Xi Jinping pointed out: "On the question of direction, our heads must be very clear." What flag to raise and what path to take in reform is a fundamental question; no subversive mistakes can be allowed on such issues. Reform that negates the socialist direction is a dead end. The unique institutional advantages and burgeoning institutional vitality of socialism with Chinese characteristics provide the rational basis for institutional confidence; they are the source of our confidence and drive for further comprehensively deepening reform. "Upholding the Party's overall leadership, upholding Marxism, upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics, and upholding the people's democratic dictatorship, with the promotion of social fairness and justice and the enhancement of the people's well-being as the starting point and end point—these are the things that govern the fundamentals, the direction, and the long term." They constitute important experiences gained by the Party and the people at a great cost. We must always maintain the strong resolve not to change our way or our will, and we must not waver in the slightest at any time or under any circumstances.
(3) Releasing reform momentum to provide inexhaustible power for advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization
Chinese-path modernization has been continuously advanced during socialist reform, and it will surely open up broad prospects through socialist reform. Further comprehensively deepening reform focuses on stimulating the endogenous driving force and innovative vitality of the whole society, intervening in and shaping the movement of basic social contradictions, and sketching more clear and distinct strategic goals and visions for Chinese-path modernization across different fields and stages. It theoretically answers the question of what constitutes the fundamental driving force of Chinese-path modernization.
Reform is a never-ending process, the inevitable result of adapting to the movement of basic social contradictions. Xi Jinping pointed out that "reform is the key to liberating and developing social productive forces," and "since basic social contradictions are always developing, the adjustment of the relations of production and the improvement of the superstructure need to be carried out accordingly and continuously." Historical materialism holds that human society moves forward through the continuous resolution of contradictions, and the evolution and replacement of social forms are determined by the movement of basic social contradictions and their laws. The world is a complex of processes; the process of reform is a logical progression of responding to changes and solving problems, a practical necessity for promoting social progress and development. One of the superiorities of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics lies in the ability to actively, comprehensively, and orderly promote grand and complex reform projects. Specifically, the self-improvement and self-development of our country's socialist system are situated in the process of dynamic adjustment between the relations of production and productive forces, the superstructure and the economic base, and national governance and social development, promoting their better mutual adaptation. This profoundly reveals the theoretical meaning and philosophical basis for why reform must be "comprehensive."
Reform is the defining color of contemporary China and the "key move" [6] for successfully advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Reform and opening up is the source of vitality for contemporary China’s development and progress; it is the important 'magic weapon' for our Party and people to catch up with the times in large strides, and the only path for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics." Looking back at history, reform has released the vigor and vitality of the socialist system, greatly changing the face of China, the Chinese nation, the Chinese people, and the CPC. Examining the present, the comprehensive deepening of reform in the New Era is one of the most magnificent chapters in the historical process of our country's reform and opening up, providing strong power and solid institutional guarantees for finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and moving toward the Second Centenary Goal. Looking to the future, creating a new situation for building a great modern socialist country still requires further comprehensively deepening reform.
Further comprehensively deepening reform is the fundamental driving force for advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization; it is an important handle for stabilizing the overall situation, responding to changes, and opening up new frontiers. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Using Chinese-path modernization to comprehensively advance the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation is the central task of the Party and the state on the new journey in the New Era; it is the greatest politics of the New Era." Further comprehensively deepening reform is both the historical necessity and the summation of experience for advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization, as well as its internal requirement and powerful guarantee. On one hand, further comprehensively deepening reform leads the construction of a new development pattern with the new development philosophy, forming relations of production that are better adapted to new quality productive forces, and giving full play to their strong momentum and support for high-quality development. On the other hand, further comprehensively deepening reform will dissolve risks by clearing obstacles and removing malpractices, and crack difficult problems by weeding out the old to let the new flourish [7], thereby eliminating all outmoded institutional and mechanistic constraints to effectively advance and expand Chinese-path modernization.
II. The Practical Approach to Comprehensively Deepening Reform
General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward a series of new ideas, new viewpoints, and new judgments regarding comprehensively deepening reform. With their rich connotations, rigorous logic, scientific methods, and unique value, these have made significant original contributions to persisting in and applying the basic Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods concerning reform and development. Furthermore, based on a systematic summation of the historical achievements and practical experience of comprehensively deepening reform in our country’s New Era, they have continued to undergo iterative innovation, providing scientific guidance and a blueprint for action for further comprehensively deepening reform.
(1) Constantly liberating the mind and advancing theoretical, practical, and institutional innovation
Xi Jinping pointed out: "Without liberating the mind, it would have been impossible for our Party to continuously advance theoretical and practical innovation in practice, effectively defuse various risks and challenges on the road ahead, continuously push forward reform and opening up, and always stand at the forefront of the times." The constant liberation of the mind marks the innovative dimension of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of new ideas, viewpoints, and judgments on comprehensively deepening reform; it contains the inevitable logic of grasping historical initiative and remaining committed to building a strong country.
This is a requirement for continuously promoting Marxism to take root in the land of China, respond to the questions of the times, and radiate new and vigorous vitality. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts, and advancing with the times are the living soul of Marxism." Carrying out theoretical innovation in combination with concrete realities is the key to stimulating the vitality of theory. To promote the "Two Combinations" [8] and ensure that reform responds to the calls of the times and the needs of the people, we must forge theoretical weapons and hold high the ideological banner. In the process of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, the fundamental system of the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field has been formally established and continuously consolidated. Theoretical innovation achievements, represented by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, have been continuously developed and perfected. Our Party's understanding of the laws of governance by a communist party, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society has continuously deepened. Moving from "crossing the river by feeling the stones" [9] to summarizing and applying the laws of socialist reform, and continuously deepening the understanding of the importance of institutional building—all of these have solidified the practical accumulation of the basic Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods regarding reform and development, injecting the great spirit and rich wisdom of the Chinese nation into Marxism at a deeper level.
This is a requirement for exploring the development path of new quality productive forces and promoting high-quality development to continuously meet the people’s needs for a better life. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Liberating the mind is the prerequisite; it is the master switch for liberating and developing social productive forces and for liberating and strengthening social vitality." Once great ideas are generated, they will in turn drive the progress of the times. This reveals the logical chain of using the power of thought to inspire the power of endeavor. Faced with the realistic requirements of achieving common prosperity for all people and meeting the people’s new expectations and longings for a better life, our most fundamental and urgent task remains further liberating and developing social productive forces through the liberation of the mind. In the process of better meeting the people's needs for a better life through comprehensively deepening reform and achieving high-quality development in the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the people to explore a correct path of stimulating vitality through innovation and promoting development through reform. New relations of production—characterized by broader channels and smoother paths for transforming psychological and technological innovation achievements into new quality productive forces—have been constructed and continue to burst with vitality. A modern industrial system, led by the deep coupling of technological innovation and industrial innovation, has taken shape and been transformed into tangible productive forces, becoming a new way to enhance the people's sense of gain.
This is a requirement for the Communist Party of China to lead a great social revolution through a great self-revolution, shaping the image of a large party that is courageous in innovation and daring in taking responsibility. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Upholding the Party’s leadership and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party are the keys and the fundamental basis for the success of reform and opening up." In the historical process of the CPC uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups to achieve great victories in revolution, construction, and reform, the fine tradition of liberating the mind has been continuously carried forward, and the distinct characteristics of an innovative political party forged on the basis of the spirit of self-revolution have become increasingly prominent. In the deeply conducted practice of socialist reform, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the way in achieving historical and groundbreaking achievements in comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. This has promoted the continuous development of theoretical, practical, and institutional innovation, enabling the Party to win the sincere support of the people and continuously consolidating the authority of the leadership core. Our Party has undergone a revolutionary forging, its appearance has been completely renewed, and it will continue to play its role as a "stabilizing pillar" (定海神针) [10] in the process of further comprehensively deepening reform.
(2) Grasping the main line of reform and advancing the modernization of the state governance system and governance capacity
Xi Jinping pointed out: "To further comprehensively deepen reform, we must anchor ourselves to the overall goal of improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the state governance system and governance capacity." To connect the internal logic of comprehensively deepening reform—taking the modernization of the state governance system and governance capacity as the overall goal—from "paper" to "ground," it is necessary to focus on opening up a practical path that takes institutional building as the main line and effectively transforms institutional advantages in all aspects and various fields into governance efficacy.
General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of new ideas, viewpoints, and judgments on comprehensively deepening reform have led to major theoretical and practical achievements in the modernization of our country's state governance system and governance capacity in the New Era. Xi Jinping pointed out: "The purpose of systematically summarizing the development achievements and significant advantages of our country’s state system and state governance system is to push the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to strengthen their confidence in the system, so that the multiple significant advantages of our country’s state system and state governance system can be more fully exerted." Since the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee mapped out the blueprint for comprehensively deepening reform, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has anchored the overall goal of reform. The understanding of the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization has further deepened; a theoretical system of Chinese-path modernization with rich connotations, distinct features, clear paths, and profound significance has begun to be constructed. The dialectical relationship between the state governance system and governance capacity has been deeply explored, and a mechanism for their mutual promotion has been established. The understanding of the key role of institutions in governing the fundamentals, the overall situation, and the long term has been raised to a new height, with institutional building placed in a more prominent position. The understanding and grasp of the fundamental principle of upholding the Party’s leadership have been further strengthened, and the institutional system through which the Party exercises overall leadership and coordinates all efforts has become increasingly perfected.
Comprehensively deepening reform, with modernization as a major orientation for state governance, has propelled our country's comprehensive strength to achieve a historical and holistic leap, writing a new chapter for the "two miracles" of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. Xi Jinping pointed out that the series of reform achievements since the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee "have created a new situation in which reform and opening up drive various undertakings of the Party and the state to achieve historical achievements and undergo historical changes." This new situation is centrally reflected in the world-renowned achievements in advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization. Chinese-path modernization is a modernization characterized by the deep coupling of the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan"—material, political, spiritual-cultural, social, and ecological civilizations. Correspondingly, the construction of a modern state governance system and the improvement of modern governance capacity involve the systematic integration of various reform measures and achievements in the economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological fields. In economic construction, high-quality development led by new quality productive forces and driven by innovation has yielded significant results. In political construction, a socialist institutional system that is systematic, complete, scientific, standardized, and effective in operation has been established and is continuously being improved. In cultural construction, the great spirit of reform and opening up has condensed the most distinct spiritual identity of the contemporary Chinese people, aiding in the construction of a strong socialist cultural power. In social construction, taking the improvement of the social governance system as a handle, a new pattern of grassroots social governance has been opened. In the construction of ecological civilization, this is regarded as a fundamental plan concerning the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, powerfully promoting the construction of a Beautiful China.
Comprehensively deepening reform with institutional building as the main line has advanced the modernization of the state governance system and governance capacity, achieving a better transformation of the institutional advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics into state governance efficacy. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Reform and opening up in the New Era have many new connotations and characteristics, an important point of which is that institutional building carries more weight." Since the start of the New Era, advancing the modernization of the state governance system and governance capacity through comprehensively deepening reform has anchored the institutional core and steadily promoted institutional building, achieving a series of major results. First, the scientific understanding of institutional building as the focus, breakthrough point, and key point of reform has become deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Confidence in the system and awareness of the system have grown increasingly firm and enhanced on the journey of reform. The Decision [11] summarizes "upholding institutional building as the main line" as one of the major principles that must be implemented in further comprehensively deepening reform, marking a further advancement in our Party's awareness, understanding, and grasp of the importance of institutional building. Second, various institutions of socialism with Chinese characteristics have become more complete, mature, and finalized. "The process of institutions becoming more mature and finalized is a dynamic one." Entering the New Era, the Party and the state have focused on institutional building in their planning, unswervingly consolidating fundamental systems, upholding and improving basic systems, and on this basis, promoting the evolution of important systems with the times; a scientific institutional system has already been formed. Third, valuable experience has been accumulated in the practice of institutional building, providing a reliable theoretical reference for properly handling major relationships—such as between change and constancy, upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, and top-level design and practical exploration—in the process of further comprehensively deepening reform.
(3) Persevering in expanding opening up and coordinately promoting deep-level reform and high-standard opening up
Xi Jinping pointed out: "Promote deeper-level reform and implement higher-standard opening up to provide powerful momentum for constructing a new development pattern." On the new journey in the New Era, our Party has continuously moved from victory to new victory in coordinately promoting deep-level reform and high-standard opening up, adding luster to the realization of reform and opening up on a larger scale, in wider fields, and at deeper levels.
Implementing more proactive opening up with a broad global vision has created a new pattern of high-standard opening up. "Maintaining a global perspective" [12], emphasized in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, is a high-level summary and vivid presentation of the positions, viewpoints, and methods that permeate our country's opening-up policy. On one hand, theoretical innovation achievements regarding opening up have been sublimated into Party and state policies, serving the advancement of high-standard opening up with higher standards and greater intensity from a strategic and global height. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee fully affirmed the great significance of promoting reform through opening up, and on the basis of adhering to the basic state policy of opening up, it has continuously sounded the bugle for further expanding high-standard opening up. On the other hand, inspired by the concepts and spirit shaped and forged in the practice of opening up, our country's high-standard opening up has continuously reached new heights. From the reform and opening-up spirit of "liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts, pioneering and innovating, daring to take responsibility, being open and inclusive, and drawing on everything useful," to the Silk Road spirit of "peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit"—all of these signify our Party's increasing awareness, understanding, and grasp of high-standard opening up, demonstrating a stronger sense of historical consciousness and historical initiative.
High-level opening, with institutional opening as its core and a positive interaction with deep-seated reform, has enhanced China's international competitiveness and influence. Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must place institutional integrated innovation in a prominent position." Driven by institutional opening to stimulate vitality and consolidate synergy, the coordination and compatibility between China’s foreign opening systems and high-standard international economic and trade rules have gradually improved. Institutional costs have continuously decreased, achieving a breakthrough beyond the original opening model based on the flow of goods and factors. Meanwhile, led by institutional opening, the development of China’s open economy has achieved historic accomplishments. First, trade in goods and trade in services have been advanced in a coordinated manner. The scale of trade in goods has expanded steadily, and the commodity structure—pioneered by an increasing proportion of high-value-added products—is becoming increasingly optimized, assisting business and trade entities in actively competing in emerging markets. Trade in services has likewise seen a simultaneous increase in quantity and quality, with its role as an engine becoming ever more prominent. Second, the utilization of foreign capital and outward investment have developed in coordination. The scale of attracted foreign capital continues to expand due to policy support, environmental optimization, and the widening of fields, with a corresponding rise in the capacity and level of capital utilization. The scale of outward investment has achieved a historic leap, ranking among the world's top, while its structure is increasingly optimized and improved. Third, the enthusiasm and initiative for international economic cooperation have been significantly enhanced. Multilateral, bilateral, and regional cooperation continue to deepen; the construction of international cooperation platforms, represented by the "Belt and Road" [13], has steadily improved in efficiency; and the pace of optimizing regional opening layouts, represented by the construction of Pilot Free Trade Zones and Free Trade Ports, has accelerated, creating a favorable external environment for deep-seated reform.
Using the concepts of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, China has contributed Chinese wisdom and strength to global economic governance and world prosperity and stability. Xi Jinping noted: "China's continuous expansion of opening up has not only developed itself but also benefited the world." On one hand, China’s high-level opening has injected vitality into the building of an open world economy. The internal-external linkage of economic development has been significantly strengthened. The achievements and experiences of China's technological innovation, industrial renewal, and kinetic energy updates have radiated through the bond of opening up to the entire field of world economic development, truly managing to benefit the world with development opportunities and fruits while pursuing its own economic growth. From 2013 to 2023, the average contribution rate of China's economy to world economic growth exceeded 30%, making it the largest source of power for global growth. The design and implementation of China's high-level trade and investment liberalization and facilitation policies have effectively maintained the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core. Under an open economy, China's industrial and supply chains have been optimized and upgraded, contributing strength to the reconstruction of global industrial and supply chains that balance efficiency and equity, and coordinate development and security. On the other hand, China's high-level opening has contributed to the improvement of the global governance system. Amidst the overlapping surges of world multipolarity, economic globalization, and cultural diversification, China advocates for and improves high-level foreign opening systems and mechanisms. It has explored a brand-new path to strengthen global governance to prevent and resolve various risks and challenges, thereby adding more precious stability to world economic growth. Opening up has not only become a distinct hallmark of Chinese-path modernization but also an important way for China to influence the world.
III. The Developmental Aim of Comprehensively Deepening Reform
Marxism is a theory of practice; the innovative achievements of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism have always maintained that theory originates from practice and guides practice. Since the New Era, Xi Jinping’s series of reflections on the goals and directions, strategies and methods, and drivers and principles of comprehensively deepening reform have guided the cause of reform in China to achieve a profound transformation toward systematic integration and comprehensive deepening. This has provided scientific ideological guidance and marked a clear developmental aim for further comprehensively deepening reform around the advancement of Chinese-path modernization on the new journey.
(1) Clarifying the trend of reform and adhering to the people-centered value orientation
Since the New Era, facing the reality where reform has entered the "deep-water zone" [14] and a "critical stage" of tackling tough problems—where the difficulty is greater, tasks are heavier, and the situation is more complex—the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has clarified the trend of reform. It adheres to the people-centered value orientation, focusing on solving the most concerning and realistic problems for the people. When deploying further comprehensive deepening of reform, Xi Jinping, centering on the issue of holding firm to the value orientation, pointed out: "Grasping reform and promoting development is, in the final analysis, to let the people live better lives," and that we must focus on "identifying the pressure points and breakthroughs for reform from the urgent needs and expectations of the common people."
Adhering to the people-centered value orientation has theoretically clarified the fundamental stance, central purpose, subjective force, and evaluative standards for further comprehensively deepening reform. First, we must stand firm on the people's position, focusing on maintaining and developing the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people. The people are the creators of history and the true heroes; the people's position is the fundamental stance our Party has consistently maintained. Looking at contemporary China and the world, the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world's "changes unseen in a century" [15] interact with each other. The changes of the times are unfolding in unprecedented ways, and reform has received attention and exploration from an increasing number of countries and political parties. By comparison, insisting on the supremacy of the people and consciously safeguarding the fundamental interests of the masses is the winning way for the Communist Party of China to lead the reform. Second, we must accurately grasp the goal of benefiting the people, allowing the fruits of reform and development to benefit all people more and more equitably. Under the guidance of the worldview and methodology of "putting the people first," the central purpose of further comprehensively deepening reform is to achieve people's happiness; "making life better for the people" is "the fundamental purpose of our promotion of reform." Third, we must respect the principal status of the people, letting their creative wisdom and vitality gush forth. "Our Party comes from the people, is rooted in the people, and serves the people; the Party’s foundation is in the people, its lifeline is in the people, and its strength is in the people." This means that in the great practice of socialist reform, the masses are the actual explorers, participants, and promoters, contributing their enthusiasm, sweat, fresh experiences, and effective practices, thereby providing the most profound and lasting strength for further comprehensively deepening reform.
Fourth, we must take the satisfaction, sense of gain, and happiness of the masses as the evaluative standards. "He who lives under the eaves knows if the roof leaks; he who lives in the wild knows if the government is failing" [16] (Lunheng). The establishment of evaluative standards provides concrete and visible measurement methods for whether the direction of reform is accurate and whether the results are good. This is conducive not only to more precisely grasping the breakthrough points of reform and more keenly adjusting its entry points, but also to improving the mechanism for expressing the people's interests and solving their urgent problems. Therefore, the Decision proposes that we must "examine reform through actual results and the satisfaction of the masses."
Adhering to the people-centered value orientation has practically anchored the focus and pressure points of further comprehensively deepening reform in various fields. In the economic field, focus must be on satisfying the people's needs for a better life, centering on building a high-level socialist market economy, liberating and developing productive forces, forming relations of production that are better adapted to them, and achieving high-quality development. In the political field, focus must be on ensuring that the people are masters of the country, centering on developing whole-process people's democracy, and improving the systems of democratic election, consultation, decision-making, management, and oversight. In the cultural field, focus must be on enriching the people's spiritual and cultural life, centering on building a strong socialist culture and improving systems and mechanisms for the development of cultural undertakings and industries. In the social field, focus must be on promoting common prosperity for all, centering on improving the quality of people's lives, perfecting the income distribution system, implementing the employment-first policy, and improving the social security system. In the ecological field, focus must be on promoting the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, centering on building a Beautiful China and achieving a green transition. In the security field, focus must be on maintaining the security and fundamental interests of the people, centering on building a higher-level Peaceful China. In the field of Party building, focus must be on achieving the unity of Party spirit and people-centeredness, centering on improving the Party's leadership level and long-term governing capacity, and perfecting the system for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party.
(2) Persisting in scientific methodology and enhancing the systematic, holistic, and synergistic nature of reform
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has gradually explored a set of scientific methods adapted to the development of China’s reform cause through the great practice of leading comprehensively deepening reform. Xi Jinping noted: "Reform is a systematic project that requires scientific methods," which includes "persisting in the unity of reform and the rule of law," "persisting in the dialectical unity of breaking and establishing," "persisting in the unity of reform and opening up," and "properly handling the relationship between deployment and implementation." It can be said that these scientific methodologies of reform are not only the crystallization of existing experience from reform and opening up but are also the keys to enhancing the systematic, holistic, and synergistic nature of reform, ensuring that further comprehensively deepening reform can move forward steadily and reach far.
Persisting in the unity of reform and the rule of law means using the power of reform to improve the rule of law and using the capacity of the rule of law to promote reform, achieving mutual promotion. On one hand, further comprehensively deepening reform insists on institutional building as the main thread, and socialist rule of law is the "most basic, stable, and reliable guarantee for the 'governance of systems'." Therefore, we must better utilize the important role of the rule of law as the basic way of governing the country, be adept at relying on the rule of law to build consensus, remove obstacles, and consolidate achievements, and use legal thinking and methods to promote reform. We must promptly elevate reform achievements into legal systems, with the focus on "deepening reform and promoting Chinese-path modernization on the track of the rule of law." On the other hand, perfecting the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics is an important part of further comprehensively deepening reform. We must accurately grasp the key role of reform in the rule of law and move forward by deepening reform in the legislative field, thoroughly promoting law-based administration, and improving the systems and mechanisms for fair law enforcement and justice.
Persisting in the dialectical unity of breaking and establishing means dialectically understanding the difference and connection between the two—breaking some things while establishing others, and establishing before breaking—to achieve steady and rapid progress in reform. Dialectical unity refers to recognizing that "all phenomena and processes have contradictory, mutually exclusive, and opposing tendencies," while also recognizing that these opposites are interconnected at a higher level or broader scope, clarifying that "development is the unity of opposites." Concretely in the practical field, further comprehensively deepening reform should, on one hand, highlight "establishing before breaking" (先立后破), actively and initiatively establishing what needs to be established. For example, developing new quality productive forces should first focus on fostering emerging industries rather than first focusing on abandoning traditional industries. On the other hand, it should highlight the simultaneous implementation of breaking and establishing; on the basis of establishing, what needs to be broken should be broken promptly. For example, resolutely breaking the shackles of ideological concepts that do not conform to the spirit of the times and institutional obstacles that are detrimental to the development of productive forces. Generally speaking, it is about managing the rhythm and controlling the risks, so that further comprehensively deepening reform is both "swift in pace" (tí jí) and "steady in step" (bù wěn). As Xi Jinping pointed out: "Reform involves breaking and establishing; if the method is correct, results are doubled with half the effort; if the method is wrong, effort is doubled with half the result or even produces negative effects."
Persisting in the unity of reform and opening up means expanding institutional opening through reform and promoting deep-seated reform through opening up, so that the two complement each other. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "Opening to the outside world is also a part of reform; overall, it is all called reform." Looking back at history, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee and the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee both made a series of important decisions regarding internal reform and external opening, persistently pushing forward the cause of socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics. In this sense, a basic experience of our Party's leadership in reform is to unswervingly deepen reform and unswervingly expand opening up, making the two complement and integrate with each other. Looking ahead, on one hand, we must promote opening up through reform, optimizing the regional opening layout and creating a better opening environment by deepening the reform of management systems for foreign trade, foreign investment, and outward investment. On the other hand, we must promote reform through opening up, actively aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules and building a new system for a higher-level open economy.
Properly handling the relationship between deployment and implementation means emphasizing both the scientific design of reform plans and the practical improvement of working mechanisms to ensure that reform measures are implemented. As reform enters the new stage of further comprehensive deepening, increasing importance is placed on coordinating reform tasks and planning reform schemes through top-level design. This is centrally embodied in the strategic, forward-looking, and overall deployments made by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. To study and implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, we must deeply grasp the scientific methods within it—which insightfully observe world trends, respond to the people's call, grasp objective laws, and emphasize coordination—and form a set of feasible implementation measures combined with the specific conditions of our own regions and departments. Meanwhile, "we must grasp implementation firmly, and firmly again; without a firm grasp, even the best blueprint is merely a scrap of paper, and the nearest goal is but a mirage." To this end, we must establish and improve a working mechanism with clear responsibilities, a complete chain of action, and interlinked stages, testing the results of reform through actual performance and effectiveness.
(3) Exercising strict Party self-governance, and leading the great social revolution with the Party's self-revolution
The Decision proposes that further comprehensively deepening reform must "maintain a high degree of consciousness in leading social revolution through the Party's self-revolution, persist in governing the Party with the spirit of reform and strict standards, and improve the institutional system for the Party's self-revolution," so as to "ensure the Party always remains the strong leadership core for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics." Situated within the new temporal coordinates [18] of the New Era, the Party's self-revolution is the "second answer" [19] for our Party to escape the historical cycle of rise and fall, manifested specifically as comprehensively and strictly governing the Party; social revolution is the historic transformation led by our Party at the societal level, manifested specifically as persisting in and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. Currently, leading social revolution through the Party's self-revolution means unswervingly and comprehensively governing the Party with strictness, improving the Party's level of leadership over further comprehensively deepening reform, and guiding the cause of reform as it braves the wind and waves.
We must clarify that the Party's self-revolution is the powerful driving force for social revolution, continuously promoting the Party's self-purification, self-perfection, self-reformation, and self-improvement to forge a strong leading force for further comprehensively deepening reform. As the comprehensive deepening of reform advances into "deep water" [20], it will increasingly encounter difficulties and challenges involving ideological concepts, interest patterns, and institutional mechanisms. Consequently, it is all the more necessary for our Party to improve its leadership level and long-term governing capacity through continuous self-revolution. On the road ahead, we must profoundly internalize the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," clarify that "persisting in the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee is the highest political principle," and ensure the entire Party remains in high alignment with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core regarding the stance, direction, and principles of reform. We must persist in "improving the mechanisms for implementing the Party Central Committee's major decisions and deployments to ensure that the Party Central Committee's orders are carried out and its prohibitions respected." We must rely on the Party's self-revolution to continuously enhance the Party's capacity for learning, political leadership, and reform and innovation, ensuring the Party maintains its vigorous vitality and strong fighting spirit. We must carry forward a thorough spirit of self-revolution and forge the confidence and determination to carry reform through to the end—neither becoming arrogant in victory nor shrinking back from difficulties. Instead, inspired by the spirit of self-revolution, we must press forward into the depths of reform with greater political courage and political wisdom.
We must clarify that leading social revolution is the fundamental purpose of the Party's self-revolution. We must advance the Party's self-revolution by focusing closely on further comprehensively deepening reform to ensure the various deployments of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee are implemented effectively. Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must plan the Party's self-revolution in response to the new requirements of the practice of the great social revolution, and use the new achievements of the development of the great social revolution to test the actual effectiveness of the Party's self-revolution." We must ensure that the Party's self-revolution better serves and subordinates itself to the overall situation of further comprehensively deepening reform. First, we must deepen the reform of the system for Party building, "focusing on mobilizing the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the whole Party to grasp reform and promote development." For example, deepening the reform of the cadre and personnel system requires clearly establishing the correct orientation for selecting and appointing personnel—selecting those cadres who possess excellent political quality, dare to promote reform, and remain honest and pragmatic—thereby solving the problems of cadres acting recklessly, failing to act, fearing to act, or being unskilled in acting. Second, we must deeply advance the improvement of Party conduct, build a clean government, and continue the anti-corruption struggle, preventing and controlling the Four Winds. We must focus on improving the supervision system of the Party and the state, creating a clean and upright political ecosystem throughout the process of further comprehensively deepening reform, and urging the broad masses of Party members and cadres to continuously improve their awareness and ability to advance the great social revolution. Third, we must grasp reform with the "spirit of driving the nail" [21]. We must coordinate vertically and horizontally to formulate reform task lists, timetables, and priority sequences. We must clarify the implementing subjects and responsibilities for various reforms, incorporating the implementation of major reforms into the content of supervision, inspection, and disciplinary inspections [22], thereby promoting the down-to-earth implementation of all reform measures.