Yu Anlong: On the Rich Connotations of Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Promote Chinese Path to Modernization
The strategic planning and deployment of comprehensively deepening reform to advance Chinese-path modernization is of significant epochal value and practical necessity. It encapsulates the political wisdom of the Communists of the New Era in grasping historical initiative and carrying forward the spirit of historical initiative, while manifesting their high degree of historical confidence and a political character defined by the courage to shoulder responsibilities. Comprehensively deepening reform to advance Chinese-path modernization is rich in implication and profound in significance; it can be profoundly understood through several dimensions: "clarifying the lineage," "elucidating the logic," "acquiring the method," "upholding the way," and "tempering the pillar."
I. "Clarifying the Lineage": The Internal Correlation Between Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese-Path Modernization
There is a close internal correlation between the cause of comprehensively deepening reform and that of Chinese-path modernization across dimensions such as their practical foundations, developmental lineages, evolutionary trajectories, and value objectives. Together, they constitute a developmental landscape of synchronous interweaving and mutual resonance.
(1) The road of Chinese-path modernization has reached increasing perfection through reform and the comprehensive deepening of reform. The paths toward modernization for different countries are not a "single-choice question" with only one answer, but rather a "multiple-choice question" with various answers. Furthermore, the path toward modernization is not achieved in a single stroke but undergoes a process of long-term exploration and gradual maturation. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, with the completion of the socialist transformation and the establishment of the socialist system, China entered a new stage of socialist modernization and proposed the strategic goal of the "Four Modernizations [1]." Given the complexity of national conditions and the lack of experience in socialist construction, learning from and drawing upon the experience of Soviet socialist modernization became an inevitable choice at that time. However, as the flaws and shortcomings of the Soviet-style modernization model became increasingly apparent, China underwent a transition from "learning from the Soviet Big Brother" to "using the Soviet Union as a mirror." China began to focus more on independently exploring a path of socialist modernization suited to its own characteristics. Reform and opening up provided the historical opportunity and conditions for this. "At the very onset of reform, Deng Xiaoping made a forward-looking analysis of the relationship between reform, modernization, and socialism, possessing the thought of achieving modernization through reform." It was precisely in the process of reform and opening up that the CPC, proceeding from China’s national conditions and realities, persisted in liberating the mind and seeking truth from facts. It dialectically unified the universal laws of world modernization, the general laws of socialist modernization, and the specific laws of socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics to creatively "blaze a trail for Chinese-path modernization." This path conforms to the global trend of modernization while possessing distinct Chinese characteristics; it is the correct path leading China steadily toward modernization, marked by its uniqueness and innovativeness.
After socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era, and against the background of the "two overall situations [2]" interweaving and resonating, China reached a historical stage increasingly close to achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The development of Chinese-path modernization faced various new opportunities, tasks, and challenges. With the continuous advancement of comprehensively deepening reform, the CPC, in the process of responding to the challenges of the times, answering the questions of the times, and grasping the pulse of the times, "created a new road for Chinese-path modernization." This new road is an "upgraded version" of the previous path, achieving the deepening and expansion of Chinese-path modernization under new historical conditions. The relationship between the two is one of continuous lineage and advancing with the times—sharing the same roots while being renewed by the era. This new road differs from closed and rigid old paths, the errant path of "changing flags and banners [3]," or the dead-end tracks of decline. It is a "new version" of modernization that combines Marxism with the practice of socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics. It provides a new choice and a new answer for human society in its quest for modernization. "Chinese-path modernization is a broad road toward building a strong country and national rejuvenation; it opens a new path for humanity toward modernization." Comprehensively deepening reform has dismantled various ideological barriers and institutional obstacles for the formation and development of the new road of Chinese-path modernization, ensuring that the journey is not only correct and viable but also steady and successful.
(2) The theory of Chinese-path modernization has matured through reform and the comprehensive deepening of reform. As is well known, "Chinese-path modernization" is a new concept and discourse creatively proposed and deeply explained by Deng Xiaoping during the process of reform and opening up: "In my talks with foreigners, I have used a new term: Chinese-path modernization." As reform and opening up deepened, Deng Xiaoping conducted a series of reflections and explorations on the scientific connotation, internal characteristics, and implementation paths of Chinese-path modernization. He used the concept of xiaokang [4]—a term rich in traditional Chinese cultural characteristics—to describe the phased goals of Chinese-path modernization, gradually internalizing it as a core component of the theory. Furthermore, the proposal of the theory of the essence of socialism, the thought on common prosperity, and the "three-step" strategic plan [5] continuously enriched and expanded the connotations of Chinese-path modernization. These were the intellectual crystallizations formed by the CPC during reform and opening up, greatly enriching and developing Marxist modernization theory. "In the practice of deepening reform and opening up, we have promoted the continuous enrichment of the connotation of socialism and made our interpretation of modernization more concrete." In fact, to a certain extent, the process by which the outline of Chinese-path modernization theory emerged and developed is identical to the process of the continuous deepening and advancement of reform and opening up. Reform and opening up laid the practical foundation for the theory, while the theory provided the guidance for the reform; the two share a relationship of positive interaction and mutual reinforcement.
Since entering the New Era, in the historical process of advancing the comprehensive deepening of reform, the CPC has continuously enriched the theory of Chinese-path modernization and gradually constructed its theoretical system. Xi Jinping’s series of important expositions and systematic interpretations—concerning the fundamental nature, distinctive features, essential requirements, major principles, and global significance of Chinese-path modernization—have greatly deepened the Party’s understanding and mastery of the laws of Chinese-path modernization. This has made the theoretical system more robust and the framework more complete. "This has enriched the theoretical system and developmental models of world modernization, providing a brand-new choice for human modernization." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era inherently includes the theoretical system of Chinese-path modernization; scientifically answering the "modernization question" is a vital component of this thought. The establishment of the "Four Comprehensives" strategic layout, including the comprehensive deepening of reform, plays a leading role in the development of Chinese-path modernization in the New Era. "The 'Four Comprehensives' strategic layout and the 'New Development Philosophy' are the discursive manifestations of the strategic layout of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, as well as the theoretical elevation of the developmental experience of socialism with Chinese characteristics." Within the "Four Comprehensives," comprehensively deepening reform is the key link characterized by breakthroughs and pioneering efforts, and it serves as a powerful lever supporting and driving the development of Chinese-path modernization. In short, the road of Chinese-path modernization is a path of modernization that adheres to the "Four Comprehensives," and the theory of Chinese-path modernization is a theory that has matured through the comprehensive deepening of reform.
(3) The cause of Chinese-path modernization has reached its stride through reform and the comprehensive deepening of reform. Reform and opening up was a major milestone in the development of Chinese-path modernization, opening a new chapter for the cause. Looking back at history, although significant progress and achievements were made after 1949, the period was marked by hardships and twists; some detours were taken and errors committed. In particular, for a period, there was an incomplete understanding of what Chinese-path modernization was and how to construct it. The failure to deeply grasp the laws of modernization led to a pattern of progress through trial and error. Because of this, prior to reform and opening up, the gap between China’s modernization and world-leading levels widened, and China was even left behind by some rapidly developing neighboring countries. It could be said that at that time, China’s modernization was like sailing against the current: to not advance was to retreat. Correspondingly, the overall level of productive forces was relatively backward, improvements in living standards were slow, and urban and rural residents generally lived in a state of insufficient food and clothing. The superiority of the socialist system was difficult to truly manifest. This was the critical epochal and social background for implementing reform and opening up: "If we do not implement reform now, our cause of modernization and the cause of socialism will be ruined." The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics created since reform and opening up endowed the cause of Chinese-path modernization with new vitality and started a new period of development. Since then, the cause of Chinese-path modernization has entered the "fast lane" and hit the "fast-forward button." In a relatively short time, it achieved rapid development, transforming China from an underdog and a "catcher-up" into an "overtaker" and a leader in the global modernization process, creating a miracle unprecedented in human history.
As socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era, the principal contradiction in society changed, and reform and opening up gradually entered the "deep-water zone" and the stage of tackling tough challenges. In this situation, the fields covered by reform became broader, the adjustments to the interest structure became deeper, the contradictions and problems involved became sharper, and the obstacles within the institutional mechanisms became more difficult to breach. Consequently, the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee made the major decision to comprehensively deepen reform. This is the continuation and deepening of reform and opening up—a new measure and deployment to carry reform through to the end, adding even more powerful momentum to Chinese-path modernization. "To advance Chinese-path modernization, we must further comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, continuously liberating and developing social productive forces, and liberating and enhancing social vitality." Since the New Era, it is precisely through the process of comprehensively deepening reform that the cause of Chinese-path modernization has reached its stride, presenting a vigorous vitality and developmental landscape that other modernization models find difficult to rival.
II. "Elucidating the Logic": The Logical Basis for Comprehensively Deepening Reform to Advance Chinese-Path Modernization
As a major strategic deployment and systematic plan, using the comprehensive deepening of reform to advance Chinese-path modernization has a sufficient logical basis, reflecting the dialectical unity of history and reality, and theory and practice.
(1) Comprehensively deepening reform provides the fundamental driving force for Chinese-path modernization. The development of any modernization cause does not happen naturally; it requires a certain driving force. Whether the momentum is sufficient and powerful determines, to a large extent, the prosperity or decline, and the future fate, of the modernization effort. For a late-developing country with a large population, a weak foundation, and a low jumping-off point to advance modernization—and to show such vigorous and magnificent development—it must possess a sufficient and powerful driving force. In fact, the momentum of Chinese-path modernization is a diverse and complex system composed of endogenous, efficiency-driven, and value-driven forces, providing stable and powerful support. Within this system, reform occupies a core position. "To solve the problems faced in development, defuse risks and challenges from all sides, and promote sustained and healthy economic and social development, there is no other way than deepening reform and opening up." Facts have proven that to promote the smooth development of Chinese-path modernization, one must have the courage and skill to reform, providing powerful momentum through incremental, active, and steady adjustments. Conversely, if one belittles, fears, or rejects reform, abuses will accumulate and chronic ailments will spread, severely restricting the cause of modernization. The Soviet-style modernization model, which once held a significant place on the world map, saw its flaws exposed and its vitality lost eventually because of slow and lagging reforms in the economic, political, and cultural fields, alongside errors in the method and direction of reform, ultimately leading to its exit from the stage of history.
The development of Chinese-path modernization is inseparable from reform; indeed, reform is the vital source of momentum for its progression. Over the more than 40 years of Reform and Opening-up, the cause of Chinese-path modernization has achieved extraordinary successes and realized a massive leap forward. However, faced with new tasks and challenges in the comprehensive buildup of a modern socialist country, it remains necessary to rely on comprehensively deepening reform to provide empowerment and support: "We must treat the comprehensive deepening of reform as the fundamental driving force for advancing Chinese-path modernization." The more Chinese-path modernization advances and thrives, the stronger its demand for powerful modernizing momentum becomes, and the more it will depend on the drive generated by comprehensively deepening reform. Therefore, treating the comprehensive deepening of reform as the fundamental driving force for advancing Chinese-path modernization is a logical necessity derived from a profound grasp of the laws governing Chinese-path modernization and a summary of its construction experience; it also points out the direction and path for its continuous development.
(2) Comprehensively deepening reform provides the institutional guarantee for Chinese-path modernization
One of the fundamental attributes of Chinese-path modernization is socialism; it is modernization under the conditions of a socialist system. In particular, the establishment of the socialist system in China realized the most profound and greatest social transformation in Chinese history, laying the fundamental political prerequisite and institutional foundation for all development and progress in contemporary China. Compared with capitalist modernization, socialist modernization possesses significant institutional advantages. To a large extent, the competition between the two different social systems—socialism and capitalism—is centrally manifested as the competition between two different models of modernization: socialist modernization and capitalist modernization. Since the beginning of Reform and Opening-up, and especially since the New Era, Chinese-path modernization has relied on the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics to achieve rapid development, creating a miracle of growth unprecedented in the history of world modernization and demonstrating the vigorous vitality and prominent institutional competitiveness of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Although the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics possesses an advanced nature compared to the capitalist system, this does not mean it is flawless or without deficiencies. On the contrary, a social system built upon a certain social and realistic foundation can only possess long-lasting vitality if it adapts to the economic base and aligns with the basic national conditions. That is to say, as a new phenomenon in human history, the socialist system is not yet perfect or fully mature; there are places where it does not match the development of productive forces or meet the people’s beautiful expectations [6]. These areas must be perfected through reform: "Only through reform can the superiority of the socialist system be more fully brought into play." Facts have proven that comprehensively deepening reform is the vital channel and effective method for breaking through all outdated ideas and the vestiges of systems and mechanisms. It is conducive to forming a complete, scientific, standardized, and effective institutional system, making systems in all areas more mature and localized. Therefore, the general objective of further comprehensively deepening reform is to "continue to improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of the state governance system and capacity."
Of course, comprehensively deepening reform is a matter of "reform" rather than "changing direction"; adhering to the socialist nature and orientation is an important prerequisite and foundation for comprehensively deepening reform. Reform is not a negation of the socialist system, but rather the enhancement of institutional competitiveness through institutional change and innovation. Its essence is the self-development and self-perfection of the socialist system: "We must, through comprehensively deepening reform, focus on resolving a series of prominent contradictions and problems facing our country's development, and continuously advance the self-perfection and development of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics." Comprehensively deepening reform is conducive to breaking the old and establishing the new, promoting benefits and eliminating harms, so that the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics can be more fully and effectively brought into play, thereby providing a solid institutional guarantee for the development of Chinese-path modernization.
(3) Comprehensively deepening reform provides the scientific and technological support for Chinese-path modernization
Chinese-path modernization is a modernization in which material and spiritual civilizations are coordinated; it is also a modernization characterized by the comprehensive development of the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan," overall social progress, and the comprehensive realization of a country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful. The modernization of science and technology is not only an important component of Chinese-path modernization but also its intrinsic drive and reliable support, playing a pivotal role. On the one hand, emphasizing the comprehensiveness, integrity, and synergy of development is a distinct feature of Chinese-path modernization. "The tasks of modernization are multifaceted; all aspects require comprehensive balance and cannot be handled in isolation." Only by persisting in comprehensive, coordinated, and balanced development—and by establishing scientific modes of thinking such as systematic thinking and dialectical thinking—can we correctly handle the relationship between the whole and the parts, and between the present and the long term. This allows us to avoid situations where the whole is constrained by the relative lag of a certain aspect or field, or where the whole is unbalanced by the "isolated advance" [7] of a single area, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of modernization.
On the other hand, comprehensive and coordinated development does not mean attending to everything at once with equal force or effort; rather, it requires correctly handling the relationship between the "two-point theory" and the "key-point theory" [8], adhering to the organic unity of comprehensive development and breakthroughs in key areas. The modernization of science and technology is a key element and a major hallmark of Chinese-path modernization, capable of effectively empowering its development. If we cannot grasp the "ox's nose" [9] of scientific and technological modernization, then the comprehensive and coordinated development of Chinese-path modernization will be difficult to sustain. It is for this reason that since the New Era, Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized conclusions such as "the key to Chinese-path modernization lies in the modernization of science and technology" and "achieving high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength is the key to building Chinese-path modernization," fully affirming the unique status and role of scientific and technological modernization within Chinese-path modernization.
Highlighting the particularity and criticality of scientific and technological modernization shows that the Chinese Communists’ understanding and grasp of the laws of socialist modernization are becoming increasingly profound. However, in current concrete practice, there still exist certain ideological concepts and institutional barriers that constrain scientific and technological development. These lead to problems such as the overall level of China's scientific development not being high enough, insufficient support capacity for economic and social development, and a contribution rate of science and technology to economic growth that is far lower than that of developed countries. Therefore, the field of science and technology is not only in need of reform but is the field that most requires continuous reform. Only by continuously advancing the reform of the scientific and technological system can we effectively liberate and develop the productive forces; thus, we must "comprehensively deepen the reform of scientific and technological systems and mechanisms to fully stimulate the vitality of innovation and creation." It can be said that comprehensively deepening reform is an inevitable requirement for achieving high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength and for advancing scientific and technological modernization; it is also the realistic path toward providing steadier and more powerful scientific and technological support for Chinese-path modernization.
III. "Obtaining the Method": The Methodology and Path for Using Comprehensively Deepened Reform to Advance Chinese-path Modernization
For the advancement of Chinese-path modernization through comprehensively deepening reform to achieve practical results and breakthroughs, one must respect objective laws, emphasize strategy, and be mindful of methodology, rather than acting willfully or arbitrarily. Therefore, "obtaining the method" (得其法) is an important prerequisite for using the comprehensive deepening of reform to advance Chinese-path modernization.
(1) Correctly handling the relationship between liberating the mind and seeking truth from facts
Correctly handling the relationship between liberating the mind and seeking truth from facts [10] runs through the entire process of Reform and Opening-up. Reform and Opening-up is both a process of continuously liberating the mind and a process of adhering to seeking truth from facts. Regarding the relationship between the two: on the one hand, liberating the mind is the prerequisite for seeking truth from facts, as well as an important means and method for achieving it; on the other hand, the purpose and ultimate destination of liberating the mind is to realize the seeking of truth from facts. Only by persisting in seeking truth from facts as the starting point and fundamental requirement—anchoring ourselves in objective reality and actual conditions to liberate the mind—can the liberated mind better serve the goal of seeking truth from facts and continuously reach new levels of truth-seeking. In a certain sense, the process of continuously liberating the mind is a process of summarizing experience and correcting errors; it is a process of promoting ideological innovation and conceptual renewal, which in essence is adhering to seeking truth from facts.
That is to say, in the process of Reform and Opening-up, the relationship between liberating the mind and seeking truth from facts is one of mutual influence, mutual penetration, mutual conditionality, and internal unity. The realization of every aspect of seeking truth from facts is inseparable from liberating the mind; liberating the mind is the inherent requirement for seeking truth from facts. The more Reform and Opening-up moves toward the "deep water zone," the more it needs the positive interaction between the two to continuously drive the cause forward through their mutual support and promotion. If divorced from seeking truth from facts, liberating the mind will be blind and aimless; if divorced from liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts will get bogged down in immediate and local interests while ignoring long-term and overall interests. "If the mind is not liberated, it will be very difficult for us to see clearly where the crux of various entrenched interests lies, difficult to identify the direction and focus of breakthroughs, and difficult to come up with creative reform measures." Regarding the current comprehensive deepening of reform, we must both continuously liberate the mind—bravely breaking through the barriers of various backward concepts and stale thinking to achieve a "shedding of the old and taking in of the new" [11] in our ideas—and persist in seeking truth from facts, proceeding from the specific national conditions and realities to realize the organic unity of the two. We must prevent and oppose erroneous views that sever or even polarize these two concepts.
(2) Correctly handling the relationship between top-level design and grassroots exploration
Correctly handling the relationship between top-level design and grassroots exploration is one of the successful experiences of China's Reform and Opening-up and is a reform methodology rich in Chinese characteristics. The launch and continuous advancement of China's Reform and Opening-up have been achieved through the positive interaction between top-level design and grassroots exploration. Top-level design focuses on the overall, holistic, and strategic levels. It summarizes and refines the practical experiences of the masses into systematic and law-governed understandings. Based on this, it clarifies the strategic goals, priorities, sequencing, and primary directions of reform, providing scientific guidance for grassroots exploration. Without top-level design, grassroots exploration would decline into "piecemeal" [12] efforts lacking systematic planning. Grassroots exploration focuses on searching for laws and accumulating experience, providing a practical foundation for top-level design and driving the continuous realization of top-level goals. Without grassroots exploration, top-level design goals would remain suspended in mid-air, becoming a "mirror flower or water moon" [13].
Reviewing the historical course of China's Reform and Opening-up over 40 years, the grassroots exploration of the broad masses—especially the peasantry—has been a vital aspect of driving reform. Many reform policies and strategies were established on the basis of the peasantry's grassroots exploration; they were summaries and sublimations of the masses' practical experience and wisdom, which in turn continuously enriched and perfected the top-level design. "Chinese farmers are extremely creative. Since Reform and Opening-up, the household contract responsibility system was initiated by farmers taking risks; the township and village enterprises that emerged as a new force were founded by farmers; and in recent years, the large-scale urbanization process also began with farmers breaking through barriers to enter the cities." It can be said that grassroots exploration is the source of inspiration and wisdom for top-level design, and top-level design continuously gains fresh vitality from grassroots exploration. Whether it is reform or the comprehensive deepening of reform, both carry a certain degree of explorative and innovative nature and should proceed steadily and step-by-step. They must follow objective laws while fully stimulating the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the masses, advancing through the organic combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches. "Crossing the river by feeling the stones [14] and strengthening top-level design are a dialectical unity. Advancing partial, stage-by-stage reform and opening-up should be conducted under the prerequisite of strengthening top-level design, while strengthening top-level design should be planned on the basis of advancing partial, stage-by-stage reform and opening-up." In the process of comprehensively deepening reform, one cannot adopt an "either-or" attitude or favor one over the other; rather, one must profoundly grasp their complementary and integrated relationship to forge a powerful synergy for reform through interaction between upper and lower levels.
(3) Correctly handling the relationship between overall advancement and breakthroughs in key areas
Reform is a vast social systems engineering project, involving both the economic base and the superstructure, both material and spiritual aspects, and both internal and external factors. It is a comprehensive and systemic endeavor concerning multiple fields and links. At the same time, under conditions characterized by profound transformations in the economic system, profound changes in social structures, profound adjustments in the pattern of interests, and profound shifts in ideas and concepts, the environment facing reform is complex and volatile, and interest relations are intricately intertwined. Therefore, smoothly advancing reform requires a high level of political competence and wisdom, which includes correctly handling the relationship between overall advancement and breakthroughs in key areas. Overall advancement emphasizes the integrity and synergy of reform, preventing it from falling into singularization, localization, or fragmentation. Breakthroughs in key areas focus on the relevance and emphasis of reform, using important fields and key links as conduits, aiming to remove major obstacles restricting development, and playing a leading and driving role for the reform as a whole. As noted, we must "adopt targeted and concrete measures, striving to ensure that the overall and the local complement each other, that treating the root causes and treating the symptoms are combined, and that gradual progress and major breakthroughs are linked, thereby achieving the unity of overall advancement and breakthroughs in key areas."
Overall advancement and breakthroughs in key areas are mutually reinforcing and dialectically unified. Overall advancement is based on breakthroughs in key areas, while breakthroughs in key areas take overall advancement as their prerequisite. If one-sided emphasis is placed on overall advancement while ignoring or detaching from breakthroughs in key areas, reform will lose its focal point and leverage, making it difficult to achieve major breakthroughs or qualitative leaps. If one-sided emphasis is placed on breakthroughs in key areas while ignoring or detaching from overall advancement, reform will fall into the trap of "single-soldier deep penetration" [15] or "attending to one thing while losing sight of another," leading to the danger of imbalance and disorder. In fact, in the process of comprehensively deepening reform, important fields "pull a single hair and the whole body moves" [16]; they concern the entirety and the general situation of reform and are the top priority. Key links are where "one move on the board brings the whole game to life" [17]; they concern the quality and effectiveness of reform and serve as powerful fulcrums. However, important fields and key links do not exist in isolation. Only by coordinating the overall situation and advancing synergistically can their exemplary and leading roles be better utilized. In short, persisting in "using points to lead the area, using the area to lead the whole, and combining points and areas" is an important working and leadership method, as well as essential experience and wisdom for comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization.
(4) Correctly handling the relationship between deepening reform and expanding opening up
Internal reform and opening up to the outside world are both vital components of China’s Reform and Opening Up policy and serve as two major pillars of socialist modernization. In fact, China's reform and opening up has always advanced through the interweaving of internal reform and external opening. The two constitute an inseparable organic whole. As was famously observed, "One is opening up to the outside world economically, the other is invigoration of the domestic economy. Reform means invigoration; domestic invigoration is itself opening up internally—in reality, both are called the policy of opening up." [18] Specifically, reform is the necessary condition for opening up; without the continuous deepening of reform, there can be no expansion of opening up. Opening up is the external driving force for reform; without the continuous advancement of opening up, there can be no prosperous development of reform. Therefore, internal reform and external opening up are related as the internal and the external, or as cause and effect. The two are organically unified in the process of Chinese-path modernization. To continue advancing Chinese-path modernization, we must deeply grasp and correctly handle the relationship between deepening reform and expanding opening up—a relationship where they stimulate and complement each other—so as to "promote deepening reform through expanding opening up, and promote expanding opening up through deepening reform, injecting new impetus, adding new vitality, and expanding new space for economic development." From "reform" to "comprehensively deepening reform," and from "opening up" to forming a new pattern of comprehensive opening up that is "all-dimensional, multi-tiered, and wide-ranging," the reason Chinese-path modernization is full of vigor and vitality lies in achieving internal-external connectivity and benign interaction between deepening reform and expanding opening up based on the laws of socialist modernization. This avoids both the conservatism caused by lagging reform and the closedness caused by restricted opening up. Practice has shown that only by connecting the internal links between deepening reform and opening up can we continuously empower opening up through reform and activate reform through opening up, ensuring the foundation of Chinese-path modernization is more solid and its momentum more sufficient.
(5) Correctly handling the relationship between "being bold" and "taking steady steps"
Reform and opening up is a brand-new, pioneering undertaking with a certain degree of experimental and exploratory nature. In this process, it is necessary to correctly handle the relationship between "being bold" (胆子要大) and "taking steady steps" (步子要稳). Being bold means having the courage to try and to break new ground, not "abstaining from food for fear of choking" [19] just because reform carries risks. Taking steady steps means following laws and paying attention to strategy, not "trying or crashing blindly" just because reform requires innovation. Correctly handling this relationship encompasses both an enterprising spirit that dares to take risks and a realization that reform and opening up must be carried out steadily and with feet on the ground. As Deng Xiaoping noted, "To be bold means to carry on unswervingly; to take steady steps means to correct problems as soon as they are discovered." [20] That is to say, in the process of reform, we must both boldly experiment and break through—discarding the conservatism of "looking forward and backward" or "fearing the head and the tail"—and also be good at summarizing experience to discover and correct errors in a timely manner. This vividly reflects the CPC’s high level of reform artistry and leadership, laying the methodological foundation for the smooth advancement of reform. Comprehensively deepening reform is a further advancement and deepening based on previous reforms; it will inevitably encounter many new situations, problems, and challenges. Therefore, it is even more necessary to handle the dialectical relationship between "being bold" and "taking steady steps." Being bold means pushing forward no matter how difficult the reform is, having the courage to take responsibility, to "gnaw on hard bones," and to "wade through dangerous shallows." [21] Taking steady steps means the direction must be accurate and the movement must be stable—especially ensuring that no "subversive errors" are committed. Only by possessing great political courage and resolve can comprehensively deepening reform effectively overcome chronic institutional maladies and break through the barriers of entrenched interests; otherwise, reform can be neither comprehensive nor deep. At the same time, because comprehensively deepening reform constitutes a major adjustment of interest relations involving sensitive and major issues that affect the overall situation, its breadth, depth, and intensity are unprecedented. It will inevitably encounter various resistances and obstacles, which requires the steps, pace, and speed of reform to "seek progress while maintaining stability" and "seek change while maintaining stability." Only by adhering to the dialectical unity between "being bold" and "taking steady steps" can comprehensively deepening reform achieve both "acceleration" and "high quality."
IV. "Upholding the Way": The Path to Follow in Advancing Chinese-path Modernization through Comprehensively Deepening Reform
The path is the lifeblood of the Party, and adhering to the correct path is an important "magic weapon" [22] for the Party to continuously open up new prospects for its cause. To advance Chinese-path modernization through comprehensively deepening reform, we must uphold the right path, walk the "Great Way" (大道), and constantly strengthen our confidence in our path.
(1) Adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics
As an indispensable finishing touch to "Chinese-path modernization," the "Chinese-path" can be understood and grasped from different dimensions and levels. Regardless, one of the core meanings of "Chinese-path" is socialism. That is to say, regarding the essential attributes of Chinese-path modernization, it is a modernization that is socialist rather than capitalist. Adhering to the socialist direction and following the socialist path are inherent requirements of Chinese-path modernization. "The modernization we are pursuing is Chinese-path modernization. The socialism we are building is socialism with Chinese characteristics." In advancing Chinese-path modernization, we must never ignore or slight the core element and fundamental nature of "socialism." In particular, the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics formed after Reform and Opening Up reflects the organic combination of the essential attributes of socialism with China's national conditions. It is a path that both adheres to the principles of scientific socialism and possesses distinct Chinese characteristics, providing the basic path-dependency for the development of Chinese-path modernization in the New Era. In contemporary China, adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics means truly adhering to socialism. From a specific dimension, the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the path of Chinese-path modernization started and developed almost simultaneously after Reform and Opening Up; they overlap in content, support each other, and promote each other, both being vital components of the "Chinese Path." Understood narrowly, "the path of Chinese-path modernization mainly refers to the road of socialist modernization since Reform and Opening Up." The correlation, kinship, and coupling between the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the path of Chinese-path modernization make them an interactive and inseparable organic entity. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only way to achieve socialist modernization and the "only choice" for the continuous development of Chinese-path modernization.
The socialist system inherently prescribes the fundamental nature of Chinese-path modernization, and adhering to socialism with Chinese characteristics is one of the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the qualitative prescription of Chinese-path modernization, determining its nature and direction. Comprehensively deepening reform is not a matter of blind or chaotic changes without regard for direction; rather, it takes adherence to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics as its basic prerequisite. It involves the elevation, expansion, and perfection of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics based on objective laws. It "guarantees the correct direction of reform and opening up through the Four Cardinal Principles, while simultaneously imbuing the Four Cardinal Principles with new connotations of the times through reform and opening up, eliminating various interferences, and unswervingly following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics." Therefore, to advance Chinese-path modernization through comprehensively deepening reform, we must always uphold the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
(2) Adhering to the "Way of Serving the People"
The comparison and competition between different modernization models and paths are, in the final analysis, comparisons and competitions of value goals, pursuits, and concepts. Unlike Western modernization, which is object-based and puts interests above all else, Chinese-path modernization adheres to being people-centered and putting the people above all else. This is the fundamental difference between Chinese and Western modernization. The reason Chinese-path modernization is unique and stands out in the world is that it always places people at the core of modernization, advancing modernization around the fundamental element of "man." In doing so, it achieves a transcendence over the Western modernization model, which is capital-centered, dominated by the logic of material modernization, and aimed at the pursuit of material wealth and capital valorization. It was precisely because "vulgar greed" and "unrestrained material desire" ran rampant that Western modernization led to the degradation of the human spiritual world, the alienation of interpersonal relationships, and the accumulation and outbreak of social crises, including the polarization between rich and poor. As Engels observed, "It [civilization] has accomplished these things by bringing into play the most contemptible impulses and passions of man and at the expense of all his other faculties." [23] In contrast, Chinese-path modernization always adheres to the people-centered development philosophy. The people are both the subject of practice and the subject of value in Chinese-path modernization. Fundamentally, this is a modernization model that benefits and blesses the people. "We insist on making the realization of the people's aspiration for a better life the starting point and goal of modernization, striving to maintain and promote social fairness and justice, and striving to promote common prosperity for all people." Relying on the people for modernization provides Chinese-path modernization with a solid mass foundation and mass strength; conducting modernization for the people provides it with a clear goal and powerful momentum; and sharing the fruits of modernization among the people, so they benefit all more fairly, gives it its fundamental value orientation.
As an important means of realizing Chinese-path modernization, comprehensively deepening reform must adhere to the value standpoint of being people-oriented and putting the people first; this can never be changed. The purpose of comprehensively deepening reform is to better safeguard the people's interests, enhance their well-being, and continuously increase their sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security. The people are the subjects of social practice and the primary subjects of comprehensively deepening reform. "The people are the subjects of reform; we must adhere to everything for the people and relying on the people for everything." Only by adhering to the "Way of Serving the People" and fully stimulating the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the masses will comprehensively deepening reform and Chinese-path modernization possess an unending and powerful force. Furthermore, the masses are the fundamental subjects of judgment for comprehensively deepening reform; whether a reform is successful depends, in the final analysis, on the degree of recognition and satisfaction of the people. It can be said that winning the "public praise" (口碑) of the masses and passing the "quality inspection" of social practice is the fundamental basis for answering the "test paper" [24] of comprehensively deepening reform and promoting Chinese-path modernization in the New Era.
(3) Adhering to the track of the rule of law
The Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese-path Modernization emphasizes "upholding the comprehensive rule of law, deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization on the track of the rule of law, and ensuring the unity of reform and the rule of law." In the developmental process of Chinese-path modernization and the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, comprehensively governing the state according to law and comprehensively deepening reform are closely interconnected and indispensable. Reform is not a matter of following one's whims or acting arbitrarily; it must have a basis and be subject to constraints. Reform must be carried out under the premise and norms of the rule of law. "We must strive to handle the relationship between reform and the rule of law well. Reform and the rule of law complement each other and emerge together." As a major strategy for comprehensively deepening reform, the comprehensive rule of law is both an intrinsic component of advancing Chinese-path modernization and the basic method and path for advancing that modernization through reform and innovation. It plays an irreplaceable role in providing norms and guarantees to ensure the correct direction of reform and innovation. That is to say, once reform measures and goals are proposed, the guarantees and norms of the rule of law must follow up in a timely and effective manner to provide escort for the reform to progress steadily and reach far.
Reform is an important driver of Chinese-path modernization; the rule of law is its important guarantee. Reform focuses on "breaking" [25], shattering the old systems and institutions that restrain the development of productive forces; the rule of law focuses on "establishing," creating new systems and mechanisms that adapt to the development of productive forces. Comprehensively building a modern socialist country can dispense with neither reform nor the rule of law; rather, it requires the organic synergy and unification of the two, "advancing reform under the rule of law, and perfecting the rule of law amidst reform." The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee listed upholding the comprehensive rule of law as one of the major principles for further comprehensively deepening reform. This requires that in the process of advancing comprehensively deepening reform, we must ensure that all reform measures are based on the law [26], fully leveraging the leading and promoting role of the rule of law in reform and innovation. Major achievements in reform and innovation must be defined in legal form and promoted. In other words, we must organically unify law-based thinking and the spirit of reform, utilizing law-based thinking and methods to advance reform, ensuring that the "train" of reform always runs on the "track" of the rule of law. In short, reform and the rule of law must be advanced as one; neither can be neglected.
V. "Fortifying the Pillar" [27]: The Leading Force in Comprehensively Deepening Reform to Advance Chinese-path Modernization
Practice has shown that if the leading force is weak and incompetent, the cause of reform may fail at the final stage [28]; if the level of leadership is thin and low, the cause of reform may fall into stagnation and depression. Therefore, having a strong and powerful leadership core is an inherent requirement for advancing Chinese-path modernization through comprehensively deepening reform.
(1) Party Leadership Provides the Fundamental Guarantee In a large socialist country with a population of over 1.4 billion still in the primary stage of socialism, further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization is a task full of difficulties and challenges. This necessitates a strong and powerful leading force to plan, organize, and promote it. The Communist Party of China is the leadership core for comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization. For over 40 years, the reason the cause of reform and opening up has continuously achieved great successes and the development of Chinese-path modernization has achieved significant leaps is fundamentally and crucially due to the leadership of the CPC. In contemporary China, the CPC is the highest force of political leadership; there is no political force or any other force greater than the CPC. That is to say, the CPC's position and role as the leadership core in comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization are unshakable and irreplaceable. This is because, compared to other political parties or forces, the CPC is the most qualified and capable of undertaking leadership responsibilities and exercising leadership. The CPC is not only a party that is advanced in nature, selfless, and possesses a lofty mission, but also a party with high leadership capacity and caliber. "The leadership of the Party is the fundamental guarantee for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization." Whether it is adhering to the correct direction of reform and opening up, opening the correct path for it, or sketching its scientific blueprint and constructing its strategic framework, none of these can be achieved without the leadership of the CPC.
In fact, reform is not a unique creation of China; many countries in the world have been carrying out various degrees of reform in different forms to promote their own modernization. However, not all reforms succeed. Some go astray or are frustrated midway; some experience a change of course or act in a way that defeats their purpose [29] during the process; still others, though once grand in momentum, ultimately end in failure. For instance, the reform cause under the leadership of the Soviet Communist Party was a "flash in the pan" [30] that resulted in the total loss of all prior efforts; the economic reforms in some Latin American countries have faced continuous setbacks and struggle for success. These outcomes are certainly related to a country's reform objectives, strategies, and orientations, but a crucial reason is the lack of a strong and powerful leading force. Facts prove that to achieve successful reform and advance the cause of modernization, a vital prerequisite is that the leading force must be strong and powerful, capable of playing the important role of setting the direction, planning the big picture, determining policies, and promoting reform. "The purpose of advancing reform is to continuously promote the self-improvement and development of our country's socialist system, endowing socialism with new vigor and vitality. The core here is to uphold and improve the Party's leadership and to uphold and perfect the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics." Upholding the Party's leadership is the fundamental experience of comprehensively deepening reform and a significant advantage of the development of Chinese-path modernization.
(2) Party Leadership Provides Ideological Guidance In the process of carrying out reform (or innovation) in different periods and countries, different thoughts on reform are formed around questions such as why reform is being carried out, how it is being carried out, and what kind of reform is being carried out. This is also an important reason for the differences in style and future prospects among them. That is to say, reform is not spontaneous or arbitrary but is influenced or dominated by certain thoughts, theories, or values. Any cause of reform is a reflection of the thoughts and value concepts of a certain subject of reform. Correct, scientific, and advanced ideological theories will naturally play an important role in guiding, leading, and promoting the cause of reform, making it flourish; while erroneous, rigid, and backward ideological theories will restrict and fetter the development of reform, making it decline. This is also a significant reason why different types and forms of reform in various countries today have vastly different final results and destinies. China's reform and opening up is guided by Marxism. Important Marxist thoughts on social transformation laid the theoretical foundation and provided the theoretical source for China's cause of reform and opening up. Using Marxism as an ideological weapon, and applying a scientific worldview and methodology to guide practice and solve problems encountered in the process of reform and opening up, is a major reason why China's cause of reform and opening up stands so prominently. At the same time, while upholding and inheriting Marxism in reform practice, Chinese Communists have timely summarized the various new experiences and wisdom crystallized during the process, forming the Sinicized Marxist thoughts on reform and opening up with distinct Chinese characteristics, which continuously provide ideological guidance and theoretical navigation for the cause.
Since socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has proposed a series of new thoughts, viewpoints, and judgments regarding comprehensively deepening reform. These deeply answer questions such as why and how comprehensively deepening reform should be advanced in the New Era, further enriching and developing the CPC's theoretical system of reform and opening up. This has deepened the Chinese Communists' understanding and grasp of the laws of reform and opening up, providing scientific theoretical guidance and a practical guide for opening new horizons and writing new chapters of comprehensively deepening reform in the New Era.
(3) Strengthening and Improving the Party's Leadership Advancing Chinese-path modernization through comprehensively deepening reform is conducted under the leadership of the CPC. However, the Party's status as the governing and leading force is not something that can be maintained long-term automatically, nor is the Party's role as the leadership core constant. The more the breadth and depth of comprehensively deepening reform expand, and the more the development of Chinese-path modernization deepens in practice, the more necessary it is for the CPC to play its leadership role in overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all parties, and the more the CPC needs to possess superb leadership capacity and caliber. Currently, in the process of advancing Chinese-path modernization through comprehensively deepening reform, the "Four Tests" and "Four Dangers" [31] facing the Party are long-term, complex, and severe. It remains necessary and important to always maintain sobriety and determination in solving the unique challenges of a large party, and the exploration of how to escape the "historical cycle" [32] remains a task for which there is a long way to go. If these dangers, challenges, and problems are left unchecked, they will seriously affect the Party's advanced nature and purity, weaken the Party's cohesion and combat effectiveness, and even endanger its survival. Therefore, we must have the courage for self-revolution, manage and govern the Party with strictness, and continuously improve the system for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party to build a stronger and more powerful Marxist party. We must "maintain a high degree of consciousness in leading social revolution through the Party's self-revolution, persist in managing and governing the Party with the spirit of reform and strict standards, and perfect the institutional and normative system for the Party's self-revolution." Leading social revolution through the Party's self-revolution, continuously consolidating the Party's governing status, and improving the Party's leadership capacity are realistic requirements for advancing Chinese-path modernization through comprehensively deepening reform, as well as an inherent part of maintaining the Party's vitality.
To this end, we must coordinately advance the Party's political, ideological, organizational, conduct, disciplinary, and institutional building. We must emphasize the organic connection and integrated linkage between various aspects of Party building, promoting the integration and complementary advantages of all aspects and links of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. We should persist in combining institutional Party governance with governing the Party according to regulations, building a scientific and rigorous system of internal Party regulations to achieve vertical consistency and effective execution, and promoting the refinement and standardization of the system for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. We must enhance the foresight and effectiveness of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, concentrating the results on strengthening the Party's capacity for self-purification, self-improvement, self-innovation, and self-excellence. In short, we must continuously advance the Great New Project of Party Building [33] to lay a solid foundation for the Party to better exercise its leadership role in the process of advancing Chinese-path modernization through comprehensively deepening reform.