Duan Danjie and Sun Meijuan: Deeply Study and Comprehend the Fifth Volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China"
Recently, the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (hereafter referred to as "Volume V") was published and distributed both domestically and abroad. Volume V is an authoritative work that comprehensively and systematically reflects the latest achievements of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It holds great significance for encouraging the broad masses of Party members, officials, and the public to further study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It serves to deepen the profound understanding of the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthen the Four Consciousnesses [1], bolster the Four Confidences [2], and achieve the Two Upholds. Furthermore, it inspires unity in the struggle to realize the grand blueprint outlined by the 20th CPC National Congress and to work together toward building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Since the publication and distribution of Volume V, a wave of enthusiastic study has emerged within the philosophy and social science circles. There is a consensus that one must profoundly grasp the rich ideological content within Volume V, persist in reading the original works, studying the original texts, and grasping the underlying principles. Scholars emphasize the need to fully utilize the "rich mine" of the Party’s theoretical innovation and practice in the New Era, studying Volume V in conjunction with the previous four volumes as an integrated whole. This approach aims to truly achieve a deep and thorough understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, effectively transforming it into a powerful ideological weapon for the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country.
Profoundly Grasping Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
"Holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and striving in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects." Volume V states its purpose from the very beginning [3], placing the report to the 20th CPC National Congress as the opening chapter and centering the first two thematic sections on "advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization" and "further comprehensively deepening reform." The book is divided into 18 themes, covering various dimensions including economy, politics, culture, society, ecological civilization, as well as diplomacy, national defense, and Party building. It vividly records the practice of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core as it navigated a grave and complex international environment and arduous tasks of domestic reform, development, and stability. It demonstrates how they coordinated the domestic and international imperatives, implemented the new development philosophy [4] completely, accurately, and comprehensively, focused on promoting high-quality development, and further planned and advanced the comprehensive deepening of reform. These pages document the firm strides taken toward comprehensively building a modern socialist country through overcoming difficulties and forging ahead with fortitude.
Upon receiving Volume V, Li Jianguo, Director of the Theory Research Department of the Institute of Chinese-path Modernization at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), immediately conducted an in-depth study. "This volume fully embodies the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, placing Chinese-path modernization in an exceptionally prominent position," Li Jianguo told reporters. The publication of Volume V holds very important guiding significance for the in-depth promotion of the study, research, and interpretation of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on Chinese-path modernization, the theory of Chinese-path modernization, as well as his new thoughts, viewpoints, and judgments regarding further comprehensively deepening reform.
Volume V collects 91 works—including reports, speeches, talks, addresses, articles, and instructions—by General Secretary Xi Jinping between May 27, 2022, and December 20, 2024. Some of these works are published officially for the first time. Professor Hong Xianghua of the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC (National Academy of Governance) believes that many sections of this volume discuss the content of Chinese-path modernization in detail. These sections further deepen the understanding of its connotation and essence, expound upon the theory of Chinese-path modernization, and make this theory clearer, more scientific, more perceptible, and more actionable.
Comprehensively deepening reform and Chinese-path modernization are interconnected, mutually reinforcing, and inseparable. Hu Guosheng, Party Secretary of the School of Marxism at South China Normal University, believes it is necessary to profoundly recognize that comprehensively deepening reform is the fundamental driving force for Chinese-path modernization, while Chinese-path modernization points the way for comprehensively deepening reform. The basis for their interaction lies in the fundamental guarantee of Party leadership, the philosophical foundation of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, the value orientation of putting the people first, and the consistency of the goal of national rejuvenation. Accurately grasping the relationship between the two is conducive to achieving a positive interaction between them in the process of further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization.
Volume V systematically expounds the scientific connotation, significant meaning, and developmental direction of new quality productive forces, forming a new theory of productive forces that has triggered widespread attention and discussion among scholars. Hong Xianghua stated that, proceeding from new realities, General Secretary Xi Jinping has integrated the basic principles of Marxist political economy with the practice of economic development in the New Era. By engaging in profound reflection on the underlying logic of high-quality development, he proposed the original and fundamental concept of new quality productive forces. Hu Guosheng believes that new quality productive forces enrich and develop Marxist productive force theory, marking a major theoretical innovation. This demonstrates General Secretary Xi Jinping’s profound insight and scientific grasp of economic laws and social developmental drivers, providing theoretical guidance for promoting high-quality development.
From the "Three Global Initiatives" [5] to the construction of the national security system and capacity, from a China under the rule of law to a Beautiful China, and from whole-process people’s democracy to the Party’s self-revolution... the contents of Volume V represent General Secretary Xi Jinping's latest speeches and series of important ideological expositions regarding reform, development, stability, domestic affairs, foreign policy, national defense, and the governance of the Party, the state, and the military in New Era China. They are the latest achievements of the Party’s innovative theories. In the view of Yuwen Li, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Peking University, the prominent characteristics of this volume are "newness," "depth," and "practicality." Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, at a juncture where China's cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation is moving deeper, the Party’s innovative theories—bridging the past and the future—present a brand-new ideological outlook and theoretical style. They reflect a new state of deepened thought, advanced theory, practical policies, and implemented practice.
Scholars have expressed that by studying Volume V, one can more clearly recognize the direction, goals, and tasks of the development of the Party and the state in the New Era, and more profoundly grasp General Secretary Xi Jinping’s wisdom and strategic vision regarding the governance of China. At the same time, these important contents provide us with many new ideas and methods, helping to further deepen the research and interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
Further Answering Major Questions of the Times for the Cause of the Party and State
The publication of Volumes I through IV of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China provided fundamental guidance for armchairing our minds, guiding practice, and promoting work with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Through the integration of theory and practice, Volume V further answers a series of major questions of the times concerning the development of the cause of the Party and the state. Using a series of new thoughts, viewpoints, and judgments, it enriches and develops the achievements of the Party’s theoretical innovation.
Professor He Husheng of the School of Marxism at Renmin University of China conducted an in-depth study of Volume V and revisited the previous four volumes. In his view, Xi Jinping: The Governance of China is an organic whole that is continuous in content and constantly deepening in thought. One must study and master Volume V as part of this integrated whole. It is necessary to recognize that Volume V is the "key" to understanding the Party’s theory and practice for the current and future periods. Theoretical study must be combined with the background of the times and specific practices, using the worldview and methodology contained within the five volumes to arm the mind, guide practice, and promote work.
Sun Jingxin, Vice President of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies under the China International Communications Group, stated that by carefully studying Volume V, one can concretely feel the important expositions and governance ideas of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core concerning further comprehensively deepening reform, developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions, developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization. These theoretical achievements can also help overseas readers more truly and profoundly experience Chinese concepts, Chinese solutions, and Chinese wisdom—particularly the more pragmatic and effective measures China has introduced in practicing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.
"This latest work is the fundamental basis for a better dialogue between China and the world. It is a theoretical summary of China's economic and social development achievements and lays the ideological and discursive foundation for China to further enhance its international influence. It is the 'golden key' for the international community to better understand contemporary and future China," Sun Jingxin remarked.
The study of ideological theory is not a task for a single day and night, nor is it an emergency or superficial matter; rather, it requires long-term, continuous, and in-depth study. Only in this way can one grasp the overall situation, realize the truths, and understand the profound meanings. Yuwen Li stated that in the process of deeply studying Volume V, one should combine it with the actual conditions of China's economic and social development. Through insight into thought and theory, one should grasp the underlying logic, academic principles, and philosophy. In particular, one should systematically link the important ideological texts from Volumes I through V, studying them by category with comparison, analysis, and synthesis. This achieves a state of "thinking the words to know the meaning" [6] and "attaining comprehensive understanding through analogy" [7], thereby realizing the contemporary Chinese Marxist truthful propositions and the scientific worldview and methodology contained therein. It is necessary to be adept at transforming the gains from ideological and theoretical study into the ideological and practical momentum for comprehensively implementing the new development philosophy and promoting high-quality development and reform. This ensures that the "arrow" of the Party’s innovative theory hits the "target" of specific industries, fields, and practices in the cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Deepening the Systematic and Academic Research and Interpretation of the Party’s Innovative Theories
Scholars believe that the study of Volume V should be combined with a profound revelation of the scientific worldview and ideological methodology contained within it. Yuwen Li argued that constructing China’s independent knowledge system is a great mission for the philosophy and social science circles. In conjunction with studying Volume V, we should scientifically handle the relationship between ideological theory and policy, and between political theory and academic expression. We must look through phenomena to discover essences and explore academic principles through texts, improving the ability and level of panoramic research, academic interpretation, and systematic expression. This elevates the understanding of the Party’s innovative theory—Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—to historical, scientific, and philosophical levels.
Centering on the task of "advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization," Volume V systematically expounds on major issues such as how to further comprehensively deepen reform, expand high-level opening up to the outside world, and achieve high-quality development. It presents a panoramic view of the grand strategy for building a strong country and national rejuvenation. He Husheng believes that Volume V opens up a "new realm" of theoretical innovation, draws a "new blueprint" for Chinese-path modernization, focuses on the "new kinetic energy" of high-quality development, contributes "new solutions" for global governance, and deepens "new understanding" of the Party’s self-revolution. It provides a broad perspective and ideas for studying and interpreting Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and serves as an important basis for the systematic and academic advancement of the Party’s innovative theories.
Hu Guosheng believes that Volume V provides a comprehensive exposition of the "Two Combinations" [8]—particularly the "Second Combination" [9] and the "Six Must-Persists" [10]—broadening the horizon and providing ideas for scientific research. "We must deeply study and grasp Volume V, unswervingly using the latest achievements of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism to consolidate the soul, arm the mind, and guide practice," he said.
Li Jianguo stated that we must grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and adhere to and apply the positions, viewpoints, and methods running through it. We must persist in putting the people first, maintain self-confidence and self-reliance, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, remain problem-oriented, apply systems thinking, and maintain a global perspective. We must continue to promote theoretical innovation based on practice and constantly write new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
In Sun Jingxin’s view, the academic community should work hard in three areas: systematic "leading the study," "teaching" through dissemination, and "explaining the study" for external communication. He elaborated that compared to the fragmented learning of other groups, the academic community has the best conditions and the greatest responsibility to work hard on "comprehensive, systematic, and in-depth" study. This involves systematically mastering the formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and comprehensively grasping its core tenets, spiritual essence, rich connotations, and practical requirements. Beyond their own study, the academic community also bears the task of letting the Party’s innovative theories "fly into the homes of ordinary people." Experts and scholars in various fields can combine their disciplinary advantages to conduct professional research and provide popular expressions of this important thought, producing more popular readings and multi-form intellectual products that the public enjoys. In recent years, the international community has paid high attention to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The academic community must also do a good job in external communication, actively speaking at international academic seminars and writing for international journals. Addressing the concerns and interests of the outside world, they should provide precise interpretation and explanation to continuously expand the influence and coverage of this thought.
The academic community unanimously expressed that they will study Volume V with a high degree of political consciousness, a full spiritual state, and a solid work style. They aim to profoundly grasp the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, effectively transforming the study results into a powerful impetus and practical action to promote work, and striving to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization.