Han Zhenfeng: History Will Not Fail Those Who Do Practical Work
From July 7 to 8, 2025, during an inspection tour of Shanxi, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "industry flourishes the nation, and hard work prospers the state," emphasizing the need to "bite down on the green mountain and never let go [1], advancing firmly and in an orderly manner." This constitutes another powerful mobilization order issued by General Secretary Xi Jinping to the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country at a critical moment when Chinese-path modernization is being used to comprehensively advance the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
"Prospering the state through hard work" (shigan xingbang) is a crucial thesis that General Secretary Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized. In 2012, while visiting the exhibition "The Road to Rejuvenation," General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that "empty talk harms the nation, while hard work prospers the state," noting that "achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a glorious and arduous undertaking that requires the joint efforts of generation after generation of Chinese people." In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping again emphasized that "empty talk harms the nation, while hard work prospers the state," calling for "creating new great achievements through new great struggles." "Prospering the state through hard work" is an important thesis rich in profound philosophy derived from General Secretary Xi Jinping's deep summation of our Party's experience in governance. It serves as a resonant clarion call inspiring the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to advance firmly toward the goals of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.
Only by adhering to "prospering the state through hard work" can the cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation be successfully advanced.
In the New Era and on the new journey, why has General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed and repeatedly emphasized "prospering the state through hard work"? This is because "prospering the state through hard work" possesses both significant historical basis and realistic significance, as well as an important ideological foundation and theoretical value. It is the broad and righteous path to successfully advancing the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation, and to continuously marching toward grand goals.
The report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC proposed the comprehensive buildup of a Great Modern Socialist Country, with a general strategic arrangement in two steps: namely, "from 2020 to 2035, basically realizing socialist modernization; and from 2035 to the middle of this century, building China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful." The "Decision" of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee stated: "The present and the period ahead are a critical period for comprehensively advancing the cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization." The year 2025 is the concluding year of our country’s "14th Five-Year Plan" and the planning year for the formulation of the "15th Five-Year Plan." How do we implement the "two-step" strategic arrangement and the blueprint for further comprehensively deepening reform? How do we complete the goals of the "14th Five-Year Plan" with high quality and scientifically plan the economic and social development for the "15th Five-Year Plan" period? General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Chinese-path modernization is achieved through doing; all great causes are successfully completed through hard work!" Hard work is the vital bridge connecting dreams and goals. To turn the grand blueprint of Chinese-path modernization into reality and to push forward the cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, we must, in the final analysis, rely on hard work.
History is the best textbook. Our Party's journey of struggle and valuable experience over more than 100 years tell us that all the great achievements the Party has made in leading the revolution, construction, and reform were fought for and worked for by uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups. The enduring spirit of hard work of the Chinese nation flows through the blood of Chinese Communists. From "using one’s own hands to provide ample food and clothing" [2] during the Great Production Movement in Yan'an to the "self-reliance and arduous struggle" in building New China; from "crossing the river by feeling the stones" [3] in the early period of reform and opening up to the "complete capture of the final strongholds" in the New Era's battle against poverty—all relied on generation after generation of Party members and cadres leading the masses to struggle, progress, and work with grit and determination. In the New Era and on the new journey, to continue pushing the cause of the Party and the state forward, we still need to vigorously carry forward the fine tradition of opposing empty talk, emphasizing hard work, and focusing on implementation, putting work first, breaking deadlocks through work, and winning through work. General Secretary Xi Jinping once told the story of the scholars of the two Jin Dynasties who "engaged in hollow talk and neglected affairs" [4], pointing out that "if one does not take responsibility, does not act, and lacks execution and combat effectiveness, then battles will be lost." The vast numbers of Party members and cadres must learn from the "warning of harming the nation," engage in genuine shifts of work and immerse themselves in hard labor; they must never sit and discuss the Dao (the path) while being all talk and no action.
From a theoretical perspective, opposing empty talk and emphasizing hard work centrally reflects the inherent requirements of the Marxist view of practice. In daily life, people often refer to practice as "fulfillment" (jianxing) or "execution" (shixing); when specific to actual work, this is what we commonly call "hard work" (shigan). Marx pointed out: "The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it." Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: "If you want to know the taste of a pear, you must change the pear by eating it yourself." General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized: "In advancing all aspects of our work, we must rely on practice to gain true knowledge. Theory must be unified with practice." Any cognition or theory divorced from practice is hollow and useless. Only by working with grit and determination in practice, and leading the masses to turn the Party's line, principles, and policies into a powerful spiritual and material force for understanding and transforming the world—step by step—can we eventually achieve the goal of understanding and transforming the world.
After the political line is determined, cadres are the decisive factor. The report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC stated: "To build a modern socialist country in all respects, we must have a team of cadres who are politically reliable, meet the requirements of the New Era, and possess the capability to lead modernization." In today’s world, the changes unseen in a century continue to evolve, various contradictions are increasingly prominent, and there are many predictable and unpredictable risks and challenges on the road ahead. Under such circumstances, Party members and cadres even more urgently need to carry forward a work style of genuine efforts and seeking practical results, and continuously improve their ability to grasp implementation and create real achievements. However, in some localities, departments, and units, the phenomenon of "the loud talker who does no real work" still exists. For example, the work of some cadres is implemented only in slogans, doing superficial work; some cadres are passive, slack, and negligent, acting perfunctorily. All such behaviors will delay reform and development. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The Party places cadres in various positions so that everyone takes responsibility and does work, not so they can be officials and enjoy comforts." Making genuine efforts and focusing on implementation is an important reflection of the good mental state of Party members and cadres, as well as an important test of their working ability. As the "constructors" of the country's grand development blueprint, Party members and cadres should be firm activists and doers of Chinese-path modernization, ensuring that all tasks for building a strong country and national rejuvenation are implemented and achieve real results.
Profoundly understand and grasp the deep philosophy and rich connotations inherent in "prospering the state through hard work"
Profoundly understanding and grasping the deep philosophy and rich connotations inherent in "prospering the state through hard work" is the prerequisite for deeply implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on the subject. In "prospering the state through hard work" (shigan xingbang), "state" (bang) refers to the destiny and future of the country, while "work" (gan) refers to practice and action. This emphasizes that we must advance Chinese-path modernization through "doing," striving to realize the beautiful vision and aspiration of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
"Prospering the state through hard work" demonstrates the spirit of historical initiative and represents a "daring to act and being good at acting" based on the historical coordinates of the New Era. Hard work is an inherent requirement and an important condition for doing any work well or achieving any cause. General Secretary 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." "Prospering the state through hard work" emphasizes seizing opportunities and accelerating development through labor, struggle, effort, and creation—reflecting the historical initiative of Chinese Communists. In the New Era, our country faces both rare development opportunities and unprecedented risks and challenges. All kinds of opportunities in the tides of the times can only be seized through hard work; various difficult problems in development can only be solved through hard work. For example, how has China's new energy vehicle industry achieved global leadership? For years, China has broken through more and more key core technologies in complete new energy vehicles, power batteries, motors and electronic controls, and intelligent networking. Based on the technical advantages accumulated through long-term R&D investment, the new energy vehicle industry has flourished. From nothing to something, from weak to strong, China's new energy vehicle industry has seized the opportunities of the times through hard work characterized by active initiative and unremitting perseverance. In the New Era, where "a hundred boats compete and a thousand sails set out," only by taking the initiative and being good at acting can real achievements and real results be produced, and success be achieved.
"Prospering the state through hard work" demonstrates the spirit of seeking truth from facts; it is a scientific method of ideological work that starts from reality and acts according to objective laws. "Hard work" (shigan) emphasizes an attitude and spirit of entrepreneurship, a quality and style that is plain, unembellished, and devoid of pretension. Proceeding from reality in all things and seeking truth from facts are basic principles of Marxist dialectical materialism. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: "‘Facts’ are all the things that exist objectively; ‘truth’ is their internal relations, that is, the laws governing them; and ‘to seek’ means to study." Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "All the victories we won in the past in making revolution relied on seeking truth from facts; today, as we realize the four modernizations, we must also rely on seeking truth from facts." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Seeking truth from facts is the fundamental viewpoint of Marxism, the fundamental requirement for Chinese Communists to understand and transform the world, and our Party's basic ideological, working, and leadership method." Seeking truth from facts is an important part of our Party’s ideological line and a fundamental requirement for all our work. Carrying out the requirements of seeking truth from facts in all practical activities is precisely what "hard work" involves. For example, the establishment of Pilot Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in the New Era was an important decision made precisely from the starting point of actual conditions and needs—such as profound changes in the global trade environment, the reshaping of international economic and trade rules, and China's need to improve the quality and efficiency of its opening up. Today, FTZs have become a new high ground for China to lead high-level opening up. Another example is the Xiongan New Area, where "every inch of land was planned clearly before construction began," and three cities—the "above-ground, underground, and cloud-based" cities—are being developed in coordination. A city of the future, following a path of intensive development, is rising. These examples all reflect the kind of hard work that starts from reality and acts according to laws.
"Prospering the state through hard work" demonstrates the tenacity to tackle tough problems and is a requirement for the work style of the vast numbers of Party members and cadres. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Though the road is long, reaching the destination is certain if one keeps walking; though the task is difficult, success is certain if one keeps doing." The realization of any grand goal cannot be a "100-meter dash" achieved overnight, but must be a "marathon" that persists over the long term. Advancing building a strong country and national rejuvenation requires extremely arduous efforts. Without a fine work style of being willing and able to work hard, the grand goals cannot be realized. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Cadres—the word 'cadre' [ganbu] starts with 'doing' [gan]; they must not only want to work, be willing to work, and work actively, but also be able to work, know how to work, and be good at working." From the good cadre Jiao Yulu, who "was born in the sand dunes and died in the sand dunes," to the "Four Haves" [5] Secretary Gu Wenchang, who "held office for a term and brought benefits to the locality," to the "Woodcutter" Liao Junbo, who "worked boldly for development and for the masses"—they all persisted in working on the front lines, doing real things beneficial to the development of the Party and the people's cause, and establishing real achievements that can withstand the test of history. In the thematic education campaigns carried out in the New Era, hard work has been a consistent requirement. In his important speech at the summary meeting of the thematic education on "staying true to our original aspiration and founding mission," General Secretary Xi Jinping required all Party members and cadres to "put daring first and doing at the lead, being brave to take responsibility and good at acting." The thematic education on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era took "promoting development through hard work and responsibility" as an important goal; the education on deeply implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations also focused on emphasizing that Party members and cadres should consolidate hearts and minds and start businesses with a fine work style. Only by consciously forging a work style of seeking truth, being pragmatic, working cleanly, and acting boldly—and by actively leading the masses in hard work, striving to do every small thing well and every good thing solidly—can Party members and cadres push for the implementation of various measures, the resolution of various difficulties, and the achievement of real results in all tasks.
Comprehensively advance Chinese-path modernization with the new responsibility and actions of "prospering the state through hard work"
We relied on hard work to create a glorious past, and we must rely on hard work to create a beautiful future. By adhering to prospering the state through hard work, putting "doing" first, acting proactively, and overcoming difficulties, we will surely be able to write an excellent answer sheet that is worthy of the times and the people on the new journey of comprehensively advancing Chinese-path modernization.
Guide the resolute action of hard work with scientific theory. Thought is the precursor to action, and theory is the guide to practice. The subject of "hard work" is the people; only under the guidance of correct ideas can there be correct actions. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism—the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit in our times. To persist in "prospering the state through hard work," the primary task is to deeply study and thoroughly understand Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must adhere to and apply the positions, viewpoints, and methods running through it, truly master the "housekeeping skills" [6] of Marxism, and transform the Party's innovative theories in the New Era into a powerful ideological weapon for transforming both the subjective and objective worlds. With a proactive mental state, we must engage in genuine hard work, producing real achievements and real results through action.
Adhering to the principle of starting from reality in all things, we must truly practice seeking truth and being pragmatic. Adhering to the principle of starting from reality in all things is the starting point and end goal for how we consider problems, make decisions, and handle affairs. Since the 18th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the importance of adhering to the principle of starting from reality in all things, pointing out: "No matter in the past, the present, or the future, we must persist in starting from reality in all things, integrate theory with practice, and test and develop truth through practice." To persist in the idea that "solid work rejuvenates the nation," we must accurately grasp the conditions of the world, the nation, the Party, and society. On this basis, we must effectively apply the methodology of "concrete analysis of concrete conditions," making decisions and handling affairs according to the actual circumstances of one's own region or unit. We must not mechanically implement the policies of higher authorities or engage in "one-size-fits-all" [7] approaches; instead, we must produce solid and genuine measures, continuously enhancing the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security through substantive achievements and efficacy.
We must bolster the spirit [8] for conducting business and undertaking initiatives, always maintaining a fighting posture characterized by forging ahead with determination and confronting difficulties head-on. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "We must vigorously promote a favorable social atmosphere of grasping work with earnestness, doing solid work, and working hard in obscurity." Without spirit, a person cannot stand; without spirit, a nation cannot be strong. To advance the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, we must both persist in the fine style of seeking truth, being pragmatic, and grasping work with earnestness, and also carry forward a fighting spirit defined by pressing forward despite difficulties and persevering without cease. Persisting in the idea that "solid work rejuvenates the nation" is inseparable from every Party member and official rousing their spirit for conducting business and undertaking initiatives. Only by being ready to risk it all, daring to break through and act, demonstrating the tenacity of "leaving a mark in the iron and a footprint in the stone" [9], and undertaking responsibilities with a sense of "constant concern" [10] and skillful action, can we ensure that all measures are implemented effectively and open up a new horizon for the development of the cause of the Party and the people.
We must exert meticulous, hard, and deep efforts, ensuring implementation through the "spirit of driving nails" [11]. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Formulating a good document is only the first step of a Long March of ten thousand li; the key lies in the implementation of the document." With one part deployment and nine parts implementation, no strategic deployment will automatically transform into a beautiful reality; rather, we must exert meticulous, hard, and deep efforts in grasping implementation. To persist in the idea that "solid work rejuvenates the nation," we must always keep the "greatness of the nation" [12] and the "great plans of the Party" in our hearts, continuously improving our capacity for political judgment, political understanding, and political execution, and comprehensively, accurately, and fully understanding the spirit of the Central Committee. We must hammer the nail blow after blow, roll up our sleeves and get to work, and ensure that every task is handled with detail and rigor. This ensures that the direction determined by the Party Central Committee does not deviate and the specified tasks do not fall through, thereby implementing the various decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee without compromise.
We must emphasize scientific methods and enhance our capability and proficiency for solid work. Scientific methods are the bridges that lead people toward success. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must be adept at using scientific methods to advance reform, with systematic layout and acting only after plans are made, so as to avoid phenomena such as acting blindly or losing one's footing." To persist in the idea that "solid work rejuvenates the nation," we must master scientific methods, particularly the "systemic concept" (xitong guannian), which serves as a foundational ideological and work method. We must be adept at viewing reality through history and seeing the essence through appearances. We must properly handle the relationships between the whole and the part, the present and the long-term, the macro and the micro, the primary contradiction and secondary contradictions, and the particular and the general. Through forward-looking thinking, holistic planning, strategic layout, and integrated advancement, we use scientific methods to achieve high efficiency and excellent results.
History does not fail those who engage in solid work; the future belongs to those who struggle. In advancing Chinese-path modernization, we will certainly encounter many "Loushan Passes" and "Lazikou Passes" [13] on the journey, and it is inevitable that we will face "turbulent rapids" and "high winds and surging waves." As long as we persist in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guide, maintaining a mental state of never flagging and a fighting posture of forging ahead, and if we grasp work with earnestness, dare to act, and achieve success through skillful action, we will certainly overcome any hardships or obstacles and realize the grand goals of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.