Bao Xinjian: Deeply Understand and Solidly Advance Chinese Modernization

Building a great modern socialist country and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has been the dream pursued by the Chinese people with untiring diligence since modern times began, and is the unwavering original aspiration and founding mission of the Communist Party of China. On the basis of long-term exploration and practice since the founding of the People's Republic, and especially since the launch of reform and opening up, our Party has successfully advanced and expanded Chinese-path modernization through theoretical and practical breakthroughs since the 18th CPC National Congress ^[1]. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has further deepened the understanding of the connotation and essence of Chinese-path modernization, summarized and formulated its Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles, and initially constructed a theoretical system for it. This has made Chinese-path modernization clearer, more scientific, and more perceptible and feasible. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important expositions on Chinese-path modernization are rich in connotation, profound in thought, and rigorous in logic. They possess originality, foresight, and academic rigor, profoundly reflecting the fundamental stance and scientific method of insisting on integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture ^[2]. They contain a powerful force of truth and practical might.

I. Persevering in taking national conditions as the basis to endow Chinese-path modernization with distinct Chinese characteristics

General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "The type of modernization path a country chooses is determined by its historical traditions, social system, development conditions, external environment, and many other factors. Different national conditions lead to different paths to modernization. Practice has proved that for a country to move toward modernization, it must both follow the general laws of modernization and, more importantly, conform to its own realities and possess its own characteristics." Opening up the path of Chinese-path modernization based on national conditions is an important issue that General Secretary Xi Jinping has clearly revealed and repeatedly emphasized.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The greatest national condition of China is the leadership of the Communist Party of China. What are Chinese characteristics? This is the Chinese characteristic." Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China. This is the basic conclusion drawn from exploring the path of modernization starting from the national conditions of contemporary China; it is the statement that defines the nature of Chinese-path modernization and governs it in its entirety and at its root. Why must we emphasize the Party's leading position in the construction of Chinese-path modernization? It is because the Party's leadership directly bears upon the fundamental direction, future destiny, and ultimate success or failure of Chinese-path modernization. History and practice have fully proven that upholding the leadership of the CPC is the most distinct feature and the most prominent advantage of Chinese-path modernization, and the primary principle that must be adhered to in advancing it. Only by unswervingly upholding the Party's leadership can Chinese-path modernization have a bright future and flourish; otherwise, it will veer off course and lose its soul, even making subversive mistakes. Upholding the leadership of the CPC and upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics, as essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization, point out the correct direction for its advancement. This is the intellectual and theoretical crystallization formed by our Party’s profound summation of the historical experience of modernization in our country and others, and its continuous deepening of understanding, maturation of strategy, and enrichment of practice regarding how a large Eastern country like ours can accelerate the realization of modernization.

Our country is in and will remain in the primary stage of socialism ^[3] for a long time; this is the basic national condition and the greatest reality for advancing Chinese-path modernization. As the world's largest developing country with a population of over 1.4 billion, not only is the scale of the population immense—making the task of resolving the contradiction between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life arduous—but advancing Chinese-path modernization toward a higher level, higher stratum, and higher quality also places higher and more comprehensive requirements on the integrity and coordination of the development of various undertakings. Scientifically understanding the new historical coordinates of our country’s development and insisting on proceeding from basic national conditions are the foundation for the Party and the state to formulate correct lines, principles, and policies, and are the key to upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly summarized five aspects of the Chinese characteristics of Chinese-path modernization: the modernization of a huge population, the modernization of common prosperity for all, the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement ^[4], the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature, and the modernization of peaceful development. These are both theoretical summaries and practical requirements, pointing out a broad road ^[5] for comprehensively building a great modern socialist country and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Based on its own national conditions and in line with its own realities, Chinese-path modernization—through its successful practice and theoretical innovation based on that practice—provides a brand-new choice for those countries and nations in the world that wish to accelerate development while maintaining their own independence. It offers beneficial inspiration and experience for the vast number of developing countries to independently explore modernization paths with their own characteristics based on their own national conditions. On the new journey, we must persist in and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, firmly grasp the distinct characteristics of Chinese-path modernization, and further transform these Chinese characteristics into successful practices and prominent advantages. We must always proceed from national conditions when thinking about issues, making decisions, and handling affairs, maintain historical patience, and persist in seeking progress while maintaining stability, moving forward step by step and persisting over the long term. We must strive to maintain and promote social fairness and justice, strive to promote common prosperity for all, and resolutely prevent polarization. We should continuously cultivate the material foundation of modernization and consolidate the material conditions for the people’s happy life, while simultaneously developing advanced socialist culture to promote the coordination of material and cultural-ethical civilizations. We must persist in sustainable development, adhering to the principles of prioritizing conservation, protection, and natural restoration, protecting nature and the ecological environment as we protect our own eyes, and unswervingly following a path of civilized development characterized by increased production, affluent life, and sound ecology. We must stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human civilizational progress, holding high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, seeking our own development while resolutely safeguarding world peace and development, and better safeguarding world peace and development through our own development.

II. Persevering in taking the people as the center to highlight the steadfast people-oriented direction of Chinese-path modernization

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, "We must stay committed to the philosophy of putting the people first and highlight the people-oriented nature of the direction of modernization," and "Chinese-path modernization is the cause of the entire Chinese people; we must rely closely on the people and pool the infinite wisdom and strength hidden among them to continuously create new great historical achievements." The reason why Chinese-path modernization is feasible and stable lies in its commitment to a people-centered approach, taking the well-being of the people as the direction of modernization development.

The people are the creators of history and the most solid foundation and deepest strength for advancing modernization. Chinese-path modernization is the cause of hundreds of millions of people themselves, always insisting that development is for the people, development relies on the people, and the fruits of development are shared by the people. In the process of advancing Chinese-path modernization, our Party respects the principal status and pioneering spirit of the people, develops whole-process people's democracy, and concentrates the rich wisdom and infinite creativity of the masses into the cause of modernization, opening up a brand-new path distinct from Western modernization models. Since the founding of New China, and especially since reform and opening up, we have completed in decades the industrialization process that took Western developed countries centuries, creating miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, and opening up broad prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The promotion and expansion of Chinese-path modernization have made the people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security more substantial, better guaranteed, and more sustainable.

The successful practice of Chinese-path modernization shows that only by highlighting the people-oriented nature of the direction of modernization can the path of modernization be smoothly advanced and continuously expanded. On the new journey, we must continue to anchor ourselves to the people's aspiration for a better life and effectively implement the value orientation of the people-oriented approach into all decision-making deployments and practical work. First, we must continuously enhance the people's sense of being the masters in modernization construction. At present, China is in a critical period of comprehensively deepening reform and accelerating Chinese-path modernization. Unprecedented social changes urgently require enhancing the people's sense of agency and continuously improving their identification with the grand goals and development strategies of Chinese-path modernization, thereby forming a majestic force of millions of people with one heart to jointly advance the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, using their own hard work and wisdom to create a better life. Second, we must ensure that the achievements of modernization benefit all people more extensively and fairly. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, "Modernization should be judged not only by indicators and data on paper but also by the happiness and well-being of the people." Entering the new stage of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, the people's ever-growing needs for a better life have become further pronounced. In addition to higher requirements for material and cultural life, their demands for democracy, the rule of law, fairness, justice, security, and the environment are also growing daily. On the new journey, we must closely grasp the new changes in the principal contradiction in society ^[6], always adhere to development as the Party's top priority in governing and rejuvenating the country, take high-quality development as the primary task of modernization, guarantee and improve people's livelihoods in the process of achieving high-quality development, and resolve the most immediate and practical interests of the people that concern them the most. Third, we must continuously promote the well-rounded development of the person in the process of modernization. The essence of Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of people, and the ultimate goal is to achieve the free and well-rounded development of individuals. To advance Chinese-path modernization, we must better respond to various demands and multi-level needs, taking the realization of well-rounded development of people and all-around social progress as an inherent requirement and realistic task, permeating all fields and the entire process of Chinese-path modernization construction.

III. Persevering in taking Chinese civilization as the underlying substance to fortify the profound cultural foundation of Chinese-path modernization

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Civilization is a significant hallmark of a modern country," and "Chinese-path modernization endows Chinese civilization with modern power, while Chinese civilization endows Chinese-path modernization with profound substance." General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions profoundly explain the internal connection of mutual integration and mutual achievement between Chinese-path modernization and Chinese civilization. They are not only a scientific guide for understanding the substance and significance of Chinese-path modernization but also provide an important compliance for advancing Chinese-path modernization on the profound foundation of more than five thousand years of Chinese civilization.

Modernization is a major achievement in the process of human civilization. The modernization of any country is inseparable from that country’s and nation’s unique material, spiritual, and institutional civilizations as the substance of development and a powerful driving force. Chinese-path modernization is a modernization that has grown out of Chinese soil; it is a modernization that continues an ancient civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Chinese-path modernization is deeply rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture; it embodies the advanced nature of scientific socialism, draws on and absorbs all outstanding achievements of human civilization, represents the development direction of human civilizational progress, presents a new picture different from the Western modernization model, and is a brand-new form of human civilization." Only by standing on more than five thousand years of magnificent history of Chinese civilization can we truly understand the historical necessity, cultural connotation, and unique advantages of the Chinese path, and truly understand the Chinese characteristics and essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization, so as to walk well the broad road of comprehensively building a great modern socialist country and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The long-standing and profound fine traditional Chinese culture accumulates the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation, represents the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation, and its core content has become the most basic cultural gene of the Chinese nation. The value concepts, spiritual strength, and wisdom and experience contained in fine traditional Chinese culture possess unique charm and advantages, providing important enlightenment for solving the problems facing contemporary humanity and providing rich nourishment and endogenous power for Chinese-path modernization. For example, the tradition of "the world belongs to the public; the people are the foundation of the state" ^[7] provides effective social governance concepts for modernization with a huge population; the idea of "Great Harmony" ^[8], where "beauty is shared and the world is one," is important ideological nourishment for the modernization of common prosperity for all; value concepts such as "supreme good is like water" ^[9] and "great virtue carries all things" ^[10] provide rich spiritual resources for modernization that coordinates material and cultural-ethical advancement; symbiotic concepts such as "harmony between humanity and nature" and "following the laws of nature" are the sources of ecological wisdom for the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature; and the cultural tradition of "valuing good faith and cultivating harmony" and "being kind to neighbors" is a precious treasure contributed by a China following the path of peaceful development to the world. Continuing and promoting the genes of fine traditional culture is an inevitable choice for China in its modernization transformation. In the process of Chinese-path modernization, we must fully tap into and absorb the ideological essence of fine traditional Chinese culture, combine it with the realistic needs of the times, and achieve a deep integration of tradition and modernity through upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, thereby consolidating the cultural foundation of Chinese-path modernization and better assisting the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the progress of human civilization.

IV. Persevering in taking reform as the driving force to release the powerful institutional advantages of Chinese-path modernization

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "To achieve the goals and tasks of the New Era and the new journey, we must take the comprehensive deepening of reform as the fundamental driving force for advancing Chinese-path modernization and as an important grasp for stabilizing the overall situation, responding to changing circumstances, and opening new horizons. We must maintain the correct direction, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, and work with high proficiency to write a new chapter of reform and opening up on the new journey." He emphasized that "to advance Chinese-path modernization, we must further comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, and continuously liberate and develop the social productive forces and liberate and enhance social vitality. We must adapt to the new trends of era development, the new requirements of practical development, and the new expectations of the masses. With the firm determination to carry reform through to the end, we must take real action, dare to tackle tough problems, and apply precision, synergy, and persistence. We must resolutely sweep away all institutional and mechanistic obstacles ^[11] that restrict the smooth progress of Chinese-path modernization." General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of new concepts, ideas, and strategies regarding the comprehensive deepening of reform are a profound revelation of the laws governing comprehensive deepening of reform in the New Era; they constitute the fundamental compliance and guide to action for solidly advancing Chinese-path modernization through the further comprehensive deepening of reform.

Reform and opening up in the New Era possess many new connotations and characteristics, a very important point of which is the significant weight placed on institutional building. Reform increasingly faces deep-seated institutional and mechanistic problems, placing higher demands on the top-level design of reform and requiring stronger systematicity, integrity, and synergy. Consequently, the tasks of establishing rules, enacting regulations, and constructing systems are becoming heavier. The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee set "perfecting and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity" as the general goal of comprehensively deepening reform. This inaugurated a New Era of comprehensively deepening reform through systematic and holistic design, creating a brand-new situation for our country's reform and opening up. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee emphasized the need to uphold and perfect the fundamental, basic, and important systems ^[12] that support the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It focused on consolidating foundations, leveraging advantages, shoring up weak links, and strengthening areas of weakness to build a comprehensive, scientific, standardized, and effective system. This involves strengthening systematic governance, law-based governance, comprehensive governance, and governance at the source, thereby better translating our country's institutional advantages into national governance efficacy. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee scientifically planned the overall deployment for further comprehensively deepening reform around the advancement of Chinese-path modernization. It emphasized that we must persist in taking institutional building as the main thread, strengthen top-level design and overall planning, and persist in both "breaking" and "establishing," while "establishing before breaking" ^[13]. By fortifying fundamental systems, perfecting basic systems, and innovating important systems, we provide a solid institutional guarantee for the advancement of Chinese-path modernization.

Adhering to institutional building as the core logic, continuously promoting the perfection and development of the system, and fully releasing the advantages of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics to provide the institutional guarantee and powerful momentum for building a strong country and national rejuvenation—this is the key link and vital task in solidly advancing Chinese-path modernization driven by further comprehensive deepening of reform. On the new journey, we must closely revolve around the theme of Chinese-path modernization, firmly grasp institutional building as the main thread, strengthen institutional confidence, promote institutional innovation, and deeply advance the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity. We must integrate the requirements of the central authorities, the expectations of the masses, and actual needs to promote the self-perfection of the system through the resolution of practical problems. By deepening institutional and mechanistic reform and innovation in various fields, we ensure that the system is stable, workable, and truly effective. We must enhance governance efficacy through strengthening institutional execution and maintaining institutional authority, using the new advantages of the "Chinese System" ^[14] to drive "Chinese Governance" toward a new realm.

V. Persist in a problem-oriented approach to demonstrate the solid developmental achievements of Chinese-path modernization

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, "We Communists wage revolution, carry out construction, and pursue reform always for the purpose of solving China's practical problems. It can be said that reform is forced by problems and deepened through the continuous resolution of problems." Further comprehensive deepening of reform must "persist in treating both symptoms and root causes, with an emphasis on the root causes. We must continue to work hard on 'comprehensiveness' to ensure reform measures fully cover the prominent problems that need to be solved in advancing Chinese-path modernization; and we must continue to exert force in 'deepening,' highlighting the economic system as the key focus, and striving to resolve deep-seated institutional obstacles and structural contradictions." Development sets the questions, and reform provides the answers; going toward the problems and reforming with an eye on the problems is the valuable experience of our Party in leading the advancement of Chinese-path modernization in the New Era. It is a distinct character and an important standpoint, viewpoint, and method contained within General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on Chinese-path modernization.

Adhering to a problem-oriented approach is a distinct characteristic of Marxism. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "To persist in taking Marxism as our guide, we must apply it to the study of major theoretical and practical problems facing our country's development and our Party's governance, and to the proposal of correct ideas and effective methods for solving these problems." Deeply resolving the prominent contradictions and problems on the road ahead is of great significance for ensuring that Chinese-path modernization travels steadily and reaches far ^[15] and continues to advance. Historical experience shows that whether one can face problems head-on, resolve contradictions, and respond to challenges directly relates to the quality and effectiveness of modernization. Chinese-path modernization possesses its own unique advantages, avoiding to the greatest extent the detours taken by Western modernization; yet it also inevitably faces various severe problems and challenges. These include common problems encountered in the modernization processes of all countries, as well as special problems arising under the new changes in the world landscape and the new situation of our country’s development. Only by facing problems squarely, grasping global and strategic issues, highlighting major and key problems, focusing on the most critical and urgent matters, and resolving various issues of concern to the masses according to the time and situation, can we firmly grasp the strategic initiative for reform and development and continuously add momentum and vitality to economic and social development.

Advancing Chinese-path modernization requires the integration of objective-oriented and problem-oriented approaches. We must further strengthen problem consciousness, explore laws while courageously answering new questions, and forge ahead while deeply resolving new contradictions. We must comprehensively implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focusing on the practical problems of further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization to profoundly answer the "Questions of China, the World, the People, and the Times." ^[16] We must stand firm on the people's side, grasp the people's aspirations, go deep into the grassroots and the masses, and through in-depth investigation and research, truly identify the urgent, difficult, and anxious problems ^[17] faced by the masses, reflect their opinions, and summarize the experience they have created. We should be adept at considering and grasping major theoretical and practical issues from a broad perspective that connects history and reality, links the international and domestic, and combines theory and practice, continuously enhancing our sensitivity in identifying problems and our depth in analyzing them. Closely following the advancement of Chinese-path modernization, we must further strengthen the top-level design and overall planning of the comprehensive deepening of reform, and continuously propose new concepts, new ideas, and new methods that truly solve problems. We must establish and practice a correct view of political performance, which requires observing the actual situation, proposing practical measures, and seeking substantive results. We must also pinpoint the crux of institutional and mechanistic obstacles to apply the right remedy for the symptoms, thereby forming long-term mechanisms for problem-solving.