Zhou Ye-zhong: Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law is a Paradigm of Adhering to the "Two Combinations"

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "To open up and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound foundation of more than five thousand years of Chinese civilization, the 'Two Combinations'—combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with China’s fine traditional culture—is the path we must take. This is a regular understanding derived from our exploration of the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics," and "'the Two Combinations' is our greatest magic weapon ^[1] for achieving success." Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law is a major theoretical innovation resulting from the combination of Marxist legal theory with the specific realities of China's rule of law construction and with China's fine traditional legal culture. It stands as a glorious exemplar of persisting in the "Two Combinations" to continuously innovate and develop the theory of the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. Deeply studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law requires not only a systematic grasp of its core tenets, spiritual essence, rich connotations, and practical requirements but also a deep understanding and thorough mastery of its scientific methods. We must achieve a comprehensive integration of these methods in application to better promote the continuous development, enrichment, and perfection of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law as the great practice of constructing the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics advances.

Persisting in the "Two Combinations" is the Methodological Essence of the Continuous Development of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law

Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law is a scientific theoretical achievement attained by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the process of advancing the Sinicization of Marxist legal theory. Based on the reality of building a Law-based China ^[2] in the New Era and the profound cultural foundation of Chinese legal civilization, it systematically summarizes the practical experience of comprehensively governing the country according to the law and fully absorbs the essence of China’s fine traditional legal culture. It represents the successful application of the scientific method of the "Two Combinations" in the field of rule of law construction. Persisting in the "Two Combinations" is the greatest magic weapon that endows Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law with deep scientific rigor, distinct subjectivity, and powerful vitality. It is the methodological essence running through the entire process of the formation and development of this Thought.

It embodies deep scientific rigor. General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "A leap in theory is not manifested in the novelty of words and phrases, nor in logical self-consistency or self-proof; in the final analysis, it must be manifested in answering practical questions and leading practical development." Whether it can answer questions of legal practice and lead the development of legal practice is the sole criterion for testing the scientific rigor and effectiveness of a legal theory. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law persists in the "Two Combinations," basing itself on the specific national conditions and seasonal characteristics ^[3] faced by the construction of a Law-based China in the New Era. It draws upon the wisdom of state governance accumulated by the Chinese nation over the long term, persists in proceeding from reality, strengthens problem-awareness, and continuously responds to major realistic issues in building a Law-based China. It continuously discovers, tests, realizes, and develops truth through the combination of theory and practice and the unity of thought and action. It profoundly reveals the "legal code" of the Governance of China ^[4] and the correct direction for comprehensively governing the country according to the law, possessing deep scientific rigor.

It highlights distinct subjectivity. General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "Every country and nation has different historical traditions, cultural accumulations, and basic national conditions; its developmental path must necessarily have its own characteristics. A country's governance system and governance capacity are closely related to its historical inheritance and cultural traditions. Solving China's problems can only be explored through paths and methods suitable for ourselves on Chinese soil." Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law persists in the "Two Combinations" to achieve innovative development in the theory of the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. Its significance lies not only in responding to Chinese practice and solving Chinese problems but also in contributing Chinese wisdom and providing Chinese solutions ^[5] for the modernization of the rule of law in developing countries and the reform of the global governance system, thereby breaking the pattern where Western legal theory is regarded as the sole authority. Persisting in the "Two Combinations" ensures that Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law focuses deeply on the realistic problems faced in building a Law-based China, profoundly summarizes the unique experience of comprehensively governing the country according to the law, and digs deeply into China's fine traditional legal culture. It proposes a series of concepts, solutions, and propositions that embody Chinese positions, Chinese wisdom, and Chinese values, fully demonstrating the unique way of thinking, spiritual character, and civilizational traits of the Chinese nation, and thus possesses distinct subjectivity.

It demonstrates powerful vitality. General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "Socialism does not have a single authorized or immutable template. Only by closely combining the basic principles of scientific socialism with the specific realities, historical and cultural traditions, and requirements of the times of one's own country, and by continuously exploring and summarizing in practice, can a blueprint be turned into a beautiful reality." The tree of truth of Marxist legal theory can only sprout and take root when combined with China's specific realities; it can only flourish when rooted in the fertile cultural soil of Chinese legal civilization. Both history and reality prove that if separated from the specific realities of China's rule of law construction and the accumulation of more than five thousand years of Chinese civilization, Marxist legal theory would inevitably become "water without a source or a tree without roots" ^[6]. It could neither generate lasting vitality, appeal, or influence, nor could it gain the heartfelt acceptance and identification of the masses. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law persists in the "Two Combinations," delving into the specific realities of building a Law-based China in the New Era, meeting the practical needs of comprehensively governing the country according to the law, and maintaining an internal connection with the cultural concepts passed down through generations of Chinese people. The power of truth in Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law is not only continuously verified in legal practice but also touches the depths of the hearts of the Chinese people, and thus possesses powerful vitality.

An Exemplar of Combining Marxist Legal Theory with the Specific Realities of China's Rule of Law Construction

General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "The discipline of law is a highly practical one." To solve a series of major problems in building a Law-based China in the New Era, there is an urgent need to use Sinicized Marxist legal theory to observe, interpret, and lead practice. From the perspectives of liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and being pragmatic, Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law comprehensively implements the scientific method of combining Marxist legal theory with the specific realities of China's rule of law construction. It has set an exemplar for persisting in the "first combination" ^[7] and providing timely and scientific answers to the practical tasks of building a Law-based China in the New Era.

Persisting in liberating the mind. General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "Our persistence in taking Marxism as our guide is to use its scientific worldview and methodology to solve China's problems, not to memorize and repeat its specific conclusions and phrases, much less to treat Marxism as an immutable dogma." To combine Marxist legal theory with the specific realities of China's rule of law construction, we must persist in liberating the mind, break the shackles of "bookism" ^[8] and dogmatism, and study new situations and problems in the legal field from a practical perspective. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law persists in proceeding from the actual problems and practical experience of building a Law-based China, researching and answering a series of new questions for which there were no ready-made answers in the works of classical Marxist writers. It has proposed a series of new thoughts, viewpoints, and judgments that embody Chinese, practical, and epochal characteristics. For instance, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the original and epochal proposition of "building a system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics." The shift from a "socialist system of laws with Chinese characteristics" to a "system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics" ^[9] involves only a small change in wording but profoundly reflects a breakthrough in the understanding of the ontological question of "what is the rule of law" within Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law. it achieved a theoretical leap in the connotation of the rule of law from a "rule of laws" centered on state law to a "governance by both state laws and Party regulations." Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law creatively incorporated the system of intra-Party regulations into the system of the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, innovatively developing Marxist legal theory. This laid the ideological foundation for forming a "Great Rule of Law" ^[10] pattern where state laws and intra-Party regulations complement, promote, and guarantee each other.

Persisting in seeking truth from facts. General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "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." To combine Marxist legal theory with the specific realities of China's rule of law construction, we must persist in seeking truth from facts, break the shackles of subjectivism, and avoid ignoring national conditions or leaping over developmental stages. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law continuously deepens its understanding of the internal logic and developmental laws of the rule of law. It maintains a clear understanding and correct grasp of the basic national condition that our country is still in, and will long remain in, the primary stage of socialism. Persisting in proceeding from reality and adapting to national conditions, it has proposed a series of scientific judgments that follow the objective laws of the development of human legal civilization and respect the objective reality of building a Law-based China. For instance, regarding why rule of law construction must "grasp the front end and treat the root cause" ^[11], General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "Rule of law construction must both grasp the tail end and treat the illness once it has occurred, but more importantly, it must grasp the front end and treat the root cause before the illness occurs. Our national conditions dictate that we cannot become a 'litigious superpower.' With a population of 1.4 billion, if every matter, large or small, resulted in a lawsuit, we would inevitably be overwhelmed!" This fully demonstrates that more rule of law forces must be directed toward the front end of guidance and mediation, improving the preventive legal system, persisting in and developing the "Fengqiao Experience" ^[12] in the New Era, and perfecting the comprehensive mechanism for the diverse prevention, mediation, and resolution of social contradictions and disputes. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law persists in proceeding from reality in all things to study and solve prominent problems in the legal field that the masses react to strongly. It persists in integrating theory with practice to form and formulate the correct lines, principles, and policies for guiding rule of law construction, highlighting the theoretical quality of seeking truth from facts.

Persisting in advancing with the times. General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "Marxism possesses the theoretical quality of advancing with the times." Marxism is an open theoretical system that develops continuously alongside the updates in era, practice, and science; it has not exhausted truth but has opened a path toward it. To combine Marxist legal theory with the specific realities of China's rule of law construction, we must persist in advancing with the times, break the shackles of conservative thinking, keenly observe the changes of the era, and actively adapt to its trends. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law upholds a "Great View of History" ^[13], grasping the developmental thread and correct direction of world history with a broader vision and a more long-term perspective. It understands the overarching logic and trends of socialist rule of law construction and the development of human legal civilization. It has proposed a series of important judgments that grasp the pulse of the era, highlight epochal characteristics, and reflect the spirit of the times. For instance, regarding why we must persist in the coordinated promotion of domestic rule of law and foreign-related rule of law, General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "The rule of law is an important component of a country's core competitiveness. Currently, the world's 'Great Changes Unseen in a Century' are accelerating; peace and development remain the themes of the times, but instability and uncertainty in the international environment have risen significantly, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is extensive and far-reaching. Our country continues to grow and strengthen, increasingly moving toward the center of the world stage. We must accelerate the strategic layout of foreign-related rule of law work, coordinately promote domestic governance and international governance, and better safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests." This vividly demonstrates that Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law adapts to the historical trend, responds to the questions of the era, and keeps pace with social development, scientifically and comprehensively advancing the construction of a Law-based China with theoretical self-awareness of advancing with the times.

Persisting in being pragmatic. General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted: "We must persist in seeking the truth and being pragmatic, working hard to achieve results, actively adapting to new changes in the international and domestic situations, accurately grasping laws, and relying closely on the people to forge ahead and open up new prospects for all work." Being pragmatic ( qiuzhen wushi ) is an important ideological and working method for Communists. To combine Marxist legal theory with the specific realities of China's rule of law construction, we must persist in being pragmatic, break the shackles of formalism, and ground theoretical innovation in solving practical problems and proposing practical methods. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law directly confronts the major difficult problems in building a Law-based China and establishes a clear work orientation that is reality-oriented, pragmatic, and effective. For instance, regarding legislative work, General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "The people's expectations for legislation are no longer about 'whether there is law' but about 'whether it is good law,' 'whether it is useful,' and 'whether it can solve practical problems.' It is not just any law that can govern a country, nor is it just any law that can govern a country well. Many times, the more we emphasize the rule of law, the more we must improve the quality of legislation... We must improve legislative planning, highlight legislative priorities, persist in the simultaneous 'establishment, revision, and abolition' of laws, improve the scientific and democratic level of legislation, and enhance the targeted, timely, and systematic nature of laws." This fully shows that under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, the construction of a Law-based China persists in observing actual conditions, proposing practical moves, doing practical deeds, and seeking practical results. It carries the correct ideological line through to practice and implements it in action, embodying a practical orientation of being pragmatic.

An Exemplar of Combining Marxist Legal Theory with China’s Fine Traditional Legal Culture

China’s fine traditional legal culture has a long history and is broad and profound. The governance concepts and legal culture contained therein—such as the "people as the foundation" ( minben ), fairness and justice ( gongdao ), clarity of virtue ( mingde ), caution in punishment ( shenfa ), and compassion in sentencing ( xüxing )—are important manifestations of the views on the state, society, morality, and law formed by the Chinese people over their long history. They share a high degree of compatibility with Marxist legal theory. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law remains firm in its historical and cultural confidence, persists in "making the past serve the present" and "bringing forth the new from the old," and holds fast to the "soul and root" ^[14] of theoretical innovation. It successfully integrates the essence of Marxist thought with the cream of China’s fine traditional culture and with the common values that the masses "use daily without even realizing it" ^[15]. This provides a basis for persisting in...

The "second combination" establishes a model.

Firmly strengthening historical confidence and cultural confidence. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Cultural confidence is a more fundamental, deeper, and more lasting force. Both history and reality show that a nation that abandons or betrays its own history and culture cannot possibly develop and is likely to play out a historical tragedy." To combine Marxist legal theory with fine traditional Chinese legal culture, we must eradicate the erroneous influences of historical nihilism and cultural nihilism ^[16], and scientifically evaluate the ideological value of fine traditional Chinese legal culture, thereby strengthening historical and cultural confidence. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law conducts in-depth research into ancient Chinese governance practices and legal culture, correcting the distortions and vilifications of Chinese legal civilization caused by historical and cultural nihilism. For example, regarding how to evaluate the Chinese Legal System ^[17] that marks Chinese legal civilization, General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "Our ancestors began exploring the major subject of how to govern human beings themselves long ago. They had a self-contained system of written codes during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods ^[18], and formed relatively complete codes during the Han and Tang dynasties. Our ancient legal system contains extremely rich wisdom and resources; the Chinese Legal System stands in a class of its own among the world's major legal systems." He further stated: "The Chinese Legal System condenses the spirit and wisdom of the Chinese nation, and contains many excellent thoughts and concepts worthy of our inheritance." Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law views and evaluates China's legal history and culture from the height of continuing Chinese legal civilization, originating precisely from firm historical and cultural confidence.

Adhering to the principle of making the past serve the present and weeding through the old to bring forth the new. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Chinese civilization continues the spiritual lifeblood of our country and nation; it requires both the passing of the torch from generation to generation and the need to advance with the times and weed through the old to bring forth the new." Combining Marxist legal theory with fine traditional Chinese legal culture requires a scientific analysis of traditional legal culture—taking its essence and discarding its dross ^[19], and persisting in making the past serve the present and breaking new ground. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law organically integrates the legal viewpoints and ideological essences found in ancient Chinese documents into the theory of the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. For instance, regarding the importance and urgency of comprehensively governing the country according to law, General Secretary Xi Jinping cites the classic discourse of the Northern Song Dynasty statesman Wang Anshi: "If good laws are established for the world, then the world will be governed; if good laws are established for a state, then the state will be governed." Based on this, he proposed significant assertions such as "when the rule of law flourishes, the state flourishes; when the rule of law declines, the state falls into chaos. Whenever the rule of law is emphasized and enlightened, the country is peaceful and the people are secure; whenever the rule of law is ignored and lax, the country falls into disorder and the people are resentful." This inherits and develops the idea within fine traditional Chinese legal culture that emphasizes the important role of law in governance. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law pays close attention to studying the traditions, successes, and failures of our ancient legal system, excavating and inheriting the essence of fine traditional Chinese legal culture, drawing nourishment, and choosing the best to follow, implementing the principles of making the past serve the present and breaking new ground in the process of building a higher-level socialist country under the rule of law.

Adhering to the "soul" and "root" of theoretical innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "The major proposition of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism itself determines that we must never abandon the soul-vein of Marxism, nor the root-vein of fine traditional Chinese culture." To combine Marxist legal theory with fine traditional Chinese legal culture, we must "speak new words" without forgetting our ancestors. Forgetting one's origins is equivalent to severing the soul-vein and root-vein, which would ultimately lead to the subversive error of losing both. For example, regarding why we must adhere to the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Since ancient times, our country has formed a Chinese Legal System that is unique in world legal history, accumulating a profound legal culture." He further noted: "In modern times, many people tried to copy Western models of the rule of law in China, but all ended in failure. History and reality tell us that only by inheriting fine traditional Chinese legal culture, exploring a legal path suited to ourselves from the practices of our country's revolution, construction, and reform, while also drawing on the beneficial achievements of foreign rule of law, can we consolidate the legal foundation for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." This vividly demonstrates that Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law remains unswerving in its adherence to Marxism as the foundation for establishing and rejuvenating the Party and the country. It persists in developing Marxism while rooted in the fertile soil of the history and culture of one’s own country and nation. Based on the magnificent five-thousand-year history of Chinese civilization, it profoundly reveals the historical necessity, cultural connotations, and unique advantages of the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. This solidifies the foundation of the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics and explores the correct direction, methods, and approach for the Sinicization of Marxist legal theory while firmly upholding the soul and root of theoretical innovation.

Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law successfully connects the essence of Marxist thought with the cream of fine traditional Chinese culture, and integrates it with the common values that the masses "use daily without realizing it" ^[20]. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Only by being rooted in the fertile soil of the history and culture of one's own country and nation can the tree of Marxist truth have deep roots and luxuriant leaves." The key to combining Marxist legal theory with fine traditional Chinese legal culture lies in making Marxist legal theory take firm root in China and become an inseparable part of the masses' conception of the rule of law. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law profoundly refines the essence of fine traditional Chinese legal culture, keenly capturing the common values of the masses contained in legal maxims, historical stories, and anecdotes, and continuously endows Marxist legal theory with a vivid and national form. For instance, regarding the necessity of promoting constitutional development, General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "The ancients said, 'laws change with the times,' 'when laws shift with the times, there is order; when governance suits the world, there is success,' and 'observe the times to establish laws, and follow circumstances to establish rites.'" As part of the superstructure, the Constitution must change in accordance with changes in the economic base. This vividly connects the essence of Marxist dialectical materialism regarding the development of things with the cream of fine traditional Chinese legal culture, such as the idea that "laws change with the times." Furthermore, regarding the use of internal Party regulations to govern the Party, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The formulation and implementation of the Eight-Point Regulations was an act of 'establishing trust by moving the wood' ^[21] for our Party in the New Era. We must grasp it unremittingly and persist over the long term; if ten years is not enough, then twenty; if twenty is not enough, then thirty, until it truly transforms into a custom and leads the social and folk atmosphere with an excellent Party style." By adapting the ancient Chinese allusion of "establishing trust by moving the wood," this integrates Marxist theory of Party building with the masses' common values of honesty and commitment. From the level of the masses' simple moral sense, it profoundly reveals the necessity and inevitability of the CPC's use of the spirit of self-revolution to solve prominent problems in Party style, demonstrating the confidence and determination of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core to win the trust of the whole Party and the people of the entire country through practical actions. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law continuously endows scientific theory with distinct Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese flair, further solidifying the cultural and mass foundation for the Sinicization of Marxist legal theory, ensuring it continues to radiate vigorous vitality.