Liu Zhiming: Rely on Tenacious Struggle to Open Up New Horizons for Career Development
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized at the provincial and ministerial-level leading cadres' seminar on "Studying the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's Important Speeches and Welcoming the 20th CPC National Congress": "The whole Party must strengthen its awareness of potential danger, adhere to bottom-line thinking, solidify the will to struggle, and enhance struggle capabilities. We must use correct strategies and tactics to respond to changes, nurture new opportunities, and open new vistas, relying on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for the development of our cause." Deeply studying and implementing this important discourse by General Secretary Xi Jinping is of extremely vital significance for us to overcome all foreseeable and unforeseen risks and challenges on the new journey with rock-solid confidence, a "seize the day" [1] drive, and indomitable perseverance. It allows us to manage our own affairs well, achieve a dynamic balance between development and security, and strive for greater glory for the Party and the people.
All Achievements of the Party and the People Were Obtained Through Continuous Struggle
Since its founding in 1921, the Party has led the people in creating great achievements in the New Democratic Revolution, socialist revolution and construction, reform and opening up and socialist modernization, and socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. This has enabled the Chinese nation to welcome a great leap from standing up and becoming prosperous to becoming strong; enabled socialism with Chinese characteristics to welcome a great leap from founding and development to refinement; and enabled the Chinese people to welcome a great leap from insufficient food and clothing to moderate prosperity (xiaokang) [2] and wealth. History eloquently proves that only under the leadership of the Communist Party of China could our country thoroughly change its countenance of extreme poverty and weakness and move toward the goal of modernization; only then could our nation thoroughly rise from its decline and welcome the bright prospects of great rejuvenation; and only then could our people thoroughly cast off their status of being exploited and oppressed to truly master their own destiny.
Just as the process of the birth and development of Marxism and socialist states was full of the hardships of struggle, all the achievements made by the Party and the people did not fall from the sky, nor were they bestowed by others as an act of charity. Rather, they were obtained through arduous struggle by the Party, which shouldered heavy historical responsibilities for the cause of the Party and the people. During the years of revolutionary war, the Party courageously took up the historical task of striving for national independence and people's liberation, engaging in heroic struggles against powerful enemies at home and abroad at the cost of enormous sacrifice. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, faced with various complex and severe tests and challenges—within and outside the Party, domestic and international, and stemming from both human society and the natural world—the Party made historical choices and carried out resolute struggles with a strong sense of responsibility and immense courage. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party has acted decisively and struggled resolutely against major risks and challenges that endangered the Party's governing status and the stability of state power, harmed the country's core interests or the people's fundamental interests, or had the potential to delay or even interrupt the process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
No other party in the world has encountered so many hardships and obstacles, experienced so many life-and-death tests, or made such tragic sacrifices as our Party. Throughout the journey of struggle spanning over a century, generation after generation of Chinese Communists have fought tenaciously and struggled unremittingly. A large number of revolutionary martyrs who viewed death as returning home, a large number of heroic figures who struggled tenaciously, and a large number of advanced models who gave selflessly have emerged. They formed great spirits such as the Great Founding Spirit of the Party, the Jinggangshan Spirit, the Long March Spirit, the Zunyi Conference Spirit, the Yan'an Spirit, the Xibaipo Spirit, the Hongyan Spirit, the Spirit of Resisting U.S. Aggression and Aiding Korea, the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" [3] Spirit, the Special Economic Zone Spirit, the Flood Fighting Spirit, the Earthquake Relief Spirit, and the Anti-Epidemic Spirit. These constitute the spiritual pedigree of Chinese Communists. The reason our Party remains in its prime after a century and continues to thrive despite many tribulations is precisely because of this powerful spirit of "revolution plus desparate exertion." For over a hundred years, the Party has not rested on its laurels or indulged in the past; it has not become lax because of its achievements, nor has it lost its way or its will to struggle amidst cheers and praise. It has always maintained a high-spirited state of advancement.
We Must Rely on Struggle to Win the Future
Society progresses through the movement of contradictions; where there are contradictions, there will be struggle. Struggle is the form through which the development of things and practical innovation are realized, embodying the law of the unity of opposites in the movement of contradictions. At present, the world's once-in-a-century great changes are accelerating, and the characteristics of changes in the world, the times, and history are becoming more apparent. Instability and uncertainty in the international situation have increased significantly. The far-reaching impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the countercurrents against economic globalization, the rise of populism and xenophobia, and the threats posed by unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonism to world peace and development all indicate that the international economic, technological, cultural, security, and political landscapes are undergoing profound and complex changes. On the new journey, we still have many "Snowy Mountains" and "Grasslands" [4] to cross and many "Loushan Passes" and "Lazikous" [5] to conquer. We will face an external environment with more "headwinds and retreating waves," and may even encounter unimaginable "stormy waves." Clearly, China's development faces new strategic opportunities, tasks, stages, requirements, and environments. The risks, challenges, contradictions, and problems we need to address are more intricate than ever before. We must be prepared to deal with a series of new risks and challenges.
It must be said plainly that as our Party has been in power for a long time, it is easy for some Party members and cadres to develop a mindset of "long-term peace leading to indolence" (chenping rijiu) [6] and mental slackness. Some feel they can now take a breather and "rest their feet," acting as "stable officials" or "peace-time bureaucrats." Some feel that "the boat has reached the pier and the bus has reached the station" [7], becoming complacent and drifting through their days with mediocre and lazy governance. Some think more of their personal interests, becoming preoccupied with gains and losses, fearing responsibility while coveting fame and enjoyment. Others are used to acting as "megaphones" or "transfer stations" [8], bypassing difficulties when they arise and passing problems up to higher authorities, lacking the edge and will to overcome tough challenges. Historical experience tells us that if a political party, a country, or an army loses its will to struggle, it is a terrifying prospect, and the brink of ruin is not far off.
On the new journey, the various struggles we face—ranging from reform, development, and stability to internal affairs, diplomacy, national defense, and the governance of the Party, the state, and the military—are not short-term but long-term. They will accompany the entire process of achieving the Second Centenary Goal [9]. In the face of major risks and powerful opponents, it is unrealistic to always hope for a quiet life without struggle; contracting "rickets" (ruangu bing) [10] or "phobia" is of no use. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "Any idea of craving ease and being unwilling to continue struggling is unacceptable; any idea of being arrogant and complacent, unwilling to continue forging ahead, is unacceptable." Only by taking the initiative to meet the challenge and struggling resolutely can there be a way forward; only then can we win dignity and seek development. Avoiding, retreating, compromising, or yielding will only lead to failure and humiliation—it is a dead end.
There are no good things in the world that can be enjoyed without effort; in many cases, victory must be obtained through struggle. Our Party relied on struggle to create history, and it must rely even more on struggle to win the future. Persisting in and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era is a difficult and great social revolution. Various hostile forces will never let us realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation smoothly. To realize the great dream, we must carry out a great struggle. Comprehensively building a modern socialist country, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively advancing the law-based governance of the country, and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party; basing ourselves on the new development stage, implementing the new development philosophy, and building a new development pattern; and safeguarding China's sovereignty, security, and development interests—all of these require us to dare to struggle and be good at struggle. We must not have the slightest arrogance or complacency, nor can we be stuck in old ways; we must not have the slightest hesitation or vacillation. We must coordinate the Great Struggle, Great Project, Great Cause, and Great Dream [11], standing at the forefront of the tide and fought bravely to win new victories in the great struggle which has many new historical characteristics.
Carry Forward the Spirit of Responsibility and Struggle
Daring to struggle and daring to win is the invincible and powerful spiritual force of the Communist Party of China. The CPC and the Chinese people have grown and strengthened through struggle, and the spirit of struggle runs through every period of China's revolution, construction, and reform. On the new journey to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must always remember the ancient teaching that "hardship leads to life, while ease leads to death" (sheng yu youhuan, si yu anle) [12]. We must maintain long-term foresight and stay alert to potential dangers even in times of peace. We must enhance our awareness of struggle, grasp the historical characteristics of the new great struggle, and strive to carry forward the spirit of responsibility and struggle. Through conscious practice of struggle, we shall open up new horizons and win new victories. With a vigorous and enterprising spirit, we should base ourselves on our posts, engage in our work, and work together to protect and create a beautiful life. It should be noted that the struggle we speak of here is not struggle for struggle's sake, nor is it struggle for personal gain. Rather, it is about shouldering heavy burdens, working hard, and overcoming difficulties to realize the people's yearning for a better life and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
To carry forward the spirit of responsibility and struggle, one must possess a selfless character and fearless courage. Those who are selfless are fearless; only those who are fearless can take responsibility and struggle. Responsibility and struggle are duties; only by daring to be responsible can it be called true responsibility and true struggle. We also need to carry forward the spirit of historical initiative, taking the initiative to strike when opportunities arise without hesitation or waiting; facing difficulties head-on without shirking or evading; and responding actively to risks without shrinking or hiding. Furthermore, we must bear in mind the "greatest interests of the nation" (guo zhi da zhe) [13], thinking about problems and handling affairs from a global and strategic height. We must ensure that all work is premised on implementing the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, adhering to the principle that the local submits to the whole and consciously taking responsibility for the overall situation. We must never harm the interests of the whole for local interests, nor harm fundamental and long-term interests for temporary ones.
The spirit of struggle—daring to fight and not fearing difficulties—is not innate. "Man is tempered through affairs, just as a blade is sharpened on a stone." (ren zai shi shang lian, dao zai shi shang mo) Only by undergoing strict ideological tempering, political training, and practical exercise—weathering the wind and rain, seeing the world, and strengthening the physique in complex and severe struggles—can one truly be forged into "pure gold refined in fire." Only by persisting in places with great difficulties and many contradictions, at times when the situation is severe and the circumstances are complex, and through tempering in major struggles, can one better practice the courage, sharpen the will, and grow the talent for struggle. Only by studying, understanding, and implementing the Party's innovative theories—deeply grasping the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, enhancing the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthening the "Four Confidences," and achieving the Two Upholds—can we master the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method. Only then can we consolidate the ideological foundation for daring to struggle and being good at struggle. Theoretical clarity leads to political firmness. Only then can we discard illusions and have the courage to struggle, refusing to yield an inch of principle or an inch of land. Only then can we safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests with unprecedented will and quality, and only then will our struggle have confidence and strength.
The wheels of history roll forward, and the tide of the times is surging. History only favors the steadfast, the enterprising, and the fighters; it does not wait for the hesitant, the idle, or the fearful. We must always take the people's yearning for a better life as our goal, maintain the fearless fighting spirit of revolutionaries, and buoy the spirit for embarking on a new journey and advancing in the New Era. With a never-failing mental state and an indomitable posture of struggle, we must actively throw ourselves into various struggles, daring to "draw the sword" (liang jian) [14] in the face of major rights and wrongs, daring to face difficulties head-on in the face of conflicts, daring to step forward in the face of crises and difficulties, and daring to struggle resolutely against unhealthy tendencies. We shall continue to march forward toward the grand goal of comprehensively building a modern socialist power and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.