Marxism Research Network
Unofficial English Translation

Zang Anmin: Mastering the Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

Academy News

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC): "Practice tells us that why the CPC works, and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, boils down to the fact that Marxism works, and specifically, Sinicized and modernized Marxism works. Having the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is the fundamental basis for our Party to strengthen its faith and conviction and to grasp historical initiative." To deeply study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress, and to translate the major decisions and arrangements made therein into action and results, we must deeply study, comprehend, and practice Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must grasp its worldview and methodology, and persist in and apply the stance, viewpoints, and methods that permeate it. By doing so, we can deeply understand the logic, scholarship, and philosophy of this important thought, moving beyond knowing what is said to knowing what is meant, and beyond knowing what it is to knowing why it is so, effectively using it to arm our minds, guide practice, and advance our work.

Achieving a New Leap in the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era insists on integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of China's traditional culture [1]. It has deepened our understanding of the laws governing the CPC's governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society from an entirely new perspective, achieving a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

Upholding the principle of putting the people first is an enrichment and development of the theory regarding the political attributes and functions of a Marxist party. The "people-centered nature" is the essential attribute of Marxism. In the Manifesto of the Communist Party, Marx and Engels pointed out: "All previous historical movements were movements of minorities, or in the interest of minorities. The proletarian movement is the self-conscious, independent movement of the immense majority, in the interest of the immense majority." This political outlook differs from all old-style political views. Marxism is rooted in the people and points out the correct path for relying on the people to push history forward. Upholding the principle of putting the people first further demonstrates our Party’s "innocent heart" [2]—always breathing the same air as the people, sharing the same fate, and staying heart-to-heart with them. This is of great and far-reaching significance for giving full play to the creative power of hundreds of millions of people and forming a powerful synergy to realize the Chinese Dream.

Maintaining self-confidence and self-reliance is an enrichment and development of the spirit of theoretical confidence in Marxist theory. In the process of creating, developing, disseminating, and practicing truth, Marx exhibited a strong theoretical confidence, firmly believing in the justice of the cause he dedicated his life to, the scientific nature of his ideas, and the greatness of his goals. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era possesses the distinct characteristics of self-confidence and self-reliance, manifesting firm faith in Marxism and firm conviction in socialism with Chinese characteristics, filled with heroic historical responsibility and creative spirit. This distinct trait inspires the broad masses of Party members, officials, and the public to strive in unity with high morale for the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country and the comprehensive advancement of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is an enrichment and development of Marxist epistemology and dialectical materialism. Engels pointed out: "Marx's whole way of thinking is not a doctrine but a method. It provides not ready-made dogmas, but starting points for further investigation and the method for that investigation." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era insists on applying a scientific worldview and methodology, keeping pace with the times, responding to the development of practice, and upholding the fundamentals while breaking new ground. It marks a new height in the development of Marxism with original theoretical contributions, guiding the CPC and the Chinese people to strive in unity and win historic victories that will shine in the annals of the Chinese nation’s development and have a profound impact on the world.

Staying problem-oriented is an enrichment and development of the problem-oriented thinking method of Marxism. Marx noted: "The problem is the open, fearless, all-dominating voice of the time. The problem is the slogan of the day, the most practical cry expressing its state of mind." A distinct feature of Marxism is its pervasive and strong "problem consciousness," dedicated to raising new questions and seeking scientific answers. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era focuses on new problems encountered in practice, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, the urgent anxieties and expectations of the masses, major issues in the changing international landscape, and prominent problems facing Party building. It constantly proposes new concepts, new ideas, and new methods to truly solve problems, driving the cause of the Party and the state to achieve historic achievements and undergo historic changes.

Applying a systems approach is an enrichment and development of the Marxist systematic view. Dialectical materialism holds that things are universally connected, that various elements within a thing influence and constrain each other, and that the entire world is an interconnected, unified whole as well as an interacting system. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must be adept at looking at reality through history, seeing the essence through phenomena, and grasping the relationship between the whole and the part, the present and the long-term, the macro and the micro, the primary and secondary contradictions, and the specific and the general. We must continuously improve our capacity for strategic thinking, historical thinking, dialectical thinking, systems thinking, innovative thinking, rule-of-law thinking, and bottom-line thinking." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era provides the fundamental basis and scientific path for prospective thinking, overall planning, and the holistic advancement of all undertakings of the Party and the state, as well as for completing the missions and tasks of the CPC on the new journey in the New Era.

Maintaining a global vision is an enrichment and development of the lofty value pursuit of Marxism to seek benefits for all humanity. Marx and Engels pointed out in the Manifesto of the Communist Party: "The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win." This scientifically revealed the inevitable trend of human society ultimately moving toward communism. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the CPC is a party that "strives for the happiness of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," and also a party that "strives for the progress of humanity and the common good of the world" [3]. Important concepts such as promoting the common values of all humanity and building a community with a shared future for humanity demonstrate the broad-mindedness of the CPC in promoting the progress of human civilization and the building of a better world. Chinese-path modernization provides a new choice for humanity to achieve modernization, providing Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength for solving common problems facing humanity, and making new major contributions to the noble cause of human peace and development.

Persisting in and Applying the Stance, Viewpoints, and Methods that Permeate It

The "Six Perspectives to Persist In" [4] constitute a major theoretical contribution of the report to the 20th National Congress. They are both a highly condensed and scientific summary of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the fundamental guidance for continuing to advance theoretical innovation based on practice and constantly writing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The "Six Perspectives" form an interconnected and internally unified organic whole; they are the basic points we must firmly grasp to deeply study and comprehensively implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Deeply comprehend the fundamental political stance contained in the "Six Perspectives." The question of "for whom" is a fundamental question of principle; it is the touchstone for testing the nature of a political party and a regime. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The country is the people, and the people are the country. As the CPC has led the people in fighting for and city-building and maintaining leadership of the country, it has actually been fighting for and maintaining the people's support" [5]. Our Party insists on doing everything for the people and relying on the people for everything, always maintaining a "flesh-and-blood" connection with the masses. The great practices led by the Party since the 18th National Congress vividly illustrate our Party's fundamental political stance of putting the people first. To grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, one must practice the Party's original aspiration and founding mission, bearing in mind that "our goals are grand, but also very simple; in the final analysis, they are about letting all Chinese people live a better life."

Deeply comprehend the major principles and direction contained in the "Six Perspectives." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The successful path of the Party's century-long struggle was explored and opened up by the Party leading the people independently; the Chinese chapter of Marxism was practiced by Chinese Communists relying on their own strength. A basic point running through this is that China’s problems must be based on China’s basic national conditions and answered by the Chinese themselves." Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the entire Party, the military, and the people of all ethnic groups to unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, completing the historical tasks of poverty alleviation and the comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, making major contributions to the global cause of poverty reduction. Historical, transformative, and overall changes have occurred in ecological and environmental protection; the spirit of the Party, the military, and the people has been unified and inspired as never before. To grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must remain unshakable in the basic principles of Marxism, the comprehensive leadership of the Party, and socialism with Chinese characteristics, ensuring our will does not falter and our path does not change, and keeping the destiny of China’s development and progress firmly in our own hands.

Deeply comprehend the strong sense of political responsibility contained in the "Six Perspectives." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out the need to "constantly propose new concepts, new ideas, and new methods to truly solve problems." Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the entire Party, the military, and the people of all ethnic groups to effectively respond to the severe and complex international situation and the series of enormous risks and challenges that followed. With great political courage, we have comprehensively deepened reform, resolutely broke down institutional and mechanistic barriers in all aspects, and basically established the foundational institutional framework in various fields, achieving historical transformation, systematic reshaping, and holistic reconstruction in many areas. In solving the unique challenges of a large party, our Party has through unremitting efforts found the "second answer" to escaping the historical cycle of rise and fall—self-revolution—fundamentally reversing the situation of "lax, soft, and loose" [6] Party governance. Grasping the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era requires the broad masses of Party members and officials to take up their due responsibilities—to be recognizable in ordinary times, to stand out at critical moments, and to risk everything in times of danger.

Deeply comprehend the lofty spiritual realm contained in the "Six Perspectives." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Expand our global vision, gain deep insight into the trends of human development and progress, actively respond to the universal concerns of people in all countries, and contribute to solving the common problems facing humanity." Since the 18th National Congress, we have comprehensively advanced major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and promoted the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, significantly enhancing our international influence, appeal, and power to shape events. To grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must broaden our minds and horizons, maintain a profound understanding of the trends of the times and a clear grasp of our own mission, adhere to the basic national policy of opening up to the outside world, firmly pursue a win-win strategy of opening up, and continuously provide new opportunities for the world with China’s new development.

Deeply comprehend the scientific thinking and working methods contained in the "Six Perspectives." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Answering and guiding the solution of problems is the fundamental task of theory." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era persists in and applies dialectical materialism and historical materialism; it contains a worldview and a view of history, as well as epistemology and methodology. It clarifies "what it is" and "how to look at it," and points out "why" and "what to do." It both deploys the tasks for "crossing the river" and provides guidance for solving the problem of the "bridge or the boat" [7]. To grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must not only comprehensively and accurately understand its core essence, spiritual substance, rich connotations, and practical requirements, but also deeply grasp the scientific thinking and working methods that permeate it, effectively using them to arm our minds, guide practice, and promote work.

Unremittingly Using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to Coalesce the Soul

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress: "Arming the whole Party with the Party's innovative theories is the fundamental task of the Party's ideological building." Only theoretical clarity can lead to political clarity; only theoretical firmness can lead to political firmness. To grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and to persist in and apply the stance, viewpoints, and methods running through it, we must integrate "study, thought, and application" and unify "knowledge, belief, and action." We must unremittingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to coalesce the soul and forge the spirit of the Party.

We must persist in comprehensive and systematic study, timely follow-up study, deep-thinking study, and reality-linked study, continuously strengthening our political awareness, emotional attachment, and proactive behavior. We must read the original works and grasp the underlying principles. Leading officials must study the report to the 20th National Congress verbatim, while also integrating the study of the report with the study of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches at the congress and related documents, as well as with the spirits of the reports to the 18th and 19th National Congresses. We must persist in combining theoretical arming with the normalized and long-term education on Party history, achieving "clarifying principles through history, increasing credit through history, honoring virtue through history, and practicing through history" [8]. We must combine individual proactive study with Party school training, centralized rotation training, special guidance, and exchange seminars, enhancing the depth and breadth of study, and promoting the theory that is loved, identified with, and owned by the people into textbooks, classrooms, and minds.

To grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, one must closely connect it to the glorious century-long history of our great Party, particularly the historic achievements and transformations in the cause of the Party and the state since the 18th Party Congress. It is essential to profoundly understand that the great transformations of the decade of the New Era hold milestone significance in the history of the Party, the People’s Republic of China, reform and opening up, the development of socialism, and the development of the Chinese nation. We must closely link this grasp to the opening of new frontiers in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, the mission and tasks of the Communist Party of China on the new journey of the New Era, and the major principles that must be firmly upheld on the road ahead. This includes major strategies, deployments, and tasks such as accelerating the establishment of the new development pattern and striving to promote high-quality development. We must connect this to the "five paths that must be taken" [9] proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping—a vital, law-like understanding derived from long-term practice—and profoundly comprehend how to achieve the "five firm grasps." [10] Furthermore, we must connect this to our own ideological and professional realities, profoundly understanding the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," bearing in mind the "Three Musts," [11] and being mindful of the "greatest concerns of the nation," [12] while consciously maintaining a high degree of unity with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in ideology, politics, and action.

Entering the New Era, we are closer to, and have more confidence and capability than at any period in history to achieve the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. At the same time, the risks and trials we face on the road ahead will only become increasingly complex; we may even encounter "stormy seas" [13] beyond imagination. All Party members and cadres, regardless of their post or nature of work, must focus on tempering their character to be courageous and skillful in struggle. We must strengthen our will to struggle, bolstering our ambition, integrity, and backbone; we must not believe in heresies, fear ghosts, or yield to pressure [14], but rather press forward in the face of difficulties and meet challenges head-on. We must navigate the direction of struggle, remaining exceptionally clear-headed and firm in our stance, struggling resolutely on matters of principle without yielding a single inch or retreating. We must enhance our prowess in struggle, insisting in our concrete work on the unity of consciousness of potential risks with strategic resolve, the unity of strategic judgment with tactical decision-making, and the unity of the process of struggle with the actual effectiveness of struggle. We must have the courage to hone ourselves in major struggles, daring to exercise our courage, temper our will, and grow our talents in places of great difficulty and concentrated contradictions, and at times when the situation is grim and complex.

The blueprint has been drawn, and the bugle has sounded. We must effectively implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era across all aspects and the entire process of the work of the Party and the state, and earnestly plan the work of our respective regions, departments, units, and posts. We should carry forward the fine style of "immediate action and honest work," [15] strengthen the sense of responsibility of "always being concerned," [16] and focus our efforts on "excellence" by correctly handling the relationship between "doing" and "doing well and excellently," while adhering to high positions, high standards, and high requirements. We must focus our efforts on "substance" by correctly handling the relationship between "surface" and "essence," resolutely resisting formalism and bureaucratism—two of the Four Winds—and firmly establishing a correct outlook on performance. We must focus our efforts on "efficacy" by correctly handling the relationship between "speed" and "quality," ensuring that what can be done and what is simple is done immediately, that urgent, difficult, and dangerous tasks are tackled by leading the charge, and that complex, long-term tasks are sustained through every possible means. Finally, we must focus our efforts on "sincerity" by correctly handling the relationship between "conspicuous achievements" and "latent achievements," [17] disregarding personal fame and fortune to win a good reputation among the masses. We must perform both tangible deeds that the people can see, touch, and benefit from, and good deeds that pave the way, lay the foundation, and benefit the long term for future generations.