Liu Jianjun: Striving to Write a New Chapter in the Adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

The important discourse on the "Sinicization and modernization of Marxism" in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC contains extremely rich and profound ideological connotations, possessing significant innovative value and guiding significance in both theory and practice. It is undoubtedly essential to earnestly study and grasp these important expositions and explain them from a scholarly perspective.

1. Marxism is a theory in constant development; localization and modernization are the basic paths for its innovation and development. Only by combining the two can we comprehensively grasp the laws of the innovative development of Marxism and the theoretical basis for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

In his congratulatory letter to the World Forum on Marxism and Political Parties, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that Marxism is an open theory in constant development; only through localization can it take root, and only through modernization can it be full of vitality. This important discourse profoundly reveals the general law by which Marxism achieves innovative development through the fundamental paths of localization and modernization.

Localization and modernization are the two basic paths for the innovative development of Marxism. Among them, localization refers to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the national conditions of various countries, allowing Marxism to take root, blossom, and bear fruit; modernization refers to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the characteristics of the times, enabling Marxism to keep pace with and lead the era. Localization emphasizes the spatial dimension of the innovative development of Marxism, highlighting the process by which Marxism spread from its Western European birthplace to the whole world, taking root and achieving innovative development in various countries. Modernization emphasizes the temporal dimension of the innovative development of Marxism, highlighting the process by which Marxism has continuously developed along with the changing times since its emergence in the mid-19th century, passing through the 20th and 21st centuries. Localization and modernization are complementary; only by organically unifying the two can we completely grasp the process and laws of the innovative development of Marxism.

The localization and modernization of Marxism, when specified to China, is the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. This is a vivid manifestation of the general law of the innovative development of Marxism within the practical struggles of Chinese Communists. To comprehensively and profoundly grasp the connotation and significance of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, we must deepen our understanding based on the laws revealed by General Secretary Xi Jinping regarding how Marxism achieves innovation through localization and modernization. We must grasp the innovative development of Marxism in China through the respective connotations and internal connections of Sinicization and modernization.

2. The history of the Party’s century of struggle, especially the century of theoretical innovation, is a process of continuously advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and a process of achieving successive theoretical leaps.

Remaining unswerving in upholding the guiding position of Marxism and continuously advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is the most precious experience of the Party’s century of theoretical innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: "Practice tells us that why the Communist Party of China works and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good is, in the final analysis, because Marxism works, and the Sinicized and modernized Marxism works." This is because Marxism is the scientific worldview of the proletariat, a doctrine that unifies scientificity, people-centeredness, practicality, and openness, and an action guide for the people to create a better life. Only when the basic principles of Marxism are integrated with China's specific realities ^[1] and with China's fine traditional culture ^[2]—taking the road of the Sinicization of Marxism—can it take root, blossom, and bear fruit in China. Only when the basic principles of Marxism are integrated with the characteristics and conditions of different eras—taking the road of the modernization of Marxism—can it shine brilliantly in every age.

Since its founding, our Party has written Marxism upon its banner, using this scientific theory to guide China's revolutionary practice. However, under the special historical conditions of Chinese society, how exactly to utilize Marxism effectively to guide specific revolutionary struggles was a question requiring constant exploration. Comrade Mao Zedong proposed the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, integrated Marxism with the specific realities of the Chinese revolution, and proposed and initiated the path of theoretical innovation known as the "Sinicization of Marxism." Throughout the Party's century of struggle and theoretical innovation, Chinese Communists have continuously advanced the process of the Sinicization of Marxism, allowing the Party's theoretical innovation to bear abundant fruit.

It can be said that the "modernization of Marxism" is an inherent requirement of the "Sinicization of Marxism." Because the Sinicization of Marxism is a historical process, this process contains different historical periods and possesses different requirements of the times. Whether in the period of the New Democratic Revolution ^[3], the period of socialist revolution and construction, the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, or the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, there have been different principal social contradictions and central tasks for the Party, all requiring answers to the "questions of the times." Currently, the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world's profound changes unseen in a century ^[4] are interacting. Profound changes are occurring in domestic and international situations. To better answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times, the need for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism has become more urgent and prominent, presenting new theoretical subjects and growth points for theoretical innovation.

Advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is a process of pursuing, revealing, and practicing truth. In this process, the scientific and truthful nature of Marxism has been fully tested in China; its people-centered and practical nature has been fully implemented in China; and its open and contemporary nature has been fully demonstrated in China. Marxism and its innovative theories of Sinicization and modernization have become the spiritual pillar for the Chinese people to struggle bravely and a scientific guide in the pursuit of a better life.

3. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the latest theoretical achievement in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, achieving a new leap, opening a new realm, and pointing out the forward direction for further advancing this process on the new journey.

In the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, General Secretary Xi Jinping has conducted profound reflection and scientific judgment on a series of major theoretical and practical issues concerning the development of the Party and the state. Regarding major contemporary subjects such as what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era and how to uphold and develop it, what kind of great modern socialist country to build and how to build it, and what kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build and how to build it, he has proposed a series of strategic, forward-looking, and creative new concepts, new thoughts, and new strategies, marking a new height in the development of Marxism. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the latest theoretical achievement of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism; it is contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism, opening a new realm and achieving a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

We must dialectically grasp the scientific meaning and theoretical positioning of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as "contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism" through the unity of the dual dimensions of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Among these, "contemporary Chinese Marxism" is primarily stated from the perspective of the Sinicization of Marxism, referring to the latest theoretical achievement of Sinicized Marxism; "21st-century Marxism" is primarily stated from the perspective of the modernization of Marxism, referring to the latest theoretical achievement of modernized Marxism. Together, they reflect the comprehensiveness and integrity of the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, in enriching and developing Marxism in contemporary China and the world.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era possesses a distinct spirit of innovation, further enriching and developing Marxism under new conditions through its original ideas. The innovative value of this scientific thought is reflected in its summation of the historical experience of the CPC’s century of struggle, especially the fresh experience of practical exploration in the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It condenses and demonstrates the profound wisdom contained in China's fine traditional culture, enriching and developing Marxist philosophy, political economy, and scientific socialism—especially the Marxist worldview and methodology. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era further reveals the laws of the Communist Party’s governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society, as well as their application and observance in China. It is the guiding ideology and action guide for the Party to lead the people of all ethnic groups in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, comprehensively building a modern socialist country, and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

There is no end to practical exploration, and there is no end to theoretical innovation. In his speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to "continuously advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism" and "continue to develop contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism." In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping further put forward the requirement to "continuously write new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism" and pointed out the forward direction and ideological observance for these efforts on the new journey of the New Era. On the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, to continuously advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and write new chapters, we must effectively grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must uphold and utilize the stances, viewpoints, and methods running through it: putting the people first, maintaining self-confidence and self-reliance, upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, staying problem-oriented, applying systems thinking, and maintaining a global vision. We must continuously advance theoretical innovation based on practice, deeply comprehend the logic, academic basis, and philosophy ^[5] of the Party's innovative theories, ensuring we understand not just the words but their meaning, not just what is happening but why, and earnestly implement the Party's innovative theories in all aspects and throughout the entire process of the Party and state's work.

4. On the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, continuing to write new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and continuing to develop contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists.

On the new journey of the New Era, we must continue to advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, deepening the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific realities and China's fine traditional culture. We must continuously consolidate the historical foundations and mass base of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, allowing Marxism to take firm root in China. Currently, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation presents an unprecedentedly bright future. The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core is leading the people of all ethnic groups to forge ahead with fortitude and blaze new trails under new historical conditions, striving to comprehensively build a modern socialist country and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. As great practice continues to deepen, theoretical innovation will also continue to advance, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era will be continuously and greatly enriched and developed.

On the new journey of the New Era, we must continue to advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and continue to develop 21st-century Marxism. Upholding and developing Marxism under new contemporary conditions is a daunting task for Marxists worldwide, including Chinese Communists. Contemporary Chinese Communists must not only focus on the specific application of the basic principles of Marxism in China but also on the modernized development of these principles, contributing to the new development of Marxist basic principles in the 21st century. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era reflects the latest development of Marxism in the 21st century and contains the original contributions of Chinese Communists to Marxism. As China increasingly moves toward the center of the world stage and as the international influence of socialism with Chinese characteristics grows, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, will make greater contributions to the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism through practical and theoretical innovations in self-revolution and social revolution.

Continuously advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and continuing to develop contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism is a solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists, as well as the historical responsibility of the Chinese nation and all Chinese people. Further advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era is of great significance not only for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation but also for promoting the progress of human civilization. It is of great significance not only for advancing the practical development of world socialism but also for enriching and developing Marxist theory. New contemporary subjects and challenges continue to emerge, and new tasks and requirements lie before us. All sons and daughters of the Chinese nation must unite closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, move forward courageously under the Party's leadership, and continuously advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the enrichment and development of Marxism in 21st-century China and the world.