Qu Qingshan: An Action Guide for Advancing Chinese Betterment/Modernization
General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the study session for new members and alternate members of the Central Committee, as well as principal leading officials at the provincial and ministerial levels, focusing on the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the CPC (hereinafter referred to as the "Important Speech at the Opening Ceremony"), is a brilliant work of Marxist literature. It represents a synthesis of the Party’s innovative theory on Chinese-path modernization and serves as an authoritative interpretation, deepening, and expansion of the spirit of the 20th National Congress. It further points the way forward and provides the fundamental follow-through for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.
During the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, our Party proposed the "three-step" development strategy [1] and later refined this strategy by putting forward the "Two Centenary Goals." [2] Through the strenuous efforts of the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country, by the time of the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, we completed the historical task of eradicating absolute poverty and finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects (小康社会, xiǎokāng shèhuì), victoriously achieving the First Centenary Goal. Now, the whole Party and the people are embarking on a new journey to comprehensively build a modern socialist country and achieve the Second Centenary Goal. The keywords and core vocabulary of this new journey in the New Era are "modernization," "comprehensively building a great modern socialist country," and "realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." These also constitute the "questions posed by China, by the world, by the people, and by the times." [3] Facing these new questions raised by practice, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has, since the 18th National Congress, sized up the situation and engaged in profound research and deep reflection on the issue of China's modernization. On the basis of reviewing world history and summarizing the course of our country’s modernization—particularly the practical innovations of the New Era—they advanced the major proposition of "Chinese-path modernization." The report to the 20th National Congress, while sketching the grand blueprint for the new journey in the New Era, summarized and profoundly expounded upon the theory of Chinese-path modernization. This is a major theoretical innovation of the 20th National Congress and the latest significant achievement of scientific socialism. The theory of Chinese-path modernization is both a focal point and a highlight of the 20th National Congress report; it is an essential content that we must profoundly comprehend and comprehensively master in our study and implementation of the Congress’s spirit.
In expounding upon Chinese-path modernization, the report to the 20th National Congress emphasized five aspects of Chinese characteristics, nine essential requirements, and five major principles that must be firmly grasped. The Chinese characteristics of Chinese-path modernization are: "it is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development." The essential requirements are: "upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China and socialism with Chinese characteristics, pursuing high-quality development, developing whole-process people's democracy, enriching the people's cultural-ethical world, achieving common prosperity for all, promoting harmony between humanity and nature, building a community with a shared future for humanity, and creating a new form of human advancement." The major principles that must be firmly grasped are: "upholding and strengthening the Party’s overall leadership, following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, applying a people-centered development philosophy, remaining committed to deepening reform and opening up, and carrying forward our fighting spirit." This content constitutes a highly refined distillation and summary of the connotation and essence of Chinese-path modernization by the 20th National Congress report. It profoundly answers major theoretical and practical questions such as "what is" Chinese-path modernization, "what is it for," and "how to do it." It is a comprehensive summary of the Party’s practice of modernization, a systematic induction of its theory of modernization, and a major innovation and enrichment of global modernization theory.
In his Important Speech at the Opening Ceremony, General Secretary Xi Jinping focused specifically on the issue of Chinese-path modernization. He profoundly expounded on a series of major theoretical and practical issues, deepening, expanding, and sublimating the discourse found in the 20th National Congress report. The six issues he elucidated are interconnected, consistent, and mutually supporting; they constitute a complete theoretical system that greatly enriches and develops the theory of Chinese-path modernization. This raises our Party’s understanding to a new height and writes a new chapter in the innovative theory of Chinese-path modernization. The speech is of major significance for our correct understanding of Chinese-path modernization and the comprehensive implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress.
Deeply study and comprehend the momentous thesis that Chinese-path modernization is a major achievement resulting from the long-term exploration and practice of the people under the leadership of our Party
The first issue General Secretary Xi Jinping expounded upon in his Important Speech at the Opening Ceremony was that Chinese-path modernization is a major achievement of the Party’s long-term exploration and practice. This momentous thesis profoundly answers the question of how Chinese-path modernization came to be. The 20th National Congress report provided a concise discourse and brief answer to this: Chinese-path modernization was "successfully promoted and expanded by our Party on the basis of long-term exploration and practice since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and especially since the start of reform and opening up, and through theoretical and practical breakthroughs since the 18th National Congress." General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech adopts a grand historical perspective—employing a "macro-view of history," historical materialism, and a "correct view of Party history." [4] He began with over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, moved through the Self-Strengthening Movement, the Hundred Days' Reform, and the Revolution of 1911 in modern Chinese history, and proceeded to the century-long struggle of the Communist Party of China. He spoke of the Party leading the people through the New Democratic Revolution, the socialist revolution and construction, and the period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, thereby advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics into the New Era. Chinese-path modernization is a continuous progression, achieved by the Party leading the people through untold hardships and at a great cost. History demonstrates that Chinese-path modernization emerges from Marxism, from fine traditional Chinese culture, from the century of struggle of the CPC, and from the great practices of the New Era. Comrade Mao Zedong once said, "If one does not speak of history, one cannot explain the logic," "Only by speaking of history can one persuade people," and "By looking at history, one can see the future." By expounding on Chinese-path modernization through the lens of history, General Secretary Xi Jinping has arrived at a convincing conclusion.
Deeply study and comprehend the momentous thesis that Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China
The second issue General Secretary Xi Jinping expounded upon was that Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China. This momentous thesis profoundly answers the question of the fundamental attribute of Chinese-path modernization. This is the greatest, most critical, and most core issue. The 20th National Congress report stated: "Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China." Among the nine essential requirements defined in the report, the very first is "upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China." Similarly, the first of the five major principles that must be firmly grasped is "upholding and strengthening the Party’s overall leadership." The reason for repeatedly reiterating and emphasizing this issue is that modern Chinese history shows that Chinese-path modernization must be led by the CPC—it can only be led by the CPC, and not by any other political party or force. The nature, purpose, original aspiration, mission, faith, beliefs, policies, and propositions of the Party determine that Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization, not any other kind. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "This is the statement that defines the quality of Chinese-path modernization; it governs everything and is fundamental." The Party's leadership is directly related to the fundamental direction, future destiny, and ultimate success or failure of Chinese-path modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech profoundly expounds on this from four aspects: the Party’s leadership determines the fundamental nature of Chinese-path modernization; it ensures that modernization stays the course toward its goals with steady and sustained progress; it stimulates a powerful impetus for building modernization; and it aggregates the majestic strength for its construction. This is the primary and paramount issue in our process of advancing Chinese-path modernization. It must not be forgotten for a moment; it must be kept in mind at all times.
Deeply study and comprehend the momentous thesis that Chinese-path modernization is the broad road for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation
The third issue General Secretary Xi Jinping expounded upon was that Chinese-path modernization is the broad road (康庄大道, kāngzhuāng dàdào) [5] for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. This momentous thesis profoundly answers the question of the "Chinese characteristics" of modernization. Particularity resides within universality, and universality is contained within particularity; all things are a unity of the particular and the universal. What kind of modernization path a country chooses is determined by its historical traditions, social system, developmental conditions, external environment, and many other factors. Different national conditions lead to different paths to modernization. Practice has proven that for a country to move toward modernization, it must both follow the general laws of modernization and, more importantly, fit its own reality and possess its own characteristics. Chinese-path modernization shares features common to all modernizing countries but is characterized by distinct features based on its own national conditions. The 20th National Congress report summarized five aspects of these characteristics, profoundly revealing the scientific connotation of Chinese-path modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech further elaborated on these five aspects from the perspective of the "broad road." The modernization of a huge population is a salient feature; common prosperity for all is the essential feature; material and cultural-ethical advancement is the noble pursuit; harmony between humanity and nature is a distinct characteristic; and the path of peaceful development is a prominent feature. From this, we can conclude that Chinese-path modernization is the only way to comprehensively build a great modern socialist country and the broad road to national rejuvenation. We must persist in "not changing the path or the original ambitions" (道不变、志不改), undeterred by any risks and unswayed by any interference, unswervingly following this broad road.
Deeply study and comprehend the momentous thesis that Chinese-path modernization has created a new form of human advancement
The fourth issue General Secretary Xi Jinping expounded upon was that Chinese-path modernization has created a new form of human advancement (人类文明新形态, rénlèi wénmíng xīn xíngtài). This momentous thesis profoundly answers the question of the major contribution Chinese-path modernization makes to the world and humanity. The 20th National Congress report, in discussing essential requirements, proposed "creating a new form of human advancement," providing a qualitative judgment. What are its internal connotations and external extensions? That is to say, how do we give it a scientific definition? General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech answers this question. To date, this is the newest, most complete, and most authoritative expression our Party has made: "Chinese-path modernization is deeply rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture, embodies the advanced nature of scientific socialism, draws on and absorbs all outstanding achievements of human civilization, represents the developmental direction of human progress, and presents a new picture different from Western modernization models... it is a brand-new form of human advancement." What is the world significance of this new form? Chinese-path modernization shatters the myth that "modernization = Westernization." It provides a brand-new modernization model for the globe, represents a major transcendence of Western modernization theory and practice, offers a new choice for the vast number of developing countries, and contributes Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to the peace and development of humanity. We must strengthen our confidence in our history and culture, and enhance our sense of mission and responsibility to make greater contributions to humanity.
Deeply study and comprehend the momentous thesis that advancing Chinese-path modernization requires properly handling several major relationships
The fifth issue expounded by General Secretary Xi Jinping in his important speech at the opening ceremony is that advancing Chinese-path modernization requires the proper handling of several major relationships. This important judgment profoundly answers the methodological questions regarding the advancement of Chinese-path modernization. To cross the river, one must first solve the problem of the "bridge" or the "boat" [6]. Advancing Chinese-path modernization is a systematic project that requires balancing various factors, systematic planning, and holistic advancement, while correctly handling a series of major relationships. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech proposed six pairs of major relationships that must be properly handled: the relationship between top-level design and practical exploration; between strategy and tactics; between upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground; between efficiency and equity; between vitality and order; and between self-reliance/self-strengthening and opening up to the outside world. This marks the first time, following the proposal of the five major principles that must be firmly grasped in advancing Chinese-path modernization, that these six pairs of major relationships have been put forward. It provides a scientific ideological method and work method for the question of "how to do it" in advancing Chinese-path modernization, possessing extreme political, strategic, ideological, instructional, targeted, and operational significance. If we are to successfully advance Chinese-path modernization, we must correctly handle this series of major relationships in practice.
Deeply studying and comprehending the important judgment that advancing Chinese-path modernization must involve great struggle.
The sixth issue expounded by General Secretary Xi Jinping in his important speech at the opening ceremony is that advancing Chinese-path modernization must involve great struggle. This important judgment profoundly answers the question of tactics and means for advancing Chinese-path modernization. When discussing the five major principles that must be firmly grasped in advancing Chinese-path modernization, the Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasized the need to persist in carrying forward the spirit of struggle [7]. Building upon the foundations of the Report to the 20th National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech expanded on this issue from three perspectives: maintaining strategic sobriety to be fully aware of various risks and challenges; maintaining strategic confidence to strengthen the foundation for struggle; and maintaining strategic initiative to enhance the capability for struggle. Strategic sobriety, strategic confidence, and strategic initiative—these three "strategics" are interlinked, interrelated, and progressive, forming an organic and unified whole that ultimately reaches the realm and height of opening up new horizons for the development of our cause through tenacious struggle. History has repeatedly proven that if security is sought through struggle, security survives; if security is sought through weakness and concession, security perishes. If development is pursued through struggle, development flourishes; if development is pursued through weakness and concession, development declines. This is the basis, the reason, and the logic behind why advancing Chinese-path modernization must involve great struggle. On the journey of the New Era, we must "clearly know there are tigers in the mountains, yet head straight toward them" [8], and resolutely engage in the great struggle with many new historical characteristics. To struggle with heaven is infinite joy; to struggle with earth is infinite joy; to struggle with hostile forces that attempt to contain, blockade, and suppress China, and who wish to delay or interrupt the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, is infinite joy [9]. Through struggle, we weather the storm, see the world, strengthen our bones, and grow our talents. The conviction of victory is forged through combat; new horizons are carved out through struggle.
(The author is the President of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee)