Zhang Leisheng: Scientifically Grasping the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism
Abstract: Scientifically grasping the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is an essential foundation for accurately understanding why "the Sinicized and modernized Marxism works." The century-long history of struggle by the Communist Party of China (CPC) fully embodies the integration of modernization and the Sinicization of Marxism, illustrating the distinct temporal characteristics and rich contemporary connotations of the innovative fruits of Sinicized Marxism. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era remains closely attuned to the issues of the times; in advancing a new leap forward in the Sinicization of Marxism, it has opened a new realm of theoretical innovation and creation in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The reason why Sinicized and modernized Marxism works lies fundamentally in our Party's creative application of the Marxist worldview and methodology to recognize and resolve the problems of China's development. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era creatively applies the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to observe, understand, and transform the world. Through the analysis of problems facing China and the world, it has formed a worldview and methodology for Sinicized and modernized Marxism, manifesting the true essence of why "Sinicized and modernized Marxism works."
Keywords: Marxism; Sinicization and modernization of Marxism; Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC: "To continue writing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists." This important thesis provides an essential analytical perspective for us to conduct in-depth research and scientifically grasp the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Looking back at the magnificent course of our Party's century of struggle, characterized by "clearing paths through brambles and thistles" [1] and "traveling through wind and rain," Chinese Communists have persisted in using dialectical materialism and historical materialism, adhered to the "Two Combinations," and continuously opened new realms for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. This process has formed a guide of scientific theory, proving through practice why the CPC can, why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, and that ultimately it is because Marxism works, and because Sinicized and modernized Marxism works.
I. Modernization and the Sinicization of Marxism
Modernization is the "problem-field" (wèntíjù) of Marxist development. Marxism develops continuously by confronting and resolving the problems of the times. In the historical process of the Sinicization of Marxism, the CPC has proceeded from a broad international perspective and a deep understanding of China's national conditions to combine Marxism with China's national conditions and temporal characteristics. It has scientifically analyzed and answered a series of major theoretical and practical questions concerning China and the world, the present and the future, thereby continuously writing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and manifesting the temporal connotations and significance of Sinicized Marxism. The century-long history of struggle by the CPC fully embodies the integration of modernization and the Sinicization of Marxism, profoundly illustrating that the modernization of Marxism both advances its Sinicization and is simultaneously realized within the process of Sinicization.
First, staying closely attuned to the contemporary themes of the Sinicization of Marxism within concrete reality.
The combination of Marxism with the concrete realities of the CPC’s different periods of struggle over the past century has driven the historical process of the Sinicization of Marxism. In October 1938, at the Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Party, Mao Zedong established the proposition of the "Sinicization of Marxism." He pointed out: "Marxism must be integrated with the specific characteristics of our country and realized through a certain national form. The great power of Marxism-Leninism lies in its connection with the specific revolutionary practice of each country. For the Communist Party of China, this means learning how to apply the theory of Marxism-Leninism to China's specific environment." There is no such thing as abstract Marxism, only concrete Marxism. "To talk about Marxism apart from Chinese characteristics is merely abstract and empty Marxism." So-called concrete Marxism is Marxism in a national form; it is the application of Marxism to the specific environment of China, rather than its abstract application. "Therefore, making Marxism concrete in China, so that in every manifestation it bears the necessary Chinese characteristics—that is to say, applying it according to China's characteristics—has become a problem that the whole Party urgently needs to understand and resolve." Mao Zedong’s explanation of the proposition of the Sinicization of Marxism profoundly illustrates that the "concrete reality" with which Marxism must be combined is not only the basic national conditions with Chinese characteristics but also "China's specific environment." This "specific environment" itself implies changes in the era, thus inevitably requiring Marxism to face and answer the questions of the times.
The Sinicization of Marxism is precisely advanced through answering the "contemporary themes" of Chinese social and temporal development. During the New Democratic Revolution period [2], based on its fundamental understanding, analysis, and judgment of China and the world, our Party clarified that "the main task facing the Party is to oppose imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat-capitalism, strive for national independence and people's liberation, and create the fundamental social conditions for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." With Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, Chinese Communists, after 28 years of bloody and tenacious struggle, integrated the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete reality of the Chinese revolution. They scientifically answered the contemporary theme of changing China's semi-colonial and semi-feudal social nature and the tragic fate of the Chinese people, solemnly declaring to the world: the People's Republic of China is founded, and the Chinese people have stood up.
During the period of socialist revolution and construction, "the main task facing the Party is to realize the transition from New Democracy to socialism, carry out socialist revolution, advance socialist construction, and lay the fundamental political prerequisites and institutional foundations for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." With Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, Chinese Communists integrated the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete reality of China's socialist construction, scientifically answering the contemporary themes of completing the socialist revolution and entering a socialist society. They solemnly declared to the world: the Chinese people are not only good at destroying an old world but also at building a new one; only socialism can save China, and only socialism can develop China. Thus, Chinese Communists with Mao Zedong as their chief representative drove the process of the Sinicization of Marxism.
In the period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, "the main task facing the Party is to continue exploring the correct path for building socialism in China, to liberate and develop the productive forces, to lift the people out of poverty and make them prosperous as quickly as possible, and to provide the institutional guarantee of new vitality and the material conditions for rapid development for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." During this period, the Sinicization of Marxism entered a new stage of development. With Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their chief representative, Chinese Communists integrated the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete reality of China’s reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, scientifically answering the contemporary theme of "what is socialism and how to build it," and successfully creating socialism with Chinese characteristics. With Comrade Jiang Zemin as their chief representative, Chinese Communists integrated the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete reality of China’s reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, scientifically answering the contemporary themes of "what is socialism and how to build it" and "what kind of Party to build and how to build it," successfully pushing socialism with Chinese characteristics into the 21st century. With Comrade Hu Jintao as their chief representative, Chinese Communists integrated the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete reality of China’s reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, scientifically answering the contemporary theme raised by the changing times of "what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it," and successfully upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics under new historical conditions.
In the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, "the main task facing the Party is to achieve the First Centenary Goal, embark on the new journey toward the Second Centenary Goal [3], and continue moving toward the grand goal of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." With Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, Chinese Communists have integrated the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete reality of China in the New Era and with China's fine traditional culture, scientifically answering contemporary themes such as "what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era and how to uphold and develop it," successfully opening a new realm for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The history of the Sinicization of Marxism teaches us that modernization determines the contemporary themes of research in the Sinicization of Marxism and guides the correct direction of its development.
Second, manifesting the contemporary connotations of the Sinicization of Marxism within theoretical innovation.
The integration of Marxism with the concrete realities of the CPC’s struggle in different periods has resulted in theoretical leaps in the Sinicization of Marxism. Following his 1938 proposition, Mao Zedong further elucidated the meaning of the Sinicization of Marxism as it progressed. Mao believed that the Sinicization of Marxism is not only about "applying the theory of Marxism-Leninism to China's specific environment"—using Marxist stances, viewpoints, and methods to analyze and solve practical problems of Chinese social transformation and development—but also "further making theoretical creations that meet China's needs based on serious research into China's historical and revolutionary realities." Mao’s emphasis on studying the questions of the times through Marxist stances, viewpoints, and methods, summarizing the practical experience of China's history and revolution, and elevating China's original experiences into scientific theory, is precisely the unique theoretical innovation that manifests temporal connotations within the Sinicization of Marxism. Since its founding, throughout the process of the Sinicization of Marxism, the CPC has always faced reality and the era. Within the unique practices of the Chinese revolution, construction, reform and opening up, and the New Era, the Party has advanced the Sinicization of Marxism through "theoretical creations that meet China's needs."
In the historical process of the Sinicization of Marxism, a series of creative theoretical achievements have been generated in succession: Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Creative theoretical achievements are products of their times and the crystallization of rational reflections on the problems of the era. Each of these creative theoretical achievements contains the temporal connotations of the Sinicization of Marxism, thereby constituting the landmark achievements of the historical leaps in the Sinicization of Marxism.
Mao Zedong Thought is the temporal product of the application and development of Marxism during the periods of China’s New Democratic Revolution, socialist revolution, and socialist construction. Its innovative theoretical contributions to the Sinicization of Marxism include: the concept of "seek truth from facts"; the theory on the nature of the New Democratic Revolution; the theory of the revolutionary road of encircling the cities from the countryside; the dialectics and epistemology of proletarian revolutionary war; the theory of the people's democratic dictatorship; the theory of the socialist transformation of the means of production; the theory of the movement of basic social contradictions; the theory of the "Great Project" [4] of Party building; the theory of an independent foreign policy of peace; and the Three Worlds theory. These theoretical contributions represent the creative application and development of Marxism in China; they are correct theoretical principles and summaries of experience proven by the practice of the Chinese revolution and construction. Mao Zedong Thought represents the first historical leap in the Sinicization of Marxism.
Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development are the temporal products of the application and development of Marxism during China’s period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization. Their innovative theoretical contributions to the Sinicization of Marxism include: the theory of the primary stage of socialism; the theory of the essence of socialism; the theory of the socialist market economy; the theory of the basic socialist economic system; the theory of socialist democratic politics; the theory of socialist ecological civilization; and the theory of socialist social construction. Proceeding from new practices and the characteristics of the era, these contributions represent the creative application and development of Marxism in China and provide scientific answers to a series of basic questions regarding the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development achieved a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism.
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the temporal product of the application and development of Marxism in the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Its creative theoretical contributions to the Sinicization of Marxism include: strengthening the Party's leadership; the transformation of the principal contradiction [5] in socialist society; the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan; the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity; the building of a socialist state under the rule of law; the adherence to and improvement of the basic socialist economic system; and the advancement of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. Proceeding from the realities of the New Era, these contributions represent the creative application and development of Marxism in contemporary China and reflect profound reflection and scientific judgment regarding a series of major issues in the development of the cause of the Party and the state in the New Era. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has achieved a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism. These theoretical leaps in the Sinicization of Marxism teach us that all creative theoretical results of this process possess distinct temporal characteristics and rich temporal connotations. Advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is a process of pursuing truth, revealing truth, and practicing truth. Unifying the adherence to Marxism with the development of Marxism, and continuing to write new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism amidst the changing winds of the times, manifests the truth-power of why Sinicized and modernized Marxism works.
II. A New Chapter in the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism
Sinicized and modernized Marxism integrates the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and the changes of the times. Rooted in Chinese soil, it has written a glorious chapter for Marxism. Marxism has radiated vitality within China’s specific realities and temporal changes, maintaining vigorous energy, manifesting the power of truth, and achieving continuous leaps. Since the 18th Party Congress, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has remained closely attuned to the themes of the times. With a completely new horizon, it has deepened our understanding of the laws of Communist Party governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society. In advancing the new leap of the Sinicization of Marxism, it has opened a new realm of theoretical innovation and creation for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
Based on the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities, and in the face of political and economic risks and challenges rarely seen in the world or in history, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has proposed a series of original new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies. It has provided scientific answers to the "Questions of China, the World, the People, and the Times" [6], writing a new chapter in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The world today is in a period where the "changes unseen in a century" are accelerating their evolution and entering a new period of turbulence and transformation; Chinese society is also in a period of rapid development and comprehensive change. How to remain people-centered and constantly attend to the issues the people care about; how to examine the development of the world and China with a broad vision; how to base ourselves on the overall strategic goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation to promote the development of 21st-century Marxism; and how to contribute Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the vast number of urgent new problems emerging from the complex state of rapid economic globalization—all of these constitute the questions that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era must answer.
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era strictly adheres to the Marxist principle that "historical activity and thought are the thought and activity of the 'masses'." It upholds the people-centered development philosophy, taking the voice of the people as the primary signal, the needs of the people as the first priority, the improvement of the people's well-being as essential content, and the fulfillment of the people's expectations and wishes as its own responsibility. It advanced the scientific thesis that "the country is the people, and the people are the country" [7]. Through winning the battle against poverty, strengthening the social security floor for people's livelihoods, ensuring that the people enjoy fairness and justice, and meeting the needs for a better life, it seeks the way to solve problems related to the vital interests of the people, thereby answering the "Four Questions." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is permeated with a distinct orientation toward people's livelihoods and manifests a value orientation of putting the people above all else.
Upholding the mission and responsibility of the Communist Party of China and based on the changes in the principal contradiction of society in the New Era, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—in the journey of advancing the comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society—proposed the goal of building a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful, and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Through the guidance of the new development philosophy, the new summary of the basic socialist economic system, the new positioning of the relationship between the government and the market, and new expositions on national governance, it seeks the way to solve problems related to the vital interests of the people, thereby answering the "Four Questions." It provides a perfected institutional guarantee, a solid material foundation, and an active spiritual force for building a great modern socialist country and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era maintains a keenness in observing and reflecting on global issues. In the face of a series of deep-seated, all-encompassing, and long-term new problems encountered by all of humanity due to global multi-polarization and economic globalization, it proposed the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity. By advocating for "Belt and Road" international cooperation, establishing a new type of international relations, establishing a global governance view of "consultation, contribution, and shared benefits," and promoting the common values of all humanity, it has put the brand-new concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity into practical action. With a series of Chinese concepts, Chinese propositions, and Chinese solutions, it has responded to the "Four Questions." The global vision of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and its concern for the future and destiny of humanity fully manifest the lofty realm and noble aspirations of the Chinese Communists to "have the whole world in mind" (胸怀天下, xiōnghuái tiānxià).
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the Marxist view of the era, always standing at the forefront of development, focusing on and researching major frontier issues. It has proposed the mission and tasks of the Communist Party of China on the new journey in the New Era. Based on a deep investigation of the history of the Party, the history of the People's Republic of China, the history of reform and opening up, the history of socialist development, and the history of the development of the Chinese nation, it seeks a path for the innovative development of Marxism and socialism in the 21st century through the great transformations of the ten years of the New Era, the advancement of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization, and the promotion of world peace and development, thereby answering the "Four Questions." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era correctly understands and handles the relationship between China and the world, using contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism to observe the era, grasp the era, and lead the era.
On the basis of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era further upholds the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s fine traditional culture. Within these "Two Integrations" [8], it has written a new chapter in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Mao Zedong once pointed out: "We are Marxist historicists; we should not cut off history. From Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, we should summarize and inherit this precious legacy." Inheriting the precious legacy from the long river of the Chinese nation's history and transforming it into a method is of great help in guiding the Chinese revolution. On the basis of proposing the "deep integration" of Marxism with the practice of the Chinese revolution, Mao Zedong further proposed the "deep integration" of Marxism with Chinese history and culture. He pointed out: "The Chinese Communists are the inheritors of all the best traditions of our nation's culture, thought, and morality; we regard all these excellent traditions as something linked to us by flesh and blood, and we will continue to carry them forward. The Communist Party of China... aims to achieve a further deep integration of the revolutionary science of Marxism-Leninism with the practice of the Chinese revolution, Chinese history, and Chinese culture." These two "deep integrations" proposed by Mao Zedong advanced the process of the Sinicization of Marxism.
The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, based on the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, has reflected on how to advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism amidst the great practice of ten years of change. It has explored how to unearth content in China's fine traditional culture that is compatible with Marxism. On the basis of summarizing the historical experience of China’s revolution, construction, and reform, it proposed the important proposition of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s fine traditional culture. This important proposition is an innovative development of Mao Zedong’s thesis on "deep integration" and a pithy summary of the history of the Sinicization of Marxism; it is therefore an important aspect for our understanding of why Sinicized and modernized Marxism works and why it can manifest a powerful and persuasive truth-power.
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era contains the power of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s fine traditional culture. Its exposition on "cultural confidence"—which holds a foundational and root-like status within the "Four Confidences" [9]—comes from the internal unity of three elements: the five thousand years of China’s fine traditional culture, the revolutionary culture formed in the revolutionary struggles of modern China, and the advanced socialist culture with Chinese characteristics formed, enriched, and developed in the historical process of building socialism. From the strategic height of matters concerning the rise and fall of national destiny, cultural security, and the independence of the national spirit, it has formed a holistic discourse on the historical origins, development, and essential connotations of Chinese culture, as well as the importance of strengthening cultural confidence. This explains the high degree of compatibility between Marxist scientific theory and cultural inheritance and cultural genes, manifesting the spiritual power of drawing on the wisdom of China's fine traditional culture to promote the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Cultural confidence is a vital theoretical character of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Within Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the discourse on strengthening cultural confidence is primarily manifested in the following ways:
First, by combining the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture, the fundamental institution of the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological sphere has been established. Marxism is the theoretical foundation guiding the cause of the Party and the people, and the fundamental guide for our country's cultural development. Under the historical conditions where profound changes have occurred in China’s cultural field—where non-Marxist and anti-Marxist ideological viewpoints clash with Marxism, and where the advanced and the backward, the active and the passive, and the national and the foreign coexist—the establishment of the fundamental institution of Marxism's guiding status in the ideological sphere has powerfully guaranteed the correct direction of our country's cultural construction. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era concentrates the successful experience and the principles and policies accumulated by our Party during its long-term leadership of cultural construction, fully reflecting our Party’s new understanding of the laws governing socialist cultural development.
Second, by integrating the essence contained within fine traditional Chinese culture into the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the Party has adhered to the fundamental principle of "grasping with both hands and ensuring both hands are firm" [10] regarding material and spiritual civilization. The application of the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method is the root of excavating and elucidating fine traditional Chinese culture. On the journey of advancing the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must profoundly draw upon the philosophical thoughts, humanistic spirit, moral concepts, and historical wisdom contained in the extensive and profound fine traditional Chinese culture. We must adapt the most basic cultural genes of the Chinese nation to contemporary culture and coordinate them with modern society. This promotes the coordinated development of socialist spiritual and material civilization, thereby coalescing the majestic strength of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups to struggle unremittingly for the construction of a great modern socialist country and the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era not only allows fine traditional Chinese culture to endow socialism with Chinese characteristics with spiritual resources and cultural springs—rejuvenating its vitality—but also allows socialism with Chinese characteristics to display the brilliance of Marxist truth as a new form of human advancement, powerfully advancing the process of Chinese-path modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Third, by regarding the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture as the ideological and cultural fertile soil for Core Socialist Values, the important thesis was proposed that "every one of the 1.4 billion people should become a subject for the dissemination of Chinese virtues and Chinese culture." Core Socialist Values fully embody the inheritance and sublimation of fine traditional Chinese culture. Within Chinese culture, "the concepts of the common good for all under heaven (tiānxià wéi gōng), the people as the foundation of the state, governing by virtue, discarding the old to establish the new, appointing the virtuous and capable, the unity of heaven and humanity, self-improvement, social ethics, maintaining good faith and friendliness, and being kind to neighbors are important manifestations of the worldview, outlook on the universe, society, and morality accumulated by the Chinese people in their long-term production and life." All of these embody the "common values that the masses use daily without even realizing it" [11]. The essence contained in fine traditional Chinese culture nourishes the national consciousness and ethnic sentiments of Core Socialist Values. Using the historical connotations of "cultivating the self, regulating the family, and bringing peace to the world" [12] found in fine traditional Chinese culture, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era provides a unique explanation of the meaning and dialectical relationship between the three levels of Core Socialist Values—state, society, and individual—revealing the internal relationship between the essence of Marxist thought and the cream of fine traditional Chinese culture.
Fourth, in applying the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture to analyze the world and strengthen global governance, the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity was proposed. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the basic Marxist principles of world history while drawing upon the cultural essence of "the unity of heaven and humanity," "harmony among all nations," "harmony without uniformity," and "kindness in the human heart." Addressing the governance difficulties and development dilemmas facing the globe, it offers a community with a shared future for humanity—characterized by a concept of interests based on win-win cooperation, a new security concept of manifold security, a concept of civilization based on inclusivity and mutual learning, and a global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits—providing a new choice for human development and revealing the development trend wherein all countries are interdependent and the fate of humanity is closely linked.
The "two reciprocal aspects"—using the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method to carry out the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, and the fact that Marxism can only have "a tree of truth with deep roots and lush leaves" if it is "rooted in the fertile soil of the history and culture of one’s own country and nation"—constitute the fundamental basis for combining the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era activates fine traditional Chinese culture with basic Marxist principles and the spirit of the times, causing it to glow with new life. Through creative transformation and innovative development, Marxism is rooted in the soil of the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture, and that essence is integrated into the development process of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has written a new chapter in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
III. The True Essence of the Development of the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism
In the historical process of the Sinicization of Marxism, the reason why Sinicized and modernized Marxism "works" lies fundamentally in our Party's creative application of the Marxist worldview and methodology to understand and solve China's development problems. Regarding this, Xi Jinping made a profound summary at the 20th CPC National Congress: "Our adherence to Marxism as our guide means applying its scientific worldview and methodology to solve China's problems, rather than memorizing and repeating its specific conclusions and phrases, let alone treating Marxism as an unchanging dogma. We must persist in liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and being realistic and pragmatic. We must proceed from reality in all things, focus on solving practical problems in the reform, opening up, and socialist modernization of the New Era, and continually answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times. We must produce correct answers that correspond to China's reality and the requirements of the times, derive scientific understandings that conform to objective laws, and form theoretical achievements that advance with the times to better guide China's practice."
The successful practice of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism promotes the continuous innovation of the theory of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. To continue advancing theoretical innovation on the basis of practice, the key lies in grasping the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and in adhering to and applying the standpoint, viewpoint, and method that permeate it. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era stands at the height of the Marxist worldview and methodology, creatively using the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method to observe, understand, and transform the world. In its analysis of Chinese and world problems, it has formed the worldview and methodology of Sinicized and modernized Marxism.
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the Marxist mass view of history and upholds the fundamental standpoint of "putting the people first." The standpoint determines the viewpoint and the method, and it determines the perspective from which problems are observed. Respecting the people's status as the principal actors, focusing on the people's practical creations, and taking the people's fundamental interests as the highest standard are the bases for the formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The fundamental standpoint of "putting the people first" is deeply embedded in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This reflects that its formation process is both a process of combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific contemporary realities and fine traditional Chinese culture—scientifically answering major theoretical and practical questions in our development by understanding the process of socio-economic movement and grasping the laws of socio-economic development—and a process of basing itself on China's national conditions and developmental practice, elevating the practical experience of the masses into systematic theory, revealing the new characteristics and laws of China's development, and refining and summarizing the law-based results of China's developmental practice. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era "maintains a firm people's standpoint, grasps the people's aspirations, respects the people's creations, and concentrates the people's wisdom, forming a theory that is loved, identified with, and possessed by the people, making it a powerful ideological weapon for guiding the people in understanding and transforming the world."
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the Marxist historical materialist view, forging the spiritual character of "maintaining confidence and self-reliance." Historical materialism scientifically reveals the essence and laws of human historical development, providing a correct ideological method for understanding history and social reality, and providing an important theoretical foundation and scientific method for research in the philosophy and social sciences. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to historical materialism and a firm faith in Marxism. Proceeding from China's basic national conditions and the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, it dares to carry out independent theoretical exploration and innovation. It scientifically answers a series of major questions of the times regarding the persistence and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, proposing a series of original new concepts, thoughts, and strategies for state governance. With a brand-new horizon, it has deepened the understanding of the laws of Communist Party governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society, forming a firm conviction in socialism with Chinese characteristics and strengthening confidence in our path, theory, system, and culture. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, with a more active sense of historical responsibility and creative spirit, has made new contributions to the development of Marxism, opening up new frontiers for the development of 21st-century Marxism.
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the Marxist view of practice, establishing the ideological method of "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground." The Marxist view of practice holds that practice consists of all activities by which people transform the objective world. Human practical activity is a unity of "conformity to laws" and "conformity to purpose," and the combined force between these two promotes the development of practice. However, practice cannot exist independently of reflection and cognition; it requires thinking as a commander to generate practical consciousness. Thinking must be based on acquired theoretical knowledge; without thinking and theory, there is no practice. The Marxist view of practice profoundly illustrates that Marxist theory is a theory closely linked to social reality, the social practice of the masses, and specific historical conditions. It possesses inexhaustible creative vitality and vigorous energy, thus possessing the theoretical quality of carrying out theoretical innovation on the basis of respecting and innovating practice, using the fruits of theoretical innovation to lead practical innovation, and constantly advancing with the times in the interaction between theoretical and practical innovation. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era takes the Marxist view of practice as its theoretical foundation, "treating science with a scientific attitude, pursuing truth with the spirit of truth, unswervingly adhering to basic Marxist principles, unswervingly adhering to the Party's overall leadership, and unswervingly adhering to socialism with Chinese characteristics. It keeps pace with the times, responds to practical developments, treats all new things with great enthusiasm, constantly expands the breadth and depth of understanding, dares to say new things that predecessors have not said, dares to do things that predecessors have not done, and guides new practice with new theory."
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the Marxist view of contradiction, employing the "problem-oriented" working method. The Marxist view of contradiction holds that contradiction is an inherent attribute and essential characteristic of things themselves, and everything exists as a unity of contradictions. Contradiction exist universally in the process of change and development of all things—nature, human society, and human thought—and is the source and driving force of development. In the face of contradictions, one must dare to acknowledge and expose them, be skilled at observing and analyzing the movement of contradictions in various things, and persist in the concrete analysis of concrete problems. Being "problem-oriented" is an important handle for the application of the Marxist view of contradiction. Only by persisting in being problem-oriented can we aim to resolve contradictions and carry out theoretical innovation in the process of facing, analyzing, and solving problems. "The complexity and difficulty of the problems we face today have increased significantly, placing brand-new requirements on theoretical innovation." Under the historical conditions of the New Era, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—with a broader perspective, greater intensity, and higher goals—combines history with reality and domestic with international concerns to "focus on new problems encountered in practice, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, the urgent anxieties and hopes of the masses, major problems in the changing international situation, and prominent problems facing Party building, constantly proposing new concepts, new ideas, and new methods that truly solve problems."
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the Marxist systemic view, forming the "systemic concept" as a method of thinking. The Marxist systemic view holds that the world is a whole formed by the interconnection and interaction of various things, phenomena, and processes. Relations of interconnection and interaction exist between the various parts and elements within this whole, and these relations follow certain structures and laws. No system is static; rather, every system is in a process of eternal evolution, the driving force of which comes from the interaction between the internal elements of the system and between the system and its external environment. The Marxist systemic view is a method that utilizes systemic thinking to analyze the essence and internal connections of things, grasp the laws of their development, and handle the contradictions in that development. By recognizing and grasping the general laws of the movement and change of things from the perspective of the system as a whole, and by using systemic methods to guide the practice of transforming the world, we can continuously enhance the integrity, foresight, and synergy of our work. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has grasped the specific characteristics of the application of the Marxist systemic view and adheres to the systemic concept to "view reality through history and essence through phenomena, properly handling the relations between the whole and the part, the present and the long term, the macro and the micro, primary and secondary contradictions, and the particular and the general. It continuously improves the capacity for strategic, historical, dialectical, systemic, innovative, rule-of-law, and bottom-line thinking [13], providing a scientific ideological method for forward-looking thinking, overall planning, and the holistic advancement of the various undertakings of the Party and the state."
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era adheres to the Marxist view of world history, demonstrating the lofty realm of "maintaining a global vision" [14]. The Marxist view of world history holds that the development of human society proceeds on the basis of continuously expanding the scope and capacity of its own activities, following a trajectory from narrow national history toward broad world history. "The more the separate spheres, which interact on one another, expand in the course of this development, the more the original isolation of the separate nationalities is destroyed by the developed mode of production and intercourse and the division of labor between various nations naturally brought about by these, the more history becomes world history." Furthermore, "the universal development of productive forces and the world intercourse connected with this" are the driving forces promoting the transformation of human history into world history. Standing at the heights of world history and with the lofty realm of "maintaining a global vision," Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era examines the development trends of today's world, "deeply discerning the trends of human development and progress, actively responding to the universal concerns of people in all countries, and contributing to the resolution of the common problems facing humanity. With a breadth of mind that encompasses all rivers [15], it draws on and absorbs all the outstanding civilizational achievements of humanity to promote the building of a better world."
From the aspects of top-level design, strategic layout, governance strategies, and overall coordination of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era highlights the fundamental stance, spiritual character, ideological method, work method, thinking method, and lofty realm of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. It embodies a rigorous and realistic scientific attitude and an enterprising spirit of innovation, demonstrating the true essence of why Sinicized and modernized Marxism works.