Marxism Research Network
Unofficial English Translation

Ai Silin and Chen Tianying: The Triple Dimensions of Constructing the Discourse System of Chinese Modernization

Academy News

Abstract: Chinese-path modernization is a socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China (CPC); it is a new type of modernization with distinct Chinese characteristics. Building a discourse system for Chinese-path modernization represents a theoretical sublimation and practical summation based on a realistic trajectory. It provides discourse-level guarantees and support for deeply understanding the practical achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics, realizing the goal of a great modern socialist country, and presenting a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China. The successful advancement of Chinese practice, the rich supply of original discourse, and the value orientation toward the common development of humanity provide the possibility for constructing a discourse system for Chinese-path modernization. To accelerate the construction of this discourse system, we must follow the guiding principles of mainstream ideology in practice, export discourse values through multi-dimensional and diverse communication carriers, highlight theoretical superiority in content interpretation, and enhance the audience's sense of identity with the discourse system. In doing so, we shall fulfill the mission and task of comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

Keywords: Chinese-path modernization; discourse system; systemic construction; practical path

Through protracted efforts, China is moving toward comprehensively building a modern socialist country. The proposal of "Chinese-path modernization" conforms to the trend of historical development, has "created a new form of human civilization," and points out the road and direction for China's modernization, breaking the illusion that modernization is synonymous with Western modernization. Whether as a strategic concept for national development or a value guide for the unity and struggle of the masses, the dissemination and acceptance of Chinese-path modernization must undergo a process of discourse system construction. Only in this way can we clearly hoist our banner to the outside world and respond to Western countries' doubts regarding Chinese-path modernization, while internally uniting the forces of struggle to comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The construction of a discourse system for Chinese-path modernization requires profound theoretical possibility and, more importantly, the ability to be transformed into reality through practical dissemination—to "accelerate the construction of a Chinese discourse and Chinese narrative system, tell China’s stories well, make China’s voice heard, and present a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China."

I. The Necessity of Constructing a Discourse System for Chinese-path Modernization

Constructing a discourse system for Chinese-path modernization is conducive to deeply understanding the great practical achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics, highlighting the achievements of the Party's century-long struggle, gathering the strength of unity and struggle to achieve the great goal of a modern socialist country, enhancing the persuasiveness and influence of Chinese-path modernization in the international arena of public opinion, and broadening its international communication reach.

(1) The need for discourse guarantees to deeply understand the great practical achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics

The formation and development of any discourse system are inseparable from practice in the material world. The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization is generated from the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics; it is the externalized representational form of practice at the level of thought and theory. The construction of this discourse system can use Chinese narrative forms to explain the way of success in this great practice, providing a powerful guarantee for deeply understanding the achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization is generated within social practice. Marx pointed out: "The production of ideas, of conceptions, of consciousness, is at first directly interwoven with the material activity and the material intercourse of men, the language of real life." Ideas originate from practice, and discourse is the form of expression for ideas. Discourse combinations generated from the process of material practice form "discourse groups," and the interlacing connections of countless discourse groups constitute a discourse system. Chinese-path modernization is precisely a discourse system generated based on a realistic path. It sprouted, developed, and matured within the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is a discourse system constructed in the process of carrying out the Great Struggle, building the Great Project, advancing the Great Cause, and realizing the Great Dream [1], possessing distinct practicality and uniqueness. The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization is closely linked to and inseparable from the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics; it is the cognitive fruit of the practical process, and the two are mutually related and mutually shaping. The discourse system is born out of the practical process, and practical achievements are displayed through the discourse system. The construction of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system is both a deepening of experience based on practice and a means to better externalize the expression of great practical achievements, promoting the further development of great practice with a self-aware and self-confident set of discourse groups. The great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics endows the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization with unique theoretical, practical, national, and epochal characteristics. Clearly explaining the practical process by which socialism with Chinese characteristics achieved great success has thus become an inevitable requirement and important mission of constructing the discourse system.

The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization provides theoretical guarantees for practice. A discourse system is the external representational form through which a specific subject generalizes and condenses relevant ideas, concepts, or intellectual theories; it is a bridge of communication between the material world and the spiritual world. The CPC is a party adept at summarizing historical experience. The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization is a theoretical interpretation and summation of the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, helping to analyze the historical practical process of Chinese-path modernization from the perspective of theoretical construction. It can provide a theoretical guarantee for the contemporary interpretation of the development of socialism in the 21st century. Facts have proven that the construction of a discourse system must be continuously refined and enriched in step with the development of socio-historical practice. It must be innovatively summarized according to the practice subject's new cognition of the objective material world. Only by providing a path for maintaining the discourse narrative framework at the theoretical level can practical achievements be effectively consolidated and endogenous momentum for practice be stimulated. Chinese-path modernization is a great and unique practical innovation in the history of human development. In just a few decades, China has completed the modernization process that Western developed countries took several centuries to traverse, creating a modernization path suited to China's national conditions that has enabled the Chinese nation to stand up, grow rich, and become strong. It is a "path that puts the interests of the people first," a "path of reform and innovation," and a "path of seeking common development amid opening up." Only by "convincing people with reason" can one "act effectively." Practical results require theoretical construction and interpretation. Moving from "doing well" to "making it make sense" and "explaining it well" involves using systematic, theoretical, and scientific discourse to explain the achievements, problems, and future development of the great practice, presenting them to the public in their daily lives, thereby providing a discourse guarantee at the theoretical level for a deep understanding of the great practical achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

(2) The need for discourse cohesion to realize the great goal of a modern socialist country

Looking back at history, modernization has run through the century-long history of the Party. The construction of a discourse system for Chinese-path modernization is conducive to highlighting the Party's achievements over a century of struggle and, more importantly, helps provide the cohesive force of consensus for achieving the Second Centenary Goal [2].

Constructing a discourse system for Chinese-path modernization is conducive to highlighting the Party's achievements over a century of struggle. "Chinese-path modernization" condenses the practical experience and value connotations of the CPC's century of struggle, highly reflecting the Party's spirit of historical initiative and practical originality. From the perspective of the Party’s century-long struggle, the "Chinese-path modernization" discourse system is the externalized manifestation of the practical process of the Party uniting and leading the people of the whole country in revolution, construction, and reform. It is the sum of positive, proactive, and progressive discourse information, always moving in the same direction and resonating at the same frequency as the Party's struggle. During the period of the Old Democratic Revolution [3], China's modernization followed the path of "taking the West as a teacher" in terms of artifacts, systems, and concepts. However, the results of the Hundred Days' Reform and the Revolution of 1911 both proved the failure of this exploration. It was not until Marxism was combined with the power of the workers through the May Fourth Movement and the New Culture Movement that the Chinese nation transformed from spiritual passivity to initiative. Under the leadership of the Party, the exploration of modernization began to have a clear direction. During the stage of exploring socialist construction, China’s modernization efforts realized a transition from "taking the Soviet Union as a teacher" to "taking the Soviet Union as a reference" and "walking one's own path." History has proven that only by "combining the universal truth of Marxism with the concrete reality of our country, walking our own path, and building socialism with Chinese characteristics" can the goal of modernization belonging to China be achieved. Entering the New Era, the Party has led the people in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Achieving the First Centenary Goal is the contemporary practical manifestation and self-confident expression of Chinese-path modernization, reflecting the importance and correctness of "walking one's own path." A discourse system can not only reflect the evolution of the Party's century-long history but also demonstrate the ideals, beliefs, political values, and action requirements of that history. At this new historical juncture, building the discourse system for Chinese-path modernization is conducive to highlighting the achievements of the CPC's century of struggle. It is one of the forms of expression for the century-old Party history on the new journey, capable of strengthening confidence and gathering strength for the realization of the Second Centenary Goal.

The construction of a discourse system for Chinese-path modernization helps to gather a social consensus for struggle. Members of society do not naturally possess a sense of identity and trust in a particular political thought. The construction of the legitimacy of consensus must involve the output and communication of discourse among members. Only when "members of society express recognition of the legitimacy of political rule based on a certain value belief" can the broadest masses be mobilized. The construction of a modern socialist country must gather the consensus of the entire society through the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization, forming a highly conscious recognition of values. We must use the discourse system to interact and communicate with the masses, guiding individual cognition toward the goals of construction and struggle. If individuals in society cannot form a clear and comprehensive understanding of the practice of Chinese-path modernization, they can easily be fragmented by various erroneous trends of thought, leading them to doubt or even take a negative attitude toward the great goals of struggle. "The history of a century of struggle tells us that unity formed around clear goals of struggle is the most solid unity." Constructing a discourse system can project an intangible consensus holistically into the human mind, reifying and gathering vague consensus, thereby increasing the centripetal force and self-confidence of social members toward building a great modern socialist country. For example, the Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC systematically expounded on Chinese-path modernization from multiple dimensions—such as its nature, basic features, essential requirements, major principles, and major strategies—and proposed various development goals closely related to people's lives. This can eliminate the "indifferent" mentality of individuals and form an identity of "it concerns me," gathering the consensus for struggle and thus assisting in the realization of the goal of a modern socialist country.

(3) The need for discourse support to present a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China

Discourse is a tool for communication between people, and a discourse system at the national level serves as a carrier for mutual dialogue and understanding between sovereign states. The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization helps to present a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China, creating a "Chinese volume" that matches "China's weight," eliminating misunderstandings and misinterpretations of China's modernization development in the international community through dialogue, and providing discourse support for enhancing China's international influence.

It provides a discourse defense for presenting a true, multi-dimensional, and panoramic view of Chinese-path modernization. As an externalized form of ideological expression, the essence of a discourse system is nothing more than "the ideal expression of the dominant material relations." Ideology uses discourse as its external carrier, using multiple sets of discourse groups as a discourse system that reflects ideological concepts, ultimately achieving the goal of influencing and penetrating other ideologies in practice. For a long time, Western developed countries, by virtue of their dominance over the means of material production, have controlled the dominant power over international public opinion. The communication and dialogue of discourse systems have manifested in an international public opinion situation where "the West is strong and we are weak." After the start of Reform and Opening-up, we achieved great material success, and our international right to speak has been improved to a certain extent. However, the situation of "the West is strong and we are weak" has not changed; our country still exhibits a state of being "voiceless" or "speechless" in the international arena of public opinion. "The new path of Chinese-path modernization has already had a substantive impact on a global scale, but in terms of discourse power awareness and discourse system construction, it has not yet achieved results or a status comparable to its modernization achievements." If the international community cannot comprehensively, objectively, and rationally understand China's modernization, biased or even false arguments that smear and distort China's development will easily spread. The struggle in international public opinion is becoming increasingly complex. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "To tell China's stories well, make China's voice heard, and present a true, multi-dimensional, and panoramic view of China is an important task in strengthening our international communication capacity." Therefore, we must accelerate the construction and dissemination of the discourse system for Chinese-path modernization, using it to reverse the "voiceless" situation, resist the erosion of nihilism, and provide a discourse defense to prove that modernization does not have only one practical path—that of the West.

Expanding the breadth of communication for Chinese-path modernization provides discursive support. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "China's image in the world is still largely 'shaped by others' rather than 'self-shaped'; internationally, we are sometimes in a position where we have the truth but cannot speak it, or if we speak it, it does not spread." Due to the long-standing influence of an ideological landscape where "the West is strong and we are weak," the international communication of Chinese-path modernization faces the distorting challenges of false public opinion and discourse traps. For example, Western countries have upgraded and concocted discursive systems such as "Chinese neo-colonialism" and "Chinese neo-imperialism" based on the "China threat theory," and have hyped up topics like "genocide" and "forced labor" regarding the Xinjiang cotton incident. These are merely products of the influence of "colonialist" and "imperialist" thought from their own modernization processes; they do not believe that Chinese-path modernization is a path of peaceful development that does not rely on plunder and war. Therefore, to avoid misunderstandings of Chinese-path modernization by the international community and to respond to Western doubts about China's modernization construction, the construction of a discourse system has become an urgent necessity. The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization is not a case of talking to oneself; rather, it uses Chinese practice to construct Chinese discourse. We must be "adept at distilling signature concepts and creating new concepts, new categories, and new expressions that are easy for the international community to understand and accept," providing discursive support to enhance the international persuasiveness and influence of Chinese-path modernization.

II. The Possibility of Constructing a Discourse System for Chinese-path Modernization

The construction of a discourse system for Chinese-path modernization can play an active role in the process of advancing the comprehensive building of a great modern socialist country. However, constructing a discourse system possessing both contemporary relevance and value-orientation is not something that can be done on a whim; it must be built upon a solid foundation. The construction of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system must be rooted in Chinese reality, focused on original discourse to build the unique core of the system, and directed toward the global significance of human development to fortify its value foundation.

(1) Being rooted in Chinese reality is the source of content for constructing the discourse system General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our task is to build a modern socialist country in all respects; naturally, the modernization we build must have Chinese characteristics and be consistent with Chinese reality." The construction of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system is not a tree without roots or water without a source. Historical accumulation has forged a rich foundation for its construction, while the dynamic development of contemporary practice provides the endogenous power for its long-term construction.

Historical accumulation has forged the foundation of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system. Chinese-path modernization is not a modernization that seeks answers from Western history and reality, but one that the Party has united and led the Chinese people to achieve through practical struggle. After the Opium War, the country suffered humiliation, the people suffered hardship, and civilization was covered in dust [4]; the nation was spiritually passive and practically besieged at every turn. The Communist Party of China has combined the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with China's fine traditional culture [5]. In historical practice, the Party followed the inherent requirements of the materialist conception of history, actively recognized and mastered historical laws, broke through backward spiritual shackles with the spirit of historical initiative, formed the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and realized the continuous development of Chinese civilization. A discourse system is the external manifestation of theoretical values, conceptual knowledge, and so forth. It is precisely because of these rich theoretical origins and heavy practical accumulations that the forging of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system has become a possibility. For instance, Chinese-path modernization always adheres to the people-centered development philosophy, which both inherits the Marxist conclusion derived from practice that "the masses of the people create history" and integrates the essence of "people-as-the-foundation" [6] (minben) thought from China's fine traditional culture. Chinese-path modernization is not a discourse system that dropped from the sky; it is a discourse system with persuasiveness and leadership developed on the basis of history, theory, and practical experience. "No matter how far we go, we must not forget the road we have traveled... Do not forget history, do not forget our original aspiration." The Chinese-path modernization discourse system is an inevitable product of historical practical development and an external vehicle for displaying profound historical theory. It takes Marxism as its soul, the millennia-old civilization as its root, the primary stage of socialism as its base, and the modernization of various countries as its reference. In other words, a deep historical and cultural heritage and rich practical experience have paved a powerful cornerstone for constructing the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization.

The development of real-world practice constitutes the endogenous driving force for the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization. "A unique cultural tradition, a unique historical destiny, and unique basic national conditions destine us to follow a development path suited to our own characteristics." Accordingly, the construction of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system must be based on Chinese reality, using the practice of Chinese-path modernization to construct a corresponding discursive system. The construction of this discourse system is in a state of continuous advancement; it is rooted in history while looking toward reality, and is capable of supplementation and refinement according to the developmental changes of real-world practice, answering "the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times" [7] with vital discourse. "The mode of production of material life conditions the general process of social, political and intellectual life." The continuous development of the material world is the endogenous power for building the discourse system. China is currently struggling in unity to comprehensively build a great modern socialist country. The practical developments and theoretical innovations in this journey all inject vitality into the Chinese-path modernization discourse system, enabling the connection between history and reality, tradition and modernity, and China and the world. This allows "Chinese practice" to rise to "Chinese theory" and be externalized as "Chinese discourse." A scientific and vital theory can both adapt to reality and play a role in value leadership, providing inexhaustible momentum for the construction of the discourse system. China's modernization practice is ongoing, which provides a never-failing endogenous force for the construction and development of the discourse system, ensuring that it receives the support of innovative development and practical accumulation.

(2) Focusing on original discourse is the key core of constructing the discourse system The construction of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system needs to focus on Chinese characteristics; this is the important distinction between our system and other modernization discourse systems. Chinese-path modernization "not only shares the common characteristics of the modernization of all countries, but also has Chinese characteristics based on its own national conditions." The uniqueness of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system lies in the fact that the key characteristics and core requirements of the construction process are original discourses formed within modernization practice. Furthermore, the discourse reproduction mechanism ensures an inexhaustible supply of original discourse, achieving the dynamic construction of the discourse system through multi-dimensional extensions of production.

The construction of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system relies on the supply of original discourse. A discourse system is a system integrated from various types of discursive content. Content is a key link in the operation of the system; a persuasive discourse system must have original discourse as its core to highlight its unique advantages. The most prominent subject in the phrase "Chinese-path modernization" is "Chinese." This requires that the construction of the discourse system reflect Chinese characteristics. We cannot simply transplant Western discourse into our system; instead, we must focus on innovative conceptual content formed through the practice of Chinese-path modernization and integrate it into a discourse system with distinct Chinese characteristics. "Otherwise, if we use implanted discourse to describe China, the more we describe it, the thicker the filter on the Chinese picture becomes, and the deeper the international community's misunderstanding of China will be." Of course, original discourse does not mean the exclusion of other discourses, but rather breaking the superstition toward Western discourse systems and maintaining a rational and objective attitude. We "cannot completely detach from the 'popular discourse' dominated by the West, yet we must insist on our own unique discourse." The practical, theoretical, and institutional innovations in the process of building a modern socialist country under the Party's leadership maintain the uniqueness and originality of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system. Original discourse transformed from pioneering practical results provides the confidence and backbone of the system. For example, original discourses such as the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan," the "Four Confidences," the "New Development Philosophy," and "a community with a shared future for humanity" can transform the practical advantages of Chinese-path modernization into discursive advantages.

The construction of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system is achieved through discourse reproduction. The construction of a discourse system is a process based on real-world practice, focusing on the production of original discourse and the integration and externalization of theoretical concepts. However, the construction of a discourse system is by no means a unidirectional production process, but rather an active development of the discourse system achieved through a discourse reproduction mechanism. The formation of a discourse system is a dynamic construction process; driven by the endogenous power of practice, it undergoes adjustment and feedback according to needs. "Language is as old as consciousness, language is practical, real consciousness that exists for other men as well, and only therefore does it also exist for me; language, like consciousness, only arises from the need, the necessity, of intercourse with other men." A scientific discourse system both conforms to and transcends reality; through interaction with the subjects of practice, it reproduces new discourse, interprets the contemporary vitality of the discourse system, and plays a leading role in practical development. Chinese-path modernization is not a simple one-dimensional construction, but a multi-dimensional extension that is interlinked and logically rigorous. For example, "innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing" all refer to different aspects under a unified whole. "Green" discourse extends to "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" [8]—modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature; "sharing" discourse expresses modernization characterized by common prosperity for all people, and so on. These original discourses produced by modernization practice point to the requirements and tasks of Chinese-path modernization and reproduce new discourse while guiding modernization practice. Thus, the originality of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system is realized, and the process of dynamic construction maintains its vitality, thereby continuously adapting to new needs, conditions, and situations in modernization practice.

(3) Directing toward human development is the value connotation of constructing the discourse system The construction of a discourse system must follow correct, scientific, and rational laws of value to be successfully completed and to win the recognition of the broadest masses. The Chinese-path modernization discourse system follows the general laws of human social modernization development, focuses on the common values of all humanity, engages in mutual learning with world civilizations, and is directed toward human development.

The Chinese-path modernization discourse system follows the general laws of modernization development in human society. A discourse system with vitality, influence, and leadership must adhere to scientific and correct principles and contain value content with the quality of truth. Adherence to laws is an important prerequisite for the success of practice and an inevitable requirement for theory to play its role. "Modernization has aspects of individuality and specificity, but also aspects of commonality and universality. Chinese-path modernization follows the general laws of modernization development in human society." China's modernization not only takes the Chinese people as the subject of development but is also directed toward the development of all humanity. Facing universal problems such as ecological crises, wealth gaps, and resource depletion that have emerged in the process of global modernization, China integrates Eastern civilization, Chinese wisdom, and human ideals. It "provides a new choice for humanity to achieve modernization. The CPC and the Chinese people provide more and better Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength for solving common problems facing humanity, making new and greater contributions to the noble cause of human peace and development." Chinese-path modernization eliminates the inherent contradictions that Western modernization cannot overcome. Adhering to the people-centered value stance, satisfying the value pursuit of free and well-rounded human development, and realizing the value unity of commonality and individuality are the foundations upon which the Chinese-path modernization discourse system can transcend national borders and provide useful experience for all humanity. The construction of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system is a sublation [9] and transcendence of existing modernization models; it grasps the common laws of human development while following the specific laws of its own national development. Only such a law-abiding discourse system can bring brand-new practical experiences and discursive choices to human society, especially to late-developing countries.

The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization focuses on the common values of all humanity and the value concepts of exchange and mutual learning among civilizations. While seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has consistently focused on the common values of all humanity and promoted the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity. "Marxism is broad and profound, but in the final analysis, it can be summarized in one sentence: seeking the liberation of humanity." Chinese-path modernization does not rely on capital expansion or colonial plunder; it does not engage in zero-sum games, hegemonism, or power politics. Instead, it adheres to win-win cooperation and takes the common values of all humanity as the core value concept of its developmental practice. "The CPC will continue to work with all peace-loving countries and peoples to carry forward the common values of all humanity—peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom." The Western path of modernization under the logic of capital is based on the concept of "Eurocentrism" [10]. In its operation, it manifests as barbarically and arrogantly defining other countries as backward or uncivilized, and forcibly imposing Western developmental models upon them. Marx long ago pointed out that the bourgeoisie strives to create a world after its own image, "it has made barbarous and semi-barbarous countries dependent on the civilised ones, nations of peasants on nations of bourgeois, the East on the West." Under Eurocentrism, this narrow and antagonistic modernization discourse system does not conform to the common value vision of all humanity; thus, it is inevitably entering a period of decline characterized by exhausted momentum and rigid discourse. Chinese-path modernization adheres to the value concept of exchange and mutual learning between different civilizations and safeguards the common value interests of people across the globe. "As a global common faith, human civilization should not, in essence, be the universalization of a single civilization, but rather the reconciliation of civilizations from different countries." Based on this, the constructed discourse system of Chinese-path modernization possesses legitimacy, truth, and generalizability. It allows all humanity to share the welfare and fruits of modernization, realizing a value shift in modern development from capital antagonism to developmental constructiveness.

III. The Practicality of Constructing the Discourse System of Chinese-path Modernization

China's modernization process provides an inexhaustible source of content, a wealth of original discourse, and profound value significance for the construction of its discourse system. To ensure the guiding power of discourse in practice, achieve the reproduction of the discourse system, and accelerate the construction of the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization, the dimension of practice must follow the dominant principle of the mainstream ideology. It must manifest theoretical superiority through the interpretation of discourse content and achieve multi-dimensional dissemination through diverse carriers and multi-level spaces, demonstrating the discourse system's intellectual penetration and practical radiation.

(1) Mainstream Ideological Orientation in the Principles of Discourse System Construction

A discourse system is a collective reflection of ideological content, such as specific value concepts, scientific laws, and intellectual cognitions; it plays an active guiding role in practice. Therefore, the construction of the discourse system for Chinese-path modernization must adhere to the fundamental principle of CPC leadership and take the dominant values of mainstream ideology as the basic guide, thereby ensuring the correctness and truth of the discourse system.

The construction of the discourse system must adhere to the leadership of the CPC as its fundamental principle. "Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China." The key to comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation lies with the Party. Without the CPC and without socialism, there would be no great practice of Chinese-path modernization. In constructing the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization, we must uphold the leadership of the CPC as the fundamental principle, consistently bringing into play the Party's crucial role as the leader, pioneer, and promoter in the construction of the discourse system. Only by adhering to the Party's leading position can we effectively build a discourse logic and narrative style with Chinese characteristics and Chinese style, and achieve the intrinsic unity between the Party's leadership and the practical path of Chinese-path modernization. Direction determines the road, and the road determines destiny. The construction of the discourse system must revolve around and manifest the fundamental principle of the Party's leadership, showcasing core content such as the Party's leadership systems, principles, policies, and propositions in the practice of modernization. It must serve the practical needs of modernization and transform the advantages of a systematic, orderly, and scientific discourse system into practical developmental efficacy. From the level of discourse, it must reflect the correctness, legitimacy, and truth of the Party leading the practice of modernization, ensuring that Chinese-path modernization always advances in the correct direction.

The construction of the discourse system must follow the principle of value dominance by the mainstream ideology. On the surface, a discourse system refers to the expressive forms and techniques of "how to speak" and "in what manner to speak." However, its essence is the externalized carrier of the interaction between the practical process and ideology. it contains ideological content such as the thinking patterns, value positions, and national concepts of the speaking subject, which directly affects the persuasiveness and appeal of the discourse system. The confrontation between discourse systems of different countries and nations is, at its heart, a struggle for and an output of ideological discourse power. If the ideology inherent in a discourse system accords with the value demands of the audience, it easily becomes persuasive; a discourse system that fails to meet the audience's value requirements will only elicit resentment and resistance. This requires that when we construct the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization, we "must follow a line of thought that is based on China, learns from abroad, digs into history, grasps the present, cares for humanity, and faces the future." We must follow the principle of value dominance by mainstream ideology and highlight the timeliness and truth of the mainstream ideology in our discursive interpretations. Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization that combines the basic principles of scientific socialism with Chinese reality; this is the key distinction between China’s modernization discourse system and that of the West. Therefore, we must unswervingly grasp the value essence of socialism, highlight the common values of all humanity from the value goal of being people-centered, and construct a discourse system with global suitability, demonstrating the shift from a logic of capital based on objects to a social logic based on people. For example, by adhering to targeted poverty alleviation and targeted poverty eradication [11] in our modernization practice, we achieved the goal of lifting nearly 100 million people out of poverty as scheduled. Expressing this through the discourse of "achieving common prosperity for all the people" not only highly condenses the practical process and essential requirements of our country's modernization but also reflects the socialist essence and the value principle of the people's standpoint. This effectively wins the recognition of the masses and countries worldwide, enhancing the charismatic appeal of the discourse.

(2) Consciousness of Theoretical Innovation in the Interpretation of Discourse System Content

Whether a certain discourse is trusted depends on whether that discourse system can successfully guide practice and whether the guiding power of the discourse is realistic. The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization actively and consciously transforms practical achievements into discursive expressions, achieving the regeneration of original discourse through the interpretation of great practice.

The interpretation of the content of the discourse system must summarize practical achievements and highlight theoretical superiority. For the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization to gain the trust of the audience, it needs to stay close to reality, summarize achievements, and distill experiences in its content interpretation, proving the superiority of the theory and the legitimacy of the discourse with powerful factual results. The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization is a theoretical summary centered on Sinicized Marxism, formed in the process of the Party leading the people of the whole country in the practice of modernization. Since Chinese-path modernization is a historical practical process of continuous development and change, the concepts and theories of Chinese-path modernization must "clearly explain" the characteristics of achievements at different stages, "well-articulatedly tell" the developmental significance of these achievements for the Chinese nation and individuals, and "thoroughly elucidate" the Chinese characteristics inherent in these practical results that differ from other modernization models. Furthermore, the interpretation of the discourse system's content should promptly summarize achievements at both the "domestic and international" levels, using vivid and effective discourse to express these great achievements and enhance the advantageous nature of the discourse system. At the domestic level, we must be rooted in Chinese practice, earnestly summarize Chinese achievements, focus on what we are currently doing, and continuously develop and improve the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization to highlight theoretical superiority, thereby preventing the phenomenon of "cutting the feet of Chinese practice to fit the shoes of Western discourse" [12]. For instance, the achievements we have made in practices such as the battle against poverty reflect both the institutional superiority of "concentrating resources to accomplish major tasks" and the superior efficacy of "people-centered" theory in guiding practice. At the international level, we must interpret the economic and social benefits created by internationally-oriented propositions such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the construction of a global ecological civilization. We must generalize the world-historical significance of Chinese-path modernization, allowing the people of the world to see a modernization model that loves peace, respects development, and does not rely on enslavement or plunder through our international achievements, thus highlighting the superiority of the Marxist theory of pursuing the liberation of all humanity.

The interpretation of the discourse system's content must form a "discourse consciousness" (话语自觉) and manifest theoretical innovativeness. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress pointed out: "Practice knows no bounds, and theoretical innovation knows no bounds. It is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists to continue writing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism." The interpretation of the content of the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization must also adhere to the innovative expression of relevant discourse, using theoretical consciousness to break free from the "index traps," "academic penetration," and "value teaching" constructed by the West. First, the interpretation of the discourse system's content must form a conscious discourse awareness. Conscious discourse awareness is an important prerequisite for the innovative expression of discourse. Only by first forming a conscious awareness of active construction can we promote discourse innovation, fundamentally overturning the habit of relying on Western concepts, judgments, and discourse to analyze Chinese problems, thereby manifesting theoretical consciousness. The construction of the discourse system must use a highly conscious subjective awareness to actively and timely transform advanced concepts and practices of Chinese-path modernization into original discourse with core competitiveness, enriching and developing the interpreted content of the discourse. Discourse consciousness requires us to have the courage and skill to "show our swords" [13] when facing Western discourse hegemony, using original discourse to express ourselves actively and speak out consciously, clearly explaining the path of Chinese-path modernization. Second, the discourse system must manifest theoretical innovation through content consciousness. The formation of discourse consciousness is intended to guarantee the consciousness of the discourse content. The content of the "Chinese-path modernization" discourse system must consciously manifest Chinese characteristics, consciously respond to Chinese topics, and consciously promote Chinese practice. Only then can a logical chain of "conscious awareness—conscious content—conscious expression" be formed for the construction of discourse, representing the theoretical innovation of Chinese-path modernization. For example, we use "when the Great Way prevails, the world is shared by all" [14] to reflect the origins of the theory of a community with a shared future for humanity, and "whether or not we have achieved moderate prosperity depends on the fellow villagers" [15] to express the uniqueness of the "common prosperity" theory. The localization of these discursive contents highly demonstrates our theoretical innovation and cultural confidence, thereby maintaining the originality and uniqueness of the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization.

(3) Diverse and Multi-dimensional Carriers for Disseminating the Discourse System

Discourse that is only constructed but not disseminated cannot play a guiding role. The discourse system needs to make good use of emerging technological means to create a multi-level space for dissemination. Therefore, the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization needs to use concrete carriers to output ideological values within daily life, enhancing individual identification with and trust in the discourse system through the integrated experience of multi-dimensional carriers.

The dissemination of the discourse system must use concrete carriers to demonstrate shared values. Although a discourse system is an external expression of theory, to a certain extent, it remains a collection of abstract concepts. A systematically constructed discourse system needs to be manifested in the daily life of the masses through concrete carriers. In the process of seizing and maintaining legitimacy, any discourse system must manifest "vague" and "unnamed" discourse values, forming a shared value chain of "cognition → trust → identification" among the discourse audience. The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization must achieve the goal of theory "flying into the homes of ordinary people" [16] through dissemination via multiple media. First, use intuitively perceivable concrete carriers to disseminate discourse content. A discourse system that is "invisible" and "intangible" needs to be manifested through concrete media such as images, music, text, and video, allowing the audience to perceive that the discourse content is not a lofty, grand concept but a value requirement that focuses on the well-rounded development of every individual. Only when the audience has a clear value cognition of the discourse content can a sense of identification with the discourse be born, leading them to consciously maintain the discourse system and contribute to the construction of modernization. Second, use diverse interactive carriers to demonstrate shared values. The dissemination of the discourse system must cater to the development of the multi-media era, merging the power of different media dimensions to fully display the charm of the discourse system. For example, Xinhua News Agency’s micro-documentary The Road of Fighting Poverty achieved a full-chain dissemination across large and small screens, mobile and PC terminals, and domestic and foreign platforms through displays on the front page of the "Xuexi Qiangguo" [17] app, top pushes on WeChat and Tencent News plugins, and top-tier placement on Weibo’s hot search list. Through diverse interactions, it provided a panoramic display of the arduous journey of the whole Party and the people across the country in winning the battle against poverty since the 18th CPC National Congress. This effectively demonstrated the inherent mainstream ideological values and deepened individual understanding of the practical process of "Chinese-path modernization," helping to shape individual identification with the discourse.

The dissemination of a discourse system must enhance the sense of presence within three-dimensional space and foster empathetic identification. Empathetic resonance must occur between the audience of the discourse (the subject) and the disseminated discourse (the object) to effectively construct and propagate a discourse system. This achieves a virtuous cycle where the discourse is rationally persuasive, its content is memorable, and it is effectively translated into action. Because emotional identification represents a deeper level of buy-in, audiences will only consciously accept a discourse system and form a conscious discursive awareness once they have fully embraced it emotionally. Only then will they adopt the shared values contained within the discourse system as individual behavioral standards and value norms in practice. Therefore, to achieve high-resonance emotional identification, a discourse system must enhance the audience's sense of "on-site" experience [18]. It must sketch a vivid picture of the interpreted content within a three-dimensional space of dissemination, ensuring that discourse is no longer merely a collection of static slogans, but a dynamic force capable of guiding us forward.

The discourse system of Chinese-path modernization must also create a three-dimensional dissemination space. By embedding itself into spaces that enter daily life and remain close to reality, it can enhance the sense of presence and achieve the discursive goals of shaping individual cognition and heightening emotional identification. For instance, by utilizing three-dimensional spaces such as museum exhibitions, community lectures, television and film, and ritualistic performances [19], the process of Chinese-path modernization can be displayed comprehensively. This guides individuals into a space of presence saturated with the discourse system, facilitating an emotional transition from "spectating as an other" to "ontological immersion." Through this, the superiority, necessity, and future-oriented nature of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system become clear. The guidance provided by dissemination in three-dimensional space enables the audience to transition from concrete reality to "embodied reality" [20]. The practical achievements already realized recreate a shared memory of modernization construction, highlighting the power of physical presence and embodiment.

Furthermore, in the era of information development, the fragmentation of mass communication can easily influence individual judgment, leading people to follow the crowd. Consequently, the dissemination of the Chinese-path modernization discourse system must make good use of influential "discourse promoters" to increase the density of dissemination and achieve the optimal objective of reaching the many through the few. Promoters with a vast mass base can rapidly output discourse in the first instance. Only when the audience embeds genuine feelings into the content of the discourse, triggering a deep-level identification with the discourse system, can the discourse system of Chinese-path modernization possess constructive efficacy and practical value.

(Authors: Ai Silin, Dean of the Tsinghua University Institute for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor of the Ministry of Education; Chen Dianying, Doctoral Candidate at the School of Marxism, Tsinghua University.)