Lin Jianhua: Upholding Integrity and Innovation: The Right Path to Chinese-Style Modernization
The practice of Chinese-path modernization gives rise to the theory of Chinese-path modernization, while the theory of Chinese-path modernization guides the practice of Chinese-path modernization. Advancing Chinese-path modernization is a systematic project that requires balancing various factors, systematic planning, and holistic advancement. It is necessary to correctly handle a series of major relationships, such as top-level design and practical exploration, strategy and tactics, upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground (shǒuzhèng chuàngxīn), efficiency and equity, vitality and order, as well as self-reliance and opening up to the outside world. Among these, the relationship between upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is of paramount significance. Only by upholding the fundamentals can we avoid losing our direction or making subversive errors in the practice of advancing Chinese-path modernization; only by breaking new ground can we grasp and lead the times in the process of advancing Chinese-path modernization.
Upholding the Fundamentals: Safeguarding the Origin, Source, Root, and Soul of Chinese-path Modernization
Chinese-path modernization is a great undertaking without precedent in history; in the final analysis, it is a socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China (CPC).
One must "shake the leaves to find the roots and observe the waves to seek the source" [1]. Modernization is the necessary path for the development of human society and the progress of human civilization; achieving modernization is the goal and vision that all countries and peoples have persistently pursued. Globally, modernization has been the basic process of human social development over recent centuries, particularly since the 18th century, with its initial basic form being the industrialization of capitalist countries. In the history of modernization, socialist countries were latecomers. In the history of world socialism, the thematic narrative of classical Marxist writers has always been to overcome the ills, pains, and costs of capitalism and to build a "modern society" and "modern civilization" that transcends capitalist modernity. Engels once pointed out: "Our object is to build a socialist system which will provide all with healthy and useful work, all with an ample material subsistence and leisure, and all with real and complete liberty." This is a vision characterized by modern attributes. Since the 1917 Russian October Revolution, achieving modernization has been the common pursuit of all socialist countries. Lenin famously proposed two formulas: first, "Communism is Soviet power plus the electrification of the whole country," and second, "Be willing to absorb the good things from abroad: Soviet power + Prussian railway order + American technology and trust organization + American public education, etc., etc. ++ = the sum = socialism." However, in the practice of modernization, the vast majority of socialist countries did not achieve true success.
For over a hundred years, all the struggles of the CPC in uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups have been aimed at building China into a great modern socialist country and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, from the First Five-Year Plan to the 14th Five-Year Plan, the consistent theme has been building China into a modern socialist country. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, as Socialism with Chinese Characteristics entered the New Era, the Party's understanding of building a modern socialist country has continuously deepened, its strategy has become increasingly mature, and its practice has become richer, successfully advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization. One of the most significant achievements of the Party's theoretical innovation and innovative theory is the proposal of a series of original new concepts, ideas, and strategies for state governance regarding the major epochal question of what kind of great modern socialist country to build and how to build it. These are concentrated in the theoretical system of Chinese-path modernization preliminarily constructed at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, making Chinese-path modernization clearer, more scientific, and more tangible and feasible. On February 7, 2023, at the opening of a study session for newly elected members and alternate members of the Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech emphasizing the correct understanding and vigorous advancement of Chinese-path modernization. He profoundly expounded on a series of major theoretical and practical issues, including the Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles of Chinese-path modernization. In the process of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, upholding the fundamentals means safeguarding the origin, source, root, and soul of Chinese-path modernization, unswervingly adhering to its Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles, and ensuring its correct direction.
To modernize, a country must follow the general laws of modernization while also conforming to its own reality and possessing its own characteristics. Chinese-path modernization contains features common to all modernizations but also discards the old path of Western modernization. The Chinese characteristics of Chinese-path modernization lie in the fact that it is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development. These are both theoretical generalizations and practical requirements, pointing toward a "golden path" (kāngzhuāng dàdào) [2] for comprehensively building a great modern socialist country and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Chinese-path modernization is an organic integration of material, spiritual, developmental, ecological, and human modernization. Its essential requirements are: "upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China, adhering to Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, achieving high-quality development, developing whole-process people's democracy, enriching the cultural-ethical life of the people, achieving common prosperity for all, promoting harmony between humanity and nature, building a community with a shared future for humanity, and creating a new form of human civilization." On the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, we must firmly grasp these major principles: upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership, following the path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, adhering to a people-centered development philosophy, continuing to deepen reform and opening up, and persisting in carrying forward the spirit of struggle.
Since the founding of the People's Republic, and especially since the start of reform and opening up, we have completed in decades the industrialization process that took Western developed countries centuries. We have created the miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, opening up broad prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Practice has proven that Chinese-path modernization is viable and stable; it is the only correct path for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. For a large country with over 5,000 years of civilization to unswervingly follow the "right path" (zhèngdào) of Chinese-path modernization is the most soul-stirring story of struggle and the most remarkable epic of modernization in the world. At its source, Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization, embodying the advanced nature of scientific socialism rather than an abstract modernization. In fact, it is precisely because Chinese-path modernization has held fast to our origin and source, our root and soul, that it can break the myth that "modernization = Westernization," present an alternative picture of modernization, and provide a Chinese solution for humanity's exploration of better social systems.
Breaking New Ground: Continuously Advancing Chinese-path Modernization through Active Recognition of, Adaptation to, and Seeking of Change
Chinese-path modernization is a pioneering undertaking. This requires us to treat science with a scientific attitude and pursue truth with the spirit of truth—unwaveringly adhering to the basic principles of Marxism, the overall leadership of the Party, and Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. Simultaneously, it requires us to adhere to the concept that innovation is the primary driving force, maintaining its core position in the overall situation of China's modernization. We must keep pace with the times, respond to the requirements of practical development, and focus on solving major theoretical and practical problems. We must guide new practices with new theories, treat all new phenomena with great enthusiasm, and continuously expand the breadth and depth of our understanding. We must dare to say what our predecessors have not said and do what they have not done. We must actively recognize, respond to, and seek change—identifying change with wisdom, responding to change scientifically, and seeking change proactively [3]. We must vigorously promote reform and innovation to continuously shape new drivers and advantages for development, fully stimulating the creative vitality of the entire society.
The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will by no means be achieved easily through "beating of drums and clanging of gongs" [4]. Naturally, Chinese-path modernization is an exploratory undertaking with many unknown areas. It requires us to explore boldly in practice, gain profound insight into the general trend of world development, deeply explore the laws of economic and social development, and accurately grasp the common aspirations of the masses. We must promote the development of our cause through reform and innovation, using scientific strategy to foresee and lead the future, reflecting the character of the times, grasping underlying laws, and demonstrating creativity. We must never "mark the side of the boat to find a lost sword" (kèzhōu-qiújiàn) or "wait by the stump for a rabbit" (shǒuzhū-dàitù) [5].
Advancing Chinese-path modernization is an exploratory undertaking with many unknown areas that require bold practice. This demands that we comply with the trends of the times, place innovation at the heart of the national development strategy, and continuously study and solve major theoretical and practical problems facing China's development and our Party's governance. This will drive China to accelerate its entry into the front ranks of innovative countries.
Innovation primarily involves creating an innovative atmosphere and continuously advancing innovation in theory, institutions, science and technology, and culture. Theoretical innovation is the precursor to social development and change, serving as the ideological soul and methodological source for all innovative activities. Institutional innovation is the guarantee for continuous innovation and the key to stimulating the vitality of various innovative subjects. Scientific and technological innovation is the core of national competitiveness and the strategic support for improving social productive forces and comprehensive national strength. Cultural innovation is an important foundation for a nation's enduring vitality and cohesion, providing the spiritual motivation for all innovative activities. To advance Chinese-path modernization, we must continuously improve the national innovation system, promote comprehensive innovation centered on scientific and technological innovation, and foster the integration and sustained development of technological innovation with theoretical, institutional, and cultural innovation.
Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground: Aimed at Comprehensively Building a Modern Socialist Country and Advancing the Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation
Today, China's development faces new historical characteristics, manifested specifically as new strategic opportunities, tasks, stages, requirements, and environments. Against this historical backdrop, to advance Chinese-path modernization and correctly handle the relationship between upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, the key lies in scientifically planning the strategic layout for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and constructing the "four beams and eight pillars" [6] of the socialist modern state. The main contents are: high-quality development is the primary task; people's democracy is the lifeblood of socialism and an inherent part of a modern socialist country; adhering to the path of socialist cultural development and strengthening cultural confidence provides the solid ideological guarantee and spiritual support; improving people's well-being and quality of life is a major principle; respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature are inherent requirements; education, technology, and talent are the foundational and strategic supports; the comprehensive rule of law is a profound revolution in national governance and an important guarantee; national security, social stability, and the people's tranquility are the foundations; achieving the centenary goal of the People's Liberation Army on schedule and accelerating its development into a world-class military is a strategic requirement; Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan are indispensable witnesses to, participants in, and beneficiaries of this process; a peaceful international environment and a broader world stage are needed; and finally, the key to building a modern socialist country and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation lies with the Party.
The correct handling of the relationship between upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is aimed at implementing the overall two-step strategic arrangement: from 2020 to 2035, to basically achieve socialist modernization; and from 2035 to the middle of the century, to build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful. In global historical terms, this means building China into a great modern socialist country leading in comprehensive national strength and international influence. The day China is fully built into a great modern socialist country will be the time of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Shortly after the conclusion of the 20th National Congress, on October 28, 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the Red Flag Canal Memorial Hall in Linzhou, Henan. He emphasized that realizing the Second Centenary Goal [7] is a matter of just one or two generations; our generation has arrived at the right time and must not fail to make our contribution.
The practical exploration and continuous advancement of Chinese-path modernization is a historical process of developing through inheritance and breaking new ground while upholding the fundamentals. By comprehensively advancing Chinese-path modernization, upholding the fundamentals will ensure we maintain our course on the "bright great road" (dàdào qí guāng) [8], while breaking new ground will ensure infinite vitality for our journey ahead.