Jiang Hui: Persist in Using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to Coalesce Souls and Build the Party's Spirit

The Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC explicitly pointed out that we must persist over the long term in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to coagulate the soul and build the spirit ^[1], focusing on leading officials at and above the county and director level to conduct in-depth thematic education throughout the Party. The Second Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made major arrangements to carry out this thematic education on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It emphasized the need for scientific planning, meticulous organization, and the strengthening of theoretical study and application to achieve tangible results. Deeply understanding the core tenets, scientific connotations, theoretical system, and practical requirements of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and mastering the worldview, methodology, and the standpoints, views, and methods ^[2] permeating it, is of fundamental, overall, and long-term significance for effectively conducting this thematic education and steadfastly using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to arm the mind, guide practice, and promote work.

Deeply understanding the essential meaning of how Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era achieved a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism

The 20th National Congress systematically summarized the great process and brand-new achievements of our Party’s continuous advancement of theoretical innovation and creation throughout the decade of the New Era. It explicitly proposed that we have formulated Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, achieving a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. We must comprehensively and deeply comprehend the historical status, main content, theoretical system, practical requirements, worldview, and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era through the integration of theory and practice. By doing so, we can profoundly recognize and master the theoretical, practical, and historical logic behind how this thought achieved this "new leap."

Scientifically answering the questions of the times provides a powerful driving force for theoretical innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The questions of the times are the driving force of theoretical innovation. Marx, Engels, and Lenin all promoted theoretical innovation by thinking about and answering the questions of their times." In the history of the Sinicization of Marxism, three leaps have taken shape. These three leaps were all based on scientific answers to major questions of the times, which became the basic support for Marxism’s leaps in China. The process of the CPC’s theoretical innovation is a process of responding to, answering, and resolving various problems on the road ahead. Answering and resolving major questions of the times—those reflecting the essence, themes, main contradictions ^[3], and development trends of the era with overall, long-term, and strategic importance—is the fundamental path of theoretical innovation. As the great practice of the New Era explores and expands, the discovery and revelation of the questions of the times also continue to expand in breadth and depth. Our Party has always persisted in seeking truth from facts, upholding the fundamentals and break new ground, and maintaining a problem-oriented approach. Through the conscious pursuit and profound grasp of the questions of the times, the Party has profoundly answered major questions such as what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era and how to do so; what kind of great modern socialist country to build and how to build it; and what kind of Marxist party that exercises long-term governance to build and how to build it. These answers cover basic issues in various fields, including reform, development, and stability; internal affairs, foreign policy, and national defense; and the governance of the Party, the state, and the military. This has achieved a new understanding of the laws of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, a new expansion of the Chinese path to modernization, and new results in managing, governing, and strengthening the Party. 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 from a brand-new perspective, providing the driving force for theoretical innovation to achieve a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

Adhering to the organic unity of Sinicization and modernization ensures comprehensive and sufficient concrete expression. Possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is the distinct character and unique advantage of a Marxist party. At the same time, Marxist theory must develop continuously alongside the development of the times, practice, and science; otherwise, even the best theory cannot exert its practical guiding role. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Marxism is a continuously developing and open theory; it can only take root through indigenization and can only be full of vitality through modernization." Indigenization and modernization are the inevitable requirements for the innovative development of Marxism and the concrete manifestation of its practical role. Indigenization focuses on the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the history, culture, and specific national conditions of various countries and ethnic groups, acquiring national forms and local characteristics to take root and bear fruit. Modernization focuses on the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the conditions of the times and the development of practice, grasping the characteristics of the era and the general trend of development to advance with the times and innovate. The concrete manifestation of the indigenization and modernization of Marxism in China is the continuous advancement of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The two are internally unified: Sinicization is the fundamental prerequisite and social basis for modernization; the theories our Party has adapted to different periods are the results of successfully achieving Sinicization. Modernization is an inherent meaning of Sinicization; the theoretical achievements of Sinicized Marxism in different periods are the products of an accurate grasp of the conditions and characteristics of the times. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has achieved a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. It is contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism. It is both the latest achievement of the Sinicization of Marxism and the latest form of the modernization of Marxism. It is a scientific theory that guides China and influences the world. This thought successfully answers the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times ^[4]. It conforms to both China's reality and the requirements of the times, providing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism with rich connotations and vivid content. It is a brilliant example of adhering to the organic unity of Sinicization and modernization.

Persisting in promoting the "Two Combinations" expands the connotations and pathways of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The "Two Combinations" ^[5] centrally reflect the New Era Chinese Communists' profound grasp of the laws of Marxist development and expand the connotations and pathways of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The "Two Combinations" completely express the internal mechanism and implementation path of this process. Marxism, which originated in Europe, was mastered by Chinese Communists and used as a long-term guiding ideology through a process of indigenization and presented in a "certain national form." The process of indigenization, namely Sinicization, is the process of continuously promoting the "Two Combinations." For over a century, Chinese Communists have been both firm believers and faithful practitioners of Marxism, as well as faithful inheritors and promoters of fine traditional Chinese culture. Because the primary tasks and practical needs differed across historical periods, the emphasis and prominence placed on the "Two Combinations" also varied. In May 1943, the Party Central Committee proposed: "Chinese Communists are the inheritors of all the finest traditions of our nation’s culture, thought, and morality... and will continue to carry them forward," while also striving "to make the revolutionary science of Marxism-Leninism further integrate deeply with the practice of the Chinese revolution, Chinese history, and Chinese culture." General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly pointed out: "The core values of a nation or a country must be compatible with its history and culture, integrate with the struggles its people are currently engaged in, and adapt to the questions of the times that the nation or country needs to solve." It can be said that the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific reality focuses on the combination of Marxist principles with the specific national conditions and practical tasks of different periods, highlighting practical requirements and significance. This lays a vivid realistic and practical foundation for achieving a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism. The integration of the basic principles of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture focuses on the combination of Marxist principles with the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture and the common values formed by the Chinese nation over the long term, highlighting historical requirements and the significance of cultural origins. This lays a profound historical and mass foundation for achieving a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism.

Continuously enriching theoretical content according to New Era practice promotes the maturation and perfection of the scientific system. The standpoint of practice is the primary and basic standpoint of Marxist epistemology. General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly pointed out: "The secret to Marxism maintaining its eternal vitality lies in the unity of upholding and developing Marxism, and continuously making new theoretical creations in combination with new practices." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era takes the great practice of the New Era as its direct theoretical source and uses the vivid and rich practice of the New Era to drive theoretical development, sublimating rich experience into theory and achieving a "new leap" in the interaction between practical and theoretical innovation. In the New Era, China is undergoing the most grand and unique practical innovation in human history. The cause of the Party and the state has achieved world-renowned major achievements, pushing us onto a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, and the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. The Report to the 20th National Congress summarized the great changes of the decade in the New Era with terms such as "three major events" and "four milestones." Behind these are original thoughts and a series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies—such as the "Ten Clarifications" ^[6], the "Fourteen Perseverances," and the "Achievements in Thirteen Areas"—which centrally summarize the main content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. A series of new concepts, ideas, and strategies arising from the great practice of the New Era continuously enrich the theoretical connotations of this thought, promoting the continuous development, enrichment, and perfection of the scientific theoretical system.

Forming a complete and systematic worldview and methodology provides a profound theoretical foundation for innovative development. Worldview and methodology play a fundamental and decisive role in the formation and development of any theoretical system. The worldview and methodology of a Marxist party are dialectical materialism and historical materialism. To continue promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, we must adhere to the Marxist standpoints, views, and methods, and use the worldview and methodology contained therein to solve China's problems. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a model of creatively using the Marxist worldview and methodology to study and solve China's problems. This thought is not only a scientific theoretical system with a rigorous structure, strict logic, and rich connotations, but it also permeates the Marxist standpoints, views, and methods and contains rich scientific methods of thinking and working. It is the concentrated expression and creative promotion of the Marxist worldview and methodology in New Era China. The Report to the 20th National Congress summarized the worldview and methodology of this thought with the "Six Musts" ^[7], emphasizing that we must properly persist in and apply the standpoints, views, and methods running through it. We must put the people first, maintain self-confidence and self-reliance, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, maintain a problem-oriented approach, apply systems thinking, and maintain a global vision. These "Six Musts" are closely linked and mutually reinforcing, forming an organically unified worldview and methodology. They reflect the Marxist views on practice, the masses, development, and contradictions. They represent a creative application of Marxist standpoints, views, and methods and constitute the essential meaning of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They are the philosophical foundation and methodological cornerstone of the scientific theoretical system, laying a profound theoretical foundation for achieving a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

Conscientiously applying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to arm the mind, guide practice, and promote work

Conducting concentrated education within the Party is a major "magic weapon" ^[8] for our Party to strengthen its self-construction and promote self-revolution. This in-depth thematic education on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is of great and far-reaching significance for unifying the thought, will, and action of the entire Party, and for united struggle toward comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. "The reality of learning lies in practice." The value of theory lies in guiding practice, and the purpose of learning lies entirely in application. We must vigorously carry forward the fine Marxist academic style of integrating theory with practice, persist in the integration of "studying, thinking, and applying" and the unity of "knowing, believing, and doing." We must transform Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into a powerful force for strengthening ideals, tempering Party spirit, guiding practice, and promoting work. We must persist in understanding it thoroughly and implementing it practically, strengthening theoretical study and application so that the study and implementation go deeper and become more substantive, truly pushing this thought to take root and bear fruit.

Chongqing Municipality is comprehensively studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carrying out the General Secretary’s earnest entrustments ^[9], and forging ahead along the path guided by him. The Second Plenary Session of the Sixth Chongqing Municipal Party Committee aligned itself with the spirit of General Secretary Xi’ing’s important instructions and the strategic deployments of the 20th National Congress of the CPC. It planned Chongqing’s reform and development within the grand panorama of Chinese-path modernization, embracing the New Era, forging ahead on the new journey, and building a "New Chongqing." We resolutely support the "Two Establishments" and firmly achieve the "Two Upholds," ensuring that "whenever the General Secretary issues an order or the Party Central Committee makes a deployment, Chongqing takes action." We continue to foster a clean and upright political ecosystem, build an inland open highland and a place of beautiful mountains and clear waters, promote high-quality development, and create a high-quality life.

Using the national strategy of promoting the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle ^[10] as the overarching engine, we drive Chongqing's high-quality development. We contribute Chongqing’s strength to the advancement of Chinese-path modernization, demonstrate Chongqing’s responsibility in constructing the new development pattern, provide strategic support for the overall situation of national regional coordinated development, construct an important barrier for safeguarding national ecological security, and provide a pioneering demonstration for common prosperity in the western region. We are advancing the municipal practice of leading social revolution through the Party's self-revolution at a high level, adding luster to the overall national situation through the brilliance of Chongqing’s local results, and promoting the vivid practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Chongqing with a spirit of transformation, innovation, and "striving for the first by seeking the truth" ^[11].

The propaganda, ideological, and cultural fronts have deeply studied and implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thought on propaganda and ideological work. We focus closely on the mission and tasks of "lifting the flag, gathering the hearts of the people, nurturing new people, flourishing culture, and presenting a good image" ^[12]. Centering on the main line of studying, publicizing, and implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, we conscientiously implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the work requirements of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee. We uphold the fundamentals and break new ground to promote the high-quality development of propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, providing a strong ideological guarantee and powerful spiritual strength for the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist New Chongqing on the new journey of the New Era.

First, we must deeply study, publicize, research, and interpret Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must focus on the "key minority" ^[13] of leading cadres and the study sessions of the Theoretical Study Center Groups of Party organizations at all levels. We persist in taking the study of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches, instructions, and comments as the "First Agenda" ^[14], and the study, publicity, and implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC as the main line. We will deepen the systematic research and academic interpretation of the Party’s innovative theories in the New Era, conducting in-depth research into the core essence, rich connotations, theoretical system, practical requirements, worldview, methodology, and long-term guiding significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We will implement projects for the dissemination of the Party's innovative theories, carrying out concentrated and grassroots-level preaching to ensure the Party's innovative theories reach every household and take root in the hearts of the people.

Second, we must deeply research and publicize the vivid practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Chongqing. Centering on the strategic deployment of fully implementing the General Secretary's earnest entrustments on Chongqing soil, we will comprehensively research and publicize the new achievements of Chongqing in implementing his important speeches and instructions. This includes the new contributions made in the process of promoting and expanding Chinese-path modernization, the new status sought within the national map of high-quality development, the new perceptions of happiness gained by the masses in meeting their needs for a better life, and the new atmosphere demonstrated in deeply advancing the New Great Project of Party Building in the New Era ^[15]. These efforts fully demonstrate the power of truth and the practical might of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Third, we must deeply promote the construction of a New Era "culturally strong city." We will implement the strategic deployments of the 20th National Congress regarding the construction of a culturally strong nation, building Chongqing into a culturally strong city that "inherits a millennium of cultural lineage, casts a humanistic spirit, establishes the new trends of the era, and strengthens the quality of innovation," providing cultural cohesion and spiritual impetus for Chongqing’s reform and development. We will protect and pass down Chongqing’s unique Bayu culture ^[16], revolutionary culture, Three Gorges culture, migration culture, Anti-Japanese War culture, and United Front culture. We will construct the Chongqing sections of the Yangtze River and Long March National Cultural Parks, cultivating new cultural symbols and forming a new pattern of cultural development. We will implement projects to inherit and carry forward the Hongyan Spirit ^[17], building a demonstration zone for the inheritance of "red genes." Guided by the Core Socialist Values, we will coordinately promote civilization cultivation, practice, and creation, building a demonstration belt of high-quality New Era civilization practices. We will implement cultural projects for the benefit of the people, building a high-level public cultural service system. We will revitalize the cultural industry, promote the deep integration of culture and tourism, and create a world-renowned cultural tourism destination. Finally, we will strengthen the construction of an all-media communication system and accelerate the construction of the Western International Communication Center to tell China's stories well and spread China's voice well.

(The author is a member of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, Director of the Propaganda Department, and Director of the Chongqing Research Center for the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics)