CPC Party Group of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Deeply Comprehend the "Six Must-Holds" and Continue to Promote Theoretical Innovation Based on Practice

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is contemporary Chinese Marxism and twenty-first-century Marxism. It is the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit in our times, achieving a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly noted in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC that continuously writing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists. To continue advancing theoretical innovation based on practice, we must first grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and adhere to and apply the stances, viewpoints, and methods that permeate it. We must persist in putting the people first, persist in self-confidence and self-reliance, persist in upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, persist in a problem-oriented approach, persist in systems thinking, and persist in maintaining a global perspective. These "Six Persistences" ^[1] fully embody the conscious application and innovative development of the Marxist worldview and methodology by Chinese Communists. They profoundly reveal the theoretical character and distinctive traits of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They are both the basic points that must be firmly grasped to deeply understand this scientific thought and the basic points that must be consistently adhered to in continuing to advance theoretical innovation.

We must persist in putting the people first. Persisting in putting the people first is the fundamental stance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It profoundly embodies both the historical materialist view that the masses are the creators of history and the dialectical materialist epistemology that theory originates from the extensive practice of the masses. The "people-centered" character is the essential attribute of Marxism. The Party's theory is a theory that comes from the people, is for the people, and benefits the people; the creative practice of the people is the inexhaustible source of theoretical innovation. Any theory detached from the people is pale and weak, and any theory that does not benefit the people lacks vitality.

Persisting in putting the people first is a "red thread" running through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has proposed the people-centered development philosophy, emphasizing that "the people's aspiration for a better life is our goal," "the essence of modernization is the modernization of people," "the mountains and rivers are the people, and the people are the mountains and rivers," ^[2] and "making life happy for the people is the 'top priority of the nation' ^[3]." Winning the battle against poverty, advancing the construction of a Healthy China, a Peaceful China, and a Beautiful China, and solving the people’s most immediate and practical interest concerns—all these fully demonstrate the General Secretary's profound sentiment of "I will forgo my own well-being for the sake of the people" ^[4] and his sense of mission, showcasing the distinctive character and fundamental stance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The creative practice of the masses is the inexhaustible source for the innovative development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The mass line is our Party's lifeline and fundamental work line; it is an important heirloom for our Party to maintain its youthful vitality and combat effectiveness." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, whether in the formulation of Party Congress reports and Central Committee documents or the introduction of major plans and policy deployments, the Party Central Committee has focused on extensively listening to and absorbing opinions from all sides. Whole-process people's democracy has been tangibly reflected, and the mass line has been implemented across all aspects and the entire process of governance. Precisely because Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is based on the people, rooted in the people, comes from the masses and goes to the masses, this scientific thought has been able to continuously enrich and develop in practice, demonstrating a powerful practical force and guiding the cause of the Party and the state to achieve historical achievements and undergo historical transformations.

On the new journey of the New Era, to advance theoretical innovation based on practice, we must profoundly internalize the fundamental significance of the word "people" in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must always adhere to the fundamental value orientation of putting the people first, deeply grasp the vivid practice and rich wisdom of hundreds of millions of people, and promptly refine and summarize the fresh experiences of the masses. This will result in a theory that is loved, recognized, and possessed by the people, making it a powerful ideological weapon for guiding the people in understanding and transforming the world.

We must persist in self-confidence and self-reliance. Persisting in self-confidence and self-reliance is the spiritual trait of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It profoundly embodies both the basic principle of the dialectical relationship between matter and consciousness and the spirit of historical initiative of Chinese Communists who respect objective laws and dare to pioneer and innovate. The successful path of the Party's century-long struggle was explored and opened up by the people under the Party's independent leadership. The Chinese chapter of Marxism was practiced by Chinese Communists relying on their own strength. A fundamental point running through this is that China's problems must be answered by Chinese people themselves based on China's basic national conditions.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era embodies a spirit of independent exploration and practice, permeated with the confidence and determination to "persist in walking one's own path." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the people in successfully advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization, enriching and developing a new form of human civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that there is no such thing as a "superior" model of modernization, nor is there a "one-size-fits-all" standard for modernization. The modernization we pursue is a socialist modernization led by the CPC. We must persist in using Chinese-path modernization to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We will neither take the old path of isolation and rigidity nor the "evil path" of changing flags ^[5]. We persist in basing the development of our country and nation on the foundation of our own strength and keeping the destiny of China's development and progress firmly in our own hands. The road of Chinese-path modernization has expanded the channels for developing countries to achieve modernization, providing a brand-new choice for countries and nations in the world that wish to accelerate their development while maintaining their independence, and contributing Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to solving major human problems.

Possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is the fundamental reason why our Party maintains firm faith and grasps historical initiative. For over a hundred years, whether in adversity or prosperity, Chinese Communists have always remained firm in their faith in Marxism and their belief in socialism and communism. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Faith in Marxism and belief in socialism and communism are the political soul of Communists and the spiritual pillar that enables them to withstand any test." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have had the courage to conduct theoretical exploration and innovation. Combining theory and practice, they have deeply answered a series of major questions of the times concerning the development of the Party and state cause and the governance of the country. They have made original contributions to the development of Marxism, greatly enhancing the confidence of the Chinese nation and the Chinese people in our path, theory, system, and culture. Self-confidence and self-reliance are manifested in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era and have become the internal temperament and spiritual outlook of the Chinese people and nation.

On the new journey of the New Era, to advance theoretical innovation based on practice, we must maintain firm faith in Marxism and firm belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must strengthen our confidence in our path, theory, system, and culture, and continuously enhance the "aspiration, backbone, and confidence" ^[6] of being Chinese. We must stride forward on the path of our choosing, keep the destiny of China's development and progress firmly in our own hands, and make new and greater contributions to adhering to and developing Marxism with a more active historical responsibility and creative spirit.

We must persist in upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. Persisting in upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is the theoretical character of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It profoundly embodies both the basic essentials of dialectical materialism and the internal laws of the innovative development of Marxist theory. Unifying the persistence in Marxism with the development of Marxism, and continuously making new theoretical creations in combination with new practices, is the secret to Marxism's eternal vitality. Only by upholding the fundamentals can we avoid losing our direction or making "subversive errors"; only by breaking new ground can we grasp and lead the times.

Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is the distinct atmosphere of the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics and a prominent hallmark of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has persisted in combining the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific realities and with China's fine traditional culture. While being clear-cut and unequivocal on fundamental issues, it has also responded to the requirements of the New Era, advancing reforms and innovations in all aspects with great courage and determination, resulting in a brand-new look for the CPC, the Chinese people, socialist China, and the Chinese nation. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, founded in this great practice, has deepened our understanding of the laws of CPC governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of human social development with a brand-new perspective, achieving a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

On the new journey of the New Era, to advance theoretical innovation based on practice, we must treat science with a scientific attitude and pursue truth with the spirit of truth. We must never waver in adhering to the basic principles of Marxism, the Party's overall leadership, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must keep pace with the times, adapt to the development of practice, treat all new things with great enthusiasm, and continuously expand the breadth and depth of our understanding. We must dare to say what our predecessors had not said and do what our predecessors had not done, guiding new practices with new theories.

We must persist in a problem-oriented approach. Persisting in a problem-oriented approach is the distinct style of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It profoundly reflects the dialectical materialist worldview and methodology of starting from reality, conducting concrete analysis of concrete problems, and actively facing and resolving contradictions encountered in progression. Problems are the voice of the times, and answering and guiding the solution of problems is the fundamental task of theory. Chinese Communists have always conducted revolution, construction, and reform to solve China's practical problems, and the Party's theory has also innovated and developed through continuously answering the questions of the times.

Persisting in a problem-oriented approach has been a prominent feature of the Party's governance since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, highlighting the sense of mission and responsibility of Chinese Communists in the New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping has engaged in deep reflection and scientific judgment on a series of major theoretical and practical issues concerning the development of the Party and state in the New Era. He has proposed a series of original new concepts, ideas, and strategies for governance regarding major questions of the times, such as: what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should we adhere to and develop in the New Era and how should we do it? What kind of great modern socialist country should we build and how? What kind of long-term governing Marxist party should we build and how? It is precisely based on the accurate grasp and scientific answering of these major questions of the times that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was founded and has been continuously enriched and developed. While advancing theoretical innovation, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has focused on major practical issues, overall strategic issues, and hot and difficult issues of concern to the masses in the New Era. By taking a series of strategic measures, advancing a series of transformative practices, achieving a series of breakthrough developments, and attaining a series of landmark results, the Party has withstood risks and challenges from politics, economy, ideology, and the natural world, pushing our country onto a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country.

On the new journey of the New Era, to advance theoretical innovation based on practice, we must strengthen our awareness of problems. We must focus on new problems encountered in practice, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, the "urgent, difficult, and anxious" problems of the masses ^[7], major problems in the international landscape, and prominent problems facing Party building. We must continuously propose new concepts, ideas, and methods that truly solve problems, examine the practical basis and needs of the contemporary development of Marxism with a broader vision, and more deeply promote the combination of the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific realities and China's fine traditional culture. We must continuously open up new frontiers for twenty-first-century Marxism, allowing contemporary Chinese Marxism to radiate an even more brilliant light of truth.

We must persist in systems thinking. Persisting in systems thinking is the scientific method of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, profoundly embodying the fundamental ideological and work methods of dialectical materialism. All things are interconnected and interdependent. Only by observing things with a perspective of universal connection, comprehensive systems, and evolutionary change can we grasp the laws of their development.

China is a large developing nation still in the primary stage of socialism, undergoing extensive and profound social transformations. Advancing reform and development and adjusting interest relations often involve "pulling a single hair to move the whole body" ^[8]; this especially requires upholding and applying a systemic concept to handle relations across all sectors, coordinate interests in all aspects, and mobilize the initiative of all parties. Since the 18th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has applied the systemic concept to every aspect and link of national governance, proposing the overarching coordination of the "Four Greats" ^[9], the coordinated advancement of the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" ^[10], and the balanced promotion of the "Four Comprehensives" ^[11] strategic layout. He has emphasized that economic and social development is a systematic project that must comprehensively account for multiple factors, including politics and economy, the present and the long term, the material and the cultural, development and people’s livelihoods, resources and ecology, as well as domestic and international contexts. He has stressed that comprehensively deepening reform requires strengthening top-level design and overall planning, ensuring that the whole and the parts are complementary, that treating symptoms and root causes are combined, and that gradual progress and breakthroughs are linked, thereby achieving a unity of holistic advancement and key breakthroughs. He has further emphasized that comprehensively advancing the law-based governance of the country must involve comprehensive consideration, grasping key points, and overall planning, focusing efforts on joint advancement and collective construction, and so forth. All of these reflect a systemic planning and strategic blueprint that discerns the current momentum and oversees the grand scheme, providing a scientific following for responding to complex situations and promoting the cause of development. This has greatly enhanced our Party’s capacity and level of proficiency in overseeing the overall situation and trend, navigating complex circumstances, and resolving complex problems.

On the new journey of the New Era, to advance theoretical innovation based on practice, we must be adept at viewing reality through the lens of history and perceiving essence through phenomena. We must correctly grasp the relationships between the whole and the parts, the present and the long term, the macro and the micro, primary and secondary contradictions, and the specific and the general. We must continuously enhance our capacity for strategic thinking, historical thinking, dialectical thinking, systemic thinking, innovative thinking, law-based thinking, and bottom-line thinking ^[12], thus providing scientific ideological methods for forward-looking thinking, holistic planning, and the comprehensive advancement of all Party and state undertakings.

We must persist in maintaining a global vision. Persisting in a global vision fully reflects the unique broad horizon and lofty realm of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The Communist Party of China is a party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation; it is also a party that seeks progress for humanity and the Great Harmony ^[13] for the world. Throughout its century-long course of struggle, our Party has consistently observed the future and destiny of humanity with a world-oriented outlook. We have correctly understood and handled our relations with the outside world based on the great tides of human development, the grand patterns of global change, and the long arc of Chinese history. We have always stood on the right side of history and on the side of human civilization's progress, making significant contributions to the cause of world development and human advancement.

Entering the New Era, the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has historically intersected with the world’s profound changes unseen in a century. Proceeding from the future and destiny of humanity, General Secretary Xi Jinping has clearly proposed and profoundly expounded upon the major initiative of building a community with a shared future for humanity. He has put forward the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, and clarified China’s views on security, development, righteousness and interests ^[14], globalization, and global governance. He has proposed promoting the common values of all humanity, building a new type of international relations, and promoting the high-quality development of the "Belt and Road" cooperation. He has depicted a beautiful vision for a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, and cleanliness, providing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions for maintaining world peace and promoting common development. These important initiatives and propositions fully reflect a profound grasp of changes in the international situation and unique insights into major issues of human development. They occupy the ideological and moral high ground, highlighting China’s unique style and responsibility as a major power.

On the new journey of the New Era, to advance theoretical innovation based on practice, we must expand our world-oriented outlook, gain deep insight into the trends of human development and progress, and actively respond to the universal concerns of people in all countries. We should contribute to solving the common problems facing humanity and, with a broad mind that "admits a hundred rivers" ^[15], learn from and absorb all the outstanding achievements of human civilization to promote the building of a better world.

The "Six Must-Persists" ^[16] profoundly reveal the fundamental political stance, thorough theoretical character, unique spiritual temperament, and scientific ideological methods of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They provide a "golden key" for grasping and utilizing the ideological essence of this scientific theory and for further improving the Marxist theoretical level of the entire Party. They also solve the problem of "the bridge and the boat" ^[17] for continuing to advance the Party’s theoretical innovation. On the new journey of the New Era, we must profoundly understand the rich connotations, theoretical value, and practical significance of the "Six Must-Persists," and continue to answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times, constantly composing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.