Qin Xuan: The Contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to Scientific Socialism
Scientific socialism is a vital component of Marxism. If measured from the publication of the Manifesto of the Communist Party, it has been developing for over 170 years. Throughout this period, scientific socialism has undergone historic leaps from theory to practice, from the practice of a single country to that of multiple countries, and from a single developmental path to diverse paths. The integration of scientific socialism with China’s concrete reality has transformed the face of China, the Chinese nation, and the Chinese people. The success of scientific socialism in China has not only enriched and developed the theory itself, proving its status as truth, but has also injected new vitality into world socialism, demonstrating the bright prospects of socialism to humanity.
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core—in the process of coordinating the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the world’s profound changes unseen in a century [1]—has addressed major issues such as what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be upheld and developed in the New Era and how to uphold and develop it. In doing so, it has proposed a series of original new concepts, ideas, and strategies for governance and founded Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This Thought consistently upholds the basic principles of scientific socialism while imbuing them with new temporal content, making original theoretical contributions to scientific socialism and writing a new chapter for it in the 21st century.
I. Confronting the epochal question of "whither humanity," accurately grasping the major trends of the times, and pointing the way for the future of humanity
The era is the mother of thought. "To keep pace with the times, share the destiny of the people, and focus on answering the major questions raised by the era and practice—this is the secret to the perpetual vitality of Marxism." Since its inception, scientific socialism has been able to guide the international communist movement in creating a socialist form of civilization precisely because it has always conformed to the major trends of the times and grasped the correct direction of historical development. The CPC has always closely followed and adapted to the times, leading the Chinese people in a fundamental transition from "falling behind the times" to "catching up with the times" and then to "leading the times." Since the 18th National Congress, Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the importance of keeping pace with the times. He has conducted in-depth theoretical analysis of the characteristics of the present era, proposed a series of new ideas, and further clarified the future direction of human social development.
First, the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation; we must use Marxism as a guide to recognize the nature of the era and grasp its characteristics.
From a historical dimension, human society is in an era of great development, great change, and great adjustment, entering a new period of turbulence and transformation. In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2017 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Xi Jinping explicitly pointed out: "'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times'—this is how the British writer Charles Dickens described the world after the Industrial Revolution. Today, we also live in a world of contradictions. On the one hand, material wealth continues to accumulate, technological progress changes with each passing day, and human civilization has developed to its highest level in history. On the other hand, regional conflicts occur frequently, and global challenges such as terrorism and the refugee crisis emerge one after another. Poverty, unemployment, and the widening income gap persist, and the uncertainty facing the world is rising." In April 2022, during an inspection of Renmin University of China, Xi Jinping noted: "At present, the theory and practice of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics have raised a large number of new problems that urgently need to be solved. The world’s profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. There is an urgent need to answer the questions of our time: 'What is happening to the world?' and 'Whither humanity?'" He also emphasized that in such an era, "if we are to win the initiative in a rapidly changing era and win victory in the new great struggle, we must, on the basis of upholding the basic principles of Marxism, think about and grasp a series of major strategic issues facing the future development of the country with a broader horizon and a longer-term perspective, and continuously expand new horizons and make new generalizations in theory." The reason we must answer these "Questions of the World" and "Questions of the Era" is that only by having a clear understanding of these issues and finding the correct answers can we firmly grasp the future of our advance and avoid committing subversive errors [2] on major issues concerning the future and destiny of the Party and the country. The reason we emphasize the need to uphold the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method is that Marxism profoundly reveals the general laws governing the development of the objective world—especially human society—and reveals the historical law that the demise of capitalism and the victory of socialism are both inevitable. It is a theory proven scientific by history and practice.
Second, humanity is still in the era of transition from capitalism to socialism.
In September 2017, on the eve of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping explicitly stated: "Although the era we live in has undergone great and profound changes compared to the era of Marx, from the broad perspective of the 500-year history of world socialism, we are still in the historical era specified by Marxism. This is the scientific basis for our firm confidence in Marxism and our conviction in the ultimate victory of socialism." This is Xi Jinping’s general judgment of the era in which we live.
Although capitalism still occupies a dominant position globally, socialism still represents the future direction of human development. In particular, the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics has injected new vitality into world socialism. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Marx and Engels’ analysis of the basic contradictions of capitalist society is not outdated, nor is the historical materialist view that the demise of capitalism and the victory of socialism are both inevitable. This is the irreversible general trend of social and historical development, but the road is tortuous. The final demise of capitalism and the final victory of socialism must be a long historical process." He clearly noted: "We must profoundly recognize the self-adjustment capacity of capitalist society and fully estimate the objective reality that Western developed countries will maintain advantages in economy, technology, and military affairs for a long time. We must be well-prepared in all aspects for long-term cooperation and struggle between the two social systems." To this end, he proposed that, on the one hand, socialism—which is still in the primary stage—must earnestly learn from and draw on the beneficial achievements of civilization created by capitalism, while simultaneously facing various criticisms or even sanctions from capitalism against socialism. On the other hand, we must maintain strong strategic resolve, stay firm in our ideals and beliefs in the inevitable victory of socialism, resolutely resist various erroneous propositions to abandon socialism, resolutely carry out a long-term struggle against capitalism, and consistently uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, "continuously building a socialism that is superior to capitalism."
Third, peace and development remain the themes of the present era, but the various factors affecting these themes have undergone new changes.
In the mid-1980s, Deng Xiaoping made the important judgment that "peace and development are the two major issues in the contemporary world." Since entering the 21st century, peace and development remain the themes of the era, but the factors affecting them have changed significantly. Regarding world peace, the world is far from tranquil, as unstable and uncertain factors continue to increase globally. Regarding the issue of development, since the international financial crisis, the world economy has been in a long-term slump, and the problems of the wealth gap and the North-South divide have become even more prominent than in the 20th century.
Marx noted: "The question is the slogan of the era, the most practical cry expressing its state of mind." Xi Jinping pointed out: "In the face of numerous challenges and difficulties, we must grasp the key of development tightly. Only through development can we eliminate the root causes of conflict. Only through development can we guarantee the basic rights of the people. Only through development can we satisfy the people’s earnest yearning for a better life."
Based on the new changes of the era, Xi Jinping emphasized: First, regardless of how the era changes, we must observe the times, keep pace with them, use Marxism as a guide to clearly understand changes, and grasp the nature and characteristics of the era. Second, although the present era has changed significantly, we are still in the era specified by Marx; the replacement of capitalism by socialism is an inevitable historical trend, and humanity continues to adhere to the direction of socialist development. Third, we must always hold high the banner of peace and grasp development as the common theme for humanity.
These important viewpoints uphold Marxist dialectical materialism and historical materialism, follow the basic principles of scientific socialism, and further deepen the understanding of the laws of human social development.
II. Confronting the major epochal question of how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, writing a new chapter for scientific socialism
China is the largest socialist country in the world today. As a scientific theory, socialism was introduced to China and gradually accepted by the Chinese people at a moment when the Chinese nation faced a crisis of survival in modern times. As a movement, socialism unfolded in China under the profound influence of the Russian October Revolution and the leadership of the CPC. As a social system, socialism was established in China following the trend of the vigorous global development of socialism after World War II. Only socialism could save China; only socialism with Chinese characteristics can develop China; and only by upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics can we achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the major epochal question of what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop and how to uphold and develop it has been placed before our Party. Centering on this major question, our Party has boldly conducted theoretical innovation based on practice, proposing a series of original new concepts, ideas, and strategies. Xi Jinping has discussed the relationship between socialism with Chinese characteristics and scientific socialism on many occasions. He once emphasized in no uncertain terms: "Socialism with Chinese characteristics is a dialectical unity of the theoretical logic of scientific socialism and the historical logic of China's social development. It is scientific socialism rooted in Chinese soil, reflecting the will of the Chinese people, and adapted to the requirements of the development and progress of China and the era. It is the only path to building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, accelerating socialist modernization, and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." Addressing doubts from some individuals at home and abroad regarding the nature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi Jinping pointed out: "Socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism and not any other 'ism.' The basic principles of scientific socialism cannot be abandoned; if they are abandoned, it is no longer socialism. Our Party has always emphasized that socialism with Chinese characteristics not only upholds the basic principles of scientific socialism but also endows them with distinct Chinese characteristics according to the conditions of the times. This is to say, socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism, and not any other 'ism.'"
Xi Jinping particularly emphasized the need to advance the development of the theory of scientific socialism in line with the development of the times. He said: "A major difference between scientific socialism and utopian socialism lies in the fact that it is not an immutable dogma, but views socialism as a process of continuous improvement and development in practice." He has repeatedly stressed: "Socialism does not have a single, fixed, or immutable model. Only by closely integrating the basic principles of scientific socialism with the specific realities, historical and cultural traditions, and requirements of the era in one's own country—continually exploring and summarizing in practice—can the blueprint be turned into a beautiful reality."
Through long-term efforts, socialism with Chinese characteristics has achieved a great leap from founding and development to refinement, demonstrating the strong vitality of scientific socialism. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has written a new chapter for the development of scientific socialism in China.
— Regarding the fundamental purpose of upholding and developing socialism: It consistently adheres to the basic principles and advanced nature of scientific socialism. It clearly proposes that the general task of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is to achieve socialist modernization and the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It emphasizes that the essence of the Chinese Dream is the prosperity of the country, the revitalization of the nation, and the happiness of the people. In this way, it internalizes the lofty Marxist ideal of achieving communism and "seeking liberation for humanity" into the shared dream of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the historical mission undertaken by the CPC.
— Regarding the fundamental standpoint of upholding and developing socialism: It adheres to the historical materialist view of Marxism that the people are the true heroes and the creators of history. It proposes that being "people-centered" is the fundamental standpoint for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. It clarifies that seeking happiness for the people is the original aspiration of Chinese Communists, emphasizes relying on the people to create history, integrates the Party's mass line into all activities of state governance, and continuously promotes the well-rounded development of the individual and common prosperity for all people. These important viewpoints vividly interpret the CPC’s fundamental purpose of serving the people heart and soul, and vividly embody the value objectives of scientific socialism.
—In terms of the institutional arrangements for upholding and developing socialism, the thought adheres to Marxist dialectical materialism and explicitly proposes that the total layout for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" and the strategic layout is the "Four Comprehensives." It clarifies that the general goal of comprehensively deepening reform is to improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and to modernize China’s system and capacity for governance. This has enriched and developed Marxist theories regarding comprehensive social development and the drivers of social development, as well as the Marxist theory of the state.
—In terms of the paths and methods for upholding and developing socialism, the thought consistently adheres to the Marxist ideological line of seeking truth from facts, emphasizing the need to proceed from reality in all things, to follow one's own path, and to build a socialism suited to one's own national conditions. Xi Jinping has pointed out: "The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only way to realize socialist modernization and create a better life for the people; the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the correct theory to guide the Party and the people in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental institutional guarantee for development and progress in contemporary China; and the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a powerful spiritual force that inspires the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups to forge ahead." He emphasizes the need to strengthen confidence in our path, theory, system, and culture—neither returning to the old path of isolation and rigidity nor taking the "evil path" (xiélù [3]) of changing flags and banners—but consistently upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. These ideas have expanded the pathways for developing countries toward modernization and provided a brand-new choice for countries and nations in the world that wish to accelerate their development while maintaining their independence.
—In terms of the political safeguards for upholding and developing socialism, the thought adheres to Marxist military theory and profoundly elucidates major theoretical issues concerning the building of national defense and the armed forces in the New Era that are fundamental, directional, global, and strategic. It "clarifies that the Party's goal for strengthening the military in the New Era is to build a people's army that follows the Party's command, can fight and win, and has a fine style of work, and to build the people's army into a world-class military." Xi Jinping's series of important expositions on national defense and military building have enriched and developed the Marxist theory of the dictatorship of the proletariat and opened up a new realm in the development of Marxist theory on national defense and the military.
—In terms of the foreign policy for upholding and developing socialism, it clarifies that major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics must promote the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for humanity. Proposing and practicing the concepts of a new type of international relations centered on win-win cooperation and a community with a shared future for humanity has fully demonstrated China's image as a responsible major country on the international stage. This has not only enriched Marxist international relations theory and provided basic guiding principles for opening a new phase in China’s foreign relations but has also provided a "China plan" (Zhōngguó fāng'àn [4]) for future global development.
—In terms of the leadership force for upholding and developing socialism, it "clarifies that the most defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China; the greatest advantage of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China; and the CPC is the highest force for political leadership. The whole Party must strengthen the 'Four Consciousnesses,' [5] firm up the 'Four Confidences,' and achieve the 'Two Upholds'." This important thesis highlights the importance of adhering to the Party's comprehensive leadership for developing the cause of socialism, which not only deepens the understanding of the essence of socialism but also reveals the key to the future development of the socialist cause.
At a critical historical juncture where global problems are increasingly prominent and humanity once again stands at a crossroads, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era answers the major question of our times—what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be upheld and developed, and how to uphold and develop it—from the perspective of combining theory and practice. This has deepened the understanding of the laws governing socialist construction and the laws of governing-party construction, pushing scientific socialism into a new stage of development. It is precisely under the guidance of this thought that socialism with Chinese characteristics has achieved great accomplishments that have attracted worldwide attention, "causing a major shift in the historical evolution and competition between the two ideologies and social systems of socialism and capitalism on a global scale—a shift in favor of socialism." As Xi Jinping stated: "Due to the continuous success of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the situation of world socialism being 'silent as ten thousand horses' [6] after the end of the Cold War has been largely reversed. The passive situation of socialism in its competition with capitalism has been largely reversed, and the superiority of socialism has been demonstrated to a great extent." Practice has proven and will continue to prove: "Socialism with Chinese characteristics is becoming the banner of the development of 21st-century scientific socialism and the mainstay of the revitalization of world socialism."
III. Confronting New Modernization Dilemmas under the Background of the International Financial Crisis: Summarizing and Elucidating the Theory of Chinese-path Modernization
Advancing human progress and promoting development toward a higher stage for humanity is an important value goal pursued by scientific socialism. In today's world, facing "changes unseen in a century," advancing modernization and enhancing the capacity and level of building a modern state remain a common pursuit for all countries, as well as a worldwide challenge. On March 15, 2023, Xi Jinping pointed out at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting: "In the world today, multiple challenges and crises are intertwined and superimposed. The recovery of the world economy is difficult, the development gap continues to widen, the ecological environment continues to deteriorate, and the Cold War mentality persists. The modernization process of human society has once again arrived at a historical crossroads." Humanity faces a series of "modernization questions": "Polarization or common prosperity? Materialism alone or coordinated material and spiritual development? Draining the pond to catch the fish [7] or harmonious coexistence between man and nature? A zero-sum game or win-win cooperation? Blindly copying the models of other countries or independent development based on one's own national conditions? What kind of modernization do we actually need? How can we achieve modernization?" These questions are universal issues raised by Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, after deep reflection on the various contradictions and dilemmas facing modernization in today's world. Xi Jinping believes that political parties, as an important force in leading and promoting the modernization process, have a responsibility to provide answers to this series of modernization questions.
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping's series of important expositions on Chinese-path modernization have preliminarily constructed a theoretical system of Chinese-path modernization, which represents the latest major achievement of scientific socialism.
First, keeping in mind the strategic framework of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation against the backdrop of changes unseen in a century, the strategy for Chinese-path modernization has been reformulated.
Since the 18th National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has comprehensively analyzed the international and domestic situations and China's development conditions, reformulating the strategic goals for China's modernization. The report to the 19th National Congress explicitly proposed a two-stage plan from 2020 to the middle of the 21st century: "The first stage, from 2020 to 2035, building on the foundation of having comprehensively built a moderately prosperous society, will involve another fifteen years of struggle to basically realize socialist modernization... The second stage, from 2035 to the middle of the century, building on the foundation of basically realizing modernization, will involve another fifteen years of struggle to build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful." Compared with the "three-step" strategy of the reform and opening-up period, the "two-step" strategic arrangement for the New Era moves forward the target for "basically realizing modernization" by 15 years. This is a matter of seeking truth from facts and corresponds to reality, as China's economic and social development achievements have exceeded expectations. The proposal of the higher goal of "comprehensively building a great modern socialist country" enriches the connotation of the "Two Centenary Goals"; this is also based on seeking truth from facts and corresponds to reality, as China's modernization already possesses a solid foundation and enormous potential.
According to the "two-step" strategic arrangement made in the report to the 19th National Congress, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee and the 20th National Congress further refined the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 for basically achieving socialist modernization. Meanwhile, centered on the total goal of comprehensively building a great modern socialist country, Xi Jinping has also proposed goals for specific fields, such as building a leading power in science and technology, manufacturing, quality, cyber development, and transportation; a digital China; and a leading power in culture, education, talent, and sports, as well as a "Healthy China."
Second, understanding Chinese-path modernization through international comparison and elucidating its new characteristics.
Based on a profound understanding of the laws of human social development and a scientific grasp of China's specific national conditions for modernization, Xi Jinping has pointed out that the modernization we are advancing possesses both the common characteristics of modernization in all countries and Chinese characteristics based on our own national conditions. Xi Jinping emphasizes: Our modernization is quite different from that of Western developed countries and has distinct Chinese characteristics.
—From the perspective of the nature of modernization, Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization. This path can avoid the cruel and sinful processes of capitalism during modernization, while concentrating strengths to exert initiative and achieve faster and more rational development than capitalism.
—From the perspective of the goals of modernization, Chinese modernization is "the modernization of common prosperity for all." Xi Jinping emphasizes that "the essence of modernization is the modernization of people." Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of the all-around development of people and common prosperity for all people.
—From the perspective of the scale of modernization, Chinese-path modernization is "the modernization of a huge population." To date, the total population of countries and regions in the world that have achieved modernization is approximately one billion. The United States, the world's largest developed country, has a population of just over 300 million—less than one-fourth of China's 1.4 billion people. Xi Jinping points out that the realization of modernization by the world's largest developing country means that Chinese people, numbering more than the combined population of all currently developed countries, will enter the ranks of modernization. Its impact will be global.
—From the perspective of the content of modernization, Chinese-path modernization is "the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement in coordination." Unlike Western modernization, which focuses only on material civilization and neglects spiritual/cultural civilization, Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of comprehensive social development. Xi Jinping emphasizes: "While adhering to economic construction as the center, we must comprehensively advance economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological civilization construction, and promote the coordinated development of all links and aspects of modernization."
—From the perspective of the modernization process, China, as a late-developing modernizing country, has experienced a completely different development process compared to the early-developing Western countries. "Western developed countries followed a 'serial' development process, with industrialization, urbanization, agricultural modernization, and informatization developing in sequence over more than two hundred years. For us to catch up and recover the 'lost two hundred years,' it is determined that China's development must be a 'parallel' process, where industrialization, informatization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization develop in an overlapping fashion."
—From the perspective of the relationship between man and nature, Chinese-path modernization is "the modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature." Differing from the modernization of Western developed countries, which once caused tension in the relationship between man and nature, Chinese-path modernization incorporates ecological civilization construction into the total layout of modernization, protecting the ecological environment as one would protect one's eyes and treating the environment as one would treat life itself. China has become an important participant, contributor, and leader in global ecological civilization construction.
—From the perspective of the path to modernization, Chinese-path modernization is "the modernization of following the path of peaceful development." Unlike the path taken by some old-line capitalist countries—characterized by external violent plunder of colonies and internal cruel exploitation of the people—Chinese-path modernization emphasizes mutual benefit and win-win cooperation with all countries, promotes the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and strives to contribute to human peace and development. Xi Jinping pointed out: "China has developed from a poor and weak country into the world's second-largest economy not by relying on external military expansion and colonial plunder, but by the hard work of the people and the maintenance of peace."
In short, the path of Chinese-path modernization "has solved many difficult problems in the development of human society, abandoned the old Western path of capital-centered modernization, polarized modernization, expansion of materialism, and modernization through external expansion and plunder. It has expanded the pathways for developing countries toward modernization and provided a 'China plan' for humanity's exploration of better social systems."
Third, facing the arduous task of building a great modern socialist country, it proposes and elucidates the essential requirements and important principles of Chinese-path modernization.
After the comprehensive completion of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, accelerating the pace of building a modern socialist country is a great and arduous cause filled with unprecedented contradictions and dilemmas. It is necessary to follow the common laws of global modernization while grasping the specific essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization. At the 20th CPC National Congress, Xi Jinping explicitly pointed out: "The essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization are: upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China and [adhering to] socialism with Chinese characteristics, pursuing 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 advancement." These essential requirements are closely interconnected and internally integrated, constituting a comprehensive, scientific, and rigorous organic whole.
Among these, "upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China" and "adhering to socialism with Chinese characteristics" define the fundamental political guarantee and correct political direction of Chinese-path modernization, revealing its core principles and requirements. The requirements to "pursue high-quality development, develop whole-process people's democracy, enrich the cultural-ethical life of the people, achieve common prosperity for all, and promote harmony between humanity and nature" are proposed with a focus on promoting the coordinated development of the "five civilizations"—material, political, cultural-ethical, social, and ecological—thus clarifying the layout and path of Chinese-path modernization. "Building a community with a shared future for humanity" is a distinctive hallmark that differentiates Chinese-path modernization from Western modernization, defining its global responsibility. "Creating a new form of human advancement" clarifies the world-historical significance of Chinese-path modernization; it is an inevitable requirement and an inherent attribute of the process. These essential requirements represent the theoretical crystallization of our Party’s profound synthesis of the experiences and lessons of modernization in China and other countries. They provide a scientific guide and fundamental follows [8] for unswervingly following the road of Chinese-path modernization and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
To correctly understand and comprehensively advance Chinese-path modernization, one must also firmly grasp several major principles. In the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, Xi Jinping profoundly analyzed the strategic opportunities, risks, and challenges facing Chinese-path modernization. Focusing on the grand goals and strategic tasks undertaken, he explicitly proposed five important principles that must be adhered to over the long term: upholding and strengthening the Party’s overall leadership, following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, staying committed to a people-centered development philosophy, remaining dedicated to deepening reform and opening up, and persisting in carrying forward the spirit of struggle. These "five adherences" clarify the leadership force, direction of progress, development philosophy, fundamental momentum, and mental state of Chinese-path modernization. They profoundly reveal its core elements, embody its distinctive features, reflect its essential requirements, and provide the fundamental follows for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Fourth, by accurately grasping the historical coordinates of China’s modernization, [the thought] proposes strategic measures for building a great modern socialist country.
Xi Jinping New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics not only answers the question of what kind of great modern socialist country to build, but also proposes a series of important strategic measures on how to build it. For example: emphasizing the adherence to the Party's overall leadership highlights the Party's leadership over modernization and emphasizes the modernization of China's leadership system; proposing a people-centered development philosophy to promote more obvious and substantive progress in well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all highlights the value goals of human modernization; proposing to base work on the new development stage, implement the new development philosophy, construct a new development pattern, promote high-quality development, and coordinate development and security to build socialist material civilization; proposing the development of whole-process democracy to ensure the people are masters of the country, improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and realize the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity to build socialist political civilization; proposing the use of core socialist values to lead cultural construction and flourish socialist culture with Chinese characteristics to build socialist cultural-ethical civilization; proposing to strengthen social construction with a focus on ensuring and improving people’s livelihoods to realize the modernization of social governance and build socialist social civilization; proposing the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" [9] and adhering to a civilized development path characterized by developed production, affluent life, and sound ecology to build socialist ecological civilization; proposing the construction of a consolidated national defense and a powerful people’s army commensurate with China’s international status and suited to national security and development interests, while formulating a new "three-step" strategy for national defense and military modernization (achieving the centenary goal of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army by 2027, basically achieving modernization of national defense and the armed forces by 2035, and fully building world-class forces by the mid-21st century); and proposing to correctly handle the relationship between reform, development, and stability, treating the maintenance of national security and social stability as a foundational task for the Party and the state to create a sound security environment for reform, opening up, and socialist modernization.
These important expositions scientifically summarize our Party’s valuable experience in socialist modernization, actively draw on the experiences and lessons of modernization in other countries, and profoundly answer the major era-defining questions of what kind of great modern socialist country to build and how to build it. They have deepened and expanded the scientific connotation of building a great modern socialist country and clarified the choice of path, important principles, and strategic arrangements for achieving this goal, serving as a scientific guide and program of action leading us toward the Second Centenary Goal [10].
Fifth, with a focus on completing the arduous tasks of Chinese-path modernization, [the thought] proposes and explicates several major relationships that must be handled properly.
Building a great modern socialist country in a nation like China—with its large population and weak foundation—is in itself a massive systematic project that requires handling several major relationships. In the early period of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong wrote On the Ten Major Relationships, aiming to use Soviet experience as a mirror, summarize China’s own experience, mobilize all positive factors at home and abroad, and find a path for modernization suited to China’s conditions. During the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, Jiang Zemin delivered an important speech at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 14th CPC Central Committee titled "Correctly Handling Several Major Relationships in Socialist Modernization Construction," systematically and profoundly discussing twelve major relationships in China's socialist modernization process.
In February 2023, at the opening of a seminar for principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels on studying and implementing the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, Xi Jinping emphasized that to correctly understand and vigorously promote Chinese-path modernization, we must correctly handle a series of major relationships: top-level design versus practical exploration, strategy versus tactics, upholding the fundamentals versus breaking new ground, efficiency versus fairness, vitality versus order, and self-reliance versus opening up to the outside world. In this speech, Xi Jinping also provided detailed expositions on how to handle these relationships. Xi’s discussions are of great significance for our correct understanding of Chinese-path modernization, as they link to the new situations and tasks facing China's development, help us profoundly recognize the difficulty and complexity of the various goals and tasks for building a modern socialist country, enhance our consciousness and firmness in implementation, and strive to create a new situation for Chinese-path modernization on the new journey.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, our Party has "introduced a series of major principles and policies, launched a series of major measures, advanced a series of major tasks, overcome a series of major risks and challenges, solved many long-standing problems that remained unsolved, and accomplished many major tasks that were previously attempted but not achieved, pushing the cause of the Party and the state to achieve historical achievements and undergo historical transformations." Xi Jinping’s series of important expositions on Chinese-path modernization have initially constructed a theoretical system for Chinese-path modernization. This theoretical system has both enriched and developed Marxist modernization theory as well as human thought on modernization.
IV. Confronting New Trends in Global Political Party Development and New Conditions in Party Building, [the Thought] Proposes a New Scheme for Building a Long-Term Governing Marxist Party
The cause of world socialism is comprehensively advanced under the leadership of proletarian parties. The Communist Party of China is the core of leadership for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics; to handle China's affairs well, the key lies with the Party. Attaching great importance to and continuously strengthening self-construction is a "great magic weapon" through which our Party has grown from small to large, from weak to strong, risen from setbacks, and matured through overcoming difficulties. Summarizing the Party's 100-year historical experience, the most fundamental point is that Party building must be carried out according to the Party's political line, centered around the Party's central tasks, and strengthened toward the overall goals of Party building. This ensures the continuous improvement of the Party’s creativity, cohesion, and combat effectiveness, so that the Party always remains the firm leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
During the New Democratic Revolution period, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, successfully implemented the "Great Project" of Party building. During the new period of reform and opening up, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their chief representative, emphasized "concentrating energy on grasping Party building" and "building our Party into a militant Marxist party and a firm core leading the people of the country in the construction of socialist material and mental civilization," initiating the "New Great Project" of Party building. At the turn of the century, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Jiang Zemin as their chief representative, continued to advance the "New Great Project" of Party building. Jiang Zemin pointed out: "The construction and management of a governing party is much more difficult than that of a party not in power." The theory of "Three Represents" creatively answered the questions of what kind of party to build and how to build it. Entering the new century and new stage, Hu Jintao pointed out: "Under the new situation, the tests of governance, reform and opening up, the market economy, and the external environment facing the Party are long-term, complex, and severe. The dangers of a lack of drive, incompetence, bereavement of the masses [11], and corruption are placed more sharply before the whole Party." The task of strengthening the Party's self-construction became more onerous and urgent than ever before. Therefore, in the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, what kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build and how to build it has become a new era-defining task for Party building.
The key to comprehensively building a modern socialist country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation also lies with the Party. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era, and Party building faces arduous tasks. On one hand, the goals of winning the battle to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects and realizing socialist modernization and the national rejuvenation present unprecedented new challenges and requirements. On the other hand, various factors affecting the Party's advanced nature and weakening its purity are highly dangerous and destructive. Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that to govern the country, one must first govern the Party, and the Party must be governed strictly. Our Party governs a large country with over 1.4 billion people; facing a highly complex domestic and international environment and shouldering a heavy governing mission, if we do not strengthen the Party’s self-construction, it will be difficult to overcome various risks and difficulties or to continue moving forward. Consequently, Xi Jinping has proposed a series of new thoughts and judgments regarding Party building in the New Era, making original contributions to Marxist Party-building theory and deepening the understanding of the laws of Communist Party governance.
The original contributions of Xi Jinping New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics to Party building are mainly manifested in the following:
First, with a focus on ensuring the Party always remains the firm leadership core of socialism with Chinese characteristics, [the thought] proposes the comprehensive strengthening of the Party’s leadership. It emphasizes that the Party is the highest force for political leadership; in the Party, the government, the military, the people, and the academe, in the east, west, south, north, and center, the Party leads everything. It emphasizes upholding the Central Committee’s authority and centralized, unified leadership; strengthening political consciousness, consciousness of the big picture, consciousness of the core, and consciousness of alignment; and enhancing the Party’s creativity, cohesion, and combat effectiveness. It focuses on improving the Party's ability and resolve to set the direction, plan the overall situation, formulate policies, and promote reform. This ensures the Party always oversees the overall situation and coordinates all parties, profoundly revealing where the roots and lifeblood of the Party and the state lie, and where the happiness and interests of the people of all ethnic groups are rooted.
Second, focusing on building a Marxist party capable of long-term governance and confronting the unique challenges facing a large party [12], he proposed the construction of a system for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. Xi Jinping pointed out: "How to always stay true to our original aspiration and founding mission; how to always unify the Party’s thinking, will, and action; how to always possess strong governing capacity and leadership skills; how to always maintain a proactive spirit for entrepreneurship and innovation; how to always be able to discover and resolve our own problems in a timely manner; and how to always maintain a clean and upright political ecosystem—these are all unique challenges that a large party like ours must resolve. Solving these challenges is a hurdle we must clear to realize the Party's missions and tasks on the new journey of the New Era; it is a 'hard bone' we must chew for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party to adapt to new situations and requirements." In response to these challenges, Xi Jinping proposed the construction of a system for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party and put forward specific measures: "To improve this system, we must persist in institutional Party governance and governing the Party in accordance with regulations [13]. We must place greater emphasis on the organic connection, linkage, integration, and coordination of all aspects of Party building. We must place greater emphasis on the perfection of systems and mechanisms and the scientific effectiveness of laws and regulations. And we must place greater emphasis on applying the concepts of governance, the systematic perspective, and dialectical thinking to the management and building of the Party. We must ensure that the content is all-encompassing, the targets are fully covered, the responsibility chain is complete, and the system is fully integrated. We will further improve the system for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, so that all work in this area better reflects the characteristics of our times, grasps the underlying laws, and remains rich in creativity." These important expositions provide the fundamental guidelines for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party in the New Era.
Third, with a focus on maintaining the Party’s advanced nature and purity while overcoming the "Four Tests" and "Four Dangers" [14], he "formulated the strategic policy for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, and set out the general requirements for Party building in the New Era. He called for comprehensively advancing the Party’s political, ideological, organizational, and conduct building, as well as discipline building, with institutional building running through all these efforts. He called for furthering the anti-corruption struggle, implementing the political responsibility for Party governance, and leading the great social revolution with the Party’s great self-revolution." These important expositions have greatly enhanced the systemic, anticipatory, creative, and effective nature of strict Party management. They demonstrate the thorough spirit of self-revolution among Chinese Communists and have explored a successful path for resolving internal problems and escaping the "historical cycle" [15] under the conditions of long-term governance.
Fourth, by profoundly grasping the decisive role of the "Great Project" [16] within the "Four Greats," he emphasized that we must have the courage to carry out self-revolution, the courage to turn the blade inward, the courage to "scrape the bone to treat the poison" [17], and the courage to "cut off the wrist like a brave warrior" [18]. We must have the courage to face problems head-on, eliminate all factors that damage the Party’s advanced nature and purity, clear out all viruses that erode the Party’s healthy body, and continuously enhance the Party's ability to purify, improve, reform, and surpass itself. These ideas fully embody the strong will of "it takes a good blacksmith to forge good tools" [19]. They reflect a high degree of consciousness in promoting the unification of self-revolution and social revolution, and they hold great significance for leading the Party’s revolutionary tempering in the practice of Party management, achieving ideological unity, political solidarity, and consistency in action throughout the Party, and continuously strengthening the Party's cohesion, combat effectiveness, leadership, and appeal to fulfill the Party's historical mission in the New Era.
V. Confronting the global question of "What is wrong with the world, and what should we do?" by proposing Chinese solutions for global governance
In 2012, the report to the 18th CPC National Congress described the current global landscape as follows: "The world is moving toward multi-polarity, economic globalization is deepening, cultural diversity and the information society are making steady progress, and a new primary revolution in science and technology is brewing." Since the 18th National Congress, although the general landscape has not changed, the world situation has displayed many new characteristics. Global problems have become increasingly serious, and global governance faces severe new challenges. Xi Jinping pointed out: "The world today is a world of change, a world where new opportunities and challenges emerge in an endless stream, a world where the international system and order are undergoing deep adjustment, and a world where the international balance of power is undergoing profound changes and shifting in a direction favorable to peace and development." Facing the complex and volatile international situation, Xi Jinping proposed that we must unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, build a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, and clean beauty, actively develop global partnerships, promote international cooperation under the "Belt and Road" Initiative, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.
First, in the face of the tortuous progress of economic globalization, he proposed a Chinese solution for participating in globalization.
"Economic globalization is the trend of the times that we must face when planning development." Since the 1990s, with the end of the Cold War and the vigorous advancement of the new technological revolution—especially the wide application of information technology—the allocation of productive factors on a global scale has continued to develop with unprecedented speed and scale. The degree of interdependence and interconnectedness among economies has deepened daily. The report to the 15th National Congress in 1997 already treated economic globalization as an important variable affecting China. Since the beginning of the 21st century, and particularly since the 2008 international financial crisis, economic globalization has shown new developmental trends. This is manifested in two aspects: First, as emerging market economies such as China, India, and Brazil gradually integrate into the global economic system, the scale of economic globalization is expanding unprecedentedly, further increasing the pressure on resources and the pressure to maintain sustained economic growth. Second, under the deep impact of the international financial crisis, and with Brexit and the rise of trade protectionism internationally, a "de-globalization" tendency has appeared worldwide, and anti-globalization sentiments and movements have become increasingly active, obstructing the process of economic globalization.
As the world's largest trader in goods, the holder of the largest foreign exchange reserves, and the second-largest economy, China is an active participant, firm supporter, important builder, and major beneficiary of economic globalization. Facing the new trends of economic globalization, China must offer its own solution for participating in and promoting the healthy development of globalization. Since the 18th National Congress, Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized: "Economic globalization is an irreversible trend of the times." He clearly pointed out: "Economic globalization is an irreversible historical trend that has provided strong impetus for world economic development. To call it a historical trend means its development is independent of human will. Humanity can understand, adapt to, and apply historical laws, but cannot stop historical laws from taking effect." In keeping with this trend of the times, since the 18th National Congress, Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), emphasizing: staying committed to development as a priority; staying committed to a people-centered approach; staying committed to benefits for all and inclusiveness; staying committed to innovation-driven development; staying committed to harmony between man and nature; and staying committed to results-oriented actions. This initiative helps to realize the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and provides ideas and inspiration for various countries to formulate sustainable development policies. Meanwhile, we have taken various measures to fully demonstrate our image as a participant, supporter, and builder of economic globalization.
Second, in the face of the tortuous development of world multi-polarity, he contributed Chinese wisdom to improving global governance.
After the Cold War, and especially since the 21st century, the rise and fall of various forces on the world stage has led to a steady increase in the overall strength of a large number of emerging market countries and developing nations. Multiple power centers—including the United States, Europe, Russia, Japan, and emerging market economies—have gradually formed, and the trend of the world moving from a bipolar to a multi-polar structure has become increasingly clear. World multi-polarity has had a positive impact on curbing hegemonism and power politics, promoting the democratization of international relations, and pushing for the establishment of a just and reasonable new order for global governance. It also helps developing countries seize opportunities to develop themselves, thereby strengthening the forces for world peace. However, we must also clearly see that since the 2008 international financial crisis, new imbalances have appeared in the international balance of power, and hegemonism and power politics have seen new developments, becoming the primary sources of global instability. To maintain its hegemonic status, the United States advocates "America First," actively expands its military forces, strengthens military alliances, and frequently resorts to military intervention. In 2022, the Ukraine crisis broke out, causing new changes in world geopolitics. All this indicates that the old international order is difficult to maintain; the struggle against hegemonism, for world peace, and for the democratization of international relations is arduous, and the contest between various forces is sometimes even extremely fierce.
In this complex and volatile world pattern, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has clearly put forward China's propositions for improving global governance: As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China must continue to support the UN in playing an active role in global governance; as an important pole in a multi-polar world, China must actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system, pushing the international political and economic order toward a more just and reasonable direction; as the world's largest developing country, China must support expanding the representation and voice of developing countries in international affairs, pushing the global governance system to more balancedly reflect the will and interests of the majority of countries, especially developing ones; and as the world's second-largest economy, China must properly handle relations with other countries—especially its relationship with the world's largest economy—to avoid falling into the "Thucydides Trap." Meanwhile, Xi Jinping also proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), emphasizing: staying committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security; staying committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries; staying committed to abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter; staying committed to taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously; staying committed to peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation; and staying committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains. This initiative contributes Chinese wisdom and points the way forward for eliminating the root causes of international conflicts, addressing international security challenges, and achieving world peace and development.
Third, in the face of the continuous advancement of global cultural diversity, he proposed new measures to promote cultural exchange and integration.
Cultural diversity is an important driver of progress for human civilization. Maintaining world cultural diversity and promoting exchange and integration between different cultures is the common aspiration of the majority of countries. Since the end of the Cold War, the barriers to cultural exchange established during the bipolar era have been removed, the desire for global cultural exchange and integration has become stronger, and the forms of activity have become more diverse. Although the "clash of civilizations" has not been as fierce as American scholar Samuel Huntington predicted, the encounters between different civilizations have become more frequent.
Since the beginnning of the 21st century, driven by economic globalization and the informatization of society, global cultural development has shown several new trends: First, the strategic position of cultural development has become more prominent. Following the global economic downturn and various chaotic phenomena in political development, the status of culture in comprehensive national strength has significantly improved; more and more countries and regions regard enhancing national cultural soft power as a vital development strategy. Second, exchanges and mutual learning between different cultures have become more frequent. As economic exchanges between countries grow, cultural markets have opened further, people-to-people exchange projects have increased, and cultural exchange has become an important form of public diplomacy. Third, the struggle in the ideological and cultural spheres has become more complex; the struggle between different ideologies persists and is at times quite complex and sharp. Fourth, disputes surrounding core values have become more intense. The international financial crisis of 2008 fully exposed the systemic crisis of capitalism, and the Western values that have long dominated capitalist society have faced a corresponding crisis. To defend capitalist values, Western rulers are utilizing their economic and technological advantages to constantly change the methods and channels of cultural dissemination, intensifying outward ideological penetration. The struggle between penetration and anti-penetration has become fiercer. Overall, "In the current era, social ideas and value orientations are increasingly active; mainstream and non-mainstream ideas coexist, and advanced and backward ideas are interwoven, with social trends of thought surging and clashing." Since the 18th National Congress, facing the new situation of exchange, integration, and confrontation among various global ideas and cultures, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has proposed the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). It calls for: jointly advocating respect for the diversity of world civilizations; jointly advocating the promotion of common human values; jointly advocating the importance of cultural inheritance and innovation; and jointly advocating the strengthening of international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. Domestically, around the goals of accelerating the construction of a strong socialist cultural power, enhancing cultural soft power, and improving China's international discourse power, a series of guiding principles and policies have been formulated to flourish and develop socialist culture with Chinese characteristics.
Fourth, facing the rapid advancement of social informatization, he proposed a new solution for the global internet governance system.
In the second half of the 20th century, information technology, represented by the Internet, triggered the third industrial revolution, once again leading to a massive increase in social productive forces. Since entering the 21st century, the information technology revolution has changed with each passing day, and information technology has become the leading technology guiding economic and social development, exerting a profoundly far-reaching impact on the development of international politics, economy, culture, society, and military affairs. The world is entering a new period of economic development dominated by the information industry; information resources are increasingly becoming a vital factor of production and social wealth, and the amount of information possessed has become an important indicator of a country's soft power and competitiveness.
In the process of information technology development, the Internet has increasingly become the pioneering force driving innovation-led development, profoundly changing people's modes of production and lifestyle, and even their ways of thinking, effectively promoting economic and social development. The Internet has truly turned the world into a global village, making the ties within the international community increasingly close. "Problems such as unbalanced development, unsound rules, and an unreasonable order in the Internet field have become increasingly prominent. The digital divide between different countries and regions is widening, and existing rules for cyberspace governance find it difficult to reflect the aspirations and interests of the majority of countries; infringements on personal privacy and intellectual property rights, as well as cybercrime, occur from time to time on a global scale, while cyber-surveillance, cyber-attacks, and cyber-terrorism have become global public nuisances." Faced with this situation, Xi Jinping has spoken on many occasions about the impact brought to humanity by the development of information technology, especially the Internet. At the opening ceremony of the Second World Internet Conference at the end of 2015, he proposed the principles that should be upheld in promoting the reform of the global Internet governance system and the fundamental proposition of jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace.
Fifth, facing the new breakthroughs gestating in science and technology, a new deployment for implementing the innovation-driven development strategy has been made.
Science and technology are the primary productive forces; they are the concentrated expression and primary hallmark of advanced productive forces. In the development of human society to the present day, the momentum provided by the previous round of technological and industrial revolutions has nearly reached its end, and a new round of technological revolution is currently gestating. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Since the beginning of the 21st century, global scientific and technological innovation has entered a period of unprecedentedly intensive activity. A new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is reconstructing the global innovation map and reshaping the global economic structure... Original breakthroughs in information, life sciences, manufacturing, energy, space, and the oceans have provided more sources of innovation for frontier and disruptive technologies. The trends of cross-integration between disciplines, between science and technology, among various technologies, and between the natural sciences and the humanities and social sciences are becoming increasingly apparent. Never before have science and technology so profoundly affected the future and destiny of nations as they do today, nor have they ever so profoundly affected the welfare of the people."
Faced with this situation, the 18th National Congress of the Party made the major deployment of implementing the innovation-driven development strategy, emphasizing that scientific and technological innovation is the strategic support for improving social productive forces and comprehensive national strength, and must be placed at the core of the overall national development framework. Xi Jinping put forward the thesis that "innovation is the primary driver of development." He clearly pointed out: "What the new round of technological revolution brings is even more intense scientific and technological competition. If scientific and technological innovation cannot be improved, it will be impossible to realize the transition of development drivers, and we will be at a disadvantage in global economic competition. Therefore, we must regard innovation as the primary driver of development and talent as the primary resource for supporting development. We must place innovation at the core of the overall national development framework, continuously promoting innovation in theory, institutions, science and technology, culture, and all other aspects, letting innovation run through all the work of the Party and the state, and making innovation a common practice [20] throughout society."
In summary, the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and humanity still faces many unstable and uncertain factors. "What is wrong with the world, and what should we do?" "Whither humanity?" These are questions of common concern to people all over the world, and they are also major epochal questions that scientific socialism must answer. How to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, how to build a great modern socialist country, and how to build a long-term governing Marxist party—these are questions the governing Communist Party of China must explore and answer. It is precisely in the process of exploring and answering these major epochal topics that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was founded and has continued to develop. It has put forward a series of new ideas, new theses, and new strategies, deepened the understanding of the "three major laws" [21], and pushed scientific socialism to a new stage of development.