Qu Qingshan: Several Major Theoretical Issues on Opening Up a New Frontier in Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times
Holding the fourth National Party History and Documentation Forum to conduct research and exchanges centered on the Party's innovative theories is of great significance for our comprehensive, systematic, and in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the CPC.
The Party’s theoretical innovation is a process of dialectical movement from practice to cognition, and from the material to the spiritual; the Party’s theoretical arming [1] is a process of dialectical movement from cognition to practice, and from the spiritual to the material. At present, the entire Party is thoroughly carrying out the thematic education program on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The main task of this thematic education is to arm the mind and condense the soul with the Party’s innovative theories, ensuring the entire Party remains unified in thought, will, and action, forging ahead toward the grand goals of building a strong country and national rejuvenation. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is contemporary Chinese Marxism, 21st-century Marxism, and the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit in our times. It has achieved a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and opened up a new realm of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. How, then, was this important thought formed? What are its scientific system, core tenets, spiritual essence, and practical requirements? What are its worldview and methodology? How should we profoundly appreciate the "reason, scholarship, and philosophy" [2] of this important thought, effectively combining study with application and unifying knowledge with action? These are all key issues we need to clarify and understand during the thematic education, and they are major theoretical questions we must answer as we continue to write new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism based on practice. Below, I will share three points of study reflection regarding these issues.
I. The "Two Combinations" are the fundamental path for advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism
The "Two Combinations" [3] is a major new proposition put forward by our Party in its theoretical innovation, creating a new pattern for the Party's theoretical development. General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly proposed the major proposition of the "Two Combinations" at the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee. The report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC provided a systematic, scientific, and complete exposition of the great significance, basic connotation, and practical requirements of the "Two Combinations," pointing out the fundamental path for realizing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and revealing the core code for the vitality of Marxism in 21st-century China.
Reviewing the Party's history, for a long period in the past, our Party consistently emphasized "one combination" [4] and did not make an explicit theoretical summary of the "second combination." So, how did our Party propose the "one combination"? And how did the "one combination" evolve into the "two combinations"? Let us look at our Party's history. Comrade Liu Shaoqi once said: "The Chinese Party has a great weakness—this weakness is that the Party’s ideological preparation and theoretical cultivation are insufficient and relatively naive." Because of this weakness of insufficient ideological preparation, in its early history, the Party did not yet have its own innovative theory. Regarding the attitude toward Marxism, two erroneous tendencies once emerged: one was the tendency of theory becoming divorced from reality, treating Marxism with a dogmatic attitude, failing to proceed from China’s reality, and copying books indiscriminately; the other was the tendency of slighting Marxist theory, treating Marxism with an empiricist attitude, disregarding theoretical guidance, and being satisfied with one’s own narrow experience. Both erroneous tendencies caused the Chinese revolution to suffer setbacks and caused losses to the cause of the Party and the people. Regarding this, Comrade Mao Zedong profoundly pointed out: "Marxism must be integrated with the specific characteristics of our country and implemented through a certain national form." This proposed the major proposition of the "one combination." During the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, Comrades Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao proceeded from new practices and the characteristics of the times to provide in-depth expositions and clear requirements for the "one combination." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, as the Chinese path has grown broader, our Party has demonstrated unprecedented historical confidence and cultural confidence, and its understanding of the status and role of fine traditional Chinese culture in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism has become increasingly profound. Standing on the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world’s profound changes unseen in a century, General Secretary Xi Jinping grasped historical laws and development trends through the connection of history, reality, and the future. On the basis of inheriting and developing the important discourse on the "one combination," he put forward the new thesis of the "Two Combinations." He profoundly pointed out: "Without the 5,000-year-old Chinese civilization, where would Chinese characteristics come from? And without these Chinese characteristics, how could we have the successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics we have today?" Our Party has profoundly realized that fine traditional Chinese culture is the root and soul of the Chinese nation, and also the root and soul of the Party’s innovative theory. The fundamental path to advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is the "Two Combinations." Only by combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture, and by persisting in the use of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, can we correctly answer the major questions posed by the times and practice, and consistently maintain the vigorous vitality of Marxism. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have persisted in combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture. They have scientifically answered major questions of the times—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; what kind of great modern socialist country should be built and how to build it; and what kind of long-term governing Marxist party should be built and how to build it—thereby founding Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This important thought is a glorious example of the "Two Combinations."
Clearly, the move from "one combination" to "two combinations" is by no means a simple change in quantity, nor a simple addition of concepts. Rather, it is a scientific summary of the long-term practical experience of the Party’s theoretical innovation, and a product of the unprecedented elevation of the historical and cultural consciousness [5] of the Party and the people in the New Era. Of course, any reality carries the past within it and gestates the future. The "one combination" and the "two combinations" are not two unrelated things or stages; rather, they are interconnected, mutually reinforcing, and complementary. From an essential perspective, the "China’s specific realities" in the "one combination" includes both social reality and history/culture. That is to say, the "one combination" inherently contains the dual implications of combining the basic tenets of Marxism with Chinese reality and with fine traditional Chinese culture. Due to the limitations of social-historical conditions and cognition at the time, our Party had not yet emphasized this point prominently. Looking at this issue from the historical heights of today and grasping the relationship between the two, we can say that the "one combination" is the premise and foundation of the "Two Combinations," while the "Two Combinations" is the extension and deepening of the "one combination." The "Two Combinations" is a theoretical sublimation of the "one combination" and is a brand-new, innovative proposition.
The major thesis of the "Two Combinations" possesses rich ideological connotations and contains the distinctive characteristics of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The "first combination" solves the relationship between theory and reality, and between the subjective and the objective. It means that our Party, guided by Marxism, adheres to seeking truth from facts, focuses on solving practical problems in the process of revolution, construction, and reform, and continuously answers the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times. It produces correct answers consistent with Chinese reality and the requirements of the era, allowing Marxism to blossom and bear fruit in China, and carving out a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The "second combination" solves the relationship between the ancient and the modern, and between China and the foreign. It means that our Party strengthens its historical and cultural confidence, adheres to "making the past serve the present" and "weeding through the old to bring forth the new," integrates the essence of Marxist thought with the cream of fine traditional Chinese culture and the common values that the people "use daily without realizing," and continuously endows scientific theory with distinctive Chinese characteristics. Precisely by adhering to the "Two Combinations" and continuously advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, our Party successively founded Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory, and formed the Theory of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and founded Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This has provided a scientific theoretical guidance that is both inherited in a single lineage and advances with the times for the development of the cause of the Party and the people. Simultaneously, our Party uses the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese civilization, activating its vitality and carrying forward a cultural spirit that spans time and space, transcends national borders, possesses eternal charm, and has contemporary value. This allows Chinese civilization to provide references and contributions to human development and progress.
On the basis of inheriting and developing the combination of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities, the "Two Combinations" places particular emphasis on the combination of the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture, opening up vast space for the continued advancement of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. From the perspective of theoretical innovation, it continuously endows scientific theory with distinctive Chinese characteristics. The Chinese nation has a deep cultural tradition and has formed a distinctive system of thought, reflecting the knowledge, wisdom, and rational speculation accumulated by the Chinese people over thousands of years. This is our country’s unique advantage. Adhering to the "Two Combinations" and deeply excavating the essence of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization to combine it with the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method can deeply plant the historical roots and cultural bloodlines of theoretical innovation. This ensures the Party’s innovative theories are filled with a rich "Chinese flavor," deep "Chinese sentiment," and a "mighty national soul," possessing powerful historical penetration, cultural appeal, and spiritual inspiration. It makes them theories that manifest cultural confidence, are full of historical consciousness, and continue the Chinese cultural lineage. From the perspective of practical innovation, it injects powerful momentum into Chinese-path modernization. Every country and nation has different historical traditions, cultural accumulations, and basic national conditions; thus, its development path must have its own characteristics. Solving China’s problems can only be done by exploring suitable paths and methods on Chinese soil. The 20th National Congress of the CPC drew a grand blueprint for comprehensively building a great modern socialist country and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization. Chinese-path modernization is deeply rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture, embodies the advanced nature of scientific socialism, draws upon and absorbs all outstanding achievements of human civilization, represents the development direction of human progress, and presents a new picture different from Western modernization models—it is a brand-new form of human civilization. By continuously advancing Chinese-path modernization while adhering to the "Two Combinations," and by excavating and absorbing the ideological essence of fine traditional Chinese culture, we can achieve a deep integration of the traditional and the modern, consolidate the cultural foundation of Chinese-path modernization, and help Chinese-path modernization continue to create new glories.
II. The "Six Must-Adheres" are the essence and living soul of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
Theoretical study and theoretical arming require not only mastering the basic concepts, principles, and judgments of scientific theory but also grasping and applying the stance, viewpoint, and method contained within it. The report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC pointed out: "To continue advancing theoretical innovation based on practice, we must first master the worldview and methodology of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and adhere to and make good use of the stance, viewpoint, and method running through it." It proposed the "Six Must-Adheres" [6], namely: must adhere to putting the people first, maintain self-confidence and self-reliance, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, stay problem-oriented, apply systems thinking, and maintain a global vision. This is another major theoretical innovation of the report to the 20th National Congress. The "Six Must-Adheres" profoundly reveal the theoretical character and distinctive traits of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They clearly tell us what the value orientation of the Party’s theoretical innovation is, what the basic foothold is, what the principle and direction are, what the main focus is, what the scientific method is, and what the necessary breadth of vision is.
The "Six Must-Upholds" constitute an interlinked and internally unified organic whole, permeating the entire content of the "Ten Clarifications," the "Fourteen Perseverances," and the "Achievements in Thirteen Areas" [7]. What is the scientific connotation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era? It is precisely the "Ten Clarifications," "Fourteen Perseverances," and "Achievements in Thirteen Areas" summarized and generalized at the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the Sixth Plenary Session of its 19th Central Committee. The "Six Must-Upholds" are the summary and refinement of the worldview and methodology of this important thought put forward by the 20th National Congress, as well as the summary and refinement of the positions, viewpoints, and methods running through it. These two formulations describe two aspects of a single issue. Among them, "putting the people first" is the fundamental position of this important thought; "confidence and self-reliance" is its spiritual character; "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" is its theoretical character; "problem-orientation" is its practical requirement; "the systems concept" is its scientific method; and "maintaining a global perspective" is its world sentiment.
The "Six Must-Upholds" were formed in the practice of the Great Struggle in the New Era. They are the essence and the living soul of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the basic points that must be firmly grasped to profoundly understand this important thought, and the basic points that must be upheld to continue advancing theoretical innovation. Only by earnestly studying and deeply grasping the "Six Must-Upholds," and by thinking through their lens, can we more comprehensively and accurately comprehend the logic, academic theory, and philosophy contained within this important thought. This allows us to know not just its words but its meaning, and not just the what but the why. Only then can we truly raise our ideological and theoretical level at a deep level, get our methods of thinking right, and achieve a state of "living study and living application" [8] in practice—exercising measured control and acting with total ease.
III. Correcting Grasping the Relationship Between Several Major Theories
Since the "Six Must-Upholds" constitute the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, what is their relationship to the Marxist worldview and methodology we frequently mention? What is their relationship to the three aspects of the "living soul" of Mao Zedong Thought summarized in the Party’s Second Historical Resolution—namely, seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence? And what is their relationship to the essence of our Party’s ideological line as expressed in the Party Constitution—namely, liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and being realistic and pragmatic? I would like to briefly share my understanding of these questions.
First, the "Six Must-Upholds" are a creative application of the Marxist worldview and methodology. Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which we establish and prosper our Party and country; dialectical materialism and historical materialism are the worldview and methodology of Marxism. Marxism is a scientific theory, a people’s theory, a practical theory, and an open theory. The people's position, independence, the practical viewpoint, universal connection, and world history are all fundamental Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that to realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must constantly receive nourishment from the wisdom of Marxist philosophy and more consciously uphold and apply the dialectical materialist worldview and methodology. This allows us to better grasp the relationships between phenomena and essence, form and content, cause and effect, contingency and necessity, possibility and reality, internal and external factors, and commonality and individuality in our actual work, thereby enhancing our dialectical and strategic thinking skills to perform all tasks better. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has upheld and applied Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods—not only deploying the tasks for "crossing the river" but also guiding the resolution of the "bridge or boat" problem [9], setting a paradigm for how we recognize, analyze, and solve problems. This is centrally reflected in the "Six Must-Upholds." For example, "upholding the people first" maintains and develops the Marxist view of the people. Marxism is profound and extensive, but in the final analysis, it can be summarized in one sentence: seeking the liberation of humanity. Another example is "maintaining a problem-orientation," which maintains and develops the Marxist view of contradiction, systematically answering major questions of the times in the New Era and manifesting the distinct characteristics of materialist dialectics. Furthermore, "maintaining a global perspective" maintains and develops the Marxist idea of seeking human liberation, embodying the dialectical unity of internationalism and nationalism. One could say that the Marxist worldview and methodology are the "source" (yuan) while the "Six Must-Upholds" are the "flow" (liu) [10]; the relationship between them is one of identity and consistency between source and flow.
Second, the "Six Must-Upholds" are the expression of the "living soul" of Mao Zedong Thought for the New Era. The Party's Second Historical Resolution summarized seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence as the three basic aspects of the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought, providing a highly refined summary of their connotations. The Party’s Third Historical Resolution fully affirmed the basic viewpoints of the second and emphasized that the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought provided scientific guidance for the development of the cause of the Party and the people. These important judgments profoundly elucidated the core meaning and essential characteristics of the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought. From the perspective of internal logic, the "Six Must-Upholds" both contain the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought and inject it with brand-new content; they are an extension, expansion, enrichment, and development of that living soul. For instance, "upholding the people first" not only embodies the fundamental value of the mass line but also profoundly reveals our Party’s original aspiration and founding mission and its fundamental political position, reflecting the sincere feelings for the people held by contemporary Chinese Communists. Similarly, "maintaining confidence and self-reliance" both inherits the ideological connotation of "independence" and reflects a kind of historical confidence and historical self-awareness of our Party as a cognizing subject. It embodies our Party’s more proactive historical responsibility and creative spirit, expanding the contemporary horizon of independence. It can be said that the "Six Must-Upholds" are a direct continuation of the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought.
Third, the "Six Must-Upholds" are the concrete unfolding of "liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and being realistic and pragmatic." These four principles embody the consistent scientific spirit of dialectical and historical materialism and constitute the core content of our Party's ideological line. What is the logical relationship between the "Six Must-Upholds" and this core content? The two are interconnected and unified. For example, "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" is a distinct atmosphere of the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the theoretical character of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This characteristic is integrated with the character of liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and being realistic and pragmatic. Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has been clear-cut and unequivocal on fundamental issues such as position, direction, principle, and path. It has focused on "clearing the source and strengthening the foundation" (zhengben qingyuan, guben peiyuan), holding high the banners of ideals and beliefs, Marxism, and socialism with Chinese characteristics, ensuring the Party does not change its quality, its color, or its "flavor" [11]. At the same time, facing a rapidly changing world and China, our Party has insisted on "simultaneous establishing and breaking" (libo bingju), advancing reform and innovation in all areas with immense political courage and determination. This has pushed the cause of the Party and the country to achieve historical achievements and undergo historical changes, completely renewing the appearance of the CPC, the Chinese people, socialist China, and the Chinese nation. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, founded through this great practice, both "upholds the ancestors" [12] and speaks many "new words," deepening the understanding of the laws of Communist Party governance, socialist construction, and the development of human society with a brand-new vision, making original contributions to the development of Marxism. The basic connotations of the other "upholds" are similar, so I will not repeat them here.
This forum takes "Comprehensively and Accurately Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and Strengthening the Research of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" as its theme, which is of great theoretical and practical significance. I hope the participating experts and scholars will conduct in-depth discussions, pool their wisdom, and offer suggestions to contribute more wisdom and strength to comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
As a specialized research institution for Party history and documentation under the direct leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee shoulders the sacred mission of continuing and passing on the "Red Genealogy" for the Party and "transmitting the scriptures and propagating the Way." We will take this forum as an opportunity to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 20th National Congress. In accordance with the decision-making deployments of the Party Central Committee, we will earnestly carry out the thematic education program on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We will effectively edit, publish, and interpret the works of General Secretary Xi Jinping and important Party documents; research, publicize, and defend the Party’s history and its leaders; and strive to build a comprehensive system for the Party’s theoretical research, create a high-end platform for Party history and theoretical research, and build a reliable document repository, think tank, and brain trust for the Party Central Committee.