Xiao Guiqing and Liu Jiarong: The Historical Logic and Contemporary Value of "Daring to Struggle and Being Skilled in Struggle"
I. Introduction In the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping pointed out: "All of us in the Party must stay true to our original aspiration and founding mission, always stay modest, prudent, and hardworking, and have the courage and ability to carry on our fight." [1] As one of the three important principles that the CPC must adhere to on the new journey of the New Era, "having the courage and ability to fight" is not only an important historical lesson from the Party's century-long struggle, but also an essential principle that must be followed in the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country. By relying on this "courage and ability to fight," the CPC won the victory of the Chinese Revolution amidst severe and complex circumstances, defended national security and the stability of political power, upheld national dignity and core interests, and accumulated practical experience in opening up new horizons for the cause through tenacious struggle, forming a consistent historical logic. On the new journey of the New Era, the CPC will inevitably face a more arduous and complex situation; struggle remains one of the important themes for the present and the future. Researching and analyzing the historical logic of the Party's "courage and ability to fight" helps to summarize the laws of the Party's struggle from an empirical perspective and clarifies its contemporary value. This holds significant theoretical value and practical meaning for the comprehensive building of a socialist country and the realization of the Second Centenary Goal [1].
II. Having the Courage and Ability to Fight is the Historical Experience of the CPC’s Century of Struggle The CPC grew and expanded through struggle, and the spirit of struggle permeates every historical period of China's revolution, construction, and reform. Mao Zedong pointed out that if one analyzes the historical development of the CPC without looking at the Party's ideological and political struggles, it's unlikely any conclusions can be reached. [2] From the period of the New Democratic Revolution [2] to the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the CPC has always insisted on "having the courage and ability to fight." Through unremitting struggle, it has unified its will and concentrated its strength, overcoming challenges from all sides in different historical periods with a tenacious spirit of struggle, and resolving severe and complex contradictions at every stage with sophisticated art of struggle. This has formed a historical experience of continuously seizing great victories by relying on the "courage and ability to fight."
(1) Winning the victory of the Chinese Revolution through the courage and ability to fight In modern times, under the aggression of Western imperialist powers, China gradually sank into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. Faced with national crisis, the Chinese people engaged in indomitable resistance, but ultimately failed because they lacked the leadership of an advanced class-based party and the guidance of correct theory. The CPC emerged from the integration of Marxism with the Chinese workers' movement. From the day of its birth, the Party became an important force leading the Chinese people in the anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggle. The Party grew in strength through struggle, being both daring enough to "despise the enemy strategically" and wise enough to "take the enemy seriously tactically." Relying on the "courage and ability to fight," it achieved the great victory of the New Democratic Revolution.
Faced with a revolutionary situation where the enemy was strong and we were weak, the Party possessed the heroic spirit to dare to fight and overwhelm all enemies. Despite the vast disparity in the balance of forces, Mao Zedong always maintained: "The inferiority or superiority of war reserves is the objective basis for initiative or passivity, but not yet the reality; only after a struggle, a contest of subjective ability, does actual initiative or passivity emerge." [3] As long as one persists in the courage to fight, one can turn disadvantage into advantage and defeat any powerful enemy. "The Chinese nation has the spirit to fight the enemy to the last drop of blood." [4] The Party and the people have never feared any power or oppression, nor any threats or challenges; they have always carried the revolution to the end with immense courage, fighting for the interests of the nation and the people. Practice has proven that the courage to fight was the powerful spiritual engine for the victory of the Chinese Revolution.
Faced with various complex, sharp, and intense social contradictions, the CPC won the victory of the Chinese Revolution with the wisdom and strategy of being "able to fight." "The completion of great revolutionary tasks is not simple or easy; it depends entirely on the correctness and firmness of the proletarian party's struggle strategy." [5] The Party matured by continuously summarizing experience during the struggle. Through repeated revolutionary struggles involving bloodshed and sacrifice, the Party gradually developed the wisdom and strategy of being able to fight. For example, to establish the United Front against Japanese Aggression, the Party actively adjusted its strategy toward the Kuomintang (KMT) hardliners, adopting a policy of "both unity and struggle." Mao Zedong called this art of struggle "with reason, with advantage, and with restraint" [3]. Specifically, this meant "fighting from a stance of self-defense—that is being 'with reason'; fighting only when it is local and advantageous to us—that is 'with advantage'; and fighting only temporarily to facilitate unity—that is being 'with restraint'. Conversely, self-defensive, local, and temporary struggles must be conducive to unity." [6] Through the flexible application of various struggle strategies, the Party correctly handled the relationship between national contradictions and class struggle in a complex war environment, which played an important role in consolidating and developing the United Front.
(2) Boosting socialist revolution and construction through the courage and ability to fight Completing the New Democratic Revolution and founding the People's Republic of China (PRC) was a great victory for the Chinese people led by the CPC. The Party did not abandon struggle due to its success; rather, it recognized that at that time, foreign imperialist forces were still provoking China on its periphery, the external environment was not yet peaceful, and domestic remnants of the KMT, spies, and bandits were continuously carrying out overt or covert sabotage. Facing the complex situation at the founding of the PRC, Mao Zedong pointed out: "This struggle is very intense, unprecedented in history." [7] After the founding of the PRC, the CPC continued to insist on the courage and ability to fight, resolutely defending national security and the stability of the regime, achieving victory after victory, and creating a peaceful and stable environment for the development of socialist revolution and construction.
Relying on the "courage and ability to fight," the CPC led the people in building a long-term, peaceful external security environment for socialist revolution and construction. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, faced with the provocation and aggression of US imperialism, Mao Zedong resolutely stated: "We in China have not yet completed our construction; we hope for peace. But if the imperialists insist on fighting, we will just have to make up our minds to fight first and build later." [8] The entire nation united as one, and the soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteers fought bravely, achieving a great victory in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea [4], thereby safeguarding national security. Entering the late 1950s, relations between China and the Soviet Union broke down; the Soviet government suddenly and unilaterally decided to withdraw experts stationed in China and abolish cooperation projects. "Since the teacher has left, the student will learn for himself"; "We have no other way but to rely on ourselves, on our own two hands." [9] The Party always believed that "the East Wind must prevail over the West Wind." Mao Zedong proposed the "Theory of the Three Worlds" [5], supporting and uniting with Third World countries globally to engage in resolute struggle against imperialism. He pointed out: "The conviction of victory comes from fighting; it is gained in the midst of struggle." [10] As long as one dares to rise up and fight, and dares to take up arms, one will surely be able to grasp the fate of one’s own country and defeat imperialist aggression and various powerful enemies, creating a favorable external security environment for national development.
Relying on the courage and ability to fight, the CPC led the people in consolidating a harmonious and stable internal development environment for socialist revolution and construction. In the early days of the PRC, large numbers of counter-revolutionaries remained in various places, including bandits, local tyrants, spies, and core members of reactionary parties. They carried out various sabotage activities both openly and secretly. To rapidly establish and consolidate a harmonious social environment, according to the "Directive on the Suppression of Counter-Revolutionary Activities" issued by the CPC Central Committee and the "Regulations of the PRC on Punishing Counter-Revolutionaries" promulgated by the Central People's Government, the Party led the people in a struggle to eliminate bandits and local tyrants in the countryside and launched the Campaign to Suppress Counter-Revolutionaries throughout urban and rural areas, punishing and eliminating all counter-revolutionary elements who endangered the people according to the law. The power of this campaign "caused great panic, vacillation, and chaos within the counter-revolutionary ranks; many counter-revolutionaries were forced to come forward to repent, surrender... and admit their crimes to the people." [11] The victory of the Campaign to Suppress Counter-Revolutionaries effectively guaranteed the smooth completion of land reform, the completion of the socialist revolution, the security of the people’s democratic dictatorship, and created a stable internal development environment for the cause of building socialism.
(3) Safeguarding national dignity and core interests through the courage and ability to fight Since the start of reform and opening up, by initiating and adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Chinese people have achieved a great leap from standing up to becoming prosperous. During this period, the CPC made a scientific assessment of the characteristics of the times and the international situation, believing that the balance of global political forces had undergone a huge change in favor of socialism. It was deemed possible that no large-scale world war would occur for a long period, and there was hope for maintaining world peace. Peace and development were the themes of the era. During this historical period, the Party seized the opportunity for development, concentrated its forces on economic construction, and maintained national dignity and core interests with the wisdom of "keeping a low profile" [6] in struggle, laying the rich economic foundation for the Chinese nation's great leap from becoming prosperous to becoming strong.
Faced with changes in the global landscape and the technological revolution, the CPC had the courage to confront the complex and volatile international situation. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, the "bipolar world" ended and the international situation generally trended toward relaxation, yet the challenges faced by the Party remained severe. At a time when the world socialist movement suffered serious setbacks, Western capitalist countries viewed China as a primary target for attack, announcing multiple sanctions and trying every possible means to bring down the CPC's leadership and the socialist system. Facing this more complex international struggle, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that in the face of international opinion, China "must maintain its image of independence, of not believing in heresies, and not fearing ghosts. We must never show weakness. The more you fear and show weakness, the more they will push... China has rich experience in resisting foreign invasion; after defeating the invaders, we will start building again." [12]
Faced with changes in the global landscape and the technological revolution, the CPC was adept at flexibly applying the struggle strategy of "keeping a low profile" (taoguang yanghui). Based on the profound changes in the situation at that time, the CPC deeply recognized that to accelerate the modernization process, "China needs at least twenty years of peace to concentrate its energy on domestic construction." [13] "By the time China has developed, the forces for peace that constrain war will be greatly strengthened." [14] Based on this fundamental judgment, the Party Central Committee proposed the strategic principle of "keeping a low profile, concealing one's brilliance, preserving oneself, and seeking development slowly." [15] This so-called "keeping a low profile" did not mean abandoning struggle. On issues directly concerning national sovereignty, security, and interests, the legitimate rights of developing countries, world peace and regional stability, and the establishment of a just and reasonable new international political and economic order, the Party had to take a clear stand, adhere to principles, and carry out effective work and necessary struggles. "On the one hand, we must follow the historical trend, actively promote world multipolarity, oppose attempts to establish a unipolar hegemony, and promote the harmonious coexistence of various forces. On the other hand, we must proceed from reality, act within our capabilities, and pay attention to the strategy and art of struggle, avoiding the vortex of conflict and not becoming the focus of contradictions." [16] Practice has proven that "keeping a low profile" was a strategy of struggle characterized by great political wisdom; it both firmly protected national dignity and fully guaranteed national core interests, promoting China's development during this period.
III. Having the Courage and Ability to Fight is an Important Magic Weapon for Achieving Historic Achievements in the New Era The 18th National Congress of the CPC emphasized: "Developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is a long-term, arduous historical task, and we must be prepared to carry out a great struggle with many new historical features." [17] After more than 40 years of unremitting effort since reform and opening up began, socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the decisive stage of finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The proposal of this "great struggle" concept was both an important judgment made by the CPC after surveying the international situation and an important goal set by the CPC focused on the changes in the principal contradiction [7] of domestic society. As socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core led the people in continuing to carry forward the spirit of great struggle. This achieved not only a series of important results in the theory of struggle but also pushed the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation forward through tenacious practical struggle.
(1) The profound connotation of "great struggle" in the New Era...
Following the conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping, during the first collective study session of the new Central Committee Political Bureau, reaffirmed the important thesis proposed at the 18th Congress that "we must be prepared to carry out a great struggle with many new historical features." He emphasized: "This is the historical responsibility of the Communists of our generation, and we must devote all our wisdom and strength to it." [25] As socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era, Xi Jinping has repeatedly discussed and emphasized the significance of this "great struggle," providing it with a more comprehensive summary and endowing it with deeper connotations.
The entry of socialism with Chinese characteristics into the New Era marks a new historical juncture for China's development. "Today, we are closer than at any period in history to, and have greater confidence and capability in, achieving the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." However, fulfilling this dream "is by no means something that can be achieved easily with the mere beating of gongs and drums"; "to realize the great dream, we must carry out a great struggle" [26]. Xi Jinping has integrated the "great struggle" of the New Era with the "great dream," "great cause," and "great project." "The great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and the great dream are closely linked, interconnected, and interacting with each other, and among them, the one playing the decisive role is the new great project of Party building" [27]. This important thesis scientifically answers the fundamental question of "what flag the Party should fly, what path it should take, what goals it should achieve, and what kind of mental state it should maintain" in the New Era, clarifying the strategic arrangements and major deployments for the Party's governance of the country.
Regarding the core requirements for conducting the great struggle in the New Era, Xi Jinping has elaborated from multiple dimensions. First, it is essential to accurately grasp the correct direction, position, and principles of the great struggle in the New Era. "The struggle of Communists has its direction, position, and principles; the general direction is to unswervingly adhere to the leadership of the Communist Party of China and our country's socialist system" [28]. In safeguarding the interests of the people and defending national dignity and core interests, one must ensure that in various major struggles, we "maintain the unity of strengthening awareness of potential dangers [N] and maintaining strategic resolve, the unity of strategic judgment and tactical decision-making, and the unity of the process of struggle and the actual effectiveness of struggle" [29]. Second, we must possess a clear understanding of the spheres of the great struggle in the New Era. To safeguard political security, we must resolutely conduct the struggle against hegemonism, terrorism, and separatism, while remaining prepared for military struggle; to safeguard economic security, we must actively struggle against trade protectionism and economic crimes; to safeguard cultural security, we must resolutely struggle against the distortion of fine traditional Chinese culture, the denial of revolutionary culture, and various erroneous ideological trends; to safeguard social security, the Party and the state must also deeply advance the anti-corruption struggle and the specialized struggle to "sweep away black societies and eradicate evil" (sǎo hēi chú è) [N]; to safeguard ecological security, we must resolutely struggle against actions that destroy the ecological environment, as well as natural disasters and biosafety threats. Third, we must enhance our fighting skills through ideological tempering, political training, and practical experience. Fighting skills are not innate; they require the broad masses of Party members and cadres to thoroughly study and understand Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods. Only with sufficient clarity in ideology and theory can one have more confidence and strength when engaging in struggle. At the same time, it is even more necessary to dare to face difficulties head-on, accept challenges, and grow through experience when faced with major issues of right and wrong, contradictions and conflicts, crises and difficulties, or unhealthy tendencies. Finally, in conducting the great struggle, we must carry forward the spirit of struggle. The spirit of struggle is an innate political character of Communists and an important component of the spiritual pedigree of the CPC. To cultivate the spirit of struggle is to "always maintain the integrity, character, ethics, and courage of Communists who dare to struggle" [30].
(2) New Historical Features of the "Great Struggle" in the New Era
Recognizing the "many new historical features" is the practical background and prerequisite for conducting the "great struggle" in the New Era. Xi Jinping pointed out: "The concept of 'new historical features' has profound meaning; it is an important judgment reached through a comprehensive examination and appraisal of the development trends of the domestic and international situations" [31]. During the ten years of the New Era, the international situation and the trends of the times facing China have undergone significant changes; the challenges and threats faced are more complex, and the situation of struggle is more severe than before.
From an international perspective, since the start of the New Era, the world's great changes unseen in a century have entered a period of accelerated evolution, and the international environment has become increasingly complex. As China grows stronger by the day, Western countries, holding onto the prejudice of the "China threat theory," attempt to blockade and contain China's development by launching trade wars and technological wars to encircle China. Comparisons of political values and ideological struggles between different camps and countries are intensifying; economic competition and the scramble for national strategic interests have become more fierce, and the overall pattern of the global economic and political system is facing a restructuring. At the same time, worldwide non-traditional security factors such as ethnic separatism, religious extremism, and violent terrorism are on the rise and intertwining with traditional security threats like regional wars. Global issues such as food and energy security, public health, climate change, and cyber security all pose direct or indirect threats to China's development. The external challenges and risks facing the Party possess many new features different from any previous period.
From a domestic perspective, the situation we faced ten years ago was one where reform and opening up and socialist modernization had achieved great successes, but at the same time, a series of long-accumulated and newly emerged prominent contradictions and problems urgently needed resolution. For example, within the Party, there were problems of vague understanding and weak action regarding the adherence to Party leadership; the political faith of some Party members and cadres was shaken; the Four Winds (formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance) persisted despite repeated prohibitions; and the problem of corruption was shocking. Structural and institutional contradictions in the national economy became increasingly prominent, and issues of unbalanced, uncoordinated, and unsustainable development became increasingly apparent [32].
(3) Historical Achievements of the "Great Struggle" in the New Era
In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping, on behalf of the whole Party, summarized the historical achievements of the "great struggle" in the New Era. He pointed out: "In the face of rapid changes in the international situation, especially in the face of external blackmailing, containment, blockade, and maximum pressure, we have persisted in prioritizing national interests and domestic politics, maintained strategic resolve, carried forward the spirit of struggle, demonstrated a firm will that does not fear power, safeguarded national dignity and core interests in the struggle, and firmly grasped the initiative in our country's development and security" [33]. Looking back at these ten years of the New Era, the Party led the people in completing three major events of great practical and profound historical significance: first, ushering in the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China; second, the entry of socialism with Chinese characteristics into the New Era; and third, completing the historical tasks of poverty alleviation and the comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thereby achieving the First Centenary Goal. Reviewing the course of struggle over these ten years, the completion of every major event was inseparable from the "great struggle" conducted by the Party leading the people; the historical achievements of the "great struggle" in the New Era are centrally manifested in these three major events.
Seeking unity through struggle and consolidating the fighting strength of the whole Party to usher in the centenary of the Party's founding. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee, with firm determination, tenacious will, and unprecedented intensity, has advanced the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party and launched an unprecedented anti-corruption struggle. With the sense of mission and responsibility summarized as "offending thousands to avoid failing 1.4 billion" (dézuì qiānbǎi rén, bùfù shísì yì) [N], the Party took a multi-pronged approach to "strike tigers," "swat flies," and "hunt foxes" [N] to cure ailments and rectify chaos. The anti-corruption struggle achieved an overwhelming victory and has been fully consolidated, eliminating serious hidden dangers within the Party, the state, and the military. Through self-revolution, the internal political ecosystem of the Party took on a completely new look, and the entire Party was united as one. Through the continuous strengthening of the Party's self-construction, the will of the entire Party became more unified. More than 96 million Party members were united, gathering a powerful force for struggle and successfully ushering in the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China through unremitting efforts.
Seeking progress through struggle and promoting the entry of socialism with Chinese characteristics into the New Era. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, relying on the great struggle, various aspects of the Party's undertakings have achieved brilliant results, overcoming many long-unresolved problems and accomplishing many major tasks concerning long-term development. For example, in the field of ecological civilization construction, the Party Central Committee placed ecological civilization within the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and accelerated the establishment of a systematic and complete institutional system for ecological civilization through the formulation and revision of relevant laws. In advancing ecological and environmental protection work, the Party relied on struggle to hold the "red line" for the protection of cultivated land, scientifically formulated and implemented planning, and performed comprehensive environmental governance... The people have clearly felt that the sky around them is bluer, the mountains greener, the water clearer, and the environment more beautiful. Relying on the great struggle to pursue progress in its cause, the Party achieved historical transformations in various fields including politics, economy, culture, society, and ecological civilization since the start of reform and opening up, successfully pushing socialism with Chinese characteristics into the New Era.
Seeking victory through struggle, winning the battle against poverty, and comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee, proceeding from the requirements for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, integrated poverty alleviation and development work into the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four Comprehensives strategic layout, making a series of major deployments and arrangements to comprehensively launch the battle against poverty. The intensity, scale, and depth of influence of this poverty alleviation campaign were unprecedented. In this battlefield without the smoke of gunpowder, more than 1,800 Party members and cadres gave their precious lives to the cause of poverty reduction. The entire nation acted as one, moving toward the final decisive battle against poverty. Relying on tenacious struggle and unremitting effort, a great victory was achieved in the battle against poverty, significantly improving the production and living conditions of impoverished areas and people, writing a new chapter in the history of the human struggle against poverty, placing China's development at a higher historical starting point, and laying a solid foundation for beginning the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country.
IV. Daring to Struggle, Being Adept at Struggle, and Writing a New Chapter for Comprehensively Building a Modern Socialist Country in the New Era
Xi Jinping solemnly announced in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC: "From this day forward, the central task of the Communist Party of China will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization" [34]. Advancing in the New Era and embarking on the new journey, the realization of the Second Centenary Goal will inevitably be accompanied by a long-term and complex struggle. For the Party to unswervingly remain the core leading the great struggle on the new journey, it must continue to carry forward the spirit of struggle, enhance its fighting skills, and firmly grasp the initiative in struggle. With the courage to dare to struggle and the wisdom and art of being adept at struggle, it will write a new chapter for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era.
(1) The realization of the Second Centenary Goal will inevitably be accompanied by long-term and complex struggles
The road toward comprehensively building a great modern socialist country is long and difficult; it is by no means a smooth plain, nor can it be achieved overnight. Looking at the strategic overall situation for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world's great changes unseen in a century, the Communist Party of China, embarking on the new journey of the Second Centenary Goal, is at a point where "the waves are swifter as the boat reaches midstream, and the path is steeper as the man reaches halfway up the mountain" [N]. "On the road ahead, the risks and tests we face will only become increasingly complex, and we may even encounter unimaginable tempests. The various struggles we face are not short-term but long-term, and will accompany us at least through the entire process of realizing the Second Centenary Goal" [35]. Therefore, for the Party to meet the various tests of wind and waves on the new journey, it must persist in the spiritual character of "daring to struggle and being adept at struggle," writing a new chapter for comprehensively building a modern socialist country in the New Era.
Correctly handling the complex relationship between China and the world requires persisting in "daring to struggle and being adept at struggle." When socialism develops to a certain level, it will engage in a fierce historical contest with capitalism. Since the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States in 1979, China has actively introduced capital and technology to integrate into the world market and has engaged in close cooperation with the United States. US capital has also obtained huge benefits from the Chinese market, facilitating the peaceful development of relations between the two countries for a period of time. However, as China increasingly becomes the world's second-largest economy, the two countries have formed strong competition in high-end industries, especially in the face of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, where China has demonstrated its strength in rising rapidly. Therefore, a United States controlled by capital will never tolerate or permit the rise of Chinese-path modernization and will therefore desperately block and contain it. At the same time, the people of the future world will also jointly face global challenges such as responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, global warming, and the protection of biodiversity. In the face of human crises, China, like all other countries in the world, faces a difficult and complex situation of struggle. Building a great modern socialist country is not about self-isolation; it inevitably requires persisting in daring to struggle and being adept at struggle while correctly handling the relationship between China and the world, seeking unity among the people of the world through struggle, and seeking a peaceful and stable environment for development through struggle.
Correctly handling complex relationships in the reform process requires adhering to "daring to struggle and being good at struggle." Currently, the global economy is facing significant downward pressure, and various uncertain factors are on the rise. [41] Having comprehensively built a moderately prosperous society, China will move from being a middle-income country to a high-income country on this New Journey. Contradictions and risks are more numerous and complex than during the transition from low-income to middle-income status; the people’s aspirations for a better life are more diverse and specific, and expectations for common prosperity are more intense and profound. At all times, we must see clearly the opportunities and risks brought to the country by changes in the situation. We must accurately grasp situational changes, profoundly understand the opportunities and challenges inherent in the new historical characteristics, and continue to engage in the Great Struggle with many new historical characteristics. We must use the courage of daring to struggle to break through ideological shackles and create a new pattern of development. At the same time, the process of achieving modernization will inevitably face many new problems and new contradictions. The more we face a severe, complex, and arduous situation, the more we need to make good use of reform as the "key move" [13] to break free from constraints, respond to changing circumstances, and promote development. We must use the experience and wisdom of being good at struggle to implement reform tasks and solve new circumstances and problems encountered on the New Journey.
(2) Carrying Out the Great Struggle on the New Journey Depends Critically on the Party and Critically on Its People
"Comprehensively and strictly governing the Party is always on the road; the Party’s self-revolution is always on the road." [42] In carrying out the Great Struggle with many new historical characteristics, "the key lies in the Party, and the key lies in the people. The key lying in the Party means ensuring that the Party remains the firm leadership core throughout the historical process of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. The key lying in the people means building a vast contingent of high-quality cadres." [43]
The Communist Party of China is the core force uniting and leading the Chinese people in the Great Struggle with many new historical characteristics; the Great Project of Party building determines the efficacy and influence of the Great Struggle. "Only by further building the Party well and ensuring that our Party maintains its vigorous vitality and strong fighting capacity can our Party lead the people to successfully respond to major challenges, resist major risks, overcome major obstacles, and solve major contradictions, moving continuously from victory to new victory." [44] Facing the central task of comprehensively building a great modern socialist country, all struggles led by the Party must unswervingly adhere to the fundamental direction of the Party's leadership and our country’s socialist system. Any risk or challenge that endangers the Party’s leadership and the socialist system, endangers national sovereignty, security, and development interests, endangers the country’s core interests and major principles, endangers the fundamental interests of the people, or endangers the realization of the "Two Centenary Goals" [14] and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation must be resolutely answered with a daring to struggle and a daring to win.
"The struggles of Communists are always aimed at contradictions, problems, risks, and challenges." [45] Since the beginning of the New Era, the CPC has worked hard to solve many prominent problems within the Party, yet the "Four Tests" (the test of governance, the test of reform and opening up, the test of the market economy, and the test of the external environment) will persist for a long time. The "Four Dangers" (the danger of a slackening of spirit, the danger of lack of ability, the danger of becoming divorced from the masses, and the danger of passivity and corruption) will also persist for a long time. On the New Journey, as the Party leads the people in a full-force effort to achieve the Second Centenary Goal, it must "dare to struggle and be good at struggle" to continue promoting the following: comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, comprehensively deepening reform, the comprehensive rule of law, high-quality development, eliminating hidden dangers in the financial sector, ensuring and improving people's livelihoods, governing the ecological environment, responding to major natural disasters, handling mass incidents, cracking down on organized crime ("black and evil forces"), and maintaining national security. The entire Party must be prepared to respond to any form of contradiction, risk, or challenge, and be prepared for various struggles in the economic, political, cultural, social, diplomatic, and military spheres. We must "persist in carrying forward the spirit of struggle," "refuse to believe in heresies, fear no ghosts, and withstand pressure" [15]—charging forward in the face of difficulty, coordinating development and security, and striving to overcome all difficulties and challenges on the road ahead to open up new horizons for our cause through tenacious struggle. [46]
(3) Carrying Out the Great Struggle on the New Journey Requires Carrying Forward the Spirit of Struggle, Strengthening the Ability to Struggle, and Seizing the Initiative in Struggle
Comprehensively building a great modern socialist country is a new chapter in the great social revolution led by the CPC. Facing all the risks and challenges that may be encountered on the road ahead, Xi Jinping has called on the entire Party "to cultivate the spirit of struggle and always maintain the character, integrity, conduct, and courage of Communists who dare to struggle. We must strengthen our ability to struggle, scientifically foresee the future trends of the situation, the opportunities and challenges hidden within, and the favorable and unfavorable factors, see through appearances to the essence, excel at strategic planning, and firmly grasp the initiative in the struggle." [35]
The spirit of "daring to struggle and being good at struggle" is a distinct political character and a fine revolutionary tradition of the Chinese Communists. The Party was born out of Great Struggle and grew strong through arduous struggle. To achieve the Second Centenary Goal on the New Journey, we must resolve all difficulties with the spiritual courage of daring to fight and daring to win, and being good at fighting and capable of winning, consistently focusing the will of the entire Party on the goal of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. On the New Journey, to handle challenges from the external environment and contradictions in internal development, the Party must always maintain the composure of "remaining calm despite the chaotic clouds flying past" [16] and temper the enterprising spirit of "not being a true hero until one reaches the Great Wall" [17] to actively respond to crises and challenges. The more turbulent the winds and waves, the more we must carry forward the spirit of struggle to push the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics toward greater victory.
Daring to struggle is a form of courage; being good at struggle is an art. Over its century of struggle, the CPC has developed a highly wise art of struggle. For example, it is good at grasping the primary contradiction and the primary aspect of a contradiction; it adheres to the principles of "being on just grounds, to our advantage, and with restraint" [18]; it rationally selects the methods of struggle and grasps the "cooking temperature" [19] or timing; and it yields not an inch on matters of principle while remaining flexible on matters of strategy. Strategy must be adjusted in a timely manner according to the needs of the situation, grasping the timing, degree, and effectiveness. We must unite all forces that can be united, mobilize all positive factors, strive for unity through struggle, seek cooperation through struggle, and strive for win-win results through struggle... The Party's ability to struggle is not innate but is gradually tempered through complex and severe struggles. To carry out the great revolution on the New Journey, the Party must not rely on shouting slogans or "sitting and talking about the Dao" (idle theorizing); rather, it needs to strengthen its ability to struggle in real, "hard-on-hard" ways, experiencing the wind and rain, seeing the world, and strengthening its "bones and muscles" through struggle.
Daring to struggle and being good at struggle necessitates firmly seizing the initiative. The CPC has no intention of making an enemy of anyone; seizing the initiative in struggle is for the purpose of seeing the situation clearly amidst complex circumstances, always maintaining calm composure and confidence, and actively responding to all risks and challenges. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Conditions are not unchanging. If you strive for them actively, they may improve; if you do nothing, they will certainly worsen. This is what is meant by 'human effort can achieve anything' [20]." [47] The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. China possesses unique political, institutional, developmental, and opportunic advantages. Economic and social development still enjoys many favorable conditions, which gives us the confidence, composure, and ability to write a new chapter of comprehensively building a modern socialist country on the New Journey.
V. Conclusion
The century-long history of the Party is also an epic history of struggle. For over a hundred years, the CPC has grown strong through heroic struggle and guided the way through unremitting struggle. From the period of the New Democratic Revolution to the period of Socialist Revolution and Construction, and now to the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Party has consistently persisted in relying on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for the development of its cause. This has formed the historical logic of "daring to struggle and being good at struggle." The Party's recognition and understanding of the Great Struggle have also resulted in more profound summaries of experience and theoretical generalizations through practice. The successful convening of the 20th National Congress of the CPC marks the beginning of the Party’s New Journey to comprehensively build a modern socialist country. On the road ahead, the Party will inevitably face a series of new risks and challenges. Therefore, we must continue to carry forward the spiritual courage of daring to struggle and the political wisdom of being good at struggle, writing a new chapter of comprehensively building a modern socialist country through a new Great Struggle.