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Duan Yan: The Evolution of Party Congress Themes Since the 15th National Congress and the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism

Sinicization of Marxism

Since the reform and opening up, along with the increasing institutionalization and standardization of Party building, the norms governing the convening of National Congresses have become increasingly refined. Following the 12th, 13th, and 14th National Congresses, the Communist Party of China's consciousness of the themes and main lines of the Party Congresses has become steadily clearer and more defined. Based on this deepening understanding, the 15th National Congress, grounded in the basic national conditions at the turn of the century, condensed the primary content and core spirit of the meeting into a National Congress theme for the first time in the Party's history. Since then, the reports of every National Congress have presented the theme at the very beginning. The theme is the soul and core of the National Congress; it is overarching and reflects the characteristics of the times, aiming to proclaim the Chinese path and point toward the direction of future development. Clearly proposing a theme in the National Congress report is groundbreaking not only in the history of Marxist party building but also in the broader history of Marxist development. Surveying the evolution of the themes of the six National Congress reports since the 15th National Congress, the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism has remained a consistent thread throughout. In the process of scientifically assessing the world situation, the national conditions, and the Party's own conditions, and by deepening theoretical innovation, the Party has continuously promoted the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, providing powerful support and an important guarantee for maintaining the perpetual vitality of Marxism.

I. The Proposing and Development of the Themes Highlight the Continuous Deepening of the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism

Precisely assessing the characteristics of the era and accurately grasping China's national conditions are both essential foundations for ensuring the scientific clarity of the National Congress themes and vital prerequisites for ensuring that the process of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism advances steadily in the right direction. A survey of the report themes since the 15th National Congress reveals that they clearly embody the CPC’s scientific judgment of epochal characteristics and basic national conditions, while reflecting the Party’s innovations in theory and practice.

1. Grasping the epochal themes of peace and development

In the 1970s, Western capitalism encountered a severe economic crisis, and the balance of power between the socialist and capitalist camps tended toward equilibrium, leading to immense changes in the world situation. Deng Xiaoping scientifically analyzed the international situation and proposed the two major themes of peace and development. The 14th National Congress formally proposed that peace and development had become the themes of the era; subsequent reports have incorporated this important thesis and deepened this understanding. The 15th National Congress stated: "Peace and development are the themes of the present era; the global landscape is moving toward multi-polarity, and it is possible to secure a period of international peace for a relatively long time." Based on this judgment, the Party proactively grasped the favorable international environment and seized historical opportunities, explicitly proposing the epochal task to "carry the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics fully into the 21st century" in the theme of the 15th National Congress report. The 16th National Congress further deepened the understanding of peace and development. On one hand, it emphasized the development opportunities brought by world multi-polarization and economic globalization; on the other, the Party soberly recognized that "the unjust and irrational old international political and economic order has not fundamentally changed. Uncertainties affecting peace and development are increasing." Discourse in the 16th National Congress theme such as "accelerating progress" and "opening up new prospects" highlighted this scientific understanding. The 17th National Congress report stated that "the world today is in the midst of great change and great adjustment," and that "seeking peace, pursuing development, and promoting cooperation have become an irresistible trend of the times." The introduction of the "trend of the times" was a deepening of the epochal themes, providing an objective basis for the unswerving pursuit of the path of peaceful development while focusing on future progress. Alongside the continuous deepening of world multi-polarization, the 19th National Congress stated that "the world is in a period of great development, great change, and great adjustment, and peace and development remain the themes of the era." The 20th National Congress noted: "We stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human civilizational progress. Highlighting the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, we seek our own development while firmly safeguarding world peace and development, and better safeguard world peace and development through our own development." A look across the reports since the 15th National Congress shows that our Party's grasp of peace and development has continuously deepened. Because of this, the Party has always emphasized a firm commitment to the path of peaceful development and has successfully pioneered a Chinese-path modernization. The CPC has always examined the general trends of the era with a firm historical consciousness, striving for win-win cooperation for all humanity while seeking its own development, contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to world peace and development through Chinese-path modernization.

2. Always emphasizing the basic national condition of the primary stage of socialism

The report themes since the 15th National Congress contain both the "macro-era" of world historical development and the distinct "micro-era" of China’s national conditions and development trends. It is precisely by combining the "macro-era" and the "micro-era" that Sinicized and modernized Marxism can effectively respond to the general trends of the times and guide the Party and the people along the correct development path suited to China’s conditions. Since the reform and opening up, the CPC has realized that "building socialism in a backward, large Eastern country like China is a new subject in the history of Marxist development." Whether due to the novelty of the subject or the magnitude of the difficulty, this means we must scientifically understand China's national conditions and conduct an objective analysis and assessment of China's socialist development. The 13th National Congress first clarified that our country is in the primary stage of socialism. By the 15th National Congress in 1997, the Party further systematically expounded the theory of the primary stage of socialism, noting that "when we speak of starting from reality in all things, the greatest reality is that China is currently in, and will for a long time remain in, the primary stage of socialism." It proposed the basic program for the primary stage of socialism and elucidated the basic goals and policies for the economy, politics, and culture of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The 17th National Congress emphasized: "Recognizing the basic national condition of the primary stage of socialism is not about being self-deprecating or resigned to falling behind, nor is it about being detached from reality or acting with undue haste; rather, it must be maintained as the fundamental basis for promoting reform and planning development." It is precisely based on this sober recognition of national conditions that the Party could scientifically grasp new situations and tasks, proposing epochal tasks such as "upholding reform and opening up" and "promoting scientific development" in the Congress themes. The 18th National Congress noted: "In building socialism with Chinese characteristics, the general basis is the primary stage of socialism." Analyzing development issues in our country’s socialist cause on the basis of accurately assessing national conditions provided a theoretical foundation for the clear goal in the theme of "unswervingly advancing along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics." The 19th National Congress noted: "The principal contradiction in our society has evolved into the contradiction between the people's ever-growing need for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development." While the principal contradiction changed, the 19th National Congress also emphasized that the basic national condition of the primary stage has not changed; the primary stage of socialism remains the greatest reality for all work in our country. The 20th National Congress deeply expounded the scientific connotation of Chinese-path modernization, emphasizing that it "possesses Chinese characteristics based on its own national conditions." To clarify Chinese characteristics and align with Chinese reality, one must persist in a scientific judgment of national conditions. Grasping the basic national condition of the primary stage means deeply recognizing that modernization requires long-term effort and that development must proceed in an orderly and steady manner while maintaining firm goals. Since the 15th National Congress, each Party Congress has advanced with the times in its understanding of China's national conditions, always grounding itself in Chinese reality, and continuously deepening its understanding and mastery of the laws of socialist construction, thereby promoting the enrichment and development of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

3. Clarifying the historical coordinates of socialism with Chinese characteristics entering a New Era

Clarifying China's historical coordinates is a vital prerequisite for determining the direction of progress, planning the development path, and making correct decisions under new historical conditions; it also establishes the temporal coordinates for further advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. In the five years from the 18th to the 19th National Congress, historic changes occurred in the cause of the Party and the state. Our country arrived at a new historical starting point, moving from "becoming prosperous" to "becoming strong," and new phased characteristics emerged in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Based on a clear understanding of these historical coordinates, the theme of the 19th National Congress explicitly proposed "securing a decisive victory in striving for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era." The major political thesis that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era clarified the historical coordinates for the development of the Party and the state and established new epochal tasks. The "New Era" does not exist in isolation or appear out of thin air; it is a new stage in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and a historic achievement secured by the Party leading the people through long-term struggle. The 19th National Congress report began its theme by proposing: "Stay true to our original aspiration and founding mission." Facing the changes of the era and the changes in China, the Party adhered to the scientific guidance of Marxist theory, and in the 19th National Congress report, proposed the basic strategy for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, demonstrating the epochal nature and creativity of the theory and making original contributions to the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The 20th National Congress profoundly summarized the historic changes achieved in the ten years of the New Era from 16 aspects, emphasizing that "the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process." This is a scientific judgment of the general trend of historical development made by the Party on the basis of Marxist theory. Grounded in this judgment, the 20th National Congress summarized the Party's central task on the new journey as "uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups in the comprehensive build-out of a powerful modern socialist country, achieving the Second Centenary Goal, and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization." This is the deepening and development of the original aspiration and founding mission proposed in the 19th National Congress report, conducted by the Party from its new historical coordinates and grounded in the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. At the same time, the 20th National Congress report, looking toward the 2035 Long-Range Objectives, clarified the goals, tasks, and development principles for the next five years, which both reflect new requirements on the new journey and highlight the new characteristics of governance in the New Era, providing important guidance and a direction for advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

II. The Goals and Tasks Inherent in the Themes Embody the Advancing with the Times of the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism

Establishing phased goals for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation based on the basic national conditions and epochal characteristics of different stages is both a valuable experience formed by the Party over a century and an inherent requirement of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Looking across the themes of the National Congress reports since the 15th National Congress—from "comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society" and "striving to win new victories in comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society" to "striving to comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society," and from "securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects" to "comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation"—the Party's goals have unfolded successively and progressed in an orderly manner. The formulation of these goals demonstrates the Party's scientific planning and firm confidence, points the direction for the practical actions of the whole Party and the people of the country, and embodies the practical innovation of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and the continuous deepening of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

1. Building a moderately prosperous society in stages

Marxism holds that the realization of communism is a prolonged historical process that must be achieved through several developmental stages. Marx proposed that after the proletariat seizes power, it enters communism following a period of transition. He further divided communist society into a "first phase of communist society" and a "higher phase of communist society," emphasizing that these are sequential and interconnected stages. Lenin inherited and developed this idea, referring to Marx's "first phase of communist society" as "socialist society," thereby distinguishing socialist society from communist society. Subsequently, Lenin proposed concepts such as the "lower stage," "intermediate stage," and "highest stage," depicting socialism as a multi-staged historical process of development.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has inherited and developed this thought, maintaining that building socialism in a developing country like China requires integrating Marxism with China's national conditions and concrete realities. This necessitates the scientific formulation of strategic deployments and goals to achieve socialist modernization in a step-by-step and phased manner. The Party has repeatedly emphasized: "All comrades in the Party must not only establish the lofty ideal of communism and strengthen their convictions to require and spur themselves on with noble ideology and ethics, but also keep their feet on the ground to work tirelessly for the realization of the Party's basic program at the current stage and do every piece of work in the present stage solidly."

Looking at practice, since the start of reform and opening up, facing the changes of the times, escaping poverty and building a "moderately prosperous society" [Xiaokang] became the greatest aspirations of the Chinese people. Consequently, the Party made the strategic decision to shift the focus of its work toward modernization. In 1987, the 13th Party Congress established the "three-step" development strategy based on China's economic conditions. By the 1990s, the first step—solving the problem of food and clothing—had been basically achieved, and the goal of the second step—attaining an overall moderately prosperous society—was nearing realization. In 1997, the 15th Party Congress made new plans for the third step of the "three-step" strategy and formulated a "new three-step" development strategy. It proposed that the people's moderate prosperity should be more comfortable and set goals such as building China into a prosperous, strong, democratic, and culturally advanced socialist country. This was an important strategic goal formulated by the Party at the turn of the century to match the changes of the times, pointing the way forward for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the 21st century.

In 2000, the living standards of the Chinese people reached the level of a moderately prosperous society [Xiaokang] in general terms. The 16th Party Congress further analyzed China's specific national conditions, noting that China is in and will long remain in the primary stage of socialism, and emphasized that the moderate prosperity we had achieved was still at a low level, incomplete, and very unevenly developed. Based on this understanding, the 16th Party Congress included the strategic task of "comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society" in the congress theme. It emphasized the need to "concentrate all forces in the first twenty years of this century to comprehensively build a higher-level moderately prosperous society that benefits over a billion people, making the economy more developed, democracy more sound, science and education more progressive, culture more prosperous, society more harmonious, and the lives of the people more ample." This goal responded to the eager expectations of the masses and achieved the continuous development of strategic goals based on a scientific assessment of China's actual economic development.

From food and clothing to moderate prosperity, and from overall moderate prosperity to comprehensive moderate prosperity, the Party has persisted in combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China's concrete realities, and long-term goals with short-term ones, formulating phased objectives that align with China's reality. Establishing the goal of "comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society" as the theme of the 16th Party Congress helped to further clarify and highlight this objective, thereby consolidating consensus and accumulating strength to realize grander goals.

2. Continuously Promoting the Comprehensive Building of a Moderately Prosperous Society

With the accelerated pace of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, the Party adapted to new changes in domestic and international situations. Based on a scientific grasp of the characteristics of the times, it further integrated Marxist theories on the stages of social development with China's concrete realities, achieving continuous innovation in phased development goals. Building on the goals established at the 16th Party Congress, the 17th Party Congress set new requirements for China's development across five aspects—economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological civilization construction—and proposed the new goal of "striving to win new victories in comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society."

In 2010, the Party made a scientific assessment of China’s socio-economic development, noting that the goals for GDP and per capita GDP established by the 16th and 17th Party Congresses had been basically achieved. On this basis, the theme of the 18th Party Congress adopted a new phrasing for the struggle objective, emphasizing the need to "strive for the comprehensive completion of a moderately prosperous society" and enrichened the goals and content of this completion. Changing "building" to "completing" [N1] was a significant manifestation of the Party Congress updating its goals to advance with the times based on China’s reality. Regarding how to achieve this goal, the 18th Party Congress pointed out that we "must unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics" and "combine the basic tenets of Marxism with China's reality and the characteristics of the era, and follow our own path independently." This profoundly demonstrated that building socialism in China and fulfilling the historical mission bestowed by the times requires neither the mechanical copying of books nor the imitation of foreign models; one must unswervingly follow one's own path.

Through the collective efforts of the entire nation, the goal of comprehensively completing a moderately prosperous society gradually advanced into the "decisive victory" stage. In 2017, standing at the historical intersection of the Two Centenary Goals, the 19th Party Congress carefully analyzed China's national conditions and made a scientific assessment of the development process of socialism with Chinese characteristics, explicitly proposing the goal of "securing a decisive victory in comprehensively completing a moderately prosperous society" in its theme. At the same time, the Party made a strategic two-stage arrangement for the second centenary goal of the New Era: from 2020 to 2035, basically realizing socialist modernization; and from 2035 to the middle of the 21st century, building China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful. This objective analysis of China's phased development goals was based on a full understanding of the basic national conditions. it reflected both the consistency and integrity of the Party in advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and aligned with the phased and epochal nature of practical development, imbuing socialism with Chinese characteristics with new connotations of the times.

3. Embarking on the New Journey of Comprehensively Building a Modern Socialist Country

In the New Era, the Party has both kept an eye on the global situation to grasp world trends and remained grounded in a scientific assessment of the people's expectations, formulating new goals and tasks that align with the development of the times and continuously achieving the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. On the occasion of the centenary of the founding of the Party, the Party led the people to win the battle against poverty and comprehensively complete a moderately prosperous society. Great achievements were made in the cause of socialism, and the Chinese nation ushered in a great leap from "standing up" and "growing rich" to "becoming strong."

Against this historical backdrop, the 20th Party Congress seized developmental opportunities and explicitly proposed the goal of "comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" in its theme. To realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, one needs not only clear strategic goals but also scientific and reasonable strategic arrangements. To smoothly achieve this struggle objective, the Party—building on the new "two-step" strategic arrangement—formulated the general goal of basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035. This includes eight major aspects: the economy, science and technology, politics, culture, society, ecological civilization, national security, and the modernization of national defense and the armed forces. It further emphasized that on the basis of basically realizing modernization, China would not only be built into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful, but also one that leads the world in terms of comprehensive national strength and international influence. The formulation of these medium- and long-term goals adapted to the state of China's social development and pointed the way forward for the construction of a modern socialist country.

In addition to medium- and long-term goals, the Party also focused on clarifying the goals and tasks for the next five years. These primarily include: high-quality economic development; the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity; a more refined system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics; a richer spiritual and cultural life for the people; a significant improvement in the level of social development; notable results in the construction of a "Beautiful China"; more consolidated national security; and a further increase in international status. The formulation of these specific five-year goals advances with the times and is closely integrated with current developmental realities, laying a solid foundation for the realization of future medium- and long-term goals. This is another vivid practice of the Party correctly handling the relationship between the long-term and short-term goals of socialist construction in Marxism. It is evident that the Party’s thinking regarding future struggle objectives is very clear: it combines short-term goals with long-term ones, enriching and developing the Marxist theory of the stages of social development while providing theoretical guidance and strategic direction for the phased realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

III. The Guiding Ideology Emphasized in the Themes Proclaims the Latest Theoretical Achievements of the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism

The 20th Party Congress pointed out: "Why the CPC can, and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, essentially boils down to the fact that Marxism works, and especially Marxism that has been Sinicized and modernized works." From "holding high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory" to "comprehensively implementing the 'Three Represents' [N2]" and "thoroughly implementing the Scientific Outlook on Development," and finally to "comprehensively implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," the core ideas within the themes of every Party Congress since the 15th Congress have reflected the continuous advancement of the theoretical achievements of Sinicized and modernized Marxism, centered on the great task of persisting in and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.

1. Successfully Initiating Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

Deng Xiaoping Theory is the logical starting point for the formation of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In 1982, at the 12th Party Congress, Deng Xiaoping first proposed "building socialism with Chinese characteristics," which set the theoretical tone and opened the practical exploration of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The 15th Party Congress explicitly proposed "holding high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory" in its theme and emphasized in its report that "only Deng Xiaoping Theory, which integrates Marxism with the practice of contemporary China and the characteristics of the era—and no other theory—can solve the problem of the future and destiny of socialism." This both highlighted the important status of Deng Xiaoping Theory and clarified the profound essence of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

Deng Xiaoping Theory focused on answering the fundamental questions of "What is socialism?" and "How to build socialism?" These questions were raised based on the basic tenets of Marxism and China's experience in socialist practice, and they have been continuously answered within that practice. On the basis of persisting in scientific socialism, Deng Xiaoping Theory remained grounded in the practice of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization. On the question of "What is socialism?", it first deepened the understanding of the essence of socialism, proposing that the essence of socialism is to "emancipate and develop the productive forces, eliminate exploitation, eliminate polarization, and ultimately achieve common prosperity." Deng Xiaoping Theory clarified the basic line and fundamental tasks of the primary stage of socialism, emphasizing the correct handling of the relationship between planning and the market, and stressing that "reform is China's second revolution." Regarding the question of "How to build socialism?", Deng Xiaoping Theory proposed important formulations such as the "three-step strategy," the "theory of reform and opening up," and "grasping with both hands and being tough with both hands" [N3]. These enriched and developed Marxist theories regarding reform and stages of development, pointing the way and planning the path for practice, thus achieving the organic integration of Marxism with the concrete practice of contemporary China and the characteristics of the era.

2. Pushing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics into the 21st Century

At the turn of the century, the domestic and international situation was grim and complex. The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Jiang Zemin as their chief representative, achieved theoretical innovation by summarizing experience and proposed the "Three Represents" [10] important thought, propelling socialism with Chinese characteristics into the 21st century. The theme of the 16th Party Congress once again emphasized "holding high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory" and proposed "comprehensively implementing the 'Three Represents' important thought." At the same time, the 16th Party Congress provided a scientific summary of the "Three Represents" important thought, namely that it "reflects the new requirements of the developments and changes in the contemporary world and China for the work of the Party and the state, and is a powerful theoretical weapon for strengthening and improving Party building and promoting the self-perfection and development of socialism in our country." This assertion pointed out the formative background and profound significance of the "Three Represents": based on changes in the era and the reality of China's development, it focused on the core questions of "what kind of Party to build and how to build it," persisted in developing and perfecting socialism with Chinese characteristics, and enriched and developed Marxist theory regarding the building of a governing party.

On the question of "what kind of Party to build," the "Three Represents" important thought put forward goal requirements and value standards for Party building from three aspects—developing advanced productive forces, developing advanced culture, and realizing the fundamental interests of the broadest possible mass of the people—thereby establishing the overall deployment for Party building and deepening the understanding of the Party’s nature, tenets, and tasks. On the question of "how to build the Party," centering on the two major tasks of improving leadership and governing capacity as well as the ability to resist corruption and prevent degeneration, the "Three Represents" important thought focused on strengthening the building of the Party’s governing capacity. It proposed that Party members and cadres should "examine themselves in light of the requirements of the development of the times, and strengthen and improve themselves in the spirit of reform," improving the capacities necessary under new developmental circumstances, such as scientifically judging situations, steering the market economy, and coping with complex scenarios. Simultaneously, to address the potential governing risks brought by reform and opening up and the market economy, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Jiang Zemin as their chief representative, persisted in the principle that the Party must supervise itself and practice comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, resolutely opposing and preventing the erosion of corruption, and putting forward stricter requirements for the Party’s self-construction. The "Three Represents" important thought accurately assessed the developments and changes in the contemporary world and China, focused on strengthening and improving the construction of the governing party itself, and scientifically clarified the Party's new tasks for promoting the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the 21st century. This embodied the theoretical character of Marxism to advance with the times and constituted a new development of the Marxist theory of Party building.

  1. Persisting in and Developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics under New Circumstances

After more than 20 years of practice in reform and opening up, as the 21st century began, the world situation as a whole displayed characteristics of great development, great change, and great adjustment. China's economic and social development achieved remarkable successes, but at the same time, deep-seated problems continued to increase, and the country entered a period of critical reform and a period of prominent social contradictions. Under such international and domestic conditions, Hu Jintao pointed out that "development is the master key to solving all of China's problems." The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Hu Jintao as their chief representative, focused on the theme of persisting in and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, profoundly answered major questions such as "what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it" under the new circumstances, and formed the Scientific Outlook on Development [11]. This constituted a theoretical innovation of the Marxist worldview and methodology regarding development. The theme of the 17th Party Congress put forward the explicit requirement to "thoroughly implement the Scientific Outlook on Development," and the report emphasized that the Scientific Outlook on Development is "the concentrated expression of the Marxist worldview and methodology regarding development."

Development is an eternal theme of human society and a key issue of Marxist concern. The Scientific Outlook on Development takes development as the first priority, which both adheres to the historical materialist view that productive forces are the foundation of human social development and seizes the key to solving China’s contradictions and problems in the new century and new stage. The Marxist view of development unfolds with the human being as the starting point, seeking the free and comprehensive development of the person. The Scientific Outlook on Development persists in Marxist humanistic values, taking "putting people first" as its core position, insisting that "development is for the people, development relies on the people, and the fruits of development are shared by the people," and ultimately aims to realize the free and comprehensive development of the person. Precisely based on the requirements for comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable development, the Scientific Outlook on Development focused on the overall layout of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, using economic construction as the center to promote the coordinated development of all other undertakings. The 18th Party Congress established the Scientific Outlook on Development as the Party's guiding ideology and explicitly pointed out that it is the "latest achievement of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics," reflecting the continuous lineage and advancement with the times of theoretical innovation in the process of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

  1. Realizing a New Leap in the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism

Since the 18th Party Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era. The new stage of development contains new opportunities but also implies new challenges. The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, standing at a new historical coordinates, has provided an important guide for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era through profound theoretical consciousness and historical confidence. The theme of the 20th Party Congress explicitly proclaimed the theoretical banner of "fully implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," emphasizing that this thought has realized a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

This "new leap" is first reflected in opening a new realm of combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture. The 20th Party Congress emphasized: "Combine the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture." These "Two Combinations" [12] are both the important guide for the creation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the important principle for further deepening theoretical innovation and advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era uses the nourishment of fine traditional Chinese culture to endow Marxism with Chinese characteristics and a Chinese style, while simultaneously using the scientific nature of Marxism to stimulate the unique charm and profound heritage of Chinese civilization. By persisting in the "Two Combinations," Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has continuously deepened the scientific understanding of the "Three Major Laws" [13], used Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods to examine the global situation, national conditions, and Party conditions, coordinated the "Two Overall Situations" [14], and made major theoretical contributions to the enrichment and development of Marxism.

Secondly, the "new leap" is reflected in the answers to three major questions of the era. Centering on the major issue of persisting in and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, the 19th Party Congress and the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee profoundly summarized the core content and basic strategy of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. These strategic thoughts, covering the development of the Party and the state, indicate that the Party's understanding of the laws governing the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics has reached a new height, representing an important theoretical innovation in the Party's governance of the country. Centering on the major issue of building a great modern socialist country, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has continuously enriched the scientific connotation of Chinese-path modernization, scientifically summarized the "Sixteen Achievements" [15] of the New Era, clarified the experience of China’s socialist modernization, and expanded the scientific connotation of a great modern socialist country. Under the general goal, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core clarified specific goals such as becoming a power in science and technology, education, and human resources, and deployed "two-step" strategic measures and arrangements, broadening the path for humanity toward modernization at the level of theory and practice and realizing the creation of a new form of human civilization. Centering on the major issue of building a Marxist governing party that exercises long-term governance, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core seriously analyzed the "Four Tests," "Four Dangers," and problems such as the "Seven Behaviors" [16] existing within the Party. Persisting in the principle that "it takes a good blacksmith to forge good steel," they clarified the strategic policy of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party and proposed the general requirements for Party building in the New Era, opening a new realm for governing the Party. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era demonstrates the Party's historical consciousness and theoretical confidence in continuously promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism; Marxism in the New Era has shown even stronger vitality and vigor in China.

IV. Insights

The theme of the Party Congress report reflects the core ideas and main content of the congress, and its continuous evolution contains the driving force for the development of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Since the 15th Party Congress, the Party has always insisted on using Marxism to observe and lead the era, grasping the theme of the era—the Chinese nation’s journey from becoming prosperous to becoming strong—advancing with the times to open new realms of Sinicized and modernized Marxism, and providing a powerful ideological weapon for the development of the cause of the Party and the people. The 20th Party Congress pointed out: "Practice knows no bounds, and theoretical innovation knows no bounds. Continually writing new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists." Standing at a new historical starting point and focusing on solving the practical problems of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization in the New Era, we should profoundly grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, realize new developments in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and use the Party's innovative theories to lead the great practice of the new journey in the New Era.

  1. We Must Persist in Putting the People First

Integrating the principle of "people first" throughout the entire process of Marxist theoretical innovation is the fundamental starting point and ultimate goal of promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Since the 15th Party Congress, the themes of successive Party congresses have always insisted on maintaining the fundamental interests of the broadest possible mass of the people, continuously answering the "questions of the people" in the process of promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. From "building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way" to "finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects," and then to "comprehensively building a modern socialist country," the essence is to elevate the value position of putting the people first to the strategic height of the Party and the state, integrate it into the entire process of economic and social development, and concretize it into feasible strategic tasks and arrangements. This ensures that seeking happiness for the people is fully guaranteed in theory, practice, and institutions. The 20th Party Congress pointed out: "The people-centered nature is the essential attribute of Marxism. The Party's theory is a theory from the people, for the people, and for the benefit of the people; the people’s creative practice is the inexhaustible source of theoretical innovation. All theories divorced from the people are pale and weak, and all theories that do not benefit the people have no vitality." It can be said that only when theory respects the people's principal status and strives to reflect the interests and demands of the masses can it demonstrate its scientific value and practical power in the process of solving the most direct, realistic, and fundamental problems of the people.

Therefore, to promote theoretical innovation on the new journey, we must stand firmly on the side of the people, concentrate the wisdom of all the people, and continuously open new realms for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. On the one hand, we must persist in being people-centered, actively respond to the people's new expectations for a better life through theoretical innovation, strive to maintain the people's rights and interests in economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological aspects, and take increasing people's well-being and promoting comprehensive human development as the value goal of theoretical innovation. On the other hand, we must respect the masses' practice and pioneering spirit, maintain the flesh-and-blood ties between the Party and the people, modestly learn from the people, and gather the wisdom and experience of the masses to form innovative theories that have deep roots among the people and meet the needs of the development of the era, providing an inexhaustible source of power for the continuous promotion of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

  1. We Must Persist in Self-Confidence and Self-Reliance

Self-confidence and self-reliance manifest the historical consciousness of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Marxism is not a dogma, but develops alongside the evolution of the times and changes in the nature of problems. Therefore, it is necessary to consistently uphold self-confidence and self-reliance, center our focus on what the Party and the country are currently doing, continuously imbue Marxism with new connotations of the era, and push forward the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. From the 18th National Congress—which proposed firming up confidence in our path, theory, and system, and establishing a high degree of cultural confidence—to the 19th National Congress, which emphasized the solid establishment of the "Four Confidences," [17] and then to the 20th National Congress, which explicitly called for firming up historical confidence and enhancing historical consciousness, we have generated a deeper and broader confidence in practice alongside the continuous development of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The Report to the 20th National Congress pointed out: "The Chinese chapters of Marxism have been written by Chinese Communists through their own efforts in practice; the fundamental point running through them is that China's problems must be solved by Chinese people themselves based on China's basic national conditions." Persisting in proceeding from Chinese reality and taking the needs of the times as the basis is a scientific summary of upholding self-confidence and self-reliance, and it serves as the practical orientation for further advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism under new historical conditions. On one hand, we must enhance our consciousness and confidence in using Chinese theory to solve Chinese problems. We must maintain firm confidence in Sinicized and modernized Marxist theory, neither blindly worshiping the developmental experiences of others nor confining ourselves to inherent dogmatic templates. We must advance theoretical innovation based on China’s actual conditions and our own situation to better guide Chinese practice with Chinese theory. On the other hand, persisting in self-confidence and self-reliance by relying on our own strength does not mean working behind closed doors [18], nor does it mean being stuck in old ways [19]. Rather, it means correctly handling the relationship between learning from others and self-reliance, and between openness and autonomy. We should actively engage in cultural exchange and civilizational dialogue with a vision of drawing on the strengths of all and a spirit of inclusiveness, continuously carrying out theoretical innovation on the basis of absorbing all fine achievements of human civilization, beneficial international experiences, and new ideas.

  1. We must uphold the fundamentals and break new ground

Advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism inherently requires upholding the guiding position of Marxism and taking a clear-cut stand on fundamental issues such as stance, direction, principle, and path. This means both upholding the "orthodoxy" [upholding the fundamentals] of Marxism and creating the "new" [breaking new ground] of Sinicized and modernized Marxism. From the 15th to the 20th National Congress, the themes of each Party Congress have been inseparable from "socialism with Chinese characteristics." The theme of the 15th National Congress was "Hold High the Great Banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory and Push the Cause of Building Socialism with Chinese Characteristics into the 21st Century"; the theme of the 16th National Congress was "Create a New Situation in the Cause of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics"; and from the 17th to the 20th National Congress, all have emphasized "Holding High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics." It is evident that since the 15th National Congress, each congress has consistently adhered to the theme of socialism with Chinese characteristics, while simultaneously adjusting the focus of the theme according to the national conditions of different periods, reflecting the CPC's basic principle of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. The Report to the 20th National Congress pointed out: "We are engaged in a great cause that has no precedent. Only by upholding the fundamentals can we avoid losing our way or making catastrophic errors [20]; only by breaking new ground can we grasp and lead the times." Therefore, under new historical conditions, advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism must adhere to the requirement of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. On one hand, we must always uphold the fundamentals of Marxism. We must adhere to the basic stance, viewpoints, and methods originating from the theoretical source of Marxism, uphold the basic principles of Marxism, adhere to the basic principles of scientific socialism, and always follow the basic logic of dialectical materialism and historical materialism. Upholding the fundamentals by no means implies sticking to conventions [21] or remaining stagnant; rather, it means remaining unswerving in our commitment to the basic principles of Marxism and the socialist direction, resolutely opposing dogmatism and closed-minded fossilization, opposing the distortion and negation of Marxism, and arming our minds and guiding practice with a developing Marxism. On the other hand, in advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, we must have the courage to innovate and realize the "Two Combinations" [22] in a way that advances with the times, continuously imbuing the theory with distinct characteristics of the era and national features on the basis of adhering to scientific theoretical guidance. Only by recognizing the changes in the times and in China with an innovative spirit of "standing at the forefront of the tide" [23] can we play the role of theoretical vanguard and ensure that the development of theory meets the needs of the times and fits Chinese reality.

  1. We must maintain a problem-oriented approach

Maintaining a problem-oriented approach is the source and driving force of theoretical innovation. It runs through the entire process of theoretical innovation and provides a scientific mindset for the Party to respond to reality and solve practical problems through theory. From the 15th to the 20th National Congress, the themes of the congresses have always been closely integrated with the prominent problems requiring resolution at the time, achieving the continuous development of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism through the answers provided to these problems. Whether it was "accelerating the promotion of socialist modernization," "persisting in reform and opening up, promoting scientific development, and fostering social harmony," or "emancipating the mind and reform and opening up," all were responses made in the reports of the National Congresses based on a scientific assessment of real-world problems. The Report to the 20th National Congress pointed out: "Problems are the voice of the times; answering and guiding the resolution of problems is the fundamental task of theory. Today, the complexity and difficulty of the problems we face have significantly increased, placing brand-new requirements on theoretical innovation." Therefore, on the new journey, we must maintain a problem-oriented approach. On one hand, we must take the resolution of major issues of the times as a key focus for advancing theoretical innovation. We should focus on the prominent problems and principal contradictions of the new stage of development, especially deep-seated problems in comprehensively deepening reform and the "urgent, difficult, and anxious" problems [24] that trouble the masses, continuously proposing new concepts and methods to effectively crack the difficult problems in the process of reform, opening up, and modernization in the New Era. On the other hand, we must adhere to the principle of seeking truth from facts and proceed from Chinese reality. Entering the new stage of development, we must focus on the great practice of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, and persist in using the "arrow" of Marxism to shoot the "target" [25] of China in the New Era, thereby continuously enriching and expanding the theoretical connotations and laying a practical foundation for continuing to advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

  1. We must apply systems thinking

Looking across the National Congresses since the 15th, the Party has always emphasized that the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics is an expansive, internally unified, and organic system. It has promoted the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism within the process of advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics as a whole. Centering on the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the reports of the National Congresses since the 15th have continuously explored its internal layout and systemic development. When the 15th National Congress mentioned the basic goals and policies for the economy, politics, and culture of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, it specifically emphasized the need for a profound understanding of their organic unity. The 18th National Congress emphasized that in building socialism with Chinese characteristics, the general basis is the primary stage of socialism, the general layout is the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan," and the general task is to realize socialist modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The 19th National Congress proposed the 14 points of the basic strategy, providing an overall plan for the layout of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The 20th National Congress further summarized the historical achievements and transformations achieved in the cause of the Party and the country during the first ten years of the New Era across 16 aspects, emphasizing that the great changes of the past decade hold landmark significance in the history of the Party, the People's Republic of China, reform and opening up, the development of socialism, and the development of the Chinese nation. To promote the further development of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, we must more consciously adhere to and apply systems thinking. On one hand, we must integrate the Sinicization of Marxism with its modernization. We must both gain a deeper grasp of contemporary China's national conditions and gain a profound insight into the changes of the era. We must combine the Marxist worldview and methodology with those of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. By summarizing historical experience, grasping the laws of practice, and predicting future development trends, we can achieve a systemic link between history, reality, and the future. On the other hand, we must base ourselves on the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" [total layout] and the "Four Comprehensives" [strategic layout] of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must correctly handle the relationship between principal and secondary contradictions, and between the whole and the parts. We must coordinate the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the world's once-in-a-century profound changes, making overall plans that conform to Chinese reality and meet the requirements of the times, thereby advancing all work of the Party and the state in a holistic manner.

  1. We must maintain a global vision [lit. “keep the world in mind”]

Maintaining a global vision, as a worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully demonstrates the global perspective, humanitarian sentiment, and historical responsibility of the CPC's theoretical innovation. From "maintaining world peace and promoting common development" to "building a community with a shared future for humanity," the National Congresses since the 15th have always focused on the future and destiny of humanity with a global perspective. They have used scientific theories that advance with the times to point the way for China's development and progress, while also providing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions for world development and human progress. The Report to the 20th National Congress pointed out: "We must expand our global perspective, gain a profound insight into the trends of human development and progress, actively respond to the universal concerns of the people of all countries, and contribute to solving the common problems facing humanity. With an expansive mind that 'absorbs a hundred rivers' [26], we should learn from and absorb all fine achievements of human civilization and promote the construction of a better world." At a new historical starting point, if we are to win the advantage, the initiative, and the future amidst the once-in-a-century global changes, we must expand our global perspective and advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism with a mindset and sense of responsibility that keeps the whole world in mind. On one hand, we must correctly handle the relationship between China and the world, scientifically grasp the current global development trends and our country's new historical position, and use a broad vision and grand perspective to plan and advance all work and participate in global governance. We must promote the building of a more just and reasonable international order, work with the international community to implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, and gradually become an active force promoting the development of world history. On the other hand, we must always stand on the side of human progress, scientifically grasp and predict the development trends of today's world, and in the practice of seeking progress for humanity, actively respond to the universal concerns of the people of the world. In the process of deeply constructing a community with a shared future for humanity, we should propose new concepts and propositions that embody Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions, making original contributions to the development of 21st-century Marxism with a strong sense of historical responsibility, so that scientific socialism radiates new and vigorous vitality in 21st-century China.