Song Yuehong: Deng Xiaoping and Strengthening the Party's Leadership over Publicity, Ideological and Cultural Work
Propagational, ideological, and cultural work is vital to the future and destiny of the Party, the long-term peace and stability of the state, and the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation. Throughout the cause of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, Deng Xiaoping guided the Party in re-establishing the Marxist ideological line, liberating the mind, seeking truth from facts, correctly understanding the developmental stage and fundamental tasks facing our country, and scientifically summarizing the Party's historical experience since the founding of the People's Republic of China. He steadfastly upheld the Party's cultural leadership [1], adhered to the Four Cardinal Principles [2] in ideological and political matters, and determined the correct direction for propagational, ideological, and cultural work for the development of the Party and the state. By persisting in, consolidating, and strengthening the Party's leadership over such work, he continuously pushed forward the cause of reform and opening up and socialist modernization.
I. Supporting and Leading the Discussion on the Criterion of Truth; Guiding the Party to Re-establish the Marxist Ideological Line
During the two years of "advancing amidst hesitation" following the smashing of the "Gang of Four" [3], the discussion on the criterion of truth—sparked by opposition to and resistance against the "Two Whatevers" [4]—became a prominent theme on the Party's ideological and theoretical front and in its propagational, ideological, and cultural work. Guided by the Marxist historical materialist conception of history, Deng Xiaoping supported and advanced this discussion. He unified the liberation of the mind under the principle that "practice is the sole criterion for testing truth," thereby driving a momentous "bringing order out of chaos" [5] and guiding the Party to re-establish the Marxist ideological line of liberating the mind and seeking truth from facts.
(1) Opposing and resisting the erroneous policy of the "Two Whatevers"
The smashing of the "Gang of Four" ended the "Cultural Revolution." However, the proposal of the "Two Whatevers" policy during this period essentially persisted in the errors of the "Cultural Revolution" and obstructed the progress of bringing order out of chaos. Because this policy did not meet the developmental requirements of the Party and state’s undertakings and violated the basic principles of Marxism, it was naturally met with resolute opposition and resistance from those adhering to a Marxist standpoint. Earlier, during the "rectification" [6] of 1975, Deng Xiaoping had already addressed the issue of how to propagate Mao Zedong Thought. In response to problems such as the "vulgarization of Mao Zedong Thought" and the "fragmentation of Mao Zedong Thought," he clearly pointed out: "Mao Zedong Thought has rich content and constitutes an integrated system... How can one seize upon one or two sentences or one or two viewpoints and propagate them in a one-sided manner?" He emphasized: "Mao Zedong Thought is closely linked to practice in various fields and to the guidelines, policies, and methods of work in all aspects; we must study, propagate, and implement it comprehensively."
The power of truth is always irresistible. On April 10, 1977, on the eve of his return to office, Deng Xiaoping proposed in a letter to the Party Central Committee: "We must use accurate and integrated Mao Zedong Thought to guide our whole Party, the whole army, and the people of the whole country from generation to generation, so as to victoriously push forward the cause of the Party and socialism, as well as the cause of the international communist movement." On May 3, the Party Central Committee forwarded this letter to the county and regimental levels, affirming Deng Xiaoping's opinion. On May 24, Deng Xiaoping spoke with Wang Zhen and Deng Liqun, mentioning that two responsible comrades from the General Office of the Central Committee had visited him a few days prior. Deng said: "I told them, the 'Two Whatevers' will not do." Based on the practical realities of the time, he further elucidated: "Under the 'Two Whatevers,' it would be impossible to justify my rehabilitation, nor could we justify affirming that the activities of the broad masses at Tiananmen Square in 1976 were 'reasonable.'" From a philosophical height, he emphasized the epistemological error of the "Two Whatevers": "To take what Comrade Mao Zedong said on one issue and move it to another, or what he said in one place to another, at one time to another, or under one set of conditions to another—this simply won't work!" "The idea that every word a person says is right, or that one person is absolutely correct—there is no such thing." He pointed out: "This is an important theoretical issue, a question of whether to adhere to historical materialism. A thoroughgoing materialist should treat this issue as Comrade Mao Zedong suggested. Marx and Engels never said 'whatever,' Lenin and Stalin never said 'whatever,' and Comrade Mao Zedong himself never said 'whatever.'" Deng emphasized: "Mao Zedong Thought is an ideological system. To hold high the banner means we must study and apply this ideological system."
From July 16 to 21, the Third Plenary Session of the 10th CPC Central Committee was held, unanimously passing the resolution to restore Deng Xiaoping to all his posts both inside and outside the Party. On September 19, in "The Problem of Bringing Order out of Chaos on the Educational Front," Deng emphasized: "We must understand the system of Mao Zedong Thought accurately and in its entirety." "When Comrade Mao Zedong wrote an inscription for the Central Party School in Yan'an, it consisted of four large characters: 'Seek Truth from Facts' (实事求是). This is the essence of Mao Zedong's philosophical thinking." Deng’s stance, viewpoint, and method in understanding and grasping Mao Zedong Thought actually provided the correct direction and a powerful intellectual weapon for the subsequent discussion on the criterion of truth.
(2) Supporting and leading the discussion on the criterion of truth
As opposition to the "Two Whatevers" grew, the understanding of historical and theoretical right and wrong increasingly unfolded in a philosophical sense around the criterion of truth. On May 10, 1978, Theoretical Trends (理论动态), an internal publication of the Central Party School of the CPC, published the article "Practice is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth" in its 60th issue. The following day, Guangming Daily reprinted the article under the byline of "Special Commentator for this Paper." The article argued from perspectives such as "the criterion for testing truth can only be social practice," "the unity of theory and practice is a most fundamental principle of Marxism," and "any theory must continuously undergo the test of practice." It fully demonstrated the veracity of this scientific proposition, answered the question of the criterion of truth, and negated the "Two Whatevers." It sparked a strong reaction nationwide, triggering a grand discussion on the criterion of truth. Thereafter, major newspapers and periodicals across the country published a large number of articles on this subject.
Regarding the thesis that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, there were initially many dissenting voices. Among them was the accusation of "chopping down the banner" [7], which for a time became quite clamorous and representative. Deng Xiaoping attached great importance to this, stating: "This further piqued my interest and attention." On June 2, 1978, at the All-Army Political Work Conference, Deng criticized the "Two Whatevers" policy, pointing out: "Whether what we say and do can actually solve problems, and whether the problems are solved correctly, depends on whether we can integrate theory with practice, whether we are good at summarizing experience, and whether we adopt an attitude of seeking truth from facts based on objective reality, proceeding from reality in all things." Seeking truth from facts, proceeding from reality in all things, and combining theory with practice constitute the fundamental foothold for the Party to continuously advance the Sinicization of Marxism.
(3) Guiding the Party to re-establish the Marxist ideological line
The discussion on the criterion of truth was, in essence, a debate over whether to liberate the mind. To liberate the mind is to make ideas conform to reality and the subjective conform to the objective; it is to seek truth from facts. On September 16, 1978, in "Hold High the Banner of Mao Zedong Thought and Adhere to the Principle of Seeking Truth from Facts," Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "How to hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought is a major issue." He argued that continuing according to the "Two Whatevers" would "damage Mao Zedong Thought," noting that "the basic point of Mao Zedong Thought is seeking truth from facts—the integration of the universal principles of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution." He said: "The reason Comrade Mao Zedong was great and could lead the Chinese revolution to victory was, in the final analysis, reliant on this... If we are to hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought, we must persist in proceeding from reality whenever we handle various guidelines and policy issues in any given period." He noted: "The so-called testing of theory through practice is also such an issue. That such a question still causes controversy today shows how rigid some people's thinking has become." Thinking that violates the principle of seeking truth from facts and the principles of dialectical materialism and historical materialism is actually a reflection of idealism and metaphysics. He said: "The world changes every day; new things and new problems emerge constantly. It will not do for us to close our doors, and it will not do to stop using our brains and remain forever stuck in backwardness."
On December 13, 1978, at the closing session of the Central Working Conference held prior to the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, Deng Xiaoping delivered the report "Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future." On the issue of the future and destiny of the Party and the state, he pointedly stated: "If a party, a state, or a nation proceeds in all things from books [8], suffers from rigid thinking and rampant superstition, it cannot advance; its vitality will cease, and the Party and the state will perish." He emphasized that only by liberating the mind, persisting in seeking truth from facts, proceeding from reality in all things, and integrating theory with practice could socialist modernization proceed smoothly and the Party's theories of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought develop successfully. The controversy over the criterion of truth was indeed a question of the ideological line, a political question, and a question concerning the future and destiny of the Party and the state.
Through the discussion on practice as the sole criterion for testing truth, the Communist Party of China explicitly resolved the issue of the Party's ideological line and restored and developed the line of seeking truth from facts, integrating theory with practice, and proceeding from reality in all things. Deng Xiaoping noted: "This is very important." Historically, this discussion provided the theoretical preparation for the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee and held great and far-reaching significance for rectifying the ideological line and correcting long-standing personality cults and dogmatism. The Third Plenary Session enabled the Party to re-establish the Marxist ideological line of liberating the mind and seeking truth from facts. Subsequently, on December 25, 1980, in a speech at a Central Working Conference, Deng Xiaoping summarized the discussion on the criterion of truth, noting that it "has played a tremendous role in promoting the series of reforms we have carried out in the political, economic, and organizational fields over the past few years, and in the significant achievements we have made on all fronts." This indicates that the discussion promoted the liberation of the mind, upheld seeking truth from facts, and enabled the Party to re-establish its Marxist ideological line. It not only took a clear stand against the erroneous "Two Whatevers" but also provided the fundamental ideological and theoretical basis for the Party to bring order out of chaos in all fields, make the major decision to implement reform and opening up, and ensure the development of all undertakings of the Party and state in the correct direction.
II. Profoundly Elucidating the Fundamental Ideological and Political Prerequisite for Realizing the Four Modernizations; Promoting the Strengthening of Propagation and Education on Upholding the Four Cardinal Principles
The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee determined to shift the focus of the Party and state's work to socialist modernization and made the major decision to implement reform and opening up, achieving a great turning point of far-reaching significance in the Party's history. At the start of reform and opening up, faced with the great practice of realizing the Four Modernizations [9] and a complex situation on the ideological and theoretical front, Deng Xiaoping clearly proposed that upholding the Four Cardinal Principles was the fundamental prerequisite for achieving the Four Modernizations. He emphasized the necessity of taking economic construction as the center while adhering to the Four Cardinal Principles and the policy of reform and opening up, leading the formulation of the Party's basic line for the primary stage of socialism. This basic line has long-term, overall guiding significance for achieving the Party's general tasks and goals in the primary stage of socialism.
In order to summarize the experiences and lessons of the theoretical and propagational front, unify thinking, and study the fundamental tasks of theoretical and propagational work after the shift in the Party's focus, the Meeting to Discuss Ideological Guidelines (理论工作务虚会) [10] was held in Beijing from January 18 to April 3, 1979. In the draft speech prepared for this meeting, Deng Xiaoping addressed the tendency of bourgeois liberalization appearing within the Party and society by explicitly proposing the "Four Upholds." He believed that it was "time to speak out" about adhering to the socialist road, the dictatorship of the proletariat, the leadership of the CPC, and the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. He pointed out that there should be a dominant guiding thought in ideological and theoretical circles, and that the central task of theoretical work was to guide people to look forward. On March 30...
On that day, Deng Xiaoping delivered a speech titled "Uphold the Four Cardinal Principles" at the conference, emphasizing the need to emancipate the mind, use one’s brain, seek truth from facts, and unite as one to look toward the future. He stated: "At present, we must still unswervingly implement this orientation. What is important is to proceed from reality, closely integrate with the current situation and tasks, and further publicize and implement this orientation." He pointed out that regarding the ideological and political direction, "We have basically returned to the correct track of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought; we shall forever advance along this track." Regarding the primary task for the current period and a considerably long historical period to follow, he emphasized that it is "to pursue modernization. Whether we can achieve the Four Modernizations [11] determines the fate of our country and our nation. Under China’s actual conditions, doing a good job of the socialist Four Modernizations means adhering to Marxism and holding high the great banner of Mao Zedong Thought." Otherwise, failing to grasp the Four Modernizations or failing to proceed from this reality would constitute a departure from Marxism and mere empty talk about Marxism.
To achieve the Four Modernizations, one must uphold the Four Cardinal Principles in ideological and political matters. These are the fundamental prerequisites for the realization of the Four Modernizations. Deng Xiaoping pointed out that these Four Cardinal Principles were not new things, but had been consistently upheld by the Party for a long time. He emphasized: "Socialist modernization is our current greatest politics, because it represents the greatest and most fundamental interests of the people. Now, every Party member, Youth League member, and patriotic citizen must, under the unified leadership of the Party and the government, overcome all difficulties and do everything possible to contribute all their strength to the realization of the Four Modernizations." At that time, a tiny minority of people in society were spreading a trend of thought that doubted or opposed these Four Cardinal Principles, and individual comrades within the Party not only failed to recognize the danger of this trend but even directly or indirectly provided a degree of support. Although these types of people were a tiny minority both inside and outside the Party, facts proved that they could—and already had—caused great harm to the cause of the Party and the state. In response, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "We must not neglect their role just because they are a tiny minority," and "it is very necessary to emphasize the promotion of these Four Cardinal Principles." He also focused on "conducting critiques of the trend of thought that doubts or opposes the Four Cardinal Principles from the Right," providing profound elaborations on why the Four Cardinal Principles must be upheld.
The necessity and core essence of upholding the Four Cardinal Principles: On the necessity of upholding the socialist road, Deng Xiaoping emphasized that the rhetoric claiming socialism is inferior to capitalism must be thoroughly refuted. Only socialism can save China; that socialist China is currently inferior to developed capitalist countries in terms of economy, technology, and culture is not caused by the socialist system, but fundamentally by history prior to Liberation [12], and by imperialism and feudalism. He emphasized the need to introduce the progressive and beneficial aspects of capitalist countries to the people, especially the youth, while criticizing the reactionary and decadent aspects of capitalist countries. On the necessity of upholding the dictatorship of the proletariat, Deng Xiaoping emphasized that a great deal of publicity had already been done to explain that for the people, the dictatorship of the proletariat is socialist democracy, "the most extensive democracy in history." Without democracy, there can be no socialism and no socialist modernization. The more socialism develops, the more democracy develops. He emphasized: "Without the dictatorship of the proletariat, it would be impossible for us to defend, and thus impossible to build, socialism." On the necessity of upholding the leadership of the Communist Party, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that in today's China, "one should never praise the spontaneity of the masses while departing from the leadership of the Party. Of course, Party leadership is not without errors, and how the Party can maintain close ties with the masses and implement correct and effective leadership remains a problem that must be seriously considered and worked hard to solve; however, this can never be a reason for demanding the weakening or abolition of Party leadership." On the necessity of upholding Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping emphasized the need to persist in comprehensively and accurately mastering the scientific system of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, and to persist in proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts. He pointed out: "Mao Zedong Thought was the banner of the Chinese revolution in the past, and it will forever be the banner of China’s socialist cause and the cause of anti-hegemonism in the future; we will forever hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought and advance." He also cautioned: "For every Communist Party member, let alone every ideological and theoretical worker of the Party, not the slightest vacillation on this fundamental position is permitted. If any one of these Four Cardinal Principles is shaken, the entire socialist cause and the entire cause of modernization will be shaken." He pointed out: "Marxist ideological and theoretical work cannot be separated from real-world politics," and "it is inconceivable that one could become a Marxist thinker or theorist while departing from the overall political situation, failing to study the overall political situation, or failing to assess the actual development of the revolutionary struggle." Emancipating the mind means utilizing the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought to deeply study the new situations and new problems encountered in China’s realization of the Four Modernizations and to provide answers of major guiding significance. Deng Xiaoping emphasized that "this will be the major contribution of our ideological and theoretical workers to Marxism and the true upholding of the banner of Mao Zedong Thought." Realizing the Four Modernizations is a multifaceted, complex, and heavy task. Deng Xiaoping profoundly elucidated theoretical issues such as the basic contradictions of socialist society and the primary contradiction of the current period, emphasizing that in any case, the research and discussion of ideological and theoretical issues must resolutely implement the policy of "letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend" [13], and must resolutely implement the "Three Nos" policy of "not grabbing pigtails, not pinning labels, and not wielding big sticks" [14], as well as the policy of emancipating the mind, breaking down superstitions, and proceeding from reality in all things.
Deng Xiaoping promoted the strengthening of publicity and education regarding the Four Cardinal Principles. To uphold the Four Cardinal Principles, one must oppose bourgeois liberalization and the problem of erroneous ideological tendencies. The Four Cardinal Principles first and foremost require upholding socialism. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "Without upholding socialism, what stability and unity would there be, and what socialist Four Modernizations would there be?" "The core of these four upholdings is upholding the leadership of the Party." He emphasized: "The Party cannot be separated from the people, and the people cannot be separated from the Party; this is something no force can change," and "these Four Cardinal Principles must be upheld, and no one is permitted to shake them; furthermore, they must be established in appropriate legal forms." Regarding the publicity work of a certain period, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "Our publicity work still has serious shortcomings, mainly in that it has not actively, proactively, boldly, and persuasively promoted the Four Cardinal Principles, and has not conducted a forceful struggle against some serious erroneous ideas that oppose the Four Cardinal Principles." He said: "The core of bourgeois liberalization is opposing the Party's leadership, and without Party leadership, there would be no socialist system. In dealing with these issues, we can no longer take the old path or engage in political movements, but we must certainly master the weapon of criticism." Without the leadership of the Communist Party and without pursuing socialism, China has no future. He pointed out: "The four upholdings themselves are not wrong; if there is an error, it is that the adherence to the Four Cardinal Principles has not been consistent enough, and they have not been taken as basic ideas to educate the people, the students, and all cadres and Communist Party members." On the issue of opposing erroneous ideological tendencies, Deng Xiaoping emphasized the need to strengthen the publicity and education of upholding the Four Cardinal Principles and to write more articles in this regard; it is necessary to criticize "Left" erroneous ideas as well as Right erroneous ideas.
Marxism scientifically reveals the laws of human social development and profoundly elucidates that the inevitable replacement of capitalism by socialism is an irreversible general trend in the development of human society. From January 18 to February 21, 1992, during his Southern Tour talks [15], Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "I firmly believe that the number of people in the world who approve of Marxism will increase, because Marxism is a science. It utilizes historical materialism to reveal the laws of human social development. Feudal society replaced slave society, capitalism replaced feudalism, and socialism, after a long process of development, will inevitably replace capitalism. This is the irreversible general trend of social and historical development, though the road is tortuous." Addressing the serious setbacks occurring in some countries at that time, he pointed out: "Socialism appears to have been weakened, but the people have been tempered and have absorbed lessons therefrom, which will prompt socialism to develop in a healthier direction. Therefore, do not panic, and do not think that Marxism has disappeared, become useless, or failed. There is no such thing!" Previously, in April 1987, Deng Xiaoping had pointed out that opposing bourgeois liberalization was "to ensure that China's socialist system does not change, to ensure that the overall policies do not change, and that the policies of opening up internally and externally do not change." "If all of these change, there will be no hope for our goal of reaching a moderately prosperous level by the end of this century and reaching the level of a moderately developed country by the middle of the next century." Upholding the Four Cardinal Principles is fundamentally antithetical to bourgeois liberalization.
Upholding the Four Cardinal Principles in ideological and political matters is the fundamental prerequisite for realizing the Four Modernizations and is the foundation of the state. To depart from upholding the Four Cardinal Principles is to have no roots and no direction, making the implementation of the Party's ideological line out of the question. Under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Party integrated upholding the Four Cardinal Principles with persisting in economic construction as the center and persisting in reform and opening up, establishing the Party’s basic line for the primary stage of socialism characterized by "one center, two basic points" [16]. It formulated a "three-step" development strategy to basically achieve socialist modernization by the middle of the 21st century and successfully created socialism with Chinese characteristics.
III. Scientifically Summarizing the Party's Historical Experience Since the Founding of New China to Promote the Unification of Thought Throughout the Party
The cause of the Party and the state always moves forward on the basis of continuously summarizing historical experience. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee adopted the "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party Since the Founding of the People's Republic of China" (hereinafter referred to as the "Resolution"). Utilizing Marxist dialectical materialism and historical materialism, the "Resolution" made a correct summary of the major historical events of the Party in the 32 years since the founding of New China, particularly the "Cultural Revolution." It scientifically analyzed the correctness and errors of the Party's guiding ideology during these events, analyzed the subjective factors and social causes that gave rise to those errors, evaluated Mao Zedong's historical status in a seek-truth-from-facts manner, and fully expounded on the great significance of Mao Zedong Thought as the Party's guiding ideology. The "Resolution" affirmed the correct path for building a powerful modern socialist country suited to China’s national conditions that had been gradually established since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, and further clarified the direction for the continued advancement of China's socialist cause and the Party's work. Deng Xiaoping presided over the drafting of this "Resolution," which, by summarizing the Party's historical experience, had a profound impact on unifying the thinking of the entire Party.
By scientifically evaluating Mao Zedong’s historical status and the scientific system of Mao Zedong Thought, the correct path for China’s socialist modernization was established according to new realities and development requirements. Deng Xiaoping guided the Party in thoroughly repudiating the erroneous practices and theories of the "Cultural Revolution" while resolutely resisting erroneous trends of thought that sought to negate Mao Zedong and Mao Zedong Thought. On March 19, 1980, in a conversation with leading comrades of the Central Committee, Deng Xiaoping proposed the guiding ideology for the drafting of the "Resolution." Summarized, the "most important, most fundamental, and most crucial" as well as the "most core point" was "to establish Comrade Mao Zedong's historical status and to persist in and develop Mao Zedong Thought." He pointed out: "Not only today but also in the future, we must hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought," and "to correctly evaluate Mao Zedong Thought and scientifically establish its guiding status, we must write out the main content of Mao Zedong Thought—especially the content that we must continue to implement in the future—in relatively concise language." At the same time, he emphasized that regarding major events in the history since the founding of New China, what was correct and what was incorrect must be analyzed in a seek-truth-from-facts manner, "including the merits and demerits of some responsible comrades, which must be given a fair evaluation." The "Resolution" should be used to make a basic summary of past events, for "summarizing the past is intended to guide everyone to unite as one and look toward the future." Deng Xiaoping consistently implemented this guiding ideology in directing the summary of the Party's historical experience, maintaining a firm stance and a clear-cut banner.
Systematically expounding on the scientific system of Mao Zedong Thought and persisting in and developing Mao Zedong Thought: Regarding the central content of the "Resolution," on June 27, 1980, Deng Xiaoping pointed out in a conversation with leading comrades of the Central Committee: "The focus should be placed on what Mao Zedong Thought is and what Comrade Mao Zedong's correct aspects were." On October 25—
On [June 22, 1980], while speaking with responsible comrades of the Central Committee, he emphasized: "The evaluation of Comrade Mao Zedong and the exposition of Mao Zedong Thought relate not merely to the personal issues of Comrade Mao Zedong himself; they are inseparable from the entire history of our Party and our country. We must see this overall situation. This is what we have repeatedly emphasized since the beginning of the drafting work on the Resoultion [17]. This part of the draft Resoultion that expounds upon Mao Zedong Thought cannot be dispensed with. This is not just a theoretical issue, but especially a political issue, a major political issue both domestically and internationally. If this part is not written or not written well, it would be better not to do the entire Resolution at all." He said: "If we do not write into the Resolution Mao Zedong Thought—that is, the things proven correct through the test of practice that should serve as our guide for future work—then the weight and historical significance of the revolution and construction we have carried out in the past and will carry out in the future will be weakened. If we do not write about or persist in Mao Zedong Thought, we will commit a major historical mistake." The Resolution pointed out that the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought consists of the stand, viewpoints, and methods running through its various constituent parts, which have three basic aspects: namely, seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence. The attitude of "attempting to deny the scientific value of Mao Zedong Thought and its guiding role in our country's revolution and construction because Comrade Mao Zedong committed mistakes in his later years is completely wrong." Mao Zedong Thought is a precious spiritual wealth of the Party and will guide our actions over the long term.
Uphold seeking truth from facts and unify the thinking of the whole Party. Regarding the issue of correctly evaluating Mao Zedong's historical status, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "In writing our resolution on certain historical issues of the Party since the founding of the People's Republic, we must seek truth from facts and properly summarize the lessons of 'Left' [18] errors." He noted, "Comrade Mao Zedong's error lay in violating the correct things he himself had established." "We Communists are thorough materialists; we can only seek truth from facts to affirm what should be affirmed and negate what should be negated. Throughout his life, Comrade Mao Zedong performed immortal feats for our Party, country, and people. His achievements are primary, and his mistakes are secondary. To conceal his mistakes because of his achievements is not a materialist attitude. To deny his achievements because of his mistakes is likewise not a materialist attitude." He emphasized: "The reason the 'Cultural Revolution' was erroneous and failed is precisely because it completely violated the scientific principles of Mao Zedong Thought. The scientific principles of Mao Zedong Thought, proven correct through long-term practice, not only led us to victory in history but will remain our guiding ideology in the long-term struggles ahead. Any doubt or wavering regarding such a major principle of the Party is incorrect and runs counter to the fundamental interests of the Chinese people." Deng Xiaoping not only favored adding a review of the 28 years of history prior to the founding of the People's Republic to the Resolution—thereby providing a comprehensive historical basis for establishing Mao’s historical status and for persisting in and developing Mao Zedong Thought—but also supported and guided the Resolution in adding a supplementary section on the history following the smashing of the "Gang of Four" [19]. He said: "This period must necessarily be written." Under the guidance of this opinion, the Resolution included an additional section titled "The Great Turning Point in History," which articulated the significance of the historical shift at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee [20], as well as the restoration and development of Mao Zedong Thought and the Party’s correct policies under new conditions.
Taking history as a mirror to open up the future. Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, the Party has led the people in gradually establishing a correct path for socialist modernization suited to our national conditions. Deng Xiaoping guided the Party, based on the historical experiences—both positive and negative—since the founding of the People's Republic, to systematically expound the "key points" of this path in terms of the principal contradiction in society, the reality of national conditions, the construction of the socialist political system and spiritual civilization [21], and Party building. He pointed out that "this path will continue to be enriched and developed in practice." Deng Xiaoping noted that the Resolution "truly achieved our original requirements" and that "henceforth, as a Communist Party member, one must speak according to this unified line," believing that "this resolution can withstand the test of history." On July 17, 1981, shortly after the Resolution was passed, Deng Xiaoping pointed out during a talk with responsible comrades of central propaganda departments regarding problems on the ideological front: "Our whole Party, whole army, and the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country must, under the firm leadership of the Party Central Committee and on the basis of the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People's Republic of China adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, unite as one, march in step, and work hard so that our ideological front, literary and art front, and other fronts continuously achieve new victories."
Examining the past to know the future, opening up the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In his opening speech at the 12th Party Congress, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "To integrate the universal truth of Marxism with the concrete realities of our country, to blaze a path of our own and build socialism with Chinese characteristics—this is the basic conclusion we have reached after summarizing long-term historical experience." The Party has led the people to unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, liberating and developing the productive forces. Historical development has shown that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the correct path leading to China's prosperity and development.
Deng Xiaoping Theory profoundly revealed the essence of socialism and scientifically answered a series of basic questions on building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Party strengthened its leadership over propaganda, ideological, and cultural work, grasping material civilization with one hand and spiritual civilization with the other.
The construction of spiritual civilization is a spiritual hallmark that promotes socialist modernization, upholds the Four Cardinal Principles [22], promotes comprehensive reform, and implements the policy of opening up to the outside world. Deng Xiaoping pointed out that the ideological front should hold high the banners of Marxism and socialism, and educate and guide the people to correctly treat history, recognize reality, and have firm faith in socialism and the Party's leadership. It should inspire the people to work hard and strive upward, truly ensuring they possess ideals, morality, culture, and discipline. He emphasized that after the focus of work shifted to economic construction, the whole Party must study how to adapt to new conditions and strengthen the Party's ideological work to prevent the tendency of becoming buried in economic work while neglecting ideological work. The ideological front must not engage in "spiritual pollution" [23]; regarding various serious problems that cause ideological confusion and spiritual pollution, a firm, serious, and earnest attitude must be adopted, and the issue must be addressed thoroughly. Under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Party has continuously promoted the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and strengthened its leadership over propaganda, ideological, and cultural work. Strengthening the Party’s ideological work and the construction of spiritual civilization on the basis of building socialist material civilization is the only way to promote the prosperity and development of socialist ideology and culture.
Author: Song Yuehong, Doctor of Law, Professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Researcher at the Institute of Contemporary China. Web Editor: Jin Qiu Source: Contemporary China History Studies, No. 4, 2024.