Zhang Ronghua and Liang Chao: An Outline of the Theoretical Themes of Marxism in the Context of Sinicization and Modernization
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee spoke highly of the successful practice and great achievements of comprehensively deepening reform since the New Era. It explicitly pointed out that further comprehensively deepening reform must adhere to Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and fully implement Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized: "Why the Communist Party of China works, and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, boils down to the fact that Marxism works, and Sinicized and modernized Marxism works." This important discourse, grounded in the logical main line of the "Two Works," clearly points out the strong political character and advantages in theoretical innovation possessed by our Party, manifesting a great power of truth and social value in the convergence and interaction of history and reality. History proves that the occurrence of any historical activity has a distinct practical theme, and the content composition of the scientific theoretical system guiding practice requires the leading role of a theoretical theme. Conceptually, "theme" refers to the central idea and core content that an ideological theory, cultural work, or social activity intends to disseminate; while "the theme of a theory is the central problem that the theory concentrates on exploring and answering," it is also the major task of the times and the primary object that the theory seeks to address, inherently containing the discursive attributes of politics, culture, and ideology. Sinicized and modernized Marxism was formed and developed through the theory and practice of a century-old Party. The Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is a generative process that aligns the basic principles of Marxism with the specific practice of China. Its theoretical theme has consistently run through the different historical periods and practical logics of the Party’s trajectory of "saving the nation—prospering the nation—enriching the nation—strengthening the nation," becoming a "red thread" [1] for our understanding and grasp of the content genealogy and core essentials of Sinicized and modernized Marxism. On the new journey of the New Era, strengthening research into the "problem domain" of the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism helps to deepen our understanding of the patterns of the Party’s theoretical innovation and its academic development. It also helps in the in-depth study and implementation of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on comprehensively deepening reform and the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, so as to further comprehensively deepen reform to promote Chinese-path modernization, and use Chinese-path modernization to comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
I. The Basic Connotation, Structural Characteristics, and Research Value of the Theoretical Theme of Sinicized and Modernized Marxism
The generation of any theoretical system is the internal coupling of historical necessity and the specificity of the times. Profoundly grasping the basic connotation, structural characteristics, and research value of the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism helps to deeply understand the theoretical map, development process, and value implications of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
(1) The Basic Connotation of the Theoretical Theme of Sinicized and Modernized Marxism
The practice of the Chinese revolution, construction, reform and opening up, and the New Era proves that the reason the various undertakings of the Party and the country have been able to achieve one historical success after another is that the practical field has always adhered to Marxism as a guide, continuously deepening the systematic understanding of the theoretical innovation of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. In the historical process of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, three major theoretical achievements of Sinicized and modernized Marxism have emerged: Mao Zedong Thought, the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics (composed of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development), and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. All of these belong to Sinicized and modernized Marxism. Currently, there are few in the academic community who take the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism directly as their research object; most related research revolves around theoretical analyses of the three major theoretical achievements. For example, some scholars, based on "contradiction analysis," believe that "revolution" is the theoretical theme of Mao Zedong Thought; some scholars, based on "value analysis," believe that the theoretical theme of the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is to "provide scientific theoretical guidance for the realization of socialist modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation"; some scholars, based on "fundamental analysis," believe that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the theme and main line running through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Although different theoretical achievements have differences in their theoretical themes, under the practical leadership of a "revolutionary party," the three major theoretical achievements and the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism to which they collectively belong share a commonality passed down in the same vein.
In terms of connotation, the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism primarily answers the basic questions and tasks of the times that run through the processes of the Chinese revolution, construction, reform and opening up, and the New Era, including: what is Marxism and how to uphold and develop Marxism; what kind of socialism to build and how to build socialism; what kind of great modern socialist country to build and how to build a great modern socialist country; and what kind of Marxist party to build and how to build a Marxist party. The theoretical themes of Sinicized and modernized Marxism and its three major theoretical achievements both follow the same lineage and advance with the times, continuously answering the questions of the times, of practice, of the people, and of the world [2] faced by our Party. Together, they constitute the dynamic development pattern and systematic complete form of the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism.
(2) The Structural Characteristics of the Theoretical Theme of Sinicized and Modernized Marxism
Structural characteristics refer to the relatively stable and enduring internal connections formed between various elements, serving as the basic unit for the generation and development of a thing or theoretical system. The structural characteristics of the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism are presented within the theoretical themes of the three major theoretical achievements, specifically manifesting as the following "Three Integrities": First, "Integrity of Origin" (同源性, tóngyuánxìng). Although the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism presents different value attributes and structural tensions in terms of content elements, it possesses a high degree of commonality in terms of driving factors. This is mainly manifested in: regarding endogenous drivers, it consistently adheres to the ideological drive of the "Two Combinations" [3]; regarding exogenous drivers, it is always formed based on changes in the principal contradiction in society [4] and the improvement of the Party’s policy adaptability. Second, "Integrity of Direction" (同向性, tóngxiàngxìng). As a theoretical product that advances with the times, no matter how the connotation of this theoretical theme changes, the development goals carried by its internal genes always move in a common direction. As a whole, the theoretical themes of the different theoretical achievements are all dedicated to realizing the "Great Dream" of national prosperity, national rejuvenation, and people's happiness. It is under the guidance of this goal logic that the successful path of Chinese-path modernization has been continuously opened. Third, "Integrity of Purpose" (同旨性, tóngzhǐxìng). The materialist conception of history centered on the masses is the value-based starting point for the generation of the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism. The main theme and line of the century-old Party's theoretical innovation are permeated with the Party’s mass line, the "Three Favorables," [5] and the development concepts of "putting people first" and "the people above all." The theoretical themes of the three major theoretical achievements consistently demonstrate distinct party values and a pro-people character.
(3) The Research Value of the Theoretical Theme of Sinicized and Modernized Marxism
The Communist Party of China adheres to the ideological line of emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and being realistic and pragmatic. It upholds the fundamentals and breaks new ground, and on the basis of exploring the "Three Laws," [6] it has formed and developed the theoretical achievements of Sinicized and modernized Marxism. Systematically grasping the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism and its three major theoretical achievements holds important theoretical, practical, and academic value.
It helps to comprehensively recognize and grasp the synchronic and diachronic relationship of the Party’s theoretical innovation, and to deeply understand the spiritual essence of Sinicized and modernized Marxism. Openness, development, and practicality are the theoretical genes carried by Marxism itself. Sinicized and modernized Marxism is a theoretical system gradually formed on the basis of the dialectical logic of diachrony and synchrony, according to changes in the objective situation. Among these, "diachrony" refers to the stage-like change characteristics of the Party's theoretical innovation, while "synchrony" refers to the logical connections between the various internal elements of the Party's theoretical innovation as they are generated in history. Sinicized and modernized Marxism has been continuously explored throughout the Party’s century-long development process. The core theoretical themes represented by "revolution," "construction," "reform and opening up," and the "New Era" formed at different stages manifest the stage-specific tasks and value goals of the Party’s theoretical themes in different periods. Deepening research on theoretical themes helps to grasp the content genealogy and theoretical traits of the three major theoretical achievements as a whole, and to profoundly understand the scientific connotation and spiritual essence of Sinicized and modernized Marxism.
It helps to scientifically grasp and understand the historical positioning, logical main line, and practical value of Sinicized and modernized Marxism. Theory is born of the development of the times and exists for the needs of society. Based on dialectical thinking that is relational and developmental, Sinicized and modernized Marxism does not remain at a certain historical stage but is a scientific theoretical system that continuously develops alongside social practice. Its theoretical theme is based on basic judgments regarding changes in the principal contradiction of society and the historical positioning of different periods, thereby presenting content characteristics of the unity of universality and particularity within the overall framework of the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism. Deepening research on this theoretical theme helps to comprehensively grasp the stage-specific tasks of the Party’s theoretical innovation, profoundly understand the logical main line and core essentials of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and deepen the understanding of the leading functions and practical value of the theoretical innovation of Sinicized and modernized Marxism.
It helps to explore and distinguish the logical relationship between "theoretical theme" and concepts such as "theme of the times," "practical theme," "theme of the Party Congress," and "major tasks." Currently, when the academic community explores theoretical themes, there is often a situation where the concepts of "theme of the times," "practical theme," "theme of the Party Congress," and "major tasks" are used interchangeably; thus, the academic relationships between them should be further clarified. First, "theme of the times" refers to the major issues affecting the development strategy of the Party and the country in a certain historical period; this is an important reference point for the generation of the "theoretical theme." Second, "practical theme" is the process of externalizing the "theoretical theme," but "the theoretical theme emphasizes revealing the concept, path, and method for achieving this practical theme." Third, "theme of the Party Congress" is a goal-oriented positioning based on a specific historical stage, running through the stage-specific tasks of the "theoretical theme"; the two are in a relationship of "subset" and "proper subset." Fourth, "major tasks" (重大课题, zhòngdà kètí) refers to the "ox's nose" [7] that drives national economic and social development. Entering the New Era, topics such as "carrying forward the great spirit of the Long March" have been categorized as "major tasks" currently faced. Clearly, the content of "major tasks" is broad, while the "theoretical theme" is the refinement and summary of these "major tasks." Currently, to comprehensively grasp the scientific connotation of the "theoretical theme," one must adhere to the adaptation of the "theoretical theme" to the "theme of the times," its alignment with the "practical theme," its connection to the "theme of the Party Congress," and its unity with the "major tasks" to accurately grasp the logical relationships between them.
II. The Theoretical Theme of Mao Zedong Thought
As the theoretical achievement of the first historical leap in the Sinicization of Marxism, the clearest theoretical theme of Mao Zedong Thought is "the Chinese Revolution." However, analyzed from a historical dimension, as a complete scientific theoretical system, Mao Zedong Thought also contains the theoretical connotation of socialist "construction." Among these, the answer regarding the Chinese "revolution" is expressed in "what is" and "how to complete" the New Democratic Revolution; the answer regarding socialist "construction" is expressed in "what kind of socialism to build" and "how to build socialism"; and the answer regarding "what kind of Marxist party to build" and "how to build a Marxist party" runs through the entire process of the New Democratic Revolution and socialist construction. Together, they constitute the theoretical theme of Mao Zedong Thought.
(1) What is the New Democratic Revolution and how to complete the New Democratic Revolution?
During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, facing the semi-colonial and semi-feudal nature and state of society—where China was not independent politically, not awakened ideologically, and not strong economically—the theoretical theme of Mao Zedong Thought first had to answer: how should a revolution be conducted in such a large Eastern country with a vast population and backward economy and culture, so as to lead China toward socialism? Taking this as a starting point, the basic theory of the New Democratic Revolution answered this series of primary questions. On the one hand, it concentrated on explaining the basic program of the New Democracy, answering questions concerning...
The question of "what is the New Democratic Revolution." A political party's program is a flag publicly hoisted; it is a vital emblem showing the nature of the party and the direction of its goals. As the concrete development of the General Line of the New Democratic Revolution, the Basic Program of New Democracy pointed out the direction of struggle and the forward objectives of the Chinese revolution. Within this, the basic content of the political program included overturning the reactionary rule of the "Three Great Mountains" [8] and establishing a New Democratic Republic led by the proletariat, based on the worker-peasant alliance, and under the joint dictatorship of all revolutionary classes. The economic program included land reform, the confiscation of bureaucratic capital, and the protection of national industry and commerce. The cultural program was the construction of a national, scientific, and popular culture. Based on political, economic, and cultural construction, these together sketched the ideal state of a New Democratic society. On the other hand, the overall summary of the General Line of the New Democratic Revolution answered the question of "how to complete the New Democratic Revolution." It clarified that the goal and primary objects of the revolution were to overturn the "Three Great Mountains"; the driving forces of the revolution included the working class, the peasantry, the petty bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie; the leading force of the revolution was the proletariat and the leadership of the Communist Party of China; and the primary task of the revolution was to "walk in two steps," completing the "national revolution" externally and the "democratic revolution" internally. By deeply researching the characteristics and laws of the Chinese revolution and the condition of a peasant majority, the "armed independent regime of workers and peasants" [9] revolutionary path was opened, and the "Three Magic Weapons" [10] for the Chinese revolution to defeat the enemy were proposed. These answered a series of major questions regarding where the Chinese revolution was heading and opened a path of revolutionary development for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
(2) What kind of Marxist party to build, and how to build it
Based on a theoretical analysis of revolutionary parties, the questions regarding the Chinese "revolution" and socialist "construction" belong to the category of social revolution, while the question of how to build a "Marxist party" belongs to the category of the Party's self-revolution. Mao Zedong's theory of Party building is a vital component of the scientific system of Mao Zedong Thought. Its theoretical themes primarily answer: on one hand, the question of "what kind of Marxist party to build." He proposed building our Party into one that is "nationwide" in scope, possesses a "broad mass character," and achieves a "completely consolidated, Bolshevized Communist Party of China" on the basis of the "three-in-one" combination of ideological, political, and organizational construction. He was the first to call Party building a "great project" and elevated it to one of the "Three Magic Weapons" for achieving victory in the Chinese revolution, answering the question of the Party's original aspiration and founding mission with the mass line as the value-base. After the founding of New China, while mobilizing all positive factors to serve socialism, he clearly emphasized that "the Communist Party of China is the core of leadership for all the Chinese people." On the other hand, regarding the question of "how to build a Marxist party," he clearly placed ideological construction at the head of Party building, taking the conduct of Marxist-Leninist theoretical education and the strengthening of Party spirit tempering for members as the primary content, and requiring that Party building be integrated with the construction of the political line. He persisted in the organizational principle of democratic centralism and the system of collective leadership, clarified the cadre selection line of "appointing people on their merit," and strengthened the work of educating, managing, selecting, and training Party cadres. He was the first to use the Rectification Movement as a basic experience for resolving inner-Party contradictions, and raised the issue of the "historical cycle" [11], the "Two Musts" [12] thought, and the Party's "Three Great Styles of Work" [13]. Through the conduct of the Yan'an Rectification Movement, the "Three Inspections and Three Rectifications" [14], as well as the "Three-Anti" and "Five-Anti" [15] campaigns, the advanced nature and purity of the Party were maintained, reflecting theoretical innovation and a law-based understanding of the Marxist doctrine on party building.
(3) What kind of socialism to build, and how to build it
After the founding of New China, the primary task facing our Party was how to smoothly advance the socialist revolution and construction. During this period, Mao Zedong's theories on socialist construction were primarily oriented toward two basic points. On the one hand, they answered the question of "what kind of socialism to build." In exploring the path of socialist construction, he clarified that the development of socialism consists of "two stages," namely, "undeveloped socialism" and "comparatively developed socialism." He stipulated that the fundamental task of the Party after achieving revolutionary victory was to steadily transform our country from an agricultural nation into an industrial one, systematically "carrying out political, economic, cultural, and national defense construction work nationwide," and gradually enhancing the ability to manage and build the state. On the other hand, they answered the question of "how to build socialism." Following the basic completion of the General Line and the General Task for the Transition Period and the gradual establishment of socialist political and economic systems, our country "took the Soviet Union as a mirror" and independently explored a socialist path. He proposed the "General Policy of developing the national economy with agriculture as the foundation, industry as the leading factor, and in the order of agriculture, light industry, and heavy industry," and planned the grand goal of the "Four Modernizations." He proposed correctly distinguishing between the two types of contradictions in socialist society [16] and adopting the two methods of "democracy" and "dictatorship" to resolve them based on their different natures. He raised the slogan "March on Science" and the "Double Hundred Policy" [17], clarifying the basic requirement that "those receiving an education should be enabled to develop morally, intellectually, and physically." He creatively proposed the new "One Principle and Four Points" [18] proposal for the reunification of the motherland, constructing the embryonic form of "One Country, Two Systems." He proposed the diplomatic strategic thoughts of the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," the two "intermediate zones," and the "Three Worlds Theory." In national defense construction, he initiated the "Third Front Construction" based on "preparing for war, preparing for famine, and serving the people." This series of theories and practices provided the fundamental political prerequisites, institutional basis, and material conditions for socialist modernization.
III. The Theoretical Themes of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
Regarding the theoretical themes of the theoretical system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, the academic community has engaged in extensive discussion, taking "development" and "the realization of socialist modernization" as the themes and main threads of this theoretical system. The report to the 17th Party Congress proposed that in advancing the Sinicization of Marxism, our Party "continuously explores and answers major theoretical and practical questions such as what is socialism and how to build it, what kind of Party to build and how to build it, and what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it." Consequently, some scholars take these "three whats" and "three hows" as the core themes of this theoretical system. However, in the author's view, as the "opening movement" of the theoretical system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, the greatest feature of Deng Xiaoping Theory lies in its exploration and answering of a series of major theoretical and practical questions regarding Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "Adhering to and developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is a great article, and Comrade Deng Xiaoping determined its basic thinking and basic principles." Therefore, as the theoretical achievement that realized the second historic leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, the theoretical system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics was gradually generated and developed around the following three theoretical themes.
(1) What is Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, and how to build it
Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development constitute the vital components of the theoretical system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. Their developmental goal is "struggling to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," and they belong to the same lineage in terms of theoretical themes. On one hand, they answered the question of "what is Socialism with Chinese Characteristics." Deng Xiaoping proposed the thesis of "building socialism with Chinese characteristics," revealed the essential connotation of socialism, and formulated the Party's basic line of "one center, two basic points." Jiang Zemin clarified the fundamental tasks of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and proposed the developmental goal of "building our country into a prosperous, strong, democratic, and civilized socialist modernized state." The Constitution of the Communist Party of China adopted by the 17th Party Congress for the first time wrote "harmony" into the Party's basic line alongside "prosperity, strength, democracy, and civilization," planning to "build a prosperous, strong, democratic, civilized, and harmonious socialist modernized state by the centenary of the founding of New China." On the other hand, they answered the question of "how to build Socialism with Chinese Characteristics." Around this theme, Deng Xiaoping Theory creatively answered major questions regarding the developmental stages, fundamental tasks, and developmental strategies of socialism, clarified "grasping with both hands, with both hands being tough," as well as the "One Country, Two Systems" concept for realizing national reunification, and formulated the "three-step" development strategy for basically realizing socialist modernization. Jiang Zemin pointed out: "Building Socialism with Chinese Characteristics should be a process of comprehensive economic, political, and cultural development for our country." Entering the 21st century, Hu Jintao required accelerating the construction of ecological civilization, proposed the thought of "building a harmonious society," and clarified the general basis, general layout, and general tasks for building Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. All of these provided the direction of struggle and the overall layout for the comprehensive progress of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.
(2) What kind of Party to build, and how to build it
Whether the Communist Party of China, governing a super-large-scale country, can realize the strengthening and expansion of its organizational ranks under the guidance of self-revolution concerns whether the social revolution can proceed in an orderly fashion and the effectiveness of national governance capabilities. On one hand, the question of "what kind of Party to build" is reflected in the historical evolution of the general goals of Party building. Facing the new tests brought by reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping proposed that our Party must be built into a strong core leading the construction of "two civilizations" [19]. The report to the 16th Party Congress summarized the "two vanguards," "one core of leadership," and the "Three Represents" [20] as the nature of the Party and the general goals of Party building. The report to the 17th Party Congress summarized the goals of Party building as "building the Party for the public and governing for the people, seeking truth and being pragmatic, reform and innovation, hard struggle and integrity, and being full of vitality, unity, and harmony," anchoring the constitutive elements of the Party's image and its destination for advancing the construction of its organizational ranks. On the other hand, the question of "how to build the Party" is reflected in the "five major areas of construction" [21] of the Party. After reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping clearly emphasized that to organize and unite such a large party and country, we must "rely first on ideals and second on discipline," advancing the process of institutionalizing and legalizing Party building. Jiang Zemin first proposed the thesis of the new great project of Party building and strengthening the construction of the Party's governing capability, requiring Party committees and leading cadres at all levels to enhance "five capabilities," such as scientifically judging the situation and navigating the market economy. Hu Jintao systematically summarized the "four major tests" and "four major dangers" [22] facing the governing party, proposed the governing concept of "science + democracy + law," comprehensively deployed the general layout of Party building involving ideology, organization, style, systems, and anti-corruption and integrity advocacy, and proposed the goals and tasks for the level of scientific rigor in Party building.
(3) What kind of development to achieve, and how to achieve it
Development is the absolute principle; development is our Party's primary task in governing and rejuvenating the country. "What kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it" is a major theoretical and practical question that needs continuous answering in the process of initiating the cause of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. On one hand, regarding the question of "what kind of development to achieve": after reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping emphasized, "The key to solving all of China's problems depends on our own development." Regarding developmental efficiency, he required that "economic work must be done according to economic laws"; regarding developmental layout, he proposed the "construction of two civilizations" and the "two-handed approach"; regarding developmental results, he proposed the theory of "the first to become wealthy leading those who come after" and the "Three Favorables" [23] criteria for judgment. Jiang Zemin emphasized: "Socialist society is a society of all-around development and all-around progress." The goal was to achieve an all-around elevation in economic development, democratic politics, science, education, culture, and the people's standard of living. Entering the 21st century, Hu Jintao proposed: "The development we seek must be development that emphasizes quality and efficiency." This profoundly answered the major question of "what kind of development to achieve" from the level of the "Four-Pronged Integrated Plan" [24]. On the other hand, regarding the question of how to develop: based on basic national conditions, Deng Xiaoping proposed taking economic construction as the center of the Party and state's development, required following the path of the rule of law, focuses single-mindedly on Party building, proposed the "three orientations" [25] for education, required the cultivation of "four-have" [26] new people, and established and developed new types of inter-party relations, and so forth. Jiang Zemin focused on the coordinated development of socialist material, political, and spiritual civilizations, implemented the opening-up strategy of combining "bringing in" and "going out," and required following a path of coordinated development characterized by production growth, industrial revitalization, affluent living, and a sound ecosystem. Entering the 21st century, the Scientific Outlook on Development answered a series of major questions regarding development, emphasizing adherence to the core position of "putting people first," the basic requirement of "comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable" development, and the fundamental method of "holistic consideration," pointing the way forward for us.
IV. The Theoretical Themes of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
Prior to the 19th Party Congress, the academic community once took...
"The Chinese Dream," "the Four Comprehensives," and "the modernization of national governance" serve as the core themes of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches. Following the 19th CPC National Congress, the academic community engaged in extensive and heated discussions surrounding the theoretical theme of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: "what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be upheld and developed in the New Era, and how to uphold and develop it." The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee summarized the theoretical themes of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as "three major epochal topics," reflecting our Party’s continuous deepening of its understanding of the laws governing scientific socialism, the development of socialist modernization, and the building of a Marxist party.
(1) What kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be upheld and developed in the New Era, and how to uphold and develop it
As the theoretical achievement realizing a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is rich in content, systemic and comprehensive, and rigorous in logical structure. "What kind of" and "how to" uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era constitute the theme and main thread of this thought. The great transformations of the decade of the New Era and the completion of the "three major events" [27] were achieved precisely under the guidance of this theoretical theme. On one hand, regarding "what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era," General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism, and not any other kind of ism." This profoundly reveals that no matter how socialism with Chinese characteristics undergoes reform and innovation or deepens its opening up, it must always remain under the leadership of the Party, adhering to the development of the socialist road, theory, system, and culture with distinct Chinese characteristics. This forcefully responds to various erroneous arguments that attempt to slander the historic achievements of reform and opening up as "state capitalism" or "capital-socialism." On the other hand, the question of "how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics" is reflected in a series of basic aspects, such as the central task, general basis, strategic arrangements, developmental goals, and political guarantees for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. Among these, the central task is to "comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization"; the strategic arrangements are the "two-step" [28] approach and the adherence to the "two layouts"—namely, the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" and the "Four Comprehensives"; and the developmental goals include the general goal of comprehensively deepening reform, the general goal of comprehensively governing the country according to law, the New Era goal of building a strong military, and the promotion of the common values of all humanity. Based on a strategic height, a series of theoretical, principled, and practical issues for the continuous advancement of the great cause have been planned.
(2) What kind of great modern socialist power to build, and how to build it
The theoretical theme of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era draws a grand blueprint for Chinese-path modernization and proposes a path for its realization. On one hand, regarding "what kind of great modern socialist power to build," based on adhering to the "five aspects" [29] of Chinese characteristics and "nine aspects" [30] of essential requirements for Chinese-path modernization, it explicitly defines "prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful" and "leading in comprehensive national strength and international influence" as the synonyms for a great modern socialist power. On the other hand, regarding "how to build a great modern socialist power," based on promoting the comprehensive elevation of China’s material, political, spiritual, social, and ecological civilizations, the practical path involves further comprehensively deepening reform to advance Chinese-path modernization. It requires focusing on constructing a high-level socialist market economy system, accelerating the construction of a dual circulation development pattern, and promoting the building of a strong agricultural country and the revitalization of rural industry, talent, culture, ecology, and organizations. It requires focusing on developing whole-process people's democracy, adhering to governing the country, exercising power, and administering according to law, and jointly promoting the integrated construction of a rule-of-law state, government, and society to build a system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. It requires focusing on building a great socialist cultural power, incorporating the promotion of cultural prosperity and the building of a cultural power into the new cultural mission of the New Era, extensively practicing socialist core values, improving the level of civilization across society, and clarifying the fundamental and strategic role of the integrated advancement of "education, science and technology, and talent" in the practice of the great cause. It requires focusing on improving the people's quality of life and building a refined system of three-tiered distribution [31] with common prosperity as the focus. It requires focusing on building a Beautiful China, improving the compensation system for ecological protection, and implementing the "dual carbon" development strategy [32], and so forth. This series of contents effectively clarifies the specific action steps and practical orientations for comprehensively building a great modern socialist power.
(3) What kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build, and how to build it
The key node for adhering to "socialism with Chinese characteristics" and building a "great modern socialist power" lies in whether the supporting and leading role of Party building can be effectively exerted. Entering the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on Party building have deepened the understanding of the laws governing the building of a Marxist party. On one hand, it answers the question of "what kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build." The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee pointed out: "Build the Party into a Marxist governing party that is always at the forefront of the times, is wholeheartedly supported by the people, has the courage to engage in self-revolution, can withstand various storms and tests, and is full of vigor." This concentratedly summarizes the value orientation, political resolve, and sense of mission of the Chinese Communists in the New Era. The core goal is to promote the organic connection and synergistic complementarity between national governance and party governance, and to continuously maintain the "resilience" to crack the difficult problems of governing a large party.
On the other hand, it answers the question of "how to build a long-term governing Marxist party." In political building, it requires giving play to the leading role of the Party's political building over other aspects of building, implementing the "two responsibilities" [33] for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, and upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee. In ideological building, it seeks to build a learning-oriented party and guide the whole Party to remember its purpose, mission, and tasks. In organizational building, it adheres to the political principle of the Party managing cadres, highlighting the "five criteria" [34]—including political and integrity standards—for selecting and appointing personnel, and implementing the "three distinctions" [35]. In conduct building, it aims to combine "strict management" with "kind concern," continuously deepening the rectification of the "Four Winds," and fostering a healthy atmosphere of "Three Stricts and Three Steadies" [36]. In discipline building, it clarifies the contents of the Party’s six major disciplines, tightens political discipline and rules, and strengthens intra-Party political life. In institutional building, it improves the system of intra-Party regulations and the institutional norms for the Party's self-revolution, and perfects a supervision system under the Party's unified leadership that is comprehensive, authoritative, and efficient. In the anti-corruption struggle, it insists on the integrated advancement of "not daring to be corrupt, not being able to be corrupt, and not wanting to be corrupt" (the "three no's"), resolutely punishes new types of corruption, promotes a New Era culture of integrity, and maintains the sobriety and steadfastness to solve the unique problems of a large party. Party leadership is the fundamental guarantee for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization. We should adhere to the Central Committee's centralized and unified leadership over further reform, deepen the reform of the system of Party building, further advance the building of a clean government and the anti-corruption struggle, and grasp the implementation of reforms with the "spirit of driving nails" [37].
V. The Theoretical Themes of Sinicized and Modernized Marxism
Sinicized and modernized Marxism is composed of a series of basic issues such as the Party’s theoretical stance, character, and methodology. The theoretical theme is the primary question that the Party’s theoretical innovation must answer, running through the entire development of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Every major theoretical innovation of the Party inherently contains a distinct theoretical theme. If the theoretical theme of Marxism is "the liberation of humanity," then the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism consists of a "1+3" structure: the "1" is the answer to "what is" and "how to uphold and develop" Marxism; the "3" consists of the answers, based on upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in Marxism, regarding "what kind" and "how to build" socialism, a great modern socialist power, and a Marxist party. These latter three theoretical themes are, in fact, the theoretical expansion and practical extension of the first.
(1) What is Marxism, and how to uphold and develop it
The primary prerequisite for the successful realization of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is how to understand and—advancing with the times—uphold and develop Marxism. For a century, throughout the great journeys of "saving the nation," "founding the nation," "enriching the nation," and "strengthening the nation," our Party has always realized the continuous development of the theoretical themes of Sinicized and modernized Marxism through theoretical confrontations with various social trends of thought.
First, regarding the understanding of "what is Marxism." During the revolutionary period, targeting the prevailing tendencies of dogmatism and empiricism within the Party as well as various anti-Marxist trends, Mao Zedong pointed out that the attitude of seeking truth from facts "is the style of Marxism-Leninism wherein theory and practice are unified." He resolutely opposed talking about Marxism in a vacuum divorced from China’s concrete reality, believing that "subjectivism, sectarianism, and the Party formalist style (stereotyped Party writing)—these three things—are all anti-Marxist." After the start of reform and opening up, targeting erroneous trends such as "bourgeois liberalization" and the "end of history" thesis, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that "another name for Marxism is communism," taking firm faith in Marxism as the spiritual catalyst for the development of reform and opening up. In the process of promoting the market economy, Jiang Zemin emphasized: "The two 'unwaverings' and the two 'no ambiguities' are always the touchstones for testing whether we are true Marxists." This requires that we must adhere to Marxist stances, viewpoints, and methods in advancing the Party’s theoretical innovation. Entering the 21st century, Hu Jintao pointed out that "emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, and advancing with the times" are the living soul of Marxism, and "all for the people, all relying on the people" is the value system of a Marxist party. In the New Era, targeting fallacies such as the "uselessness," "obsolescence," and "remoteness" of Marxism and communism, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Marxism is broad and profound, but in the final analysis, it can be summed up in one sentence: seeking liberation for humanity." He identified a "thoroughly critical spirit" and "problem-orientation" as the essential characteristics and distinct features of Marxism, and used whether the mass line is implemented as the "watershed" to distinguish "true" from "false" Marxism, elucidating the scientific, people-centered, practical, and open nature of Marxist theory.
Second, regarding the understanding of "how to uphold and develop Marxism." As early as in the article "Rectify the Party's Style of Work," Mao Zedong metaphorically categorized Marxism into several forms, emphasizing: "What we want is 'fragrant' Marxism, not 'stinking' Marxism; living Marxism, not dead Marxism." After the founding of New China, in the exploration of a path based on "taking the Soviet Union as a warning" and maintaining independence, Mao Zedong proposed the new task of the "second combination" of Marxism with China's concrete reality. In advancing socialist modernization, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "He who does not inherit and develop Marxism with new ideas and viewpoints is not a true Marxist." Based on the dimensions of reform and opening up, the market economy, the party system, and spiritual civilization, the practice of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics was advanced. Subsequently, Jiang Zemin pointed out: "We must advance with the times and continue to enrich and develop Marxism," requiring the continuous development of Marxism in the process of promoting the socialist market economy. Entering the 21st century, Hu Jintao pointed out: "We must study and apply Marxist thinking and working methods," elucidating and constructing a theoretical pattern where the "three-izations" [38] of Marxism proceed in tandem, forming the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. In the New Era, targeting the phenomena where Marxism was being "marginalized," "vitiated," and "labeled," General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "To adhere to Marxism, the most important thing is to adhere to the basic principles of Marxism and the stances, viewpoints, and methods that run through them." Only by persisting in the application of historical materialism can we correctly answer the major questions raised by the times and practice, and maintain the vigorous vitality and exuberant energy of Marxism. His profound expositions on the "Two Combinations," the "nine adherences" regarding New Era propaganda and ideological work, and the "fourteen emphases" regarding cultural construction provided the content basis for the formation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, enriching the theoretical connotations of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
(2) What kind of socialism to build, and how to build it; what kind of great modern socialist power to build, and how to build it; what kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build, and how to build it...
The theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism essentially runs through the theoretical themes of Mao Zedong Thought, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It represents the distillation and sublimation of the theoretical themes found within these three major theoretical achievements of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
First, by taking "what kind of" and "how to build" socialism as the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism, it concretely answers major questions based on practice, such as "what is" and "how to build" socialism with Chinese characteristics, and "what kind of" and "how to uphold and develop" socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. Fundamentally, whether adding "Chinese characteristics" to the concept of "socialism" or prefixing it with the historical coordinate of the "New Era," the essential attribute remains the answer to the foundational questions of "what kind of" socialism to build and "how to build" it. Revolving around this theoretical theme, theories regarding the essence of socialism, its fundamental tasks, the primary stage [39], and institutional reform have been formed and addressed during the developmental process. This has clarified major issues such as the core leadership, the drivers of development, strategic arrangements, and the overall layout of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, deepening the understanding and continuous development of "what kind of" and "how to build" socialism from the perspectives of theoretical innovation and practical application.
Second, by taking "what kind of" and "how to build" a great modern socialist power as the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism, it concretely answers major questions based on practice, such as "what is" and "how to complete" the New Democratic Revolution [40], and "what kind of development to achieve" and "how to develop." The answer to the theoretical theme of "what is the New Democratic Revolution and how to complete it" was primarily determined by the principal contradiction [41] of that revolution. This defined the two great historical tasks of the Chinese nation: achieving national independence and people's liberation, and realizing national prosperity and common prosperity for the people. These provided the political prerequisite, social foundation, and directional guidance for the construction of a great modern socialist power. Regarding "what kind of development to achieve and how to develop," this involves adhering to a people-centered approach and ensuring a resonance between "enriching the people" and "strengthening the nation" through the "five-sphere integrated construction"—promoting high-quality economic development, developing democratic politics, strengthening cultural construction, building a harmonious society, and constructing an ecological civilization. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made strategic plans for further comprehensively deepening reform to advance Chinese-path modernization. The historical practice of this century-old Party proves that the theoretical themes of "what is" and "how to complete" the New Democratic Revolution, and "what kind of development" and "how to develop," collectively point toward and serve the theoretical theme of "what kind of great modern socialist power to build and how to build it."
Third, by taking "what kind of" and "how to build" a long-term governing Marxist party as the theoretical theme of Sinicized and modernized Marxism, it concretely answers major questions based on practice regarding "what kind of" and "how to build" the Party, and "what kind of" and "how to build" a long-term governing Marxist party. Reviewing the Party's developmental process, no matter how this theoretical theme has changed or evolved, its core value orientation has always been to solve the key problem of how a Marxist party can achieve "long-term governance." Consequently, through deepening the Party's theoretical innovation and self-revolution, it has addressed a series of ideological contents regarding Party building, such as the relationship between social revolution and self-revolution, the Party's political construction and other forms of construction, comprehensively and strictly governing the Party and the comprehensive subjection of the state to the rule of law, and the transition from a revolutionary party to a governing party. This explains at a deeper level the fundamental question of "what kind of" and "how to build" a long-term governing Marxist party, ensuring our Party becomes even stronger and more powerful through revolutionary tempering.
In summary, theoretical themes possess characteristics of layering and progression, which are embedded in the historical evolution of the theoretical themes of Sinicized and modernized Marxism. On the new journey of the New Era, we must examine the main thread of the development of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism from the dimension of theoretical themes. We must continuously deepen our intrinsic understanding of 21st-century Marxism, grasp the epochal, hereditary, and national characteristics of the theoretical themes of Sinicized and modernized Marxism, and provide powerful theoretical support for the realization of the Great Dream [42]. On the new journey of the New Era, we must fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, profoundly comprehend General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on comprehensively deepening reform, adhere to and apply the stances, viewpoints, and methods contained therein, and fully implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. We must use the innovative theories of Sinicized and modernized Marxism to provide a powerful impetus for advancing Chinese-path modernization.