Luo Wendong and Lyu Handong: The Key to Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Lies in the "Two Combinations"
Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental achievement attained by the CPC in leading the people of all ethnic groups through the long-term struggle of revolution, construction, and reform, by integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with its fine traditional culture. In his speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, Xi Jinping explicitly pointed out: "Why is our socialism different? Why is it full of vitality and vigor? The key lies in its Chinese characteristics. The key to Chinese characteristics lies in the 'Two Combinations'." This important thesis profoundly reveals the internal and inevitable connection between the "Two Combinations" and socialism with Chinese characteristics, elevating our understanding of the essential laws of socialism with Chinese characteristics to a new height. Precisely because the CPC has persisted in using the "Two Combinations" as its "greatest magic weapon" [1], it has been able to continuously break new ground for and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, forging ahead unwaveringly toward achieving the Two Centenary Goals and fulfilling the Party's historical mission.
I. The "Two Combinations" is the inevitable path for breaking new ground for and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics
As early as 1872, in the preface to the German edition of the Manifesto of the Communist Party, Marx and Engels pointed out: "The general principles laid down in the Manifesto are, on the whole, as correct today as ever. Here and there, some detail might be improved. The practical application of the principles will depend, as the Manifesto itself states, everywhere and at all times, on the historical conditions for the time being existing." The great changes brought about by socialism with Chinese characteristics are "not a simple continuation of the template of our country's history and culture, nor a simple application of the template envisioned by the classical Marxist writers, nor a reprint of other countries' socialist practices, nor a carbon copy of foreign modernization development." Rather, it is a great historical creation guided by the basic tenets of Marxism, proceeding from China’s specific realities, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of China's fine traditional culture, and drawing upon the outstanding achievements of foreign civilizations. As Xi Jinping said: "To break new ground for and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the deep foundation of more than five thousand years of Chinese civilization, the 'Two Combinations'—integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with its fine traditional culture—is the inevitable path. This is a law-based understanding we have reached in exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics." The inception and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics are precisely determined and governed by the internal logic of the "Two Combinations," and are, in the final analysis, the inevitable result of the "Two Combinations."
(I) The "Two Combinations" lay the theoretical bedrock for socialism with Chinese characteristics
Upholding Marxism as the "soul-vein" [2] and China's fine traditional culture as the "root-vein" is the foundation and prerequisite for theoretical innovation. The so-called "bedrock" refers to the most basic basis or principles upon which a theory or doctrine is generated and developed, occupying a foundational and primordial position and role within the entire system. Engels believed that Marx made two great discoveries: first, the "new conception of history," namely historical materialism, which revealed the laws of development of human history and "has the most extreme importance for the socialist outlook"; second, the theory of surplus value, which clarified the relationship between capital and labor, revealing "the special law of motion governing the present-day capitalist mode of production and the bourgeois society that this mode of production has created," thereby elucidating the historical necessity of communism replacing capitalism. Therefore, "modern scientific socialism is based on these two important facts." Lenin also emphasized that historical materialism and the theory of surplus value are the "bedrock" of scientific socialism; it was precisely because of these two discoveries that socialism was transformed from a utopia into a science.
Xi Jinping emphasized: "The major proposition of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism itself determines that we must never abandon the soul-vein of Marxism, and we must never abandon the root-vein of China's fine traditional culture." On one hand, Marxism is the guiding ideology of our Party and country. Adhering to the basic tenets of Marxism is the primary prerequisite for the "Two Combinations" and an important theoretical bedrock for socialism with Chinese characteristics. Marxism profoundly reveals the universal laws of nature, human society, and the development of thought, pointing out the correct direction, methods, and paths for the proletariat and human liberation. It provides a scientific theoretical weapon for understanding China's specific realities and its fine traditional culture. The materialist-dialectical view of history and the lofty ideal of communism elucidated by Marxism coincide with the Chinese nation's concepts of "valuing the people as the foundation," "prizing harmony," and "seeking Great Unity" [3]. They adapt to the dreams of ancient Chinese people of vision who pursued fairness, harmony, and a wealthy people in a strong country, and align with the aspirations of advanced Chinese elements since modern times for national salvation and rejuvenation. Therefore, the basic tenets of Marxism constitute the worldview and methodological foundation of socialism with Chinese characteristics, permeating every aspect and the entire process of its development.
On the other hand, socialism with Chinese characteristics is rooted in the fertile soil of over five thousand years of Chinese civilization. China's fine traditional culture is the crystallization of the wisdom and essence of Chinese civilization, and the root and soul of the Chinese nation. It contains rich ideological concepts, traditional virtues, and humanistic spirit, providing beneficial insights for understanding and transforming the world, useful enlightenment for governance, and a deep historical background and rich cultural connotation for socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the process of advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics, our Party uses the power of Marxist truth to activate the vital and excellent elements of China's fine traditional culture, enabling Chinese civilization to radiate with vigor. For instance, concepts such as practicing benevolence and valuing the people as the foundation have laid the cultural foundation for the people-centered development philosophy. The humanistic spirit of social harmony and striving for goodness has nurtured the vivid practice of the "Fengqiao Experience" [4] in the New Era. Traditional virtues such as self-improvement, professional dedication, social harmony, and filial piety have nourished the deep-seated meaning of the Socialist Core Values.
(II) The "First Combination" determines the epochal connotation of socialism with Chinese characteristics
The "First Combination"—integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities—responds to specific issues in different developmental stages of socialism with Chinese characteristics, determining that socialism with Chinese characteristics possesses rich connotations across different eras. Xi Jinping emphasized: "Marxism is a constantly developing and open theory that always stands at the forefront of the times." Marxism’s theoretical character of advancing with the times stems from its inherent openness; its basic tenets and core views possess classic value that remains fresh over time. Socialism with Chinese characteristics was generated and developed precisely through the historical process in which Chinese Communists used the "arrow" [5] of basic Marxist tenets to shoot at the "target" of the era’s tasks in Chinese construction and reform.
After the founding of New China, the Party and the state faced severe challenges in political, economic, and military spheres. Based on the Marxist theory of the state and combined with the reality of China being "poor and blank" [6] with backward economy and culture, the Party timely promoted industrialization and the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts, and capitalist industry and commerce. It established the basic socialist system, carried out comprehensive, large-scale socialist construction, adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace, and established China's status as a major power, laying the fundamental political prerequisite and institutional foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. During the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, at a critical historical juncture where the nation faced a choice of which way to go, our Party profoundly summarized both positive and negative experiences since the founding of New China. It scientifically grasped the essence and fundamental tasks of socialism, and based on the theme of the era—peace and development—decisively ended the practice of "taking class struggle as the key link." The Party formulated the basic line for the primary stage of socialism, centered on economic construction, adhering to the Four Cardinal Principles, and persisting in reform and opening up. It determined the "three-step" strategic goal to basically achieve socialist modernization by the mid-21st century, successfully breaking new ground for and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have coordinated the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation within the context of changes unseen in a century. They have clarified the basic strategy for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, correctly grasped the transformation of the principal contradiction in our society, and scientifically judged that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era. Building upon China's new historical coordinates, they have scientifically answered major epochal questions such as: what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be upheld and developed in the New Era, and how to uphold and develop it; what kind of great modern socialist country should be built, and how to build it; what kind of long-term governing Marxist party should be built, and how to build it. They have proposed a series of original new concepts, ideas, and strategies for governance, creating Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This has achieved a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, opening up new horizons for contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism.
(III) The "Second Combination" deeply plants the cultural roots of socialism with Chinese characteristics
The "Second Combination"—integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's fine traditional culture—uses Marxism to activate the excellent genes and powerful vitality of Chinese culture. Simultaneously, it uses China's fine traditional culture to enrich the cultural connotation and national form of Marxism, thereby making Marxism "Chinese" and making China's fine traditional culture "modern." The new culture formed through this "combination" becomes the cultural form of Chinese-path modernization. Engels pointed out: "We make our own history... but the political etc. prerequisites and conditions, and even the tradition which haunts human minds, also play a part." Although China's fine traditional culture and Marxism differ in origin, content, and function, they share a high degree of compatibility in viewpoints, methods, and values. For example, concepts such as "the world belongs to all" (tianxia weigong), "Great Unity" (shijie datong), "seeking truth from facts," "the unity of knowledge and action," "the people as the foundation of the state," "valuing harmony," "discarding the old to bring forth the new," and "continuous self-improvement" are highly compatible with Marxist ideas such as the abolition of classes, human liberation, materialism, the importance of practice, the mass view of history, the unity of opposites, dialectical development, and conscious dynamism. They can merge into a new "cultural life-form"—Sinicized Marxism. This new cultural life-form embodies the essence of the era in Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit, while endowing Marxism with a distinct Chinese style and ethos, allowing Marxism to take root, blossom, and bear fruit on Chinese soil.
The CPC is not only a believer in and practitioner of Marxism but also an inheritor and promoter of China's fine traditional culture. It has always attached importance to the connection and interaction between Marxism and China's fine traditional culture, emphasizing the inheritance and promotion of the excellent traditions of Chinese culture to advance the great cause of revolution, construction, and reform. Mao Zedong pointed out: "Contemporary China has grown out of the China of the past; we are Marxist historicists, and we must not cut off our history. From Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, we should summarize and inherit this precious legacy." He also noted: "The Chinese Communists are the inheritors of all the best traditions of our nation’s culture, thought, and morality; we regard all these excellent traditions as something linked to us by flesh and blood and will continue to promote and develop them." Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have explicitly proposed and deeply advanced the "Second Combination." They emphasize that confidence in the path, theory, and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is, in the final analysis, rooted in cultural confidence. Strengthening cultural confidence is inseparable from the cognition and application of the history of the Chinese nation. We must "integrate the core of Marxist thought with the essence of China's fine traditional culture and with the common values that the people use daily without even realizing it. We must continuously endow scientific theory with distinct Chinese characteristics, consolidate the historical and popular foundations for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and ensure that Marxism takes firm root in China." It is precisely because we uphold the "soul-vein" of Marxism and the "root-vein" of China's fine traditional culture that socialism with Chinese characteristics possesses an expansive historical depth and a profound cultural foundation, thereby endowed with powerful vitality and lasting appeal.
II. The "Two Combinations" is the greatest magic weapon for the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics
As early as the Yan'an period, Mao Zedong, on the basis of summarizing the Party's eighteen years of historical experience, proposed that...
The "united front, armed struggle, and Party building" were the "three magic weapons," the three primary magic weapons, for the Communist Party of China to defeat the enemy during the Chinese Revolution [7]. During the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, the Party further proposed that "emancipating the mind is a great magic weapon for developing socialism with Chinese characteristics." Entering the New Era, when discussing major issues such as reform and opening up, upholding the socialist system, regulating intra-Party political life, strengthening Party unity and integration, and consolidating the unity between the military, government, and civilians, Xi Jinping has repeatedly used "important magic weapon" as a metaphor. He has proposed that "reform and opening up is the crucial choice that determines the fate of contemporary China, and an important magic weapon for the cause of the Party and the people to catch up with the times in continuous strides"; that "our socialist system's ability to mobilize resources to accomplish major undertakings is an important magic weapon for our achievements"; that "upholding democratic centralism, carrying out criticism and self-criticism, strictly regulating intra-Party life, and strengthening the Party's unity and integration" are important magic weapons to guarantee the Party's creativity, cohesion, and combat effectiveness; and that "the rock-solid relationship between the military, government, and civilians is an important magic weapon for us to overcome all hardships and hazards and advance from victory to victory."
At the Meeting on Cultural Inheritance and Development, Xi Jinping emphasized: "Experience from both positive and negative historical aspects shows that the 'Two Combinations' are our greatest magic weapon for achieving success." This summarizes the historical experience of the Party in opening up and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics from a comprehensive and profound level, revealing the secret of success for the Party in leading the people to create great historical undertakings. As a fundamental achievement attained by the Party leading the people through untold hardships and at a great cost, socialism with Chinese characteristics is an organic whole composed of the "four-in-one" integration of the path, theoretical system, system, and culture. It is precisely due to adhering to this greatest magic weapon of the "Two Combinations" that we have been able to open up and expand the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, form and enrich the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, establish and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and prosper and develop the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
(1) The "Two Combinations" have fortified the foundation of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics
The unique cultural tradition, historical destiny, and basic national conditions of the Chinese nation fundamentally determine that the Party can lead the people to independently follow their own development path. Xi Jinping clearly pointed out: "The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is, first and foremost, socialist; this comes from Marxism. At the same time, the simple socialist elements in Chinese culture also provided the cultural foundation for China's acceptance of Marxism." Fundamentally speaking, the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics did not drop from the sky, nor is it something inherently a priori in the minds of Chinese people. Rather, it was created by relying on the "Two Combinations," proceeding from China’s concrete realities under the guidance of Marxism, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, and absorbing and drawing on the advanced achievements of all times and all countries upon the deep foundation of over five thousand years of Chinese civilization.
Building socialism in a China that was relatively backward economically and culturally is a great undertaking without precedent. In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic, influenced by the Soviet model, our understanding of the laws of socialist construction was still relatively deficient. We still needed to repeatedly experiment in practice, accumulate experience, emancipate the mind, break through conventions, and correctly approach the visions of classical Marxist writers and the models of other countries. In May 1963, while revising the draft of the CPC Central Committee’s reply to the Central Committee of the CPSU, Mao Zedong said: "If a party cannot think for itself, use its own brains, conduct earnest investigation and research, deeply understand the exact trends of various classes in its own country, and be adept at applying the universal truths of Marxism-Leninism to the concrete practice of its own country's revolution—but instead just echoes what others say, copies foreign experience without analysis, and revolves around the baton of certain foreigners—then it will have every kind of revisionism and dogmatism, becoming a hodgepodge, while lacking only the principled party of Marxism-Leninism."
After the start of reform and opening up, Chinese Communists realized profoundly that we must place the liberation and development of productive forces in the primary position and build socialism according to China's concrete national conditions. Deng Xiaoping pointed out deeply: "Whether in revolution or construction, we must pay attention to learning from and drawing on foreign experience. However, mechanically copying the experience and models of other countries has never been successful. We have had many lessons in this regard. Combining the universal truth of Marxism with the concrete reality of our country, taking our own path, and building socialism with Chinese characteristics—this is the basic conclusion we have reached after summarizing long-term historical experience." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, while adhering to the combination of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities, have explicitly proposed the combination of the basic principles of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture. This further highlights the historical inevitability, cultural connotations, and unique advantages of the Chinese path. It can be seen that the "Two Combinations" represent a profound grasp of the laws governing the development of Chinese civilization and the laws of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. They provide the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics with a more solid practical foundation and profound cultural heritage, propelling the giant ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics to sail steadily into the distance.
(2) The "Two Combinations" have opened up space for theoretical innovation in socialism with Chinese characteristics
The combination of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture is itself an innovation. It is a powerful weapon for breaking through erroneous tendencies such as dogmatism, empiricism, nihilism, and restorationism. The "Two Combinations" have dispelled idealistic and metaphysical thinking, concepts, and practices—such as the separation of theory from practice or the mutual exclusion of the ancient and the modern, the Chinese and the Western. They represent a thorough emancipation of the mind, allowing us to master ideological and cultural initiative. This enables socialism with Chinese characteristics to obtain an inexhaustible source of power and precious resources from the "Two Combinations," opening up a vast space for theoretical innovation.
Existence determines consciousness, and reality comes from history. Mao Zedong believed: "The 'books' of Marxism must be studied, but they must be combined with the actual situation of our country. We need 'books,' but we must correct the 'book worship' [8] that is divorced from reality." "For the Communist Party of China, it is a matter of learning how to apply Marxist-Leninist theory to the concrete environment of China." Precisely because we mastered this scientific theoretical weapon of Marxism and applied it creatively to China's concrete practice, we were able to overcome erroneous tendencies such as dogmatism and empiricism, successfully advancing the great cause of revolution, construction, and reform. As Deng Xiaoping said: "We do not treat Marxism as a dogma, but combine Marxism with China's concrete practice and propose our own policies; that is why we can achieve victory."
Xi Jinping further pointed out: We have always emphasized combining the basic principles of Marxism with China's concrete realities, and now we have explicitly proposed the "Second Combination." "The 'Second Combination' is another emancipation of the mind, allowing us to fully utilize the precious resources of fine traditional Chinese culture within a broader cultural space, and to explore theoretical and institutional innovations oriented toward the future." By adhering to the guidance of Marxism, extracting the essence and discarding the dross from fine traditional Chinese culture and the cultures of all countries, "making the past serve the present and the foreign serve China" [9], we can resolve the deep-level relationship between the ancient and modern and between Chinese and foreign cultures. This eliminates the fixed mindsets and ideological shackles that sever Marxism from Chinese culture or set them in dualistic opposition. It overcomes erroneous tendencies such as nihilism and restorationism, allowing the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics to continuously draw historical wisdom and spiritual nourishment from the ideological treasure house of fine traditional Chinese culture. This expands the connotations and extensions, modes and methods, and breadth and depth of theoretical innovation. It deepens our understanding of the historical experience and basic laws of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, propelling the Party's theoretical creation to achieve new leaps.
(3) The "Two Combinations" have promoted the establishment and improvement of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics
"Institutional advantage is a country's greatest advantage, and institutional competition is the most fundamental competition between countries." The Communist Party of China adheres to the "First Combination," correctly grasping the basic social contradictions in different historical periods, gaining deep insight into the concrete national conditions at each stage of development, and creatively applying the Marxist theory of the state. By leading the people to establish and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Party has provided us with powerful political and institutional advantages. During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, our Party used the basic principles of Marxism to scientifically understand the semi-colonial and semi-feudal nature of Chinese society, correctly formulated revolutionary programs and policies against imperialism and feudalism, overthrew the reactionary rule of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat-capitalism, and established the People's Republic of China, creating the fundamental prerequisite for establishing the socialist system. During the period of socialist revolution and construction, our Party creatively implemented the "peaceful buyout" [10] concept of classical Marxist writers, carried out the socialist transformation of capitalist industry and commerce, and simultaneously completed the socialist transformation of agriculture and individual handicrafts. We vigorously promoted national industrialization and established the basic socialist system, achieving the most extensive and thorough social transformation in Chinese history. During the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, the Party led the people to promote the self-improvement and development of the socialist system, achieving the historic transformation from a highly centralized planned economy to a socialist market economy, and from being closed or semi-closed to all-around opening up. This opened up and defended socialism with Chinese characteristics, providing a vibrant institutional guarantee for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Party has led the people to uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, clarifying that the principal contradiction in our society is the contradiction between the people's ever-growing needs for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development. By upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the state governance system and governance capacity, the Party has provided a more complete and mature institutional guarantee for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
"What kind of state system and state governance system a country chooses is determined by its historical culture, social nature, and level of economic development." The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is rooted in the deep soil of over five thousand years of Chinese civilization, formed in the great practice of China's revolution, construction, and reform. It is the product of the "Second Combination" and the result of the unification of theoretical, practical, and institutional innovation, possessing a profound historical foundation and Chinese cultural roots. It is precisely through the "Second Combination" that our Party has adhered to the Marxist theory of the state, while drawing upon and developing the "people-orientated" [11] thoughts in fine traditional Chinese culture—such as "the people are precious while the sovereign is light" and "governance lies in nourishing the people." The Party established the fundamental purpose of wholehearted service to the people, created the system of people's congresses, and proposed the fundamental stance of adhering to a people-centered approach. Our Party inherited and developed the concepts of "joint governance of the world" and "republicanism" [12], and with the wisdom of "harmony without uniformity" and "seeking common ground while shelving differences," created the system of political consultation. Adhering to the great trend of ethnic integration characterized by inward cohesion and "diversity within unity," and inheriting the "Great Unity" [13] tradition of "uniformity across the nine provinces" and "shared customs throughout the land," our Party established a unitary state form consistent with national conditions and implemented the system of regional ethnic autonomy.
Our confidence in our system must be led by confidence in our theory and supported by confidence in our culture. It is precisely by relying on the "Two Combinations"—this greatest magic weapon—that we can break the governance myth of following the West’s lead, find the theoretical weapons and cultural foundations for establishing and consolidating the socialist system in China, and endow the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics with powerful resilience, vitality, and superiority.
(4) The "Two Combinations" have consolidated the subjectivity of Chinese culture
Cultural subjectivity refers to the awareness and attitude of people toward the identification, inheritance, and self-renewal of their own national culture. It embodies self-awareness in cultural identity and autonomous capacity in cultural construction, manifesting as the self-consciousness, initiative, and independence of cultural development. Xi Jinping pointed out: "For any culture to stand firm and travel far, to have the power of leadership, cohesion, shaping, and radiation, it must have its own subjectivity." With a high degree of cultural self-consciousness and firm cultural confidence, Chinese Communists have, through the "Two Combinations," creatively transformed and innovatively developed fine traditional Chinese culture, inherited revolutionary culture, and developed advanced socialist culture. On the basis of drawing on and absorbing all the outstanding civilizational achievements of humanity, we have established and consolidated our cultural subjectivity.
The long river of Chinese civilization flows from a distant source, surging forward with great momentum [14], cleansing both the past and the present. In the modern era, China gradually descended into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society; the nation endured humiliation, the people suffered hardships, and civilization was shrouded in dust. The subjectivity of Chinese culture encountered a profound crisis. At this critical juncture of life or death for Chinese civilization, the Chinese Communists resolutely took up the historical mission of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the great practice of leading the people through revolution, construction, and reform, they maintained a high degree of cultural self-awareness and cultural confidence, persisted in the "two combinations," and reshaped and consolidated the subjectivity of Chinese culture.
From building a national, scientific, and democratic New Democratic culture, to developing an advanced socialist culture oriented toward modernization, the world, and the future; from adhering to "letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend" [15] and "making the past serve the present and foreign things serve China" [16], to insisting on "clarifying the substance and attaining its practical use" [17], "integrating the substance and the use," and bridging China and the outside world while connecting the past and the present—the Communist Party of China (CPC) has always represented the advancing direction of advanced culture, continuously creating new glories for Chinese culture.
Regarding traditional Chinese culture—which was generated on the foundation of a small-peasant economy and monarchical autocracy, and to a certain extent reflected the ideology of the agricultural age and feudal society—we persist in using the basic principles of Marxism to conduct a dialectical analysis. Based on the changes of the times and practical needs, we "strive to achieve the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional culture, making it integrate and communicate with contemporary culture, so that they may jointly serve the era's task of educating people through culture."
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the most powerful manifestation of consolidating cultural subjectivity and providing the greatest confidence for enhancing cultural self-assurance. "With cultural subjectivity, we possess a resolute self in the cultural sense; cultural confidence gains a fundamental reliance, the CPC gains a powerful cultural force to lead the era, the Chinese nation and the Chinese people gain a solid cultural foundation for national identity, and Chinese civilization gains a distinct cultural characteristic for exchange and mutual learning with other civilizations in the world." It is precisely through the "two combinations" that the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has promoted cultural innovation. Planning from a strategic and global height on major issues such as how Chinese culture goes to the world and opens up the future, they have further consolidated and carried forward the subjectivity of Chinese culture, continuously enhancing the influence, radiation, and leadership of Chinese civilization.
III. The "Two Combinations" are an Inevitable Requirement for Adhering to and Developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
At the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, Xi Jinping pointed out: "In building socialism with Chinese characteristics, our path is becoming broader and our resolve firmer. In the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, an important reason why the cause of the Party and the state has achieved historic achievements and undergone historic changes is that we have persisted in the 'two combinations.'" This is both a profound summary of the historical experience of reform and opening up and a solemn declaration of the future prospects of socialism with Chinese characteristics. At the symposium, Xi Jinping comprehensively elucidated the prominent characteristics of Chinese civilization and the great significance of the "two combinations," putting forward clear requirements for continuing to promote cultural prosperity, building a leading cultural power, and working together to create a new culture belonging to our era from a new starting point. This series of important expositions has pointed out the correct direction and provided the fundamental guidance for adhering to the "two combinations" to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the new journey of the New Era.
(1) Persisting in self-confidence and self-reliance to advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism
Theory originates from practice and, in turn, actively guides practice. Why is socialism with Chinese characteristics good? Ultimately, it is because Marxism works, and specifically, because the Sinicized and modernized Marxism works. The Chinese chapters of Marxism and the Chinese path of socialism were explored independently by the CPC leading the people. The core essence running through this process is that Chinese problems must be answered by the Chinese themselves, and the destiny of China's development and progress must be held firmly in their own hands, rather than relying on external forces or becoming a vassal of other countries. To develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must strengthen our faith in Marxism and our conviction in socialism, strengthen our confidence in our path, theory, system, and culture, and make new contributions to the development of Marxism with a more proactive sense of historical responsibility, continuously opening up new frontiers for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
Only through self-confidence and self-reliance can one become strong; only a self-confident and self-reliant nation can flourish and prosper. The primary task of adhering to self-confidence and self-reliance is to base ourselves on the great historical creations of the Chinese nation, "summarize Chinese experience well using Chinese logic, elevate Chinese experience into Chinese theory, neither blindly following various dogmas nor mechanically copying foreign theories, and thus achieve spiritual independence and autonomy." We must recognize that Chinese logic, experience, and theory are all products of the "two combinations"; they possess a deep endogenous nature and Chinese characteristics that cannot be explained by mechanically applying Western logic, experience, or theories.
We must oppose both the dogmatization of Marxism and the mechanical imitation of Western dogmas. Since the beginning of reform and opening up, and especially with the world-renowned achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, the "theory of Marxism's obsolescence" has itself become obsolete, the "theory of socialism's failure" has failed, and the "theory of China's collapse" has collapsed. Xi Jinping pointed out: "In interpreting Chinese practice and constructing Chinese theory, we should have the greatest right to speak. However, in reality, the voice of our country's philosophy and social sciences in the international arena is still relatively small, remaining in a situation where we have the truth but cannot express it, or express it but cannot spread it."
We must persist in taking Marxism as our guide, master the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, integrate various intellectual resources from the past, present, China, and abroad, and accelerate the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics and a Chinese independent knowledge system. We must dare to propose Chinese theories that answer the questions of the world, the era, and the people, ensuring that contemporary Chinese Marxism better reflects Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese spirit [18].
(2) Persisting in openness and inclusiveness to advance Chinese-path modernization
Achieving modernization on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental requirement for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. Our modernization is a modernization that continues an ancient civilization rather than one that eliminates it; it is a modernization created through independence and autonomy rather than one that copies the models of other countries. This modernization possesses both the general attributes of the modernization of all countries and, more importantly, Chinese characteristics based on our own national conditions.
The Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC explicitly pointed out: Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the CPC. It is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development. This modernization, distinct from Western capitalism, was successfully created and expanded by the Party leading the people under the guidance of Marxism while adhering to the "two combinations," breaking the myth that "modernization = Westernization."
Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization, while at the same time, the fine traditional Chinese culture provides it with profound depth. For example, "a huge population" is rooted in the concept of a "Great Unity" [19] (da yitong) of the state; "common prosperity for all" is rooted in the interest view of "sharing benefits with all under heaven" [20] (tianxia tongli); "coordination between material and cultural-ethical civilizations" is rooted in the value of "balancing righteousness and profit" [21] (yi li jian gu); "harmony between humanity and nature" is rooted in the cosmological view of the "unity of heaven and humanity" [22] (tian ren he yi); and "following the path of peaceful development" is rooted in the worldview of "promoting harmony among all nations" [23] (xiehe wanbang). Comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization is the greatest practical innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics, putting forward new goals, tasks, and higher requirements for adhering to the "two combinations" in the New Era.
Chinese-path modernization is the broad road for our nation-building and rejuvenation, and the inevitable path for China to seek human progress and the "Great Harmony" [24] (datong) of the world. Only by not forgetting our origins can we open up the future; only by absorbing what is foreign can we better innovate. Chinese-path modernization must not only build a great modern socialist country and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but also provide new opportunities for world peace and common development, and new assistance for the cause of human progress and liberation. Therefore, it is urgent to absorb the excellent achievements of the past, present, China, and abroad with a broad mind of openness and inclusiveness, promoting civilization exchange and mutual learning.
Xi Jinping emphasized: "Whether it is enhancing the cohesion and appeal of advanced culture internally, or strengthening the communication and influence of Chinese civilization externally, it is inseparable from bridging China and the outside world and connecting the past and the present. Through long-term efforts, we are better equipped than in any previous era to resolve the 'dispute between the ancient and the modern, the Chinese and the Western,' and we need a batch of cultural achievements that fuse the ancient and modern and integrate China and the West more urgently than in any previous era." Only by truly achieving openness and inclusiveness, bringing forth the new from the old, making the past serve the present and foreign things serve China under the guidance of Marxism—and by inheriting and developing fine traditional Chinese culture, promoting the localization of foreign culture, and fostering the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era—can we provide the ideological guarantee for advancing Chinese-path modernization and make greater contributions to building a better world.
(3) Persisting in upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground to create a new form of human civilization
Chinese-path modernization is both based on China's realistic national conditions and focused on the future of world development, taking the creation of a new form of human civilization as its essential requirement and fundamental goal. In his speech at the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, Xi Jinping pointed out: "As we have upheld and developed socialism with Chinese characteristics and driven coordinated progress in material, political, cultural-ethical, social, and ecological civilizations, we have pioneered a new and uniquely Chinese path to modernization, and created a new form of human civilization." At the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, he further emphasized: "The best inheritance of history is to create new history, and the greatest tribute to human civilization is to create a new form of human civilization." This series of important expositions and strategic deployments answers the major question of creating a new form of human civilization and its relationship with Chinese-path modernization, guiding us to write a magnificent chapter of this new form of civilization in the great process of advancing Chinese-path modernization.
From the perspective of essential characteristics and development trends, the new form of human civilization created by Chinese-path modernization adheres to the "two combinations" and is a new type of civilization established by promoting the inheritance and development of civilization. This civilization follows the universal laws of the development of human civilization while possessing national characteristics based on its own cultural traditions and era characteristics reflecting the pulse of the contemporary world. It is a new type of socialist civilization created collectively by the people of all ethnic groups under the leadership of the CPC.
This civilization is a sublation (Aufhebung) and transcendence of ancient Chinese civilization and modern Western civilization. It is a civilization of dialectical interaction between the material and the spiritual and of comprehensive economic and social progress. It is a form of civilization that persists in sustainable development and protects the ecological environment. It is a people-centered civilization that promotes the free and well-rounded development of individuals. It is a civilization that maintains world peace and common development and builds a community with a shared future for humanity. This civilization has solved many difficult problems in the development of human society and displayed a new picture different from the Western model of civilization. It embodies the advanced nature of scientific socialism, represents the direction of the development of human civilization, and possesses broad space for development and bright prospects.
The progress of human civilization is a process of unity between critique and inheritance, and between continuity and innovation, following the laws of transformation between quality and quantity, the unity of opposites, and the negation of the negation. Regarding the inheritance and development of Chinese civilization, only by upholding the fundamentals can we avoid losing our direction, and only by breaking new ground can we lead the era. Upholding the fundamentals means upholding the fundamental system of Marxism’s guiding position in the ideological field, the fundamental requirement of the "two combinations," the CPC’s cultural leadership, and the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation. Breaking new ground means creating new ideas, concepts, mechanisms, and forms of civilization construction, striving to create a new form of human civilization. Only by adhering to the "two combinations," deeply exploring and following the essential laws of the development of human civilization, adhering to a view of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness, seeking prospects for development characterized by openness, innovation, and inclusive benefits, and promoting civilization exchanges of "harmony in diversity" [25] and inclusiveness, can we open up new frontiers for the development of the civilization of socialism with Chinese characteristics and make greater contributions to the progress of human civilization!