Sun Jinbao: A Brief Analysis of the Development of Understanding of Mao Zedong Thought and Its Scientific Connotation
As a core proposition in the study of Mao Zedong Thought, understanding and summarizing its scientific connotation is an inherent requirement for the Communist Party of China (CPC) to uphold and develop Mao Zedong Thought. Exploring and researching this scientific connotation involves multiple issues, including its theoretical designation, conceptual substance, system of content, and historical evaluation; it serves as the foundation for understanding and learning Mao Zedong Thought. In the process of promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, the Chinese Communists’ understanding of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought has undergone a process of continuous deepening and sustained development, providing a successful paradigm for the Party's theoretical innovation. On the new journey of the New Era, taking an integrated perspective to gauge the developmental process of our Party’s understanding of this scientific connotation possesses significant academic value and practical meaning for upholding and developing Mao Zedong Thought in the New Era and for promoting the systematization and theoretical research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories in the New Era.
I. The Proposal of Mao Zedong Thought and the Interpretation of Its Scientific Connotation
During the period of the New Democratic Revolution [1], the CPC gradually established the historical task of combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities. After enduring a series of setbacks and lessons alongside successful practices, the Chinese Communists gradually recognized and mastered the inherent laws of the Sinicization of Marxism and creatively proposed the theoretical product of this Sinicization—Mao Zedong Thought. Through theoretical and practical innovation, they summarized its scientific connotation and theoretical system. The Seventh National Congress of the Party solemnly wrote this important thought into the Party Constitution and established it as the Party’s guiding ideology.
(1) From the proposition of the Sinicization of Marxism to the proposal of Mao Zedong Thought
In the process of exploring the combination of the basic tenets of Marxism with the specific realities of the Chinese revolution, our Party consistently attempted to form foundational concepts and theoretical products regarding the Sinicization of Marxism that could command consensus. Regarding the propositions and results of this combination, a series of explorations by early leaders and theorists gradually led to a consensus on the correct line represented primarily by Comrade Mao Zedong.
Li Dazhao [2] proposed quite early that Marxism must be applied to China's specific realities, noting: "We need only take this or that 'ism' and use it as a tool for actual movements; it will produce a change adapted to the environment according to the nature and circumstances of the time, place, and event." In the early stages of the revolution, erroneous tendencies such as dogmatism and empiricism appeared within our Party. On the basis of reflecting on these lessons and summarizing experience, Mao Zedong proposed the proposition of the Sinicization of Marxism at the Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth CPC Central Committee in 1938, stating that it must be made "to take on a Chinese character in every one of its manifestations." Following the proposal of this proposition, our Party conducted deep discussions and reflections on the combination of basic Marxist tenets with the specific realities of the Chinese revolution. In this context, how to name the innovative theoretical result of this "combination" was of vital importance. In March 1941, Zhang Ruxin proposed the expression "the thought of Comrade Mao Zedong," arguing that Mao Zedong's speeches and writings were "the typical crystallization of the combination of Marxist-Leninist theory with the practice of the Chinese revolution," emphasizing Mao Zedong's important contribution to Marxist-Leninist theory. Subsequently, Liu Shaoqi, Luo Ronghuan, Deng Tuo, and others moved successively to propose concepts such as "Maoism" or "the thought of Comrade Mao Zedong," stating that "the thought of Comrade Mao Zedong was produced and developed from the increasing mutual combination of the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism with the specific practice of the Chinese revolution." The relevant expositions by Party leaders and theorists laid an important foundation for the emergence of "Mao Zedong Thought." In July 1943, Wang Jiaxiang used the term "Mao Zedong Thought" in his article The Communist Party of China and the Road to Chinese National Liberation, pointing out: "Mao Zedong Thought is Chinese Marxism-Leninism, Chinese Bolshevism, and Chinese Communism." As the Yan'an Rectification Movement [3] progressed, the concept of Mao Zedong Thought, as a major theoretical achievement of the Sinicization of Marxism, achieved consensus within the Party and gained the approval of the broad masses of members and cadres.
(2) Summarizing the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought
The emergence of Mao Zedong Thought stemmed from the innovative development process of combining Marxism-Leninism with the specific realities of the Chinese revolution; this process allowed Marxism to truly achieve Sinicization. After the Yan'an Rectification Movement, our Party continued to reflect deeply on questions such as why "Marxism-Leninism" and "Chinese reality" must be combined and how to combine them. The entire Party came to understand more profoundly the importance of this combination for the Chinese revolution, fully recognizing Mao Zedong’s vital contribution to it, and recognizing that Mao Zedong Thought "is precisely the thought that unifies the theory of Marxism-Leninism with the practice of the Chinese revolution."
In July 1943, when Wang Jiaxiang proposed the concept of Mao Zedong Thought, he linked it with Chinese Marxism-Leninism, Chinese Bolshevism, and Chinese Communism, beginning to outline and reflect upon the basic connotation of Mao Zedong Thought from the dimension of these "three Chineses." As the Yan'an Rectification Movement deepened, the whole Party reflected more thoroughly on this issue and gradually formed a consensus. In May 1945, Liu Shaoqi delivered the "Report on the Revision of the Party Constitution" at the Seventh National Congress, stating: "Mao Zedong Thought is the thought that unifies the theory of Marxism-Leninism with the practice of the Chinese revolution; it is Chinese Communism and Chinese Marxism." This significant judgment, proceeding from the dimension of "the unity of Marxist-Leninist theory and the practice of the Chinese revolution," positioned, summarized, and defined the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought, playing an important role in establishing its guiding status throughout the Party. The General Program of the Constitution of the Communist Party of China adopted by the Seventh National Congress pointed out: "The Communist Party of China takes Mao Zedong Thought—the thought that unifies the theory of Marxism-Leninism with the practice of the Chinese revolution—as the guide for all its work." At this point, this creative definition summarized the conceptual connotation of Mao Zedong Thought in the form of the Party Constitution through the dimension of the unity of theory and practice. Through the further testing of the practice of the New Democratic Revolution, our Party’s understanding of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought became even more profound. Zhou Enlai noted: "Chairman Mao applied the truth of world revolution—the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism—to China, combined it with the revolutionary practice of China, and it became Mao Zedong Thought." History and the people together chose Mao Zedong Thought, which gradually became the guiding ideology for the CPC to unite and lead the masses in establishing a new state power during revolutionary practice.
(3) Constructing the theoretical system of Mao Zedong Thought through propaganda, education, and research
The proposal of the concept is the prerequisite, the definition of the connotation is the key, and the theoretical construction is the core. The formation of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought is closely linked to the construction of its theoretical system; our Party’s understanding of the former is necessarily embedded in the construction of the latter. When Zhang Ruxin proposed the expression "the thought of Comrade Mao Zedong," he was also researching the theories and strategies proposed by Mao, studying the theoretical system of Mao Zedong Thought from the aspects of the ideological line, political line, and military line. Luo Ronghuan, combining this with Mao Zedong's contributions in the military field, pointed out that Mao Zedong Thought "explains the characteristics of China’s armed struggle and was discovered as a special law of the Chinese revolution," reflecting the distinct epochal characteristics of its origin. The Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party [4] launched a comprehensive analysis of "Left" dogmatism, systematically criticizing it from political, military, organizational, and ideological perspectives, while simultaneously constructing the "pillars and beams" [5] of the theoretical system of Mao Zedong Thought from those same perspectives. This represented the CPC’s understanding and summary of the Mao Zedong Thought theoretical system during the New Democratic Revolution. Subsequently, the "Report on the Revision of the Party Constitution" adopted at the Seventh National Congress explained the theoretical system of Mao Zedong Thought across nine areas, including the international and domestic situation, and theory and policy, basically clarifying the primary framework and logical structure of this theoretical system. In short, during the New Democratic Revolution, our Party had already summarized and elaborated on the concept, connotation, and system of Mao Zedong Thought, laying a solid foundation for further understanding and refining its scientific connotation.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, in the process of leading the socialist revolution and construction, Mao Zedong proposed a series of original theoretical achievements and explicitly put forward the proposition of the "second combination" of the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism with China's specific realities. The theoretical system of Mao Zedong Thought was thus further enriched and developed. During this period, Mao Zedong and the Party Central Committee also developed the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought. Based on multiple factors, including the unity of the international communist movement and Mao Zedong's personal humility and caution, Mao suggested that the term "Mao Zedong Thought" not be used in official Party documents. While presiding over the editing of the Selected Works of Mao Zedong, he personally changed references to "Mao Zedong Thought" and the "System of Mao Zedong Thought" to "the works of Comrade Mao Zedong." Consequently, in December 1954, the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee issued the Notice on How to Explain Mao Zedong Thought, which clearly stated: "Comrade Mao Zedong has instructed that the term 'Mao Zedong Thought' should no longer be used to avoid major misunderstandings. We believe that henceforth, when comrades within the Party write articles or give reports, they should act according to Comrade Mao Zedong's instructions." Following this, the term "Mao Zedong Thought" did not appear in the Party Constitution adopted by the Eighth National Congress; it was not until the 1960s that our Party once again put forward "Mao Zedong Thought."
II. The Systematic Interpretation of the Scientific Connotation of Mao Zedong Thought in the New Period
After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee [6], along with the establishment of the ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, the Chinese Communists gradually realized the need to correctly understand Mao Zedong and Mao Zedong Thought. In the process of inheriting and developing Mao Zedong Thought, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their primary representative, explored issues such as the relationship between Mao Zedong Thought and Marxism-Leninism, its relationship with the Chinese revolution and construction, and its relationship with the crystallization of the Party's collective wisdom. Through the Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee and the 12th National Congress, they used a "three-is" [7] formulation to elaborate the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought.
(1) Making a major judgment on the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought
How to clarify the relationship between Mao Zedong Thought and Marxism-Leninism is a fundamental issue in defining its scientific connotation. The Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party pointed out that Mao Zedong creatively applied the scientific theory of Marxism-Leninism to China’s special national conditions, which in fact already explained the relationship between the two. In a conversation with Wang Jiaxiang in March 1949, Mao Zedong said: "Marx has Marxism, Lenin has Leninism, but I cannot propose 'Maoism.' I have no 'ism'; my 'ism' is Marxism-Leninism." Regarding how to propagate Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping emphasized in 1962: "Mao Zedong Thought upholds the universal truths of Marxism-Leninism and has added much new content to the treasury of Marxism-Leninism. Therefore, do not separate Mao Zedong Thought from Marxism-Leninism as if it were something else." In the early stages of Reform and Opening-up, some held the view that since Mao Zedong Thought was the combination of basic Marxist tenets and Chinese reality, the designation "Mao Zedong Thought" should be abolished or its historical status denied. This extremely erroneous understanding essentially failed to clarify the relationship between Mao Zedong Thought and Marxism-Leninism.
In response to these misunderstandings, there was an urgent need to correctly recognize and grasp the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought.
In June 1981, the Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee deliberated and adopted the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party Since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China (hereafter the 1981 Resolution). It pointed out that Mao Zedong Thought is "the application and development of Marxism-Leninism in China," and characterized it as "a theoretical synthesis of the unique experiences gained in China's protracted revolution by Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, in accordance with the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism—a scientific guiding ideology suited to China's conditions." The document analyzed and emphasized how Mao Zedong Thought enriched and developed Marxism-Leninism through original theories across six major areas.
The 1981 Resolution’s critical judgments and fundamental positioning achieved two things. First, it clarified the relationship between Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought as one of "source and stream" or "root and branch." That is, Marxism-Leninism provided the theoretical foundation for the formation of Mao Zedong Thought, and the latter belongs to the ideological system of the former; thus, one must not "speak only of Mao Zedong Thought while failing to mention Marxism-Leninism." Second, it cleared away the erroneous tendency to sever Mao Zedong Thought from the system of Marxism-Leninism. By focusing on its core content, the resolution maintained that Mao Zedong Thought further enriched and developed Marxism-Leninism. In short, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their chief representative, further clarified the relationship between Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought as a shared lineage.
(2) Systematically summarizing the core content of Mao Zedong Thought
The interpretation of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought is closely linked to the construction of its primary content; the latter represents the further detailing and unfolding of the former. During the New Democratic Revolution [8] period, relevant Party documents and meetings had summarized the main contents of Mao Zedong Thought multiple times, establishing its basic outline. During the drafting of the 1981 Resolution, Deng Xiaoping repeatedly emphasized that one must first clarify what the content of Mao Zedong Thought is. To evaluate Mao Zedong Thought correctly and scientifically establish its guiding status, one "must use summarized language to write out the main contents of Mao Zedong Thought, especially those contents that must continue to be implemented in the future."
On this basis, the 1981 Resolution creatively applied dialectical materialism and historical materialism. Adopting a narrative logic that combined longitudinal chronology with horizontal thematic content, it systematically summarized the core of Mao Zedong Thought across six dimensions, including New Democratic Revolution theory and the theories of socialist revolution and socialist construction. It further distilled the stance, viewpoints, and methods running through Mao Zedong Thought as its "living soul" [9], stating that Mao Zedong Thought consists of correct theoretical principles and summaries of experience that have been proven by practice. Subsequently, the Party Constitution adopted by the 12th National Congress added "and construction" after "Chinese revolution," expanding the scope of Mao Zedong Thought from "revolution" to "revolution and construction." This led to the vital realization that "Mao Zedong Thought is the correct theoretical principle and summary of experience regarding the Chinese revolution and construction that has been proven by practice."
The author believes this understanding can be grasped through three dimensions. First, the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought must be understood through the dimension of being "proven by practice"; otherwise, a concept cannot be included in its system. Second, one must focus on the "revolution and construction" dimension; Mao Zedong Thought encompasses both the New Democratic Revolution theory and the important theoretical achievements formed during the period of socialist revolution and construction. These two phases must not be severed. Third, emphasis should be placed on the key modifier "correct." To understand its scientific connotation fully, one must recognize that not every sentence Mao spoke or every assertion he made belongs to Mao Zedong Thought. Hypotheses that have not stood the test of practice cannot be classified as such. Only those theoretical principles and summaries of experience that are "correct" and "proven by practice" can be incorporated into its scientific system.
(3) Creatively proposing the major thesis of the "crystallization of collective wisdom"
The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their chief representative, proposed that Mao Zedong Thought is a scientific system and a collective creation of the whole Party, creatively putting forward the major thesis that Mao Zedong Thought is the "crystallization of collective wisdom."
In March 1979, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "The cause and thought of Comrade Mao Zedong are not just his own; they are also the cause and thought of his comrades-in-arms, the Party, and the people. They are the crystallization of the Chinese people's experience in revolutionary struggle over more than half a century." From the perspective of the integrity of Mao Zedong Thought as a scientific principle, the reason it is named after Mao Zedong is that he was the primary contributor and outstanding representative of this ideological system. At the same time, other Party leaders in different periods and across different fields made significant theoretical contributions to its birth and development. They participated directly or indirectly in summarizing its theoretical achievements and provided scientific interpretations of its content. Based on this, Deng Xiaoping creatively proposed the thesis that Mao Zedong Thought is the crystallization of the CPC's collective wisdom, providing a systematic explanation based on the deep foundation of its formation, the contributions of other leaders, and relevant historical documents.
While fully affirming this "collective wisdom," Deng Xiaoping emphasized the need to understand and master Mao Zedong Thought in its entirety and with accuracy. He clearly stated that the exposition of Mao Zedong Thought "is not merely a question concerning Comrade Mao Zedong as an individual; it is inseparable from the entire history of our Party and our country." The fundamental reason Mao Zedong Thought is called a scientific principle is that it is a correct theory proven by the practice of the Chinese revolution and construction. The requirement to understand it through the three dimensions of "proven by practice," "revolution and construction," and "correct" provided the basic compliance for further understanding Mao Zedong Thought.
(4) Determining the historical status of the "First Historic Leap"
As reform and opening up progressed, the Party linked the concept of a "historic leap" with Mao Zedong Thought, further enriching the understanding of its scientific connotation. The report to the 13th National Congress used the phrase "two findings" to point out for the first time that there have been "two leaps" in the process of combining Marxism with Chinese reality. The first leap occurred during the New Democratic Revolution, which "found" the path of revolution with Chinese characteristics; the second leap occurred after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, which "found" the path of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. This clarified the timeframe of the historic leaps and pointed out their results and significance. Jiang Zemin further noted at the 15th National Congress: "The combination of Marxism-Leninism with China's reality has experienced two historic leaps, producing two major theoretical achievements." The theoretical achievement of the first historic leap was Mao Zedong Thought. This was the first time a Party report used the term "historic leap" to explain the historical positioning of Mao Zedong Thought. The report to the 17th National Congress for the first time included Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development into the "theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics." Hu Jintao, at the rally celebrating the 90th anniversary of the CPC, clearly stated that Mao Zedong Thought and the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics are the two major theoretical achievements of the Sinicization of Marxism. Therefore, during this period, the Party formed a consensus regarding the "two historic leaps" of the Sinicization of Marxism and their theoretical fruits. From the 13th to the 18th National Congress, these major judgments appeared repeatedly in important internal documents. From the perspective of historical materialism, a "historic leap" reflects the process of a theoretical achievement moving from quantitative change to qualitative change, highlighting the milestone status of the Party's theoretical innovations, represented by Mao Zedong Thought, in the history of the Party and the nation.
In summary, since the start of reform and opening up, the Party has not only systematically summarized and highly condensed the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought but also established its positioning and judgment within the historical process of the Sinicization of Marxism, laying the foundation for deepening our understanding of its significance.
III. The Innovative Development of the Understanding of the Scientific Connotation of Mao Zedong Thought
Since the 18th National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, from the perspective of the historic leaps in the Sinicization of Marxism, has further provided systematic discourses and innovative interpretations of Mao Zedong Thought. This provides the basic compliance for deepening the study of its scientific connotation in the New Era.
(1) Clarifying the original contributions of Mao Zedong Thought
"Combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities" is both an innovative proposition and a creative concrete process. The revolution, construction, and reform led by the Party and the people constitute the innovative process of this combination. From this perspective, the emergence of Mao Zedong Thought is the inevitable result of this creative proposition. In fact, during the New Democratic Revolution, the Party already used the word "creative" to define Mao's historical merits and Mao Zedong Thought. The Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party (1945) pointed out that the CPC, represented by Mao Zedong, "creatively applied the revolutionary theories of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin to Chinese conditions." Behind this evaluation of "creativity" lies the fearless theoretical courage and unremitting practical perseverance of the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative. Based on this, the 1981 Resolution further used the word "originality" (独创性) to highlight the unique contribution of Mao Zedong Thought to the cause of the Chinese revolution, clearly stating that Mao Zedong Thought greatly enriched the theoretical treasury of Marxism with its originality. Since the 18th National Congress, Xi Jinping has inherited this "creative" understanding and provided innovative interpretations in light of the new conditions of the times. He presided over the formulation of the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century (2021 Resolution), which further explained and expanded the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought in the form of a historical resolution.
First, he creatively explained Mao's great contributions in leading the causes of revolution and construction. Compared to previous resolutions and speeches on Mao's birth anniversaries, Xi Jinping, in his speech commemorating the 120th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birth, proposed that "Comrade Mao Zedong is the great pioneer of the Sinicization of Marxism." He systematically expounded Mao's achievements through five areas—the revolutionary path, Party building, military building, the united front, and strategic tactics—using four instances of "creatively solved" and one of "creatively proposed and implemented." These terms are not just a detailed analysis of Mao’s historical merits but a precise refinement of the original contributions of Mao Zedong Thought.
Second, he creatively expounded the relationship between Mao Zedong Thought and Marxism-Leninism. Comparing the 1945, 1981, and 2021 Resolutions, while previous judgments focused on "creative application, use, and development," the 2021 Resolution emphasizes that Mao Zedong Thought is the creative application and development of Marxism-Leninism in China. This judgment reflects that while Mao Zedong Thought takes Marxism-Leninism as its ideological source and is rooted in the tree of Marxist theory, it also focuses on Chinese reality and puts forward new theories and content not proposed by the classical Marxist writers. It is a new theoretical fruit produced by the combination of Marxism-Leninism with China's specific realities. This highlights both the continuity of the theoretical narrative and the original contribution of Mao Zedong Thought to Marxism-Leninism.
(2) Highlighting the pioneering and foundational significance of Mao Zedong Thought
As a product of theoretical and practical innovation, Mao Zedong Thought is called the "first historic leap." It centrally embodies major breakthroughs in theoretical form and profound transformations at the practical level, causing the Sinicization of Marxism to manifest as a clear dynamic change with rich theoretical results. The 2021 Resolution scientifically summarized the Party’s promotion of the Sinicization of Marxism and its theoretical achievements, proposing the "first historic leap" and two "new leaps" [10] in the Sinicization of Marxism.
Based on the "Resolution on Certain Historical Issues" [11] and the "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China" [12], and closely following the major judgment proposed by the Party Central Committee since the New Era that "Comrade Mao Zedong was the great pioneer of the Sinicization of Marxism," the "Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century" [13] highlights the positioning of Mao Zedong Thought as the first historic leap in the Sinicization of Marxism. First, Mao Zedong was not only the proposer of the proposition of the Sinicization of Marxism but also its promoter; from both theoretical and practical dimensions, Mao Zedong elevated the Sinicization of Marxism into a major issue of the times for the Party. Second, in the history of the Party, Mao Zedong Thought laid the foundation for the theoretical and practical fruits of the Sinicization of Marxism. Mao Zedong Thought answered the original proposition of "what is Marxism and how to treat Marxism," further manifesting the fundamental status and original contribution of this thought within the theory of the Sinicization of Marxism. Third, looking at our Party's interpretation of the Sinicization of Marxism—and compared with the first and second "historical resolutions"—our Party’s making of this major judgment in the New Era "manifests General Secretary Xi Jinping’s profound understanding and grasp of the laws and characteristics of theoretical innovation in the Sinicization of Marxism." This not only echoes the judgment that "Mao Zedong is the great pioneer of the Sinicization of Marxism" but also possesses important value for our Party’s theoretical innovation and creation in the New Era, providing an important theoretical foundation for the relationship between the Party’s innovative theoretical achievements and new leaps.
(III) Interpreting the Foundational and Historic Leap Status of Mao Zedong Thought
Entering the New Era, the development of our Party’s understanding of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought has remained in the same lineage as Party documents, highlighting its foundational and historic leap status in the process of the Sinicization of Marxism. The "Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century" placed the further interpretation of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought after the specific expression of "completing the socialist revolution and construction," reflecting the "integrity of the Party's grasp of the conceptual connotation of Mao Zedong Thought." Mao Zedong Thought includes not only the theoretical achievements gained by our Party during the New Democratic Revolution period [14] but also the theoretical achievements concerning socialist construction obtained during the process of the "second combination" [15] of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities. This is consistent with the important discourse proposed by Xi Jinping since the New Era that the two historical periods before and after Reform and Opening-up cannot be negated by one another [16].
As the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought, seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence run through its scientific connotation and centrally embody the methodological value of the thought. As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters the New Era, how to persist in and effectively apply Mao Zedong Thought—especially its living soul—is an important subject facing all Communists, requiring a mastery of the methodology of "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground." Combining new historical conditions and developmental requirements, Xi Jinping expanded and deepened the understanding of the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought in his speech commemorating the 120th anniversary of Comrade Mao Zedong's birth, enriching and developing its connotation at a methodological level. Regarding seeking truth from facts, Xi Jinping summarized its connotation, positioning, and value significance using "three is's," emphasizing that seeking truth from facts "is the fundamental viewpoint of Marxism, the fundamental requirement for Chinese Communists to understand and transform the world, and the basic ideological, working, and leadership method of our Party." Combining the new situation of the New Era, he further clarified the essentials and direction of persisting in seeking truth from facts across four aspects: the original appearance of things, basic national conditions, persisting in truth and correcting errors, and theoretical innovation. Regarding the mass line, Xi Jinping clearly pointed out: "The mass line is the lifeline and fundamental working line of our Party, and an important heirloom for our Party to maintain its youthful vitality and combat effectiveness forever." At any time, Chinese Communists must persist in the fundamental purpose of serving the people whole-heartedly, adhere to the mass line, and turn the Party’s correct propositions into the conscious actions of the masses. Regarding independence, Xi Jinping pointed out: "Independence is the inevitable conclusion of our Party proceeding from China’s reality and relying on the strength of the Party and the people to carry out revolution, construction, and reform." China’s affairs must be decided and handled by the Chinese people themselves. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese people persist in independently exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and it is precisely through repeated practical and theoretical innovations that they have strengthened their confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture [17].
IV. Basic Experience in Understanding the Scientific Connotation of Mao Zedong Thought
Our Party’s understanding of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought is a process of continuous deepening. This requires us to grasp the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought in a holistic and comprehensive manner, achieving the unity of history and reality, the unity of documents and practice, and the unity of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground—especially by recognizing it in conjunction with the missions and tasks of the New Era and the new journey.
(I) Persisting in Understanding the Scientific Connotation of Mao Zedong Thought through the Unity of History and Reality
Looking across the Party’s history, the understanding of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought has always been articulated at major historical turning points, which is of great significance for unifying the thought, will, and action of the whole Party and advancing the development of various undertakings of the Party and the state. Originating with the proposal of the Sinicization of Marxism, the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought was interpreted, and the whole Party grew increasingly mature politically and theoretically. Marked by the "Resolution on Certain Historical Issues" and the Seventh National Congress of the Party, "the understanding of the whole Party was unified on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, achieving unprecedented unity," laying the foundation for unifying the Party’s thinking to win the New Democratic Revolution. At the critical moment of shifting the focus of the work of the Party and the state [18], persisting in and developing Mao Zedong Thought concerned the future and destiny of the Party and the state. If the great banner of Mao Zedong Thought were discarded, the cause of socialist reform would be out of the question. To this end, the "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China" systematically interpreted the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought, clearly summarizing its main content and living soul, clearing the mists surrounding the understanding of Mao Zedong Thought under new historical conditions, and playing a role in gathering hearts, unifying understanding, and consolidating the foundation of governance at a critical moment. Chinese Communists, persisting with Mao Zedong Thought as a guide, deeply advanced Reform and Opening-up and gradually opened the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, ensuring that Reform and Opening-up and socialist modernization moved forward steadily and far.
Entering the New Era, Xi Jinping delivered important speeches at the symposia commemorating the 120th and 130th anniversaries of Comrade Mao Zedong’s birth. The "Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century" creatively proposed that Mao Zedong was the great pioneer of the Sinicization of Marxism and made the major judgment that Mao Zedong Thought is the first historic leap in the Sinicization of Marxism. In this regard, the author believes it can be understood from four aspects: First, it clearly points out that "Mao Zedong Thought is the precious spiritual wealth of our Party and will guide our actions over the long term," explicitly expressing the correct attitude of Chinese Communists in the New Era toward Mao Zedong Thought and criticizing the erroneous views of historical nihilism such as "non-Maoization" and "de-Maoization," further unifying understanding and gathering strength. Second, emphasizing the pioneering significance of Mao Zedong Thought in the process of the Sinicization of Marxism from the perspective of the "first historic leap" helps to better grasp the historical status of theoretical achievements of the Sinicization of Marxism in different periods, and is of great significance for further understanding the "new leap" of the Party's innovative theoretical achievements in the course of the Sinicization of Marxism. Third, it further deepened and expanded the essential points and requirements of the times for the "living soul" of Mao Zedong Thought, emphasizing its contemporary value and providing an important ideological and methodological basis for advancing Chinese-path modernization. Fourth, it made the major evaluation that "Mao Zedong is the great founder of the cause of China’s socialist modernization," highlighting that Mao Zedong is the pioneer and founder of Chinese-path modernization, further manifesting the forward-looking vision and unique contribution of the first generation of the Party's central collective leadership with Comrade Mao Zedong as the core toward Chinese-path modernization in both theory and practice. This reinforced that Mao Zedong Thought is the theoretical fruit of "revolution and construction" proven by practice, further enriching and developing the understanding of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought.
(II) Persisting in Understanding the Scientific Connotation of Mao Zedong Thought through the Integration of Documents and Practice
The Communist Party of China’s discourse on the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought is centrally embodied in documents such as the Party’s historical resolutions, runs through the speeches of Party and state leaders on the anniversaries of Comrade Mao Zedong's birth, and is forged into the interpretations of Mao Zedong Thought in the Party Constitution. Relying on Party history documents, it is evident that the understanding of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought presents a dynamic development in combination with the times. This requires that the understanding of relevant issues must be placed in a specific historical environment; especially concerning the Party’s guiding ideology, it should be understood and grasped from the perspective of being "in the same lineage yet advancing with the times." For example, the "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China" pointed out that Mao Zedong Thought "is the correct theoretical principles and summary of experience regarding the Chinese revolution proven by practice." The Constitution of the Communist Party of China, revised and adopted by the 12th National Congress, positioned the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought as "regarding the Chinese revolution and construction," making the Party’s understanding of its content more complete and accurate. The "Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century" inherited this major judgment, reflecting the process of continuous improvement and development in the Party’s understanding. Furthermore, continuing to emphasize the major judgment that Mao Zedong Thought "is the crystallization of the collective wisdom of the Communist Party of China" inevitably requires a focused summary of the relationship between Mao Zedong Thought and "historic leaps," primarily summarizing the Party’s theoretical achievements from the perspective of the historical process of the Sinicization of Marxism. Xi Jinping pointed out that the "basic accounts and conclusions" of the Party’s first two historical resolutions "remain applicable today." In a word, relying on textual documents and guided by a "macro-view of history" (dà lìshǐ guān), we must both clarify the consistency of our Party’s understanding of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought and explain the dynamic development process under different historical backgrounds; we must present the similarities and differences in the interpretation of the scientific connotation in the documents while also presenting its continuous lineage.
(III) Understanding the Scientific Connotation of Mao Zedong Thought through the Interaction of Upholding Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground
The hundred-plus-year journey of the Communist Party of China in advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is a journey of promoting theoretical innovation and development through the interaction of "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground." The Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is a historical process in which continuity and stage-specific characteristics are unified. Generations of Chinese Communists have persisted in using the method of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in the process of understanding and interpreting the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought. Although Mao Zedong Thought is the theoretical fruit of the first historic leap in the Sinicization of Marxism, our Party’s systematized understanding of its scientific connotation did not come to an end with the completion of this leap; rather, it has continued through upholding fundamentals and breaking new ground.
Reviewing the historical process of understanding the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought: During the New Democratic Revolution period, our Party focused on summarizing history, preliminarily outlining the scientific connotation from the perspective of criticizing the three "Left" adventurist errors [19] and the unity of theory and practice. Since Reform and Opening-up, our Party has emphasized a correct evaluation of Mao Zedong and Mao Zedong Thought, clearly pointing out that Mao Zedong Thought is a complete scientific system, making the important judgment that "Mao Zedong Thought is the crystallization of collective wisdom," and systematically summarizing its scientific connotation in the form of a historical resolution for the first time from the perspectives of the relationship between Mao Zedong Thought and Marxism-Leninism, and between Mao Zedong Thought and the Chinese revolution and construction. Entering the New Era, our Party has focused on examining it from a historical longitudinal perspective and further expanded the understanding of the scientific connotation from the perspective of the "historic leaps" of the Sinicization of Marxism. It should be noted that although the conditions of the times have undergone major changes, the principles, academic logic, and philosophical reasoning contained in Mao’s important discourses on the Sinicization of Marxism, as well as the laws and methods of the Party’s theoretical innovation in Mao Zedong Thought, remain applicable today. The definition of Mao Zedong Thought’s "leap" status in the historical process provides a reference for us to better understand Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the process from the creation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to its systematization and academic interpretation has also gone through a process of combining "upholding fundamentals and breaking new ground" with continuity and innovation. We must use a developmental and holistic eye to fully grasp the scientific connotation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
Reviewing the history of the Party’s great struggle—from the proposal of the proposition of the Sinicization of Marxism to the generation of the concept of Mao Zedong Thought, and from the systematic interpretation to the innovative understanding of the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought—the Chinese Communists have gradually defined the relationship between Mao Zedong Thought and Marxism-Leninism, as well as its relationship with the Chinese revolution and construction. Particularly since entering the New Era, there has been a further deepening of the understanding of the relationship between Mao Zedong Thought and the historic leaps [20] in the Sinicization of Marxism, providing an important foundation for the research and interpretation of Mao Zedong Thought. On the new journey [21] of the New Era, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. In light of new circumstances and requirements, further understanding and interpreting the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought is an inherent requirement for the scientific understanding and development of the Party’s innovative theoretical achievements in the New Era. The precious theoretical and spiritual wealth contained within our Party’s process of understanding the scientific connotation of Mao Zedong Thought will inevitably be further expanded and sublimated in the Party's process of advancing theoretical innovation in the New Era; it will also inevitably burst forth with new vitality in the process of deeply advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
About the Author: Sun Jinbao is the head of the Beijing University Young Teachers' Innovative Teaching and Research Studio, and an Associate Professor and Master's Supervisor at the School of Marxism, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.
Source: Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping Theory Research, Issue 12, 2025. Editor: Hui Hui