Comprehensively and Accurately Grasp the Principles of Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC emphasized that further deepening reform comprehensively must implement the principles of upholding the Party’s comprehensive leadership, upholding a people-centered approach, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, upholding institution-building as the main thread, upholding law-based governance in all respects, and upholding a systems concept. The major principle of the “Six Upholds” is a high-level condensation and concentrated summary of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s new ideas, new viewpoints, and new conclusions on deepening reform comprehensively. We must comprehensively and accurately understand and grasp it, unswervingly uphold it in reform practice, and constantly enrich and develop it.

党的二十届三中全会强调，进一步全面深化改革要贯彻坚持党的全面领导、坚持以人民为中心、坚持守正创新、坚持以制度建设为主线、坚持全面依法治国、坚持系统观念的原则。“六个坚持”重大原则是习近平总书记关于全面深化改革的一系列新思想、新观点、新论断的高度凝练和集中概括，我们必须全面准确领会和把握，在改革实践中毫不动摇坚持并不断丰富和发展。

Deeply Understand the Great Significance of the Major Principle of the “Six Upholds”

深刻认识“六个坚持”重大原则的重大意义

Facing changes unseen in a century in the world, facing complex and intricate international and domestic situations, facing a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, and facing the new expectations of the people, a major task confronting our Party and country is that we must continue to push reform forward. The major principle of the “Six Upholds” scientifically answers a series of major theoretical and practical issues related to reform, is the correct worldview and scientific methodology for reform, provides the “bridge and boat” to accomplish the task of “crossing the river” in reform, and has significant guiding significance for further deepening reform comprehensively and for promoting the stable and long-term development of the Party and state affairs.

面对世界百年未有之大变局，面对纷繁复杂的国际国内形势，面对新一轮科技革命和产业变革，面对人民群众新期待，我们党和国家面临的一个重大课题，就是必须继续把改革推向前进。“六个坚持”重大原则科学回答了改革涉及的一系列重大理论和实践问题，是改革的正确世界观和科学方法论，提供了完成改革“过河”任务的“桥和船”，对于进一步全面深化改革，推动党和国家事业行稳致远具有重大指导意义。

From a historical perspective, the major principle of the “Six Upholds” is a scientific summary of the valuable experience of reform and opening up, especially of deepening reform comprehensively in the New Era. The great practice of reform and opening up over more than 40 years in our country has yielded fruitful results and accumulated valuable experience. In particular, as one of the most splendid chapters in the historical process of our country’s reform and opening up, deepening reform comprehensively in the New Era has achieved a series of major practical, institutional, and theoretical achievements, providing a solid foundation and valuable experience for further deepening reform comprehensively on the new journey. The major principle of the “Six Upholds” is a profound reflection on the historical experience of more than 40 years of reform and opening up, and even more so a concentrated embodiment of the fresh experience of more than ten years of deepening reform comprehensively in the New Era. It demonstrates the historical confidence and historical initiative of our Party in leading further deepening reform comprehensively, and provides important historical inspiration for opening up broad prospects for Chinese-path modernization in the course of reform and opening up.

从历史维度看，“六个坚持”重大原则是对改革开放以来特别是新时代全面深化改革宝贵经验的科学总结。我国40多年改革开放的伟大实践取得了丰硕成果，积累了宝贵经验。特别是作为我国改革开放历史进程中最壮丽的篇章之一，新时代全面深化改革取得了一系列重大实践成果、制度成果、理论成果，为新征程进一步全面深化改革提供了坚实基础和宝贵经验。“六个坚持”重大原则是对改革开放40多年历史经验的深邃思考，更是新时代全面深化改革十多年新鲜经验的集中体现，彰显了我们党领导进一步全面深化改革的历史自信和历史主动，为在改革开放中开辟中国式现代化广阔前景提供了重要历史启示。

From a practical perspective, the major principle of the “Six Upholds” is an important guide for promoting deepening reform comprehensively to advance in breadth and depth. Further deepening reform comprehensively is a pioneering undertaking, a broad and profound social change; it cannot be achieved easily or with beating drums and gongs, and is bound to face difficulties, risks, and challenges from all sides. The major principle of the “Six Upholds” has strong practical pertinence and guidance; it is the “magic anchor” for us to enhance strategic initiative and struggle initiative, to overcome various risks and challenges on the road ahead. It will guide us to foster new opportunities amidst crises and open new frontiers amidst changes, and to continue writing new chapters of the “Two Miracles”.

从现实维度看，“六个坚持”重大原则是推动全面深化改革向广度和深度进军的重要遵循。进一步全面深化改革是一项开创性事业，是一场广泛而深刻的社会变革，不可能是轻轻松松、敲锣打鼓就能实现的，必然面临来自各方面的困难、风险和挑战。“六个坚持”重大原则具有很强的现实针对性和指导性，是我们增强战略主动、斗争主动，战胜前进道路上各种风险挑战的定海神针，必将指引我们在危机中育新机、于变局中开新局，续写“两大奇迹”新篇章。

From a theoretical perspective, the major principle of the “Six Upholds” is a major achievement of our Party in continuously deepening the understanding of the laws of reform. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has led the whole Party in continuously advancing theoretical innovation in reform, scientifically grasping the current situation and circumstances, dangers and opportunities faced by reform, promptly summarizing fresh experience, continuously deepening the understanding of the laws of reform, and forming a series of new ideas, new viewpoints, and new conclusions on deepening reform comprehensively. The major principle of the “Six Upholds” is distilled from these new ideas, new viewpoints, and new conclusions, marking that our Party’s understanding of the laws of socialist reform and opening up has reached a new height.

从理论维度看，“六个坚持”重大原则是我们党不断深化对改革规律性认识的重大成果。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记引领全党在改革中不断推进理论创新，科学把握改革面临的时与势、危与机，及时总结新鲜经验，不断深化对改革的规律性认识，形成关于全面深化改革的一系列新思想、新观点、新论断。“六个坚持”重大原则就是从这些新思想、新观点、新论断中凝练出来的，标志着我们党对社会主义改革开放规律的认识达到了新高度。

From a practical perspective, the major principle of the “Six Upholds” is a scientific method for enhancing the scientific nature, foresight, initiative, and creativity of further deepening reform comprehensively. Further deepening reform comprehensively involves a wide scope, touches deep interests, and is difficult to tackle, placing higher demands on the ability of Party organizations and leading cadres at all levels to plan and promote reform. The major principle of the “Six Upholds” provides methodology for us to better transform the “freehand sketch” of the decisions and deployments of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee into “fine brushwork” and “construction drawings”, and puts forward clear requirements for us to implement all reform measures concretely, meticulously, and in place, and to learn reform, implement reform, and steer reform in the course of reform.

从实践维度看，“六个坚持”重大原则是增强进一步全面深化改革的科学性、预见性、主动性、创造性的科学方法。进一步全面深化改革涉及范围广、触及利益深、攻坚难度大，对各级党组织和领导干部谋划推动改革能力提出了更高要求。“六个坚持”重大原则为我们更好地把党的二十届三中全会决策部署的“大写意”转化为“工笔画”“施工图”提供了方法论，为我们切实把各项改革举措落实落细落到位，做到在改革中学习改革、实施改革、驾驭改革提出了明确要求。

Accurately Grasp the Scientific Connotation of the Major Principle of the “Six Upholds”

准确把握“六个坚持”重大原则的科学内涵

The major principle of the “Six Upholds” is a systematic, complete, interconnected, and mutually reinforcing organic whole. It must be accurately understood and grasped at the height of combining theory with practice, connecting history with reality, and unifying epistemology with methodology.

“六个坚持”重大原则是一个系统完整、相互贯通、相得益彰的有机整体，必须从理论与实践相结合、历史与现实相贯通、认识论与方法论相统一的高度，准确领会和把握其丰富内涵。

Upholding the Party’s comprehensive leadership answers the question of who leads reform and under whose leadership reform can succeed. The CPC vigorously advocates, implements, and promotes reform. In China today, only by upholding the leadership of the CPC can reform succeed. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, at critical junctures and on major issues, the Party Central Committee has held high the banner, set the direction, and made overall plans. General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally taken command and engaged

坚持党的全面领导回答的是改革由谁领导、由谁领导才能成功的问题。中国共产党大力倡导改革、实行改革、推进改革，在当今中国，唯有坚持中国共产党的领导，改革才能取得成功。党的十八大以来，在重大关头、重大问题上，党中央举旗定向、谋篇布局，习近平总书记亲自挂帅出征、亲力亲为，为全面深化改革提供了最坚强有力的领导保障。当前，全面深化改革愈进愈难、愈进愈险而又不进则退、非进不可，我们必须深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，发挥党总揽全局、协调各方的领导核心作用，把党的领导贯穿改革各方面全过程，确保改革始终在党中央集中统一领导下沿着正确方向前进，汇聚起万众一心、共克时艰的磅礴力量。

Adhering to a people-centered approach answers the question of whom reform is for. Reform carried out for the people has meaning; reform relying on the people has momentum. Our efforts to pursue reform and promote development are, in the final analysis, aimed at enhancing the people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security, and enabling the people to live a better life. Faced with the people’s new expectations for a better life, we must respect the principal position of the people and their spirit of pioneering, respond to the people’s calls with reform, always take promoting social fairness and justice and improving the people’s wellbeing as the starting point and ultimate goal, be adept at pooling popular wisdom and gathering popular support, and ensure that the fruits of reform benefit all the people more extensively and equitably.

坚持以人民为中心回答的是改革为了谁的问题。为了人民而改革，改革才有意义；依靠人民而改革，改革才有动力。我们抓改革、促发展，归根到底就是为了增强人民群众的获得感、幸福感、安全感，让人民过上更好的日子。面对人民对美好生活的新期盼，必须尊重人民主体地位和首创精神，人民有所呼、改革有所应，始终以促进社会公平正义、增进人民福祉为出发点和落脚点，善于汇集民智、凝聚民心，使改革成果更多更公平惠及全体人民。

Adhering to upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground [1]1 A key principle of reform under Xi Jinping: “upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground” (守正创新) means maintaining adherence to socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Party’s leadership while actively innovating in theory, practice, and institutions. answers the question of the position and direction of reform. Upholding fundamental principles means guarding the lifeline; we must never waver on fundamental things such as upholding the Party’s overall leadership, upholding Marxism, upholding the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and upholding the people’s democratic dictatorship. To waver on these is not to call it socialism, would commit subversive errors, and would lead reform astray. Breaking new ground means creating the future; it means daring to forge ahead with indomitable boldness and courage, conforming to new trends of the times, new requirements of practice, and new expectations of the people, vigorously promoting theoretical innovation, practical innovation, institutional innovation, cultural innovation and all other innovations, and providing strong impetus and institutional guarantees for Chinese-path modernization.

坚持守正创新回答的是改革的立场和方向问题。守正就是守命脉，坚持党的全面领导、坚持马克思主义、坚持中国特色社会主义道路、坚持人民民主专政等根本的东西绝不能动摇，动摇了就不叫社会主义，就会犯颠覆性错误，就会把改革引向邪路。创新就是创未来，就是要以一往无前的胆魄和勇气，顺应时代发展新趋势、实践发展新要求、人民群众新期待，大力推进理论创新、实践创新、制度创新、文化创新以及其他各方面创新，为中国式现代化提供强大动力和制度保障。

Adhering to taking institution building as the main thread answers the question of the goal of reform. The overall goal of comprehensively deepening reform is to improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to modernize the national governance system and governance capability. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC [2]2 The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, held in 2012, which marked the beginning of Xi Jinping’s leadership and the launch of comprehensive reforms., we have highlighted the main thread of institution building, improved various systems through comprehensively deepening reform, promoted the socialist system with Chinese characteristics to become more mature and well-defined, significantly raised the level of modernization of the national governance system and governance capability, and provided a strong institutional guarantee for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects [3]3 “Building a moderately prosperous society in all respects” (全面建成小康社会) is the first centenary goal (achieved in 2021) of the Communist Party of China, aimed at ensuring that all people share in the benefits of development.. At the same time, improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a dynamic process that inevitably develops with the development of practice. To further comprehensively deepen reform and advance Chinese-path modernization, we must consolidate fundamental systems, improve basic systems, and innovate important systems, constantly better transforming China’s institutional advantages into governance effectiveness.

坚持以制度建设为主线回答的是改革的目标问题。全面深化改革的总目标就是完善和发展中国特色社会主义制度，推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化。党的十八大以来，我们突出制度建设这条主线，通过全面深化改革完善各方面制度，推动中国特色社会主义制度更加成熟更加定型，国家治理体系和治理能力现代化水平明显提高，为全面建成小康社会提供了有力制度保障。同时，完善中国特色社会主义制度是一个动态过程，必然随着实践发展而不断发展。进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化，必须筑牢根本制度，完善基本制度，创新重要制度，不断把我国制度优势更好转化为国家治理效能。

Adhering to law-based governance answers the question of the approach to reform. The rule of law is a great invention of human society and an important sign of a society’s maturity. Comprehensively deepening reform adheres to the unity of reform and the rule of law, advancing law-based governance, law-based exercise of state power, and law-based administration together, and building a law-based state, a law-based government, and a law-based society in a coordinated manner, giving the rule of law greater weight and substance. At present, reform places greater emphasis on breaking and establishing simultaneously, establishing before breaking [4]4 A reform principle meaning that destruction of old systems and construction of new ones proceed simultaneously, with priority given to establishing the new before dismantling the old., and combining top-level design with crossing the river by feeling the stones [5]5 A famous metaphor attributed to Deng Xiaoping, referring to the pragmatic, experimental approach of reform — testing policies step by step without a fully predetermined blueprint., making the status and role of the rule of law more prominent. We must be adept at using rule-of-law thinking and rule-of-law methods to advance reform, ensuring that major reforms are grounded in law, promptly elevating reform achievements into legal systems, and ensuring that reform is carried out and deepened in an orderly manner along the track of the rule of law.

坚持全面依法治国回答的是改革的途径问题。法治是人类社会的伟大发明，是一个社会走向成熟的重要标志。全面深化改革坚持改革和法治相统一，依法治国、依法执政、依法行政共同推进，法治国家、法治政府、法治社会一体建设，法治的分量更重、成色更足。当前，改革更加强调破立并举、先立后破，把顶层设计和摸着石头过河结合起来，法治的地位和作用更加凸显。必须善于运用法治思维和法治方式推进改革，做到重大改革于法有据，及时把改革成果上升为法律制度，确保改革在法治轨道上有序推进和深化。

Adhering to a systematic approach answers the question of the method of reform. Reform is a complex systems engineering project. From the initial “first kilometer” of planning and design to the “last kilometer” of implementation and results [6]6 Metaphors for the beginning and final stages of reform implementation: the “first kilometer” refers to initial planning and design, and the “last kilometer” refers to the final implementation and realization of results on the ground., we must properly handle the major relationships between economy and society, government and market, efficiency and fairness, vitality and order, and development and security, so that various reform measures complement each other in policy orientation, promote each other in implementation, and reinforce each other in effects, enhancing the systematic, holistic, and coordinated nature of reform.

坚持系统观念回答的是改革的方法问题。改革是一项复杂的系统工程，从“最初一公里”的谋划设计，到“最后一公里”的落地见效，都要处理好经济和社会、政府和市场、效率和公平、活力和秩序、发展和安全等重大关系，使各项改革举措在政策取向上相互配合、在实施过程中相互促进、在改革成效上相得益彰，增强改革系统性、整体性、协同性。

Deeply implementing the practical requirements of the “Six Persistences” major principles [7]7 The six major principles for comprehensively deepening reform, first articulated at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee (July 2024): persisting in Party leadership, people-centeredness, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, taking institution building as the main thread, law-based governance, and systematic approach.

深入践行“六个坚持”重大原则的实践要求

Adhering to and applying well the “Six Persistences” major principles is an important content for all regions and departments to implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee [8]8 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, held in July 2024, which focused on further deepening comprehensive reform. in light of actual conditions. It is an inevitable requirement for the Central Committee and state organs to be in the first echelon [9]9 “First echelon” (第一方阵) is a term for the leading group of central Party and state organs that are expected to set an example in implementing Party policies. in practicing the “Two Upholds” [10]10 The “Two Upholds” (两个维护): upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, and upholding the core position of General Secretary Xi Jinping. and to be pace setters in studying, propagating, and implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. It is also a practical requirement for us to fully and accurately comprehend and grasp General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of new ideas, new viewpoints, and new conclusions on comprehensively deepening reform, implement the strategic deployments of the Party Central Committee, and put various reform measures into practice.

坚持好运用好“六个坚持”重大原则，是各地区各部门结合实际贯彻落实党的二十届三中全会精神的重要内容，是中央和国家机关走好践行“两个维护”第一方阵、在学习宣传贯彻党的二十届三中全会精神上当好排头兵的必然要求，也是我们全面准确领会和把握习近平总书记关于全面深化改革的一系列新思想、新观点、新论断，贯彻落实党中央战略部署，把各项改革举措落实到位的实践要求。

In the practice of further comprehensively deepening reform, we must take adhering to the Party’s overall leadership as the fundamental guarantee. From assessing the reform situation and building reform consensus, to making reform decisions and deploying reform tasks, and then to removing reform obstacles and ensuring reform implementation, we must firmly uphold the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, ensuring that the Party Central Committee’s orders are unblocked and that prohibitions are observed. We must take adhering to a people-centered approach as the value orientation, planning and advancing reform from the overall, fundamental, and long-term interests of the people, following the mass line of the Party in the New Era [11]11 The “mass line” (群众路线) is the Party’s fundamental working method of “from the masses, to the masses,” emphasizing listening to the people’s views and mobilizing their participation., reasonably guiding reform expectations, and focusing on finding leverage points and breakthroughs for reform from the people’s urgent, difficult, anxious, and expectant issues. We must take adhering to upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground [1]1 A key principle of reform under Xi Jinping: “upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground” (守正创新) means maintaining adherence to socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Party’s leadership while actively innovating in theory, practice, and institutions. as the basic principle, always following the right path and being good at breaking new ground, unwaveringly upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics, resolutely removing institutional and mechanism drawbacks in all aspects, and promoting reform to continuously achieve new breakthroughs. We must take adhering to taking institution building as the main thread as an important requirement, consolidating foundations, strengthening advantages, making up for shortcomings, and reinforcing weak points [12]12 A common four-character formulation for institutional improvement: consolidating foundations (固根基), strengthening advantages (扬优势), making up for shortcomings (补短板), and reinforcing weak points (强弱项)., combining central requirements, popular expectations, practical needs, and fresh experience, so that various systems are established, workable, and genuinely useful [13]13 A three-character idiom (立得住、行得通、真管用) meaning that systems must be firmly established, workable in practice, and genuinely effective.. We must take adhering to law-based governance as an effective approach, better leveraging the positive role of the rule of law in removing reform obstacles and consolidating reform achievements, upholding the authority of the rule of law, further deepening reform in the field of the rule of law, continuously improving the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics, and equally protecting the legitimate rights and interests of all citizens and legal persons. We must take adhering to a systematic approach as a scientific method, paying more attention to systemic integration, highlighting key points, and emphasizing reform effectiveness, comprehensively considering the points, lines, surfaces, timing, intensity, and effects [14]14 A planning concept: “points, lines, surfaces” (点线面) refer to different scales of reform (specific items, processes, and overall scope), while “timing, intensity, effects” (时度效) refer to the temporal sequence, degree of force, and expected outcomes. of reform, scientifically formulating reform task books, timelines, and priority sequences [15]15 Standard planning documents: task books (任务书) list specific tasks, timelines (时间表) set schedules, and priority sequences (优先序) determine order of implementation., strengthening coordination and matching of various reform measures, and striving to form overall effectiveness.

在进一步全面深化改革的实践中，我们要把坚持党的全面领导作为根本保证，从研判改革形势、凝聚改革共识，到作出改革决策、部署改革任务，再到排除改革阻力、抓好改革落实，都要坚定维护党中央权威和集中统一领导，确保党中央政令畅通、令行禁止。要把坚持以人民为中心作为价值取向，从人民的整体利益、根本利益、长远利益出发谋划和推进改革，走好新时代党的群众路线，合理引导改革预期，注重从老百姓急难愁盼中找准改革的发力点和突破口。要把坚持守正创新作为基本原则，始终走正道、善于闯新路，坚持中国特色社会主义不动摇，坚决破除各方面体制机制弊端，推动改革不断取得新突破。要把坚持以制度建设为主线作为重要要求，固根基、扬优势、补短板、强弱项，把中央要求、群众期盼、实际需要、新鲜经验结合起来，使各项制度立得住、行得通、真管用。要把坚持全面依法治国作为有效途径，更好发挥法治在排除改革障碍、巩固改革成果中的积极作用，维护法治权威，进一步深化法治领域改革，不断完善中国特色社会主义法治体系，平等保护全体公民和法人的合法权益。要把坚持系统观念作为科学方法，更加注重系统集成，更加注重突出重点，更加注重改革实效，通盘考虑改革的点线面和时度效，科学制定改革任务书、时间表、优先序，加强各项改革举措的协调配套，力求形成整体效能。

On the new journey of the New Era, we must unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, unswervingly carry reform through to the end, unwaveringly implement the “Six Persistences” major principles, keep our feet on the ground, tackle difficulties, persevere, work tirelessly over time, and with firm determination and tenacious struggle, strive to open up new horizons for reform and development.

新时代新征程上，我们要更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，坚定不移将改革进行到底，始终不渝贯彻“六个坚持”重大原则，脚踏实地、攻坚克难，持之以恒、久久为功，以坚定的毅力和顽强的斗争，奋力打开改革发展新天地。

Web editor: Paul

网络编辑：保罗