Contributing “Silver-Haired Strength” to the Advancement of Chinese-Path Modernization

The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core attaches great importance to the work of caring for the next generation and to leveraging the advantageous role of the “Five Elders” (veteran cadres, veteran soldiers, veteran experts, veteran teachers, and veteran model workers) and the Care for the Next Generation Working Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “CNGWC”). General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed the need to promote the spirit of the “Five Elders,” respect them, cherish them, learn from them, and attach importance to their role, so as to promote the better development of the cause of caring for the next generation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has encouraged elderly volunteers to contribute “silver-haired strength” to the advancement of Chinese-path modernization. The Opinions on Strengthening the Work of the Care for the Next Generation Working Committee in the New Era, issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, requires that the CNGWC be built into an important stage for the elderly to achieve something in their later years, an important classroom for them to continue learning, and an important front for veteran comrades to serve the development of the Party and the state.

以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视关心下一代工作，重视发挥“五老”（老干部、老战士、老专家、老教师、老模范）和关心下一代工作委员会（以下简称“关工委”）优势作用。习近平总书记强调，要弘扬“五老”精神，尊重“五老”，爱护“五老”，学习“五老”，重视发挥“五老”作用，推动关心下一代事业更好发展。习近平总书记勉励老年志愿者，为推进中国式现代化贡献“银发力量”。中办国办印发《关于加强新时代关心下一代工作委员会工作的意见》要求，将关工委建设成老有所为的重要舞台、老有所学的重要课堂、老同志服务党和国家事业发展的重要阵地。

The year 2025 marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the planning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, as well as the 35th anniversary of the founding of the China CNGWC. Deeply studying and comprehending General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the work of caring for the next generation and the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee is of great significance for the CNGWC to better unite and lead the “Five Elders” in devoting themselves to this work.

2025年，收官“十四五”、谋划“十五五”，也是中国关工委成立35周年。深入学习领会习近平总书记关于关心下一代工作的重要论述和党中央决策部署，对于关工委更好地团结带领“五老”投身关心下一代工作具有重大意义。

Deeply Study and Comprehend General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Expositions on the Work of Caring for the Next Generation

深入学习领悟习近平总书记关于关心下一代工作的重要论述

Continuing the great cause requires nurturing talent as the priority. Since its founding, our Party has always regarded nurturing talent as a strategic plan for the Party’s cause to be passed down from generation to generation and for the long-term stability and security of the state. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has issued many important instructions on the work of caring for the next generation, pointing the direction and providing the guidance for the CNGWC to broadly gather “silver-haired strength” to participate in this work on the new journey.

赓续伟业，育人为要。我们党自成立之日起，始终将育人作为党的事业薪火相传、国家长治久安的战略大计。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记多次就关心下一代工作作出重要指示，为新征程上关工委广聚“银发力量”参加关心下一代工作指明了方向、提供了遵循。

Deeply comprehend the fundamental plan of ensuring that successors are cultivated. The Party’s more than one hundred years of struggle history is not only a history of revolution, construction, and reform practice but also a history of nurturing talent, with the Party focusing on passing on its cause from generation to generation by cultivating successors. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “Cultivating the younger generation into builders and successors of socialism with Chinese characteristics who are well-developed morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and labor-wise is a major strategic task concerning the future and destiny of the Party and the state, and it is the common political responsibility of the entire Party.” In his report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Ensure that successors are cultivated — this is a fundamental plan.” These important expositions provide a clear orientation for the CNGWC in carrying out the work of caring for the next generation.

深刻领悟抓好后继有人这一根本大计。党的百余年奋斗史，既是革命、建设、改革实践史，又是党着眼事业薪火相传培养接班人的育人史。习近平总书记指出：“把青年一代培养造就成德智体美劳全面发展的社会主义建设者和接班人，是事关党和国家前途命运的重大战略任务，是全党的共同政治责任。”习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中强调：“抓好后继有人这个根本大计”。这些重要论述，为关工委开展关心下一代工作做了鲜明的定位。

Deeply comprehend the implementation of the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing people. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that our Party, committed to the millennia-long cause of the Chinese nation, must cultivate generation after generation of useful talents who support the leadership of the CPC and the socialist system of our country and are determined to strive for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics throughout their lives. He emphasized that on this fundamental issue, we must be unequivocal and unambiguous. We must educate and guide young students to firmly believe in Marxism, have confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and have faith in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; to set great ambitions of serving the country and strengthening the nation; and to become strivers who shoulder responsibilities. We must focus on cultivating builders and successors of socialism with Chinese characteristics who are well-developed morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and labor-wise. We must unswervingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to forge souls and educate people, and implement the project of fostering virtue and nurturing people for the New Era. He pointed out that the vast number of “Five Elders” are a precious asset of the Party and the state and an important force for strengthening the ideological and political work of young people. These important expositions provide important guidance for the CNGWC to implement the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing people.

深刻领悟落实立德树人这一根本任务。习近平总书记指出，我们党立志于中华民族千秋伟业，必须培养一代又一代拥护中国共产党领导和我国社会主义制度、立志为中国特色社会主义事业奋斗终身的有用人才。强调在这个根本问题上，必须旗帜鲜明、毫不含糊。要教育引导青少年学生坚定马克思主义信仰、中国特色社会主义信念、中华民族伟大复兴信心，立报国强国大志向、做挺膺担当奋斗者。要着眼于培养德智体美劳全面发展的社会主义建设者和接班人。要坚持不懈用新时代中国特色社会主义思想铸魂育人，实施新时代立德树人工程。指出，广大“五老”是党和国家的宝贵财富，是加强青少年思想政治工作的重要力量。这些重要论述，为关工委落实立德树人根本任务提供了重要遵循。

Deeply comprehend silver-haired strength as an important resource. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that old age is an important stage of human life, a stage in which one can still be productive, progressive, and happy. He pointed out that we should leverage the subtle influence of the elderly’s good conduct in family education and their role in teaching by personal example to other members of society; leverage the elderly’s experience and prestige advantages in resolving social conflicts and maintaining social stability; and leverage the elderly’s role in passing on experience, providing guidance, and helping the younger generation. He pointed out that veteran cadres are an important resource for the Party to govern and rejuvenate the country and an important force for advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. As early as 2011, Comrade Xi Jinping emphasized that cherishing veteran cadres means cherishing the Party’s precious wealth, learning from veteran cadres means learning the Party’s fine traditions and work style, and attaching importance to the role of veteran cadres means attaching importance to the Party’s important political resources. General Secretary Xi Jinping hopes that elderly friends will maintain a healthy mindset and enterprising spirit, like an old steed in the stable still aspiring to gallop a thousand li [1]1 A classical allusion from Cao Cao’s poem “Though the Tortoise Lives Long,” expressing the ambition of the elderly to continue striving., and like an old man still vigorous and energetic [2]2 A classical allusion from the biography of Ma Yuan in the *Book of the Later Han*, describing an elderly person who remains vigorous and energetic.; they should not only enjoy care and happiness in old age but also achieve something in their later years, contributing “silver-haired strength” to the advancement of Chinese-path modernization. These important expositions provide a powerful impetus for inspiring veteran comrades to participate in the work of caring for the next generation.

深刻领悟银发力量这一重要资源。习近平总书记指出，老年是人的生命的重要阶段，是仍然可以有作为、有进步、有快乐的重要人生阶段。指出，要发挥老年人优良品行在家庭教育中的潜移默化作用和对社会成员的言传身教作用，发挥老年人在化解社会矛盾、维护社会稳定中的经验优势和威望优势，发挥老年人对年轻人的传帮带作用。指出，老干部是党执政兴国的重要资源，是推进中国特色社会主义伟大事业的重要力量。早在2011年，习近平同志就强调，爱护老干部就是爱护党的宝贵财富，学习老干部就是学习党的优良传统和作风，重视发挥老干部作用就是重视党的重要政治资源。习近平总书记冀望老年朋友，保持老骥伏枥、老当益壮的健康心态和进取精神，既要老有所养、老有所乐，又要老有所为，为推进中国式现代化贡献“银发力量”。这些重要论述，为激励老同志参加关心下一代工作提供了强大动力。

Deeply comprehend the institutional arrangement of establishing the CNGWC. The establishment of the CNGWC is an innovative achievement and an institutional arrangement formed by the Party in the great practice of advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is an innovative move by our Party to gather “silver-haired strength” to strengthen the ideological and political work of young people. In 1990, the Party Central Committee approved the establishment of the Care for the Next Generation Working Committee, with Comrades Xi Zhongxun and Wang Renzhong as honorary directors and Comrade Kang Shi’en as director. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has been very concerned about the construction of the CNGWC, issuing two important instructions on the 25th and 30th anniversaries of the founding of the China CNGWC. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the China CNGWC “has united and led the vast number of retired veteran comrades, including veteran cadres, veteran soldiers, veteran experts, veteran teachers, and veteran model workers, to remain true to their original aspiration and founding mission, and has played an important role in promoting the healthy growth of young people.” To better leverage the role of the CNGWC, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions on Strengthening the Work of the Care for the Next Generation Working Committee in the New Era. In practice, CNGWCs at all levels bear in mind their mission and trust, uniting and leading the “Five Elders” to actively participate in the work of caring for the next generation. Currently, over 1.07 million CNGWC organizations, more than 13 million “Five Elders,” 70,000 “Five Elders” studios, and 424,000 “Five Elders” off-campus counselors are active on the front line of this work.

深刻领悟设立关工委这一制度安排。关工委的设立，是党在推进中国特色社会主义事业伟大实践中形成的创新性成果、作出的制度性安排，是我们党汇聚“银发力量”加强青少年思想政治工作的创新之举。1990年，党中央批准成立关心下一代工作委员会，由习仲勋、王任重同志任名誉主任，康世恩同志任主任。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记十分关心关工委建设，在中国关工委成立25周年、30周年之际两次作出重要指示。习近平总书记指出，中国关工委“团结带领广大老干部、老战士、老专家、老教师、老模范等离退休老同志，不忘初心、牢记使命，为促进青少年健康成长发挥了重要作用。”为更好发挥关工委作用，中办国办印发了《关于加强新时代关心下一代工作委员会工作的意见》。实践中，各级关工委牢记使命嘱托，团结带领“五老”积极投身关心下一代工作，目前超过107万个关工委组织、1300多万“五老”、7万个“五老”工作室、42.4万名“五老”校外辅导员活跃在关心下一代工作的实践一线。

Continuously Deepen the Understanding of the Regularities of the CNGWC’s Work of Caring for the Next Generation on the New Journey of the New Era

不断深化对新时代新征程关工委开展关心下一代工作的规律性认识

The cause of caring for the next generation is an important part of the Party’s cause, and the CNGWC organization is an important organizational foundation for carrying out this work. In advancing Chinese-path modernization, we must better grasp the political nature and regularities of the CNGWC’s work and more fully demonstrate its epochal character and practical nature.

关心下一代事业是党的事业的重要组成部分，关工委组织是开展关心下一代工作的重要组织依托。在推进中国式现代化中，要更好地把握关工委工作的政治性、规律性，更充分地展现时代性、实践性。

Uphold the leadership of the Party and adhere to using Party building to drive the construction of the CNGWC. Adhere to cultivating talent for the Party and the state, carry out diverse forms of political guidance and ideological leadership work, and educate the next generation to be grateful to the Party, listen to the Party, and follow the Party. Adhere to strengthening the construction of the CNGWC under the leadership of the Party. Wherever there are Party organizations and young people, strive to carry out the work of caring for the next generation there; wherever conditions exist to establish a CNGWC organization, strive to make its work active there.

坚定党的领导，坚持以党建带动关工委建设。坚持为党育人、为国育才，开展形式多样的政治引领和思想引导工作，教育下一代感党恩、听党话、跟党走。坚持在党的领导下加强关工委建设，哪里有党组织和青少年，就努力把那里的关心下一代工作开展起来；哪里有条件成立关工委组织，就努力使那里的关工委工作活跃起来。

Focus on fostering virtue and nurturing people, and concentrate on forging souls and educating people. Adhere to using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to forge souls and educate people, deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the Two Establishments [3]3 The Two Establishments: establishing Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era., enhance the Four Consciousnesses [4]4 The Four Consciousnesses: the consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership., strengthen the Four Confidences [5]5 The Four Confidences: confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics., and achieve the Two Upholds [6]6 The Two Upholds: upholding Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee.. Focus on cultivating and practicing the core socialist values, strive to pass on the red gene, promote the patriotic tradition, sing the main melody, and spread positive energy.

聚焦立德树人，聚力铸魂育人。坚持用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想铸魂育人，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”。聚焦培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，努力传承红色基因，弘扬爱国传统，传唱主旋律，传播正能量。

Always center on the overall situation and consciously serve the big picture. Adhere to the principle of “responding urgently to what the Party and government need, thinking about what young people require, and doing what the CNGWC can do,” improve the CNGWC’s linkage mechanisms and service platforms in the process of whole-process education and all-round education, and grasp the points of integration and focus of the work. Adhere to adapting measures to local conditions, using the veteran comrades’ original work units or their places of residence after retirement as important platforms. Organize veteran comrades who are able to participate in the work of caring for the next generation in their original work units, and mobilize other willing veteran comrades to carry out this work near their places of residence after retirement. Strive to strengthen the CNGWC’s organizational and work coverage in places where the “Five Elders” and young people are concentrated, achieving linkage of forces, joint activities, shared resources, and coordinated development.

始终围绕中心，自觉服务大局。坚持“急党政所急、想青少年所需、尽关工委所能”，完善关工委在全过程育人、全方位育人中的联动机制、服务平台，抓实工作结合点和着力点。坚持因地制宜，以老同志的原从业单位或退休后的常住地为重要平台，组织有条件的老同志在原从业单位参加关心下一代工作，动员其他有意愿的老同志在退休后的常住地就近开展关心下一代工作，努力在“五老”和青少年集中的活动场所加强关工委的组织和工作覆盖，实现力量联动、活动联办、资源联用、协调发展。

Give full play to unique strengths and keep pace with the times. Extensively pool the unique strengths and abundant resources of veteran comrades represented by the “Five Elders” [7]7 The “Five Elders” (五老) refers to five categories of veteran cadres, veterans, old experts, old model workers, and old teachers, who are mobilized by the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation to mentor and support young people. in educating, guiding, caring for, and protecting young people; unite the “Five Elders” with the cause, motivate them with mechanisms, care for them with familial affection, and support them with services, so that the broad ranks of the “Five Elders” can find fulfillment and shine on the broad stage of caring for the next generation. Deeply study the characteristic patterns of the work of the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation and its organizational building on the new journey of the New Era, strive to promote work innovation, and work to achieve high-quality development in the work of the committee.

发挥独特优势，坚持与时俱进。广泛汇聚以“五老”为代表的老同志在教育、引导、关爱、保护青少年方面的独特优势和丰厚资源，用事业凝聚“五老”，用机制激励“五老”，用亲情关怀“五老”，用服务保障“五老”，让广大“五老”在关心下一代的广阔舞台上老有所为、发光发热。深入研究新时代新征程中关工委工作和关工委建设的特点规律，着力推动工作创新，努力实现关工委工作的高质量发展。

Promote high-quality development of the work of the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation with a spirit of reform and innovation, and contribute “silver-haired strength” to advancing Chinese-path modernization.

以改革创新精神促进关工委工作高质量发展，为推进中国式现代化贡献“银发力量”

Thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the work of caring for the next generation and the central authorities’ deployments; in advancing Chinese-path modernization, more broadly pool “silver-haired strength” and more fully demonstrate the responsibility and commitment of the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation.

深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于关心下一代工作的重要论述和中央部署，在推进中国式现代化中更广泛地汇聚“银发力量”，更充分地展现关工委的责任担当。

Firmly uphold the Party’s leadership, and broadly pool and contribute “silver-haired strength” in implementing the project of fostering virtue and nurturing talent for the New Era. Persist in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to solidify the soul, use core socialist values to guide and cultivate people, and use the historic mission of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation to inspire people; contribute “silver-haired strength” to cultivating socialist builders and successors who are well-developed morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and in labor. Effectively leverage the advantages in implementing the project of fostering virtue and nurturing talent for the New Era; contribute the wisdom of the “Five Elders” in promoting Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into textbooks, into classrooms, and into minds; cultivate the brand of the “Five Elders” in perfecting the mechanism of whole-process education and all-round education and in constructing a new pattern of fostering virtue and nurturing talent on the new journey of the New Era; give play to the advantages of the “Five Elders” in excavating, integrating, and applying successful cases of the great transformations of the New Era and the educational role of red resources; and display the strength of the “Five Elders” in inheriting and developing the excellent culture of the Chinese nation and promoting the common prosperity and development of all ethnic groups.

坚定党的领导，在实施新时代立德树人工程中广泛汇聚和贡献“银发力量”。坚持用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，用社会主义核心价值观引领人、培育人，用中华民族伟大复兴历史使命激励人，为培养德、智、体、美、劳全面发展的社会主义建设者和接班人贡献“银发力量”。有效发挥在实施新时代立德树人工程中的优势作用，在推动习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想进教材、进讲堂、进头脑中贡献“五老”智慧，在完善全过程育人、全方位育人机制和构建新时代新征程立德树人新格局中培树“五老”品牌，在挖掘、整合、运用新时代伟大变革成功案例和红色资源育人中发挥“五老”优势，在传承发展中华民族优秀文化、促进各民族共同繁荣发展中展现“五老”力量。

Demonstrate responsibility and commitment, and broadly pool and contribute “silver-haired strength” in implementing the “Five Elders” project for caring for the next generation. Continuously carry out study and education on the history of the Party, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development; deepen educational practice activities; and use the spiritual genealogy of Chinese Communists to educate and unite young people. Actively guide young people to establish a correct worldview, outlook on life, and value system. Forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Vigorously promote the excellent traditional Chinese culture. Continuously carry out the “Care for Tomorrow, Law First” youth legal education and publicity activities, and strengthen awareness of respecting, studying, abiding by, and applying the law. Focus on doing practical things, doing good deeds, and solving difficult problems; deepen care and assistance for schooling; and coordinate efforts in caring services for groups such as left-behind children and migrant children. Give play to the role of the “Five Elders” in serving and promoting comprehensive rural revitalization, and help cultivate new-type rural young talents who have ideals, understand technology, can manage, and are good at operations. Vigorously promote the spirit of model workers, the spirit of labor, and the spirit of craftsmanship, and help cultivate a contingent of young industrial workers who have ideals and firm convictions, understand technology and can innovate, dare to take responsibility and are willing to contribute.

展现责任担当，在实施“五老”关爱下一代工程中广泛汇聚和贡献“银发力量”。持续开展党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史学习教育，深化教育实践活动，用中国共产党人精神谱系教育凝聚青少年。积极引导青少年树立正确的世界观、人生观、价值观。铸牢中华民族共同体意识。大力弘扬中华优秀传统文化。持续开展“关爱明天、普法先行”青少年法治宣传教育活动，强化尊法、学法、守法、用法意识。着力办实事、做好事、解难事，深化关爱助学工作，协同做好留守儿童、流动儿童等群体的关爱服务。发挥“五老”在乡村全面振兴中的服务和推动作用，助力培养有理想、懂技术、会管理、会经营的乡村新型青年人才。大力弘扬劳模精神、劳动精神、工匠精神，助力培养有理想守信念、懂技术会创新、敢担当讲奉献的青年产业工人队伍。

Keep pace with the times, and broadly pool and contribute “silver-haired strength” in promoting high-quality development of the work of the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation. Persist in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to strengthen the ideological, political, and performance-capacity building of the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation. Persist in using Party building to drive the construction of the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation, continuously expand the organizational coverage and work coverage of the committee, and strive to make the committee’s organization connect more closely with young people. Improve the linkage mechanism among member units of the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation, and more effectively achieve work linkage, joint construction of positions, joint organization of activities, shared use of resources, and combined strength. Continuously enhance the service capacity building of the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation, and cultivate more service positions and activity brands with cohesion and influence. Continuously deepen theoretical research and work research, and provide support for the high-quality development of the work of the Working Committee on the Care of the Next Generation.

坚持与时俱进，在推动关工委工作高质量发展中广泛汇聚和贡献“银发力量”。坚持用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想加强关工委的思想政治和履职能力建设。坚持党建带动关工委建设，不断扩大关工委的组织覆盖和工作覆盖，努力使关工委组织与青少年的沟通联得更紧。健全关工委成员单位的联动机制，更有效地实现工作联动、阵地联建、活动联办、资源联用、力量联合。不断提升关工委服务能力建设，培育更多有凝聚力、具影响力的服务阵地、活动品牌。持续深化理论研究、工作研究，为关工委工作高质量发展提供支持。

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧