The Grand View of History of Contemporary Chinese Communists

History is a book of the practice and wisdom of predecessors, recording the脉络 of the development of civilization and reflecting the direction of future progress. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has attached great importance to history, treated it correctly, and applied it scientifically, clearly putting forward the landmark important thesis of establishing a grand view of history, and integrating it into the great practice of governing the country in the New Era. Xi Jinping’s grand view of history profoundly elucidates the scientific concepts, scientific thinking, and scientific methods for studying, using, and managing history. Through a series of original viewpoints and principled achievements, it realizes the concrete application and innovative development of Marxist historical materialism, the sublation and creative transformation of traditional Chinese views of history, providing a powerful ideological weapon for contemporary Chinese Communists to accurately grasp the historical orientation, deeply perceive the trends of the times, correctly reveal the laws of development, and firmly believe in and act on the goals and direction.

历史是前人的实践和智慧之书，载录着文明发展的脉络，映照着未来前进的方向。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记高度重视历史、正确对待历史、科学运用历史，鲜明提出树立大历史观这一具有标识性的重要论断，并将其融入新时代治国理政的伟大实践。习近平总书记的大历史观深刻阐明了学史治史用史的科学观念、科学思维和科学方法，以一系列原创性观点和原理性成果实现了对马克思主义唯物史观的具体运用和创新性发展、对中国传统史观的扬弃继承和创造性转化，为当代中国共产党人准确把握历史方位、深刻洞察时代大势、正确揭示发展规律、笃信笃行目标方向提供了强大思想武器。

The Scientific Essential Nature

科学的本质属性

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Historical materialism is the fundamental method for us Communists to understand and grasp history.” “Only by adhering to historical materialism can we continuously raise our understanding of the laws of socialism with Chinese characteristics to a new level and continuously open up new realms for the development of Marxism in contemporary China.” The grand view of history is the adherence and innovation of Marxist historical materialism by the Chinese Communists in the New Era.

习近平总书记指出：“唯物史观是我们共产党人认识把握历史的根本方法。”“只有坚持历史唯物主义，我们才能不断把对中国特色社会主义规律的认识提高到新的水平，不断开辟当代中国马克思主义发展新境界。”大历史观是新时代中国共产党人对马克思主义唯物史观的守正创新。

The grand view of history emphasizes the objectivity of historical development. Respecting historical facts and acknowledging the objectivity of history are the starting point and落脚点 of the grand view of history. Objectively acknowledging, respecting, and revering history is a sign of the maturity and confidence of a nation or a political party. Regarding the objectivity of history, Marx gave a very incisive exposition: “Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances, but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past.” General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “History is history, facts are facts; no one can change history and facts.” The objectivity of history is reflected in many aspects, such as the objectivity of historical events, the objectivity of historical laws, and the objectivity of historical understanding. Whether to acknowledge the objectivity of history is the touchstone for distinguishing historical materialism from historical idealism. Denying the objectivity of history negates the direction of historical inevitability, obliterates the tradition and value of history, and thus fundamentally denies the scientific nature of history. Only by adhering to the objectivity of history, respecting the original face of history, understanding history as truthfully as possible to the greatest extent, and examining and grasping the experience and lessons accumulated by human practice from history, can history become the best textbook, the best nutrient, and the best sobering agent. For understanding specific historical issues, it is especially necessary to adhere to the objectivity of history. In evaluating specific historical figures, General Secretary Xi Jinping once proposed: “They should be analyzed within the historical conditions of their era and society; one cannot depart from a comprehensive understanding of historical conditions and processes and a scientific grasp of historical laws, nor can one ignore the relationship between historical inevitability and historical contingency.” Historical inevitability and contingency are dialectically unified; historical inevitability often opens up its path through contingency. Therefore, distinguishing the main themes, main lines, mainstream, and essence of historical development in the surging long river of history, and correctly treating the mistakes and twists and turns encountered on the path of historical development, are basic requirements for grasping the objectivity of history.

大历史观强调历史发展的客观性。尊重历史事实，承认历史的客观性，是大历史观的出发点和落脚点。客观地承认历史、尊重历史、敬畏历史，是一个民族、一个政党成熟自信的标志。对于历史的客观性，马克思有非常精辟的阐述：“人们自己创造自己的历史，但是他们并不是随心所欲地创造，并不是在他们自己选定的条件下创造，而是在直接碰到的、既定的、从过去承继下来的条件下创造。”习近平总书记指出：“历史就是历史，事实就是事实，任何人都不可能改变历史和事实。”历史的客观性体现在历史事件的客观性、历史规律的客观性、历史认识的客观性等多方面。是否承认历史的客观性是区分唯物史观和唯心史观的试金石。否定历史的客观性，就否定了历史必然性的发展方向，就泯灭了历史的传统和价值，这就意味着从根本上否定了历史的科学性。只有坚持历史的客观性，尊重历史本来面貌，最大程度真实地认识历史，从历史中审视和把握人类实践积累的经验和教训，历史才能成为最好的教科书、最好的营养剂和最好的清醒剂。对于具体历史问题的认识，尤其需要坚持历史的客观性。习近平总书记在对具体历史人物的评价中，曾经提出：“应该放在其所处时代和社会的历史条件下去分析，不能离开对历史条件、历史过程的全面认识和对历史规律的科学把握，不能忽略历史必然性和历史偶然性的关系。”历史的必然性与偶然性是辩证统一的，历史的必然性往往通过偶然性为自己开辟道路，因此，在波澜起伏的历史长河中分清历史发展的主题主线、主流本质，正确对待历史发展道路上经历的失误和曲折，是把握历史客观性的基本要求。

The grand view of history emphasizes the continuity of historical development. Marxism emphasizes that the world is “a collection of processes” and that “history is nothing but the succession of the separate generations.” General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “History moves from yesterday to today and then to tomorrow; the connections of history cannot be severed, and people always develop forward on the basis of inheriting from their predecessors.” “History is the reality of the past, and reality is the history of the future.” History exists as a process; only by being familiar with and grasping the process of historical development can we truly understand where we come from and where we are going. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Without the five thousand years of Chinese civilization, where would the Chinese characteristics come from? If not for the Chinese characteristics, how could we have such a successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics today?” By understanding and grasping the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics from the prominent continuity of Chinese civilization, we can more deeply comprehend the unique national genes and profound historical heritage of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and thus more confidently affirm the historical inevitability of the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Acknowledging the continuity of historical development also means acknowledging the periodicity of historical development. History is composed of a series of relatively independent stages linked together; each historical period has its unique background and conditions, presenting different characteristics, yet they are interconnected. Historical development is the dialectical unity of continuity and periodicity. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the historical development of the CPC “is a process of continuous struggle, a complete undertaking of saving the nation, rejuvenating the country, strengthening the country, and then realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” The missions and tasks of each historical stage of this undertaking are different, but they all strive together for national rejuvenation. General Secretary Xi Jinping also specifically proposed the important thesis of correctly understanding the “two historical periods” [1]1 The “two historical periods” refers to the period before reform and opening up (1949–1978) and the period after reform and opening up (1978–present). Xi Jinping’s formulation cautions against using one period to negate the other, emphasizing their continuity and mutual foundation., pointing out: “One cannot negate the historical period after reform and opening up with the historical period before reform and opening up, nor can one negate the historical period before reform and opening up with the historical period after reform and opening up.” The former laid the institutional foundation and fundamental political prerequisite for all social development and progress in China; the latter is the adherence, reform, and development of the former. This is a specific historical viewpoint, but also a universally significant method of historical understanding. The connections of history cannot be severed, and the stages of history cannot be opposed; this is the clear stance and scientific attitude of using the grand view of history to comprehensively, connectedly, and dialectically grasp history.

大历史观强调历史发展的连续性。马克思主义强调，世界“是过程的集合体”，“历史不外是各个世代的依次交替”。习近平总书记指出，“历史是从昨天走到今天再走向明天，历史的联系是不可能割断的，人们总是在继承前人的基础上向前发展的。”“历史是过去的现实，现实是未来的历史”。历史作为一个过程而存在，只有熟悉掌握历史发展过程，才能真正弄清楚我们从哪儿来、往哪儿去。习近平总书记强调：“如果没有中华五千年文明，哪里有什么中国特色？如果不是中国特色，哪有我们今天这么成功的中国特色社会主义道路？”从中华文明突出的连续性来认识和把握中国特色社会主义道路，就能够更加深刻地体悟中国特色社会主义独特的民族基因、深厚的历史底蕴，也就能够更加自信地坚定中国特色社会主义成功的历史必然。承认历史发展的连续性，也要承认历史发展的阶段性。历史是由一系列相对独立的阶段联系起来的，每一个历史时期都有其独特的背景和条件，呈现出不同的特点，但又相互联系。历史发展是连续性和阶段性的辩证统一。习近平总书记指出，中国共产党的历史发展“是一个接续奋斗的历史过程，是一项救国、兴国、强国，进而实现中华民族伟大复兴的完整事业”。这一事业每个历史阶段的使命和任务是不同的，但是都共同为民族复兴而奋斗。习近平总书记还特别提出要正确认识“两个历史时期”的重要论断，指出：“不能用改革开放后的历史时期否定改革开放前的历史时期，也不能用改革开放前的历史时期否定改革开放后的历史时期。”前者为后者奠定了中国社会一切发展进步的制度基础和根本政治前提；后者是对前者的坚持、改革和发展。这是一个具体历史观点，也是一个具有普遍意义的历史认识方法。历史的联系不能割断、历史的阶段不能对立，这是运用大历史观全面地、联系地、辩证地把握历史的鲜明立场和科学态度。

The grand view of history emphasizes the progressiveness of historical development. Historical materialism holds that contradiction is universal; human cognitive and practical activities are fundamentally a process of continuously understanding and resolving contradictions. The entire world is “a picture of endless interweaving of various connections and interactions, in which nothing is immobile and unchanging, but everything is in motion, change, generation, and disappearance.” Social history is always a process of the unity of spiraling ascent and wave-like progress. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the world always develops amidst the movement of contradictions; without contradictions, there would be no world. Looking at history, humanity grows precisely by overcoming one test after another and develops by surmounting one crisis after another. The grand view of history follows the basic principles of Marxism, studies problems starting from the contradictions between productive forces and relations of production, and between the economic base and the superstructure, linking the internal logic of human social history with the realistic logic of contemporary China’s development, emphasizing that social progress and development are eternal logic, while also emphasizing that although history presents a complex and intricate appearance, its essence has laws that can be followed. From the perspective of materialist dialectics, the development of things is inevitable; its essence is the victory of new things over old things, but the process of development is tortuous and full of contradictions. Therefore, one must firmly believe that “the future is bright, but the path is tortuous. This is the historical logic of the development of all just causes. The greatness of our cause lies in continuously achieving success despite undergoing hardships rarely seen in the world.”

大历史观强调历史发展的前进性。历史唯物主义认为，矛盾是普遍存在的，人的认识活动和实践活动，从根本上说就是不断认识矛盾、不断解决矛盾的过程。整个世界“是一幅由种种联系和相互作用无穷无尽地交织起来的画面，其中没有任何东西是不动的和不变的，而是一切都在运动、变化、生成和消逝”。社会历史总是螺旋式上升和波浪式前进统一的过程。习近平总书记指出，世界总是在矛盾运动中发展的，没有矛盾就没有世界。纵观历史，人类正是在战胜一次次考验中成长、在克服一场场危机中发展。大历史观遵循马克思主义基本原理，从生产力和生产关系的矛盾、经济基础和上层建筑的矛盾出发来研究问题，将人类社会历史的内在逻辑同当代中国发展的现实逻辑联系起来，强调社会前进发展是永恒的逻辑，同时也强调，尽管历史呈现了错综复杂的表象，但其本质是有规律可循的。在唯物辩证法看来，事物发展是必然的，其本质就是新事物战胜旧事物，但事物发展的过程是曲折的，充斥着矛盾。因此要坚信，“前途是光明的，道路是曲折的。这是一切正义事业发展的历史逻辑。我们的事业之所以伟大，就在于经历世所罕见的艰难而不断取得成功”。

The grand view of history emphasizes the subjectivity of historical development. Understanding the position and role of the people in history is a major question that any view of history must answer. Historical materialism was the first to thoroughly resolve this question, proposing that historical activity is the cause of the people and that the people are the creators of history. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “The people are both the creators of history

大历史观强调历史发展的主体性。认识人民群众在历史上的地位和作用，是历史观需要回答的重大问题。唯物史观第一次彻底解决了这个问题，提出历史活动是人民群众的事业，人民群众是历史的创造者。习近平总书记指出：“人民既是历史的创造者、也是历史的见证者，既是历史的‘剧中人’、也是历史的‘剧作者’”，“历史是人民书写的，一切成就归功于人民”，“社会主义革命和建设的成就是人民群众干出来的；改革开放的历史伟剧是亿万人民群众主演的”。大历史观是认清历史主体的群众史观。一方面，大历史观以多种历史视角描绘出人民群众创造历史的总体图景，沿循中华民族发展的历史脉络，揭示了“波澜壮阔的中华民族发展史是中国人民书写的”历史逻辑；总结我们党依靠人民推进事业发展的历史经验，揭示了“党的根基在人民、血脉在人民、力量在人民”历史结论；回望马克思主义中国化时代化的历史进程，揭示了“人民的创造性实践是马克思主义理论创新的不竭源泉”深刻道理，充分证明了任何一项伟大事业要成功，都必须从人民中找到根基，从人民中集聚力量，团结带领人民共同来完成。另一方面，大历史观更加注重“以人民为中心”的价值导向，把实现人自由而全面的发展作为推进现代化的最终目标，强调现代化道路最终能否走得通、行得稳，关键要看是否坚持以人民为中心；把是否符合最广大人民的根本利益作为评析历史、考察现实、审视未来的标准。强调人民是决定党和国家前途命运的根本力量，是我们党的工作的最高裁决者和最终评判者，充分彰显出人民性的鲜明品格。

A Broad Vision and Framework

宏阔的视野格局

General Secretary Xi Jinping places great emphasis on examining China’s development from a broad temporal and spatial perspective, repeatedly stressing that to understand things “one needs a broad perspective, one needs to place them in the grand history of world and Chinese development.” “Only in the long river of the entire history of human development can one see through the essence of historical movements and the direction of the times.” “Only by understanding history can one see far; only by comprehending history can one go far.” The grand view of history is a historical perspective with a broad spatiotemporal logic. With a broad vision, a grand framework, and a generous mind, it situates China’s social and historical development within the grand time and space of human historical development to understand, analyze, and solve problems.

习近平总书记十分注重从时间和空间大角度审视我国发展，反复强调，认识事物“需要有一个宽广的视角，需要放到世界和我国发展大历史中去看。”“只有在整个人类发展的历史长河中，才能透视出历史运动的本质和时代发展的方向。”“了解历史才能看得远，理解历史才能走得远”。大历史观是拥有宽广时空逻辑的历史观，以大视野、大格局、大胸怀，把我国的社会历史发展置于人类历史发展的大时空中，认识问题、分析问题、解决问题。

The grand view of history displays a long-term vision that spans millennia. History is like a river stretching thousands of miles; only by standing at the commanding height of time can one grasp the full picture and discern trends. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “Our understanding of time is not measured in decades or centuries, but in centuries and millennia.” The recognition and grasp of historical laws are not achieved overnight; they are completed in the cyclical process of practice, cognition, further practice, and further cognition. Only by extending the time scale and broadening the historical horizon can one maximally overcome the fragmentation of historical understanding, making historical conclusions more persuasive and explanatory, and demonstrating a powerful historical penetrating force. The grand view of history emphasizes grasping the causal connections of historical objects from the overall interconnections of history, stresses examining the regular movements and long-term development trends of history from a long temporal dimension, and strives to find the basis for solving practical problems from the connection between history and reality. Applying the grand view of history, our Party grasps the developmental context and correct direction of world history with a broad vision and long-term perspective, recognizes the major logic and major trends of China’s social development and human social development, grasps the historical evolution and practical requirements of Chinese-path modernization, deepens the understanding of the laws governing the promotion of high-quality development and the construction of a new development pattern in the context of the new round of scientific and technological revolution, the overall pattern of global economic development, and the stage-specific characteristics of China’s development, deepens the understanding of the laws governing the Party’s strategic thought on self-revolution in the context of the comparative fate of Marxist political parties worldwide and the practical tests facing the Party’s long-term governance, and comprehensively and systematically proposes scientific concepts and effective countermeasures to solve practical problems, enabling contemporary Chinese Marxism and Marxism in the 21st century to demonstrate a more powerful and more convincing truth force.

大历史观展现了思接千载的长远眼光。历史就像万里江河，只有站在时间的制高点上，才能了解全貌、把握趋势。习近平总书记指出：“我们对于时间的理解，不是以十年、百年为计，而是以百年、千年为计。”对历史规律的认识和把握不是一蹴而就的，是在实践、认识、再实践、再认识的循环往复中完成的，只有拉长时间尺度、放宽历史视野，才能最大限度地克服历史认识的碎片化，使历史结论更具有说服力和解释力，展现出强大的历史穿透力。大历史观突出从历史的总体联系上把握历史研究对象的因果关联，强调从长的时间维度来考察历史的规律性运动和长期发展趋势，努力从历史与现实的联系中寻找解决现实问题的依据。运用大历史观，我们党以宽广的视野、长远的眼光把握世界历史的发展脉络和正确走向，认清我国社会发展、人类社会发展的大逻辑大趋势，把握中国式现代化的历史沿革和实践要求，在新一轮科技革命、全球经济发展大格局和我国发展的阶段性特征中深化对推动高质量发展、构建新发展格局的规律性认识，在世界马克思主义政党命运比较和我们党长期执政面临的现实考验中深化对党的自我革命战略思想的规律性认识，全面系统地提出解决现实问题的科学理念、有效对策，让当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义展现出更为强大、更有说服力的真理力量。

The grand view of history displays a global vision that sees across thousands of miles. Marxism holds that human society will move from the history of individual nations to world history, a trend that no force can stop. Inheriting and developing Marx’s theory of world history, General Secretary Xi Jinping particularly emphasizes examining the development trends of the contemporary world and the major problems it faces from the height of world history. One must analyze and examine history with a historical and comprehensive perspective, grasping the dialectical relationship between the continuity and stage-specific nature, the national and the global character of historical development within a broad vision that connects the past and the present, links China and the world, and coordinates the overall situation. Applying the grand view of history, our Party analyzes and compares changes in the relationship between China and the world from a broad historical perspective, scientifically understands the general trends of global development, and deeply perceives changes in the world pattern, making the major judgment that “the world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century,” and marking the world-historical position of China’s development on the vertical and horizontal axes of the progress of the Chinese nation and the balance of world forces. Our Party examines the paths to modernization taken by other countries and nations, as well as their successes and failures, clearly proposes that Chinese-path modernization has created a new form of human civilization, leads the Chinese people to confidently and independently follow the path of Chinese-path modernization, respects each country’s independent exploration of modernization paths suited to its national conditions, strives to let modernization undertakings with distinct characteristics converge into a torrent of the times that promotes world prosperity and progress, and promotes Chinese-path modernization to continuously make new and greater contributions to humanity.

大历史观展现了视通万里的世界眼光。马克思主义认为，人类社会将从各民族的历史走向世界历史，这是任何力量都阻挡不了的。继承和发展马克思主义的世界历史理论，习近平总书记特别强调站在世界历史的高度审视当今世界发展趋势和面临的重大问题。要以历史的、全面的眼光剖析和考察历史，在贯通古今、联通中外、统筹全局的大视野中把握历史发展的连续性和阶段性、民族性和世界性相统一的辩证关系。运用大历史观，我们党从历史的宽领域去分析比较世界与中国关系的变化，科学认识全球发展大势、深刻洞察世界格局变化，作出“当今世界正经历百年未有之大变局”的重大判断，在中华民族前进和世界力量对比的纵横坐标中标定了我国发展的世界历史方位。我们党审视世界上其他国家和民族走向现代化的路径和成败得失，鲜明提出中国式现代化创造了人类文明新形态，带领中国人民自信自立走好中国式现代化道路，尊重每个国家自主探索符合本国国情的现代化道路，努力让各具特色的现代化事业汇聚成推动世界繁荣进步的时代洪流，推动中国式现代化不断为人类作出新的更大贡献。

Profound Historical Logic

深厚的历史逻辑

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out, “If China is not understood from its

习近平总书记指出，“如果不从源远流长的历史连续性来认识中国，就不可能理解古代中国，也不可能理解现代中国，更不可能理解未来中国”。大历史观科学把握中华民族的历史特点，深刻总结近代以来中国共产党革命、建设和改革的历史实践，以系统的历史构建，揭示出历史发展的整体脉络，以厚重的历史内涵，回答了“我们从哪里来、现在在哪里、将到哪里去”的重大时代问题，展现出汲取智慧力量，探寻复兴之道的完整历史逻辑。

Grasping historical continuity from the historical development of the Chinese nation. The history of a nation is the foundation on which that nation establishes itself and carries on. General Secretary Xi Jinping grasps the vast and profound depth of history, systematically expounds the historical logic of the development of the Chinese nation, and presents a panoramic view of the historical thread of the origin, formation, and development of Chinese civilization: "All ethnic groups in our country have jointly opened up the vast territory of the motherland, jointly created a unified multi-ethnic state, jointly written the brilliant history of China, and jointly created the splendid Chinese culture"; "The history of China is a history in which all ethnic groups depended on and blended with each other, converging into the inseparable whole of the Chinese nation, a history in which all ethnic groups jointly created, developed, and consolidated the unified great motherland." Following the major trend of the Chinese nation moving from history toward the future, from tradition toward modernity, and from diversity toward unity, General Secretary Xi Jinping has further systematically summarized the outstanding characteristics of Chinese civilization, expounded the pattern of unity in diversity of Chinese civilization, and emphasized that "contemporary China is the continuation and development of historical China, and contemporary Chinese ideology and culture are also the inheritance and elevation of traditional Chinese ideology and culture. To understand today's China and today's Chinese people, one must deeply understand the cultural bloodline of China and accurately grasp the cultural soil that nourishes the Chinese people." By clarifying the more than five thousand years of historical development and cultural traditions of the Chinese nation, and by clarifying the historical origins and unique advantages of Chinese civilization, one can possess a deep-rooted confidence in the path, confidence in the theory, confidence in the system, and confidence in the culture, and can more steadfastly forge ahead while continuing the cultural bloodline of the nation.

从中华民族的历史发展把握历史传承。一个民族的历史是一个民族安身立命的基础。习近平总书记把握宏阔深远的历史纵深，系统阐述了中华民族发展的历史逻辑，全景式呈现了中华文明起源、形成、发展的历史脉络：“我国各民族共同开拓了祖国的辽阔疆域，共同缔造了统一的多民族国家，共同书写了辉煌的中国历史，共同创造了灿烂的中华文化”；“一部中国史，就是一部各民族相互依存、相互交融，汇聚成不可分离的中华民族整体的历史，就是各民族共同缔造、发展、巩固统一的伟大祖国的历史”。顺应中华民族从历史走向未来、从传统走向现代、从多元凝聚为一体的发展大趋势，习近平总书记进一步系统总结了中华文明的突出特性，阐述了中华文明多元一体格局，强调“当代中国是历史中国的延续和发展，当代中国思想文化也是中国传统思想文化的传承和升华，要认识今天的中国、今天的中国人，就要深入了解中国的文化血脉，准确把握滋养中国人的文化土壤”。弄清中华民族五千多年的历史发展和文化传统，弄清中华文明的历史源流与独特优势，就能拥有植根深处的道路自信、理论自信、制度自信、文化自信，就能更加坚定地在延续民族文化血脉中开拓前进。

Grasping historical trends from the historical development of socialism. That China took the socialist road was a choice of history and a choice of the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out, “Socialism with Chinese characteristics began in the new period of reform and opening up, but to understand the context of its formation and development and to recognize its historical inevitability and scientific truth, we should lengthen the time scale and place it within the course of the evolution of world socialism for understanding.” “Marx and Engels, as early as over 170 years ago, scientifically revealed the historical law that socialism will inevitably replace capitalism. This is an irreversible general trend in the development of human society.” General Secretary Xi Jinping systematically summarized and concluded the process of socialism from nothing to something, from utopia to science, from theory to practice, and from practice in one country to development in multiple countries, covering six stages: the emergence and development of utopian socialism, Marx and Engels’ establishment of the theoretical system of scientific socialism, Lenin’s leadership of the October Revolution’s victory and the practice of socialism, the gradual formation of the Soviet model, our Party’s exploration and practice of socialism after the founding of New China, and our Party’s historic decision to carry out reform and opening up and the creation and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. By connecting and understanding the historical development of Chinese society with the historical development of the world socialist movement, this profoundly reveals that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the dialectical unity of the theoretical logic of scientific socialism and the historical logic of China’s social development, and profoundly reveals that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only way that is rooted in China’s soil, reflects the will of the Chinese people, and meets the requirements of China’s and the times’ development and progress.

从社会主义的历史发展把握历史趋势。中国走上社会主义道路，是历史的选择，也是人民的选择。习近平总书记指出，“中国特色社会主义开创于改革开放新时期，但了解其形成和发展的脉络，认识其历史必然性和科学真理性，应该拉长时间尺度，放在世界社会主义演进的历程中去把握。”“马克思、恩格斯早在170多年前就科学揭示了社会主义必然代替资本主义的历史规律。这是人类社会发展不可逆转的总趋势”。习近平总书记从空想社会主义产生和发展、马克思恩格斯创立科学社会主义理论体系、列宁领导十月革命胜利并实践社会主义、苏联模式逐步形成、新中国成立后我们党对社会主义的探索和实践、我们党作出进行改革开放的历史性决策并开创和发展中国特色社会主义等6个阶段系统概括总结了社会主义从无到有、从空想到科学、从理论到实践、从一国实践到多国发展历程。把中国社会历史发展与世界社会主义运动的历史发展贯通起来认识和把握，深刻揭示了中国特色社会主义是科学社会主义理论逻辑和中国社会发展历史逻辑的辩证统一，深刻揭示了中国特色社会主义是根植中国大地、反映中国人民意愿、适应中国和时代发展进步要求的必由之路。

Grasping the historical mission from China’s modern historical development. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “China’s ancient history, modern history, and contemporary history together form a rich historical画卷 of the Chinese nation.” “Without understanding Chinese history and culture, especially the history and culture of China since modern times, it is difficult to fully grasp the social conditions of contemporary China, difficult to fully grasp the aspirations and dreams of the contemporary Chinese people, and difficult to fully grasp the development path chosen by the Chinese people.” Since modern times, national salvation from extinction has become an urgent historical mission for the Chinese nation and the Chinese people. Achieving national independence and the liberation of the people, and realizing national prosperity and the well-being of the people, became two major historical tasks that the Chinese people had to accomplish. These two historical tasks are interconnected; the former is the foundation of the latter, and the latter is the continuation of the former. So, what path must be taken, what ideological theory must guide it, and which class and which political party must lead the people in struggle to accomplish these two major historical tasks became the core question of modern Chinese history. Correctly answering this core question gave the Chinese revolution the right direction forward, gave the Chinese people powerful spiritual strength, and gave China’s destiny a bright prospect for development. From the surging and magnificent struggle history of modern China, the fundamental tasks of national independence, people’s liberation, national prosperity, and people’s well-being are revealed, enabling us to have a deeper understanding and grasp of the historical theme of national rejuvenation.

从中国近代的历史发展把握历史使命。习近平总书记指出：“我国古代史、近代史、现代史构成了中华民族的丰富历史画卷。”“不了解中国历史和文化，尤其是不了解近代以来的中国历史和文化，就很难全面把握当代中国的社会状况，很难全面把握当代中国人民的抱负和梦想，很难全面把握中国人民选择的发展道路。”近代以来，救亡图存成为中华民族和中国人民迫在眉睫的历史使命。争取民族独立、人民解放，实现国家富强、人民幸福，成为中国人民必须完成的两大历史任务。这两个历史任务相互衔接，前者是后者的基础，后者是前者的延续。那么，必须走什么样的道路、以什么样的思想理论为指导、由哪个阶级哪个政党来领导人民进行斗争才能实现这两大历史任务，就成为中国近现代历史的核心问题。正确回答这个核心问题，中国革命就有了正确前进方向，中国人民就有了强大精神力量，中国命运就有了光明发展前景。从中国近代以来波澜壮阔的奋斗历史中揭示出民族独立、人民解放，国家富强、人民幸福的根本任务，使我们对民族复兴的历史主题有了更为深刻的认识和把握。

Grasping historical creation from the historical development of the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out, “The history of the Communist Party of China is the most stirring chapter in the history of China since modern times; studying modern Chinese history requires special attention to studying the history of the Communist Party of China.” General Secretary Xi Jinping understands and grasps the Party’s history with a broad historical perspective, revealing the theme, main line, mainstream, and essence of the Party’s history within the historical logic that connects the past, present, and future, endowing the Party’s history with new connotations. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “History created the Communist Party of China amidst the people’s exploration and struggle, and our Party, uniting and leading the people, has in turn created new historical glories for the long-standing Chinese civilization.” The great socialist cause led by the Communist Party of China is a continuation and relay of the Chinese nation’s five-thousand-year struggle history, “a magnificent chapter in the history of the Chinese nation that cannot be forgotten or denied, and also the realistic foundation for the Chinese people and the Chinese nation to carry forward the cause and forge ahead.” From the moment it was founded, the Communist Party of China established seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation as its original aspiration and founding mission [3]3 Original aspiration and founding mission (初心使命) — a core Party concept referring to the Communist Party of China’s founding commitment to serve the people and rejuvenate the nation, formally articulated under Xi Jinping.. The theme of the Party’s united struggle is to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Over more than a hundred years, the Party has united and led the people to achieve the great victory of the New Democratic Revolution, complete socialist revolution and advance socialist construction, carry out reform and opening up and socialist modernization, and create the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, leading the Chinese people irreversibly toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In a century of continuous struggle, the Party has united and led the people to open up a great path, establish great achievements, forge a great spirit, accumulate valuable experience, and create miracles in the history of the Chinese nation’s development and the history of human social progress that command attention. Now, we are closer to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than at any time in history, and we have more confidence and capability to achieve this goal than at any time in history. The Chinese nation is marching toward great rejuvenation with an unstoppable pace. The grand historical logic that connects the bitter and glorious past, the rapidly changing present, and the bright and grand future profoundly demonstrates that the Party has united and led the Chinese people to write the most magnificent epic in the thousands of years of Chinese history, and profoundly reveals that with the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the close unity of the people of all ethnic groups across the country, the goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects can certainly be achieved.

从中国共产党的历史发展把握历史创造。习近平总书记指出，“中国共产党的历史是中国近现代以来历史最为可歌可泣的篇章，学习中国近现代史要特别注意学习中国共产党的历史”。习近平总书记以宏阔的历史视野认识和把握党的历史，在贯通过去、现在和未来的历史逻辑中揭示了党的历史的主题主线、主流本质，赋予了党的历史新的内涵。习近平总书记指出：“历史在人民探索和奋斗中造就了中国共产党，我们党团结带领人民又造就了历史悠久的中华文明新的历史辉煌。”中国共产党领导的社会主义伟大事业是中华民族上下五千年奋斗历史的延续和接力，“是中华民族发展史上不能忘却、不容否定的壮丽篇章，也是中国人民和中华民族继往开来、奋勇前进的现实基础”。中国共产党一经诞生，就把为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴确立为自己的初心使命。党团结奋斗的主题就是实现中华民族伟大复兴。一百多年来，党团结带领人民夺取新民主主义革命伟大胜利、完成社会主义革命和推进社会主义建设、进行改革开放和社会主义现代化建设、开创中国特色社会主义新时代，领导中国人民在中国特色社会主义道路上不可逆转地走向中华民族伟大复兴。在百年接续奋斗中，党团结带领人民开辟了伟大道路，建立了伟大功业，铸就了伟大精神，积累了宝贵经验，创造了中华民族发展史、人类社会进步史上令人刮目相看的奇迹。现在，我们比历史上任何时期都更接近中华民族伟大复兴的目标，比历史上任何时期都更有信心、有能力实现这个目标。中华民族正以不可阻挡的步伐迈向伟大复兴。把苦难辉煌的过去、日新月异的现在、光明宏大的未来贯通起来的历史大逻辑，深刻展现了党团结带领中国人民书写了中华民族几千年历史上最恢宏的史诗，深刻揭示了有中国共产党的坚强领导，有全国各族人民的紧密团结，全面建成社会主义现代化强国的目标一定能够实现。

Strong practical function

强大的实践功能

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out that to establish a grand view of history, one must “analyze the mechanisms of evolution and explore historical laws from the long river of history, the tide of the times, and the global situation, propose corresponding strategic strategies, and enhance the systematic, forward-looking, and creative nature of work.” The ultimate purpose of correctly learning and treating history, and scientifically observing and studying history, is to gain historical wisdom and promote historical development, just as Engels said: “We have not the slightest intention of doubting or despising the ‘lessons of history’; history is everything to us.”

习近平总书记指出，树立大历史观，要“从历史长河、时代大潮、全球风云中分析演变机理、探究历史规律，提出因应的战略策略，增强工作的系统性、预见性、创造性”。正确地学习和对待历史、科学地观察和研究历史，最终目的都是为了获得历史智慧，推动历史发展，正如恩格斯所说的那样：“我们根本没有想到要怀疑或轻视‘历史的启示’；历史就是我们的一切。”

The grand view of history is a view of history that grasps historical laws. History is not a simple list or pile of historical events, but has its own laws of development. Only by acting according to historical laws can one be invincible. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “The history of human social development proves that no matter what twists and turns may be encountered, history always moves forward according to its own laws, and no force can stop the wheel of history.” “When thinking about problems and making decisions, one must have historical perspective, be able to draw experience and wisdom from past history, and consciously act according to historical laws and the dialectics of historical development.” The historical process is governed by inherent general laws; this universal and necessary causal connection often lies deep within social and historical phenomena. Establishing a grand view of history requires us, in the macroscopic thinking of history and reality, to elevate general historical experience into theoretical understanding of laws, continuously deepen our understanding of the laws of human social development, the laws of socialist construction, the laws of Communist Party governance, and a series of specific laws of economic and social development, and use them to observe practical problems and guide future development. Consciously base ourselves on the new historical juncture and the issues of the times, grasp the laws of economic construction, political construction, cultural construction, social construction, and ecological civilization construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, and formulate national development strategies more scientifically. Focus on the contradictions and difficulties of comprehensively deepening reform, continuously deepen the understanding of the laws of reform, and enhance the scientific, forward-looking, proactive, and creative nature of further comprehensively deepening reform. Focus on the practical requirements of Chinese-path modernization, both follow the general laws of modernization and deeply explore the special laws of China’s modernization, gradually enter the “realm of freedom” of modernization in the continuous expansion of the breadth and depth of Chinese-path modernization, thereby effectively promoting “socialism with Chinese characteristics to develop forward more in accordance with the law.”

大历史观是把握历史规律的历史观。历史不是一堆简单历史事件的罗列和堆砌，而是有其发展规律。只有按历史规律办事，才能无往而不胜。习近平总书记指出：“人类社会发展的历史证明，无论会遇到什么样的曲折，历史都总是按照自己的规律向前发展，没有任何力量能够阻挡历史前进的车轮。”“想问题、作决策要有历史眼光，能够从以往的历史中汲取经验和智慧，自觉按照历史规律和历史发展的辩证法办事。”历史进程是受内在的一般规律支配的，这种具有普遍性和必然性的因果联系，往往存在于社会历史现象的深处。树立大历史观，要求我们在历史和现实的宏观思考中将一般性的历史经验上升为规律性的理论认识，不断深化对人类社会发展规律、社会主义建设规律、共产党执政规律以及一系列经济社会发展具体规律的认识，用以观察现实问题、指导未来发展。自觉立足新的历史方位和时代课题，把握新时代中国特色社会主义的经济建设规律、政治建设规律、文化建设规律、社会建设规律、生态文明建设规律，更加科学地制定国家发展战略。聚焦全面深化改革的矛盾难题，不断深化对改革的规律性认识，增强进一步全面深化改革的科学性、预见性、主动性、创造性。着眼中国式现代化的实践要求，既遵循现代化建设的一般规律，又深入探索中国现代化建设的特殊规律，在持续拓展中国式现代化的广度和深度中逐步进入现代化建设的“自由王国”，从而有力推动“中国特色社会主义更加符合规律地向前发展”。

The grand view of history is a view of history that grasps the general trend of history. “To know the Way, one must first understand history” [1]1 The “two historical periods” refers to the period before reform and opening up (1949–1978) and the period after reform and opening up (1978–present). Xi Jinping’s formulation cautions against using one period to negate the other, emphasizing their continuity and mutual foundation. — this emphasizes the importance of mastering the general trend of history. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, “For a country to develop and prosper, it must grasp and conform to the general trend of world development,” and “Only with a very broad vision, correctly understanding and actively conforming to the general trend of China’s and the world’s development, and correctly understanding and properly handling the major affairs facing the Party and the state, can one seize the initiative in work, keep pace with the progress of the times, and promote the smooth development of the cause.” The general trend of history is an overall tendency independent of human will, an external manifestation of the laws of history, representing the aspirations of the people and the future of humanity. Historical experience tells us that mastering the general trend of history is a major issue concerning the cause of the Party and the state. By following the trend, striving with vigor, and acting with a sense of responsibility, one can always stand on the correct side of history, thereby transforming the general trend of historical development into a great historical creation that advances the cause of the Party and the state. To establish a grand view of history requires us to see clearly the great trends and currents of historical development, to follow the correct direction indicated by the general trend of history, to plan the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation amidst the changes unseen in a century, to contemplate the future destiny of humanity before the map of the world, to always strive for the progress of human civilization amid the complex evolution of history and the changing times, and to work hard to promote the common development and prosperity of China and the world in the historic practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

大历史观是把握历史大势的历史观。欲知大道，必先为史，强调的就是掌握历史大势。习近平总书记指出，“一个国家要发展繁荣，必须把握和顺应世界发展大势”，“只有眼界非常宽阔，正确认识和积极顺应中国和世界发展大势，正确认识和妥善处理党和国家面临的大事，才能把握工作主动权，跟上时代前进步伐，推动事业顺利发展”。历史大势是不以人的意志为转移的总体趋势，是历史规律的外化表现，代表了人心所向和人类的未来。历史经验告诉我们，掌握历史大势，是关乎党和国家事业的大问题，顺势而为，奋发有为，担当作为，就能始终站在历史正确的一边，从而把历史发展大势转化为党和国家事业进步的伟大历史创造。树立大历史观，要求我们看清历史发展的大趋势、大潮流，顺应历史大势所指明的正确方向，在百年变局中擘画中华民族复兴伟业，在世界版图前思考人类前途命运，在纷繁复杂的历史演变和风云变幻的时代变迁中始终为人类文明进步奋斗，努力在推动构建人类命运共同体的历史性实践中促进中国与世界共同发展和繁荣。

The grand view of history is a view of history that adheres to historical patience. No major historical achievement, completion of a historical task, or opening of a historical stage is accomplished overnight. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “In the world, no undertaking goes smoothly. Looking at world history, the development of any country or nation is full of ups and downs and even twists and turns.” “Many issues must be examined in the long process of history; if something is not clear for the moment, do not rush to act on it.” History has never been a simple linear progression; long-term nature, complexity, and tortuousness are salient features of historical development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized: “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese

大历史观是坚守历史耐心的历史观。任何重大历史成就的取得、历史任务的完成、历史阶段的开辟都不是一蹴而就的。习近平总书记指出：“人世间没有一帆风顺的事业。综观世界历史，任何一个国家、一个民族的发展，都会跌宕起伏甚至充满曲折。”“很多问题要放在历史大进程中审视，一时看不清的不要急着去动。”历史从来都不是简单的线性进步，长期性、复杂性和曲折性是历史发展的显著特征。习近平总书记反复强调：“中华民族伟大复兴，绝不是轻轻松松、敲锣打鼓就能实现的。全党必须准备付出更为艰巨、更为艰苦的努力。”“始终从国情出发想问题、作决策、办事情，既不好高骛远，也不因循守旧，保持历史耐心，坚持稳中求进、循序渐进、持续推进。”树立大历史观，要求我们深刻认识到，建成社会主义现代化强国，实现中华民族伟大复兴，是一场接力跑，我们要一棒接着一棒跑下去，就必须始终戒骄戒躁，秉持“功成不必在我，功成必定有我”的胸怀信念，兼修“显功”和“潜功”，把着眼长远和干在当下统一起来，既坚定战略自信、保持必胜信念，又保持历史耐心、坚守战略定力，时刻准备经受风高浪急甚至惊涛骇浪的重大考验，以“咬定青山不放松”的韧劲、“不破楼兰终不还”的拼劲，沿着中国式现代化这条康庄大道久久为功、奋勇前进。

The grand view of history is a view of history that masters the historical initiative. Historical development has its laws, but human beings are not entirely passive within it. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: it is necessary to “further grasp the laws and general trends of historical development, and always master the historical initiative in the cause of the Party and the state”; “history will only favor the steadfast, the enterprising, and the brave, and will not wait for the hesitant, the slack, and the fearful.” Historical initiative acknowledges the laws of historical development, but even more so emphasizes the driving role of human subjectivity in the historical process. Establishing the grand view of history requires us to carry forward the spirit of historical initiative, actively seek out the laws of historical development, consciously and dynamically discern the direction of historical development, and master the initiative in historical development. Advancing Chinese-path modernization is an expedition full of glory and dreams, a great and arduous undertaking, and a historical process of stepwise progression and continuous development and progress. Only by giving full play to historical initiative and creativity, focusing on gaining inspiration from history, combining the understanding of history with the analysis of new situations, the grasp of new circumstances, and the resolution of new contradictions, using historical experience as an important ideological weapon for correctly judging situations, scientifically foreseeing the future, and mastering the historical initiative, and continuously promoting theoretical innovation, practical innovation, institutional innovation, and cultural innovation, and constantly discovering, inventing, creating, and advancing, can we better overcome difficulties, withstand risks, meet challenges, concentrate our efforts on handling our own affairs well, continue to write new chapters in the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, and strive to create a new situation in the construction of Chinese-path modernization.

大历史观是掌握历史主动的历史观。历史发展有其规律，但人在其中不是完全消极被动的。习近平总书记指出：要“进一步把握历史发展规律和大势，始终掌握党和国家事业发展的历史主动”，“历史只会眷顾坚定者、奋进者、搏击者，而不会等待犹豫者、懈怠者、畏难者。”历史主动性承认历史发展的规律，更强调人的主体性对历史进程的推动作用。树立大历史观，要求我们发扬历史主动精神，积极探寻历史发展规律，自觉能动地洞察历史发展走向，掌握历史发展的主动权。推进中国式现代化是充满光荣和梦想的远征，是一项伟大而艰巨的事业，是一个阶梯式递进、不断发展进步的历史过程，只有充分发挥历史的主动性和创造性，注重从历史中获得启迪，把对历史的认识同研判新形势、把握新情况、解决新矛盾结合起来，把历史经验作为正确判断形势、科学预见未来、把握历史主动的重要思想武器，不断推进理论创新、实践创新、制度创新、文化创新，不断有所发现、有所发明、有所创造、有所前进，才能更好地克难关、战风险、迎挑战，集中力量办好自己的事，续写经济快速发展和社会长期稳定两大奇迹新篇章，奋力开创中国式现代化建设新局面。

(The author is Vice President of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the CPC)

（作者系中央党史和文献研究院副院长）

Online editor: Chu Yang

网络编辑：初阳