Realizing Chinese-Path Modernization Requires Discourse Innovation

Conceptual innovation is the fundamental logical starting point of Chinese-path modernization. The deep advancement of modernization must begin with a profound transformation of basic concepts. The transformation of behavior inevitably originates from the renewal of concepts; without revolutionary conceptual breakthroughs, it is impossible to achieve a fundamental change in the logic of behavior. Any country that seeks to realize modernization must modernize its own conceptual system. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at a symposium on philosophy and social sciences: “Every major leap forward in human society and every major development in human civilization are inseparable from the knowledge transformation and ideological guidance provided by philosophy and social sciences.” [1]1 Marx, “The Observations on the Latest Prussian Censorship Instruction,” 1842. “This is an era that needs theory and is certainly capable of producing theory; this is an era that needs thought and is certainly capable of producing thought.” Both social sciences and natural sciences can advance the process of modernization, but their emphases differ. The former contributes new discourse, new ideas, and new concepts, while the latter mainly discovers new knowledge, new technologies, and new equipment. The renewal of concepts and knowledge allows the power of thought to break free from the shackles of old ideas, releasing the powerful material and spiritual forces needed for modernization. At present, comprehensively deepening reform has entered a new stage. The times call for great thinkers with profound vision and innovative concepts, as well as outstanding scholars with deep thought and lofty vision, to carry out discourse innovation and produce many new ideas that guide practice.

观念创新是中国式现代化的根本逻辑起点。现代化的深层推进，必须从基本观念的深度变革入手。行为的转型必然肇始于观念的革新，没有革命性的观念突破，就无从实现行为逻辑的根本蜕变。任何一个国家要实现现代化，都需要实现自身观念系统的现代化。习近平总书记在哲学社会科学工作座谈会上指出：“人类社会每一次重大跃进，人类文明每一次重大发展，都离不开哲学社会科学的知识变革和思想先导。”“这是一个需要理论而且一定能够产生理论的时代，这是一个需要思想而且一定能够产生思想的时代。”社会科学与自然科学均能够推进现代化进程，但侧重点不一样。前者在于贡献新话语、新思想、新观念，后者主要在于发现新知识、新技术、新装备。观念和知识的推陈出新，能够让思想的力量冲破旧有观念的束缚，释放出现代化建设所需的强大物质和精神力量。当前，全面深化改革进入新阶段，时代呼唤兼具深邃视野与创新观念的时代大家以及思想深刻、境界高远的优秀学者进行话语创新，产生出诸多指导实践的新思想。

Discourse Innovation: An Inevitable Requirement of Chinese-Path Modernization

话语创新：中国式现代化的必然要求

The “discourse innovation” discussed in this article is a pragmatic expression behavior that is based on “Chinese problems,” generated in specific contexts, and possesses novelty, vividness, and profundity, as well as practical ideological significance. The external form of “discourse” is manifested as “keywords,” “central sentences,” or “excellent texts.” In terms of pragmatic units, it includes both independent grammatical units with complete structure, clear meaning, and full function, and meaning units that, although lacking a complete grammatical structure in a specific context, have independent connotations and unique usage functions, even extending to pragmatic works larger than a sentence. In terms of pragmatic nature, the “discourse” referred to in this article is, at its core, a logically rigorous academic pragmatic behavior. In terms of pragmatic subjects, the discourse here includes both the political discourse of leaders that represents the will of the state and indicates the direction of China’s reform and development, and the academic expressions of researchers in various fields and disciplines of philosophy and social sciences, conducted within the framework of the Constitution and in line with the supreme interests of the state.

本文所论的“话语创新”，是立足“中国问题”，在具体语境中创生的，兼具新颖性、鲜活性与深刻性，且富有现实思想意义的语用表达行为。“话语”的外在形态体现为“关键词”“中心句”或“精彩语篇”。从语用单位来看，它既包括结构完整、表意明确、功能完备的独立语法单位，也涵盖具体语境中虽无完整语法结构却具备独立内涵和独特使用功能的意义单位，甚至是大于句子的语用作品；从语用性质而言，本文所指的“话语”，核心是逻辑缜密的学理性语用行为；从语用主体来看，这里的话语既包含代表国家意志、昭示中国改革发展方向的领袖政治话语，也包括哲学社会科学界各领域、各学科研究者在宪法框架内、符合国家最高利益的学术表达行为。

“To be the first to voice the voice of thought” is the ardent expectation of General Secretary Xi Jinping for philosophers and social scientists with ideals and aspirations. [2]2 “Qian Xuesen’s Question” refers to the query raised by the renowned Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen (1911–2009) as to why Chinese schools, despite producing many graduates, have failed to cultivate world-class innovative talents. The germination of thought precedes the expression of discourse; first, thought emerges, then it is externalized into specific linguistic forms and solidified into materialized symbolic forms. After repeated deliberation and polishing, it forms a mature, stable, and standardized expression that integrates form and spirit. Each era has its own urgent issues to be resolved. The New Era, advancing toward lofty goals and witnessing the comprehensive prosperity of various undertakings, even more urgently needs landmark, brilliant discourses that can alleviate real anxieties, earn the admiration of the world, and highlight the height of future development. Creating such Chinese discourse is not only a highly conscious responsibility of China’s intellectual and theoretical circles but also an indispensable “soft power” for national development.

“发思想之先声”，是习近平总书记对有理想、有抱负的哲学社会科学工作者的殷切期待。思想的萌芽先于话语的表达，先有思想的萌生，再外化为具体的语言形态、固化为物化的符号形式，经反复斟酌打磨后，形成成熟稳定、形神兼备的规范表达。每个时代都有亟待解决的时代课题，新时代向着崇高目标迈进、各项事业全面繁荣，更需要能够破解现实焦虑、为世人敬仰、彰显未来发展高度的里程碑式精彩话语。打造这样的中国话语，不仅是中国思想界与理论界高度自觉的责任，更是国家发展不可或缺的“软实力”。

The deeper new discourses, imprinted with the marks of the times, are integrated into the social practice of the people, the more profoundly they can refresh people’s understanding of changing reality. The unique charm and innovative thinking manifested in their implementation in various fields can inject strong impetus into the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The core requirement of discourse innovation is to highly consciously and proactively “create new concepts, new categories, and new expressions that are easy for the international community to understand and accept.” [3]3 Yu Yi (b. 1929) is a celebrated Chinese educator awarded the title “People’s Educator” by the Chinese government for her lifelong contributions to language teaching and educational reform. Among these, refining “new concepts” is the starting point for forming new expressions and constructing new thinking, and it is also the core content and logical prerequisite of “discourse innovation” in the context of this article.

烙刻着时代印记的新话语，融入人民群众社会实践的程度越深，就越能深刻刷新人们对变革现实的认知，其在各领域的落地彰显出的独特韵味与创新思维，能为中国特色社会主义建设注入强劲动力。话语创新的核心要求，就是高度自觉、主动地“打造易于为国际社会所理解和接受的新概念、新范畴、新表述”。其中，提炼“新概念”是形成新表述、建构新思维的开端，也是本文语境中“话语创新”的核心内容与逻辑前提。

Discourse innovation must be a unique, condensed expression that fits the “Chinese context.” Against the academic background where discourse research is trending toward multidisciplinary integration and “discourse studies” is emerging as a new comprehensive theoretical discipline, “discourse” itself has been endowed with increasingly strong pluralistic colors, becoming an important spiritual asset in the competition for cultural soft power in the era of globalization. In the academic field, refining new concepts and expressions with Chinese characteristics is increasingly becoming an “academic fashion” that promotes the progress of academic thought in various fields.

话语创新必须是贴合“中国语境”的独特凝练表达，而在话语研究趋向多学科融合、“话语学”作为新兴综合理论学科呼之欲出的学术背景下，“话语”本身被赋予了愈发浓厚的多元化色彩，成为全球化时代文化软实力博弈的重要精神财富。在学术领域，提炼兼具中国特色的新概念、新表述，正日益成为推动各领域学术思想进步的“学界时尚”。

Chinese discourse in the New Era is diverse in form and profound in connotation. Whether it comes from political leaders or academic elites, it is full of the affinity of the times and the wisdom of thought. New discourses that are rich in new quality and continuously demonstrate value must possess the inclusive characteristics of both locality and universality, containing an inner character that integrates reality, foresight, and development. Discourse innovation in specialized fields has a direct or indirect profound impact on various industries, especially promoting intangible yet perceptible “soft changes” in people’s spiritual production.

新时代中国话语形式多样、内涵深刻，无论出自政治领袖还是学界精英，都饱含时代的亲切感与思想的智慧力。富有新质、持续彰显价值的中国话语，必然兼具本土性与普适性的包容特质，蕴含现实性、前瞻性与发展性相贯通的内在品格。专业领域的话语创新，更对各行各业产生直接或间接的深远影响，尤其能推动人的精神生产发生无形却可感知的“软性变化”。

The question raised by the renowned scientist Qian Xuesen, due to its thought-provoking core, was elevated to the classic discourse of “Qian Xuesen’s Question.” [4] In the form of a rhetorical question—asked without an answer, with the answer contained within the question—it prompts continuous deep reflection among people and is of great contemporary value. The “ideas growth model” places thought, a factor of productivity that transcends intuitive forms such as capital, resources, and materials, at the core, profoundly highlighting the important role of the power of thought in promoting the development of productive forces. [5]

著名科学家钱学森提出的问题，因其发人深省的内核升华为“钱学森之问”这一经典话语，以问而无答、答在问中的反问形式，引发世人持续深思，极具时代价值。“ideas增长模型”则将思想这一超越资金、资源、物质等直观形态的生产力要素，置于核心位置，深刻彰显了思想力对生产力发展的重要推动作用。

Thought China: A Distinctive Feature of Chinese-Path Modernization

思想中国：中国式现代化的鲜明表征

Only by achieving the modernization of the entire nation’s thought can we gather the mighty power of thought and actively transform it into a strong driving force for national modernization. Thought comes first in all matters, and concepts are essential. The modernization of concepts is the primary task of national modernization and concerns all aspects of the modernization cause.

只有实现全民族思想的现代化，才能凝聚起磅礴的思想力量，并将其主动转化为国家现代化建设的强劲动力。凡事思想为先、观念为要，观念的现代化是国家现代化的首要任务，更关乎现代化事业的方方面面。

The “Thought China” referred to in this article is a state of mind in which, after the opening up of national concepts, the entire populace is intellectually active, pioneering thoughts emerge continuously, innovative wisdom bursts forth, and these can be directly transformed into material productive forces. It is a visible manifestation of the level of development of the thinking power of all citizens. “Thought China” and “Material China” complement each other, and the power of thought is positively correlated with the cause of modernization. Historically, the Hundred Schools of Thought contending in the pre-Qin period and the cultural prosperity of the Tang and Song dynasties approached such models of ideological development. [6] However, it is only in the New Era of reform and opening up that a completely new stage of ideological flourishing can truly be ushered in.

本文所指的“思想中国”，是国家观念开放后，全体民众思想活跃、思想先声不断涌现、创新智慧竞相迸发，且能直接转化为物质生产力的精神状态，是全体公民思想力发展水平的显性体现。“思想中国”与“物质中国”相辅相成，思想力与现代化事业呈正相关关系。历史上先秦诸子的百家争鸣、盛唐大宋的文化繁荣，都接近这样的思想发展典范，而唯有在改革开放的新时代，才能真正迎来思想鼎盛的全新发展阶段。

The role of the conditions of the times in promoting the development of thought is far greater than individual talent. Individual talent is endowed by life and given by the uniqueness of the family. The conditions of the times have universal guiding significance and can better promote discourse innovation in personal growth.

时代条件对思想发展的推动作用远大于个人资质。个人资质是生活赋予的，是家庭的独特性给予的。时代条件则具有普遍的引领性，在个人成长中更能推动话语创新。

First, an enlightened and open cultural atmosphere. This is the enlightened cultural climate advocated by Comrade Mao Zedong’s policy of “letting a hundred flowers bloom, letting a hundred schools of thought contend,” which welcomes dissenting views and outspoken criticism, and an open-minded, appreciative, and rewarding system that welcomes the continuous emergence of new ideas and creativity. [7] This is the most suitable soil for the growth of thought. Throughout history, whenever there has been an enlightened and open period, it has inevitably been a peak period of ideological tolerance and contention among various schools. Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s vivid and vivid “cat theory” once provided philosophically enlightening inspiration at a critical juncture, wisely resolving practical problems in development and advancing the great cause of Chinese-path modernization. [8]

第一，开明、开放的文化氛围。也就是毛泽东同志提出的“百花齐放，百家争鸣”方针所倡导的那种悦纳异见、欢迎谔谔诤言的开明文化气息，欢迎新见迭出、创意不断的开怀乐见褒奖体制。这是思想成长最适宜的土壤。纵观历史，但凡开明、开放的时期，必然是思想包容、诸子争鸣的全盛阶段。邓小平同志形象生动的“猫论”，曾在关键时期给人颇富哲理的启迪，智慧地化解了发展中的现实问题，推动了中国式现代化大业向前迈进。

Second, closely adhere to the new practices and new problems of socialism in the New Era. Chinese-path modernization is a completely new great undertaking based on China’s national conditions and with the characteristics of the times. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The starting point of theoretical thinking determines the outcome of theoretical innovation. Theoretical innovation can only begin from problems.” [9] Theoretical innovation and practical innovation must resonate at the same frequency. The innovation of the superstructure must be deeply integrated with the practice of reform and opening up. Typical problems of the times are the source of innovation. Since the New Era, important expositions proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, such as the “Chinese Dream,” the “Two Mountains Theory,” the “Button

第二，紧扣新时代社会主义的新实践与新问题。中国式现代化是一项立足中国国情、兼具时代特色的全新伟业。习近平总书记指出：“理论思维的起点决定着理论创新的结果。理论创新只能从问题开始。”理论创新与实践创新必须同频共振，上层建筑的创新要与改革开放的实践深度结合，时代典型问题是催生创新的源泉。新时代以来，习近平总书记提出的“中国梦”“两山论”“扣子论”“鞋子论”等重要论述，广为人知、影响深远，成为各行业的指导思想。我们既需要马克思、恩格斯等思想大师和领袖的原创性思想，也需要各行各业、各专业学科的经典大师以及遍布各领域的行家里手与专业名师的创新话语。

Third, build platforms for talented individuals to start undertakings, display their talents, and realize their potential. To construct a “thinking China,” the state must create opportunities by every possible means, enabling elites from all walks of life to fully demonstrate their strengths and abilities. In particular, it should encourage elites to dare to identify problems, delve deeply into exploration, and cultivate the good habit of paying attention to problems and studying them. Marx pointed out: “Problems are the slogans of the times, the most actual voice of their spiritual state.” [1]1 Marx, “The Observations on the Latest Prussian Censorship Instruction,” 1842. Although Qian Xuesen was a physicist, he also possessed profound humanistic literacy. It was precisely because he was adept at discovering and raising problems that he produced the classic “Qian Xuesen’s Question,” [2]2 “Qian Xuesen’s Question” refers to the query raised by the renowned Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen (1911–2009) as to why Chinese schools, despite producing many graduates, have failed to cultivate world-class innovative talents. leaving behind for the era an outstanding discourse and typical problem worthy of deep reflection.

第三，为广大人才搭建干事创业、彰显才华的平台。建设“思想中国”，国家要千方百计创造机遇，让各界英才各展所长、尽显其能，尤其要鼓励英才敢于发现问题、深入探索问题，养成关注问题、研究问题的良好习惯。马克思指出：“问题就是时代的口号，是它表现自己精神状态的最实际的呼声。”钱学森虽是物理学家，然兼具深厚的人文素养，正因善于发现问题、提出问题，才成就了“钱学森之问”的经典问题，为时代留下了值得深思的卓越话语与典型问题。

Among all the wealth of human society, great new ideas are the most precious; this is humanity’s unique spiritual wealth. At present, cultivating “thinking power” has become a strategic core task of national development and an inevitable requirement of Chinese-path modernization. Education is the birth bed for cultivating “thought.” People’s Educator Mr. Yu Yi [3]3 Yu Yi (b. 1929) is a celebrated Chinese educator awarded the title “People’s Educator” by the Chinese government for her lifelong contributions to language teaching and educational reform. once pointed out with distress that what teachers currently lack most is not teaching skills, but depth of thought and critical thinking. Due to the absence of thought, mechanically copying and applying ready-made formulas has become a common phenomenon in language use. When emotional consumption becomes a fashion, it naturally demands that the younger generation strengthen their independent, avant-garde, and innovative thinking cultivation. Only when new thoughts first emerge, and when the land of China is filled with burgeoning new thinking, will the conditions for the birth of new discourse be met.

人类社会的所有财富中，伟大的新思想最为珍贵，这是人类独有的精神财富。当前，培育“思想力”已成为国家发展的战略核心任务，更是中国式现代化的必然要求。教育是培育“思想”的产床。人民教育家于漪先生就曾痛心地指出，当前教师最缺的不是教学技能，而是思想深度和批判性思维。由于思想的缺失，语用中照搬套用就成为一种普遍现象。当感性消费成为一种时尚，就自然要求年轻一代加强自主、前卫、创新的思想修炼。先有了新思想，当中国大地充满了勃发的新思维，新话语诞生的时代条件就具备了。

Philosophical and social science workers in the New Era can only truly create ideological achievements that fit the times and serve the people, and contribute outstanding thoughts and exceptional intellectual strength to Chinese-path modernization, by taking root in the rich practice of the nation’s reform and opening up and deeply extending and cultivating their exquisite intellectual antennae within it.

新时代的哲学社会科学工作者，唯有扎根祖国改革开放的丰富实践，把精湛的思想触觉深深地伸展与耕耘其中，才能真正创作出契合时代、服务人民的思想成果，为中国式现代化贡献出卓越的思想与杰出的智慧力量。

(The author is a professor at the College of Education, Zhejiang Normal University)

（作者系浙江师范大学教育学院教授）