The Generative Logic, Connotation Analysis, and Transmission Path of the Red Gene of the Communist Party of China

Gene refers to the basic structure and properties that support life, and is an important category in the life sciences. According to the basic views of the life sciences, organisms with different genetic traits and gene sequences exhibit many differences in life quality, life structure, and other aspects. Similarly, as a political life organism, the “red gene” is the essential core and basic structure that enables the Communist Party of China to maintain its strong vitality. It is a confirmation of the identity of the Communist Party of China and a spiritual marker that distinguishes it from any other political party. As General Secretary Xi Jinping stated: “Glorious traditions cannot be discarded; if discarded, the soul is lost. The red gene cannot be changed; if changed, the nature is altered.” [1]1 Karl Marx, “Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844,” in Marx and Engels Collected Works, vol. 3 (Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1975), p. 296. Since the concept of the “red gene” was first proposed in 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the importance of transmitting the red gene and has profoundly discussed the intrinsic connection between transmitting the red gene and continuously achieving success in the cause of the Party and the people. On August 16, 2022, during an inspection in Liaoning, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Transmit the red gene, ensuring that the red river and mountains have successors and are passed down from generation to generation.” [2]2 The Red Boat spirit refers to the spirit of the founding of the CPC at the First National Congress, which concluded on a boat on South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province. The Jinggangshan spirit refers to the revolutionary spirit formed during the establishment of the first rural revolutionary base in the Jinggang Mountains. Zhang Side was a soldier of the People’s Liberation Army known for his selfless service, praised by Mao Zedong in the essay “Serve the People.” Standing in the New Era on the new journey, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC the

基因意指支持着生命的基本结构和性能，是生命科学中的一个重要范畴。根据生命科学的基本观点，具有不同基因性状和基因序列的生物，在生命质量、生命构造等方面存在诸多差异。同样，作为一种政治生命有机体，“红色基因”就是中国共产党始终保持强大生命力的重要内核与基本结构，是对中国共产党身份的确证，也是区别于其他任何政党的精神标识。正如习近平总书记所说：“光荣传统不能丢，丢了就丢了魂；红色基因不能变，变了就变了质。”自2013年首次提出“红色基因”概念以来，习近平总书记反复强调传承红色基因的重要性，并深刻论述了传承红色基因与推进党和人民事业不断取得成功的内在关联。2022年8月16日，习近平总书记在辽宁考察时指出：“把红色基因传承下去，确保红色江山后继有人、代代相传。”立足新时代新征程，习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中强调，要“传承红色基因，赓续红色血脉”。因此，深度发掘中国共产党红色基因的生成逻辑、深刻内涵及实践理路，不仅有利于进一步深刻体悟“中国共产党为什么能”这一问题的深层逻辑，更有利于切实推动红色基因的传承与发展，确保中国特色社会主义事业永葆最鲜红的政治底色，让红色江山代代相传。

I. The Generative Logic of the Red Gene of the Communist Party of China

一、中国共产党红色基因的生成逻辑

Marx clearly pointed out: “The entire movement of history is both the actual act of generation of this communism—the birth-act of its empirical existence—and, for its thinking consciousness, the comprehended and known process of its becoming.” [1]1 Karl Marx, “Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844,” in Marx and Engels Collected Works, vol. 3 (Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1975), p. 296. Based on Marx’s view, the emergence of the red gene of the Communist Party of China is not an innate product, but rather the result of the interaction of a series of historical, practical, and dialectical conditions. Therefore, the elucidation of the red gene of the Communist Party of China requires us to examine its internal generative logic from three aspects: the basic positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism; the excellent culture of the Chinese nation; and the great practice of the CPC over more than a century.

马克思明确指出：“历史的全部运动，既是这种共产主义的现实的产生活动，即它的经验存在的诞生活动，同时，对它的思维着的意识来说，又是它的被理解和被认识到的生成运动。”基于马克思的观点，中国共产党红色基因的产生不是与生俱来的产物，而是在一系列历史的、实践的、辩证的条件下相互作用的结果。因此，对于中国共产党红色基因的阐释，有待于我们从马克思主义基本立场观点方法、中华民族优秀文化以及中国共产党百余年的伟大实践这三个方面考察其内在的生成逻辑。

(1) Theoretical Logic: Based on the Basic Positions, Viewpoints, and Methods of Marxism

（一）理论逻辑：立足于马克思主义基本立场、观点与方法

The Communist Party of China is an advanced Marxist political party. Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for founding the Party and the country, and for rejuvenating the Party and the country. Under the guidance of Marxism, the CPC has always been able to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country to open up correct directions and development paths in different historical periods. It can be said that without the guidance of the scientific theory of Marxism, the practice of China’s revolution, construction, and reform would not have succeeded, let alone the gestation of the red gene of the CPC. From the perspective of the continuation of the red gene of the CPC over more than a century, its generation and development are inherently consistent with the advancement of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. The theoretical logic of its generation and development originates from the basic positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism.

中国共产党是先进的马克思主义政党。马克思主义是我们立党立国、兴党兴国的根本指导思想。在马克思主义的指导下，中国共产党始终能够在不同的历史时期团结带领全国各族人民开辟正确的前进方向和发展道路。可以说，如果离开了马克思主义科学理论的指导，中国革命、建设、改革的实践就不会取得成功，更谈不上中国共产党红色基因的孕育。从中国共产党红色基因百余年的赓续来看，它的生成和发展与马克思主义中国化时代化的推进具有内在的一致性，它生成与发展的理论逻辑来源于马克思主义的基本立场、观点、方法。

First, the generation and development of the red gene of the CPC have always been based on the Marxist people’s position. In the history of human thought, no ideology has ever transcended the boundaries of time and space like Marxism, always radiating the light of scientific truth. Ultimately, this is because Marxism, based on a scientific worldview and methodology, profoundly reveals the laws of social and historical development, establishes the historical subject status of the masses, and takes the people’s position as its basic stance. As a Marxist political party, since its founding, the CPC has always adhered to and fulfilled its original aspiration and founding mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, taking the people’s position as its most fundamental political stance, thereby overcoming the limitations of other class-based parties that seek interests for a minority or for privileged classes, and has continuously developed and grown stronger in its century-long struggle. History shows that in the great practice of leading and uniting the people of all ethnic groups across the country in revolution, construction, and reform, the CPC has always insisted on being for the people, relying on the people, and serving the people, thereby giving rise in great practice to a series of great spirits with specific forms and profound connotations, such as the great founding spirit of the Party of “being loyal to the Party and living up to the people’s trust,” the Red Boat spirit of “building the Party for the public good and being loyal to the people,” the Jinggangshan spirit of “relying on the masses and daring to win,” and the Zhang Side spirit of “serving the people wholeheartedly.” [2]2 The Red Boat spirit refers to the spirit of the founding of the CPC at the First National Congress, which concluded on a boat on South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province. The Jinggangshan spirit refers to the revolutionary spirit formed during the establishment of the first rural revolutionary base in the Jinggang Mountains. Zhang Side was a soldier of the People’s Liberation Army known for his selfless service, praised by Mao Zedong in the essay “Serve the People.” It can be seen that adhering to the people’s position has been carried through by Chinese Communists in various historical periods including revolution, construction, reform, and the New Era, and people-centeredness has become the red gene and distinct theme of the century-old Party.

首先，中国共产党红色基因的生成与发展始终立足于马克思主义的人民立场。就人类的思想史而言，从未有一种思想像马克思主义一样能够超越时间和地域的界限，始终散发着科学真理的光芒。归根结底，就在于马克思主义立足科学的世界观和方法论，深刻揭示了社会历史的发展规律，确立了人民群众的历史主体地位，并把人民立场作为自己的基本立场。作为马克思主义政党，中国共产党自诞生之日起，就始终坚守、践行为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴的初心使命，把人民立场作为最根本的政治立场，从而克服了其他阶级政党那种为少数人、为特权阶级谋利益的局限性，在百余年奋斗历程中持续发展壮大。历史表明，在领导和团结全国各族人民进行革命、建设和改革的伟大实践中，中国共产党始终坚持为了人民、依靠人民、服务人民，进而在伟大实践中催生了“对党忠诚、不负人民”的伟大建党精神、“立党为公、忠诚为民”的红船精神、“依靠群众、勇于胜利”的井冈山精神、“全心全意为人民服务”的张思德精神等一系列有着具体形态和深刻内涵的伟大精神。由此可见，坚守人民立场被中国共产党人贯穿于革命、建设、改革和新时代等各个历史时期，人民性成为百年大党的红色基因和鲜明主题。

Second, the generation and development of the red gene of the CPC have always been based on the basic viewpoints of Marxism. The basic viewpoints of Marxism are a scientific summary of the achievements of human thought and the experience of social practice, and are the essence of Marxism. Engels pointed out: “Marx’s entire worldview is not a doctrine, but a method.” [3]3 Friedrich Engels, “Letter to Werner Sombart,” in Marx and Engels Collected Works, vol. 50 (Moscow: Progress Publishers, 2004), p. 244. Since the founding of the CPC, it has creatively applied the basic viewpoints of Marxism to explain and solve China’s specific problems, continuously providing theoretical nourishment for the gestation of the red gene. For example, based on the scientific worldview of dialectical materialism, the CPC established the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, and made it an important magic weapon for the CPC to lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country to achieve earth-shattering, world-changing, and monumental feats, making it an important component of the red gene of the CPC. It is also based on adherence to the principle of seeking truth from facts that Chinese Communists in different historical periods have been able to continuously advance adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times according to different historical conditions and tasks, ultimately forming a Sinicized Marxism with Chinese style, conforming to China’s reality, and solving China’s problems, which has gradually been understood and mastered by the broad masses.

其次，中国共产党红色基因的生成与发展始终立足于马克思主义的基本观点。马克思主义的基本观点是对人类思维成果和社会实践经验的科学总结，是马克思主义的精髓。恩格斯指出：“马克思的整个世界观不是教义，而是方法。”自中国共产党成立之日起，就创造性地运用马克思主义的基本观点来说明和解决中国的具体问题，不断为红色基因的孕育提供理论滋养。譬如，立足于辩证唯物主义的科学世界观，中国共产党确立了实事求是的思想路线，并使之成为中国共产党带领全国各族人民干出开天辟地、改天换地、翻天覆地、惊天动地的丰功伟业的重要法宝，是中国共产党红色基因的重要组成部分。也正是基于对实事求是原则的遵循，在不同的历史时期中国共产党人都能根据不同的历史条件和历史任务，不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化，最终形成具有中国气派、符合中国实际以及解决中国问题的中国化马克思主义，并逐步为广大群众所理解和掌握。

Finally, the generation and development of the red gene of the CPC have always been based on Marxist materialist dialectics and historical materialism. Whether in the years of revolution, in the era of construction, or in the new period of reform and opening up, the CPC has always insisted on using materialist dialectics and historical materialism to guide various specific tasks, and has gradually formed a series of scientific thinking methods and specific working methods, which have become important sources constituting the red gene of the CPC. For example, during the New Democratic Revolution period, by correctly applying materialist dialectics and historical materialism, we scientifically analyzed the various social classes, thereby opening up the correct path of the New Democratic Revolution. [4]4 The New Democratic Revolution refers to the Chinese revolution led by the CPC from 1919 to 1949, which was a bourgeois-democratic revolution of a new type under the leadership of the proletariat. In addition, a series of working methods, including adhering to the method of seeking truth from facts, conducting investigation and research, the mass line method, and the united front method, as well as a series of thinking methods including historical thinking, strategic thinking, and dialectical thinking, are all important manifestations of the CPC’s adept use of materialist dialectics and historical materialism. It can be seen that materialist dialectics and historical materialism are also important theoretical foundations for the generation and development of the red gene of the CPC.

最后，中国共产党红色基因的生成与发展始终立足于马克思主义的唯物辩证法和唯物史观。无论是在革命岁月，还是在建设年代，抑或是在改革开放新时期，中国共产党始终坚持运用唯物辩证法和唯物史观来指导各项具体工作，并逐步形成了一系列的科学思维方法和具体工作方法，成为中国共产党红色基因的重要构成来源。例如，在新民主主义革命时期，我们正是通过正确运用唯物辩证法和唯物史观，对社会各阶级进行了科学分析，从而开辟了新民主主义革命的正确道路。此外，包括坚持实事求是的方法、开展调查研究的方法、群众路线的方法、统一战线的方法在内的一系列工作方法以及包括历史思维、战略思维、辩证思维在内的一系列思维方法都是中国共产党善于运用唯物辩证法和唯物史观的重要体现。由此可见，唯物辩证法和唯物史观也是中国共产党红色基因生成与发展的重要理论基础。

(2) Historical Logic: Rooted in the Excellent Culture of the Chinese Nation

（二）历史逻辑：植根于中华民族优秀文化

“The excellent traditional Chinese culture nurtured in the development of more than 5,000 years of civilization, and the revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture nurtured in the great struggle of the Party and the people, embody the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation and represent the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Celebrating the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China,” July 1, 2016. As the cultural gene that best embodies the spiritual traits, endowments, and core values of the Chinese nation, the excellent culture of the Chinese nation has been passed down from generation to generation, enduring through the ages, advancing with the times, subtly influencing the thinking and behavior patterns of generations of Chinese people, and has become the historical source for the generation of the red gene of the CPC.

“在5000多年文明发展中孕育的中华优秀传统文化，在党和人民伟大斗争中孕育的革命文化和社会主义先进文化，积淀着中华民族最深层的精神追求，代表着中华民族独特的精神标识。”作为最能体现中华民族精神特质禀赋、核心价值观的文化基因，中华民族优秀文化代代传承、历久弥新、与时俱进，潜移默化地影响着一代代中国人的思维方式和行为方式，并成为中国共产党红色基因生成的历史源头。

First, the red gene is a gene that inherits the fine traditional Chinese culture. As mentioned above, the red gene of the Communist Party of China has always been grounded in the people's standpoint, taking serving the people as its fundamental starting point and ultimate goal. This is compatible with the people-oriented thought in fine traditional Chinese culture. For example, views in people-oriented thought such as "the people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is secure, the state is tranquil,"[6]6 A classical Chinese political maxim from the *Book of Documents* (《尚书》), emphasizing the people as the foundation of the state. "the people are the most important, the state and its altars come next, and the ruler is the lightest,"[7]7 A saying from Mencius (《孟子》), ranking the people above the state and the ruler. and "the rise of governance lies in conforming to the people's will"[8]8 A principle from the *Guanzi* (《管子》), stating that political success depends on aligning with popular will. share the same value identification with the CPC's development philosophy of "putting the people first," which provides rich nourishment for the generation and development of the CPC's red gene. Furthermore, fine traditional Chinese culture such as the traditional Confucian morality of "cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to all under heaven,"[9]9 A Confucian ideal from the *Great Learning* (《大学》), outlining a progression from personal cultivation to world peace. the traditional patriotic sentiment of "if it benefits the country, I would sacrifice my life,"[10]10 A line from the Qing-era official Lin Zexu (林则徐), expressing willingness to sacrifice for the nation. the self-strengthening spirit of "as heaven moves with vigor, the gentleman strives constantly for self-improvement,"[11]11 A phrase from the *Book of Changes* (《周易》), advocating constant self-renewal and effort. and the Great Harmony ideal of "when the Great Way prevails, the world is shared by all"[12]12 A vision from the *Book of Rites* (《礼记》), describing a utopian society of shared public good. all endow the CPC's red gene with rich nourishment. It is in this sense that fine traditional Chinese culture is the source and root from which the CPC's red gene is generated.

首先，红色基因是传承了中华优秀传统文化的基因。正如前文所述，中国共产党的红色基因始终立足于人民立场，把为人民服务作为根本出发点和落脚点。这与中华优秀传统文化中的民本思想具有相容性。例如，民本思想中的“民为邦本，本固邦宁”“民为贵，社稷次之，君为轻”“政之所兴，在顺民心”等观点与中国共产党“人民至上”的发展理念具有相同的价值认同，这为中国共产党红色基因的生成与发展提供了丰厚的滋养。此外，“修身、齐家、治国、平天下”的传统儒家道德、“苟利国家生死以”的传统爱国情怀、“天行健，君子以自强不息”的自强精神、“大道之行、天下为公”的大同理想等中华优秀传统文化无不赋予中国共产党红色基因以丰厚滋养。正是在这个意义上，中华优秀传统文化是中国共产党红色基因得以生成的源头和根脉。

Second, the red gene is a gene that inherits revolutionary culture. Revolutionary culture is the red chapter written by the CPC leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country during the arduous revolutionary years. It forged a revolutionary spirit with rich contemporary connotations and national characteristics, forming a unique spiritual pedigree, and is an important cultural root for the generation and development of the CPC's red gene. Reviewing the history of our Party, we nurtured and formed revolutionary spirits represented by the great founding spirit of the Party,[13]13 The spirit forged at the founding of the CPC in 1921, emphasizing ideals, sacrifice, and struggle. the Jinggangshan spirit,[14]14 The spirit of the Jinggangshan revolutionary base (1927-1930), stressing perseverance and mass mobilization. the Long March spirit,[15]15 The spirit of the Long March (1934-1935), highlighting endurance and revolutionary optimism. the Yan'an spirit,[16]16 The spirit of the Yan'an period (1935-1948), focusing on self-reliance and service to the people. and others in great revolutionary practice. These spirits collectively embody the firm ideals and convictions, high sense of responsibility, lofty value pursuits, and dauntless fighting character of CPC members. For example, facing the enemy's torture, the martyr Xia Minghan was undaunted and issued the revolutionary cry: "Beheading is nothing to fear, as long as the doctrine is true; kill Xia Minghan, and there will be successors!"[17]17 A famous poem by Xia Minghan (1900-1928), a CPC martyr executed by the Kuomintang. Facing the enemy's threats and inducements, the martyr Yun Daiying faced death calmly and left behind the heroic declaration: "Having cast aside worries as ordinary matters, I retain my passion as a prisoner of Chu."[18]18 A poem by Yun Daiying (1895-1931), a CPC leader executed by the Kuomintang; "prisoner of Chu" is a classical reference to a captive. It is in this sense that revolutionary culture, with the great revolutionary spirit as its main content, distinguishes itself from decadent and backward feudal culture, comprador culture, and bourgeois culture through its notable characteristics of revolutionariness, national character, people-orientation, and innovativeness. It provides an inexhaustible spiritual driving force for advancing the cause of the Party and the state, and endows the CPC's red gene with the spiritual code of "where it comes from."

其次，红色基因是传承了革命文化的基因。革命文化是中国共产党领导全国各族人民在艰苦卓绝的革命岁月中书写的红色篇章，铸就了具有丰富时代内涵和民族特征的革命精神，形成了独特的精神谱系，是中国共产党红色基因生成和发展的重要文化根脉。回顾我们党的历史，我们在伟大的革命实践中孕育、形成了以伟大建党精神、井冈山精神、长征精神、延安精神等为代表的革命精神，它们集中体现了中国共产党人坚定的理想信念、高度的责任担当和崇高的价值追求，以及大无畏的斗争品格。例如，面对敌人的刑罚折磨，夏明翰烈士不为所惧，发出了“砍头不要紧，只要主义真，杀了夏明翰，还有后来人！”的革命呐喊；面对敌人的威逼利诱，恽代英烈士视死如归，留下了“已摈忧患寻常事，留得豪情作楚囚”的豪情壮言。正是在这个意义上，以伟大革命精神为主要内容的革命文化，以其显著的革命性、民族性、人民性和创新性的特征区别于落后腐朽的封建文化、买办文化和资产阶级文化，为推进党和国家事业的发展提供了源源不断的精神动力，并赋予中国共产党红色基因“从何而来”的精神密码。

Finally, the red gene is a gene that draws on advanced socialist culture. The New Era gives rise to new thought, and the new journey calls for new culture. Advanced socialist culture is based on the great practice of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, representing a creative development of fine traditional Chinese culture and revolutionary culture. It is both the spiritual guidance for the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era and the practical embodiment and contemporary expression of national endowments and national will in the great struggle, representing the trend of the times and the demands of development. Under its influence, the people of all ethnic groups across the country are closely united in ideals, values, and moral concepts, and have forged a series of new spiritual pedigrees in the practice of advancing great creation, providing continuous spiritual guidance for comprehensively building a modern socialist country, such as the anti-epidemic spirit[19]19 The spirit of collective effort and sacrifice during the COVID-19 pandemic response. and the spirit of poverty alleviation.[20]20 The spirit of dedication and precision in achieving the goal of eradicating absolute poverty by 2020. These spirits both inherit and promote the CPC's red gene and, according to the needs of the times, endow it with new connotations, adding to the bright red foundation of the CPC's red gene.

最后，红色基因是汲取了社会主义先进文化的基因。新时代催生新思想，新征程呼唤新文化。社会主义先进文化是立足于建设中国特色社会主义伟大实践，对中华优秀传统文化和革命文化的创造性发展。它既是新时代中国特色社会主义伟大实践的精神引领，又是民族禀赋、民族意志在伟大斗争中的实践体现、时代表达，代表着时代进步潮流和发展要求。在它的作用下，全国各族人民在理想信念、价值观念、道德观念上紧紧团结在一起，并在推进伟大创造的实践中铸就了一系列新的精神谱系，为全面建成社会主义现代化强国提供持续的精神指引，例如抗疫精神、脱贫攻坚精神等。这些精神既传承和发扬了中国共产党红色基因，又根据时代的需要赋予其新的内涵，增添了中国共产党红色基因的鲜红底色。

(III) Realistic Logic: Formed in the CPC's Over One Hundred Years of Historical Practice

（三）现实逻辑：形成于中国共产党百余年历史实践

The century-long Party history is a history of CPC members accumulating and transmitting moving great spirits, and continuing and expanding a magnificent spiritual pedigree. As the political and cultural gene that maintains the CPC's enduring strong vitality, the red gene is not a simple addition of "red" and "gene." Rather, through the tempering of revolutionary struggle, the testing of socialist construction, the baptism of reform and opening up, and the sublimation of the New Era, it has gradually condensed into a red tradition composed of revolutionary ideals, revolutionary qualities, revolutionary spirit, and revolutionary style. In essence, it is the red crystallization of the CPC's great struggle and great practice.

百年党史，就是一部中国共产党人积淀与传承动人的伟大精神、赓续与拓展瑰丽的精神谱系的历史。作为维系中国共产党始终保持强大生命力的政治文化基因，红色基因不是“红色”与“基因”的简单相加，而是历经革命斗争的锤炼、社会主义建设的检验、改革开放的洗礼和新时代的升华，逐渐凝结成为的由革命理想、革命品质、革命精神和革命作风等构成的红色传统，在本质上是中国共产党进行伟大斗争和伟大实践的红色结晶。

First, the red gene was nurtured and formed in the practice of the New Democratic Revolution. The outbreak of the May Fourth Movement[21]21 A nationalist and anti-imperialist movement beginning on May 4, 1919, often seen as the start of the New Democratic Revolution. marked the official entry of the Chinese people's revolutionary struggle into the stage of the New Democratic Revolution. Under the influence of the scientific truth of Marxism, a large number of proletarian revolutionaries such as Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu, and Mao Zedong began to integrate Marxism with the Chinese revolution, founded the CPC, and opened a new chapter in the history of the Chinese revolution. From the birth of the CPC, through the Great Revolution,[22]22 The period of CPC-Kuomintang cooperation (1924-1927) for the Northern Expedition against warlords. the Agrarian Revolution,[23]23 The period of land redistribution and rural base-building (1927-1937), including the Jiangxi Soviet. the War of Resistance Against Japan,[24]24 The war against Japanese invasion (1937-1945), part of World War II. and the War of Liberation,[25]25 The civil war (1945-1949) between the CPC and the Kuomintang, ending with CPC victory. up to the founding of the People's Republic of China, these revolutionary practices laid a sustained, extensive, and profound practical foundation for the generation of the CPC's red gene. In revolutionary practice, CPC members tempered and forged firm ideals and convictions, distinct political character, fine discipline and style, and tenacious fighting spirit, all of which are important components of the CPC's red gene. At the same time, the development and changes in revolutionary practice continuously promoted the enrichment and improvement of the red gene. Therefore, from the practical logic of the generation of the CPC's red gene, it was the prolonged and great revolutionary struggle that nurtured the distinct and consistent red gene of the vast number of CPC members.

首先，红色基因在新民主主义革命的实践中孕育形成。“五四运动”的爆发，标志着中国人民的革命斗争正式进入新民主主义革命阶段。在马克思主义科学真理的影响下，李大钊、陈独秀、毛泽东等一大批无产阶级革命家开始将马克思主义与中国革命相结合，创建了中国共产党，翻开了中国革命史上的崭新篇章。从中国共产党的诞生，经由大革命、土地革命、抗日战争、解放战争的一系列伟大的革命实践，一直到中华人民共和国的成立，这些革命实践为中国共产党红色基因的生成奠定了持续、广泛、深刻的实践基础。在革命实践中，中国共产党人锤炼和铸就了坚定的理想信念、鲜明的政治品格、优良的纪律作风、顽强的斗争精神等，这些都是中国共产党红色基因的重要组成内容。与此同时，革命实践的发展变化也不断推动着红色基因的丰富完善。因此，从中国共产党红色基因生成的实践逻辑来看，正是漫长而伟大的革命斗争孕育了广大中国共产党人鲜明而又一脉相承的红色基因。

Second, the red gene continued to develop in socialist revolution and construction. During the period of socialist revolution and construction, the CPC's red gene was generated and developed closely around the important mission of consolidating the people's political power, establishing the socialist system, and providing spiritual guarantees and impetus for socialist construction. In these extraordinary years, spirits such as the spirit of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea,[26]26 The spirit of Chinese forces fighting the United States-led UN coalition in Korea (1950-1953). the Red Flag Canal spirit,[27]27 The spirit of building the Red Flag Canal in Henan province (1960s) through collective labor. the Daqing spirit,[28]28 The spirit of the Daqing oilfield development (1960s), emphasizing hard work and self-reliance. the Iron Man spirit,[29]29 The spirit of "Iron Man" Wang Jinxi, a model worker in the Daqing oilfield. the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" spirit,[30]30 The spirit of developing nuclear bombs, missiles, and satellites (1950s-1970s) under difficult conditions. and the Jiao Yulu spirit[31]31 The spirit of Jiao Yulu (1922-1964), a model county Party secretary who died of illness while serving the people. emerged. These spirits were forged into the bloodline of CPC members, providing an inexhaustible spiritual driving force for socialist revolution and construction, and further consolidating the people's political power and the socialist system. In this sense, the development of the red gene is closely linked to the great cause of socialist revolution and construction.

其次，红色基因在社会主义革命和建设中接续发展。在社会主义革命和建设时期，中国共产党红色基因紧紧围绕巩固人民政权，建立社会主义制度，并为社会主义建设提供精神保障和动力的重要使命而生成发展。在这极平凡的岁月里，涌现了抗美援朝精神、红旗渠精神、大庆精神、铁人精神、“两弹一星”精神、焦裕禄精神等，这些精神都熔铸在中国共产党人的血脉中，为社会主义革命和建设提供了源源不断的精神动力，也进一步巩固了人民政权和社会主义制度。在这个意义上，红色基因的发展与社会主义革命和建设的伟大事业紧密相连。

Finally, the red gene was inherited and innovated in the practice since reform and opening up. Since reform and opening up, we have taken economic construction as the center, comprehensively advanced the great project of Party building, and continuously endowed the spiritual pedigree of CPC members with new content of contemporary connotation in the development practice of politics, economy, culture, society, and other fields, further integrating ideological concepts such as emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts into the red gene. Since entering the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has placed greater emphasis on the inheritance and promotion of the red gene, stressing the need to "tell well the stories of the Party, the stories of the revolution, and the stories of the heroes, to pass on the red gene, and ensure that the red river and mountains have successors and are passed down from generation to generation."[32]32 A Our Party has firmly established a practical orientation for inheriting and innovating the red gene, focusing on awakening and inheriting the red gene in practice, so that the red gene continues to be carried forward in the practice of the New Era.

最后，红色基因在改革开放以来的实践中传承创新。改革开放以来，我们以经济建设为中心，统筹推进党的建设伟大工程，在政治、经济、文化、社会等领域的发展实践中不断赋予中国共产党人精神谱系具有时代内涵的新内容，把解放思想、实事求是等思想理念进一步融入红色基因。进入新时代以来，习近平总书记更加重视对红色基因的传承发扬，强调“要讲好党的故事、革命的故事、英雄的故事，把红色基因传承下去，确保红色江山后继有人、代代相传”。我们党牢固树立传承创新红色基因的实践导向，注重在实践中唤醒和传承红色基因，使红色基因在新时代的实践中继续发扬光大。

II. Connotation Analysis of the Red Gene of the Communist Party of China

二、中国共产党红色基因的内涵解析

The red gene is the political and cultural gene tempered by the CPC in the long-term great practice of revolution, construction, and reform. It not only contains the spiritual code for our past continuous success but also provides a powerful spiritual driving force for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The scientific connotation of the CPC's red gene is mainly reflected in its scientific nature, people-orientation, fighting spirit, and innovativeness.

红色基因是中国共产党在长期的革命、建设、改革的伟大实践中所淬炼的政治文化基因，它不仅蕴藏着过去我们不断取得成功的精神密码，还为中华民族伟大复兴提供强大的精神动力。中国共产党红色基因的科学内涵主要体现在科学性、人民性、斗争性和创新性这几个方面。

(I) The Red Gene Originates from Lofty and Firm Ideals and Convictions, Possessing Scientific Nature

（一）红色基因来源于崇高坚定的理想信念，具有科学性

The belief in Marxism and communism is the most sublime and steadfast ideal and conviction of Chinese Communists, and it is an important component of the red gene of the Communist Party of China, because this ideal and conviction is built on the basis of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, and is therefore also scientific. The spiritual lineage of the Communist Party of China is the magic weapon for the century-old Party to maintain its vitality, and its core content and fundamental advantage are the faith, conviction, and confidence of Chinese Communists. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out, “The foundation of us Communists is the belief in Marxism, and the conviction in socialism with Chinese characteristics and communism.” [33]33 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2016).

对马克思主义和共产主义的信仰，是中国共产党人最为崇高而坚定的理想信念，是中国共产党红色基因的重要组成部分，因为这种理想信念是建立在辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的基础上的，因而又是科学的。中国共产党的精神谱系是百年大党保持生命力的制胜法宝，而其核心内容和根本优势，则是中国共产党人的信仰、信念、信心。习近平总书记指出，“我们共产党人的本，就是对马克思主义的信仰，对中国特色社会主义和共产主义的信念”。

First, the scientific nature of the red gene is embodied in the firm belief of Chinese Communists in Marxism and communism. During the revolutionary war years, the reason our Party was able to grow and develop amidst various life-and-death trials and to lead the correct political direction amid risks and challenges was precisely because the Communist Party of China is a Marxist political party with lofty ideals and firm beliefs. For example, there was Li Dazhao, who said, “Look at the future globe, it will surely be a world of red flags,” and Fang Zhimin, who said, “The doctrine we believe in is the truth of the universe,” and so on. [34]34 Li Dazhao (1889–1927) was a co-founder of the CPC; Fang Zhimin (1899–1935) was a CPC military leader executed by the Kuomintang. Their quoted phrases are famous expressions of revolutionary faith. The scientific spirit of materialist dialectics, the lofty ideal of achieving liberation, and the broad-mindedness of selfless dedication gave Chinese Communists unprecedented revolutionary strength, enabling them to maintain firm positions, solid thinking, and fearlessness of sacrifice in the treacherous struggle environment, ultimately leading the people to victory in the national revolution. History and reality have both told us that once a Marxist ruling party abandons its belief in Marxism and communism, it will disintegrate and head toward destruction.

首先，红色基因的科学性体现在中国共产党人对马克思主义和共产主义的坚定信仰。在革命战争年代，我们党之所以能够在各种生死考验中发展壮大，在风险挑战中引领正确的政治方向，就在于中国共产党是一个具有崇高理想和坚定信仰的马克思主义政党。例如，既有“试看将来的环球，必是赤旗的世界”的李大钊，也有“我们信仰的主义，乃是宇宙的真理”的方志敏，等等。唯物辩证的科学精神、实现解放的远大理想、无私奉献的博大胸怀给予了中国共产党人前所未有的革命力量，从而使他们在险恶的斗争环境中做到立场坚定、思想过硬、不怕牺牲，最终带领人民夺取全国革命的胜利。历史和现实都已经告诉我们，马克思主义执政党一旦放弃对马克思主义与共产主义的信仰，就会土崩瓦解，就会走向覆灭。

Second, the scientific nature of the red gene is embodied in the adherence to and development of Marxism by Chinese Communists. Marxism is a scientific truth formed on the basis of summarizing the laws of development of nature and human society, as well as the experience of the proletarian revolution. It is precisely under the guidance of this scientific truth that the Communist Party of China has united and led the people of all ethnic groups across the country to achieve national independence and national liberation, ultimately ushering in the bright prospect of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It needs to be pointed out that our adherence to the guidance of Marxism does not mean treating Marxism as dogma, nor does it mean arbitrarily applying Marxism as needed, but rather both adhering to Marxism in practice and developing Marxism in practice. Chinese Communists creatively proposed integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities, and in the great practice of revolution, construction, and reform, gradually formed the worldview, outlook on life, values, revolutionary outlook, and people’s outlook of Chinese Communists, forging the unique red gene of Chinese Communists. This has also enabled the Party’s guiding ideology to keep pace with the times, thereby overcoming the limitations of other class-based political parties.

其次，红色基因的科学性体现在中国共产党人对马克思主义的坚持与发展。马克思主义是在总结自然界和人类社会的发展规律以及无产阶级革命经验的基础上形成的科学真理。正是在这种科学真理的指导下，中国共产党团结带领全国各族人民实现了民族独立、国家解放，最终迎来了实现中华民族伟大复兴的光明前景。需要指明的是，我们坚持以马克思主义为指导并非把马克思主义当作教条，也不是根据需要随意套用马克思主义，而是既在实践中坚持马克思主义，又在实践中发展马克思主义。中国共产党人创造性地提出把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，在革命、建设和改革的伟大实践中逐步形成了中国共产党人的世界观、人生观、价值观、革命观、人民观，铸就了中国共产党人独有的红色基因。这也使党的指导思想能够与时俱进，从而克服了其他阶级政党的局限性。

Finally, the scientific nature of the red gene is embodied in the unwavering defense of Marxism and communism by Chinese Communists. Since its birth, Marxism has consistently faced deliberate censure, slander, and “demonization,” with some even distorting communism into an idealistic pursuit of idealism. As a Marxist political party, the Communist Party of China, from the day of its founding, has waged fierce struggles against various acts of negating and smearing Marxism. Since entering the New Era, the Communist Party of China has thoroughly refuted the “end of history thesis” and the “theory of the failure of socialism” through its practical actions of rejuvenating the Party, strengthening the country, and enriching the people, powerfully defending Marxism. This has not only further demonstrated the scientific nature of Marxism and communism in the 21st century but has also pushed the development of scientific socialism into a brand-new historical stage.

最后，红色基因的科学性体现在中国共产党人对马克思主义和共产主义坚定不移地捍卫。马克思主义自诞生以来，就一直面临一些别有用心的责难、诋毁和“妖魔化”，甚至将共产主义篡改为一种理想追求的唯心论。作为马克思主义政党，中国共产党自成立之日起，就旗帜鲜明地同各种否定马克思主义、抹黑马克思主义的行径作激烈斗争。进入新时代以来，中国共产党以兴党、强国和富民的现实实践彻彻底底地反驳了“历史终结论”和“社会主义失败论”，有力地捍卫了马克思主义。这不仅使马克思主义和共产主义的科学性在21世纪得到进一步彰显，还把科学社会主义的发展推向了崭新的历史阶段。

(II) The red gene originates from the value pursuit of putting the people first, and possesses a people-oriented nature

（二）红色基因来源于人民至上的价值追求，具有人民性

In *The Civil War in France*, Marx used the “power and form of the masses” to interpret the revolutionary significance of the Paris Commune. The people-as-subject thought he established based on historical materialism laid the ideological foundation for Communists to uphold the people’s standpoint. Looking back at the more than one hundred years of struggle by the Communist Party of China, the value pursuit of putting the people first has run through it all, adding a bright red hue to the genetic sequence of the CPC’s organizational organism. In his report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “When the Communist Party of China leads the people in taking over the country and securing the country, what it secures is the people’s hearts.” This is a scientific conclusion drawn after a profound summary of the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC’s more than one hundred years of struggle. In the different periods when the Party led the people in revolution, construction, and reform, “the red gene with a people-oriented nature has always been inherited and continued in the Party’s cause and practice, playing an important role in maintaining and developing the Party’s advanced nature and purity.”

在《法兰西内战》中，马克思曾用“人民群众的力量、形式”来解读巴黎公社的革命意义，他立足于历史唯物主义所创立的人民主体思想为共产党人坚守人民立场奠定了思想根基。回顾中国共产党百余年奋斗历程，人民至上的价值追求一直贯穿其中，增添了中国共产党组织机体基因序列中的鲜红底色。习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中指出，“中国共产党领导人民打江山、守江山，守的是人民的心”。这是对中国共产党百余年奋斗重大成就和历史经验进行深刻总结后作出的科学论断。在党带领人民进行革命、建设和改革的不同时期，“具有人民性的红色基因在党的事业和实践中始终被传承赓续，发挥着保持和发展党的先进性、纯洁性的重要功能”。

First, the people-oriented red gene is embodied in the political philosophy and discourse expression of the Communist Party of China. Since the founding of the Communist Party of China, the people-oriented red gene has run through the entire work process of Chinese Communists, becoming the Party’s most fundamental political philosophy. Based on the innovative development of the Marxist mass view, the Sixth National Congress of the CPC first proposed the “mass line” policy. [35]35 The Sixth National Congress of the CPC was held in Moscow in 1928. During the Yan’an period, Comrade Mao Zedong, based on the Party’s historical mission, further proposed the tenet of “serving the people wholeheartedly.” Since reform and opening up, whether it is “I am the son of the Chinese people,” the “Three Represents,” or “people-oriented,” all reflect the innovation in discourse expression of the people’s standpoint by Chinese Communists. [36]36 The “Three Represents” is a guiding theory introduced by Jiang Zemin in 2000, stating that the Party must always represent the development trend of China’s advanced productive forces, the orientation of China’s advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the broadest majority of the Chinese people. “People-oriented” (yiren weiben) is a key concept in Hu Jintao’s Scientific Outlook on Development. Entering the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has always adhered to the political stance of putting the people first, not only emphasizing the people’s standpoint in political philosophy and discourse expression but also focusing on clarifying the people’s standpoint using China’s unique discourse. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized, “History fully proves that the country is the people, and the people are the country; popular support concerns the life and death of the Party.” Therefore, in the New Era, the people-oriented red gene has been further strengthened along with the Party’s innovation in discourse expression.

首先，人民性的红色基因体现在中国共产党的政治理念和话语表达中。自中国共产党成立之日起，人民性的红色基因就贯穿于中国共产党人的全部工作过程，成为党最根本的政治理念。基于对马克思主义群众史观的创新性发展，党的六大首次提出了“群众路线”方针。延安时期，毛泽东同志立足党的历史使命进一步提出了“全心全意为人民服务”的宗旨。改革开放以来，无论是“我是中国人民的儿子”“三个代表”还是“以人为本”，都体现了中国共产党人对人民立场的话语表达创新。进入新时代，以习近平同志为核心的党中央始终坚持人民至上的政治立场，不仅注重在政治理念和话语表达中突出人民立场，还注重用中国特有的话语阐明人民立场。习近平总书记多次强调，“历史充分证明，江山就是人民，人民就是江山，人心向背关系党的生死存亡”。因此，在新时代，人民性的红色基因也随着党的话语表达创新被进一步强化。

Second, the people-oriented red gene is embodied in the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists. The people-oriented red gene manifests the specific spiritual forms of the Communists’ feelings for the people in the process of transforming the objective world, and its connotation is constantly enriched with the changes of the times. For example, within the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, there is the Soviet Area spirit of wholeheartedly serving the people, the Jiao Yulu spirit of being close to and loving the people, and the anti-epidemic spirit of putting life first, all of which are manifestations of Chinese Communists adhering to the people’s standpoint in different historical periods and are important embodiments of the people-oriented red gene. [37]37 Jiao Yulu (1922–1964) was a county-level Party secretary in Henan province, posthumously celebrated as a model of selfless service. The “Soviet Area” (Suqu) refers to the rural revolutionary base areas established by the CPC in the late 1920s and 1930s.

其次，人民性的红色基因体现在中国共产党人精神谱系中。人民性的红色基因演绎了中国共产党人在改造客观世界的过程中为民情怀的具体精神形态，并随着时代的变革不断丰富其内涵。例如，在中国共产党人精神谱系中，有一心为民的苏区精神、亲民爱民的焦裕禄精神、生命至上的抗疫精神等，都是中国共产党人在不同历史时期坚守人民立场的表现，是人民性红色基因的重要体现。

Finally, the people-oriented red gene is embodied in the great practice of Chinese Communists. For more than one hundred years, all the struggles, sacrifices, and creations made by the Communist Party of China leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country have, in the final analysis, been for the rejuvenation of the nation and the happiness of the people. During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, the Communist Party of China united and led the people of all ethnic groups across the country in arduous struggles, achieved victory in the revolution, established a new political power, and realized the rule of the people. During the period of socialist revolution and construction, the Party led the people in arduous exploration, realized the construction of a new type of people’s political power, and laid an institutional guarantee for consolidating the people’s principal position. Since reform and opening up, the Party has focused on realizing, safeguarding, and developing the interests of the people, continuously improving and raising the people’s living standards over more than forty years of reform and opening up. Entering the New Era, the Party has adhered to taking the people’s aspiration for a better life as its goal of struggle, continuously meeting the people’s needs in material, spiritual, medical, educational, and other aspects. From fulfilling the solemn promise of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule, to achieving the historic achievement of poverty alleviation, to achieving major strategic outcomes in the fight against the epidemic, Chinese Communists have inherited and continued the people-oriented red gene in one great practice after another.

最后，人民性的红色基因体现在中国共产党人的伟大实践中。一百余年来，中国共产党带领全国各族人民进行的一切奋斗、一切牺牲、一切创造，归根到底就是为民族谋复兴、为人民谋幸福。新民主主义革命时期，中国共产党团结带领全国各族人民进行了艰苦卓绝的斗争，取得了革命的胜利，建立了新的政权，实现了人民的统治。社会主义革命和建设时期，党带领人民艰辛探索，实现了新型人民政权的建构，为巩固人民主体地位奠定了制度上的保障。改革开放以来，党着力于实现好、维护好、发展好人民利益，使人民生活水平在改革开放四十多年的时间里不断得到改善和提高。进入新时代，党坚持把人民对美好生活的向往作为奋斗目标，不断满足人民对物质、精神、医疗、教育等各方面的需要。从如期实现全面建成小康社会的庄严承诺，到实现脱贫攻坚的历史性成就，再到抗疫取得重大战略成果，中国共产党人在一场场的伟大实践中传承赓续着人民性的红色基因。

(III) The red gene originates from arduous revolutionary struggle, and possesses a combative nature

（三）红色基因来源于艰苦卓绝的革命斗争，具有斗争性

According to the viewpoint of Marxist theory, society always develops amidst contradictions; where there are contradictions, there is struggle, and the universality of contradictions determines that struggle is everywhere and at all times. The Chinese Communists have actively strengthened their ideological tempering, political training, and practical exercise, forging a tenacious struggle character, a resilient struggle will, and superb struggle skills through long-term struggle. Daring to struggle and being adept at struggle are fine traditions of the Chinese Communists. Looking back at the history of our Party, the Communist Party of China was not only born in revolutionary struggle but also grew and strengthened step by step through revolutionary struggle, forging the red gene of the CPC’s struggle character. As General Secretary Xi Jinping said: “Our Party was born at a time when the country was beset by internal and external troubles and the nation was in peril; from its very birth it was inscribed with the brand of struggle, and along the way it has sought survival, achieved development, and won victory through struggle.” [38]38 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Commemoration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China," People's Daily, July 2, 2016.

根据马克思主义理论的观点，社会始终是在矛盾中发展的，有矛盾就会有斗争，矛盾的普遍性也就决定了斗争无处不在、无时不有。中国共产党人主动加强思想淬炼、政治历练、实践锻炼，在长期斗争中锤炼出顽强的斗争品格、坚韧的斗争意志、高超的斗争本领。敢于斗争、善于斗争，是中国共产党人的优良传统。回顾我们党的历史，中国共产党不仅在革命斗争中诞生，而且在革命斗争中一步步发展壮大，铸就了中国共产党斗争性的红色基因。正如习近平总书记所说：“我们党诞生于国家内忧外患、民族危难之时，一出生就铭刻着斗争的烙印，一路走来就是在斗争中求得生存、获得发展、赢得胜利。”

First, the red gene of struggle character is embodied in fearing no sacrifice and fighting bravely in the face of national crises of internal and external troubles. In modern times, to save China from its poverty and weakness and the national crisis of internal and external troubles, countless people with lofty ideals and various political forces repeatedly explored plans to save the country, all ending in failure. It was precisely with the birth of the Communist Party of China that the Chinese people and the Chinese nation gained a backbone for revolution. During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, the CPC, with the immense courage of pioneering and daring to be the first, led the people of all ethnic groups across the country in a series of revolutionary struggles, such as the Northern Expedition, the Agrarian Revolutionary War, the War of Resistance Against Japan, and the War of Liberation, in addition to ideological struggles, cultural struggles, and political struggles. Ultimately, we successfully overthrew the oppression of the “three great mountains” [39]39 "One transformation and three reforms" (一化三改) refers to the general line for the transition period during the 1950s: socialist industrialization (the "one transformation") and the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts, and capitalist industry and commerce (the "three reforms"). and successfully achieved national and ethnic independence and the liberation of the people. Therefore, fearing no sacrifice and fighting bravely in the face of national crises of internal and external troubles is an important manifestation of the red gene of the CPC’s struggle character.

首先，斗争性的红色基因体现在面对内忧外患的民族危机时不怕牺牲、英勇斗争。近代以来，为拯救中国积贫积弱与内忧外患的民族危机，无数仁人志士以及各种政治力量曾多次探索救国方案，均以失败而告终。正是随着中国共产党的诞生，中国人民和中华民族才有了革命的主心骨。在新民主主义革命时期，中国共产党以开天辟地、敢为人先的巨大勇气带领全国各族人民进行了一系列的革命斗争，如北伐战争、土地革命战争、抗日战争、解放战争等，此外还包括思想斗争、文化斗争、政治斗争等方面，最终我们成功推翻了“三座大山”的压迫，成功实现了国家与民族的独立、人民解放。因此，面对内忧外患的民族危机时不怕牺牲、英勇斗争，是中国共产党斗争性红色基因的重要体现。

Second, the red gene of struggle character is embodied in the courage to engage in self-revolution in the face of the Party’s own shortcomings. Courage in self-revolution is the most distinctive character and greatest strength of our Party. Looking back at the Party’s history, Chinese Communists have always attached great importance to self-revolution ideologically and have always been able to formulate correct methods for self-revolution based on actual conditions. For example, the August 7th Meeting, [40]40 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Ceremony Commemorating the Centenary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China," People's Daily, July 2, 2021. the Zunyi Meeting, [41]41 The "three leaps" in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context refer to the formation of Mao Zedong Thought, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. the Yan’an Rectification Movement, [42]42 The "Great Revolution" (1924–1927) refers to the first Kuomintang-Communist cooperation period, marked by the Northern Expedition against warlords. and the rectification of the Party and Party consolidation [43]43 “From the Shikumen to Tiananmen, from Xingye Road to Fuxing Road” is a metaphorical phrase referring to the CPC’s journey from its founding in a shikumen (stone-gate) building in Shanghai (site of the First National Congress) to the establishment of the People’s Republic at Tiananmen, and from the Party’s early base on Xingye Road to the goal of national rejuvenation symbolized by Fuxing (rejuvenation) Road. — it is precisely through one self-revolution after another that we have faced problems squarely, found correct methods, solved problems, and corrected errors. In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC

其次，斗争性的红色基因体现在面对自身存在的弊端时，勇于自我革命。勇于自我革命，是我们党最鲜明的品格和最大的优势。回顾党的历史，中国共产党人在思想上始终高度重视自我革命，并总是能够根据实际情况制定自我革命的正确方法。例如，八七会议、遵义会议、延安整风、整风整党等，我们正是在一场场自我革命中正视问题、找准方法、解决问题、修正错误。在党的二十大报告中，习近平总书记充分肯定了中国共产党勇于自我革命的政治品格，指出“经过不懈努力，党找到了自我革命这一跳出治乱兴衰历史周期率的第二个答案”。因此，永葆自我革命的政治本色使我们党在革命斗争中长期保持着清醒的头脑，推动我们的事业不断取得成功，是中国共产党斗争性红色基因的重要体现。

Finally, the red gene of struggle is manifested in the ability to forge ahead and break new ground when facing a difficult and arduous development environment. In the early days after the founding of the People's Republic of China, internationally we faced economic blockade, diplomatic isolation, and military threats from Western countries, while domestically there existed the development predicament of a backward economy and culture, a blank slate. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, we carried forward the spirit of independence, self-reliance, and forging ahead, established a relatively complete national economic system through a series of great struggles, and laid a solid foundation for the country's economic recovery and social development. During the period of reform and opening up, we were determined to explore a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which had neither a template to follow nor experience to draw upon. We emancipated our minds, broke free from the shackles of rigid thinking, forged ahead, explored new development models, and ultimately withstood the tests of risk through great struggles. Since entering the New Era, the Communist Party of China has placed greater emphasis on maintaining the backbone, integrity, moral fortitude, and courage of struggle, daring to struggle and being adept at struggle. Through the practice of great struggles carried out in various fields, it continuously injects new contemporary connotations into the red gene of struggle.

最后，斗争性的红色基因体现在面对艰难困苦的发展环境时，善于开拓进取。中华人民共和国成立初期，在国际上我们面临西方国家的经济封锁、外交孤立以及军事威胁，而国内又存在经济文化落后、一穷二白的发展困境。在中国共产党的领导下，我们发扬独立自主、开拓进取的精神，通过开展一系列的伟大斗争建立了比较完整的国民经济体系，为国家的经济恢复和社会发展奠定了良好基础。改革开放时期，我们决心摸索出一条有中国特色的社会主义道路，这既没有可以参照的模板，又没有可以借鉴的经验。我们解放思想，摆脱僵化思维的束缚，开拓进取，探索新的发展模式，最终在伟大斗争中经受住了风险考验。进入新时代以来，中国共产党更加强调保持斗争的风骨、气节、操守和胆魄，敢于斗争、善于斗争。通过在各个领域开展的一场场伟大斗争实践，不断为斗争性的红色基因注入新的时代内涵。

(4) The Red Gene Originates from Consistent Reform and Innovation, Possessing Innovativeness

（四）红色基因来源于一以贯之的改革创新，具有创新性

Building an innovative political party has been a consistent pursuit of the Communist Party of China since its inception. Proceeding from the basic principles of Marxism, a series of theoretical characteristics such as the dialectics of self-negation, the methodology of seeking truth from facts, and the development concept of keeping pace with the times inevitably require the Communist Party of China to continuously promote reform and innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "Only the innovators advance, only the innovators are strong, only the innovators win." [38]38 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Commemoration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China," People's Daily, July 2, 2016. Viewed from the development process of the Communist Party of China over more than a century, the innovative red gene was nurtured by the needs of modern Chinese social practice, has been inherited throughout all the Party's practices and theories, and has achieved fruitful results in various periods and fields. Therefore, the innovative red gene is an important component of the red gene of the Communist Party of China.

建设创新型政党是中国共产党自诞生以来就一以贯之的追求。从马克思主义的基本原理出发，自我否定的辩证法、实事求是的方法论以及与时俱进的发展观等一系列的理论特质必然要求中国共产党不断推进改革创新。习近平总书记指出，“惟创新者进，惟创新者强，惟创新者胜”。从中国共产党百余年的发展历程来看，创新性的红色基因孕育于近代中国社会实践的需要，传承于党的全部实践和理论中，并在各个时期和各个领域中都取得了丰硕成果。因此，创新性的红色基因是中国共产党红色基因的重要构成部分。

First, the innovative red gene is embodied in the Party's more than a century of historical practice. During the period of revolutionary struggle, our Party did not dogmatically apply the Soviet revolutionary path, but sought a revolutionary path suitable for China's national conditions amidst change. Ultimately, under the guidance of Marxism, we pioneered a new revolutionary path of encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing political power by armed force. This was a revolutionary initiative of great practical and theoretical innovation, which ultimately helped us achieve victory in the democratic revolution. During the period of socialist revolution and construction, we creatively put forward a series of measures such as the "one transformation and three reforms," [39]39 "One transformation and three reforms" (一化三改) refers to the general line for the transition period during the 1950s: socialist industrialization (the "one transformation") and the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts, and capitalist industry and commerce (the "three reforms"). laying the material foundation and institutional guarantee for socialist development. Since reform and opening up, we have continuously deepened reforms in various fields including the economy, politics, society, culture, and ecology, explored and opened up a path of socialist construction with Chinese characteristics, and promoted innovative development in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In this sense, the more than a century of struggle history of the Communist Party of China is also a history of reform and innovation.

首先，创新性的红色基因体现在党的百余年历史实践中。革命斗争时期，我们党没有教条地套用苏联的革命道路，而是在变革中寻找适合中国国情的革命道路。最终，在马克思主义的指导下，我们开创了农村包围城市、武装夺取政权的革命新道路，这是一条极具实践创新和理论创新的革命创举，最终帮助我们取得了民主革命的胜利。社会主义革命与建设时期，我们又创造性地提出了“一化三改”等一系列举措，奠定了社会主义发展的物质基础和制度保障。改革开放以来，我们不断对经济、政治、社会、文化、生态的各个领域进行深化改革，探索、开辟了一条中国特色社会主义建设道路，推动中国特色社会主义建设实现创新发展。在这个意义上，中国共产党的百余年奋斗史，也是一部改革创新史。

Second, the innovative red gene is embodied in the Party's theoretical innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "The history of our Party is a history of continuously advancing the Sinicization of Marxism, a history of continuously promoting theoretical innovation and theoretical creation." [40]40 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Ceremony Commemorating the Centenary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China," People's Daily, July 2, 2021. In the process of leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country in a series of great practices, Chinese Communists have adhered to seeking truth from facts and keeping pace with the times, continuously promoted theoretical innovation, and achieved three leaps in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. [41]41 The "three leaps" in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context refer to the formation of Mao Zedong Thought, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. During the Great Revolution period, [42]42 The "Great Revolution" (1924–1927) refers to the first Kuomintang-Communist cooperation period, marked by the Northern Expedition against warlords. insufficient theoretical preparation led us to commit ideological errors such as dogmatism and empiricism in the revolutionary cause. Based on a profound summary of the lessons of failure, our Party established the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, created Mao Zedong Thought, and achieved the first leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. After reform and opening up, new development challenges emerged in the cause of the Party and the state. Centering on a series of epochal questions such as "what is socialism and how to build socialism," Chinese Communists created the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, with Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development as its main contents, promoting new theoretical innovations in Marxism, providing a solid theoretical foundation for reform and opening up, and guiding the great process of reform and opening up. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, based on the new era background, has contemplated new epochal issues, resolved new development contradictions, proposed new development measures, and thereby created Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and effectively promoting high-quality development. These theoretical achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, which are both continuous in lineage and advancing with the times, are a prominent manifestation of the innovative red gene of the Communist Party of China.

其次，创新性的红色基因体现在党的理论创新中。习近平总书记指出，“我们党的历史，就是一部不断推进马克思主义中国化的历史，就是一部不断推进理论创新、进行理论创造的历史”。在带领全国各族人民进行一系列伟大实践的过程中，中国共产党人坚持实事求是、与时俱进，不断推进理论创新，实现了马克思主义中国化的三次飞跃。大革命时期，理论准备不足导致我们在革命事业上犯了教条主义、经验主义等思想错误。基于对失败教训的深刻总结，我们党确立了实事求是的思想路线，创立了毛泽东思想，实现了马克思主义中国化的第一次飞跃。改革开放以后，党和国家的事业出现了新的发展难题，围绕“什么是社会主义，怎样建设社会主义”等一系列时代课题，中国共产党人创立了以邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观为主要内容的中国特色社会主义理论体系，推动马克思主义实现了新的理论创新，为改革开放提供了坚强的理论基石，指引着改革开放伟大进程。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央立足新的时代背景，思考新的时代课题，解决新的发展矛盾，提出新的发展举措，进而创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，实现了马克思主义中国化的新飞跃，有力推动了高质量发展。这既一脉相承又与时俱进的马克思主义中国化理论成果，正是中国共产党创新性红色基因的突出体现。

III. The Inheritance Path of the Red Gene of the Communist Party of China

三、中国共产党红色基因的传承路径

The red gene of the Communist Party of China was nurtured and formed during the period of democratic revolution, and was gradually perfected in the successive periods of socialist revolution and construction, reform and opening up, and the entry of socialism into the New Era. It not only carries the genetic code for the CPC’s flourishing vitality over more than a century, but also constitutes the political-cultural gene that ensures the red river’s mountains and rivers remain unchanged for generations to come. Standing in the New Era and on the new journey, facing the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world, we must more consciously continue the red gene, and adopt practical and effective measures to inherit and innovate the red gene, so as to provide sustained spiritual impetus for comprehensively building a modern socialist country.

中国共产党红色基因孕育形成于民主革命时期，并在社会主义革命和建设、改革开放以及社会主义进入新时代的各个时期逐渐完善。它不仅承载着中国共产党百余年风华正茂的基因密码，也是确保红色江山世世代代永不变色的政治文化基因。立足新时代新征程，面对实现中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，我们要更加自觉地赓续好红色基因，并以切实有效的措施传承和创新红色基因，为全面建成社会主义现代化强国提供持续的精神动力。

(I) Strengthen the inheritance and promotion of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists

（一）加强对中国共产党人精神谱系的传承与弘扬

The spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, which takes the great founding spirit of the Party as its source, is like a sapling that continuously multiplies over time, forming a multi-type, multi-level, and systematic spiritual lineage. The soil that nourishes it is precisely the series of great practices led by the CPC. In terms of connotation, the spiritual lineage centrally embodies the unique spiritual traits, value pursuits, and moral realms of Chinese Communists, and is an important component of the red gene. History flows on endlessly, and the spirit is passed down from generation to generation. Standing in the New Era and on the new journey, Chinese Communists must strengthen the inheritance and promotion of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, and continuously exert its important functions of guiding direction and inspiring progress. This has the practical significance of consolidating the foundation and opening up new horizons for the inheritance and continuation of the red gene.

以伟大建党精神为源头的中国共产党人精神谱系，犹如一棵幼树随着时间的推移而不断繁衍，形成了多类型、有层次、成体系的精神谱系，而滋养着它的土壤正是由中国共产党所领导进行的一系列伟大实践。从内涵上讲，精神谱系集中体现着中国共产党人特有的精神特质、价值追求与道德境界，是红色基因的重要组成部分。历史川流不息，精神代代相传。立足新时代新征程，中国共产党人要加强对中国共产党人精神谱系的传承弘扬，持续发挥其指引方向、催人奋进的重要功能，这对于红色基因的传承赓续而言，具有固本开新的现实意义。

First, we must adhere to the guidance of Marxist theory in constructing the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists. Marxism is the bright red background of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists. In the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, whether it is the spirit condensed from historical events and typical regions, or the spirit condensed from heroic models and hard work and practical action, there is always a main thread of thought running through it, namely, faith in Marxism and communism. In this sense, the spiritual lineage nurtured and formed in the great practice of the CPC has been formed and developed under the guidance of Marxist theory. Marxism is the ideological guide that enables the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists to be inherited and promoted in different stages and periods of revolution and construction, reform and opening up, and the entry into the New Era. It is worth emphasizing that, with the rapid development of the Party’s and the state’s undertakings, we will write new chapters of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists in creating new historic achievements. This requires us to always adhere to the positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism, give full play to the advantages of Marxism’s spiritual guidance, and construct the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists in combination with new great practices, so as to continuously meet the people’s fine needs for spiritual life.

一是要坚持以马克思主义理论为指导构筑中国共产党人精神谱系。马克思主义是中国共产党人精神谱系的鲜红底色。在中国共产党人精神谱系中，无论是以历史事件、典型地域凝练而成的精神，还是以英雄模范、奋进实干等凝练而成的精神，其中都始终贯穿着一条思想主线，即对马克思主义和共产主义的信仰。在这个意义上，孕育形成于中国共产党伟大实践中的精神谱系，都是在马克思主义理论的指导下形成发展的。马克思主义是中国共产党人精神谱系能够在革命和建设、改革开放及进入新时代的不同阶段和时期得以传承和弘扬的思想指引。值得强调的是，随着党和国家事业的快速发展，我们将在开创新的历史性成就中续写中国共产党人精神谱系新的篇章。这就需要我们始终坚持马克思主义的立场、观点和方法，发挥好马克思主义的精神指引优势，结合新的伟大实践构筑中国共产党人精神谱系，不断满足人民对精神生活的美好需要。

Second, we must adhere to continuing the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists in inheriting fine traditional Chinese culture, promoting revolutionary culture, and building advanced culture. From the perspective of the cultural core of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, it is an organic combination of fine traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture. Specifically, fine traditional Chinese culture is the deep soil that nourishes Chinese Communists in constructing the spiritual lineage. The ideas and concepts it advocates, such as benevolence, people-centeredness, integrity, justice, and great harmony, provide sufficient spiritual nourishment for the formation of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists. Revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture are the living sources for the formation of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists. At present, there is still a state of spiritual “absence” in dealing with some important events, heroic models, and hard work and practical action. This urgently requires us to carry out new refinement and sublimation of the spirit of Chinese Communists in inheriting fine traditional Chinese culture, promoting revolutionary culture, and building advanced culture, and to strengthen historical confidence and enhance historical initiative in the process of promoting the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists.

二是要坚持在继承中华优秀传统文化、弘扬革命文化、建设先进文化中赓续中国共产党人精神谱系。从中国共产党人精神谱系的文化内核来看，它是中华优秀传统文化、革命文化以及社会主义先进文化的有机结合。具体而言，中华优秀传统文化是滋养中国共产党人构筑精神谱系的深厚土壤，它所推崇的仁爱、民本、诚信、正义、大同等思想观念为中国共产党人精神谱系的形成提供了充足的精神养料。而革命文化和社会主义先进文化则是中国共产党人精神谱系形成的活水之源。在当下，在对待一些重要事件、英雄模范、奋进实干等方面还处在精神“缺位”状态，这也迫切需要我们在继承中华优秀传统文化、弘扬革命文化、建设先进文化中对中国共产党人的精神进行新的提炼升华，在弘扬中国共产党人精神谱系过程中坚定历史自信，增强历史主动。

Third, we must adhere to writing new chapters of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists. The Party’s great spirit and glorious tradition are our precious spiritual wealth and a powerful spiritual driving force that inspires us to forge ahead courageously. In the course of struggle spanning more than a century, our Party has cultivated and constructed a spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists with ideals and convictions, original aspiration and founding mission, and hard struggle as its main connotations in the process of carrying out great practices. This has provided a powerful spiritual driving force for the cause of building the Party and the country, rejuvenating the Party and strengthening the country, and reassuring the people and enriching the people. Facing the strategic overall situation of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the difficulties and challenges we will encounter on the road ahead remain formidable, and the tasks of domestic reform, development, and stability remain arduous. How to continuously gather the enthusiasm of the people for participating in socialist modernization is a practical issue that we must deeply consider for a long time to come. In this regard, we must firmly rely on the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists to help realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We must not only comprehend and draw the spiritual strength of the century-old Party from the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, but also, in the great struggle to promote the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, take outstanding Party members, heroic models, and advanced exemplars as prototypes, continuously excavate and refine new spirits, write new chapters of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, and gather strong spiritual strength for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

三是要坚持续写中国共产党人精神谱系新的篇章。党的伟大精神和光荣传统是我们的宝贵精神财富，是激励我们奋勇前进的强大精神动力。在过去长达百余年的奋斗历程中，我们党在进行伟大实践的过程中培育和构建了以理想信念、初心使命、艰苦奋斗等为主要内涵的中国共产党人精神谱系，为立党立国、兴党强国、安民富民事业提供了强大的精神动力。面对实现中华民族伟大复兴的战略全局，我们在前进的道路上所要面临的困难挑战依然艰巨，国内改革发展稳定任务依然繁重，如何持续汇聚人民群众对于投身社会主义现代化建设的热情，是我们当前和今后很长一段时间都要深入思考的一个现实问题。对此，我们要紧紧依托中国共产党人精神谱系助力中华民族伟大复兴的实现。我们不仅要在中国共产党人精神谱系中体悟和汲取百年大党的精神力量，更要在推动实现中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的伟大奋斗中以优秀党员、英雄模范和先进典型为原型，持续挖掘和凝练新的精神，续写中国共产党人精神谱系新的篇章，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴凝聚起强大的精神力量。

(II) Attach importance to the protection and utilization of material-form red resources

（二）重视对物质形态红色资源的保护与利用

The red gene covers both spiritual forms such as ideals and convictions, original aspiration and founding mission, and value pursuits, as well as material-form red resources such as revolutionary sites, memorial halls, martyrs’ cemeteries, and literary and artistic works. Red resources are the external material manifestation of the red gene, the testimony of the CPC’s hardships and glories, and carry the ideological essence that the red gene intends to express. Therefore, to inherit and continue the red gene, we must be aware of the importance of red resources, and attach importance to the in-depth excavation, rational utilization, protective and innovative development of red resources. Whether for the vast number of Party cadres or for the vast number of young people in the New Era, they should understand and comprehend the value core conveyed by these material-form red resources of great value and far-reaching significance.

红色基因既涵盖了理想信念、初心使命、价值追求等精神形态，也有革命遗址、纪念馆、烈士陵园、文艺作品等具有物质形态的红色资源。红色资源是红色基因外在的物质表现形式，是中国共产党苦难和辉煌的见证，承载着红色基因所要表达的思想精髓。因此，我们传承赓续红色基因，必须意识到红色资源的重要性，重视对红色资源的深入发掘、合理利用、保护性和创新性开发。无论是对于广大党员干部而言，还是对于新时代广大青少年群体而言，都应该了解和感悟这些具有重要价值和深远意义的物质形态红色资源所传达的价值内核。

First, we must attach importance to the scientific protection of material-form red resources. From the Shikumen to Tiananmen, from Xingye Road to Fuxing Road [43]43 “From the Shikumen to Tiananmen, from Xingye Road to Fuxing Road” is a metaphorical phrase referring to the CPC’s journey from its founding in a shikumen (stone-gate) building in Shanghai (site of the First National Congress) to the establishment of the People’s Republic at Tiananmen, and from the Party’s early base on Xingye Road to the goal of national rejuvenation symbolized by Fuxing (rejuvenation) Road., red resources have witnessed our Party’s arduous and glorious course of struggle, vividly embodying the red gene of the CPC uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups in the country in their struggle over more than a century. They are relatively scarce resources, with uniqueness, irreplaceability, and non-renewability. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Red resources are precious resources that are non-renewable and irreplaceable; protection is the primary task.” [44]44 This quotation is from Xi Jinping’s remarks on the protection of red resources, emphasizing their non-renewable and irreplaceable nature and the priority of protection. At present, some regions have problems such as weak awareness, improper methods, and unclear responsibilities in the protection of red resources. For example, some revolutionary sites and relics have been destroyed over time due to inadequate protection; the tombstones of some revolutionary martyrs have been damaged or defaced; some red resources have insufficient research and inadequate publicity; and so on. Therefore, the above issues indicate that there are still omissions and inadequacies in our protection of red resources, and it is urgent to increase the intensity of protection of red resources. This requires us to adopt an attitude of being responsible to history and the people, to coordinate the utilization and protection of red resources, to raise our stance, implement responsibilities, improve systems, and strengthen accountability, and to promote the improvement and perfection of the red resource protection mechanism. Red resources condense the red gene that the CPC has continued for more than a century. Attaching importance to the scientific protection of red resources is not only an effective way to keep in mind the Party’s glorious history and promote the glorious revolutionary tradition, but also a spiritual pillar for us to firmly tread the new journey.

一是要重视对物质形态红色资源的科学保护。从石库门到天安门，从兴业路到复兴路，红色资源见证了我们党艰辛而辉煌的奋斗历程，生动体现了中国共产党团结带领全国各族人民百余年奋斗的红色基因，属于相对稀缺资源，具有唯一性、不可替代性和不可再生性。习近平总书记强调：“红色资源是不可再生、不可替代的珍贵资源，保护是首要任务。”当前，有的地区在红色资源的保护上存在意识淡薄、方法失当、职责不清等问题。譬如，一些红色遗址遗迹由于保护不力随着时间的推移遭到毁坏；一些革命先烈的墓碑被损毁、涂画；一些红色资源研究不足、宣传不够；等等。因此，以上这些问题表明，我们对于红色资源的保护仍然存在疏忽不到位的情况，亟待提高对红色资源的保护力度。这就要求我们本着对历史和人民负责的态度，统筹好红色资源的利用和保护，提高站位、落实责任、完善制度、强化担当，推动红色资源保护机制的健全与完善。红色资源凝结着中国共产党百余年赓续的红色基因，重视对红色资源的科学保护，不仅是牢记党的光辉历史、弘扬光荣革命传统的有效途径，也是筑牢我们走好新征程路的精神支柱。

Second, attention must be paid to the in-depth excavation of material-form red resources. The in-depth excavation of red resources is mainly reflected in two aspects: excavation in extension and excavation in connotation. On the one hand, excavation in extension refers to continuing to discover new red resources through research, visits and surveys, oral accounts, and other methods, so that more little-known red resources are presented to the world. At the same time, historical authenticity must be ensured in the process of excavating red resources. On the other hand, excavation in connotation refers to deeply uncovering the red stories behind red resources, telling these stories in depth, thoroughly, and vividly. For example, deeply excavating the story of the “half quilt”[45]45 The “half quilt” story refers to an incident during the Long March (1934–1935) where three female Red Army soldiers, billeted with a poor elderly woman, cut their only quilt in half and left one half for her, symbolizing the Party’s commitment to the people. allows a deeper understanding of the Chinese Communists’ people-centered value pursuit; deeply excavating the story of the “half belt”[46]46 The “half belt” story refers to an incident during the Long March where Red Army soldiers, facing extreme hunger, saved a half-eaten leather belt as a symbol of revolutionary perseverance and faith. allows a deeper understanding of the Chinese Communists’ lofty and steadfast revolutionary faith; deeply excavating the “letters home from revolutionary martyrs” allows a deeper understanding of the Chinese Communists’ devotion to the country and family sentiment.

二是要重视对物质形态红色资源的深度挖掘。对红色资源的深度挖掘，主要体现为外延上的挖掘和内涵上的挖掘两个方面。一方面，外延上的挖掘是指通过开展研究、走访调查、口述等方式继续发掘新的红色资源，让更多鲜为人知的红色资源展现在世人面前。与此同时，在对红色资源发掘的过程中要确保历史的真实性。另一方面，内涵上的挖掘则是指深入挖掘红色资源背后的红色故事，把红色资源背后的红色故事讲深、讲透、讲活。例如，深入挖掘“半条被子”的故事，更能感悟中国共产党人一心为民的价值追求；深入挖掘“半截皮带”的故事，更能感悟中国共产党人崇高坚定的革命信仰；深入挖掘“革命烈士的家书”，更能感悟中国共产党人以身许国的家国情怀。

Third, attention must be paid to innovation in the display methods of material-form red resources. Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is the way to remain ever-vibrant. The key to making good use of red resources lies in making red resources “shine” and making revolutionary sites “come alive,” thereby further enhancing the vitality, appeal, and influence of red resources. For the red gene to continue to be passed on and promoted in the New Era, innovative methods and carriers must be employed. Against the backdrop of accelerated innovation in digital information technology, digital technologies such as AR, VR, and artificial intelligence can be effectively used for panoramic and three-dimensional displays of red resources, making red resources “come alive,” thereby achieving the goal of enriching visitors’ visual, auditory, sensory, and tactile experiences, making the display of red resources more realistic, and realizing the dual effect of enhancing emotional identification and strengthening personal experience. For example, in 2016, in order to diligently tell red stories well, sing red notes, and narrate red emotions, Guizhou had already used digital technology to create the “Four Crossings of the Chishui River VR War Experience Center.”[47]47 The Four Crossings of the Chishui River was a key military maneuver by the Red Army during the Long March, involving four crossings of the Chishui River in Guizhou province between January and March 1935, which successfully outmaneuvered Nationalist forces. This both aligns with the educational function of red resources and enhances their vitality, appeal, and influence, effectively transforming red resources into a force for educating people.

三是要重视对物质形态红色资源展陈方式的创新。守正创新方能历久弥新。利用好红色资源，关键在于让红色资源“亮”起来，让革命遗址“活”起来，进一步增强红色资源的生命力、吸引力、感染力。红色基因要在新时代中继续传扬，要运用创新的方式与载体。在数字信息技术加速革新的时代背景下，可以有效利用AR、VR、人工智能等数字技术对红色资源全景式和立体式展示，让红色资源“活”起来，从而达到丰富参观者的视觉、听觉、感觉、触觉等多重感官体验的目的，使红色资源的展陈更加贴近真实，实现增进情感认同与增强切身体验的双重效果。例如，在2016年，为用心讲好红色故事，唱响红色音符，叙说红色情感，贵州就已经利用数字化技术打造了“四渡赤水VR战争体验中心”。这既契合了红色资源教育功能，又提升了红色资源的生命力、吸引力、感染力，有效地将红色资源转化为育人力量。

(III) Deepening the Study and Education of Party History

（三）深化对党史的学习与教育

The magnificent and momentous Party history spanning over a century is a vivid and lively textbook for us to understand and grasp the red gene of the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “History is the best textbook.” The Communist Party of China has always attached great importance to the study of history and is adept at drawing wisdom and strength from the major achievements and historical experience of the Party’s century-long struggle, thereby enhancing its ability to wage struggle. Based on the New Era and the new journey, the unstable and uncertain factors we face are becoming increasingly complex. How to draw experience and wisdom from the Party’s struggle practices in different historical periods is a question we need to continuously contemplate in the current period and for some time to come. Therefore, further deepening the study and education of Party history culture, and consolidating and expanding the achievements of Party history study and education, will help guide the vast number of Communists to inherit the red gene and continue the red bloodline, gathering the mighty force to forge ahead on the new journey.

波澜壮阔的百余年党史，是我们理解和把握中国共产党红色基因生动鲜活的教材。习近平总书记指出：“历史是最好的教科书。”中国共产党历来高度重视对历史的学习，并善于从党的百余年奋斗重大成就和历史经验中汲取智慧力量，增强斗争本领。立足新时代新征程，我们面临的不稳定、不确定性因素越来越复杂，如何从党在不同历史时期的斗争实践中汲取经验智慧，是我们在当前和今后一段时期内需要持续思考的问题。因此，进一步深化对党史文化的学习和教育，巩固和拓展党史学习教育成果，将有利于引导广大共产党人传承红色基因与赓续红色血脉，凝聚起奋进新征程的磅礴伟力。

First, in the study and education of Party history, we must review the Party’s history and strengthen historical confidence. Clear historical cognition is the prerequisite for strengthening historical confidence. We must understand, through strengthening Party history study and education, where historical confidence comes from and what its foundation is. This requires us to review the Party’s history in the study and education of Party history, and scientifically grasp the main theme and main line of the Party’s historical development. By reviewing the great achievements of the Party’s century-long struggle, we must understand how we built a poor and backward old China into a socialist country that has created a new form of human civilization, continuously strengthening historical confidence and enhancing our foundation from the great achievements of the Party’s century-long struggle. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “On the new赶考之路,[48]48 “赶考之路” (gǎn kǎo zhī lù), literally “the road of taking the imperial examination,” is a metaphor used by Mao Zedong in 1949 comparing the CPC’s governance after seizing power to a challenging examination whether we can continue to hand in excellent answer sheets depends crucially on whether we have firm historical confidence.” In this sense, strengthening historical confidence is aimed at embarking on the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country with a more vigorous posture. Therefore, we must draw precious spiritual wealth from Party history study and education, inherit the red gene of Chinese Communists, and achieve even greater historical achievements on the new journey of the New Era based on a profound historical foundation.

一是要在党史学习教育中回顾党的历史，坚定历史自信。清晰的历史认知是坚定历史自信的前提，我们要通过强化党史学习教育明白历史自信从何而来，以及历史自信底气何在。这就要求我们在党史学习教育中回顾党的历史，科学把握党的历史发展的主题主线。通过回顾党百余年奋斗的伟大成就，弄明白我们是如何把一个一穷二白的旧中国建设成为一个开辟了人类文明新形态的社会主义国家，不断从党百余年奋斗伟大成就中坚定历史自信，增强底气。习近平总书记强调：“在新的赶考之路上，我们能否继续交出优异答卷，关键在于有没有坚定的历史自信。”在这个意义上，坚定历史自信，是为了以更加昂扬的姿态奋进全面建成社会主义现代化强国的新征程。因此，我们要从党史学习教育中汲取宝贵的精神财富，传承中国共产党人的红色基因，站在历史深厚的基础上取得新时代新征程上更加伟大的历史成就。

Second, in the study and education of Party history, we must summarize the Party’s history and develop historical initiative. According to the basic viewpoints of historical materialism, the development of human society has its inherent laws, but human beings, as the subjects of history, are not completely passive when facing these laws. As long as the subjects of history can correctly understand historical laws and seize the right moment, they will certainly be able to gain the upper hand and take the initiative in historical development. The spirit of historical initiative is a spiritual wealth formed by the Party and the people in their century-long struggle practice. In the century-long course of the Party uniting and leading the people in struggle, we have always been adept at summarizing historical experience, understanding historical laws, and finding the correct direction forward from historical laws, thereby grasping the historical initiative. Developing the spirit of historical initiative manifests the red gene of Chinese Communists: daring to struggle and being good at struggle, facing difficulties and overcoming them, and not believing in evil or fearing ghosts. Marching towards the new journey, we still face a severe and complex international situation and arduous and heavy tasks of domestic reform and development. This requires us to continue to develop the spirit of consciously and actively transforming history. On the one hand, we must conscientiously summarize the Party’s history from carrying out Party history study and education, explore the laws of the Party’s historical development, and grasp the historical initiative. Being adept at summing up experience from history is an important magic weapon for us to firmly grasp the historical initiative. On the other hand, we must deeply grasp the formation mechanism and rich connotation of the CPC’s spirit of historical initiative from carrying out Party history study and education, combine theory with practice, and enhance the ability to grasp the historical initiative. This will help us calmly deal with various difficulties, risks, and challenges that arise on the new赶考之路, and continuously create new prospects for the development of the Party and the country’s undertakings.

二是要在党史学习教育中总结党的历史，发扬历史主动。根据唯物史观的基本观点，人类社会的发展有其内在的规律，但作为历史主体的人在面对规律时并非是完全被动的。只要作为历史主体的人能够正确认识历史规律、抓准时机，就一定能够在历史发展中取得先机、掌握主动。历史主动精神是党和人民在百余年奋斗实践中形成的精神财富，在党团结带领人民奋斗的百余年历程中，我们历来善于总结历史经验、认识历史规律，并从历史规律中寻找正确的前进方向，把握历史主动。发扬历史主动精神彰显了中国共产党人敢于斗争、善于斗争，迎难而上、攻坚克难，不信邪、不怕鬼的红色基因。迈向新征程，我们还面临严峻复杂的国际形势和艰巨繁重的国内改革发展任务，这要求我们继续发扬敢于自觉能动地改造历史的精神。一方面，我们要从开展党史学习教育中认真总结党的历史，探究党的历史发展的规律，掌握历史主动。善于从历史中总结经验，这是我们牢牢把握历史主动的一项重要法宝。另一方面，要从开展党史学习教育中深刻把握中国共产党历史主动精神的形成机理及其丰富内涵，把理论与实践相结合，提升把握历史主动的能力。这有利于我们从容应对在新的赶考之路上出现的各种困难、风险和挑战，不断开创党和国家事业发展的新局面。

Third, in the study and education of Party history, we must comprehend the Party’s history and bravely shoulder the historical mission. From the day of its founding, the Communist Party of China has unhesitatingly shouldered the historical mission of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Along the way, our Party has successively experienced various historical stages, including the Great Revolution, the Agrarian Revolution, the War of Resistance Against Japan, the War of Liberation, and socialist revolution and construction.[49]49 “Grand ideological and political courses” (大思政课) refers to a comprehensive educational approach that integrates ideological and political education across all subjects, school levels, and social contexts, extending beyond the traditional classroom. Whether weak or strong, whether in favorable or adverse circumstances, seeking happiness for the people and rejuvenation for the nation has always been the eternal theme running through different historical stages, and is the original aspiration and founding mission of the Communist Party of China. In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping further pointed out the mission and tasks of the Communist Party of China on the new journey of the New Era, namely, “to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country to comprehensively build a modern socialist country, achieve the Second Centenary Goal, and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.” The times call for responsibility, and the mission leads the future. The New Era and the new journey require the vast number of Party members to continuously strengthen Party history study and education, deeply comprehend the connotation of the Party’s original aspiration and founding mission from it, and bravely shoulder the historical mission of the Communist Party of China in the New Era. Bravely shouldering the historical mission manifests the spirit of responsibility of Chinese Communists who live up to the people’s trust and are worthy of historical choice. It is an important manifestation of inheriting the red gene of the Communist Party of China and will inspire the broad masses of the people to continuously forge ahead and advance, realizing the grand goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

三是要在党史学习教育中感悟党的历史，勇担历史使命。中国共产党从诞生之日起，就义无反顾地肩负起实现中华民族伟大复兴的历史使命。一路走来，我们党先后经历了大革命、土地革命、抗日战争、解放战争、社会主义革命和建设等各个历史阶段。无论是弱小还是强大，无论是顺境还是逆境，为人民谋幸福、为民族谋复兴始终是贯穿不同历史阶段的永恒主题，是中国共产党矢志不渝的初心使命。在党的二十大报告中，习近平总书记进一步指明了新时代新征程中国共产党的使命任务，即“团结带领全国各族人民全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现第二个百年奋斗目标，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴”。时代呼唤担当，使命引领未来。新时代新征程要求广大党员同志能够持续加强党史学习教育，从中深刻感悟党的初心和使命的内涵，勇担新时代中国共产党的历史使命。勇担历史使命彰显了中国共产党不负人民重托、无愧历史选择的担当精神，是传承中国共产党红色基因的重要体现，将激励广大人民群众不断奋进、不断前进，实现中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟目标。

(IV) Promoting the Construction and Innovation of the Red Education System

（四）推进对红色教育体系的构建与创新

As a kind of political cultural gene, the red gene of the Communist Party of China cannot be automatically inherited like the biological gene of an organic life form; it can only be transmitted and continued through a series of behavioral activities. Red education is an important pathway for students’ political enlightenment and value shaping. Therefore, to properly transmit the red gene of the Communist Party of China, it is necessary to fully leverage and rely on the important function of education, especially to make good use of the soul-nurturing and foundation-building function of the “grand ideological and political courses” [49]49 “Grand ideological and political courses” (大思政课) refers to a comprehensive educational approach that integrates ideological and political education across all subjects, school levels, and social contexts, extending beyond the traditional classroom., and to promote the construction and innovation of the red education system. Specifically, the construction and innovation of the red education system can be advanced by strengthening the linkage between schools and localities, strengthening the linkage among schools, and strengthening the linkage among various ideological and political courses, thereby achieving the dual effect of enhancing red education and promoting the transmission of the red gene.

作为一种政治文化基因，中国共产党红色基因无法像有机生命体的生物基因那样自动遗传，只能通过一系列的行为活动来实现传承和赓续。红色教育是学生政治启蒙和价值观塑造的重要途径。因此，要把中国共产党的红色基因传承好，必须充分发挥和依托教育的重要功能，尤其是要善用“大思政课”的培根铸魂功能，推进对红色教育体系的构建与创新。具体而言，可以通过加强校地的联动建设、加强各校的联动建设以及加强各门思政课程的联动建设来推进对红色教育体系的构建与创新，以此来实现增强红色教育和推动红色基因传承的双重效果。

First, strengthen the linkage between schools and localities, and establish a sound operational mechanism for red education. To promote the construction and innovation of the red education system, it is necessary not only to fully leverage the role of schools as the main front for conducting red education, but also to attach importance to the collaborative educational function of local governments at all levels, red education bases, and red resources as part of red culture. Through the linkage between schools and localities, the comprehensive implementation of red education can be achieved. For example, red education bases such as the Baise Uprising Memorial Hall in Guangxi, the Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Long March Xiangjiang Campaign, and the Former Residence of Deng Yingchao can not only provide learning venues, lecturers, and red deeds for red education instruction, but also create a situational atmosphere for red education learning. Therefore, by constructing a red education operational mechanism that links schools and localities, it will effectively connect the small classroom of ideological and political education with the big classroom of society, carry out “immersive experience, empathetic empowerment” red cultural education activities, and achieve a good effect of combining theoretical teaching with practical experience.

一是加强校地的联动建设，建立完善的红色教育运行机制。推进红色教育体系的构建与创新，既要充分发挥好学校作为进行红色教育的主阵地作用，也要重视地方各级政府、红色教育基地、红色资源等作为红色文化的协同育人功能，通过校地之间的联动实现红色育人的全面开展。例如，广西百色起义纪念馆、红军长征湘江战役纪念馆、邓颖超故居等红色教育基地不仅可以为红色教育的授课提供学习场所、宣讲员、红色事迹等，更能够营造红色教育学习的情景氛围。因此，通过构建校地联动的红色教育运行机制，将有效地衔接好思政小课堂和社会大课堂，开展“沉浸式体验，共情式赋能”红色文化教育活动，达到理论教学和实践体验相结合的良好效果。

Second, strengthen the linkage among schools, and construct an effective red cultural education liaison mechanism. Schools are the main front for conducting red cultural education for young people. Strengthening the linkage among schools means establishing an interactive exchange mechanism between schools, which can better integrate red cultural education into school education and teaching. By building a teaching model of “same topic, different approaches, collaborative research,” and organizing schools to jointly hold academic seminars, collective lesson preparation meetings, teaching experience exchange meetings, and other forms, an effective red education liaison mechanism can be constructed. This not only helps to break the closed teaching state, promote the integrated construction of red cultural education in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, enrich the content and methods of red cultural education, and improve teaching effectiveness, but also helps to collaboratively create nationally influential high-quality red cultural education courses, and further leverage the radiating and driving role among schools.

二是加强各校的联动建设，构建有效的红色文化教育联系机制。学校是开展青少年红色文化教育的主阵地。加强各校的联动建设就是在学校之间建立互动交流机制，可以将红色文化教育更好地融入学校教育教学中。通过搭建“同课异构、协同共研”教学模式，组织各学校共同举办学术研讨会、集体备课会、教学经验交流会等形式构建有效的红色教育联系机制。这样不仅有助于打破封闭式教学状态，促进大中小红色文化教育一体化建设，丰富红色文化教育的内容、方法和提高教学实效，协同打造具有全国影响力的红色文化教育精品课，更有助于发挥学校之间的辐射带动作用。

Third, strengthen the linkage among various ideological and political courses, and form a complete red education curriculum model. Ideological and political courses are key courses for implementing the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education [50]50 “Fostering virtue through education” (立德树人) is a core principle of Chinese education, emphasizing moral cultivation as the foundation for talent development.. Integrating the red gene into ideological and political theory courses, “promoting the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists with the great founding spirit of the Party as its source, making good use of red resources,” transmitting the red gene, continuing the red bloodline, and cultivating new generations capable of shouldering the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation are important missions of ideological and political courses in universities in the New Era. Because the red gene has rich connotations such as scientific faith, firm conviction, and people’s standpoint, and is compatible with ideological and political theory, it can not only enrich the content of ideological and political courses, but also enhance the pertinence, effectiveness, and appeal of the courses. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the linkage among various ideological and political courses, and give full play to the role of ideological and political courses as the main channel for transmitting the red gene. Specifically, according to the course positioning and course content of each ideological and political course, the red gene should be effectively connected with the ideological and political courses to form a complete red education curriculum model, using the heroic deeds and great personalities of revolutionary martyrs to educate, influence, inspire, and guide students. For example, the course “Outline of Modern Chinese History” can help students understand and grasp the historical context of the generation and development of the red gene; the course “Basic Principles of Marxism” can help students become familiar with the theoretical basis of the red gene’s scientific nature, people’s nature, combative nature, and innovative nature; the course “Ideological and Moral Cultivation and Legal Foundation” can enable students to more consciously identify with and transmit the red gene in their daily lives; and so on.

三是加强各门思政课程的联动建设，形成完善的红色教育课程模式。思政课是落实立德树人根本任务的关键课程。将红色基因融入思想政治理论课，“弘扬以伟大建党精神为源头的中国共产党人精神谱系，用好红色资源”，传承红色基因，赓续红色血脉，培养担当民族复兴大任的时代新人，是新时代高校思政课的重要使命。由于红色基因具有科学信仰、坚定信念、人民立场等丰富内涵，与思想政治理论具有契合性，不仅能够充实思政课内容，还能够增强课程的针对性、有效性与感染力。因此，要通过加强各门思政课程的联动建设，发挥好思政课作为红色基因传承的主渠道作用。具体而言，就是要根据各门思政课的课程定位和课程内容，将红色基因有效与思政课程进行衔接，形成完善的红色教育课程模式，用革命先烈的英雄事迹和伟大人格去教育、感染、激励、引领学生。譬如，可以通过“中国近现代史纲要”课程帮助学生了解和掌握红色基因生成和发展的历史脉络；通过“马克思主义基本原理”课程帮助学生熟悉红色基因科学性、人民性、斗争性、创新性的理论依据何在；通过“思想道德与法治”课程使学生在日常生活中更加自觉地认同和传承红色基因；等等。

IV. Conclusion

四、小结

Red is the brightest political background color of Chinese Communists. As a political cultural gene that maintains the Communist Party of China’s enduring strong vitality, the red gene is not an abstract and empty spiritual concept, nor is it a simple addition of “red” and “gene.” In essence, it is the result of interaction under historical, practical, and dialectical conditions. In each historical period of revolution, construction, and reform and opening up, the red gene of the Communist Party of China has always been the spiritual driving force that continuously pushes forward the cause of the Party and the country. For a political party to forever maintain its advanced nature and youthful vitality, it cannot do without spiritual nourishment for even a moment. We must deeply grasp and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on transmitting the red gene, and deeply consider effective pathways for transmitting the red gene. We must focus on advancing from four aspects: strengthening the transmission and promotion of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, attaching importance to the protection and utilization of material-form red resources, deepening the study and education of Party history, and promoting the construction and innovation of the red education system. In transmitting the red gene of the Communist Party of China, we must accumulate the mighty power for new great struggles and great creations, so that the red river and mountain [51]51 “Red river and mountain” (红色江山) is a metaphorical phrase symbolizing the political power and revolutionary legacy of the Communist Party of China. are passed down from generation to generation.

红色是中国共产党人最鲜亮的政治底色。作为维系中国共产党始终保持强大生命力的政治文化基因，红色基因不是抽象空洞的精神观念，也不是“红色”与“基因”的简单相加，在本质上它是在历史的、实践的、辩证的条件下相互作用的结果。在革命、建设和改革的各个历史时期，中国共产党红色基因始终是把党和国家事业不断推向前进的精神动力源泉。一个政党要永葆先进性、永葆青春活力，就一刻也离不开精神的滋养。我们要深刻把握和贯彻习近平总书记关于传承红色基因的重要论述，深入思考传承红色基因的有效路径。我们要从加强对中国共产党人精神谱系的传承与弘扬、重视对物质形态红色资源的保护与利用、深化对党史的学习与教育以及推进对红色教育体系的构建与创新这四个方面加以着力推进，在传承中国共产党红色基因中蓄积进行新的伟大斗争和伟大创造的磅礴伟力，让红色江山代代相传。

Source: Journal of Marxist Theory in the New Era, December 23, 2024

文章来源：《新时代马克思主义论丛》2024年12月23日

Online Editor: Jing Mu

网络编辑：静穆