The Zunyi Conference Spirit Grows Truer and Fresher with Time

In January 1935, the Zunyi Conference, held during the Long March, was a critical turning point in the history of our Party. In June 2015, during an inspection tour in Guizhou, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “As an important meeting of great turning-point significance in the history of our Party, the Zunyi Conference left valuable experience and important inspiration in such areas as integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities, adhering to the path of independence, firmly establishing the correct political line and policies and strategies, and building a strong and mature central leadership collective. We must make good use of the historical experience of the Zunyi Conference and let the Zunyi Conference spirit shine forever.” In February 2021, during an inspection tour in Guizhou, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that we must “deeply comprehend the original aspiration and founding mission of Communists from the Long March spirit and the Zunyi Conference spirit, implement the general requirements for Party building in the New Era, seek truth from facts and uphold truth, respond scientifically to changes and take the initiative to change, stay focused on the goal and forge ahead courageously, and walk the Long March of the New Era well.” On the new journey of the New Era, we must earnestly study, comprehend, and implement the important directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping, inherit and carry forward the Zunyi Conference spirit, and continuously open up new realms in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

1935年1月，在长征途中召开的遵义会议，是我们党历史上一个生死攸关的转折点。2015年6月，习近平总书记在贵州考察时指出：“遵义会议作为我们党历史上一次具有伟大转折意义的重要会议，在把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、坚持走独立自主道路、坚定正确的政治路线和政策策略、建设坚强成熟的中央领导集体等方面，留下宝贵经验和重要启示。我们要运用好遵义会议历史经验，让遵义会议精神永放光芒。”2021年2月，习近平总书记在贵州考察调研时强调，要“从长征精神和遵义会议精神中深刻感悟共产党人的初心和使命，落实新时代党的建设总要求，实事求是、坚持真理，科学应变、主动求变，咬定目标、勇往直前，走好新时代的长征路”。新时代新征程，我们一定要认真学习贯彻习近平总书记的重要指示精神，继承和弘扬遵义会议精神，不断开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界。

A strong leading core is the fundamental requirement for advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

坚强的领导核心是推进马克思主义中国化时代化的根本要求

A great cause requires a strong leading core. In October 1934, due to the erroneous leadership of “Left” dogmatism within the Party, the Central Revolutionary Base Area’s Fifth Counter-Encirclement Campaign failed, plunging the Party and the Red Army into an extremely severe crisis. The main force of the Central Red Army began the Long March from Yudu, Jiangxi. Owing to the “Left” errors in military command, the Central Red Army suffered repeated setbacks in the early stages of the Long March, its numbers plummeting from over 86,000 at the start to just over 30,000. Faced with harsh realities, the Party Central Committee decisively adopted Comrade Mao Zedong’s suggestion to open up a new base area in Guizhou. To correct the errors of “Left” dogmatism and adventurism, in January 1935, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee held an enlarged meeting in Zunyi, Guizhou. In mid-March, the Central Committee established a new “Three-Person Group” composed of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Wang Jiaxiang. After the Zunyi Conference, under the correct leadership of Comrade Mao Zedong, the “Left” line was gradually overcome politically, militarily, and organizationally, laying a solid foundation for the ultimate victory of the Long March and even the Chinese revolution. The most important historical lesson of the Zunyi Conference is that for our Party to lead the Chinese revolution to success, it must have a correct Marxist line and must have a strong and effective leading core and central leadership collective formed in practice. In November 1943, Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out in his speech at the Rectification Mobilization Meeting of the Northern Bureau Party School: “Since the Zunyi Conference in January 1935, under the leadership of the Party Central Committee headed by Comrade Mao Zedong, our Party has thoroughly overcome ‘Left’ and Right opportunism within the Party, swept away the atmosphere of subjectivism, sectarianism, and Party stereotypes, and placed the Party’s cause entirely under the guidance of Sinicized Marxism-Leninism, namely Mao Zedong Thought. Up to now, for nine years, not only have we made no mistakes, but we have also been developing victoriously.” In April 1945, the “Resolution on Certain Historical Questions” adopted by the Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Party pointed out: The Zunyi Conference “victoriously ended the domination of the ‘Left’ line in the Party Central Committee and saved the Party at the most critical juncture. The Zunyi Conference concentrated all its efforts on correcting the military and organizational errors that were decisive at the time, which was entirely correct. This meeting began the new leadership of the Party Central Committee headed by Comrade Mao Zedong, marking the most historically significant transformation within the Chinese Communist Party.” As the core of the Party’s first generation of central leadership collective, Comrade Mao Zedong set a brilliant example for us in correctly treating Marxism and continuously advancing the Sinicization of Marxism.

伟大的事业需要坚强的领导核心。1934年10月，由于“左”倾教条主义在党内的错误领导，中央革命根据地第五次反“围剿”失败，使党和红军面临极端严重的危机。中央红军主力从江西于都出发开始长征。由于军事指挥上“左”的错误，中央红军在长征初期屡遭挫折，由出发时的8.6万余人锐减到3万多人。在严酷的事实面前，党中央果断采纳毛泽东同志的建议，到贵州开辟新的根据地。为纠正“左”倾教条主义、冒险主义错误，1935年1月，中央政治局在贵州遵义召开扩大会议。3月中旬，中央成立了由毛泽东、周恩来、王稼祥组成的新“三人团”。遵义会议后，在毛泽东同志的正确领导下，“左”倾路线在政治上、军事上、组织上都被逐渐地克服了，为长征乃至中国革命的最终胜利奠定了坚实基础。遵义会议最重要的历史经验在于，我们党要领导中国革命取得成功，就必须有一条马克思主义的正确路线，必须有一个在实践中形成的坚强有力的领导核心和中央领导集体。1943年11月，邓小平同志在北方局党校整风动员会上的讲话中指出：“我党自从一九三五年一月遵义会议之后，在以毛泽东同志为首的党中央领导之下，彻底克服了党内‘左’右倾机会主义，一扫主观主义、宗派主义和党八股的气氛，把党的事业完全放在中国化的马列主义，即毛泽东思想的指导之下，直到现在已经九年的时间，不但没有犯过错误，而且一直是胜利地发展着。”1945年4月，党的六届七中全会通过的《关于若干历史问题的决议》指出：遵义会议“胜利地结束了‘左’倾路线在党中央的统治，在最危急的关头挽救了党。遵义会议集中全力纠正了当时具有决定意义的军事上和组织上的错误，是完全正确的。这次会议开始了以毛泽东同志为首的党中央的新的领导，是中国党内最有历史意义的转变”。作为党的第一代中央领导集体的核心，毛泽东同志为我们正确对待马克思主义、不断推进马克思主义中国化树立了光辉典范。

The selection and establishment of a strong and effective leading core and central leadership collective for the Party is the fundamental guarantee for the continuous development and victory of the cause of the Party and the people. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, our Party has courageously engaged in theoretical exploration and innovation, established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, achieved a series of historic accomplishments, and written glorious chapters in the history of the development of the Chinese nation and the history of human development. General Secretary Xi Jinping is the principal founder of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the helmsman of the country, the guide for the people’s happiness, and a leader endorsed by the entire Party and beloved by the people. On the new journey of the New Era, we must deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, enhance the Four Consciousnesses, strengthen the Four Confidences, and achieve the Two Upholds, closely unite around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and strive to comprehensively advance the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

选择和确立党的坚强有力的领导核心和中央领导集体，是党和人民事业不断发展、不断胜利的根本保证。党的十八大以来，我们党勇于进行理论探索和创新，创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，取得了一系列历史性成就，谱写了中华民族发展史和人类发展史上的光辉篇章。习近平总书记是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的主要创立者，是国家的掌舵者、人民幸福的领路人，是全党拥护、人民爱戴的领袖。新时代新征程，我们要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，紧密团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业而努力奋斗。

Adhering to the Two Integrations is the fundamental path for advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

坚持“两个结合”是推进马克思主义中国化时代化的根本途径

Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for founding and governing our Party and our country. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: “The great power of Marxism-Leninism lies in its connection with the concrete revolutionary practice of different countries. For the Chinese Communist Party, it is to learn to apply the theory of Marxism-Leninism to China’s specific environment.” In his speech at the rally commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The victory of the Long March enlightens us: only by mastering scientific theory can we grasp the correct direction forward; only by basing ourselves on reality and independently forging the path forward can we continuously move towards victory. The road traversed by the Long March not only crossed thousands of mountains and rivers but also overcame the erroneous ideological obstacle of treating Marxism as an immutable dogma. The fundamental experience and inspiration the Long March gives us is to adhere to integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and unswervingly follow the path of revolution, construction, and reform that suits China’s national conditions.” The Zunyi Conference was a great victory for Marxism in China, a great victory for Sinicized Marxism, and fully embodied the great power of adhering to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities. Comrades Mao Zedong, Zhang Wentian, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping, Chen Yun, and others who participated in the Zunyi Conference were not only proletarian politicians and outstanding leaders of the Chinese Communist Party but also the finest elements of the Chinese nation. At the meeting, they were wholeheartedly devoted to the Party, the Red Army, and the Chinese revolution, without any consideration for personal gain, with open minds, unity, and tolerance. This reflected both the truth power of Marxism and the ideological wisdom of fine traditional Chinese culture.

马克思主义是我们立党立国、兴党兴国的根本指导思想。毛泽东同志指出：“马克思列宁主义的伟大力量，就在于它是和各个国家具体的革命实践相联系的。对于中国共产党来说，就是要学会把马克思列宁主义的理论应用于中国的具体的环境。”习近平总书记在纪念红军长征胜利80周年大会上的讲话中指出：“长征胜利启示我们：只有掌握科学理论才能把握正确前进方向；只有立足实际、独立自主开辟前进道路，才能不断走向胜利。长征走过的道路，不仅翻越了千山万水，而且翻越了把马克思主义当做一成不变的教条的错误思想障碍。长征给我们的根本经验和启示，就是要坚持马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，坚定不移走符合中国国情的革命、建设、改革道路。”遵义会议是马克思主义在中国的伟大胜利，是中国化马克思主义的伟大胜利，充分体现了坚持马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的伟大力量。参加遵义会议的毛泽东、张闻天、周恩来、朱德、邓小平、陈云等同志，既是无产阶级政治家、中国共产党的杰出领导人，也是中华民族最优秀分子。在会上，他们一心为了党、为了红军、为了中国革命，丝毫没有考虑个人得失，襟怀坦荡，团结包容。其中既体现出马克思主义的真理力量，也彰显了中华优秀传统文化的思想智慧。

The Two Integrations is a scientific summary of the historical experience of our Party’s century-long struggle and is the greatest magic weapon for our success. In his report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Only by integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture, and by adhering to the application of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, can we correctly answer the major questions raised by the times and practice, and can we always maintain the vigorous vitality and exuberant vitality of Marxism.” Adhering to the Two Integrations is the fundamental path for continuing to advance the Party’s theoretical innovation in the New Era and opening up new realms in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. On the new journey of the New Era, we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, persist in integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture, carry forward the Zunyi Conference spirit, firmly establish the correct political direction, continuously answer the new questions raised by practice, lead practical innovation with theoretical innovation, and write a new chapter in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

“两个结合”是对我们党百年奋斗历史经验的科学总结，是我们取得成功的最大法宝。习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中指出：“只有把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，坚持运用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义，才能正确回答时代和实践提出的重大问题，才能始终保持马克思主义的蓬勃生机和旺盛活力。”坚持“两个结合”，是新时代继续推进党的理论创新、开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界的根本途径。新时代新征程，我们要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，发扬遵义会议精神，坚定正确的政治方向，不断回答实践遇到的崭新课题，以理论创新引领实践创新，谱写马克思主义中国化时代化的新篇章。

Adhering to seeking truth from facts is the fundamental prerequisite for advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

坚持实事求是是推进马克思主义中国化时代化的根本前提

Seeking truth from facts is the fundamental viewpoint of Marxism and the fundamental requirement for Chinese Communists to understand and transform the world. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: “‘Facts’ are all things that exist objectively, ‘truth’ is the internal connection of objective things, that is, regularity, and ‘seeking’ means we study them.” In his important speech at the symposium commemorating the 130th anniversary of Comrade Mao Zedong’s birth, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Comrade Mao Zedong applied dialectical materialism and historical materialism to all the work of the proletarian party, forming in the long and arduous struggle of the Chinese revolution and construction a stance, viewpoint, and method with the distinctive characteristics of Chinese Communists, embodied in the three basic aspects of seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence.” To adhere to seeking truth from facts, one must go deep into reality to understand the original appearance of things, must uphold truth and correct errors for the benefit of the people, and must continuously promote theoretical innovation on the basis of practice. As early as 1930, Comrade Mao Zedong emphasized the need to correct bookishness divorced from actual conditions, stressed that without investigation there is no right to speak, and clearly put forward the “ideological line of the Communist Party creating a new situation through struggle.” It was precisely because of the failure to adhere to proceeding from reality in everything that the Red Army did not win the Fifth Counter-Encirclement Campaign [7]7 The Fifth Counter-Encirclement Campaign (1933–1934) was the Chinese Communist Party’s military campaign against the Nationalist (Kuomintang) government’s fifth encirclement of the Chinese Soviet Republic; its failure, due in part to “Left” military errors, forced the Red Army to begin the Long March. and was forced to begin a strategic shift. The Zunyi Conference [8]8 The Zunyi Conference (January 1935) was a pivotal meeting of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo during the Long March, where Mao Zedong’s leadership was effectively established and the previous “Left” military line was criticized. criticized the erroneous military line, pointing out that its ideological root was “Left” dogmatism severely divorced from China’s actual conditions and the realities of war. After the Zunyi Conference, a series of victories won by the Red Army, especially the Four Crossings of the Chishui River [9]9 The Four Crossings of the Chishui River (January–March 1935) was a series of brilliant military maneuvers by the Red Army under Mao Zedong’s command during the Long March, which outmaneuvered Nationalist forces and demonstrated the effectiveness of the new military line., led more and more cadres and soldiers to recognize the importance and scientific nature of the thesis of seeking truth from facts advocated by Comrade Mao Zedong, that “the victory of the Chinese revolutionary struggle depends on Chinese comrades understanding Chinese conditions.” Adhering to proceeding from reality in everything and taking one’s own path gradually became the consensus of the entire Party.

实事求是是马克思主义的根本观点，是中国共产党人认识世界、改造世界的根本要求。毛泽东同志指出：“‘实事’就是客观存在着的一切事物，‘是’就是客观事物的内部联系，即规律性，‘求’就是我们去研究。”习近平总书记在纪念毛泽东同志诞辰130周年座谈会上的重要讲话中指出：“毛泽东同志把辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义运用于无产阶级政党的全部工作，在中国革命和建设的长期艰苦斗争中形成了具有中国共产党人鲜明特色的立场、观点、方法，体现为实事求是、群众路线、独立自主三个基本方面。”坚持实事求是，就要深入实际了解事物的本来面貌，就要坚持为了人民利益坚持真理、修正错误，就要不断推进实践基础上的理论创新。早在1930年，毛泽东同志就强调要纠正脱离实际情况的本本主义，强调没有调查就没有发言权，明确提出“共产党人从斗争中创造新局面的思想路线”。正是因为没有坚持一切从实际出发，红军没有取得第五次反“围剿”的胜利，被迫开始战略转移。遵义会议批判了错误的军事路线，指出其思想根源就是严重脱离中国实际和战争实际的“左”倾教条主义。遵义会议后，红军取得的一系列胜利特别是四渡赤水，让越来越多的干部战士认识到，毛泽东同志倡导的“中国革命斗争的胜利要靠中国同志了解中国情况”这一实事求是论断的重要性和科学性。坚持一切从实际出发，走自己的道路，逐步成为全党的共识。

Seeking truth from facts is the distinctive feature of the Zunyi Conference and also an important experience of its success. The century-long Party history tells us: no matter in the past, present, or future, we must adhere to proceeding from reality in everything, integrating theory with practice, and testing and developing truth in practice. On the new journey of the New Era, we must uphold the principles of emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, keeping pace with the times, and being realistic and pragmatic; adhere to the principle that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth; proceed from reality in everything; continuously answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times; speak the truth, blaze new trails, and make new achievements; deeply explore the laws of Chinese-path modernization; and achieve new victories in theoretical and practical exploration.

实事求是是遵义会议的鲜明特色，也是遵义会议取得成功的重要经验。百余年党史告诉我们：不论过去、现在和将来，我们都要坚持一切从实际出发，理论联系实际，在实践中检验真理和发展真理。新时代新征程，我们要坚持解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进、求真务实，坚持实践是检验真理的唯一标准，坚持一切从实际出发，不断回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问，说真话、闯新路、建新功，深入探索中国式现代化建设规律，在理论和实践探索中取得新胜利。

Adhering to independence is the fundamental principle for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

坚持独立自主是推进马克思主义中国化时代化的根本原则

Independence is the soul of the Chinese nation and an important principle for our Party’s founding and national governance. Although the Zunyi Conference directly addressed military and organizational issues, more importantly, it fundamentally resolved the issue of independence—that is, whether the Chinese Communist Party leading the Chinese revolution should follow the commands of the Communist International and “Left” dogmatism in everything, or, under the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and proceeding from China’s national conditions, truly blaze its own path. The Zunyi Conference made our Party further realize that only by integrating the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete realities of the Chinese revolution and independently resolving a series of major issues concerning the future and destiny of the Chinese revolution could final victory be achieved. Comrade Mao Zedong, in a conversation with foreign guests in September 1963, clearly pointed out: “The real understanding of independence began with the Zunyi Conference; this conference criticized dogmatism. The dogmatists said that everything in the Soviet Union was correct, without integrating the Soviet experience with China’s actual conditions.” In November 2021, the “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century” adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC pointed out: “In January 1935, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee held the Zunyi Conference during the Long March, which in fact established Comrade Mao Zedong’s leading position in the Party Central Committee and the Red Army, began to establish the leading position of the correct Marxist line mainly represented by Comrade Mao Zedong in the Party Central Committee, began to form the Party’s first generation of central collective leadership with Comrade Mao Zedong at its core, opened a new stage in which the Party independently solved practical problems of the Chinese revolution, saved the Party, the Red Army, and the Chinese revolution at the most critical juncture, and thereafter enabled the Party to defeat Zhang Guotao’s splittism, successfully complete the Long March, and open a new situation in the Chinese revolution.” The “Resolution” also listed “adhering to independence” as one of the ten valuable historical experiences accumulated by the CPC over its century of struggle.

独立自主是中华民族精神之魂，是我们立党立国的重要原则。遵义会议虽然直接解决的是军事问题和组织问题，但更重要的是从根本上解决独立自主的问题，即中国共产党领导中国革命究竟是一切听从共产国际和“左”倾教条主义的指挥，还是在马克思列宁主义指导下、从中国国情出发真正走出一条自己的路。遵义会议使我们党进一步认识到，只有把马克思列宁主义基本原理同中国革命具体实际结合起来，独立自主解决关系中国革命前途命运的一系列重大问题，才能取得最终胜利。毛泽东同志1963年9月同外宾谈话时明确指出：“真正懂得独立自主是从遵义会议开始的，这次会议批判了教条主义。教条主义者说苏联一切都对，不把苏联的经验同中国的实际相结合。”2021年11月，党的十九届六中全会通过的《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》指出：“一九三五年一月，中央政治局在长征途中举行遵义会议，事实上确立了毛泽东同志在党中央和红军的领导地位，开始确立以毛泽东同志为主要代表的马克思主义正确路线在党中央的领导地位，开始形成以毛泽东同志为核心的党的第一代中央领导集体，开启了党独立自主解决中国革命实际问题新阶段，在最危急关头挽救了党、挽救了红军、挽救了中国革命，并且在这以后使党能够战胜张国焘的分裂主义，胜利完成长征，打开中国革命新局面。”《决议》还将“坚持独立自主”作为中国共产党百年奋斗积累的十条宝贵历史经验之一。

The CPC has achieved brilliant accomplishments in the past by relying on independence, and it must also rely on independence to walk the current path and continuously achieve new and greater accomplishments in the future. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasized: “The successful path of the Party’s century of struggle was independently explored and blazed by the Party leading the people; the Chinese chapter of Marxism was realized by Chinese Communists relying on their own strength. A basic point running through it is that China’s problems must be solved by the Chinese themselves, starting from China’s basic national conditions.” On the new journey of the New Era, we must adhere to a firm belief in Marxism and a firm conviction in socialism with Chinese characteristics; strengthen confidence in the path, confidence in the theory, confidence in the system, and confidence in the culture; keep pace with the times, conform to the development of practice, guide new practice with new theory, continuously put forward new concepts, new ideas, and new methods that truly solve problems; and, with a more active historical responsibility and creative spirit, make new contributions to the development of Marxism, so that contemporary Chinese Marxism and Marxism in the 21st century radiate even more brilliant rays of truth.

中国共产党靠独立自主取得了过去的辉煌成就，也要靠独立自主走好当前的路，在未来不断取得新的更大成就。党的二十大报告强调：“党的百年奋斗成功道路是党领导人民独立自主探索开辟出来的，马克思主义的中国篇章是中国共产党人依靠自身力量实践出来的，贯穿其中的一个基本点就是中国的问题必须从中国基本国情出发，由中国人自己来解答。”新时代新征程，我们要坚持对马克思主义的坚定信仰、对中国特色社会主义的坚定信念，坚定道路自信、理论自信、制度自信、文化自信，紧跟时代步伐，顺应实践发展，以新的理论指导新的实践，不断提出真正解决问题的新理念新思路新办法，以更加积极的历史担当和创造精神为发展马克思主义作出新的贡献，让当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义放射出更加灿烂的真理光芒。

Adhering to the unity and solidarity of the Party is the fundamental guarantee for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

坚持党的团结统一是推进马克思主义中国化时代化的根本保证

Ensuring the Party’s unity and solidarity is the lifeblood of the Party and an important condition for ensuring its theoretical creativity and the development of its cause. During the Long March, the Red Army faced ferocious and brutal pursuing enemy forces, harsh and severe natural conditions, and also intense struggles against erroneous thinking within the Party. Under these circumstances, strengthening the Party’s unity and solidarity was a matter of life and death for the Party and the Red Army. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The victory of the Long March achieved unprecedented unity of the entire Party and the Red Army on the basis of pursuing truth and upholding truth. Without this great unity in ideology and politics, the victory of the Chinese revolution would have been impossible.” [10]10 The Long March (1934–1935) was the strategic retreat of the Chinese Red Army from the Nationalist forces, culminating in the Zunyi Meeting. During the Long March march, Comrade Mao Zedong had heart-to-heart talks with Wang Jiaxiang, Zhang Wentian, and some Red Army cadres, doing extensive and meticulous ideological work, and gained the recognition and support of most central leaders, including Wang Jiaxiang, Zhang Wentian, Zhou Enlai, and Zhu De, creating favorable conditions and timing for the convening of the Zunyi Meeting. [11]11 Wang Jiaxiang (1906–1974) and Zhang Wentian (1900–1976) were senior Party leaders who shifted their support from the “Left” line to Mao Zedong during the Long March. In order to fully promote democracy and fully listen to opinions from all sides, the Zunyi Meeting expanded its scale and number of participants; in addition to the members and alternate members of the Political Bureau who accompanied the Central Red Army on the Long March, the main responsible persons of the Red Army headquarters and various army corps, as well as the Central Committee’s General Secretary, all attended the meeting. [12]12 The Zunyi Meeting (January 1935) was a pivotal Politburo meeting that ended the dominance of the “Left” military line and established Mao’s de facto leadership. Li De and his interpreter also attended as non-voting participants. [13]13 Li De (1900–1974) was a German Comintern military advisor whose strategic advice was criticized at the Zunyi Meeting. At the meeting, comrades spoke freely and actively engaged in criticism and self-criticism. The vast majority of comrades, including Chen Yun, Liu Shaoqi, Nie Rongzhen, Liu Bocheng, Li Fuchun, and Peng Dehuai, opposed the “Left” military line and actively supported Comrade Mao Zedong’s correct propositions. [14]14 The “Left” military line refers to the dogmatic, adventurist military strategy advocated by Wang Ming and others, which led to severe Red Army losses. After full discussion, the meeting, based on the opinions of the majority, drafted the “Resolution of the Central Committee on the Summary of the Fifth Counter-Encirclement Campaign.” [15]15 The Fifth Counter-Encirclement Campaign (1933–1934) was the Nationalist offensive that forced the Red Army to begin the Long March. After it was reviewed and approved by the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, the resolution was distributed to all Party branches for study and discussion, further consolidating the Party’s and the army’s hearts and minds. On June 10, 1945, Comrade Mao Zedong, in his speech “On the Election of Alternate Members for the Seventh Central Committee,” pointed out: “The Zunyi Meeting was a turning point, and its impact on the Chinese revolution was very great. But everyone must know that without Comrades Luofu and Wang Jiaxiang breaking away from the third ‘Left’ line, it would have been impossible to hold the Zunyi Meeting well. [16]16 Luofu is the pseudonym of Zhang Wentian. Comrades credit me with the good results, but we must never forget these two people.” In February 1962, Comrade Deng Xiaoping, in his speech at the Enlarged Central Work Conference, pointed out: “After the Zunyi Meeting, under the leadership of Comrade Mao Zedong, our Party established a sound system for Party life. For example: democratic centralism; the method of unity—criticism—unity; ‘the speaker is blameless, the listener is warned,’ ‘learn from past mistakes to avoid future ones, and cure the illness to save the patient’; strict criticism but lenient handling, avoiding excessive struggle and merciless attack; hard work and plain living, modesty and prudence, and so on.” [17]17 The Enlarged Central Work Conference (also known as the “Seven Thousand Cadres Conference”) was held in January–February 1962 to address economic difficulties and Party democracy. The Zunyi Meeting is a brilliant model of upholding and implementing democratic centralism and maintaining the Party’s unity and solidarity, and it also laid a solid foundation for the innovative development of Mao Zedong Thought and its eventual establishment as the guiding ideology of our Party.

保证党的团结统一是党的生命，也是确保党的理论创造和事业发展的重要条件。长征途中，红军面临着凶恶残暴的追兵阻击，面临着严酷恶劣的自然环境，还面临着同党内错误思想的激烈斗争。在这种情况下，加强党的团结统一，更是事关党和红军生死存亡的大事。习近平总书记指出：“长征的胜利，实现了在追求真理、坚持真理的基础上全党的空前团结、红军的空前团结。没有这种思想上政治上的大团结，中国革命胜利是不可能实现的。”在长征行军途中，毛泽东同志与王稼祥、张闻天及一些红军干部促膝长谈，做了大量深入细致的思想工作，得到了王稼祥、张闻天、周恩来、朱德等中央大部分领导人的认可和支持，为遵义会议的召开创造了有利的条件和时机。为了充分发扬民主，充分听取各方面意见，遵义会议扩大了规模和人数，除随中央红军长征的政治局委员、候补委员外，还有红军总部、各军团主要负责人及中央秘书长都参加了会议。李德及其翻译也列席会议。会上，同志们畅所欲言，积极开展批评与自我批评。陈云、刘少奇、聂荣臻、刘伯承、李富春、彭德怀等绝大多数同志都反对“左”倾军事路线，积极拥护毛泽东同志的正确主张。在充分发言后，会议根据多数人的意见起草了《中央关于反对敌人五次“围剿”的总结的决议》。在政治局常委会审议通过后，将决议发至各支部学习讨论，进一步凝聚了党心军心。1945年6月10日，毛泽东同志在《关于第七届候补中央委员选举问题》中指出：“遵义会议是一个关键，对中国革命的影响非常之大。但是，大家要知道，如果没有洛甫、王稼祥两位同志从第三次‘左’倾路线分化出来，就不可能开好遵义会议。同志们把好的账放在我的名下，但绝不能忘记他们两个人。”1962年2月，邓小平同志在扩大的中央工作会议上的讲话中指出：“遵义会议以后，在毛泽东同志领导下，我们党建立了一套健全的党的生活制度。比如民主集中制；团结—批评—团结的方法；言者无罪、闻者足戒，惩前毖后、治病救人；批判从严、处理从宽，不搞过火斗争、无情打击；艰苦朴素、谦虚谨慎，等等。”遵义会议是坚持和贯彻民主集中制、维护党的团结统一的光辉典范，也为毛泽东思想创新发展并最终确立为我们党的指导思想奠定了坚实基础。

On the New Era and the new journey, we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, consciously maintain a high degree of alignment with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in thought, politics, and action, continuously improve political judgment, political understanding, and political execution, ensure the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, ensure that the Party plays its role as the core of leadership in exercising overall leadership and coordinating all sides, maintain the Party’s unity and solidarity, build a stronger and more powerful Marxist political party, lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country to overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and create new and greater miracles on the Long March of the New Era.

新时代新征程，我们必须坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，自觉在思想上政治上行动上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致，不断提高政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，确保党中央权威和集中统一领导，确保党发挥总揽全局、协调各方的领导核心作用，维护党的团结统一，建设更加坚强有力的马克思主义政党，带领全国各族人民战胜一切艰难险阻，在新时代的长征路上创造新的更大奇迹。

On the New Era and the new journey, we must earnestly study and implement the important directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping, remain true to our original aspiration and founding mission, inherit and carry forward the Zunyi Meeting spirit, and continuously open up new horizons for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

新时代新征程，我们一定要认真学习贯彻习近平总书记的重要指示精神，不忘初心、牢记使命，继承和弘扬遵义会议精神，不断开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界。

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心