The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC Demonstrates the Firm Determination to Carry Reform Through to the End

When Xi Jinping explained the “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese-path Modernization,” he clearly pointed out: this resolution “demonstrates the firm determination and strong sense of mission to carry reform through to the end.” Carrying reform through to the end is a distinctive feature of how our Party, since entering the New Era, has united and led the broad masses of the people in unremittingly improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance. Demonstrating the firm determination and strong sense of mission to carry reform through to the end is a distinctive feature of China in 2024, the year that convened the tenth Third Plenary Session since reform and opening up.

习近平在对《中共中央关于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的决定》加以说明时明确指出：这一决定“彰显了将改革进行到底的坚强决心和强烈使命担当”。将改革进行到底，是进入新时代以来，我们党团结带领广大人民坚持不懈完善和发展中国特色社会主义制度、推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的鲜明特点。彰显将改革进行到底的坚强决心和强烈使命担当，是召开改革开放以来第十个三中全会的2024年中国的鲜明特点。

I. The Connections and Differences between “Reform,” “Deepening Reform Comprehensively,” and “Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively”

一、“改革”“全面深化改革”与“进一步全面深化改革”的联系和区别

In China today, “reform” is the most resonant word. Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, the theme of every Third Plenary Session of the Party has been “reform.” The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, convened in 2024, is the tenth Third Plenary Session of the Party since reform and opening up.

在当今中国，“改革”是最响亮的词。党的十一届三中全会以来，每一届党的三中全会主题，都是“改革”。2024年召开的党的二十届三中全会，是改革开放以来党的第十个三中全会。

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee set the overall goal of further deepening reform comprehensively by 2035 and proposed more than 300 reform measures. The emphasis on “further deepening reform comprehensively” is because ten years ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee first proposed “deepening reform comprehensively,” and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee is to “continue” the “deepening reform comprehensively” and its “overall goal” established ten years ago.

党的二十届三中全会确定了到2035年的进一步全面深化改革总目标，提出了300多项改革举措。强调“进一步全面深化改革”，是因为十年前党的十八届三中全会第一次提出“全面深化改革”，党的二十届三中全会是要“继续”10年前确定的“全面深化改革”及其“总目标”。

So, what is the relationship between the “deepening reform comprehensively” launched ten years ago and to be further advanced ten years later, and the “reform” launched by the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee?

那么，十年前启动并在十年后要进一步推进的“全面深化改革”，和党的十一届三中全会启动的“改革”，是什么关系呢？

If one thinks that “deepening reform comprehensively” is merely adding the modifiers “deepening” and “comprehensive” before “reform,” such an understanding would be too superficial and too simplistic. Regarding “reform,” Deng Xiaoping pointed out in his 1992 Southern Tour Talks: “After the basic system of socialism is established, it is still necessary to fundamentally change the economic system that hampers the development of the productive forces, establish a socialist economic system full of vigor and vitality, and promote the development of the productive forces. This is reform, so reform is also liberating the productive forces.” At the same time, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “It will probably take another thirty years for us to form a more mature and more定型 [n1] system in all aspects.” Regarding “deepening reform comprehensively,” when the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee determined that “the overall goal of deepening reform comprehensively is to improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance,” Xi Jinping pointed out: “The reason we decided that this Third Plenary Session should study the issue of deepening reform comprehensively is not to advance reform in one area, nor to advance reform in a few areas, but to advance reform in all areas. This is considered from the overall perspective of the national governance system and governance capacity.” As long as we read Xi Jinping’s and Deng Xiaoping’s expositions together, we can understand that “deepening reform comprehensively” is not a continuation of “reform” in the general sense, but a reform proposed based on Deng Xiaoping’s reform thinking and strategic conception, “considered from the overall perspective of the national governance system and governance capacity,” emphasizing first “comprehensive” or “overall,” and second “governance.” That is to say, “deepening reform comprehensively,” like the “reform” launched by the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, is both the development and improvement of the basic system of socialism; at the same time, “deepening reform comprehensively” is a reform “considered from the overall perspective of the national governance system and governance capacity,” a reform with “governance” as its goal. This is the connection and difference between “reform” and “deepening reform comprehensively.”

如果认为“全面深化改革”就是在“改革”前加上修饰词“深化”和“全面”，这样的理解就太肤浅、太简单化了。关于“改革”，邓小平在1992年南方谈话中指出：“社会主义基本制度确立以后，还要从根本上改变束缚生产力发展的经济体制，建立起充满生机和活力的社会主义经济体制，促进生产力的发展，这是改革，所以改革也是解放生产力。”同时，邓小平指出：“恐怕再有三十年的时间，我们才会在各方面形成一整套更加成熟、更加定型的制度。”关于“全面深化改革”，党的十八届三中全会确定“全面深化改革的总目标是完善和发展中国特色社会主义制度，推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化”的时候，习近平指出：“我们之所以决定这次三中全会研究全面深化改革问题，不是推进一个领域改革，也不是推进几个领域改革，而是推进所有领域改革，就是从国家治理体系和治理能力的总体角度考虑的。”我们只要把习近平和邓小平的论述对照起来读，就可以知道“全面深化改革”不是“改革”一般意义上的延续，而是根据邓小平的改革思想和战略构想提出的，“从国家治理体系和治理能力的总体角度考虑”的改革，强调一是“全面”或“总体”，二是“治理”。也就是说，“全面深化改革”和党的十一届三中全会启动的“改革”一样，都是社会主义基本制度的发展和完善；同时，“全面深化改革”又是“从国家治理体系和治理能力的总体角度考虑”的改革，是以“治理”为目标的改革。这就是“改革”和“全面深化改革”的联系和区别。

So, what are the connections and differences between the “further deepening reform comprehensively” proposed by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee and the “deepening reform comprehensively” proposed by the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee ten years ago? First, the connection between the two lies mainly in the “overall goal.” The “overall goal of deepening reform comprehensively” proposed ten years ago was “to improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance”; the “overall goal of further deepening reform comprehensively” proposed ten years later is “to continue improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance.” That is, both are reforms with “governance” as the overall goal. Second, the difference between the two lies mainly in the “theme.” Xi Jinping emphasized: “Further deepening reform comprehensively must be carried out closely around the theme of advancing Chinese-path modernization.” [6]6 The “Three Guarantees” (三保) refers to ensuring basic livelihoods, ensuring the payment of wages, and ensuring the functioning of government bodies. Therefore, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee “closely focused on the theme of advancing Chinese-path modernization to plan strategic measures for further deepening reform comprehensively.”

那么，党的二十届三中全会提出的“进一步全面深化改革”，和十年前党的十八届三中全会提出的“全面深化改革”之间联系和区别又在哪里呢？第一，两者的联系主要在“总目标”。十年前提出的“全面深化改革的总目标是完善和发展中国特色社会主义制度，推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化”；十年后提出的“进一步全面深化改革的总目标”，是“继续完善和发展中国特色社会主义制度，推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化”，即都是以“治理”为总目标的改革。第二，两者区别主要在“主题”。习近平强调：“进一步全面深化改革，必须紧紧围绕推进中国式现代化这个主题来展开。”[6]因此，党的二十届三中全会“紧紧围绕推进中国式现代化这个主题擘画进一步全面深化改革战略举措”。

II. The Significance of Understanding the Scientific Connotation of “Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively”

二、认识“进一步全面深化改革”科学内涵之意义

As mentioned above, the scientific connotation of “further deepening reform comprehensively” is, first, to continue advancing reform with “governance” as the overall goal; second, to advance reform with “governance” as the overall goal, taking Chinese-path modernization as the theme.

如前所述，“进一步全面深化改革”的科学内涵，一是继续推进以“治理”为总目标的改革；二是以中国式现代化为主题推进以“治理”为总目标的改革。

What is the significance of understanding this? A brief historical comparison can help us appreciate the significance of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee proposing “further deepening reform comprehensively.” After the founding of New China, Mao Zedong used the four characters “组织起来” [n2] to凝聚 [n3] the 450 million Chinese people, who had been a heap of loose sand, into a powerful force, transforming heaven and earth and creating a new life where the people are the masters. But things always have two sides. When we were all organized into various units, the problem of how to stimulate everyone’s vitality emerged. When Deng Xiaoping led reform and opening up, he used the four characters “活跃起来” [n4] to stimulate the vitality of the Chinese people, creating the miracle of China’s rapid development. However, while invigorating the economy, various chaotic phenomena also appeared. Deng Xiaoping proposed grasping reform with one hand and cracking down on crime with the other, and later proposed grasping material civilization with one hand and cultural-ethical progress with the other. Xi Jinping adhered to Deng Xiaoping’s concept of “g

认识这一点有什么意义呢？只要进行简要的历史比较，就可以体会到党的二十届三中全会提出“进一步全面深化改革”的意义。新中国成立后，毛泽东用“组织起来”四个字，把一盘散沙的四万万五千万中国人民凝聚成一股强大的力量；改天换地，创造出人民当家作主的新生活。但事物总是一分为二的，当我们都组织在一个个单位里时，如何激发大家活力的问题出现了。邓小平领导改革开放时，用“活跃起来”四个字把中国人民的活力激发出来，创造了中国快速发展的奇迹。但在搞活的同时，各种乱象也出现了，邓小平提出要一手抓改革、一手抓打击犯罪，后来又提出要一手抓物质文明、一手抓精神文明等。习近平坚持邓小平的“两手抓”理念，从全面从严治党开始，提出一系列治国理政新理念新思想新战略。在党的十八届三中全会作出“全面深化改革”决策时，习近平明确提出“要处理好活力和有序的关系”，强调“社会发展需要充满活力，但这种活力又必须是有序活动的”。也就是说，十年前，习近平提出完善和发展中国特色社会主义制度、推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的全面深化改革总目标时，强调的是“活而有序”四个字。十年后，我们要从“活而有序”阶段向“推动国家治理和社会发展更好相适应”的新阶段迈进。希望大家注意，党的二十届三中全会提出“紧紧围绕推进中国式现代化进一步全面深化改革”时，首次强调要“推动生产关系和生产力、上层建筑和经济基础、国家治理和社会发展更好相适应”。

That is to say, China in 2024 is, in the history of Chinese reform, the starting point of a new stage advancing from "lively yet orderly" to "better alignment between national governance and social development."

也就是说，2024年的中国，在中国改革历史上是从“活而有序”推进到“国家治理和社会发展更好相适应”新阶段的起点。

There is no doubt that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, in proposing to "focus on advancing Chinese-path modernization to further deepen reform comprehensively" and emphasizing "better alignment between national governance and social development," carries great guiding significance. One significance is that governance should be advanced around development; the second significance is that the setting of governance goals and tasks should match the stage-specific characteristics of development; the third significance is that governance should be conducive to development and capable of promoting development. These are the epochal characteristics of this round of reform.

毫无疑问，党的二十届三中全会提出要“紧紧围绕推进中国式现代化进一步全面深化改革”，强调“国家治理和社会发展更好相适应”，具有重大指导意义。意义之一，就是治理要围绕发展来推进；意义之二，就是治理的目标任务设定要和发展的阶段性特点相匹配；意义之三，就是治理要有利于发展、能够促进发展。这就是这一轮改革的时代特点。

If one asks, “What does it mean to ‘further deepen reform comprehensively in close connection with Chinese-path modernization’? What does it mean to ‘better align governance with development’?” A single example suffices to make it clear. The Party Central Committee has decided to formulate the *Private Sector Promotion Law*, and the draft of this law has already been publicly solicited for opinions across society. This law both fully safeguards the rights of private enterprises to participate in fair competition in investment, operation, and innovation, and imposes requirements on private enterprises to abide by the law and morality. In recent years, public opinion has been in an uproar over the “theory of the exit of the private sector,” [1]1 The “theory of the exit of the private sector” (民营经济离场论) refers to a controversial view that emerged in Chinese public discourse, suggesting that the private sector should or would be phased out in favor of the state sector. leaving many private entrepreneurs feeling unsettled. Leaders of the Party and state have repeatedly come forward to clarify the facts, emphasizing that we have always adhered to the “Two Unswervinglies.” [2]2 The “Two Unswervinglies” (两个毫不动摇) refers to the Party’s policy of unswervingly consolidating and developing the public sector, and unswervingly encouraging, supporting, and guiding the development of the non-public sector. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee decided to resolve this issue through legislation, stressing the need to further deepen reform comprehensively in close connection with Chinese-path modernization, so that governance and development are better aligned.

如果要问“什么叫‘紧紧围绕中国式现代化进一步全面深化改革’？什么叫‘治理和发展更好相适应’”，举一个例子就可以明白。党中央决定制定《民营经济促进法》，这部法律的草案已经在全社会公开征求意见。这部法律既充分维护了民营企业参与公平竞争的投资经营和创新发展权利，又对民营企业提出了遵守法律和道德的要求。这几年关于民营经济离场论的舆论吵得沸沸扬扬，许多民营企业家心中七上八下，党和国家领导人一再出面澄清事实，强调我们始终坚持“两个毫不动摇”。党的二十届三中全会决定通过立法来解决这个问题，强调要紧紧围绕中国式现代化进一步全面深化改革，治理和发展要更好相适应。

III. 2024 Demonstrates the Firm Determination and Strong Sense of Mission to Carry Reform Through to the End

三、2024年彰显将改革进行到底的坚强决心和强烈使命担当

It can be said without exaggeration that preparing for and convening the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, and studying and implementing the spirit of this plenum, was the biggest event and the greatest political task of 2024.

完全可以说，筹备和召开党的二十届三中全会，学习贯彻这次全会精神，是2024年最大的事情、最大的政治。

As early as November 2023, the Politburo of the Central Committee had already decided to establish the drafting group for the documents of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee. On December 8, the drafting group held its first plenary meeting. Xi Jinping pointed out that in the drafting process of the decision document, we must focus on grasping the following five points: First, to summarize and apply the valuable experience of reform and opening up, especially the comprehensive deepening of reform in the New Era, determine the principles to be followed, and adhere to the correct political direction. Second, to plan the further comprehensive deepening of reform in close connection with advancing Chinese-path modernization and implementing the strategic deployments of the 20th National Congress, adhering to a problem-oriented approach. Third, to grasp the key points, highlight reforms of institutions and mechanisms, highlight major reforms of a strategic and overall nature, highlight the leading role of economic system reform, and give prominence to the guiding role of reform. Fourth, to adhere to a people-centered approach, planning and advancing reform from the perspective of the overall, fundamental, and long-term interests of the people. Fifth, to strengthen systemic integration, enhance the overall planning and systematic layout of reform, so that reforms in all aspects coordinate with each other and are synergistic and efficient.

早在2023年11月，中央政治局已经决定成立党的二十届三中全会文件起草组。12月8日，文件起草组已召开第一次全体会议。习近平指出，在决定稿起草过程中，我们重点把握以下五点：一是总结和运用改革开放以来特别是新时代全面深化改革的宝贵经验，确定遵循原则，坚持正确政治方向；二是紧紧围绕推进中国式现代化、落实党的二十大战略部署来谋划进一步全面深化改革，坚持问题导向；三是抓住重点，突出体制机制改革，突出战略性、全局性重大改革，突出经济体制改革牵引作用，凸显改革引领作用；四是坚持人民至上，从人民整体利益、根本利益、长远利益出发谋划和推进改革；五是强化系统集成，加强对改革整体谋划、系统布局，使各方面改革相互配合、协同高效。

On April 30, 2024, the Politburo held a meeting, deciding to convene the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee in Beijing in July, and clarifying that this plenum would focus on studying the issues of further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization. After the meeting, from May 22 to 24, Xi Jinping conducted an inspection tour in Shandong and emphasized the need to take further comprehensive deepening of reform as the driving force to strive to write a Shandong chapter of Chinese-path modernization. It was during this inspection that Xi Jinping presided over a notable symposium of entrepreneurs and experts in Jinan, Shandong Province, on May 23. At the symposium, he stressed: “The 20th National Congress has drawn a grand blueprint for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and established the central task of comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. To further comprehensively deepen reform, we must closely adhere to the theme of advancing Chinese-path modernization, highlight the key points of reform, firmly grasp the value orientation, pay attention to methods and approaches, and add impetus to completing the central task and achieving strategic goals.” This important speech tells us the major theoretical and practical questions of why to reform, where to reform, and how to reform in further comprehensively deepening reform, and tells us that the theme of further comprehensively deepening reform is “advancing Chinese-path modernization.”

2024年4月30日，中央政治局召开会议，决定7月在北京召开党的二十届三中全会，明确这次全会重点研究进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化问题。会后，5月22日至24日，习近平到山东考察并强调，要以进一步全面深化改革为动力，奋力谱写中国式现代化山东篇章。就是在这次考察中，习近平5月23日在山东省济南市主持召开了引人注目的企业家和专家座谈会，他在座谈会上强调：“党的二十大擘画了全面建设社会主义现代化国家的宏伟蓝图，确立了以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业的中心任务。进一步全面深化改革，要紧扣推进中国式现代化这个主题，突出改革重点，把牢价值取向，讲究方式方法，为完成中心任务、实现战略目标增添动力。”这一重要讲话，告诉我们进一步全面深化改革为什么改、往哪里改、怎么改等重大理论和实践问题，告诉我们进一步全面深化改革的主题是“推进中国式现代化”。

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, held from July 15 to 18, 2024, adopted the *Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform to Advance Chinese-Path Modernization*. This historic decision not only elaborates on the great significance and overall requirements of further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization, but also puts forward more than 300 reform measures. These measures are distributed across the seven areas of economy, politics, culture, society, ecological civilization, national security, and Party leadership and Party building, as well as work in national defense and military construction, and foreign affairs, as directed by the “Seven Focal Points.” [3]3 The “Seven Focal Points” (七个聚焦) refers to the seven priority areas for reform outlined in the Third Plenary Session’s decision: economy, politics, culture, society, ecological civilization, national security, and Party leadership and Party building. The decision emphasizes the need to closely revolve around Chinese-path modernization, to improve and develop the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to advance the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity.

2024年7月15日至18日召开的党的二十届三中全会，通过了《中共中央关于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的决定》。这一历史性决定，不仅阐述了进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的重大意义和总体要求，而且提出了300多项改革举措。这些举措分布在“七个聚焦”指向的经济、政治、文化、社会、生态文明、国家安全、党的领导和党的建设七个领域，以及国防和军队建设、外交工作等方面工作，强调要紧紧围绕中国式现代化，完善和发展中国特色社会主义制度、推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化。

After the convening of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core not only immediately organized the dissemination and study of the plenum’s spirit, but also persisted in implementing reforms with the spirit of driving a nail. [4]4 The “spirit of driving a nail” (钉钉子精神) is a metaphor used by Xi Jinping to describe the need for persistence, focus, and follow-through in implementing reforms, akin to hammering a nail until it is firmly in place.

在党的二十届三中全会召开后，以习近平同志为核心的党中央不仅立即组织宣讲、学习全会精神，而且坚持以钉钉子精神抓改革落实。

First, the Politburo took the lead in deploying the implementation of the major reform measures determined by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee. The Politburo held two meetings to study the implementation of the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee. The Politburo meeting held on July 30 emphasized the need to promptly introduce a batch of reform measures that are mature in conditions and tangible in effect. (1) We must expand domestic demand with a focus on boosting consumption, and shift the focus of economic policy more towards benefiting people’s livelihoods and promoting consumption. We must increase residents’ income through multiple channels, enhance the consumption capacity and willingness of middle- and low-income groups, make service consumption an important lever for consumption expansion and upgrading, and support consumption in areas such as culture and tourism, elderly care, childcare, and housekeeping. (2) We must cultivate and strengthen emerging industries and future industries. (3) We must promote high-level opening up, further create a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class business environment, and steadily expand institutional opening up. We must implement the requirement to “clear” [5]5 “Clear” (清零) here means to reduce to zero, i.e., to completely eliminate all restrictive measures on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector. restrictive measures on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector, launch a new round of pilot measures for expanding opening up in the service sector, and promote the stabilization and recovery of foreign capital utilization. (4) We must continue to prevent and defuse risks in key areas. (5) We must solidly advance comprehensive rural revitalization, consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation, and ensure that the rural population does not experience large-scale return to poverty. (6) We must increase efforts to ensure and improve people’s livelihoods. (7) We must make great efforts to resolutely rectify the deep-seated problems of formalism and bureaucracy. The Politburo meeting held on September 26 analyzed and studied the current economic situation and economic work, and decisively put forward a series of targeted policy measures for the urgent economic problems to be solved in the near term, effectively boosting social confidence and promoting economic recovery. These policy measures include: (1) Increase the intensity of counter-cyclical adjustment of fiscal and monetary policies, ensure necessary fiscal expenditures, and effectively carry out the “Three Guarantees” work. [6]6 The “Three Guarantees” (三保) refers to ensuring basic livelihoods, ensuring the payment of wages, and ensuring the functioning of government bodies. (2) Issue and use ultra-long-term special government bonds and local government special bonds well, and better leverage the driving role of government investment. (3) Lower the reserve requirement ratio and implement a significant interest rate cut. (4) Promote the stabilization and recovery of the real estate market, strictly control the increase in commercial housing construction, optimize the existing stock, and improve quality. Increase the intensity of loan disbursement for projects on the “white list,” [7]7 The “white list” (白名单) refers to a list of eligible real estate projects that are recommended for financial support, such as loans, to help stabilize the property market. and support the revitalization of existing idle land. Respond to public concerns, adjust housing purchase restriction policies, lower existing mortgage interest rates, and promptly improve land, fiscal, tax, and financial policies to promote the establishment of a new model for real estate development. (5) Strive to boost the capital market, vigorously guide medium- and long-term funds into the market, and unblock the bottlenecks for funds such as social security, insurance, and wealth management to enter the market. Support the mergers and acquisitions of listed companies, steadily advance the reform of public funds, and research and introduce policy measures to protect small and medium-sized investors. (6) Help enterprises overcome difficulties, further standardize law enforcement and regulatory behavior involving enterprises. Introduce the Private Sector Promotion Law to create a favorable environment for the development of the non-public sector. (7) Combine promoting consumption with benefiting people’s livelihoods, promote income growth for middle- and low-income groups, and upgrade the consumption structure. Cultivate new forms of consumption. (8) Support and regulate the development of elderly care and childcare industries by social forces, and promptly improve the policy system for supporting childbirth. (9) Increase efforts to attract and stabilize investment, promptly advance and implement reform measures such as foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector. (10) Hold and secure the bottom line of people’s livelihoods, focus on the employment of key groups such as fresh college graduates, migrant workers, people lifted out of poverty, and zero-employment families, and strengthen assistance for groups facing employment difficulties such as the elderly, the disabled, and the long-term unemployed. Strengthen assistance and support for low-income populations. (11) Ensure the supply and price stability of important materials such as food, water, electricity, gas, and heat. (12) Effectively ensure grain and agricultural production, care about increasing farmers’ income, do a good job in autumn and winter production, and ensure national food security.

第一，中央政治局带头，部署落实党的二十届三中全会确定的重大改革举措。中央政治局两次召开会议，研究党的二十届三中全会精神贯彻落实问题。7月30日召开的中央政治局会议强调要及时推出一批条件成熟、可感可及的改革举措。（1）要以提振消费为重点扩大国内需求，经济政策着力点要更多转向惠民生、促销费，要多渠道增加居民收入，增强中低收入群体的消费能力和意愿，把服务消费作为消费扩容升级的重要抓手，支持文旅、养老、育幼、家政等消费。（2）要培育壮大新兴产业和未来产业。（3）要推进高水平对外开放，进一步营造市场化、法治化、国际化一流营商环境，稳步扩大制度型开放。要落实制造业领域外资准入限制措施“清零”要求，推出新一轮服务业扩大开放试点举措，促进利用外资企稳回升。（4）要持续防范化解重点领域风险。（5）要扎实推进乡村全面振兴，巩固拓展脱贫攻坚成果，确保农村人口不发生规模性返贫致贫。（6）要加大保障和改善民生力度。（7）要下力气坚决纠治形式主义、官僚主义的顽瘴痼疾。9月26日召开的中央政治局会议分析研究了当前经济形势和经济工作，并对近期迫切要解决的经济问题，果断提出了一系列有针对性的政策措施，有效提振了社会信心，促进了经济回升。这些政策措施包括：（1）加大财政货币政策逆周期调节力度，保证必要的财政支出，切实做好“三保”工作。（2）发行使用好超长期特别国债和地方政府专项债，更好发挥政府投资带动作用。（3）降低存款准备金率，实施有力度的降息。（4）促进房地产市场止跌回稳，对商品房建设要严控增量、优化存量、提高质量，加大“白名单”项目贷款投放力度，支持盘活存量闲置土地。回应群众关切，调整住房限购政策，降低存量房贷利率，抓紧完善土地、财税、金融等政策，推动构建房地产发展新模式。（5）努力提振资本市场，大力引导中长期资金入市，打通社保、保险、理财等资金入市堵点。要支持上市公司并购重组，稳步推进公募基金改革，研究出台保护中小投资者的政策措施。（6）帮助企业渡过难关，进一步规范涉企执法、监管行为。要出台民营经济促进法，为非公有制经济发展营造良好环境。（7）把促销费和惠民生结合起来，促进中低收入群体增收，提升消费结构。要培育新型消费形态。（8）支持和规范社会力量发展养老、托育产业，抓紧完善生育支持政策体系。（9）加大引资稳资力度，抓紧推进和实施制造业领域外资准入等改革措施。（10）守住兜牢民生底线，重点做好应届高校毕业生、农民工、脱贫人口、零就业家庭等重点人群就业工作，加强对大龄、残疾、较长时间失业等就业困难群体的帮扶。要加强低收入人口救助帮扶。（11）抓好食品和水电气热等重要物资的保供稳价。（12）切实抓好粮食和农业生产，关心农民增收，抓好秋冬生产，确保国家粮食安全。

In accordance with the work arrangements of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, on August 29, the Central Committee for Deepening Overall Reform held its sixth meeting to deploy the implementation of various reform measures. The meeting stressed the need to uphold the Party Central Committee’s centralized and unified leadership over reform and strictly implement the reporting and request-for-instructions system; to accurately grasp the strategic priorities and preferred directions of reform, and rationally arrange the sequence, pace, and timing of reform measures; to more closely integrate reform with economic and social development, and accelerate the implementation of landmark reform measures; to strengthen systemic integration, enhance the consistency of reform policy orientation, proactively assess the impact on economic and social development, and form a joint force for reform and development. The meeting also proposed implementing a strategy to upgrade the pilot free trade zones; adhering to high-standard opening up as the guide, taking institutional innovation as the core, encouraging pioneering trials and first-of-their-kind, integrated explorations, promoting innovation-driven development of entire industrial chains, enhancing the comprehensive competitiveness of foreign trade, promoting the liberalization and facilitation of investment, and improving the policy system centered on the free and convenient flow of trade, investment, capital, transportation, and personnel, as well as the secure and orderly flow of data; it stressed the need to coordinate development and security, steadily expand institutional opening up in rules, regulations, management, and standards, and enhance risk prevention and control capabilities. At the same time, Xi Jinping and other leading comrades of the Central Committee, as always, went to localities and grassroots levels to provide face-to-face guidance on the implementation of the plenary session’s spirit.

根据中央政治局工作安排，8月29日，中央全面深化改革委员会举行第六次会议，部署各项改革举措的贯彻落实工作。会议强调要坚持党中央对改革的集中统一领导，严格执行请示报告制度；要把准改革的战略重点和优先方向，合理安排改革举措和先后顺序、节奏时机；要把改革同经济社会发展更加紧密结合起来，推动标志性改革举措加快落地；要加强系统集成，增强改革政策取向一致性，主动评估对经济社会发展的影响，形成改革和发展的合力。会议还提出实施自由贸易试验区提升战略；坚持以高水平开放为引领，以制度型创新为核心，鼓励先行先试，开展首创性、集成式探索，推动全产业链创新发展，增强对外贸易综合竞争力，促进投资自由化便利化，推动以贸易、投资、资金流动、交通运输、人员往来自由便利和数据安全有序流动为重点的政策体系更加完善；强调要统筹发展和安全，稳步扩大规则、规制、管理、标准等制度型开放，提升风险防控能力。同时，习近平和中央其他领导同志一如既往到地方、下基层，面对面指导各地贯彻落实全会精神。

Second, to implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, the central authorities promptly issued a series of reform documents. From the convening of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee to the present, the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council have intensively issued a series of important reform documents. On August 30, the State Council held an executive meeting to study several opinions on promoting the high-quality development of the insurance industry; reviewed and approved the “Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Improvement of the Flood Control System in the Haihe River Basin”; reviewed and approved the “Regulations on the Management of Network Data Security (Draft)”; and discussed the “Maritime Law of the People’s Republic of China (Amendment Draft).”

第二，为贯彻落实党的二十届三中全会精神，中央及时颁布一系列改革文件。从党的二十届三中全会召开至今，中共中央和国务院密集发文，颁布了一系列重要的改革文件。8月30日，国务院召开常务会议，研究推动保险业高质量发展的若干意见；审议通过《加快完善海河流域防洪体系实施方案》；审议通过《网络数据安全管理条例（草案）》；讨论《中华人民共和国海商法（修正草案）》。

Immediately thereafter, on September 26, the central authorities issued the “Opinions of the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council on Implementing the Employment Priority Strategy to Promote High-Quality and Full Employment,” passed on September 15. On October 10, the “Opinions of the General Office of the Central Committee of the CPC and the General Office of the State Council on Accelerating the Development and Utilization of Public Data Resources” and the “Regulations on the Management of Network Data Security” were promulgated. On October 20, the “Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items” was published. On October 22, the “Opinions of the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council on Deepening the Reform of the Construction of the Industrial Worker Contingent,” passed on October 12, was published. On November 28, the General Office of the Central Committee of the CPC and the General Office of the State Council printed and distributed the “Action Plan for Effectively Reducing the Cost of Social Logistics.” On November 29, the “Opinions of the General Office of the Central Committee of the CPC and the General Office of the State Council on the Reform and Innovation of Digital Trade Development,” passed on August 17, was printed and distributed. On December 6, the “Opinions of the General Office of the Central Committee of the CPC and the General Office of the State Council on Promoting the Construction of New-Type Urban Infrastructure to Build Resilient Cities,” passed on November 16, was printed and distributed; and so on. The intensive issuance of such documents sends a signal: further deepening reform across the board is a serious endeavor.

紧接着，9月26日，中央颁发9月15日通过的《中共中央国务院关于实施就业优先战略促进高质量充分就业的意见》。10月10日，颁布《中共中央办公厅国务院办公厅关于加快公共数据资源开发利用的意见》以及《网络数据安全管理条例》。10月20日，公布《中华人民共和国两用物项出口管制条例》。10月22日，公布10月12日通过的《中共中央国务院关于深化产业工人队伍建设改革的意见》。11月28日，中共中央办公厅国务院办公厅印发《有效降低全社会物流成本行动方案》。11月29日，印发8月17日通过的《中共中央办公厅国务院办公厅关于数字贸易改革创新发展的意见》。12月6日，印发11月16日通过的《中共中央办公厅国务院办公厅关于推进新型城市基础设施建设打造韧性城市的意见》；等等。诸如此类文件密集出台，发出一个信号：进一步全面深化改革是动真格的。

Third, legislative work has been advanced at a rapid pace. The most impactful were: First, on September 13, the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress voted to adopt the “Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Implementing a Gradual Delay of the Statutory Retirement Age.” This decision includes the main text, the “Measures of the State Council on the Gradual Delay of the Statutory Retirement Age,” and four appendices; it forms a whole, belongs to the category of decisions on legal issues made by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and has legal effect. This decision takes effect on January 1, 2025. Second, on October 10, the Ministry of Justice and the National Development and Reform Commission issued a notice on soliciting public comments on the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Promoting the Private Economy (Draft for Comments).” Previously

第三，紧锣密鼓地推进立法工作。影响最大的，一是9月13日，十四届全国人大常委会第十一次会议表决通过《全国人民代表大会常务委员会关于实施渐进式延迟法定退休年龄的决定》。这个决定包括正文和《国务院关于渐进式延迟法定退休年龄的办法》及4个附件，是一个整体，属于全国人大常委会作出的有关法律问题的决定，具有法律效力。这个决定自2025年1月1日起施行。二是10月10日，司法部、国家发展改革委发布关于《中华人民共和国民营经济促进法（草案征求意见稿）》公开征求意见的通知。此前，6月25日，国家发展改革委副主任郑备受国务院委托，向十四届全国人大常委会第十次会议作了关于促进民营经济发展情况的报告。三是11月8日，十四届全国人大常委会第十二次会议表决通过了《全国人民代表大会常务委员会关于批准〈国务院关于提请审议增加地方政府债务限额置换存量隐性债务的议案〉的决议，提出为贯彻落实党中央决策部署，在压实地方主体责任的基础上，建议增加6万亿元地方政府债务限额置换存量隐性债务。

In particular, the introduction of policies and measures related to opening up to the outside world has also had a positive impact abroad. For example, the "clearing to zero" of the negative list for foreign financial industry access, the "clearing to zero" of restrictions on foreign investment access in manufacturing, the implementation of a 72/144-hour transit visa-free policy for citizens of 54 countries (as of the end of October), and the decision to add 9 visa-free countries starting November 30 this year, allowing holders of ordinary passports from 38 visa-free countries to enter China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchanges, or transit for up to 30 days without needing a visa. Against the current backdrop of increasing uncertainties in global economic development, the introduction of these policies and measures has enabled the international community to see China's determination and will to carry reform through to the end. Some entrepreneurs from other countries have already significantly expanded their investment in China, actively embracing the Chinese market.

尤其是涉及对外开放的政策措施出台，在国外也产生了积极影响。比如外资金融业准入负面清单的“清零”，制造业外资准入限制的“清零”，以及对54个国家的公民实施72/144小时过境免签政策（截至10月底），并决定从今年11月30日起增加9个免签国家，对38个免签国家持普通护照人员来华经商、旅游观光、探亲访友、交流访问、过境不超过30天的还可免办签证入境。在当前全球经济发展不确定因素增多的情势下，这些政策措施出台，使国际社会看到了中国将改革进行到底的决心和意志，有的国家的企业家已经大幅扩大对中国的投资，主动拥抱中国市场。

These decisions, policies, measures, and deployments have demonstrated the distinctive feature of the Party Central Committee combining strategic stability with progress and tactical calmness in responding to changes, achieving notable results. As Xi Jinping pointed out in his summary of 2024 economic work at the Politburo meeting on December 9 and the Central Economic Work Conference held from December 11 to 12: the year's economic operation followed a pattern of "high at the start, moderate in the middle, and rising at the end" — the first quarter got off to a good start, downward pressure increased in the second and third quarters, and after the Politburo meeting on September 26 decisively deployed a package of incremental policies, the economy rebounded significantly.

这些决策、政策、措施和部署，展现了党中央战略上稳中求进和策略上沉着应变相结合的鲜明特点，取得了明显成效。正如习近平在12月9日中央政治局会议和12月11日至12日召开的中央经济工作会议上，对2024年经济工作的总结所指出的：全年经济运行“前高、中低、后扬”——一季度开局良好，二、三季度下行压力加大，9月26日中央政治局会议果断部署一揽子增量政策后经济明显回升。

The year 2024 is a crucial year for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan [8]8 The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) is China's national economic and social development plan, setting key targets for growth, innovation, and social welfare.. The above review is merely a glimpse of China's economy and politics in 2024, but from these concrete measures and actions, one can feel: not only the decision adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, but also the actions of the entire nation after the plenum, all demonstrate the firm determination and strong sense of mission to carry reform through to the end. This is China's 2024!

2024年是实现“十四五”规划目标任务的关键一年。上述回顾只是2024年中国经济政治的点点滴滴，但从这一件件、一桩桩实实在在的举措和行动可以感受到：不仅党的二十届三中全会通过的决定，而且全会后举国上下的行动，都彰显了将改革进行到底的坚强决心和强烈使命担当。这就是中国的2024年！

(Author's bio: Li Junru, former Vice President of the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC)

（作者简介：李君如，原中共中央党校副校长）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心