Scientifically Grasping the Stand and Direction of the Great Struggle

Over the past century and more, in responding to various difficulties and challenges, our Party has tempered its character and quality of fearing no formidable enemy, fearing no risk, daring to struggle, and daring to win, which is the most distinctive trait and characteristic of our Party. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Any risk or challenge that end

百余年来，在应对各种困难挑战中，我们党锤炼了不畏强敌、不惧风险、敢于斗争、勇于胜利的风骨和品质，这是我们党最鲜明的特质和特点。习近平总书记指出：“凡是危害中国共产党领导和我国社会主义制度的各种风险挑战，凡是危害我国主权、安全、发展利益的各种风险挑战，凡是危害我国核心利益和重大原则的各种风险挑战，凡是危害我国人民根本利益的各种风险挑战，凡是危害我国实现‘两个一百年’奋斗目标、实现中华民族伟大复兴的各种风险挑战，只要来了，我们就必须进行坚决斗争，而且必须取得斗争胜利。我们的头脑要特别清醒、立场要特别坚定，牢牢把握正确斗争方向，做到在各种重大斗争考验面前‘不畏浮云遮望眼’，‘乱云飞渡仍从容’。”这一重要论述，既从根本上揭示了事关伟大斗争成败的立场与方向问题，又提出了斗争的基本要求和方法遵循。

A Clear Understanding Must Be Had of the Fundamental Issues of the Struggle

对斗争的根本性问题要有清醒认识

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, "China is a major country, and it must never make subversive mistakes on fundamental issues; once such mistakes occur, they cannot be undone or remedied." This fundamental issue, in the final analysis, is the question of what banner to hold and what path to follow. The complex international environment and the arduous and heavy historical mission require that Party members and leading cadres have particularly sharp eyes and particularly clear minds, and possess a profound understanding of the fundamental issues of the struggle.

习近平总书记指出，“中国是一个大国，决不能在根本性问题上出现颠覆性错误，一旦出现就无法挽回、无法弥补”。这个根本性问题，说到底就是举什么旗、走什么路的问题。纷繁复杂的国际环境、艰巨繁重的历史使命，要求广大党员干部眼睛要特别明亮，头脑要特别清醒，对斗争的根本性问题要有深刻认识。

On the one hand, this profound understanding comes from a deep insight into the historical characteristics of the great struggle in the New Era, and is an inherent requirement for carrying forward the historical initiative, making the first move, and taking the initiative in the struggle. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "The concept of 'new historical characteristics' is very profound in meaning; it is an important judgment reached by comprehensively reviewing and judging the development trends of both the domestic and international situations." From an international perspective, under the changes unseen in a century, the particularities of China's economic size, population scale, and institutional system determine that the process of achieving national rejuvenation through peaceful development will inevitably involve complex struggles with hidden currents and even raging waves. From a domestic perspective, realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires more complete systems, higher governance capacity, and a more robust Marxist ruling party. These new historical characteristics determine the complexity and arduousness of the struggles we face. This requires that, in the face of difficult and complex contradictions, risks, and challenges, we must not only be extremely clear-headed on the fundamental issue of holding high the banner and setting the direction, but also be fully psychologically prepared to struggle against contradictions and difficulties, recognizing that "danger" and "opportunity" complement each other, and not hesitating or waiting when historical opportunities arise, so as to take the initiative in the struggle. Just as Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out after the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, in the face of changes in US and Soviet policies toward China, "We would rather think of difficulties as being more numerous. Some comrades are unwilling to think more about difficulties. But difficulties are facts; however many there are, we must acknowledge them, and cannot adopt a 'policy of non-recognition.' We must acknowledge difficulties, analyze difficulties, and struggle against difficulties. There are no straight roads in the world; we must be prepared to take a winding path, and not seek easy gains."

一方面，这种深刻认识来自对新时代伟大斗争历史特点的深刻洞察，是发扬历史主动精神，下好先手棋、打好主动仗的内在要求。习近平总书记指出：“‘新的历史特点’这个概念，含义是很深刻的，是全面审视和判断国内国际两个大局发展大势得出的重要判断。”从国际情况来看，百年未有之大变局下，中国的经济体量、人口规模、制度体制等的特殊性，决定了通过走和平发展道路来实现民族复兴的过程必然面临暗流汹涌甚至惊涛骇浪的复杂斗争。从国内情况来看，实现中华民族伟大复兴需要更完善的制度、更高的治理能力、更坚强有力的马克思主义执政党等。这些新的历史特点决定了我们所面对的斗争的复杂性、艰巨性。这就要求我们在艰巨复杂的矛盾风险挑战面前，既要在举旗定向的根本性问题上头脑十分清醒，又要有充分的与矛盾困难作斗争的心理准备，看到“危”与“机”是相辅相成的，在历史机遇面前不犹豫、不观望，打好主动仗。正如在抗日战争胜利后，面对国际上美苏对华政策变动，毛泽东同志所指出的，“我们宁肯把困难想得更多一些。有些同志不愿意多想困难。但是困难是事实，有多少就得承认多少，不能采取‘不承认主义’。我们要承认困难，分析困难，向困难作斗争。世界上没有直路，要准备走曲折的路，不要贪便宜”。

On the other hand, this profound understanding originates from a deep grasp of Marxism and the Party's innovative theories. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, "For leading cadres, the more firmly they grasp Marxism, their essential skill, the higher their political stance, the stronger their political judgment, political comprehension, and political execution, and the more proactive they will be in observing the current situation, planning development, and preventing and defusing risks." An important reason why some leading cadres suffer from "capability panic" and insufficient ability in the face of complex struggles is their shallow grasp of the basic principles of Marxism and the Party's innovative theories, and their weak ability to apply the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to solve China's practical problems. Only with theoretical clarity can one be politically steadfast, and only then can one have the confidence and strength to struggle. Marxism scientifically reveals the general laws of the development of human society, and the Party's innovative theories provide the action guide for us to realize the great dream and advance the great cause. Only by earnestly studying Marxist classics, especially the latest achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, mastering the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method, deeply understanding the laws governing the Communist Party's governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society, and continuously consolidating the ideological foundation for daring and being good at struggle, can we maintain a clear head in complex struggles.

另一方面，这种深刻认识源自对马克思主义、对党的创新理论的深入掌握。习近平总书记指出，“对领导干部来说，马克思主义这个看家本领掌握得越牢靠，政治站位就越高，政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力就越强，观察时势、谋划发展、防范化解风险就越主动”。一些领导干部在复杂斗争面前存在“本领恐慌”、能力不足等现象，一个重要原因是对马克思主义基本原理、对党的创新理论掌握不深，对运用马克思主义立场观点方法解决中国实际问题的能力不强。只有理论上清醒，政治上才能坚定，斗争起来才有底气、才有力量。马克思主义科学揭示了人类社会发展的一般规律，党的创新理论为我们实现伟大梦想、推进伟大事业提供了行动指南。只有认真研读马克思主义经典著作，特别是研读马克思主义中国化时代化的最新成果，掌握马克思主义的立场观点方法，深入认识共产党执政规律、社会主义建设规律、人类社会发展规律，不断夯实敢于斗争善于斗争的思想根基，才能在复杂的斗争中保持头脑清醒。

Always Firmly Stand on the People's Stand in the Struggle

在斗争中始终站稳人民立场

The people's stand is the fundamental political stand of the Communist Party of China. The reason "fundamental" is emphasized is that it is closely related to the Party's ideals and beliefs, its nature and purpose, and its original aspiration and founding mission. As long as we always stand on the people's side, grasp the people's aspirations, respect the people's creativity, concentrate the people's wisdom, and win the heartfelt support of the broadest masses of the people, we can truly build an impregnable fortress for the great struggle and be invincible.

人民立场是中国共产党的根本政治立场。之所以强调“根本”，是因为它与党的理想信念、性质宗旨、初心使命息息相关。只要我们始终站在人民立场上，把握人民愿望、尊重人民创造、集中人民智慧，赢得最广大人民的衷心拥护，就能真正构筑起伟大斗争的铜墙铁壁，就能无往而不胜。

Marxism is profound and extensive, but in the final analysis, it comes down to one sentence: to seek liberation for humanity. Before the birth of Marxism, the theories that dominated society all served the ruling class. Marxism is deeply rooted in the people, unequivocally standing on the side of the proletariat and the broad masses of the people, emphasizing that all previous movements were movements of the minority or for the benefit of the minority, while the movement of the proletariat is an independent movement of the overwhelming majority, for the benefit of the overwhelming majority. Marxism, with its scientific theory full of the spirit of struggle, enthusiastically eulogizes the great role of the masses of the people and points the way forward for the proletariat and the broad masses of the people in their pursuit of an ideal society free from exploitation and oppression, characterized by freedom and equality.

马克思主义博大精深，归根到底就是一句话，为人类求解放。在马克思主义诞生之前，社会上占统治地位的理论都是为统治阶级服务的。马克思主义深深植根于人民，旗帜鲜明地站在无产阶级和广大人民一边，强调过去的一切运动都是少数人的或者为少数人谋利益的运动，无产阶级的运动是绝大多数人的、为绝大多数人谋利益的独立的运动。马克思主义以充满斗争精神的科学理论，热情讴歌人民群众的伟大作用，为无产阶级和广大人民追求一个没有剥削和压迫、自由平等的理想社会指明了前进方向。

Serving the people wholeheartedly is the fundamental purpose of our Party. The people are the masters of the country and the objects of service for all our Party's work. This fundamentally requires that we always stand on the side of the masses of the people and sincerely seek benefits for the people. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out, "We stand on the side of the proletariat and the masses of the people. For Communist Party members, this means standing on the Party's side, on the side of Party spirit and Party policy." General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized, "We must always bear in mind the Party's fundamental purpose and the nature of the state, bear in mind that the people come first, everything is for the people, everything relies on the people, and strive to enable all the people to share in the fruits of reform and development through common struggle." Since its founding, the Communist Party of China has established seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation as its original aspiration and founding mission. For over a hundred years, no matter how powerful the enemy, how difficult the road, or how severe the challenge, our Party has always closely relied on the people, united as one, and never flinched. In the revolutionary struggle, "it showed itself before the people of the whole country as a friend of the people, protecting the interests of the people every day, fighting for the freedom and liberation of the people, standing at the forefront of the revolutionary war." In the practice of reform, it has always "stood on the people's side in handling major issues related to reform, resolutely breaking down all institutional mechanisms that hinder the development of productive forces, resolutely breaking down all ideological concepts that constrain social civilization and progress, and bringing the people a greater sense of gain, happiness, and security." History and practice have repeatedly proven that the foundation of the Communist Party of China lies in the people, its lifeblood lies in the people, and its strength lies in the people. The people are our Party's greatest reliance in overcoming all foreseeable and unforeseeable risks and challenges, and the people are the greatest source of confidence for the Party in governing and rejuvenating the country.

全心全意为人民服务是我们党的根本宗旨。人民是国家的主人，是我们党一切工作的服务对象，从根本上要求我们始终站在人民大众的立场上，诚心诚意为人民谋利益。毛泽东同志指出，“我们是站在无产阶级的和人民大众的立场。对于共产党员来说，也就是要站在党的立场，站在党性和党的政策的立场”。习近平总书记强调，“我们要始终牢记党的根本宗旨和国家性质，牢记人民至上，一切为了人民，一切依靠人民，努力让全体人民在共同奋斗中共享改革发展成果”。中国共产党自成立之日起，就把为中国人民谋幸福，为中华民族谋复兴确立为自己的初心使命。百余年来，不管敌人如何强大、道路如何艰险、挑战如何严峻，我们党始终紧紧依靠人民，凝心聚力、绝不畏惧。在革命斗争中，“在全国人民面前，表示了自己是人民的朋友，每一天都是为了保护人民的利益，为了人民的自由解放，站在革命战争的最前线”。在改革实践中，始终“站在人民立场上处理好涉及改革的重大问题，坚决破除一切阻碍生产力发展的体制机制障碍，坚决破除一切束缚社会文明进步的思想观念，给人民带来更多获得感、幸福感、安全感”。历史和实践一再证明，中国共产党的根基在人民，血脉在人民，力量在人民。人民是我们党战胜一切可以预见和难以预见的风险挑战的最大依靠，人民是党执政兴国的最大底气。

Uphold the Party's Leadership and the Socialist Direction in the Struggle

在斗争中坚持党的领导和社会主义方向

Human society advances amid contradictions and struggles; whether one can adhere to the correct direction in complex struggles is a major issue directly related to the success or failure of the struggle. Advancing Chinese-path modernization requires reform and innovation, but reform and innovation must first have a direction: neither the old path of closed-door rigidity nor the evil path of changing the banner [3] can be taken. Not carrying out reform and innovation leads only to a dead end, and carrying out reform and innovation that negates the socialist direction is also a dead

人类社会是在矛盾斗争中前进的，能否在复杂的斗争中坚持正确方向，是直接关系斗争成败的重大问题。推进中国式现代化需要改革创新，但改革创新首先是有方向的，既不能走封闭僵化的老路，也不能走改旗易帜的邪路。不实行改革创新只有死路一条，搞否定社会主义方向的改革创新也是死路一条。习近平总书记指出，“我们的方向就是不断推动社会主义制度自我完善和发展，而不是对社会主义制度改弦易张”。在方向问题上，我们态度要特别鲜明，行动要特别坚决，不能有任何动摇、任何迟疑、任何含糊。

Chinese-path modernization is a major achievement obtained by our Party leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country through long-term exploration and practice, enduring countless hardships and paying enormous costs. The Communist Party of China has solemnly declared to the world through its dauntless and tenacious struggles that only socialism can save China, and only socialism can develop China. In the magnificent great struggle, the Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people to completely shake off the fate of being bullied, oppressed, and enslaved, becoming masters of the country, society, and their own destiny. Both history and reality prove that the great achievements of revolution, construction, and reform are inseparable from the strong leadership of the Party; Party leadership is the most essential characteristic of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the greatest strength of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. To advance Chinese-path modernization, we must firmly take the people’s stand and adhere to the socialist direction; the most fundamental point is to unswervingly uphold the Party’s overall leadership.

中国式现代化是我们党领导全国各族人民在长期探索和实践中历经千辛万苦、付出巨大代价取得的重大成果。中国共产党用前赴后继、英勇顽强的奋斗向世界庄严宣告，只有社会主义才能救中国，只有社会主义才能发展中国。中国共产党在波澜壮阔的伟大斗争中，团结带领中国人民彻底摆脱了被欺负、被压迫、被奴役的命运，成为国家、社会和自己命运的主人。历史和现实都证明，革命、建设和改革的伟大成就，离不开党的坚强领导，党的领导是中国特色社会主义最本质的特征，是中国特色社会主义制度的最大优势。推进中国式现代化要站稳人民立场，坚持社会主义方向，最根本的就是要坚持党的全面领导不动摇。

Going further, the New Era and the new journey will still encounter stormy seas and still require overcoming various difficulties and obstacles on the path forward. Upholding the Party’s overall leadership is an unshakable political principle and the guarantee of the stand and direction of the struggle, and the core of this principle is to resolutely uphold the authority of the Party Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out, “We must establish a leading core and oppose ‘one country with three rulers.’” Comrade Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “Any leading collective must have a core; a leadership without a core is unreliable.” The history and practice of China’s revolution, construction, and reform in various periods have already shown that upholding the authority of the Party Central Committee and ensuring the Party’s unity and centralized, unified leadership is a basic experience enabling the Communist Party of China to achieve success. Without the authority of the Party Central Committee and the Party’s centralized, unified leadership, the fate of the country, the fate of the Party, and the fate of the people would lose their backbone and guiding star. Since the New Era, facing a complex and severe international and domestic situation, General Secretary Xi Jinping has led the entire Party and the people of all

进一步而言，新时代新征程还会经历惊涛骇浪，还需要战胜前进道路上的各种艰难险阻，坚持党的全面领导是不可动摇的政治原则，是斗争立场与方向的保证，而这一原则的核心就是要坚决维护党中央权威和集中统一领导。毛泽东同志指出，“要建立领导核心，反对‘一国三公’”。邓小平同志强调：“任何一个领导集体都要有一个核心，没有核心的领导是靠不住的。”中国革命、建设和改革各个时期的历史和实践已经表明，维护党中央权威，保证党的团结和集中统一是中国共产党之所以能够取得成功的一个基本经验。没有党中央权威和党的集中统一领导，国家的命运、党的命运以及人民的命运就会失去主心骨和定盘星。新时代以来，面对复杂严峻的国际国内形势，习近平总书记带领全党全国各族人民进行了许多具有新的历史特点的伟大斗争，既捍卫了国家和人民的根本利益，也赢得了国际社会的尊重和敬佩。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”，牢牢把握斗争方向，站稳斗争立场，不断取得新征程上的新胜利。

(Author: Chen Long, Researcher at the Hunan Provincial Research Center for Contemporary Chinese Marxism, Professor at the Mao Zedong Thought Research Center of Xiangtan University)

（作者：陈龙，系湖南省当代中国马克思主义研究中心研究员、湘潭大学毛泽东思想研究中心教授）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心