The Precious Wealth of Style-Building in the New Era

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that the Party’s style of work is the Party’s image, bearing on the support of the people and on the Party’s survival or extinction. [1]1 “The Party’s style of work is the Party’s image” is a key formulation from Xi Jinping’s speeches on Party discipline and style. Revolutionary culture is an advanced culture with distinctive Chinese characteristics formed by the Communist Party of China in leading the Chinese people through long-term revolutionary struggle, and it contains rich thought on style-building. From Mao Zedong’s “one lamp wick” in the Jinggangshan period to Zhou Enlai’s “ten family rules” after the founding of New China; from the “three disciplines and six points of attention” in the Jinggangshan period to the “six regulations” proposed at the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the Party, all embody the unique glorious traditions and fine styles of work of Communists, manifesting the unique spiritual value pursuit of Chinese Communists. [2]2 “One lamp wick” refers to Mao Zedong’s frugality in using only one lamp wick during the Jinggangshan period; “ten family rules” refers to Zhou Enlai’s strict family regulations for relatives; “three disciplines and six points of attention” were early Red Army rules; “six regulations” were anti-corruption rules from the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee in 1949. Whether in the past, present, or future, the Party’s glorious traditions and fine styles of work are precious spiritual wealth that inspires us to fear no difficulties and forge ahead courageously.

习近平总书记指出，党的作风就是党的形象，关系人心向背，关系党的生死存亡。革命文化是中国共产党领导中国人民在长期革命斗争实践中形成的独具中国特色的先进文化，蕴含着丰富的作风建设思想。从井冈山时期毛泽东的“一根灯芯”到新中国成立后周恩来的“十条家规”；从井冈山时期的“三项纪律、六项注意”到党的七届二中全会提出的“六条规定”等，无不体现着共产党人特有的光荣传统和优良作风，彰显了中国共产党人特有的精神价值追求。不论过去、现在还是将来，党的光荣传统和优良作风都是激励我们不畏艰难、勇往直前的宝贵精神财富。

The political essence of firm conviction and daring to win lays the foundation of conviction for style-building in the New Era. Ideals and convictions are the “calcium” in the spirit of Communists; without ideals and convictions, or if they are not firm, the spirit will be “calcium-deficient” and suffer from “osteomalacia.” In the era of revolutionary war, facing powerful enemies and hardships, it was precisely by relying on the firm conviction that “revolutionary ideals are higher than heaven” that our Party was able to unite and lead the people to achieve one victory after another. During the Jinggangshan struggle period, Comrade Mao Zedong wrote *A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire*, using the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method to scientifically foresee the imminent arrival of a revolutionary high tide, greatly inspiring the revolutionary fighting spirit of the Red Army soldiers. [3]3 *A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire* is a 1930 letter by Mao Zedong arguing for the viability of the Chinese revolution. On the Long March, facing the enemy’s pursuit and interception and the extreme harshness of the natural environment, the Red Army soldiers, with the firm conviction that “as long as we follow the Party, we will surely win,” crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, overcame countless difficulties and dangers, and created a great miracle in human history. In the New Era, to carry forward revolutionary culture and strengthen style-building, we must maintain a clear political mind, resolutely achieve the Two Upholds, be both firm and courageous believers and doers daring to win, bravely shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the era with the spirit of “the more dangerous the situation, the more forward we must go,” and continuously promote the deepening of style-building with a nail-driving spirit.

信念坚定、敢于胜利的政治本色，奠定了新时代作风建设的信念根基。理想信念就是共产党人精神上的“钙”，没有理想信念，理想信念不坚定，精神上就会“缺钙”，就会得“软骨病”。在革命战争年代，面对强大敌人和艰难困苦，正是靠着“革命理想高于天”的坚定信念，我们党才能团结带领人民取得一个又一个胜利。井冈山斗争时期，毛泽东同志写下《星星之火，可以燎原》，以马克思主义的立场观点方法，科学预见了革命高潮即将到来，极大鼓舞了红军将士的革命斗志。在长征途中，面对敌人的围追堵截和自然环境的极端恶劣，红军将士以“只要跟党走，一定能胜利”的必胜信念，跨越千山万水，战胜千难万险，创造了人类历史上的伟大奇迹。新时代弘扬革命文化，加强作风建设，要保持清醒的政治头脑，坚决做到“两个维护”，既做坚定勇毅的信仰者，更当敢于胜利的实干家，用“越是艰险越向前”的精神勇担时代重任，以钉钉子精神持续推动作风建设向纵深发展。

The value pursuit of caring for the masses and selflessness for the public marks the original aspiration of serving the people in style-building in the New Era. The land and waters are the people, and the people are the land and waters; to win the land and waters and to guard the land and waters is to guard the people’s hearts. This profoundly reveals the core of the Party’s style of work: that the Communist Party of China has always represented the fundamental interests of the broadest majority of the people and has no special interests of its own. [4]4 “The land and waters are the people, and the people are the land and waters” is a paraphrase of Xi Jinping’s 2021 statement “江山就是人民，人民就是江山.” Shouldering the responsibility to the people and placing the Party’s interests above all else is a powerful spiritual force that has always inspired countless Communists to forge ahead in the revolutionary era. “Governance lies in eliminating selfishness; if selfishness is not eliminated, the way of fairness perishes.” [5]5 “Governance lies in eliminating selfishness” is a classical Chinese saying from the *Shenzi* text, often cited in Party discourse on selflessness. In the New Era, to carry forward revolutionary culture and strengthen style-building, we must adhere to the fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people, take revolutionary forebears as role models, integrate the spirit of selflessness for the public into every aspect of daily work, earnestly and emotionally solve the urgent, difficult, and anxious problems of the masses, and continuously consolidate the most solid mass foundation for the Party’s long-term governance.

心系群众、公而忘私的价值追求，标示了新时代作风建设的为民初心。江山就是人民，人民就是江山，打江山、守江山，守的是人民的心，这深刻揭示了中国共产党始终代表最广大人民根本利益、没有任何自己特殊的利益的作风内核。把对人民的责任扛在肩上，将党的利益置于首位，是革命年代始终激励着无数共产党人奋勇前行的强大精神力量。“政在去私，私不去则公道亡。”新时代弘扬革命文化，加强作风建设，就要坚持全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨，以革命先辈为榜样，将公而忘私的精神融入日常工作的点滴之中，用心用情用力解决好群众急难愁盼问题，不断筑牢我们党长期执政最坚实的群众根基。

The practical character of seeking truth from facts and self-revolution points to the key path for style-building in the New Era. Seeking truth from facts is the essence of Marxism and an important method of thought for Communists. In the era of revolutionary war, our Party always adhered to the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, insisting on formulating policies and carrying out work based on reality. During the Jinggangshan period, Comrade Mao Zedong conducted in-depth investigation and research, put forward the thought of “armed independent regimes of workers and peasants,” and pointed out the correct direction for the Chinese revolution. [6]6 “Armed independent regimes of workers and peasants” is Mao’s strategy for rural base areas during the Jinggangshan period (1927-1930). During the Yan’an period, Comrade Mao Zedong published important articles such as *Rectify the Party’s Style of Work*, leading the whole Party to carry out the rectification movement, which established the ideological line of seeking truth from facts throughout the Party. [7]7 The Yan’an rectification movement (1942-1945) was a Party-wide campaign to correct subjectivism, sectarianism, and Party jargon. The rectification movement was a profound self-revolution carried out by Chinese Communists under the guidance of the ideological line of seeking truth from facts. Through criticism and self-criticism, Party comrades bravely faced their own problems, dared to analyze the roots of their thoughts, and resolutely corrected unhealthy styles such as subjectivism, sectarianism, and Party jargon, achieving unprecedented unity and cohesion in the Party, laying a solid ideological foundation for winning the War of Resistance Against Japan and the War of Liberation. In the New Era, to carry forward revolutionary culture and strengthen style-building, we must adhere to the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, insist on simultaneous investigation of work style and corruption, grasp the key points and crux, solve style problems with a thorough spirit of self-revolution, ensure that our Party always maintains its advanced nature and purity, and always remains the strong leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

实事求是、自我革命的实践品格，指明了新时代作风建设的关键路径。实事求是是马克思主义的精髓，是共产党人的重要思想方法。革命战争年代，我们党始终坚持实事求是的思想路线，坚持从实际出发制定政策、开展工作。井冈山时期，毛泽东同志深入调查研究，提出“工农武装割据”思想，为中国革命指明了正确方向。延安时期，毛泽东同志发表《整顿党的作风》等重要文章，领导全党开展整风运动，使实事求是的思想路线在全党确立起来。整风运动是中国共产党人在实事求是思想路线指引下开展的一场深刻自我革命，通过开展批评和自我批评，全党同志勇于正视自身存在的问题，敢于剖析思想根源，坚决纠正主观主义、宗派主义和党八股等不良作风，使党达到了空前的团结和统一，为夺取抗日战争和解放战争的胜利奠定了坚实的思想基础。新时代弘扬革命文化，加强作风建设，必须坚持实事求是的思想路线，坚持风腐同查，抓住要害、抓住关键，以彻底的自我革命精神解决作风问题，确保我们党始终保持先进性和纯洁性，始终成为中国特色社会主义事业的坚强领导核心。

The spiritual demeanor of hard struggle and willingness to sacrifice reveals the essential requirement of style-building in the New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, “We Communists speak of dedication; we must have a heart that is determined to strive for the Party and the people. With this heart, we will ‘feel pain but also joy’; no matter how hard the conditions, it will be beautiful; no matter how much we give, it will be sweet; we will not be troubled by gains and losses. This is the great dedication that meets the requirements of the Party and the people.” Looking back at the era of revolutionary war, countless Communists advanced wave upon wave, unyielding, hard-struggling, unafraid of sacrifice, and willing to dedicate themselves to the cause of the Party and the people. During the Jinggangshan period, from the army commander down to the soldiers, everyone ate red rice and pumpkin soup; “deep mountain caves are my rooms, green branches and leaves are my beds, sweet potatoes and kudzu roots are my food” was a true portrayal of the Red Army’s hard struggle at that time. [8]8 “Deep mountain caves are my rooms” is a folk song from the Jinggangshan period reflecting Red Army hardships. Hardship and difficulty temper one to achieve success. In the New Era, to carry forward revolutionary culture and strengthen style-building, we must carry forward the spiritual demeanor of hard struggle and willingness to sacrifice. Leading cadres at all levels, facing complex and diverse external temptations, must always maintain the self-awareness of “examining oneself as if not reaching the standard,” not coveting comfort, not fearing difficulties, resolutely opposing ostentation and comparison, and resolutely resisting hedonism and extravagance. [9]9 “Examining oneself as if not reaching the standard” is a classical phrase from the *Shangshu*, used here to mean constant self-reflection.

艰苦奋斗、甘于奉献的精神风范，昭示了新时代作风建设的本质要求。习近平总书记指出，“我们共产党人讲奉献，就要有一颗为党为人民矢志奋斗的心，有了这颗心，就会‘痛并快乐着’，再怎么艰苦也是美的、再怎么付出也是甜的，就不会患得患失。这才是符合党和人民要求的大奉献”。回望革命战争年代，无数共产党员前赴后继、不屈不挠，艰苦奋斗、不怕牺牲，为了党和人民的事业甘于奉献。井冈山时期，上至军长下至士兵，大家吃的都是红米饭南瓜汤，“深山岩洞是我房，青枝绿叶是我床，红薯葛根是我粮”就是当年红军艰苦奋斗的真实写照。艰难困苦，玉汝于成。新时代弘扬革命文化，加强作风建设，必须发扬艰苦奋斗、甘于奉献的精神风范，各级领导干部面对纷繁复杂的外部诱惑，要常怀“检身若不及”的自觉，不贪图安逸、不惧怕困难，坚决反对讲排场比阔气，坚决抵制享乐主义和奢靡之风。

“To make a tree grow tall, one must strengthen its roots.” [10]10 “To make a tree grow tall, one must strengthen its roots” is a classical saying from the *Zhenguan Zhengyao*, a Tang dynasty text on governance. For Chinese Communists, revolutionary culture contains the spiritual code of “where we come from and where we are going,” and is the precious spiritual wealth of the Party’s style-building. On the new journey of the New Era, to thoroughly implement the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations of the Central Committee and open up a new situation of high-quality development with new achievements in style-building, we must persistently carry forward the glorious traditions and fine styles of work contained in revolutionary culture, use revolutionary culture to cultivate the original aspiration, guide the mission, inspire fighting spirit, and gather strength, temper the political character of loyalty, integrity, and responsibility of Party cadres, inject red momentum into the style-building of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, and hand over a style-building answer sheet worthy of the people’s expectations on the new era’s road of catching up with the examination. [11]11 “Road of catching up with the examination” refers to Mao Zedong’s 1949 metaphor of the Party’s governance as a “test” to be passed.

“求木之长者，必固其根本。”对中国共产党人来说，革命文化蕴含着我们“从哪里来、向何处去”的精神密码，是党的作风建设的宝贵精神财富。新时代新征程，深入贯彻中央八项规定精神，以作风建设新成效开创高质量发展新局面，就要持之以恒地弘扬革命文化中蕴含的光荣传统和优良作风，用革命文化涵养初心、引领使命、激励斗志、凝心聚力，砥砺党员干部忠诚干净担当的政治品格，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家的作风建设注入红色动能，在新时代赶考路上交出无愧人民期待的作风答卷。

(This article is a phased result of the National Social Science Fund project “Research on the Value Identification and Enhancement Strategy of Youth towards Revolutionary Culture in the Digital Intelligence Era” (24BKS143))

（本文系国家社科基金项目“数智时代青年对革命文化的价值认同及提升策略研究”（24BKS143）阶段性成果）

(Authors: Vice Dean and Professor of the School of Marxism, Hangzhou Dianzi University; Assistant Researcher at the Hangzhou Dianzi University Base of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Research Center of Zhejiang Province)

（作者系杭州电子科技大学马克思主义学院副院长、教授；浙江省习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心杭州电子科技大学基地助理研究员）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心