Exploring the Roots of the Party’s Self-Revolutionary Spirit in Fine Traditional Chinese Culture

Xi Jinping has pointed out: “Fine traditional Chinese culture is the cultural root of the Chinese nation. The ideas, humanistic spirit, and moral norms it contains are not only the core of our Chinese thought and spirit but also of great value for solving human problems.” The Communist Party of China is a faithful inheritor and promoter of fine traditional Chinese culture. It has always focused on drawing wisdom for governing the country from traditional culture and is also adept at applying the ideas, humanistic spirit, and moral norms of traditional culture to its own construction. The Party’s self-revolutionary spirit is a vivid embodiment and important achievement of the “Second Integration”[n] in the field of Party building. An in-depth study of the compatibility between the Party’s self-revolutionary spirit and fine traditional Chinese culture, and an exploration of the root significance of fine traditional Chinese culture for the Party’s self-revolutionary spirit, hold important theoretical and practical significance for thoroughly studying and implementing Xi Jinping’s important thought on the Party’s self-revolution and for advancing the great practice of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party in the New Era.

习近平指出：“中华优秀传统文化是中华民族的文化根脉，其蕴含的思想观念、人文精神、道德规范，不仅是我们中国人思想和精神的内核，对解决人类问题也有重要价值。”中国共产党是中华优秀传统文化的忠实传承者与弘扬者，向来注重从传统文化中汲取治国理政的智慧，也善于将传统文化中的思想观念、人文精神、道德规范运用于自身建设。党的自我革命精神是“第二个结合”在党的建设领域的生动体现和重要成果，深入研究党的自我革命精神与中华优秀传统文化的契合性，探究中华优秀传统文化对党的自我革命精神的根脉意义，对于深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于党的自我革命的重要思想，推进新时代全面从严治党伟大实践具有重要理论和现实意义。

I. The “Historical Cycle,” the Party’s Self-Revolutionary Spirit, and the Chinese Nation’s Vigilance in Times of Peace

一、“历史周期率”、党的自我革命精神与中华民族居安思危的忧患意识

The “historical cycle” refers to the historical phenomenon of dynastic change where a regime “rises abruptly and falls abruptly.” In July 1945, Huang Yanpei and other democratic personages visited Yan’an. He posed to Mao Zedong the question of how the Communist Party of China could break out of the “historical cycle.” Mao Zedong gave the answer of “a new path of democracy.” The Communist Party of China has always regarded breaking out of the “historical cycle” as a historic task concerning the governance of the Party and the rejuvenation of the country, continuously exploring and seeking answers. In November 2021, in his speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC, Xi Jinping pointed out: “Through a century of struggle, especially the new practice since the 18th National Congress, our Party has given a second answer, and that is self-revolution.” In October 2022, in his report to the 20th National Congress summarizing the great achievements of the New Era over the past decade, Xi Jinping further stated: “Through unremitting efforts, the Party has found self-revolution as the second answer to breaking out of the historical cycle of rise and fall, order and chaos.” By persistently pondering and tirelessly exploring this major issue of the “historical cycle,” our Party has put forward the two answers of a new path of democracy and self-revolution, fully reflecting the Communist Party of China’s strong sense of vigilance. “Be vigilant in times of peace; vigilance leads to preparedness, and preparedness ensures safety.” The sense of vigilance in times of peace is an important spiritual quality of the Chinese nation and a significant component of traditional Chinese humanistic spirit. The Party’s self-revolutionary spirit is deeply rooted in the Chinese nation’s strong sense of vigilance.

“历史周期率”是王朝更迭中出现的政权“其兴也勃焉，其亡也忽焉”的历史现象。1945年7月，黄炎培等社会民主人士到延安访问，他向毛泽东提出了中国共产党如何跳出“历史周期率”的问题，毛泽东给出“民主新路”这一答案。中国共产党始终把跳出“历史周期率”作为事关治党兴国的历史性课题，不断探索并寻找答案。2021年11月，习近平在党的十九届六中全会第二次全体会议上的讲话中指出：“经过百年奋斗特别是党的十八大以来新的实践，我们党又给出了第二个答案，这就是自我革命。”2022年10月，习近平在党的二十大报告总结新时代十年取得的伟大成就中进一步指出：“经过不懈努力，党找到了自我革命这一跳出治乱兴衰历史周期率的第二个答案。”我们党通过对“历史周期率”这个重大问题进行持久思考、不懈探索，提出民主新路与自我革命这两个答案，充分体现了中国共产党的强烈忧患意识。“居安思危，思则有备，有备无患。”居安思危的忧患意识是中华民族的重要精神品质，也是中国传统人文精神的重要组成部分。党的自我革命精神深深植根于中华民族的强烈忧患意识之中。

First, “Do not forget danger in times of safety, do not forget ruin in times of survival, do not forget chaos in times of order.” The Communist Party of China has always maintained a sense of vigilance throughout its century-long struggle. The sense of vigilance is an important concept of the Chinese nation. If an individual lacks a sense of vigilance, they lose their subjectivity. Similarly, if a country or nation lacks a sense of vigilance, it too loses its subjectivity. Not forgetting danger in times of safety, not forgetting ruin in times of survival, not forgetting chaos in times of order — this is a clear manifestation of the Chinese nation’s sense of vigilance. Xu Fuguan pointed out: “The sense of vigilance is an expression of the human spirit beginning to directly assume responsibility for things, that is, the beginning of human self-awareness in the spirit.” The Chinese Communists are the epitome of the spirit and character of the Chinese nation. Looking at their great journey of leading the Chinese people to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, one can see that the Chinese nation’s sense of vigilance has been integrated into the century-long history of the Communist Party of China’s struggle. At the symposium commemorating the 120th anniversary of Comrade Mao Zedong’s birth, Xi Jinping, focusing on the major proposition that “the key to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation lies in the Party,” emphasized the need to “remember the ancient adage ‘thrive in adversity, perish in comfort’ and strive to solve the historic issue of ‘rising abruptly and falling abruptly.’” The sense of vigilance, as the Party’s subjective self-awareness and sober consciousness in contemplating and solving the “historical cycle” issue, has become an excellent quality and unique advantage forged in the Communist Party of China over a century. “Our Party was born amidst internal and external troubles, grew through hardships and setbacks, and strengthened by overcoming risks and challenges, always possessing a strong sense of vigilance and risk awareness.” The Communist Party of China answers and solves the “historical cycle” issue with “self-revolution,” advances self-revolution with sober determination, and promotes social revolution through self-revolution, demonstrating a strong sense of vigilance.

首先，“安而不忘危，存而不忘亡，治而不忘乱”，中国共产党在百余年奋斗中始终葆有忧患意识。忧患意识是中华民族的重要理念，一个人没有忧患意识，就会丧失主体性。同样，一个国家和民族如果没有忧患意识，也会丧失主体性。安而不忘危，存而不忘亡，治而不忘乱，这是中华民族忧患意识的鲜明体现。徐复观指出：“忧患意识，乃人类精神开始直接对事物发生责任感的表现，也即是精神上开始有了人的自觉的表现。” 中国共产党人是中华民族精神和品格的集大成者，纵观其带领中国人民为实现中华民族伟大复兴而奋斗的伟大征程可以发现，中华民族的忧患意识已与中国共产党的百余年奋斗历史融为一体。在纪念毛泽东同志诞辰120周年座谈会上，习近平着眼于“实现中华民族伟大复兴，关键在党”这个重大命题，强调要“牢记‘生于忧患，死于安乐’的古训，着力解决好‘其兴也勃焉，其亡也忽焉’的历史性课题”。忧患意识作为中国共产党思考和解答“历史周期率”问题的主体自觉和清醒意识，已然成为中国共产党在百年锻造中形成的优秀品质和独特优势。“我们党在内忧外患中诞生，在磨难挫折中成长，在战胜风险挑战中壮大，始终有着强烈的忧患意识、风险意识。”中国共产党以“自我革命”回答和解决“历史周期率”问题，以清醒定力推进自我革命，以自我革命推进社会革命，彰显出强烈的忧患意识。

Second, “Deal with things before they arise, govern before chaos occurs.” The Communist Party of China has always maintained a bottom-line thinking of self-alertness throughout its century-long struggle. “The noble man is constantly diligent and cautious, as if facing danger in the evening, and thus avoids disaster.” Maintaining diligence without slackness, being cautious and introspective, allows one to calmly cope even when facing danger. Whether a party, a country, or a nation possesses a sense of self-alertness is an important indicator of its maturity. At the ceremony celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping stated: “We must use history to reflect on reality and look far into the future.” Maintaining reverence for history is not only a manifestation of our Party’s self-alertness and sense of vigilance regarding its own future and destiny but also a summary of the successful experience of our Party’s century-long struggle. Correctly handling the relationship between history, reality, and the future, and seizing the initiative to “make the first move,” are important elements in our Party’s contemplation and answer to the “historical cycle” issue. Since its founding, whenever facing life-and-death tests, the Communist Party of China has been able to turn danger into safety and continue advancing. Its winning formula is the clear bottom-line thinking and the self-alertness consciousness embedded within it. So-called bottom-line thinking means preparing for the worst while striving for the best

其次，“为之于未有，治之于未乱”，中国共产党在百余年奋斗中始终保持自我警醒的底线思维。“君子终日乾乾，夕惕若厉，无咎。”保持勤恳而不懈怠、戒惧并且反省，这样即使面临危险也可从容应对。是否具有自我警醒的意识，是判断一个政党、一个国家、一个民族是否成熟的重要指针。习近平在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上指出：“我们要用历史映照现实、远观未来。”对历史常怀敬畏之心，这不仅是我们党对自身前途命运的自我警醒与忧患意识的体现，也是我们党百余年奋斗的成功经验总结。正确处理历史、现实和未来的关系，掌握“下先手棋”的主动权，这是我们党思考和回答“历史周期率”问题的重要内容。中国共产党自成立以来，每当面临生死存亡的考验时，都能化险为夷并不断前进，制胜法宝就是鲜明的底线思维以及蕴含其中的自我警醒意识。所谓底线思维，就是从最坏处准备，向最好处努力，正如习近平所指出的，“做到‘为之于未有，治之于未乱’，使我们党永远立于不败之地”。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央提出以党的自我革命加强党的自身建设，并把自我革命提升到我们党跳出历史周期率的“第二个答案”的战略高度，体现了中国共产党强烈的自我警醒意识和底线思维。

Finally, “preparing for unforeseen risks is the constant way of governing a country.” In its century-plus struggle, the CPC has always focused on enhancing its awareness of potential dangers amid risk prevention. Mozi held that “if one is strong, the state will be well governed; if one is not strong, the state will fall into chaos. If one is strong, the state will be secure; if one is not strong, the state will be endangered. Therefore, one dares not slacken.” Preparing for unforeseen risks is the constant way of governing a country — making advance preparations for unexpected risks that may arise is basic common sense in state governance. As the changes unseen in a century accelerate, we are in the midst of world-transforming, epoch-defining, and history-shaping changes where various risks are piling up and intensifying. Crises and risks give rise to a sense of vigilance. In responding to the “three changes,”[1]1 The “three changes” (三个之变) refers to the world-transforming, epoch-defining, and history-shaping changes mentioned in the paragraph. the CPC possesses the courage and wisdom to turn crises into opportunities and cultivate favorable prospects, enabling it to act boldly and achieve success in complex domestic and international situations. Enhancing risk awareness is a clear manifestation of the Party’s adherence to a sense of vigilance and its advancement of self-revolution in the New Era. Persisting in thinking about and responding to the “historical cycle”[2]2 The “historical cycle” (历史周期率) refers to the cyclical pattern of rise and fall in Chinese dynastic history, a concept famously discussed by Mao Zedong and Huang Yanpei in 1945. with a strong sense of risk reflects the high degree of compatibility between the CPC’s spirit of self-revolution and the Chinese nation’s sense of vigilance. Xi Jinping pointed out: “In the face of a rapidly changing world and China, if we stick to old ways, become rigid in thinking, lack the courage for theoretical innovation, and cannot scientifically answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times, not only will the cause of the Party and the state be unable to move forward, but Marxism will also lose its vitality and persuasiveness.” The “four questions”[3]3 The “four questions” (四个之问) refers to the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times, as articulated by Xi Jinping. are a new interpretation and new application of “preparing for unforeseen risks is the constant way of governing a country” in the New Era. They are also the way to strengthen the country and the Party in the New Era, together constituting an important part of the Party’s spirit of self-revolution.

最后，“备豫不虞，为国常道”，中国共产党在百余年奋斗中始终注重在风险防范中增强忧患意识。墨子认为：“强必治，不强必乱；强必宁，不强必危，故不敢懈怠。”备豫不虞，为国常道，对将有可能发生的意外风险要事先做好预防，这是治理国家的基本常识。随着世界百年未有之大变局的加速演进，我们正处于各种风险叠加愈演愈烈的世界之变、时代之变、历史之变中。危机和风险催生忧患意识，中国共产党在应对“三个之变”时具备化危机、育先机的勇气和智慧，从而能够在复杂的国内国际形势下敢作敢为、善作善成。增强风险意识是党在新时代坚持忧患意识、推进自我革命的鲜明体现。坚持以强烈的风险意识思考和应对“历史周期率”问题，体现了中国共产党的自我革命精神与中华民族忧患意识的高度契合性。习近平指出：“面对快速变化的世界和中国，如果墨守成规、思想僵化，没有理论创新的勇气，不能科学回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问，不仅党和国家事业无法继续前进，马克思主义也会失去生命力、说服力。”“四个之问”是“备豫不虞，为国常道”在新时代的新阐释、新运用，也是新时代的强国之道和兴党之道，共同构成党的自我革命精神的重要内容。

II. The Consciousness of Facing Problems, the “Unique Challenges Facing a Major Party,” and the Chinese Nation’s Moral Character of Vigilance and Introspection

二、正视问题的自觉、“大党独有难题”与中华民族慎独自省的道德品格

As the world’s largest Marxist governing party, the Communist Party of China is unique and unprecedented in both its organizational scale and the number of its members. Since the day of its founding, the Party has taken the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as its unswerving goal of struggle. This grand vision guides Chinese Communists to forge ahead and strive unremittingly. The Communist Party of China is a party with significant international influence. Xi Jinping pointed out: “Our Party is the largest party in the world. Being large means it must have the bearing befitting its size, and being large also brings its own difficulties.” [4]4 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the First Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China” (习近平在党的十九届一中全会上的讲话 This kind of self-judgment and self-awareness embodies and reflects the moral character of caution and self-examination (慎独自省) of the Chinese nation. “The superior man is cautious about what he does not see, and apprehensive about what he does not hear. There is nothing more visible than what is hidden, and nothing more manifest than what is subtle; therefore the superior man is cautious when he is alone.” [5]5 A classical Chinese phrase from the *Zizhi Tongjian* (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government), a historical chronicle compiled by Sima Guang of the Northern Song dynasty. It means that governing the state and bringing order to the people depends on having proper institutions. In fine traditional Chinese culture, “caution when alone” (慎独) is a kind of moral self-discipline and ideological self-awareness, as well as a method of self-reflection and self-improvement in personal cultivation. “What the superior man does must be done with caution when alone. For the petty man, a single moment of leisure becomes the breeding ground for all evils, while the superior man is good at turning back to himself.” [6]6 A line from the *Yijing* (Book of Changes), a classical Chinese divination text. It means that beneficial ways and principles must change and adapt with the times. Compared with the inner striving of “self-examination” (自省), “caution when alone” highlights the consciousness of behavior, requiring not only the full exertion of the moral subjectivity of the person, but also the unification of moral self-examination with rational practice, with the ultimate goal being the coordination of self-pursuit and self-realization. Confucius’s “self-accusation” (自讼), Zengzi’s “threefold self-examination” (三省), Mencius’s “seeking the cause in oneself” (反求诸己), and Zhu Xi’s “preserving, nurturing, examining, and reflecting” (存养省察) all embody the character of caution and self-examination of the ancient sages. Our Party, as a major party in the world, not only needs the supervision of the people, but also needs to achieve self-strengthening through self-discipline and self-examination, bravely facing its own problems, and forging itself with the spirit of self-revolution. In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping creatively put forward the proposition of “unique difficulties faced by a major party” (大党独有难题). At the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Xi Jinping further elaborated this into the “six issues of how to always” (六个如何始终). [7]7 A quotation from the Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC (2022). The “six issues of how to always” demonstrate the Party’s strong problem awareness and represent a profound reflection on and response to the “unique difficulties faced by a major party.” To uphold the spirit of self-revolution, the key lies in having the consciousness to face problems squarely. The consciousness to face problems squarely means directly confronting and acknowledging the problems that exist within the Party itself. For example, the three “historical resolutions” (三个历史决议) in the Party’s history not only summarize the Party’s historical development, historical achievements, and historical experience, but also directly confront the problems in Party building and reflect on the Party’s long-term development based on this, profoundly embodying our Party’s consciousness in facing problems squarely and its character of caution and self-examination. [8]8 A quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on cultural heritage (2023).

中国共产党作为世界上最大的马克思主义执政党，组织规模之大、党员人数之多，都是独一无二、前所未有的。党自诞生之日起，便将实现中华民族伟大复兴作为矢志不渝的奋斗目标。这一宏伟愿景，指引着中国共产党人砥砺前行、不懈奋斗。中国共产党是一个具有重大国际影响力的政党。习近平指出：“我们党是世界上最大的政党，大就要有大的样子，同时大也有大的难处。”这种自我判断和认知，蕴含和体现了中华民族慎独自省的道德品格。“君子戒慎乎其所不睹，恐惧乎其所不闻。莫见乎隐，莫显乎微，故君子慎其独也。”在中华优秀传统文化中，“慎独”是一种道德自律和思想自觉，也是一种自我反省、自我提升的人生修养方法。“君子所为必慎其独也。夫一闲居耳，小人得之为万恶渊薮，而君子善反之。”相较于“自省”的内心进取，“慎独”则凸显行为的自觉，不仅要充分发挥人的道德主体性，还要将道德自省与理性践行统一起来，最终目的是自我追求与自我实现的协调。孔子的“自讼”、曾子的“三省”、孟子的“反求诸己”、朱子的“存养省察”都体现了古代先贤慎独自省的品格。我们党作为世界大党，不仅需要人民监督，更需要在自律、自省中实现自强，勇于直面自身问题，以自我革命精神锻造自己。在党的二十大报告中，习近平创造性地提出了“大党独有难题”这一命题。在二十届中央纪委二次全会上，习近平把其进一步阐释为“六个如何始终”。“六个如何始终”表现出党所具有的强烈的问题意识，是对“大党独有难题”的深刻思考和回答。坚持自我革命精神，关键要有正视问题的自觉。正视问题的自觉，就是要直面、正视自身存在的问题，例如党的历史上的“三个历史决议”，不仅对党的历史发展、历史成就和历史经验作出了总结，也直面党的建设中的问题并以此思考党的长远发展，深刻体现了我们党正视问题的自觉和慎独自省的品格。

“Looking into a bright mirror, one does not let blemishes linger on the body” (观于明镜，则疵瑕不滞于躯). [9]9 A line from the *Shijing* (Classic of Poetry), referring to the Zhou dynasty’s ability to renew its mandate despite its antiquity. Use the weapon of criticism and self-criticism well to maintain the health of the Party’s organism. Facing one’s own problems squarely and achieving the effect of setting an example for others through self-moral improvement and the rectification of one’s own behavior was regarded as the quality of a superior man in ancient China. In the view of Chinese Communists in the New Era, possessing the consciousness to face problems squarely is the inherent meaning of daring to engage in self-revolution and strengthening one’s own construction. The Party’s self-revolutionary spirit focuses on solving the Party’s own problems and the difficulties in national development, continuously explores and innovates mechanisms for solving problems, adheres to a problem-oriented approach, and promotes the organic integration of Party building with the governance of the country. Criticism and self-criticism are our Party’s fine traditions, providing a scientific methodology for us to discover our own shortcomings and face our problems squarely. Xi Jinping pointed out: “Criticism and self-criticism must be made the norm in intra-Party life and a compulsory course for every Party member and cadre.” The Communist Party of China regards daring to carry out criticism and self-criticism as a compulsory course for strengthening Party spirit, integrates the spirit of self-revolution into all aspects of Party building, actively discovers and corrects errors, and ensures that the Party always maintains its advanced nature and purity. To govern the country well, the Party must first be governed well; to make the country strong, the Party must first be made strong. It is precisely because the Communist Party of China carries out criticism and self-criticism with the consciousness to face problems squarely, and faces its own problems squarely in the process of criticism and self-criticism, that it can gather the powerful positive energy to eliminate the corrupt and promote the clean, maintain firm political resolve, and ensure that the Party does not degenerate, change its color, or lose its flavor. Criticism and self-criticism are powerful weapons for our Party to face its own problems squarely and advance self-revolution, and they are also key pathways for our Party to deepen its self-understanding and achieve self-improvement. Only by possessing this powerful weapon of criticism and self-criticism can our Party have the determination and courage for self-revolution, and the sobriety and firmness to solve the unique difficulties faced by a major party.

“观于明镜，则疵瑕不滞于躯”，用好批评和自我批评武器，保持党的肌体健康。正视自身问题，通过自我道德提升和自身行为端正来达到以上率下的效果，这在中国古代被视为君子品质。在新时代中国共产党人看来，拥有正视问题的自觉，这是勇于自我革命、加强自身建设的题中之义。党的自我革命精神着眼于解决党自身的问题和国家发展中的难题，不断探索和创新解决问题的机制，坚持问题导向，促进党的建设与治国理政有机融合。批评和自我批评是我们党的优良传统，为我们发现自身不足、正视自身问题提供科学方法论。习近平指出：“要让批评和自我批评成为党内生活的常态，成为每个党员、干部的必修课。”中国共产党将勇于开展批评和自我批评视为加强党性的必修课程，将自我革命精神融入党的建设各环节，主动发现并纠正错误，确保党始终保持先进性和纯洁性。治国必先治党，强国必先强党。正是因为中国共产党以正视问题的自觉开展批评和自我批评，在批评和自我批评中正视自身存在的问题，所以才能汇聚激浊扬清的强大正能量，保持坚定的政治定力，确保党不变质、不变色、不变味。批评和自我批评是我们党正视自身问题、推进自我革命的有力武器，也是我们党深化自我认识、实现自我提升的关键途径。拥有了批评和自我批评这一有力武器，我们党才有自我革命的决心与勇气，才有解决大党独有难题的清醒与坚定。

“Do not demand perfection from others, but examine yourself as if you were inadequate” (与人不求备，检身若不及). [10]10 A famous saying from the *Daxue* (Great Learning), attributed to the Shang dynasty founder Tang, emphasizing continuous self-renewal. Strengthen self-cultivation, self-discipline, caution when alone, and caution in small matters, and forever preserve the political本色 of Communists. Chinese Communists possess the character of “caution and self-examination,” adhering to the principle of strict self-discipline. As Xi Jinping pointed out at the democratic life meeting of the Political Bureau of the 19th CPC Central Committee: “Comrades of the Political Bureau must cultivate themselves and be strict with themselves, be cautious to the end, always be self-respecting, self-examining, self-warning, and self-encouraging, and be cautious when alone, cautious at the beginning, cautious in small matters, and cautious in choosing friends.” [11]11 A quotation In the course of its struggle spanning more than one hundred years, the Communist Party of China has carried forward and developed the character of “caution and self-examination.” Liu Shaoqi pointed out in “On the Cultivation of Communists” (论共产党员的修养): “We Communists… in such study, reflection, and self-criticism, eliminate all incorrect ideological remnants and even the faintest sprouts that are unsuitable for the interests of communism.” [12]12 The two classical quotations are from the *I Ching* (Book of Changes): “天行健，君子以自强不息” (Heaven’s movement is ever vigorous; thus the superior man strives unceasingly to strengthen himself) and “地势坤，君子以厚德载物” (Earth’s condition is receptive; thus the superior man cultivates broad virtue to support all things). Since the New Era, our Party has established inspection tours (巡视) as a strategic institutional arrangement for strengthening intra-Party supervision, adhering to the political orientation of inspection tours, and giving full play to the role of inspection tours as a sharp weapon of the state and the Party. Through inspection tours, the Party’s discipline is internalized into norms that Party members use daily without conscious awareness, maintaining the Party’s advanced nature and purity, and consolidating the political foundation for the Party’s long-term governance. The inspection tour system lays a solid institutional foundation for solving the unique difficulties faced by a major party and resolving the “six issues of how to always,” embodying the inheritance, promotion, and innovative development of the Chinese nation’s character of “caution and self-examination” by Chinese Communists in the New Era.

“与人不求备，检身若不及”，加强修身律己、慎独慎微，永葆共产党人政治本色。中国共产党人具有“慎独自省”的品格，坚持严以律己的原则，正如习近平在十九届中央政治局民主生活会上指出的：“中央政治局的同志必须修身律己，慎终如始，时刻自重自省自警自励，做到慎独慎初慎微慎友。”在百余年的奋斗历程中，中国共产党把“慎独自省”品格发扬光大。刘少奇在《论共产党员的修养》中指出：“我们共产党人……在这样的学习、反省和自我检讨中，去肃清自己一切不正确的思想残余以至某些不适合于共产主义利益的最微弱的萌芽。”新时代以来，我们党将巡视作为加强党内监督的战略性制度安排，坚持政治巡视定位，发挥巡视作为国之利器、党之利器的作用，通过巡视把党的纪律内化为党员日用而不觉的准则，保持党的先进性和纯洁性，厚植党长期执政的政治基础。巡视制度为破解大党独有难题、化解“六个如何始终”奠定坚实制度基础，体现了新时代中国共产党人对中华民族“慎独自省”品格的继承弘扬和创新发展。

“Only by being able to correct mistakes is considered capable, not by being without faults is considered valuable” (惟以改过为能，不以无过为贵). [13]13 Xi Jinping, speech at the closing session of the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress, March 13, 2023. Uphold truth, correct errors, and ensure the Party’s enduring prosperity and continuous growth and strengthening. Confucianism advocates that “men are not sages, who can be without faults?” (人非圣贤，孰能无过), correctly understanding and facing one’s own shortcomings, and taking discovering problems and correcting mistakes as an important part of life cultivation. Wang Yangming believed: “Do not regard being without faults as the height of sages and worthies, but regard correcting faults as the learning of sages and worthies.” [14]14 This exchange between Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai on March 23, 1949, as the CPC leadership moved from the rural base of Xibaipo to Beiping (now Beijing) to prepare for founding the People’s Republic, is known as the “taking an examination” (赶考) metaphor for the Party’s transition from revolutionary struggle to national governance. Daring to correct faults is a path of self-cultivation consistently advocated by Confucianism. The essence of correcting faults is reflected in the individual’s comprehensive reflection, examination, revision, and shaping of thoughts and behaviors. At the spiritual level, it emphasizes the elevation and perfection of personality; at the behavioral level, it emphasizes the unity of words and deeds and not repeating mistakes. For Communists, daring to face problems squarely and being brave in correcting errors is a compulsory course for strengthening Party spirit. Xi Jinping pointed out: “A Marxist political party… must ‘take mending faults as its intention, seeking faults as urgent, being good at correcting its faults as virtuous, and being enlightened in hearing about its faults.’” [15]15 Xi Jinping, report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, October 16, 2022. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee has continuously carried out intra-Party centralized education activities of far-reaching significance, reflecting the high unity of the Communist Party of China in its cognitive self-awareness and behavioral self-consciousness, laying a solid ideological foundation for the Communist Party of China to solve the unique difficulties faced by a major party and to forever maintain the Party’s advanced nature and purity.

“惟以改过为能，不以无过为贵”，坚持真理、修正错误，保证党长盛不衰、不断发展壮大。儒家主张“人非圣贤，孰能无过”，正确认识和面对自身的不足，将发现问题、改正错误作为人生修养的重要内容。王阳明认为：“勿以无过为圣贤之高，而以改过为圣贤之学。”勇于改过是儒家一贯提倡的修身之道。改过的本质体现为个体对思想和行为进行全面反思反省和修正塑造，在精神层面强调人格的提升和完善，在行为方面注重言行合一且不贰过。对于共产党人来说，敢于直面问题、勇于修正错误，这是增强党性的必修课。习近平指出：“一个马克思主义政党……必须‘以补过为心，以求过为急，以能改其过为善，以得闻其过为明’。”党的十八大以来，党中央持续开展具有深远意义的党内集中教育活动，体现了中国共产党在认识上自知和在行动上自觉的高度统一，为中国共产党破解大党独有难题和永葆党的先进性和纯洁性奠定坚实思想根基。

III. The Courage for Self-Confrontation, the “Four Selfs” (四个自我), and the Chinese Nation’s Cultural Gene of Discarding the Old and Establishing the New [16]16 From the *Book of Songs* (Shijing), a classical Chinese poetry collection; the line is often cited to caution against failing to persevere to the end.

三、刀刃向内的勇气、“四个自我”与中华民族革故鼎新的文化基因

The Communist Party of China, as a Marxist party committed to realizing the millennia-long cause of the Chinese nation, has for over a hundred years maintained a high degree of self-examination and vigilance, tempering and enhancing its governing capacity and leadership level with the tenacity of driving a nail, and actively promoting self-purification, self-perfection, self-renovation, and self-improvement with the courage to turn the blade inward. This spirit of self-revolution contains the cultural gene of the Chinese nation’s discarding the old and establishing the new (革故鼎新). “Discarding the old means removing the obsolete; establishing the new means taking up the fresh” (《The Book of Changes, Miscellaneous Hexagrams》). Discarding the old and establishing the new means breaking through to establish, pushing out the old to bring in the new, and winning through novelty. Xi Jinping pointed out: “The innovativeness of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation to uphold what is right without clinging to the old, and to respect antiquity without restoring the ancient, and determines the fearless character of the Chinese nation in not fearing new challenges and courageously accepting new things.” [1]1 The “three changes” (三个之变) refers to the world-transforming, epoch-defining, and history-shaping changes mentioned in the paragraph. That the CPC has driven earth-shaking changes in Chinese society and advanced self-revolution is all due to this spiritual endowment of the Chinese nation to discard the old and establish the new. To advance the Party’s self-revolution, it is necessary to “always maintain the firm consciousness of turning the blade inward, to supplement calcium and strengthen bones, to expel toxins and sterilize, to cure diseases and heal wounds, and to remove rot and regenerate flesh.” [2]2 The “historical cycle” (历史周期率) refers to the cyclical pattern of rise and fall in Chinese dynastic history, a concept famously discussed by Mao Zedong and Huang Yanpei in 1945. Always maintaining the firm consciousness of turning the blade inward and actively promoting self-purification, self-perfection, self-renovation, and self-improvement — this is the embodiment of the Party’s spirit of struggle as the subject of self-revolution, deeply rooted in the cultural gene of the Chinese nation’s discarding the old and establishing the new.

中国共产党作为致力于实现中华民族千秋伟业的马克思主义政党，百余年来始终保持着高度的自省与警醒，以钉钉子精神锤炼并提升自身执政能力和领导水平，以刀刃向内的勇气积极推动自我净化、自我完善、自我革新、自我提高，这种自我革命精神蕴含着中华民族革故鼎新的文化基因。“革，去故也，鼎，取新也”（《周易·杂卦》），革故鼎新就是破中取立、推陈出新、以新取胜。习近平指出：“中华文明的创新性，从根本上决定了中华民族守正不守旧、尊古不复古的进取精神，决定了中华民族不惧新挑战、勇于接受新事物的无畏品格。”中国共产党推动中国社会发生翻天覆地的变化，推进自我革命，都得益于中华民族这种革故鼎新的精神禀赋。推进党的自我革命，就要“始终保持刀刃向内的坚定自觉，补钙壮骨、排毒杀菌、祛病疗伤、去腐生肌”。始终保持刀刃向内的坚定自觉，积极推动自我净化、自我完善、自我革新、自我提高，这是党作为自我革命主体的斗争精神的体现，深深植根于中华民族革故鼎新的文化基因。

To achieve self-purification is to ideologically insist on advancing self-revolution with the courage to turn the blade inward. Discarding the old and establishing the new is first of all an ideological removal of the old and adoption of the new. Confucius, summarizing the history of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, emphasized: “The Yin dynasty followed the rites of the Xia; what it added and what it omitted can be known. The Zhou dynasty followed the rites of the Yin; what it added and what it omitted can be known. Should there be a successor to the Zhou, even a hundred generations hence, it can be known.” [3]3 The “four questions” (四个之问) refers to the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times, as articulated by Xi Jinping. The entire development of history is nothing but the result of the interaction and mutual replacement of “following” (因) and “reform” (革). “In the process of change, every matter has its basis in the past — this is called ‘following’; and it also differs from the past, adding to and subtracting from the past to adapt to new circumstances — this is called ‘reform’.” [4]4 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the First Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China” (习近平在党的十九届一中全会上的讲话 The development of history is such that through the mutual supplementation of “following” and “reform,” it can be known “even a hundred generations hence.” In Party building, self-purification is the primary task of self-revolution. There is both “breaking” (破) and “establishing” (立). “Breaking” refers to eliminating all ideological viruses that erode the Party’s physical health, consciously cutting open the diseased focus, purifying the political ecosystem, and enhancing the Party’s own immunity. “Establishing” refers to setting up firm ideals and convictions, strengthening intra-Party supervision and extra-Party supervision, and creating a multi-dimensionally integrated model of self-purification. Firm ideals and convictions are the cornerstone for enhancing the capacity for self-purification and maintaining the Party’s purity. The CPC insists on using lofty ideals and convictions to guide the entire Party, deepening the education of Party members on the original aspiration and founding mission, and through a series of centralized intra-Party education activities, continuously strengthens the spiritual pillar of the Party membership, achieving the unity of “establishing” and “breaking” in self-purification. Xi Jinping emphasized: “When some Party members and

实现自我净化，就是要在思想上坚持以刀刃向内的勇气推进自我革命。革故鼎新首先是思想上的除旧布新。孔子总结夏、商、周三代的历史，强调：“殷因于夏礼，所损益，可知也；周因于殷礼，所损益，可知也。其或继周者，虽百世，可知也。”整个历史的发展，无非是“因”与“革”发生作用、互相更替的结果。“在变动的过程中，每一事情都在过去有所根据，这就叫‘因’，也都和过去有所不同，对过去有所损益，以适应新的情况，这就叫‘革’。”历史之发展正是在“因”与“革”的互相补充中得以“虽百世可知也”。在党的建设中，自我净化是自我革命的首要任务。有“破”有“立”，“破”是指清除一切侵蚀党的肌体健康的思想病毒，自觉向病灶开刀，净化政治生态，增强党的自身免疫力；“立”是指树立坚定的理想信念，加强党内监督和党外监督，打造多维融合的自我净化模式。坚定的理想信念是增强自我净化能力、维护党的纯洁性的基石，中国共产党坚持用崇高理想信念引领全党，深化党员初心使命教育，通过系列党内集中教育活动，不断强化党员队伍的精神支柱，实现自我净化“立”与“破”的统一。习近平强调：“一些党员、干部出现这样那样的问题，说到底是信仰迷茫、精神迷失。”在党的建设中，党的纯洁性和党员干部的理想信念面临着“四大考验”“四大危险”，这要求全党发挥革故鼎新的精神，把实现自我净化作为自我革命的首要任务，持之以恒开展理论和信仰教育。

To achieve self-perfection is to insist, in institutional terms, on advancing self-revolution with the courage to turn the blade inward. “To order the state and give peace to the people, one must rectify its institutions.” [5]5 A classical Chinese phrase from the *Zizhi Tongjian* (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government), a historical chronicle compiled by Sima Guang of the Northern Song dynasty. It means that governing the state and bringing order to the people depends on having proper institutions. For the Chinese Communist Party, self-perfection means focusing on the enhancement of governing effectiveness and leadership capacity, strengthening institutional development, establishing a systematized and efficiently operating system of laws and regulations, and improving the mechanism for the exercise of power, so as to ensure scientific decision-making, forceful implementation, and thorough oversight. Institutions are fundamental, overarching, and stable; they directly affect the effectiveness of Party governance and Party discipline. The institutional normative system for the Party’s self-revolution is a comprehensive normative system that takes the Party Constitution as its foundation and democratic centralism as its core, encompassing multiple forms. “All ways of benefit keep pace with the times.” (The Book of Changes, the Hexagram of Increase) [6]6 A line from the *Yijing* (Book of Changes), a classical Chinese divination text. It means that beneficial ways and principles must change and adapt with the times. Since the beginning of the New Era, our Party has “insisted on building an institutional normative system for self-purification, self-perfection, self-renovation, and self-improvement,” [7]7 A quotation from the Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC (2022). has successively made three major revisions to the Party Constitution, and has repeatedly revised the Regulations of the Chinese Communist Party on Disciplinary Action, the Regulations of the Chinese Communist Party on Internal Supervision, and the Regulations of the Chinese Communist Party on Inspection Work, continuously improving the Party’s institutional development, giving full play to the important position and role of institutional development in Party building, and demonstrating our Party’s inheritance and development of the Chinese nation’s cultural gene of discarding the old and establishing the new.

实现自我完善，就是要在制度上坚持以刀刃向内的勇气推进自我革命。经国序民，正其制度。对于中国共产党而言，自我完善就是要聚焦执政效能与领导水平的提升，加强制度建设，建立系统化的高效运行的法规体系，完善权力运行机制，以保障决策科学、执行有力、监督到位。制度具有根本性、全局性、稳定性，直接影响管党治党的成效。党的自我革命制度规范体系，是以党章为根本，以民主集中制为核心，涵盖多种形态的综合性规范体系。“凡益之道，与时偕行。”（《周易·益卦》）新时代以来，我们党“坚持构建自我净化、自我完善、自我革新、自我提高的制度规范体系”，先后对党章进行三次重大修订，多次对《中国共产党纪律处分条例》《中国共产党党内监督条例》《中国共产党巡视工作条例》进行修订，不断完善党的制度建设，充分发挥制度建设在党的建设中的重要地位和作用，彰显了我们党对于中华民族革故鼎新的文化基因的继承发展。

To achieve self-renovation is to insist, in reform and innovation, on advancing self-revolution with the courage to turn the blade inward. “Chinese civilization is a civilization that discards the old and establishes the new and shines with ever-renewed radiance, interweaving deep and still waters with surging waves.” [8]8 A quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on cultural heritage (2023). The Chinese nation, upholding the concept that “though Zhou was an ancient state, its mandate was renewed,” [9]9 A line from the *Shijing* (Classic of Poetry), referring to the Zhou dynasty’s ability to renew its mandate despite its antiquity. created Chinese civilization, and adhered to the thinking of “if you can renew yourself one day, then do so every day, and let there be daily renewal” [10]10 A famous saying from the *Daxue* (Great Learning), attributed to the Shang dynasty founder Tang, emphasizing continuous self-renewal. to drive national development and progress. Whether it was Shang Yang’s reform, Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei’s reforms, Wang Anshi’s reform, or Zhang Juzheng’s reform, all embody the Chinese nation’s consciousness of renovation and the innovative spirit of Chinese civilization. Advancing the Party’s self-revolution with the spirit of reform and innovation is our Party’s conscious inheritance and promotion of Chinese civilization. Xi Jinping pointed out at the celebration of the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up: “Strengthen and perfect oneself with the spirit of reform and innovation, and temper and improve oneself in responding to risks and challenges.” [11]11 A quotation The great practice of reform and opening up is a vivid portrayal of our Party drawing on the spirit of discarding the old and establishing the new from Chinese civilization; advancing the Party’s self-revolution with the spirit of reform and innovation is also the contemporary manifestation of our Party drawing on this spirit. Only reformers advance, only innovators are strong, and only those who reform and innovate prevail. The courage to turn the blade inward, as an important component of the Party’s self-revolutionary spirit, is prominently manifested in comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, the distinctive theme of Party building in the New Era. The Central Eight-Point Regulations are a powerful act and an innovative measure of the Party’s self-renovation, and also an effective pathway for the Party’s self-revolution. On the new journey of the New Era, only by closely centering on the distinctive theme of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, insisting on governing the Party and managing it strictly with the spirit of reform and strict standards, and always advancing self-revolution with the courage to turn the blade inward, can we lead the great social revolution with the great self-revolution and ensure that all undertakings of the Party and the state are full of vitality.

实现自我革新，就是要在改革创新中坚持以刀刃向内的勇气推进自我革命。“中华文明是革故鼎新、辉光日新的文明，静水深流与波澜壮阔交织。”中华民族秉持着“周虽旧邦，其命维新”的理念创造了中华文明，坚持“苟日新，日日新，又日新”的思维推动民族发展和进步。无论是商鞅变法，还是北魏孝文帝改革、王安石变法、张居正变法等，都体现了中华民族的革新意识和中华文明的创新精神。以改革创新精神推进党的自我革命，这是我们党对中华文明的自觉传承和弘扬。习近平在庆祝改革开放四十周年大会上指出：“以改革创新精神加强和完善自己，在应对风险挑战中锻炼提高。”改革开放的伟大实践，是我们党汲取中华文明革故鼎新精神的生动写照；以改革创新精神推进党的自我革命，这也是我们党汲取中华文明革故鼎新精神的时代彰显。惟改革者进，惟创新者强，惟改革创新者胜。刀刃向内的勇气作为党的自我革命精神的重要组成部分，突出表现在全面从严治党这个新时代党的建设的鲜明主题上。中央八项规定就是党的自我革新的有力之举、创新之策，也是党的自我革命的有效途径。新时代新征程，只有紧紧围绕全面从严治党这个鲜明主题，坚持用改革精神和严的标准管党治党，始终以刀刃向内的勇气推进自我革命，才能以伟大自我革命引领伟大社会革命，确保党和国家各项事业充满活力。

To achieve self-improvement is to insist, in being adept at learning, on advancing self-revolution with the courage to turn the blade inward. Confucius said: “The gentleman seeks neither satiety in eating nor comfort in dwelling; he is diligent in action and cautious in speech; he associates with those who possess the Way and is thereby corrected. Such a person can be said to be fond of learning.” [12]12 The two classical quotations are from the *I Ching* (Book of Changes): “天行健，君子以自强不息” (Heaven’s movement is ever vigorous; thus the superior man strives unceasingly to strengthen himself) and “地势坤，君子以厚德载物” (Earth’s condition is receptive; thus the superior man cultivates broad virtue to support all things). Confucius regarded “fondness for learning” as a precious quality and a self-cultivation activity; the ultimate pursuit of “fondness for learning” lies in achieving the substance of the “gentleman,” which is precisely the core meaning of the Analects. As the world’s largest Marxist ruling party, the Chinese Communist Party has always regarded learning as the driving force and source for its own development, growth, and self-perfection. Our Party adheres to the fine style of study of integrating theory with practice, striving to apply what is learned, promote learning through application, and achieve mutual growth between learning and application. As a Marxist ruling party, through learning, it achieves its own renovation and improvement, and gains the support and endorsement of the masses, reflecting our Party’s spirit of pursuing the discarding of the old and the establishment of the new. During the Yan’an period, Mao Zedong emphasized: “There is a kind of panic within our ranks; it is not economic panic, nor political panic, but panic over a lack of competence.” [13]13 Xi Jinping, speech at the closing session of the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress, March 13, 2023. Mao Zedong had long-term reflections and long-range plans for strengthening the Party’s learning, strengthening intra-Party learning by establishing leadership systems and learning institutions, and setting an example by taking the lead. The Chinese Communist Party, in the course of learning, has continuously deepened its understanding of the “three major laws” [14]14 This exchange between Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai on March 23, 1949, as the CPC leadership moved from the rural base of Xibaipo to Beiping (now Beijing) to prepare for founding the People’s Republic, is known as the “taking an examination” (赶考) metaphor for the Party’s transition from revolutionary struggle to national governance. of the governance of the Communist Party, socialist construction, and the development of human society. Throughout its journey, the Chinese Communist Party has used learning to promote self-improvement, and self-improvement to advance self-revolution. This is the inherent meaning of building a Marxist learning-oriented party, and also the inherent meaning of advancing the Party’s self-revolution.

实现自我提高，就是要在善于学习上以刀刃向内的勇气推进自我革命。孔子有云：“君子食无求饱，居无求安，敏于事而慎于言，就有道而正焉，可谓好学也已。”孔子视“好学”为一种宝贵品质和修身活动，“好学”的终极追求在于成就“君子”之质，这恰是《论语》的核心要义。中国共产党作为世界上最大的马克思主义执政党，始终将学习作为自身发展壮大与自我完善的动力和源泉。我们党坚持理论联系实际的优良学风，力求做到学以致用、用以促学、学用相长。作为马克思主义执政党，通过学习，实现自身的革新与提高，获得人民群众的支持与拥护，体现了我们党追求革故鼎新的精神。在延安时期，毛泽东强调：“我们队伍里边有一种恐慌，不是经济恐慌，也不是政治恐慌，而是本领恐慌。”毛泽东对加强党的学习有着长期的思考和长远的谋划，通过建立领导体制和学习制度加强党内学习，并率先垂范。中国共产党在学习中不断深化对共产党执政、社会主义建设及人类社会发展“三大规律”的认识。中国共产党一路走来，用学习促进自我提高，以自我提高推进自我革命，这是建设马克思主义学习型政党的应有之义，也是推进党的自我革命的应有之义。

IV. The Consciousness of Sobriety, the “Examination” Spirit, and the Chinese Nation’s Unremitting Self-Striving Spirit of Self-Improvement

四、清醒意识、“赶考”精神与中华民族自强不息的奋斗精神

The striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement is the deepest spiritual pursuit and the most resolute quality of the Chinese nation. “It is precisely this spirit of reform and openness—‘As Heaven’s movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-improvement,’ and ‘As the earth’s condition is receptive and supportive, so must a gentleman cultivate virtue to carry all things’—that has made Chinese civilization the only splendid civilization in human history to have continued uninterrupted for more than 5,000 years.”[n1] The reason the Chinese nation values the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement lies in the fact that the movement of Heaven, the alternation of the four seasons, and the succession of day and night are the laws governing all things from beginning to end; to exert oneself, to seek self-renewal, and never to stop are manifestations of the virtue of firmness and vigor. The striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement is the source of strength for the Chinese nation’s endless vitality, and it is also the fine tradition formed by the Communist Party of China as it grew from small to large and from weak to strong. Xi Jinping pointed out: “Facing new challenges and new tests on the new journey, we must remain highly vigilant and forever maintain the sobriety and caution of one taking an examination.”[n2] The CPC’s emphasis on always maintaining a “sober consciousness” in Party building and self-revolution profoundly embodies the Chinese nation’s striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement and manifests the fine quality of “achieving virtue through self-strengthening.” The CPC’s sober consciousness is a comprehensive and profound self-awareness and grasp and control of the external environment. On March 23, 1949, Mao Zedong and others left Xibaipo and prepared to go to Beiping. Before leaving, Mao Zedong said: “Today is the day we go to the capital. We are going to the capital to take an examination.” Zhou Enlai replied: “We should all be able to pass the examination and not be sent back.”[n3] This dialogue expressed the Party’s profound reflection on the upcoming governing practice and governing tests. To build a Marxist political party that governs long-term, there must be a “taking an examination” spirit, which is also a manifestation of the Chinese nation’s striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement in the New Era. The striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement is the inexhaustible source of power that has enabled the Chinese nation to flourish for a long time and the CPC to grow from a small party into a large party. Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC: “The whole Party must remember that comprehensive and strict governance of the Party is always on the way, and the Party’s self-revolution is always on the way.”[n4] This is our Party’s sober recognition of carrying out self-revolution in depth, and it also manifests the Party’s firm determination never to stop on the new “taking an examination” journey in the New Era. Our Party, with a high degree of sober consciousness and a firm “taking an examination” spirit, is committed to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, a great cause for millennia, and is forging itself into a strong Marxist governing party through continuous self-revolution.

自强不息的奋斗精神是中华民族最深沉的精神追求和最坚毅的个性品质，“正是这种‘天行健，君子以自强不息’、‘地势坤，君子以厚德载物’的变革和开放精神，使中华文明成为人类历史上唯一一个绵延5000多年至今未曾中断的灿烂文明”。中华民族之所以看重自强不息的奋斗精神，就在于天之运行、四时交替、昼夜更迭是万物始终的规律，奋发图强、自我求新、永不止步是刚健之德的体现。自强不息的奋斗精神是中华民族生生不息的力量之源，也是中国共产党从小到大、由弱到强一路走来形成的优良传统。习近平指出：“面对新征程上的新挑战新考验，我们必须高度警省，永远保持赶考的清醒和谨慎。”中国共产党强调在党的建设和自我革命上要始终保持“清醒意识”，深刻体现了中华民族自强不息的奋斗精神，彰显出“自强而成德”的优良品质。中国共产党的清醒意识是一种全面的、深刻的自我认知和对外部环境的把握和掌控。1949年3月23日，毛泽东等人离开西柏坡并准备去往北平。临行之前，毛泽东说道：“今天是进京的日子，进京赶考去。”周恩来答道：“我们应当都能考试及格，不要退回来。”这席对话表达出党对即将到来的执政实践和执政考验的深刻思考。建设长期执政的马克思主义政党，必须有“赶考”精神，这种精神也是中华民族自强不息的奋斗精神在新时代的体现。自强不息的奋斗精神是促使中华民族长盛不衰、中国共产党从小党到大党的不竭动力之源。习近平在党的二十大报告中指出，“全党必须牢记，全面从严治党永远在路上，党的自我革命永远在路上”，这是我们党对深入开展自我革命的清醒认知，更彰显出党在新时代新的“赶考”路上永不停歇的坚定决心。我们党以高度的清醒意识与坚定的“赶考”精神致力于中华民族伟大复兴的千秋伟业，在不断自我革命中锻造成一个坚强的马克思主义执政党。

The Communist Party of China is a Marxist political party dedicated to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, a great cause for millennia, and it maintains its vitality and vigor through the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement. The Chinese nation’s striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement is deeply rooted in the traditional Chinese worldview and outlook on life, providing the CPC with a powerful spiritual driving force for perseverance and daring to change over more than a century of growth. “There is none who does not have a good start, but few can finish well.”[n5] This is a manifestation of the Chinese nation’s spirit of unremitting self-improvement. Xi Jinping uses this to inspire and call upon all Party members and Chinese sons and daughters to strive unremittingly for the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Only a nation that has experienced glory can deeply understand the value of rejuvenation; only a nation that has suffered hardship can have a profound longing for rejuvenation. The CPC’s guiding ideology, nature, and purpose have forged the Party’s mission as the historical bearer and leader of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The guiding ideology is the spiritual banner of a political party, while its nature and purpose manifest the party’s essence. Since its founding, the CPC has taken Marxism as its guide to lead China’s social development and progress. The Party’s nature and purpose determine that the CPC has no private interests of its own other than the interests of the people. Only by not seeking private interests can it seek the fundamental and greatest interests for the people and shoulder the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation. In the great journey of leading the people in revolution, construction, and reform and opening up, the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement has long been deeply integrated into the bloodline of the CPC and become the Party’s bright background. This spirit remains a powerful spiritual force for the Party to adhere to its original aspiration and founding mission and to advance comprehensive and strict governance of the Party today.

中国共产党是立志于中华民族伟大复兴的千秋伟业的马克思主义政党，因自强不息的奋斗精神而永葆生机与活力。中华民族自强不息的奋斗精神，深深植根于中国传统的宇宙观和人生观，为中国共产党的百余年成长提供了坚韧不拔、敢于变革的强大精神动力。“靡不有初，鲜克有终。”这是中华民族自强不息精神的体现，习近平以此激励、号召全体党员和中华儿女为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而不懈奋斗。唯有历经辉煌的民族，方能深谙复兴的价值；唯有饱受苦难的民族，才对复兴抱有深切的渴盼。中国共产党的指导思想、性质宗旨铸就了党作为中华民族伟大复兴历史担当者和领导者的使命。指导思想是政党的精神旗帜，性质宗旨则彰显政党本质。中国共产党自诞生之日起，就以马克思主义为指导引领中国社会发展和进步，党的性质宗旨决定了中国共产党除了人民利益没有任何自己的私利。唯有不谋私利，方能为民谋根本、谋大利，担当起民族复兴的重任。在中国共产党领导人民进行革命、建设、改革的伟大征程中，自强不息的奋斗精神早已深深融入中国共产党的血脉而成为党的鲜亮底色，这种精神在今天仍是党坚守初心使命以及推进全面从严治党的强大精神力量。

The Communist Party of China is a Marxist political party that adheres to “self-revolution is always on the way,” and with the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement, it marches toward the new “taking an examination” journey in the New Era. “He who overcomes others is powerful; he who overcomes himself is strong.”[n6] The striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement is a spiritual treasure accumulated over thousands of years of Chinese history, and it is also a strong support for the CPC to steadily advance on the new “taking an examination” journey and promote the flourishing development of the Chinese nation. Xi Jinping’s important assertion that “the Party’s self-revolution is always on the way” demonstrates our Party’s determination to promote self-revolution with the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement and to maintain its advanced nature and purity through continuous self-revolution, and it manifests our Party’s confidence in building a Marxist political party that governs long-term. “The Party’s self-revolution is always on the way” means that self-revolution is a continuous process, requiring the entire Party to remain vigilant at all times and unremittingly advance the great new project of Party building. Integrating the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement into the great new project of Party building means that the CPC must always maintain a sober mind, strengthen its determination for self-revolution, and continuously promote the Party’s self-revolution with the spirit of unremitting self-improvement. Comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, as the great practice of the Party’s self-revolution in the New Era, has opened up a new realm for the self-revolution of a century-old major party. Only by continuously maintaining the mental state that self-revolution is always on the way and shaping the Party’s leadership capacity and institutional advantages for long-term governance can we guide the great ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics to brave the wind and waves and sail steadily and far.

中国共产党是坚持“自我革命永远在路上”的马克思主义政党，以自强不息的奋斗精神奔赴新时代的“赶考”新征程。“胜人者有力，自胜者强。”自强不息的奋斗精神，是中华民族数千载历史积淀下的精神瑰宝，同时也是中国共产党在“赶考”新征程中稳步前行，推动中华民族繁荣发展的强大支撑。习近平提出“党的自我革命永远在路上”这一重要论断，展现着我们党以自强不息的奋斗精神推动自我革命、在不断自我革命中永葆先进性和纯洁性的决心，彰显着我们党对建设长期执政的马克思主义政党的信心。“党的自我革命永远在路上”意味着自我革命是一个持续不断的过程，需要全党上下时刻保持警醒，坚持不懈地推进党的建设新的伟大工程。将自强不息的奋斗精神融入党的建设新的伟大工程中，意味着中国共产党必须时刻保持清醒的头脑，坚定自我革命的决心，以自强不息的精神持续推动党的自我革命。全面从严治党作为新时代党的自我革命的伟大实践，开创了百年大党自我革命的新境界。只有持续保持自我革命永远在路上的精神状态，塑造党长期执政的领导能力和制度优势，才能引领中国特色社会主义巨轮乘风破浪、行稳致远。

The Communist Party of China is an advanced Marxist political party tempered through continuous self-revolution, and it ensures that the Party does not change its nature, color, or flavor through the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement. As a Marxist governing party, our Party has a high degree of political sobriety in strengthening its own construction and strictly governing the Party. This sober consciousness contains the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement. Since the Party’s founding, the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement has run through the Party’s more than one hundred years of struggle, integrated into the Party’s bloodline, and become a core element of the Party’s self-revolutionary spirit. Our Party’s pursuit of “self-overcoming” vividly embodies the fact that “an advanced Marxist political party is not born but is tempered through continuous self-revolution.” For Party members, it is necessary to strengthen education in ideals and convictions and Party spirit cultivation, cultivate uprightness, exercise thinking, elevate the realm, and enhance political judgment, political understanding, and political execution; from the perspective of the entire Party, our Party has consistently adhered to the principle of addressing both symptoms and root causes in governing the Party and strictly governing the Party comprehensively, “continuously deepening the understanding of the laws of self-revolution and integrating comprehensive and strict governance of the Party into the new layout of Party building,”[n7] taking “strictness” as the guide and “practicality” as the foundation, combining efforts to solve current problems with promoting the resolution of fundamental problems, taking decisive measures to eliminate ills while also focusing on inner cultivation and cultural nurturing to consolidate the foundation and strengthen the roots, and adhering to the striving spirit of unremitting self-improvement to continuously purify the Party’s ranks and forever maintain the Party’s advanced nature and purity.

中国共产党是在不断自我革命中淬炼而成的先进的马克思主义政党，因自强不息的奋斗精神而确保党不变质、不变色、不变味。作为马克思主义执政党，我们党在加强自身建设、从严管党治党上有着高度的政治清醒，这种清醒意识蕴含着自强不息的奋斗精神。自党诞生之日起，自强不息的奋斗精神就贯穿于党的百余年奋斗征程中，融入党的血脉，成为党的自我革命精神的核心元素。我们党追求“自胜”的过程鲜明体现了“先进的马克思主义政党不是天生的，而是在不断自我革命中淬炼而成的”。就党员而言，要加强理想信念教育和党性修养，培养正气、锻炼思维、提升境界，增强政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力；从全党来看，我们党一贯坚持标本兼治的原则管党治党、全面从严治党，“不断深化对自我革命规律的认识，把全面从严治党贯穿于党的建设新布局”，以“严”为先导，以“实”为基础，将着力解决当前问题与推动根本问题解决结合起来，既采取果断措施清除弊病，也注重内心修炼与文化培育以固本培元，坚持以自强不息的奋斗精神持续净化党的队伍，永葆党的先进性和纯洁性。

Fine traditional Chinese culture is the crystallization of the wisdom of all ethnic groups in China and also the cultural foundation for the CPC to strengthen its own construction. The Party’s self-revolutionary spirit has a high degree of compatibility with the spirits of being vigilant in peace, self-examination and self-discipline, discarding the old and establishing the new, and unremitting self-improvement in fine traditional Chinese culture. The Party’s self-revolutionary spirit has enabled the static genes of fine traditional Chinese culture to achieve dynamic transformation. Through the process from compatibility to integration and then to fusion, fine traditional Chinese culture and the Party’s self-revolutionary spirit have realized the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture. The Party’s self-revolutionary spirit, rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture, has laid a profound cultural foundation for our Party to govern the Party, rejuvenate the Party, and strengthen the Party in the New Era, and it also provides a powerful spiritual force for solving the unique problems of a major party in the New Era and building a Marxist political party that governs long-term.

中华优秀传统文化是中华各族人民的智慧结晶，也是中国共产党加强自身建设的文化基础。党的自我革命精神与中华优秀传统文化中的居安思危、慎独自省、革故鼎新、自强不息精神具有高度的契合性，党的自我革命精神使中华优秀传统文化的静态基因实现了动态转换，中华优秀传统文化与党的自我革命精神经由契合到结合再到融合，实现了中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化和创新性发展。以中华优秀传统文化为根脉的党的自我革命精神为我们党在新时代管党治党、兴党强党奠定深厚文化根基，也为新时代破解大党独有难题、建设长期执政的马克思主义政党提供强大精神力量。

Online editor: Jing Mu

网络编辑：静穆