Grasping the Problem Means Grasping the Concrete

The building of work style hinges on grasping details and achieving tangible results. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that grasping the problem means grasping the concrete. When ordinary people assess work-style building, they look mainly not at how many meetings were held, how many speeches were made, or how many documents were issued, but at what problems have been solved. The tangible results of work-style building lie not in form but in the cumulative step-by-step effort of solving one concrete problem after another. Adhering to a problem-oriented approach, starting from the smallest details, tackling concrete matters, and implementing them in a detailed, small-scale, and practical manner — this is a distinctive feature of work-style building in the New Era.

作风建设，重在抓细节、抓实效。习近平总书记指出，抓住了问题也就抓住了具体。老百姓看作风建设，主要不是看开了多少会、讲了多少话、发了多少文件，而是看解决了什么问题。抓作风建设的实效不在于形式，而在于解决一个个具体问题所累积的跬步之功。坚持问题导向，从点滴做起、从具体事抓起，落细落小落实，正是新时代作风建设的一个鲜明特点。

Looking back over more than a century of our Party’s journey, an important key to its continuous advance from victory to victory has been its courage and skill in grasping the key problems of each historical stage. Every great turning point has begun with the bold confrontation of the epoch’s issues and the profound resolution of development’s difficulties. On the new journey of the New Era, the problems to be solved will become increasingly diverse and complex. Problems are not abstract symbols; they are the concrete condensation of real contradictions and conflicts. Problems are not static or rigid things; they constantly change as the times develop and contradictions transform. Yesterday’s “good prescription” may become today’s “new ailment.” Only by grasping the flux of problems with a dynamic perspective can one keep pace with the times and be tempered into steel. At present, the work-style problems reported by cadres and the masses, especially at the grassroots level, are all very concrete. One cannot respond to the concrete with principles; each must be addressed one by one, scientifically categorized, and concretely solved.

回望百余年征程，我们党之所以能够不断从胜利走向胜利，一个重要密码是勇于并善于抓住各个历史阶段的关键问题。每一次伟大转折，无不始于勇敢直面时代课题、深刻破解发展难题。新时代新征程，需要解决的问题会越来越多样、越来越复杂。问题不是抽象符号，而是现实矛盾冲突的具象凝结。问题不是静止僵化之物，它随时代发展、矛盾转化而不断变迁。昨日之“良方”，或为今日之“新疾”。唯有以动态眼光把握问题流变，才能与时俱进、百炼成钢。当前，干部群众特别是基层群众反映的作风问题都很具体，不能以原则来应对具体，要一一回应、科学分类、具体解决。

Distinguish between matters of principle and matters open to adjustment. Handling matters of principle and matters open to adjustment tests the resilience and wisdom of leading cadres. Confusing the two leads either to rigid dogmatism or to a slide into disorder and chaos. On issues of direction, principle, and fundamental nature — such as political orientation, the people-centered purpose, and national security — one must “not tolerate a grain of sand in the eye” and demonstrate a clear-cut stance of “contesting every inch of ground, yielding not a step.” Toward matters open to adjustment, one must be tolerant and prudent, adapt measures to local conditions, and implement policies flexibly — “one key opens one lock.” For example, in the concrete paths by which different localities solve problems and serve development, grassroots reform and innovation, bold exploration, and the release of vitality should be fully encouraged, seeking the optimal balance between the rigid constraints of principle and the flexible wisdom of strategy.

明确原则问题与可变通问题。处理原则问题和可变通问题考验领导干部的韧性与智慧，将两者混为一谈，要么陷入刻板僵化，要么滑向失序混乱。在政治方向、人民宗旨、国家安全等方向性原则性根本性问题上，必须“眼里容不得沙子”，展现出“寸土必争、寸步不让”的鲜明立场。对待可变通问题则需包容审慎、因地制宜、灵活施策，“一把钥匙开一把锁”。如在各地解决问题服务发展的具体路径上，要充分鼓励基层改革创新、大胆探索、释放活力，在原则的刚性约束和策略的柔性智慧间寻求最佳平衡点。

Distinguish between individual problems and universal problems. Individual problems are like scattered pearls; they require precise study to excavate their typical value. Universal problems require finding the thread that strings the pearls together, exploring an overall plan to crack widespread difficulties. For individual problems at the “point” level, one must have the acuity to see the general from the specific, to know autumn from a single fallen leaf, and to hear thunder in the subtlest of sounds, excavating their potential universal significance. For universal problems at the “plane” level, one must “lift the main rope and the mesh opens,” proceeding from top-level design to carry out systematic governance. Accurately distinguishing individual from universal problems, making good use of the “slice” of individual problems to discern universal laws, and using the “good prescription” for solving universal problems to cure systemic chronic ailments — in this way, governance effectiveness is continuously enhanced through the resonance of point and plane.

区分个别问题与普遍问题。个别问题如同散落的珍珠，需要精准研究深挖其典型价值；普遍问题则需要通过寻找串联珍珠的绳索，探索破解广泛问题的整体方案。对“点”上个别问题要有见微知著、一叶知秋的敏锐，于细微处听惊雷，挖掘其潜在的普遍意义。对“面”上普遍问题要“纲举目张”，从顶层设计着手进行系统施治。准确区分个别与普遍问题，善用个别问题的“切片”洞察普遍规律，以解决普遍问题的“良方”根治系统顽疾，不断在点面共振中提升治理效能。

Discern between link problems and whole-process problems. Link problems are blockages and choke points in the chain; whole-process problems are the obstruction or distortion of the entire chain. Unblocking a link is a “tactical breakthrough,” aimed at solving an urgent need; reshaping the chain is a “strategic upgrade,” aimed at building long-term advantage. Facing link problems without a global perspective easily leads to fragmented responses that “treat the head when the head aches, treat the foot when the foot hurts.” Speaking of the whole in isolation from link problems is like building a tower on sand — the foundation is hollow. Grasping the key link while coordinating the whole can often achieve the effect of “one move lands and the whole board comes alive.” One must both focus on the “breakpoints” with precise force and keep the entire “line” in view for comprehensive planning, forging an indestructible, highly efficient, and synergistic governance system in the unity of micro-level unblocking and macro-level restructuring.

辨别环节问题与全过程问题。环节问题是链条上的卡点、堵点，全过程问题则是整个链条的梗阻或扭曲。环节疏通是“战术突破”，旨在解决燃眉之急；链条重塑是“战略升级”，旨在构建长远优势。面对环节问题缺乏全局视野，易陷入“头痛医头、脚痛医脚”的碎片化应对；脱离环节问题空谈全局，则如沙上筑塔，根基虚浮。抓住关键环节统筹全局，常可收到“一子落而满盘活”之效。既聚焦“断点”精准发力，更着眼“全线”通盘谋划，在微观疏通与宏观重构的统一中，锻造坚不可摧、高效协同的治理体系。

Assess single problems versus deep-seated complex problems. Single problems are relatively independent and can be targeted for treatment to achieve immediate results; deep-seated complex problems are tangled and intertwined, requiring painstaking analysis and comprehensive measures to address both symptoms and root causes. For single problems, one must foster a work style of “no problem left overnight, handle it right away,” precisely defusing the bomb and striving for quick results. For complex problems, one must maintain strategic resolve, adhere to a systems perspective, and make sustained efforts over time. One must both adopt measures for “immediate correction” to swiftly solve the people’s urgent concerns and form mechanisms for “long-term establishment” to crack the deep-seated structural contradictions that are intricately interwoven, thereby consolidating the foundation for development in the unity of treating symptoms and curing root causes.

研判单一问题与深层次复杂问题。单一问题相对独立，可靶向施治以求立竿见影；深层次复杂问题则盘根错节，需抽丝剥茧、综合施策方能标本兼治。对于单一问题，要发扬“事不过夜、马上就办”的作风，精准拆弹，务求速效；复杂问题要保持战略定力，坚持系统观念，久久为功。既要拿出“当下改”的举措，迅速解决群众急难愁盼；更要形成“长久立”的机制，破解盘根错节的深层次结构矛盾，在治标与治本的统一中筑牢发展根基。

At present, in the face of changes in the world, changes in the times, and changes in history, new contradictions and new problems emerge one after another. Internalizing “grasping the problem means grasping the concrete” as a conscious guide to action is a required course and basic skill for leading cadres at all levels. Grasping the problem, grasping the concrete — this is grasping the lifeline for opening up new prospects in our undertakings. Once the “genus” and “species” of problems are distinguished, the key to opening the door of the concrete is firmly in hand. Facing the examination paper handed down by the times, only by maintaining a clear problem-consciousness at all times can we, in the ceaseless cycle of discovering problems, studying problems, and solving problems, push forward all our undertakings with solid steps. When millions upon millions of concrete problems are continuously categorized, targeted, and precisely addressed, the governance tapestry of the Chinese land will surely radiate an even more brilliant light of the times!

当前，面对世界之变、时代之变、历史之变，新矛盾新问题层出不穷，将“抓住了问题也就抓住了具体”内化为行动自觉，是各级领导干部的必修课与基本功。抓住问题，抓住具体，就是抓住了开创事业新局面的命脉。分清了问题的“属”与“种”，就握紧了打开具体之门的密钥。面对时代交予的考卷，唯有时刻保持清晰的问题意识，才能在不断发现问题、研究问题、解决问题的循环往复中，推动各项事业迈出坚实步伐。当千百万个具体问题不断被分类施策、精准施治，中华大地的治理画卷必将绽放出更加璀璨的时代光芒！

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心