Comprehensively Improve Cadres’ Capacity for Modernization

To accomplish China’s affairs, the key lies in the Party, the key lies in the people, and the key lies in the cadre contingent. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasized: “To build a modern socialist country in all respects, we must have a contingent of cadres who are politically competent, meet the requirements of the New Era, and possess the capacity to lead modernization.” [1]1 The 20th National Congress of the CPC was held in October 2022. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC further made the strategic deployment to “comprehensively improve cadres’ capacity for modernization,” [2]2 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC was held in July 2024. setting forth clear requirements for strengthening the cadre contingent. On the New Era’s new journey, we must deeply understand the importance and urgency of comprehensively improving cadres’ capacity for modernization, firmly grasp its connotation, requirements, and practical pathways, and continuously drive the development of the cadre contingent toward high quality and professionalization.

干好中国的事情，关键在党，关键在人，关键在干部队伍。党的二十大报告强调：“全面建设社会主义现代化国家，必须有一支政治过硬、适应新时代要求、具备领导现代化建设能力的干部队伍。”党的二十届三中全会进一步作出“全面提高干部现代化建设能力”的战略部署，对加强干部队伍建设提出明确要求。新时代新征程，要深刻认识全面提高干部现代化建设能力的重要性和紧迫性，牢牢把握其内涵要求与实践路径，持续推动干部队伍建设朝着高素质专业化的方向发展。

Deeply Understand the Connotation and Requirements of Comprehensively Improving Cadres’ Capacity for Modernization

深刻认识全面提高干部现代化建设能力的内涵要求

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward specific requirements for enhancing cadres’ competence and quality, such as the “eight competencies” and “seven capabilities,” [3]3 “Eight competencies” (八种本领) refers to learning, political leadership, reform and innovation, scientific development, law-based governance, mass work, implementation, and risk management. “Seven capabilities” (七种能力) refers to political, investigative and research, scientific decision-making, reform and innovation, emergency response, mass work, and implementation capabilities. emphasizing the need to “comprehensively enhance the political capacity, leadership capacity, and work capacity that correspond to advancing Chinese-path modernization,” thereby pointing the direction for further strengthening cadres’ capacity for modernization.

党的十八大以来，习近平总书记就提升干部能力素质提出了“八种本领”“七种能力”等具体要求，强调要“全面提升与推进中国式现代化相适应的政治能力、领导能力、工作能力”，为进一步加强干部现代化建设能力指明了方向。

Comprehensively Improve Political Capacity Corresponding to Modernization. Enhancing political capacity is both an inherent requirement for a Marxist political party to uphold its political character and an important guarantee for fulfilling the mission of advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. Among the various capacities that cadres possess, political capacity is primary, playing a leading and critical role. In the great process of advancing Chinese-path modernization, facing increasingly complex environmental situations, it is necessary for all cadres to always maintain political acumen, continuously improve political judgment, political understanding, and political execution, consciously use political stance to calibrate value orientation, use political wisdom to coordinate the overall development situation, and use political thinking to solve reform difficulties, thereby more fully transforming political capacity into outstanding leadership capacity, development capacity, and innovation capacity in concrete practice.

全面提高与现代化建设相适应的政治能力。提高政治能力既是马克思主义政党坚守政治本色的内在要求，也是实现以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴使命任务的重要保证。在干部具备的各项能力中，政治能力是第一位的，发挥着引领性和关键性作用。在推进中国式现代化的伟大进程中，面对更加复杂的环境局势，需要广大干部始终保持政治敏锐性，不断提高政治判断力、政治领悟力、政治执行力，自觉用政治立场校准价值取向、用政治智慧统筹发展大局、用政治思维破解改革难题，在具体实践中更加充分地把政治能力转化为卓越的领导能力、发展能力和创新能力。

Comprehensively Improve Leadership Capacity Corresponding to Modernization. The construction of leadership capacity concerns the future and destiny of the Party and the state’s cause. Chinese-path modernization, as an unprecedented pioneering historical project, places new and higher demands on all capacities of leading cadres, especially leadership capacity. To strengthen cadres’ leadership capacity corresponding to modernization, it is necessary to continuously enhance the capacity of all cadres to set direction, plan overall situations, formulate policies, and promote reform, and to coordinate and handle the relationships in advancing Chinese-path modernization between top-level design and practical exploration, strategy and tactics, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, efficiency and fairness, vitality and order, and self-reliance and opening up to the outside world, so that they truly become the mainstay of Chinese-path modernization, driving it step by step from a grand blueprint into reality.

全面提高与现代化建设相适应的领导能力。领导能力建设关乎党和国家事业的前途命运。中国式现代化作为一项前无古人的开创性历史工程，对领导干部的各项能力尤其是领导能力提出新的更高要求。加强干部与现代化建设相适应的领导能力，需要不断提升广大干部把方向、谋大局、定政策、促改革能力，统筹处理好推进中国式现代化进程中顶层设计与实践探索、战略与策略、守正与创新、效率与公平、活力与秩序以及自立自强与对外开放的关系，使其真正成为中国式现代化建设的中流砥柱，推动中国式现代化从宏伟蓝图一步步变为现实。

Comprehensively Improve Work Capacity Corresponding to Modernization. Work capacity is both a direct reflection of the level at which cadres fulfill their duties, take responsibility, and act effectively, and an important yardstick for measuring whether cadres can shoulder heavy burdens in the tide of the times. On the New Era’s new journey, cadres’ work capacity is concrete and specific, encompassing both the overarching requirements of the “eight competencies” and “seven capabilities” and specific requirements for different work fields such as economic work, propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, and cybersecurity and informatization work. From the overall perspective of Chinese-path modernization, to enhance cadres’ work capacity that matches it, it is necessary to closely combine cadres’ different post responsibilities with the specific needs of the times, purposefully hone and temper cadres’ work capacity, with a focus on improving economic work capacity, digital governance capacity, and emergency response capacity, helping all cadres fill quality gaps and strengthen capability weaknesses, master the essential skills for modernization, and strive to become cadres who possess both leadership talent and professional expertise.

全面提高与现代化建设相适应的工作能力。工作能力既是对干部履职尽责、担当作为水平的直接反映，也是衡量干部能否在时代浪潮中勇挑重担的重要标尺。新时代新征程，干部工作能力是现实的、具体的，既有“八种本领”“七种能力”的总体性要求，又有针对经济工作、宣传思想文化工作、网信工作等不同工作领域的具体性要求。从中国式现代化建设的全局出发，提升干部与之相匹配的工作能力，需要紧密结合干部不同的岗位职责和时代发展的具体需求，有针对性地打磨和锤炼干部的工作能力，重点提升经济工作能力、数字治理能力、应急处突能力等，帮助广大干部补齐素质短板、增强能力弱项，掌握现代化建设的看家本领，争做既具有领导才干又具有专业本领的干部。

Systematically Grasp the Practical Pathways for Comprehensively Improving Cadres’ Capacity for Modernization

系统把握全面提高干部现代化建设能力的实践路径

Improving cadres’ capacity for modernization is a systematic project and a long-term task. It requires multi-dimensional efforts in ideological tempering, political training, practical exercise, and professional training, to provide a strong cadre contingent guarantee for building a modern socialist country in all respects.

提高干部现代化建设能力是一项系统工程，也是一项长期任务，需要从思想淬炼、政治历练、实践锻炼、专业训练等方面多维发力，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家提供坚强干部队伍保障。

Strengthen Ideological Tempering, Focus on Enhancing Cadres’ Party Spirit. Ideological tempering is the foundational link in improving cadres’ capacity for modernization. Emphasizing ideological Party building and theoretical Party strengthening is a distinctive feature and glorious tradition of our Party. On the New Era’s new journey, to further advance Chinese-path modernization, all cadres must undergo strict ideological tempering, further strengthen their ideals and convictions, temper their Party spirit, cultivate the resilience and endurance of “withstanding thousands of blows yet remaining firm,” [4]4 A line from the poem “Bamboo and Stone” (竹石) by the Qing dynasty painter and poet Zheng Xie (郑燮, 1693–1765), often cited to praise resilience. and accumulate strength for modernization. On the one hand, they must systematically study the basic principles of Marxism, persistently using Marxist standpoints, viewpoints, and methods to analyze and solve various complex problems emerging in the process of modernization. On the other hand, they must deeply study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially study General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on Chinese-path modernization, educating and guiding all cadres to deeply understand the goals, Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles of Chinese-path modernization, deepen their understanding of the laws of Chinese-path modernization, and enhance their essential skills for fulfilling their duties.

加强思想淬炼，着力提升干部党性修养。思想淬炼是提高干部现代化建设能力的基础环节。注重思想建党、理论强党是我们党的鲜明特色和光荣传统。新时代新征程，进一步推进中国式现代化，广大干部要经受严格的思想淬炼，进一步坚定理想信念、锤炼党性修养，培育“千磨万击还坚劲”的韧劲和耐力，为现代化建设积蓄力量。一方面，要系统学习马克思主义基本原理，持之以恒用马克思主义立场观点方法分析和解决现代化建设进程中涌现的各类复杂问题。另一方面，要深入学习习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，尤其是学习习近平总书记关于中国式现代化的重要论述，教育引导广大干部深刻认识中国式现代化的奋斗目标、中国特色、本质要求以及重大原则，深化对中国式现代化的规律性认识，增强履职尽责的看家本领。

Strengthen Political Training, Focus on Reinforcing Cadres’ Political Responsibility. Political training is the top priority in improving cadres’ capacity for modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “To improve political steadfastness and political capacity, one must rely on learning, and even more on political training and practical exercise.” [5]5 Quoted from Xi Jinping’s speech at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) in 2019. Emphasizing cadres’ political training is a summary of our Party’s long-term exploration of cadre capacity building. On the New Era’s new journey, to strengthen political training and enhance governance capability, it is necessary to raise political standing, build political loyalty, and cultivate political discernment, maintaining political sobriety at all times on issues of major principle; to strengthen political awareness, strictly observe political discipline and rules, focus on solving prominent problems within the Party, and continuously improve intra-Party political life; to strengthen political responsibility, enhance political acumen and political discrimination, and improve the capacity to prevent and defuse risks. Through comprehensive and multi-level political training, guide all cadres to always maintain a clear mind and a correct political direction, and vigorously advance Chinese-path modernization with a high sense of responsibility and mission. Strengthen Practical Exercise, Focus on Tempering Cadres’ Work Style. Practical exercise is an important pathway for improving cadres’ capacity for modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Cadres should be cultivated and tempered on the front lines of major work and major struggles.” [6]6 Quoted from Xi Jinping’s speech at the National Conference on Organizational Work in 2018. Advancing Chinese-path modernization requires all cadres to learn by doing and do by learning, striving to become actors who rise to action and strivers who overcome difficulties. On the one hand, practical exercise should be carried out at the grassroots level. The grassroots is a broad stage for tempering character and improving skills. All cadres must fully implement the “four down-to-the-grassroots levels” system, [7]7 The “four down-to-the-grassroots levels” system (四下基层) refers to propaganda, investigation, reception of petitioners, and on-site work all going down to the grassroots level, a practice originating in Fujian in the late 1980s. go deep into the grassroots, into reality, and into the masses, boldly explore and pilot initiatives, solve “deep-seated and stubborn problems” in grassroots work, and enhance their ability to start and advance undertakings. On the other hand, cadres should be observed and used on the front lines of major struggles. For all cadres to grow and mature, they must carry forward the spirit of struggle and temper their ability to struggle in major tests and challenges. Platforms should be actively built, and cadres selected and sent to the main battlefields of economic development, the front lines of maintaining stability, and the forefront of serving the masses to undergo training, forging “hard skills” and “true abilities” in daring to struggle and being good at struggle.

加强政治历练，着力强化干部政治担当。政治历练是提高干部现代化建设能力的重中之重。习近平总书记指出：“提高政治定力和政治能力，要靠学习，更要靠政治历练和实践锻炼。”重视干部政治历练是我们党对干部能力建设长期探索的经验总结。新时代新征程，加强政治历练，提升执政本领，就要提高政治站位，筑牢政治忠诚，练就政治慧眼，对于大是大非问题，时刻保持政治清醒；要强化政治意识，严守政治纪律和规矩，着力解决党内存在的突出问题，不断健全党内政治生活；要强化政治担当，增强政治敏锐性和政治鉴别力，提高防范化解风险的能力。通过全方位、多层次的政治历练，引导广大干部时刻保持清醒头脑、坚定正确政治方向，以高度的责任感和使命感奋力推进中国式现加强实践锻炼，着力锤炼干部工作作风。实践锻炼是提高干部现代化建设能力的重要途径。习近平总书记指出：“要在重大工作、重大斗争第一线培养干部、锤炼干部。”推进中国式现代化建设，需要广大干部在干中学、学中干，努力成为起而行之的行动者和攻坚克难的奋斗者。一方面，要在基层一线进行实践锻炼。基层是锤炼品质、提高本领的广阔舞台。广大干部要全面落实“四下基层”制度，深入基层、深入实际、深入群众，大胆探索、先行先试，解决基层工作中的“顽瘴痼疾”，提升自己干事创业的能力。另一方面，要在重大斗争一线考察使用干部。广大干部要成长成才，必须在大战大考中弘扬斗争精神、锤炼斗争本领，要积极搭建平台，选派干部到经济发展主战场、维护稳定第一线、服务群众最前沿经受历练，在敢于斗争、善于斗争中练就“硬功夫”“真本领”。

Strengthen professional training, and strive to enhance cadres’ competence and quality. Professional training is a necessary means to improve cadres’ capacity for modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized: “Leadership work requires professional thinking, professional quality, and professional methods.” [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Organizational Work” (3–4 July 2013). This is a standard citation of a major Party leadership address. For cadres to become “experts in doing their work well,” [9]9 This phrase, “行家里手” (xingjia lishou), is a Chinese idiom meaning a seasoned expert or master of a trade. it is necessary to exert precise efforts and adopt multiple approaches simultaneously. On the one hand, professional training should be fully integrated into the entire process of cadre education and training. It is necessary to closely align with the major decisions, deployments, and task arrangements of the current modernization drive, and carry out normalized, full-coverage cadre education and training; it is necessary to pay close attention to cadres’ individualized and differentiated needs, carefully plan various types of thematic training, and strive to achieve tiered, categorized, and precise cultivation. On the other hand, the level of standardization and scientific rigor of cadre professional training should be enhanced. It is necessary to actively leverage the powerful advantages of modern information technology, and vigorously promote innovation and transformation in training and teaching methods; it is necessary to comprehensively utilize various forms such as social research, trainee forums, and the development of high-quality online courses, so as to drive an overall improvement in cadres’ capacity for modernization through high-quality cadre training.

加强专业训练，着力提高干部能力素养。专业训练是提高干部现代化建设能力的必要手段。习近平总书记多次强调：“领导工作要有专业思维、专业素养、专业方法。”干部要成为“做好工作的行家里手”，需要精准发力、多管齐下。一方面，要将专业训练全面融入干部教育培训全过程。要紧密结合当前现代化建设的重大决策部署和重大任务安排，开展常态化、全覆盖的干部教育培训；要高度关注干部的个性化、差异化需求，精心策划各类专题培训，努力实现分层分类、精准滴灌。另一方面，要提升干部专业训练的规范化、科学化水平。要积极借助现代信息技术的强大优势，大力推动培训和教学方式的创新变革；要综合运用社会调研、学员论坛、开发精品网络课程等多种形式，以高质量干部培训带动干部现代化建设能力的整体提升。

[The authors are, respectively, Deputy Director of the Research Department of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance); and a doctoral student at the Teaching and Research Department of Party Building of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance).]

[作者系中央党校（国家行政学院）科研部副主任；中央党校(国家行政学院)党的建设教研部博士研究生]

Online editor: Ma Jingren

网络编辑：马京仁