The Spiritual Shaping and Image Construction of the Chinese Communist Party during the Yan’an Period

General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the spiritual inheritance and image building of the Chinese Communist Party, pointing out that the series of great spirits formed during the Party’s century-long struggle and the spiritual genealogy of Chinese Communists constructed thereby “provide rich nourishment for our Party’s establishment, development, and strengthening,” and that the Party’s image and prestige “are directly related not only to the Party’s fate, but also to the fate of the country, the fate of the people, and the fate of the nation.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Work Concerning United Front (Excerpts)” (May 18, 2015), in Xi Jinping, *Excerpts from Important Discourses on the United Front*, Central Party Literature Press, 2017, p. 11. This important thesis provides a fundamental guideline for us to look back on the Party’s century-long history and to explore the origins and interactive logic of the Chinese Communist Party’s spiritual forging and image construction. During the Yan’an Period, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their main representative, demonstrated in revolutionary practice the qualities of lofty ideals, firm faith, loyalty to the Party, seeking truth from facts, serving the people, fearing no hardship, and steadfastly exploring. They cultivated and formed the Yan’an Spirit. With this as the spiritual core, they constructed the Party’s leadership image, revolutionary image, and advanced image, forging an immortal monument shining brightly in the long river of Party history. Academic research on party spirit and party image has already accumulated considerable results. Regarding the shaping function of party spirit on party image, existing studies mostly examine it from a macro perspective, with occasional analyses of the role of the great founding spirit of the Party in shaping the image of the century-old major party. Existing studies highly relevant to the research topic in terms of time and space, such as those on the Party’s image construction during the Yan’an Period, focus more on what kind of image the Party constructed during this period and its characteristics, but rarely delve into the internal connection between the Party’s image construction and the Yan’an Spirit. From this perspective, the party image constructed by the Chinese Communist Party during the Yan’an Period with the Yan’an Spirit as its core, the fine traditions formed, and the valuable experiences summarized still demonstrate strong guiding, inspiring, and influencing power today. Against the backdrop of comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization, [2]2 Mao Zedong, “The Tasks of the Chinese Communist Party in the Period of Resistance Against Japan” (May 1937), in *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 1, People’s Publishing House, 1991, p. 263. continuing, inheriting, and promoting this precious legacy in keeping with the times holds significant theoretical value and practical significance for strengthening ideological guidance, holding high the spiritual banner, and consolidating the support for the Party’s image.

习近平总书记高度重视中国共产党的精神传承和形象建设，指出在党百余年奋斗历程中形成的一系列伟大精神、构筑的中国共产党人的精神谱系“为我们立党兴党强党提供了丰厚滋养”,党的形象和威望“不仅直接关系党的命运，而且直接关系国家的命运、人民的命运、民族的命运”。这一重要论断，为我们回溯党的百余年历史、探寻中国共产党精神锻造与形象建构的缘起与互动逻辑提供了根本遵循。延安时期，以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人在革命实践中展现出理想崇高、信仰坚定、对党忠诚、实事求是、服务人民、不畏艰险、笃志探索的特质，培育形成了延安精神，以此为精神内核建构了党的领导形象、革命形象和先进形象，铸就了党史长河中熠熠生辉的不朽丰碑。学界对政党精神与政党形象的研究已积累了相当成果。针对政党精神于政党形象发挥的塑造功能，既有研究多以宏观视角考察之，偶见关于伟大建党精神对百年大党形象塑造作用的探析。延安时期党的形象塑造等与研究主题时空关联度均较高的既有研究，对该时期党建构了何种形象及其特征着墨较多，却鲜少深入挖掘党的形象塑造与延安精神之间的内在关联。以此为观照，延安时期中国共产党以延安精神为核心建构的政党形象、形成的优良传统、总结的宝贵经验，在今天依然展现出强大的引领力、感染力和影响力。在以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业的时代背景下，与时俱进赓续、传承和弘扬这份宝贵遗产，对于强化思想引领、高擎精神旗帜、筑牢党的形象支撑，具有重大理论价值与实践意义。

I. Spiritual Shaping: The Yan’an Spirit Becomes the Spiritual Core and Distinctive Symbol of the Chinese Communist Party’s Image

一、精神塑造：延安精神成为中国共产党形象的精神内核和显著标识

Party spirit is the core and soul of a party’s image. A party’s image possesses both objectivity and subjectivity; it requires active shaping and maintenance while also evolving dynamically in history. In this process, party spirit is the fundamental force providing the direction of construction and substantive content. The formation of the Yan’an Spirit is inseparable from the gradual maturation of the Chinese Communist Party in political, ideological, organizational, and work-style aspects during the Yan’an Period and the manifestation of its image. As the core of the Party’s image construction during this period, the Yan’an Spirit, with the “Yan’an work style” as its original form, underwent gestation, generation, and development. It profoundly drove the dynamic transformation of the Party’s image from being “shaped by others” to “self-shaped,” and in this process, it condensed into a unique symbol displaying the Party’s historical image, becoming the spiritual driving force for the Party’s image to move from construction to consolidation.

政党精神是政党形象的内核与灵魂。政党形象兼具客观性与主观性，既需要主动塑造维护、又在历史中动态演变。在这一过程中，政党精神就是提供建构方向与实质内容的根本性力量。延安精神的形成，与延安时期中国共产党在政治、思想、组织和作风层面的逐渐成熟及其形象彰显密不可分。作为该时期政党形象建构的内核，以“延安作风”为原初形态的延安精神，其孕育、生成和发展，深刻推动了党的形象由“他塑”向“自塑”的能动转变，并在此过程中凝结为展示党历史形象的独特标识，成为政党形象从建构走向巩固的精神驱动。

(I) The Gestation of the Yan’an Spirit Highlights the Core and External Orientation of the Chinese Communist Party’s Image Construction during the Yan’an Period

(一)延安精神的孕育，凸显延安时期中国共产党形象建构的内核和外在指向

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that during the Yan’an Period, the Chinese Communist Party achieved historic accomplishments “with tenacious fighting spirit and superb fighting skills.” [3]3 “The Chinese Communist Party Has Mobilized Tens of Thousands of People Behind Enemy Lines,” *Xinhua Daily*, October 4, 1938. The generation and promotion of the Yan’an Spirit made an indelible contribution to the Party “opening a new situation in the Chinese revolution” during this period. [4]4 “Yan’an style” and “Xi’an style” refer to the contrasting political cultures and work styles of the Chinese Communist Party’s base in Yan’an and the Guomindang’s base in Xi’an during the War of Resistance Against Japan. It became the spiritual compass guiding the Party in constructing its own image, directing the Party to consolidate its development foundation and welcome revolutionary victory through image building, thereby winning a decisive shift in popular support and gaining positive attention from the international community.

习近平总书记指出，延安时期中国共产党“以顽强的斗争精神和高超的斗争本领”取得历史性成就。延安精神的生成和弘扬，为党在这一时期“打开了中国革命新局面”作出不可磨灭的贡献。它成为党建构自身形象的精神指针，指引着党通过形象建设来夯实发展基础、迎接革命胜利，进而赢得了人心向背的决定性转变、获得了国际社会的积极关注。

The brewing of the Yan’an Spirit constituted the core of the Chinese Communist Party’s image construction during the Yan’an Period. The wills of individuals intersect in the historical field, forming a general resultant force called the “historical result.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2016), People’s Publishing House, 2016, p. 11. Therefore, the spirit of Chinese Communists during the Yan’an Period is first and foremost embodied in each Party member’s belief in communism, loyalty to the Party, understanding of the Chinese revolution, and feelings towards the Chinese nation and the Chinese people. It is the collection of revolutionary practices guided by these thoughts and concepts, and moreover, it is an organic integration of original spiritual forms derived from heroes and models, such as the Bethune Spirit, the Zhang Side Spirit, and the Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains Spirit. [6]6 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. At the same time, the Yan’an Spirit was forged by the hard struggle of the people under the Party’s leadership, who developed production in the border regions according to local conditions and boosted social morale. In this process, there emerged not only labor models like Zhao Zhankui and Huang Lide, but also revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed for the Party and the nation’s cause, and indomitable combat heroes. They coexisted and shared glory, were commended by the Party, and were highly regarded by the world. The spiritual qualities and spiritual outlook displayed by the above-mentioned models built the flesh and blood of the Yan’an Spirit, continuously playing a leading and inspiring role, and coalescing into the core of the Party’s image construction. Particularly, in articles such as “In Memory of Norman Bethune,” “Serve the People,” and “The Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains,” Mao Zedong, using typical images of the Yan’an Period as carriers, provided a coherent explanation of the inherent stipulations of the Chinese Communist spirit during this period, from the partial to the whole. This stimulated the powerful appeal of the Yan’an Spirit and consolidated broad ideological recognition for the Party’s image construction.

延安精神的酝酿，构成了延安时期中国共产党形象建构的内核。单个人的意志在历史场域中相互交错，形成名为“历史结果”的总的合力。因此，延安时期中国共产党人的精神，首先体现为每位党员对共产主义的信仰、对党的忠诚、对中国革命的认识、对中华民族和中国人民的情感，是这些思想观念所引导的革命实践的集合，更是对白求恩精神、张思德精神、愚公移山精神等源于英雄模范的原生精神形态的有机整合。同时，延安精神更是由党领导下的人民群众因地制宜地发展边区生产、提振社会风气的艰苦奋斗而铸就的。在此过程中，既涌现出赵占魁、黄立德等劳动模范，也有为党和民族事业献身的革命英烈、不屈不挠的战斗英雄，他们共立共荣、受党表彰、为世所重。上述模范展现出的精神特质和精神风貌建塑起延安精神的血肉，持续发挥引领感召作用，凝聚为党的形象建构内核。特别是毛泽东在《纪念白求恩》《为人民服务》《愚公移山》等文章中，以延安时期典型形象为载体，对该时期中国共产党人精神的内在规定性进行由局部到整体的贯通阐释，激发了延安精神的强大感召力，为党的形象建构凝聚起广泛的思想认同。

The concentrated manifestation of the Yan’an Spirit during the Yan’an Period set the value orientation for the construction and dissemination of the Chinese Communist Party’s image. A party’s image is the practical form of its party spirit. With spiritual power as its core, it is concretely manifested in the practical effect of unifying thought internally and unifying action externally. Although the concept of the “Yan’an Spirit” had not yet been explicitly proposed during the Yan’an Period, the practical foundation of the Yan’an Spirit was deeply rooted in the Party’s history of this period. Originating from practice and transcending practice, it had already appeared in the expositions of Party leaders and in newspaper articles. In December 1942, Mao Zedong proposed that “the spirit of the comrades of Yan’an County is completely Bolshevik spirit” [7]7 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. and expressed high hopes that this spirit and experience “could be quickly promoted” in practice. [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work” (August 19, 2013), People’s Publishing House, 2013, p. 4. This indicates that the Yan’an Spirit was already playing a key role in practice, ensuring that the direction of the Party’s image construction did not deviate, and providing basic guidelines for specific propaganda content and practical actions. At the same time, newspapers represented by the *Liberation Daily* also refined, elaborated, and widely publicized the typical spirits that emerged. For example, the spiritual qualities of the factory production model Zhao Zhankui were distilled as “having a hard-working and enduring work style and a habit of diligent labor,” “having a sense of responsibility and patience towards work,” and “being able to unite people and get along with others in work.” [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2021), People’s Publishing House, 2021, p. 8. The original forms of the Yan’an Spirit had become increasingly distinct in their concrete projections, playing a positive role in guiding the behavior and motivating the actions of Communists and even the broad masses of the people.

延安精神在延安时期的集中呈现，为中国共产党形象建构传播标定了价值导向。政党形象就是政党精神的实践形态，它以精神力量为内核，具体表现为对内统一思想、对外统一行动的现实效果。尽管延安时期尚未明确提出“延安精神”概念，但延安精神的实践之基深深植根于该时期党的历史，且源于实践、超越实践，在党的领导人的论述和报刊文章中已有呈现。1942年12月，毛泽东提出“延安县同志们的精神完全是布尔什维克的精神”,并对此种精神和经验在实践中“能够很快地推广”寄予厚望。表明延安精神已在实践中发挥着关键作用，确保党的形象建设方向不偏，并为具体宣传内容和实践行动提供基本遵循。同时，以《解放日报》为代表的报刊也对涌现出来的典型性精神进行了提炼阐发与广泛宣传，如将工厂生产典型赵占魁的精神品质提炼为“有艰苦耐劳的优良作风，与勤于劳动的习惯”“对工作有责任心和耐性”“能团结人，与人相处共事”。延安精神的原生形态已在其具象化投射中愈加鲜明，对共产党人乃至广大人民群众起到引导行为、激励行动的积极作用。

The brewing and concentrated manifestation of the Yan’an Spirit promoted the dialectical unity of the spiritual and substantive, the endogenous and the exogenous aspects of the Party’s image during the Yan’an Period. During the Yan’an Period, the Chinese Communist Party relied on “millet plus rifles” to win the revolution. [10]10 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Organizational Work” (July 3, 2018), People’s Publishing House, 2018, p. 12. The realistic conditions of the dense overlap of the two major tasks of war and production placed new demands on the Party’s image construction during this period. For example, some Party members had the enthusiasm to serve the people, but lacked ideological maturity, theoretical armament, especially the ability and level of studying Marxist theory, and had an insufficient understanding of “why” and “how” to construct the Party’s image. Therefore, while expanding the substantive content of the Party’s image through external propaganda forms, it was even more necessary to strengthen internal spiritual armament, summarize and refine the outstanding spirit of Communists during this period, thereby boosting the Party membership, stimulating endogenous motivation, and ultimately establishing a positive cycle of winning the trust of the people through a good image. At the same time, establishing a positive image among the people and “minimizing unnecessary sacrifices as much as possible” [11]11 This phrase was used to describe the Eighth Route Army soldiers who fought the Japanese while also engaging in production in the Yan’an base area. was, in the final analysis, a test of the Party’s political quality and capability. Taking the Yan’an Spirit as the guide to enhance the Party’s political capability and improve its political performance became an inherent requirement of the Party’s image construction during this period.

延安精神的酝酿及其集中呈现，推动实现延安时期党的形象精神性与实体性、内源性与外显性的辩证统一。延安时期，中国共产党领导革命取得胜利靠的是“小米加步枪”,战争与生产两大任务密集交叠的现实条件，对这一时期党的形象建设提出了新的要求，如部分党员有为人民服务的热忱，但思想成熟度、理论武装特别是马克思主义理论学习的能力和水平不足，对党的形象建设“因何为”“何以为”的认识有所欠缺。因此，在通过外在宣传形式扩充党的形象的实体内容的同时，更有必要加强内在精神武装，总结提炼该时期共产党人的卓越精神，以此提振党员队伍、激发内生动力，最终建立起以良好形象取信于民的正向循环。同时，在人民群众中树立正面形象并“尽量地减少那些不必要的牺牲”,归根到底还是对党的政治素养和能力的考验。以延安精神为引领，提升党的政治能力、增进政治表现，就成为此时期政党形象建构的题中之义。

(II) The Refinement of the Yan’an Spirit Three-Dimensionally Presents the Spiritual Context of the Chinese Communist Party’s Image Construction during the Yan’an Period

(二)延安精神的提炼，立体呈现了延安时期中国共产党形象建构的精神脉络

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that reviewing history “is for the purpose of summing up historical experience, grasping historical laws, and enhancing the courage and strength to forge ahead.” This requires refining the spiritual outlook displayed by Chinese Communists during the Yan’an period into the “Yan’an Spirit” and interpreting it, so that the generative logic, core content, and contemporary value of the Party’s image during the Yan’an period can be grasped as a whole through a combination of vertical and horizontal perspectives, thereby carrying forward the past and opening up the future to advance the construction of the Party’s image and enhance political consciousness and political capability.

习近平总书记指出，回顾历史“是为了总结历史经验、把握历史规律，增强开拓前进的勇气和力量”。这就要求将延安时期中国共产党人展现出的精神风貌提炼为“延安精神”并加以阐释，从而能够在纵横结合中整体把握延安时期党的形象的生成逻辑、核心内容和时代价值，继往开来推进党的形象建设，提升政治自觉和政治能力。

The proposal of the Yan’an Spirit highlights the epochal characteristics and unique imprints of the Chinese Communist Party’s image construction during the Yan’an period. Because the Yan’an period was a time when the struggle against imperialism and feudalism was exceptionally complex and national contradictions were unprecedentedly acute, the Yan’an Spirit, forged in the critical historical stage of the Party leading the revolutionary cause, was also highly distinctive, manifesting the thorough revolutionary character and rational understanding of Chinese Communists. It can be said that the Yan’an Spirit is a high-level summary of the Chinese revolutionary spirit, shaping the resilient image of Chinese Communists who, even in extreme adversity, could adhere to their political nature and display a powerful revolutionary will. In the early days of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Mao Zedong affirmed the significant contributions of the people of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region to the victory of the Chinese revolution, encouraging all “revolutionary workers” nationwide to “forever maintain the style of arduous struggle that existed among the staff in Yan’an and the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region over the past ten-plus years.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Work Concerning United Front (Excerpts)” (May 18, 2015), in Xi Jinping, *Excerpts from Important Discourses on the United Front*, Central Party Literature Press, 2017, p. 11. Subsequently, the explicit proposal of the Yan’an Spirit and its connotations not only established a benchmark for scientifically grasping the spiritual characteristics of Chinese Communists during the Yan’an period but also strengthened the spiritual guidance for enriching and consolidating the good image the Party had shaped at a theoretical height.

延安精神的提出，彰显了延安时期中国共产党形象建构的时代特征和独特烙印。由于延安时期是反帝反封建斗争形势复杂异常、民族矛盾空前尖锐的时期，熔铸于党领导革命事业关键历史阶段的延安精神也极具特殊性，昭彰着中国共产党人彻底的革命品格和理性认识。可以说，延安精神是中国革命精神的高度概括，塑造了中国共产党人在极端困境中仍能坚守政治本色、展现出强大革命意志的坚韧形象。新中国成立之初，毛泽东肯定陕甘宁边区人民对中国革命胜利作出的重大贡献，以“永远保持过去十余年间在延安和陕甘宁边区的工作人员中所具有的艰苦奋斗的作风”勉励全国“革命工作人员”。此后，延安精神及其意涵的明确提出，不仅为科学把握延安时期中国共产党人的精神特质树立了标尺，也为在理论高度上丰富和巩固党塑造的良好形象强化了精神引领。

The rich connotation and development process of the Yan’an Spirit run through the historical chain of the Chinese Communist Party’s image construction, where each link follows from the previous one. General Secretary Xi Jinping has refined the basic connotations of the Yan’an Spirit as “firm and correct political direction, the ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, and the entrepreneurial spirit of self-reliance and hard struggle.” [2]2 Mao Zedong, “The Tasks of the Chinese Communist Party in the Period of Resistance Against Japan” (May 1937), in *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 1, People’s Publishing House, 1991, p. 263. In the historical turning point where the Chinese revolution moved from a low tide to a high tide, the spiritual forging and image construction of the Chinese Communist Party reached a new peak during the Yan’an period. During this period, Mao Zedong’s proposal of “first learning a political direction” [3]3 “The Chinese Communist Party Has Mobilized Tens of Thousands of People Behind Enemy Lines,” *Xinhua Daily*, October 4, 1938. and the political line of the Seventh National Congress of the CPC [4]4 “Yan’an style” and “Xi’an style” refer to the contrasting political cultures and work styles of the Chinese Communist Party’s base in Yan’an and the Guomindang’s base in Xi’an during the War of Resistance Against Japan. which charted the course for “building a new-democratic China,” both contained the essence of the Yan’an Spirit’s “firm and correct political direction.” The spiritual character and value stance of Chinese Communists as “willing oxen serving the people” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2016), People’s Publishing House, 2016, p. 11. were externalized and strengthened into the Party’s image of sincerely serving the people and being good at achieving results during the Yan’an period, with the formation of the vivid situation where “only public servants were seen, not officials.” [6]6 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. From the day of its founding, the Chinese Communist Party blazed trails and explored with determination, to leading the people of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region to “grasp both” the War of Resistance and production, [7]7 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. and then to creating new historical achievements after the Seventh National Congress, the above images were sequentially connected, complementing the “entrepreneurial spirit of self-reliance and hard struggle.” Thus, the historical pursuit of the connotation of the Yan’an Spirit shows that the Party’s image was systematically shaped by solving practical revolutionary problems and displaying outstanding political character, and its image as an advanced political party has been consistent.

延安精神的丰富内涵和发展历程，贯通了中国共产党形象建构前后相因的历史链条。习近平总书记提炼延安精神的基本内涵为“坚定正确的政治方向、解放思想实事求是的思想路线、全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨、自力更生艰苦奋斗的创业精神”。在中国革命从低潮走向高潮的历史转折中，中国共产党的精神锻造与形象建构在延安时期达到新的高峰。在这一时期，毛泽东提出的“首先是学一个政治方向”,与党的七大政治路线擘画的“建立一个新民主主义的中国”,均蕴含着延安精神“坚定正确的政治方向”的精髓。中国共产党人“为民服务孺子牛”的精神品格和价值立场，在延安时期“只见公仆不见官”生动局面的形成中，外化且强化为党笃实为民、善作善成的形象。中国共产党自成立之日起就披荆斩棘、笃志探索，到带领陕甘宁边区民众抗战与生产“两手抓”,再到党的七大后创造新的历史伟业，上述形象前后相属，与“自力更生艰苦奋斗的创业精神”交相辉映。由此可见，对延安精神内涵的历史追索表明，党的形象是通过解决革命实际问题、展现卓越政治品格而系统塑造起来的，其先进政党形象是一以贯之的。

The Yan’an Spirit is an integration of spirit in a specific historical period and also an important part of the spiritual pedigree of Chinese Communists. Horizontally, the political direction and fundamental purpose of the Yan’an Spirit correspond to the Party’s original aspiration and founding mission, while the ideological line and practical approach relate to the Party’s revolutionary struggle. Correspondingly, the Party’s image during the Yan’an period was also a unified whole composed of multiple elements such as ideals and beliefs, quality and capability, and style of work within a specific historical time and space. However, the generation of an image is the result of the combined effect of subjective and objective, as well as static and dynamic factors. The horizontal unfolding of its constituent elements cannot fully represent its entirety; a dynamic historical development perspective must also be introduced. Therefore, vertically, placing the Party’s image during the Yan’an period within the more than one-hundred-year history of the Party reveals that the construction and expression of the Party’s image in different periods each have their own emphasis, yet they are always consistent. The Party’s image is not a mechanical superposition of characteristics from different periods, but an organic integration that takes the continuous inheritance of the spiritual pedigree as the main axis, linking the image characteristics of the Party in various historical stages.

延安精神是特定历史时期的精神整合，也是中国共产党人精神谱系的重要部分。在横向上，延安精神的政治方向和根本宗旨对应着党的初心使命，思想路线和实践进路则关乎党的革命奋斗。相应地，延安时期党的形象也是由理想信念、素质能力、本领作风等多个要素在特定历史时空下构成的统一整体。然而，形象的生成是主客观和动静态因素综合作用的结果，构成要素的横向展开无法演绎其全貌，还需引入动态的历史发展视角。因此，在纵向上，将延安时期党的形象置于百余年党史进程，可见不同时期党的形象建构和表达各有侧重，又始终一脉相承。党的形象并非不同时期特征的机械叠加，而是以精神谱系赓续传承为主轴，将各个历史阶段党的形象特质串联起来的有机统合。

(III) The inheritance of the Yan’an Spirit, with its connotation, logic, and significance, provides valuable resources for the construction of the Chinese Communist Party’s image

(三)延安精神的传承，以其内涵、逻辑和意蕴为中国共产党形象建构提供宝贵资源

In October 2022, when inspecting Yan’an, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that “all comrades in the Party must well inherit and carry forward the glorious traditions and fine styles left by the older generation of revolutionaries and Communists.” [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work” (August 19, 2013), People’s Publishing House, 2013, p. 4. The Yan’an Spirit, with its profound connotation, clear logic, and great significance, has become a valuable spiritual resource for maintaining and enhancing the Party’s image and advancing the great new project of Party building in the New Era.

2022年10月，习近平总书记在延安考察时强调，“全党同志要把老一辈革命家和共产党人留下的光荣传统和优良作风传承好发扬好”。延安精神内涵深刻、逻辑明晰、意义重大，成为新时代维护和提升党的形象、推进党的建设新的伟大工程的宝贵精神资源。

The Yan’an Spirit, with its rich connotation, cultivates content for constructing the image of the Chinese Communist Party. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “We must unremittingly use the Yan’an Spirit to educate the vast number of Party members and cadres, to nourish their original aspiration, temper their souls, draw the power of faith from it, find the gaps in Party spirit, and calibrate the direction of progress.” [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2021), People’s Publishing House, 2021, p. 8. As an important component of the spiritual pedigree of Chinese Communists, the core connotations of the Yan’an Spirit include political direction, ideological line, fundamental purpose, and entrepreneurial spirit. It is a valuable resource for the construction of the Party’s image and also a spiritual medium through which the century-old Party projects its political philosophy. “A bright mirror can reflect shapes; ancient events can illuminate the present.” [10]10 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Organizational Work” (July 3, 2018), People’s Publishing House, 2018, p. 12. A multi-dimensional analysis of the Yan’an Spirit is a theoretical reconstruction of the Party’s historical image during the Yan’an period, and also provides a reference for shaping, maintaining, and disseminating the image of the century-old Party today. At the same time, as a spiritual resource, the Yan’an Spirit possesses openness and shareability, breaking through the temporal and spatial limitations of material resource dissemination, enriching the connotation of the times and expanding social influence by combining with different material carriers, continuously meeting the needs of the Party’s image construction.

延安精神以其丰富内涵为建构中国共产党形象涵育内容。习近平总书记强调，“要坚持不懈用延安精神教育广大党员、干部，用以滋养初心、淬炼灵魂，从中汲取信仰的力量、查找党性的差距、校准前进的方向”。作为中国共产党人精神谱系的重要组成，延安精神的核心内涵包括政治方向、思想路线、根本宗旨和创业精神，是党形象建构的宝贵资源，也是百年大党投射其政治理念的精神媒介。“明镜所以照形，古事所以知今”,对延安精神的多维度解析，就是对延安时期党的历史形象的学理重构，也为当今塑造好、维护好和传播好百年大党形象提供参照。同时，作为一种精神资源，延安精神具有开放性和共享性，突破了物质资源传播的时空局限，结合不同物质载体丰富时代内涵、拓展社会影响，持续满足党形象建设的需要。

The Yan’an Spirit, with its construction logic, opens up a path for shaping the image of the century-old Party. Its construction logic contains “three unities,” namely, the generation of the Yan’an Spirit is the unity of individual narrative and collective narrative, the unity of ideal narrative and realistic narrative, and the unity of rational narrative and emotional narrative. First, the image of advanced individuals and their spiritual qualities are inseparable from the collective image and spiritual outlook of the Party as an advanced Marxist political party. This is not only the internal mechanism for the generation of the Yan’an Spirit as a group spirit displaying the image of Chinese Communists, but also the core mechanism for building and maintaining the Party’s image, as “punishing one person can alert the whole group, rewarding one person can inspire the whole group.” [11]11 This phrase was used to describe the Eighth Route Army soldiers who fought the Japanese while also engaging in production in the Yan’an base area. Second, the emphasis on the coherence of ideals, beliefs, and practical responsibility is highly consistent with the image of the Chinese Communist Party insisting on the unity of lofty ideals and realistic goals. As Mao Zedong pointed out: “A firm and correct political direction cannot be separated from the work style of arduous struggle.” [12]12 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the 27th Collective Study Session of the Politburo of the 19th CPC Central Committee” (May 31, 2021), *People’s Daily*, June 1, 2021. To translate lofty revolutionary ideals and scientific policies into the practice of the broad masses of the people, “it requires hard and patient practical work, requires step-by-step educational work,” [13]13 This is a reference to a specific policy document of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Government during the Yan’an Period. and requires very specific and meticulous working methods. Third, adhering to communist beliefs itself contains dual identification of rationality and emotion, and the “fish-and-water harmony” [14]14 This is a quotation from Deng Xiaoping’s speech “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” (1978). between the Party and the people is also the unity of the mass line and mass feelings. The construction logic of the Yan’an Spirit is thus revealed; the signifying role of this concept is clearer, its theoretical framework is more distinct, and its sense of historical layering is richer, thereby pointing out a precise path for the construction of the Party’s image.

延安精神以其建构逻辑为塑造百年大党形象开拓路径。其建构逻辑内蕴“三个统一”,即延安精神的生成是个体叙事与集体叙事的统一、理想叙事和现实叙事的统一、理性叙事和感性叙事的统一。其一，先进个体形象及其精神品质与党作为先进马克思主义政党的集体形象和精神风貌不可分割。这不仅是延安精神作为展现中国共产党人形象的群体精神生成的内在机理，也是“处罚一个人，可使全体警惕，奖励一个人，可使全体兴奋”,成为建设维护党的形象的核心机制。其二，对理想信念和实践担当的贯通性强调，与中国共产党坚持远大理想和现实目标相统一的形象高度吻合。正如毛泽东指出的：“坚定正确的政治方向，是与艰苦奋斗的工作作风不能脱离的。”要将崇高的革命理想、科学的方针政策落地转化为广大人民群众的实践，“就需要艰苦耐心的实际工作，需要循循善诱的教育工作”和需要十分具体细致的工作方法。其三，坚守共产主义信仰本身包含理性和感性的双重认同，党和人民的“鱼水相得”也是群众路线和群众感情的统一。延安精神的建构逻辑也随之彰显出来，这一概念的标识作用更明确、理论框架更清晰、历史层次感更丰富，从而为党的形象建设指明了精准路径。

The Yan’an Spirit, through its inheritance and development, provides impetus for building the image of a century-old Party with its value implications. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The Yan’an Spirit has nurtured generations of Chinese Communists and is our Party’s precious spiritual wealth.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Work Concerning United Front (Excerpts)” (May 18, 2015), in Xi Jinping, *Excerpts from Important Discourses on the United Front*, Central Party Literature Press, 2017, p. 11. The Party’s history is a history of the dual elevation of material and spiritual forces. The more substantial the material wealth the Party unites and leads the people to create, the more it requires powerful spiritual forces to consolidate the soul and unite hearts. The Yan’an Spirit is a dynamic resource for the vast number of Party members to nourish their original aspiration, temper their souls, and spur their actions, embodying the political character and tenacious will of Communists. The powerful exemplary role of the Yan’an Spirit inspires Communists in the New Era to inherit and carry forward fine revolutionary traditions and work styles, to advance the systematic project of taking the Party’s political construction as the lead and promoting all aspects of Party building in a coordinated and integrated manner, thereby shaping and consolidating the Party’s image. The Yan’an Spirit was jointly shaped by Chinese Communists; it is an eternal spiritual monument and, moreover, an indelible spiritual foundation. In the continuous transmission of the Yan’an Spirit, Chinese Communists in the New Era can gain a sense of identity and belonging, thereby activating the sense of responsibility and inexhaustible motivation of the subjects constructing the image of the century-old Party.

延安精神在继承发扬中以其价值意蕴为建设百年大党形象提供动力。习近平总书记指出：“延安精神培育了一代代中国共产党人，是我们党的宝贵精神财富。”党的历史是物质力量和精神力量双重提升的历史，党团结带领人民群众创造愈丰厚的物质财富，就愈需要强大的精神力量来凝心铸魂。延安精神是广大党员滋养初心、淬炼灵魂、鞭策行动的动力资源，体现着共产党人的政治品格和坚韧意志。延安精神的强大示范作用，感召新时代共产党人继承发扬优良革命传统和作风，推进以党的政治建设为统领、党的各项建设同向综合发力的系统工程，进而塑造巩固党的形象。延安精神由中国共产党人共同塑造，是永垂不朽的精神丰碑，更是不可磨灭的精神底色。在赓续传承延安精神中，新时代中国共产党人能够获得认同感归属感，以此激活百年大党形象建构主体的责任担当和不竭动力。

II. Image Construction: Systematic Summary and Extensive Dissemination of the Chinese Communist Party’s Image with the Yan’an Spirit as Its Core

二、形象建构：以延安精神为内核的中国共产党形象的系统总结与广泛传播

The Party’s image concerns the Party’s development, the support or opposition of the people, and the success or failure of its cause. Every Party member is “a bright red flag”; [2]2 Mao Zedong, “The Tasks of the Chinese Communist Party in the Period of Resistance Against Japan” (May 1937), in *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 1, People’s Publishing House, 1991, p. 263. their political consciousness, ideological level, spiritual quality, and ability and work style are all elements of image construction, while the Party’s spirit is the internal support of the Party’s image. During the Yan’an period, Chinese Communists, guided and supported by the Yan’an Spirit, integrated it into the construction of the Party’s image. By employing diverse construction methods, shaping approaches, and dissemination channels, the Party constructed and disseminated its distinct image as a leader, a revolutionary, and an advanced entity.

党的形象关乎党的发展、人心向背和事业成败。每一位党员都是“一面鲜红的旗帜”,其政治觉悟、思想水平、精神品质和能力作风均为形象建构要素，而党的精神则是党的形象的内在支撑。延安时期，中国共产党人以延安精神为引领和支撑，将其熔铸于党的形象建构之中。通过运用多样的建构方式、塑造方法和传播渠道，党建构和传播了自身鲜明的领导形象、革命形象和先进形象。

(I) The Image of a Leader as the Mainstay of the Chinese Revolution and the Pillar of the War of Resistance Against Japan

(一)作为中国革命主心骨、抗日战争中流砥柱的领导形象

During the Yan’an period, the Chinese Communist Party, taking the Yan’an Spirit as its internal driving force, effectively consolidated the faith, will, and strength of the entire Party. In the great struggle leading the nationwide War of Resistance, the Party focused on unifying ideological understanding and strengthening its own construction. The centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee was unprecedentedly strengthened, exerting “a positive influence on all Party comrades and the people of the whole country,” [3]3 “The Chinese Communist Party Has Mobilized Tens of Thousands of People Behind Enemy Lines,” *Xinhua Daily*, October 4, 1938. ultimately establishing its image as the mainstay of the Chinese revolution and the pillar of the War of Resistance Against Japan.

延安时期，中国共产党以延安精神为内在动力，有效凝聚了全党的信仰、意志与力量。在领导全民族抗战的伟大斗争中，党着力统一思想认识、加强自身建设，党中央的集中统一领导空前加强，并“给全党同志、全国人民以好的影响”,最终确立了自身作为中国革命主心骨与抗日战争中流砥柱的领导形象。

The generation of the Party’s leadership image is a high degree of unity between historical inevitability and subjective choice. Revolution and the social formation changes it triggers require the unity of conformity to laws and conformity to purposes. In modern China, whoever could complete the historical task of winning national independence and people’s liberation could become the leader of the historical trend and win the sincere support of the broad masses of the people. This is the concrete reality and objective law of the development of the Chinese revolution. Before the birth of the Chinese Communist Party, “various plans to save the nation were put forward in turn, but all ended in failure,” [4]4 “Yan’an style” and “Xi’an style” refer to the contrasting political cultures and work styles of the Chinese Communist Party’s base in Yan’an and the Guomindang’s base in Xi’an during the War of Resistance Against Japan. and China urgently needed a new organization to consolidate revolutionary forces. After the outbreak of the nationwide War of Resistance, “the old political institutions and old methods were unsuitable for the new tasks of resistance.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2016), People’s Publishing House, 2016, p. 11. At this time, the Chinese Communist Party had already formed a theoretical understanding of the nature of the nationwide War of Resistance, clearly pointed out that the line of partial resistance “contains great danger,” [6]6 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. adhered to the line of total resistance, and displayed the image of a leader capable of shouldering the heavy trust of history, the nation, and the people. Guided by the great founding spirit of the Party [7]7 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. and inspired by the Yan’an Spirit, the Chinese Communist Party continuously developed, summed up experience, and matured in the revolutionary practice of base area construction and the anti-Japanese struggle, demonstrating outstanding political judgment and ideological leadership, and forging a brilliant Party image.

党的领导形象的生成，是历史必然性与主体选择性的高度统一。革命及其引发的社会形态更替，要求实现合规律性与合目的性的统一。近代中国谁能完成争取民族独立、人民解放的历史任务，谁就能成为历史潮流的引领者，赢得广大人民群众的真心拥戴，这是中国革命发展的具体实际和客观规律。在中国共产党诞生前，“各种救国方案轮番出台，但都以失败告终”,中国迫切需要新的组织凝聚革命力量。全民族抗战爆发后，“旧的政治机构与老办法不适合于新的抗战任务”。而此时的中国共产党业已形成对全民族抗战性质的理论认识，明确提出片面抗战路线“包含着极大的危险性”,坚持全面抗战路线，展现出担当历史、民族和人民重托的领导者形象。在伟大建党精神的引领和延安精神的感召下，中国共产党在根据地建设和抗日斗争的革命实践中不断发展、总结经验、走向成熟，展现出卓越的政治判断力和思想引领力，锻造了光辉的政党形象。

The Party’s leadership image was constructed through the arming of scientific theory and the tempering of revolutionary practice. The Chinese Communist Party, adhering to the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method, made scientific judgments on the Chinese revolutionary situation, the course of the War of Resistance, etc., and elevated them to the theoretical level of the Party’s line, principles, and policies. The line of total resistance proposed in the “Ten-Point Program for Resisting Japan and Saving the Nation” [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work” (August 19, 2013), People’s Publishing House, 2013, p. 4. and the policy of protracted war expounded in “On Protracted War” [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2021), People’s Publishing House, 2021, p. 8. profoundly revealed the laws of war and the prospects for victory, demonstrating superb strategic foresight. Furthermore, in “On the New Stage,” [10]10 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Organizational Work” (July 3, 2018), People’s Publishing House, 2018, p. 12. linking China’s victory over the imperialist aggressors with “simultaneously helping the people of foreign countries” [11]11 This phrase was used to describe the Eighth Route Army soldiers who fought the Japanese while also engaging in production in the Yan’an base area. further highlighted the Chinese Communist Party’s internationalist vision. Based on the judgment that “without the political leadership of the proletariat and its party, the Anti-Japanese National United Front cannot be established,” [12]12 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the 27th Collective Study Session of the Politburo of the 19th CPC Central Committee” (May 31, 2021), *People’s Daily*, June 1, 2021. Mao Zedong proposed four principles for the political leadership of the proletarian party over various revolutionary classes. Namely: taking political slogans and corresponding mobilization slogans as the concrete goals for the unified action of the entire nation; Communists striving to be models in achieving the above concrete goals; developing and consolidating the alliance while adhering to the political goals; and the development of the Communist Party’s ranks, the unity of thought, and strictness of discipline, [13]13 This is a reference to a specific policy document of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Government during the Yan’an Period. providing fundamental guidance for seizing the historical initiative. Guided by the above theories, the Eighth Route Army, the New Fourth Army, and various anti-Japanese guerrilla forces led by the Chinese Communist Party opened up battlefields behind enemy lines, continuously expanded base areas, and during the stalemate phase orderly promoted their transition to the main battlefield, proving with “iron facts” [14]14 This is a quotation from Deng Xiaoping’s speech “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” (1978). that the Chinese Communist Party was the pillar of the War of Resistance, laying a practical foundation for the construction of the Party’s leadership image.

党的领导形象，由科学理论武装和革命实践锤炼而建构。中国共产党秉持马克思主义的立场观点方法，对中国革命形势、抗日战争进程等作出科学预判，并将其提升到党的路线、方针和政策的理论高度。《抗日救国十大纲领》提出的全面抗战路线、《论持久战》阐释的持久抗战方针，深刻揭示了战争的规律与胜利的前景，展现出高超的战略远见。而《论新阶段》中，将中国抗击帝国主义侵略者取得胜利“同时也就是帮助了外国的人民”联系起来，更彰显了中国共产党的国际主义胸怀。基于“离开了无产阶级及其政党的政治领导，抗日民族统一战线就不能建立”的判断，毛泽东提出无产阶级政党对各革命阶级的政治领导的四条原则。即：以政治口号及相应的动员口号作为全国人民一致行动的具体目标、共产党人要争当实现上述具体目标的模范、在坚持政治目标的前提下发展和巩固同盟以及共产党队伍的发展、思想的统一性和纪律的严格性,为掌握历史主动提供了根本遵循。在上述理论的指引下，中国共产党领导的八路军、新四军和各抗日游击队开辟敌后战场、不断拓展根据地，并在相持阶段有序推动其向主战场的过渡，以“铁的事实”证明了中国共产党是抗日战争的中流砥柱，为党领导形象的建构奠定了实践基础。

The Party’s leadership image became deeply rooted in the people’s hearts through the nourishment of the Yan’an Spirit. The Yan’an Spirit inspired Chinese Communists to consciously shoulder the historical responsibility as leaders of the Chinese revolution, liberators of the people, and protectors of the people, playing a positive role in promoting the construction, consolidation, and dissemination of the Party’s leadership image. Among its connotations, “firm and correct political direction” [15]15 Mao Zedong, “Reform Our Study” (May 1941). is the primary spiritual norm, which not only requires Party members to be absolutely loyal to the Party but also intends to warn Party members to maintain political sobriety and firmness, pay attention to grasping revolutionary leadership and maintaining independence, and ensure that the forward direction of the Chinese revolution is always “to build a new-democratic China.” [16]16 Mao Zedong, “Speech at the Chinese Communist Party’s National Conference on Propaganda Work” (March 12, 1957). Similarly, the connotations of seeking truth from facts, wholeheartedly serving the people, and arduous struggle within the Yan’an Spirit also provided guidance for constructing, maintaining, and disseminating the Party’s leadership image from the dimensions of thought method, value pursuit, and practical path. As Mao Zedong pointed out, the acquisition of leadership is the result of the masses’ independent judgment based on the Party’s will and effectiveness in serving the people: “The people must judge for themselves which party is good, on the basis of the actual benefits they receive and their own political experience.” [17]17 Mao Zedong, “On the New Stage” (October 1938). Mao Zedong even took the lead in responding to the call of the Great Production Movement, [18]18 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2021). personally reclaiming a piece of land in the ravine opposite the cave dwelling in Yangjialing, [19]19 Held in Shanghai in July 1922, it formulated the Party’s first constitution and proposed the anti-imperialist and anti-feudal revolutionary program. and spending his spare time walking through the fields engaging in productive labor. The leader’s exemplary role moved and inspired the military and civilians in the border region, making the Party’s leadership image in the hearts of the people increasingly inspiring.

党的领导形象，因延安精神的滋养而深入人心。延安精神激励中国共产党人自觉肩负起作为中国革命领导者、人民解放者和保护者的历史重任，对党领导形象的建构、巩固和传播产生积极推动作用。其中，“坚定正确的政治方向”是首要的精神规约，不仅要求党员对党绝对忠诚，也意在警示党员保持政治清醒和坚定，注意掌握革命领导权和保持独立性，确保中国革命的前进方向始终是“建立一个新民主主义的中国”。同样，延安精神中的实事求是、一心为民、艰苦奋斗等内涵，从思想方法、价值追求和实践路径等维度，也为建构、维护和传播党的领导形象提供了指引。正如毛泽东所指出的，领导权的取得是群众根据党服务人民的意愿和成效作自主判断的结果，“要在实际利益上、在群众的政治经验上，使群众懂得哪一个党好”。毛泽东更带头践行大生产运动的号召，在杨家岭窑洞对面的山沟处亲自开垦了一块土地，工作之余穿梭在田间地头，从事生产劳动。领袖的率先垂范感动和鼓舞了边区军民，党在人民群众心目中的领导形象愈发具有感召力。

(II) The Revolutionary Image of Dialectically Unifying the Great Self-Revolution with the Great Social Revolution

(二)将伟大自我革命辩证统一于伟大社会革命的革命形象

Leading the social revolution through self-revolution is an inherent requirement and distinctive character of the Chinese Communist Party as an advanced Marxist political party. “Only if the people supervise the government will the government not dare to slack off.” [20]20 The immediate goals of the Chinese revolution as defined by the Second National Congress, including the overthrow of imperialism and feudalism. During the Yan’an period, while leading the trend of social revolution, the Party initiated the “great project” [21]21 Held in Yan’an from September to November 1938, it stressed the importance of adapting Marxism to China’s specific conditions. of Party building, constructing a revolutionary image adept at leading social revolution and daring to conduct comprehensive and profound self-revolution.

以自我革命引领社会革命，是中国共产党作为先进马克思主义政党的内在要求和鲜明品格。“只有让人民来监督政府，政府才不敢松懈”,延安时期党在引领社会革命潮流的同时，开创了党的建设“伟大的工程”,建构起善于领导社会革命、敢于全面且深入地进行自我革命的革命形象。

The CPC’s continuous construction of an image of unremittingly advancing the great social revolution contains a logic that moves from following the trend of the times, to guiding it, and then to gathering momentum to become strong. Before the outbreak of the full-scale War of Resistance Against Japan, Mao Zedong had already realized that “to guide a great revolution, there must be a great Party.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Work Concerning United Front (Excerpts)” (May 18, 2015), in Xi Jinping, *Excerpts from Important Discourses on the United Front*, Central Party Literature Press, 2017, p. 11. At this time, the construction of the Party’s self-revolutionary consciousness and image was precisely a case of “following the trend of the times” in response to the revolutionary situation. Entering the stage of strategic stalemate, the Party’s image construction advanced to a new level of “guiding the trend of the times.” To reverse the contradictory situation in the border regions of being “politically advanced, yet economically very backward,” the Party organization launched the Great Production Movement, [2]2 Mao Zedong, “The Tasks of the Chinese Communist Party in the Period of Resistance Against Japan” (May 1937), in *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 1, People’s Publishing House, 1991, p. 263. which laid the material foundation for “supporting the long-term cause of national and people’s liberation.” However, while the living conditions of the people in the border regions “achieved considerable improvement,” some problems within the Party were also exposed. At that time, in some areas and among certain individual Party cadres, there existed erroneous tendencies such as work being divorced from the masses, an insufficiently solid work style, and indulgence in mountain-stronghold mentality [3]3 “The Chinese Communist Party Has Mobilized Tens of Thousands of People Behind Enemy Lines,” *Xinhua Daily*, October 4, 1938. and dogmatism, which seriously affected the Party’s revolutionary image. Consequently, the Party’s self-revolution and image construction immediately turned towards “gathering momentum to become strong.” The Rectification Movement [4]4 “Yan’an style” and “Xi’an style” refer to the contrasting political cultures and work styles of the Chinese Communist Party’s base in Yan’an and the Guomindang’s base in Xi’an during the War of Resistance Against Japan. sounded the alarm against empty talk divorced from reality and separation from the masses, “overcame dogmatism and weakened empiricism,” and the vast majority of Party members underwent a Marxist ideological education movement. The Great Production Movement, coordinated with the Rectification Movement, connected the key links of the Party’s self-revolution during this period. Through this tempering, the Party not only consolidated the base areas but also forged its own strong leadership and organizational capacity, and the construction of the Party’s revolutionary image was further perfected and strengthened.

中国共产党持续为推进伟大社会革命而不懈奋斗的形象建构，内蕴从顺势而为到因势利导、再到聚势而强的逻辑。全民族抗战爆发前，毛泽东就已意识到“指导伟大的革命，要有伟大的党”,此时党自我革命意识和形象的建构，正是回应革命大势的“顺势而为”。进入战略相持阶段，党的形象建构迈向“因势利导”的新层次，为扭转边区“在政治上是先进的，在经济上却又是非常落后”的矛盾局面，党组织开展了大生产运动，这为“支持长期的民族与人民解放的事业”奠定物质基础。然而，边区人民的生活状况“达到了相当的改善”,也使党内一些问题暴露出来。当时部分地区、个别党员干部存在工作脱离群众、作风不够扎实、沉湎于山头主义和教条主义等错误倾向，严重影响着党的革命形象。由此，党的自我革命与形象建构，随即转向“聚势而强”。整风运动敲响了反对虚论浮谈、脱离群众的警钟，“克服了教条主义并削弱了经验主义”,广大党员经历了一次马克思主义思想教育运动。大生产运动与整风运动相配合，连接起该时期党自我革命的关键环节。经此锤炼，党不仅巩固了根据地，更锻造了自身坚强的领导力与组织力，党的革命形象建构得到了进一步完善和加强。

While constructing its image as a striver for the Chinese revolution, the CPC’s image of continuously advancing self-revolution also became increasingly distinct. During the Yan’an period, the Party gained a clear understanding of the importance of self-revolution, especially self-criticism, and its connection with the revolutionary cause, believing that criticism and self-criticism “are one of the driving forces for advancing the revolutionary cause forward.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2016), People’s Publishing House, 2016, p. 11. The prerequisite for a successful self-revolution is a clear ideological criterion and value yardstick. With the convening of the Party’s Seventh National Congress, [6]6 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. the Yan’an Spirit [7]7 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. reached maturity. Its connotations, such as the ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, and the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, provided a measuring standard for this profound self-revolution. Mao Zedong pointed out that “whether or not there is serious self-criticism” is one of the most significant distinguishing features of the CPC from other political parties, [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work” (August 19, 2013), People’s Publishing House, 2013, p. 4. demonstrating the Party’s firm determination and strong ability to persistently and deeply carry out self-revolution.

中国共产党在建构中国革命奋斗者形象的同时，不断推进自我革命的形象也愈发鲜明。延安时期，党对自我革命特别是自我批评之重要性，及其与革命事业的关联性有了清醒认识，认为批评与自我批评“是推进革命事业向前发展的动力之一”。成功的自我革命，前提是必须有明确的思想准绳与价值尺度。随着党的七大召开，延安精神臻于成熟。其解放思想实事求是的思想路线、全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨等内涵，就为这场深刻的自我革命提供了衡量标尺。毛泽东指出“有无认真的自我批评”是中国共产党区别于其他政党的显著的标志之一,展现出党具备持之以恒深入开展自我革命的坚定决心与强大能力。

The CPC dialectically unifies the great self-revolution with the great social revolution, and its revolutionary image is thus continuously strengthened. The Yan’an Spirit, with “revolution” as its backbone, is the projection of the Party’s history of struggle during the Yan’an period onto the ideological level. On the one hand, the Yan’an Spirit originated from and summarized the Party’s revolutionary image and practice. From the process of self-revolution, where Communists represented by advanced models “cultivated themselves and perfected others” [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2021), People’s Publishing House, 2021, p. 8. through their own qualities, to the process of leading the social revolution with self-revolution, where they adhered to ideals, lived up to the people, and were committed to rejuvenation, “benefiting all under heaven,” [10]10 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Organizational Work” (July 3, 2018), People’s Publishing House, 2018, p. 12. the generation of the Yan’an Spirit contains the Party’s inward presentation and self-realization of its revolutionary image. On the other hand, once formed, the Yan’an Spirit in turn played a powerful role in shaping and strengthening the Party’s revolutionary image. Although the Party’s image of leading the social revolution with self-revolution during this period was an objective existence, the Yan’an Spirit, as a product of refining, sublimating, and summarizing the Party’s revolutionary image, has the effect of “raising the main rope and all the meshes open,” [11]11 This phrase was used to describe the Eighth Route Army soldiers who fought the Japanese while also engaging in production in the Yan’an base area. demonstrating a positive shaping function for the Party’s revolutionary image.

中国共产党将伟大自我革命辩证统一于伟大社会革命，其革命形象因此不断强化。延安精神以“革命”为主干，是党在延安时期奋斗历史在意识形态层面的投射。一方面，延安精神源于并概括了党的革命形象与实践。从自我革命过程中以先进楷模为代表的共产党人以自身品质“修己达人”,到以自我革命引领社会革命进程中坚守理想、不负人民、矢志复兴的“兼济天下”,延安精神的生成包含着党对其革命形象的向内呈现和自我实现。另一方面，一经形成的延安精神，又反过来对党的革命形象起到了强大的塑造与强化作用。该时期党以自我革命引领社会革命的形象虽为客观存在，但延安精神作为对党的革命形象进行提炼升华和概括表达的产物，具有“举一纲而万目张”的作用，对党的革命形象展现出积极的塑造功能。

(3) The Advanced Image of Forever Maintaining Firm Ideals and Convictions and Always Keeping in Mind the Original Aspiration and Founding Mission

(三)永葆坚定理想信念、时刻牢记初心使命的先进形象

Communist faith is the lifeblood and soul of Party members. Seeking happiness for the people and rejuvenation for the nation is the original aspiration and founding mission of the CPC. During the Yan’an period, Chinese Communists advanced wave upon wave, holding high the torch of ideals and convictions, turning their flesh and blood into the mast, supporting the sail of the Party’s advanced image.

共产主义信仰是共产党员的命脉和灵魂，为人民谋幸福、为民族谋复兴是中国共产党的初心使命。延安时期，中国共产党人前仆后继，高擎理想信念之炬、以血肉之躯化作桅杆，支撑起党的先进形象之帆。

The advanced image of the CPC during the Yan’an period, embracing the lofty ideal of communism and possessing the firm conviction of the victory of the communist cause, was a vivid externalization of the Yan’an Spirit, which was guided by a firm and correct political direction. In this image, the Yan’an Spirit served as the “bone and blood,” and revolutionary practice as the “body,” together constituting the core of its advanced nature. At the level of construction, Mao Zedong’s typical portrayal of communist fighters like Norman Bethune [12]12 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the 27th Collective Study Session of the Politburo of the 19th CPC Central Committee” (May 31, 2021), *People’s Daily*, June 1, 2021. and Zhang Side, [13]13 This is a reference to a specific policy document of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Government during the Yan’an Period. and the Party’s mourning of revolutionary martyrs and commendation of combat heroes, were not merely the “observer’s view” of the onlooker, nor were they a “narrow view” confined to the level of individual spiritual traits. Rather, they were an “insight” into the Party as a unified whole shaping the Yan’an Spirit during this period. “Every Chinese Communist Party member must learn this spirit,” [14]14 This is a quotation from Deng Xiaoping’s speech “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” (1978). constructing and maintaining the image of Communists as noble, pure, and moral individuals. At the level of dissemination, these spiritual traits, condensed from advanced deeds, became widely known through discourse propaganda, text compilation and preservation, and newspaper dissemination. They were transformed into a yardstick for Party members to measure their own words and deeds and a driving force for forging ahead, thereby cultivating the historical consciousness and historical initiative to maintain the Party’s advanced image.

延安时期中国共产党胸怀共产主义远大理想、拥有共产主义事业必胜信念的先进形象，是以坚定正确的政治方向为统领的延安精神的生动外化。在这一形象中，延安精神为“骨血”、革命实践为“肌体”,二者共同构成了其先进性的内核。在建构层面，毛泽东对白求恩、张思德等共产主义战士的典型化塑造，党对革命英烈的悼念、对战斗英雄的表彰，并非止于观者的“我见”,也不是停留于个人精神特质层面的“窄见”,而是对该时期党作为一个统一整体塑造延安精神的“洞见”,“每一个中国共产党员都要学习这种精神”,建构和维护共产党员高尚、纯粹、有道德的形象。在传播层面，这些由先进事迹凝结成的精神特质，在话语宣讲、文本辑存、报刊传播中广为人知，转化为党员群体衡量自身言行的标尺和砥砺奋进的动力，从而培育起维护党的先进形象的历史自觉和历史主动。

The advanced image of the CPC during the Yan’an period, fulfilling its aspirations for the people’s happiness and national rejuvenation, was a visible manifestation of the Yan’an Spirit’s “fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly.” During the Yan’an period, the Party, by forging close “fish-and-water relations” and “flesh-and-blood ties” with the people, drew wisdom and strength from the masses, transforming its advanced nature into a perceptible and trustworthy realistic image. During this period, Mao Zedong proposed that Party members should learn the “standpoint and method of observing and solving problems” from Marxist classical writers, [15]15 Mao Zedong, “Reform Our Study” (May 1941). should integrate the nation’s history, grasp the current revolutionary situation, and absorb the wisdom of the broad masses, becoming advanced Communists with “considerable research ability,” [16]16 Mao Zedong, “Speech at the Chinese Communist Party’s National Conference on Propaganda Work” (March 12, 1957). in order to “build a nationwide, mass-based, and ideologically, politically, and organizationally consolidated Bolshevik-type Communist Party of China.” [17]17 Mao Zedong, “On the New Stage” (October 1938). This charted a clear path from improving individual quality to consolidating the organization as a whole, outlining a clear goal for the Party to adhere to its service purpose and shape its advanced image.

延安时期中国共产党践履人民幸福、民族复兴志向的先进形象，是延安精神“全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨”的显性呈现。延安时期，党通过密切与人民群众的“鱼水关系”“血肉联系”,从人民群众中汲取智慧和力量，使其先进性转变为可感知、可信赖的现实形象。这一时期，毛泽东提出要学习马克思主义经典作家“观察问题和解决问题的立场和方法”,应结合本民族的历史、把握当前革命形势和吸收广大群众智慧，成为“有相当研究能力”的先进共产党员,以“建设一个全国范围的、广大群众性的、思想上政治上组织上完全巩固的布尔什维克化的中国共产党”,指明了从提升个体素质到凝聚组织整体的实现路径，为党坚持服务宗旨、塑造先进形象擘画了清晰目标。

The advanced image of the CPC during the Yan’an period, forever maintaining ideals and convictions and keeping in mind the original aspiration and founding mission, was a high degree of unity between lofty ideals and realistic goals. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the Party adheres to “Marxist faith, the lofty ideal of communism, and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” [18]18 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2021). Although the Party’s Second National Congress [19]19 Held in Shanghai in July 1922, it formulated the Party’s first constitution and proposed the anti-imperialist and anti-feudal revolutionary program. had a phased understanding of the goals and tasks of the Chinese revolution and proposed a “minimum program,” [20]20 The immediate goals of the Chinese revolution as defined by the Second National Congress, including the overthrow of imperialism and feudalism. it had not yet formed a scientific understanding of how to adhere to the unity of ideal and reality in order to maximize the development and exertion of the Party’s advanced nature. The Enlarged Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee [21]21 Held in Yan’an from September to November 1938, it stressed the importance of adapting Marxism to China’s specific conditions. first proposed the proposition of “adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.” Mao Zedong interpreted this as “the Sinicization of Marxism, making it in every manifestation carry Chinese characteristics, that is, to apply it according to Chinese characteristics.” [22]22 Mao Zedong, “On the New Stage” (October 1938). The proposal of this proposition marked the CPC’s exploration of a path combining lofty ideals, firm beliefs, realistic goals, and revolutionary programs, heralding that Marxism had been fully grasped by the most revolutionary and advanced proletariat, fully exerting “the high degree of proletarian flexibility under the guidance of high-degree proletarian principles,” [23]23 Liu Shaoqi, “On the Cultivation of a Communist Party Member” (July 1939). and presenting the image of an advanced political party full of leadership, appeal, and cohesion.

延安时期中国共产党永葆理想信念、牢记初心使命先进形象，是远大理想和现实目标的高度统一。习近平总书记指出，党坚持“马克思主义信仰、共产主义远大理想、中国特色社会主义共同理想”。党的二大虽对中国革命的目标任务有了阶段性认识、提出“最低纲领”,但对如何坚持理想与现实相统一，以最大限度发挥和发展党的先进性的问题，还没有形成科学认识。党的扩大的六届六中全会首次提出“马克思主义中国化”命题，毛泽东将其阐释为“马克思主义的中国化，使之在其每一表现中带着中国的特性，即是说，按照中国的特点去应用它”。该命题的提出，标志着中国共产党探索出一条崇高理想、坚定信仰与现实目标、革命纲领相结合的道路，昭示着马克思主义已由最具革命性和先进性的无产阶级完全掌握，充分发挥了“在高度的无产阶级原则性指导下的高度的无产阶级的灵活性”,展现出富有领导力、号召力和凝聚力的先进政党形象。

3. Learning from the Past to Understand the Future: The Experience and Enlightenment of the CPC’s Spiritual Forging and Image Construction during the Yan’an Period

三、鉴往知来：延安时期中国共产党精神锻造与形象建构的经验启示

The Yan’an Spirit and the Party’s image it shaped are precious treasures in the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists. In the New Era, the Party’s spiritual inheritance and image construction must continue the fine traditions of the Yan’an period, adhere to the political guidance of the leadership core, leverage the exemplary inspiration of heroes and models, emphasize the dialectical unity of internal cultivation and external presentation, promote the systematic construction of multi-dimensional linkage, and inject momentum for the Party to lead new undertakings and forge ahead on the new journey.

延安精神及其所塑造的党的形象，是中国共产党人精神谱系中的宝贵财富。新时代党的精神传承和形象建设，必须赓续延安时期的优良传统，坚持领导核心的政治引领，发挥英雄模范的榜样感召，注重内外兼修的辩证统一，推动多维联动的系统建构，为党领航新事业、奋进新征程注入动能。

(1) Taking the Party’s Leaders, Heroes, Models, and Advanced Exemplars as the Guide to Forge the Spirit and Construct the Image

(一)以党的领袖、英雄模范和先进典型为引领，锻造精神、建构形象

“A great era calls for a great spirit, and a lofty cause needs the guidance of role models.” The Chinese Communist Party is the leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Party’s spiritual forging and image construction in the New Era are driven by a chain of leadership that extends from the leader core, through heroes and models and advanced exemplars, to ordinary Party members. On the new journey of the New Era, Party members must always remain advanced elements playing a vanguard and leading role, threading through the logic of the century-old Party’s image construction that leaps from “individual advanced” to “collective advanced.”

“伟大时代呼唤伟大精神，崇高事业需要榜样引领”。中国共产党是中国特色社会主义事业的领导核心，党在新时代的精神锻造与形象建构，是由从领袖核心、到英雄模范和先进典型、再到普通党员的引领链条来驱动的。新时代新征程上，共产党员应当始终成为发挥先锋引领作用的先进分子，贯通由“个体先进”向“群体先进”跃升的百年大党形象建设逻辑。

The shaping of the Party leader’s image is the great banner of the Chinese Communist Party’s spiritual forging and image construction. “For a country and a political party, the leadership core is of paramount importance.” General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that Mao Zedong “is a great man of the era who led the Chinese people to thoroughly change their own destiny and the face of the country.” The Zunyi Conference [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Work Concerning United Front (Excerpts)” (May 18, 2015), in Xi Jinping, *Excerpts from Important Discourses on the United Front*, Central Party Literature Press, 2017, p. 11. “in fact established Comrade Mao Zedong’s leading position in the Party Central Committee and the Red Army.” The glorious image of Mao Zedong as a people’s leader gradually took root in people’s hearts, laying the core leadership foundation for forging the Party’s image of firm faith, love for the people, and united struggle. The logic of using the leader’s lofty image and exemplary conduct to guide the construction of the Party’s image has been inherited and developed today. Entering the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to the Party’s image construction. Based on the theme and main line of the great practice of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, it has made top-level design and overall arrangements for the Party to strengthen its own construction and establish a good image. In concrete practice, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has always adhered to the principle that “to forge iron, one must be strong oneself,” [2]2 Mao Zedong, “The Tasks of the Chinese Communist Party in the Period of Resistance Against Japan” (May 1937), in *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 1, People’s Publishing House, 1991, p. 263. taking the lead, rectifying oneself to transform others, and setting an example, inspiring the vast number of Party officials and members to establish a good image, thereby shaping and maintaining the overall vigorous image of the century-old Party. Therefore, the entire Party must deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthen the Four Consciousnesses, firm up the Four Confidences, and achieve the Two Upholds, only then can it continuously open up new realms in the Party’s spiritual forging and image construction.

党的领袖形象的塑造，是中国共产党精神锻造和形象建构的伟大旗帜。“一个国家、一个政党，领导核心至关重要”。习近平总书记指出，毛泽东“是领导中国人民彻底改变自己命运和国家面貌的一代伟人”。遵义会议“事实上确立了毛泽东同志在党中央和红军的领导地位”,毛泽东人民领袖的光辉形象逐步深入人心，为建塑党信仰坚定、热爱人民、团结奋斗的形象筑牢核心引领。以领袖的崇高形象和率先垂范来引领政党形象的建构逻辑，在今天得到了继承与发展。进入新时代，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视党的形象建设，以全面从严治党的伟大实践和主题主线为基础，对党强化自身建设、树立良好形象作出了顶层设计和整体布局。在具体实践中，以习近平同志为核心的党中央始终坚持“打铁必须自身硬”,率先垂范、正己化人、以身作则，激励广大党员干部树立良好形象，进而塑造和维护好百年大党风华正茂的整体形象。因此，全党必须深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”,才能不断开辟党的精神锻造和形象建构新境界。

The commendation and promotion of heroes and models, and the selection and display of advanced exemplars, set examples for the Chinese Communist Party’s spiritual forging and image construction. During the Yan’an Period, the Chinese Communist Party already had a tradition of commending heroes, models, and advanced exemplars, establishing value coordinates and behavioral norms for spiritual forging and image construction. At the level of practical movements, the Party launched widely influential learning movements such as the Zhao Zhankui Movement [3]3 “The Chinese Communist Party Has Mobilized Tens of Thousands of People Behind Enemy Lines,” *Xinhua Daily*, October 4, 1938. and the Huang Lide Movement. [4]4 “Yan’an style” and “Xi’an style” refer to the contrasting political cultures and work styles of the Chinese Communist Party’s base in Yan’an and the Guomindang’s base in Xi’an during the War of Resistance Against Japan. At the level of institutional construction, the Party held commendations of advanced individuals and collectives at the Senior Cadres Conference of the Northwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and successfully convened two congresses of labor heroes and model production workers. Mao Zedong’s typicalized shaping of figures like Norman Bethune, Zhang Side, and the Foolish Old Man [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2016), People’s Publishing House, 2016, p. 11. was an attempt to “personify” the Party’s image, establishing vanguards of the era with powerful appeal and influence. The concentrated display of the Party’s image of having faith, responsibility, and feeling coalesced into a powerful spiritual force inspiring the entire Party and the people to win revolutionary victory. On the path of further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese-path modernization, the image of the century-old Party remains ever new. In the New Era, Chinese Communist Party members, together with the entire people, have jointly forged spiritual symbols with New Era characteristics, such as the spirit of poverty alleviation, the spirit of fighting the epidemic, the “three oxen” spirit, [6]6 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. the spirit of scientists, the spirit of entrepreneurs, the spirit of lunar exploration, the spirit of the New Era BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and the spirit of the Silk Road. This requires the entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to take heroes and models as their role models, continue to remain true to the original aspiration, unite and struggle, forge ahead with determination, and “gather the mighty force to jointly achieve the grand goal of national rejuvenation.” [7]7 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83.

对英雄模范的表彰宣传和先进典型的选树展示，为中国共产党精神锻造和形象建构树立榜样。延安时期，中国共产党已有表彰英雄模范和先进典型的传统，以建立精神锻造、形象建构的价值坐标与行为规范。在实践运动层面，党发起了赵占魁运动、黄立德运动等影响广泛的学习运动；在制度建设层面，则以中共中央西北局高级干部会议对先进个人和集体的表彰，以两届劳动英雄和模范生产工作者代表大会的召开为成功实践。毛泽东对白求恩、张思德、愚公等进行的典型化塑造，是将党的形象“人格化”的尝试，树立了具有强大感召力和影响力的时代先锋。上述对党有信仰、有担当、有情怀形象的集中展示，汇聚成激励全党与人民夺取革命胜利的强大精神力量。在进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的道路上，百年大党形象历久弥新。新时代，中国共产党人与全国人民一道，共同铸就了脱贫攻坚精神、抗疫精神、“三牛”精神、科学家精神、企业家精神、探月精神、新时代北斗精神、丝路精神等具有新时代特征的精神标识。这要求全党全国各族人民更要以英雄模范为榜样，继续不忘初心、团结奋斗、砥砺前行，“汇聚起共襄强国盛举的磅礴力量”。

Adhering to the unity of shaping the leadership core, heroes, models, and advanced exemplars with the overall construction of the Party’s image enriches and expands the spiritual genealogy of Chinese Communists. As early as the Yan’an Period, Mao Zedong proposed that the Party’s leadership and its image construction do not rely on shouting slogans loudly, nor on “arrogantly forcing others to obey us,” but ultimately depend on “the Party’s correct policies and its own exemplary work.” [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work” (August 19, 2013), People’s Publishing House, 2013, p. 4. When Deng Xiaoping advocated carrying forward the Yan’an Spirit, which includes the connotations of self-reliance and arduous struggle, he also emphasized: “To start undertakings through hard work, first of all, our Party members, cadres, and especially senior cadres must take the lead.” [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2021), People’s Publishing House, 2021, p. 8. These important expositions profoundly reveal the key exemplary role of role models in leading spiritual inheritance and maintaining the overall image. This construction logic runs through the Party’s history. During the revolutionary period, the ideological wisdom of the leadership core and the glorious deeds of advanced exemplars together constituted a vivid display of the Communists’ revolutionary image. Entering the New Era, precisely by establishing and consolidating a strong leadership core, and by the emergence of a large number of Party member representatives who selflessly contributed to continuing the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, the Party has been able to present a domestic image committed to national rejuvenation and a confident, open international image. Persistently promoting the consistency of the individual image of Party members with the collective image of the Party, and the alignment of the Party’s image with its spirit, is an important experience running through the Party’s historical journey of over a hundred years. Adhering to and applying this historical experience well under the conditions of the New Era is an inherent requirement for continuously enriching and developing the spiritual genealogy of Chinese Communists.

坚持领导核心、英雄模范和先进典型塑造与党的形象整体建构相统一，丰富拓展中国共产党人精神谱系。毛泽东在延安时期就已提出，党的领导及其形象建构不是靠高喊口号，也不是“盛气凌人地要人家服从我们”,归根结底在于“党的正确政策和自己的模范工作”。邓小平在倡导发扬包含自力更生、艰苦奋斗意涵的延安精神时也强调：“艰苦创业，首先要我们党员、干部、特别是高级干部带头”。这些重要论述，都深刻揭示了榜样在引领精神传承、维护整体形象上的关键示范作用。这种建构逻辑贯穿于党的历史。在革命时期，领导核心的思想智慧与先进典型的光荣事迹，共同构成共产党人革命形象的鲜明展示。进入新时代，正是通过确立和巩固坚强的领导核心，并涌现出一大批为续写经济快速发展、社会长期稳定两大奇迹而无私奉献的党员代表，党方能呈现出致力于民族复兴的国内形象、自信开放的国际形象。坚持不懈推动党员个体形象与政党集体形象相一致、党的形象与党的精神相契合，是贯穿党百余年历史征程的重要经验。将这一历史经验在新时代条件下坚持好、运用好，是不断丰富和发展中国共产党人精神谱系的题中之义。

(II) Taking leadership capability as the foundation and the people’s evaluation as the standard, consolidating and perfecting the image of the century-old Party

(二)以领导能力为根本、以人民评价为标准，巩固和完善百年大党形象

The revolutionary practice of the Yan’an Period profoundly reveals that the construction of a political party’s image is a systematic process of “internal cultivation and external refinement,” which must take enhancing one’s own capability as the core and winning the people’s evaluation as the yardstick. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes the need to “align with the Party Central Committee in all aspects of thought, politics, and action, achieving unity of appearance and reality, and unity of knowledge and action.” [10]10 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Organizational Work” (July 3, 2018), People’s Publishing House, 2018, p. 12. Cultivating internally and refining externally, achieving a correct form and upright appearance, using strict governance and discipline of the Party to consolidate the foundation of governance, improving governance performance, strengthening governance effectiveness, and winning the profound trust and sincere support of the people, is the necessary path to consolidate and perfect the image of the century-old Party.

延安时期的革命实践深刻揭示，政党形象建构是“内外兼修”的系统过程，必须以提升自身能力为内核，以赢得人民评价为标尺。习近平总书记强调，要“在思想上政治上行动上全方位向党中央看齐，做到表里如一、知行合一”。内外兼修、形端表正，以从严管党治党筑牢执政之基，提升执政表现、强化执政实效，赢得人民群众深刻信任和衷心支持，是巩固完善百年大党形象的必由之路。

The consolidation and perfection of the century-old Party’s image takes the enhancement of the Party’s leadership level and long-term governance capability as its fundamental prerequisite. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “For the Chinese Communist Party to always remain the vanguard of the times and the backbone of the nation, the Party membership must be outstanding,” and “it must keep pace with the times to improve its level of scientific governance, democratic governance, and law-based governance.” [11]11 This phrase was used to describe the Eighth Route Army soldiers who fought the Japanese while also engaging in production in the Yan’an base area. During the Yan’an Period, Mao Zedong had already pondered the issue of the Party’s governance capability and its construction, pointing out that the Chinese Communist Party is “a party that has become conscious and demonstrated strong capability on China’s political stage,” [12]12 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the 27th Collective Study Session of the Politburo of the 19th CPC Central Committee” (May 31, 2021), *People’s Daily*, June 1, 2021. and repeatedly, in conjunction with changes in the revolutionary situation, elucidated new requirements for improving the work capability of leading cadres. In the construction practice of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, the Border Region Government specifically emphasized that Party members and cadres selected for work in new areas must be “politically steadfast, capable, trusted by the masses, and able to unite with and respect cadres from other parties or non-Party backgrounds.” [13]13 This is a reference to a specific policy document of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Government during the Yan’an Period. This indicates that the Party had already profoundly recognized during the Yan’an Period that the actual capability of Party members and cadres is the foundation of their spirit and image, and had already put the thought of taking capability construction as the root into practice. After reform and opening up, when Deng Xiaoping discussed strengthening Party style construction and enhancing leadership capability, he repeatedly mentioned the Yan’an Spirit as a “successful example” and fine tradition, pointing out that the democratic work style “is, in general, a matter of Party style, the Yan’an style and Yan’an Spirit cultivated by Chairman Mao,” [14]14 This is a quotation from Deng Xiaoping’s speech “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” (1978). clarifying the spiritual nurturing role of the Yan’an Spirit for the Party’s style construction and the advancement of governance capability construction in the new period. The Party’s historical achievements over more than a hundred years fully prove that the Chinese Communist Party is a party with strong governance capability. Further comprehensively deepening reform has entered a critical period of “climbing slopes and crossing hurdles” and tackling tough issues, and the international environment is also becoming increasingly complex. Only by constantly harboring a sense of urgency about “insufficient capability” and maintaining a high degree of consciousness for “improving competence” can the Party enhance its courage, confidence, and capability to respond to risks and challenges.

百年大党形象的巩固完善，以党的领导水平和长期执政能力的提升为根本前提。习近平总书记指出：“中国共产党要始终成为时代先锋、民族脊梁，党员队伍必须过硬”“必须与时俱进提高科学执政、民主执政、依法执政水平”。延安时期，毛泽东就已对党执政能力及其建设的问题进行了思考，指出中国共产党是“一个觉悟了的，在中国政治舞台上表现了强大能力的”政党，并多次结合革命形势变化，阐发领导干部工作能力提升的新要求。在陕甘宁边区建设实践中，边区政府特别强调选派至新区工作的党员干部必须是“政治上坚定，能力强，有群众信仰，能团结与尊重其他党派或非党派的干部”。这表明党在延安时期已深刻认识到，党员干部的实际能力是其精神与形象的根基，并已将以能力建设为本的思想付诸实践。改革开放以后，邓小平在谈到加强党风建设、提升领导能力的问题时，多次提及延安精神这个“成功范例”和优良传统，指出民主作风“总的说来是党风问题，是毛主席培养起来的延安作风、延安精神”,明确了延安精神对新时期党的作风建设、推进执政能力建设的精神涵育作用。党的百余年历史成就充分证明，中国共产党是一个具备强大执政能力的党。进一步全面深化改革已行至“爬坡过坎”、攻坚深入的关键时期，国际环境也日趋复杂，只有常怀“能力不足”的忧患意识、保持“本领提升”的高度自觉，党才能提升应对风险挑战的勇气、底气和能力。

The consolidation and improvement of the image of a century-old party takes conforming to the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people as its highest criterion. Historical materialism holds that the masses of the people are the creators of social history and the active subject. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “The support or opposition of the people and the balance of forces are the key to the success or failure of the Party and the people’s cause; this is the biggest political issue.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Work Concerning United Front (Excerpts)” (May 18, 2015), in Xi Jinping, *Excerpts from Important Discourses on the United Front*, Central Party Literature Press, 2017, p. 11. If the Party is the “shaper” of its own image, then the masses of the people are the “evaluators” and “supervisors,” capable of providing direct evaluation and immediate feedback on the effectiveness of the Party’s governance. During the Yan’an period, the Party was for the people, believed in the people, and relied on the people; it reflected the voices of the masses and met their needs, carrying out “complex and arduous work in many areas to overcome the difficulties of the internal and external environment and fulfill the historical tasks of the people of the border region,” [2]2 Mao Zedong, “The Tasks of the Chinese Communist Party in the Period of Resistance Against Japan” (May 1937), in *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 1, People’s Publishing House, 1991, p. 263. thereby establishing a historical image of “serving the people.” This stood in stark contrast to the Guomindang’s dictatorial rule, which lacked popular support. This positive image generated a tremendous mobilizing effect. As reports at the time noted, the Chinese Communist Party “had already mobilized tens of thousands of people behind enemy lines,” [3]3 “The Chinese Communist Party Has Mobilized Tens of Thousands of People Behind Enemy Lines,” *Xinhua Daily*, October 4, 1938. ultimately forming a virtuous cycle where image and strength reinforced each other, and the “Yan’an style” defeated the “Xi’an style.” [4]4 “Yan’an style” and “Xi’an style” refer to the contrasting political cultures and work styles of the Chinese Communist Party’s base in Yan’an and the Guomindang’s base in Xi’an during the War of Resistance Against Japan. This historical experience shows that being “people-centered” is the fundamental prerequisite for the Party to consolidate its ruling position, and it is also the enduring way to continuously improve its own image and gain inexhaustible strength. In any period, adhering to the principal position of the people is the value orientation of the Party’s image building.

百年大党形象的巩固完善，以符合最广大人民群众的根本利益为最高衡量标准。历史唯物主义认为，人民群众是社会历史创造者和能动主体。习近平总书记指出：“人心向背、力量对比是决定党和人民事业成败的关键，是最大的政治。”如果说党是自身形象的“塑造者”,那么人民群众便是“评价者”与“监督者”,能够对党的执政成效进行直观评价和即时反馈。延安时期，党为了人民、相信人民、依靠人民，反映群众心声、满足群众需要，在诸多领域“进行复杂而严重的工作，以克服内外环境的困难，完成边区人民的历史任务”,树立起“为人民服务”的历史形象，与国民党不得民心的独裁统治形成鲜明对比。这一良好形象产生了巨大动员效应，如当时报道所言，中国共产党“已经在敌后动员起成千整万的民众”,最终形成了形象与力量相互促进的良性循环，用“延安作风”打败了“西安作风”。这一历史经验表明，“以人民为中心”是党巩固执政地位的根本前提，更是不断完善自身形象、获得不竭力量的恒久之道。任何时期，坚持人民主体地位都是党的形象建设的价值旨归。

The consolidation and improvement of the image of a century-old party requires a positive interaction between the Party, as the constructing subject, and the masses of the people, as the evaluating subject. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out that the mass line is “an important heirloom for our Party to maintain eternal youth, vitality, and combat effectiveness.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2016), People’s Publishing House, 2016, p. 11. This important thesis profoundly reveals that the flesh-and-blood bond between the Party and the masses of the people must never be severed at any time. In the construction of the Party’s image, this flesh-and-blood bond is specifically manifested as a two-way interaction between the Party and the masses of the people. On the one hand, through the construction of a discourse system and a narrative system, efforts are intensified to publicize the Party’s governing philosophy of always representing the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people, maintaining the confidence and consciousness of the century-old party in actively constructing its image and establishing its achievements and virtues. On the other hand, constructing the Party’s image should also give play to the principal role and pioneering spirit of the masses of the people as creators of society’s spiritual wealth. During the Yan’an period, it was precisely because the Party adhered to the cultural construction direction of being for the masses of the people, coming from the masses, and going to the masses that it created the cultural high ground of Yan’an. After reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping also pointed out that earlier, especially during the Yan’an period, “the people had ideals, had something to look forward to, and focused on more distant goals,” [6]6 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. shaping a cultural-ethical progress where “everyone lived very happily, and no difficulty could crush us” [7]7 Deng Xiaoping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Commission” (October 22, 1984), in *Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping*, Vol. 3, People’s Publishing House, 1993, p. 83. even under difficult conditions. This is the “Yan’an Spirit.” This powerful spiritual force, bursting forth from the masses of the people in revolutionary practice, is itself the most vivid and precious constituent material of the Party’s image. Entering the New Era, the Party must not only “win the trust of the people” by improving its own leadership level and governance capacity, but also “draw materials from the people” in order to firmly establish the image of a Marxist ruling party among the masses.

百年大党形象的巩固完善，需要作为建构主体的党和作为评价主体的人民群众的良性互动。习近平总书记指出，群众路线是“我们党永葆青春活力和战斗力的重要传家宝”。这一重要论断深刻揭示，任何时候党同人民群众之间的血肉联系不能断。在党的形象建构中，这一血肉联系具体表现为党与人民群众间的双向互动。一方面，通过话语体系和叙事体系的建构，加大对党始终代表最广大人民群众根本利益执政理念的宣传力度，保持百年大党形象主动建构和立业立德的自信自觉。另一方面，建构党的形象，同样应当发挥人民群众作为社会精神财富创造者的主体作用与首创精神。延安时期，党正因坚持为了人民群众、从群众中来、到群众中去的文化建设方向，才打造了延安这片文化高地。改革开放后，邓小平也指出，先前特别是延安时期“人民有理想，有奔头，着眼于更远的目标”,塑造了在困难条件下依然“大家过得非常愉快，什么困难也压不倒我们”的精神文明，这就是“延安精神”。这种由人民群众在革命实践中迸发出的强大精神力量，本身就是党的形象最生动、最宝贵的构成素材。进入新时代，党更要以提升自身领导水平和执政能力“取信于民”,更要“取材于民”,才能在群众中筑牢马克思主义执政党形象。

(III) Promote the publicity and dissemination of the century-old party’s image, premised on building a good image and carrying forward a good spirit.

(三)以建设好形象、赓续好精神为前提，推动百年大党形象宣介和传播

The construction of a political party’s image includes not only internal propaganda but also necessarily external dissemination. In response to the “deficit” in the flow of information in and out of the field of international communication, General Secretary Xi Jinping points out that “we must make great efforts to strengthen the construction of international communication capacity, accelerate the enhancement of the international influence of Chinese discourse, so that the whole world can hear and clearly understand China’s voice.” [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work” (August 19, 2013), People’s Publishing House, 2013, p. 4. While promoting the construction of the Party’s image, it is also necessary to disseminate the image of the century-old party through multiple channels, in a wide range of fields, and on a broad scale, achieving a dual enhancement of the Party’s image-building power and international influence.

政党形象的建构不仅包含对内宣传，也必然包含对外传播。针对国际传播领域信息进出流存在“逆差”的情况，习近平总书记指出“要下大气力加强国际传播能力建设，加快提升中国话语的国际影响力，让全世界都能听到并听清中国声音”。在推进党的形象建设的同时，也要多渠道、宽领域、广范围传播百年大党形象，实现党的形象建构力和国际影响力的双重提升。

Taking the interpretation and continuation of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists as the axis is the hub connecting the two major links of “shaping” and “disseminating” the Party’s image. The image of the century-old party is a multi-dimensional structure, with the main line of the “spiritual lineage” connecting multiple dimensions such as ideals and beliefs, purpose, and work style. Because of its concise and concentrated summary characteristics, the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists not only becomes the spiritual symbol of the Party’s image construction but also helps the audience quickly locate and accurately understand its core essence during dissemination. The Yan’an Spirit proclaims that the Party achieved a “spiritual breakthrough” in thought and politics amidst arduous and bitter struggles. The spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists is the concentrated embodiment of “the Party’s firm beliefs, fundamental purposes, and fine work style.” [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Chinese Communist Party” (July 1, 2021), People’s Publishing House, 2021, p. 8. It can be seen that it is necessary to strengthen the research and interpretation of the spirit of Chinese Communists and its lineage, deeply explore the content, and innovate paradigms, so that the living water of the spirit can nourish the construction and dissemination of the century-old party’s image, enhancing the audience’s grasp of the essence of the major party’s image. At the same time, this can also ensure that the direction is not deviated and the stance is not shifted, keeping it always centered on the main line of mainstream ideology.

以中国共产党人精神谱系的阐释和赓续为轴心，是贯通党的形象“塑造”与“传播”两大环节的枢纽。百年大党形象是由“精神谱系”这条主线，串联起理想信念、宗旨作风等多个维度的立体结构。中国共产党人精神谱系因其简洁凝练、集中概括的特点，不仅成为党形象建构的精神标识，更在传播中有助于受众能够快速定位并准确理解其核心要义。延安精神昭示着党在艰苦卓绝的斗争环境中，实现了思想上和政治上的“精神突围”,而中国共产党人精神谱系，则是“党的坚定信念、根本宗旨、优良作风”的集中体现。由此可见，必须加强对中国共产党人精神及其谱系的研究阐释，深挖内容、创新范式，才能以精神活水滋养百年大党形象建设和传播，增进传播对象对大党形象的要旨把握。同时，这也能够保障方向不偏、立场不移，使其始终围绕主流意识形态这条准绳展开。

Advanced technology in the digital intelligence era empowers the construction of the Party’s image, comprehensively utilizing multiple media to expand the horizon and boundary of the century-old party’s image dissemination. Compared with the Yan’an period, which mainly relied on newspapers, radio stations, literary and artistic programs, and other means of dissemination, today’s digital intelligence technology has brought unprecedented transmission speed and interconnection scope, which brings new opportunities and challenges for the construction of the Party’s image. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: “Be adept at using internet technology and information-based means to carry out Party building work, and strive to achieve full online and offline coverage of Party organizations and Party work.” [10]10 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Organizational Work” (July 3, 2018), People’s Publishing House, 2018, p. 12. This stipulates the dual tasks of image dissemination in the digital intelligence era. The first is to proactively engage in agenda setting and content production, being adept at using digital technology and new media means to create a Chinese discourse and Chinese narrative system that is both unique and easy to understand, telling the contemporary stories of the Party seeking happiness for the people, rejuvenation for the nation, and common good for the world, and presenting the image of a responsible major party with a global vision. The second is to prudently handle the governance of the public opinion environment and risk prevention, maintaining a high degree of political sensitivity, firmly guarding the main position of online ideology, and achieving the goal of eliminating the turbid and promoting the pure, and upholding righteousness.

数智时代先进技术赋能党的形象建设，综合运用多重媒介拓展百年大党形象传播的视野边界。对比延安时期主要依靠报刊、电台、文艺节目等传播方式，如今数智技术已带来前所未有的传播速度与互联范围，这为党的形象建设带来了新的机遇与挑战。习近平总书记强调：“善于运用互联网技术和信息化手段开展党建工作，努力实现党的组织和党的工作线下线上全覆盖。”这规定了数智时代形象传播的双重任务，其一是主动做好议程设置与内容生产，要善于运用数字技术和新媒体手段，打造既独树一帜又通俗易懂的中国话语中国叙事体系，讲好党为人民谋幸福、为民族谋复兴、为世界谋大同的当代故事，并展现胸怀天下的负责任大党形象；其二是审慎处理舆论环境治理与风险防范，要保持高度政治敏锐性，牢牢守住网络意识形态主阵地，做到激浊扬清、弘扬正气。

Adhere to equal emphasis on inward growth and outward extension, and promote the international dissemination of the century-old party’s image “going global” based on “cultivating internal strength.” The strategic awareness of equal emphasis on internal and external aspects sprouted as early as the Yan’an period. In October 1940, the Chinese Communist Party decided to establish the International Propaganda Committee as an important propaganda institution to showcase its anti-fascist determination and the image of the people’s army as “holding a gun in one hand and a pickaxe in the other” [11]11 This phrase was used to describe the Eighth Route Army soldiers who fought the Japanese while also engaging in production in the Yan’an base area. to overseas audiences. The practice of the Yan’an period accumulated valuable experience for the Party to carry out external image dissemination work. As the world’s largest Marxist ruling party, it is a proper duty for the Chinese Communist Party to do a good job in the construction and dissemination of its image, and its system construction and path development will also produce a demonstration effect. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes the need to explain and publicize the Party and its image well, “helping foreign people understand that the Chinese Communist Party truly strives for the happiness of the Chinese people.” [12]12 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the 27th Collective Study Session of the Politburo of the 19th CPC Central Committee” (May 31, 2021), *People’s Daily*, June 1, 2021. The historical experience of the Yan’an period and the practical requirements of the present together show that only by establishing a comprehensive, multi-level modern international communication system that matches its status as a major country and major party, and winning more discourse power in the international public opinion arena, can a true, multi-dimensional, and panoramic image of the Chinese Communist Party be truly presented to the world.

坚持向内生长和向外延伸并重，以“修内功”为基础推动百年大党形象“走出去”的国际传播。内外并重的战略意识在延安时期就已萌芽，中国共产党在1940年10月决定成立国际宣传委员会，以此作为向海外展现其反法西斯决心与“一手拿枪，一手拿镐”的人民子弟兵形象的重要宣传机构。延安时期的实践，为党开展对外形象传播工作积累了宝贵经验。中国共产党作为世界上最大的马克思主义执政党，做好党的形象建设和传播工作是应有之义，其体系构建和路径开拓也会产生示范效应。习近平总书记强调，要阐释好、宣传好党及其形象，“帮助国外民众认识到中国共产党真正为中国人民谋幸福而奋斗”。延安时期的历史经验与当下的现实要求共同表明，只有建立起一个全方位、多层次、与自身大国大党地位相匹配的现代国际传播体系，在国际舆论场中赢得更多话语权，才能将一个真实、立体、全面的中国共产党形象真正呈现给世界。

About the authors: He Husheng, Professor at the School of Marxism Studies and the School of Discipline Inspection and Supervision, Renmin University of China; Researcher at the Contemporary Political Party Research Platform, Renmin University of China; Researcher at the Beijing Research Base for Political Party Theory, China United Front Theory Research Association. Cao Weiqing, Doctoral candidate at the School of Marxism Studies, Renmin University of China.

作者简介：何虎生，中国人民大学马克思主义学院、纪检监察学院教授，中国人民大学当代政党研究平台研究员，中国统一战线理论研究会政党理论北京研究基地研究员；曹玮青，中国人民大学马克思主义学院博士研究生。