Achieving Intellectual Independence: Historical Process, Theoretical Implications, and Practical Pathways

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development: “At the new historical starting point, to continue promoting cultural prosperity, building a strong cultural nation, and constructing the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, we must strengthen cultural confidence, adhere to our own path, base ourselves on the great historical and contemporary practices of the Chinese nation, use Chinese principles to summarize Chinese experience well, elevate Chinese experience into Chinese theory, and achieve intellectual independence.” [1]1 A line from the poem “Bamboo and Stone” by the Qing dynasty poet Zheng Xie (1693–1765), often cited to express steadfastness in the face of adversity. This puts forward the brand-new proposition of “intellectual independence,” highlighting our Party’s firm confidence and determination to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country in adhering to our own path. Achieving intellectual independence is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, a requirement for promoting the coordinated development of material civilization and cultural-ethical progress, and an inevitable requirement for providing spiritual strength for Chinese-path modernization. Maintaining intellectual independence can effectively enhance the combat effectiveness of the Communist Party of China, promote the formation of a good spiritual outlook in the development of our country’s undertakings, and demonstrate to the world the spiritual style with Chinese characteristics. Exploring the historical advancement, theoretical implications, and practical pathways of intellectual independence, and continuously opening up new prospects for intellectual independence, is of great significance for persistently writing the great chapter of socialism with Chinese characteristics and fully demonstrating the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

习近平总书记在文化传承发展座谈会上强调：“在新的历史起点上继续推动文化繁荣、建设文化强国、建设中华民族现代文明，要坚定文化自信，坚持走自己的路，立足中华民族伟大历史实践和当代实践，用中国道理总结好中国经验，把中国经验提升为中国理论，实现精神上的独立自主。”[1]这提出了“精神独立自主”的崭新命题，彰显了我们党团结带领全国各族人民坚持走自己的路的坚定信心和决心。实现精神上的独立自主是习近平文化思想的重要内容，是推动物质文明与精神文明相协调的发展要求，是为中国式现代化提供精神力量的必然要求。保持精神上的独立自主能有效增强中国共产党的战斗力，推动我国事业发展形成良好精神面貌，向世界彰显中国特色的精神风采。探索精神上的独立自主的历史推进、理论意蕴和实践进路，不断开创精神上的独立自主的新局面，对坚持写好中国特色社会主义这篇大文章，充分显示中国特色社会主义的优越性意义重大。

The Historical Process of Achieving Intellectual Independence

实现精神上的独立自主的历史进程

“In 1921, the Communist Party of China came into being as the times required. From then on, the Chinese people’s struggle for national independence, people’s liberation, national prosperity, and people’s happiness had its backbone, and the Chinese people shifted from a state of spiritual passivity to one of spiritual initiative.” [2]2 “Two overall situations” refers to the overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the overall situation of changes unseen in a century. The founding of the Communist Party of China was a major turning point for the Chinese people from spiritual passivity to spiritual initiative. From then on, our Party opened up the historical process of exploring the achievement of intellectual independence. The specific manifestations of promoting the achievement of intellectual independence differed in different historical periods, helping to form the path of the New Democratic Revolution, the path of socialist transformation and socialist construction, and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that conformed to China’s specific realities, fully demonstrating the exploratory spirit of independence of the Chinese Communists. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Following our own path is the foothold of all the Party’s theories and practices, and it is also the historical conclusion drawn from the Party’s century-long struggle.” [3]3 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2021). Maintaining intellectual independence is not only a summary of our Party’s more than one hundred years of historical experience, but also a fine tradition of the Chinese nation, and an important principle for our Party and our country to stand firm. Relying on independence, our Party has achieved great victories in revolution, construction, and reform, and has led the people of all ethnic groups across the country to achieve the great leap from standing up, growing rich, to becoming strong. Engels pointed out: “The workers’ party should not become the tail of a certain bourgeois party, but should become an independent party, with its own purpose and its own policy.” [4]4 Friedrich Engels, “On the Political Action of the Working Class” (1871). Maintaining the independence of a Marxist political party is a basic principle of Marxism. Our Party insists on acting according to its own strength and handling affairs according to its own situation, always taking independence as the foothold for decision-making and handling affairs, and continuously actively exploring the development path to achieve intellectual independence.

“一九二一年中国共产党应运而生。从此，中国人民谋求民族独立、人民解放和国家富强、人民幸福的斗争就有了主心骨，中国人民就从精神上由被动转为主动。”[2]中国共产党的成立是中国人民由精神被动转变为精神主动的重大转折点，从此我们党开辟了探索实现精神上的独立自主的历史进程，不同历史时期推进实现精神上的独立自主有不同的具体表现内容，助力形成了符合中国具体实际的新民主主义革命道路、社会主义改造和社会主义建设道路、中国特色社会主义道路，充分彰显出中国共产党人独立自主的探索精神。习近平总书记指出：“走自己的路，是党的全部理论和实践立足点，更是党百年奋斗得出的历史结论。”[3]保持精神上的独立自主既是我们党百余年历史经验的总结，也是中华民族的优良传统，更是我们立党立国的重要原则。我们党依靠独立自主取得了革命、建设、改革的伟大胜利，带领全国各族人民实现了从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃。恩格斯指出：“工人的政党不应该成为某一个资产阶级政党的尾巴，而应当成为一个独立的政党，它有自己的目的和自己的政策。”[4]保持马克思主义政党的独立性是马克思主义的基本原则，我们党坚持依靠自身力量办事，按照自身情况办事，始终把独立自主作为决策办事的立足点，不断积极探索实现精神上的独立自主的发展道路。

The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their main representative, began the Party’s journey of independently solving the practical problems of the Chinese revolution, achieved national independence and people’s liberation, changed the people’s spiritual outlook, and enabled the Chinese people to stand up. Our Party maintained intellectual independence, led the people to explore the path of the New Democratic Revolution, and found the correct revolutionary path of “encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing state power by armed force.” The Zunyi Conference in 1935 was an important meeting where our Party, under the background of interrupted contact with the Communist International, for the first time independently applied the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism to solve the problems of the Chinese revolution, becoming an important milestone in our Party’s promotion of achieving intellectual independence. Our Party independently explored the path of socialist transformation suitable for our country’s national conditions, achieved the transition to socialism through methods such as “the simultaneous implementation of socialist industrialization and the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicraft industry, and capitalist industry and commerce” and “peaceful redemption,” did not copy the experience of other countries, explored an industrialization path suitable for its own national conditions, relied on its own strength to establish an independent and relatively complete industrial system and national economic system, and truly achieved that “China’s problems can only be solved by the Chinese people.” [5]5 Mao Zedong, “Some Questions Concerning the Methods of Leadership” (1943). Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: “We should consider from all aspects how to act according to China’s situation, and no longer be superstitious as in the past. In fact, we were not completely superstitious in the past either; we had our own innovations. Now we must work even harder to find the specific path for China to build socialism.” [6]6 Mao Zedong, “Talk on the Question of the Socialist Construction of China” (1956). Independence, as one of the “living souls” of Mao Zedong Thought, is an important stance, viewpoint, and method that runs through Mao Zedong Thought, guiding our Party to independently solve many major problems of the New Democratic Revolution and socialist construction, and accumulating rich experience for taking the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人开启了党独立自主解决中国革命实际问题的征程，实现了民族独立与人民解放，改变了人民的精神面貌，使得中国人民站起来了。我们党保持精神上的独立自主，带领人民探索新民主主义革命道路，找到了“农村包围城市，武装夺取政权”的正确革命道路。1935年遵义会议是我们党在与共产国际中断联系的背景下，第一次独立自主地运用马克思列宁主义基本原理解决中国革命问题的重要会议，成为我们党推进实现精神上的独立自主的重要标志。我们党独立自主探索适合我国国情的社会主义改造道路，通过“一化三改”“和平赎买”等方法实现了向社会主义过渡，不照搬别国经验，探索出一条适合自己国情的工业化道路，依靠自身力量建立起独立的比较完整的工业体系和国民经济体系，真正做到了“中国的问题只能由中国人解决”[5]。毛泽东同志指出：“我们应该从各方面考虑如何按照中国的情况办事，不要再像过去那样迷信了。其实，我们过去也不是完全迷信，有自己的独创。现在更要努力找到中国建设社会主义的具体道路。”[6]独立自主作为毛泽东思想“活的灵魂”之一，是贯穿于毛泽东思想的重要立场、观点、方法，指引我们党独立解决了新民主主义革命与社会主义建设的许多重大问题，为走中国特色社会主义道路积累了丰富经验。

The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their main representative, clearly proposed following our own path and successfully pioneered socialism with Chinese characteristics. This was a remarkable achievement of our Party’s achievement of intellectual independence during the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization. The opening up of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a powerful proof of our Party’s promotion of intellectual independence. Comrade Deng Xiaoping emphasized in his opening speech at the Twelfth National Congress of the Communist Party of China that China’s affairs must be handled according to its own situation and must rely on its own strength, and that “copying or mechanically applying the experience and models of other countries has never led to success.” [7]7 Deng Xiaoping, “Opening Speech at the Twelfth National Congress of the Communist Party of China” (September 1, 1982). The Thirteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China incorporated adherence to self-reliance into the Party’s basic line, highlighting the importance of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s actual conditions for socialist construction. “Independence and self-reliance, whether in the past, present, or future, are our foothold,” [8]8 Deng Xiaoping, “Uphold the Four Cardinal Principles” (1979). Comrade Deng Xiaoping set the independent development tone for the great chapter of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Comrade Deng Xiaoping said: “Especially for a developing country in the Third World like ours, without national self-respect and without cherishing the nation’s independence, the country cannot stand firm.” [9]9 Deng Xiaoping, “On the Reform of the Leadership System of the Party and the State” (1980). It is necessary to support the great cause of the Party and the state through comprehensive independence and safeguard the dignity of the Chinese nation. Comrade Deng Xiaoping emphasized, “The socialist country we want to build must not only have a high degree of material civilization but also a high degree of cultural-ethical progress,” [10]10 Deng Xiaoping, “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” (1978). recognizing the strategic position of socialist cultural-ethical progress and issuing work instructions for building socialist cultural-ethical progress. He profoundly pointed out, “If a party, a country, or a nation starts from dogma, becomes rigid in thinking, and is filled with superstition, then it cannot move forward, its vitality will cease, and it will lead to the ruin of the party and the country,” [11]11 Deng Xiaoping, “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” (1978). highly valuing emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts to adhere to and develop Marxism, ensuring that the Party and the state continuously promote intellectual independence and maintain eternal vitality and vigor.

以邓小平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人明确提出走自己的路，成功开创了中国特色社会主义，这是改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期我们党实现精神上的独立自主的显著成果，中国特色社会主义道路的开辟是我们党推进精神上的独立自主的有力证明。邓小平同志在党的十二大开幕词中强调，我国的事情要按照自身情况来办，要依靠自身力量来办，“照抄照搬别国经验、别国模式，从来不能得到成功”[7]。党的十三大把坚持自力更生写入党的基本路线，突出了把马克思主义基本原理同中国实际结合起来进行社会主义建设的重要性。“独立自主，自力更生，无论过去、现在和将来，都是我们的立足点”，[8]邓小平同志定下了中国特色社会主义这篇大文章独立自主的发展基调。邓小平同志说：“特别是像我们这样第三世界的发展中国家，没有民族自尊心，不珍惜自己民族的独立，国家是立不起来的。”[9]要通过全方位的独立自主支撑起党和国家的伟大事业，守护好中华民族的尊严。邓小平同志强调，“我们要建设的社会主义国家，不但要有高度的物质文明，而且要有高度的精神文明”[10]，认识到社会主义精神文明的战略地位，并作出建设社会主义精神文明的工作指示。他深刻指出，“一个党，一个国家，一个民族，如果一切从本本出发，思想僵化，迷信盛行，那它就不能前进，它的生机就停止了，就要亡党亡国”[11]，高度重视解放思想、实事求是坚持和发展马克思主义，保证党和国家不断推进精神上的独立自主，永葆生机与活力。

The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Jiang Zemin as their main representative, clearly recognized the development trend of the country, stating that “China is a large developing socialist country with a huge population, and at no time can it rely on others for construction; it must always adhere to independence and self-reliance,” [12]12 Jiang Zemin, “Speech at the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2001). continuing to adhere to independence as the foothold for developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, and defending socialism with Chinese characteristics when world socialism faced severe tests. The report of the Fifteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China further emphasized the importance and urgency of cultural construction, [13]13 The 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing in September 1997. proposing to vigorously prosper socialist culture and build socialist cultural-ethical progress to ensure the rejuvenation of the nation and the development of the national modernization cause. Comrade Jiang Zemin pointed out in his speech celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, “What cultural direction to adhere to and what kind of culture to promote and build is a banner for a political party in terms of ideology and spirit,” [14]14 Jiang Zemin, “Speech at the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2001). insisting that developing socialist culture is the guidance of the Party’s spiritual banner, emphasizing grasping the correct cultural direction and vigorously developing advanced socialist culture.

以江泽民同志为主要代表的中国共产党人认清国家发展大势，“我国是一个人口众多的发展中的社会主义大国，任何时候都不能依靠别人搞建设，必须始终坚持独立自主、自力更生”[12]，继续坚持以独立自主为发展中国特色社会主义的立足点，在世界社会主义出现严峻考验时捍卫了中国特色社会主义。党的十五大报告进一步强调了文化建设的重要性和紧迫性[13]，提出大力繁荣社会主义文化，建设社会主义精神文明，来保证民族振兴和国家现代化事业发展。江泽民同志在庆祝中国共产党成立八十周年的讲话中指出，“坚持什么样的文化方向，推动建设什么样的文化，是一个政党在思想上精神上的一面旗帜”[14]，坚持发展社会主义文化是党的精神旗帜引领，强调把握正确文化方向，大力发展社会主义先进文化。

The Chinese Communists with Comrade Hu Jintao as their main representative were committed to blazing a new path for socialist cultural-ethical progress with Chinese characteristics, unswervingly following the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics, comprehensively deploying work on socialist cultural-ethical progress, and promoting a great development and flourishing of culture. The report of the 18th National Congress of the CPC proposed solidly advancing the building of a socialist cultural power, well constructing the people's spiritual home, enhancing China's overall cultural strength, and combining adherence to independence with the promotion of cultural opening up to the outside world, thereby further advancing the developmental process of achieving intellectual independence.

以胡锦涛同志为主要代表的中国共产党人致力于走出一条有中国特色社会主义精神文明建设新路子，坚定不移走中国特色社会主义文化发展道路，全面部署社会主义精神文明建设工作，推动文化大发展大繁荣。党的十八大报告提出扎实推进社会主义文化强国建设，建设好人民的精神家园，增强我国文化整体实力，把坚持独立自主与推动文化对外开放相结合，进一步推动了实现精神上的独立自主的发展进程。

Entering the New Era, our Party has adhered to intellectual independence, putting forward many new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies, profoundly answering a series of major epochal questions, and forming confidence in the path, confidence in the theory, confidence in the system, and confidence in the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The new path of Chinese-path modernization was independently explored by the Chinese Communists leading the people. The proposal of Chinese-path modernization has created a new form of human civilization and is a major contribution of our Party to achieving intellectual independence in the New Era. The "Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century" adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC summarized "maintaining independence" as one of the ten historical experiences: "Independence is the soul of the Chinese national spirit and an important principle for our Party to establish the Party and the country" [15], highly emphasizing the important status of maintaining independence. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC condensed the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the "Six Musts," one of which is "maintaining confidence and self-reliance," and made important deployments for "promoting cultural confidence and self-strengthening to create new brilliance in socialist culture," profoundly embodying the thought of advancing intellectual independence. "The successful path of the Party's century-long struggle was independently explored and opened up by the Party leading the people; the Chinese chapter of Marxism was realized by the Chinese Communists relying on their own strength" [16]. We must adhere to the fundamental point of intellectual independence, continue to write a new chapter in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, respond to the new problems facing our country's development, and firmly choose the correct development path. Only in this way can we truly provide a more proactive spiritual force for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and firmly grasp the destiny of our own national development.

进入新时代，我们党坚持精神上的独立自主，提出许多新理念、新思想、新战略，深刻回答一系列重大时代课题，形成中国特色社会主义道路自信、理论自信、制度自信与文化自信。中国式现代化的新道路就是中国共产党带领人民独立自主探索出来的，中国式现代化的提出创造了人类文明新形态，是新时代我们党实现精神上的独立自主的重大贡献。党的十九届六中全会通过的《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》把“坚持独立自主”概括为十条历史经验之一，“独立自主是中华民族精神之魂，是我们立党立国的重要原则”[15]，高度强调了坚持独立自主的重要地位。党的二十大报告以“六个坚持”凝练出习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观与方法论，其中一条就是“坚持自信自立”，并对“推进文化自信自强，铸就社会主义文化新辉煌”作出重要部署，深刻蕴含着推进精神上的独立自主的思想。“党的百年奋斗成功道路是党领导人民独立自主探索开辟出来的，马克思主义的中国篇章是中国共产党人依靠自身力量实践出来的”[16]，我们要坚持精神上的独立自主的基本点，继续谱写马克思主义中国化新篇章，回应我国发展面临的新问题，坚定正确的发展道路选择，唯有这样才能真正为实现中华民族伟大复兴提供更为主动的精神力量，牢牢把握自身民族发展命运。

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "In human history, no nation or country has achieved strength and revitalization by relying on external forces or blindly following others. The result of doing so is either inevitable failure or inevitable subordination to others." [17] Our country has experienced a transition from spiritual passivity to intellectual independence, and then to spiritual confidence and self-strengthening, better showcasing Chinese concepts, Chinese spirit, and the Chinese path to the world, telling China's story to the world, forming a new form of human civilization, proposing common values for all humanity, advocating and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, continuously enhancing international influence, appeal, and shaping power, and providing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions for world development, vividly demonstrating the historical context and future trends of our Party's achievement of intellectual independence.

习近平总书记强调：“人类历史上，没有一个民族、没有一个国家可以通过依赖外部力量、跟在他人后面亦步亦趋实现强大和振兴。那样做的结果，不是必然遭遇失败，就是必然成为他人的附庸。”[17]我国经历了从精神被动到精神上的独立自主，再到精神自信自强，更好地向世界展示中国理念、中国精神、中国道路，向世界讲述中国故事，形成人类文明新形态，提出全人类共同价值观，倡导并推进构建人类命运共同体，不断增强国际影响力、感召力、塑造力，为世界发展提供中国智慧与中国方案，生动彰显了我们党实现精神上的独立自主的历史脉络与未来趋势。

The Theoretical Implications of Achieving Intellectual Independence

实现精神上的独立自主的理论意蕴

In his speech at the symposium commemorating the 120th anniversary of Comrade Mao Zedong's birth, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out the connotations of maintaining independence, including three aspects: first, insisting that China's affairs must be decided and handled by the Chinese people themselves; second, unswervingly following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, neither taking the old closed and rigid path nor the heretical path of changing the flag; third, adhering to an independent foreign policy of peace and unswervingly following the path of peaceful development. [18] General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "If we lack our own intellectual independence, then the independence of politics, thought, culture, system, and other aspects will be completely undermined." [19] Achieving intellectual independence involves aspects such as thought, emotion, belief, and will. It is a fundamental project for consolidating the soul, casting the foundation, and building a solid foundation. It lays the foundation of faith, replenishes the calcium of the spirit, and steadies the rudder of thought for achieving independence at other levels, provides important spiritual strength for realizing the development and progress of the Party and the country's cause, and enhances the confidence and confidence in the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

习近平总书记在纪念毛泽东同志诞辰120周年座谈会上的讲话上指出坚持独立自主的内涵，包括三个方面：一是坚持中国的事情必须由中国人民自己作主张、自己来处理；二是坚定不移走中国特色社会主义道路，既不走封闭僵化的老路，也不走改旗易帜的邪路；三是坚持独立自主的和平外交政策，坚定不移走和平发展道路。[18]习近平总书记指出：“如果没有自己的精神独立性，那政治、思想、文化、制度等方面的独立性就会被釜底抽薪。”[19]实现精神上的独立自主涉及思想、情感、信仰与意志等方面，是凝心铸魂、筑牢根本的基本工程，为实现其他层面的独立自主筑牢信仰之基、补足精神之钙、把稳思想之舵，为实现党和国家事业发展进步提供重要精神力量，增强民族复兴中国梦的信心与底气。

First, firm belief in Marxism is the cornerstone for achieving intellectual independence. Marxism is a doctrine about the liberation of all humanity. It finds an effective path for the leap from the realm of necessity to the realm of freedom, finds a bright road to realizing human freedom and liberation, and points the way forward for establishing an ideal society without oppression and exploitation. "Since the Chinese learned Marxism-Leninism, the Chinese people have shifted from passivity to initiative in spirit" [20]. Our Party is a party armed with Marxism. Under the guidance of Marxism, our Party has led the people of all ethnic groups across the country to achieve the great leaps of standing up, becoming prosperous, and becoming strong. History proves that Marxism is the correct choice of history and the people. It is not only an important theoretical weapon for leading us to achieve national independence and people's liberation but also a magic weapon for continuing to advance our country's prosperity and the people's happiness. The reason why our Party has been able to continuously create new brilliance despite hardships is that it has always adhered to Marxism as an ideological weapon to overcome various difficulties, answer various problems encountered on the path forward, firmly grasp the direction of progress, and enhance confidence in responding to risks and challenges. "Marxism is the root of the towering tree of the continuous development of our Party and people's cause, and the source of the long river of our Party and people's continuous progress. To deviate from or abandon Marxism, our Party will lose its soul and lose its direction." [21] Marxism is our Party's fundamental skill, a required course for maintaining our intellectual independence, and an important cornerstone for our Party to achieve intellectual independence. Only by adhering to Marxism can we truly achieve intellectual independence.

首先，坚定马克思主义信仰是实现精神上的独立自主的基石。马克思主义是关于解放全人类的思想学说，找到了从必然王国到自由王国飞跃的有效途径，找到了实现人类自由和解放的光明大道，为建立没有压迫与剥削的理想社会指明了前进方向。“自从中国人学会了马克思列宁主义以后，中国人在精神上就由被动转入主动”[20]，我们党是靠马克思主义武装起来的政党，在马克思主义的指导下，我们党带领全国各族人民实现了站起来、富起来、强起来的伟大飞跃。历史证明，马克思主义是历史和人民的正确选择，它既是带领我们实现民族独立与人民解放的重要理论武器，也是继续推进我们国家富强与人民幸福的制胜法宝。我们党之所以能够历经磨难不断创造新的辉煌，是因为始终坚持以马克思主义为思想武器战胜各种困难，回答前进道路上遇到的各种问题，坚定把握前进的方向，增强应对风险与挑战的信心。“马克思主义就是我们党和人民事业不断发展的参天大树之根本，就是我们党和人民不断奋进的万里长河之泉源。背离或放弃马克思主义，我们党就会失去灵魂、迷失方向。”[21]马克思主义就是我们党的看家本领，是我们保持精神上的独立自主的必修课，是我们党实现精神上的独立自主的重要基石，唯有坚持马克思主义，才能真正实现精神上的独立自主。

"If our Party has one hundred to two hundred comrades who have systematically, not fragmentarily, and practically, not abstractly, learned Marxism-Leninism, it will greatly enhance our Party's combat effectiveness." [22] Marxism, as the foundation for the Chinese Communists to establish themselves, adhering to the use of Marxism to build the Party ideologically and strengthen the Party theoretically, can enable our Party to maintain unified thought, firm will, and strong combat effectiveness, and enable our Party to maintain an advanced political stance, lofty political ideals, and a vigorous and energetic mental state. "Make new contributions to the development of Marxism with a more proactive historical responsibility and creative spirit, neither marking the boat to find the sword [23], closed and rigid, nor copying mechanically and indiscriminately imitating foreign things without digesting them." [24] Adhering to Marxism is the foundation and prerequisite for our Party to maintain intellectual independence. We must continue to develop 21st-century Marxism and contemporary Marxism, demonstrate the more powerful truth force of Marxist theory, and then transform the spiritual power of understanding the world into the material power of transforming the world, leading our Party from victory to victory.

“如果我们党有一百个至二百个系统地而不是零碎地、实际地而不是空洞地学会了马克思列宁主义的同志，就会大大地提高我们党的战斗力量。”[22]马克思主义作为中国共产党人的安身立命之本，坚持用马克思主义实现思想建党、理论强党，能使我们党保持统一的思想、坚定的意志、强大的战斗力，使我们党保持先进的政治立场、崇高的政治理想和朝气蓬勃的精神状态。“以更加积极的历史担当和创造精神为发展马克思主义作出新的贡献，既不能刻舟求剑、封闭僵化，也不能照抄照搬、食洋不化。”[23]坚持马克思主义是我们党保持精神上的独立自主的基础与前提，要继续发展21世纪马克思主义、当代马克思主义，展现马克思主义理论更加强大的真理力量，进而将认识世界的精神力量转化为改造世界的物质力量，带领我们党不断从胜利走向胜利。

Second, upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics is the key to achieving intellectual independence. “Whether in the past, present, or future, we must place the development of our country and nation on the basis of our own strength, uphold national self-respect and self-confidence, and unswervingly follow our own path.”[24] The key to achieving intellectual independence lies in following our own path, and socialism with Chinese characteristics is the firm path choice for our country. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the product of integrating the fundamental tenets of Marxism with China’s concrete realities, the crystallization of wisdom from the Chinese people’s long-term independent exploration, the fundamental achievement of our Party in both theory and practice, and the greatest source of confidence enabling us to maintain intellectual independence. Upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics is a long-term choice based on the country’s unique cultural traditions, unique historical destiny, and unique basic national conditions. “It is not a simple continuation of the master copy of our historical culture, not a simple application of the template envisioned by classical Marxist writers, not a reprint of the socialist practices of other countries, and not a copy of foreign modernization development.”[25] Just as “only the wearer knows whether the shoes fit,”[26] the people of the country have the most say in whether the development path we have chosen is good. Upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics is a major political issue, bearing on the survival or extinction of the country. Under no circumstances should we waver in our resolve or lack firmness in our views; we must firmly believe that socialism with Chinese characteristics can solve the historic issues facing our country and is the fundamental way to achieve intellectual independence. History and practice have proven that socialism with Chinese characteristics has infused our country with new vitality and dynamism, becoming the strongest support for our Party in maintaining intellectual independence. Socialism with Chinese characteristics epitomizes the features and advantages of our country’s path, theory, and system, and is the inevitable path to achieving intellectual independence.

其次，坚持中国特色社会主义是实现精神上的独立自主的关键。“不论过去、现在和将来，我们都要把国家和民族发展放在自己力量的基点上，坚持民族自尊心和自信心，坚定不移走自己的路。”[24]实现精神上的独立自主，关键在于走自己的路，中国特色社会主义就是我国的坚定道路选择。中国特色社会主义是马克思主义基本原理与中国具体实际相结合的产物，是中国人民长期独立自主探索的智慧结晶，是我们党在理论与实践上取得的根本成就，也是我们得以保持精神上的独立自主的最大底气。坚持中国特色社会主义，是基于本国独特的文化传统、独特的历史命运与独特的基本国情的长期选择，“不是简单延续我国历史文化的母版，不是简单套用马克思主义经典作家设想的模板，不是其他国家社会主义实践的再版，也不是国外现代化发展的翻版”[25]。正如“鞋子合不合脚，只有穿的人才知道”[26]，我们选择的发展道路好不好，本国人民最有发言权。坚持中国特色社会主义是一项重大政治问题，事关国家生死存亡，任何情况下我们都要保持定力、坚定主见，坚信中国特色社会主义能够解决我国面临的历史性课题，是实现精神上的独立自主的根本之道。历史与实践证明，中国特色社会主义使我国焕发出新的生机与活力，成为我们党保持精神上的独立自主的最有力支撑，中国特色社会主义集中体现了我国道路、理论与制度的特色和优势，是实现精神上的独立自主的必由之路。

Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the banner for achieving intellectual independence in our country. We must always hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, using it to govern the overall situation, guide the direction, and set the long-term course. We must fear no risk and be confused by no interference, remaining “firm and unyielding despite a thousand blows, letting the winds blow from all directions.”[1]1 A line from the poem “Bamboo and Stone” by the Qing dynasty poet Zheng Xie (1693–1765), often cited to express steadfastness in the face of adversity. Adhering to proceeding from China’s actual conditions, insisting on putting ourselves first and using things for our benefit, we must make our own decisions regarding the country’s development path, place national development on the basis of our own strength, grasp the destiny of national development in our own hands, resist external interference, and independently explore our own development model. “Use Chinese principles to summarize Chinese experience well, and elevate Chinese experience into Chinese theory.”[27] In deeply grasping the scientific nature and truth of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and in advancing theoretical innovation, practical innovation, institutional innovation, and cultural innovation, we must continuously strengthen intellectual independence, constantly develop and perfect the “four-in-one” system of the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and realize the Four Confidences. Under new historical conditions, we must unswervingly uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, continue to write the great chapter of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of existing achievements, make various institutional and theoretical systems increasingly mature, and fully unleash and highlight the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Only then can we go further and broader on the path of intellectual independence, continuously creating a new situation for intellectual independence.

中国特色社会主义是我国实现精神上的独立自主的旗帜，要始终高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，以中国特色社会主义管全局、管方向、管长远，做到不为任何风险所惧，不为任何干扰所惑，做到“千磨万击还坚劲，任尔东西南北风”。坚持从中国实际出发，坚持以我为主、为我作用，做到本国发展道路自己作主，把国家发展放在自身力量基点上，把国家发展命运掌握在自身手中，不受外部干涉，独立自主地探索本国发展模式。“用中国道理总结好中国经验，把中国经验提升为中国理论”[27]，在深刻把握中国特色社会主义的科学性与真理性中，在推进理论创新、实践创新、制度创新与文化创新中不断增强精神上的独立自主，不断发展完善中国特色社会主义的道路、理论、制度与文化“四位一体”的体系，实现“四个自信”。在新的历史条件下坚定不移坚持与发展中国特色社会主义，在已有成果基础上继续写好中国特色社会主义这篇大文章，使各项制度体系、理论体系越来越成熟，充分发挥与彰显中国特色社会主义的优越性，才能在精神上的独立自主上越走越远、越走越宽广，不断开创精神上的独立自主的新局面。

Finally, inheriting and developing Chinese civilization is the essence of achieving intellectual independence. “Chinese civilization has continued for thousands of years without interruption and has endured repeated hardships without decline. This is a miracle of human civilization and also the source of our confidence.”[28] Over thousands of years of historical evolution, the Chinese nation has created a splendid Chinese civilization, providing a long-standing historical accumulation and profound cultural foundation for achieving intellectual independence. Chinese civilization embodies the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation and represents the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation. It is an important source of confidence for us to achieve intellectual independence. Independence is a traditional Chinese virtue. We should seek the living source of intellectual independence from Chinese civilization and actively construct the Chinese spirit to consolidate the spiritual foundation for the common struggle of all ethnic groups. Chinese civilization contains a spirit of ceaseless self-improvement, a character of enterprising spirit, and a courageous and fearless spirit. These have strengthened the ambition, backbone, and confidence of the Chinese people, making their spiritual outlook more vigorous and uplifted, providing a stable core for achieving national spiritual independence and enriching cultural heritage. Chinese civilization possesses continuity, innovativeness, unity, inclusiveness, and peacefulness. These five prominent characteristics provide an important foundation for achieving intellectual independence. The continuity of Chinese civilization determines that we follow our own path, providing a guarantee for the sustained realization of intellectual independence; innovativeness promotes self-renewal, continuously injecting new spiritual impetus into achieving intellectual independence; unity strengthens national solidarity, gathering strength for achieving intellectual independence; inclusiveness promotes maintaining an open mind and being eclectic, broadening the horizon for achieving intellectual independence; peacefulness determines that our country will not impose its values and political system on others, providing a platform for friendly exchange for achieving intellectual independence.

最后，传承发展中华文明是实现精神上的独立自主的精髓。“中华文明历经数千年而绵延不绝、迭遭忧患而经久不衰，这是人类文明的奇迹，也是我们自信的底气”[28]，中华民族在几千年的历史演进中创造了灿烂的中华文明，使得实现精神上的独立自主有了源远流长的历史积淀和博大精深的文化基础。中华文明积淀着中华民族最深层的精神追求，代表着中华民族独特的精神标识，是我们实现精神上的独立自主的重要底气来源。独立自主是中华传统美德，应从中华文明中寻找精神上的独立自主的源头活水，积极构建中国精神以巩固各族人民共同奋斗的精神基础。中华文明蕴含着自强不息的精神气质、积极进取的精神品格、勇敢无畏的精神气概，增强了中国人民志气、骨气与底气，使中国人民的精神面貌更加奋发昂扬，为实现民族精神独立提供稳固内核，丰富文化底蕴。中华文明具有连续性、创新性、统一性、包容性、和平性，这五大突出特性为实现精神上的独立自主提供了重要基础。中华文明的连续性决定了我们走自己的路，为持续实现精神上的独立自主提供保证；创新性促进实现自我更新，为实现精神上的独立自主不断注入新的精神动力；统一性增强了民族的团结，为实现精神上的独立自主凝聚力量；包容性促进保持开放胸怀兼收并蓄，为实现精神上的独立自主开阔视野；和平性决定了我国不会把自己的价值观念与政治体制强加于人，为实现精神上的独立自主提供友好交流平台。

An important reason why the Chinese nation has been able to survive tenaciously and develop continuously in the long river of history is that our nation has a consistent spiritual pursuit, spiritual characteristics, and spiritual lineage. We must deeply excavate the historical foundation of our country’s intellectual independence from Chinese civilization, seek the spiritual bond maintaining intellectual independence, find the spiritual key to achieving intellectual independence, and continuously gain important strength for the nation’s progress. “We must clearly explain that Chinese culture embodies the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation and is the rich nourishment for its endless growth and development; we must clearly explain that fine traditional Chinese culture is the prominent advantage of the Chinese nation and our deepest cultural soft power.”[29] We must take root in Chinese soil, thicken the foundation of Chinese civilization, promote fine traditional Chinese culture, maintain intellectual independence in inheriting Chinese civilization, thereby cultivate cultural confidence, enhance historical initiative, and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation to provide a continuous stream of spiritual resources for strengthening intellectual independence, providing more powerful spiritual strength for realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

中华民族之所以能够在历史长河中顽强生存和不断发展，很重要的一个原因是我们民族有一脉相承的精神追求、精神特质、精神脉络，要从中华文明中深挖我国精神上的独立自主的历史根基，寻找维系精神上的独立自主的精神纽带，找到实现精神上的独立自主的精神密钥，不断获得民族前进的重要力量。“讲清楚中华文化积淀着中华民族最深沉的精神追求，是中华民族生生不息、发展壮大的丰厚滋养；讲清楚中华优秀传统文化是中华民族的突出优势，是我们最深厚的文化软实力。”[29]要植根中国大地，厚植中华文明根基，弘扬中华优秀传统文化，在传承中华文明中保持精神上的独立自主，进而培育文化自信，增强历史主动性，并建设中华民族现代文明为增强精神上的独立自主提供源源不断的精神资源，为实现民族复兴中国梦提供更加强大的精神力量。

Practical Pathways for Achieving Intellectual Independence

实现精神上的独立自主的实践进路

“A person cannot stand without spirit, and a country cannot be strong without spirit. Only when a nation stands firm and stable in spirit can it stand undaunted and ride the tide in the torrent of history. Struggling against difficulties is both a contest of material forces and a confrontation of spirits.”[30] Achieving intellectual independence is a good prescription for us to strengthen historical confidence and enhance historical initiative; it is a summary of the century-old historical experience of the Communist Party of China and an important magic weapon for the Party to continuously maintain its combat effectiveness; it is an inherent requirement of the genes of Chinese civilization, laying the spiritual foundation for national rejuvenation; it is the inevitable path for the rise of a great power’s spirit under the “two overall situations”[2]2 “Two overall situations” refers to the overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the overall situation of changes unseen in a century. in the New Era, providing powerful spiritual momentum for Chinese-path modernization. Achieving intellectual independence is an important part of building a socialist cultural power. It requires us to uphold Marxism, firmly establish the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, cultivate and practice the core socialist values, continuously strengthen our leading role in the ideological domain, promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, better construct the Chinese spirit, promote Chinese values, and unite Chinese strength, fully leveraging the roles of ideological guidance, public opinion promotion, spiritual encouragement, and cultural support.

“人无精神则不立，国无精神则不强。唯有精神上站得住、站得稳，一个民族才能在历史洪流中屹立不倒、挺立潮头。同困难作斗争，是物质的角力，也是精神的对垒。”[30]实现精神上的独立自主是我们坚定历史自信，增强历史主动性的良方妙药；是中国共产党的百余年历史经验总结，是党持续保持战斗力的重要法宝；是中华文明基因的应有之义，为实现民族复兴奠定精神基础；是新时代“两个大局”下实现大国精神崛起的必由之路，为中国式现代化提供强大的精神动力。实现精神上的独立自主是建设社会主义文化强国的重要内容，需要我们坚持马克思主义，牢固树立共产主义远大理想和中国特色社会主义共同理想，培育和践行社会主义核心价值观，不断增强意识形态领域主导权，推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展，更好构筑中国精神、弘扬中国价值、凝聚中国力量，充分发挥思想引领、舆论推动、精神激励和文化支撑作用。

First, laying a solid foundation for intellectual independence through material independence. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The great modern socialist country we aim to build must be strong not only materially but also intellectually. Intellectual strength is more enduring, deeper, and more powerful.” [31]31 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Youth League of China,” May 10, 2022. On the one hand, material independence is the foundation for achieving intellectual independence; a nation’s intellectual rise requires solid material conditions as a prerequisite and basis. The Chinese people must firmly hold the rice bowl in their own hands, firmly grasp the seeds in their own hands, and firmly master core technologies in their own hands; their own destiny must be in their own hands, and they must walk their own path; only by maintaining self-reliance can they become strong. The most essential feature of building a new development pattern lies in achieving a high level of self-reliance and self-strengthening. To build a great modern socialist country in all respects, we must adhere to the principle of independence, persist in taking domestic circulation as the mainstay, build a unified domestic market, and provide important guarantees for intellectual independence with sufficient material conditions. On the other hand, intellectual independence broadens the connotation of independence, providing more proactive spiritual motivation and stronger spiritual support for promoting material independence. A good spiritual outlook and character can boost morale, enhance the enthusiasm and combat effectiveness for developing the productive forces; to a certain extent, intellectual independence can be transformed into material force, turning the grand blueprint into reality. In general, material independence and intellectual independence are interdependent and intertwined processes. We are in the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world, and we are destined to take a path of higher-level independence, achieving the unity of material independence and intellectual independence. “Only when both material progress and cultural-ethical progress are well developed, both the country’s material strength and intellectual strength are enhanced, and both the material life and intellectual life of the people of all ethnic groups in the country are improved, can the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics advance smoothly.” [32]32 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,” September 30, 2015. Chinese-path modernization is a modernization in which the two forms of progress are coordinated, a modernization where material progress and cultural-ethical progress go hand in hand. It pursues both high-quality development in material terms and self-reliance and self-confidence in intellectual terms. Therefore, it is necessary to promote material independence and intellectual independence to support and complement each other, forming an organic unity that jointly and continuously contributes to the development of the modernization cause.

第一，以物质独立自主为实现精神上的独立自主筑牢坚实基础。习近平总书记指出：“我们要建设的社会主义现代化强国，不仅要在物质上强，更要在精神上强。精神上强，才是更持久、更深沉、更有力量的。”[31]一方面，物质独立自主是实现精神上的独立自主的底气，国家的精神崛起需要坚实的物质条件作为前提与基础。中国人要把饭碗牢牢端在自己手里、把种子牢牢攥在自己手里、把核心技术牢牢掌握在自己手里，自己的命运要掌握在自己手中，走自己的路，保持自立才能自强。构建新发展格局最本质的特征在于实现高水平的自立自强，全面建成社会主义现代化强国要坚持独立自主的原则，坚持以国内大循环为主体，构建国内统一大市场，以充足物质条件为精神上的独立自主提供重要保障。另一方面，精神上的独立自主扩宽了独立自主的内涵，为促进物质独立自主提供更加主动的精神动力和更为强大的精神支撑。良好的精神风貌和品格能够鼓舞士气，增强发展生产力的积极性与战斗力，精神上的独立自主在一定程度上能转化为物质力量，把宏伟蓝图变成现实。总的来说，物质独立自主与精神上的独立自主是相互依赖的关系、是相互交织的过程。我们正处于中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，注定要走更高水平的独立自主之路，要实现物质独立自主与精神上的独立自主的相统一。“只有物质文明建设和精神文明建设都搞好，国家物质力量和精神力量都增强，全国各族人民物质生活和精神生活都改善，中国特色社会主义事业才能顺利向前推进。”[32]中国式现代化是两个文明相协调的现代化，是物质文明与精神文明的并驾齐驱，既追求物质上的高质量发展，也追寻精神上的自立自信，因而要促进物质独立与精神独立彼此支撑、互相补足，形成有机统一体共同持续助力于现代化事业发展。

Second, doing a good job in socialist ideology to provide a core guarantee for achieving intellectual independence. “Ideological work is work that establishes the heart for the country and establishes the soul for the nation.” [33]33 Xi Jinping, “Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,” October 16, 2022. We must uphold the fundamental system of Marxism’s guiding position in the ideological domain, safeguard national ideological security, and form a solid security guarantee for achieving intellectual independence. “Our Party, so large, leading such a big country, and shouldering the arduous task of leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country to achieve national prosperity and national rejuvenation, the entire Party must unify its thinking, unify its will, and unify its actions.” [34]34 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Work Related to the United Front,” December 7, 2022. Maintaining the unity and solidarity of the people’s thoughts and will is an important foundation for ensuring intellectual independence; this is the deepest, most enduring, and most reliable guarantee, and it is also the life and strength of the Party. The construction of socialist ideology has strong cohesion and leading power. Firmly grasping the work of socialist ideology, firmly establishing the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, enabling the entire people to unite closely in ideals and beliefs, values, and moral concepts, thereby consolidating the ideological foundation of intellectual independence and enhancing the strength to jointly forge ahead in the New Era. The core socialist values are a powerful force for uniting people’s hearts and gathering people’s strength. We must use the core socialist values to do a good job of ideological leadership, maintain spiritual unity, cultivate a common spiritual home, draw concentric circles with the greatest common divisor, enable the people to maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee in thought, politics, and action, think with one mind, and exert efforts in one direction, “jointly forge the Party into a piece of hard steel that is invincible and unbeatable in every battle,” and provide a core guarantee for enhancing intellectual independence by unifying the thinking and will of the entire Party.

第二，抓好社会主义意识形态为实现精神上的独立自主提供核心保证。“意识形态工作是为国家立心、为民族立魂的工作”[33]，我们要坚持马克思主义在意识形态领域指导地位的根本制度，守护国家意识形态安全，为实现精神上的独立自主形成牢固的安全保障。“我们这么大一个党，领导着这么大一个国家，肩负着带领全国各族人民实现国家强盛、民族复兴这个艰巨任务，全党必须统一思想、统一意志、统一行动”。[34]维护人民思想意志团结统一是保证精神上的独立自主的重要基础，这是最深厚、最持久、最可靠的保证，也是党的生命、党的力量所在。社会主义意识形态建设具有强大凝聚力和引领力，牢牢抓好社会主义意识形态工作，牢固树立共产主义远大理想和中国特色社会主义共同理想，使全体人民在理想信念、价值理念、道德观念上紧紧团结在一起，从而巩固精神上的独立自主的思想基础，增强共同壮大奋进新时代的力量。社会主义核心价值观是凝聚人心、汇聚民力的强大力量，要以社会主义核心价值观做好思想引领工作，维护精神团结，培植共同精神家园，以最大公约数共画同心圆，使人民群众在思想上政治上行动上同党中央保持高度一致，做到心往一处想、劲往一处使，“共同把党锻造成一块攻无不克、战无不胜的坚硬钢铁”，以统一全党思想意志为增强精神上的独立自主提供核心保证。

Third, promoting the Two Integrations to broaden the development path for achieving intellectual independence. Our Party’s process of promoting the Two Integrations is also a process of exploring the achievement of intellectual independence. From the introduction of Marxism to the gradual advancement of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, it shows that our Party has continuously reached new heights in achieving intellectual independence, demonstrating that our Party has gradually achieved intellectual self-confidence and self-strengthening. The integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture has formed new theoretical leaps, all of which are achievements we have made by relying on intellectual independence. The Two Integrations emphasize basing ourselves on China’s national conditions, rooting ourselves in Chinese culture, taking an independent development path, and continuously opening up new horizons for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times; they are the fundamental path for our Party to promote intellectual independence. The Two Integrations overcome dogmatism, reveal the internal mechanism for realizing the Sinicization of Marxism, and highly demonstrate our Party’s historical consciousness of upholding and developing Marxism. Adhering to the Two Integrations, combining the ideological essence of Marxism with the best of traditional Chinese culture under new historical conditions, continuously answering the questions of the New Era concerning what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop and how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, promoting theoretical innovation to provide a continuous source of theoretical support for achieving intellectual independence, and broadening the development path for achieving intellectual independence in deepening the understanding of the laws governing the Communist Party’s governance, the laws governing socialist construction, and the laws governing the development of human society.

第三，推进“两个结合”为实现精神上的独立自主拓宽发展途径。我们党推进“两个结合”的过程也是探索实现精神上的独立自主的过程，从马克思主义的引入到逐步推进马克思主义中国化时代化，表明我们党在实现精神上的独立自主上不断刷新高度，彰显出我们党逐步实现精神自信自强。马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，形成了新的理论飞跃，都是我们依靠精神上的独立自主取得的成果。“两个结合”强调要立足中国国情，根植中华文化，走独立自主的发展道路，不断开辟马克思主义中国化时代化的新境界，是我们党推进精神上的独立自主的根本途径。“两个结合”克服了本本主义，揭示了实现马克思主义中国化的内在机理，高度彰显出我们党坚持和发展马克思主义的历史自觉。坚持“两个结合”，结合新的历史条件将马克思主义的思想精髓同中华优秀传统文化精华贯通起来，不断回答好坚持和发展什么样的中国特色社会主义，怎样坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的新时代课题，促进理论创新为实现精神上的独立自主提供源源不断的理论支持，在深化共产党执政规律、社会主义建设规律、人类社会发展规律中为实现精神上的独立自主拓宽发展途径。

Fourth, enriching the people’s intellectual world to present a new picture for achieving intellectual independence. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC listed enriching the people’s intellectual world as one of the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization. The intellectual independence of a nation and its people ultimately lies in the intellectual independence of the people. The essence of modernization is the modernization of people. Starting from enriching the people’s intellectual world, we lay a solid foundation for achieving intellectual independence, and then realize the free and comprehensive development of people, achieving the leap from the realm of necessity to the realm of freedom. The degree of richness of the people’s intellectual world is one of the important yardsticks for measuring the intellectual independence of a nation and its people. “When the people have faith, the nation has hope, and the country has strength.” [35]35 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Celebrating the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China,” July 1, 2016. Enriching the people’s intellectual world and achieving common prosperity in intellectual life are inherent requirements of socialist modernization, injecting more vibrant intellectual strength into the modernization cause. Enriching the people’s intellectual world, enriching their intellectual life, meeting their growing intellectual and cultural needs, and enhancing their sense of cultural gain can present more possibilities for achieving intellectual independence. Enriching the people’s intellectual world helps promote the flourishing development of socialist culture, promote the construction of socialist cultural-ethical progress, highlight the advantages of Chinese-path modernization, achieve transcendence over the Western modernization model, thereby enhancing the people’s sense of identification with the modernization cause, and further consolidating intellectual independence. In the process of enriching the people’s intellectual world, always representing the new direction of progress of human civilization, reflecting the people’s beautiful aspirations, establishing correct value guidance, and forming good social customs help boost the spirit of the broad masses of the people, improve their intellectual realm, raise the level of construction of socialist cultural-ethical progress, and present a new picture for achieving intellectual independence. Enriching the people’s intellectual world requires adhering to a people-centered creative orientation, developing advanced socialist culture, flourishing and developing cultural undertakings and cultural industries, stimulating cultural creativity, launching more excellent works that enhance the people’s intellectual strength, enriching and nourishing the people’s intellectual world with abundant intellectual food, and building a beautiful spiritual home.

第四，丰富人民精神世界为实现精神上的独立自主呈现新图景。党的二十大报告将丰富人民精神世界作为中国式现代化的本质要求之一，一个民族与国家的精神独立归根到底是人民的精神独立，现代化的本质是人的现代化，从丰富人民的精神世界着手，为实现精神上的独立自主夯实基础，进而实现人的自由全面发展，实现从必然王国到自由王国的飞跃。人民精神的丰富程度是衡量国家民族精神独立的重要标尺之一，“人民有信仰，民族有希望，国家有力量”[35]，丰富人民精神世界，实现精神生活共同富裕，是社会主义现代化的内在要求，为现代化事业注入更为鲜活的精神力量。丰富人民精神世界，充实人民精神生活，满足人民日益增长的精神文化需求，增强人民的文化获得感，能为实现精神上的独立自主呈现更多可能性。丰富人民精神世界有助于推动社会主义文化繁荣发展，促进社会主义精神文明建设，能凸显中国式现代化优势，实现对西方现代化模式的超越，进而增强人民对现代化事业的认同感，进一步巩固精神上的独立自主。在丰富人民精神世界过程中，始终代表人类文明新的进步方向，反映人民的美好愿景，树立正确的价值导向，形成良好的社会风尚，有助于提振广大人民精神之气，提高人民的精神境界，提升社会主义精神文明建设水平，为实现精神上的独立自主呈现一番新图景。丰富人民精神世界需要坚持以人民为中心的创作导向，发展社会主义先进文化，繁荣发展文化事业和文化产业，激发文化创造活力，推出更多增强人民精神力量的优秀作品，以丰富精神食粮充实滋养人民的精神世界，建设美好精神家园。

Fifth, building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation provides a solid and powerful support for achieving intellectual independence. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “In today’s world, if one were to ask which political party, which country, or which nation is most justified in being confident, then the Communist Party of China, the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese nation are the most justified in being confident.” [36] The Chinese nation has created a Chinese culture that is extensive and profound, which is the foundation of our confidence to maintain intellectual independence and the spiritual driving force for continuing to create new glories for Chinese culture. Taking the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation as an important mission, it is necessary to strengthen the subjectivity of Chinese culture, enhance the leading power, cohesive power, shaping power, and radiating power of Chinese culture, endow Chinese civilization with modern strength, and ensure that the Chinese nation forever stands proudly among the nations of the world. It is necessary to grasp the new cultural mission in the New Era, forge a new life form for Chinese culture, build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation well, continue the modern development of fine traditional Chinese culture, ensure the connection between tradition and modernity, and provide a solid ideological guarantee, powerful spiritual strength, and favorable cultural conditions for comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Strengthening cultural confidence is a major issue concerning the rise and fall of the nation’s fortunes, concerning cultural security, and concerning the independence of the national spirit.” [37] Achieving intellectual independence is an important prerequisite for promoting cultural confidence and self-strengthening. Only by firmly taking our own path, grasping the power of truth, developing and continuing the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, enhancing national identity and national pride, and consolidating the spiritual foundation of independence, can we strengthen cultural confidence and grasp historical initiative.

第五，建设中华民族现代文明为实现精神上的独立自主稳固有力支撑。正如习近平总书记指出：“当今世界，要说哪个政党、哪个国家、哪个民族能够自信的话，那中国共产党、中华人民共和国、中华民族是最有理由自信的。”[36]中华民族创造了源远流长、博大精深的中华文化，这是我们得以保持精神上的独立自主的底气，也是继续创造出中华文化新的辉煌的精神动力。以建设中华民族现代文明为重要使命，要增强中华文化的主体性，提升中华文化的引领力、凝聚力、塑造力、辐射力，赋予中华文明以现代力量，使中华民族永远屹立于世界民族之林。要把握好新时代新的文化使命，铸造中华文化新的生命体，建设好中华民族现代文明，延续中华优秀传统文化的现代化发展，做好传统与现代的衔接，为全面推进中华民族伟大复兴提供坚强思想保证、强大精神力量与有利文化条件。习近平总书记指出：“坚定文化自信，是事关国运兴衰、事关文化安全、事关民族精神独立性的大问题。”[37]实现精神上的独立自主是促进文化自信自强的重要前提，坚定走自己的路，掌握真理的力量，只有发展延续中国共产党人的精神谱系，增强民族认同与民族自豪感，筑牢独立自主的精神根基，才能坚定文化自信，把握历史主动。

Sixth, upholding a global vision enhances the international influence for achieving intellectual independence. “Independence does not mean closing the country to international intercourse; self-reliance does not mean blind opposition to everything foreign.” [38] Chinese civilization is not isolated from world development; Chinese civilization is an important component of world civilization. Maintaining intellectual independence requires upholding a global vision, developing Chinese civilization with a broader perspective and a longer-term view, leading the trend of world civilization with greater confidence, and promoting the common values of all humanity. We must properly grasp the relationship between upholding independence and upholding a global vision, take independence as the basic stance, maintain a confident and humble attitude and an open mind to dialogue and exchange with the world, adhere to the principle of being inclusive and drawing on diverse sources, and develop ourselves by absorbing the outstanding achievements of human civilization while maintaining Chinese characteristics. We must both humbly learn from and draw on the beneficial experiences of foreign countries and firmly strengthen national self-esteem and self-confidence, maintaining intellectual independence to continuously answer the questions posed by China, the world, the people, and the times. On the basis of adhering to intellectual independence, our country upholds a global vision, providing a Chinese solution for building modern human civilization. By breaking the model of “modernization equals Westernization” through Chinese-path modernization, it enriches and develops a new form of human civilization, promotes Chinese culture to the world, and advances the development of human civilization. While maintaining intellectual independence, we must proactively tell China’s story well to the world, refine our country’s spiritual symbols and cultural essence, showcase the affinity, influence, and appeal of Chinese civilization to the world, and continuously enhance the persuasiveness and appeal of our country’s national system and national governance system.

第六，坚持胸怀天下为实现精神上的独立自主增强国际影响力。“独立自主不是闭关自守，自力更生不是盲目排外。”[38]中华文明不是孤立于世界发展的，中华文明是世界文明的重要组成部分，保持精神上的独立自主需要坚持胸怀天下，以更加宽广的视野与更加长远的眼光发展中华文明，更加自信地引领世界文明潮流，弘扬全人类共同价值。我们要把握好坚持独立自主与坚持胸怀天下的关系，以独立自主为基本立场，保持自信谦和的态度、开放的胸襟与世界对话交流，坚持海纳百川兼收并蓄，在保持中国特色的基础上汲取人类文明优秀成果发展自身。我们要既虚心学习借鉴国外的有益经验，又坚定民族自尊心和自信心，保持精神上的独立自主不断回答好中国之问、世界之问、人民之问与时代之问。我国在坚持精神上的独立自主的基础上坚持胸怀天下，为建设人类现代文明提供了中国方案，以中国式现代化打破“现代化＝西方化”模式，丰富和发展了人类文明新形态，推动中华文化走向世界，推动人类文明向前发展。在保持精神上的独立自主的同时，我们要主动向世界讲好中国故事，提炼我国的精神标识和文化精髓，向世界展示中华文明的亲和力、影响力、吸引力，不断增强我国国家制度和国家治理体系的说服力和感召力。

Notes:

注释：

[1]1 A line from the poem “Bamboo and Stone” by the Qing dynasty poet Zheng Xie (1693–1765), often cited to express steadfastness in the face of adversity.[27] “Shoulder the New Cultural Mission, Strive to Build the Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation,” People’s Daily, June 3, 2023, p. 1.

[1][27]《担负起新的文化使命 努力建设中华民族现代文明》，《人民日报》，2023年6月3日，第1版。

[2]2 “Two overall situations” refers to the overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the overall situation of changes unseen in a century. Xi Jinping, “The Historical Mission of the Communist Party of China in the New Era,” Qiushi, Issue 19, 2022.

[2]习近平：《新时代中国共产党的历史使命》，《求是》，2022年第19期。

[3]3 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2021). Xi Jinping, Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Communist Party of China, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 2021, p. 13.

[3]习近平：《在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上的讲话》，北京：人民出版社，2021年，第13页。

[4]4 Friedrich Engels, “On the Political Action of the Working Class” (1871). Complete Works of Marx and Engels, Vol. 17, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 1963, pp. 449–450.

[4]《马克思恩格斯全集》第17卷，北京：人民出版社，1963年，第449～450页。

[5]5 Mao Zedong, “Some Questions Concerning the Methods of Leadership” (1943). Collected Works of Mao Zedong, Vol. 8, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 1999, p. 5.

[5]《毛泽东文集》第8卷，北京：人民出版社，1999年，第5页。

[6]6 Mao Zedong, “Talk on the Question of the Socialist Construction of China” (1956). Party Literature Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, ed., Chronicle of Mao Zedong (1949–1976), Vol. 2, Beijing: Central Party Literature Press, 2013, p. 557.

[6]中共中央文献研究室编：《毛泽东年谱（一九四九—一九七六）》第二卷，北京：中央文献出版社，2013年，第557页。

[7]7 Deng Xiaoping, “Opening Speech at the Twelfth National Congress of the Communist Party of China” (September 1, 1982).[9]9 Deng Xiaoping, “On the Reform of the Leadership System of the Party and the State” (1980). Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Vol. 3, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 1993, pp. 2, 331.

[7][9]《邓小平文选》第三卷，北京：人民出版社，1993年，第2、331页。

[8]8 Deng Xiaoping, “Uphold the Four Cardinal Principles” (1979). Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium Commemorating the 110th Anniversary of Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s Birth,” People’s Daily, August 21, 2014, p. 2.

[8]习近平：《在纪念邓小平同志诞辰110周年座谈会上的讲话》，《人民日报》，2014年8月21日，第2版。

[10]10 Deng Xiaoping, “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” (1978).[11]11 Deng Xiaoping, “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” (1978).[38] Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Vol. 2, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 1994, pp. 367, 143, 91.

[10][11][38]《邓小平文选》第二卷，北京：人民出版社，1994年，第367、143、91页。

[12]12 Jiang Zemin, “Speech at the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2001). Selected Important Documents Since the Fifteenth National Congress (Part II), Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 2001, p. 850.

[12]《十五大以来重要文献选编》（中），北京：人民出版社，2001年，第850页。

[13]13 The 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing in September 1997. Selected Works of Jiang Zemin, Vol. 2, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 2006, p. 33.

[13]《江泽民文选》第二卷，北京：人民出版社，2006年，第33页。

[14]14 Jiang Zemin, “Speech at the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2001). Selected Works of Jiang Zemin, Vol. 3, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 2006, p. 277.

[14]《江泽民文选》第三卷，北京：人民出版社，2006年，第277页。

[15][25][33]33 Xi Jinping, “Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,” October 16, 2022. “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century,” People’s Daily, November 17, 2021, p. 1.

[15][25][33]《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》，《人民日报》，2021年11月17日，第1版。

[16][23] Xi Jinping, “Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects,” People’s Daily, October 26, 2022, p. 1.

[16][23]习近平：《高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜 为全面建设社会主义现代化国家而团结奋斗》，《人民日报》，2022年10月26日，第1版。

[17][18][24] Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium Commemorating the 120th Anniversary of Comrade Mao Zedong’s Birth,” People’s Daily, December 27, 2013, p. 2.

[17][18][24]习近平：《在纪念毛泽东同志诞辰120周年座谈会上的讲话》，《人民日报》，2013年12月27日，第2版。

[19] Excerpts from Xi Jinping’s Discourse on Socialist Cultural Construction, Beijing: Central Party Literature Press, 2017, p. 139.

[19]《习近平关于社会主义文化建设论述摘编》，北京：中央文献出版社，2017年，第139页。

[20] Selected Works of Mao Zedong, Vol. 4, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 2006, p. 1516.

[20]《毛泽东选集》第四卷，北京：人民出版社，2006年，第1516页。

[21] “Deeply Understand the Epochal Significance and Practical Significance of Marxism, Continue to Promote the Sinicization, Modernization, and Popularization of Marxism,” People’s Daily, September 30, 2017, p. 1.

[21]《深刻认识马克思主义时代意义和现实意义 继续推进马克思主义中国化时代化大众化》，《人民日报》，2017年9月30日，第1版。

[22] Selected Works of Mao Zedong, Vol. 2, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 2006, p. 533.

[22]《毛泽东选集》第二卷，北京：人民出版社，2006年，第533页。

[26] Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, Vol. 2, Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2017, p. 344.

[26]《习近平谈治国理政》第二卷，北京：外文出版社，2017年，第344页。

[28] “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development,” People’s Daily, September 1, 2023, p. 1.

[28]《在文化传承发展座谈会上的讲话》，《人民日报》，2023年9月1日，第1版。

[29][32]32 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,” September 30, 2015. “Keep the Overall Situation in Mind, Grasp the Big Picture, Focus on Major Events, and Strive to Do a Better Job in Propaganda and Ideological Work,” People’s Daily, August 21, 2013, p. 1.

[29][32]《胸怀大局把握大势着眼大事 努力把宣传思想工作做得更好》，《人民日报》，2013年8月21日，第1版。

[30] Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, Vol. 4, Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2022, p. 101.

[30]《习近平谈治国理政》第四卷，北京：外文出版社，2022年，第101页。

[31]31 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Youth League of China,” May 10, 2022. Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, Vol. 3, Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2020, p. 337.

[31]《习近平谈治国理政》第三卷，北京：外文出版社，2020年，第337页。

[34]34 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Work Related to the United Front,” December 7, 2022. “Speech at the Work Conference on Studying and Implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” People’s Daily, May 1, 2023, p. 1.

[34]《在学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想主题教育工作会议上的讲话》，《人民日报》，2023年5月1日，第1版。

[35]35 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Celebrating the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China,” July 1, 2016. “When the People Have Faith, the Nation Has Hope, and the Country Has Strength,” People’s Daily, March 1, 2015, p. 1.

[35]《人民有信仰民族有希望国家有力量》，《人民日报》，2015年3月1日，第1版。

[36] Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China,” People’s Daily, July 2, 2016, p. 2.

[36]习近平：《在庆祝中国共产党成立95周年大会上的讲话》，《人民日报》，2016年7月2日，第2版。

[37] Selected Works of Xi Jinping, Vol. 1, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 2023, p. 536.

[37]《习近平著作选读》第一卷，北京：人民出版社，2023年，第536页。

Online editor: Zhang Jian

网络编辑：张剑

(The author is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Marxism, Wuhan University)

（作者系武汉大学马克思主义学院教授、博导）