The Methodological Characteristics of Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively

The "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese-path Modernization" [1]1 "Spirit of driving a nail" (钉钉子精神) is a metaphor used by Xi Jinping to emphasize persistence and precision in implementing policies, likening reform tasks to nails that must be driven in firmly and accurately. (hereinafter referred to as the "Decision"), deliberated and adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, [2]2 The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the CPC, held in November 2013, was the landmark meeting where the "Decision on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms" was adopted, launching the current round of comprehensive reforms. when discussing the "guiding ideology for further deepening reform comprehensively," proposed to "place greater emphasis on systemic integration, place greater emphasis on highlighting key points, and place greater emphasis on achieving practical results from reform." These three "greater emphases" are both a systematic summary of the practice and methodology of comprehensively deepening reform and a distinctive methodological feature for further deepening reform comprehensively. On the new journey, the task of further deepening reform comprehensively is arduous and heavy. Only by advancing reform with scientific methods can reform have a clear direction, a distinct path, proceed steadily and go far, thereby providing strong impetus and institutional guarantees for Chinese-path modernization.

党的二十届三中全会审议通过的《中共中央关于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的决定》（以下简称《决定》），在论述“进一步全面深化改革的指导思想”时提出，“更加注重系统集成，更加注重突出重点，更加注重改革实效”。这三个“更加注重”，既是对全面深化改革实践及其方法论的系统总结，也是进一步全面深化改革在方法论上的鲜明特征。新征程上，进一步全面深化改革的任务艰巨繁重，唯有以科学的方法推进改革，改革才能方向明确、路线清晰、行稳致远，从而为中国式现代化提供强大动力和制度保障。

1. Place Greater Emphasis on Systemic Integration

1.更加注重系统集成

Systemic integration is an important methodology for comprehensively deepening reform, embodying the basic viewpoint of universal connection in dialectical materialism. The complexity of reform is determined by the systemic nature of society itself. Society is an organic system with diverse elements and a rigorous structure. Within this system, elements and elements, elements and the system are not only interconnected and interpenetrated but also mutually constraining and interacting. Changes in any one element can affect the system and other elements, thereby producing widespread impacts. Only by grasping these complex and subtle interactions with a systemic perspective can the objective laws of social development be effectively analyzed. For comprehensively deepening reform, adhering to systemic integration means using a systemic perspective to grasp the interconnectedness of reforms in various fields and the coupling of various reform measures, and accordingly optimize and integrate reform measures, achieving effective linkage, benign interaction, and coordinated cooperation among various reforms, ensuring that reform not only achieves breakthroughs in specific areas but also forms synergy within the systemic framework, thereby exerting the optimal overall effectiveness.

系统集成是全面深化改革的重要方法论，体现了唯物辩证法普遍联系的基本观点。改革的复杂性是由社会自身的系统性决定的。社会是一个要素多样且结构严密的有机系统，在这个系统中，要素与要素之间、要素与系统之间既相互联系、相互贯通，又相互制约、相互作用，任一要素的变化可以波及系统及其他要素，从而产生广泛影响。只有以系统观念把握这些复杂而微妙的相互作用，才能有效地分析社会发展的客观规律。对于全面深化改革而言，坚持系统集成，就是要以系统观念把握各领域改革的关联性以及各项改革举措的耦合性，并据此优化与整合改革措施，实现各项改革的有效衔接、良性互动、协同配合，确保改革既在具体领域内取得突破，又在系统框架下形成合力，从而发挥出最优的整体效能。

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China [3]3 "Leaving a mark when grasping iron and an imprint when stepping on stone" (抓铁有痕、踏石留印) is a Chinese idiom used by Xi Jinping to describe resolute, forceful, and effective implementation of policies. initiated the process of comprehensively deepening reform and advancing reform through systematic overall design in the New Era. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, comprehensively deepening reform has achieved a transformation from laying foundations and erecting pillars to comprehensive advancement and accumulating momentum, and then to systemic integration and coordinated efficiency. The basic institutional frameworks in various fields have been basically established, and many fields have achieved historic changes, systemic reshaping, and overall reconstruction. At the same time, it should also be noted that as reform continues to advance in depth, the structural contradictions touched by reform are becoming increasingly acute, and the institutional and mechanistic obstacles faced are becoming increasingly formidable. Often, pulling one hair moves the whole body, [4]4 "The 'Decision'" refers to the "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese-Style Modernization," adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC in July 2024. which places higher demands on the systemic nature, wholeness, and coordination of reform, making it even more necessary to emphasize systemic integration. Therefore, the previous reform methods of individual breakthroughs or partial advancement can no longer adapt to the new situation and new requirements. Only by coordinating and advancing with an overall perspective and systemic thinking can the organic linkage and coupled promotion of various measures be ensured, thereby pushing the overall process of reform to achieve optimal results.

党的十八届三中全会开启了新时代全面深化改革、系统整体设计推进改革的进程，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，全面深化改革实现了从夯基垒台、立柱架梁到全面推进、积厚成势，再到系统集成、协同高效的转变，各领域基础性制度框架基本确立，许多领域实现历史性变革、系统性重塑、整体性重构。同时也应看到，随着改革不断向纵深推进，改革触及的结构性矛盾愈发尖锐、面临的体制机制障碍愈发艰巨，往往牵一发而动全身，这对改革的系统性、整体性、协同性提出了更高的要求，更要注重系统集成。因此，以往单项突破或局部推进的改革方式已无法适应新形势新要求，唯有以全局观念和系统思维统筹推进，才能确保各项举措的有机联动、耦合促进，进而推动改革整体进程达到最优效果。

To further deepen reform comprehensively, we must place greater emphasis on systemic integration, strengthen the overall planning and systemic layout of reform, and enable reforms in all aspects to coordinate with each other and be efficient and synergistic. To place greater emphasis on systemic integration, we must strive to enhance the systemic nature of reform. We must continue to work comprehensively and persistently deepen efforts, grasp the interactions between various reform fields and their impact on the entire system with systemic thinking, break down departmental barriers and institutional and mechanistic obstacles that hinder reform progress, enhance the degree of coupling between different fields, further promote the effective integration and interaction of cross-field reform measures, and form all-round, deep-level reform linkages and integration. To place greater emphasis on systemic integration, we must strive to enhance the wholeness of reform. We must base ourselves on the overall goal for coordinated deployment, leverage the leading role of economic system reform, further liberate and develop social productive forces, stimulate and enhance social vitality, promote better adaptation between relations of production and productive forces, between the superstructure and the economic base, and between national governance and social development, properly handle a series of major relationships such as the overall situation and the partial, the current and the long-term, the macro and the micro, and maximize the overall interests of reform. To place greater emphasis on systemic integration, we must strive to enhance the coordination of reform. By strengthening the core role of Party leadership, we further enhance the overall awareness and coordination awareness of the government, market, and various social entities, promote the matching and linkage and coordinated advancement between various fields, form a work pattern of vertical coherence and synchronous resonance, thereby ensuring that various reform measures can support and complement each other.

进一步全面深化改革要更加注重系统集成，加强对改革的整体谋划、系统布局，使各方面改革相互配合、协同高效。更加注重系统集成，就要着力增强改革系统性，既要继续在全面上下功夫，又要持续在深化上用实劲，以系统思维把握改革各领域间的相互作用及其对整个系统的影响，破除阻碍改革推进的部门壁垒和体制机制障碍，提升不同领域之间的耦合度，进一步推动跨领域改革措施的有效整合与互动，形成全方位、深层次的改革联动和集成。更加注重系统集成，就要着力增强改革整体性，必须立足整体目标进行统筹部署，发挥经济体制改革牵引作用，进一步解放和发展社会生产力、激发和增强社会活力，推动生产关系和生产力、上层建筑和经济基础、国家治理和社会发展更好相适应，处理好全局和局部、当前和长远、宏观和微观等一系列重大关系，最大限度地增进改革的整体利益。更加注重系统集成，就要着力增强改革协调性，通过加强党的领导核心作用，进一步提升政府、市场、社会各主体的全局意识和协同意识，促进各领域之间的配套衔接和协同推进，形成上下贯通、同频共振的工作格局，从而确保各项改革举措能够相互支持、相得益彰。

2. Place Greater Emphasis on Highlighting Key Points

2.更加注重突出重点

When you lift a net, you grasp it by the main cord; all the meshes open. [5]5 "New journey" (新征程) is a standard Party term referring to the current stage of building a modern socialist China in all respects, beginning with the 20th National Congress of the CPC in 2022. Highlighting key points is both a basic method of dialectical materialism and an important method for further deepening reform comprehensively. Reform requires overall advancement, but efforts cannot be evenly distributed. We must focus on key issues that affect the whole situation when one part is moved, and drive overall development with breakthroughs in key areas. This requires us to adhere to the dialectical unity of the "theory of two points" and the "theory of key points," [6]6 "Achievement need not be in my tenure" (功成不必在我) is a phrase attributed to Xi Jinping, expressing a selfless attitude toward political achievements that prioritizes long-term benefits over personal credit during one's term of office. be good at distinguishing the principal contradiction from secondary contradictions, and the principal aspect of a contradiction from the secondary aspect, clarify priorities, achieve driving the whole situation by focusing on key points, both highlight key points and advance comprehensively, and promote the effective resolution of overall problems in the process of continuously overcoming one prominent problem after another.

举网以纲，千目皆张。突出重点既是辩证唯物主义的基本方法，也是进一步全面深化改革的重要方法。改革需要整体推进，但不能平均用力，要聚焦牵一发而动全身的关键问题，以重点突破带动全局发展。这要求我们要坚持“两点论”和“重点论”的辩证统一，善于区分主要矛盾和次要矛盾、矛盾的主要方面和次要方面，明确优先级，做到以点带面，既突出重点又整体推进，在不断战胜一个个突出问题的过程中推动全局性问题的有效解决。

Currently, China has entered a critical period of comprehensively building a strong country and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. Only by coordinating the overall situation and grasping key points can we maintain a clear understanding in the complex and changing domestic and international environment and ensure the steady advancement of comprehensively deepening reform. On the one hand, we should focus on the principal contradiction and key areas, make solving the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development a key point, act with a clear target, and avoid dispersing reform efforts due to trying to cover everything. On the other hand, we should grasp the complex situation and heavy tasks with an overall perspective, closely follow the theme of advancing Chinese-path modernization, comprehensively consider the characteristics and interrelationships of various contradictions, ensure that no situation of attending to one thing and losing sight of another occurs during the reform process, thereby achieving the overall advancement of comprehensively deepening reform.

当前，我国已进入以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业的关键时期，唯有统筹全局、把握重点，才能在复杂多变的国内外环境中保持清醒的认识，确保全面深化改革稳步推进。一方面，应聚焦主要矛盾和重点领域，把解决不平衡不充分的发展问题作为突出重点，做到有的放矢，避免因试图面面俱到而导致改革力度分散；另一方面，应以全局观念把握复杂形势和繁重任务，紧扣推进中国式现代化这一主题，综合考虑各种矛盾的状况特点与相互关系，确保在改革过程中不会出现顾此失彼的情况，从而实现全面深化改革的整体推进。

On the new journey, to further deepen reform comprehensively, we must place greater emphasis on highlighting key points and leverage the leading role of economic system reform. To this end, we should focus on the core issue of handling the relationship between the government and the market, give full play to the decisive role of the market in resource allocation, and better play the role of the government, ensuring both "vitality in release" and "effective control," thereby stimulating the creative vitality of society and allowing the sources of innovation to flow fully; closely focus on the primary task of high-quality development, deepen supply-side structural reform, and promote the concentration of various advanced production factors towards new quality productive forces; strive to improve the macroeconomic governance system, coordinate the advancement of reforms in key areas such as fiscal, taxation, and finance, and enhance the consistency of macro-policy orientation; continuously improve the systems and mechanisms for integrated urban-rural development, and comprehensively enhance the level of integration in urban-rural planning, construction, and governance; further improve the systems and mechanisms for high-standard opening up, promote development through opening up, and build a new system for a higher-standard open economy. While focusing on advancing economic system reform, we must also coordinate and plan reforms in the fields of education, science and technology, talent, politics, rule of law, culture, society, ecology, national security, and Party building. Particular attention should be paid to solving pain points and difficult issues in the field of people's livelihood, actively responding to the expectations of the people, seeking entry points and breakthroughs from issues of greatest concern to the people, such as housing, employment, and medical care, urgently addressing what the people urgently need, acting on what the people hope for, and enhancing the people's sense of gain from reform.

新征程上，进一步全面深化改革要更加注重突出重点，发挥经济体制改革的牵引作用。为此，应围绕处理好政府和市场关系这个核心问题，充分发挥市场在资源配置中的决定性作用，更好发挥政府作用，既“放得活”又“管得住”，从而激发社会的创造活力，让创新源泉充分涌流；紧紧围绕高质量发展这个首要任务，深化供给侧结构性改革，促进各类先进生产要素向新质生产力集聚；着力健全宏观经济治理体系，统筹推进财税、金融等重点领域改革，增强宏观政策取向一致性；不断完善城乡融合发展体制机制，全方位提升城乡规划、建设、治理融合水平；进一步完善高水平对外开放体制机制，以开放促发展，建设更高水平开放型经济新体制。在重点推进经济体制改革的同时，也要统筹谋划好教育、科技、人才、政治、法治、文化、社会、生态、国家安全和党的建设领域的改革，尤其要注重解决民生领域的痛点难点问题，积极回应人民群众的期待，从民众最关心的住房、就业、就医等问题中寻找切入点和突破口，急民生之所急、行民心之所盼，提高人民群众的改革获得感。

3. Place Greater Emphasis on Achieving Practical Results from Reform

3.更加注重改革实效

Whether reform can succeed depends not only on systematic planning and meticulous layout but also directly on whether reform measures are effectively implemented and fully carried out. Even the most perfect plan, only when it takes effect in practice, can subjective intentions be manifested in objective reality, and top-level design be tested in practical exploration. Otherwise, it is ultimately just an armchair strategy, [7]7 A Chinese idiom (纸上谈兵) literally "discussing military tactics on paper," referring to the historical figure Zhao Kuo of the Warring States period, who was a brilliant theorist but was disastrously defeated in actual battle. It means empty theorizing without practical application. unable to truly solve practical problems.

改革能否成功，不仅依赖于系统规划与周密布局，也与改革举措是否得到有效实施和全面落实有着直接的关系。即使是最完美的规划，也只有在实践中落地生效，才能使主观意图在客观现实中得以展现，使顶层设计在实践探索中得到检验。否则，终究也只是纸上谈兵，无法实实在在解决实际问题。

The reason why the comprehensive deepening of reform in the New Era has achieved historic and great accomplishments lies precisely in grasping deployment, implementation, and supervision with the spirit of driving a nail.[1]1 "Spirit of driving a nail" (钉钉子精神) is a metaphor used by Xi Jinping to emphasize persistence and precision in implementing policies, likening reform tasks to nails that must be driven in firmly and accurately. Since the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the CPC,[2]2 The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the CPC, held in November 2013, was the landmark meeting where the "Decision on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms" was adopted, launching the current round of comprehensive reforms. the entire Party has made implementation the focus of reform work, insisting on one part deployment and nine parts implementation, leaving a mark when grasping iron and an imprint when stepping on stone,[3]3 "Leaving a mark when grasping iron and an imprint when stepping on stone" (抓铁有痕、踏石留印) is a Chinese idiom used by Xi Jinping to describe resolute, forceful, and effective implementation of policies. jointly promoting major breakthroughs in comprehensively deepening reform. The "Decision"[4]4 "The 'Decision'" refers to the "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese-Style Modernization," adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC in July 2024. is another general mobilization and general deployment to advance the comprehensive deepening of reform in breadth and depth, drawing up a grand blueprint for further deepening reform comprehensively around the theme of advancing Chinese-path modernization. To turn this blueprint into reality, the entire Party must unswervingly implement these strategic deployments, ensuring that all reform tasks are implemented, grounded, and refined.

新时代全面深化改革之所以取得历史性伟大成就，关键就在于以钉钉子精神抓部署、抓落实、抓督查。党的十八届三中全会以来，全党上下把抓落实作为改革工作的重点，坚持一分部署、九分落实，抓铁有痕、踏石留印，共同推动全面深化改革取得重大突破。《决定》是推进全面深化改革向广度和深度进军的又一次总动员、总部署，围绕推进中国式现代化这个主题擘画了进一步全面深化改革的宏伟蓝图。为了将这一蓝图变为现实，全党必须坚定不移地执行这些战略部署，把改革各项任务落实落地落细。

On the new journey,[5]5 "New journey" (新征程) is a standard Party term referring to the current stage of building a modern socialist China in all respects, beginning with the 20th National Congress of the CPC in 2022. further deepening reform comprehensively must place greater emphasis on reform effectiveness, insisting on implementing reform with the spirit of driving a nail. We should firmly establish and practice a correct outlook on political performance, upholding the spirit of "achievement need not be in my tenure,"[6]6 "Achievement need not be in my tenure" (功成不必在我) is a phrase attributed to Xi Jinping, expressing a selfless attitude toward political achievements that prioritizes long-term benefits over personal credit during one's term of office. not coveting temporary merit or seeking momentary fame, resolutely preventing and overcoming formalism, refraining from engaging in flashy image projects or performance projects that waste people's resources and money, focusing on reform effectiveness rather than superficial show. At the same time, we should improve the mechanism for implementing reforms, promoting the landing and effectiveness of reform measures. Reform measures involve many links from planning to implementation; if they are not followed up and executed in a timely manner, these measures will find it difficult to achieve the expected results. To better realize the predetermined reform goals, we should focus on improving the reform implementation mechanism, promoting coordination between higher and lower levels and integration between different sectors and regions, and strengthening the tracking, evaluation, management, and supervision of the reform process, ensuring that every step can proceed smoothly according to plan. In addition, we should also strengthen the evaluation of reform effectiveness, promptly identify and solve problems, sort out prominent shortcomings and weaknesses, thereby optimizing reform plans and measures, promoting solutions one by one in a targeted manner, ensuring that the reform direction does not deviate and the intensity does not weaken.

新征程上，进一步全面深化改革要更加注重改革实效，坚持以钉钉子精神抓好改革落实。应牢固树立和践行正确政绩观，秉持“功成不必在我”的精神，不贪一时之功、不图一时之名，坚决防止和克服形式主义、切忌搞华而不实的形象工程、劳民伤财的政绩工程，聚焦于改革实效而非表面文章。同时，完善改革落实机制，推动改革举措落地见效。改革举措从谋划到实施涉及诸多环节，如果不及时跟进和执行，这些措施将难以达到预期的效果。为了更好地实现预定的改革目标，应着重完善改革落实机制，促进上下协同、条块结合，并加强对改革进程的跟踪评估、管理监督，确保每一个步骤都能按计划顺利推进。此外，还应加强对改革的实效评估，及时发现和解决问题，梳理存在的突出短板和弱项，从而优化改革方案和措施，有针对性地一项一项推动解决，确保改革方向不偏移、力度不减弱。

The development of the cause sets the questions; deepening reform writes the answers. Chinese-path modernization has been continuously advanced through reform and opening up, and it will surely open up broad prospects through reform and opening up. We must scientifically understand and firmly grasp the methodological characteristics of further deepening reform comprehensively, overcome difficulties and forge ahead with determination, seek truth and be pragmatic, work hard and do solid work, transforming the strategic deployment of further deepening reform comprehensively into a powerful driving force for advancing Chinese-path modernization.

事业发展出题目，深化改革做文章。中国式现代化是在改革开放中不断推进的，也必将在改革开放中开辟广阔前景。我们要科学理解、牢牢把握进一步全面深化改革的方法论特征，攻坚克难、锐意进取，求真务实、真抓实干，把进一步全面深化改革的战略部署转化为推进中国式现代化的强大动力。

Online editor: Paul

网络编辑：保罗