Strive to Enhance the Explanatory Power of the Basic Principles of Marxism

General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed: “From the publication of the *Communist Manifesto* to the present day, 170 years have passed, and human society has undergone earth-shaking changes, but the general principles expounded by Marxism as a whole remain entirely correct.” The basic principles of Marxism are the theoretical expression and organic unity of the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method. Enhancing the explanatory power of the basic principles of Marxism, explaining them better, and making them more appealing and persuasive are of great and far-reaching significance for our systematic grasp of the scientific nature of Marxism, for fully demonstrating the truth of Marxism, and for continuously adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

习近平总书记强调：“从《共产党宣言》发表到今天，170年过去了，人类社会发生了翻天覆地的变化，但马克思主义所阐述的一般原理整个来说仍然是完全正确的。”马克思主义基本原理是马克思主义立场、观点、方法的理论表达和有机统一。增强对马克思主义基本原理的解释力，把马克思主义基本原理阐释得更好，使马克思主义基本原理的亲和力和说服力更强，对于我们系统把握马克思主义科学性、充分彰显马克思主义真理性、持续推进马克思主义中国化时代化，意义重大而深远。

An Essential Element of Systematically Grasping the Scientific Nature of Marxism

系统把握马克思主义科学性的题中之义

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that Marxism is a scientific theory that creatively revealed the laws of human social development.

习近平总书记指出，马克思主义是科学的理论，创造性地揭示了人类社会发展规律。

As a scientific knowledge system, the scientific nature of Marxism stems crucially from the scientific nature of its basic principles. The scientific nature of the basic principles of Marxism is, in turn, concentratedly embodied in the scientific nature of the basic Marxist theories—Marxist philosophy, Marxist political economy, and scientific socialism—and the worldview and methodology formed by their organic unity. Grasping the scientific nature of the basic principles of Marxism is a fundamental defense of the scientific nature of Marxism; the stronger the explanatory power of the basic principles of Marxism, the more systematic our grasp of the scientific nature of Marxism will be.

作为科学的知识体系，马克思主义的科学性关键源自马克思主义基本原理的科学性。马克思主义基本原理的科学性则集中体现于马克思主义哲学、马克思主义政治经济学和科学社会主义等马克思主义基本理论及其有机统一的世界观和方法论的科学性。对马克思主义基本原理科学性的把握就是对马克思主义科学性的根本性维护，对马克思主义基本原理的解释力越强，则对马克思主义科学性的把握就会越系统。

First, Marxist philosophy is the collective term for dialectical materialism and historical materialism; its predecessor was classical German philosophy. It provides us with a scientific worldview and methodology, helping us correctly understand and transform the world. Second, Marxist political economy is the political economy of the proletariat, founded by Marx and Engels through the application of dialectical materialism and historical materialism to the study of the relations of production in various epochs that form the basis of human social development, with a particular focus on the relations of production in capitalist society. Its predecessor was classical British political economy. It profoundly reveals the internal contradictions and laws of motion of capitalist society and points the way and direction for socialist revolution. Third, scientific socialism is the core of the Marxist theoretical system; its task is to study the historical conditions of the proletariat’s cause of emancipation and the nature of that cause itself. It is the science of action that most directly and comprehensively guides the struggle for the emancipation of the proletariat and all humanity. Moreover, based on a profound grasp of the laws of human social development, it depicts an ideal social form. These three inseparable basic theories of Marxism jointly reveal the objective laws of human social development and point to the inevitable trend of that development. Their scientific nature lies not only in providing us with a “great tool of cognition” for understanding the world but also in providing us with a scientific guide for transforming the world.

其一，马克思主义哲学是辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的统称，其前身为德国古典哲学，为我们提供了科学的世界观和方法论，帮助我们正确地认识世界和改造世界。其二，马克思主义政治经济学是马克思、恩格斯运用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义，研究作为人类社会发展基础的各个时代的生产关系，尤其是着重研究资本主义社会的生产关系，创立的无产阶级政治经济学，其前身是英国古典政治经济学，深刻揭示了资本主义社会的内在矛盾和运动规律，为我们指明了社会主义革命的方向和道路。其三，科学社会主义是马克思主义理论体系的核心，它的任务是研究无产阶级解放事业的历史条件以及这一事业本身的性质。它是最直接又全面指导无产阶级和全人类解放斗争的行动科学，更是基于对人类社会发展规律的深刻把握，为我们描绘了一个理想的社会形态。马克思主义这三大不可分割的基本理论，共同揭示了人类社会发展的客观规律，指出了人类社会发展的必然趋势，其科学性在于不仅为我们提供了认识世界的“伟大的认识工具”，更为我们提供了改造世界的科学指南。

Facts have proven that the fundamental reason the proletariat can correctly understand and transform the world and promote the progress and development of human society lies in the powerful explanatory and guiding force of the basic principles of Marxism themselves. They can not only explain the historical process of human society but also guide the proletariat’s revolutionary struggle and socialist construction. We say that Marxist theory is a “great tool of cognition”; it provides the most scientific, most complete, and most rigorous worldview and methodology, revealing the essence, internal connections, and laws of development of things. However, it must be profoundly understood that within the scientific theoretical system of Marxism, its basic principles are the “overall governing” principles; they are the “master key” and “master switch” for our understanding of the objective world and the laws of human social development. They are general principles with universal applicability. The specific methods and conclusions derived from the basic principles of Marxism, on the other hand, can keep pace with the times as the era develops.

事实证明，无产阶级之所以能够正确地认识世界和改造世界、推动人类社会的进步和发展，根本在于马克思主义基本原理本身具有强大的解释力和指导力，它不仅能够解释人类社会的历史进程，更能够指导无产阶级的革命斗争和社会主义建设。我们说，马克思主义理论是“伟大的认识工具”，它提供了最科学、最完整、最严谨的世界观和方法论，揭示了事物的本质、内在联系及其发展规律。但同时必须深刻地认识到，在马克思主义科学的理论体系当中，其基本原理是“管总”的，是我们认识客观世界和人类社会发展规律的“总钥匙”“总开关”，是一般原理，具有普遍适用性。而由马克思主义基本原理衍生出的具体方法和结论，则可随着时代的发展而不断与时俱进。

Therefore, we must continuously enhance the explanatory power of the basic principles of Marxism to provide a solid foundation of ideological principles and a source of theory for Chinese-path modernization construction. We must firmly establish our firm belief in the scientific nature of Marxism on the basis of a profound understanding of its basic principles. If we merely scratch the surface of the basic principles of Marxism, have only a smattering of knowledge, or even develop a mistaken understanding, we cannot speak of grasping the scientific nature of Marxism, nor will we be able to form a scientific worldview and methodology, thereby shaking the very foundation of our belief in Marxism.

因此，我们务必不断增强对马克思主义基本原理的解释力，为中国式现代化建设提供坚实的思想原理基础和理论源泉。要把对马克思主义科学性的坚定信念，牢牢建立在对马克思主义基本原理深刻理解的基础之上。如果对马克思主义基本原理浅尝辄止、一知半解，甚至产生错误的理解，我们就谈不上把握马克思主义的科学性，也将无法形成科学的世界观和方法论，进而动摇对马克思主义信仰的根基。

A Practical Necessity for Fully Demonstrating the Truth of Marxism

充分彰显马克思主义真理性的现实之需

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that in the history of human thought, no ideological theory has reached the height of Marxism in terms of scientificity, truth, influence, and reach.

习近平总书记指出，在人类思想史上，就科学性、真理性、影响力、传播面而言，没有一种思想理论能达到马克思主义的高度。

The reason Marxism is truth is crucially that the basic principles of Marxism are universal truth, not that every statement Marx and Engels made over a century ago perfectly aligns with contemporary reality. Although times change and society develops, Marxism still occupies the commanding heights of truth and morality; it is the “true scripture” of us Communists. The truth of Marxism is concentratedly reflected in the truth of its basic principles. The stronger the explanatory power of the basic principles of Marxism, the more fully the truth of Marxism is demonstrated.

马克思主义之所以是真理，关键在于马克思主义基本原理是普遍真理，而不在于马克思、恩格斯在百余年前的所有论述皆与当代现实发展高度契合。尽管时代在变化，社会在发展，但马克思主义依然占据着真理和道义的制高点，是我们共产党人的“真经”。马克思主义的真理性集中反映于马克思主义基本原理的真理性。对马克思主义基本原理的解释力越强，马克思主义的真理性就彰显得越充分。

At the same time, the truth of Marxism is objective, not self-proclaimed. Marxism is a practical theory that guides people in their actions to transform the world. In fact, since the birth of Marxism, the basic principles of Marxism, which originate from objective practice, have been closely integrated with objective practice and have withstood the continuous test of objective practice. If separated from practice, the basic principles of Marxism would degenerate into abstract dogma.

同时，马克思主义的真理性是客观的，而不是自封的。马克思主义是实践的理论，指引着人民改造世界的行动。事实上，自马克思主义诞生以来，源自客观实践的马克思主义基本原理与客观实践紧密结合，经受了客观实践的不断检验。如果离开了实践，马克思主义基本原理将沦为抽象的教条。

Grasping the truth of Marxism in practice through a profound understanding of its basic principles, and deepening our understanding of those basic principles through the practical testing of Marxist truth, essentially embodies the basic principle of integrating theory with practice. On the one hand, when basic principles are tested by practice, the ideological power of Marxism can be more fully manifested. On the other hand, when concrete practice is guided by basic principles, the practical power of Marxism can be more fully manifested. Therefore, only by profoundly understanding the basic principles of Marxism in practice and enhancing their explanatory power can we better grasp the truth of Marxism. At this level, regarding Marxism, we do not engage in blind worship; rather, we treat science with a scientific attitude and pursue truth with the spirit of truth. We must continuously enhance the explanatory power of the basic principles of Marxism, understand the basic principles and the stance, viewpoint, and method running through them at a deeper level, and continuously promote the innovation and development of Marxism by integrating it with the issues of the times and concrete practice.

通过深刻理解马克思主义基本原理把握实践中的马克思主义的真理性，并在马克思主义真理的实践检验中深化对马克思主义基本原理的理解，实质上体现了理论与实践相结合的基本原则。一方面，基本原理有了实践的检验，能够更加充分体现马克思主义的思想伟力。另一方面，具体实践有了基本原理的指导，能够更加体现马克思主义的实践伟力。因此，只有在实践中深刻理解马克思主义基本原理，增强其解释力，才能更好地把握马克思主义的真理性。在此层面而言，对于马克思主义，我们不是盲目崇拜，而是以科学的态度对待科学、以真理的精神追求真理，而是要不断增强对马克思主义基本原理的解释力，从更深层次去理解基本原理和贯穿其中的立场、观点、方法，并结合时代问题和具体实践不断推动马克思主义的创新和发展。

Currently, there are still doubts in society about the truth of Marxism, including demonizing interpretations of Marxism; these are all unacceptable. We must closely integrate with the great practice of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, continuously enhance the explanatory power of the basic principles of Marxism, and truly forge the “soul and pulse” of Marxism. Only then can the truth of the basic principles of Marxism be fully demonstrated, and only then can we more forcefully and effectively wage a resolute struggle against various erroneous ideological trends that question and distort Marxism. It can be said that the promotion of the truth of the basic principles of Marxism is the best critique of these noises and dissonances, and it is a fundamental establishment of the truth of Marxism. By enhancing the explanatory power of the basic principles of Marxism and profoundly understanding that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the Marxism of contemporary China and Marxism of the 21st century, we believe in truth, uphold truth, and earnestly achieve true learning, true belief, and true application, promoting Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to radiate even more dazzling rays of truth.

当前，社会上仍然存在对马克思主义真理性的质疑，包括对马克思主义妖魔化的理解，这些都是不可取的。我们务必紧密结合中国特色社会主义建设的伟大实践，不断增强对马克思主义基本原理的解释力，真正铸牢马克思主义这个“魂脉”，马克思主义基本原理的真理性才能充分彰显，才能更加有力有效地同质疑、歪曲马克思主义的各种错误思潮进行坚决斗争。可以说，对马克思主义基本原理真理性的张扬，就是对这些噪声、杂音最好的批判，就是对马克思主义真理性的根本性树立。增强对马克思主义基本原理的解释力，深刻理解习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想就是当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义，相信真理、维护真理，切实做到真学、真信、真用，推进习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想焕发出更加耀眼的真理光芒。

A Key Strategy for Continuously Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

持续推进马克思主义中国化时代化的策略之要

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that the “Two Integrations” [1]1 The “Two Integrations” (两个结合) refers to the principle, first formally articulated by Xi Jinping in 2021, of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture. It is presented as the fundamental method for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. are the greatest magic weapon for our success. The “Two Integrations” refer to integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture; they are the fundamental pathway for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. The reason why Marxism works is, in the final analysis, that the basic principles of Marxism work, and that Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times works.

习近平总书记指出，“两个结合”是我们取得成功的最大法宝。“两个结合”即将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，是推进马克思主义中国化时代化的根本途径。马克思主义之所以行，归根结底是马克思主义基本原理行，是中国化时代化的马克思主义行。

Advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times by adhering to the “Two Integrations” is a process of pursuing truth, revealing truth, and practicing truth. In this process, we must clearly recognize that the basic principles of Marxism have always been an inseparable party to it. To put it bluntly, the “Two Integrations” concern the question of with whom the basic principles of Marxism are integrated. If the basic principles of Marxism are set aside, neither of the two integrations in the “Two Integrations” can exist. Therefore, to advance the “Two Integrations,” we must not only deeply understand China’s specific realities and strive to uphold the fine traditional Chinese culture as the “root vein,” but also scientifically grasp the basic principles of Marxism, thereby upholding Marxism as the “soul vein.” The stronger our explanatory power regarding the basic principles of Marxism, the more solid the theoretical support we will have for deeply advancing the “Two Integrations” and continuously promoting the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

以坚持“两个结合”推进马克思主义中国化时代化是一个追求真理、揭示真理、笃行真理的过程。在这个过程中，我们必须清醒地认识到，马克思主义基本原理始终是其不可分割的一方。说到底，“两个结合”是关于马克思主义基本原理与谁结合的问题。如果离开了马克思主义基本原理，“两个结合”中的任何一个结合将不复存在。因此，推进“两个结合”，不仅要深入了解中国具体实际，努力坚守中华优秀传统文化这个“根脉”，同时必须科学把握马克思主义基本原理，进而坚守马克思主义这个“魂脉”。我们在马克思主义基本原理上的解释力越强，对于深入推进“两个结合”、持续推进马克思主义中国化时代化的理论支撑就越坚实。

At the same time, it must be emphatically pointed out that enhancing the explanatory power of the basic principles of Marxism in order to advance the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is also a process of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. What is upheld is the “fundamental” of the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method; what is created is the “new” that meets the requirements of the New Era and new circumstances.

同时，必须强调指出的是，增强对马克思主义基本原理的解释力，以推进马克思主义中国化时代化，也是一个守正创新的过程，守的是马克思主义立场观点方法这个“正”，创的是符合新时代新形势新要求的这个“新”。

First, we must systematically study classic works and fully grasp the connotation and essence of the basic principles of Marxism. Returning to classic texts is the necessary path for deeply understanding the basic principles of Marxism. This requires us to deeply excavate the ideological essence of Marxist classic texts, accurately grasp the profound connotations of their basic principles, and more directly and deeply understand the stance, viewpoint, and method of Marxism, rather than simply clinging to all the conclusions of the classical Marxist writers. At the same time, returning to classic texts also helps to correct misunderstandings and distortions of the basic principles of Marxism, ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of interpretation.

一要系统学习经典著作，全面吃透马克思主义基本原理的内涵精义。回归经典文本，是深入理解马克思主义基本原理的必经之路。这就要求我们要深入挖掘马克思主义经典文本中的思想精髓，准确把握其基本原理的深刻内涵，更加直接地深入理解马克思主义的立场、观点和方法，而不是简单地固守马克思主义经典作家的所有结论。同时，回归经典文本也有助于纠正对马克思主义基本原理的误解和歪曲，确保解释的准确性和全面性。

Second, we must closely integrate with the circumstances of the times and deeply elucidate the basic principles of Marxism. Marxism is a developing theory; its basic principles may take on different forms in different historical periods and under different social backgrounds. When deeply understanding the basic principles of Marxism, we must closely integrate them with the contemporary background and social reality of Chinese-path modernization, revealing their significance and value in the present era. We must pay attention to using multiple methods for interpretation, not limited to textual-level exegesis. We should combine knowledge from history, culture, society, and other fields, using comparative analysis, logical reasoning, and other methods to deeply dissect their internal logical relationships and scientific value, so as to understand and grasp the basic principles of Marxism more deeply and comprehensively.

二要紧密结合时代境遇，深入阐释马克思主义基本原理。马克思主义是发展的理论，其基本原理在不同的历史时期和不同的社会背景下，可能呈现不同样态。在深刻理解马克思主义基本原理时，要紧密结合中国式现代化的时代背景和社会现实，揭示其在当代的意义价值。要注重运用多种方法进行解释，不能仅限于文字层面的解读，要结合历史、文化、社会等多个领域的知识，运用比较分析、逻辑推理等多种方法，深刻剖析其内在的逻辑关系和科学价值，以更加深入地理解、更加全面地把握马克思主义基本原理。

Third, we must firmly align with the needs of the people and scientifically grasp the thought method of the basic principles of Marxism. Although the basic principles of Marxism are universal truths, they are by no means castles in the air or aloof; rather, they are deeply rooted in the actual needs of the broad masses of the people. We must deeply understand the life practices of the people, grasp the internal contradictions and problems, and thereby find the points of convergence and resonance between the ideological essence of the basic principles of Marxism and the actual needs of the broad masses of the people. We must continuously sum up experiences and lessons, constantly innovate methods of interpretation, and promote the basic principles of Marxism to take root in people’s hearts and fly into the homes of ordinary people in a way that is closer to the people and more in line with reality.

三要牢牢贴近人民需要，科学把握马克思主义基本原理的思想方法。马克思主义基本原理虽然是普遍真理，但绝非空中楼阁、高高在上，而是深深植根于广大人民的现实需要之中。要深入了解人民群众的生活实践，把握其内在的矛盾和问题，从而找到马克思主义基本原理的思想精髓与广大人民现实需要的契合点、共情点。要不断总结经验教训，不断创新解释办法，以更加贴近人民、更加符合实际的方式，推动马克思主义基本原理深入人心，飞入寻常百姓家。

(The author is Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Professor at Hunan University)

（作者系湖南大学党委副书记、教授）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心