Adhere to a Problem-Oriented Approach and Unswervingly Advance Practical Innovation and Theoretical Innovation

Adhering to a problem-oriented approach is the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and it runs through the entire text of *Selected Works of Xi Jinping* (hereinafter referred to as the *Selected Works*). To advance practical innovation, theoretical innovation, and institutional innovation, it is necessary to adhere to this problem-oriented approach as a method of thought and work.

坚持问题导向是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论，贯穿《习近平著作选读》（以下简称《选读》）始终。推进实践创新、理论创新、制度创新，必须坚持问题导向这一思想方法和工作方法。

I. Adhering to a Problem-Oriented Approach Requires Keenness in Identifying Problems

一、坚持问题导向，要敏于发现问题

“The main difficulty is not the answer, but the question.” [1]1 A quotation from Mao Zedong, emphasizing that problems are the manifestation of contradictions in objective reality. Many of the major issues mentioned in the *Selected Works* were identified by General Secretary Xi Jinping with a keen eye. For example: “China is a large developing country, and adhering to the correct path of political development is a major issue that concerns the fundamentals and the overall situation”; “Upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance are major issues concerning the flourishing of the Party and the state, the long-term stability of the country, and the well-being and happiness of the people”; “The imbalance and inadequacy in urban-rural development is a prominent contradiction in China’s economic and social development, and a major issue that must be resolved to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects and accelerate socialist modernization”; “Solving the problem of feeding over a billion people has always been a major issue concerning the national economy and the people’s livelihood”; “An important aspect of our Party leading the people in governing the country is to answer the major question of what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it”; “The issue of the historical cycle [2]2 “Seven issues” (七个有之) refers to seven types of political misconduct within the Party, including forming factions, undermining Party unity, and spreading rumors, as identified by Xi is a major issue concerning the Party’s century-long cause, concerning the life and death of the Party, and concerning the rise and fall of China’s socialist system,” and so forth.

“主要的困难不是答案，而是问题。”《选读》中提到的很多重大问题都是习近平总书记以敏锐的眼光发现的。比如，“中国是一个发展中大国，坚持正确的政治发展道路更是关系根本、关系全局的重大问题”；“坚持和完善中国特色社会主义制度、推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化，是关系党和国家事业兴旺发达、国家长治久安、人民幸福安康的重大问题”；“城乡发展不平衡不协调，是我国经济社会发展存在的突出矛盾，是全面建成小康社会、加快推进社会主义现代化必须解决的重大问题”；“解决好十几亿人口的吃饭问题，始终是关系国计民生的一个重大问题”；“我们党领导人民治国理政，很重要的一个方面就是要回答好实现什么样的发展、怎样实现发展这个重大问题”；“历史周期率问题，这是关系党千秋伟业的一个重大问题，关系党的生死存亡，关系我国社会主义制度的兴衰成败”，等等。

II. Adhering to a Problem-Oriented Approach Requires Courage in Confronting Problems

二、坚持问题导向，要敢于直面问题

“Having problems is not terrible; what is terrible is not daring to confront problems and failing to find ideas for solving them.” The greatness of the Communist Party of China lies in its courage to confront problems directly

“有问题不可怕，可怕的是不敢直面问题，找不到解决问题的思路。”中国共产党的伟大在于敢于直面问题。习近平总书记在《党必须勇于自我革命》中指出：“中国共产党的伟大不在于不犯错误，而在于从不讳疾忌医，敢于直面问题，勇于自我革命，具有极强的自我修复能力。”中国共产党的优势也在于敢于直面问题。他在《不忘初心，牢记使命》中指出：“敢于直面问题、勇于修正错误，是我们党的显著特点和优势。”正因为我们党始终敢于直面问题，勇于推动自我革命，才能够在危难之际绝处逢生、失误之后拨乱反正，成为永远打不倒、压不垮的马克思主义政党。

III. Adhere to a Problem-Oriented Approach: Be Skilled in Analyzing Problems

三、坚持问题导向，要精于分析问题

“Problems are the forms of expression of the contradictions of things.” [1]1 A quotation from Mao Zedong, emphasizing that problems are the manifestation of contradictions in objective reality. First, we must closely focus on the principal contradiction in Chinese society in the New Era, grasp the problems existing in the fields of politics, economy, society, culture, and ecological civilization, and distinguish different types of problems such as fundamental problems, core problems, primary problems, and problems of the first order. Second, we must analyze the causes, essence, and harm of problems. Comrade Xi Jinping, in “Enforce Strict Party Discipline in Political Life and Advance Comprehensive and Strict Governance of the Party,” analyzed the causes of the “seven issues” [2]2 “Seven issues” (七个有之) refers to seven types of political misconduct within the Party, including forming factions, undermining Party unity, and spreading rumors, as identified by Xi as follows: “disregarding the Party’s political discipline and political rules, for the sake of one’s so-called official career, for the sake of one’s so-called influence.” In “Pack Up and Set Out Again, with the Persistence of Always Being on the Road, Deepen Comprehensive and Strict Governance of the Party,” he analyzed the essence of the “seven issues.” “‘The seven issues’ are essentially political problems, summarized in two aspects. One is the intertwining of political and economic problems to form interest groups, vainly attempting to seize Party and state power; the other is the machinations of mountain-stronghold mentality and factionalism, engaging in large-scale non-organizational activities, undermining the Party’s centralized and unified leadership.” In “Learn from History, Create the Future, Work Hard and Forge Ahead Courageously,” he pointed out that the harm of the “seven issues” lies in “seriously affecting the Party’s image and prestige, and seriously damaging the relationship between the Party and the masses and between cadres and the masses.”

“问题是事物矛盾的表现形式”。首先，我们要紧紧围绕新时代我国社会主要矛盾，把握政治、经济、社会、文化和生态文明等领域存在的问题，分清根本问题、核心问题、首要问题和第一位的问题等不同类型的问题。其次，我们要分析问题的成因、本质和危害。习近平同志在《严肃党内政治生活，推进全面从严治党》中分析“七个有之”问题产生的原因是：“无视党的政治纪律和政治规矩，为了自己的所谓仕途，为了自己的所谓影响力”。他在《重整行装再出发，以永远在路上的执着把全面从严治党引向深入》中分析了“七个有之”问题的本质。“‘七个有之’本质上是政治问题，概括起来是两个方面。一个是政治问题和经济问题交织形成利益集团，妄图攫取党和国家权力；一个是山头主义和宗派主义作祟，大搞非组织活动，破坏党的集中统一。”他在《以史为鉴、开创未来，埋头苦干、勇毅前行》中指出，“七个有之”问题的危害在于“严重影响党的形象和威信、严重损害党群干群关系”。

IV. Adhere to a Problem-Oriented Approach: Be Good at Solving Problems

四、坚持问题导向，要善于解决问题

First, learn to use the Marxist scientific worldview and methodology to solve problems, rather than reciting and repeating its specific conclusions and phrases, and still less treating it as an immutable dogma. Second, strengthen ideals and convictions. To this end, it is necessary to “strengthen education in ideals and convictions, guide the whole Party to keep in mind the Party’s purpose, solve the ‘master switch’ problem of worldview, outlook on life, and values, and consciously become firm believers and loyal practitioners of the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” [3] Third, adhere to a people-centered approach. The masses face many difficulties in employment, education, medical care, childcare, elderly care, and housing. We must maintain the flesh-and-blood ties between the Party and the masses, firmly stand with the people, focus on solving problems of unbalanced and inadequate development and the urgent, difficult, and anxious problems of the people, earnestly solve the prominent issues strongly reflected by the people, respond to the voices and expectations of the people, and constantly realize, safeguard, and develop the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people. Finally, maintain sobriety and firmness. “As the world’s largest Marxist ruling party, to always win the support of the people and consolidate its long-term ruling position, our Party must always maintain the sobriety and firmness to solve the unique problems of a large party.” [4]

首先，学会运用马克思主义科学的世界观和方法论解决问题，而不是背诵和重复其具体结论和词句，更不能把它当成一成不变的教条。其次，坚定理想信念。为此，要“加强理想信念教育，引导全党牢记党的宗旨，解决好世界观、人生观、价值观这个总开关问题，自觉做共产主义远大理想和中国特色社会主义共同理想的坚定信仰者和忠实实践者”。再次，坚持以人民为中心。群众在就业、教育、医疗、托育、养老、住房等方面面临不少难题，我们要保持党同人民群众的血肉联系，站稳人民立场，着力解决发展不平衡不充分问题和人民群众急难愁盼问题，切实解决人民群众反映强烈的突出问题，回应人民群众呼声和期待，不断实现好、维护好、发展好最广大人民根本利益。最后，保持清醒和坚定。“我们党作为世界上最大的马克思主义执政党，要始终赢得人民拥护、巩固长期执政地位，必须时刻保持解决大党独有难题的清醒和坚定。”

(Author’s bio: Associate Researcher at the Academy of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)

（作者简介：中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院副研究员）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心