The Core Essence of Xi Jinping's Important Discourses on the Spirit of Struggle in the New Era

The contradictory movement of social development is the living source that nurtures the spirit of struggle. The great struggles led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) with the people have accumulated the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation and formed a distinct spiritual identity. Since the New Era, Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the extreme importance of "carrying out great struggles," and in calling on the whole Party to "uphold and carry forward the spirit of struggle," he has put forward a series of new judgments, forming important discourses on the spirit of struggle in the New Era. The spirit of struggle in the New Era is not only the internal dimension and spiritual foundation for constructing the ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics, but also a powerful spiritual force for rallying people's hearts and pooling strength. Systematically grasping Xi Jinping's important discourses on the spirit of struggle in the New Era has very important practical guiding significance for solving prominent problems such as the weakening of the spirit of struggle among some Party members and cadres and their insufficient sense of responsibility.

I. Xi Jinping's Important Discourses on the Theoretical Connotation of the Spirit of Struggle in the New Era

Xi Jinping's important discourses on the spirit of struggle in the New Era have reshaped the spiritual form of the CPC's tenacious struggle on the new journey, forming the theoretical connotation of the spirit of struggle in the New Era. The 18th National Congress of the CPC emphasized: "Developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is a long-term and arduous historical task, and we must be prepared to carry out great struggles with many new historical characteristics."[1]1 The "Two Musts" refers to Mao Zedong's admonition at the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the CPC in March 1949 that comrades must remain modest and prudent, free from arrogance and rashness, and must remain hardworking and free from extravagance. (P82) In December 2016, when presiding over the democratic life meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping pointed out that "in the face of the new situation and new challenges, it is necessary to carry forward the spirit of struggle"[2]2 The "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 world. (P190), which was the first time that the important concept of "spirit of struggle" in the New Era formally appeared in Xi Jinping's discourses. The 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasized that "upholding and carrying forward the spirit of struggle" is one of the major principles that must be firmly grasped, unequivocally elevating the carrying forward of the spirit of struggle to a key position of "boosting the spirit and morale of the whole Party." The spiritual form shaped by the Party's great struggles in the New Era presents a composite structure, being an internal unity of mental state, resolute work style, and responsible behavior.

The spirit of struggle in the New Era is fundamentally manifested as a positive state of being high-spirited and upward, forging ahead with determination, fearing no difficulties, and braving hardships. The starting point of carrying forward the spirit of struggle in the New Era lies in activating the positive state of the spiritual subject, thereby maximizing its inner potential. In June 2013, at the work conference on the Party's mass line education and practice campaign, Xi Jinping emphasized, "Educate and guide Party members and cadres to bear in mind the 'Two Musts,'[n1] be selfless and devoted to public duty, be diligent and clean in governance, and maintain a high-spirited and enterprising mental state"[3]3 The "five dares or dare nots" refers to Xi Jinping's five questions posed in January 2020: whether one dares to draw one's sword in the face of major issues of principle, whether one dares to fight in the face of contradictions and difficulties, whether one dares to take responsibility in the face of crises and dangers, whether one dares to struggle in the face of erroneous words and deeds, and whether one dares to resist in the face of hegemonic and power politics. (P314), which has a distinct problem orientation. In January 2020, at the summary conference of the education campaign on "staying true to the original aspiration and keeping the founding mission firmly in mind," Xi Jinping pointed out that to carry forward the spirit of struggle, one must "not forget danger in times of peace, not forget extinction in times of survival, not forget worry in times of joy, always remain vigilant, and constantly invigorate the spirit"[4]4 The "Four Consciousnesses" refers to political consciousness, consciousness of the overall situation, core consciousness, and consciousness of alignment, first proposed at the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012 and further emphasized thereafter. (P542). From the perspective of a positive state, the spirit of struggle in the New Era emphasizes the essential internal consistency between the mental state of individual Party members and cadres and the spiritual outlook of the century-old Party, and is the fundamental purpose of the whole Party's firm confidence and determination to maintain a mental state of never slackening.

The spirit of struggle in the New Era centrally embodies a resolute work style of daring to draw one's sword, daring to take responsibility, daring to manage and supervise, and daring to venture and experiment. The issue of work style is essentially an issue of Party spirit. A resolute work style reflects the image and quality of the CPC, embodies Party spirit, and it is Party spirit that plays the decisive role. The spirit of struggle in the New Era inherits the fine traditions and work style that the Party has formed over a long period, and directly confronts the deep-seated maladies in the Party's work style construction in the New Era. Xi Jinping requires the whole Party to deeply "understand this issue from a political height, wake up ideologically, bear in mind the 'Two Musts,' and unswervingly change the work style"[5]5 “Three distinctions” (三个区分开来): A policy framework proposed by Xi Jinping to distinguish (1) mistakes made in exploring new paths from violations of discipline and law, (2) unintended errors in experimental reforms from deliberate dereliction of duty, and (3) faults arising from promoting development from acts of self-serving misconduct, so as to protect reform-minded cadres. (P391); emphasizes that comrades of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee should take the lead in inheriting and carrying forward the Party's fine work style; leading cadres at all levels should be firm in conviction, serve the people, be diligent and pragmatic, dare to take responsibility, and be honest and upright; all Communists should temper a resolute work style while enhancing their awareness of potential dangers. To carry forward the spirit of struggle in the New Era is to dare to manage and supervise, and dare to venture and experiment, within the primary political quality of loyalty to the Party and the noble value stance of not letting down the people.

The spirit of struggle in the New Era prominently emphasizes responsible behavior of bravely tackling difficulties and daring to accept various challenges. Chinese Communists must "with a strong sense of mission, shoulder the responsibilities that should be shouldered, keep up with the requirements of the times, keep up with the requirements of practice, and keep up with the requirements of the people"[6]6 “Being selfless and impartial” (大公无私) is a four-character idiom meaning complete devotion to the public interest without any selfish motives. (P13). "Keeping up with the requirements of the times" means deeply grasping the era situation in which the "two overall situations"[n2] are accelerating their evolution and deeply interacting, and always maintaining strategic resolve. "Keeping up with the requirements of practice" means adapting to new development requirements, not wearing new shoes while walking the old road, and must comprehensively and systematically put forward scientific concepts and effective countermeasures to solve practical problems. "Keeping up with the requirements of the people" aims to truly accept and undertake the responsibility of serving the people wholeheartedly. The responsible behavior of Party members and cadres is manifested in the work style of seeking truth from facts, and value is realized in the process of doing things for the people and seeking benefits for the people.

II. Xi Jinping's Important Discourses on the Criteria for Measuring the Spirit of Struggle in the New Era

The CPC's spiritual character of daring to struggle was formed through revolutionary tempering. In response to the historical mission shouldered by Chinese Communists in the New Era, Xi Jinping creatively put forward the "five dares or dare nots"[n3] at the summary conference of the education campaign on "staying true to the original aspiration and keeping the founding mission firmly in mind," which stipulates from the perspective of goals and requirements the important criteria for judging whether one has the spirit of struggle.

1. Whether one dares to draw one's sword in the face of major issues of principle. The spirit of struggle is the resolute courage of Chinese Communists, and the primary criterion is daring to draw one's sword in the face of major issues of principle. Major issues of principle refer to major issues of right and wrong that are principled and fundamental, established on the basis of distinct class analysis. Xi Jinping pointed out, "The struggle of Communists has a direction, a stance, and principles; the general direction is to uphold the leadership of the CPC and the socialist system of China without wavering"[7]7 The “seven issues” (七个有之) refers to seven types of problematic political behaviors within the Party, such as spreading rumors and slander, forming cliques for selfish interests, and engaging in vote-buying and bribery, which were identified as targets of rectification. (P226). Party members and cadres cultivating the spirit of struggle should "have a correct stance and a clear attitude, dare to stand up and speak, and dare to express their own attitude"[8]8 “Greatest concerns of the nation” (国之大者) is a term used by Xi Jinping to refer to the most fundamental and overarching issues concerning the long-term development of the country and the fundamental interests of the people. (P148), and on all kinds of principled issues, they must dare to draw their swords. Firmly establishing the "Four Consciousnesses"[n4] is the fundamental requirement for carrying out great struggles in the New Era. First, carrying out great struggles requires firmly establishing "political consciousness." Party members and cadres must always keep the string of political discipline taut and always be clear-headed people politically, "and must not sing a different tune from the Party Central Committee on major political principle issues or on major issues of right and wrong, or engage in political liberalism"[9]9 The “seven issues” (七个有之) refers to seven types of political misconduct within the Party, including acting against the Party Central Committee’s decisions, spreading rumors, and engaging in factionalism, which (P125). Second, carrying out great struggles requires firmly establishing "consciousness of the overall situation." Party members and cadres must bear in mind "the great matters of the state," think about problems and handle affairs from the height of the overall situation and strategy, take the implementation of the Party Central Committee's decisions and arrangements as the premise, and must not harm the overall interests for the sake of local interests. Third, carrying out great struggles requires firmly establishing "core consciousness" and "consciousness of alignment." All Party organizations at all levels and all Party members must firmly support the core, consciously align with the Party Central Committee, align with the Party's theories, lines, principles, and policies, and align with the Party Central Committee's decisions and arrangements. In the face of major principled issues related to the Party's principles, the Party's cause, and the people's interests, Party members and cadres must carry out resolute struggles with the spirit and courage of "when two meet on a narrow path, the brave one wins."

2. Whether one dares to rise to the challenge in the face of contradictions. Contradictions are the unity of opposites; in sum, they are the difficulties and challenges encountered on the path forward. Their nature as a unity of opposites determines that people are necessarily in one of two mental states: “rising to the challenge” or “stopping in one’s tracks, shrinking back from difficulties.” “Rising to the challenge” means facing contradictions directly and struggling to the end. Xi Jinping summarizes this as “a materialist’s courage,” stressing that “the struggle of Communists has always been aimed at contradictions, problems, risks, and challenges” [10]10 “Unity of knowledge and action” (知行合一) is a concept from Wang Yangming’s Neo-Confucian philosophy, emphasizing the inseparability of moral knowledge and moral practice. (p. 226). Rising to the challenge in the face of contradictions is another important criterion for whether Party cadres and members possess the spirit of struggle. The Party’s history is a history of fearing no difficulties and waging a tenacious struggle to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; it is even more a history of Chinese Communists recognizing and facing contradictions directly. “Our Party leads the people in carrying out revolution, construction, and reform, all for the purpose of solving China’s real problems” [11]11 “Seeing the whole from a single detail” (见微知著) is a classical Chinese idiom meaning to discern the larger trend or outcome from small signs. (p. 128). On the new journey, Chinese Communists deeply understand that ignoring contradictions and shrinking back will lead to “problems accumulating until they become too severe to remedy.” Party cadres and members must be sober and resolute in dealing with contradictions, cultivating a heroic spirit that fears no strong enemy and no contradiction. Xi Jinping stresses that “to meet major challenges, resist major risks, overcome major obstacles, and resolve major contradictions, it is urgently necessary to rise to the challenge” [12]12 “Knowing the what but not the why” (知其然不知其所以然) is a classical Chinese expression referring to superficial understanding without grasping underlying principles. (p. 335). The spirit of struggle that rises to the challenge is “working hard and with perseverance, maintaining a high-spirited morale that knows the weight of the burden and faces challenges directly” [13]13 “Consolidate the foundation, make up for shortcomings, and give play to strengths” (固底板、补短板和扬优势) is a common internal Party formulation for strengthening weak links and leveraging advantages in cadre development. (p. 350). The length of time, the difficulty of tasks, and the density of overcoming difficulties constantly test the resilience and perseverance of Party cadres and members; spiritual strength is the key to determining whether one can rise to the challenge in the face of contradictions. Party cadres and members must “the more difficult and contradictory the place, the more severe the situation and the more complex the circumstances, the more they must temper their courage, sharpen their will, and grow their abilities” [14] (p. 227), always tempering themselves in struggle with the tenacious will of “achievement need not be in my name.”

3. Whether one dares to step forward in the face of crises. For Party cadres and members, stepping forward is a choice, a fearless spirit that sets aside individual interests in the face of crisis. Xi Jinping summarizes this as the exemplary vanguard role of “being recognizable in ordinary times, standing out at critical moments, and stepping forward in times of crisis” [15] (p. 351). On the one hand, the Communist Party of China, in implementing the mass line, forever maintains a value sentiment of not betraying the people. Daring to step forward in the face of crisis reflects the outlook on life and death of Party cadres and members; it is a touchstone for testing “whether one is qualified and advanced” in various struggle practices. Party cadres and members “step forward and charge ahead in times of crisis, protecting the peace and happiness of thousands of households with their blood and lives” [16] (p. 385), manifesting the lofty sentiment of a Communist Party member who sincerely serves the people. The spirit of struggle that dares to step forward in the face of crisis profoundly contains the sense of responsibility of Party cadres and members to not forget their original aspiration and to fulfill their founding mission. On the other hand, daring to step forward in the face of crisis is embodied in the ability and capacity of Party cadres and members to turn crises into opportunities. Xi Jinping profoundly points out: “Our greatest opportunity is our own continuous development and growth; at the same time, we must also pay attention to various risks and challenges, and be adept at turning crises into opportunities and danger into safety” [17] (p. 442). Accurately recognizing changes, responding scientifically, and seeking change proactively, being adept at turning crises into opportunities, is the foundation of the ability of Party cadres and members to dare to step forward. Whether one can turn crises into opportunities depends crucially on whether Party cadres and members are adept at using a comprehensive, dialectical, and long-term perspective to discover the inherent necessary connections of objective things, grasp the essence through complex phenomena, seize the key points, identify the root causes, make decisive decisions, and be adept at integrating forces from all sides, scientifically deploying forces, and effectively handling matters.

4. Whether one dares to take responsibility in the face of mistakes. Whether one dares to take responsibility is a basic criterion for testing whether a Party member can share the Party’s concerns and be courageous in doing things. Lenin pointed out: “In such a new, difficult, and great undertaking, shortcomings, errors, and mistakes are inevitable” [18] (p. 130), and “we must learn to carefully and thoroughly analyze our many actual errors, and learn step by step to persistently correct these errors” [19] (p. 443). In the New Era, the quality of Party cadres and members daring to take responsibility in the face of mistakes is a comprehensive measure of their breadth of mind, conduct, and ability. On the one hand, daring to take responsibility in the face of mistakes is an excellent character and political responsibility of Party cadres and members to reflect on their errors and correct their actions. In reality, some Party cadres and members choose not to act in order to avoid making mistakes, preferring to be “good old guys,” “peace officials,” or “weathervanes,” worrying that “the more bowls you wash, the more you break.” The Party’s century-long struggle history profoundly shows that the Party’s greatness lies not in never making mistakes, but in never concealing its faults, actively carrying out criticism and self-criticism, daring to face problems directly, and daring to engage in self-revolution. The political responsibility of Party cadres and members to reflect on errors and correct actions contains a profound meaning of struggle, concentratedly embodied in the courage to admit work mistakes and dare to be responsible for oneself, for the people, and for history. On the other hand, daring to take responsibility in the face of mistakes is an inexhaustible driving force for activating the enthusiasm and practice of struggle. Educating and guiding Party members to dare to take responsibility with a spirit of responsibility has its outstanding value in continuously activating the enthusiasm for struggle in reform, innovation, and the construction of a modern socialist power. As early as when he was working in Zhejiang, Xi Jinping, in the article “On Piloting, One Must ‘Be Bold in Hypothesizing and Cautious in Verifying,’” stressed the need for a spirit of “daring to be the first in the world,” and that “in pilot projects that are first of their kind, one must encourage success, tolerate failure, correct mistakes, and pay attention to protecting the reform enthusiasm of cadres and the masses.” In January 2016, at a seminar for principal leading cadres at the provincial and ministerial level on studying and implementing the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the CPC, Xi Jinping proposed “three distinctions,” [5]5 “Three distinctions” (三个区分开来): A policy framework proposed by Xi Jinping to distinguish (1) mistakes made in exploring new paths from violations of discipline and law, (2) unintended errors in experimental reforms from deliberate dereliction of duty, and (3) faults arising from promoting development from acts of self-serving misconduct, so as to protect reform-minded cadres. using them as criteria for judging mistakes in the struggle practice of Party cadres and members, precisely to “tolerate the mistakes of cadres in their work, especially in reform and innovation” [20] (p. 169), protect those cadres who are upright in style yet daring to act and forge ahead, maximize the mobilization of the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the broad masses of cadres, and inspire the conviction and confidence to start undertakings and do work.

5. Whether one dares to resolutely struggle against unhealthy tendencies and evil practices. Unhealthy tendencies and evil practices refer to undesirable work styles and habits within the Party. Whether one dares to resolutely struggle against unhealthy tendencies and evil practices concerns Party spirit. Liu Shaoqi pointed out that unhealthy tendencies and evil practices such as deceiving superiors and subordinates and engaging in fraud “are not only incompatible with the Party’s style of seeking truth from facts, but are not merely manifestations of impure Party spirit; they are also a loss of the honest and truthful attitude that Communists should possess, and are manifestations of a loss of Party spirit” [21] (P11). Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Communist Party of China has confronted prominent problems within the Party with a spirit of self-revolution that turns the blade inward, curbing some unhealthy tendencies and evil practices that were previously considered difficult to curb, enhancing the Party spirit cultivation of Party members and cadres in terms of self-examination, confronting problems head-on, and consolidating their foundations, and tempering the courage and boldness to dare to struggle. On the one hand, daring to struggle against unhealthy tendencies and evil practices is a key criterion for testing the firm Party spirit and struggle resilience of Party organizations at all levels and Party members and cadres. “Our Party, as a Marxist ruling party, must not only possess powerful truth force, but also possess powerful personality force” [22] (P157). Xi Jinping has concentratedly summarized this as the firm Party spirit and struggle resilience of “being selfless and impartial.” In response to prominent problems within the Party such as the “seven issues” [9]9 The “seven issues” (七个有之) refers to seven types of political misconduct within the Party, including acting against the Party Central Committee’s decisions, spreading rumors, and engaging in factionalism, which, Xi Jinping calls on the entire Party to consolidate its foundations at the levels of ideological style, work style, leadership style, and lifestyle, educating and guiding Party members and cadres not only to dare not to be contaminated by unhealthy tendencies and evil practices, but also to be unable to and unwilling to be contaminated by them, so that the Party’s work style is comprehensively purified. On the other hand, daring to struggle against unhealthy tendencies and evil practices is key to strictly enforcing Party discipline and cultivating a positive and healthy intra-Party political culture. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has successively carried out multiple thematic education campaigns [10]10 “Unity of knowledge and action” (知行合一) is a concept from Wang Yangming’s Neo-Confucian philosophy, emphasizing the inseparability of moral knowledge and moral practice., resolutely struggling against unhealthy tendencies and evil practices within the Party. First, strictly enforce Party discipline, using super-strong struggle resilience to fundamentally deter and curb unhealthy tendencies and evil practices. Xi Jinping emphasizes: “We must strictly implement the various provisions of the Party Constitution on intra-Party political life, dare to adhere to principles, dare to carry out criticism and self-criticism, take the lead in promoting healthy practices, and resist unhealthy tendencies and evil practices” [23] (P23). Second, cultivate a positive and healthy intra-Party political culture and create a clean and upright political ecosystem, “guiding everyone to rectify their minds and cultivate themselves, discipline themselves and manage their families, be clean and honest in officialdom, and consciously resist the erosion of unhealthy tendencies and evil practices” [24] (P386), using the Party’s revolutionary spirit and fine traditions to educate Party members and cadres and purify the political ecosystem.

III. The Practical Direction for Implementing Xi Jinping’s Important Discourses on the Spirit of Struggle in the New Era

III. The Practical Direction for Implementing Xi Jinping’s Important Discourse on the Spirit of Struggle in the New Era

1. Strengthening ideological tempering to enhance the confidence for struggle. Looking back on the Party’s more than one hundred years of struggle history, the Party has always attached importance to building the Party ideologically and strengthening the Party theoretically. Theoretical cultivation is the core of a cadre’s comprehensive quality; theoretical maturity is the foundation of political maturity, and political firmness stems from theoretical clarity. Carrying forward the spirit of struggle and advancing the great struggle have direction, principles, and positions; the most fundamental thing is to educate and guide Party members and cadres to strengthen ideological tempering and continuously enhance the confidence for struggle. On the one hand, to carry forward the spirit of struggle in the New Era, it is necessary to educate Party members and cadres to deeply study Marxist theory and consolidate the faith foundation of the spirit of struggle with theoretical clarity. With theoretical clarity and ideological understanding, one can have direction, targets, and objectives when struggling. In response to prominent problems such as some Party members and cadres “not having a deep or thorough understanding of Marxism, lacking sufficient skill in applying Marxist standpoints, viewpoints, and methods, and having few high-level achievements” [26] (P328), it is necessary to consolidate the foundation of scientific faith for the spirit of struggle with theoretical clarity. “Only with firm ideals and convictions, and having forged an ‘indestructible body’ with firm ideals and convictions, can cadres take a clear stand on major issues of principle” [27] (P338). On the other hand, “history is the best textbook and also the best sobering agent” [28] (P287). To carry forward the spirit of struggle in the New Era, it is necessary to educate Party members and cadres to deeply study the Party’s history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development, draw valuable experience from the history of the Communist Party of China’s struggles, and continuously cultivate the backbone, integrity, moral integrity, and courage of struggle from the great spirit of struggle. Furthermore, to carry forward the spirit of struggle in the New Era, the most fundamental thing is to educate Party members and cadres to deeply study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deepen their understanding of the struggle situation, characteristics, and laws in the New Era, and further enhance the consciousness and principled nature of the spirit of struggle.

5. Daring to wage a resolute struggle against unhealthy tendencies and bad practices. Unhealthy tendencies and bad practices refer to undesirable styles and habits within the Party. Whether one dares to wage a resolute struggle against unhealthy tendencies and bad practices concerns Party spirit. Liu Shaoqi pointed out that the unhealthy tendencies and bad practices of deceiving superiors and subordinates and engaging in fraud and falsification “are not only incompatible with our Party’s style of seeking truth from facts, but are not merely manifestations of impure Party spirit; they are also a discarding of the loyal and honest attitude that Communists should possess, and are a manifestation of the loss of Party spirit” [21] (P11). Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Communist Party of China has confronted the prominent problems within the Party with the spirit of self-revolution that turns the blade inward, curbing some unhealthy tendencies and bad practices that were previously considered difficult to curb, enhancing the Party spirit cultivation of Party members and cadres in terms of correcting their conduct, confronting problems head-on, and consolidating their foundations, and tempering their courage and boldness to dare to struggle. On the one hand, daring to struggle against unhealthy tendencies and bad practices is a key criterion for testing the firm Party spirit and struggle resilience of Party organizations at all levels and Party members and cadres. “Our Party, as a Marxist ruling party, must not only possess powerful truth force, but also powerful personality force” [22] (P157). Xi Jinping has concentratedly summarized this as the firm Party spirit and struggle resilience of “being selfless and impartial.” [6]6 “Being selfless and impartial” (大公无私) is a four-character idiom meaning complete devotion to the public interest without any selfish motives. In response to prominent problems within the Party such as the “seven issues,” [7]7 The “seven issues” (七个有之) refers to seven types of problematic political behaviors within the Party, such as spreading rumors and slander, forming cliques for selfish interests, and engaging in vote-buying and bribery, which were identified as targets of rectification. Xi Jinping calls on the entire Party to consolidate its foundations at the levels of ideological style, work style, leadership style, and lifestyle, educating and guiding Party members and cadres not only to dare not to be contaminated by unhealthy tendencies and bad practices, but also to be unable to and unwilling to be contaminated by them, so as to make the Party’s style comprehensively pure. On the other hand, daring to struggle against unhealthy tendencies and bad practices is key to strictly enforcing Party discipline and cultivating a positive and healthy intra-Party political culture. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has successively carried out multiple thematic education campaigns, waging a resolute struggle against unhealthy tendencies and bad practices within the Party. First, strictly enforcing Party discipline, using super-strong struggle resilience to fundamentally deter and curb unhealthy tendencies and bad practices. Xi Jinping emphasizes: “We must strictly implement the various provisions of the Party Constitution on intra-Party political life, dare to adhere to principles, be brave in carrying out criticism and self-criticism, take the lead in promoting healthy tendencies, and resist unhealthy tendencies and bad practices.” [23] (P23) Second, cultivating a positive and healthy intra-Party political culture and creating a clean and upright political ecosystem, “guiding everyone to cultivate their hearts and conduct, discipline themselves and manage their families, be clean and honest in officialdom, and consciously resist the erosion of unhealthy tendencies and bad practices” [24] (P386), using the Party’s revolutionary spirit and fine traditions to educate Party members and cadres and purify the political ecosystem.

3. Strengthen practical training to enhance the capacity for struggle. Xi Jinping emphasizes that Party members and cadres must “strengthen practical training so that their professional competence and work ability keep pace with the times”[32] (P45). Building a modern socialist country in all respects is the Party’s mission and task on the new journey; carrying forward the spirit of struggle means educating and guiding Party members and cadres to strengthen practical training and to win the cause’s victory by enhancing their capacity for struggle. On the one hand, to carry forward the spirit of struggle, one must uphold the unity of knowledge and action, engage in solid and down-to-earth work, and transform the determination and courage to struggle into the capacity to handle complex problems and respond to complex situations in social practice. “We must be good at applying what we have learned to actual work, striving to achieve the unity of knowledge and action, using knowledge to promote action, and using action to seek knowledge”[33] (P14). Strengthening practical training addresses the issue of cadres’ capacity for struggle. Party members and cadres must adhere to the integration of theory and practice, focus on learning true knowledge and grasping the true essence in practice, plan undertakings and work from reality, be good at grasping the essence of things, the laws of development, and the key points of work, enhance the scientific nature, foresight, initiative, and creativity of work, and firmly grasp the initiative in development. On the other hand, to carry forward the spirit of struggle, one must emphasize the summation of experience, and in social practice refine successful struggle methods into systematic, structured, and law-based struggle understanding. “Strengthen research and reflection, strengthen practical tempering, and enhance the ability to grasp and apply the laws of the market economy, the laws of social development, and the laws of nature”[34] (P103), sum up struggle experience in social practice, make scientific predictions about potential risks and challenges with an attitude of seeing the whole from a single detail, and grasp the measure of struggle in mastering the unity of opposites. In addition, to carry forward the spirit of struggle, one must closely rely on the masses of the people, learn the wisdom of struggle from the masses in social practice, and firmly believe that the masses are the strong backing for struggle. “We must take the people as our teachers, learn from the people, put down our airs, get down to the grassroots, stay grounded, and understand the situation below”[35] (P520), always stand firmly on the people’s side, concentrate the people’s wisdom, be good at relying on the masses to sum up the laws of struggle and solve the difficult problems of struggle, and continuously enhance the Party’s mass organizational capacity and social appeal.

4. Strengthen professional training to enhance the effectiveness of struggle. Professional competence is the unity of professional knowledge, professional ability, professional conduct, and professional spirit, not merely a matter of matching one’s specialty. On the new journey, the struggle carried out by Party members and cadres is not only a political requirement but also an intellectual and professional requirement. Therefore, Party members and cadres must effectively enhance the effectiveness of struggle through strengthened professional training. On the one hand, to carry forward the spirit of struggle, one must master professional knowledge and professional methods, and enhance the effectiveness of struggle by constructing a complete knowledge system. “If one only has a vague understanding of some concepts and requirements, without focusing on constructing a corresponding knowledge system, knowing the what but not the why, then one’s speech and actions will lack professional standards”[36] (P220). Whether it is solving development difficulties or addressing issues involving the interests of the masses, complex and comprehensive professional thinking, professional competence, and professional methods are required. Leading cadres at all levels must enhance comprehensive ability and overall coordination ability, focus on analyzing and predicting domestic and international situations, fully leverage the role of think tanks and professional research institutions, improve the ability to make scientific decisions, and ensure that major strategies formulated and important policies and measures introduced conform to objective laws. On the other hand, to carry forward the spirit of struggle, one must learn and master the professional knowledge of one’s own field of responsibility, and become a competent leader in that field. Party members and cadres must temper professional ability and promote professional spirit based on their own posts, continuously enhancing the scientific, systematic, and creative nature of decision-making, work, and control; Party organizations must place the construction of professionalization in a more important position, focus on cultivating the post-specific professional ability and professional spirit of Party members and cadres, and enhance the ability of the cadre contingent to meet the requirements of building a modern socialist country in all respects. Through professional training, continuously consolidate the foundation, make up for shortcomings, and give play to strengths, continuously enhance the ability to struggle, and lay a solid foundation for winning the great struggle of the New Era.

(Author biographies: Gao Chao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Marxism at Beijing Normal University, Associate Researcher, Master’s Supervisor; Hu Yifan, School of Marxism at Beijing Normal University)

Online editor: Tongxin