Develop in the Current of the Times

“See the present by examining the past; know the future by observing the past.” For a country or a nation to achieve rejuvenation, it must advance in the logic of historical progress and develop in the current of the times. This is one of the most important lessons provided by China’s more than 40 years of reform and opening up. Grasping and following the current of the times concerns not only the foresight of national strategic decision-making, but also the ability to seize development opportunities, respond to risks and challenges, and gain the initiative and win the future amid great global changes. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has paid close attention to the evolution of world trends and the current of the times, emphasizing the need to be adept at thinking through long-cycle comparative analysis of history, and also adept at discerning changes in things from the smallest details. Deeply studying and comprehending these important expositions helps us better understand the profound changes in the current world structure and provides strategic guidance for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

“见出以知入，观往以知来。”一个国家、一个民族要振兴，就必须在历史前进的逻辑中前进、在时代发展的潮流中发展。这是中国40多年改革开放给人们提供的最重要的一条启示。把握和顺应时代潮流，不仅关乎国家战略决策的前瞻性，更关系到能否抓住发展机遇、应对风险挑战，在世界大变局中赢得主动、赢得未来。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记高度关注世界大势与时代潮流的演进，强调要善于从历史长周期比较分析中进行思考，又要善于从细微处洞察事物的变化。深入学习领会这些重要论述，有助于我们更好地理解当前世界格局的深刻变化，为实现中华民族伟大复兴提供战略指引。

On April 7, 2013, at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the interconnections and interdependence among countries around the world are increasingly close and deepening, that numerous developing countries and billions of people across the globe are striving toward modernization, and that the current of the times toward peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit is growing stronger. Since the end of the 20th century, the rapid development of information technology and the deep integration of global markets have accelerated economic globalization, pushing transnational cooperation to extend into multiple fields such as economy, science and technology, security, and culture, further consolidating the close ties and interdependence among countries. Against this backdrop, countries place greater emphasis on dialogue and consultation, resolving differences through peaceful means and addressing global challenges through cooperation. Mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, along with common development, have become mainstream concepts and universal demands, and the current of the times toward peace and development continues to deepen. At the same time, the rise of numerous developing countries, including the BRICS nations, emerging market countries, and regions such as Africa and Latin America, has significantly enhanced their influence on the international stage. They have not only become important engines of global economic growth but also actively participate in global governance, pushing the international order toward a more just and reasonable direction. With the profound changes in the balance of international forces, the deepening of world multipolarity, and the growing voice of developing countries in global issues, new momentum has been injected into global peace and development.

2013年4月7日，习近平总书记在博鳌亚洲论坛年会上强调，世界各国相互联系日益紧密、相互依存日益加深，遍布全球的众多发展中国家、几十亿人口正在努力走向现代化，和平、发展、合作、共赢的时代潮流更加强劲。自20世纪末以来，信息技术迅猛发展与全球市场深度融合加速了经济全球化，推动跨国合作向经济、科技、安全、文化等多领域延伸，进一步巩固了各国间的紧密联系与相互依存。在此背景下，各国更加重视对话与协商，通过和平手段解决分歧，以合作方式应对全球性挑战。互利共赢、共同发展成为主流理念和普遍诉求，和平与发展的时代潮流持续深化。与此同时，众多发展中国家兴起，金砖国家、新兴市场国家以及非洲、拉美等地区在国际舞台上的影响力显著增强。它们不仅成为全球经济增长的重要引擎，更积极参与全球治理，推动国际秩序向更加公正合理的方向发展。随着国际力量对比的深刻变化，世界多极化深入发展，发展中国家在全球议题中的话语权不断增强，为全球和平与发展注入新动力。

On November 28, 2014, at the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that understanding the general trend of world development and keeping up with the current of the times is an extremely important and ever-renewing task. At present, changes of a kind unseen in a century in the world, the times, and history are unfolding in unprecedented ways. The international landscape is undergoing profound evolution, the world economy is undergoing deep adjustment, international contradictions and conflicts are intensifying, and the international order is accelerating its transformation. Faced with an increasingly complex and volatile global situation, countries must accurately grasp the general trend of world development and follow the current of the times in order to formulate effective and practical development strategies. If a country cannot accurately identify the world’s general trend, it may miss historical opportunities or even be eliminated by the tide of global development. It is worth noting that the general trend of world development is dynamic, and the current of the times is also constantly evolving. If a country clings to past thinking frameworks and empirical judgments without timely adjusting its understanding, it may lose accurate judgment of the current and future situation. Therefore, only by continuously deepening the understanding of the general trend of world development and flexibly adjusting strategic policies according to changes can a country maintain strategic initiative in global competition and ensure the effectiveness and foresight of its national development strategy.

2014年11月28日，习近平总书记在中央外事工作会议上强调，认识世界发展大势，跟上时代潮流，是一个极为重要并且常做常新的课题。当前，世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开。国际格局深刻演变，世界经济深度调整，国际矛盾和冲突加剧，国际秩序加速变革。面对日益复杂和多变的全球局势，各国必须准确把握世界发展大势，顺应时代潮流，才能制定出切实有效的发展战略。若无法准确识别世界大势，任何国家都可能错失历史机遇，甚至被全球发展的浪潮所淘汰。值得注意的是，世界发展大势是动态变化的，时代潮流也在不断演进。若一个国家固守过去的思维框架和经验判断，未能及时调整认知，就可能会失去对当前和未来局势的准确判断。因此，只有持续深化对世界发展大势的理解，并根据变化灵活调整战略方针，才能在全球竞争中保持战略主动，确保国家发展战略的有效性和前瞻性。

On June 10, 2018, at the 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization held in Qingdao, Shandong, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that, facing the new situation of major development, major transformation, and major adjustment in the world, and in order to better advance the cause of human civilization and progress, we must stand high and see far, correctly recognizing and grasping the world’s general trend and the current of the times. Today, the world structure is undergoing deep reshaping; hegemonism and power politics still exist; traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined; unilateralism, trade protectionism, and anti-globalization sentiments are on the rise; the global situation is more complex and volatile, with instability and uncertainty significantly increasing. Against this backdrop, countries need strategic vision and a global perspective, being adept at recognizing change, responding to change, and seeking change in a volatile situation, fostering new opportunities amid crises and opening up new prospects amid changes. Despite facing many challenges, the trends toward peaceful development, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation are increasingly evident, gradually leading the transformation of the global governance system and promoting the continuous progress of human civilization. It is precisely driven by this current of the times and global trends that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization emerged and has continuously grown and strengthened, always following the current of the times, committed to strengthening cooperation among member states in political, economic, security, and other fields, jointly addressing regional and global challenges, and enhancing its influence and constructive role in international affairs.

2018年6月10日，习近平总书记在山东青岛举行的上海合作组织成员国元首理事会第十八次会议上强调，面对世界大发展大变革大调整的新形势，为更好推进人类文明进步事业，我们必须登高望远，正确认识和把握世界大势和时代潮流。当今世界格局深度重塑，霸权主义和强权政治依然存在，传统与非传统安全威胁相互交织，单边主义、贸易保护主义、逆全球化思潮抬头，全球局势更加复杂多变，不稳定性和不确定性显著上升。在此背景下，各国更需具备战略眼光与全球视野，善于在多变局势中识变、应变、求变，在危机中育新机、于变局中开新局。尽管面临诸多挑战，和平发展、公平正义、合作共赢的趋势日益显现，正逐步引领全球治理体系的转型，推动人类文明持续进步。正是在这一时代潮流和全球趋势的推动下，上海合作组织应运而生并不断发展壮大，始终顺应时代潮流，致力于加强成员国之间的政治、经济和安全等领域的合作，共同应对地区和全球性挑战，提升在国际事务中的影响力和建设性作用。

On April 19, 2021, during an inspection at Tsinghua University, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that young people should be bold in innovation, deeply understand and grasp the current of the times and the needs of the country, dare to be pioneers and break through, contribute to the country with their intelligence and talent, and serve society with pioneering and enterprising spirit. Young people are the most dynamic and creative group in society and should firmly stand at the forefront of innovation, actively responding to the call of the times. As the primary driving force leading development, innovation must follow the current of the times and keep pace with the steps of technological and social development. Currently, emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green development, and the digital economy are rising rapidly, and young people should stand at the forefront of the times’ transformation, closely integrating personal development goals with national strategic needs. Only by deeply understanding the trends of the times and closely following the frontiers of science and technology and social needs can young people accurately exert their efforts in innovation practice and contribute to the country’s high-quality development. In this process, young people must dare to question, be bold in exploration, face challenges without fear of failure, accumulate experience and enhance abilities through continuous trial and error, and ultimately achieve self-breakthrough and growth. More importantly, young people must strengthen their sense of mission, integrate personal ideals into the great cause of national rejuvenation, truly shoulder the responsibilities entrusted by the times, and grow into a new generation capable of shouldering the task of national rejuvenation.

2021年4月19日，习近平总书记在清华大学考察时强调，广大青年要勇于创新，深刻理解把握时代潮流和国家需要，敢为人先、敢于突破，以聪明才智贡献国家，以开拓进取服务社会。青年是社会上最具活力和创造力的群体，应坚定走在创新前列，积极回应时代的召唤。作为引领发展的第一动力，创新必须顺应时代潮流，紧跟科技与社会发展的步伐。当前，人工智能、绿色发展、数字经济等新兴领域迅速崛起，青年更应站在时代变革的最前沿，将个人发展目标与国家战略需求紧密结合。唯有深入理解时代趋势，紧扣科技前沿和社会需求，青年才能在创新实践中精准发力，为国家的高质量发展贡献力量。在这个过程中，青年要敢于质疑、勇于探索，面对挑战不畏失败，在不断试错中积累经验、提升能力，最终实现自我突破与成长。更为重要的是，青年要增强使命感，将个人理想融入民族复兴伟业中，真正担负起时代赋予的责任，成长为堪当民族复兴重任的时代新人。

On June 28, 2024, at the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind follows the current of the times toward peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, opening up a new realm of peace and progress. With the continuous advancement of globalization, peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit have become a current of the times widely recognized by the international community. This current points the direction for the development of international relations and reflects the common aspirations of people of all countries. The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind is a positive response and profound interpretation of this current of the times. It promotes the common values of all humanity—peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom—advances global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and advocates building a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation. This vision not only aligns with the direction of the common development of human society but also responds to the common expectations of people around the world for a better future. Facing global challenges such as climate change and resource depletion, this vision provides a path for cooperation that transcends borders and cultures. It follows the current of the times, actively promotes the realization of lasting peace and common prosperity, and helps people of all countries join hands to address global issues and create a better future.

2024年6月28日，习近平总书记在和平共处五项原则发表70周年纪念大会上强调，构建人类命运共同体理念顺应和平、发展、合作、共赢的时代潮流，开辟了和平和进步的新境界。随着全球化的持续推进，和平、发展、合作、共赢已成为国际社会普遍认同的时代潮流。这一潮流指明了国际关系发展的方向，也反映了各国人民的共同愿望。构建人类命运共同体理念正是对这一时代潮流的积极回应与深刻诠释，它弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值，推动共商共建共享的全球治理，倡导构建相互尊重、公平正义、合作共赢的新型国际关系。这一理念不仅契合人类社会共同发展的方向，也回应了世界人民对美好未来的共同期待。面对气候变化、资源枯竭等全球性挑战，这一理念提供了跨越国界、超越文化的合作路径。它顺应时代潮流，积极推动实现持久和平与共同繁荣，助力各国人民携手应对全球问题，共创美好未来。

On May 8, 2025, during a tea conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the office of the President of the Kremlin, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that as long as China and Russia maintain strategic resolve and adhere to strategic coordination, no force can stop the two countries from achieving their respective development and revitalization, stop the popular aspiration for enduring China-Russia friendship, or stop the trend of the times toward multipolarity and economic globalization. World multipolarity refers to the interaction of countries and groups with significant influence, driving the development of international relations toward a multipolar pattern; economic globalization is the process in which economic activities cross national borders and regions, and the economic interdependence of countries continues to deepen. These two major trends are the result of global power struggles and cooperation, are irreversible trends of the times, and are important bases for strategic decision-making. Through strategic resolve and strategic coordination, China and Russia actively respond to external risks and challenges, promoting the deep alignment and cooperation between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union. Within international mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS, the two countries jointly promote expansion and deepen comprehensive cooperation in trade, energy, science and technology, and cultural-ethical progress, becoming an important force that cannot be ignored in the global governance system. These collaborations not only conform to the trend of the times but also, by promoting the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, actively shape the direction of change in the international order, pushing the world toward an equal and orderly multipolarity and a universally beneficial and inclusive globalization.

2025年5月8日，习近平总书记在克里姆林宫总统办公室同俄罗斯总统普京进行茶叙时强调，只要中俄保持战略定力，坚持战略协作，就任何力量也阻挡不了两国实现各自发展振兴，阻挡不了中俄世代友好的民心所向，阻挡不了世界多极化和经济全球化的时代潮流。世界多极化是指具有重要影响力的国家和集团相互作用，推动国际关系朝多极格局发展；经济全球化则是经济活动跨越国界和区域，各国经济相互依赖程度持续加深的过程。这两大趋势是全球力量博弈与合作的结果，是不可逆转的时代潮流，也是战略决策的重要依据。中俄两国通过战略定力和战略协作，积极应对外部风险挑战，推动“一带一路”倡议与欧亚经济联盟的深度对接与合作。在上合组织、金砖国家等国际机制中，两国共同推动扩员，并深化在贸易、能源、科技、人文等领域的全面合作，成为全球治理体系中不可忽视的重要力量。这些合作不仅顺应时代潮流，还通过推动全球发展倡议和全球安全倡议的落地，积极塑造国际秩序的变革方向，推动世界朝着平等有序的多极化和普惠包容的全球化发展。

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心