Deeply Understanding the Scientific Connotation and Major Significance of Upholding Fundamental Principles and Breaking New Ground

Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is an original and defining concept of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered important speeches on this topic on multiple occasions, profoundly pointing out that “it is necessary to uphold the unity of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground.” The report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC listed upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground as one of the “six imperatives” [1]1 The “six imperatives” (六个必须坚持) are: upholding the people-centered development philosophy, upholding self-confidence and self-reliance, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, upholding problem-oriented approach, upholding systematic thinking, and upholding a global vision. in the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The Decision of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC [2]2 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC was held in July 2024, focusing on further deepening reform comprehensively. made upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground one of the “six principles” [3]3 The “six principles” (六个坚持) for further deepening reform comprehensively are: upholding the Party’s overall leadership, upholding a people-centered approach, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, strengthening top-level design and planning, upholding law-based governance, and upholding systematic thinking. that must be followed in further deepening reform comprehensively. Accurately understanding and scientifically grasping the ideological essence of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground has major theoretical and practical significance for thoroughly studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and for advancing the great cause of building a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with scientific concepts and methods.

守正创新是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的原创性概念、标识性概念。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记多次围绕守正创新发表重要讲话，深刻指出“要坚持守正和创新相统一”。党的二十大报告将守正创新列为习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想“六个必须坚持”的世界观和方法论之一。党的二十届三中全会《决定》将守正创新作为进一步全面深化改革必须遵循的“六个坚持”原则之一。准确理解和科学把握守正创新的思想精髓，对于深入学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，用科学的理念和方法推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业，具有重大理论和实践意义。

Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground runs through the Marxist worldview and methodology

守正创新贯穿着马克思主义世界观和方法论

Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground runs through the Marxist worldview and methodology, contains Marxist standpoints, viewpoints, and methods, and possesses powerful truth-force.

守正创新贯穿着马克思主义世界观和方法论，蕴含着马克思主义立场观点方法，具有强大的真理力量。

From the ontological dimension, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground embodies the Marxist worldview that the material world and human society have inherent laws, which must be respected and grasped. Engels pointed out: “Historical events thus appear on the whole to be likewise governed by chance. But where on the surface accident holds sway, there actually it is always governed by inner, hidden laws, and it is only a matter of discovering these laws.” [4]4 Friedrich Engels, *Ludwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy* (1886). Upholding fundamental principles means adhering to the scientific worldview of the primacy of matter and the primacy of practice, acknowledging and revealing objective laws; breaking new ground means, on this basis, exerting the historical initiative spirit and creatively promoting the development of things and social progress. Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is the historical activity of scientifically applying objective laws to transform the objective world on the basis of following objective laws.

从本体论维度看，守正创新体现了马克思主义关于物质世界和人类社会具有内在规律性，必须尊重和把握客观规律的世界观。恩格斯指出：“历史事件似乎总的说来同样是由偶然性支配着的。但是，在表面上是偶然性在起作用的地方，这种偶然性始终是受内部的隐蔽着的规律支配的，而问题只是在于发现这些规律”。守正就是坚守物质第一性、实践第一性的科学世界观，承认并揭示客观规律；创新就是在此基础上，发挥历史主动精神，创造性推动事物发展和社会进步。守正创新就是在遵循客观规律的基础上，科学运用客观规律改造客观世界的历史活动。

From the epistemological dimension, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground embodies the basic Marxist view that matter determines consciousness and consciousness reacts upon matter. Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is a vivid interpretation of the Marxist epistemology that knowledge originates from practice and in turn guides practice. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Although dialectical materialism emphasizes that the unity of the world lies in its materiality, it does not deny the reaction of consciousness on matter; rather, it believes that this reaction is sometimes very enormous.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, speech at the 20th Collective Study Session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee (2015). Upholding fundamental principles means adhering to obtaining correct knowledge from practice; breaking new ground means promptly refining and sublimating knowledge into theory, and then using scientific theory to guide practice. In the cycle of practice, knowledge, practice again, and knowledge again, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground enables “each cycle of practice and knowledge to advance to a higher level,” [6]6 Mao Zedong, *On Practice* (1937). thereby continuously pushing forward the process of social history.

从认识论维度看，守正创新体现了马克思主义关于物质决定意识、意识反作用于物质的基本观点。守正创新是对认识来源于实践又反作用于实践的马克思主义认识论的生动诠释。习近平总书记指出：“辩证唯物主义虽然强调世界的统一性在于它的物质性，但并不否认意识对物质的反作用，而是认为这种反作用有时是十分巨大的。”守正就是坚持从实践中获取正确认识；创新就是及时将认识提炼升华为思想理论，再用科学的理论指导实践。在实践、认识、再实践、再认识的循环往复中，守正创新使“实践和认识之每一循环的内容，都比较地进到了高一级的程度”，从而推动社会历史进程不断向前发展。

From the methodological dimension, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground embodies the basic laws of Marxist materialist dialectics. Marx pointed out: “The coexistence of two mutually contradictory aspects, their struggle, and their fusion into a new category constitute the essence of the dialectical movement.” [7]7 Karl Marx, *The Poverty of Philosophy* (1847). Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground are a unity of opposites, mutually conditioning and interdependent. Upholding fundamental principles is the principled foundation for breaking new ground, setting the bottom line and boundary for innovation, and clarifying the direction and path of innovation; breaking new ground is the inherent requirement of upholding fundamental principles, endowing it with new contemporary connotations and making it more solid and consolidated amidst movement and change. Breaking new ground without upholding fundamental principles is blind and disorderly, ultimately leading to changing the banner and the system; upholding fundamental principles without breaking new ground is static and conservative, ultimately leading to closure and rigidity. Only when upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground promote and advance each other can lasting vitality be maintained.

从方法论维度看，守正创新体现了马克思主义唯物辩证法的基本规律。马克思指出：“两个相互矛盾方面的共存、斗争以及融合成一个新范畴，就是辩证运动。”守正与创新对立统一，互为条件、互相依存。守正是创新的原则基础，为创新确定底线边界，明确创新的方向和路径；创新是守正的内在要求，为守正赋予新的时代内涵，使守正在运动变化中更加坚实巩固。没有守正的创新是盲目的、无序的，最终会走向改旗易帜；没有创新的守正是静态的、保守的，最终会走向封闭僵化。只有守正创新互促共进，才会保持持久生机活力。

From the axiological dimension, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground embodies the fundamental value pursuit of Marxism. Marx and Engels pointed out in the *Communist Manifesto*: “The proletarian movement is the self-conscious, independent movement of the immense majority, in the interest of the immense majority,” and communists “have no interests separate and apart from those of the proletariat as a whole.” [8]8 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, *Manifesto of the Communist Party* (1848). Upholding fundamental principles means upholding the fundamental principles of Marxism, fundamentally adhering to the historical materialist view that the masses are the creators of history, and adhering to the Marxist people’s standpoint; breaking new ground means creating the new in Marxism for the 21st century and the new in socialism with Chinese characteristics for the New Era, primarily adapting to the requirements of the times, enriching and developing Marxism. The entire starting point and ultimate goal of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is to serve the people, rely on the people, and benefit the people, adhering to a people-centered approach, putting the people first, and taking the people’s aspiration for a better life as our goal of struggle.

从价值论维度看，守正创新体现了马克思主义的根本价值追求。马克思、恩格斯在《共产党宣言》中指出，“无产阶级的运动是绝大多数人的，为绝大多数人谋利益的独立的运动”，共产党人“没有任何同整个无产阶级的利益不同的利益”。守正守的是马克思主义之正，根本在于坚守人民群众是历史创造者的唯物史观，坚守马克思主义人民立场；创新创的是二十一世纪马克思主义之新、新时代中国特色社会主义之新，首要的是适应时代要求，丰富和发展马克思主义。守正创新的全部出发点和落脚点都是为了人民、依靠人民、造福人民，坚持以人民为中心，坚持人民至上，坚持人民对美好生活的向往就是我们的奋斗目标。

Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is the continuation and inheritance of fine traditional Chinese culture

守正创新是对中华优秀传统文化的赓续传承

“Although Zhou was an ancient state, its mandate was renewed.” [9]9 A line from the *Book of Songs* (Shijing), a classic collection of ancient Chinese poetry, often cited to emphasize the need for continuous renewal and reform. The Chinese nation is a nation that upholds fundamental principles and breaks new ground; upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is integrated and interlinked with the cultural genes of the Chinese nation.

“周虽旧邦，其命维新。”中华民族是守正创新的民族，守正创新与中华民族文化基因相融相通。

Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground inherits the spirit of the Chinese culture of adhering to the right path. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The fine traditional Chinese culture, passed down from generation to generation, demonstrates resilience, patience, and determination, which are part of the Chinese national spirit.” [10]10 Xi Jinping, speech at a symposium on cultural heritage (2023). Over thousands of years, Chinese culture has always attached importance to the inheritance of culture and the continuity of values. Since its founding, the CPC has regarded promoting and inheriting fine traditional Chinese culture as its own duty. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: “We are Marxist historicists; we must not cut off history. From Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, we should sum it up and inherit this precious legacy.” [11]11 Mao Zedong, *On the New Democracy* (1940). Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “All progressive and excellent things in ancient Chinese and foreign literary and artistic works and performing arts should be learned from and used for reference,” [12]12 Deng Xiaoping, speech at the Fourth Congress of Chinese Writers and Artists (1979). and borrowed the term “moderately prosperous society” (*xiaokang*) from the *Book of Songs* to propose the goal of building a moderately prosperous society. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has elevated the promotion of fine traditional Chinese culture to the level of enhancing confidence in the path, confidence in the theory, confidence in the system, and confidence in the culture, transforming the people-oriented concept of “the people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is solid, the state is tranquil” [13]13 A saying from the *Book of Documents* (Shangshu), an ancient Chinese classic. and “water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it” [14]14 A metaphor from Xunzi, an ancient Confucian philosopher, later popularized by Tang Dynasty statesman Wei Zheng. into the fundamental stance that “the country is the people, and the people are the country,” and sublimating the family-nation sentiment of “seeking the country’s benefit, not personal wealth” [15]15 A saying from the *Book of Rites* (Liji), a Confucian classic. and “everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world” [16]16 A saying from Gu Yanwu, a Ming-Qing transition scholar, often rendered as “everyone is responsible for the fate of their country.” into the common belief that the territory cannot be divided, the country cannot be thrown into chaos, the nation cannot be dispersed, and civilization cannot be broken. This allows the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture to display its unique charm through upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground.

守正创新传承了中华文化坚守正道的精神。习近平总书记指出：“中华优秀传统文化代代相传，表现出的韧性、耐心、定力，是中华民族精神的一部分。”中华文化历经数千载，始终重视文化的传承和价值观的延续。中国共产党从诞生之日起，就把弘扬和传承中华优秀传统文化视为己任。毛泽东同志指出：“我们是马克思主义的历史主义者，我们不应当割断历史。从孔夫子到孙中山，我们应当给以总结，承继这一份珍贵的遗产。”邓小平同志指出：“我国古代的和外国的文艺作品、表演艺术中一切进步的和优秀的东西，都应当借鉴和学习”，并借用《诗经》中“小康”一词，提出建设小康社会的目标。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记把弘扬中华优秀传统文化提升到增强道路自信、理论自信、制度自信、文化自信的高度，将“民惟邦本，本固邦宁”“水可载舟，亦可覆舟”的民本理念转化为“江山就是人民、人民就是江山”的根本立场，将“苟利国家，不求富贵”“天下兴亡，匹夫有责”的家国情怀升华为国土不可分、国家不可乱、民族不可散、文明不可断的共同信念，使中华优秀传统文化精华在守正创新中展现出独特魅力。

Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground embodies the character of the Chinese civilization to discard the old and establish the new. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Chinese civilization has a prominent characteristic of innovation, which fundamentally determines the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation to uphold fundamental principles without being conservative, to respect antiquity without restoring ancient ways, and determines the fearless character of the Chinese nation to not fear new challenges and to be brave in accepting new things.” [17]17 Xi Jinping, speech at the symposium on cultural inheritance and development (2023). The *Book of Changes* states, “Renewing daily is called abundant virtue,” [18]18 A phrase from the *Book of Changes* (Yijing), a foundational Chinese classic. and the *Book of Rites* states, “If you can renew yourself for one day, then you can renew yourself daily, and renew yourself again and again.” [19]19 A phrase from the *Book of Rites* (Liji). Both emphasize the importance of innovation and change. In the long-term practice of leading revolution, construction, and reform, the CPC has always taken building a national, scientific, and mass-oriented new culture of the Chinese nation as its mission, actively promoting cultural construction and the flourishing development of literature and art. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping, based on a profound grasp of the laws of development of Chinese civilization, creatively proposed the Second Integration, [20]20 The Second Integration refers to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s fine traditional culture, as distinct from the First Integration (with China’s specific realities). resolving the “dispute between the ancient and the modern, the Chinese and the Western,” expanding the cultural foundation of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and endowing Chinese-path modernization with profound cultural heritage. For example, in the field of economic development, combining traditional ideas such as “enriching the people and promoting well-being” and “balancing righteousness and benefit,” [21]21 Traditional Confucian concepts emphasizing the people’s welfare and the moral priority of righteousness over profit. it is proposed to solidly promote common prosperity for all the people; in the field of social governance, combining traditional wisdom such as “valuing harmony” and “governing with rites and laws,” [22]22 Traditional Confucian and Legalist concepts emphasizing social harmony and the combined use of moral rites and codified laws. the “Fengqiao Experience” [23]23 The Fengqiao Experience originated in the 1960s in Fengqiao, Zhejiang Province, as a method of resolving social conflicts through mass participation; it has been updated for the New Era. for the New Era is developed, improving the rural governance system combining self-governance, rule of law, and rule of virtue; in the field of ecological civilization, combining traditional concepts such as “unity of heaven and humanity” and “Tao follows nature,” [24]24 Traditional Daoist and Confucian concepts emphasizing the unity of nature and humanity and the natural way of the Dao. green development is promoted, a beautiful China is built, and harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature is fostered; and so on. This fully demonstrates that upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground makes the soul of Marxism and the root of fine traditional Chinese culture more solid, and also makes the prospects of Chinese-path modernization broader.

守正创新体现了中华文明革故鼎新的品格。习近平总书记指出：“中华文明具有突出的创新性，从根本上决定了中华民族守正不守旧、尊古不复古的进取精神，决定了中华民族不惧新挑战、勇于接受新事物的无畏品格。”《周易》中的“日新之谓盛德”，《礼记》中的“苟日新，日日新，又日新”，都强调创新求变的重要性。中国共产党在领导革命、建设、改革长期实践中，始终把建设民族的科学的大众的中华民族新文化作为自己的使命，积极推动文化建设和文艺繁荣发展。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记基于对中华文明发展规律的深刻把握，创造性提出“第二个结合”，破解了“古今中西之争”，拓展了中国特色社会主义文化根基，赋予中国式现代化深厚文化底蕴。比如，在经济发展领域，结合“富民厚生”“义利兼顾”等传统思想，提出扎实推进全体人民共同富裕；在社会治理领域，结合“以和为贵”“礼法合治”等传统智慧，发展新时代“枫桥经验”，健全自治、法治、德治相结合的乡村治理体系；在生态文明领域，结合“天人合一”“道法自然”等传统理念，推动绿色发展，建设美丽中国，促进人与自然和谐共生；等等。这充分说明，守正创新让马克思主义这个魂脉、中华优秀传统文化这个根脉更加牢固，也让中国式现代化的前景更加广阔。

Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is in the same line as the ideological essence accumulated through the CPC’s century-long struggle

守正创新与中国共产党百余年奋斗积淀的思想精髓一脉相承

The CPC has traversed a century-long course of struggle. In its magnificent great practice, it has accumulated many ideological essences shining with the truth of Marxism. Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is in the same line as these ideological essences, providing important methodological guidance for advancing Chinese-path modernization.

中国共产党已走过百余年奋斗历程，在波澜壮阔的伟大实践中，积淀了许多闪耀着马克思主义真理光辉的思想精髓。守正创新与这些思想精髓一脉相承，为推进中国式现代化提供了重要方法论指导。

The prerequisite for upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is to emancipate the mind. Emancipating the mind is the golden key to breaking through rigid constraints and opening the door of the era. Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground share a common spiritual essence with emancipating the mind: both, on the basis of adhering to the correct political direction and fundamental political principles, are bold in breaking through fixed mindsets and path dependencies, and daring to blaze trails never before trodden by predecessors. In the early days of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), there was a mistaken tendency within the Party to dogmatize Marxism, to sanctify the resolutions of the Comintern and the experience of the Soviet Union. The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, did not blindly follow existing theories and experience. Instead, they deeply grasped the basic national conditions of China as a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, integrated Marxism with China’s specific realities, and blazed the correct revolutionary path of “encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing state power by armed force.” Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, in the face of the strategic overall plan for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and changes unseen in a century in the world, General Secretary Xi Jinping has led the entire Party to continue emancipating the mind, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground in upholding and improving socialism with Chinese characteristics, inaugurating the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, creating a new form of human civilization, and the Chinese nation has ushered in a great leap from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong.

守正创新的前提是解放思想。解放思想是破除僵化禁锢、打开时代大门的金钥匙。守正创新与解放思想在精神特质上相通，都是在坚持正确政治方向和根本政治原则的基础上，勇于突破思维定势和路径依赖，敢于开辟前人未走过的新路。中国共产党成立初期，党内一度存在把马克思主义教条化、把共产国际决议和苏联经验神圣化的错误倾向。以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人没有盲从既有理论和经验，而是深刻把握中国半殖民地半封建社会的基本国情，将马克思主义与中国具体实际相结合，开辟了“农村包围城市，武装夺取政权”的正确革命道路。党的十八大以来，面对中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，习近平总书记带领全党继续解放思想，在守正创新中坚持和完善中国特色社会主义，开创了中国特色社会主义新时代，创造了人类文明新形态，中华民族迎来了从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃。

The essence of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is seeking truth from facts. Seeking truth from facts is our Party’s basic method of thinking, working, and leading. Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground share a common methodological approach with seeking truth from facts: both adhere to proceeding from objective reality, integrating theory with practice, and discovering, testing, and developing truth in practice. The 18th National Congress of the CPC set the goal of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020. On July 1, 2021, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared from the Tiananmen Rostrum: “Through the continued efforts of the whole Party and the entire nation, we have realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on the land of China.” In the reports to the 19th and 20th National Congresses of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping scientifically assessed and comprehensively analyzed the international and domestic situations and China’s development conditions, set the goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects, and made a two-step strategic arrangement: basically realizing socialist modernization from 2020 to 2035, and building China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful from 2035 to the middle of this century. Through the two-step strategic arrangement and the successive implementation of five-year plans, China’s economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and comprehensive national power have reached new heights, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable. By scientifically analyzing and grasping the situation through seeking truth from facts, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground to propose and accomplish phased missions and tasks, our Party advances steadily step by step and pushes forward stage by stage, thereby continuously accumulating small victories into big ones and ensuring that the cause of the Party and the state progresses steadily and far-reachingly.

守正创新的本质是实事求是。实事求是是我们党的基本思想方法、工作方法、领导方法。守正创新与实事求是在方法论上相通，都是坚持从客观实际出发，理论联系实际，在实践中发现真理、检验真理、发展真理。党的十八大提出到2020年全面建成小康社会的奋斗目标。2021年7月1日，习近平总书记在天安门城楼上庄严宣告：“经过全党全国各族人民持续奋斗，我们实现了第一个百年奋斗目标，在中华大地上全面建成了小康社会”。习近平总书记在党的十九大、二十大报告中，科学研判、综合分析国际国内形势和我国发展条件，提出全面建成社会主义现代化强国的奋斗目标，作出两步走战略安排，即：从二〇二〇年到二〇三五年基本实现社会主义现代化；从二〇三五年到本世纪中叶把我国建成富强民主文明和谐美丽的社会主义现代化强国。通过作出两步走战略安排和接续实施五年规划，我国经济实力、科技实力、综合国力跃上新台阶，中华民族伟大复兴势不可挡。我们党通过实事求是科学分析把握形势，守正创新提出并完成阶段性使命任务，一步一步坚定走，一个阶段一个阶段向前推进，从而不断积小胜为大胜，保证党和国家事业行稳致远。

The key to upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is keeping pace with the times. Keeping pace with the times is the secret to why a century-old major Party remains vigorous and flourishing despite the vicissitudes of time. Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground share a common theoretical character with keeping pace with the times: both follow the pace of the times, treat all new things with full enthusiasm, constantly expand the breadth and depth of understanding, and enable thoughts, concepts, strategies, and actions to better conform to and lead the times. The Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee [25]25 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Seminar for Leading Cadres at the Provincial and Ministerial Level on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC," *People's Daily*, February 8, 2023. first proposed the new development philosophy. The 19th National Congress of the CPC first proposed that China’s economy had shifted from a phase of high-speed growth to a phase of high-quality development. The 20th National Congress of the CPC established high-quality development as the primary task of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. In April 2020, the Seventh Meeting of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs first proposed building a new development pattern with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly made profound expositions on the characteristics, connotations, and development requirements of new quality productive forces. This series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies has led China’s economy to move forward under pressure, develop towards innovation and excellence, and successfully write a new chapter in the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. The theoretical character of keeping pace with the times and upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground enables our Party to always stay at the forefront of the times, maintain vigorous vitality and exuberant energy amidst various winds and waves and tests, and always remain the strong leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

守正创新的关键是与时俱进。与时俱进是百年大党历经沧桑仍风华正茂的秘诀所在。守正创新与与时俱进在理论品格上相通，都是紧跟时代步伐，以满腔热忱对待一切新生事物，不断拓展认识的广度和深度，使思想、理念、策略、行动等更好顺应时代、引领时代。党的十八届五中全会首次提出新发展理念。党的十九大首次提出我国经济已由高速增长阶段转向高质量发展阶段。党的二十大将高质量发展确立为全面建设社会主义现代化国家的首要任务。2020年4月，中央财经委员会第七次会议首次提出构建以国内大循环为主体、国内国际双循环相互促进的新发展格局。习近平总书记多次对新质生产力的特征、内涵、发展要求等作出深刻阐述。这一系列新理念新思想新战略，引领中国经济顶压前行、向新向优发展，成功续写经济快速发展和社会长期稳定两大奇迹新篇章。与时俱进、守正创新的理论品格，使我们党在各种风浪考验中始终走在时代前列、保持蓬勃生机和旺盛活力，始终成为中国特色社会主义事业的坚强领导核心。

The ultimate goal of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is seeking truth and being pragmatic. At the meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on democratic life held at the end of 2025, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Communists are materialists; pragmatism is an

守正创新的落脚点是求真务实。在2025年底召开的中共中央政治局民主生活会上，习近平总书记强调：“共产党人是唯物主义者，务实是必备品格，必须实事求是、求真务实、真抓实干。”守正创新与求真务实在价值取向上相通，都是要树立和践行正确政绩观，为人民出政绩、以实干出政绩，实现好、维护好、发展好最广大人民的根本利益。早在陕西梁家河插队期间，习近平同志为解决村民燃料短缺问题，远赴四川实地考察，结合延川气候进行深入研究，带领群众成功建成沼气池，极大改善了村民生活。在河北正定工作期间，习近平同志骑自行车走村串户访民情，在街头摆桌子广纳民意，听取群众意见，因地制宜提出发展“半城郊型”经济的新路子，并总结出“投其所好，供其所需，取其所长，补其所短，应其所变”的“二十字经”。在福建工作期间，习近平同志大力倡导“四下基层”“马上就办、真抓实干”，成为各级机关为民办事的重要要求。在浙江工作期间，习近平同志鲜明提出“在落实的要求上，要讲求一个‘新’字”，在广泛调查研究的基础上提出“八八战略”，至今仍是指引浙江高质量发展的科学遵循。在上海工作期间，习近平同志提出要将“城市，让生活更美好”的世博会主题延续到上海未来发展中，推动市民居住环境改善。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记强调“树牢造福人民的政绩观”“为民造福是最大政绩”，始终把人民安危冷暖放在心上，在求真务实上率先垂范，亲自指挥脱贫攻坚战取得全面胜利，近1亿农村贫困人口实现脱贫；我国建成世界上规模最大的社会保障体系，各级教育普及程度达到或超过中高收入国家平均水平，人均预期寿命达到79岁；城乡居民收入相对差距持续缩小，人民生活品质不断提高，人民群众获得感、幸福感、安全感显著提升，全体人民共同富裕扎实推进。

Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground has propelled the Party and state's undertakings to achieve historic accomplishments and undergo historic transformations

守正创新推动党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is an important ideological method for our Party in governing the country in the New Era. Only by upholding fundamental principles can we avoid losing our direction and committing subversive errors; only by breaking new ground can we grasp the times and lead the times." [25]25 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Seminar for Leading Cadres at the Provincial and Ministerial Level on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC," *People's Daily*, February 8, 2023. "The exploration of Chinese-path modernization is a historical process of developing through inheritance and breaking new ground while upholding fundamental principles." [26]26 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Seminar for Leading Cadres at the Provincial and Ministerial Level on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC," *People's Daily*, February 8, 2023. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, on the basis of safeguarding the foundation, origin, roots, and soul of Marxism and socialism with Chinese characteristics, has vigorously promoted theoretical innovation, practical innovation, institutional innovation, cultural innovation, and innovations in all other aspects, ensuring that the Party and state's undertakings are always full of creative vitality and continuously open up new prospects for development.

习近平总书记指出：“守正创新是我们党在新时代治国理政的重要思想方法。守正才能不迷失方向、不犯颠覆性错误，创新才能把握时代、引领时代。”“中国式现代化的探索就是一个在继承中发展、在守正中创新的历史过程。”党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央在守好马克思主义、中国特色社会主义本和源、根和魂基础上，大力推进理论创新、实践创新、制度创新、文化创新以及其他各方面创新，使党和国家事业始终充满创造活力、不断打开发展新局面。

Persisting in theoretical innovation, achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Through upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, we have formed the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Upholding fundamental principles means not deviating from Marxism and socialism, but it does not mean ‘looking for a sword from a boat’ [27]; we must also move forward and keep pace with the times, otherwise it becomes rigid, outdated, and obsolete.” The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has unswervingly adhered to Marxism as the foundation of the Party and the country, the foundation for building the Party and rejuvenating the country, and has unswervingly continued to develop Marxism by rooting it in the historical and cultural soil of the country and the nation, closely combining the conditions of the times and the requirements of practice to advance theoretical innovation and creation. In the process of profoundly answering a series of major contemporary issues, it established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the Marxism of contemporary China and the Marxism of the twenty-first century, the essence of the times of Chinese culture and Chinese spirit, achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and providing a scientific guide to action for comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

坚持理论创新，实现马克思主义中国化时代化新的飞跃。习近平总书记指出：“我们通过守正创新形成了中国特色社会主义理论体系，守正就不能偏离马克思主义、社会主义，但不是刻舟求剑，还要往前发展、与时俱进，否则就是僵化的、陈旧的、过时的。”以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持马克思主义这个立党立国、兴党兴国之本不动摇，坚持植根本国、本民族历史文化沃土发展马克思主义不停步，紧密结合时代条件和实践要求推进理论创新创造，在深刻回答一系列重大时代课题中，创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义，是中华文化和中国精神的时代精华，实现了马克思主义中国化时代化新的飞跃，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业提供了科学行动指南。

Persisting in practical innovation, successfully advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “For a country to achieve modernization, it must not only follow the general laws of modernization but also conform to its own actual conditions and have its own characteristics. Chinese-path modernization not only shares common features with the modernization of other countries but also has distinct characteristics based on its own national conditions.” “To uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, we must have the strong determination to ‘keep the Way unchanged and the will unswerving’ [28], adhere to the Four Cardinal Principles [29] and firmly uphold the Four Confidences, and we must also have the sharpness and boldness to dare to innovate and tackle difficulties, pushing reforms to continuously achieve new breakthroughs.” The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently adhered to realizing modernization, the unremitting pursuit of the Chinese people since modern times, as the Party’s mission and task for the New Era and the new journey. It has carried out top-level design, theoretical summarization, and phased and sectoral advancement of Chinese-path modernization. The First Centenary Goal [30] was successfully achieved, and the Second Centenary Goal [31] has gotten off to a good start. Historic achievements and historic transformations have occurred in the cause of the Party and the state, laying a more solid foundation for basically realizing socialist modernization.

坚持实践创新，成功推进和拓展了中国式现代化。习近平总书记指出：“一个国家走向现代化，既要遵循现代化一般规律，更要符合本国实际，具有本国特色。中国式现代化既有各国现代化的共同特征，更有基于自己国情的鲜明特色。”“坚持守正创新，既要有道不变、志不改的强大定力，坚持四项基本原则、坚定‘四个自信’不动摇，又要有敢创新、勇攻坚的锐气胆魄，推动改革不断取得新突破。”以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持将实现现代化这个近代以来中国人民的不懈追求，一以贯之作为新时代新征程党的使命任务。对中国式现代化进行顶层设计、理论概括和分阶段、分领域推进，第一个百年奋斗目标胜利实现，第二个百年奋斗目标开局良好。党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，为基本实现社会主义现代化奠定了更加坚实的基础。

Persisting in institutional innovation, advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “In upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, we must uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” “Compared with the past, reform and opening up in the New Era has many new connotations and characteristics, among which a very important point is that institutional construction carries more weight.” The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has unswervingly adhered to the leadership of the Communist Party of China, unswervingly adhered to the state system of the people’s democratic dictatorship and the political system of the people’s congress system. It has identified improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity as the overall goal of comprehensively deepening reform, constructing a system of socialism with Chinese characteristics that includes fundamental systems, basic systems, and important systems. It has formulated the Regulations of the Communist Party of China on the Work of Law-Based Governance in All Respects [32], improving the scientific, institutionalized, and standardized level of the Party’s leadership over law-based governance in all respects, and building a more complete socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics. It has persisted in governing the Party with institutions and regulations, standardizing the exercise of power, improving the institutional mechanism that unifies authorization, exercise, and control of power, making it clear, transparent, and traceable, strengthening the enforcement of institutions, and striving to transform institutional advantages into governance effectiveness, providing a strong institutional guarantee for Chinese-path modernization to forge ahead steadily and far.

坚持制度创新，推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化。习近平总书记指出：“在守正创新中坚持和完善中国特色社会主义制度”“相比过去，新时代改革开放具有许多新的内涵和特点，其中很重要的一点就是制度建设分量更重”。以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持中国共产党领导地位不动摇，坚持人民民主专政的国体和人民代表大会制度的政体不动摇。把完善和发展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确定为全面深化改革总目标，构建起包括根本制度、基本制度、重要制度在内的中国特色社会主义制度体系。制定《中国共产党领导全面依法治国工作条例》，提高党领导全面依法治国的科学化、制度化、规范化水平，建设更加完善的中国特色社会主义法治体系。坚持制度治党、依规治党，规范权力运行，健全授权用权制权相统一、清晰透明可追溯的制度机制，强化制度执行力，着力把制度优势转化为治理效能，为中国式现代化劈波斩浪、行稳致远提供坚强制度保证。

Persisting in cultural innovation, enhancing national cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, we have placed cultural development in a prominent position in governing the country, made a series of major deployments, formed the thought on culture for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, and promoted historic achievements in cultural development through rectifying the source and upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground.” The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has persisted in the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain, deeply implemented the Project of Marxist Theory Research and Construction [33], and consolidated the Party’s governing foundation and mass base in ideology, spirit, and culture. It has persisted in being guided by the core socialist values, continuously building Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength, developing and expanding mainstream values, mainstream public opinion, and mainstream culture, and cultivating the whole nation’s vigorous and uplifting spiritual temperament. It has persisted in cultural construction focusing on people and landing on people, better meeting the diverse, multi-level, and multi-faceted spiritual and cultural needs of the people with new-style, high-quality, and personalized cultural supply, and promoting common prosperity in people’s spiritual life. It has persisted in stimulating the vitality of cultural innovation and creation, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, nourishing the spiritual home with culture. The craze for museums and intangible cultural heritage continues to heat up; “Wukong” and “Nezha” [34] have become popular globally; ancient charm and national style have become the “top-tier aesthetic” in the eyes of young people; Chinese culture is radiating more brilliant light, and the ideological guiding power, spiritual cohesion, value appeal, and international influence of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics are increasingly evident.

坚持文化创新，提升国家文化软实力和中华文化影响力。习近平总书记指出：“党的十八大以来，我们坚持把文化建设摆在治国理政突出位置，作出一系列重大部署，形成新时代中国特色社会主义文化思想，推动文化建设在正本清源、守正创新中取得历史性成就”。以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持马克思主义在意识形态领域指导地位，深入实施马克思主义理论研究和建设工程，在思想上精神上文化上筑牢党的执政基础和群众基础。坚持以社会主义核心价值观为引领，不断构筑中国精神、中国价值、中国力量，发展壮大主流价值、主流舆论、主流文化，涵养全民族昂扬奋发的精神气质。坚持文化建设着眼于人、落脚于人，以新风格、高品质、个性化文化供给更好满足人民群众多样化、多层次、多方面的精神文化需求，促进人民精神生活共同富裕。坚持激发文化创新创造活力，推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化和创新性发展，以文化滋养精神家园，文博热、非遗热不断升温，“悟空”“哪吒”风靡全球，古韵国风成为年轻人眼中的“顶流审美”，中华文化绽放出更加灿烂的光芒，中国特色社会主义文化的思想引领力、精神凝聚力、价值感召力、国际影响力日益彰显。

Persisting in theoretical and practical innovation in Party building, creating a new situation for comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “To govern the country, one must first govern the Party; only when the Party thrives can the country be strong. The more effective the governance of the Party, the stronger the guarantee for economic and social development.” The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has unswervingly adhered to the Party’s nature and purpose, ideals and beliefs, and original aspiration and founding mission. It has persisted in governing the Party with the spirit of reform and strict standards, persisted in and strengthened the Party’s overall leadership, improved the Party’s leadership system that commands the overall situation and coordinates all parties, perfected the implementation mechanism for the major decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, and ensured that the Party’s leadership is fully, systematically, and holistically implemented. It has proposed and implemented the general requirements for Party building in the New Era, persisted in placing the Party’s political building first, using the Party’s political building to lead all aspects of Party building; persisted in building the Party with ideology and strengthening the Party with theory, unremittingly using

坚持党的建设理论和实践创新，开创全面从严治党新局面。习近平总书记指出：“治国必先治党，党兴才能国强。管党治党越有效，经济社会发展的保障就越有力。”以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持党的性质宗旨、理想信念、初心使命不动摇。坚持用改革精神和严的标准管党治党，坚持和加强党的全面领导，健全总揽全局、协调各方的党的领导制度体系，完善党中央重大决策部署落实机制，党的领导得到全面、系统、整体落实。提出并贯彻新时代党的建设总要求，坚持把党的政治建设摆在首位，以党的政治建设统领党的建设各项工作；坚持思想建党、理论强党，坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂；坚持严密上下贯通、执行有力的组织体系，造就忠诚干净担当的高素质干部队伍，聚天下英才而用之，党的领导“如身使臂，如臂使指”；坚持党性党风党纪一起抓，正风肃纪反腐相贯通，思想建党和制度治党同向发力，完善党和国家监督体系，落实全面从严治党政治责任，新时代推进全面从严治党和反腐败斗争力度之大前所未有，成效有目共睹。百年大党在守正创新中开辟自我革命新境界，党的政治领导力、思想引领力、群众组织力、社会号召力显著增强，为强国建设、民族复兴伟业提供根本保证。

(The author is the Executive Vice President in charge of daily operations of the China Executive Leadership Academy, Jinggangshan)

（作者为中国井冈山干部学院分管日常工作的副院长）