A Study of the Signature Concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

On May 17, 2016, in his speech at a symposium on philosophy and social sciences, General Secretary Xi Jinping gave the important instruction that “one must be adept at refining signature concepts.” On October 16, 2022, in his report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping further pointed out: “We will accelerate the building of a Chinese discourse and narrative system, better tell China’s stories, make China’s voice heard, and present a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China.” This important exposition of General Secretary Xi Jinping is consistent with the important instruction that “one must be adept at refining signature concepts,” and together they constitute a guide for innovating the system of disciplines, academic system, and discourse system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. Currently, we must actively and proactively meet the requirements of the practical development and theoretical innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, strengthen our sense of mission for theoretical innovation on the new journey of the New Era,[n] fully understand the important status and unique role of signature concepts in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, effectively advance the systematic and scholarly research and explanation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, refine more numerous and systematic new concepts, new categories, and new expressions that are easier for the broad masses of the people to deeply comprehend and for the international community to understand and accept, boost the construction and innovative development of an independent knowledge system for China’s philosophy and social sciences, and provide strong political guidance, ideological support, and theoretical guarantees for Chinese-path modernization.

2016年5月17日，习近平总书记在哲学社会科学工作座谈会上的讲话中作出“要善于提炼标识性概念”的重要指示。2022年10月16日，习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中进一步指出：“加快构建中国话语和中国叙事体系，讲好中国故事、传播好中国声音，展现可信、可爱、可敬的中国形象。”习近平总书记的这一重要论述与“要善于提炼标识性概念”的重要指示一脉相承，共同构成新时代创新中国特色哲学社会科学学科体系、学术体系、话语体系的指南。当前，我们要积极主动适应新时代中国特色社会主义实践发展和理论创新的要求，增强新时代新征程理论创新的使命感，充分认识标识性概念在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想中的重要地位和独特作用，有效推进习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的体系化、学理化研究阐释，提炼出更多、更系统、更易于为广大人民群众所深刻领悟和国际社会所理解、接受的新概念、新范畴、新表述，助推我国哲学社会科学自主知识体系的构建和创新发展，为中国式现代化建设提供强有力的政治引领、思想支撑和理论保障。

I. Definition and Identification of Signature Concepts

一、标识性概念的界定和辨别

To implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instruction on “being adept at refining signature concepts” and to properly conduct research and explanation of signature concepts, one must first understand what a signature concept is, and how to distinguish signature concepts from non-signature concepts.

要贯彻落实习近平总书记关于“要善于提炼标识性概念”的重要指示，做好标识性概念的研究和阐释，必须先弄明白什么是标识性概念，以及如何判别标识性概念与非标识性概念。

(i) Definition of Signature Concept

（一）标识性概念的界定

The purpose of defining a concept is to clarify its connotation and denotation, ensuring that the concept is used accurately and consistently in academic research. Defining a concept is like laying a cornerstone; it is a key step in advancing theoretical research and explanation.

概念界定的目的是明确概念的内涵与外延，确保概念在学术研究中使用准确、前后贯通。概念界定犹如奠基石，是推动理论研究和阐释的关键步骤。

What is a signature concept? A signature concept refers to a concept within a discipline or theoretical system that possesses core orientational character and broad recognition. Any school of thought, discipline, or theoretical system with independence, subjectivity, and innovativeness in its knowledge system should have signature concepts. The signature concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era are the innovative outcomes of the Communist Party of China, based on its new understanding of the laws governing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context, and adhering to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture. They are the core propositions of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the distinctive concepts with the greatest Chinese characteristics, zeitgeist, and international communication power, and the unique hallmarks of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

什么是标识性概念？标识性概念是指一个学科或理论体系中具有核心指向性和广泛认同度的概念。任何一个具有知识体系自主性、主体性和创新性的学派、学科或理论体系都应该有标识性概念。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的标识性概念，是中国共产党基于对马克思主义中国化发展规律的新认识，坚持马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合的创新成果。它是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的核心主张，是最具中国特色、时代气息和国际传播力的独特性概念，是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的独特标志。

As the theoretical reflection of the development and progress of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a rigorous theoretical system composed of signature concepts rooted in the movement of the basic contradictions of society (i.e., the contradictions between productive forces and relations of production, and between economic base and superstructure). This theoretical system has many signature concepts; a few examples are given below: From the dimension of the contradictory movement between productive forces and relations of production, signature concepts such as “new quality productive forces” and the “two mountains theory” have been proposed; from the dimension of the contradictory movement between economic base and superstructure, signature concepts such as “Chinese-path modernization” and “whole-process people’s democracy” have been proposed; based on comprehensive considerations of the solid material foundation laid by the transformation of the mode of production, as well as social structure, cultural development, international situation, and other factors, the signature concept of “the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics” has been refined; from the perspective of the value orientation and spiritual core carried by the ideological superstructure, the signature concept of “people supremacy” has been refined; based on the perspective of era judgment, the signature concept of “major changes unseen in a century” has been refined.

作为中国特色社会主义发展进步的理论反映，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是以社会基本矛盾（即生产力与生产关系、经济基础与上层建筑的矛盾）运动为根基的标识性概念构成的严谨理论体系。这一理论体系的标识性概念甚多，下面略举数例：基于生产力与生产关系矛盾运动的维度，提出了“新质生产力”“两山论”等标识性概念；基于经济基础与上层建筑矛盾运动的维度，提出了“中国式现代化”“全过程人民民主”等标识性概念；从生产方式变革所奠定的坚实物质基础，以及社会结构、文化发展、国际形势等综合要素考量出发，提炼出了“中国特色社会主义新时代”这一标识性概念；从思想上层建筑所承载的价值导向与精神内核视角，提炼出“人民至上”的标识性概念；基于时代判断的视角，提炼出“世界百年未有之大变局”的标识性概念。

(ii) Identification of Signature Concepts

（二）标识性概念的辨别

Once one knows what a signature concept is, one can identify and distinguish signature concepts from non-signature concepts. In summary, the key to identifying a signature concept lies in clearly recognizing the distinctive features that signature concepts possess, which differentiate them from ordinary concepts, and the unique role they play in the construction of the entire theoretical system. Signature concepts have three prominent characteristics, which manifest three “unities.”

知道了什么是标识性概念，就能够辨别区分标识性概念与非标识性概念。总结起来，辨别标识性概念的关键在于认清标识性概念所具有的不同于一般概念的显著特征及其在整个理论体系构建中所发挥的独特作用。标识性概念具有三个方面的显著特征，彰显了三个“统一”。

The characteristic of practical orientation: manifests the unity of problem orientation and solution provision. The signature concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era always take solving China’s practical problems as their starting point and ultimate goal. China’s practical problems include new problems encountered in the practical construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, problems that the people are anxious and concerned about, major problems in international changes, and outstanding problems faced in Party building. The signature concepts refined from solving these practical problems in China are both concise summaries of the methodology for solving China’s practical problems and further guidance for specific practices; they possess a distinct practical orientation. For example, the signature concept of “two unswerving” is the concrete embodiment and guarantee at the policy level of the basic economic system with public ownership as the mainstay and diverse forms of ownership developing together, and it is an innovative outcome of ownership theory generated in reform practice, which changed the long-standing mindset that the basic socialist economic system could only be “single public ownership.” Another example is the proposal of the signature concept “new quality productive forces,” which directly promoted the resolution of contemporary difficult problems such as “bottleneck” issues and the security of industrial and supply chains.

实践指向性特征：彰显了问题导向与方案提供的统一。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的标识性概念，始终以解决中国实际问题为出发点和落脚点。中国实际问题包括新时代中国特色社会主义建设实践中遇到的新问题、改革发展稳定存在的深层次问题、人民群众急难愁盼问题、国际变局中的重大问题、党的建设面临的突出问题等多个方面。从解决这些中国实际问题出发而提炼出的标识性概念，既是对解决中国实际问题的方法论的凝练概括，又是对具体实践的进一步指引，具有鲜明的实践指向性。例如，“两个毫不动摇”这一标识性概念，是公有制为主体、多种所有制经济共同发展的基本经济制度在政策层面的具体体现和保障，是在改革实践中产生的所有制理论创新成果，改变了长期以来认为社会主义基本经济制度只能是“单一公有制”的思维定式。又如，“新质生产力”这一标识性概念的提出，在实践上直接促进了“卡脖子”问题、产业链供应链安全等时代难题的破解。

The characteristic of value orientation: manifests the unity of ideal pursuit and realistic path. The signature concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era not only depict a development blueprint but also provide direct value guidance, always respecting the principal position of the people, safeguarding the basic rights and interests of the people, and promoting the comprehensive development of the individual. For example, the signature concept of “people supremacy” is transformed into value guidance for concrete actions, and the ideal pursuit of “realizing the people’s aspiration for a better life” is realized through realistic paths such as equalization of basic public services, improvement of the social security system, and promoting the prosperity and development of cultural undertakings, in order to meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life.

价值引领性特征：彰显了理想追求与现实路径的统一。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的标识性概念不仅描绘发展蓝图，更提供直接的价值引领，始终尊重人民主体地位，保障人民基本权益，促进人的全面发展。例如，将“人民至上”的标识性概念转化为具体行动的价值引领，将“实现人民对美好生活的向往”的理想追求通过基本公共服务均等化、社会保障体系完善、推动文化事业发展繁荣等现实路径来实现，以满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要。

The characteristic of international communicability: manifests the unity of cultural heritage and global discourse. The signature concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, while maintaining cultural autonomy, actively integrate into the international discourse system. For instance, the Global Development Initiative focuses on the common development aspirations of humanity, precisely aligns with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and incorporates issues such as poverty reduction and clean energy into China’s proposal. This signature concept inherits the traditional wisdom of Chinese civilization of “harmony in diversity,” responds to the real challenge of the “global development deficit,” and manifests the unity of cultural heritage and global discourse.

国际传播性特征：彰显了文化底蕴与全球话语的统一。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的标识性概念在保持文化自主性的同时，还积极融入国际话语体系。如“全球发展倡议”着眼人类共同发展诉求，精准对接《联合国2030年可持续发展议程》，将减贫、清洁能源等议题纳入中国方案。这一标识性概念既继承了中华文明“和而不同”的传统智慧，又回应了“全球发展赤字”的现实挑战，彰显了文化底蕴与全球话语的统一。

These prominent characteristics and unique roles of the signature concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era are not accidental; they have a profound basis. On the one hand, they are manifestations in ideological form of the various levels of the basic contradictions of society (for example, “new quality productive forces” directly responds to the “principal contradiction between the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development”), and possess a deep practical foundation (for example, “targeted poverty alleviation” as a signature concept was formed based on the practical cycle of “field research in impoverished areas – policy piloting – nationwide promotion”). On the other hand, they are a vivid manifestation of the basic principles of dialectical epistemology, the crystallization of continuously deepening their connotations through the recurring cycle of “practice – cognition – re-practice – re-cognition.” For example, “whole-process people’s democracy” extends democracy from the “electoral link” to the entire process of “legislation, decision-making, and supervision” through practical forms such as “community-level legislative contact points” and “democratic consultation meetings,” and its connotation deepens continuously with the “practice of people’s democracy,” manifesting the characteristics of dialectical epistemology.

习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的标识性概念的这些显著特征和独特作用不是偶然的，而是有深刻根据的。一方面，它是社会基本矛盾各个层面的观念形态的表现（如“新质生产力”直接回应“人民日益增长的美好生活需要和不平衡不充分的发展之间的矛盾”），具有深厚的实践根基（如“精准扶贫”作为标识性概念，其形成基于“贫困地区实地调研—政策试点—全国推广”的实践循环）。另一方面，它是辩证认识论的基本原理的生动体现，是历尽“实践—认识—再实践—再认识”循环往复不断深化其内涵的结晶。如“全过程人民民主”通过“基层立法联系点”“民主恳谈会”等实践形式，将民主从“选举环节”延伸至“立法、决策、监督”全流程，其内涵随“人民民主实践”不断深化，彰显了辩证认识论特色。

II. Refinement of Signature Concepts

二、标识性概念的提炼

Essentially, the refining (or generating) of landmark concepts is a process of upholding the Two Integrations [1]1 The Two Integrations (两个结合) refers to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture.. It is a dynamic creative process that follows the Marxist epistemological line — that is, a unity among practice as the epistemological foundation, dialectics as the methodological core, and dialectical logic as the form of thought expression. Its logical thread can be concretely expressed as a dialectical connection and a constantly mutually transforming spiral upward movement of “practical foundation — cultural underpinnings — theoretical innovation — practical application.”

从本质上说，标识性概念的提炼（或说生成）过程是坚持“两个结合”的过程。这是一个遵循马克思主义认识路线（即以实践为认识论基础、以辩证法为方法论核心、以辩证逻辑为思维表达形式三者的统一）的活跃的创造过程。其逻辑理路可以具象化地表达为“实践根基—文化底蕴—理论创新—实践运用”的辩证联系和不断相互转化的螺旋式上升运动。

(I) Practical Foundation: The Material Basis for Refining Landmark Concepts

（一）实践根基：提炼标识性概念的物质基础

Marxist epistemology holds that practice is the source and the purpose of knowledge. The relationship between practice and the refining of concepts is a dialectical unity. Practice, as a material activity, provides the real material foundation for the refining of landmark concepts. Fundamentally, the refining of landmark concepts is a cognitive revolution based on practice. Engels pointed out, “If society has a technical need, that helps science forward more than ten universities.” He also noted, “Every new view of a science contains a revolution in its terminology.” [2]2 The two passages are from Engels’s letter to Heinz Starkenburg (1894) and from the preface to the second edition of *Capital*, Volume I, respectively. Engels’s theses profoundly reveal the intrinsic connection between terminological innovation (including the refining of landmark concepts) and theoretical innovation. First, they reveal the essence of concept refining. Concept refining is essentially a spiritual achievement responding to practical needs; practice orientation occupies a core position in the refining of landmark concepts. Second, they reveal that the refining of landmark concepts is not a simple induction of practical experience, but a complex process of sublimation from a practical form to a scientific form (i.e., theory, which is the conceptual reflection of the essential attributes of things). Within a given theoretical system, landmark concepts function as “cells,” “stepping stones,” and “supporting points.”

马克思主义认识论认为，实践是认识的来源与目的。实践与概念的提炼之间是一种辩证统一的关系。实践作为物质性的活动，为标识性概念的提炼提供现实的物质根基。从根本上说，标识性概念的提炼是基于实践的认知革命。恩格斯指出：“社会一旦有技术上的需要，这种需要就会比十所大学更能把科学推向前进。”又指出：“一门科学提出的每一种新见解，都包含着这门科学的术语的革命。”恩格斯的论断深刻揭示了术语创新（含标识性概念提炼）与理论创新的内在关联。一是揭示了概念提炼的本质。概念提炼本质上是回应实践需求的精神成果，实践导向在标识性概念的提炼中占据核心地位；二是揭示了标识性概念的提炼并非对实践经验的简单归纳，而是由实践形态升华到科学形态（即理论，也就是对事物本质属性的观念反映）的复杂过程。在一定的理论体系中，标识性概念是“细胞”“阶梯”和“支撑点”。

Take the refining of the landmark concept of the “Two Mountains Theory” [n] as an example. In August 2005, Comrade Xi Jinping, then Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, during an inspection in Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, put forward the scientific thesis that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” based on Anji County’s practical exploration of closing mines and developing eco-tourism. In 2014, *Excerpts from Xi Jinping’s Discussion on Comprehensively Deepening Reform* included discussions on Xi Jinping’s ecological civilization structural reform and other topics, further deepening and expanding the ecological civilization concepts such as the “Two Mountains Theory.” In March 2015, the Politburo meeting of the Central Committee reviewed and adopted the *Opinions on Accelerating the Advancement of Ecological Civilization Construction*, further clarifying the value orientation of ecological civilization construction. In July 2020, the third volume of *Xi Jinping: The Governance of China* was published, establishing the “Two Mountains Theory” as a core proposition of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. This case reveals the deep logic of refining landmark concepts: unifying the material foundation and the value orientation in practice, and, in the dynamic back-and-forth process from the foundation of practice to cognitive revolution, both ensuring the truthfulness of the concept in reflecting practical experience and endowing it with the value and foresight to lead practical development, ultimately forming a chain of landmark concepts and constructing a Chinese theoretical discourse system.

以“两山论”这一标识性概念的提炼为例。2005年8月，时任浙江省委书记的习近平同志在浙江省湖州市安吉县考察时，基于安吉县当时关闭矿山、发展生态旅游的实践探索，提出“绿水青山就是金山银山”的科学论断。2014年，《习近平关于全面深化改革论述摘编》收录了关于习近平生态文明体制改革等方面的论述，这些论述是对“两山论”等生态文明理念的进一步深化与拓展。2015年3月，中央政治局会议审议通过《关于加快推进生态文明建设的意见》，进一步明确生态文明建设的价值导向。2020年7月，《习近平谈治国理政》第三卷出版，将“两山论”确立为习近平生态文明思想的核心命题。这一案例揭示了标识性概念提炼的深层逻辑：在实践中将物质根基与价值导向统一起来，在从实践基础到认知革命的动态往复过程中，既保证概念反映实践经验的真理性，又赋予其引领实践发展的价值性和前瞻性，最终形成标识性概念链，构建起中国特色的理论话语体系。

(II) Cultural Underpinnings: The Cultural Support and New-Era Interpretation for Refining Landmark Concepts

（二）文化底蕴：提炼标识性概念的文化支撑和新时代诠释

Cultural underpinnings are the spiritual lifeline of the Chinese nation, whose connotations encompass historical sediment, regional characteristics, spiritual core, and so forth. The refining of landmark concepts requires, in addition to a practical foundation, the support of cultural underpinnings. This necessitates multi-faceted efforts under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The cultural underpinnings here include both the excellent traditional Chinese culture activated by Marxism, the Chinese revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture based on Marxist theory, and foreign cultural resources that can be critically absorbed and used for our purposes. This study focuses only on one aspect: thoroughly excavating the profound and extensive excellent traditional Chinese culture and forming landmark concepts through creative transformation and innovative development. This involves three tightly interlocking driving links.

文化底蕴是中华民族的精神命脉，其内涵涵盖历史积淀、地域特征与精神内核等。标识性概念的提炼，除了实践根基还需要文化底蕴的支撑。这就必须在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想指导下从多方面作出努力。这里的文化底蕴，既包括为马克思主义所激活的中华优秀传统文化，也包括以马克思主义为理论基础的中国革命文化和社会主义先进文化，还包括能批判吸收为我所用的外国文化资源。本研究只集中讲其中一个方面，即对博大精深的中华优秀传统文化进行深入挖掘，通过创造性转化和创新性发展形成标识性概念。这包括三个紧紧相扣的推动环节。

Promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese philosophical thought. Chinese philosophical thought is a vast treasure house of cultural wisdom, rich in ideological and cultural resources, and constitutes the essence of excellent traditional Chinese culture. For example, regarding the philosophical cognitive tradition of “contemplating things to derive images, and establishing images to fully express meaning” from the *I Ching* and the value pursuit of “when the great Way prevails, the world is shared by all” from the *Book of Rites*, our Party, applying the Marxist scientific method of abstraction, endows these philosophical-cultural resources with entirely new content for contemporary global governance. Then, through reasoning, elevation, and transmission, it critically continues the civilizational gene of the “harmonizing all nations” philosophy, transforming and sublimating it into the landmark concept of “a community with a shared future for mankind,” responding to the question of the times — “where is humanity heading?” — in the age of economic globalization.

推动中国哲学思想的创造性转化、创新性发展。中国哲学思想是一个巨大的文化智慧宝库，蕴藏丰富的思想文化资源，是中华优秀传统文化的精华。例如，对《周易》的“观物取象、立象尽意”哲学认知传统和《礼记》的“大道之行也，天下为公”价值追求，我们党运用马克思主义的科学抽象方法，赋予这些哲学文化富源以现时代全球治理的崭新内容，再经过推理、提升和传承，批判性地赓续“协和万邦”哲学思想的文明基因，使其转化、升华成具有标识性的“人类命运共同体”概念，回应了经济全球化时代“人类向何处去”的时代之问。

Promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of all excellent traditional Chinese culture. Through discarding the dross and retaining the essential, eliminating the false and retaining the true, proceeding from the one to the other, from the outside to the inside, and through processing, reformulation, research, and interpretation, vitality is infused from the height of the New Era. For example, the idea put forward by Western Zhou official Shi Bo in the *Discourses of the States: Discourses of Zheng*, that “harmony generates things; uniformity fails to sustain,” our Party creatively transforms and innovatively develops it, refining the concept of “harmonious coexistence and shared growth” to explain China’s path of peaceful development. This concept is concretized in form through the Belt and Road Initiative, breaking the Western logic that “a strong country is bound to seek hegemony” through extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, contributing Chinese solutions and Chinese wisdom to building a new type of international relations.

推动整个中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化与创新性发展。通过去粗取精、去伪存真、由此及彼、由表及里的改造加工和研究阐释，从新时代高度赋予其生命活力。例如，西周史伯在《国语·郑语》中提出的“夫和实生物，同则不继”的思想，我们党对其进行创造性转化和创新性发展，提炼成阐释中国和平发展道路的“和合共生”理念，使之在“一带一路”倡议中得以形态具化，通过共商共建共享打破“国强必霸”的西方逻辑，为构建新型国际关系贡献中国方案和中国智慧。

Promoting the deep integration of the value orientation of excellent traditional Chinese culture with modern institutional innovation. For example, under the guidance of Marxism, critically inheriting the people-oriented thought from Mencius’s [n] “the people are the most valuable, the state is next, the ruler is the least,” discarding its limitation of “supremacy of the monarch’s power,” emphasizing the principal position of the people, and combining it with the Marxist conception of mass history, the landmark concepts such as “people-centered development thought” [n] are refined. Through institutional pathways such as poverty alleviation, common prosperity, educational equity, and universal health insurance, these concepts achieve the organic unity of cultural inheritance and institutional innovation.

推动中华优秀传统文化价值取向与现代制度创新深度融合。例如，以马克思主义为指导，批判性地继承《孟子》“民为贵，社稷次之，君为轻”的民本思想，剔除其“君权至上”的局限，强调人民主体地位，并与马克思主义群众史观相结合，提炼出“以人民为中心的发展思想”等标识性概念。这些概念通过脱贫攻坚、共同富裕、教育公平、全民医保等制度性路径，实现了文化传承与制度创新的有机统一。

(III) Theoretical Sublimation and Re-transformation into Practice: Deepening the Development of the Methodology for Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context

（三）理论升华与向实践再转化：马克思主义中国化方法论的深化发展

On the basis of the transformation of the practical foundation and the creative transformation and innovative development of cultural origins, theoretical sublimation and re-transformation into practice are also needed to complete the full closed loop of refining landmark concepts. This process is essentially a creative application of Marxist epistemology from the height of the New Era. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out, “The standpoint of practice is the first and fundamental standpoint of the dialectical materialist theory of knowledge.” [3]3 From Mao Zedong’s essay “On Practice” (1937). This thesis, as the methodological foundation for refining landmark concepts, finds vivid and clear embodiment in Comrade Xi Jinping’s practical requirements for applying the Marxist worldview and methodology to solve practical problems.

在实践根基的变革和文化渊源的创造性转化、创新性发展的基础上，还需要进行理论升华与向实践再转化，以完成标识性概念提炼的完整闭环。这一过程实质上是立足于新时代高度对马克思主义认识论的创造性运用。毛泽东同志指出：“实践的观点是辩证唯物论的认识论之第一的和基本的观点。”这一论断作为标识性概念提炼的方法论基础，在习近平总书记关于运用马克思主义世界观方法论解决实际问题的实践要求中得到生动鲜明的体现。

For example, the introduction of the concept of “whole-process people’s democracy” has realized the adaptation of the Marxist view of democracy to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, constructed a theoretical system of socialist democratic politics, both promoted the modernization of national governance and provided entirely new experience for global democratic governance, and is also rooted in the wisdom of Chinese civilization, making it an extremely signature concept. The three stages of its generation trajectory demonstrate the deepening development of the methodology of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The first is the stage of perceptual cognition. The long-term practice of grassroots self-governance, including the “democratic consultation meetings” pioneered by Wenling City (a county-level city) in Zhejiang Province in 1999, and the grassroots legislative contact points established at the Gubei Civilian Center in Hongqiao Subdistrict, Shanghai in 2016, provided rich perceptual material from the level of concrete experience for the refinement of the concept of “whole-process people’s democracy.” The second is the stage of rational cognition. Through the essential generalization of “the broadest, most genuine, and most effective” [democracy] and its logical elevation, an entirely new conceptual form fundamentally distinct from Western representative [democracy] was constructed at the level of theoretical abstraction. The third is the stage of theoretical application. In March 2021, the Organic Law of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China institutionalized and legalized “whole-process democracy,” transforming “whole-process people’s democracy” from the level of practical change into stable institutional practice. In this way, “whole-process people’s democracy” transformed from a theoretical form into an institutional form, realizing a leap from methodological guidance to institutional practice. In October 2022, the report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC characterized “whole-process people’s democracy” as the “essential attribute of socialist democratic politics,” and “whole-process people’s democracy” became an important signature concept of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

例如，“全过程人民民主”概念的提出，实现了马克思主义民主观的中国化时代化，构建了社会主义民主政治理论体系，既推动了国家治理现代化，又为全球民主治理提供了全新经验，还植根于中华文明智慧，是一个极具标识性的概念。其生成轨迹的三个阶段，彰显了马克思主义中国化方法论的深化发展。一是感性认识阶段。基层群众自治的长期实践，包括浙江省温岭市（县级市）于1999年首创的“民主恳谈会”、上海市虹桥街道古北市民中心于2016年设立的基层立法联系点等，从具体经验层面为“全过程人民民主”概念的提炼提供了丰富的感性材料。二是理性认识阶段。通过最广泛、最真实、最管用的本质性概括与逻辑化提升，在理论抽象层面上构建起根本区别于西方代议制的全新概念形态。三是理论应用阶段。2021年3月，《中华人民共和国全国人民代表大会组织法》将“全过程民主”制度化、法制化，“全过程人民民主”从实践变革层面转化为稳定的制度实践。这样，“全过程人民民主”就从理论形态转化为制度形态，实现从方法论指导到制度实践的飞跃。2022年10月，党的二十大报告将“全过程人民民主”定性为“社会主义民主政治的本质属性”，“全过程人民民主”成为习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的重要标识性概念。

This triple leap from practical cognition to theoretical construction and then to institutional innovation embodies the dialectical law of Marxist epistemology: the leap from perceptual concreteness to rational abstraction, from rational abstraction to rational concreteness, and then from rational concreteness to practice. The foundation of practice—cultural heritage—theoretical elevation—re-transformation into practice: this process jointly constructs a complete organism, which both displays the spiral ascending path of “practice—culture—theory—practice” and completes multiple crossings from concrete experience to theoretical system, from traditional wisdom to modern innovation, and from methodological guidance to institutional practice, providing the fundamental guidance for constructing China’s independent knowledge system.

这种从实践认知到理论建构，再到制度创新的三重飞跃，体现了马克思主义认识论从感性具体到理性抽象，从理性抽象到理性具体，再从理性具体到实践的飞跃的辩证法则。实践根基—文化底蕴—理论升华—向实践再转化，这一过程共同构建起一个完整的有机体，既展现了“实践—文化—理论—实践”的螺旋式上升路径，又完成了从具体经验到理论体系、从传统智慧到现代创新、从方法论指导到制度实践的多重跨越，为构建中国自主知识体系提供了根本遵循。

III. Deepening the Study of Signature Concepts

三、标识性概念研究的深化

The development of socialist practice with Chinese characteristics in the New Era is magnificent and vast, with various new phenomena emerging endlessly, presenting a kind of explosive trend. To meet this objective requirement, it is necessary to further deepen and expand the study of the signature concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This author believes this can be carried out from three dimensions: theoretical innovation, political identification, and global governance.

新时代中国特色社会主义实践发展波澜壮阔，各种新现象层出不穷，呈现出一种爆发式的趋势。为适应这一客观要求，需进一步深化与拓展习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的标识性概念的研究。笔者认为，这可从理论创新、政治认同和全球治理三个维度进行。

(A) Deepening and Expanding from the Dimension of Theoretical Innovation

（一）理论创新维度的深化与拓展

Theoretical innovation is the lifeline of the study of signature concepts. The refinement and study of signature concepts is itself an important manifestation of theoretical innovation; it is the conceptual expression of the researcher rising from perceptual cognition to rational cognition through analysis and synthesis of things. From the dimension of theoretical innovation, the refinement and study of signature concepts can be deepened and expanded in the following three aspects.

理论创新是标识性概念研究的生命线。标识性概念的提炼研究本身就是理论创新的重要表现，是研究者经过对事物的分析综合，从感性认识上升到理性认识的观念表达。从理论创新的维度看，标识性概念的提炼研究可从以下三个方面进行深化与拓展。

Systematically decoding signature concepts from the two-way dialogue between classical theory and contemporary social practice. The “Two Integrations” [n] reveals the relationship of inheritance and development between signature concepts and the basic theories of Marxism, providing fundamental guidance for further deepening the refinement and study of signature concepts. For instance, the concept of “a community with a shared future for mankind” is an innovative development of Marx’s theory of world history, both continuing Marx’s historical insight that “the more the original isolation of separate nationalities is destroyed by the developed mode of production and intercourse and the division of labor between nations naturally brought forth by these,” [n] and endowing it with the contemporary connotations of “common development” and “sustainable development.” This kind of decoding work is systematically presented in the *Study Outline for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era* compiled by the Central Propaganda Department, providing theoretical resources for further deepening and expanding the refinement and study of signature concepts. This type of theoretical resource construction could be further expanded, such as establishing a comparative analysis database linking Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era with concrete cases of Chinese-path modernization.

从经典理论与当代社会实践的双向对话中为标识性概念系统解码。“两个结合”揭示了标识性概念与马克思主义基本理论的继承发展关系，为进一步深化标识性概念的提炼研究提供了根本遵循。例如，“人类命运共同体”概念是对马克思世界历史理论的创新性发展，既延续了“各民族的原始封闭状态由于日益完善的生产方式、交往以及因交往而自然形成的不同民族之间的分工消灭得越是彻底”的历史洞察，又赋予其“共同发展”“持续发展”的时代内涵。这种解码工作在中宣部编纂的《习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想学习纲要》中得到系统呈现，为进一步深化与拓展标识性概念的提炼研究提供了理论资源。这类理论资源建设还可以进一步拓展，如建立习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想与中国式现代化实践案例的关联对照分析数据库等。

Constructing a dialectical interactive mechanism for the refinement of typical cases and the summarization of general laws. The typical case is the particular; the general law is the universal. Through the analysis of particular typical cases, one grasps the laws for solving practical problems, refining signature concepts from them, thereby promoting the interaction between theory and practice, achieving theoretical sublimation, and reaching their dialectical unity. For example, the “Fengqiao Experience,” [n] through the sublimation of the signature concept of “whole-process people’s democracy,” developed from a grassroots governance model of “small matters not leaving the village, big matters not leaving the township” into a modern governance system of “Party building leading, people as the main body, and the integration of self-governance, rule of law, and rule of virtue.” [n] Statistics from the Ministry of Justice show that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, people’s mediation organizations nationwide mediated over 79 million disputes, with a mediation success rate exceeding 95%, confirming the effectiveness of the interaction between theoretical innovation and practice with factual evidence.

构建典型案例提炼与一般规律总结的辩证互动机制。典型案例是个别，一般规律是一般。通过对典型案例的个别分析，把握解决实际问题的规律，从中提炼出标识性概念，以推动理论与实践互动，实现理论升华，达到两者辩证统一。例如，“枫桥经验”经过“全过程人民民主”这一标识性概念的升华，从“小事不出村、大事不出镇”的基层治理模式，发展为“党建引领、人民主体、三治融合”的现代治理体系。司法部的统计数据显示，“十四五”期间，全国人民调解组织共调解纠纷7900多万件，调解成功率在95%以上，用事实印证了理论创新与实践互动的效力。

Activating the transformation of local concepts into global expression through discourse innovation. Through international communication practice, the system of signature concepts is internationally transformed, refining a system of conceptual expressions with global explanatory power. For instance, the Belt and Road Initiative, through the transformation of its expression as “extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits,” has innovated the internationalized discursive expression of signature concepts, breaking through the discursive framework of “Western-centrism,” and thereby constructing a new type of international cooperation platform for equal participation by developing countries. As of 2023, China has signed cooperation documents with 151 countries and 32 international organizations, effectively promoting the economic and social development of countries and regions participating in the Initiative, making the Belt and Road Initiative a popular international public good and international cooperation platform in the world today. Of course, it is necessary to pay attention here to the multilingual translation standards and communication effect evaluation when explaining signature concepts internationally.

从话语创新中激活本土概念与全球表达的转换。通过国际传播实践，将标识性概念体系进行国际转换，提炼具有全球解释力的概念表述体系。例如，“一带一路”倡议通过“共商共建共享”的表述转化，创新了标识性概念的国际化话语表达，突破了“西方中心论”的话语框架，并据此构建起发展中国家平等参与的新型国际合作平台。截至2023年，中国已同151个国家和32个国际组织签署合作文件，有力促进共建国家和地区经济社会发展，共建“一带一路”成为当今世界深受欢迎的国际公共产品和国际合作平台。当然，这里需要注意标识性概念在国际上解释时的多语种翻译标准与传播效果评估。

(B) Deepening and Expanding from the Dimension of Political Identification

（二）政治认同维度的深化与拓展

The refinement and study of signature concepts is the core marker for constructing, strengthening, and guiding political identification; political identification is the primary purpose of the refinement and study of signature concepts, i.e., the goal orientation. On the one hand, it is necessary to insist on the coordination of ideological guidance, theoretical arming, and faith shaping. From the combination of theory and practice, history and reality, a historical reading of signature concepts is required to deepen the entire Party and the entire people’s comprehension and grasp of the Party’s innovative concepts in the New Era, further advancing theoretical innovation. For example, through the study and explanation of the process of the “Two Integrations,” deepen the understanding of the mechanism of the deep integration between the basic principles of Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture, and carry out new theoretical explorations based on the elevation of theoretical thinking. Another example is deepening the integration of the thought that “the people are the foundation of the state” [n] with the Marxist mass historical viewpoint, refining signature concepts with “the people” as the core, and on the basis of a profound grasp of its mechanism, further integrating history and political science to analyze and grasp the evolutionary law from “the unification of the nine provinces” [n] to “the Chinese national community,” and following this, refine the signature concept of “unity in diversity” [n] for ethnic relations. On the other hand, it is necessary to insist on realizing the transformation of institutional advantages into governance effectiveness through political consciousness. Arm the mind with theory to enhance the “Four Consciousnesses,” [n] in order to promote the transformation of institutional advantages into governance effectiveness. For example, the interpretation and dissemination of the concept of “whole-process people’s democracy” has made the idea that “democracy is not an ornament, not for display, but to solve the problems the people want to solve” deeply rooted in people’s hearts.

标识性概念的提炼研究是构建、强化和引导政治认同的核心标志，政治认同则是标识性概念提炼研究的主要目的，即目标导向。一方面，需坚持思想引领、理论武装与信仰塑造相协同。从理论与实践、历史与现实的结合上，对标识性概念进行历史性解读，以深化全党全国人民对新时代党的创新概念的领悟和把握，进一步推进理论创新。例如，通过对“两个结合”过程的研究阐释，深化对马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化深度融合机制的理解，在理论思维得到提升的基础上进行新的理论开拓。再如，深化“民为邦本”思想与马克思主义群众史观的结合，提炼出以“人民”为核心的标识性概念，在深刻把握其机理的基础上，进一步结合历史学与政治学，分析和把握从“九州共贯”到“中华民族共同体”的演变规律，并以此为遵循，提炼出“多元一体”的民族关系标识性概念。另一方面，需坚持以政治自觉实现制度优势与治理效能相转化。通过理论武装增强“四个意识”，以推进制度优势向治理效能的转化。例如，对“全过程人民民主”概念的释义和传播，使“民主不是装饰品，不是用来做摆设的，而是要用来解决人民要解决的问题的”理念深入人心。

(C) Deepening and Expanding from the Dimension of Global Governance

（三）全球治理维度的深化与拓展

Through discursive innovation, enhance the international explanatory power of signature concepts. For example, the *Concept Paper of the Global Security Initiative* published by China in 2023 proposed a “common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept.” At the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum held on September 18–19, 2025, the “common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept” proposed by China received full affirmation from the participating parties.

通过话语创新，提升标识性概念的国际解释力。例如，2023年中国发布的《全球安全倡议概念文件》提出了“共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观”，在2025年9月18—19日召开的第十二届北京香山论坛上，中国提出的“共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观”得到与会各方的充分肯定。

By advancing global governance to empower the fusion of traditional wisdom and modern solutions, we deepen the study of the refinement of signature concepts. Against the backdrop of a backlash against economic globalization, signature concepts have become an important tool for China’s participation in global governance, one of whose key functions is to empower the fusion of tradition and modernity. For example, the signature concept “a new form of human civilization” [15]15 A reference to the concept that Chinese-path modernization creates “a new form of human civilization,” distinct from earlier capitalist and Soviet models. both emphasizes the subjectivity of Chinese culture and, through the openness of the “new form,” reserves space for the development of other civilizations. In addition, China has also promoted mutual learning and shared prosperity among civilizations by, for instance, regularly holding the Taihu World Cultural Forum and taking the initiative to establish the first intergovernmental international organization in the field of regional cultural heritage, the “Asian Alliance for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.”

通过推进全球治理赋能传统智慧与现代方案的融合，深化标识性概念提炼研究。在经济全球化遭遇逆流的背景下，标识性概念成为中国参与全球治理的重要工具，其中一个重要功能是赋能传统性与现代性的融合。例如，“人类文明新形态”这一标识性概念既强调中华文化的主体性，又通过“新形态”的开放性为其他文明的发展预留空间。此外，中国还通过定期举办太湖世界文化论坛，倡议成立首个区域性文化遗产领域政府间国际组织“亚洲文化遗产保护联盟”等，推动了不同文明的互鉴共荣。

By building a “three-in-one” [16]16 While the text uses “three-in-one” (三位一体), it does not specify the three components in the paragraph. The term is used loosely here to describe the integration of concept refinement, category construction, and expression transformation. research system, we deepen the global consensus on signature concepts. In refining concepts, we adhere to the principle of “win-win cooperation.” For example, the “Global Security Initiative” [17]17 Announced by Xi Jinping at the Boao Forum for Asia in April 2022. proposes a “vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security,” which breaks the zero-sum game logic of Cold War thinking. In constructing categories, we emphasize the inclusiveness of “drawing on diverse sources.” For instance, the “Global Development Initiative” [18]18 Proposed by Xi Jinping at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021. incorporates the United Nations’ “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” integrating global issues such as “poverty reduction,” “food security,” and “clean energy” into the Chinese approach. In terms of transforming expressions, we pursue the dialogical nature of “harmony without uniformity.” For instance, the concept of “democracy,” through the expression of the signature concept “whole-process people’s democracy,” breaks the Western monopoly on discourse. On July 8, 2025, the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on “The Contribution of Development to the Enjoyment of All Human Rights,” tabled by China; this is the first time since China first proposed the resolution in 2017 that it has been adopted by consensus without a vote.

通过打造“三位一体”的研究体系，深化标识性概念的全球共识。在概念提炼上坚持“合作共赢”的原则性。例如，“全球安全倡议”提出的“共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观”，打破了冷战思维的零和博弈逻辑。在范畴构建上，注重“兼收并蓄”的包容性。如“全球发展倡议”吸纳联合国《2030年可持续发展议程》，将“减贫”“粮食安全”“清洁能源”等全球议题纳入中国方案。在表述转化上，追求“和而不同”的对话性。如“民主”概念通过“全过程人民民主”标识性概念的表述，打破了西方话语垄断。2025年7月8日，联合国人权理事会第五十九届会议通过中国主提的“发展对享有所有人权的贡献”决议，这是自2017年中国提出该决议以来，首次未经投票以协商一致方式获得通过。

IV. Important Principles That Must Be Upheld in the Study of Signature Concepts

四、标识性概念研究需要坚守的重要原则

The study of signature concepts concerns research and elucidation on the systemization and theorization of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; it concerns the construction and innovative development of China’s independent knowledge system in philosophy and social sciences. It is a serious academic issue and also a major political issue; therefore, several important principles must be properly grasped.

标识性概念的研究，关系习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想体系化学理化的研究阐释，关系我国哲学社会科学自主知识体系的构建和创新发展，是严肃的学术问题，也是重大的政治性问题，必须把握好若干重要原则。

(A) Uphold the Marxist World Outlook and Methodology

（一）坚持马克思主义世界观方法论

The Marxist world outlook and methodology are the fundamental guidelines for the study of signature concepts. On this issue, General Secretary Xi Jinping has spoken very thoroughly: “Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground is a major principle that must be firmly grasped and always adhered to in further deepening reform comprehensively.” [19]19 Quote from Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening of a study session on further reform, likely the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee in July 2024, given the context of “deepening reform comprehensively.” This requires that, when refining and studying signature concepts, we always uphold the Marxist world outlook and methodology and the basic principles that run through them.

马克思主义世界观方法论是标识性概念研究的根本遵循。关于这个问题，习近平总书记讲得很透彻：“坚持守正创新是进一步全面深化改革必须牢牢把握、始终坚守的重大原则。”这就要求我们在提炼研究标识性概念时，始终要坚持马克思主义世界观方法论及贯穿其中的基本原理。

The Marxist world outlook and methodology constitute a rigorous system, encompassing dialectical materialism and historical materialism, as well as the criterion of practice as a key principle of Marxist epistemology. The strategic thinking, historical thinking, dialectical thinking, innovative thinking, law-based thinking, bottom-line thinking, systemic thinking, and precise thinking advocated by General Secretary Xi Jinping are interconnected and organically unified, integrating problem-oriented and goal-oriented approaches, and macroscopic strategy with microscopic implementation, thereby constituting the methodological system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with a Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This is precisely the concrete and practical manifestation of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, especially materialist dialectics. To uphold the Marxist world outlook and methodology, we must deepen the study, research, and elucidation in this area, and strengthen our ability to apply it. Enhancing this ability enables us to be adept at observing things from the perspective of universal connection, a comprehensive system, and development and change; to strengthen forward-looking thinking, overall planning, strategic deployment, and holistic advancement; and to enhance the conscious awareness of refining signature concepts and the discursive capacity for adept elucidation. For example, policy concepts such as “targeted poverty alleviation” and “targeted epidemic prevention and control” accurately embody the refinement of governance concepts. Another example: using historical materialism to analyze the conceptual connotation of “new quality productive forces,” we can see that the core of “new quality productive forces” is a form of productive forces led by technological innovation. Their development depends both on technological breakthroughs at the level of the economic base and on institutional innovations at the level of the superstructure — such as policy support and market environment — to unleash their potential.

马克思主义世界观方法论是一个严整的体系，包含辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义，以及作为马克思主义认识论关键原则的实践标准等。习近平总书记倡导的战略思维、历史思维、辩证思维、创新思维、法治思维、底线思维、系统思维、精准思维等相互关联、有机统一，把问题导向与目标导向、宏观战略和微观落实统一起来，构成习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的方法论体系。这正是辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义，特别是唯物辩证法的细化实践化的体现。坚持马克思主义世界观方法论，就要深化这方面的学习研究阐释，强化这方面的运用能力。增强了这方面的能力，就能善于运用普遍联系的、全面系统的、发展变化的观点观察事物，加强前瞻性思考、全局性谋划、战略性布局、整体性推进，就能增强提炼标识性概念的自觉意识和善于阐释的话语表达能力。例如，“精准扶贫”“精准防控疫情”等政策概念表述，准确体现了治理理念的精细化。再如，运用历史唯物主义分析“新质生产力”的概念内涵，就能看到“新质生产力”的核心是以科技创新为主导的生产力形态，其发展既依赖经济基础层面的技术突破，又需要上层建筑层面通过政策支持、市场环境等制度创新来释放潜力。

(B) Rooted in the Great Practice of the New Era

（二）立足于新时代伟大实践

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes the need to “uphold practice as the sole criterion for testing truth” and to “constantly advance theoretical innovation, practical innovation, and institutional innovation.” This requirement clearly tells us that the refinement and study of new signature concepts, categories, and expressions must be rooted in China’s actual conditions. The biggest reality of contemporary China is that it is in the primary stage of socialism and is engaged in the great practice of striving to realize Chinese-path modernization. That is to say, we must refine new signature concepts, categories, and expressions within the great and vivid practice of Chinese-path modernization; we must not, detached from or even deviating from this practice, refine concepts from an abstract philosophical level or search for concepts in Western philosophy textbooks. This is a directional and fundamental principle. Of course, this does not preclude the selective, critical absorption of valuable and inspiring elements from abroad. It should be said that in contemporary China, most scholars have upheld this principle well. For example, through the practice of building a digital China, concepts with foresight such as a “digital-intelligent civilization” have been refined, providing a Chinese approach to global digital governance; we should acknowledge and support this.

习近平总书记强调，要“坚持实践是检验真理的唯一标准”“不断推进理论创新、实践创新、制度创新”。这一要求清楚地告诉我们，提炼研究标识性新概念、新范畴、新表述，要立足于中国实际。当代中国最大的实际是正处于社会主义初级阶段，正处于为实现中国式现代化而努力奋斗的伟大实践中。也就是说，要在中国式现代化这个伟大而生动的实践中提炼标识性新概念、新范畴、新表述，不可脱离甚至背离这个实践、从抽象的哲学层面去提炼概念或者到西方哲学教科书中去搜索概念。这是一个具有方向性、根本性的原则问题。当然这并不排除有选择地批判吸收国外的对我国有价值、有启发的东西。应该说，在当代中国，大多数学者很好地坚守了这个原则。例如，通过数字中国建设的实践，提炼“数智文明”等具有前瞻性的概念，为全球数字治理提供了中国方案，对此我们应当予以赞赏和支持。

(C) Focus on the Systematic Study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

（三）聚焦习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想体系化研究

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “We must study and comprehend the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in an all-round way, comprehensively and systematically grasp its basic viewpoints and scientific system, properly grasp its world outlook and methodology, adhere to and employ the positions, viewpoints, and methods running through it, and continuously enhance our political, ideological, theoretical, and emotional identification with the Party’s innovative theory, truly mastering the Marxist trade.” [20]20 Standard paraphrase of Xi Jinping’s instructions on studying the Thought, likely drawn from speeches at study sessions or Party congresses. This requires that, when refining signature concepts, we must unswervingly take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the theoretical foundation, systematically study and deeply research Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and ensure that signature concepts maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party’s innovative theory.

习近平总书记指出：“要全面学习领会新时代中国特色社会主义思想，全面系统掌握这一思想的基本观点、科学体系，把握好这一思想的世界观、方法论，坚持好、运用好贯穿其中的立场观点方法，不断增进对党的创新理论的政治认同、思想认同、理论认同、情感认同，真正把马克思主义看家本领学到手。”这就要求我们在提炼标识性概念时，必须坚定不移地以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为理论基础，系统学习和深入研究习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，确保标识性概念与党的创新理论保持高度一致。

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a complete theoretical system, the Marxism of the 21st century, and the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Its content includes, at the theoretical level, the general goal, the general task, the overall plan, the strategic layout, the principal contradiction in society, the driving forces of development, the external conditions, and the political guarantees. It answers the major questions of the era such as “what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era”; at the practical level, it includes the “Fourteen Upholds” [21]21 The “Fourteen Upholds” (十四个坚持) are the basic policies and strategies guiding practice in the New Era, formally enumerated in the report to the 19th National Congress of the CPC in 2017.: upholding Party leadership over all work, upholding a people-centered approach, upholding comprehensive deepening of reform and opening up, upholding a new vision for development, upholding that the people are the masters of the country, upholding comprehensive law-based governance, upholding the core socialist values, upholding the protection and improvement of people’s livelihoods in the course of development, upholding harmony between humans and nature, upholding a holistic approach to national security, upholding absolute Party leadership over the people’s armed forces, upholding the principle of “one country, two systems” and promoting national reunification, upholding the promotion of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and upholding comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. These cover the fields of politics, economy, culture, society, ecology, diplomacy, and Party building, answering the major question of the era of “how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics”; at the level of historic achievements, it includes 13 aspects: upholding the overall leadership of the Party, comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, economic construction, comprehensive deepening of reform and opening up, political construction, comprehensive law-based governance, cultural development, social development, ecological progress, national defense and military development, safeguarding national security, upholding “one country, two systems” and promoting national reunification, and diplomatic work; at the level of worldview and methodology, it includes the “Six Musts” [22]22 The “Six Musts” (六个必须坚持) are the methodological requirements derived from Xi Jinping Thought, articulated at the 20th National Congress of the CPC in 2022.: must uphold putting the people first, must uphold confidence in our own path, must uphold upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, must uphold a problem-oriented approach, must uphold a systems perspective, must uphold a global vision. These centrally embody the positions, viewpoints, and methods of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as well as the essence and soul that runs through it. The entire theoretical system contains signature concepts of rich layers and grand content. Our research should not only extract and precisely elucidate these signature concepts to make them take root in people’s hearts, but also, taking this as a model, follow the scientific path of their refinement, and further continuously extract new signature concepts in new great practice, making new contributions to advancing the systematization and theorization of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是完整的理论体系，是21世纪马克思主义，是马克思主义中国化时代化的最新成果。其内容，在理论层面包括总目标、总任务、总体布局、战略布局、社会主要矛盾、发展动力、外部条件、政治保证等，回答了“新时代坚持和发展什么样的中国特色社会主义”等重大时代课题；在实践层面包括坚持党对一切工作的领导、坚持以人民为中心、坚持全面深化改革、坚持新发展理念、坚持人民当家作主、坚持全面依法治国、坚持社会主义核心价值体系、坚持在发展中保障和改善民生、坚持人与自然和谐共生、坚持总体国家安全观、坚持党对人民军队的绝对领导、坚持“一国两制”和推进祖国统一、坚持推动构建人类命运共同体、坚持全面从严治党等“十四个坚持”，涵盖政治、经济、文化、社会、生态、外交、党建等各领域，回答了“怎样坚持和发展中国特色社会主义”重大时代课题；在取得的历史性成就层面，包括坚持党的全面领导、全面从严治党、经济建设、全面深化改革开放、政治建设、全面依法治国、文化建设、社会建设、生态文明建设、国防和军队建设、维护国家安全、坚持“一国两制”和推进祖国统一、外交工作等13个方面；在世界观和方法论层面，包括必须坚持人民至上、必须坚持自信自立、必须坚持守正创新、必须坚持问题导向、必须坚持系统观念、必须坚持胸怀天下即“六个必须坚持”，集中体现了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的立场观点方法，以及贯穿其中的精髓和灵魂。整个理论体系包含的标识性概念层次丰富、内容宏伟。我们的研究不仅要将其中的标识性概念提取出来加以精准阐释，使之深入人心，而且要以此为范例，沿着其提炼的科学道路，进一步在新的伟大实践中不断提取新的标识性概念，为推进习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的体系化学理化作出新贡献。

(IV) Promoting the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

（四）推动构建人类命运共同体

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “The concept we have proposed of promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind has been widely welcomed and highly commended by all parties and has been enshrined in a series of United Nations resolutions. We should ride on the momentum and follow the trend, firmly uphold the international order and system centered on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and contribute Chinese wisdom and Chinese approaches to the reform and building of the global governance system.” [23]23 The source of this quotation is identified as part of Xi Jinping’s remarks on foreign affairs; it is characteristic of the style of his collected speeches. This requires that, when refining and studying signature concepts, we must take a high stance, maintain a broad mind, and keep a wide perspective. We must pay attention to the future of humanity from a global perspective, promote the common values of all mankind, and actively participate in the reform and building of the global governance system, promoting a more just and equitable international order and governance system. At the same time, through the refinement and international dissemination of signature concepts, we must contribute Chinese wisdom to global governance.

习近平总书记指出：“我们提出推动构建人类命运共同体的理念，受到各方普遍欢迎和高度评价，被载入联合国一系列决议。我们要乘势而上、顺势而为，坚定维护以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为核心的国际秩序和国际体系，为全球治理体系改革和建设贡献中国智慧和中国方案。”这就要求我们在提炼研究标识性概念时，要站位高远、胸怀宽广、视野开阔。要以世界眼光关注人类前途命运，弘扬全人类共同价值，并积极参与全球治理体系改革和建设，推动构建更加公正合理的国际秩序和治理体系。同时要通过标识性概念的提炼和国际传播，为全球治理贡献中国智慧。

Taking the Belt and Road Initiative as an example, as a practical vehicle for the concept of “harmonious coexistence and shared growth” and the “Global Development Initiative,” it is necessary to deepen the research and practice of concept refinement from three dimensions, in order to implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important directives on participating in global governance, contributing Chinese wisdom, and “striving to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.”

以“一带一路”倡议为例，其作为“和合共生”理念与“全球发展倡议”的实践载体，需从三个维度深化概念提炼的研究与实践，以落实好习近平总书记关于参与全球治理，贡献中国智慧，“着力推动构建人类命运共同体”的重要指示。

Reconstructing the discourse paradigm for international cooperation. Aiming at the long-standing implicit framework of the “universality of the Western model” presupposed by the West, and the “Western-centrist” discourse system centered on Western modernization, it is necessary to break and reconstruct the discourse system of international cooperation through innovation in conceptual expression. Specifically, the core concepts of Chinese discourse should be highlighted: such as the participatory governance of “extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits,” the compatibility of “harmonious coexistence and shared growth” with local “peaceful coexistence,” the equality of “partnership relations,” the mutual benefit of “win-win cooperation,” the livelihood orientation of “development for the people,” and the practical value of “promoting equal access to basic public services” and “promoting regional economic integration.” These concepts transform the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind into tangible practices that can be perceived and participated in, providing a new discourse paradigm for strengthening international cooperation.

重构国际合作话语范式。针对长期以来西方预设的“西方模式普世性”的隐性框架，以及以西方现代化为核心的“西方中心主义”话语体系，需通过概念表述创新打破并重构国际合作的话语体系。具体而言，应突出中国话语的核心理念：如“共商共建共享”的参与式治理、“和合共生”与当地“和睦共处”的契合性、“伙伴关系”的平等性、“合作共赢”的互利性、“发展为了人民”的民生导向性，以及“推进基本公共服务均等化”“促进区域经济一体化”的实践价值。这些概念将人类命运共同体理念转化为可感知、可参与的具体实践，为加强国际合作提供了新的话语范式。

Enhancing discourse credibility with practical achievements. It is necessary to focus on “small yet smart” livelihood projects in education, medical care, agriculture, etc., encouraging enterprises and communities in Belt and Road partner countries to participate in project planning and implementation, and refuting Western fallacies such as the “debt trap” through “visible and tangible” results. These projects should be guided by addressing local practical needs, emphasizing the inclusiveness and sustainability of development. They both embody the objective practical achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative and shape a discourse foundation centered on credibility.

以实践成果增强话语可信度。需聚焦教育、医疗、农业等“小而美”的民生项目，鼓励“一带一路”共建国家的企业、社区参与项目规划与实施，通过“看得见、摸得着”的成果，批驳西方“债务陷阱”等不实论调。这些项目应以解决当地实际需求为导向，强调发展的包容性与可持续性，既体现了“一带一路”的客观实践成效，又塑造了以可信度为核心的话语基础。

Proactively responding to external doubts and promoting the establishment of a fair and equitable international order. In response to stigmatizing attacks such as “neo-colonialism” and “debt trap” from the West, as well as various historical nihilism lies both domestically and internationally, it is necessary to construct a multi-dimensional response mechanism. This includes, for example, regularly publishing project white papers, disclosing financing conditions, environmental assessments and other information to respond to “lack of transparency” doubts; by comparing with some Western aid projects (such as those imposing political conditions and focusing on military security), highlighting the development-oriented, mutually beneficial nature of the Belt and Road Initiative; encouraging diverse actors such as governments, enterprises and people from partner countries to take the initiative to speak out, telling true cooperation stories, forming the dissemination effect of a “third-party narrative”; and so on. These measures aim to refute the slanderous talk of anti-China forces and promote the building of a more just and equitable international order.

主动回应外部质疑，推动建立公平合理的国际秩序。针对西方“新殖民主义”“债务陷阱”等污名化攻击，以及国际国内形形色色的历史虚无主义谎言，需构建多维度应对机制，如定期发布项目白皮书，公开融资条件、环境评估等信息，回应“不透明”质疑；通过与部分西方援助项目（如附加政治条件、聚焦军事安全）的对比，突出共建“一带一路”以发展为导向、注重互惠互利的本质特征；鼓励共建国家的政府、企业、民众等多元主体主动发声，讲述真实合作故事，形成“第三方叙事”的传播效应，等等。这些举措旨在驳斥反华势力的谰言，推动构建更加公平合理的国际秩序。

Marx pointed out: “Theory is capable of seizing the masses when it demonstrates ad hominem, and it demonstrates ad hominem as soon as it becomes radical. To be radical is to grasp the root of the matter.” [24]24 The quotation is from Marx’s *Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right. Introduction* (c. 1843-44). The Latin *ad hominem* (literally “to the person”) here is used in the original Marxist sense of “addressing the person” (as a concrete social being), not the modern informal fallacy sense. The core of research on signature concepts lies precisely in grasping the fundamental category of historical materialism, which is “the human being itself.” It is about constructing political identity through theoretical penetrative power, promoting social change through practical explanatory power, and leading civilizational progress through discourse innovation power. This is both the historical mission of theoretical workers in the New Era and the necessary path for building an independent knowledge system of China. On the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, the refinement and research of the signature concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, with a global vision, will surely radiate even more brilliant theoretical light and make new and greater contributions to the progress of human civilization.

马克思指出：“理论只要说服人[adhominem]，就能掌握群众；而理论只要彻底，就能说服人[adhominem]。所谓彻底，就是抓住事物的根本。”。标识性概念研究的核心，正在于抓住“人本身”这一历史唯物主义的核心范畴，通过理论穿透力构筑政治认同，通过实践解释力推动社会变革，通过话语创新力引领文明进步。这既是新时代理论工作者的历史使命，也是构建中国自主知识体系的必由之路。在全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程上，以坚持胸怀天下的气魄进一步开展习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想标识性概念的提炼和研究，必将绽放更加璀璨的理论光芒，为人类文明进步作出新的更大贡献。