A Problem-Oriented Reform Methodology

Problems are the slogan of the era, and even more so the starting point of reform. Currently, comprehensively deepening reform has entered a critical period and a deep-water zone, with the problems it faces increasingly exhibiting complex characteristics such as multi-subject linkage, multi-factor interweaving, and multi-dimensional influence. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “In comprehensively deepening reform, one cannot strike with a hammer here and a stick there.” Resolving such complex problems is no longer within the capacity of traditional linear thinking; it is necessary to delve into their philosophical foundations, draw wisdom from Marxist philosophy, and construct a methodological system suited to China’s reform practice.

问题是时代的口号，更是改革的起点。当前，全面深化改革进入攻坚期和深水区，面临的问题日益呈现多主体关联、多因素交织、多维度影响等复杂特征。习近平总书记指出：“全面深化改革，不能东一榔头西一棒子。”破解这类复杂问题，已非传统线性思维所能胜任，必须深入其哲学根基，从马克思主义哲学中汲取智慧，构建与中国改革实践相适应的方法论体系。

Problem-Oriented Methodology

问题导向的方法论

China’s reform unfolds within a unique historical context and actual national conditions, and its complex problems cannot be resolved by applying Western theoretical frameworks. It is necessary to transcend Western confrontational thinking and linear methodology, combine the positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxist philosophy with Chinese practice, construct a paradigm for problem discovery, analysis, and resolution with Chinese characteristics, and achieve the organic unity of ontology, epistemology, and axiology.

中国改革是在独特历史语境和现实国情中展开的，其复杂问题无法套用西方理论框架解决。必须超越西方对抗性思维与线性方法论，将马克思主义哲学立场、观点、方法与中国实践相结合，构建具有中国特色的问题发现、分析与解决范式，实现本体论、认识论与价值论的有机统一。

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “Reform is driven by problems and deepened in the continuous resolution of problems.” This profoundly reveals the dialectical relationship between reform and problems, and also clarifies the problem-oriented reform methodology: practice is the root of complex problems and the sole path to resolving them.

习近平总书记指出：“改革是由问题倒逼而产生，又在不断解决问题中而深化。”这深刻揭示了改革与问题的辩证关系，也明确了问题导向改革方法论：实践是复杂问题产生的根源，也是解决问题的唯一途径。

First, complex problems originate from the deep practice and contradictory movement of reform. Marxism holds that problems are the concrete manifestation of the contradictions of things. In the early period of reform and opening up, problems mostly exhibited singular and superficial characteristics; after entering the deep-water zone, “the tasty meat has all been eaten; what remains are the hard bones,” and the interrelatedness, superimposition, and complexity of contradictions have become increasingly prominent. Currently, the “growing pains” of ideological and conceptual constraints, entrenched interest barriers, and institutional and mechanistic defects are interwoven, forming a pattern where pulling one hair affects the whole body. Only through systematic resolution can reform achieve a historic transformation from partial exploration to systemic integration.

首先，复杂问题源于改革的深度实践与矛盾运动。马克思主义认为，问题是事物矛盾的现实表现。改革开放初期，问题多呈现单一性、表层性特征；进入深水区后，“好吃的肉都吃掉了，剩下的都是硬骨头”，矛盾的关联性、叠加性、复杂性日益凸显。当前面临的思想观念束缚、利益固化藩篱、体制机制弊端等 “成长型烦恼” 相互交织，形成牵一发而动全身的格局，唯有系统解决，才能实现改革从局部探索到系统集成的历史性转变。

Second, complex problems have the characteristic of historical stages. As socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era, the principal contradiction facing Chinese society has transformed into the contradiction between the people’s ever-growing need for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development. On the demand side, the people’s needs have shifted from “whether there is something” to “whether it is good,” with more urgent demands for fairness, justice, democracy, the rule of law, and other aspects; on the supply side, gaps in urban-rural and regional development, income distribution, and public services have yet to be fundamentally resolved. These problems are the inevitable products of a specific stage of social development, and their resolution must be based on the historical stage, grasp the characteristics of the era, and advance steadily in accordance with the laws of development.

其次，复杂问题具有历史阶段性特征。中国特色社会主义进入新时代，我国社会主要矛盾已经转化为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。需求侧上，群众需求从 “有没有” 向 “好不好” 转变，对公平正义、民主法治等方面诉求更迫切；供给侧上，城乡区域发展、收入分配、公共服务等差距仍未得到根本解决。这些问题是社会发展特定阶段的必然产物，其解决必须立足历史阶段、把握时代特征，在顺应发展规律的基础上稳步推进。

Finally, resolving complex problems requires reform, innovation, practice, and dynamic adjustment. The core of the problem-oriented reform methodology lies in adjusting the conditions and environment in which problems exist through reform and innovation: first, using cultural guidance to consolidate value consensus and resolve ideological and conceptual problems; second, using institutional innovation to break entrenched interests and improve basic systems such as property rights protection and market access; third, using scientific and technological progress to break development bottlenecks and promote industrial upgrading by relying on emerging technologies such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

最后，破除复杂问题需要改革创新实践与动态调适。问题导向改革方法论的核心在于通过改革创新调整问题存在的条件与环境：一是以文化引领凝聚价值共识，破解思想观念问题；二是以制度创新打破利益固化，完善产权保护、市场准入等基础性制度；三是以科技进步破解发展瓶颈，依托数字经济、人工智能等新兴技术推动产业升级。

The Epistemology of Scientific Thinking

科学思维的认识论

The core of resolving complex problems lies in forming a scientific epistemology, avoiding falling into one-sided, superficial, and absolutist cognitive errors. The epistemological foundation of the problem-oriented reform methodology is concentratedly embodied in the organic unity of systemic thinking, dialectical thinking, and bottom-line thinking.

解决复杂问题的核心在于形成科学的认识论，避免陷入片面化、表面化、绝对化的认知误区。问题导向改革方法论的认识论根基，集中体现为系统思维、辩证思维和底线思维的有机统一。

Grasping the holism and interrelatedness of complex problems with systemic thinking. Systemic thinking regards things as organic wholes; comprehensively deepening reform is a complex systemic project that requires strengthening top-level design and overall planning. In practice, it is necessary to both establish an overall perspective and emphasize coordination—for example, the integrated reform of education, science and technology, and talent requires coordinated advancement to form a virtuous cycle—and to grasp the levels, distinguishing between top-level design and grassroots exploration, ensuring that reform has both strategic height and practical operability.

以系统思维把握复杂问题的整体性与关联性。系统思维将事物视为有机整体，全面深化改革是一项复杂的系统工程，需要加强顶层设计和整体谋划。实践中，既要树立全局观念、注重协同性，如教育科技人才一体化改革需统筹推进形成良性循环；又要把握层次性，区分顶层设计与基层探索，确保改革既有战略高度又具实践可操作性。

Grasping the laws of contradictory movement of complex problems with dialectical thinking. The essence of dialectical thinking is to apply the method of contradiction analysis, adhering to the unity of the “two-point theory” and the “key-point theory.” General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “The deeper our cause advances, the more we must continuously strengthen our dialectical thinking ability.” Analyzing complex problems requires acknowledging the universality and objectivity of contradictions, grasping the particularity of contradictions, and adhering to concrete analysis of concrete problems. For example, rural revitalization must both coordinate comprehensive revitalization in areas such as industry and talent, and focus on the core problem of unbalanced urban-rural development, achieving key breakthroughs with industrial revitalization as the key.

以辩证思维把握复杂问题的矛盾运动规律。辩证思维的本质是运用矛盾分析方法，坚持 “两点论”与“重点论”的统一。习近平总书记指出：“我们的事业越是向纵深发展，就越要不断增强辩证思维能力。”分析复杂问题需承认矛盾普遍性与客观性，把握矛盾特殊性并坚持具体问题具体分析。如乡村振兴既要统筹产业、人才等全方位振兴，又要聚焦城乡发展不平衡的核心问题，以产业振兴为关键实现重点突破。

Preventing risks in resolving complex problems with bottom-line thinking. Bottom-line thinking adheres to “preparing for the worst in all things and striving for the best possible outcome,” predicting risks and holding the bottom line on the basis of grasping laws. As reform enters the deep-water zone, interest adjustments can easily trigger various risks; it is necessary to clarify bottom-line boundaries such as preventing systemic financial risks in the economic field and preventing large-scale mass incidents in the social field, and establish and improve mechanisms for risk identification, early warning, and disposal. China adheres to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, effectively preventing and defusing risks in key areas, and creating a stable environment for deepening reform.

以底线思维防范复杂问题的解决风险。底线思维坚持“凡事从坏处准备，努力争取最好的结果”，在把握规律的基础上预判风险、守住底线。改革进入深水区，利益调整易引发各类风险，需明确经济领域不发生系统性金融风险、社会领域不发生大规模群体性事件等底线边界，建立健全风险识别、预警、处置机制。我国坚持稳中求进工作总基调，有效防范化解重点领域风险，为改革深化创造了稳定环境。

The Value Orientation of Putting the People First

人民至上的价值依归

One of the core reasons for the emergence of complex problems is value conflict. Adhering to putting the people first is the axiological foundation of the problem-oriented reform methodology and the fundamental marker distinguishing it from Western paradigms. The Western paradigm takes the logic of capital as its core, and its methods of resolution are mostly compromises and games among interest groups, which cannot fundamentally resolve issues of fairness and justice

复杂问题产生的核心原因之一是价值冲突。坚持人民至上是问题导向改革方法论的价值论根基，也是其区别于西方范式的根本标志。西方范式以资本逻辑为核心，解决方式多为利益集团妥协博弈，无法从根本上破解公平正义问题；中国改革始终坚守人民立场、增进人民福祉，将最广大人民的根本利益作为出发点与落脚点。

The people’s standpoint establishes the foundation for reform, manifesting its essential nature. China’s reform adheres to a people-centered development philosophy. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “Reform is meaningful only when it is carried out for the people; reform gains momentum only when it relies on the people.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up,” December 18, 2018. In the face of value conflicts, reform takes satisfying the fundamental interests of the broadest majority of the people as its highest standard: “Whatever the people care about and look forward to, reform seizes upon and advances.” From the “double reduction” in education [2]2 “Double reduction” (双减) refers to a 2021 policy to reduce the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring on students in compulsory education. to tiered medical diagnosis and treatment, from the improvement of the social security system to the victory in the fight against poverty, every measure responds to the concerns of the masses.

人民立场为改革立根，彰显本质属性。中国改革坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，习近平总书记指出：“为了人民而改革，改革才有意义；依靠人民而改革，改革才有动力。”面对价值冲突，改革以满足最广大人民的根本利益为最高标准，“老百姓关心什么、期盼什么，改革就抓住什么、推进什么”。从教育“双减” 到医疗分级诊疗，从社保体系完善到脱贫攻坚胜利，每一项举措都回应着群众关切。

The people’s well-being establishes the foundation for reform, manifesting its goal pursuit. China’s reform always takes realizing the people’s well-being as its value pursuit, regarding the fight against poverty and common prosperity as its original aspiration and founding mission. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the fight against poverty has achieved historic accomplishments, creating a miracle in the history of human poverty reduction. Currently, it is steadily advancing toward common prosperity, focusing on resolving various development disparities through measures such as improving the income distribution system, expanding the middle-income group, and promoting the equalization of basic public services.

人民福祉为改革立本，彰显目标追求。中国改革始终以实现人民福祉为价值追求，将脱贫攻坚、共同富裕作为初心使命。党的十八大以来，脱贫攻坚战取得历史性成就，创造了人类减贫史上的奇迹。当前正朝着共同富裕稳步迈进，通过完善收入分配制度、扩大中等收入群体、推进基本公共服务均等化等举措，着力解决各类发展差距问题。

A community with a shared future for mankind establishes the momentum for reform, manifesting its global vision. China’s reform not only resolves complex domestic problems but also provides Chinese solutions for global governance. Facing changes unseen in a century in the world, China has proposed the Belt and Road Initiative to promote connectivity among participating countries, the Global Development Initiative focusing on areas such as poverty reduction and food security, and the Global Security Initiative advocating a vision of common security. These practices embody the global vision and sense of responsibility of China’s reform.

人类命运共同体为改革立势，彰显全球视野。中国改革不仅解决国内复杂问题，更为全球治理提供中国方案。面对世界百年未有之大变局，中国提出“一带一路”倡议推动共建国家互联互通，全球发展倡议聚焦减贫、粮食安全等领域，全球安全倡议倡导共同安全观，这些实践体现了中国改革的全球视野与责任担当。

At present, comprehensively deepening reform has entered a critical period and a deep-water zone, where complex problems will become even more prominent, and the importance of a problem-oriented reform methodology is increasingly evident. In the future, it is necessary to further strengthen philosophical research on complex problems, deepen the understanding of the laws of reform; focus on summarizing and refining practical experience, elevating successful practices into theory and transforming them into reform measures, thereby enhancing the systemic, holistic, and synergistic nature of reform. At the same time, actively respond to the complex problems facing global governance, provide Chinese solutions for solving global problems, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

当前，全面深化改革进入攻坚期和深水区，复杂问题将更加突出，问题导向改革方法论的重要性日益凸显。未来，需进一步加强复杂问题哲学研究，深化对改革规律的认识；注重实践经验总结提炼，将成功做法上升为理论、转化为改革举措，提升改革的系统性、整体性、协同性。同时，积极回应全球治理面临的复杂问题，为全球问题解决提供中国方案，为构建人类命运共同体作出更大贡献。

(The author is Executive Dean and Professor of the School of Marxism at Xiamen University of Technology, and Secretary-General and Researcher of the Xiamen University of Technology Research Base of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Research Center of Fujian Province.)

（作者系厦门理工学院马克思主义学院执行院长、教授，福建省习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心厦门理工学院研究基地秘书长、研究员）