Carry Forward the Historical Initiative Spirit and Walk Well the Road of the New Era’s Examination

Historical development has its laws, but human beings are not entirely passive within it. As long as we grasp the general trend of historical development, seize the moment of historical change, strive with vigor, and forge ahead with determination, human society can advance better. The historical initiative spirit is a precious asset our Party has accumulated over a century of struggle, manifesting the Chinese Communists’ profound historical consciousness, firm historical confidence, strong historical responsibility, and great historical creativity. At the opening ceremony of the spring 2022 semester training course for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “Party members and cadres, especially leading cadres, must carry forward the historical initiative spirit, take the initiative to strike when opportunities arise, without hesitation or观望; face difficulties head-on, without shirking or evading; and actively respond to risks, without cowering or dodging,” and “leave behind footprints of unrepentant struggle on the new journey of the New Era.” [1]1 The term “观望” (guanwang) literally means “to wait and see” or “to look on from the sidelines,” implying a passive, hesitant attitude.

历史发展有其规律，但人在其中不是完全消极被动的。只要把握住历史发展大势，抓住历史变革时机，奋发有为，锐意进取，人类社会就能更好前进。历史主动精神是我们党在百年奋斗中形成的宝贵财富，彰显着中国共产党人高度的历史自觉、坚定的历史自信、强烈的历史担当、伟大的历史创造。在2022年春季学期中央党校（国家行政学院）中青年干部培训班开班式上，习近平总书记强调，“党员干部特别是领导干部要发扬历史主动精神，在机遇面前主动出击，不犹豫、不观望；在困难面前迎难而上，不推诿、不逃避；在风险面前积极应对，不畏缩、不躲闪”“在新时代新征程上留下无悔的奋斗足迹”。

Take the initiative to strike when opportunities arise, without hesitation or观望

在机遇面前主动出击，不犹豫、不观望

“What comes and cannot be lost is timing; what is stepped on and cannot be missed is opportunity.” [2]2 A classical allusion from the Song dynasty text “New Book of Tang: Biography of Li Jing,” emphasizing the fleeting nature of opportunity. From the prosperity of a nation or ethnic group down to the success of a unit or individual, opportunity is a favorable condition combining heaven’s timing, earthly advantage, and human harmony. The Book of Changes, “Appended Remarks,” says, “It is only by grasping the subtle [ji] that one can accomplish the world’s affairs”; [3]3 A line from the “Appended Remarks” (Xici) commentary of the Book of Changes (Yijing), where “几” (ji) denotes the subtle, incipient moment of change. “ji” here is interchangeable with “opportunity” [ji], emphasizing that timing is the key to success in any undertaking. Seizing the opportunity allows one to ride the momentum upward and gain the initiative in development; missing the opportunity for development may lead to passivity and backwardness. Opportunities are fleeting; if one fails to predict them in advance or hesitates in the moment, they slip away. Opportunities are also often “invisible”; only by actively responding can one see through the complex surface, grasp the key links, align with one’s own conditions, and thereby truly capture the truth, goodness, and beauty that opportunity brings.

“来而不可失者，时也；蹈而不可失者，机也。”大到国家民族兴旺，小至单位个人成功，机遇都是兼具天时地利人和的有利条件。《周易·系辞》有言，“唯几也，故能成天下之务”，“几”通“机”，强调的正是时机乃事业成功之关键。抓住机遇就能乘势而上，赢得发展主动；错失发展机遇，就可能陷入被动落后。机遇稍纵即逝，事前预判不准、当面迟疑不定就会擦肩而过。机遇又常是“隐形”的，只有主动因应，才能透视纷繁表象、抓住关键环节、对接自身条件，进而真正捕获机遇带来的真善美。

Opportunity implies change, and change inevitably accompanies risk. Any upward or forward movement involves both opportunity and danger; opportunity contains danger, and danger can turn into opportunity. Good opportunity and crisis are mutually generative and mutually constraining, a dialectical unity. Seizing the opportunity requires preparing to meet challenges, and responding to challenges can also create good opportunities, turning danger into opportunity and crisis into safety. To seize the right moment, one needs to strengthen strategic thinking, see the big from the small, perceive the obvious from the subtle, observe, think about, and handle problems from the perspective of the forefront of the times and the overall strategic situation, accurately recognizing changes, scientifically responding to changes, and actively seeking change. One must be adept at using systematic thinking, deeply grasp the internal connections of things, and, while mastering regularity, enhancing creativity, and improving foresight, make the first move and fight the proactive battle. One must consciously carry forward the historical initiative spirit, unswervingly seize opportunities and respond to changing situations, and strive to cultivate opportunities amid crises and open up new prospects amid changes.

机遇意味着变化，变化中必然也伴随着风险。任何向上向前都是机与危并存，机中有危、危可转机。良机与危机相生相克、辩证统一。抢抓机遇就要准备迎接挑战，应对挑战亦能创造良机，转危为机，化危为安。占得好时机需要强化战略思维，以小见大、见微知著，站在时代前沿和战略全局的高度观察、思考和处理问题，准确识变、科学应变、主动求变。要善于运用系统思维，深刻把握事物的内在联系，在把握规律性、富于创造性、提高预见性中下好先手棋，打好主动仗。要自觉发挥历史主动精神，坚定不移抓机遇、应变局，努力在危机中育先机、于变局中开新局。

“He who discerns the situation is wise; he who rides the situation wins.” [4]4 A classical saying from the Han dynasty text “Huainanzi,” highlighting the importance of understanding and riding the momentum of the situation. To win the initiative, win the advantage, and win the future, one must keenly perceive opportunities, firmly seize them, and make good use of them. The Communists’ sense of opportunity is a rational spirit of scientific prediction, a progressive quality of keeping pace with the times, and a historical responsibility shouldered on the task. The “Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035” [5]5 The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) outlines China’s economic and social development goals; the 2035 long-range objectives envision China basically achieving socialist modernization by that year. clearly states: “At present and for some time to come, China’s development remains in an important period of strategic opportunity, but both opportunities and challenges have undergone new developments and changes.” To make good use of this period of strategic opportunity, we must focus on the grand goal of comprehensively building a great modern socialist country, maintain strategic resolve, handle our own affairs well, continuously broaden the path of Chinese-path modernization, and actively construct a new form of human civilization. Currently, the world’s changes unseen in a century and the pandemic of the century are intertwined, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and economic globalization is encountering headwinds. It is all the more necessary to plan according to the situation, act in response to the situation, and follow the trend, coordinate both domestic and international imperatives, persist in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and act as advocates and defenders of world peace and development. Facing new situations and new opportunities, we must be adept at thinking through comparative analysis of long historical cycles, and also adept at discerning changes in things from the smallest details, continuously gathering the powerful strength to overcome difficulties and challenges. To meet new tasks and new challenges, we must be vigilant in peace and prepare for danger, truly integrating the sense of opportunity and strategic thinking into the correct thinking for planning blueprints, the practical ability for undertaking endeavors, the strong will for scaling heights, and the policy guarantees for promoting development, firmly grasping the initiative in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

“察势者智，驭势者赢。”赢得主动、赢得优势、赢得未来，就必须敏锐觉察机遇，紧紧抓住和用好机遇。共产党人的机遇意识，是一种科学预判的理性精神，是一种与时俱进的进取品质，是一种责任在肩的历史担当。《中共中央关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十四个五年规划和二〇三五年远景目标的建议》明确指出：“当前和今后一个时期，我国发展仍然处于重要战略机遇期，但机遇和挑战都有新的发展变化。”用好这一战略机遇期，一定要聚焦全面建成社会主义现代化强国的宏伟目标，保持战略定力，办好自己的事，不断拓宽中国式现代化道路，积极构建人类文明新形态。当前，世界百年变局和世纪疫情交织，单边主义、保护主义抬头，经济全球化遭遇逆流，更要因势而谋、应势而动、顺势而为，统筹好国内国际两个大局，坚持推动构建人类命运共同体，做世界和平与发展的倡导者和维护者。面对新形势新机遇，既善于从历史长周期比较分析中进行思考，又要善于从细微处洞察事物的变化，不断凝聚起战胜困难挑战的强大力量。应对新任务新挑战一定要居安思危、未雨绸缪，真正把机遇意识、战略思维贯穿谋划蓝图的正确思路、干事创业的实际能力、勇攀高峰的坚强意志、促进发展的政策保障，牢牢掌握实现中华民族伟大复兴的主动权。

Face difficulties head-on, without shirking or evading

在困难面前迎难而上，不推诿、不逃避

Marxism holds that contradiction is universal, and the world always develops in the movement of contradictions. The road forward has both bright vistas and thorny thickets. One must learn to face difficulties squarely, be good at accepting difficulties, treat contradictions and difficulties as normal, and not shirk, bypass, complain, or pass the buck. One must calmly experience being “battered by wind and rain,” hold many “hot potatoes,” and be a “ant on a hot pan” a few times, [6]6 These are vivid Chinese idioms: “holding hot potatoes” means handling thorny problems; “ant on a hot pan” describes extreme anxiety and urgency in a difficult situation. experiencing wind and rain, seeing the world, and strengthening one’s sinews in overcoming difficulties.

马克思主义认为，矛盾具有普遍性，世界总是在矛盾运动中发展的。前进的道路既有柳暗花明，也有荆棘丛生。要学会正视困难、善于接纳困难，把矛盾困难作为一种常态，不推诿、不绕行、不抱怨、不甩锅。要坦然经历“风吹雨打”，多捧“烫手山芋”，当几回“热锅上的蚂蚁”，在攻坚克难中经风雨、见世面、壮筋骨。

Our Party was born amid domestic turmoil and foreign aggression, grew through hardships and setbacks, and was strengthened by overcoming difficulties. From its very founding, it formed the great founding spirit of the Party. Amid a shattered land and national peril, it fought bloody battles and was indomitable, creating the great achievement of the New Democratic Revolution; from a state of poverty and blankness, with everything waiting to be done, it relied on its own efforts and worked hard, creating the great achievement of socialist revolution and construction; in a state of semi-closedness and relatively backward productive forces, it emancipated the mind and forged ahead with determination, creating the great achievement of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization; entering the New Era, facing a series of major risks and challenges, it was confident and self-reliant, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, creating the great achievement of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the New Era. Over the past century, the Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people, with the dauntless spirit of “daring to sacrifice, daring to make the sun and moon shine in a new sky,” [7]7 A line from Mao Zedong’s 1959 poem “Reply to Li Shuyi,” expressing revolutionary heroism and the determination to transform the world. writing the most magnificent epic in the thousands of years of Chinese history. Countless people with lofty ideals, fearing no sacrifice and fighting bravely, have emerged: a large number of revolutionary martyrs who faced death unflinchingly, a large number of heroic figures who fought tenaciously, and a large number of advanced models who selflessly dedicated themselves. In peacetime, Wang Jinxi, Jiao Yulu, Kong Fansen, Yang Shanzhou, Gu Wenchang, Luo Yang… batch after batch of Communists have devoted themselves utterly; Zhu Yanfu, Li Baoguo, Nan Rendong, Huang Dafa, Wang Chuanxi, Zhang Fuqing, Zhang Guimei, Huang Wenxiu… one after another, “role models of the era” have propped up the spiritual backbone of New Era Chinese Communists who challenge themselves and dare to sacrifice. [8]8 Wang Jinxi (1923–1970) was a celebrated oil worker known as the “Iron Man”; Jiao Yulu (1922–1964) was a model county official; Kong Fansen (1944–1994) was a dedicated Party cadre in Tibet; Yang Shanzhou (1927–2010) was a retired official who planted trees; Gu Wenchang (1915–1981) was a county Party secretary known for combating desertification; Luo Yang (1961–2012) was a military aviation engineer. Zhu Yanfu (b. 1933) is a war veteran and role model; Li Baoguo (1958–2016) was an agricultural professor; Nan Rendong (1945–2017) was the chief scientist of China’s FAST telescope; Huang Dafa (b. 1935) is a village Party secretary who built a canal; Wang Chuanxi (b. 1968) is a village Party secretary; Zhang Fuqing (b. 1924) is a war hero; Zhang Guimei (b. 1957) is a school principal; Huang Wenxiu (1989–2019) was a village official who died in a flood.

我们党在内忧外患中诞生，在磨难挫折中成长，在攻坚克难中壮大，一经成立就形成了伟大建党精神。在山河破碎、民族危亡中浴血奋战、百折不挠，创造了新民主主义革命的伟大成就；在一穷二白、百废待兴中自力更生、发愤图强，创造了社会主义革命和建设的伟大成就；在封闭半封闭、生产力相对落后的状况中解放思想、锐意进取，创造了改革开放和社会主义现代化建设的伟大成就；步入新时代，面对一系列重大风险挑战时自信自强、守正创新，创造了新时代中国特色社会主义的伟大成就。百年来，中国共产党团结带领中国人民，以“为有牺牲多壮志，敢教日月换新天”的大无畏气概，书写了中华民族几千年历史上最恢宏的史诗。无数仁人志士不怕牺牲、英勇斗争，涌现出一大批视死如归的革命烈士、一大批顽强奋斗的英雄人物、一大批忘我奉献的先进模范。进入和平年代，王进喜、焦裕禄、孔繁森、杨善洲、谷文昌、罗阳……一批批共产党人鞠躬尽瘁；朱彦夫、李保国、南仁东、黄大发、王传喜、张富清、张桂梅、黄文秀……一位位“时代楷模”挺起新时代中国共产党人挑战自我、敢于牺牲的精神脊梁。

In the vivid practice of making contributions in the New Era and forging ahead on the new journey, although the trials of blood and fire are fewer, twists, setbacks, and unexpected storms still exist. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will by no means be achieved easily, with beating gongs and drums. We must remember the road we have traveled, walk well the road of the present, and open up the road of the future. We must think of the situation as more complex, view challenges as more severe, analyze contradictions and problems more deeply and thoroughly, stay away from the slackness of “putting weapons in storage and horses out to pasture,” [9]9 A classical idiom from the “Annals of the Three Kingdoms,” describing a state of complacency and disarmament after achieving peace. abandon the idea of being a “good old fellow,” [10]10 A term from Confucian discourse, referring to someone who is overly agreeable and avoids conflict, lacking principle. and discard the habit of dodging when encountering contradictions. With the courage of “knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet偏向虎山行,” [11]11 A Chinese proverb meaning to take on a known danger with courage. the boldness of “success must include me,” the mental state of confronting the tough and not stopping until the goal is reached, and the will and character of breaking through barriers and being good at accomplishing things, we must strive for the initiative in “on a narrow path, the brave wins,” [12]12 A Chinese proverb, often used in military contexts, meaning that on a narrow path the brave one prevails. stand out, and win victory.

在建功新时代、奋进新征程的生动实践中，虽然血与火的考验少了，但曲折磕绊、不测风云仍然存在。中华民族伟大复兴，绝不是轻轻松松、敲锣打鼓就能实现的。我们要牢记过去的路、走好当下的路、开创未来的路，要把形势想得更复杂一些，把挑战看得更严峻一些，把矛盾问题分析得更深更透一些，远离“刀枪入库、马放南山”的懈怠，打消甘作“好好先生”的念头，丢掉碰到矛盾躲着走的习气；要以“明知山有虎，偏向虎山行”的勇气，以“功成必定有我”的魄力，以动真碰硬、不达目的誓不罢休的精神状态，以闯关夺隘、善作善成的意志品格，在“狭路相逢勇者胜”中争得主动，脱颖而出，赢得胜利。

Actively respond to risks, without cowering or dodging

在风险面前积极应对，不畏缩、不躲闪

“Misfortune is what fortune depends on; fortune is where misfortune lurks.” [13]13 A line from the Daoist classic “Laozi” (Chapter 58), expressing the dialectical relationship between fortune and misfortune. In the face of risks and challenges, we must carry forward the historical initiative spirit and turn disadvantage into advantage. Today’s world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, with markedly increased instability and uncertainty. The severity of the risks and challenges we face is unprecedented. Some of these risks and challenges come from within the country, some from the international arena, some from the economic and social sphere, and some from nature. The linkage effects of various threats and challenges are evident; various sources of contradictions, risks, and challenges, and various points of contradictions, risks, and challenges are intertwined and interact. If prevention is inadequate, response is ineffective, or we retreat and evade, it will lead to the transmission, accumulation, evolution, and escalation of various risks. National security may face a major threat, and the process of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation may be delayed or forcibly interrupted. The closer we get to the goal, the more achievements we make, the more we need the caution of treading on thin ice, the vigilance of being prepared for danger in times of peace, and the courage to turn danger into safety. We must never open a back door for luck, never let carelessness hitch a ride, and never leave room for mistakes.

“祸兮福所倚，福兮祸所伏。”风险挑战面前，要发挥历史主动精神，化不利为有利。当今世界进入新的动荡变革期，不稳定性不确定性明显增强，我们面临的风险挑战之严峻前所未有。这些风险挑战，有的来自国内，有的来自国际，有的来自经济社会领域，有的来自自然界。各种威胁和挑战联动效应明显，各种矛盾风险挑战源、各类矛盾风险挑战点相互交织、相互作用。如果防范不及、应对不力、退缩逃避，就会导致各种风险传导、叠加、演变、升级，国家安全就可能面临重大威胁，实现中华民族伟大复兴的进程就可能迟滞或被迫中断。越是接近目标，越是取得成绩的时候，越是要有如履薄冰的谨慎，越是要有居安思危的忧患，越是要有化险为夷的胆识，绝不为侥幸开后门、绝不让大意搭便车、绝不给错误留机会。

History has repeatedly proven that “sitting steady in the fishing boat despite the rising wind and waves” [14] stems from theoretical clarity, political firmness, meticulous planning, and concrete implementation. We must consistently enhance our awareness of potential dangers and guard against risks and challenges, always proceeding from a broad perspective that connects history and reality, links domestic and international contexts, and integrates theory with practice, basing ourselves on the overall situation, coordinating the overall situation, guiding changes in the situation, and creating a new situation. We should actively improve the risk prevention and control mechanism, establish and refine a risk assessment mechanism, a decision-making risk evaluation mechanism, a risk prevention and control coordination mechanism, and a risk prevention and control responsibility mechanism, proactively strengthen coordination and cooperation, insist on grasping each level and implementing measures at each level, and form a three-dimensional, systematic joint force for preventing and resolving risks and challenges. We must have a clear understanding of all possible risks and their causes, apply the right remedy to the right problem, adopt comprehensive measures, act promptly and forcefully, and strive to resolve risks at their source.

历史一再证明，“任凭风浪起，稳坐钓鱼船”源于理论上的清醒、政治上的坚定、谋划上的缜密、行动上的落实。要一以贯之增强忧患意识、防范风险挑战，始终坚持从历史和现实相贯通、国际和国内相关联、理论和实际相结合的宽广视角，立足大局、统筹全局、引领变局、开创新局。积极完善风险防控机制，建立健全风险研判机制、决策风险评估机制、风险防控协同机制、风险防控责任机制，主动加强协调配合，坚持一级抓一级、层层抓落实，形成立体化、体系化的防范化解风险挑战合力。对各种可能的风险及其原因都要心中有数、对症下药、综合施策，出手及时有力，力争把风险化解在源头。

“The wise prevent disasters before they sprout; the intelligent plan for troubles before they come.” [15] Faced with the turbulent international situation, the complex and sensitive surrounding environment, and the arduous and heavy tasks of reform, development, and stability, we must be highly vigilant against “black swan” events and also guard against “gray rhino” events; we must have both a preemptive hand in preventing risks and effective measures for responding to and resolving risks and challenges; we must both fight a well-prepared battle to prevent and resist risks and fight a strategically proactive battle to turn danger into safety and crisis into opportunity. We must always maintain the keenness to see the autumn from a falling leaf, [16] being highly vigilant and guarding against major risks within our own areas of responsibility while also closely monitoring overall major risks. We must adhere to coordinating development and security, establish bottom-line thinking, estimate difficulties more fully, think about risks more deeply, and focus on plugging loopholes and strengthening weak points. We must be adept at using institutional advantages to withstand the impact of risks and challenges, promoting better transformation and integration of institutional construction and governance effectiveness. At the same time, we must proactively prepare for struggle, strengthen our will to struggle, dare to face risks and challenges head-on, dare to take things seriously and tackle tough problems, and dare to do well and achieve success, [17] ensuring that we are responsible for our territory, accountable for our territory, and fulfill our duties for our territory.

“明者防祸于未萌，智者图患于将来。”面对波谲云诡的国际形势、复杂敏感的周边环境、艰巨繁重的改革发展稳定任务，我们既要高度警惕“黑天鹅”事件，也要防范“灰犀牛”事件；既要有防范风险的先手，也要有应对和化解风险挑战的高招；既要打好防范和抵御风险的有准备之战，也要打好化险为夷、转危为机的战略主动战。要时刻保持见叶知秋的敏锐，既要高度警惕和防范自己所负责领域内的重大风险，也要密切关注全局性重大风险。坚持统筹发展和安全，树立底线思维，把困难估计得更充分一些，把风险思考得更深入一些，注重堵漏洞、强弱项。善于运用制度优势应对风险挑战冲击，促进制度建设和治理效能更好转化融合。同时，积极主动做好斗争准备，坚定斗争意志，敢于直面风险挑战、敢于较真碰硬、敢于善、作善成，做到守土有责、守土负责、守土尽责。

The wheel of history rolls forward; the tide of the times surges mightily. History only favors the steadfast, the enterprising, and the valiant, but will not wait for the hesitant, the slack, or the fearful. In this great era of a thousand sails competing and a hundred boats racing, [18] we must vigorously carry forward the historical initiative, work hard and forge ahead courageously, and win even greater victories and glory on the new journey!

历史车轮滚滚向前，时代潮流浩浩荡荡。历史只会眷顾坚定者、奋进者、搏击者，而不会等待犹豫者、懈怠者、畏难者。在这个千帆竞发、百舸争流的伟大时代，必须大力发扬历史主动精神，埋头苦干、勇毅前行，在新征程赢得更加伟大的胜利和荣光！

(Author: Li Hongwei, specially appointed researcher of the Beijing Research Center for

（作者：李宏伟，系北京市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特约研究员）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心