Using Historical Wisdom to Create Great Achievements in the New Era

In human culture, history is extremely important. History is the cornerstone of human civilization, the ladder of development and progress for any nation or country in the world, and a cultural resource for a political party to maintain its vitality. Valuing history, studying history, inheriting history, and using historical wisdom to create the future are not only inherent requirements of Marxism but also important content of fine traditional Chinese culture, and moreover, a fine tradition and style of study of the Communist Party of China. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the people of the whole country to embark on a new journey and open up a new situation, achieving new historic great accomplishments and forming a very important and valuable experience: attaching importance to historical study, making historical study an important part of the Party's ideological and theoretical construction, grasping it tightly, studying it deeply, comprehending it thoroughly, and using it well, reflecting General Secretary Xi Jinping's requirement of the style and method of study to "understand the principles of history, increase confidence in history, promote virtue through history, and practice history." [1]1 “From Confucius to Sun Yat-sen”: Mao Zedong’s formulation in his 1938 report “The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War,” urging the Party to critically inherit China’s historical legacy from ancient to modern times. In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping called on the entire Party and the people of all

在人类文化中，历史极其重要。历史是人类文明的基石，是世界上任何一个民族和国家发展进步的阶梯，也是一个政党永葆生机活力的文化资源。重视历史、研究历史、传承历史，运用历史智慧开创未来，既是马克思主义的内在要求，也是中华优秀传统文化的重要内容，更是中国共产党的优良传统和学风。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央带领全国人民启新程、开新局，取得新的历史性伟大成就，形成一条十分重要而宝贵的经验，就是重视历史学习，把历史学习作为全党思想理论建设的重要内容，抓得紧、学得深、悟得透、用得好，体现了习近平总书记要求“学史明理、学史增信、学史崇德、学史力行”的学风和方法。在党的二十大报告中，习近平总书记号召全党全国各族人民“坚定历史自信，增强历史主动，谱写新时代中国特色社会主义更加绚丽的华章”，体现了新时代党和国家奋勇前进、气势恢宏的历史格局、现实定力和未来气度。

Historical Confidence Originates from a Correct View of History

历史自信来源于正确的历史观

A correct view of history is not only the basis and guarantee for firm historical confidence, but also an understanding that occupies the primary position among people’s important ideological concepts such as their views on the nation, the state, culture, society, and politics. Only when the source is correct can the flow be clear. Once deviations occur in ideological understanding, people’s practice will become deformed or lose its norms. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to “guide people to establish a correct view of history, view of the nation, view of the state, and view of culture.”

正确的历史观，既是坚定历史自信的依据和保障，又是在人们关于民族观、国家观、文化观、社会观、政治观等重要思想观念中居于首要位置的认识。源正才能流清。思想认识一旦出现偏差，人们的实践就会变形或失范。习近平总书记强调，要“引导人们树立正确的历史观、民族观、国家观、文化观”。

History is an objective existence; the development of all things has a process that unfolds in chronological order, from emergence to maturity. From a humanistic perspective, this is history. Looking at human society, from individuals, families, and clans to nations, states, and even political parties, all have their own history. People’s own history is a true record of their struggle and progress in various periods, a cultural nourishment, and a spiritual wealth. The historical accumulation of the previous stage is the solid starting point for the continuous development of the next stage. When people discuss any issue, especially when looking forward to their own development, they always use historical thinking, placing the issue within a historical context, in order to find solutions that are more coherent and more substantial. Respecting history and summing up history is not only about valuing historical experience and seeking historical basis, but also about applying historical laws, gaining historical initiative, standing at the forefront of the times, grasping the trend of development, and walking a steady path forward. This is particularly important for the Communist Party of China.

历史是一种客观性存在，一切事物的发展都有一个按照时序展开、从产生到成熟的过程。从人文视域看，这就是历史。放眼人类社会，小到个人、家庭和家族，大到民族、国家乃至政党，都有自己的历史。人们自己的历史，是在各个时期奋斗前进的真实记录、文化滋养和精神财富。前一阶段的历史积累，是后一阶段接续发展的坚实起点。人们在讨论任何问题的时候，尤其是在展望自身发展的时候，总是要运用历史思维，把问题放在历史背景之下，以求解决问题的方案更有头绪、更加厚实。尊重历史、总结历史，这既是重视历史经验，为了获得历史依据，更是为了运用历史规律、赢得历史主动、挺立时代潮头、把握发展时势，走稳前行的路。这对中国共产党来说，尤其重要。

A view of history is people’s overall and fundamental view of their own history and even the entire history of human society. It holds a foundational and guiding position and value within social thought, concepts, and cognition. The view of history, the view of the nation, the view of the state, and the view of culture are interconnected, mutually supportive, and interactive, together constituting the overall social ideological system of a nation, a state, and a political party. Within this ideological system, the view of history plays a role as a prerequisite condition. For the Communist Party of China, the view of history has the significance and value of political theory and ideological guidance; it is the soul of Party building, the foundation of love for the Party, the key to invigorating the Party, and the crux of governance. The Party cannot at any time neglect the major issue of adhering to and applying a correct view of history, and it must be adept at using it to educate the people, inspire morale, and create the future.

历史观是人们对自己历史乃至整个人类社会历史总体的、根本的看法，它在社会思想、观念和认知中具有基础性、引领性的地位与价值。历史观与民族观、国家观、文化观，既相互联系、相互支撑、相互作用，构成一个民族、一个国家、一个政党总的社会思想体系，又在这个思想体系中起到前提条件的重要作用。对于中国共产党来说，历史观具有政治理论和思想指导的意义与价值，是立党之魂、爱党之基、兴党之要、执政关键。党在任何时候都不能忽视坚持和运用正确历史观这个重大问题，并善于运用它来教育人民、鼓舞斗志、开创未来。

The formation and establishment of a view of history originate from people’s attitudes and methods towards history, including the emotions and positions they hold towards their own history. Generally speaking, it can be boiled down to five types or modes: steadfast adherence and love, self-closure and rejection of others, indifference and vagueness, disregard and denial, and self-denial and blind faith in others. Therefore, what kind of historical sense one has determines what kind of view of history one holds. A specific view of history, especially the emotion of identifying with history, not only reflects the level and depth of a nation’s, a state’s, or even a political party’s historical understanding, but also reflects its current spiritual quality, lifestyle, and cultural sentiment. What kind of historical emotion one has, what kind of view of history one holds, determines what kind of life attitude and current state one has, and what kind of future thinking and answers one will have. The profound historical confidence that people generate in historical cognition, based on an emotion of loving their own history, is very precious and extremely important. Historical confidence must be combined with the future and destiny of the Party and the state, integrated with what we are doing now, and linked with the historical cognition of the Party and the people, using historical confidence to strengthen our journey.

历史观的形成和确立，来源于人们对于历史的态度和方法，包括他们对自己的历史持何种情感和立场。总的来说，它无外乎坚守并热爱、自我封闭并排斥别人、无所谓并模糊、漠视并否定、否定自己并迷信别人等五种类型或方式。因此，有什么历史感，就有什么样的历史观；一定的历史观，特别是对历史认同的情感，既体现一个民族、一个国家乃至一个政党的历史认识水平和层次，也反映其现实的精神品质、生活样式和文化情操。有什么样的历史情感，有什么样的历史观，就有什么样的生活态度和现实状态，就有什么样的未来思考和答案。人们以热爱自己历史的情感为基础，在历史认知中生发的浓厚历史自信，十分宝贵，也极其重要。必须将历史自信与党和国家的前途命运结合起来，与我们正在做的事情融会起来，与党和人民的历史认知贯通起来，用历史自信坚定我们的行程。

Historical Cognition is an Important Foundation for Historical Confidence

历史认知是历史自信的重要基础

Having a correct view of history does not automatically produce historical confidence; it also requires a cognitive process of historical cognition. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Historical cognition is an important foundation for historical confidence.”

有了正确的历史观，并不能自然而然地产生历史自信，还需要经过历史认知这样一个认识过程。习近平总书记指出：“历史认知是历史自信的重要基础。”

Historical cognition is a cognitive activity that social subjects regularly carry out on historical objects. It is a kind of “dialogue” of “sympathy and shared feeling” between people and history, a subjective activity process of seeking knowledge. Generally speaking, people’s historical cognition manifests in two levels or two forms: one is the perceptual, superficial, fragmented perception of historical facts by the cognitive subject. This level focuses more on individual historical cases, historical phenomena and appearances, and historical experiences, neglecting the overall situation, process, essence, and objective nature of historical development. It has the cognitive characteristics of randomness, emotionality, and fragmentation; it is a kind of “being-in-itself” cognitive activity. The other is that the cognitive subject’s understanding of history is based on objective facts, engaging in rational cognition that “investigates origins and examines outcomes,” moves from the surface to the core, from the shallow to the deep, and from the particular to the general, elevating perceptual and experiential knowledge to a rational level, transforming historical understanding into historical truth. Rational historical cognition is a “for-itself” cognitive process and form characterized by rigorous, serious, and strict content, methods, and scholarly style. Clearly, our discussion of the scientific conclusion of “historical confidence” is based on the latter level and meaning.

历史认知是社会主体对历史客体经常开展的一种认识活动，是人与历史 “同情共感”式的“对话”，是一种认识求知的主体活动过程。一般来说，人的历史认知表现为两种层次或者两种形态：一种是认识主体对历史事实产生感性的、浅表层次的、呈现为碎片化的感知，它更多地注重历史个别个案、历史现象表象、历史经历经验，忽视历史发展的整体全局、过程流程、本质本性、本来客观，具有随机性、情绪性、零碎性认知特点，它是一种“自在”的认识活动；另一种是认识主体对历史的认识立足于客观事实，进行“原始察终”、由表及里、由浅入深、由特殊到一般的理性认识，把感知、经验性认识上升到理性高度，把历史认识变成历史真知。历史理性认识是一种以严谨、严肃、严格为内容、方法和学风的“自觉”认识过程和形式。显然，我们讨论“历史自信”科学结论，是基于后一种层面和意义的。

The emergence of the correct historical understanding of historical confidence is by no means empty talk produced out of thin air without any historical basis. Rather, it is a historical revelation and important judgment derived strictly from the history of the Chinese nation, the history of the Communist Party of China, the history of New China, the history of socialist development, the history of reform and opening up, and the ten-year history of striving in the New Era, guided by Marxist theory and method. It is a new understanding and new judgment based on the grand vision, broad framework, and rich content of Chinese history, inheriting the truth of historical cognition while breaking through the understanding of predecessors, possessing rich content and profound historical significance. It will inevitably influence the construction of the disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system of contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences. It embodies the unity of the objectivity of historical development and the scholarly nature of historical conclusions, the unity of the objectivity of historical development and the scientific nature of the cognitive subject’s research, the unity of the general historical perspective, general knowledge awareness, and contemporary reflection in historical research, and the unity of the subjective firmness and objective solidity of the cognitive subject looking back at history, standing in the present, and moving towards the future. It follows the norms and requirements of historical understanding, such as combining history and theory, deriving theory from history, ensuring reliable conclusions, and achieving scientific cognition. It is the ideological essence of deepening historical understanding and exalting the spirit of the times.

历史自信这一正确历史认识的产生，绝不是凭空产生、毫无历史依据的空话，而是以马克思主义理论与方法为指导，以中华民族史、中国共产党史、新中国史、社会主义发展史、改革开放史和新时代十年奋进史为严格依据得出的历史启示和重要判断。它是立足于中国历史大视野、大格局、大内涵，继承历史认知真理而又突破前人认识、具有丰富内容并饱含历史深意的新认识新判断，必将影响中国当代哲学社会科学学科体系、学术体系、话语体系建设。它体现了历史发展客观性与历史结论学理性的统一，体现了历史发展客观性与认识主体研究科学性的统一，体现了历史研究通史观念、通识意识与时代观照的统一，体现了认识主体回望历史、立足现实、走向未来的主观坚定性与客观坚实性的统一，遵循了史论结合、论从史出、结论可靠、认知科学的史学认识规范与要求，是深化历史认识、高扬时代精神的思想精华。

Proposing the thesis of historical confidence in historical cognition is an inevitable conclusion reached by the Communist Party of China in the New Era through applying Marxist theory and method to know China, understand China, love China, and strengthen China. Dialectical materialism and historical materialism are the concentrated embodiment of Marxist theory, the stance and method of Marxist theory; they constitute both the worldview and methodology of all Communists and the guiding ideology and practical method for the CPC to study Chinese history, create Chinese history, and continue Chinese history. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes, “The Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method are the fundamental skills for doing work well, the powerful ideological weapon guiding us to understand and transform the world,” and “truly master and thoroughly understand and skillfully use this fundamental skill of Marxism.” The CPC scientifically studies and correctly views Chinese history and the history of the CPC, draws the conclusion of historical confidence, correctly distinguishes the mainstream from the tributary and the phenomenon from the essence in historical development, profoundly reveals the regularity, initiative, and creativity of historical development, and deeply summarizes the experiences and lessons of historical development.

在历史认知中提出历史自信论断，是中国共产党在新时代运用马克思主义理论与方法知中国、懂中国、爱中国、强中国得出的必然结论。辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义是马克思主义理论的集中体现，是马克思主义理论的立场和方法，它既是一切共产党人的世界观和方法论，也是中国共产党人研究中国历史、开创中国历史、续写中国历史的指导思想和实践方法。习近平总书记强调，“马克思主义立场、观点、方法是做好工作的看家本领，是指导我们认识世界、改造世界的强大思想武器”，“真正把马克思主义这个看家本领学精悟透用好”。中国共产党科学研究和正确看待中国历史和中共党史，得出历史自信结论，正确区分历史发展的主流和支流、现象和本质，深刻揭示历史发展的规律性、主动性和创造性，深入总结历史发展的经验和教训。

Proposing the thesis of historical confidence in historical cognition is a scientific conclusion reached by the CPC in the New Era by, in accordance with the requirements of Marxist theory and method, penetrating deeply into Chinese history and the history of the CPC, following the objective process of historical development, and strictly respecting historical facts. In the field of historical science, Marxism requires that one “must proceed from existing facts” for analysis and research. Historical confidence scientifically answers that China has a history of human activity spanning a million years, a cultural history spanning tens of thousands of years, a civilization history spanning five thousand years, and a written history spanning three thousand years, having made tremendous contributions to human civilization; it clearly demonstrates the objective fact that the CPC, leading the Chinese people, has created a hundred-year history of earth-shattering, world-changing, and transformative upheaval, providing new forms, new models, and new experiences of human civilization for seeking happiness for the Chinese people, rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, progress for humanity, and common good for the world; it emphasizes that, based on objective historical facts, we can be confident, we are able to be confident, and we must be confident, and that a confident China can make greater contributions to world peace and development. This conclusion promotes the subjective spirit of historical development, the Chinese spirit, and the spirit of the times, accurately and completely fixing the Chinese path, Chinese values, and Chinese contributions within the discourse system of historical confidence. It embodies the “absolute requirement” of Marxist theory that when analyzing any social problem, “the problem must be raised within a certain historical scope,” and also provides the world with a valuable sample and classic paradigm for Chinese historical research that has both theoretical vitality and practical reference value.

在历史认知中提出历史自信论断，是中国共产党在新时代按照马克思主义理论与方法要求，深入中国历史和中共党史的最深处，循着历史发展的客观过程，严格尊重历史事实而得出的科学结论。在历史科学领域中，马克思主义要求“必须从既有的事实出发”进行分析研究。历史自信，科学回答了中国有百万年人类活动史、上万年文化史、五千年文明史、三千年文字史，对人类文明作出巨大贡献，明证了中国共产党领导中国人民惊天动地、改天换地、翻天覆地的百年波澜壮阔变革史，为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴、为人类谋进步、为世界谋大同提供了人类文明新形态新样式新经验的客观事实；强调了基于客观历史事实，我们可能自信、我们能够自信、我们必须自信，自信的中国能够为世界和平发展作出更大贡献。这个结论，弘扬历史发展的主体精神、中国精神和时代精神，把中国道路、中国价值、中国贡献完整准确地定格在历史自信话语体系中，它体现了马克思主义理论在分析任何一个社会问题时，“就是要把问题提到一定的历史范围之内”的“绝对要求”，也为世人提供了一个既有理论活力又有实践参考价值的中国历史研究宝贵样本和经典范式。

Historical confidence is the deepest and most fundamental confidence.

历史自信是最深沉最根本的自信

In today’s world, if one is to speak of which political party, which country, or which nation can be confident, only the Communist Party of China possesses the greatest confidence and fortitude of historical confidence. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out, “The historical confidence of the Chinese Communists is confidence both in the achievements of struggle and in the spirit of struggle.” Only the Chinese nation and the Chinese people possess the greatest confidence and pride of historical confidence, because in human history, the history of Chinese civilization and Chinese history have not only never been interrupted but are also rich and colorful in content, and contemporary Chinese people can embrace the brilliance of the future with a brand-new posture.

当今世界，要说哪个政党、哪个国家、哪个民族能够自信的话，只有中国共产党最具历史自信的底气和硬气。习近平总书记指出，“中国共产党人的历史自信，既是对奋斗成就的自信，也是对奋斗精神的自信”。只有中华民族、中国人民最具历史自信的底气和豪气，因为在人类历史上，中华文明史、中国历史不仅从未中断，而且内容丰富多彩，当代中国人更能够以崭新的姿态拥抱未来的辉煌。

Historical confidence is both the organic unity of people’s historical sentiment and historical rationality, and it is embodied in people’s praise for the struggles of predecessors, respect for historical experience, reverence for historical lessons, adherence to historical laws, and firm confidence, solid conviction, and full readiness to open up the future and continue history. Historical confidence comes from history, is rooted in history, and at the same time reflects reality and guides the future. Historical confidence is a precious cultural resource and spiritual nourishment, an indispensable nutrient for a nation, a country, and a political party to possess vigorous vitality, soaring morale, and majestic righteousness. If anyone neglects history, or even obliterates history, they will inevitably incur severe punishment from history. “History is the best teacher,” “History is the best textbook,” “The history of the Chinese revolution is the best nutrient.” For the Chinese nation, the Chinese people, and the CPC, historical confidence is their spiritual backbone; to strengthen historical confidence is to guard their own spiritual backbone. Only when historical confidence is rooted in the deepest part of one’s own history can it be more profound and powerful; only when historical confidence is passed down from generation to generation and unshakably becomes the consensus belief of a nation, a country, and a political party can it radiate the mighty power to move forward courageously. Only by standing on the deep foundation of history and strengthening historical confidence can people move toward the future with greater determination.

历史自信，既是人们的历史情怀与历史理性的有机统一，又体现为人们对前人奋斗的礼赞，对历史经验的尊重，对历史教训的敬畏，对历史规律的遵循，对开辟未来、续写历史的坚定信心、牢固信念和饱满状态。历史自信既来自于历史，植根于历史，又映照现实，指引未来。历史自信是一种宝贵的文化资源和精神滋养，是民族、国家、政党具有蓬勃朝气、昂扬锐气、浩然正气不可或缺的养分。如果谁漠视了历史，甚至是抹杀了历史，那他就必然招致历史的严厉惩罚。“历史是最好的老师”，“历史是最好的教科书”，“中国革命历史是最好的营养剂”。对于中华民族、中国人民和中国共产党来说，历史自信就是其精神脊梁；坚定历史自信，就是守护自己的精神脊梁。历史自信只有植根于自己历史的最深处，才更加深沉有力；历史自信只有世代相继，牢不可破地成为一个民族、国家、政党的共识性信念，才能焕发勇毅前行的磅礴伟力。人们只有站在历史的深厚基础上，坚定历史自信，才能更加坚定地走向未来。

Marxists are both sentimental historicists and passionate realists; they insist on the unity of historicism and realism, and their historical confidence is built on this organic and solid foundation. Marxism, in revealing the laws of history, found the “world-historical path” guiding human society toward communism. They “smash an old world” in order to “build a new world.” In studying history, Marxists possess a thoroughgoing critical spirit, which comes from their profound love for human society and human history. Marx and Engels pointed out, “History is nothing but the succession of the separate generations,” and later generations always inherit and borrow the materials, capital, and productive forces left by their predecessors to continue creating new history. Engels even said with deep feeling: “History is everything to us.” The sentiment of Marxists in being rooted in history and cherishing history is a kind of historical confidence that creates history and carries forward the cause into the future. Chinese Communists are firm believers in Marxism, taking Marxism as their ideological armament and theoretical guidance. Chinese Communists are powerful inheritors of the Chinese national spirit, continuous creators of Chinese history, and steadfast bearers of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; they possess profound historical confidence sentiment and sober historical confidence rationality. The historical confidence of Chinese Communists comes both from their deep feelings for the history of their own nation, their own country, and their own history, and from the education and inspiration of the Marxist materialist conception of history, embodying a deep Chinese sentiment, national love, and Party heart. Comrade Mao Zedong advocated, “From Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, we should sum it up and inherit this precious legacy.” Comrade Deng Xiaoping called for “using Chinese history to educate youth.” General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes, “We must strengthen our study of history… to gain inspiration and determination from history.” Confidence enables development; confidence enables self-reliance and self-strengthening. Over the past century, the CPC has created the magnificent journey of the Chinese people from standing up, becoming prosperous, to becoming strong, writing a new chapter in modern Chinese history and the history of human progress.

马克思主义者既是有情怀的历史主义者，又是有热血的现实主义者，他们坚持历史主义与现实主义相统一，其历史自信就是建立在这个有机统一的坚实基础上。马克思主义在揭示历史规律中找到了指引人类社会走向共产主义的“世界历史之路”。他们“砸烂一个旧世界”，是为了“建设一个新世界”。马克思主义者在研究历史中，具有彻底的批判精神，这种彻底的批判精神来自他们对于人类社会、对于人类历史深厚的爱。马克思和恩格斯指出，“历史不外是各个世代的依次交替”，后代总是要继承并借用前人遗留下来的材料、资金和生产力等条件来继续创造新的历史。恩格斯更是深情地说道：“历史就是我们的一切。”马克思主义者植根历史、珍爱历史的情怀，是一种创造历史、继往开来的历史自信。中国共产党人是马克思主义的坚定信仰者，以马克思主义为自己的思想武装和理论指导。中国共产党人是中华民族精神的有力继承者，是中国历史的接续创造者，是中华民族伟大复兴的坚强承担者，有深厚的历史自信情感和清醒的历史自信理性。中国共产党人的历史自信，既来自对本民族历史、本国历史、自己历史的深厚情感，又来自马克思主义唯物史观的教育启发，具有深切的中国情、民族爱、政党心。毛泽东同志主张，“从孔夫子到孙中山，我们应当给以总结，承继这一份珍贵的遗产”。邓小平同志号召，“用中国的历史教育青年”。习近平总书记强调，“我们要加强对历史的学习……从历史中得到启迪、得到定力”。自信才能引领发展，自信才能自立自强。百年来，中国共产党开创了中国人民从站起来、富起来到强起来的壮丽历程，书写了中国现代史、人类进步史的崭新篇章。

Historical confidence is both historical and contemporary. Historically, historical confidence is the ambition, backbone, and self-assurance of the Chinese nation, representing a surging, unstoppable progressive force and favorable momentum. In the New Era, historical confidence is a vibrant, majestic upward vitality and forward-moving posture; it is both the contemporary soul of the Chinese nation and the Chinese people, and the historical foundation and cultural power of the original aspiration and founding mission of the Chinese Communists. Fundamentally, it is the spiritual banner and cultural call shared by the entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country as socialism with Chinese characteristics enters the New Era. It is the most nationally distinctive spiritual force of the New Era and the cultural demeanor representing the national image. To say that historical confidence is deep and powerful, and is the most fundamental confidence, also lies in the fact that historical confidence provides historical support and spiritual nourishment for confidence in the path, confidence in the theory, confidence in the system, and confidence in the culture. [3]3 The Four Confidences (四个自信) refers to confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Historically, because historical confidence possesses the characteristics and functions of enduring influence, rich connotation, and profound content, it is historically and inevitably closely linked with the Four Confidences, playing a more foundational, broader, and deeper role. Strengthening historical confidence means firmly believing in the Chinese spirit, Chinese values, Chinese wisdom, and Chinese convictions contained in fine traditional Chinese culture; firmly believing in the red culture and revolutionary spirit contained in modern Chinese history; firmly believing that socialism with Chinese characteristics is treading a broad and straight new path of human civilization, and that the Chinese people can contribute contemporary experience and developmental wisdom to human civilization. China’s historical confidence is not only manifested as “self-confidence” but will also become “other-confidence,” winning recognition and acceptance from world civilizations.

历史自信既是历史的，也是当代的。在历史上，历史自信是中华民族的志气、骨气和底气，代表着一种奔涌向前、不可阻遏的进步力量和良好态势。在新时代，历史自信是一种生生不息、气势磅礴的向上活力和前进姿态，它既是中华民族、中国人民的当代魂魄，又是中国共产党人初心使命的历史底蕴和文化力量。从根本上讲，它是中国特色社会主义进入新时代全党全国各族人民共有的精神旗帜和共同的文化号召，是新时代最有民族品质标识的精神力量和代表国家形象的文化气度。说历史自信深沉有力，是一种最为根本的自信，还在于历史自信对于道路自信、理论自信、制度自信和文化自信而言，具有历史支撑和精神滋养作用。历史地看，由于历史自信具有影响持久、内涵丰富、内容深厚的特性和功能，它与“四个自信”历史地、必然地紧密联系在一起，发挥着更基础、更广泛和更深厚的巨大作用。坚定历史自信，就是坚信中华优秀传统文化内含的中国精神、中国价值、中国智慧和中国信念；坚信近代以来中国历史内含的红色文化和革命精神；坚信中国特色社会主义走着一条宽广笔直的人类文明新道路，中国人民能够为人类文明贡献当代经验和发展智慧。中国历史自信，既表现为一种“自信”，还将成为一种“他信”，赢得世界文明的认可和接纳。

Only by Enhancing Historical Consciousness Can We Strengthen Historical Initiative

提升历史自觉才能增强历史主动

Entering the New Era and forging ahead on the new journey, the Party and the people are more than ever endowed with the firmness of historical confidence, the sobriety of historical consciousness, and the momentum of historical initiative. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes that in learning and applying historical wisdom, we must enhance historical consciousness and grasp historical initiative.

进入新时代，奋进新征程，党和人民比任何时候都更加具有历史自信的坚定、历史自觉的清醒和历史主动的态势。习近平总书记强调，在历史智慧的学习运用中提升历史自觉、把握历史主动。

Historical confidence is the prerequisite and foundation of historical consciousness. Without historical confidence, there is no historical consciousness. Historical consciousness directly derives from historical confidence; the former is the cause, the latter is the effect. Historical confidence is the condition and basis of historical consciousness. What kind of historical confidence one has determines what kind of historical consciousness one possesses; the stronger and more enduring the historical confidence, the greater and more enduring the historical consciousness.

历史自信是历史自觉的前提和基础。没有历史自信，也就没有历史自觉。历史自觉直接来自于历史自信；前者是因，后者是果。历史自信是历史自觉的条件和依据。有什么样的历史自信，就有什么样的历史自觉；有多么强大而持久的历史自信，就有多么巨大而历久弥新的历史自觉。

Marxism is both a practical agent and, even more so, a historical agent, placing great emphasis on the active role of historical consciousness. Studying history and researching history is not for the sake of explaining history, but for scientifically summarizing and drawing lessons from historical experience, profoundly revealing and mastering the laws of history, skillfully judging and conforming to the trends of historical development, and by obtaining “historical revelations” and “human revelations,” achieving the goal of strengthening historical confidence, enhancing historical consciousness, and increasing historical initiative. The Communist Party of China is the leader and advocate of the practice of Marxism in China, and the bearer and promoter of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. [4]4 “Adapting Marxism to the Chinese context” (马克思主义中国化) is the process of applying Marxist theory to China’s specific historical and practical conditions. To realize the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context, on the one hand, it must be combined with the great practice of comprehensively building a modern socialist country; on the other hand, it must also be combined with China’s historical reality, especially with fine traditional Chinese culture, to realize the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture. “A bright mirror can reflect shapes; the past can illuminate the present.” [5]5 This is a classical Chinese allusion from the Han dynasty historical text *Han Shi Wai Zhuan* (《韩诗外传》), emphasizing learning from the past to understand the present. Forging ahead in the New Era, closely adhering to the theme of the times, “reviewing history is not to seek comfort from success, nor to lie on the laurels of past achievements to find excuses for avoiding the difficulties and problems facing us today, but to sum up historical experience, grasp historical laws, and enhance the courage and strength to forge ahead,” [6]6 This is a quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC on July 1, 2021. advancing in step with history, sharing the destiny with the times, and winning a bright future.

马克思主义既是实践能动者，更是历史能动者，十分重视历史自觉的能动作用。学习历史、研究历史，不是为了解释历史，而是为了科学总结并吸取历史经验、深刻揭示并驾驭历史规律、善于判断并顺应历史发展趋势，通过得出“历史的启示”“人的启示”，达到坚定历史自信、提升历史自觉、增强历史主动的目的。中国共产党是马克思主义在中国实践的领导者和倡导者，是马克思主义中国化的承担者和推进者。实现马克思主义中国化，一方面，要与全面建设社会主义现代化国家的伟大实践相结合；另一方面，还要与中国历史实际相结合，尤其是与中华优秀传统文化相结合，实现中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展。“明镜所以照形，古事所以知今。”奋进新时代，紧扣时代主题，“回顾历史不是为了从成功中寻求慰藉，更不是为了躺在功劳簿上、为回避今天面临的困难和问题寻找借口，而是为了总结历史经验、把握历史规律，增强开拓前进的勇气和力量”，与历史同步伐，与时代共命运，赢得光明的未来。

In the field of historical cognition, there is no tranquil harbor. For a period of time, historical confidence has attracted attention from intellectual circles and even the whole society, for profound reasons both domestic and international. From a domestic perspective, historical nihilism has been rampant, deliberately distorting historical facts, using erroneous historical views to deny the civilizational achievements created by China’s historical development, deny the great achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, deny the historic changes brought by socialism with Chinese characteristics to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, deny the outstanding historical contributions of advanced figures, worship foreign things and toady to foreign powers, and engage in self-denial, directly touching the bottom line of the Chinese people’s historical values and the bottom line of the core socialist values. From an international perspective, hostile foreign forces harbor an undying intention to subjugate China, and their schemes of “Westernization” and division are menacing. The historical views hidden behind these schemes are “the superiority of Western civilization,” “the Western-centric view of history,” “the end of history,” and “China’s rise will inevitably lead to a clash of civilizations between East and West.” Their core is to promote “universal values,” engage in “value importation,” and advocate “civilizational reconstruction.” Hostile forces use erroneous historical views and adopt “offensive anti-China strategies.” The essential crux of this is to attempt to shake or even undermine the correct historical views and revolutionary will of the Chinese people, and to subvert socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the face of the severe ideological struggle in the historical field, we must strengthen historical confidence, enhance historical consciousness, increase historical initiative, dare to take up arms and draw swords, engage in tit-for-tat struggle, sing the main theme of historical materialism, and win the proactive battle for historical confidence.

在历史认知领域，并不存在风平浪静的温馨港湾。一段时期以来，历史自信受到思想界乃至全社会关注，它有着国内外的深刻原因。从国内原因看，历史虚无主义甚嚣尘上，刻意歪曲历史事实，用错误历史观否定中国历史发展创造的文明成果，否定中国共产党领导人民取得的丰功伟绩，否定中国特色社会主义为中华民族伟大复兴带来的历史巨变，否定先进人物的杰出历史贡献，崇洋媚外，自我否定，直接触及中国人民历史价值底线和社会主义核心价值观底线。从国际原因看，国外敌对势力亡我之心不死，“西化”、分化图谋来势汹汹，其背后隐藏的历史观是“西方文明优越论”“西方中心历史观”“历史终结论”“中国的崛起必将引起东西方文明冲突”，其核心是推广“普世价值”、搞“价值输入”、鼓吹“文明重建”，敌对势力运用错误历史观，采取“反华攻势战略”，其本质要害是妄图动摇甚至瓦解中国人民的正确历史观和革命斗志，颠覆中国特色社会主义。对于历史领域严酷的思想斗争，我们要坚定历史自信，提升历史自觉，增强历史主动，敢于操刀亮剑，针锋相对，唱响唯物史观主旋律，打好历史自信主动仗。

The trends and currents of historical development are the demands and guidance of the progress of the times. In the face of the historical torrent and the trend of the times, we must never hesitate, be apathetic, or stand still. Instead, we must possess the sobriety and decisiveness of “not blindly following superiors, not blindly following books, only seeking truth from facts,” [7]7 This is a well-known saying attributed to Chen Yun, a senior CPC leader, advocating pragmatism and independence from dogma. emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, and advancing with the times. Only by strengthening historical confidence, enhancing historical consciousness, and increasing historical initiative can we accurately predict the developing trends, actively conform to the historical currents, and timely grasp the opportunities and essentials of “actively seeking change, responding scientifically to change, jointly promoting change, and innovating to achieve change.”

历史发展的时势和潮流，是时代进步的要求和引领。在历史洪流和时代潮流面前，我们决不能犹豫徘徊、麻木冷漠、裹足不前，而是要有“不唯上，不唯书，只唯实”的清醒和果敢，解放思想，实事求是，与时俱进。只有坚定历史自信，提升历史自觉，增强历史主动，我们才能准确预判发展时势，主动顺应历史潮流，及时掌握“主动求变、科学应变、合力促变、创新成变”的先机和要领。

Striving to Create Great Historical Achievements in the New Era

奋力创造新时代历史伟业

The great historical achievements of any era do not fall from the sky; they are the result of people relying on historical experience, applying historical laws, grasping historical initiative, and forging ahead with indomitable spirit. Over the past century, the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people to successfully blaze a completely new Chinese path, contributing important civilizational achievements to human society. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes, “We must regard the Party’s historical experience as an important ideological weapon for correctly judging the situation, scientifically foreseeing the future, and grasping historical initiative, to better observe the era, grasp the era, and lead the era.” [8]8 This is a quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the study session on the Party’s historical experience, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

任何时代的历史伟业，都不是从天而降的，是人们依据历史经验、运用历史规律、把握历史主动，百折不挠、奋勇向前的结果。百年来，中国共产党带领中国人民成功地走出一条全新的中国道路，为人类社会贡献了重要的文明成果。习近平总书记强调，“要把党的历史经验作为正确判断形势、科学预见未来、把握历史主动的重要思想武器，更好观察时代、把握时代、引领时代”。

The past, present, and future constitute the internal logic and complete content of history; great historical achievements are the products of historical practice and the creative results of historical subjects. Historical confidence, historical consciousness, and historical initiative are not only the ideological path, spiritual character, and internal vitality of historical subjects, but also the positive orientation and healthy state of the subject’s practice; great historical achievements are not only the inevitable outcome of historical confidence, historical consciousness, and historical initiative, but also the goal calling that guides people to strive, advance, and unite in struggle. History guides the future, struggle heralds success, and great achievements mark progress. A history of human civilization is a history of human progress; a history of the Chinese nation is a history of the Chinese nation’s pioneering and forging ahead; a history of the Communist Party of China is a glorious history of the Party uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country to strive to create the future and continuously achieve great successes.

过去、现在和未来，是历史的内在逻辑和完整内容；历史伟业，是历史实践的产物，是历史主体的创造成果。历史自信、历史自觉和历史主动，既是历史主体的思想进路、精神品格和内在活力，又是主体实践的积极面向和健康状态；历史伟业，既是历史自信、历史自觉和历史主动的必然成果，也是引领人们拼搏进取、团结奋斗的目标召唤。历史指引未来，奋斗昭示成功，伟业标示进步。一部人类文明史，就是人类进步的历史；一部中华民族史，就是中华民族开拓奋进的历史；一部中共党史，就是党团结带领全国各族人民奋力开创未来，不断造就成功伟业的光辉历史。

A tree a thousand zhang tall has its roots where its leaves fall; a foot treading the earth always has a starting point. The five-thousand-year history of Chinese civilization and the century-long history of the Communist Party of China are the powerful roots and solid starting point for the Party to unite and lead the people in forging ahead in the New Era. Observe the present by examining the past; narrate the past to know the future. Standing at the historical starting point of the New Era, the Communist Party of China scientifically summarizes the “five historical significances,” “ten historical experiences,” and “six musts” [9]9 The “six musts” (六个必须坚持) refers to the six principles that must be upheld in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: putting the people first, self-reliance and self-strengthening, upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, deepening reform and opening up, adhering to the rule of law, and upholding the Party’s leadership. of the great achievements the Party has led the people to attain. These are both an ideological system that deeply roots the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the “depths of social life” of the history of Chinese civilization, the history of socialist development, Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the ten-year history of forging ahead in the New Era—an ideological system possessing the depth of philosophical generalization and the height of spiritual sublimation, a grand narrative of the New Era that strengthens historical confidence, enhances historical consciousness, augments historical initiative, and creates historical achievements—and a clarion call of the times, possessing powerful cohesive ideological wisdom and broad appeal, with which the Chinese Communists lead the Chinese people to advance courageously and create brand-new history.

树高千丈，落叶有根；足行大地，总有起点。中华民族的五千年文明史，中国共产党的百年史，就是党团结带领人民奋进新时代的强大根脉和坚实起点。观今鉴古，述往知来。站在新时代的历史起点上，中国共产党科学总结党带领人民取得伟大成就的“五项历史意义”“十条历史经验”“六个必须坚持”，它们既是中国共产党将中华民族伟大复兴中国梦深深植根于中华文明史、社会主义发展史、党史、新中国史、改革开放史和新时代十年奋进史“社会生活的深处”，具有哲学概括深度和精神升华高度的思想体系，是坚定历史自信、提升历史自觉、增强历史主动、造就历史伟业的新时代宏大叙事；又是中国共产党人带领中国人民奋勇向前、创造崭新历史，具有强大凝聚力的思想智慧和广泛号召力的时代号角。

The ideological tension of historical confidence can become the driving force of historical initiative, the propelling force of historical consciousness, and the supporting force of historical achievements. Upholding historical confidence is the greatest foundation of the Communist Party of China in the New Era; enhancing historical consciousness is the distinctive feature of the Communist Party of China in the New Era; augmenting historical initiative is the unique advantage of the Communist Party of China in the New Era; creating historical achievements is the era’s declaration of the Communist Party of China uniting and leading the masses of the people to continue writing a glorious history. The more history advances, the more complex and changeable the tests, perils, and difficulties on the road ahead become. This requires us to strengthen our historical resolve even more, to remember our starting point, not to forget our original aspiration, to shoulder our responsibilities, to forever maintain the sobriety of the moment of departure, to don the wings of historical wisdom, and to bravely pursue the dream of creating historical achievements, “to submit new, excellent answer sheets to history and the people on the new road of the examination.” [10]10 This is a paraphrase of a statement by Xi Jinping, referring to the CPC’s historical mission as a continuous “examination” (赶考) that began with the Party’s entry into Beijing in 1949, and calling for the Party to continue to pass new tests in the New Era.

历史自信的思想张力，能够成为历史主动的行动力、历史自觉的推动力、历史伟业的支撑力。坚持历史自信，是中国共产党在新时代的最大底气；提升历史自觉，是中国共产党在新时代的鲜明特征；增强历史主动，是中国共产党在新时代的独特优势；造就历史伟业，是中国共产党团结带领人民群众续写辉煌历史的时代宣示。历史愈是向前发展，前进道路上的考验、艰险、困难愈是复杂多变。这就需要我们更加坚定历史定力，牢记我们的起点，不忘初心，担负责任，永远保持出发时的清醒，插上历史智慧的翅膀，勇敢追逐创造历史伟业的梦想，“在新的赶考之路上向历史和人民交出新的优异答卷”。

(This article is a phased result of the major bidding project “Research on the Theoretical Connotation and Significant Significance of Xi Jinping’s Important Expositions on Historical Science” (LSYZD21001), a major historical issue research project of the Chinese Academy of History under the National Social Science Fund.)

（本文系国家社科基金中国历史研究院重大历史问题研究专项重大招标项目“习近平关于历史科学重要论述理论内涵和重大意义研究”（LSYZD21001）阶段性成果）

(The author is President of Nanchang Normal University and a specially appointed researcher of the Jiangxi Provincial Research Center for the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.)

（作者系南昌师范学院校长、江西省中国特色社会主义理论体系研究中心特约研究员）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心