The Innovative Value of the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Its Future Development

The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC clearly states that adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is one of the major principles that must be firmly grasped in comprehensively building a modern socialist country. Based on the New Era and the new journey, implementing this major principle requires combining a grand historical perspective with a broad vision, deeply understanding the historical foundations of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and examining this path within the grand processes of the Party’s history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, the history of socialist development, and the history of the Chinese nation’s development. In line with the direction of the times and historical trends, we must profoundly grasp the innovative value of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, deepen our understanding of the laws governing the Communist Party’s governance, socialist construction, and human societal development, and think prospectively about the future direction of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

党的二十大报告明确提出，坚持中国特色社会主义道路是全面建设社会主义现代化国家必须牢牢把握的重大原则之一。立足新时代新征程，贯彻落实这一重大原则，需要坚持大历史观与宏阔视域相结合，深入理解中国特色社会主义道路的历史底蕴，将中国特色社会主义道路置于党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史、中华民族发展史的宏大进程中进行考察。结合时代发展方向和历史发展趋势，深刻把握中国特色社会主义道路的创新价值，深化对共产党执政规律、社会主义建设规律和人类社会发展规律的认识，前瞻性思考中国特色社会主义道路的未来走向。

I. The Chinese Path Is the Only Way to the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation

一、中国道路是中华民族伟大复兴的必由之路

As a specific category, the Chinese path refers specifically to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Based on the mission and task of comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization, we examine the generation and development of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics from the height of principle, and grasp its theoretical roots, historical foundations, and practical basis through the integration of history and reality, theory and practice.

作为特定范畴，中国道路特指中国特色社会主义道路。立足以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的使命任务，从原则高度审视中国特色社会主义道路的生成与发展，在历史与现实、理论与实践的贯通中把握其理论根基、历史底蕴和现实基础。

(A) The Theoretical Roots of the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

(一)中国特色社会主义道路的理论根基

Marxism provides theoretical guidance for the Chinese path. Mao Zedong pointed out: “An ‘ism’ is like a banner; once the banner is raised, people have something to look to and know where to go.” [1]1 A formulation from the report of the 18th National Congress of the CPC (2012), contrasting the Chinese path with both the old Soviet-style planned economy and Western-style capitalism. “Ism” plays a crucial role in the process of exploring the path. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasizes: “Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for founding the Party and the country, and for rejuvenating the Party and the country.” [2]2 A reference to Francis Fukuyama’s 1989 thesis that liberal democracy represents the endpoint of human ideological evolution. The Chinese path is a great creation that integrates the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities. In the exploration and practice of the Chinese path, our Party has adhered to independence, seeking truth from facts, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, continuously enriching and developing Marxism. This has allowed the scientific and truthful nature of Marxism to be fully tested in China, its people-centered and practical character to be fully implemented in China, and its openness and contemporaneity to be fully demonstrated in China. The Chinese path not only comprehensively displays the powerful vitality of Marxism in both temporal and spatial dimensions but also consolidates the theoretical foundation for the deepening development of the Chinese path in the practice of emancipating the mind, providing scientific theoretical guidance for the Chinese path to proceed steadily and far under new historical conditions.

马克思主义为中国道路提供理论指导。毛泽东指出：“主义譬如一面旗子，旗子立起了，大家才有所指望，才知所趋赴。”[1]“主义”在道路探索过程中发挥着至关重要的作用。党的二十大报告强调：“马克思主义是我们立党立国、兴党兴国的根本指导思想。”[2]中国道路是把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的伟大创造。在中国道路的探索实践中，我们党坚持独立自主、实事求是、守正创新，不断丰富和发展马克思主义，使马克思主义的科学性和真理性在中国得到充分检验，马克思主义的人民性和实践性在中国得到充分贯彻，马克思主义的开放性和时代性在中国得到充分彰显。中国道路不仅在时代性维度和空间性维度全面展现了马克思主义的强大生命力，而且在解放思想的实践中夯实了中国道路深化发展的理论根基，为中国道路在新的历史条件下行稳致远提供了科学理论指引。

(B) The Historical Foundations of the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

(二)中国特色社会主义道路的历史底蕴

From the perspective of a grand historical view, the basic direction of the Chinese path manifests the historical dialectic of “upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground.” In upholding fundamental principles, it firmly establishes the correct direction for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; in breaking new ground, it grasps the times and leads the times. As a historical category, the Chinese path advances within the logic of historical progress, having undergone an evolutionary process from the path of the new-democratic revolution, to the path of the socialist revolution, to the path of socialist construction, and to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, scientifically answering the question “Where is China headed?” The Chinese path has “emerged” from the explorations and practices since modern times, since the founding of the Party, since the founding of New China, and since reform and opening up, centrally embodying the dialectical unity of contemporaneity and innovation, and displaying a profound sense of history and a strong sense of the times. The generation and development of the Chinese path are inseparable from the scientific guidance of Marxism, as well as from the ideological nourishment of fine traditional Chinese culture and the spiritual cultivation of revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture. (Public Account: Marxist Theory Research) The value concepts embedded in fine traditional Chinese culture—such as the world being for all, the people as the foundation of the state, unceasing self-improvement, great virtue carrying all things, discarding the old and establishing the new, statecraft and practical application, and inheriting and reforming with gains and losses—run through the historical process of exploring the Chinese path, providing cultural resources and root nourishment for its generation and development, and endowing the Chinese path with distinct Chinese characteristics. The national spirit and the spirit of reform and innovation contained in revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture centrally embody the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation over millennia, providing spiritual motivation and practical soil for the generation and development of the Chinese path, and endowing it with significant contemporary features. The organic integration of fine traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture becomes an important support and cultural foundation for the deepening development of the Chinese path.

从大历史观的视角来看，中国道路基本走向呈现出“守正创新”的历史辩证法，在守正中坚定实现中华民族伟大复兴的正确方向，在创新中把握时代、引领时代。作为历史范畴，中国道路在历史前进的逻辑中前进，经历了新民主主义革命道路、社会主义革命道路、社会主义建设道路、中国特色社会主义道路的演进历程，科学回答了“中国向何处去”的问题。中国道路从近代以来、建党以来、新中国成立以来、改革开放以来的探索和实践中“走出来”，集中体现时代性与创新性的辩证统一，展现出深厚的历史感和强烈的时代感。中国道路的生成发展离不开马克思主义的科学指引，也离不开中华优秀传统文化的思想滋养和革命文化与社会主义先进文化的精神涵养。（公众号：马克思主义理论研究）中华优秀传统文化中蕴含的天下为公、民为邦本、自强不息、厚德载物、革故鼎新、经世致用、因革损益等价值理念，贯穿于中国道路探索的历史进程之中，为中国道路的生成发展提供了文化资源和根的滋养，赋予了中国道路鲜明的中国特色。革命文化和社会主义先进文化蕴含着的民族精神与改革创新精神，集中体现了中华民族千百年来最深层的精神追求，为中国道路的生成发展提供了精神动力和现实土壤，使中国道路呈现出显著时代特征。中华优秀传统文化、革命文化和社会主义先进文化的有机融合成为中国道路深化发展的重要支撑和文化基础。

(C) The Practical Basis of the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

(三)中国特色社会主义道路的现实基础

Only the wearer knows if the shoes fit. Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC, our Party has led the people in exploring the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics and has successfully embarked on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This path is deeply rooted in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics; it is a development path jointly shaped by China’s cultural traditions, historical destiny, and basic national conditions. In his speech at the First Session of the 12th National People’s Congress, Xi Jinping stated: “To realize the Chinese Dream, we must take the Chinese path. This is the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” [3]3 The view that Western (especially European and North American) history and values are the universal standard for all societies. Our Party has adhered to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, creating two miracles: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. This has laid a more solid material foundation and institutional guarantee for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, which has entered an irreversible historical process, demonstrating the powerful historical initiative contained in the Chinese path. (Public Account: Marxist Theory Research) In the “Two Integrations” of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, the Chinese path has shaped the political advantage of upholding the Party’s overall leadership, the institutional advantage of adhering to the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, the theoretical advantage of adhering to the new development philosophy, and the cultural advantage of inheriting Chinese civilization. These “four major advantages” together constitute the foundation of confidence and the source of confidence for “comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.” The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC states: “Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only way to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” [4]4 Two recurring narratives in Western discourse: that China’s political This “only way” manifests the dialectical unity of the “integration theory” and the “advantage theory.”

鞋子合不合脚，自己穿了才知道。党的十一届三中全会以来，我们党领导人民探索建设有中国特色的社会主义，成功走出了中国特色社会主义道路。中国特色社会主义道路深深根植于中国特色社会主义伟大实践，是中国文化传统、历史命运、基本国情共同造就的发展之路。习近平在十二届全国人大一次会议上的讲话中提出：“实现中国梦必须走中国道路。这就是中国特色社会主义道路。”[3]我们党坚持走中国特色社会主义道路，创造了经济快速发展和社会长期稳定两大奇迹，为中华民族伟大复兴奠定了更为坚实的物质基础和制度保证，中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程，彰显了中国道路蕴含的强大历史主动精神。（公众号：马克思主义理论研究）在马克思主义中国化的“两个结合”中，中国道路塑造了坚持党的全面领导的政治优势、坚持中国特色社会主义制度的制度优势、坚持新发展理念的理论优势、传承中华文明的文化优势。这“四大优势”共同构成了“以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴”的自信基础和底气来源。党的二十大报告提出，“中国特色社会主义是实现中华民族伟大复兴的必由之路”[4]。这一“必由之路”彰显了“结合论”和“优势论”的辩证统一。

II. The Innovative Value of the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

二、中国特色社会主义道路的创新价值

After more than a century of continuous exploration, the Chinese path has achieved innovative development in theoretical form, practical form, institutional form, and cultural form. It has not only promoted historic achievements and historic changes in the cause of the Party and the state but also provided a new choice for humanity to realize modernization, demonstrating its unique value.

经过百余年的持续探索，中国道路在理论形态、实践形态、制度形态、文化形态等方面实现了创新发展，既推动了党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，也为人类实现现代化提供了全新选择，彰显了独特价值。

(A) Demonstrating the Diversity of Modernization Paths through a Unique Path Form

(一)以独特道路形态彰显现代化道路多样性

Direction determines the path, and the path determines destiny. Modernization paths have diverse choices. “There is no one-size-fits-all development model in the world, nor is there an immutable development path. The diversity of historical conditions determines the diversity of development paths chosen by each country.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Marking the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2016), in *Xi Jinping: The Governance of China*, Vol. 2 China’s unique historical destiny, basic national conditions, and historical culture have jointly shaped its unique development path. The successful opening up and expansion of the Chinese path have in turn become key factors influencing China’s historical destiny, current national conditions, and the development of cultural forms, injecting new impetus into the development paths of human civilization. History and reality have proven that the Chinese path is not only correct and viable but also stable and successful.

方向决定道路，道路决定命运。现代化道路具有多样选择。“世界上没有放之四海而皆准的具体发展模式，也没有一成不变的发展道路。历史条件的多样性，决定了各国选择发展道路的多样性。”[5]中国独特的历史命运、基本国情和历史文化共同造就了独特的发展道路，中国道路的成功开辟和拓展又成为影响中国历史命运、现实国情和文化形态发展的关键因素，为人类文明发展道路注入了新动力。历史和现实已经证明，中国道路不仅走得对、走得通，而且走得稳、走得好。

As a general category, the Chinese path not only manifests, from a holistic perspective, the diversity of paths for human society to achieve modernization, but also manifests, from a concrete perspective, the internal diversity of the paths of modernization development; its internal composite structure profoundly embodies the dialectical unity of holism and concreteness. Grasped holistically, China “neither takes the old closed and rigid road, nor the wrong road of changing the banner,”[1]1 A formulation from the report of the 18th National Congress of the CPC (2012), contrasting the Chinese path with both the old Soviet-style planned economy and Western-style capitalism. but instead clearly and resolutely upholds the socialist path with Chinese characteristics, providing powerful practical proof for the diversity of human modernization paths and socialist development paths, and providing theoretical support and a reference for pathways for countries around the world to effectively respond to crises and better connect with the world. Grasped concretely, the Chinese path includes a series of development paths with Chinese characteristics, such as the socialist economic development path with Chinese characteristics, the socialist political development path with Chinese characteristics, the socialist cultural development path with Chinese characteristics, the socialist rule-of-law path with Chinese characteristics, the new-type urbanization path with Chinese characteristics, the national security path with Chinese characteristics, the Chinese path of human rights development, the path of peaceful development, the path of high-quality development, and so on. From multiple dimensions, multiple fields, and a broad perspective, these profoundly interpret and display the Chinese characteristics of the Chinese path, manifesting the original concepts, categories, and propositions of the Chinese path.

作为总体性范畴，中国道路既从整体性上彰显了人类社会通往现代化的道路多样性，也从具体性上彰显了现代化发展道路的内在多样性，其内在复合结构深刻体现了整体性与具体性的辩证统一。从整体性上把握，中国“既不走封闭僵化的老路，也不走改旗易帜的邪路”，而是旗帜鲜明坚持中国特色社会主义道路，为人类现代化道路和社会主义发展道路的多样性提供了有力的实践证明，为世界各国有效应对危机、更好联通世界提供了理论支撑和路径借鉴。从具体性上把握，中国道路包括一系列具有中国特色的发展道路，如中国特色社会主义经济发展道路、中国特色社会主义政治发展道路、中国特色社会主义文化发展道路、中国特色社会主义法治道路、中国特色新型城镇化道路、中国特色国家安全道路、中国人权发展道路、和平发展之路、高质量发展之路等等，从多维度、多领域、宽视角深刻诠释并展现了中国道路的中国特色，彰显了中国道路原创性的概念、范畴和命题。

(2) Enriching and Developing Modernization Theory with a Unique Theoretical Form

(二)以独特理论形态丰富和发展现代化理论

“Modernization” is a world-historical category. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC clearly put forward the major theoretical and practical proposition of “Chinese-path modernization.” Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China. It contains elements common to the modernizations of all countries, but it is more characterized by Chinese features based on China’s actual conditions. Chinese-path modernization is “the modernization of a huge population,” “the modernization of common prosperity for all,” “the modernization of material and cultural-ethical progress in tandem,” “the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature,” and “the modernization of taking the path of peaceful development.”[6]6 “守正创新” (shǒuzhèng chuàngxīn) is a four-character idiom meaning “upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground,” a key concept in Xi Jinping Thought. This major proposition not only systematically elucidates the theory of Chinese-path modernization in terms of central tasks, intrinsic features, essential requirements, strategic steps, and basic principles, but further scientifically summarizes the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization in terms of leadership force, realization path, material culture, spiritual state, human civilization, global governance, and other aspects. The theory of Chinese-path modernization created by the Chinese path has achieved innovation in world modernization theory, enriched and developed the theoretical form of modernization, and possesses major theoretical and practical value.

“现代化”是一个世界历史性范畴。党的二十大报告鲜明提出了“中国式现代化”重大理论和实践命题。中国式现代化是中国共产党领导的社会主义现代化，既有各国现代化的共同特征，更有基于自己国情的中国特色。中国式现代化是“人口规模巨大的现代化”“全体人民共同富裕的现代化”“物质文明和精神文明相协调的现代化”“人与自然和谐共生的现代化”“走和平发展道路的现代化”[6]。这一重大命题不仅从中心任务、内涵特征、本质要求、战略步骤、基本原则等方面对中国式现代化理论作出系统阐释，更进一步从领导力量、实现路径、物质文化、精神状态、人类文明、全球治理等方面对中国式现代化的本质要求作出科学概括，以中国道路创造的中国式现代化理论实现了对世界现代化理论的创新，丰富和发展了现代化的理论形态，具有重大理论和实践价值。

From a theoretical value perspective, the successful opening up and development of the Chinese path has put an end to the “end of history thesis,”[2]2 A reference to Francis Fukuyama’s 1989 thesis that liberal democracy represents the endpoint of human ideological evolution. dissolved the real-world foundation of the “Western-centric thesis,”[3]3 The view that Western (especially European and North American) history and values are the universal standard for all societies. broken the theoretical shackles imposed on China by the “China collapse thesis” and the “China threat thesis,”[4]4 Two recurring narratives in Western discourse: that China’s political strengthened the Chinese people’s confidence in the theory, and expanded the development space of the Chinese path. The Chinese path “abandons the old path of Western modernization centered on capital, modernization of polarization, modernization of materialist expansion, and modernization of external expansion and plunder,” opening up a new path of people-centered modernization, modernization of common prosperity for all, modernization of coordinated development of civilizations, and modernization of peaceful development. (Public account: Marxist Theoretical Research) It provides Chinese wisdom for solving the governance problems of human societal development through the unique advantages of the Chinese path. From a practical value perspective, the modernization of common prosperity for all manifests superiority, the modernization of material and cultural-ethical progress in tandem and the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature manifest coordination, and the modernization of taking the path of peaceful development highlights globality. By adhering to the socialist path with Chinese characteristics, China has not only achieved its own economic and social stability and development, strengthened the historical confidence of the Communist Party of China in leading the Chinese people to take their own path independently, but also encouraged more countries to independently explore development paths suited to their national conditions, inspiring more developing countries to find the correct direction for development, thereby better determining their own historical destiny and development prospects.

从理论价值来看，中国道路的成功开辟和发展，终结了“历史终结论”，消解了“西方中心论”的现实基础，打破了“中国崩溃论”“中国威胁论”对中国的理论束缚，增强了中国人民的理论自信、拓展了中国道路的发展空间。中国道路“摒弃西方以资本为中心的现代化、两极分化的现代化、物质主义膨胀的现代化、对外扩张掠夺的现代化”老路，开辟出一条以人民为中心的现代化、全体人民共同富裕的现代化、文明协调发展的现代化、和平发展的现代化新道路，（公众号：马克思主义理论研究）以中国道路独有优势为破解人类社会发展的治理难题提供中国智慧。从实践价值来看，全体人民共同富裕的现代化彰显优越性，物质文明和精神文明相协调的现代化、人与自然和谐共生的现代化体现协调性，走和平发展道路的现代化凸显世界性。我国坚持走中国特色社会主义道路不但实现了自身经济社会的稳定和发展，增强了中国共产党领导中国人民独立自主走自己的路的历史自信，也鼓舞更多国家独立探索符合本国国情的发展之路，启发更多发展中国家找准发展方向，从而更好决定自身的历史命运和发展前途。

(3) Perfecting the Socialist System with a Unique Institutional Form

(三)以独特制度形态完善社会主义制度体系

The Chinese path is both a concentrated embodiment of the theory and practice of scientific socialism and possesses the universal characteristics of human modernization paths. In the historical process of advancing and developing the Chinese path, the Communist Party of China has always adhered to the guidance of Marxism, continuously promoted the organic integration of socialism and modernization, realized the unity of adhering to socialism and developing socialism, utilizing capitalism and transcending capitalism, and promoted the perfection and development of the socialist system.

中国道路既是科学社会主义理论与实践的集中体现，又具有人类现代化道路的普遍特征。中国共产党在推进和发展中国道路的历史进程中，始终坚持以马克思主义为指导，不断推进社会主义与现代化的有机结合，实现了坚持社会主义与发展社会主义、利用资本主义与超越资本主义的统一，推动社会主义制度的完善和发展。

After the founding of New China, our Party led the people to complete the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts, and capitalist industry and commerce, establish the basic socialist system, realize the integrated development of the socialist system and national modernization construction in the practice of advancing socialist construction, endow the socialist system, industrialization, and modernization with new contemporary connotations, and initiate the actual process of promoting national modernization construction with an advanced socialist system. During the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, our Party led the people to continue in-depth exploration of the paths and methods for combining socialism and modernization, clarify the reform goal of establishing a socialist market economy system, (Public account: Marxist Theoretical Research) and continuously promote the self-perfection and development of the socialist system through reform and opening up. In the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, our Party adheres to the socialist path with Chinese characteristics, takes the five-sphere integrated plan of economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological-ethical progress as the overall layout, upholds and perfects the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, strives to advance the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, and promotes the new development of the socialist path with Chinese characteristics. In the practical development of the Chinese path, a “three-in-one” logical system of fundamental systems, basic systems, and important systems has been formed, supporting the “four beams and eight pillars”[5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Marking the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2016), in *Xi Jinping: The Governance of China*, Vol. 2 of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. This unique institutional form not only provides a fundamental guarantee for Chinese-path modernization, but also provides a new choice for humanity to realize modernization, and is a major enrichment and development of world modernization theory.

新中国成立以后，我们党领导人民完成了对农业、手工业和资本主义工商业的社会主义改造，确立社会主义基本制度，在推进社会主义建设的实践中实现了社会主义制度和国家现代化建设的融合发展，赋予了社会主义制度、工业化以及现代化新的时代内涵，开启了以社会主义先进制度推动国家现代化建设的实际历程。改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期，我们党领导人民继续深入探索社会主义与现代化相结合的路径、方式，明确了建立社会主义市场经济体制的改革目标，（公众号：马克思主义理论研究）以改革开放不断推动社会主义制度的自我完善和发展。中国特色社会主义新时代，我们党坚持中国特色社会主义道路，以经济、政治、文化、社会、生态文明五大建设为总体布局，坚持和完善中国特色社会主义制度，着力推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化，推动中国特色社会主义道路实现新发展。中国道路在实践发展中形成了根本制度、基本制度、重要制度“三位一体”的逻辑体系，支撑起中国特色社会主义制度体系的“四梁八柱”。这一独特制度形态不仅为中国式现代化提供了根本保障，也为人类实现现代化提供了新的选择,是世界现代化理论的重大丰富和发展。

(4) Enriching the New Form of Human Civilization with a Unique Cultural Form

(四)以独特文化形态丰富人类文明的新形态

The socialist path with Chinese characteristics is an open path. In the process of exploring the Chinese path, we adhere to “promoting the coordinated development of material civilization, political civilization, spiritual civilization, social civilization, and ecological civilization, creating a new path of Chinese-path modernization, and creating a new form of human civilization.”[7]7 “文明冲突论” (wénmíng chōngtū lùn) refers to Samuel Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” thesis, which the Chinese path explicitly rejects. From the perspective of the development of human civilization, the Chinese path connects the essence of Marxist thought and the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture, shining with the spiritual characteristics of Chinese civilization, which “advocates benevolence, values the people, upholds integrity, esteems justice, promotes harmony, and seeks common ground,”[8]8 “中国向何处去” (Zhōngguó xiàng hé chù qù) is a historical question posed during China’s modern crisis, famously addressed by Mao Zedong in his 1940 essay “On New Democracy.” and enriches and develops the form of human civilization with a cultural form possessing the unique spiritual characteristics of the Chinese nation.

中国特色社会主义道路是一条开放的道路。在中国道路探索过程中，我们坚持“推动物质文明、政治文明、精神文明、社会文明、生态文明协调发展，创造了中国式现代化新道路，创造了人类文明新形态”[7]。从人类文明发展的视角看，中国道路贯通马克思主义思想精髓和中华优秀传统文化精华，闪烁着中华文明“讲仁爱、重民本、守诚信、崇正义、尚和合、求大同”的精神特质，以独具中华民族精神特质的文化形态丰富发展了人类文明形态。

Xi Jinping points out: “Without the five-thousand-year civilization of China, where would Chinese characteristics come from? Without Chinese characteristics, how could we have the successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that we have today?”[8]8 “中国向何处去” (Zhōngguó xiàng hé chù qù) is a historical question posed during China’s modern crisis, famously addressed by Mao Zedong in his 1940 essay “On New Democracy.” The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics insists on taking Chinese civilization as a resource for development, forging a cultural development form with Chinese characteristics through upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, and creating a paradigm of civilizational development with Chinese characteristics through exchange and mutual learning. At present, “changes of the world, of the times, and of history are unfolding in ways like never before,”[9]9 “四个不是” (sì gè bù shì) refers to the four negations listed in the paragraph, a formulation Xi Jinping used to emphasize the uniqueness of Chinese-path modernization. and the world’s uncertainty and instability have markedly increased, with human society facing unprecedented challenges. This urgently requires new value concepts that meet the demands of the times to build consensus, guide direction, find the right path, and achieve good governance. The Chinese path fully respects the diversity of human civilizations, consistently upholding the principle of “replacing civilizational estrangement with civilizational exchange, replacing civilizational clashes with civilizational mutual learning, and replacing civilizational superiority with civilizational coexistence,” and insisting on resolving the “clash of civilizations” theory through civilizational exchange and integration. In the process of answering the basic picture, internal mechanisms, and evolutionary paths of the origin, formation, and development of Chinese civilization, the Chinese path comprehensively grasps material, spiritual, and social relational forms, deepening the understanding of the pluralistic and integrated pattern of Chinese civilization through the combination of historical and theoretical thinking. It has made original contributions to the study of the origins of world civilizations, provided important resources for humanity to gain insight into the future by looking back at history, and fully demonstrated the broad human vision of the Chinese path and its world significance of seeking common good for mankind.

习近平指出：“如果没有中华五千年文明，哪里有什么中国特色？如果不是中国特色，哪有我们今天这么成功的中国特色社会主义道路？”[8]中国特色社会主义道路坚持以中华文明为发展资源，在守正创新中造就了中国特色的文化发展形态，在交流互鉴中创造了中国特色文明发展范式。当前，“世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开”[9]，世界的不确定性、不稳定性明显增强，人类社会面临前所未有的挑战。这迫切需要符合时代要求的新的价值理念来凝聚共识、引领方向、找准道路、实现善治。中国道路充分尊重人类文明多样性，始终秉持“以文明交流超越文明隔阂、以文明互鉴超越文明冲突、以文明共存超越文明优越”，坚持以文明交流交融破解“文明冲突论”。中国道路在回答中华文明起源、形成、发展的基本图景、内在机制以及各区域文明演进路径的过程中综合把握物质、精神和社会关系形态，在历史思维与理论思维的结合中深化了中华文明多元一体格局，为世界文明起源研究作出了原创性贡献，为当下人类在回溯历史中洞察未来提供了重要资源，充分彰显了中国道路宽广的人类视野和为人类谋大同的世界意义。

III. The Future Development of the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

三、中国特色社会主义道路的未来发展

The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is an autonomous path oriented toward the world, the future, and modernization. It has profoundly changed the destiny of China’s development and also profoundly influences the pattern of world development and the historical process of human society. Forward-looking reflection on the future direction of the Chinese path embodies three major perspectives: subjective consciousness, historical initiative, and international vision.

中国特色社会主义道路是面向世界、面向未来、面向现代化的自主性道路，深刻改变了中国发展的前途命运，也深刻影响着世界发展格局和人类社会发展的历史进程。前瞻思考中国道路的未来走向，体现主体性意识、历史主动和国际视野三大视角。

(1) Strengthening Subjective Consciousness amid Changes Unseen in a Century

(一)在百年未有之大变局中增强主体性意识

Since modern times, in response to the era’s question of “where is China going,” “countless people with lofty ideals stepped forward one after another, tirelessly exploring, seeking the path to save the country and the people, yet for a long time they all ended in regret.”[10]10 “人民是历史的创造者” (rénmín shì lìshǐ de chuàngzàozhě) is a core tenet of historical materialism, frequently cited in CPC discourse to justify the mass line. The Communist Party of China led the people onto the correct path of socialism, pointed out the forward direction of socialism and communism, clarified the historical mission and path choice for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and successfully opened up and advanced a development path suited to China’s national conditions. Rooted in China’s questions, the world’s questions, the people’s questions, and the era’s questions, the Chinese path continuously outlines a new picture of economy, politics, culture, society, and ecology with the characteristics of socialist modernization through its own development, creating the real world of the Chinese people and contemporary humanity in the interaction of thought, theory, and practice. Unswervingly adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics—this strategic resolve comes from theoretical clarity. We clearly recognize that the great social transformation in contemporary China “is not a simple continuation of the master copy of our historical culture, not a simple application of the template envisioned by classical Marxist writers, not a reprint of the socialist practices of other countries, and not a copy of the modernization development of foreign countries.”[11] (Public Account: Marxist Theory Research) These four “nots” fully indicate that Chinese-path modernization is a socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics, and fully indicate that Chinese-path modernization is a process combining theoretical innovation and practical innovation. China is a large developing country, still in the primary stage of socialism, and its path, theory, system, and culture all await further deepening and improvement. Facing the future, the Chinese path insists on placing national and ethnic development on the basis of its own strength. This requires us to deeply grasp the universality, particularity, and developmental nature of Chinese-path modernization, enhance the subjective consciousness and historical awareness of exploring the Chinese path, firmly establish China’s autonomous stance in the process of comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, insist on taking our own path independently, and firmly hold the fate of China’s development and progress in our own hands.

近代以来，面对“中国向何处去”这一时代之问，“无数志士仁人前仆后继、不懈探索，寻找救国救民道路，却在很长时间内都抱憾而终”[10]。中国共产党领导人民走上了社会主义的正确道路，指明了社会主义和共产主义的前进方向，明确了实现中华民族伟大复兴的历史使命和路径选择，成功开辟并推进了适合中国国情的发展道路。立足中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问，中国道路以自身发展不断勾勒出具有社会主义现代化特征的经济、政治、文化、社会和生态的全新图景，在思想、理论和实践的互动中创造着中国人民和当代人类的现实世界。坚定不移走中国特色社会主义道路，这一战略定力来自理论清醒。我们清醒地认识到当代中国伟大社会变革，“不是简单延续我国历史文化的母版，不是简单套用马克思主义经典作家设想的模板，不是其他国家社会主义实践的再版，也不是国外现代化发展的翻版”[11]。（公众号：马克思主义理论研究）这四个“不是”充分表明中国式现代化是具有中国特色的社会主义的现代化，充分表明中国式现代化是理论创新和实践创新相结合的过程。我国是一个发展中大国，仍处于社会主义初级阶段，道路、理论、制度、文化等都还有待于进一步深化和完善。面向未来，中国道路坚持把国家和民族发展放在自己力量的基点上。这要求我们深刻把握中国式现代化的普遍性、特殊性、发展性，增强中国道路探索的主体意识和历史自觉，在全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的过程中坚定中国自主性立场，坚持独立自主走自己的路，把中国发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中。

(2) Enhancing Historical Initiative amid the Complex and Changing World Landscape

(二)在纷繁复杂的世界格局中增强历史主动

Xi Jinping points out: “The national conditions and mission of carrying out revolution and construction in such a large Eastern country with a huge population and backward economy and culture determine that we can only take our own path.”[12] The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is not only a carrier of the subjective stance of Chinese civilization but also an important carrier for creating a new form of human civilization. It has an incomparably broad stage of the times, incomparably deep historical foundations, and incomparably strong forward resolve. Advancing the exploration of the Chinese path on the new journey must be based both on Chinese soil and on a vision for humanity’s future, deeply grasping the historical mission of the Chinese path and deeply grasping the arduousness and complexity of exploring the Chinese path. From the perspective of the historical mission of the Chinese path, the exploration of the Chinese path must both achieve happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and achieve progress for humanity and common good for the world. “The people are the creators of history and the fundamental force determining the future and destiny of the Party and the country.”[13] The Chinese path must firmly stand on the people’s side, adhere to a people-centered development thought, insist on a problem-oriented approach and strengthen problem awareness, enhance historical initiative amid the complex and changing world landscape, win historical initiative in the logic of historical progress, closely rely on the masses of the people to create new historical achievements and promote Chinese civilization to the world, continuously enrich and develop new forms of human civilization through the practical, theoretical, institutional, and cultural forms of the Chinese path, and better lead the progress and development of human civilization.

习近平指出：“在中国这样一个人口众多和经济文化落后的东方大国进行革命和建设的国情与使命，决定了我们只能走自己的路。”[12]中国特色社会主义道路既是中华文明主体立场的道路载体，也是开创人类文明新形态的重要载体，具有无比广阔的时代舞台、无比深厚的历史底蕴、无比强大的前进定力。在新的征程上推进中国道路的探索必须既立足中华大地又放眼人类未来，深刻把握中国道路的历史使命，深刻把握中国道路探索的艰巨性和复杂性。从中国道路的历史使命来看，中国道路探索既要实现为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴，又要实现为人类谋进步、为世界谋大同。“人民是历史的创造者，是决定党和国家前途命运的根本力量。”[13]中国道路必须站稳人民立场，坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，坚持问题导向、强化问题意识，在纷繁复杂的世界格局中增强历史主动，在历史前进的逻辑中赢得历史主动，紧紧依靠人民群众创造新的历史伟业、推动中华文明走向世界，以中国道路的实践、理论、制度、文化形态不断丰富和发展人类文明的新形态，更好引领人类文明的进步和发展。

(3) Building a Chinese Discourse and Narrative System by Expanding International Vision

(三)在拓展国际视野中构建中国话语和中国叙事体系

Modernization, as a trend in world history, prompts various countries and nations to continuously explore plans and pathways to achieve it. Mao Zedong once proposed that “China ought to make greater contributions to humanity.”[14] The practice of the Chinese path proves that China has the ability to contribute to the world. On the road ahead, the Chinese path insists on combining confidence and self-reliance with a global vision, continuously expanding international vision, and constructing Chinese theories and discourse that reflect the diversity of world civilizations and new forms of human civilization. On the one hand, it builds a discourse system for the Chinese path. Closely centering on socialist modernization and Chinese-path modernization, it constructs a Chinese discourse and narrative system, and continuously promotes adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times through building a discourse system for the Chinese path. It not only promotes the innovative transformation and creative development of fine traditional Chinese culture through the deep integration of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional Chinese culture (Public Account: Marxist Theory Research), but also promotes Chinese culture and Chinese spirit onto the world historical stage through Chinese-path modernization, enabling China to further move toward the world through civilizational exchange and mutual learning, and presenting the image of a civilized power in the international community. On the other hand, it builds the international discursive power of the Chinese path. Closely centering on major theoretical and practical issues in the development of human society, it refines value concepts and theoretical propositions that embody China’s stance and wisdom. It explains China’s practice, China’s theory, China’s system, and China’s culture to the world, continuously enhancing the influence and recognition of the Chinese path in the international community, and forming an international discursive power commensurate with China’s comprehensive national strength and international status. In this way, through the interweaving and integration of tradition and modernity, China and the world, and the present and the future, it continuously strengthens the communication power and influence of Chinese civilization; spreads China’s voice and tells the story of Chinese-path modernization in the international community, better presenting to the world the profound historical heritage and innovative value of the Chinese path, demonstrating the charm of Chinese civilization and the core of the Chinese spirit, and continuously contributing Chinese strength and Chinese solutions to the progress and development of human civilization.

现代化作为世界历史的发展趋势，世界上各个国家和民族不断探索走向现代化的方案和途径。毛泽东曾经提出，“中国应当对于人类有较大的贡献”[14]。中国道路的实践证明，中国有能力为世界作出贡献。前进路上，中国道路坚持自信自立与胸怀天下相结合，不断拓展国际视野，建构体现世界文明多样性和人类新文明的中国理论和话语。一方面，打造中国道路的话语体系。紧紧围绕社会主义现代化建设和中国式现代化构建中国话语和中国叙事体系，以构建中国道路话语体系不断推动马克思主义中国化时代化。既以马克思主义同中国具体实际、中华优秀传统文化的深入结合推动中华优秀传统文化创新性转化、创造性发展，（公众号：马克思主义理论研究）又以中国式现代化推动中华文化和中国精神走向世界历史舞台，在文明的交流互鉴中使中国进一步走向世界，在国际社会展现文明大国形象。另一方面，构建中国道路的国际话语权。紧紧围绕人类社会发展的重大理论和现实问题，提炼体现中国立场和智慧的价值理念及理论主张。向世界阐释中国实践、中国理论、中国制度和中国文化，不断提高中国道路在国际社会的影响力和认同度，形成同我国综合国力和国际地位相匹配的国际话语权。如此，在传统与现代、中国与世界、当下与未来的交织融合中不断增强中华文明传播力影响力；在国际社会传播中国声音、讲好中国式现代化故事，更好向世界展现中国道路的深厚历史底蕴和创新价值，展示中华文明的魅力和中国精神的内核，不断为人类文明发展进步贡献中国力量和中国方案。

(Author’s bio: Zhao Yong, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Marxism, East China Normal University)

（作者简介：赵勇，华东师范大学马克思主义学院教授，博士生导师）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心