The Certainty of the Development of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

Beginning with the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, socialism with Chinese characteristics entered a New Era. China is undergoing extensive and profound changes. Facing an increasingly complex international situation, China has adjusted its plans in a timely manner, ensuring that the development goals of all regions and departments remain highly consistent with the strategic objectives proposed by the Communist Party of China. I believe that the Communist Party of China, by leading the people through the Chinese-characteristic governance model to overcome structural and practical challenges, will surely complete the building of a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century.

从中国共产党的十八大开始，中国特色社会主义进入新时代。中国正在经历广泛而深刻的变革。面对日益复杂的国际形势，中国及时调整规划，确保各地区各部门的发展目标与中国共产党提出的战略目标保持高度一致。我相信，中国共产党通过中国特色治理模式带领人民克服结构性和实际性挑战，定会在本世纪中叶全面建成社会主义现代化强国。

Certainty in the Face of Uncertainty

面对不确定性的确定性

A notable feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the integration of theory with practice, consistently prioritizing the well-being of the Chinese people. The high-quality national planning system has enabled China to achieve a series of globally remarkable development accomplishments. On February 25, 2021, at the National Conference on Summarizing and Commending the Fight against Poverty, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared that China had achieved a "complete victory in the fight against poverty" and "completed the arduous task of eliminating absolute poverty." It is noteworthy that the goals and practices of national development planning change over time and are further advanced in accordance with China's democratization process. At the National People's Congress and local people's congresses at all levels, people's deputies reflect the voices of the masses and the difficult issues of people's livelihoods, contributing constructive opinions to the plans. The National Congress of the Communist Party of China, held every five years, demonstrates the decision-making process of China's scientific development planning. Starting from both internal and external environments, the National Congress of the Communist Party of China establishes the path that China must follow to build a modern socialist country in all respects. Considering that the internal and external environments frequently change, it is necessary for China to adjust previously established action plans at critical moments. The main tasks of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference include reviewing and determining the inevitability and necessity of policy adjustments, ensuring that the government completes planning goals and tasks with high quality.

中国特色社会主义的一个显著特征就是将理论与实践相结合，始终把中国人民的福祉放在首位。高质量的国家规划体系让中国获得了一系列令全球瞩目的发展成就。2021年2月25日，习近平总书记在全国脱贫攻坚总结表彰大会上庄严宣告，中国“脱贫攻坚战取得了全面胜利”，“完成了消除绝对贫困的艰巨任务”。值得注意的是，国家发展规划的目标和实践会随着时间的推移而变化，并根据中国的民主化进程进一步推进。在全国人民代表大会和地方各级人民代表大会上，人民代表反映群众心声和民生难题，并为规划贡献建设性意见。每五年举行一次的中国共产党全国代表大会，展现了中国科学发展规划的决策过程。中国共产党全国代表大会从内外部环境出发，确立中国全面建设社会主义现代化国家必须遵循的道路。考虑到内外部环境经常发生变化，在关键时刻，中国有必要对先前确立的行动方案做出调整。全国人民代表大会和中国人民政治协商会议的主要任务包括审查、确定政策调整的必然性和必要性，确保政府高质量完成规划目标和任务。

It is only through long-term effort that socialism with Chinese characteristics has achieved its present brilliant accomplishments. Currently, the world faces a complex and sensitive international situation, increasingly intractable environmental problems, and arduous and heavy tasks of technological transformation. Facing the "uncertainty" of the macro-environment, China has turned to seeking the "certainty" of its own development. The report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out: "This New Era is an era of building on past achievements to forge ahead into the future, and continuing under new historical conditions to win the great victory of socialism with Chinese characteristics; it is an era of securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and then building a great modern socialist country in all respects." [1]1 The 19th National Congress of the CPC was held in October 2017. The quoted passage defines the "New Era" for socialism with Chinese characteristics. Entering the New Era, China is comprehensively building a modern socialist country in all respects and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation around multiple aspects. China has also presented to the international community development goals and action plans that embody the characteristics of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

经过长期努力，中国特色社会主义才有了今天的辉煌成就。目前，全球面临着复杂敏感的国际局势、日益棘手的环境问题和艰巨繁重的技术转型任务。面对宏观环境的“不确定性”，中国转向寻找自身发展的“确定性”。中国共产党的十九大报告指出，“这个新时代，是承前启后、继往开来、在新的历史条件下继续夺取中国特色社会主义伟大胜利的时代，是决胜全面建成小康社会、进而全面建设社会主义现代化强国的时代”。进入新时代，中国围绕多个方面全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。中国还向国际社会展示了体现中国特色社会主义特征的发展目标和行动方案。

Building the Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation

建设中华民族现代文明

China will continue to improve people's livelihoods and enhance their well-being. The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out: "This country is its people; the people are the country," and "we must ensure and improve people's livelihoods through development, encourage joint efforts to create a better life, and steadily realize the people's aspiration for a better life." [2]2 The 20th National Congress of the CPC was held in October 2022. "This country is its people; the people are the country" (江山就是人民，人民就是江山) is a slogan emphasizing the people-centered nature of the Party. For many years, China has promoted common prosperity on the basis of maintaining the achievements of livelihood construction. For example, it continuously tracks changes in national purchasing power to consolidate the achievements of poverty reduction. The Chinese government also recognizes that national development requires not only improving the economic and social conditions of the poor population but also comprehensively enhancing the quality of life of the people. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the distribution system, increase the income of low-income groups, and expand the middle-income group. Specific measures to achieve this goal include improving the individual income tax system, perfecting the social security system, enhancing the quality of public services, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of women, children, and people with disabilities. Regardless of a country's development period or stage, a healthy population is always the foundation of national strength. In this regard, China prioritizes the protection of people's health in its strategic development, improving policies to promote people's health. Specific measures include advancing the Healthy China initiative, perfecting the basic medical insurance system, deepening the reform of public hospitals, and optimizing epidemic prevention and control measures and treatment systems. High-quality development aims to encourage joint efforts to create a better life and steadily realize the people's aspiration for a better life. Improving the employment promotion mechanism, perfecting the public employment service system, coordinating urban and rural employment policy systems, and stabilizing employment positions in key industries and small and medium-sized enterprises all benefit the people. In the long term, China's employment opportunities and quality will steadily improve, the economy will achieve sustainable growth, and society will develop harmoniously and stably.

中国将持续改善民生，增进人民福祉。中国共产党的二十大报告指出，“江山就是人民，人民就是江山”，“必须坚持在发展中保障和改善民生，鼓励共同奋斗创造美好生活，不断实现人民对美好生活的向往”。多年以来，中国在维护民生建设成果的基础上促进共同繁荣。例如，持续跟踪全国购买力变化情况，巩固减贫成果。中国政府还意识到，国家发展不仅需要改善贫困人口的经济社会状况，还要全方位提高人民生活品质。因此，完善分配制度，增加低收入者收入、扩大中等收入群体，就至关重要。实现这一目标的具体措施，包括完善个税制度、健全社会保障体系、提升公共服务质量以及保障妇女儿童和残疾人的合法权益等。无论一个国家处于什么发展时期或发展阶段，健康的人民始终是国家强盛的根基。对此，中国把保障人民健康放在优先发展的战略位置，完善人民健康促进政策。具体措施包括推进健康中国行动、完善基本医疗保险制度、深化公立医院改革、优化疫情防控举措和治疗体系等。高质量发展旨在鼓励共同奋斗创造美好生活，不断实现人民对美好生活的向往。完善就业促进机制、健全就业公共服务体系、统筹城乡就业政策体系、稳定重点行业中小微企业就业岗位等，都让民众从中受益。长期来看，中国的就业机会和质量将稳步提高，经济实现可持续增长，社会和谐稳定发展。

China will strengthen education and cultural development. The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out: "To build a modern socialist country in all respects, we must adhere to the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics, enhance cultural confidence, and build a socialist cultural power around the tasks of raising flags, rallying people's hearts, nurturing new generations, revitalizing culture, and presenting a good image." [3]3 The phrase "raising flags, rallying people's hearts, nurturing new generations, revitalizing culture, and presenting a good image" (举旗帜、聚民心、育新人、兴文化、展形象) is a set of five tasks for building a socialist cultural power, introduced in the 20th National Congress report. Strengthening education and cultural development helps the people adapt to the profound changes of the New Era. Currently, the whole world is actively seeking innovative solutions to break through the bottleneck period of educational reform and development. Successful educational innovation will provide comprehensive vocational education and reemployment training in the context of industrial transformation, enabling young people to acquire professional skills that meet job requirements as much as possible. China has consistently adhered to prioritizing education development, achieving self-reliance in science and technology, and being driven by talent. Specifically, China improves the comprehensive quality and innovative ability of the next generation by integrating educational and technological resources, building a high-quality education system, and improving science education, thereby promoting China's development in the fields of science and technology. The author believes that "integration" is the entry point for addressing future educational challenges. Whether in rural or urban areas, improving teaching quality is crucial. The government should systematically track and evaluate the teaching methods and curriculum design of teaching personnel, ensuring they fully adapt to the rapid development of technology and the ensuing social changes. Building a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and promoting the excellent traditional Chinese culture are key elements in promoting development in the New Era.

中国将加强教育和文化建设。中国共产党的二十大报告指出，“全面建设社会主义现代化国家，必须坚持中国特色社会主义文化发展道路，增强文化自信，围绕举旗帜、聚民心、育新人、兴文化、展形象建设社会主义文化强国”。加强教育和文化建设有助于让人民适应新时代的深刻变革。目前，全世界都在为突破教育改革发展的瓶颈期积极寻求创新方案。成功的教育创新将在产业转型的背景下提供完善的职业教育和再就业培训，让年轻人掌握的专业技能尽可能满足岗位需求。中国自始至终坚持教育优先发展、科技自立自强、人才引领驱动。具体来看，中国通过整合教育和科技资源、建设高质量的教育体系、改进科学教育来提升下一代的综合素质和创新能力，推动中国在科学和技术领域的发展。笔者认为，“融合”是应对未来教育挑战的切入点。无论是在农村还是城市地区，提高教学质量都至关重要。政府应当系统性地跟踪评估教学人员的教学方法与课程设计，确保其充分适应科技的飞速发展和随之而来的社会变革。建设中国特色社会主义文化、弘扬中华优秀传统文化是促进新时代发展的关键要素之一。

On June 2, 2023, at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping issued a call: "I hope everyone will shoulder their mission, work hard and effectively, and jointly strive to create a new culture belonging to our era and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation!" [4]4 The Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development (文化传承发展座谈会) was a high-level meeting in June 2023 focused on promoting Chinese traditional culture and building a modern Chinese civilization. Thus, culture is an important pathway to improving the comprehensive quality of the people and building a modern country. Enhancing the cultural confidence of all ethnic groups in China requires the state to formulate comprehensive plans for the prosperity of cultural undertakings and industries, perfect the modern public cultural service system, and stimulate the cultural creativity of the entire people. Furthermore, exploring new forms of integrated development between culture and the economy can effectively promote the flourishing of the cultural industry, boost economic prosperity, and enhance the national image and soft power.

2023年6月2日，习近平总书记在文化传承发展座谈会上发出号召，“希望大家担当使命、奋发有为，共同努力创造属于我们这个时代的新文化，建设中华民族现代文明！”由此可见，文化是提高人民综合素质、建设现代化国家的重要途径。增强中国各族人民的文化自信需要国家制定全面的文化事业和产业繁荣计划，健全现代公共文化服务体系，激发全民的文化创造力。此外，探索文化与经济融合发展的新形态，能有效推动文化产业的蓬勃发展，促进经济繁荣，提升国家形象和软实力。

Sharing a Better Future with Humanity

与人类共享美好未来

Facing the complex and intricate international economic situation, China will take strong actions to overcome all difficulties and achieve a double harvest of economic and social benefits. China's construction of a modernized economic system will certainly be realized through high-quality development with a solid material and technological foundation. Specifically, the Chinese government has introduced prudent macroeconomic policies, deepening comprehensive reforms in state-owned enterprises, the financial industry, and the service sector. According to the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China is striving to promote high-quality development from five aspects: building a high-level socialist market economy system, constructing a modern industrial system, comprehensively advancing rural revitalization, promoting coordinated regional development, and advancing high-level opening up. In the New Era, the differences in development levels between countries are particularly reflected in their processes of scientific and technological innovation. To catch up with the world's scientific and technological frontiers, China will solve technical problems in key areas, strengthen the internal market while using innovation-driven development to enhance social productive forces, and support and lead high-quality development with scientific and technological innovation.

面对错综复杂的国际经济形势，中国将采取有力的行动战胜一切困难，实现经济效益和社会效益双丰收。中国建设现代化的经济体系一定会通过具有坚实物质技术基础的高质量发展予以实现。具体来看，中国政府出台了稳健的宏观经济政策，深化国有企业、金融业以及服务业综合改革。根据中国共产党的二十大报告，中国正在从构建高水平社会主义市场经济体制、建设现代化产业体系、全面推进乡村振兴、促进区域协调发展、推进高水平对外开放五个方面着力推动高质量发展。在新时代，各个国家的发展水平差异尤其体现在各国的科技创新过程当中。为追赶世界科技前沿，中国将解决关键领域的技术难题，在强化内部市场的同时用创新驱动来提高社会生产力，以科技创新支撑引领高质量发展。

China advances the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasizes that “Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature.” Comprehensively and systematically optimizing the industrial structure, advancing pollution prevention and control, and promoting the development of green and low-carbon industries are of great significance to the sustainable development of both China and the world. The Chinese government attaches great importance to adjusting the energy structure and accelerating transformation and upgrading, gradually phasing out high-energy-consumption and high-pollution industries, not only to promote sustainable energy development but also to thoroughly improve the living environment. To create a prosperous and sustainable world for the next generation, China will continue to fight the battles to protect the blue sky, clear waters, and clean soil, prioritizing the treatment of water, air, and soil pollution. This requires the state to establish a mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products, improve the ecological protection compensation system, and promote the recuperation of grasslands, forests, rivers, lakes, and wetlands on the basis of minimizing environmental damage, thereby fostering a virtuous cycle of the ecosystem.

中国推进人与自然和谐共生。中国共产党的二十大报告强调，“中国式现代化是人与自然和谐共生的现代化”。全面系统地优化产业结构、推进污染防治、促进绿色低碳产业发展，对中国和全球的可持续发展事业都具有重大意义。中国政府对调整能源结构、加快转型升级给予高度重视，逐步淘汰高耗能、高污染产业，不仅是为了推动能源可持续发展，更是要彻底改善人居环境。为了给下一代创造一个繁荣且可持续的世界，中国将持续打好蓝天、碧水、净土保卫战，优先推进水、大气和土壤污染治理。这就需要国家建立生态产品价值实现机制、完善生态保护补偿制度，在最大限度减少环境破坏的基础上推行草原森林河流湖泊湿地休养生息，促进生态系统良性循环。

China will adhere to the path of peaceful development to realize Chinese-path modernization. Under the leadership of the CPC, the people of all ethnic groups in China are united, adhere to the One-China principle, resolutely safeguard national unity, and remain vigilant against separatist acts. In today’s world, only peaceful development is the most effective means to achieve development goals. To achieve this, it is necessary to establish a strong strategic deterrence force system to safeguard national sovereignty. Unfortunately, some countries have yet to realize that this system is a prerequisite for resolving differences and disputes between nations through dialogue and consultation in a peaceful manner. In contrast, China, on the one hand, pursues a defense policy that is defensive in nature, advances the modernization of national defense and the armed forces, and safeguards its own national sovereignty, security, and development interests. On the other hand, China will continue to promote international peace and cooperation, advocate for the resolution of disputes through friendly consultation and negotiation among all parties, and make greater contributions to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world. Faced with the current “chaotic state” of global governance, sincere and serious diplomatic dialogue between countries is needed to jointly maintain peace and stability. The Chinese government correctly and forcefully articulated this truth in the *Global Security Initiative Concept Paper* released on February 21, 2023.

中国将坚持走和平发展道路来实现中国式现代化。在中国共产党的领导下，中国各族人民团结一心，坚持一个中国原则，坚决维护祖国统一，对分裂行径时刻保持警惕。在当今世界，只有和平发展才是实现发展目标最有效的手段。要做到这一点，就必须建立一个强有力的战略威慑力量体系来保障国家主权。不幸的是，一些国家尚未意识到该体系是通过对话协商以和平方式解决国家间的分歧和争端的前提条件。相比之下，中国一方面奉行防御性的国防政策，推进国防和军队现代化建设，维护自身国家主权、安全、发展利益。另一方面，中国将继续推动国际和平合作，倡导各方通过友好磋商和谈判解决争议，为地区和世界的和平稳定繁荣作出更大贡献。面对当前全球治理的“混沌状态”，各国之间需要进行真诚、认真的外交对话，携手维护和平稳定。中国政府在2023年2月21日发布的《全球安全倡议概念文件》中正确有力地阐述了这一真理。

Since the New Era, China has demonstrated to the international community the development process of a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful. The author deeply admires China’s ability to overcome difficulties and achieve one victory after another, and is firmly convinced that China will realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the near future. This is because the CPC leads the people in advancing toward the goal of a great modern socialist country and formulates clear plans and policies to guide national development. China also has the broad participation of the people in the process of national construction and development, contributing to the realization of the goal of a great modern socialist country and striving for China to become a leading power in comprehensive national strength and international influence. The achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era not only benefit the country and its people but also benefit the world. The Chinese people are willing to share a better and more equal future with all of humanity.

新时代以来，中国向国际社会展示了一个富强民主文明和谐美丽的社会主义现代化国家的发展历程。笔者对中国克服艰难险阻取得一个又一个胜利佩服不已，对中国在不远的未来实现中华民族伟大复兴深信不疑。这是因为，有中国共产党领导人民向社会主义现代化强国目标迈进，并制定出明确的规划和政策指导国家发展。中国还有广大人民积极参与国家建设和发展进程，为实现社会主义现代化强国目标作贡献，为中国成为综合国力和国际影响力领先的强国而奋斗。新时代中国特色社会主义的成就不但利国利民，更是普惠世界。中国人民愿与全人类共享一个更美好、更平等的未来。

(Author: Ronnie Lins, Director of the Brazil Center for China Studies, Distinguished Research Expert of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies)

（作者：罗尼·林斯（Ronnie Lins），巴西中国问题研究中心主任、当代中国与世界研究院特约研究专家）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心