The Intrinsic Connection and Practical Orientation of Strengthening Historical Confidence and Upholding Ideals and Beliefs

At the Second Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC, Xi Jinping called on all Party comrades to “strengthen historical confidence and consciously uphold ideals and beliefs.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC” (November 11, 2021). This marked the first time our Party has placed strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and beliefs together in a single formulation, and its significance is far-reaching. Strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and beliefs are highly coupled; the goal they aim to achieve is the same—to unify people’s thoughts and actions in the practice of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation—yet their specific meanings differ slightly. Strengthening historical confidence is, on the basis of a scientific understanding of historical laws and trends, a high degree of affirmation of historical achievements attained, historical experience gained, and the spirit of struggle forged, as well as full confidence in the prospects of historical development. Upholding ideals and beliefs means consistently maintaining faith in Marxism, conviction in the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and confidence in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. On the new journey of the examination [2]2 The phrase “on the new journey of the examination” (新的赶考路上) is a metaphor drawn from Mao Zedong’s remark on the eve of the founding of the People’s Republic, comparing the Party’s future tasks to sitting for a new examination., scientifically grasping and deeply reflecting on the intrinsic connection, dynamic role, and practical orientation of strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and beliefs holds important theoretical and practical value for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

习近平在党的十九届六中全会第二次全体会议上号召全党同志“坚定历史自信，自觉坚守理想信念”[1]，这是我们党第一次把坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念放在一起提出来，意义深远。坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念具有高度的耦合性，两者要达到的目的是一致的，即将人们的思想和行动统一到实现中华民族伟大复兴的实践中来，但其具体要义又略有不同。坚定历史自信是在科学认识历史规律和大势基础上，对取得的历史成就、获得的历史经验和形成的奋斗精神等的高度肯定，以及对历史发展前景充满信心。坚守理想信念是始终保持对马克思主义的信仰、对共产主义远大理想和中国特色社会主义共同理想的信念、对实现中华民族伟大复兴的信心。在新的赶考路上，科学把握和深入思考坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念的内在关联、能动作用和实践指向，对实现中华民族伟大复兴具有重要的理论与实践价值。

I. The Intrinsic Connection between Strengthening Historical Confidence and Upholding Ideals and Beliefs

一、坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念的内在关联

Strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and beliefs are rooted in the Party’s century-long history of struggle. The century-long Party history has nurtured and tempered two great spiritual weapons: historical confidence and ideals and beliefs. The two are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Strengthening historical confidence is a high degree of affirmation and a reliable support for ideals and beliefs; upholding ideals and beliefs endows historical confidence with rational self-awareness and the greatest source of confidence, jointly advancing the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念根植于党的百年奋斗史中，百年党史孕育和淬炼出历史自信与理想信念两大精神武器，两者相互联系、互相促进，坚定历史自信是对理想信念的高度肯定和可靠支撑，坚守理想信念赋予历史自信以理性自觉和最大底气，共同推进中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的实现。

(1) Strengthening Historical Confidence Is a High Degree of Affirmation and a Reliable Support for Ideals and Beliefs

（一）坚定历史自信是对理想信念的高度肯定和可靠支撑

The century-long Party history is a history of the struggle for ideals and beliefs. Historical confidence is generated within the century-long historical process of our Party’s pursuit of ideals and beliefs. Strengthening historical confidence is both a high degree of affirmation of ideals and beliefs and a reliable support for them; strengthening historical confidence can reinforce the upholding of ideals and beliefs.

百年党史是一部理想信念奋斗史。历史自信生成于我们党追求理想信念的百年历史进程之中。坚定历史自信既是对理想信念的高度肯定，又是对理想信念的可靠支撑，坚定历史自信能够强化对理想信念的坚守。

Strengthening historical confidence is a high degree of affirmation of ideals and beliefs. “Historical confidence is fundamentally confidence in the laws and trends of historical development.” [2]2 The phrase “on the new journey of the examination” (新的赶考路上) is a metaphor drawn from Mao Zedong’s remark on the eve of the founding of the People’s Republic, comparing the Party’s future tasks to sitting for a new examination. The historical confidence of the Communist Party of China is confidence in the law and trend of historical development—the “two inevitables” [3]3 The “two inevitables” (两个必然) refers to the Marxist thesis that the victory of the bourgeoisie is inevitable and the victory of the proletariat is inevitable, or more commonly, the inevitable collapse of capitalism and the inevitable victory of communism. revealed by Marxism—which “is operating and realizing itself with iron necessity.” [4]4 Karl Marx, Capital, vol. 1, preface to the first German edition. Unlike utopian socialists, who made intuitive judgments about the laws of social development based on simple rationalism or abstract theories of human nature, and who built socialism on subjective fantasies and ethical morality, the classical Marxist writers used historical materialism as a tool to understand the development of human society and surplus value theory as the red thread for analyzing capitalist economic society. Based on an objective, comprehensive, and practical multidimensional perspective, they examined human history, especially capitalist history, scientifically grasped the law and trend of human historical development—the “two inevitables”—scientifically foresaw the beautiful prospect of communism, and laid a solid foundation for historical confidence. The “two inevitables” are the core proposition of Marxism and the very basis for the argument for communism. The history of the Communist Party of China leading the entire people in pursuing the lofty ideal of communism is, in fact, the history of the Communist Party of China leading the entire people in unremitting struggle for the realization of the “two inevitables” and in creating brilliance. To strengthen historical confidence is, in the final analysis, a high degree of affirmation of the gradual verification and continuous realization of the “two inevitables” in the process of pursuing ideals and beliefs. Strengthening historical confidence is also confidence in the historical achievements attained. The brilliant achievements of the Party and the people in their century-long struggle for ideals and beliefs are the most direct and most critical factor in generating historical confidence. Over more than a century, the Communist Party of China has upheld its original aspiration and founding mission, forged ahead with determination, and through practical activities such as revolution, construction, and reform, ultimately transformed the pursuit and upholding of ideals and beliefs into concrete results, writing a remarkable report card. “This century-long report card, remarkable enough to command attention, was written by generation after generation of Chinese Communists with their ideals and faith, forged with their blood and lives, and won with their hard work and dedication.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC” (November 11, 2021). Therefore, reflecting on the present and the future through history, strengthening historical confidence is a high degree of affirmation and full demonstration of the powerful truth-force and practical might inherent in ideals and beliefs.

坚定历史自信是对理想信念的高度肯定。“历史自信根本上是对历史发展规律和大势的自信”[2]，中国共产党的历史自信就是对马克思主义揭示的“两个必然”这一历史发展规律和大势“以铁的必然性发生作用并且正在实现的趋势”[3]82的自信。与空想社会主义者从简单理性或抽象人性论出发对社会发展历史规律进行直觉判断，以及将社会主义建立在主观臆想和伦理道德之上不同，马克思主义经典作家以唯物史观作为洞悉人类社会发展的工具，以剩余价值理论作为透析资本主义经济社会的红线，立足客观、全面、实践等多维立体视角，对人类历史尤其是资本主义历史进行审视，科学把握了“两个必然”这一人类历史发展的规律和趋势，科学预见了共产主义的美好图景，奠定了历史自信的坚实根基。“两个必然”是马克思主义的核心命题，更是共产主义的立论依据，中国共产党带领全国人民追求共产主义远大理想的历史其实就是中国共产党带领全体人民为实现“两个必然”而不懈奋斗并创造辉煌的历史。坚定历史自信说到底就是对追求理想信念过程中“两个必然”的逐渐确证和不断实现的高度肯定。坚定历史自信还是对取得的历史成就的自信，党和人民追求理想信念百年奋斗取得的辉煌成就是生成历史自信最为直接最为关键的因素。百余年来，中国共产党坚守初心、砥砺前行，通过革命、建设、改革等实践活动最终将对理想信念的追求和坚守转化为现实成果，书写出令人刮目相看的成绩单，“这份令人刮目相看的百年成绩单，是一代又一代中国共产党人用理想和信仰书写的，用鲜血和生命铸就的，用拼搏和奉献赢得的”[1]。因此，以历史映照现实和未来，坚定历史自信就是对理想信念蕴含的强大真理力量、实践伟力的高度肯定和充分展现。

Strengthening historical confidence is a reliable support for ideals and beliefs. As a spiritual pillar, ideals and beliefs belong to the category of ideology. The form of ideals and beliefs is subjective, but the content of ideals and beliefs, as well as the process by which our Party upholds and pursues them, is objectively existent. The century-long Party history is a history of the struggle for ideals and beliefs. At the macro level, the century-long Party history records the glorious footprints of our Party’s pursuit of ideals and beliefs as it forges ahead. It uses the original aspiration and founding mission as the main thread to connect the evolutionary logic of ideals and beliefs inherent in the century-long Party history, enabling people to clearly understand the historical context of where the ideals and beliefs of the Communist Party of China came from and where they are going, the historical requirements of why ideals and beliefs must be upheld and how to uphold them, and to clarify the specific content and contemporary manifestations of our Party’s ideals and beliefs in different historical periods. At the micro level, the century-long Party history also records historical events that occurred, heroic figures who emerged, and great spirits that were nurtured in the process of our Party’s pursuit of ideals and beliefs. It uses historical facts to confirm the immense power of upholding ideals and beliefs, enabling people to most directly and most vividly feel the tremendous efforts and great achievements our Party has made to realize the communist ideal and belief. It uses historical memory to evoke people’s collective recollection of our Party’s pursuit of ideals and beliefs. Through diachronic longitudinal comparison, it highlights the abundance and advanced nature of the historical achievements of our Party’s century-long struggle compared to other periods; through synchronic horizontal comparison, it highlights the difficulty and arduousness of the historical achievements of our Party’s century-long struggle compared to other countries and nations, thereby strengthening people’s emotional identification and value resonance with the communist cause, and thus providing reliable support for upholding ideals and beliefs. Learning from history to increase confidence means precisely to strengthen confidence in the Party’s century-long history of struggle by consolidating the memory and understanding of it, thereby enhancing faith in Marxism, conviction in communism and socialism, and confidence in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

坚定历史自信是对理想信念的可靠支撑。理想信念作为一种精神支柱，属于意识形态范畴，理想信念的形式是主观的，但是理想信念的内容以及我们党坚守和追求理想信念的过程是客观存在的。百年党史是一部理想信念奋斗史。百年党史从宏观层面记录了我们党追求理想信念砥砺前进的光辉足迹，以初心使命为主线串联起理想信念内蕴于百年党史的演化逻辑，使人们清楚地认识到中国共产党的理想信念从何而来和去向何处的历史脉络、为什么要坚守理想信念和如何坚守理想信念的历史要求，明确我们党的理想信念在不同历史时期的具体内容和现实表征。百年党史还从微观层面记录了我们党在追求理想信念的过程中发生的历史事件、涌现的英雄人物、孕育的伟大精神等，以历史事实印证坚守理想信念的巨大力量，使人们能够最直观、最真切地感受到我们党为实现共产主义理想信念而付出的巨大努力和取得的巨大成就；以历史记忆唤起人们对我们党追求理想信念的集体回忆，通过历时性的纵向比较，彰显出我们党百年奋斗取得的历史成就较之于其他时期的丰硕性与先进性，通过共时性的横向比较，彰显出我们党百年奋斗取得的历史成就较之于其他国家和民族的艰难性与不易性，从而强化人们对共产主义事业的情感认同和价值共鸣，进而为坚守理想信念提供可靠支撑。学史增信就是要通过铸牢对党的百年奋斗史的记忆和认识等以坚定对党的百年奋斗史的自信，从而增强对马克思主义的信仰、对共产主义和社会主义的信念、对中华民族伟大复兴的信心。

(2) Upholding Ideals and Beliefs Endows Historical Confidence with Rational Self-Awareness and the Greatest Source of Confidence

（二）坚守理想信念赋予历史自信以理性自觉和最大底气

The Communist Party of China is a party armed with common ideals and beliefs. Ideals and beliefs determine the fundamental direction and value pursuit of our Party’s century-long struggle. Upholding ideals and beliefs can consolidate the rational self-awareness of historical confidence and endow it with the greatest source of confidence, thereby radiating an even more steadfast historical confidence.

中国共产党是以共同理想信念武装起来的政党，理想信念决定了我们党百年奋斗的根本方向和价值追求。对理想信念的坚守可以夯实历史自信的理性自觉和赋予历史自信以最大底气，从而焕发出更加坚定的历史自信。

Upholding ideals and beliefs consolidates the rational consciousness of historical confidence. “Historical cognition is an important foundation for historical confidence.”[4]4 Karl Marx, Capital, vol. 1, preface to the first German edition.546 Strengthening historical confidence means, on the basis of correctly understanding history, drawing historical wisdom, mastering historical initiative, and creating historical achievements. Therefore, it is a rational consciousness built on scientific understanding and deep reflection. This rational consciousness of historical confidence cannot be separated from adherence to and pursuit of scientific truth. “The communists’ pursuit of ideals is the pursuit of truth.”[5]5 “Two inevitables” (两个必然): Refers to the Marxist thesis that the bourgeoisie will inevitably fall and the proletariat will inevitably triumph, as stated in the *Communist Manifesto*. The ideals and beliefs of the Communist Party of China are founded on the scientific truth of Marxism, and faith in the scientific truth of Marxism is the prerequisite for consolidating the cognitive foundation of historical confidence. Marxist scientific truth not only reveals the historical law and general trend of human social development—the “two inevitables”[n1]—but also outlines the beautiful blueprint of communism, providing fundamental guidance and scientific direction for people to create history. Historical materialism and materialist dialectics, as the fundamental methods by which the Communist Party of China understands and transforms the world, further provide methodological guidance for drawing historical wisdom, grasping historical initiative, and creating historical achievements. Over the past century and more, the Communist Party of China’s scientific grasp of historical laws and deep insight into historical trends have all been carried out under the guidance of Marxist scientific truth. “In the course of a century of struggle, our Party has always used the basic principles of Marxism to analyze and grasp historical trends, correctly handle the relationship between China and the world, and be adept at seizing and making good use of various historical opportunities.”[4]4 Karl Marx, Capital, vol. 1, preface to the first German edition.510 Actively drawing historical wisdom and always mastering historical initiative, it ultimately created great achievements worthy of the times and the people. This gave the Chinese people’s historical confidence not only a theoretical basis but also practical support, achieving an organic unity of theoretical rationality and factual legitimacy, and consolidating the rational consciousness of strengthening historical confidence.

坚守理想信念夯实历史自信的理性自觉。“历史认知是历史自信的重要基础”[4]546，坚定历史自信就是要在正确认识历史的基础上，汲取历史智慧、掌握历史主动、创造历史成就，因此，它是建立在科学认识和深刻思考基础上的理性自觉。历史自信的这种理性自觉离不开对科学真理的坚持与追求。“共产党人对理想的追求就是对真理的追求”[5]，中国共产党的理想信念建立在马克思主义科学真理的基础之上，对马克思主义科学真理的信仰是夯实历史自信之认知基础的前提条件。马克思主义科学真理不仅揭示了“两个必然”这一人类社会发展的历史规律和大势，还勾勒出共产主义的美好蓝图，为人们创造历史提供了根本遵循和科学指引。唯物史观和唯物辩证法作为中国共产党认识世界和改造世界的根本方法，更是为汲取历史智慧和把握历史主动以创造历史成就等提供了方法论指导。百余年来，中国共产党对历史规律的科学把握和历史大势的深刻洞察都是在马克思主义科学真理的指导下进行的，“在一百年的奋斗中，我们党始终以马克思主义基本原理分析把握历史大势，正确处理中国和世界的关系，善于抓住和用好各种历史机遇”[4]510，积极汲取历史智慧和始终掌握历史主动，最终创造出无愧于时代、无愧于人民的丰功伟绩，使得中国人民的历史自信不仅有了理论依据，而且有了实践支撑，实现了理论上的合理性和事实上的正当性的有机统一，夯实了坚定历史自信的理性自觉。

Upholding ideals and beliefs endows historical confidence with its greatest source of strength. As a Marxist political party, the Communist Party of China has always stood on the side of all humanity, striving to explore the path to human happiness. “For a hundred years, our Party has been dedicated to seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and to pursuing progress for humanity and common harmony for the world. The world is for the common good; this is the righteous path under heaven. This is the greatest source of strength for our Party’s historical confidence, the historical confidence for our Party to govern and govern long-term in China, and also the historical confidence for our Party to unite and lead the people to continue advancing.”[4]4 Karl Marx, Capital, vol. 1, preface to the first German edition.545-546 Seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, as our Party’s original aspiration and founding mission, is the concentrated expression of ideals and beliefs; pursuing progress for humanity and common harmony for the world is the logical necessity of our Party’s practice of its original aspiration and founding mission, manifesting our Party’s lofty ideal and far-reaching ambition of “liberating all humanity.” Communism is both an ideal social form that humanity yearns for and pursues, and it reveals the scientific path to achieving humanity’s complete liberation and true freedom and equality. The communist ideal has a high degree of internal consistency with “the world is for the common good, and great harmony under heaven.” The communist path is the righteous path under heaven to realize “the world is for the common good, and great harmony under heaven.” “In the words of Chinese philosophy, it is called the path of the world for the common good and great harmony under heaven; in terms of historical materialism’s theory of the development of social formations, this is the path of human liberation, the path of communism.”[6]6 “The world is for the common good, and great harmony under heaven” (天下为公，世界大同): A classical Chinese ideal from the *Book of Rites* (*Liji*), often invoked by the CPC to describe the ultimate goal of communism in culturally resonant terms.151 Faith in communism enables our Party’s original aspiration and founding mission to advance along the correct path and achieve tangible results, making “the world is for the common good, and great harmony under heaven” no longer a beautiful vision停留在 ideological层面 but a possibility with realization. It has won the heartfelt support and broad endorsement of the masses for our Party’s governance and long-term governance, confirmed the correct direction and scientific path for the Party to unite and lead the people forward, and endowed our Party with the greatest source of strength for strengthening historical confidence.

坚守理想信念赋予历史自信以最大底气。作为马克思主义政党，中国共产党始终站在全人类的立场，致力探索人类幸福之路。“一百年来，我们党致力于为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴，致力于为人类谋进步、为世界谋大同，天下为公，人间正道，这是我们党具有历史自信的最大底气，是我们党在中国执政并长期执政的历史自信，也是我们党团结带领人民继续前进的历史自信。”[4]545-546为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴作为我们党的初心使命，是理想信念的集中体现；为人类谋进步、为世界谋大同是我们党践行初心使命的逻辑必然，彰显出我们党“解放全人类”的崇高理想和远大抱负。共产主义既是人类向往与追求的理想社会形态，又揭示了实现人类彻底解放与真正自由平等的科学道路，共产主义理想与“天下为公，世界大同”具有高度的内在一致性，共产主义道路是实现“天下为公，世界大同”的人间正道，“用中国哲学的话说，叫天下为公、世界大同之路，用历史唯物主义关于社会形态发展理论来说，这是人类解放之路、是共产主义道路”[6]151。对共产主义的信仰使我们党的初心使命沿着正确的道路不断前进并取得实效，使“天下为公、世界大同”不再是停留在思想层面的美好愿景而具有了实现的可能性，既为我们党执政并长期执政赢得了广大人民群众的衷心拥护和广泛支持，又确认了党团结带领人民前进的正确方向和科学道路，赋予了我们党坚定历史自信以最大底气。

II. The Active Role of Strengthening Historical Confidence and Upholding Ideals and Beliefs

二、坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念的能动作用

Whether it is strengthening historical confidence or upholding ideals and beliefs, the goal of both is consistent: the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a great undertaking that spans eras and requires the support of powerful spiritual strength. Historical confidence and ideals and beliefs, as spiritual forms unique to humanity, are the comprehensive result of rational choice, emotional identification, and value judgment formed on the basis of a scientific understanding of the laws and general trends of human social development. They are the exertion of human subjective initiative based on objective laws and play an important role in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

无论是坚定历史自信还是坚守理想信念，两者的目标追求都是一致的，即实现中华民族伟大复兴。中华民族伟大复兴的实现是一项跨时代的伟业，需要强大的精神力量予以支撑。历史自信和理想信念作为人类特有的精神样态，是在科学认识人类社会发展规律和发展大势基础之上形成的理性选择、情感认同和价值判断的综合结果，是立足客观规律基础上的人的主观能动性的发挥，对实现中华民族伟大复兴具有重要作用。

(1) Strengthening Historical Confidence Enhances the Historical Consciousness and Historical Initiative for Realizing the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation

（一）坚定历史自信增强实现中华民族伟大复兴的历史自觉和历史主动

Strengthening historical confidence does not mean resting on one’s laurels and being complacent, but rather enhancing the courage and strength to forge ahead. As the key to whether an excellent answer sheet can be submitted on the new journey of the examination, strengthening historical confidence can win consciousness and initiative for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

坚定历史自信不是躺在功劳簿上沾沾自喜，而是要增强开拓前进的勇气和力量。坚定历史自信作为新的赶考路上能否交出优异答卷的关键，能够为实现中华民族伟大复兴争得自觉和赢得主动。

Strengthening historical confidence enhances the historical consciousness for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. “Consciousness,” in a general sense, refers to having awareness and thus acting proactively. In Marxist philosophy, consciousness has at least three partially different meanings[7]7 “New journey of the examination” (新的赶考路): A metaphor used by Xi Jinping, drawing on Mao Zedong’s 1949 remark about entering Beijing as “: First, “having consciousness,” meaning the conscious awareness that distinguishes humans from animal instinct. Second, “individual consciousness,” meaning the intentions and purposes of individuals in social activities: “In the domain of social history, what is active are people endowed with consciousness, acting after deliberation or driven by passion, pursuing certain goals; nothing happens without conscious intention or a predetermined purpose.”[8]8 The “new journey of the examination” (新的赶考之路) is a metaphor used by Xi Jinping, recalling Mao Zedong’s 1949 remark that entering Beijing to253 Third, “freedom,” meaning the subject’s understanding of laws and, based on this understanding, foreseeing the future and regulating actions; this is the highest level of human consciousness. Therefore, so-called historical consciousness is established on the basis of a profound understanding of historical laws, combined with the subject’s purposes and intentions to consciously direct and regulate activities, so as to better participate in the process of creating history and thereby propel history forward. Strengthening historical confidence is based on the understanding and grasp of the historical law and general trend of the “two inevitables.” The deeper people’s understanding of historical laws and general trends, the more assured they are in overcoming the conflict and confrontation between historical contingency and necessity, and the more conscious their activities in creating history become. Therefore, strengthening historical confidence can reinforce the cognitive premise of historical consciousness, enabling people to better understand, grasp, and apply laws, thereby prompting them to act and struggle more consciously in the process of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

坚定历史自信增强实现中华民族伟大复兴的历史自觉。“自觉”从一般意义上讲，指自己有所认识而主动去做。在马克思主义哲学中，自觉至少有3种不完全相同的含义[7]：一是“有意识”，即人类区别于动物本能的自觉意识。二是“个体自觉”，即社会活动中的个人意图和目的，“在社会历史领域内进行活动的，是具有意识的、经过思虑或凭激情行动的、追求某种目的的人；任何事情的发生都不是没有自觉的意图，没有预期的目的的”[8]253。三是“自由”，即主体对规律的认识以及依据这种认识预见未来、调节行动，这是人类自觉的最高层次。因此，所谓历史自觉就是建立在对历史规律深刻认识基础上，结合主体的目的、意图等有意识地支配和调节活动，以更好地参与历史创造过程从而推动历史向前发展。坚定历史自信以对“两个必然”的历史规律和大势的认识与把握为基础，人们对历史规律和大势的认识越深刻，克服历史偶然性与必然性的冲突和对抗就越有把握，创造历史的活动就越自觉。因此，坚定历史自信可以强化历史自觉的认知前提，使人们更好地认识规律、把握规律和运用规律，从而促使人们在实现中华民族伟大复兴的过程中更加自觉地去实践、去奋斗。

Strengthening historical confidence enhances the historical initiative for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Confidence is a positive emotional tendency, an individual’s positive affirmation and high recognition of the self. Historical confidence, in essence, is a high degree of psychological identification and a positive historical mindset—that is, an individual’s positive attitude toward and full affirmation of their country’s history. It is specifically manifested in the ability to correctly view the country’s history, understand and recognize the existence of the country’s history, and be full of confidence in the prospects of historical development, possessing multiple attributes such as national identity and self-identity. Strengthening historical confidence can evoke people’s strong concern for and high attention to the country’s future and the nation’s destiny, stimulate their sense of historical responsibility and mission, guide them to organically integrate personal aspirations with national development, and consciously take responsibility for history, assume historical roles, and fulfill historical missions. Moreover, historical confidence built on scientific historical cognition helps prompt people to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with a more proactive posture. “The more comprehensive the understanding of the historical process, the deeper the grasp of historical laws, the richer the Party’s historical wisdom, and the more proactive the control over the future.”[4]4 Karl Marx, Capital, vol. 1, preface to the first German edition.545 Over the past century and more, the reason our Party has been able to gain the initiative in development lies in its firm and scientific historical confidence. On the new journey of the New Era, we need to “strengthen historical confidence, enhance historical initiative, better consolidate the spiritual strength of unity and struggle, and make new contributions to comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”[9]9 The “two overall situations” (两个大局) refer to the overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the overall situation of changes unseen in a century in the world.

坚定历史自信增强实现中华民族伟大复兴的历史主动。自信是一种积极的情感倾向，是个体对自我的积极肯定与高度认同。历史自信从本质上来讲是一种高度的心理认同和正向的历史心态，即个人对本国历史的积极态度和充分肯定，具体体现为能够正确看待本国历史，了解并认可本国历史的存在，以及对历史发展前景充满信心，具有国家认同和身份认同等多重属性。坚定历史自信可以唤起人们对国家前途、民族命运的强烈关注和高度重视，激发人们的历史责任感和使命感，引导人们将个人志向与国家发展有机结合起来，自觉对历史负责、为历史担当和完成历史使命。不仅如此，建立在科学历史认知基础上的历史自信更是有助于促使人们以更加积极主动的姿态推动中华民族伟大复兴向前迈进，“对历史进程的认识越全面，对历史规律的把握越深刻，党的历史智慧越丰富，对前途的掌握就越主动”[4]545。百余年来，我们党之所以能够获得发展的主动权，就在于我们党有坚定而又科学的历史自信。新时代新征程，我们需要“坚定历史自信、增强历史主动，更好凝聚团结奋斗的精神力量，为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作出新贡献”[9]。

(2) Upholding Ideals and Beliefs Guides the Direction and Gathers Strength for Realizing the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation

（二）坚守理想信念为实现中华民族伟大复兴指引方向和汇聚力量

Whether in the past, present, or future, ideals and convictions are the rudder that steers the course and the sail that gathers strength; they “are the powerful spiritual force that guides and supports the Chinese people to stand up, grow rich, and become strong.”[10]10 The “road of the examination” (赶考路) is a metaphor used by the CPC to describe the ongoing process of governing the country and fulfilling its historical mission, originating from Mao Zedong’s remark in 1949 about entering Beijing to take the “examination” of governance.43 On the new journey of the examination,[n] only by continuing to uphold ideals and convictions can we steer the great ship of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation steadily and far.

无论过去、现在还是将来，理想信念都是把准航向的舵、凝聚力量的帆，“都是指引和支撑中国人民站起来、富起来、强起来的强大精神力量”[10]43。新的赶考路上，唯有继续坚守理想信念，方能引领中华民族伟大复兴的巨轮行稳致远。

Upholding ideals and convictions guides the socialist direction of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The ideals and convictions of the Communist Party of China were not achieved overnight; they are a process of continuous deepening based on practice, integrating social development and the requirements of the times. In the exploration of national salvation and survival, the Communist Party of China, after repeated comparisons and careful discernment, ultimately chose Marxism, and from the day of its founding inscribed it on its banner, making the realization of communism its highest ideal and ultimate goal. In the process of guiding concrete practice, it gradually formed socialism with Chinese characteristics, providing the fundamental guarantee for the continuous victories of China’s revolution, construction, and reform, and continuing to guide the direction of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. Communism is the foundation of the Party’s founding, and realizing communism cannot be shaken at any time or under any circumstances. However, as an ideal form of society, the realization of communism requires a long process. Therefore, in the struggle for communism, Chinese Communists must, based on the characteristics of the era they are in and the practical requirements, clarify the goals of struggle at each stage, make them a common conviction, and forge ahead with them. “Today, we are closer to, more confident in, and more capable of realizing the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than at any time in history.”[4]4 Karl Marx, Capital, vol. 1, preface to the first German edition.12 The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the contemporary expression of the lofty ideal of communism in China. Facing changes unseen in a century and the chaos of the world, only by strengthening ideals and convictions can we grasp, steady, and secure the socialist direction and socialist path of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, ensuring that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation advances along the correct path.

坚守理想信念引领实现中华民族伟大复兴的社会主义方向。中国共产党的理想信念不是一蹴而就的，而是一个立足实践结合社会发展和时代要求不断深化的过程。在救亡图存的探索中，中国共产党几经对比、反复鉴别最终选择了马克思主义，并从诞生之日起就将其写在自己的旗帜上，把实现共产主义作为最高理想和最终目标，并在指导具体实践的过程中逐渐形成了中国特色社会主义，为中国革命、建设、改革事业不断取得胜利提供了根本保证，并继续为新时代中国特色社会主义事业指引方向。共产主义是立党之本，实现共产主义在任何时候和任何情况都不能动摇，但作为一种理想的社会形态，共产主义的实现需要漫长的过程。因此，在为共产主义奋斗的过程中，中国共产党人要依据所处的时代特色和现实要求，明确各个阶段的奋斗目标并使之成为共同的信念，为之砥砺前行。“今天，我们比历史上任何时期都更接近、更有信心和能力实现中华民族伟大复兴的目标”[4]12，中华民族伟大复兴是共产主义远大理想在当代中国的现实表达。面对百年变局与世界乱局，只有坚定理想信念才能把准把稳把牢实现中华民族伟大复兴的社会主义方向和社会主义道路，确保中华民族伟大复兴沿着正确的方向前进。

Upholding ideals and convictions gathers strength for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The great rejuvenation of a nation cannot be accomplished by the strength of a single political party alone. “The people are the creators of history and the fundamental force determining the future and destiny of the Party and the country.”[11]11 The term “赶考” (gǎn kǎo) literally means “rushing to take the imperial examination.” It was used by Mao Zedong in 1949, on the eve of the CPC’s entry into Beijing, to describe the Party’s new historical test of governing the country. Here it refers to the ongoing journey of the CPC in the New Era.16 Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires our Party to lead the people of the whole country in united struggle. “To unite, we must have common ideals and firm convictions.”[12]12 The “two overall situations” refer to the overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the overall situation of changes unseen in a century in the world.190 Having common ideals and convictions is the key to our Party uniting and leading the people of the whole country to achieve revolutionary victories and development achievements. Without common ideals and convictions, we would be a heap of loose sand, without cohesion or combat effectiveness, without anything. Ideals and convictions are the spiritual pillar of the Chinese people and the ideological foundation for maintaining the unity of the people of the whole country. Upholding ideals and convictions at the present stage means adhering to the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This is the concrete embodiment of the highest ideal of communism in the primary stage of socialism in our country, the starting point for pursuing higher goals, the inevitable result of historical and practical development, representing and reflecting the fundamental interests of the vast majority of the people, enjoying broad social consensus, and serving as a powerful weapon for consolidating ideological consensus and gathering strong joint forces. Taking the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics as the core, we forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, unify people’s thoughts and actions into the vivid practice of Chinese-path modernization, make all Chinese people think with one mind and work with one effort, and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by gathering majestic strength.

坚守理想信念为实现中华民族伟大复兴汇聚力量。一个民族的伟大复兴单靠一个政党的力量是无法完成的，“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”[11]16。实现中华民族伟大复兴需要我们党带领全国人民团结奋斗，“要团结就要有共同的理想和坚定的信念”[12]190，具有共同的理想信念是我们党团结带领全国人民取得革命胜利和发展成就的关键所在。没有共同的理想信念，就会成为一盘散沙，就没有凝聚力和战斗力，就没有一切。理想信念是中国人民的精神支柱，更是保持全国人民团结统一的思想基础。坚守理想信念在现阶段就是坚持中国特色社会主义共同理想，这是共产主义最高理想在我国社会主义初级阶段的具体体现，是追求更高目标的起点，是历史和实践发展的必然结果，代表和反映最广大人民群众的根本利益，有着广泛的社会共识，是凝聚思想共识和汇聚强大合力的有力武器。以中国特色社会主义共同理想为核心铸牢中华民族共同体意识，将人们的思想和行动统一到中国式现代化建设的生动实践上来，使全体中国人民的心往一处想、劲往一处使，在汇聚起磅礴力量中全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。

III. The Practical Orientation of Strengthening Historical Confidence and Upholding Ideals and Convictions

三、坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念的实践指向

Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the goal pursued by strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and convictions. On the new journey of the examination, facing the dangers of wading through rapids, the hardships of climbing slopes, and the difficulties of breaking through barriers, facing external blackmail, containment, blockade, and extreme pressure, we must grasp the practical orientation of strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and convictions from the aspects of enhancing Party confidence, forging the foundation of the spirit, clearing away ideological fog, and honing the ability to struggle, so as to better consolidate hearts and minds, forge ahead with determination, and promote the early realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

实现中华民族伟大复兴是坚定历史自信和坚守理想信念的目标追求。在新的赶考路上，面对涉滩之险、爬坡之艰、闯关之难，面对外部讹诈、遏制、封锁和极限施压，我们要从增强政党自信、铸牢精神之基、廓清思想迷雾和练就斗争本领等方面去把握坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念的实践指向，以更好地凝心聚力、奋楫笃行，推动中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦早日实现。

(I) Enhancing Party Confidence and Unswervingly Upholding the Party’s Overall Leadership

（一）增强政党自信，毫不动摇坚持党的全面领导

The Party confidence of the Communist Party of China is the result of the interaction of many factors. Among them, strengthening historical confidence is built upon the recognition and affirmation of historical achievements and is an important basis for enhancing Party confidence. “Party confidence is not purely the ‘self-determination’ of the subject’s spirit; fundamentally, it comes from the effectiveness of the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the Party’s leadership.”[13] Upholding ideals and convictions is the fundamental prerequisite for enhancing Party confidence. “The tortuous course of world socialist practice tells us that once a Marxist political party abandons Marxist faith and the conviction of socialism and communism, it will collapse.”[14]326 Embarking on the new journey of the examination, we must deeply comprehend the power of Marxist truth and the power of communist faith from strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and convictions, deeply comprehend the historical inevitability and practical necessity of the Communist Party of China choosing and adhering to Marxism as its guide and communism as its faith, enhance the ideological foundation and conviction support for Party confidence, and strengthen people’s recognition and support for the Party’s leadership.

中国共产党的政党自信是诸多因素交互作用的结果，其中，坚定历史自信建立在对历史成就的体认和肯定之上，是增强政党自信的重要依据，“政党自信不是纯粹的主体精神的‘自我决定’，从根本上说，它来自于党领导下的中国特色社会主义实践取得的成效”[13]。坚守理想信念是增强政党自信的根本前提，“世界社会主义实践的曲折历程告诉我们，马克思主义政党一旦放弃马克思主义信仰、社会主义和共产主义信念，就会土崩瓦解”[14]326。踏上新的赶考之路，我们要从坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念中深刻领悟马克思主义真理的力量和共产主义信仰的力量，深刻领悟中国共产党选择和坚持以马克思主义为指导、以共产主义为信仰的历史必然性和现实必要性，增强政党自信的思想基础和信念支撑，强化人们对党的领导的认同与支持。

On the one hand, we must clarify, in strengthening historical confidence, that adhering to the guidance of Marxism is the primary condition for enhancing Party confidence. History is the best textbook. History proves that in modern times, no other class could save China from dire straits; only the Communist Party of China, guided by Marxism, could save China and develop China. The entire history of the Communist Party of China and all the achievements of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics are inseparable from the guidance of Marxism. Adhering to the guidance of Marxism as the prerequisite for constructing the Party confidence of Chinese Communists is an inevitable choice of history and reality, and it is even more a prerequisite for unswervingly upholding the Party’s overall leadership. Embarking on the new journey, we must adhere to the guidance of the latest theoretical achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, namely Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the Two Establishments,[n] consciously achieve the Two Upholds,[n] and maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee in political stance, political direction, political principles, and political path. On the other hand, we must clarify, in upholding ideals and convictions, that faith, conviction, and confidence are the strong support for enhancing Party confidence. Only when faith, conviction, and confidence are firm can our Party grasp the direction in the wheel of historical progress and maintain an upward and enterprising spirit in the face of difficulties and dangers. The Communist Party of China is a Marxist political party organized by common ideals and convictions. Faith, conviction, and confidence not only constitute the ideological foundation of the Communist Party of China’s governing philosophy and governing purpose but also have a powerful function of uniting society and rallying people’s hearts, boosting the Party’s confidence in governing and long-term governance in China from the inside out. Therefore, to enhance Party confidence and uphold the Party’s overall leadership on the new journey, we must work hard on upholding ideals and convictions, improving the consciousness and initiative of practicing the original aspiration and founding mission through theoretical armament, practical training, institutional guarantees, etc., to ensure consistency with the Party Central Committee in thought and action.

一方面，要在坚定历史自信中明确以马克思主义为指导是增强政党自信的首要条件。历史是最好的教科书。历史证明，近代以来其他各阶级都不能救中国于水深火热之中，只有以马克思主义为指导的中国共产党才能救中国和发展中国。中国共产党的全部历史、中国特色社会主义事业的全部成就都离不开马克思主义的指导，坚持以马克思主义为指导作为建构中国共产党人政党自信的先决条件是历史和现实的必然选择，更是毫不动摇坚持党的全面领导的前提。踏上新征程，我们必须要坚持以马克思主义中国化时代化的最新理论成果即习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，自觉做到“两个维护”，在政治立场、政治方向、政治原则、政治道路上同党中央保持高度一致。另一方面，要在坚守理想信念中明确信仰信念信心是增强政党自信的强力支撑。只有信仰信念信心坚定了，我们党才能在历史前进的车轮中把牢方向，在艰难险阻面前保持奋发向上。中国共产党是以共同理想信念组织起来的马克思主义政党，信仰信念信心不仅构成了中国共产党执政理念和执政目的的思想基础，更具有团结社会和凝聚人心的强大功能，从内到外提振了我们党在中国执政并长期执政的底气。因此，新征程上增强政党自信，坚持党的全面领导必须要在坚守理想信念上下功夫，通过理论武装、实践锻炼、制度保障等提高践行不忘初心、牢记使命的自觉性和能动性，以保证在思想上、行动上与党中央保持高度一致。

(II) Forging the Foundation of the Spirit and Unswervingly Advancing Chinese-Path Modernization

（二）铸牢精神之基，坚定不移推进中国式现代化

A person without spirit cannot stand, and a country without spirit cannot be strong. The century-long Party history is not only a magnificent history of struggle but also a grand history of spiritual construction. Over more than a hundred years, our Party, in its striving course of pursuing ideals and convictions and fulfilling its original aspiration and founding mission, has formed a spiritual genealogy with the great founding spirit of the Party as its source, building a spiritual monument for Chinese Communists that supports our Party in advancing the historical great cause of saving the nation, rejuvenating the nation, enriching the nation, and strengthening the nation. The spiritual genealogy with the great founding spirit of the Party as its source has a distinct foundation of struggle. This is both a vivid manifestation of our Party’s upholding of ideals and convictions and an inherent meaning of our Party’s strengthening of historical confidence. “The historical confidence of Chinese Communists is confidence not only in the achievements of struggle but also in the spirit of struggle.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC” (November 11, 2021). At the critical moment of marching toward the second centenary goal, we must strengthen historical confidence and uphold ideals and convictions to forge a solid spiritual foundation, and promote Chinese-path modernization with a higher level of cultural-ethical progress. This is the top priority for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

人无精神则不立，国无精神则不强。百年党史既是一部波澜壮阔的奋斗史，也是一部雄伟壮丽的精神构筑史。百余年来，我们党在追求理想信念和践行初心使命的奋斗历程中形成了以伟大建党精神为源头的精神谱系，构筑起中国共产党人的精神丰碑，支撑我们党推进救国、兴国、富国、强国的历史伟业。以伟大建党精神为源头的精神谱系具有鲜明的奋斗底色，这既是我们党坚守理想信念的生动体现，又是我们党坚定历史自信的题中之义，“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”[1]。在向第二个百年奋斗目标进军的关键时刻，我们要坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念以铸牢精神之基，以更高水平的精神文明推动中国式现代化建设，这是实现中华民族伟大复兴的重中之重。

The spiritual genealogy of the Communist Party of China is a dynamic generative system. In different historical periods, as the Party’s specific goals and practical tasks change, it radiates new spiritual qualities with the characteristics of the times. But no matter how it changes, ideals and convictions have always been a “red thread” running through it. Ideals and convictions are the soul and essence of the Party’s spiritual genealogy, determining its overall direction and overall tone. On the new journey of the New Era, advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization has become the central task of our Party. One of the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization is to enrich the people’s spiritual world. Enriching the people’s spiritual world cannot be separated from promoting the spiritual genealogy. To fully tap and release the nutrients and energy contained in the Party’s spiritual genealogy, we must strengthen education on ideals and convictions, understand and grasp the Party’s spiritual genealogy in the course of the generation and practice of ideals and convictions, and comprehend and feel it in the arduous journey of our Party’s pursuit of ideals and convictions. This will make our Party’s spiritual genealogy more penetrating across time and space and more inspiring for the future, building a more solid spiritual fortress for comprehensively advancing Chinese-path modernization. We must also, in the process of strengthening historical confidence, understand and grasp the trajectory of the generation and evolution of the Party’s spiritual genealogy, clarify its development context, common genes, and essential essence, as well as the specific manifestations and distinctive features of different historical stages, enhance the understanding of the laws and exploration of the essence of the development of the Party’s spiritual genealogy, and, combining the characteristics of the times and practical requirements, draw up a new spiritual blueprint to continue the spiritual genealogy, inject new vitality into the cultural-ethical progress of Chinese-path modernization, and meet the people’s new expectations for a better spiritual life. In a word, we must, in strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and convictions, correctly understand and grasp the scientific connotation, development context, value implications, and potential transformation of the spiritual genealogy of the Communist Party of China, so that strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and convictions become the greatest increment in forging the spiritual foundation, and promote Chinese-path modernization with a higher level of cultural-ethical progress.

中国共产党的精神谱系是一个动态的生成系统，在不同历史时期随着党的具体目标和实际任务的变化而焕发出新的具有时代特征的精神气象。但不论其如何变化，理想信念始终是贯穿其中的一条“红线”，理想信念是党的精神谱系的灵魂与精髓，决定党的精神谱系的总体方向和整体基调。新时代新征程，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴成为我们党的中心任务，中国式现代化的本质要求之一就是要丰富人民的精神世界。丰富人民精神世界离不开对精神谱系的弘扬，为充分挖掘和释放党的精神谱系中蕴含的养料和能量，我们要加强理想信念教育，将党的精神谱系置于理想信念的生成与实践的历程中去认知和把握，置于我们党追求理想信念的艰辛历程中去体悟和感受，使我们党的精神谱系更具时空穿透力和未来感召力，为全面推进中国式现代化建设建构起更为坚实的精神堡垒。我们还要在坚定历史自信的过程中去认识和把握党的精神谱系生成与演变的轨迹，明确党的精神谱系的发展脉络、共同基因和精髓实质，以及不同历史阶段的具体表征和鲜明特征，增强对党的精神谱系发展的规律认知和本质探索，并结合时代特点和实践要求绘就新的精神蓝图，以赓续精神谱系，为中国式现代化的精神文明建设注入新的活力，满足人民对美好精神生活的新期待。一言以蔽之，我们要在坚定历史自信和坚守理想信念中正确认识和把握中国共产党的精神谱系的科学内涵、发展脉络、价值意蕴、势能转化等，使坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念成为筑牢精神之基的最大增量，以更高水平的精神文明推进中国式现代化建设。

(3) Clearing away ideological fog and persistently guarding the ideological front

（三）廓清思想迷雾，持之以恒守好意识形态阵地

Currently, the two overall situations [n9] are intertwined and turbulent, and the struggle in the ideological field is complex and intense. History is the best sobering agent. The historical tragedy of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the dissolution of its Party “was caused by an important reason: the struggle in the ideological field was extremely fierce, with a comprehensive denial of Soviet history, the history of the Soviet Communist Party, a denial of Lenin, a denial of Stalin, and the practice of historical nihilism, which threw ideology into chaos” [15]113. We must take warning from this. Strengthening historical confidence and upholding ideals and convictions can help us clear away the ideological fog of erroneous social trends such as historical nihilism and smear-and-defame rhetoric, win the initiative in the ideological struggle, and remove ideological obstacles for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

当前两个大局交织激荡，意识形态领域的斗争纷繁复杂。历史是最好的清醒剂。苏联亡党亡国历史悲剧的发生，“一个重要原因就是意识形态领域的斗争十分激烈，全面否定苏联历史、苏共历史，否定列宁，否定斯大林，搞历史虚无主义，思想搞乱了”[15]113，我们对此必须引以为戒。坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念可以帮助我们廓清历史虚无主义等错误社会思潮和抹黑丑化言论的思想迷雾，在意识形态斗争中赢得主动权，为实现中华民族伟大复兴扫清思想障碍。

On the one hand, we must, in strengthening historical confidence, eradicate the soil that breeds ideological fog, enhance the confidence to resist ideological fog, and consolidate the cornerstone of socialist ideology. Strengthening historical confidence first requires correctly understanding and scientifically evaluating history. “We must adhere to the methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, and view the Party’s history from a concrete, historical, objective, comprehensive, connected, and developmental perspective” [16]79. To this end, we must carry out Party history study and education throughout society, guide people to establish a grand view of history and a correct view of Party history, master scientific methods for understanding and studying history, accurately grasp the theme, main line, mainstream, and essence of the century-long Party history, correctly treat the mistakes and setbacks the Party experienced on its forward path, and, by combining positive propaganda methods such as presenting facts, reasoning, and answering doubts with all-round, multi-field, and diversified forms of public opinion struggle, take a clear stand against erroneous social trends such as historical nihilism and smear-and-defame rhetoric, comprehensively enhance the guiding power and appeal of mainstream ideology, and effectively consolidate the dominant position of socialist mainstream ideology. On the other hand, we must, in upholding ideals and convictions, grasp the direction for clearing away ideological fog, improve the ability to distinguish right from wrong, and forge a solid ideological defense line. Western bourgeois ideology is concealed, disguised, and seductive. When a person’s sense of right and wrong is weak and their ability to distinguish is lacking, they can easily be deceived by its false appearances. Marxism is the most powerful ideological weapon for exposing the hypocritical face and ugly essence of erroneous social trends such as historical nihilism and smear-and-defame rhetoric, and for fundamentally resisting the erosion of erroneous ideas. Xi Jinping points out: “Only by truly understanding Marxism can we continuously make discoveries and creations in revealing the laws of Communist Party governance, socialist construction, and human social development, and can we better identify various idealist viewpoints and better resist various fallacies of historical nihilism” [17]222. To this end, we must strengthen the construction of ideals and convictions throughout society, integrate ideals and convictions into all fields and links of social life through education and guidance, public opinion propaganda, practical cultivation, and institutional guarantees, enhance people’s emotional identification with and behavioral practice of Marxism and socialism, arm people’s minds with the Marxist worldview and methodology, unite the value consensus of the entire Party and society with common ideals and convictions, improve people’s ability to distinguish right from wrong, and thus guard the security line of ideology.

一方面，我们要在坚定历史自信中铲除思想迷雾滋生的土壤，增强抵御思想迷雾的底气，巩固社会主义意识形态的基石。坚定历史自信首先要正确认识和科学评价历史，“要坚持辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的方法论，用具体历史的、客观全面的、联系发展的观点来看待党的历史”[16]79。为此，我们要在全社会开展党史学习教育，引导人们树立大历史观和正确党史观，掌握认识历史和研究历史的科学方法，准确把握百年党史的主题主线和主流本质，正确对待党在前进道路上经历的失误和曲折等，通过摆事实、讲道理、答疑惑等正面宣传方式与全方位、各领域、多样化的舆论斗争形式相结合，旗帜鲜明反对历史虚无主义等错误社会思潮和抹黑丑化言论，全面增强主流意识形态的引导力和感召力，切实巩固社会主义主流意识形态的主导地位。另一方面，我们要在坚守理想信念中把牢廓清思想迷雾的方向，提高辨别是非的能力，铸牢意识形态防线。西方资产阶级意识形态具有隐蔽性、伪装性、诱惑性，一个人是非观念薄弱、辨别能力欠缺，就会很容易被其虚假表象所迷惑。而马克思主义是抨击揭露历史虚无主义等错误社会思潮和抹黑丑化言论的虚伪面目和丑恶本质，从根本上抵御错误思想侵蚀的最有力的思想武器。习近平指出：“只有真正弄懂了马克思主义，才能在揭示共产党执政规律、社会主义建设规律、人类社会发展规律上不断有所发现、有所创造，才能更好识别各种唯心主义观点、更好抵御各种历史虚无主义谬论。”[17]222为此，我们要在全社会加强理想信念建设，通过教育引导、舆论宣传、实践养成、制度保障等将理想信念融入社会生活的各个领域和各个环节，增强人们对马克思主义和社会主义的情感认同与行为践履，以马克思主义的世界观和方法论武装人们的头脑，以共同理想信念凝聚全党全社会的价值共识，提高人们的是非辨别能力，以守好意识形态安全防线。

(4) Forging the ability to struggle and daring to face various contradictions, risks, and challenges

（四）练就斗争本领，敢于直面各种矛盾风险挑战

To realize great dreams, we must carry out great struggles. Only by daring to struggle and being good at struggling can we properly handle various contradictions, effectively prevent and resolve various risks, actively welcome and respond to various challenges, and promote the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. However, the spirit of struggle and the ability to struggle are not innate but are forged through repeated tempering. The process of our Party’s pursuit of ideals and convictions is precisely a process of continuously struggling against difficulties. Daring to struggle is an important part of upholding ideals and convictions and strengthening historical confidence. “All the achievements made by the Party and the people did not fall from the sky, nor were they bestowed by others, but were obtained through continuous struggle” [16]69. On the new road of the examination [n10], we must strengthen historical confidence and uphold ideals and convictions to forge the ability to struggle, and stand ready to welcome the great struggle with many new historical features. This is an important guarantee for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

实现伟大梦想，必须进行伟大斗争。只有敢于斗争、善于斗争，才能妥善处理各种矛盾，有效防范和化解各种风险，积极迎接和应对各种挑战，推动中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的实现。但是，斗争精神和斗争本领不是与生俱来的，而是千锤百炼而成的。我们党追求理想信念的过程就是不断与困难作斗争的过程，敢于斗争是坚守理想信念与坚定历史自信的重要内容，“党和人民取得的一切成就，不是天上掉下来的，不是别人恩赐的，而是通过不断斗争取得的”[16]69。在新的赶考路上，我们要坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念以练就斗争本领，严阵以待迎接具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争，这是实现中华民族伟大复兴的重要保障。

On the one hand, we must inherit and carry forward the Party’s valuable experience and glorious traditions concerning struggle in the course of strengthening historical confidence. Our Party was born, developed, and grew strong in struggle. The century-long Party history has accumulated the Party’s valuable experience and rich wisdom concerning struggle, and has constructed an experiential system including the purpose, nature, and methods of struggle — this is an important magic weapon for our Party to overcome the enemy and achieve victory over the past hundred-plus years. On the new road of the赶考 [n11], we must “proceed from the great struggle with many new historical characteristics, summarize and apply the Party’s rich experience in successfully responding to risks and challenges in different historical periods, make adequate ideological and work preparations for coping with changes in the external environment over a relatively long period, and constantly enhance our awareness of struggle, enrich our experience of struggle, and improve our ability to struggle”[4]4 Karl Marx, Capital, vol. 1, preface to the first German edition.513, so as to raise our Party’s capacity and level for preventing and resolving various contradictions, risks, and challenges, and firmly grasp the strategic initiative in preventing and resolving various contradictions, risks, and challenges. On the other hand, we must consolidate the ideological foundation of struggle and carry forward the spiritual character of struggle in the course of upholding ideals and convictions. The thought of struggle is an important component of Marxism. The classical Marxist writers constructed a theory of proletarian struggle that integrates the purpose of struggle — seizing and consolidating political power, the direction of struggle — realizing the communist ideal, and the method of struggle — combining violent revolution with peaceful transition. This provides theoretical guidance for our Party’s great struggle. Struggle was Marx’s element of life; “few men have ever fought with such passion, tenacity, and success”[18]1003, and the spirit of struggle is precisely the precious character of a Marxist political party. Although the content and requirements of struggle have changed with the transformation of the principal contradiction in society and the Party’s central task, the direction, stance, and principles of struggle must be upheld. On the new road of the赶考, to cope with the constantly emerging contradictions, risks, and challenges, we must adhere to the guidance of Marxist thought on struggle, uphold the socialist direction of struggle, and scientifically formulate and flexibly apply struggle strategies and methods according to the type, characteristics, and development of contradictions, risks, and challenges. We must take both the overall situation and key points into account, and both enhance our awareness of potential dangers and our bottom-line thinking and exercise good judgment and decisive action, so as to fight the tough battle of preventing and defusing major risks and challenges with excellent struggle ability and a high-spirited struggle spirit.

一方面，我们要在坚定历史自信中继承和弘扬我们党关于斗争的宝贵经验和光荣传统。我们党是在斗争中诞生、发展和壮大起来的。百年党史积淀了我们党关于斗争的宝贵经验和丰富智慧，构建了包括斗争目的、斗争性质、斗争方式等在内的经验系统，这是我们党百余年来克敌制胜的重要法宝。在新的赶考路上，我们要“从具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争出发，总结运用党在不同历史时期成功应对风险挑战的丰富经验，做好较长时间应对外部环境变化的思想准备和工作准备，不断增强斗争意识、丰富斗争经验、提升斗争本领”[4]513，以提高我们党防范和化解各种矛盾风险挑战的能力和水平，牢牢把握防范和化解各种矛盾风险挑战的战略主动。另一方面，我们要在坚守理想信念中夯实斗争的思想根基和发扬斗争的精神品格。斗争思想是马克思主义的重要内容，马克思主义经典作家构建了以夺取和巩固政权的斗争目的，以实现共产主义理想的斗争方向，以暴力革命与和平过渡相结合的斗争方法为一体的无产阶级斗争学说，这为我们党进行伟大斗争提供了理论指导。斗争是马克思的生命要素，“很少有人像他那样满腔热情、坚韧不拔和卓有成效地进行斗争”[18]1003，斗争精神更是马克思主义政党的宝贵品格。随着社会主要矛盾和党的中心任务的转变，斗争的内涵和要求虽然发生了变化，但是斗争的方向、立场和原则必须要坚守。新的赶考路上，应对不断出现的矛盾风险挑战必须坚持以马克思主义斗争思想为指导，坚持斗争的社会主义方向，根据矛盾风险挑战的类型特征和发展状况科学制定和灵活运用斗争策略和斗争方法，既要顾全局又要抓重点，既要增强忧患意识和底线思维又要多谋善断和当机立断，以过硬的斗争本领和昂扬的斗争精神，打好防范化解重大风险挑战攻坚战。

Looking back on the century-long Party history, historical confidence and ideals and convictions are undoubtedly the most distinct and prominent spiritual markers. Over the past century, under the guidance of historical confidence and ideals and convictions, the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to achieve continuous victories in the cause of revolution, construction, and reform. The Chinese nation has experienced a great leap from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. On the new road of the赶考, situated in the temporal-spatial circumstances where the “two overall situations” [n12] intertwine and clash, the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups can only continue to strengthen historical confidence and uphold ideals and convictions, work together with one heart and mind, and unite in struggle, so as to ride the momentum and sail straight to the vast sea, composing an even more splendid chapter of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era.

回首百年党史，历史自信与理想信念无疑是最鲜明、最突出的精神标识。百年来，在历史自信和理想信念的指引下，中国共产党带领全国各族人民取得了革命、建设、改革事业的不断胜利，中华民族迎来了从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃，实现中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程。新的赶考路上，身处“两个大局”相互交织激荡的时空境遇，全党全国各族人民唯有继续坚定历史自信与坚守理想信念，齐心协力，团结奋斗，才能乘势而上，直济沧海，谱写出新时代中国特色社会主义更加绚丽的华章。

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Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心