The Scientific Revelation of the Inner Laws of Marxist Innovative Development in the New Era

Marxism is a scientific theoretical system that continuously develops through innovation. Its innovative development possesses inherent laws, which manifest as multiple laws at different levels. Among these, the most important are the basic laws of universal significance, which serve as the foundation for all other specific laws. Theoretically revealing, grasping, and following these laws helps us to advance the innovative development of Marxism more consciously and effectively. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have not only established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, achieving the innovative development of Marxism in the 21st century, but have also, in this process, scientifically revealed the basic laws of Marxist innovative development. This is a major new theoretical contribution and a new major theoretical topic that the academic community should pay attention to and study.

马克思主义是一个在创新中不断发展的科学理论体系，其创新发展具有内在的规律性，并表现为不同层级的多重规律。其中最重要的是具有普遍意义的基本规律，它们是其他具体规律的基础。从理论上揭示、把握和遵循这些规律，有助于我们更加自觉有效地推进马克思主义的创新发展。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，不仅创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，实现了马克思主义在21世纪的创新发展，而且在这个过程中科学揭示了马克思主义创新发展的基本规律。这是一个重大的新的理论贡献，也是学界应该加以关注和研究的新的重大理论课题。

I. The Innovative Development of Marxism Has Laws

一、马克思主义的创新发展是有规律的

Marxism is constantly developing. Its development does not occur spontaneously but is realized through the continuous theoretical innovation of successive generations of Marxists in their unremitting struggle. From Marx and Engels continuously developing and perfecting their own ideological system, to Lenin boldly proposing new theoretical principles based on the changes of the times and the national conditions of Russia, and then to Chinese Communists creatively applying and developing Marxism according to China's national conditions, the history of Marxist development is the history of Marxist classical writers and their successors continuously advancing theoretical innovation. In the past, we generally spoke vaguely of "the development of Marxism" and "the laws of the development of Marxism." While such expressions are not incorrect, they fail to fully reflect the innovative dimension of Marxist development, that is, the innovation mechanism through which Marxist development is realized. Under the historical conditions where innovation has become the spirit of the times, when discussing this issue, we should more clearly express it as "the innovative development of Marxism" and "the laws of the innovative development of Marxism."

马克思主义是不断发展的,其发展不是自发进行的，而是由一代又一代马克思主义者在接续奋斗中通过不断推进理论创新实现的。从马克思恩格斯不断发展完善自己的思想体系，到列宁根据时代变化和俄国国情大胆提出新的理论原理，再到中国共产党人根据中国国情创造性地运用和发展马克思主义，一部马克思主义发展史就是马克思主义经典作家及其后继者们不断推进理论创新的历史。以往我们通常是笼统地谈论“马克思主义的发展”“马克思主义的发展规律”，这样的表述固然不错，但未能充分反映出马克思主义发展的创新维度，即马克思主义发展所赖以实现的创新机制。在创新成为当今时代精神的历史条件下，我们在讨论这一问题时应该更明确地将之表述为“马克思主义的创新发展”“马克思主义创新发展的规律”。

The development of all things in the world follows laws. Practical development has its own laws, and theoretical innovation likewise has its own laws. Scientifically revealing the laws of Marxist innovative development is not only very necessary but also entirely possible. Marxism has a history of development spanning over 170 years, having experienced different eras and formed different theoretical forms. Such a historical process is sufficient to reveal general developmental laws. Marxist classical writers and successive leaders of our Party have continuously summarized experience and explored laws in the process of advancing theoretical innovation, forming some important basic research results. On this basis, contemporary Chinese Communists can and should further grasp and apply these laws.

世间万事万物的发展都是有规律可循的，实践发展有其自身的规律，理论创新同样有其自身的规律。科学揭示马克思主义创新发展的规律，不仅十分必要，而且完全可能。马克思主义已有170多年的发展历史，经历了不同的时代，形成了不同的理论形态，这样的历史过程已足以呈现一般的发展规律。马克思主义经典作家和我们党的历代领导人在推进理论创新的过程中不断总结经验、探索规律，已形成一些重要的基本研究成果。在此基础上，当代中国共产党人完全可以也应该进一步掌握和运用这些规律。

The relevant expositions of Marxist classical writers provide a basic basis for later generations to explore the laws of Marxist innovative development. In response to those practices that deviated from Marxism while claiming to be Marxist, Marx sharply pointed out: "All I know is that I am not a Marxist." Engels explicitly stated: "The theoretical thinking of every age, including our own, is a historical product, which takes completely different forms and has completely different content in different ages." Lenin also pointed out: "We do not regard Marx's theory as something complete and inviolable; on the contrary, we are convinced that it has only laid the foundation of a science, and socialists, if they do not want to lag behind actual life, must push this science forward in all directions."

马克思主义经典作家的相关论述为后人探索马克思主义创新发展的规律提供了基本依据。针对那些偏离马克思主义而又自称马克思主义的做法，马克思尖锐指出：“我只知道我自己不是马克思主义者。”恩格斯更是明确提出：“每一个时代的理论思维，包括我们这个时代的理论思维，都是一种历史的产物，它在不同的时代具有完全不同的形式，同时具有完全不同的内容。”列宁也指出：“我们决不把马克思的理论看做某种一成不变的和神圣不可侵犯的东西；恰恰相反，我们深信：它只是给一种科学奠定了基础，社会党人如果不愿落后于实际生活，就应当在各方面把这门科学推向前进。”

In the process of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, Chinese Communists have actively and effectively explored the revelation of the laws of Marxist innovative development. Mao Zedong put forward the scientific proposition of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, emphasizing the need to "sinicize Marxism, making it in every manifestation possess the necessary Chinese characteristics." Deng Xiaoping proposed: "Only by emancipating the mind can the theory of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought of our Party develop smoothly." Jiang Zemin also emphasized: "We must keep pace with the times and continue to enrich and develop Marxism." Hu Jintao, when discussing advancing theoretical innovation, emphasized the need to continuously achieve new progress in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and systematically elaborated on the sources, purposes, driving forces, and focal points of continuously enriching and developing Marxism.

中国共产党人在推进马克思主义中国化时代化的过程中，对揭示马克思主义的创新发展规律进行了卓有成效的积极探索。毛泽东提出了马克思主义中国化的科学命题，强调要“使马克思主义在中国具体化，使之在其每一表现中带着必须有的中国的特性”。邓小平提出：“只有解放思想”，“我们党的马列主义、毛泽东思想的理论也才能顺利发展”。江泽民也强调：“我们必须与时俱进，继续丰富和发展马克思主义。”胡锦涛在谈到推进理论创新时，强调要不断取得马克思主义中国化新进展，并系统阐述了不断丰富和发展马克思主义的源泉、目的、动力和着力点。

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping has made in-depth expositions on various aspects of Marxist innovative development and its laws, and has scientifically revealed the basic laws of Marxist innovative development. In 2013, at the symposium commemorating the 120th anniversary of Comrade Mao Zedong's birth, he pointed out: "We must promptly summarize the fresh experience created by the Party leading the people, continuously open up new realms for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, and let contemporary Chinese Marxism radiate even more brilliant truth." In 2015, during the 20th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee, he emphasized the need to continuously advance theoretical innovation based on changes in the times and practical development, and further revealed the important principles and ideal state of Marxist innovative development, namely, "adhering to the dialectical unity of theoretical guidance and practical exploration, achieving a positive interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation." In 2018, at the conference commemorating the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth, he proposed that promoting the development of Marxism is our Party's sacred duty, and we must insist on "using rich and vivid contemporary Chinese practice to promote the development of Marxism, and using a broad vision to absorb all the excellent achievements of civilization created by humanity." In 2021, at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, he proposed to "adhere to combining the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific realities and with the excellent traditional Chinese culture." In 2022, in a congratulatory letter to the World Marxist Political Parties Forum, he proposed that Marxism must "take root locally to be grounded, and keep pace with the times to be full of vitality," clearly indicating the two basic paths for realizing Marxist innovative development. In 2023, during the 6th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee, he pointed out that the "Two Integrations" and the "Six Musts" [n] are the scientific methods for advancing theoretical innovation, and proposed to "effectively integrate the ideological essence of Marxism with the essence of excellent traditional Chinese culture, converging into new theoretical advantages, and continuously scaling new ideological peaks." By organizing and analyzing these expositions, we can better grasp Xi Jinping's scientific revelation of the laws of Marxist innovative development and summarize them into four basic laws: the law of the dialectical unity of upholding fundamental principles and innovation, the law of the cross-integration of localization and modernization, the law of the organic combination of differentiated development and convergent development, and the law of the positive interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation.

党的十八大以来，习近平围绕马克思主义的创新发展及其规律作了多方面的深入论述，并科学揭示了马克思主义创新发展的基本规律。2013年，他在纪念毛泽东同志诞辰120周年座谈会上指出，“我们要及时总结党领导人民创造的新鲜经验，不断开辟马克思主义中国化新境界，让当代中国马克思主义放射出更加灿烂的真理光芒”。2015年，他在十八届中央政治局第二十次集体学习时强调，要根据时代变化和实践发展不断推进理论创新，并进一步揭示出马克思主义创新发展的重要原则和理想状态，即“坚持理论指导和实践探索辩证统一，实现理论创新和实践创新良性互动”。2018年，他在纪念马克思诞辰200周年大会上提出，推动马克思主义发展是我们党的神圣职责，要坚持“用鲜活丰富的当代中国实践来推动马克思主义发展，用宽广视野吸收人类创造的一切优秀文明成果”。2021年，他在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上提出，要“坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合”。2022年，他在向中国共产党与世界马克思主义政党论坛致贺信时提出，马克思主义要“本土化才能落地生根，时代化才能充满生机”，清晰指明了马克思主义实现创新发展的两条基本路径。2023年，他在二十届中央政治局第六次集体学习时指出，“两个结合”“六个必须坚持”是推进理论创新的科学方法，并提出要“有效把马克思主义思想精髓同中华优秀传统文化精华贯通起来，聚变为新的理论优势，不断攀登新的思想高峰”。通过对这些论述进行整理和分析，我们可以较好地把握习近平对马克思主义创新发展规律的科学揭示，并将其归纳为四条基本规律，即守正与创新辩证统一规律、本土化与时代化交叉融合规律、分化发展与聚变发展有机结合规律、理论创新与实践创新良性互动规律。

II. The Law of the Dialectical Unity of Upholding Fundamental Principles and Innovation

二、守正与创新辩证统一规律

The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC focused on expounding the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, namely, the "Six Musts." This is proposed and elaborated from the perspective of advancing Marxist theoretical innovation and is a scientific method for promoting theoretical innovation. One of these is the necessity to adhere to upholding fundamental principles and innovation, that is, to adhere to the dialectical unity of upholding fundamental principles and innovation. So-called upholding fundamental principles means adhering to truthful understanding and maintaining an unwavering attitude towards correct theories derived from repeated practice and comparison. So-called innovation means persisting in emancipating the mind, daring to change old concepts and old practices based on changes in actual conditions, and continuously pushing theory forward. The dialectical unity of upholding fundamental principles and innovation is the most fundamental law of Marxist innovative development.

党的二十大报告集中论述了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论，即“六个必须坚持”。这是从推进马克思主义理论创新的角度提出并加以展开的，是推进理论创新的科学方法。其中一条就是必须坚持守正创新，即坚持守正与创新的辩证统一。所谓守正，就是要坚持真理性认识，对经过反复实践和比较得出的正确理论保持毫不动摇的态度。所谓创新，就是坚持解放思想，敢于根据现实条件的变化，变革旧观念、旧做法，推动理论不断向前发展。守正与创新辩证统一，是马克思主义创新发展最基本的规律。

The law of the dialectical unity of upholding fundamental principles and pursuing innovation profoundly reveals the basic premise of Marxist innovation and development. Generally speaking, when exploring the laws of innovation and development of a certain thing, one only needs to focus on the dimension of innovation and excavate the universal principles that the thing must follow for its continued development, without giving special consideration to the premise of innovation—upholding fundamental principles. However, in the context of Marxist innovation and development, upholding fundamental principles must be placed in a foundational position. On the one hand, this is determined by the truth of Marxism. Marxism creatively revealed the general laws of the development of nature, society, and thought, thereby reaching an unprecedented height of truth. If the development and evolution of some theories is a process of iterative variation, then the innovation and development of Marxism is different: it must take preserving the core of truth as its basic premise. On the other hand, this is also determined by the guiding role of Marxism. Marxism is the guiding ideology of proletarian parties and socialist states, and its innovation and development will have a huge and profound impact on real life; the slightest carelessness can cause serious losses. Therefore, theoretical innovation in Marxism cannot be arbitrary or hasty; it must maintain a particularly solemn and prudent attitude, and above all, it must always adhere to the correct political direction.

守正与创新辩证统一规律深刻揭示了马克思主义创新发展的基本前提。一般来说，探讨某种事物的创新发展规律，只需要聚焦创新的维度，挖掘这一事物继续发展所要遵循的普遍性法则，而不必特别考虑创新的前提性概念——守正。然而，在马克思主义创新发展的语境中，必须把守正放在基础性位置。一方面，这是由马克思主义的真理性所决定的。马克思主义创造性地揭示了自然、社会和思维发展的一般规律，从而达到了前所未有的真理性高度。如果说有的理论的发展演化是一个迭代变异的过程，马克思主义的创新发展则不同，它必须以守住真理性内核作为基本前提。另一方面，这也是由马克思主义的指导作用所决定的。马克思主义是无产阶级政党和社会主义国家的指导思想，其创新发展将对现实生活产生巨大而深远的影响，稍有不慎就会造成严重损失。因此，马克思主义的理论创新不能随意草率，而要保持特别郑重审慎的态度，尤其是必须始终坚持正确的政治方向。

Following the law of the dialectical unity of upholding fundamental principles and pursuing innovation is an inherent requirement of upholding and developing Marxism. The classical Marxist writers and their successors have always emphasized both upholding Marxism and developing Marxism, always clearly affirming the dialectical unity of upholding and developing. However, this is still a relatively general formulation, treating Marxism as a holistic object when discussing upholding and developing, indicating a scientific attitude toward Marxism. The dialectical unity of upholding fundamental principles and pursuing innovation, by contrast, is a deeper and more specific category and proposition. The “upholding” in “upholding fundamental principles” already expresses the meaning of adherence, while the “fundamental principles” that follow provide a further answer to what is to be upheld. It should be made clear that upholding fundamental principles is not upholding the old, nor is it upholding the dogmas and isolated theses of Marxism; rather, it is to abide by its core, essence, and soul. Compared with development, the meaning expressed by innovation is also deeper and more specific. Development refers to an overall result, but through what internal mechanism and core link development is achieved requires a further answer, and that is innovation. In short, on the basis of emphasizing the dialectical unity of upholding and developing, the law of the dialectical unity of upholding fundamental principles and pursuing innovation further answers the questions of what to uphold and by what means to achieve development.

遵循守正与创新辩证统一规律是坚持和发展马克思主义的题中应有之义。马克思主义经典作家及其后继者们历来强调既要坚持马克思主义，又要发展马克思主义，始终明确坚持与发展的辩证统一。不过，这还是比较笼统的一般性说法，是将马克思主义作为一个整体性的对象来谈论坚持与发展，表明的是对待马克思主义的科学态度。而守正与创新的辩证统一则是更加深刻而具体的范畴和命题。守正中的“守”就已经表达了坚持的意涵，而其后的“正”则是对坚持什么的进一步回答。应当明确，守正不是守旧，不是守马克思主义的本本、条条，而是要恪守其核心、本质和灵魂。相比发展而言，创新所表达的意涵也更加深入而具体。发展指的是一个总体的结果，但通过什么样的内在机制和核心环节来实现发展，则需要进一步作出回答，这就是创新。总之，守正与创新辩证统一规律在强调坚持与发展的辩证统一的基础上，进一步回答了坚持什么以及用何种方式来实现发展的问题。

The history of Marxism is a history of advancing theoretical development through upholding fundamental principles and pursuing innovation. In the history of Marxism, there have appeared both revisionism, which speaks only of so-called innovation without insisting on upholding fundamental principles, and dogmatism, which knows only so-called upholding fundamental principles and knows nothing of innovation. Bernstein was a typical representative of revisionism during the period of the Second International. Using “changes of the times” as a pretext, he declared that Marxism had completely “failed” and demanded its comprehensive “revision,” thereby causing serious harm to the world socialist cause. In the Chinese revolution, the “Left” dogmatists represented by Wang Ming [2]2 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Marx” (May 4, 2018), in Xi Jinping, *The Governance of China*, Vol. 3, Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2020, p. 76. treated isolated conclusions of Marxism as sacred dogmas and regarded Soviet experience as an inviolable canon, nearly plunging the revolutionary cause into a dead end. Whether revisionism or dogmatism, each clung to one extreme, severing the relationship between upholding fundamental principles and pursuing innovation and violating the law of their dialectical unity. Unlike the above, Lenin and Mao Zedong were brilliant models of upholding fundamental principles and pursuing innovation. Lenin defended the foundation of Marxist philosophy—dialectical materialism and historical materialism—and enriched and developed important theories of Marxist philosophy; he creatively elaborated Marx’s theory of imperialism, enriching and developing Marxist political economy; he deepened the understanding of the basic principles of scientific socialism, enriching and developing the Marxist theory of the dictatorship of the proletariat and the state. Mao Zedong, with the scientific attitude of seeking truth from facts, broke through the barriers of dogmatism, integrated the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism with China’s concrete reality, and founded Mao Zedong Thought. This brilliant thought, as the creative application and development of Marxism-Leninism in China, is the correct theoretical principle and summation of experience concerning the Chinese revolution and construction, as proven by practice.

一部马克思主义发展史就是一部在守正创新中推进理论发展的历史。在马克思主义发展史上，既出现过只讲所谓创新而不坚持守正的修正主义，也出现过只知所谓守正而不知创新为何物的教条主义。伯恩施坦是第二国际时期修正主义的典型代表，他假借“时代的变化”为由，宣称马克思主义已经完全“失效”，要求对其进行全面“修正”，由此对世界社会主义事业造成了严重危害。在中国革命中，以王明为代表的“左”倾教条主义者把马克思主义的个别结论当作神圣的教条，把苏联经验奉为不可僭越的宝典，曾使革命事业近乎陷入绝境。不论是修正主义还是教条主义，都是各执一端，割裂了守正与创新的关系，违背了守正与创新辩证统一规律。与前面所述不同，列宁、毛泽东是坚持守正创新的光辉典范。列宁捍卫了马克思主义哲学的基础——辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义，丰富和发展了马克思主义哲学的重要理论；创造性地阐释了马克思主义的帝国主义理论，丰富和发展了马克思主义政治经济学；深化了对科学社会主义基本原理的认识，丰富和发展了马克思主义的无产阶级专政理论和国家学说。而毛泽东以实事求是的科学态度冲破教条主义的藩篱，把马克思列宁主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，创立了毛泽东思想。这一光辉的思想作为马克思列宁主义在中国的创造性运用和发展，是被实践证明了的关于中国革命和建设的正确的理论原则和经验总结。

On the new journey of the New Era, to further enrich and develop Marxism, it is necessary to uphold fundamental principles and pursue innovation, avoiding the two erroneous tendencies of revisionism and dogmatism. On the one hand, we must unswervingly uphold fundamental principles. This means “treating science with a scientific attitude, pursuing truth with the spirit of truth, unswervingly adhering to the basic principles of Marxism, unswervingly adhering to the Party’s overall leadership, and unswervingly adhering to socialism with Chinese characteristics.” On the other hand, we must unceasingly pursue innovation. Facing a rapidly changing world and China, we must not regard

新时代新征程上，进一步丰富和发展马克思主义，必须坚持守正创新，避免修正主义和教条主义两种错误倾向。一方面，要坚持守正不动摇。这就是要“以科学的态度对待科学、以真理的精神追求真理，坚持马克思主义基本原理不动摇，坚持党的全面领导不动摇，坚持中国特色社会主义不动摇”。另一方面，要坚持创新不停步。面对快速变化的世界和中国，不能将马克思主义经典作家在特定历史条件下作出的某些个别论断奉为圭臬，而要紧跟时代步伐，以满腔热忱直面一切新的挑战，找到解决问题的新的行之有效的办法，勇敢闯出一条属于中国人自己的新路，用创新理论引领伟大实践。

III. The Law of the Intersection and Integration of Indigenization and Adaptation to the Times

三、本土化与时代化交叉融合规律

Xi Jinping has not only discussed the issue of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times in light of China’s national conditions, but has also addressed the issue of the indigenization and adaptation of Marxism to the times from an international perspective and at a general theoretical level. His important statement that Marxism “can take root only through indigenization, and can be full of vitality only through adaptation to the times” [2]2 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Marx” (May 4, 2018), in Xi Jinping, *The Governance of China*, Vol. 3, Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2020, p. 76. elucidates the principle that Marxism must be integrated with the national conditions and temporal characteristics of each country, profoundly revealing the general law by which Marxism achieves innovative development through the basic paths of indigenization and adaptation to the times.

习近平不仅结合中国国情论述了马克思主义中国化时代化问题，而且从国际视野和一般理论高度论述了马克思主义本土化时代化问题。他关于马克思主义“本土化才能落地生根，时代化才能充满生机”的重要论述，阐明了马克思主义必须与各国国情和时代特征相结合的道理，深刻揭示了马克思主义通过本土化和时代化的基本路径实现创新发展的一般规律。

Indigenization and adaptation to the times are the two basic paths for the innovative development of Marxism. Marxism is a universal truth, but its practical application “must be determined, in each particular instance, by the historically given conditions” [3]3 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, *Manifesto of the Communist Party* (1872 German edition preface), in *Marx & Engels Collected Works*, Vol. 23, London: Lawrence & Wishart, 1988, p. 175.. The historically given conditions referred to here include both spatial and temporal dimensions. Indigenization is concretization in the spatial sense, referring to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the actual national conditions, historical traditions, and cultural heritage of each country. Adaptation to the times is concretization in the temporal sense, referring to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the characteristics of the era. In fact, indigenization and adaptation to the times are entirely inseparable; only by grasping these two dimensions comprehensively can the law of Marxist innovative development be revealed.

本土化和时代化是马克思主义创新发展的两条基本路径。马克思主义是普遍真理，但其实际运用“随时随地都要以当时的历史条件为转移”。这里所说的历史条件既包括空间维度上的，也包括时间维度上的。本土化是空间意义上的具体化，指的是马克思主义基本原理与各国的实际国情、历史传统和文化传承相结合。时代化是时间意义上的具体化，指的是马克思主义基本原理与时代特征相结合。事实上，本土化和时代化是全然不可分割的，只有将这两个维度综合起来把握，才能揭示出马克思主义创新发展的规律。

Every major innovative development of Marxism has been the result of communists in a specific country integrating the basic principles of Marxism with their own national conditions and the characteristics of the era. This was the case in Russia, and it is also the case in China, where it is most typical. Here, the indigenization and adaptation of Marxism to the times are concretely manifested as the Sinicization and adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and the Sinicization and adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times are in turn concentratedly manifested in the “Two Integrations” [4]4 The “Two Integrations” refers to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities (the “First Integration”) and with the finest traditional Chinese culture (the “Second Integration”). The “Second Integration” was formally proposed by Xi Jinping in his July 1, 2021 speech at the celebration of the centenary of the CPC., namely, the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the finest traditional Chinese culture. During the period of China’s New Democratic Revolution and the period of socialist revolution and construction, Mao Zedong explicitly raised the requirement of “integration” and focused on discussing and emphasizing the “First Integration”; under the historical conditions of socialism with Chinese characteristics entering the New Era, Xi Jinping further proposed and emphasized the “Second Integration,” forming the complete expression of the “Two Integrations.” This is a major ideological emancipation for Chinese communists in advancing theoretical innovation, and also a major theoretical innovation for Chinese communists in revealing the law of Marxist innovative development. The “Two Integrations” not only have special significance for China but also possess universal applicability, demonstrating the necessity and possibility of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the specific realities and historical cultures of each country, thereby scientifically interpreting the deep connotation of the indigenization and adaptation of Marxism to the times, especially indigenization.

马克思主义每一次重大的创新发展，都是某一具体国家的共产党人把马克思主义基本原理与本国国情和时代特征相结合的结果。在俄国是如此，在中国也是如此，而且在中国表现得最为典型。在这里，马克思主义本土化和时代化具体地表现为马克思主义中国化和时代化，而马克思主义中国化时代化又集中表现为“两个结合”，即马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合。在中国新民主主义革命时期以及社会主义革命和建设时期，毛泽东明确提出“结合”的要求，并着重论述和强调了“第一个结合”；在中国特色社会主义进入新时代的历史条件下，习近平进一步提出和强调了“第二个结合”，并形成“两个结合”的完整表述。这是中国共产党人在推进理论创新上的重大思想解放，也是中国共产党人在揭示马克思主义创新发展规律上的重大理论创新。“两个结合”不仅对中国有特殊意义，而且具有普遍适用性，表明马克思主义基本原理与各国具体实际和历史文化相结合的必要性和可能性，从而科学诠释了马克思主义本土化时代化特别是本土化的深层内涵。

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the Marxism of contemporary China and the Marxism of the twenty-first century. It is the vivid embodiment in contemporary China of the law governing the cross-fertilization of the localization and temporalization of Marxism. On the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, continuously opening up new frontiers in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists. On the one hand, we must adhere to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities. “Proceed from reality in everything we do, focus on solving practical problems arising in reform, opening up, and socialist modernization in the new era, and constantly answer the questions posed by China, by the world, by the people, and by the times.” [n] On the other hand, we must adhere to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of traditional Chinese culture. This means integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the history, culture, mode of thinking, and national psychology of the Chinese nation, continuously consolidating the historical foundation and mass base for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and enabling Marxism to take deep root in China. Of course, contemporary Chinese Communists should also keep an eye on the development of Marxism worldwide and continuously make new contributions to advancing the innovative development of Marxism in China and the world in the twenty-first century.

习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义，是马克思主义本土化与时代化交叉融合规律在当代中国的生动体现。在全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程上，不断开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界是当代中国共产党人的庄严历史责任。一方面，要坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合。“一切从实际出发，着眼解决新时代改革开放和社会主义现代化建设的实际问题，不断回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问。”另一方面，要坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合。这就是把马克思主义基本原理同中华民族的历史文化、思维方式、民族心理结合起来，不断夯实马克思主义中国化时代化的历史根基和群众基础，让马克思主义在中国牢牢扎根。当然，当代中国共产党人还应放眼马克思主义在世界范围的发展状况，为推进马克思主义在21世纪中国与世界的创新发展不断作出新的贡献。

IV. The Law of the Organic Integration of Divergent Development and Fusion Development

四、分化发展与聚变发展有机结合规律

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the emergence of many theoretical viewpoints has exhibited a noteworthy theoretical phenomenon—divergent development, that is, the birth of new theoretical viewpoints from original ones, the unfolding of an existing general viewpoint into several more specific viewpoints. For example, from “one integration” to “the Two Integrations,” that is, from Mao Zedong’s integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities, it diverged and developed into the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture. Another example: from “one adaptation” to “two adaptations,” that is, from adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, it diverged and developed into adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Yet another example: from “one works” to “two works,” that is, from the proposition that the ultimate reason why the Communist Party of China works and why socialism with Chinese characteristics works is that Marxism works, it diverged and developed into the proposition that the ultimate reason why the Communist Party of China works and why socialism with Chinese characteristics works is that Marxism works, and that Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times works, and so on.

党的十八大以来，许多理论观点的提出呈现出一种值得注意的理论现象——分化式发展，即从原有的理论观点中脱胎出新的理论观点，从一个既有的总观点出发，展开为几个更具体的观点。比如，从“一个结合”到“两个结合”，即从毛泽东提出的马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，分化发展为马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合。再比如，从“一化”到“两化”，即从马克思主义中国化，分化发展为马克思主义中国化时代化。还比如，从“一个行”到“两个行”，即从中国共产党为什么能、中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是马克思主义行，分化发展为中国共产党为什么能、中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是马克思主义行，是中国化时代化的马克思主义行，等等。

Corresponding to divergent development, in the course of elaborating “the Two Integrations,” especially “the Second Integration,” Xi Jinping also put forward the important viewpoint of “fusion development.” When presiding over the sixth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee, he pointed out: “Guided by Marxism, we must comprehensively excavate the treasure trove of over five thousand years of Chinese civilization, use Marxism to activate the vital and excellent factors within the best of traditional Chinese culture and endow them with new contemporary connotations, inject the great spirit and rich wisdom of the Chinese nation more deeply into Marxism, effectively integrate the essence of Marxist thought with the cream of the best of traditional Chinese culture, fuse them into new theoretical advantages, and continuously scale new ideological peaks.” [n] In this exposition, “fuse them into new theoretical advantages” reveals an innovative development mode in which Marxism, by integrating with other ideological cultures, develops into a new theoretical form. Combining the above two modes of theoretical innovation yields an important law of Marxist innovative development: the law of the organic integration of divergent development and fusion development.

与分化发展相对应，习近平在阐述“两个结合”特别是“第二个结合”的过程中还提出了“聚变发展”的重要观点。他在主持二十届中央政治局第六次集体学习时指出：“以马克思主义为指导对中华五千多年文明宝库进行全面挖掘，用马克思主义激活中华优秀传统文化中富有生命力的优秀因子并赋予新的时代内涵，将中华民族的伟大精神和丰富智慧更深层次地注入马克思主义，有效把马克思主义思想精髓同中华优秀传统文化精华贯通起来，聚变为新的理论优势，不断攀登新的思想高峰。”在这一论述中，“聚变为新的理论优势”揭示出马克思主义通过与其他思想文化相结合，从而发展为一种新的理论形态的创新发展方式。将上述两种理论创新方式结合起来，便可得到马克思主义创新发展的一条重要规律：分化发展与聚变发展有机结合规律。

The law of the organic integration of divergent development and fusion development reveals the inner mechanism of Marxist innovative development. So-called divergent development refers to differentiation from original ideas and viewpoints and the attainment of new development. The self-differentiation and unfolding of certain ideas and viewpoints within a theoretical system can generate new ideas and viewpoints, thereby promoting the innovative development of the theory itself, just as living organisms in nature achieve the continuation of life through the division of their own cells. This is a kind of endogenous development, meaning that new ideas and viewpoints are not appended from the outside but are themselves contained within the original proposition, existing as an element or embryo. When they mature and are needed by reality, they are born from the original theoretical matrix. For example, within the proposition of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities, the connotation of integrating with the best of traditional Chinese culture is itself already contained. This is because, in a broad sense, China’s specific realities include both the actualities of social reality and the actualities of history and culture. However, since the latter did not have prominent significance when the original proposition was put forward, it was not necessary to raise it separately at that time. Under the new conditions of the era, out of the need to strengthen cultural confidence and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, Xi Jinping explicitly raised the issue of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of traditional Chinese culture, developing “one integration” into “the Two Integrations.” This is a typical manifestation of the divergent development of original ideas and viewpoints.

分化发展与聚变发展有机结合规律揭示了马克思主义创新发展的内在机理。所谓分化发展，指的是从原有的思想观点中分化出来并获得新的发展。一个理论体系中的某些思想观点的自我分化和展开，会产生新的思想观点，从而促进理论本身的创新发展，正如自然界中的生命体在自身细胞分裂中实现生命延续一样。这是一种内生性的发展，即新的思想观点并不是从外面追加上来的，而是本身包含在原有命题里，作为一种元素或幼体而存在，当其孕育成熟并为现实所需要的时候，便从原本的理论母体中诞生出来。比如，在马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的命题中，其实本身已经包含同中华优秀传统文化相结合的意涵在内。这是因为，从广义上讲，中国具体实际既包含社会现实实际，也包含历史文化实际。然而，由于后者在原有命题提出时并不具有突出意义，因而在当时也就不具有单独提出的必要性。在新的时代条件下，出于坚定文化自信、建设中华民族现代文明的需要，习近平明确提出马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合的问题，把“一个结合”发展为“两个结合”，正是原有思想观点分化发展的典型表现。

In comparison, fusion development can be said to be a kind of exogenous development, that is, Marxism enriches and develops itself by absorbing nourishment from other ideological resources. Fusion is originally a term from physics, referring to the process in which lighter atomic nuclei combine to form heavier atomic nuclei, releasing enormous energy. Theoretical fusion, on the other hand, refers to the release of powerful theoretical force through the encounter and collision of different theoretical systems. It is noteworthy that this fusion is not an external combination in the ordinary sense, but a more profound aggregation reaction. In terms of the profundity of the fusion between the essence of Marxist thought and the cream of the best of traditional Chinese culture, it can also be considered a chemical reaction. Xi Jinping proposed: “‘Integration’ is not a ‘patchwork,’ not a simple ‘physical reaction,’ but a profound ‘chemical reaction.’” [n] The inner mechanism of fusion development is not the arbitrary grafting of content or the haphazard splicing of discourse between Marxism and other ideological resources, but rather taking Marxism as the foundation and drawing on other theoretical viewpoints as important resources for reference, thereby achieving new theoretical breakthroughs. Divergent development and fusion development are two paths of theoretical innovation that are completely different, yet at the same time they complement and supplement each other. Therefore, it can be said that only by organically integrating these two paths can we reveal such a law of Marxist innovative development.

相比较而言，聚变发展可以说是一种外生性的发展，即马克思主义通过从其他思想资源汲取营养来充实和发展自身。聚变原本是一个物理学术语，指的是质量较轻的原子核聚合生成为质量较重的原子核，并释放出巨大能量。而理论上的聚变指的是不同理论体系通过相遇碰撞而释放出强大的理论力量。值得注意的是，这种聚变不是普通意义上的外在化组合，而是更深刻的聚合反应。就马克思主义思想精髓和中华优秀传统文化精华发生聚变的深刻性而言，也可以认为它是一种化学反应。习近平提出：“‘结合’不是‘拼盘’，不是简单的‘物理反应’，而是深刻的‘化学反应’。”聚变发展的内在机理不是把马克思主义同其他思想资源在内容上进行随意嫁接、在话语上进行任意拼凑，而是以马克思主义为本，把其他思想理论观点作为重要资源加以借鉴，从而实现新的理论突破。分化发展和聚变发展是两种路径完全不同的理论创新方式，但同时又是相辅相成、互为补充的。因此可以说，只有将这两种路径有机结合起来，才能揭示出这样一条马克思主义创新发展的规律。

The law of the organic integration of divergent development and fusion development is centrally embodied in the process of the Party’s theoretical innovation in the New Era. The formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is both a further unfolding of the Party’s basic theory under new historical conditions and the result of an aggregation reaction between the Party’s basic theory and the best of traditional Chinese culture. On the new journey of the New Era, to grasp and apply the law of the organic integration of divergent development and fusion development, on the one hand, we must promote the self-unfolding and self-development of Marxism from the abstract to the concrete; on the other hand, we must further nourish Marxism with the best of traditional Chinese culture. In this way, we can both activate Chinese civilization with the truth force of Marxism and provide Marxism with rich nourishment from the best of traditional Chinese culture, continuously endowing Marxism with national spirit and rich wisdom.

分化发展与聚变发展有机结合规律在新时代党的理论创新过程中得到集中体现。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的形成和发展，既是党的基本理论在新的历史条件下的进一步展开，也是党的基本理论在同中华优秀传统文化发生聚合反应的结果。新时代新征程上，掌握和运用好分化发展和聚变发展有机结合规律，一方面要推进马克思主义从抽象到具体的自我展开和自我发展，另一方面要进一步用中华优秀传统文化滋养马克思主义。这样就能够既以马克思主义的真理力量激活中华文明，又以中华优秀传统文化为马克思主义提供丰厚养料，不断赋予马克思主义以民族精神和丰富智慧。

V. The Law of the Benign Interaction between Theoretical Innovation and Practical Innovation

五、理论创新与实践创新良性互动规律

Xi Jinping has scientifically expounded the relationship between theoretical innovation and practical innovation, and from this has revealed another basic law of Marxist innovative development. He pointed out: “We must deepen our understanding, constantly sum up experience, and continuously carry out theoretical innovation in accordance with the changes of the times and the development of practice. We must adhere to the dialectical unity of theoretical guidance and practical exploration, achieve a benign interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation, and develop Marxism for twenty-first-century China in this unity and interaction.” [n] What is discussed here is precisely the law of the benign interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation.

习近平科学论述了理论创新与实践创新的关系问题，并从中揭示了马克思主义创新发展的又一基本规律。他指出：“我们要根据时代变化和实践发展，不断深化认识，不断总结经验，不断进行理论创新，坚持理论指导和实践探索辩证统一，实现理论创新和实践创新良性互动，在这种统一和互动中发展21世纪中国的马克思主义。”这里谈到的就是理论创新与实践创新良性互动规律。

The innovation and development of Marxism involves two aspects: theoretical innovation and practical innovation. Theoretical innovation refers to the enrichment and development of Marxist theory itself, including the enrichment of conceptual terminology, breakthroughs in theoretical viewpoints, the consolidation of the theoretical system, and innovation in research methods. Practical innovation refers to the development of the socialist movement under the guidance of Marxism, including innovation in many aspects such as development goals and means of realization. Only by comprehensively grasping both, and accurately revealing the inner mechanism of how theoretical innovation and practical innovation interact positively, can we truly reveal the laws of Marxist innovation and development.

马克思主义的创新发展关涉理论创新与实践创新两个方面。理论创新指的是马克思主义理论本身的丰富和发展，包括概念术语的丰富、理论观点的突破、理论体系的充实、研究方法的创新等。实践创新指的是马克思主义指导下的社会主义运动的发展，包括发展目标、实现手段等诸多方面的创新。只有对二者进行综合把握，并准确揭示理论创新与实践创新何以良性互动的内在机理，才能真正揭示马克思主义创新发展的规律。

The law of positive interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation reveals the inner driving force of Marxist innovation and development. Marxism is a doctrine in which theory and practice are highly unified. To reveal its laws of innovation and development, one must delve deeply into the unity of theory and practice, especially the unity of theoretical innovation and practical innovation, and examine the specific mechanisms of this unity. This leads into the interactive relationship between theoretical innovation and practical innovation. Interaction refers to mutual connection, mutual influence, and mutual promotion. Neither theoretical innovation nor practical innovation can seal itself off; each must achieve its purpose through interaction with the other. On the one hand, practical innovation constitutes the realistic foundation of theoretical innovation. Major achievements in Marxist theoretical innovation are often refined and elevated on the basis of summarizing practical experience. When new practical conditions are encountered, or when new difficulties and challenges arise, especially when existing theories can no longer meet the needs of the actual movement, the socialist movement itself seeks new breakthroughs through continuous experimentation. New practical explorations bring fresh experience, which becomes a reliable support for theoretical innovation. On the other hand, practical innovation also requires the support and guidance of theoretical innovation. It is precisely those new concepts and ideas with original characteristics that provide scientific theoretical guidance for the continuous development of the socialist movement, thereby helping practical endeavors achieve new progress. The mutual promotion of practical innovation and theoretical innovation provides a powerful driving force for Marxist innovation and development.

理论创新与实践创新良性互动规律揭示了马克思主义创新发展的内在动力。马克思主义是理论与实践高度统一的学说，要想揭示其创新发展规律，就必须深入理论与实践的统一中，特别是理论创新与实践创新的统一中去，考察二者统一的具体机理。这样就进入了理论创新与实践创新的互动关系中。互动指的是相互联结、相互作用、相互促进。理论创新与实践创新都不能把自身封闭起来，而必须通过与另一方产生互动方能实现目的。一方面，实践创新构成理论创新的现实基础。马克思主义的重大理论创新成果，往往是在总结实践经验的基础上提炼升华而来的。当遇到新的现实条件，或者面临新的困难和挑战，特别是当既有理论不能满足现实运动需要的时候，社会主义运动本身就会通过不断的尝试来寻求新的突破，而新的实践探索会带来新鲜经验，这些新鲜经验就成为理论创新的可靠依托。另一方面，实践创新也需要理论创新的支撑和引领。正是那些具有原创性特征的新理念新思想为社会主义运动的不断发展提供科学理论指导，从而有助于现实实践取得新进展。实践创新与理论创新的相互促进，为马克思主义创新发展提供了强大动力。

It should be noted here that the interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation is a dynamic and complex process that may present different states, including both positive interaction and non-positive interaction. So-called positive interaction refers to the formation of a smooth and effective mutual effect between these two types of innovation, thereby establishing a harmonious relationship of mutual support and mutual promotion. Just as there are contradictions between theory and practice, there are also contradictions between theoretical innovation and practical innovation. To smoothly achieve positive interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation, it is required, on the one hand, that practical innovation must proceed without violating the logic of theory, and on the other hand, that theoretical innovation must not transcend the stage and possibility of practice.

这里需要注意，理论创新与实践创新的互动是一个动态运行的复杂过程，可能呈现不同的状态，既有良性互动，也有非良性互动。所谓良性互动，指的是这两种创新之间形成了一种顺畅有效的相互作用，从而建立起相互支撑、彼此促进的和谐关系。同理论与实践之间存在矛盾一样，理论创新与实践创新之间也存在矛盾。为了顺利实现理论创新与实践创新之间的良性互动，一方面要求实践创新必须在不违反理论逻辑的前提下进行，另一方面则要求理论创新不能超越实践的阶段性和可能性。

The positive interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation has been centrally embodied in our Party’s continuous process of opening up new horizons in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. For over 100 years, our Party has consistently adhered, in different historical periods, to promoting the further enrichment and development of scientific theory around the central work, and has used the continuously developing Marxist theory to guide new practice, achieving a double harvest of theoretical development and practical progress. On the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, China’s reform, development, and stability; domestic affairs, foreign affairs, and national defense; and the governance of the Party, the state, and the military all face many new issues. This urgently requires us to deliver a satisfactory answer from the perspective of combining theoretical innovation and practical innovation. To this end, we must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the fundamental guide, continuously promote new progress and new breakthroughs in Chinese-path modernization, and on this basis, promote the further enrichment and improvement of Marxism for contemporary China and Marxism for the 21st century.

理论创新和实践创新的良性互动在我们党不断开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界的过程中得到了集中体现。100多年来，我们党在不同的历史时期始终坚持围绕中心工作来推动科学理论的进一步丰富发展，并用不断发展着的马克思主义理论来指导新的实践，实现了理论发展和实践进步的双丰收。在全面建设社会主义现代化国家的新征程上，我国改革发展稳定、内政外交国防、治党治国治军各领域都面临许多新的课题，这迫切需要我们从理论创新与实践创新的结合方面交出令人满意的答卷。为此，我们要坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为根本指引，不断推进中国式现代化取得新进展新突破，并在此基础上推动当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义取得进一步丰富和完善。

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心