Forever Remember Comrade Mao Zedong’s Immense Contributions and Lofty Character

This year marks the 130th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Mao Zedong, the principal founder of the Communist Party of China, the People’s Liberation Army, and the People’s Republic of China, and the great leader of the Chinese people of all ethnicities. As a great figure of his era who led the Chinese people to fundamentally change their own destiny and the face of the country, Comrade Mao Zedong left us an extremely rich and precious legacy, covering all aspects of governing the Party, the state, and the military, and possessing eternal value that transcends time and space. On the new journey, commemorating Comrade Mao Zedong’s immense contributions and learning from his lofty spirit and character is of great significance for the entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country to unite closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and to comprehensively advance the cause of building a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

今年是中国共产党、中国人民解放军、中华人民共和国的主要缔造者，中国各族人民的伟大领袖毛泽东同志诞辰130周年。作为领导中国人民彻底改变自己命运和国家面貌的一代伟人，毛泽东同志给我们留下了极为丰厚的宝贵遗产，涉及治党治国治军方方面面，具有超越时空的永恒价值。新征程上，缅怀毛泽东同志的丰功伟绩，学习他的崇高精神和风范，对全党全军全国各族人民紧密团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业，具有重大意义。

Today, as we deeply commemorate Comrade Mao Zedong, we must profoundly recognize the great historical achievements Comrade Mao Zedong, as the core of the Party’s first generation of central collective leadership, established for the Party and the people, and more deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the “Two Establishments,” and resolutely achieve the “Two Upholds.”

今天我们深切缅怀毛泽东同志，就要深刻认识毛泽东同志作为党的第一代中央领导集体的核心为党和人民建立的伟大历史功勋，更加深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”

In times of great difficulty, circumstances create heroes. Great historical figures inevitably emerge from great eras of struggle. Comrade Mao Zedong was precisely such a great figure, born from the circumstances of modern Chinese historical development, from the arduous and extraordinary struggle of the Chinese people to resist foreign invasion and oppose national and class oppression. That China produced a Mao Zedong is the pride of our Party, the pride of our country, and the pride of the Chinese nation.

天下艰难际，时势造英雄。伟大的斗争时代必然会生长出伟大的历史人物。毛泽东同志就是从近代以来中国历史发展的时势中，从中国人民抵御外敌入侵、反抗民族压迫和阶级压迫的艰苦卓绝斗争中产生的伟大人物。中国出了个毛泽东，是我们党的骄傲，是我们国家的骄傲，是中华民族的骄傲。

Comrade Mao Zedong’s life was a magnificent epic of surging waves, a splendid picture scroll of breathtaking grandeur, and a stirring, heroic movement. Facing the profound calamity of national humiliation, the people’s suffering, and the miring of civilization in dust, Comrade Mao Zedong resolutely chose Marxism-Leninism, chose to strive for the realization of communism, threw himself into the torrent of revolution, and shouldered the historical responsibility of turning things around and restoring the nation. In the long years of revolution, with the firm will of a great revolutionary leader— “to be like the Kunlun Mountains collapsing cliffs, or like a typhoon sweeping the universe” [1]1 The Two Establishments (两个确立): The establishment of Xi — the heroic spirit of “asking the vast earth, who decides its rise and fall” [2]2 The “Six Musts” (六个必须坚持) are: must uphold the people-centered development philosophy, must uphold self-confidence and self-reliance, must uphold integrity and innovation, must uphold problem-oriented approach, must uphold a systems thinking, and must uphold a global vision. They are the basic points for grasping Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. , the great talent and bold vision of “stirring up a thousand waves that overturn rivers and seas” and “sweeping away a thousand armies like a rolled-up mat” [3]3 “Two bombs, one satellite” refers to China’s successful development of atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, and artificial satellites in the 1960s and 1970s, symbolizing major breakthroughs in national defense and technology. , and the broad mind of “a peaceful world, where all under heaven share the same warmth and coolness” [4]4 “Expelled from the ranks of nations” is a phrase Mao used to warn that without rapid development, China might be marginalized or eliminated from the international community. , Comrade Mao Zedong transformed an old China, where “in the land of red flags, the long night was hard to dawn” [5]5 “Strike with one punch to avoid a hundred punches” is a strategic maxim Mao used to justify China’s entry into the Korean War (1950–1953), arguing that a decisive intervention would deter future aggression. , into a new China where everywhere “the world had changed” [6]6 This line is from a poem by Mao Zedong, expressing defiance against superpower intimidation during the Sino-Soviet split and the Cold War. . Comrade Mao Zedong’s most outstanding and greatest contribution in his life was leading our Party and people to find the correct path of the new-democratic revolution, completing the tasks of anti-imperialism and anti-feudalism, establishing the People’s Republic of China, establishing the basic system of socialism, achieving foundational accomplishments in socialist construction, and accumulating experience and providing conditions for our exploration of the path of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. He created the fundamental prerequisite and laid a solid theoretical and practical foundation for the victorious development of our Party and people’s cause and for the Chinese nation to stride forward to catch up with the trends of the times. Comrade Mao Zedong’s revolutionary practice and brilliant achievements have been recorded in the annals of the Chinese nation. His name, his thought, and his character will forever inspire us to continue advancing!

毛泽东同志的一生，是波澜壮阔的宏伟史诗，是气吞山河的壮丽画卷，是慷慨激昂的华彩乐章。面对国家蒙辱、人民蒙难、文明蒙尘的深重劫难，毛泽东同志毅然选择了马克思列宁主义，选择了为实现共产主义而奋斗，纵身投入革命洪流，担当起扭转乾坤、重整河山的历史重任。在漫长的革命岁月中，毛泽东同志以一个伟大革命领袖“要似昆仑崩绝壁，又恰像台风扫寰宇”的坚定意志，“问苍茫大地，谁主沉浮”的英雄气概，“倒海翻江卷巨澜”、“横扫千军如卷席”的雄才大略，“太平世界，环球同此凉热”的宽广胸怀，将一个“长夜难明赤县天”的旧中国变成处处“换了人间”的新中国。毛泽东同志毕生最突出最伟大的贡献，就是领导我们党和人民找到了新民主主义革命的正确道路，完成了反帝反封建的任务，建立了中华人民共和国，确立了社会主义基本制度，取得了社会主义建设的基础性成就，并为我们探索建设中国特色社会主义的道路积累了经验和提供了条件，为我们党和人民事业胜利发展、为中华民族阔步赶上时代发展潮流创造了根本前提，奠定了坚实的理论和实践基础。毛泽东同志的革命实践和光辉业绩已经载入中华民族史册。他的名字、他的思想、他的风范将永远鼓舞我们继续前进！

Possessing a strong leadership core and scientific theoretical guidance is a significant hallmark of a mature Marxist political party and a fundamental issue concerning the future and destiny of the Party and the state. Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “Any leading collective must have a core; a collective without a core is unreliable.” [7]7 “Tiny globe” is a phrase from Mao’s poem “The Immortals·Reply to Comrade Guo Moruo” (1963), reflecting a global strategic perspective. The Zunyi Meeting [8]8 “Small ball turning the big ball” refers to ping-pong diplomacy (1971–1972), where sports exchanges between China and the U.S. helped thaw bilateral relations, leading to Nixon’s visit. effectively established Comrade Mao Zedong’s leadership position in the Party Central Committee and the Red Army, began to establish the leadership position of the correct Marxist line, with Comrade Mao Zedong as the main representative, within the Party Central Committee, and began to form the Party’s first generation of central collective leadership with Comrade Mao Zedong at its core. Only then did our Party gradually become a truly mature Marxist political party. Comrade Mao Zedong saved the Chinese revolution from crisis many times, leading it from a path of mountains and rivers to a bright future. As Comrade Deng Xiaoping said: “Without Chairman Mao, at least we Chinese people would still be groping in the

拥有坚强的领导核心、科学的理论指引，是成熟的马克思主义政党的显著标志，是关乎党和国家前途命运的根本性问题。邓小平同志指出：“任何一个领导集体都要有一个核心，没有核心的领导是靠不住的。”遵义会议事实上确立了毛泽东同志在党中央和红军的领导地位，开始确立以毛泽东同志为主要代表的马克思主义正确路线在党中央的领导地位，开始形成以毛泽东同志为核心的党的第一代中央领导集体，我们党才逐步成为一个真正成熟的马克思主义政党。毛泽东同志多次从危机中挽救了中国革命，使中国革命从山重水复走向柳暗花明。正如邓小平同志所说：“没有毛主席，至少我们中国人民还要在黑暗中摸索更长的时间。”“没有毛泽东思想，就没有今天的中国共产党”。这是实践的结论，也是历史的公论。

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, in the course of the new great struggle, our Party has once again gained General Secretary Xi Jinping as a widely respected Party core, people’s leader, and military commander. This is the fortune of the Party and the state, the fortune of the people, and the fortune of the Chinese nation. The fundamental reason why the cause of the Party and the state in the New Era has achieved historic accomplishments and undergone historic transformations lies in having General Secretary Xi Jinping at the helm as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire Party, and in the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Practice has fully proven that the Two Establishments are a major political achievement of the Party in the New Era. They have become a high consensus and common will of the entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country. They have been written into the great journey of the New Era and into the hearts of the entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country. They are the greatest certainty, the greatest confidence, and the greatest guarantee for the Party and the people in dealing with all uncertainties. On the new journey, we must deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, strengthen the Four Consciousnesses, fortify the Four Confidences, and achieve the Two Upholds. We must consciously maintain a high degree of alignment with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in thought, politics, and action, and jointly forge the Party into a piece of hard steel that is invincible and ever-victorious.

党的十八大以来，在新的伟大斗争中，我们党又有了习近平总书记这样一位众望所归的党的核心、人民领袖、军队统帅，这是党和国家之幸、人民之幸、中华民族之幸。新时代党和国家事业之所以取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，最根本的原因在于有习近平总书记作为党中央的核心、全党的核心领航掌舵，在于有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引。实践充分证明，“两个确立”是党在新时代取得的重大政治成果，已经成为全党全军全国各族人民的高度共识和共同意志，已经写在了新时代的伟大征程中、写在了全党全军全国各族人民心坎上，是党和人民应对一切不确定性的最大确定性、最大底气、最大保证。新征程上，我们要深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”，自觉在思想上政治上行动上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致，共同把党锻造成一块攻无不克、战无不胜的坚硬钢铁。

Today, as we deeply commemorate Comrade Mao Zedong, we must profoundly grasp Comrade Mao Zedong’s outstanding historical contributions as the great pioneer in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. In advancing the Two Integrations and practicing the Six Musts, we must continuously open up new frontiers in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

今天我们深切缅怀毛泽东同志，就要深刻把握毛泽东同志作为马克思主义中国化伟大开拓者的卓越历史贡献，在推进“两个结合”、践行“六个必须坚持”中不断开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界

In old China, a semi-colonial and semi-feudal Eastern power with special and complex conditions, to truly apply Marxism to guide the Chinese revolution, it was necessary to closely integrate it with China’s national conditions and the conditions of the times, and to make scientific theoretical generalizations that conformed to China’s actual reality. The reason why Marxism works is that the Party continuously advances the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times and uses it to guide practice.

在旧中国这样情况特殊而复杂的半殖民地半封建的东方大国，要真正运用马克思主义来指导中国革命，必须紧密结合中国国情和时代条件，作出符合中国实际的科学理论概括。马克思主义之所以行，就在于党不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化并用以指导实践。

Comrade Mao Zedong was the first to propose the major proposition of “adapting Marxism to the Chinese context,” emphasizing that “Marxism must be combined with China’s specific characteristics and realized through certain national forms,” and called on the entire Party to use the “arrow” of Marxism-Leninism to shoot at the “target” of the Chinese revolution. In the long-term practice of revolution and construction, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their main representative, formed a scientific guiding ideology suitable for China’s conditions based on the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism. This is Mao Zedong Thought. This thought enriched and developed Marxism-Leninism with original theories, achieving the first historic leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. Following the path of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context pioneered by Comrade Mao Zedong, our Party successively established Deng Xiaoping Theory, formed the important thought of the Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, providing scientific theoretical guidance for the development of the Party and the people’s cause that is both continuous and advancing with the times. Mao Zedong Thought has nurtured generations of Chinese Communists and is a glorious banner that we must hold high forever.

毛泽东同志最早提出“马克思主义中国化”的重大命题，强调“马克思主义必须和我国的具体特点相结合并通过一定的民族形式才能实现”，号召全党用马克思列宁主义之“矢”去射中国革命之“的”。在革命和建设的长期实践中，以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，根据马克思列宁主义基本原理，形成了适合中国情况的科学指导思想，这就是毛泽东思想。这一思想以独创性理论丰富和发展了马克思列宁主义，实现了马克思主义中国化的第一次历史性飞跃。沿着毛泽东同志开辟的马克思主义中国化道路，我们党先后创立了邓小平理论，形成了“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观，创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，为党和人民事业发展提供了既一脉相承又与时俱进的科学理论指导。毛泽东思想哺育了一代又一代中国共产党人，是我们必须世世代代永远高举的光辉旗帜。

Comrade Mao Zedong once vividly described the Marxist worldview and methodology as the “common language” of Communists. The living soul of Mao Zedong Thought is the stance, viewpoint, and method that run through it, embodied in the three basic aspects of seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence and self-reliance; it is an enduring intra-Party “common language” for Chinese Communists. Only by adhering to the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought can Mao Zedong Thought be developed on the basis of upholding it. As the Marxism of contemporary China and the Marxism of the 21st century, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is internally consistent with Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development in terms of theoretical foundation, historical foundation, and cultural foundation, and is consistent in political stance, theoretical character, value orientation, and goal pursuit. At the same time, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has made original contributions to enriching and developing Marxism through a series of landmark and guiding new ideas, new viewpoints, and new judgments, achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. The “Six Musts” [2]2 The “Six Musts” (六个必须坚持) are: must uphold the people-centered development philosophy, must uphold self-confidence and self-reliance, must uphold integrity and innovation, must uphold problem-oriented approach, must uphold a systems thinking, and must uphold a global vision. They are the basic points for grasping Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. that run through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era are the adherence to and application, innovation and development of the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method, the adherence to and application, innovation and development of the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought, the “common language” of Chinese Communists in the New Era, and the basic points that must be grasped to continue theoretical innovation on the basis of practice.

毛泽东同志曾形象地把马克思主义世界观和方法论称为共产党人的“共同语言”。毛泽东思想活的灵魂是贯穿其中的立场、观点、方法，体现为实事求是、群众路线、独立自主三个基本方面，是中国共产党人永不过时的党内“共同语言”。只有坚持毛泽东思想活的灵魂，才能在坚持的基础上发展毛泽东思想。作为当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想同毛泽东思想、邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观在理论基础、历史基础、文化基础上内在一致，在政治立场、理论品格、价值取向、目标追求上一以贯之。同时，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想以一系列标志性引领性的新思想新观点新论断，为丰富发展马克思主义作出了原创性贡献，实现了马克思主义中国化时代化新的飞跃。贯穿于习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的“六个必须坚持”，是对马克思主义立场观点方法的坚持和运用、创新和发展，是对毛泽东思想活的灵魂的坚持和运用、创新和发展，是新时代中国共产党人的“共同语言”，是继续推进实践基础上的理论创新必须把握的基本点。

To advance adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, adhering to the Two Integrations is the fundamental path. Comrade Mao Zedong creatively resolved a series of major issues concerning the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities. At the same time, as an outstanding representative of Chinese Communists who regarded all fine traditions of the Chinese nation as “things that are as flesh and blood to oneself,” he emphasized inheriting and summing up the precious legacy “from Confucius to Sun Yat-sen,” and put forward a series of important guidelines such as “making the past serve the present” and “weeding through the old to bring forth the new.” Comrade Mao Zedong possessed an extremely profound cultivation in traditional culture, was adept at using Marxist viewpoints to transform the ancient into the present and turn stone into gold, and could skillfully employ Chinese historical allusions to elucidate practical problems of China’s revolution and construction. Comrade Mao Zedong’s works are “entirely Marxist and entirely Chinese,” brimming with a distinct Chinese style and Chinese manner. Entering the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly grasped the relationship between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture, creatively proposing the major proposition of the Second Integration. This is our Party’s profound summary of the historical experience of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and also a profound grasp of the laws governing the development of Chinese civilization. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era integrates the ideological essence of Marxism with the spiritual traits of fine traditional Chinese culture, is the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit of the times, and is a brilliant model of adhering to the Two Integrations.

推进马克思主义中国化时代化，坚持“两个结合”是根本途径。毛泽东同志创造性地解决了马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的一系列重大问题。同时，作为把中华民族一切优秀传统“看成和自己血肉相连的东西”的中国共产党人的卓越代表，他强调继承和总结“从孔夫子到孙中山”的珍贵遗产，并提出“古为今用”、“推陈出新”等一系列重要方针。毛泽东同志有着极为深厚的传统文化修养，善用马克思主义观点化古为今、点石成金，能够出神入化运用中国历史典故阐明中国革命和建设的实际问题。毛泽东同志的著作“完全是马克思主义的，又完全是中国的”，洋溢着鲜明的中国风格和中国气派。进入新时代，习近平总书记深刻把握马克思主义和中华优秀传统文化的关系，创造性提出“第二个结合”的重大命题。这是我们党对马克思主义中国化时代化历史经验的深刻总结，也是对中华文明发展规律的深刻把握。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想把马克思主义的思想精髓与中华优秀传统文化的精神特质融会贯通起来，是中华文化和中国精神的时代精华，是坚持“两个结合”的光辉典范。

Comrade Mao Zedong once said: If one is not as good as Marx, one is not a Marxist; if one is equal to Marx, one is also not a Marxist; only by surpassing Marx can one be a Marxist. On the new journey, we must combine upholding Marxism with developing Marxism, unswervingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to consolidate souls and inspire minds, hold fast to the soul of Marxism and the root of fine traditional Chinese culture, and open up new horizons for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times in the process of continuously answering the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times.

毛泽东同志说过，不如马克思，不是马克思主义者；等于马克思，也不是马克思主义者；只有超过马克思，才是马克思主义者。新征程上，我们要把坚持马克思主义和发展马克思主义结合起来，坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，坚守好马克思主义这个魂脉和中华优秀传统文化这个根脉，在不断回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问中开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界。

Today, as we deeply cherish the memory of Comrade Mao Zedong, we must unswervingly follow the socialist path laid by Comrade Mao Zedong, adhere to the unchanging path and unwavering will, and continuously advance the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era.

今天我们深切缅怀毛泽东同志，就要沿着毛泽东同志奠基的社会主义道路坚定不移走下去，坚持道不变、志不改，把新时代中国特色社会主义伟大事业不断推向前进

The path determines destiny. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: “The revolutionary party is the guide of the masses; in revolution, no revolutionary party has ever succeeded if it led the masses astray.” He began to contemplate the great question of “where is China heading” very early on, proposing that the Chinese revolution must proceed in two steps: the new-democratic revolution and the socialist revolution, with the ultimate direction being socialism. During the period of the new-democratic revolution, Comrade Mao Zedong profoundly analyzed the nature, targets, tasks, forces, and prospects of the Chinese revolution, opening up the correct revolutionary path of encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing political power by armed force. After the founding of New China, Comrade Mao Zedong led our Party in creatively completing the transition from the new-democratic revolution to the socialist revolution, successfully realizing the most extensive and profound social transformation in the history of the Chinese nation. Facing the entirely new task of how to build socialism in China, Comrade Mao Zedong proposed taking the Soviet Union as a mirror, carrying out a “second integration” of the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism with China’s specific realities, independently exploring a path of socialist construction suited to China’s national conditions, guiding the Party and the people to create great achievements in socialist revolution and construction, and providing valuable experience, theoretical preparation, and material foundation for initiating socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new historical period.

道路决定命运。毛泽东同志指出：“革命党是群众的向导，在革命中未有革命党领错了路而革命不失败的。”他很早就开始思考“中国向何处去”的大问题，提出中国革命必须分新民主主义革命和社会主义革命两步走，最终方向是社会主义。新民主主义革命时期，毛泽东同志深刻分析中国革命的性质、对象、任务、动力及前途等，开辟了农村包围城市、武装夺取政权的正确革命道路。新中国成立后，毛泽东同志领导我们党创造性完成了由新民主主义革命向社会主义革命的转变，成功实现了中华民族有史以来最为广泛而深刻的社会变革。面对如何在中国建设社会主义的崭新课题，毛泽东同志提出以苏为鉴，把马克思列宁主义基本原理同中国具体实际进行“第二次结合”，独立探索适合中国国情的社会主义建设道路，指引党和人民创造了社会主义革命和建设的伟大成就，为在新的历史时期开创中国特色社会主义提供了宝贵经验、理论准备、物质基础。

Socialism does not have a single, fixed, or immutable model. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Building socialism under such social and historical conditions in China has no precedent; it is like climbing a mountain never before trodden by humans, where every climber must blaze a trail and cut a path.” It cannot be denied that Comrade Mao Zedong took detours in his exploration of the path of socialist construction, but this spirit of independent exploration, this firm determination to walk one’s own path, is the true essence of our Party’s continuous awakening from setbacks and continuous march from victory to victory. Over the past 100-plus years, our Party has been able to explore and form the path of new-democratic revolution, the path of socialist revolution, the path of socialist construction, and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that conform to China’s realities; a basic point is that China’s problems must be addressed based on China’s basic national conditions, and China’s affairs must be decided by the Chinese people themselves. Walking one’s own path is the foothold of all the Party’s theories and practices, and it is the historical conclusion drawn from the Party’s more than 100 years of struggle.

社会主义并没有定于一尊、一成不变的模式。习近平总书记指出：“在中国这样的社会历史条件下建设社会主义，没有先例，犹如攀登一座人迹未至的高山，一切攀登者都要披荆斩棘、开通道路。”不能否认，毛泽东同志在社会主义建设道路的探索中走过弯路，但这种独立自主的探索精神，这种坚持走自己路的坚定决心，是我们党不断从挫折中觉醒、不断从胜利走向胜利的真谛。100多年来，我们党能够探索形成符合中国实际的新民主主义革命道路、社会主义革命道路、社会主义建设道路、中国特色社会主义道路，一个基本点就是中国的问题必须从中国基本国情出发，中国的事情必须由中国人民自己作主张。走自己的路，是党的全部理论和实践立足点，更是党百余年奋斗得出的历史结论。

History advances through continuous struggle. The period before reform and opening up and the period after reform and opening up are two historical periods that are interrelated yet significantly different, but in essence they are both practical explorations by our Party leading the people in socialist construction. The socialist practical exploration before reform and opening up accumulated conditions for the socialist practical exploration after reform and opening up, and the socialist practical exploration after reform and opening up is an adherence to, reform of, and development of the previous period. Socialism with Chinese characteristics, as a fundamental achievement obtained by the Party and the people through immense hardships and various sacrifices, has been gained through the great practice of reform and opening up over more than 40 years, through the continuous exploration of New China over more than 70 years, and through the great social revolution led by our Party over more than 100 years. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has adhered to the principle that “the fruits of victory of the new-democratic revolution must not be lost, the achievements of socialist revolution and construction must not be negated, and the direction of reform and opening up and socialist modernization must not be shaken,” leading the people to be confident and self-reliant, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, creating the great achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, and making scientific socialism radiate new vitality in 21st-century China.

历史是在接续奋斗中不断前进的。改革开放前和改革开放后是两个相互联系又有重大区别的历史时期，但本质上都是我们党领导人民进行社会主义建设的实践探索。改革开放前的社会主义实践探索为改革开放后的社会主义实践探索积累了条件，改革开放后的社会主义实践探索是对前一个时期的坚持、改革、发展。中国特色社会主义作为党和人民历尽千辛万苦、付出各种代价取得的根本成就，是在改革开放40多年的伟大实践中得来的，也是在新中国成立70多年的持续探索中得来的，是在我们党领导人民进行100多年的伟大社会革命中得来的。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持“新民主主义革命的胜利成果决不能丢失，社会主义革命和建设的成就决不能否定，改革开放和社会主义现代化建设的方向决不能动摇”，领导人民自信自强、守正创新，创造了新时代中国特色社会主义的伟大成就，使科学社会主义在21世纪的中国焕发出新的蓬勃生机。

“No matter how far we go, we must not forget the path we have traveled.” Looking back from today’s bright road, one feels even more deeply how arduous and difficult it was for our predecessors to open up paths and explore new roads. On the new journey, we must maintain a strong forward determination, unswervingly uphold and expand the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics in step with the times, neither taking the old path of closed-door rigidity nor the evil path of changing the flag, and compose a more splendid chapter of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era.

“一切向前走，都不能忘记走过的路”。走在今天的光明大道上回望过去，更让人深感前人开辟道路、探索新路是多么艰辛和不易。新征程上，我们要保持强大的前进定力，毫不动摇坚持、与时俱进拓展中国特色社会主义道路，既不走封闭僵化的老路，也不走改旗易帜的邪路，谱写新时代中国特色社会主义更加绚丽的华章。

Today, as we deeply cherish the memory of Comrade Mao Zedong, we must strive to realize the historical aspiration of Comrade Mao Zedong and other veteran revolutionaries to build China into a modern powerful country, and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

今天我们深切缅怀毛泽东同志，就要努力实现毛泽东同志等老一辈革命家把我国建设成为现代化强国的历史宏愿，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴

Building a modern, powerful country and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation are the grand goals our Party has tirelessly pursued, goals that embody the painstaking efforts of Comrade Mao Zedong and other veteran revolutionaries. As a pioneer of China’s modernization cause, Comrade Mao Zedong spent his life exploring how to achieve modernization for such an ancient Eastern country as China, establishing immortal merits.

建设现代化强国、实现中华民族伟大复兴，是我们党孜孜以求的宏伟目标，凝结着毛泽东同志等老一辈革命家的心血。毛泽东同志作为中国现代化事业的开拓者，一生都在为中国这样一个古老的东方大国实现现代化而上下求索，建立了不朽功勋。

Comrade Mao Zedong engaged in forward-looking thinking and planning on China’s modernization very early on. On the eve of nationwide victory, he proposed that after the revolution’s victory, China should be steadily transformed from an agricultural country into an industrial country, building China into a great socialist state. After the founding of New China, Comrade Mao Zedong further developed the idea of advancing modernization in two steps: the first step was to establish an independent and relatively complete industrial system and national economic system; the second step was to comprehensively realize the modernization of agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology. Starting from the realities of China’s large population, weak foundation, and economic backwardness, he recognized that “achieving national prosperity and industrial modernization will still require a very long time,” and that “to catch up with and surpass the world’s most advanced capitalist countries, without over a hundred years, I think it won’t be possible.” He pointed out that socialism might be divided into two stages: “underdeveloped socialism” and “relatively developed socialism,” and “the latter stage may require an even longer time than the former.” These important strategic conceptions sketched a long-term blueprint for China’s modernization.

毛泽东同志很早就对中国的现代化作出前瞻性思考和谋划。全国胜利前夕，他就提出，要在革命胜利以后，使中国稳步地由农业国变为工业国，把中国建设成一个伟大的社会主义国家。新中国成立后，毛泽东同志进一步形成了分两步推进现代化建设的思路：第一步，建立一个独立的比较完整的工业体系和国民经济体系；第二步，全面实现农业、工业、国防和科学技术的现代化。从中国人口多、底子薄、经济落后的实际出发，他认识到“实现国家的富强和工业现代化，还需要很长的时间”，“要赶上和超过世界上最先进的资本主义国家，没有一百多年的时间，我看是不行的。”他指出：社会主义又可能分为“不发达的社会主义”和“比较发达的社会主义”两个阶段，“后一阶段可能比前一阶段需要更长的时间。”这些重要战略构想，为我国现代化建设勾勒出一幅远景蓝图。

Under Comrade Mao Zedong’s leadership, from the impoverished and blank state at the founding of New China, where “not a single car, airplane, tank, or tractor could be built,” to the establishment of an independent and relatively complete industrial system and national economic system, and then to breakthroughs in cutting-edge national defense technologies such as the “two bombs, one satellite”[3]3 “Two bombs, one satellite” refers to China’s successful development of atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, and artificial satellites in the 1960s and 1970s, symbolizing major breakthroughs in national defense and technology. and nuclear submarines, our Party led the people to “achieve in thirty years progress that old China had not made in several hundred or several thousand years,” enabling China to completely escape the danger of being “expelled from the ranks of nations.”[4]4 “Expelled from the ranks of nations” is a phrase Mao used to warn that without rapid development, China might be marginalized or eliminated from the international community. The material and technological foundation for socialist modernization, on which reform and opening up later relied, was built during this period; the backbone forces for economic and cultural construction and their work experience were cultivated and accumulated during this period; and the international environment favorable to peaceful construction was also striven for during this period. It is precisely on the basis of long-term exploration and practice since the founding of New China, especially since reform and opening up, and through theoretical and practical innovations and breakthroughs since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, that our Party has successfully advanced and expanded Chinese-path modernization, leading the people onto a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. Chinese-path modernization represents the direction of progress for human civilization, presents a new picture different from the Western modernization model, creates a new form of human civilization, fully proves that the Chinese nation is a great nation that “ought to make greater contributions to humanity,” and also fully confirms the foresight and correctness of Comrade Mao Zedong’s bold prophecy that “China will become a great and powerful country that is also amiable.”

在毛泽东同志领导下，从新中国成立之初“一辆汽车、一架飞机、一辆坦克、一辆拖拉机都不能造”的一穷二白境地，到建立独立的比较完整的工业体系和国民经济体系，再到取得“两弹一星”和核潜艇等国防尖端科技突破，我们党带领人民“在三十年间取得了旧中国几百年、几千年所没有取得过的进步”，使中国彻底摆脱了被“开除球籍”的危险。改革开放后我国赖以进行社会主义现代化建设的物质技术基础是在这个时期建设起来的，经济文化建设等方面的骨干力量和他们的工作经验是在这个时期培养和积累起来的，有利于和平建设的国际环境也是在这个时期努力争取到的。正是在新中国成立特别是改革开放以来长期探索和实践基础上，经过党的十八大以来在理论和实践上的创新突破，我们党成功推进和拓展了中国式现代化，带领人民迈上了全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程。中国式现代化代表人类文明进步的发展方向，展现了不同于西方现代化模式的新图景，创造了人类文明新形态，充分证明了中华民族是“应当对于人类有较大的贡献”的伟大民族，也充分印证了毛泽东同志关于“中国会变成一个大强国而又使人可亲”这一豪迈预言的前瞻性和正确性。

Advancing Chinese-path modernization is an unprecedented pioneering undertaking, placing high demands on using correct strategic tactics and tenacious fighting spirit to respond to changes and open up new situations. In this regard, Comrade Mao Zedong’s broad and profound strategic thinking, outstanding and superb leadership skills, and masterful art of struggle provide us with endless inspiration and lessons. Whether it was the strategic foresight of “strike with one punch to avoid a hundred punches”[5]5 “Strike with one punch to avoid a hundred punches” is a strategic maxim Mao used to justify China’s entry into the Korean War (1950–1953), arguing that a decisive intervention would deter future aggression. in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea to defend the homeland and the country, or the fearless spirit of “only heroes drive away tigers and leopards, no brave men fear bears and panthers”[6]6 This line is from a poem by Mao Zedong, expressing defiance against superpower intimidation during the Sino-Soviet split and the Cold War. in opposing hegemonism and defending national dignity; whether it was the strategic policy of “self-reliance first, with external assistance as a supplement” in advancing domestic construction, or the grand vision of seeing the world as a “tiny globe”[7]7 “Tiny globe” is a phrase from Mao’s poem “The Immortals·Reply to Comrade Guo Moruo” (1963), reflecting a global strategic perspective. and the strategic wisdom of “small ball turning the big ball”[8]8 “Small ball turning the big ball” refers to ping-pong diplomacy (1971–1972), where sports exchanges between China and the U.S. helped thaw bilateral relations, leading to Nixon’s visit. to open a new chapter in foreign work—all left a distinct imprint on the history of New China and profoundly shaped the spiritual backbone of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people. In recent years, amid the volatile international situation, especially in the face of external blackmail, containment, blockade, and extreme pressure, we have come to appreciate even more deeply how great a role Comrade Mao Zedong’s consistently advocated spirit of self-reliance and courage to struggle—not believing in evil, not fearing ghosts, not fearing pressure—plays in overcoming all kinds of difficulties and obstacles on our forward path, safeguarding national dignity and core interests, and firmly grasping the destiny of China’s development and progress in our own hands.

推进中国式现代化是一项前无古人的开创性事业，对以正确的战略策略和顽强的斗争精神应变局、开新局提出了很高要求。在这方面，毛泽东同志博大深邃的战略思想、杰出高超的领导才能、炉火纯青的斗争艺术，给我们以无穷的启迪和教益。无论是以“打得一拳开，免得百拳来”的战略远见进行抗美援朝、保家卫国，还是以“独有英雄驱虎豹，更无豪杰怕熊罴”的无畏精神反对霸权主义、捍卫民族尊严；无论是以“自力更生为主，争取外援为辅”的战略方针推进国内建设，还是以把世界看作“小小寰球”的恢弘气魄和“小球转动大球”的战略智慧打开对外工作新局面，都在新中国历史上打下了鲜明烙印，也深刻塑造了中国共产党和中国人民的精神风骨。近年来国际形势风云变幻，特别是面对外部讹诈、遏制、封锁、极限施压，我们更加深切地体会到，毛泽东同志一贯倡导的自立自强、敢于斗争，不信邪、不怕鬼、不怕压的精神，对于我们战胜前进道路上的各种艰难险阻、维护国家尊严和核心利益、把中国发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中，发挥着多么大的作用！

Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an unprecedentedly grand and magnificent drama. Comrade Mao Zedong once said: “The drama must begin with the prologue, but the prologue is not the climax.”[9]9 This quote is from Mao’s speech at the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the CPC (March 1949), emphasizing that the revolutionary victory was just the beginning of a longer struggle. Through the long-term efforts of several generations, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process, and the plot of building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation is gradually reaching its climax. On the new journey, we must firmly grasp the Party’s central task, grasp the Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles of Chinese-path modernization, handle a series of important relationships with a systematic approach, rely on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for the cause, and ensure that the giant ship of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation sails steadily and far.

实现中华民族伟大复兴，是一出空前伟大而雄壮的活剧。毛泽东同志曾说：“剧是必须从序幕开始的，但序幕还不是高潮。”经过几代人的长期努力，实现中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程，强国建设、民族复兴的剧情正在渐入高潮。新征程上，我们要牢牢把握党的中心任务，把握中国式现代化的中国特色、本质要求和重大原则，以系统观念处理好一系列重大关系，依靠顽强斗争打开事业发展新天地，确保中华民族伟大复兴号巨轮乘风破浪、行稳致远。

Today, as we deeply cherish the memory of Comrade Mao Zedong, we must carry forward the great project of Party building that Comrade Mao Zedong initiated and led, persist in comprehensive and strict governance of the Party forever on the march and the Party’s self-revolution forever on the march, and ensure that the red river and mountains never change color by ensuring the Party never deteriorates.

今天我们深切缅怀毛泽东同志，就要把毛泽东同志领导开创的党的建设伟大工程推进下去，坚持全面从严治党永远在路上、党的自我革命永远在路上，以党永不变质确保红色江山永不变色

“To guide a great revolution, there must be a great Party.” Comrade Mao Zedong creatively solved a series of major issues in building a Marxist party under China’s special social and historical conditions, regarded Party building as one of the “three magic weapons”[10]10 The “three magic weapons” are the united front, armed struggle, and Party building, as formulated by Mao in 1939 to summarize the key factors for the CPC’s revolutionary success. for defeating the enemy, and advanced it from the strategic height of a “great project.” Comrade Deng Xiaoping said: “It was precisely on the basis of Comrade Mao Zedong’s theory of Party building that such a good Party was established.”

“指导伟大的革命，要有伟大的党”。毛泽东同志创造性地解决了在中国这种特殊的社会历史条件下建设马克思主义政党的一系列重大问题，把党的建设作为战胜敌人的“三个法宝”之一，从“伟大的工程”的战略高度加以推进。邓小平同志说：“正是根据毛泽东同志的建党学说，才建立了这样一个好的党。”

During the New Democratic Revolution period, Comrade Mao Zedong put forward the principle of building the Party ideologically, led our Party in implementing and advancing the great project of Party building, cultivated and formed the three fine styles of integrating theory with practice, maintaining close ties with the masses, and practicing criticism and self-criticism, and strived to build a Marxist party that was nationwide, mass-based, and fully consolidated ideologically, politically, and organizationally. After the Party came to power nationwide, Comrade Mao Zedong, with a far-sighted strategic vision for ensuring that the Party and the regime never change color and the red river and mountains never change color, focused on the major issue of Party building under ruling conditions, requiring the entire Party to keep in mind the “two musts,”[11]11 The “two musts” were proposed by Mao at the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee (March 1949): the whole Party must remain modest, prudent, and free from arrogance and rashness, and must remain hardworking and plain-living. always maintain the same revolutionary enthusiasm and desperate spirit as during the revolutionary war period, prevent Party cadres from degenerating and “becoming officials and acting like lords,” guard against the “growth of bureaucratic style” and “the formation of an aristocratic class divorced from the masses,” and proposed cultivating and training millions of successors to the proletarian revolutionary cause. These important ideas and beneficial explorations have long-term guiding significance for our adherence to Party leadership and strengthening of Party building, and for maintaining the Party’s advanced nature and purity, becoming an important ideological source for us to initiate the new great project of Party building in the new period and advance the new great project of Party building in the New Era.

新民主主义革命时期，毛泽东同志提出从思想上建党的原则，领导我们党实施和推进党的建设伟大工程，培育形成理论联系实际、密切联系群众、批评和自我批评三大优良作风，努力建设全国范围的、广大群众性的、思想上政治上组织上完全巩固的马克思主义政党。党在全国执政后，毛泽东同志以对党和政权永不变质、红色江山永不变色的深远战略眼光，着重提出执政条件下党的建设的重大课题，要求全党牢记“两个务必”，始终保持革命战争时期那么一股革命热情和拼命精神，防范党员干部腐化变质、“做官当老爷”，警惕“滋长官僚主义作风”、“形成一个脱离人民的贵族阶层”，并提出培养和造就千百万无产阶级革命事业接班人。这些重要思想和有益探索，对我们坚持党的领导、加强党的建设，对保持党的先进性和纯洁性具有长远的指导意义，成为我们在新时期开创党的建设新的伟大工程、推进新时代党的建设新的伟大工程的重要思想来源。

It is not easy for a Marxist party to seize political power, and it is even more difficult to consolidate power and achieve long-term governance. How to break out of the historical cycle of rise and fall[12]12 The “historical cycle of rise and fall” refers to the pattern in Chinese dynastic history where a regime rises, flourishes, and then declines and falls. Mao and later CPC leaders have sought to break this cycle through mechanisms of supervision and self-reform. has been a major issue our Party has been thinking about and exploring. Comrade Mao Zedong gave the first answer in a cave dwelling in Yan’an back then, which was “letting the people supervise the government”; after more than a hundred years of struggle, especially the new practice since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party has given a second answer, which is the self-revolution proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping. For over a hundred years, the Party has relied externally on developing people’s democracy and accepting people’s supervision, and internally on comprehensive and strict governance of the Party and advancing self-revolution, ensuring the Party’s enduring vitality and continuous growth and expansion. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has advanced comprehensive and strict governance of the Party with the strategic determination of “ten years of sharpening a sword,” achieving historic and pioneering achievements, producing all-round and profound impacts, and opening up a new realm of self-revolution for a century-old party.

马克思主义政党夺取政权不容易，巩固政权、实现长期执政更不容易。如何跳出治乱兴衰历史周期率，是我们党一直在思考和探索的重大问题。毛泽东同志当年在延安的窑洞里给出了第一个答案，这就是“让人民来监督政府”；经过百余年奋斗特别是党的十八大以来新的实践，党又给出了第二个答案，这就是习近平总书记提出的自我革命。100多年来，党外靠发展人民民主、接受人民监督，内靠全面从严治党、推进自我革命，保证了党长盛不衰、不断发展壮大。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央以十年磨一剑的战略定力推进全面从严治党，取得了历史性、开创性成就，产生了全方位、深层次影响，开辟了百年大党自我革命新境界。

In 1945, Comrade Mao Zedong, at the Seventh National Congress of the CPC, quoted a line from *Zhuangzi*: “‘At its beginning, it was simple; at its completion, it will be great.’ We have not yet reached ‘completion,’ but it is already great.” [13]13 The quotation from *Zhuangzi* (an ancient Daoist text) is used by Mao to illustrate the CPC’s growth from a small, simple organization to a large, complex one. The Seventh National Congress (1945) was a key Party congress that established Mao’s leadership and adopted Mao Zedong Thought as the Party’s guiding ideology. Today, the CPC, after more than a century of struggle, has become the world’s largest Marxist ruling party. Being large means it must have the bearing of a large party, yet being large also brings its own difficulties. How to always remain true to the original aspiration and founding mission, how to always unify thought, will, and action, how to always possess strong governing capacity and leadership competence, how to always maintain a spirit of enterprise and dedication to work, how to always promptly detect and resolve its own problems, and how to always preserve a clean and upright political ecosystem—these are the special challenges that our century-old large party must resolve. The unique problems of a large party must, in the final analysis, be resolved by the large party’s own strength, by the scientific theories born from the large party’s unique practice, and by carrying forward the large party’s glorious traditions and distinctive advantages. On the new journey, we must take General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thought on Party building as our guide, revisit Comrade Mao Zedong’s important thought on Party building, carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, always maintain sobriety and determination in solving the unique problems of a large party, persistently advance comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, lead social revolution through the Party’s self-revolution, and ensure that our Party always remains the strong leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

1945年，毛泽东同志在党的七大上引用《庄子》里的话说：“‘其作始也简，其将毕也必巨。’现在我们还没有‘毕’，已经很大。”今天，走过百余年奋斗历程的中国共产党，已成为世界上最大的马克思主义执政党。大就要有大的样子，同时大也有大的难处。如何始终不忘初心、牢记使命，如何始终统一思想、统一意志、统一行动，如何始终具备强大的执政能力和领导水平，如何始终保持干事创业精神状态，如何始终能够及时发现和解决自身存在的问题，如何始终保持风清气正的政治生态，都是我们这个百年大党必须解决的特殊难题。大党独有难题，归根到底要靠大党自身力量来解决，靠大党独有实践中产生的科学理论来解决，靠发扬大党光荣传统和独特优势来解决。新征程上，我们要以习近平总书记关于党的建设的重要思想为指引，重温毛泽东同志关于党的建设的重要思想，弘扬伟大建党精神，始终保持解决大党独有难题的清醒和坚定，持之以恒推进全面从严治党，以党的自我革命引领社会革命，使我们党始终成为中国特色社会主义事业的坚强领导核心。

History is created by the people, yet it also includes the significant catalytic role of a few outstanding figures in the historical process. That our Party, through more than a century of struggle, has achieved today’s historic feats, profoundly changing the historical destiny of the Chinese nation and the trends and patterns of world development—Comrade Mao Zedong’s contribution is immense. Recalling the past and cherishing the present, mindful of the source of our blessings, we feel even greater respect for Comrade Mao Zedong’s foundational achievements, pioneering endeavors, and exploratory fruits. Today, the best way to commemorate Comrade Mao Zedong is to carry forward and develop the great cause he and his comrades-in-arms founded and pioneered through arduous efforts and painstaking dedication, and to write a new historical chapter at the new historical starting point.

历史是人民创造的，其中包含了少数杰出人物对历史进程的重大推动作用。我们党能够以百余年奋斗成就今天这样的历史伟业，深刻改变中华民族的历史命运和世界发展的趋势格局，毛泽东同志厥功至伟。抚今追昔、饮水思源，我们对毛泽东同志的奠基之功、开创之业、探索之果更加充满敬意。今天，对毛泽东同志最好的纪念，就是把他和他的战友们筚路蓝缕、呕心沥血奠基和开创的伟大事业继承好、发展好，在新的历史起点上谱写新的历史华章。

Let us unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, never forget yesterday’s hardships and glories, live up to today’s mission and responsibility, and live up to tomorrow’s great dreams, striving in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!

让我们更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，勿忘昨天的苦难辉煌，无愧今天的使命担当，不负明天的伟大梦想，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而团结奋斗！

Online editor: Zhang Jian

网络编辑：张剑