From “One Integration” to “Two Integrations”: An Important Development and Innovation in Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context

In his speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping put forward the major theoretical proposition of “persisting in integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture.” [1]1 The “ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China” was held on July 1, 2021, in Beijing. Thereafter, the “Two Integrations” were incorporated into the third historical resolution adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC and into the report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC. [2]2 The “third historical resolution” refers to the “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century,” adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee in November 2021. The “20th National Congress of the CPC” was held in October 2022. The “Two Integrations” represent the inheritance, enrichment and development of the “One Integration,” and the advancement, innovation and leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.

习近平在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上的讲话，提出了“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”的重大理论命题。此后，“两个结合”载入党的十九届六中全会通过的第三个历史决议和党的二十大报告中。“两个结合”是对“一个结合”的继承、丰富和发展，是对马克思主义中国化的推进、创新和飞跃。

I. The Course of the Formation, Establishment, Inheritance and Development of the “First Integration”

一、“第一个结合”形成确立和传承发展的历程

To study and expound Xi Jinping’s important discourse on the “Two Integrations,” it is necessary to review the course of the formation and development of the “First Integration” in the Party’s history; otherwise, it will be difficult to deeply understand and recognize the “Second Integration.”

研究阐释习近平关于“两个结合”重要论述，需要回顾党的历史上“第一个结合”形成发展历程，否则就难以深入理解和认识“第二个结合”。

The Communist Party of China is the product of the integration of Marxism-Leninism with the Chinese workers’ movement, and it grew strong and led the Chinese revolution to victory in the course of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete realities of the Chinese revolution. The proposition concerning the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities went through a long and tortuous process in the course of the CPC’s exploration of the path of the Chinese revolution, and was first put forward by Mao Zedong through his leadership of the practice of the Chinese revolution and his summation of historical experience and lessons. Mao Zedong was the model who advocated and initiated the “First Integration.” In his report to the Enlarged Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the CPC in October 1938, Mao Zedong pointed out: “Marxism must be realized through integration with the specific characteristics of our country and through a certain national form. The great power of Marxism-Leninism lies precisely in its connection with the concrete revolutionary practice of each country. For the Communist Party of China, it is to learn to apply the theory of Marxism-Leninism to the concrete environment of China.” [3]3 The “Enlarged Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the CPC” was held in September-November 1938 in Yan’an. This was Mao Zedong’s earliest expression of the “First Integration.” Mao Zedong’s discourse was directed at the successive occurrence of three “Left” errors within the Party from the late 1920s to the first half of the 1930s, especially Wang Ming’s “Left” dogmatism, which seriously divorced Marxism-Leninism from China’s actual conditions and led to severe setbacks for the Chinese revolution. [4]4 Wang Ming (1904-1974) was a senior CPC leader whose “Left” dogmatic line dominated the Party from 1931 to 1935, causing severe losses to the Chinese revolution. In January 1940, in his “On New Democracy,” Mao Zedong further elaborated the “First Integration,” emphasizing that “it is necessary to completely and appropriately unify the universal truth of Marxism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution, that is, to integrate it with the characteristics of the nation and through a certain national form, for it to be useful; it must never be applied subjectively and formulatically.” [5]5 “On New Democracy” was a major theoretical work by Mao Zedong published in January 1940, outlining the theory of new-democratic revolution. During the Yan’an Rectification Movement, Mao Zedong summed up historical experience, saying, “The twenty years of the Communist Party of China are the twenty years of the increasingly close integration of the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution,” and concluded: “Once the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism is integrated with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution, it gives the Chinese revolution an entirely new complexion.” [6]6 The “Yan’an Rectification Movement” (1942-1945) was a Party-wide campaign to correct subjectivist, sectarian and stereotypical writing styles, emphasizing the study of Marxist theory in connection with Chinese realities.

中国共产党是马克思列宁主义与中国工人运动相结合的产物，是在马克思主义基本原理与中国革命具体实际相结合中发展壮大并领导中国革命取得胜利的。关于马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的命题，在中国共产党探索中国革命道路进程中经过了长期曲折的过程，是由毛泽东通过领导中国革命实践、总结历史经验教训最早提出的。毛泽东是倡导并开创“第一个结合”的典范。1938年10月，毛泽东在中共扩大的六届六中全会报告中指出：“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。马克思列宁主义的伟大力量，就在于它是和各个国家具体的革命实践相联系的。对于中国共产党说来，就是要学会把马克思列宁主义的理论应用于中国的具体的环境。”这是毛泽东关于“第一个结合”的最早表述。毛泽东的论述是针对20世纪20年代末至30年代前半期党内连续发生三次“左”的错误，特别是王明“左”倾教条主义严重脱离中国实际地对待马克思列宁主义，导致中国革命遭受严重挫折而言的。1940年1月，毛泽东在《新民主主义论》中进一步阐述“第一个结合”，强调“必须将马克思主义的普遍真理和中国革命的具体实践完全地恰当地统一起来，就是说，和民族的特点相结合，经过一定的民族形式，才有用处，决不能主观地公式地应用它”。在延安整风期间，毛泽东总结历史经验说，“中国共产党的二十年，就是马克思列宁主义的普遍真理和中国革命的具体实践日益结合的二十年”，并得出结论：“马克思列宁主义的普遍真理一经和中国革命的具体实践相结合，就使中国革命的面目为之一新。”

Integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete realities of the Chinese revolution was Mao Zedong’s major innovation and contribution to adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The “Resolution on Certain Historical Questions” adopted at the Seventh Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the CPC in April 1945 stated unequivocally at the outset: “Since its birth in 1921, the Communist Party of China has taken the integration of the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution as the guideline for all its work; Comrade Mao Zedong’s theory and practice of the Chinese revolution are the representative of this integration.” [7]7 The “Seventh Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the CPC” was held in April 1945 in Yan’an. In his report “On Coalition Government” at the Seventh National Congress of the CPC, Mao Zedong pointed out: “Once the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism is integrated with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution, it gives the Chinese revolution an entirely new complexion and produces the entire historical stage of new democracy.” “The universal truth of Marxism-Leninism, which reflects the practical struggle of the proletariat of the world, when integrated with the concrete practice of the revolutionary struggle of the Chinese proletariat and the broad masses of the Chinese people, becomes a weapon with which the Chinese people are invincible in every battle. The Communist Party of China has precisely done this.” [8]8 “On Coalition Government” was Mao Zedong’s political report to the Seventh National Congress of the CPC in April 1945. Mao Zedong expounded the immense power generated by the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete realities of the Chinese revolution—it gave the Chinese revolution an “entirely new complexion” and became “a weapon with which the Chinese people are invincible in every battle.”

把马克思主义基本原理同中国革命具体实际结合起来，是毛泽东对于马克思主义中国化的重大创新和贡献。1945年4月中共六届七中全会上通过的《关于若干历史问题的决议》开宗明义地指出：“中国共产党自一九二一年产生以来，就以马克思列宁主义的普遍真理和中国革命的具体实践相结合为自己一切工作的指针，毛泽东同志关于中国革命的理论和实践便是此种结合的代表。”毛泽东在党的七大上作《论联合政府》的报告时指出：“马克思列宁主义的普遍真理一经和中国革命的具体实践相结合，就使中国革命的面目为之一新，产生了新民主主义的整个历史阶段。”“反映了全世界无产阶级实践斗争的马克思列宁主义的普遍真理，在它同中国无产阶级和广大人民群众的革命斗争的具体实践相结合的时候，就成为中国人民百战百胜的武器。中国共产党正是这样做了。”毛泽东论述了马克思主义基本原理同中国革命具体实际相结合产生的巨大威力——使中国革命的“面目为之一新”，并“成为中国人民百战百胜的武器”。

In his report on the revision of the Party Constitution at the Seventh National Congress of the CPC, Liu Shaoqi pointed out that from the moment of its birth, our Party “has taken the integration of the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism with the Chinese workers’ movement and the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution,” and Mao Zedong “integrated this highest thought of mankind—the universal truth of Marxism—with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution, thereby raising the ideological level of our nation to an unprecedented and reasonable height, and pointing out for the disaster-stricken Chinese nation and the Chinese people the only correct path to complete liberation—the Mao Zedong Path.” [9]9 Liu Shaoqi (1898-1969) was a senior CPC leader and theorist; his report on the Party Constitution was delivered at the Seventh National Congress in May 1945. The “Mao Zedong Path” was precisely the path of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete realities of the Chinese revolution that Mao Zedong opened up, that is, the path of the new-democratic revolution that guided the Chinese revolution to victory.

刘少奇在党的七大作修改党章的报告时指出，我们党从它诞生时起，“就以马克思列宁主义的普遍真理与中国工人运动和中国革命的具体实践相结合”，毛泽东“将人类这一最高思想——马克思主义的普遍真理与中国革命的具体实践相结合，而把我国民族的思想水平提到了从来未有的合理的高度，并为灾难深重的中国民族与中国人民指出了达到彻底解放的唯一正确的道路——毛泽东道路”。“毛泽东道路”也就是毛泽东开辟的把马克思主义基本原理同中国革命具体实际相结合的道路，即指引中国革命走向胜利的新民主主义革命道路。

The inclusion of this major proposition of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities in the “Resolution on Certain Historical Questions,” and its incorporation into the report of the Seventh National Congress of the CPC and the report on the revision of the Party Constitution, marked the formal formation and establishment of the “First Integration.” This was a major theoretical and practical innovation of Marxism by Mao Zedong and the first generation of the Party’s central leadership with him at its core, and an original contribution to Marxism.

将马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合这一重大命题载入《关于若干历史问题的决议》，并写进党的七大报告和修改党章的报告里，标志着“第一个结合”的正式形成和确立。这是毛泽东及以他为核心的中共中央第一代领导集体对马克思主义的重大理论和实践创新，是对马克思主义的原创性贡献。

After the founding of New China, in the course of exploring China’s own path of socialist construction, Mao Zedong strove to advance the “Second Integration” of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities, but due to complex domestic and international factors, especially the influence of “Left” errors in the Party’s guiding ideology, Mao Zedong did not complete the “Second Integration.”

新中国成立后，在探索中国自己的社会主义建设道路中，毛泽东努力推进把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际进行“第二次结合”，但由于复杂的国内外因素，特别是党的指导思想上“左”倾错误的影响，毛泽东没有完成“第二次结合”。

After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, under the new era conditions of reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping integrated the basic principles of Marxism with the specific realities of China’s reform and opening up and socialist modernization and the characteristics of the times, vigorously promoted adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, successfully initiated socialism with Chinese characteristics, founded Deng Xiaoping Theory, restored the original features of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s actual conditions, and inherited and developed the “First Integration” under the new era conditions.

十一届三中全会以后，在改革开放新的时代条件下，邓小平把马克思主义基本原理同中国改革开放和社会主义现代化建设具体实际和时代特征相结合，大力推进马克思主义中国化，成功地开创了中国特色社会主义，创立了邓小平理论，恢复了马克思主义基本原理同中国实际相结合的本来面目，在新的时代条件下继承发展了“第一个结合”。

At the turn of the 1970s and 1980s, when Deng Xiaoping was promoting the start of reform and opening up, he made a classic summary of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “The basic point of Mao Zedong Thought is seeking truth from facts, that is, integrating the universal principles of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution.” [10]10 “Seeking truth from facts” (实事求是) is a core principle of Mao Zedong Thought, emphasizing the need to proceed from actual conditions. In his opening speech at the 12th National Congress of the CPC, Deng Xiaoping stated: “Integrating the universal truth of Marxism with the concrete realities of our country, taking our own path, and building socialism with Chinese characteristics—this is the basic conclusion we have drawn from summing up long-term historical experience.” [11]11 The “12th National Congress of the CPC” was held in September 1982 in Beijing. Deng Xiaoping further emphasized: “Marxism must be a Marxism that is integrated with China’s actual conditions, and socialism must be a socialism with Chinese characteristics that fits China’s actual conditions.” [12]12 “Socialism with Chinese characteristics” is the official designation of China’s socialist system under reform and opening up, first formally articulated at the 12th National Congress. Deng Xiaoping’s conclusion was concise and to the point, finding the key point of integration. He also pointed out: “The success of the Chinese revolution was due to Comrade Mao Zedong’s integration of Marxism-Leninism with China’s actual conditions and taking our own path. Now, in building the country, we must also integrate Marxism-Leninism with China’s actual conditions and take our own path.” [13]13 “Taking our own path” refers to the principle of independently choosing a development path suited to national conditions, as opposed to copying foreign models. Deng Xiaoping reiterated “taking our own path” twice, the latter referring to taking the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

20世纪七八十年代之交，邓小平在推动改革开放起步时，对马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合作了经典概括。邓小平指出：“毛泽东思想的基本点就是实事求是，就是把马列主义的普遍原理同中国革命的具体实践相结合。”邓小平在党的十二大上致开幕词指出：“把马克思主义的普遍真理同我国的具体实际结合起来，走自己的道路，建设有中国特色的社会主义，这就是我们总结长期历史经验得出的基本结论。” 邓小平进一步强调：“马克思主义必须是同中国实际相结合的马克思主义，社会主义必须是切合中国实际的有中国特色的社会主义。” 邓小平的结论言简意赅，找到了关键结合点。他还指出：“中国革命的成功，是毛泽东同志把马克思列宁主义同中国的实际相结合，走自己的路。现在中国搞建设，也要把马克思列宁主义同中国的实际相结合，走自己的路。”邓小平两次重申“走自己的路”，后者就是走中国特色社会主义道路。

In June 1981, the “Resolution on Certain Historical Issues of the Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China,” drafted under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, pointed out: “Our Party creatively applied the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism, integrated them with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution, formed the great Mao Zedong Thought, and found the correct path to victory in the Chinese revolution.” At the same time, the Resolution, seeking truth from facts, noted that the “Cultural Revolution” [14]14 The 19th Central Politburo refers to the Politburo of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC (2017–2022). The *Communist Manifesto* is a foundational text of Marxism co-authored by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848. “clearly departed from the orbit of Mao Zedong Thought, which is the integration of the universal principles of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution.” Therefore, the Resolution particularly emphasized, “We must cherish all the positive achievements gained over more than half a century in the course of the Chinese revolution and construction through integrating the universal principles of Marxism-Leninism with China’s actual conditions, and apply and develop these achievements in new practice,” thereby returning China’s socialist construction, which had once deviated from its course, to the correct path.

1981年6月，由邓小平主持起草的《关于建国以来党的若干历史问题的决议》指出：“我们党创造性地运用马克思列宁主义的基本原理，把它同中国革命的具体实践结合起来，形成了伟大的毛泽东思想，找到了夺取中国革命胜利的正确道路。”同时，《决议》实事求是地指出，“文化大革命”“明显地脱离了作为马克思列宁主义普遍原理和中国革命具体实践相结合的毛泽东思想的轨道”。因而《决议》特别强调，“我们必须珍视半个多世纪以来在中国革命和建设过程中把马克思列宁主义普遍原理和中国实际相结合的一切积极成果，在新的实践中运用和发展这些成果”，使我国一度偏离轨道的社会主义建设回复到正确的道路上来。

At the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, at a historical juncture when extremely complex and severe situations were faced both domestically and internationally, and both inside and outside the Party, Jiang Zemin firmly stated, “We must more unswervingly integrate the universal truth of Marxism with China’s specific reality, follow our own path, and build socialism with Chinese characteristics,” expressing the firm determination to continue adhering to the “First Integration” without wavering. Thereafter, in his reports to the 14th and 15th National Congresses of the CPC and other speeches, Jiang Zemin repeatedly discussed the proposition of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete reality of the Chinese revolution, construction, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. Entering the 21st century, Jiang Zemin further elaborated on the “First Integration.” In his speech at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 15th Central Committee of the CPC, he pointed out: “Every major breakthrough in Marxist theory and every historic leap in socialist practice are the results of theoretical innovation through the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with concrete practice.” In his speech at the rally celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, Jiang Zemin profoundly stated: “The 80 years of the CPC are 80 years of continuously pursuing truth and pioneering innovation by integrating Marxism-Leninism with Chinese practice.” Jiang Zemin’s series of discussions advanced the “First Integration” into the 21st century.

20世纪八九十年代之交，在国内外、党内外面临极其复杂严峻形势的历史关头，江泽民坚定地表示，“我们要更加坚定不移地把马克思主义普遍真理同我国具体实际结合起来，走自己的路，建设有中国特色的社会主义”，表明了继续坚持“第一个结合”不动摇的坚定决心。此后，江泽民在党的十四大、十五大报告等讲话中，反复论述了马克思主义基本原理同中国革命、建设和中国特色社会主义具体实际相结合的命题。进入21世纪，江泽民进一步论述“第一个结合”。他在党的十五届五中全会上讲话指出：“马克思主义理论的每一次重大突破，社会主义实践的每一次历史性飞跃，都是马克思主义基本原理同具体实践相结合进行理论创新的结果。”在庆祝建党80周年大会的讲话中，江泽民深刻指出：“中国共产党的八十年，是把马克思列宁主义同中国实践相结合而不断追求真理、开拓创新的八十年。” 江泽民的一系列论述把“第一个结合”推进到21世纪。

After the 16th National Congress of the CPC, Hu Jintao emphasized the need to “continue, under the new conditions of the times, to integrate the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific reality and continuously advance the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context,” and elaborated on this from multiple aspects. In 2004, in his speech at the rally commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National People’s Congress, Hu Jintao pointed out, “The implementation of the system of people’s congresses in our country is a great creation of our Party in integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific reality”; in his speech at the study session of the “Selected Works of Jiang Zemin,” he emphasized that the “Selected Works” and the important thought of the “Three Represents” embodied therein concentratedly reflect “the new major theoretical achievements creatively proposed by adhering to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with contemporary Chinese practice and the characteristics of the times”; in his speech at the rally commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC, he summarized the valuable experience of reform and opening up as “ten integrations,” the primary of which was “the integration of adhering to the basic principles of Marxism with advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context.” In important occasions and documents such as the reports to the 17th and 18th National Congresses of the CPC, Hu Jintao discussed the “First Integration” from different angles, particularly proposing that the Scientific Outlook on Development is the product of integrating Marxism with contemporary Chinese reality and the characteristics of the times, and is the latest achievement of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Hu Jintao’s series of discussions inherited and developed the “First Integration” in the new century.

党的十六大以后，胡锦涛强调要“继续在新的时代条件下把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，不断推进马克思主义中国化”，并从多方面加以论述。2004年，胡锦涛在纪念全国人民代表大会成立50周年大会中的讲话指出，“在我国实行人民代表大会制度，是我们党把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的伟大创造”；在学习《江泽民文选》报告会上的讲话强调，《文选》及其体现的“三个代表”重要思想，集中反映了“坚持把马克思主义基本原理同当代中国实践和时代特征相结合创造性提出的新的重大理论成果”；在纪念党的十一届三中全会召开30周年大会上的讲话，将改革开放的宝贵经验概括为“十个结合”，其首要结合就是“必须把坚持马克思主义基本原理同推进马克思主义中国化结合起来” 。在党的十七大、十八大报告等重要场合和文件中，胡锦涛从不同角度论述了“第一个结合”，特别提出，科学发展观是马克思主义同当代中国实际和时代特征相结合的产物，是中国特色社会主义理论体系最新成果。胡锦涛一系列论述，在新世纪传承发展了“第一个结合”。

The integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific reality is like a golden thread running through the entire history of the CPC. The important discussions and successful practices of Mao Zedong and the main Party leaders such as Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao regarding the “First Integration” constitute the source and flow of the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific reality, representing a major innovation and leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, and laying the foundation for Xi Jinping in the New Era to enrich and elevate the “First Integration” and propose the “Two Integrations.”

马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，犹如贯穿中国共产党全部历史的一条金线。毛泽东以及邓小平、江泽民、胡锦涛等党的主要领导人关于“第一个结合”的重要论述及其成功实践，成为马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的源和流，是马克思主义中国化的重大创新和飞跃，为新时代习近平丰富升华“第一个结合”，提出“两个结合”奠定了基础。

II. Xi Jinping Enriches and Elevates the “First Integration” in the New Era

二、新时代习近平丰富升华“第一个结合”

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has continued to adhere to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the reality of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics into the New Era, and

党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央继续坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国特色社会主义建设实际相结合，推进中国特色社会主义进入新时代，创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想。新时代习近平关于马克思主义基本原理同中国特色社会主义建设实际相结合有许多重要论述，赋予“第一个结合”一系列新内涵，从多方面丰富和发展了“第一个结合”。

First, it emphasizes the macroscopic and holistic nature of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities.

其一，注重马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的宏观性、整体性。

Rooted in China while looking out at the world, observing history from a macroscopic perspective and a broad vantage point, and linking the century-long history of the CPC, the nearly half-century history of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, with the over 500-year history of the development of world socialism—this is a key feature of Xi Jinping’s exposition on the “First Integration” and an important manifestation of how he has enriched and elevated it.

立足中国、放眼世界，从宏观视野、宽广视角观察历史，从百余年党史、近半个世纪的中国特色社会主义发展史联系500多年世界社会主义发展史，是习近平论述“第一个结合”的重要特点，也是丰富升华“第一个结合”的重要体现。

To uphold the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities, one must first thoroughly study and grasp the basic tenets of Marxism. In April 2018, when presiding over the fifth collective study session of the 19th Central Politburo on the *Communist Manifesto* and its contemporary significance, Xi Jinping pointed out: “The new-democratic revolutionary path, the socialist revolutionary path, the socialist construction path, and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that our Party has forged are all great creations achieved by integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities.” [14]14 The 19th Central Politburo refers to the Politburo of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC (2017–2022). The *Communist Manifesto* is a foundational text of Marxism co-authored by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848. This statement discusses the century-long history of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the paths of revolution and construction pioneered by the CPC.

坚持马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，首先要学懂弄通马克思主义基本原理。2018年4月，习近平在主持第十九届中央政治局第五次集体学习《共产党宣言》及其时代意义时，指出：“我们党开辟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，都是把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的伟大创造。”这里论述了马克思主义基本原理同中国共产党开创中国革命和建设道路相结合的百余年历史。

An even more profound exposition by Xi Jinping on the “First Integration” came in his speech at the ceremony marking the 200th anniversary of Marx’s birth in May 2018. The speech comprehensively discussed the glorious course of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities. It stated: After the founding of the CPC, Chinese Communists integrated the basic tenets of Marxism with the specific realities of China’s revolution and construction, achieving the great leap of the Chinese nation from the “sick man of East Asia” to standing up; since reform and opening up, Chinese Communists integrated the basic tenets of Marxism with the specific realities of China’s reform and opening up, thereby achieving the great leap of the Chinese nation from standing up to becoming prosperous; in the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Chinese Communists have integrated the basic tenets of Marxism with the specific realities of China in the New Era, ushering in the great leap of the Chinese nation from becoming prosperous to becoming strong. Xi Jinping’s speech, with grand momentum, discusses the glorious history of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the realities of China’s revolution, construction, and reform, expounding the “First Integration” from the macroscopic perspective of the Party’s century-long history.

习近平对“第一个结合”更深刻的论述，是在2018年5月纪念马克思诞辰200周年大会上的讲话中。讲话全面论述了马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的光辉历程，讲话指出：中国共产党诞生后，中国共产党人把马克思主义基本原理同中国革命和建设的具体实际结合起来，这次结合实现了中华民族从东亚病夫到站起来的伟大飞跃；改革开放以来，中国共产党人把马克思主义基本原理同中国改革开放的具体实际结合起来，进而实现了中华民族从站起来到富起来的伟大飞跃；在中国特色社会主义新时代，中国共产党人把马克思主义基本原理同新时代中国具体实际结合起来，使中华民族迎来了从富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃。习近平的讲话气势恢宏地论述了马克思主义基本原理同中国革命、建设、改革实际相结合的辉煌历史，是从百年党史的宏观视角论述“第一个结合”。

What best embodies Xi Jinping’s broad-visioned and wide-ranging exposition of the “First Integration” is his linking of the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with the more than 500-year history of world socialism. In September 2017, when presiding over the 43rd collective study session of the 18th Central Politburo on contemporary world Marxist currents and their influence, Xi Jinping pointed out: “Although the era we live in has undergone enormous and profound changes compared with the era in which Marx lived, from the broad perspective of the 500-year history of world socialism, we are still in the historical era indicated by Marxism. This is the scientific basis for our firm confidence in Marxism and our firm conviction in socialism. Marxism is the root of the towering tree of the continuous development of our Party and people’s cause, and it is the source of the long river of the continuous progress of our Party and people. ‘To deviate from or abandon Marxism, our Party would lose its soul and go astray. On the fundamental issue of adhering to the guidance of Marxism, we must be unswerving and never waver under any circumstances.’” Xi Jinping emphasized the need to “deeply summarize the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics and better realize the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete realities of contemporary China.”

最能体现习近平关于“第一个结合”的大视野、大广角论述的，是把中共历史与世界社会主义500多年发展史相联系。2017年9月，习近平在主持第十八届中央政治局第四十三次集体学习当代世界马克思主义思潮及其影响时指出：尽管我们所处的时代同马克思所处的时代相比发生了巨大而深刻的变化，但从世界社会主义500年的大视野来看，我们依然处在马克思主义所指明的历史时代。这是我们对马克思主义保持坚定信心、对社会主义保持必胜信念的科学根据。马克思主义就是我们党和人民事业不断发展的参天大树之根本，就是我们党和人民不断奋进的万里长河之泉源。“背离或放弃马克思主义，我们党就会失去灵魂、迷失方向。在坚持以马克思主义为指导这一根本问题上，我们必须坚定不移，任何时候任何情况下都不能动摇。”习近平强调，要“深入总结中国特色社会主义实践，更好实现马克思主义基本原理同当代中国具体实际相结合”。

Xi Jinping’s summary of the more than 500-year history of world socialism, emphasizing the need to better realize the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the realities of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, is lofty in intention and broad in vision. Later, Xi Jinping put forward the major theoretical proposition of the “Two Integrations,” integrating Marxism with China’s long-standing fine traditional culture, which is a natural extension and expansion of this broad vision.

习近平总结500多年世界社会主义发展史，强调要更好实现马克思主义基本原理同中国特色社会主义建设实际相结合，立意高远、视野宽广。后来，习近平提出“两个结合”重大理论命题，把马克思主义同中华民族悠久的优秀传统文化相结合，是这种宽广视野的自然延伸扩展。

Second, attention to the epochal and dynamic nature of the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities.

其二，关注马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的时代性、动态性。

The basic principles of Marxism are universal truths with eternal ideological value, but the classical Marxist writers did not exhaust truth; rather, they continuously opened the path for seeking and developing truth. Therefore, “we must promptly summarize the fresh experience created by the Party leading the people, and continuously open up new realms for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, so that contemporary Chinese Marxism can radiate even more brilliant truth.” Only by integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s developing realities can we open up new realms of Marxism.

马克思主义基本原理是普遍真理，具有永恒的思想价值，但马克思主义经典作家并没有穷尽真理，而是不断为寻求真理和发展真理开辟道路。因此，“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”。马克思主义基本原理必须同中国发展着的实际相结合，才能开辟马克思主义新境界。

Whether making revolution, pursuing construction, or carrying out reform and opening up, the basic principles of Marxism must be integrated with China’s concrete realities; advancing and developing all other undertakings of the Party also requires adhering to this integration. In May 2016, Xi Jinping pointed out in a speech at a symposium on philosophy and social sciences: “When Marxism entered China, it not only triggered a profound transformation of Chinese civilization but also underwent a gradual process of Sinicization. In each historical period of revolution, construction, and reform, our Party has adhered to integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities, using Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods to study and solve various major theoretical and practical problems, and continuously advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context.” The integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities is reflected in all aspects; the research and development of philosophy and social sciences must also adhere to this integration.

干革命、搞建设、抓改革，要把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，推进和发展党的其他各项事业也要坚持这种结合。2016年5月，习近平在哲学社会科学工作座谈会上讲话指出：“马克思主义进入中国，既引发了中华文明深刻变革，也走过了一个逐步中国化的过程。在革命、建设、改革各个历史时期，我们党坚持马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，运用马克思主义立场、观点、方法研究解决各种重大理论和实践问题，不断推进马克思主义中国化。”马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合体现在各个方面，哲学社会科学的研究发展同样要坚持这种结合。

In July 2016, Xi Jinping, in his speech at the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, called on the entire Party to “remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind” and emphasized: “To remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind, we must uphold the guiding position of Marxism, adhere to closely integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the realities and epochal characteristics of contemporary China, promote theoretical and practical innovation, and continuously push forward the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context.” “We must examine the practical basis and practical needs of Marxism’s development in the contemporary era with a broader vision, adhere to a problem-oriented approach, focus on what we are doing, listen to the voice of the times, and more deeply promote the integration of Marxism with the concrete realities of contemporary China’s development.”

2016年7月，习近平在庆祝中国共产党成立95周年大会上讲话号召全党“不忘初心、继续前进”，强调“坚持不忘初心、继续前进，就要坚持马克思主义的指导地位，坚持把马克思主义基本原理同当代中国实际和时代特点紧密结合起来，推进理论创新、实践创新，不断把马克思主义中国化推向前进”，“我们要以更加宽阔的眼界审视马克思主义在当代发展的现实基础和实践需要，坚持问题导向，坚持以我们正在做的事情为中心，聆听时代声音，更加深入地推动马克思主义同当代中国发展的具体实际相结合”。

Marxism is developing and open; socialism with Chinese characteristics is continuously advancing. The integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities is a dynamic and developing integration. Compared with previous relevant expositions, Xi Jinping’s important expositions place greater emphasis on dynamism, openness, and epochal character.

马克思主义是发展的、开放的，中国特色社会主义是不断前进的，马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合是动态的、发展的结合。比较以往的相关论述，习近平的重要论述更加注重动态性、开放性和时代性。

Third, attention to the concrete and micro-level aspects of the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities.

其三，兼顾马克思主义基本原理同中国实际相结合的具体性、微观性。

Xi Jinping’s exposition of the “First Integration” focuses not only on macro-level, dynamic integration but also attends to micro-level, concrete integration.

习近平对“第一个结合”的论述既注重宏观上、动态性的结合，又关照到微观上、具体的结合。

Xi Jinping is well-versed in the history of the CPC and pays close attention to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities in major Party history events. An example is his exposition of the Zunyi Conference [15]15 The Zunyi Conference (January 1935) was a pivotal meeting of the CPC during the Long March, where Mao Zedong’s leadership was established, correcting the military line of the earlier leadership and marking a turning point in the Chinese revolution. and the Long March of the Red Army. Xi Jinping pointed out: “The Zunyi Conference, as a meeting of great turning significance in our Party’s history, left valuable experience and important inspiration in integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities, adhering to the path of independence, establishing correct political lines and policy strategies, and building a strong and mature central leadership collective.” When discussing the arduous and glorious history of the Long March, Xi Jinping pointed out: “The victory of the Long March made our Party further realize that only by integrating the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete realities of the Chinese revolution and independently solving the major issues of the Chinese revolution could the revolutionary cause be led to victory. This is a truth derived from bloody lessons and the test of struggle.” In November 2015, when presiding over the 28th collective study session of the 18th Central Politburo, Xi Jinping pointed out that since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee [16]16 The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee (December 1978) was a landmark meeting that launched China’s reform and opening-up policy, shifting the Party’s focus to economic development and modernization., our Party has integrated the basic principles of Marxist political economy with the new practice of reform and opening up, continuously enriching and developing Marxist political economy, forming many important theoretical achievements of contemporary Chinese Marxist political economy, and opening up new realms of Marxist political economy. Both the Zunyi Conference and the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee were meetings of turning significance convened at critical historical junctures. At these two meetings, the Party successfully integrated the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities, turning the Chinese revolution and construction from danger to safety and setting them on the correct path. Xi Jinping’s direct and indirect expositions of the “First Integration” embodied in these two meetings can be described as seeing the big from the small.

习近平谙熟中国共产党历史，关注重大党史事件中马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际的结合。如对遵义会议和红军长征的论述就是一例。习近平指出：遵义会议作为我们党历史上一次具有伟大转折意义的重要会议，在把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、坚持走独立自主道路、坚定正确的政治路线和政策策略、建设坚强成熟的中央领导集体等方面，留下宝贵经验和重要启示。在论述红军长征艰难辉煌的历史时，习近平指出：“长征的胜利，使我们党进一步认识到，只有把马克思列宁主义基本原理同中国革命具体实际结合起来，独立自主解决中国革命的重大问题，才能把革命事业引向胜利。这是在血的教训和斗争考验中得出的真理。”2015年11月，习近平在主持第十八届中央政治局第二十八次集体学习时指出，党的十一届三中全会以来，我们党把马克思主义政治经济学基本原理同改革开放新的实践结合起来，不断丰富和发展马克思主义政治经济学，形成了当代中国马克思主义政治经济学的许多重要理论成果，开拓了马克思主义政治经济学的新境界。遵义会议和党的十一届三中全会，都是重大历史关头召开的具有转折性意义的重要会议，这两次会议党成功地把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，使中国革命和建设转危为安，走上正确道路。习近平对这两次会议所体现的“第一个结合”的直接论述和间接论述可谓见微知著。

Xi Jinping not only pays attention to summarizing the valuable experience of the “First Integration” in the Party’s history to better serve the present but also emphasizes and stresses that contemporary practice must adhere to and develop the “First Integration.” In October 2017, when presiding over the first collective study session of the 19th Central Politburo to study and implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping emphasized the need to integrate the study and implementation of the spirit of the 19th National Congress with the study of the basic principles of Marxism. In September 2019, Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Central Conference on the Work of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the CPPCC, highly appraising that “the CPPCC is a great achievement of the CPC in integrating Marxist-Leninist united front theory, political party theory, and democratic political theory with China’s realities, and it is a great creation of the CPC in leading various democratic parties, personages without party affiliation, people’s organizations, and people from all ethnic groups and sectors in the political system.” At the same time, Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the National Conference on Commending Model Units and Individuals for Ethnic Unity and Progress, stating that our Party creatively integrated Marxist ethnic theory with the concrete realities of China’s ethnic issues, blazed a correct path for solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics, and established the Party’s ethnic theory and ethnic policy. Xi Jinping’s expositions of the “First Integration” from concrete and micro-level perspectives are too numerous to list, reflecting distinctive characteristics.

习近平既注意总结党的历史上“第一个结合”的宝贵经验以更好地为现实服务，也注重和强调当代实践要坚持和发展“第一个结合”。2017年10月，习近平主持十九届中央政治局第一次集体学习贯彻党的十九大精神时强调，要把学习贯彻党的十九大精神同学习马克思主义基本原理贯通起来。2019年9月，习近平在中央政协工作会议暨庆祝中国人民政治协商会议成立70周年大会上发表讲话，高度评价“人民政协是中国共产党把马克思列宁主义统一战线理论、政党理论、民主政治理论同中国实际相结合的伟大成果，是中国共产党领导各民主党派、无党派人士、人民团体和各族各界人士在政治制度上进行的伟大创造”。同时，习近平在全国民族团结进步表彰大会上发表讲话说，我们党创造性地把马克思主义民族理论同中国民族问题具体实际相结合，走出一条中国特色解决民族问题的正确道路，确立了党的民族理论和民族政策。习近平从具体微观角度论述“第一个结合”的事例多不胜举，体现了鲜明的特色。

The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has inherited and developed the theory and practice of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities, made multifaceted expositions of the “First Integration,” inherited, developed, enriched, and innovated the theoretical connotation of the “First Integration,” and created conditions for putting forward the “Two Integrations.”

以习近平同志为核心的党中央继承发展了把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的理论和实践，对“第一个结合”作了多方面的论述，继承和发展、丰富和创新了“第一个结合”的理论内涵，为提出“两个结合”创造了条件。

III. Xi Jinping Creatively Proposes the “Two Integrations” by Concentrating the Wisdom of the Entire Party

三、习近平集中全党智慧创造性提出“两个结合”

The Communist Party of China was born on the land of China, nourished by a Chinese civilization spanning more than 5,000 years. From the very day of its birth, there has existed the question of how to correctly handle the relationship between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture. In response to this, the Party has given correct answers in different periods.

中国共产党诞生在具有5000多年中华文明滋养的华夏大地上，从其诞生之日起即存在着如何正确处理马克思主义与中华优秀传统文化的关系问题。对此，党在不同时期均作出了正确回答。

(I) The Party’s Attitude toward Fine Traditional Chinese Culture in Various Periods before the New Era

（一）新时代以前各个时期党对待中华优秀传统文化的态度

The Communist Party of China both upholds the basic tenets of Marxism and shoulders the unshirkable responsibility of inheriting and developing fine traditional Chinese culture. In each historical period of the Chinese revolution, construction, and reform, it properly handled the relationship between the two in accordance with the circumstances of the time.

中国共产党既坚持马克思主义基本原理，又责无旁贷地担当起中华优秀传统文化的传承发展者，在中国革命、建设、改革各个历史时期因时因势妥善地处理了两者的关系。

During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, Mao Zedong pointed out: “We must study our historical heritage and sum it up critically using the Marxist method,” and “We should not cut off history. From Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, we should sum it up and inherit this precious legacy.” [17]17 Mao Zedong, “The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 2. Mao Zedong gave a new interpretation to the thousand-year-old idiom “seeking truth from facts,” which can be regarded as a model of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture. In his *On New Democracy*, he put forward a new-democratic cultural program embodying Marxism, namely, “a national, scientific, and mass culture.” [18]18 Mao Zedong, *On New Democracy* (January 1940). During the Yan’an Rectification Movement in 1943, the Central Committee of the CPC pointed out: “The rectification movement is to further deeply integrate this revolutionary science of Marxism-Leninism with the practice of the Chinese revolution, Chinese history, and Chinese culture.” [19]19 “Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Rectification Campaign in the Base Areas” (April 3, 1943). Mao Zedong’s expositions and the Party Central Committee’s requirements were imbued with the implication of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture.

新民主主义革命时期，毛泽东指出：“学习我们的历史遗产，用马克思主义的方法给以批判的总结”，“我们不应当割断历史。从孔夫子到孙中山，我们应当给以总结，承继这一份珍贵的遗产”。毛泽东对千年前的成语“实事求是”予以新解，堪称把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合的典范。他在《新民主主义论》中提出了体现马克思主义的新民主主义文化纲领，即“民族的科学的大众的文化”。1943年延安整风期间，中共中央指出：“整风运动就是要使得马克思列宁主义这一革命科学更进一步地和中国革命实践、中国历史、中国文化深相结合起来。”毛泽东的论述和党中央的要求，充满了马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合的意蕴。

During the period of socialist revolution and construction, the *Common Program of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference* “advocated the use of scientific historical viewpoints to study and explain history, economics, politics, culture, and international affairs.” [20]20 The *Common Program of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference* (1949) served as the provisional constitution of the People’s Republic of China. Mao Zedong put forward the policy of “letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend” in 1956. [21]21 Mao Zedong, “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People” (February 1957). Liu Shaoqi pointed out in the political report to the Eighth National Congress of the CPC: “When we criticize the ideological systems of feudalism and capitalism, we must cautiously inherit those cultural legacies from the old era that are beneficial to the people.” [22]22 Liu Shaoqi, “Political Report to the Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China” (September 1956). All these reflected the Party’s scientific Marxist attitude toward fine traditional Chinese culture. Regrettably, due to the “Left” errors in the Party’s guiding ideology, these correct cultural policies and guidelines were not implemented later.

社会主义革命和建设时期，《中国人民政治协商会议共同纲领》“提倡用科学的历史观点，研究和解释历史、经济、政治、文化及国际事务”。毛泽东在1956年提出了“百花齐放，百家争鸣”的方针。刘少奇在党的八大政治报告中指出：“在我们对于封建主义和资本主义的思想体系进行批判的时候，我们对于旧时代有益于人民的文化遗产，必须谨慎地加以继承。”这些均体现了党对中华优秀传统文化所持的马克思主义的科学态度。令人遗憾的是，这些正确的文化方针政策由于党的指导思想发生“左”的错误，后来未能贯彻执行。

During the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, Deng Xiaoping, in the process of promoting reforms in various fields, actively advanced reforms in the systems of science, education, and culture, as well as the construction of socialist cultural-ethical progress. He emphasized simultaneously grasping the “two civilizations” [23]23 “Two civilizations” refers to material civilization and cultural-ethical progress (socialist spiritual civilization). and adhered to the policy of “letting a hundred flowers bloom, weeding through the old to bring forth the new, making foreign things serve China, and making the past serve the present.” [24]24 This policy was formally articulated in the 1980s to guide cultural work. In 1991, Jiang Zemin, in his speech at the rally celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, proposed building a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, stating: “Our cultural construction cannot cut off history. We must extract the essence of national traditional culture and discard its dross, develop it in light of the characteristics of the times, weed through the old to bring forth the new, and continuously carry it forward.” [25]25 Jiang Zemin, “Speech at the Rally Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 1991). Entering the 21st century, the Party Central Committee paid greater attention to the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and to inheriting and developing fine traditional Chinese culture. The reports to the 15th, 16th, and 17th National Congresses of the CPC all discussed, from different angles, the Party’s attitude toward fine traditional Chinese culture and its measures. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee adopted the *Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Deepening the Reform of the Cultural System and Promoting the Great Development and Flourishing of Socialist Culture*, which emphasized “adhering to the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics and striving to build a socialist cultural power,” and for the first time proposed “building a system for inheriting fine traditional culture” and made a series of arrangements. [26]26 The Sixth Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee was held in October 2011. It was the first time in the Party’s history that a plenary session of the Central Committee was specifically devoted to a decision on cultural construction. Hu Jintao pointed out in his speech at the plenary session: “To adhere to the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics, we must inherit and carry forward the fine traditions of Chinese culture, vigorously promote Chinese culture, and build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation.” [27]27 Hu Jintao, “Speech at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee” (October 2011). In the new century, while emphasizing the national character of fine traditional Chinese culture, the Party paid particular attention to its openness, contemporaneity, and applicability, reflecting a scientific Marxist attitude toward fine traditional Chinese culture that keeps pace with the times.

改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期，邓小平在推动各方面改革的过程中，积极推动科教文化体制改革和社会主义精神文明建设，强调“两个文明”同时抓，坚持“百花齐放、推陈出新、洋为中用、古为今用”的方针。1991年江泽民在庆祝中国共产党成立70周年大会上的讲话，提出建设有中国特色社会主义文化，指出：“我们的文化建设不能割断历史。对民族传统文化要取其精华、去其糟粕，并结合时代的特点加以发展，推陈出新，使它不断发扬光大。”进入21世纪，党中央更加注重中国特色社会主义文化建设，传承发展中华优秀传统文化。党的十五大、十六大和十七大报告均从不同角度论述了党对待中华优秀传统文化的态度及其举措。党的十七届六中全会通过了《中共中央关于深化文化体制改革推动社会主义文化大发展大繁荣若干重大问题的决定》，强调要“坚持中国特色社会主义文化发展道路，努力建设社会主义文化强国”，首次提出“建设优秀传统文化传承体系”并作出一系列部署安排。专门以党的一次全会对文化建设作出决定，在党的历史上尚属首次。胡锦涛在全会上的讲话指出：“坚持中国特色社会主义文化发展道路，必须继承和发扬中华优秀文化传统，大力弘扬中华文化，建设中华民族共有精神家园。”新世纪党注重中华优秀传统文化民族性的同时，尤其注重其开放性、时代性和应用性，体现了对待中华优秀传统文化与时俱进的马克思主义科学态度。

The Party’s correct attitude toward fine traditional Chinese culture in history, and its correct handling of the relationship between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture, provided valuable experience and a solid foundation for Xi Jinping’s proposal of the “Two Integrations” in the New Era.

党在历史上对待中华优秀传统文化的正确态度，及对马克思主义同中华优秀传统文化关系的正确处理，为新时代习近平提出“两个结合”提供了宝贵经验和坚实基础。

(II) Xi Jinping’s Proposal and Comprehensive, Systematic Exposition of the “Two Integrations” in the New Era

（二）新时代习近平提出并全面系统论述“两个结合”

“The world is changing every moment, and China is also changing every moment. We must keep up with the times in theory, constantly understand the laws, and continuously advance theoretical, practical, institutional, cultural, and other innovations.” [28]28 Xi Jinping, “Secure a Decisive Victory in Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects and Strive for the Great Success of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” (Report to the 19th National Congress of the CPC, October 18, 2017). Entering the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi Jinping, on the basis of enriching and developing the “First Integration” and inheriting the Party’s correct attitude toward fine traditional Chinese culture, timely proposed the “Two Integrations” and expounded on them profoundly. This is the call of the New Era and the need of the great practice of the New Era.

“世界每时每刻都在发生变化，中国也每时每刻都在发生变化，我们必须在理论上跟上时代，不断认识规律，不断推进理论创新、实践创新、制度创新、文化创新以及其他各方面创新。”进入中国特色社会主义新时代，习近平在丰富发展“第一个结合”、继承党对待中华优秀传统文化的正确态度基础上，适时提出“两个结合”并加以深刻论述，这是新时代的呼唤，是新时代伟大实践的需要。

On July 1, 2021, in his speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC, Xi Jinping proposed “upholding the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture.” [29]29 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2021). This is widely recognized as the formal proposal of the “Two Integrations.” The proposal and establishment of the “Two Integrations” underwent a dynamic process of development.

2021年7月1日，习近平在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上的讲话提出了“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”。这被公认为是“两个结合”的正式提出。“两个结合”提出确立有一个动态发展的过程。

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping has made many expositions on fine traditional Chinese culture, including some that link the “First Integration” with fine traditional Chinese culture. In September 2014, at the opening ceremony of the International Symposium Commemorating the 2565th Anniversary of Confucius’ Birth and the Fifth Congress of the International Confucian Association, Xi Jinping pointed out: “We have always believed that the basic tenets of Marxism must be closely integrated with China’s specific realities. We should treat national traditional culture scientifically, treat the cultures of all countries in the world scientifically, and arm ourselves with all the excellent ideological and cultural achievements created by mankind.” [30]30 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the International Symposium Commemorating the 2565th Anniversary of Confucius’ Birth and the Fifth Congress of the International Confucian Association” (September 24, 2014). This linked the “First Integration” with China’s national traditional culture and the cultures of all countries, implicitly containing the implication of the “Two Integrations.”

党的十八大以来，习近平对中华优秀传统文化有诸多论述，其中不乏将“第一个结合”与中华优秀传统文化相联系的论述。2014年9月，习近平在纪念孔子诞辰2565周年国际学术研讨会暨国际儒学联合会第五届会员大会开幕会上的讲话指出：“我们从来认为，马克思主义基本原理必须同中国具体实际紧密结合起来，应该科学对待民族传统文化，科学对待世界各国文化，用人类创造的一切优秀思想文化成果武装自己。”这是将“第一个结合”与中国民族传统文化和世界各国文化联系起来论述的，其中隐含着“两个结合”的意蕴。

On May 4, 2018, in his speech at the ceremony commemorating the 200th anniversary of Marx’s birth, Xi Jinping pointed out: “The basic principles of scientific socialism cannot be abandoned; if abandoned, it is not socialism. At the same time, scientific socialism is by no means an immutable dogma. I have said that the great social changes in contemporary China are not a simple continuation of the template of our history and culture, not a simple application of the template envisioned by classical Marxist writers, not a reprint of the socialist practices of other countries, and not a copy of foreign modernization development. Socialism does not have a single, immutable model. Only by closely integrating the basic principles of scientific socialism with the specific realities, historical and cultural traditions, and the requirements of the times of a country, and by continuously exploring and summarizing in practice, can the blueprint be turned into a beautiful reality.” [31]31 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Ceremony Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Marx’s Birth” (May 4, 2018). The speech emphasized “closely integrating the basic principles of scientific socialism with the specific realities, historical and cultural traditions, and the requirements of the times of a country,” and the “Second Integration” was on the verge of being articulated.

2018年5月4日，习近平在纪念马克思诞辰200周年大会讲话中指出：“科学社会主义基本原则不能丢，丢了就不是社会主义。同时，科学社会主义也绝不是一成不变的教条。我说过，当代中国的伟大社会变革，不是简单延续我国历史文化的母版，不是简单套用马克思主义经典作家设想的模板，不是其他国家社会主义实践的再版，也不是国外现代化发展的翻版。社会主义并没有定于一尊、一成不变的套路，只有把科学社会主义基本原则同本国具体实际、历史文化传统、时代要求紧密结合起来，在实践中不断探索总结，才能把蓝图变为美好现实。”讲话强调要“把科学社会主义基本原则同本国具体实际、历史文化传统、时代要求紧密结合起来”，“第二个结合”呼之欲出。

In February 2021, the Central Committee of the CPC deployed the study of Party history across the entire Party. In his speech at the mobilization meeting

2021年2月，中共中央部署在全党开展党史学习教育，习近平在动员大会上讲话强调：“一个民族要走在时代前列，就一刻不能没有理论思维，一刻不能没有思想指引。在近代中国最危急的时刻，中国共产党人找到了马克思列宁主义，并坚持把马克思列宁主义同中国实际相结合，用马克思主义真理的力量激活了中华民族历经几千年创造的伟大文明，使中华文明再次迸发出强大精神力量。”“理论的生命力在于创新。马克思主义深刻改变了中国，中国也极大丰富了马克思主义。”讲话将马克思主义与中华民族几千年伟大文明有机联系起来，以前者激活后者，从中找到了结合之“激活点”或“契合性”。2021年3月，习近平在福建考察时指出：“要推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展，以时代精神激活中华优秀传统文化的生命力。要把坚持马克思主义同弘扬中华优秀传统文化有机结合起来，坚定不移走中国特色社会主义道路。”这是“第二个结合”的点题和破题。

The above series of important expositions by Xi Jinping, especially the two speeches in February and March 2021, had already clearly put forward the proposition of the “Second Integration,” found its “activation point” or “compatibility,” and pointed out important elements such as the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture. It can also be seen from this that the proposal of the proposition of the “Two Integrations” went through a process.

习近平上述一系列重要论述，尤其是2021年2月、3月的两次讲话，已经明确提出了“第二个结合”的命题，并找到了其中的“激活点”或“契合性”，点明了中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展等重要元素。从中也可以看出，“两个结合”命题的提出有一个过程。

Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the important theoretical proposition of the “Two Integrations” to the entire Party in his speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC. The speech pointed out: “The Communist Party of China upholds the basic tenets of Marxism… continuously advances the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and guides the Chinese people in continuously advancing the great social revolution. Why the Communist Party of China can, why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, in the final analysis, it is because Marxism works!” “On the new journey, we must uphold Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the ‘Three Represents,’ and the Scientific Outlook on Development, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, adhere to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of fine traditional Chinese culture, use Marxism to observe the times, grasp the times, and lead the times, and continue to develop contemporary Chinese Marxism and Marxism in the 21st century!” This was the formal proposal and complete expression of the “Two Integrations,” recognized by the entire Party and the whole society, and aroused strong attention from the theoretical community.

习近平向全党郑重提出“两个结合”重要理论命题，是在庆祝建党100周年大会上的讲话。讲话指出：“中国共产党坚持马克思主义基本原理……不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化，指导中国人民不断推进伟大社会革命。中国共产党为什么能，中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是因为马克思主义行！”“新的征程上，我们必须坚持马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论、‘三个代表’重要思想、科学发展观，全面贯彻新时代中国特色社会主义思想，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，用马克思主义观察时代、把握时代、引领时代，继续发展当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义！”这是“两个结合”的正式提出和完整表述，为全党全社会所公认，引起理论界的强烈关注。

Similar to the “First Integration” being written into the first two historical resolutions, the “Two Integrations” were written into the Party’s third historical resolution. On November 11, 2021, the “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century” adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC first affirmed the important contribution of “the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their main representative, integrating the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism with China’s specific realities,” opening up the correct revolutionary path and founding Mao Zedong Thought. Subsequently, the fourth part of the resolution pointed out: “The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their main representative, adhere to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of fine traditional Chinese culture, uphold Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the ‘Three Represents,’ and the Scientific Outlook on Development, profoundly summarize and fully apply the historical experience since the founding of the Party, proceed from new realities, and establish Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” The resolution also regarded the “Two Integrations” as an important historical experience of the Party’s theoretical innovation over the past century of struggle.

与“第一个结合”写入前两个历史决议相类似，“两个结合”载入了党的第三个历史决议。2021年11月11日，党的十九届六中全会通过的《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》，首先肯定了“以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，把马克思列宁主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合”，开辟正确革命道路、创立毛泽东思想的重要贡献。继之，决议第四部分指出：“以习近平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，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，坚持毛泽东思想、邓小平理论、‘三个代表’重要思想、科学发展观，深刻总结并充分运用党成立以来的历史经验，从新的实际出发，创立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想。”决议还将“两个结合”作为党百年奋斗理论创新的一条重要历史经验。

Thereafter, Xi Jinping reiterated the “Two Integrations” many times from the perspective of implementation, continuously injecting new connotations and enriching and perfecting them. In January 2022, Xi Jinping pointed out in a speech at the opening ceremony of a special seminar for major leading cadres at the provincial and ministerial levels on studying and implementing the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC: “Better unify upholding Marxism and developing Marxism, insist on using the ‘arrow’ of Marxism to shoot at the ‘target’ of China in the New Era, continue to advance the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of fine traditional Chinese culture, and write a new chapter in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.” In February 2022, the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC held its 37th collective study on the path of human rights development with Chinese characteristics. When presiding over the study, Xi Jinping pointed out: In the practice of advancing the development of the human rights cause in our country, we integrate the Marxist view of human rights with China’s specific realities and with the best of fine traditional Chinese culture. The speech discussed the “Two Integrations” from a new perspective, that is, the Marxist view of human rights.

此后，习近平从贯彻落实的角度多次重申“两个结合”，并不断注入新的内涵，加以丰富完善。2022年1月，习近平在省部级主要领导干部学习贯彻党的十九届六中全会精神专题研讨班开班式上讲话指出：“更好把坚持马克思主义和发展马克思主义统一起来，坚持用马克思主义之‘矢’去射新时代中国之‘的’，继续推进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，续写马克思主义中国化时代化新篇章。”2022年2月，中共十九届中央政治局围绕中国人权发展道路举行第三十七次集体学习，习近平主持学习时指出：在推进我国人权事业发展的实践中，我们把马克思主义人权观同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合。讲话从新的视角即马克思主义人权观的角度论述“两个结合”。

Xi Jinping comprehensively discussed the importance and rich connotations of the “Two Integrations” in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC. The report pointed out: “The Chinese Communists deeply realize that only by integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of fine traditional Chinese culture, and by adhering to the application of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, can we correctly answer the major questions raised by the times and practice, and can we always maintain the vigorous vitality and exuberant vitality of Marxism.” The report separately discussed “upholding and developing Marxism must be integrated with China’s specific realities” and “upholding and developing Marxism must be integrated with the best of fine traditional Chinese culture,” thereby making the connotations of the “Two Integrations” more systematic and profound.

习近平全面论述“两个结合”的重要性及其丰富内涵，是在党的二十大报告中。报告指出：“中国共产党人深刻认识到，只有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，坚持运用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义，才能正确回答时代和实践提出的重大问题，才能始终保持马克思主义的蓬勃生机和旺盛活力。”报告分别展开论述了“坚持和发展马克思主义，必须同中国具体实际相结合”，“坚持和发展马克思主义，必须同中华优秀传统文化相结合”，从而使“两个结合”内涵更加系统深刻。

A comprehensive and systematic review and explanation of Xi Jinping’s profound expositions on the “Two Integrations,” especially the “Second Integration,” reveals three major landmark time nodes: July 2021, when the “Two Integrations” were formally proposed; November 2021, when the “Two Integrations” were written into the Party’s third historical resolution; and October 2022, when the “Two Integrations” were written into the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC. The proposal and establishment of the “Two Integrations” is an important innovation and major contribution to adapting Marxism to the Chinese context by the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their main representative, in the New Era. It is a major historical leap from the “First Integration,” which was pioneered by Mao Zedong, restored and developed by Deng Xiaoping, and advanced and passed on by Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao.

全面系统梳理和阐释习近平对“两个结合”尤其是“第二个结合”的深刻论述，有三个重大的标志性时间节点，即：2021年7月“两个结合”正式提出，2021年11月“两个结合”载入党的第三个历史决议，2022年10月“两个结合”写入党的二十大报告。“两个结合”的提出和确立是新时代以习近平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人对马克思主义中国化的重要创新和重大贡献，是对毛泽东开创、邓小平恢复发展，江泽民、胡锦涛推进传承的“第一个结合”的重大历史性飞跃。

IV. The “Second Integration” Is Another Major Innovation and Leap

四、“第二个结合”是又一次重大创新和飞跃

After enriching and sublimating the “First Integration,” and creatively putting forward the major theoretical proposition of the “Two Integrations” on the basis of correctly treating fine traditional Chinese culture in various historical periods of the Party, Xi Jinping continuously carried out systematic theoretical elaboration. At the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development held in June 2023, Xi Jinping further profoundly discussed the “Two Integrations”: “To develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound foundation of more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of fine traditional Chinese culture is the only way. This is the understanding of the laws we have gained in exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We have always emphasized integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities, and now we have clearly put forward the ‘Second Integration.’ I have said that without the five thousand years of Chinese civilization, where would Chinese characteristics come from? Without Chinese characteristics, how could we have such a successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics today?” Xi Jinping focused on a profound discussion of the “Second Integration.” Through studying and understanding the spirit of Xi Jinping’s important expositions, the author believes that the important significance and contemporary value of the “Second Integration” are mainly reflected in the following aspects.

习近平丰富升华“第一个结合”，在党的各个历史时期正确对待中华优秀传统文化的基础上创造性地提出“两个结合”这一重大理论命题后，不断进行系统的理论阐述。在2023年6月召开的文化传承发展座谈会上，习近平进一步深刻论述了“两个结合”：“在五千多年中华文明深厚基础上开辟和发展中国特色社会主义，把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际、同中华优秀传统文化相结合是必由之路。这是我们在探索中国特色社会主义道路中得出的规律性认识。我们一直强调把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，现在我们又明确提出‘第二个结合’。我说过，如果没有中华五千年文明，哪里有什么中国特色？如果不是中国特色，哪有我们今天这么成功的中国特色社会主义道路？”习近平着重对“第二个结合”作了深刻论述。通过学习领会习近平重要论述精神，笔者以为，“第二个结合”的重要意义和时代价值主要体现在以下几个方面。

(A) The “Second Integration” Is Another Major Innovation and Leap in Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context

（一）“第二个结合”是马克思主义中国化的又一次重大创新和飞跃

Mao Zedong and several generations of Party leaders discussed fine traditional Chinese culture at length and were able to correctly understand and handle the relationship between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture, but they did not explicitly put forward the theoretical proposition of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture. Xi Jinping’s first proposal of the “Second Integration” [36]36 The “Second Integration” (第二个结合) refers to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture, first proposed by Xi Jinping in 2021. represents an important development and innovation of the “First Integration” [37]37 The “First Integration” (第一个结合) refers to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities, a formulation dating back to Mao Zedong in 1938. and a major innovation and leap in the theory of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. In a certain sense, it is also an innovation and leap in the 500-plus-year history of world socialism. Its innovativeness is also reflected in the first comprehensive exposition of the rich connotations of the “Two Integrations.” In his report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping comprehensively elaborated the profound connotations of the “Two Integrations,” enriching and developing the “First Integration” and endowing the “Second Integration” with entirely new meaning, thereby forming the “Two Integrations” into a complete theoretical system and an organic unity. The “First Integration” is the premise and foundation of the “Second Integration,” and the “Second Integration” is the development and outcome of the “First Integration.” The innovation is also reflected in methodology: vertically, it connects contemporary China’s advanced culture with the fine traditional Chinese culture of several millennia; horizontally, it links the imported Marxism with China’s indigenous culture, fusing ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign.

毛泽东等党的几代领导人，对中华优秀传统文化多有论述，能够正确认识处理马克思主义与中华优秀传统文化的关系，但并没有明确提出把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合的理论命题。习近平首次提出“第二个结合”，是对“第一个结合”的重要发展创新，是对马克思主义中国化理论的重大创新和飞跃。从某种意义上说，也是对世界社会主义500多年发展史的一次创新和飞跃。其创新性还体现在首次全面论述了“两个结合”的丰富内涵。习近平在党的二十大报告中，全面阐释了“两个结合”的深刻内涵，使“第一个结合”得到丰富发展，赋予“第二个结合”全新的含义，从而使“两个结合”形成了完整的理论体系和有机的统一体。“第一个结合”是“第二个结合”的前提和基础，“第二个结合”是“第一个结合”的发展和结果。创新又体现在方法论上，在纵向上将当代中国先进文化与几千年来的中华优秀传统文化相贯通，横向上将外来的马克思主义与中国本土文化相联系，融合古今中外。

The premise of “integration” is mutual compatibility. Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture have different origins, but there is a high degree of compatibility between them; only through mutual compatibility can they be organically integrated. The result of the “Second Integration” is mutual achievement, creating an organic and unified new cultural life-form, making Marxism Chinese and fine traditional Chinese culture modern, and then, through “integration,” forming a new culture that becomes the cultural form of Chinese-path modernization, greatly expanding the rich connotations of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and manifesting the Communist Party of China’s high cultural consciousness and firm cultural confidence. The result and trend of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture are to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, inherit revolutionary culture, develop advanced culture, and strive to create a Chinese culture that shines with the brilliance of the times and the world. The “new cultural life-form” is both an innovation in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and a rebirth of the ancient fine traditional Chinese culture.

“结合”的前提是彼此契合。马克思主义和中华优秀传统文化来源不同，但彼此存在高度的契合性，相互契合才能有机结合。“第二个结合”的结果是互相成就，造就了一个有机统一的新的文化生命体，让马克思主义成为中国的，中华优秀传统文化成为现代的，进而通过“结合”形成的新文化，成为中国式现代化的文化形态，大大拓展了马克思主义中国化时代化的丰富内涵，彰显了中国共产党高度的文化自觉、坚定的文化自信。马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合的结果和趋向是，推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展，传承革命文化、发展先进文化，努力创造光耀时代、光耀世界的中华文化。“新的文化生命体”，既是对马克思主义中国化的创新，又使古老的中华优秀传统文化获得了新生。

Through “integration,” the theoretical main thread of Marxism and the spiritual bloodline of the Chinese nation are internally connected, the profound historical foundation of China and the fresh new atmosphere of China’s reality are mutually integrated, and the truth force of Marxism activates the powerful vitality of Chinese civilization. “‘The Second Integration’ is our Party’s profound summary of the historical experience of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, a profound grasp of the laws governing the development of Chinese civilization, indicating that our Party has reached a new height in its understanding of China’s path, theory, and system, indicating that our Party’s historical confidence and cultural confidence have reached a new height, and indicating that our Party’s consciousness in promoting cultural innovation while inheriting fine traditional Chinese culture has reached a new height.” [38]38 This is a direct quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on cultural heritage in June 2023. These three “new heights” represent the major comprehensive innovation of the “Second Integration.” Chinese civilization continues the spiritual bloodline of our country and nation; it requires not only passing on the torch from generation to generation and guarding it from age to age, but also advancing with the times and bringing forth the new through the old. The “Second Integration” is a manifestation of Chinese civilization advancing with the times and bringing forth the new through the old; it can also be described as a leap in the 5,000-plus-year history of Chinese civilization.

通过“结合”，使马克思主义的理论主脉和中华民族的精神血脉内在贯通，中国历史的深厚底蕴与中国现实的崭新气象相互融通，马克思主义真理力量激活了中华文明的强大生命力。“‘第二个结合’，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，是对中华文明发展规律的深刻把握，表明我们党对中国道路、理论、制度的认识达到了新高度，表明我们党的历史自信、文化自信达到了新高度，表明我们党在传承中华优秀传统文化中推进文化创新的自觉性达到了新高度。”这三个“新高度”是“第二个结合”重大综合性创新。中华文明延续着我们国家和民族的精神血脉，既需要薪火相传、代代守护，也需要与时俱进、推陈出新。“第二个结合”是中华文明与时俱进、推陈出新的体现，也可谓5000多年中华文明的一次飞跃。

(II) The “Second Integration” Is Another Ideological Emancipation in Contemporary China

（二）“第二个结合”是当今中国的又一次思想解放

Looking back at the Party’s history of more than one hundred years, the New Culture Movement that arose during the May Fourth Movement triggered a trend of ideological emancipation, promoted the birth of the Communist Party of China, and opened the historical period of China’s New Democratic Revolution. Around the time of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Party, a great discussion on the criterion of truth brought about a new ideological emancipation, lifted the curtain on reform and opening up, and pushed Chinese history into the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization. From these two typical and representative ideological emancipations, a regular pattern can be discerned: both ideological emancipations were invariably preceded by cultural emancipation and cultural flourishing, and both ideological emancipations brought about profound social changes, each opening a different new historical period.

回顾党的百余年历史，五四运动期间兴起的新文化运动引发了思想解放潮流，推动了中国共产党诞生，开启了中国新民主主义革命历史时期；党的十一届三中全会前后，一场关于真理标准问题的大讨论，带来了新的思想解放，拉开了改革开放的序幕，推动中国历史进入改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期。从两次有典型代表性的思想解放可以得出规律性认识，即两次思想解放无不是以文化解放、文化勃兴为先导的，两次思想解放均带来了深刻的社会变革，分别开启不同的历史新时期。

Contemporary China is undergoing the most extensive and profound social change in its history, and is also carrying out the most grand and unique practical innovation in human history. This great practice will inevitably provide powerful impetus and broad space for cultural innovation and creation, and for ideological and cultural emancipation. Since socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has integrated the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities in the New Era and with fine traditional Chinese culture, united and led the Party and the people in carrying out the great struggle, building the great project, advancing the great cause, and realizing the great dream, [39]39 This is a standard four-part slogan: “great struggle, great project, great cause, great dream” (伟大斗争、伟大工程、伟大事业、伟大梦想), first articulated in Xi Jinping’s report to the 19th National Congress of the CPC in 2017. promoting all-round and pioneering historical achievements in the cause of the Party and the state, and bringing about profound and historic changes, enabling the Chinese nation to achieve a great leap from standing up and growing rich to becoming strong. [40]40 “Standing up, growing rich, and becoming strong” (站起来、富起来、强起来) is a standard periodization of the PRC’s history, attributed to Xi Jinping. Integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture is another ideological emancipation. “Integration” opens up space for innovation, allowing us to master ideological and cultural initiative, and powerfully acts upon the path, theory, and system. More importantly, the “Second Integration” enables us, within a broader cultural space, to fully utilize the precious resources of fine traditional Chinese culture to explore theoretical and institutional innovations oriented toward the future. The history of ideological emancipation in modern and contemporary China teaches us that persisting in integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture will surely powerfully promote the realization of the “Second Centenary Goal” [41]41 The “Second Centenary Goal” (第二个百年奋斗目标) is the goal of building China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious by the middle of the 21st century, marking the centenary of the PRC’s founding in 2049. and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

当代中国正经历着我国历史上最为广泛而深刻的社会变革，也正在进行着人类历史上最为宏大而独特的实践创新。这种伟大实践必将给文化创新创造、思想文化解放提供强大动力和广阔空间。中国特色社会主义进入新时代以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央把马克思主义基本原理同新时代中国具体实际相结合，同中华优秀传统文化相结合，团结带领党和人民进行伟大斗争、建设伟大工程、推进伟大事业、实现伟大梦想，推进党和国家事业取得全方位、开创性历史成就，发生深层次、历史性变革，使中华民族迎来了从富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃。将马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合是又一次思想解放。“结合”打开了创新空间，让我们掌握了思想和文化主动，并有力地作用于道路、理论和制度。更重要的是，“第二个结合”让我们能够在更广阔的文化空间中，充分运用中华优秀传统文化的宝贵资源，探索面向未来的理论和制度创新。中国近代和当代思想解放的历史昭示我们，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，必将有力推动“第二个百年”奋斗目标和中华民族伟大复兴的实现。

(III) The “Second Integration” Expands the Cultural Foundation of the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

（三）“第二个结合”拓展了中国特色社会主义道路的文化根基

The Chinese nation has a long history and splendid culture spanning more than 5,000 years. Chinese civilization has continued from ancient times to the present day, and the Chinese nation and Chinese civilization have survived tenaciously and developed coherently without interruption over several millennia of human social history—a rare phenomenon in the world, worthy of the pride, confidence, and self-assurance of the Chinese people. Culture has the characteristics of nationality, openness, contemporaneity, and inclusiveness. Chinese culture is both historical and contemporary, both national and global. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the need to strengthen confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Cultural confidence is a more fundamental, broader, and deeper confidence, and a more basic, deeper, and more enduring force. To strengthen confidence in the path, theory, and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is, in the final analysis, to strengthen cultural confidence.

中华民族有着5000多年的悠久历史和灿烂文化，中华文明从远古一直延续发展到今天，中华民族和中华文明在数千年人类社会历史长河中顽强生存、连贯发展而没有中断，世所罕见，值得中国人骄傲、自豪和自信。文化具有民族性、开放性、时代性和包容性。中华文化既是历史的、也是当代的，既是民族的、也是世界的。党的十八大以来，习近平多次强调要坚定中国特色社会主义道路自信、理论自信、制度自信和文化自信。文化自信是更基础、更广泛、更深厚的自信，是更基本、更深沉、更持久的力量。坚定中国特色社会主义道路自信、理论自信、制度自信，说到底是要坚定文化自信。

The fine traditional Chinese culture nurtured over more than 5,000 years of civilization development, and the revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture nurtured in the great struggles of the Party and the people, embody the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation and represent the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation. Xi Jinping pointed out: “Standing on the vast land of 9.6 million square kilometers, absorbing the cultural nourishment accumulated through the long struggle of the Chinese nation, and possessing the mighty force gathered by the 1.3 billion Chinese people, we take our own path, with an incomparably broad stage, incomparably profound historical foundation, and incomparably strong forward-moving determination.” [42]42 This is a direct quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC in 2016. Integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture solidifies the foundation of the path, giving the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics a broader and deeper historical depth, greatly expanding the cultural foundation of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Chinese-path modernization endows Chinese civilization with modern power, and Chinese civilization endows Chinese-path modernization with profound substance.

在5000多年文明发展中孕育的中华优秀传统文化，在党和人民伟大斗争中孕育的革命文化和社会主义先进文化，积淀着中华民族最深层的精神追求，代表着中华民族独特的精神标识。习近平指出：“站立在九百六十万平方公里的广袤土地上，吸吮着中华民族漫长奋斗积累的文化养分，拥有十三亿中国人民聚合的磅礴之力，我们走自己的路，具有无比广阔的舞台，具有无比深厚的历史底蕴，具有无比强大的前进定力。”把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合筑牢了道路根基，让中国特色社会主义道路有了更加宏阔深远的历史纵深，极大地拓展了中国特色社会主义道路的文化根基。中国式现代化赋予中华文明以现代力量，中华文明赋予中国式现代化以深厚底蕴。

(IV) The “Second Integration” Provides Powerful Impetus for Comprehensively Advancing the Building of a Strong Country and National Rejuvenation through Chinese-Path Modernization

（四）“第二个结合”为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴提供强大动力

The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC [1]1 The “ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China” was held on July 1, 2021, in Beijing. set forth the Party’s mission and tasks for the New Era and the new journey as follows: “From this point forward, the central task of the Communist Party of China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups in the country to comprehensively build a great modern socialist country, achieve the Second Centenary Goal, and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.” [2]2 The “third historical resolution” refers to the “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century,” adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee in November 2021. The “20th National Congress of the CPC” was held in October 2022. The building of a modern great power encompasses multiple aspects. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed the need to build a socialist cultural power with Chinese characteristics. At the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development, he further emphasized: “Continuing to promote cultural prosperity, build a cultural power, and construct the modern civilization of the Chinese nation from a new starting point is our new cultural mission in the New Era.” [3]3 The “Enlarged Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the CPC” was held in September-November 1938 in Yan’an. The Chinese nation has a long history, Chinese civilization has a long and continuous lineage, and Chinese culture is broad and profound. These constitute the historical and cultural foundation and valuable resources for building a modern great power, including building a cultural power. Integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture is precisely the activation of Chinese civilization, its transformation into a cultural form of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the provision of soft power for the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country.

党的二十大报告提出新时代新征程党的使命任务是：“从现在起，中国共产党的中心任务就是团结带领全国各族人民全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现第二个百年奋斗目标，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。”现代化强国建设涵盖多个方面。党的十八大以来，习近平反复强调要建设中国特色社会主义文化强国，在文化传承发展座谈会上进一步强调：“在新的起点上继续推动文化繁荣、建设文化强国、建设中华民族现代文明，是我们在新时代新的文化使命。”中华民族历史悠久，中华文明源远流长，中华文化博大精深，这是建设现代化强国，包括建设文化强国的历史文化基础和宝贵资源。把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合就是激活中华文明，转化成中国特色社会主义文化形态，为全面建设社会主义现代化国家提供软实力。

Thought and culture are the soul and root of a country and a nation. As China’s economy and society continue to develop, Chinese civilization will inevitably radiate even more vigorous vitality in keeping with the development of the times. Xi Jinping pointed out: “The prosperity of a country and a nation is always supported by cultural flourishing; the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires the development and prosperity of Chinese culture as a condition.” [4]4 Wang Ming (1904-1974) was a senior CPC leader whose “Left” dogmatic line dominated the Party from 1931 to 1935, causing severe losses to the Chinese revolution. Integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture is the solid foundation for building a cultural power. The new culture formed by the integration of the two becomes the cultural form of Chinese-path modernization and is an important manifestation of a cultural power. Chinese-path modernization is a modernization in which material civilization and cultural-ethical progress are coordinated. To build a modern great power, it is necessary to take high-quality development as the hard truth and hard power, and to take building a cultural power as soft power; hard power needs the support of soft power, and soft power must match hard power. “Cultural soft power centrally embodies a country’s cohesion and vitality based on culture, as well as the attraction and influence arising from them. Throughout history, the development process of any major country has been not only a process of improving hard power such as economic aggregate and military strength, but also a process of improving soft power such as values, thought, and culture.” [5]5 “On New Democracy” was a major theoretical work by Mao Zedong published in January 1940, outlining the theory of new-democratic revolution. Enhancing national cultural soft power is not only related to China’s positioning in the world cultural landscape, but also to China’s international influence, and to the realization of the “Second Centenary Goal” and the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

思想文化是一个国家和一个民族的灵魂和根脉，随着中国经济社会不断发展，中华文明也必将顺应时代发展焕发出更加蓬勃的生命力。习近平指出：“一个国家、一个民族的强盛，总是以文化兴盛为支撑的，中华民族伟大复兴需要以中华文化发展繁荣为条件。”把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合，是文化强国建设的坚实基础，两者结合形成的新文化成为中国式现代化的文化形态，是文化强国的重要体现。中国式现代化是物质文明和精神文明相协调的现代化。建设现代化强国，必须把高质量发展作为硬道理、硬实力，把建设文化强国作为软实力；硬实力需要软实力支撑，软实力要和硬实力相匹配。“文化软实力集中体现了一个国家基于文化而具有的凝聚力和生命力，以及由此产生的吸引力和影响力。古往今来，任何一个大国的发展进程，既是经济总量、军事力量等硬实力提高的进程，也是价值观念、思想文化等软实力提高的进程。”提升国家文化软实力，不仅关系我国在世界文化格局中的定位，而且关系我国国际影响力，关系“第二个百年”和中华民族伟大复兴奋斗目标的实现。

(Author’s bio: Ren Guixiang, Distinguished Professor of the School of Marxism at South China Normal University, Researcher at the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the CPC)

（作者简介：任贵祥，华南师范大学马克思主义学院特聘教授、中央党史和文献研究院研究员）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心