The Contemporary Significance of the Chinese Nation’s Modern Civilization

Since the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has coordinated the strategic overall plan for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the global changes unseen in a century, put forward a series of new ideas, new viewpoints, and new judgments, and inaugurated a new pattern of high-quality development in the cause of the Party and the state. This represents the latest theoretical and practical achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, fully embodying the contemporary character of the Communist Party of China in seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and upholding fundamental principles while breaking new ground. “Any genuine philosophy is the spiritual quintessence of its own time.” [1]1 A quotation from Karl Marx, from his newspaper articles for the *Rheinische Zeitung* in 1842. In his speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Continuing to promote cultural prosperity, build a strong cultural country, and construct the modern civilization of the Chinese nation from a new starting point is our new cultural mission in the New Era.” [2]2 From Xi Jinping’s speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development on June 2, 2023. Constructing the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is a major contemporary issue for the Chinese nation and for China in the New Era. To better shoulder this new cultural mission in the New Era, we must not only study and elucidate the profound connotations and scientific system of the Chinese nation’s modern civilization but also, in the holistic grasp of the Chinese nation, Chinese civilization, and China in the New Era, comprehend the contemporary significance of the Chinese nation’s modern civilization and grasp the key to constructing it.

新时代以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央统筹中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，提出了一系列新思想新观点新论断，开创了党和国家事业高质量发展新格局，是马克思主义中国化时代化的最新理论与实践成果，充分体现了中国共产党实事求是、与时俱进、守正创新的时代品格。“任何真正的哲学都是自己时代的精神上的精华。”1习近平总书记在文化传承发展座谈会上的讲话中指出，“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”2。建设中华民族现代文明，是中华民族和新时代中国的重大时代课题。为了更好地肩负起新时代新的文化使命，我们不仅要研究阐释中华民族现代文明的深刻内涵与科学体系，而且要在对中华民族、中华文明和新时代中国的整体性把握中，领悟中华民族现代文明的时代意蕴，把握建设中华民族现代文明的关键所在。

I. The Chinese Nation’s Modern Civilization Is a Practical Exploration of Seeking Truth from Facts

一、中华民族现代文明是实事求是的实践探索

The Chinese nation’s modern civilization is a holistic grasp, profound summary, and earnest expectation of the developmental process of the Chinese nation, Chinese civilization, and the Chinese state form, forging the theoretical character of seeking truth from facts in the Chinese nation’s modern civilization.

中华民族现代文明是对中华民族、中华文明和中国国家形态发展进程的整体把握、深刻总结和殷切期待，铸就了中华民族现代文明实事求是的理论品格。

The Chinese nation possesses a human history of a million years, a cultural history of ten thousand years, and a civilization history of over five thousand years. In the course of this magnificent history, the vast land of China gave rise to the pluralistic and integrated Chinese nation, created an inclusive and eclectic Chinese civilization, and forged a great unified multi-ethnic state. China’s national history, civilization history, and state history are brilliant chapters in human history. The ancient civilization of the Chinese nation achieved extraordinary accomplishments in economy, politics, culture, science and technology, leading the world and making tremendous contributions to human civilization, displaying distinct historical characteristics and features of the times. The nation is the practical subject of the emergence and development of civilization and the state; civilization is the enduring spiritual driving force of the nation and the state; the state is the important carrier for the nation and civilization to uphold fundamental principles and break new ground. The Chinese nation, Chinese civilization, and the Chinese state form have been highly integrated and shared weal and woe throughout the historical process, giving rise to the common conviction that “the territory cannot be divided, the state cannot be thrown into chaos, the nation cannot be scattered, and civilization cannot be severed.” [3]3 A formulation summarizing the core consensus on national unity, often cited in contemporary Chinese political discourse. Even when encountering major setbacks, they have always maintained a strong centripetal force, always integrating as one and firmly cohering, achieving continuity and unity.

中华民族具有百万年的人类史、一万年的文化史和5000多年的文明史。在波澜壮阔的历史进程中，中国的广袤土地上形成了多元一体的中华民族、创造了兼收并蓄的中华文明、铸就了统一多民族的伟大国家。中国的民族史、文明史和国家史是人类历史辉煌璀璨的篇章，中华民族古代文明在经济、政治、文化、科技等方面成就不凡、领先世界，为人类文明作出了巨大贡献，展现出鲜明的历史特点与时代特征。民族是文明和国家产生发展的实践主体，文明是民族和国家延绵不断的精神动力，国家是民族和文明守正创新的重要载体。中华民族、中华文明和中国国家形态在历史进程中高度融合、荣辱与共，产生了“国土不可分、国家不可乱、民族不可散、文明不可断”3的共同信念，即使遭遇重大挫折也能够始终保持强大的向心力，始终整合一体、牢固凝聚，实现延续统一。

In modern times, “the cheap prices of its commodities are the heavy artillery with which it batters down all Chinese walls, with which it forces the barbarians’ intensely obstinate hatred of foreigners to capitulate. It compels all nations, on pain of extinction, to adopt the bourgeois mode of production; it compels them to introduce what it calls civilization into their midst, i.e., to become bourgeois themselves. In one word, it creates a world after its own image.” [4]4 A quotation from *The Communist Manifesto* by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (1848), here slightly adapted in the Chinese original to fit the context. After the Opium War, ancient China was forcibly drawn into the capitalist world system and, under the strong ships and powerful cannons of the Western powers, gradually degenerated into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. The Chinese nation, Chinese civilization, and the Chinese state form encountered changes unseen in three thousand years, reaching their most perilous moment. To avoid the tragic fate of national extinction, civilizational dissolution, and state disintegration, countless people with lofty ideals embarked on arduous explorations, trying various plans to save the nation, but all ended in failure. The brilliant ancient civilization of the Chinese nation took a sharp turn for the worse, entering the modern world in a relatively backward posture. It was not until the emergence of the Communist Party of China that the face of the Chinese revolution was completely renewed, a new chapter was opened in Chinese history, and the Chinese nation, Chinese civilization, and modern China began their modernization exploration and transformation. The Chinese nation, which had suffered so much in modern times, finally ushered in the bright prospect of achieving great rejuvenation after a century of humiliation. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China for over a hundred years, the Chinese nation and the Chinese people have created remarkable achievements that have attracted worldwide attention. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has yielded extraordinarily rare great results. China has become the world’s second-largest economy and a major force driving world economic growth, truly becoming a major world power that “makes a relatively large contribution to humanity.” [5]5 A phrase attributed to Mao Zedong, expressing the aspiration for China to contribute significantly to the world. Since the New Era, “we have upheld and developed socialism with Chinese characteristics, promoted the coordinated development of material civilization, political civilization, cultural-ethical progress, social civilization, and ecological civilization, created a new path for Chinese-path modernization, and created a new form of human civilization.” [6]6 From Xi Jinping’s speech at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China on July 1, 2021. The Five-Sphere Integrated Plan for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics promotes the steady development of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, laying a solid material and ideological foundation for China in the New Era to construct the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

近代以来，“由于一切生产工具的迅速改进，由于交通的极其便利，把一切民族甚至最野蛮的民族都卷到文明中来了”4。鸦片战争后，古老的中国被迫卷入资本主义世界体系，在西方列强的坚船利炮下，逐渐沦为半殖民地半封建社会。中华民族、中华文明和中国的国家形态遭遇3000年未有之大变局，到了最危难的时刻。为了避免陷入民族灭亡、文明消散、国家解体的悲惨命运，无数仁人志士艰难探索，尝试各种救国方案，但均以失败告终。中华民族璀璨辉煌的古代文明急转直下，以一种相对落后的姿态走入近代世界。直到中国共产党的出现，中国革命的面貌才焕然一新，中国历史掀开崭新篇章，中华民族、中华文明和近代中国开始了现代化探索与转型。近代以来久经磨难的中华民族终于迎来了百年屈辱后实现伟大复兴的光明前景。在中国共产党百余年的坚强领导下，中华民族和中国人民创造了举世瞩目的伟大成就，中国特色社会主义道路取得了世所罕见的伟大成果，中国成为世界第二大经济体和拉动世界经济增长的主要力量，成为名副其实的“对人类有比较大的贡献”5的世界主要大国。新时代以来，“我们坚持和发展中国特色社会主义，推动物质文明、政治文明、精神文明、社会文明、生态文明协调发展，创造了中国式现代化新道路，创造了人类文明新形态”6。中国特色社会主义事业“五位一体”总体布局推进中国特色社会主义事业稳步发展，为新时代中国建设中华民族现代文明奠定了坚实的物质基础和思想基础。

“This is an era that needs theory and can certainly produce theory; this is an era that needs thought and can certainly produce thought.” [7]7 A paraphrase of a statement by Xi Jinping, reflecting the idea that the New Era demands theoretical innovation. The explicit proposition of constructing the modern civilization of the Chinese nation carries significant contemporary significance. This is the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, standing at the commanding heights of history and the times, conducting a profound insight, scientific grasp, and accurate assessment of the history of socialist development, the history of the Communist Party of China, the history of the People’s Republic of China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of the Chinese nation’s development. It is a systematic elucidation and contemporary expression, from the temporal orientation of the global changes unseen in a century and the strategic overall plan for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, Chinese-path modernization, the new form of human civilization, the Chinese national community, and a community with a shared future for mankind, all while consistently adhering to the guiding role of Marxism and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It scientifically answers the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times from a civilizational standpoint, demonstrating the theoretical quality of seeking truth from facts with historical depth and theoretical profundity.

“这是一个需要理论而且一定能够产生理论的时代，这是一个需要思想而且一定能够产生思想的时代。”7明确提出建设中华民族现代文明的命题具有重要的时代意义，这是以习近平同志为核心的党中央站在历史和时代制高点，对社会主义发展史、中国共产党史、中华人民共和国史、改革开放史、中华民族发展史的深邃洞察、科学把握、准确研判，是站在世界百年未有之大变局和中华民族伟大复兴战略全局的时代方位上，始终坚持马克思主义指导地位和中国特色社会主义道路，对中国特色社会主义文化、中国式现代化、人类文明新形态、中华民族共同体和人类命运共同体等进行的体系化阐释和时代表达，以文明立场科学回答了中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问，以历史厚度和理论深度展现了实事求是的理论品质。

The Chinese nation’s modern civilization not only possesses a deep accumulation of fine traditional culture but also does not evade the painful memories of humiliation and setbacks; moreover, it bears distinct and unique markers of the New Era. It is not only a high degree of identification with the pluralistic and integrated Chinese nation and the unyielding and self-renewing Chinese civilization but also a profound reflection on the tortuous, hesitant, and difficult national circumstances since modern times. Furthermore, it is a systematic summary of the great breakthroughs, great transformations, and great achievements of China in the New Era, embodying earnest expectations for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the renewed brilliance of Chinese civilization, and the prosperity and flourishing of China in the New Era.

中华民族现代文明既拥有深厚的优秀传统文化积淀，也不回避沉痛的屈辱挫折记忆，更具有鲜明独特的新时代标识；不仅是对多元一体的中华民族和自强不息的中华文明的高度认同，而且是对近代以来迂回徘徊、曲折艰难的国家境遇的深刻反思，更是对新时代中国伟大突破、伟大变革、伟大成就的系统总结，蕴含着对中华民族伟大复兴、中华文明再现辉煌、新时代中国繁荣昌盛的殷切期待。

II. The Chinese Nation’s Modern Civilization Is a Civilizational Form That Advances with the Times

二、中华民族现代文明是与时俱进的文明形态

Constructing the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is a great exploration of human civilization by China in the New Era, a great practice of socialist civilization, and a theoretical achievement of the Marxist view of civilization in China in the New Era, highlighting the theoretical pursuit of the Chinese nation’s modern civilization to advance with the times.

建设中华民族现代文明是新时代中国对人类文明的伟大探索，也是社会主义文明的伟大实践，更是马克思主义文明观在新时代中国的理论成果，彰显了中华民族现代文明与时俱进的理论追求。

The Marxist view of civilization points out that civilization is the sum total of all material and spiritual activities in humanity’s understanding and transformation of the world, endowing it with multiple dimensions of meaning, including value, substance, relations, and practice. Opening up and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of the profound accumulation of over five thousand years of Chinese civilization, and adhering to the integration of the fundamental tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture, is the essential path. The Chinese nation’s modern civilization is a new form of human civilization created through the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional Chinese civilization via the Two Integrations, promoted by Chinese-path modernization. “We are still in the historical era pointed out by Marxism.” [8]8 A reference to Xi Jinping’s assertion that the contemporary era remains within the historical framework analyzed by Marxism. Marx’s division of the forms of human society includes multiple approaches, such as the “three forms” and the “five forms,” but regardless of which division is used as a basis, socialism is the future form of human society. The socialist civilization nurtured by the socialist form is the most advanced and most scientific civilization in the history of human development. Just as “socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism, not some other ‘ism,’” [9]9 A standard formulation from official CPC documents, emphasizing the socialist nature of China’s path. the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is, in the final analysis, a form of socialist civilization.

马克思主义文明观指出，文明是人类认识与改造世界中一切物质和精神活动的总和，并赋予其价值、实体、关系、实践等多个维度的意涵。在5000多年中华文明深厚积淀基础上开辟和发展中国特色社会主义，坚持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。中华民族现代文明是中华传统文明经由“两个结合”创造性转化和创新性发展，以中国式现代化推动建设的人类文明新形态。“我们依然处在马克思主义所指明的历史时代。”8马克思关于人类社会形态的划分有“三形态”和“五形态”等多种方式，但不论以哪种划分方式为根据，社会主义是人类社会的未来形态。社会主义形态所孕育的社会主义文明是人类发展史上迄今为止最先进、最科学的文明。正如“中国特色社会主义是社会主义，不是别的什么主义”9,中华民族现代文明归根到底是社会主义文明形态。

The developmental laws of human social formations indicate that there is an essential connection between civilizational development and the progress of productive forces. “In order not to forfeit the fruits already won, in order not to lose the fruits of civilization, people are compelled to change all the social forms they have inherited as soon as the mode of intercourse no longer corresponds to the productive forces they have acquired.” [10]10 Karl Marx, “Letter to P. V. Annenkov,” December 28, 1846. The translation follows the standard English edition of Marx’s works. In modern times, Western countries took the lead in achieving modernization and, by means of the world market, forcibly imposed capitalist civilization on the entire world. This is also the economic reason why the advanced productive forces represented by capitalist civilization in modern times easily triumphed over the backward productive forces represented by feudal civilization. Although Marx believed that the expansion of capitalist civilization objectively promoted the formation of world history, he also profoundly exposed the barbaric, brutal, greedy, and bloody nature of capitalist civilization, which “moves in a ‘vicious circle,’ in contradictions which it is continually reproducing and which it is unable to overcome.” [11]11 Karl Marx, “The Future Results of British Rule in India,” July 22, 1853. In the course of examining human history, Marx discovered that “the barbarian conquerors are always conquered by the higher civilization of the peoples they have subdued.” [12]12 Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, “The German Ideology,” 1845–1846. This situation is confirmed in the history of ancient states with deep civilizational foundations. “In the long run, the more barbarian conquerors, in the vast majority of cases, are compelled to adapt to the ‘economic conditions’ they encounter after conquest; they are assimilated by the conquered, and most of the time they are even forced to adopt the language of the conquered.” [13]13 Frederick Engels, “Anti-Dühring,” 1877–1878. This important discovery not only reveals the phenomenon of “antinomy” in the history of human civilization but also expresses the attractiveness, inclusiveness, and innovativeness of ancient civilizations, laying the groundwork for ancient civilizations to cope with changes, extricate themselves from difficulties, and continue and reshape themselves.

人类社会形态的发展规律表明，文明发展与生产力进步具有本质联系。“为了不致丧失已经取得的成果，为了不致失掉文明的果实，人们在他们的交往方式不再适合于既得的生产力时，就不得不改变他们继承下来的一切社会形 式。”10近代以来，西方国家率先实现现代化，借助世界市场将资本主义文明强行推向世界。这也是近代以来资本主义文明代表的先进生产力轻而易举地战胜封建主义文明代表的落后生产力的经济原因。尽管马克思认为资本主义文明的扩张在客观上促进了世界历史的形成，但他同时也深刻揭露了资本主义文明野蛮、残暴、贪婪、血腥的本质，资本主义文明“是在‘恶性循环’中运动，是在它不断地重新制造出来而又无法克服的矛盾中运动”11。马克思在考察人类历史的过程中发现，“野蛮的征服者总是被那些他们所征服的民族的较高文明所征 服”12。这一情况在具有深厚文明底蕴的古老国度的历史中得到印证。“在长时期的征服中，比较野蛮的征服者，在绝大多数情况下，都不得不适应由于征服而面临的比较高的‘经济状况’;他们为被征服者所同化，而且多半甚至不得不采用被征服者的语言。”13这一重要发现，不仅揭示了人类文明史上的“二律背反”现象，而且表达了古老文明的吸引力、包容力和创新力，也为古老文明应对变局、摆脱困境、赓续重塑埋下了伏笔。

Marx and Engels conducted specialized research on China’s problems and saw the possibility of Chinese civilization regaining its glory. Engels pointed out in “Persia and China” that “in a few years we shall be witnesses of the death struggle of the oldest empire in the world and of the dawn of a new era for the whole of Asia.” [14]14 Frederick Engels, “Persia and China,” 1857. The continuation and innovation of civilization is a major historical and epochal issue. On the one hand, civilization itself must possess the outstanding characteristics that enable its continuation. Chinese civilization has the outstanding characteristics of continuity, innovativeness, unity, inclusiveness, and peacefulness, which determine that Chinese civilization can develop itself, respond to challenges, and open up new prospects, and that the Chinese nation can achieve rejuvenation despite going through thousands of hardships and dangers. On the other hand, the continuation of civilization is not a simple extension and existence, nor is it a struggle to linger on the margins of the world stage; rather, it requires keeping pace with the times to continuously renew civilization, constantly enhance the subjectivity and vitality of civilization, make civilization vibrant and full of vitality, and reach a new historical height. A nation or country whose level of productive forces lags behind the times cannot fulfill the heavy task of civilizational continuation. Therefore, achieving rapid development of productive forces under specific historical conditions is the primary task and important prerequisite for civilizational continuation. Although Marx and Engels saw the hope for the continuation of Chinese civilization, limited by the conditions of their era, they were unable to accurately judge the bright future of modern China’s leapfrog development of productive forces through socialist revolution and construction, nor did they describe in detail the prospects for the inheritance and renewal of Chinese civilization. In a vast Eastern ancient country like modern China, with a large territory, a huge population, backward economy and society, and deep internal and external troubles, building a great modern socialist country and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation was something the classical Marxist writers never spoke of, nor was there a successful case in the over 500-year history of socialism to serve as a reference. This was a new课题 [subject] that the Chinese nation had to independently explore and practice. At the same time, the classical Marxist writers proposed and developed the important thesis of “crossing the Caudine Forks” [15]15 “Crossing the Caudine Forks” (跨越卡夫丁峡谷) refers to Marx’s late-life hypothesis that Russia and other backward societies might bypass the capitalist stage of development and transition directly to socialism, drawing on the ancient Roman humiliation at the Caudine Forks., which was confirmed in the concrete practice of relevant socialist countries, providing scientific theory and practical confidence for the Chinese nation to achieve leapfrog development.

马克思恩格斯曾对中国问题作过专门研究，看到了中华文明重焕荣光的可能性。恩格斯在《波斯和中国》中指出，“过不了多少年，我们就会亲眼看到世界上最古老的帝国的垂死挣扎，看到整个亚洲新纪元的曙光”14。文明赓续与创新是历史性、时代性的大课题。一方面，文明本身要具有能够实现赓续的突出特性。中华文明具有连续性、创新性、统一性、包容性与和平性的突出特性，这决定了中华文明能够自我发展、回应挑战、开创新局，中华民族能够历经千难万险而实现复兴；另一方面，文明的赓续不是简单的延续和存在，也不是挣扎徘徊在世界舞台的边缘，而是要与时俱进地对文明进行不断更新，不断增强文明主体性和生命力，使文明生机盎然、朝气蓬勃，并达到新的历史高度。一个生产力水平落后于时代的民族和国家，是无法实现文明赓续重任的。因此，在具体的历史条件下实现生产力的快速发展是文明赓续的首要任务和重要前提。马克思恩格斯虽然看到了中华文明赓续的希望，但受时代条件限制，他们并未能准确判断近代中国通过社会主义革命与建设实现生产力飞跃发展的光明未来，也没有详细描述中华文明传承更新的发展前景。在近代中国这样的国土面积辽阔、人口规模巨大、经济社会落后、深陷内忧外患的东方古老大国建设社会主义现代化强国、实现中华民族的伟大复兴，马克思主义经典作家没有说过，500多年的社会主义发展史上也没有成功案例作为参考，这是摆在中华民族面前必须独立自主探索实践的新课题。与此同时，马克思主义经典著作家提出并发展了“跨越卡夫丁峡谷”的重要论断，并在相关社会主义国家的具体实践中得到印证，这为中华民族实现跨越式发展提供了科学理论和实践信心。

The level of progress of productive forces determines the process of civilizational continuation, the mode of progress of productive forces determines the foundation of civilizational continuation, and the speed and quality of productive forces development depend on the choice of modernization path and modernization model. In modern times, Western capitalist countries took the lead in achieving industrialization through successive industrial and technological revolutions, embarked on the path of modernization, and created the Western model of modernization. However, the Western model of modernization is accompanied by the inherent contradictions and chronic ills of capitalism. Modernization goes hand in hand with colonial plunder, oppression, and exploitation: internally, it continuously oppresses the proletariat represented by domestic peasants and workers to achieve primitive accumulation of capital and capital增殖 [valorization]; externally, it promotes colonial expansion, plunders means of production, and seizes world markets, causing enormous harm and profound suffering to nations and peoples around the world. Although after the end of World War II, national liberation movements surged across the world and the colonial world order rapidly disintegrated, with the development of capitalism, neocolonialism, mainly in the hidden forms of transnational trade and financial monopoly, deepened further. After the end of the Cold War, peace and development became the themes of the era, but the developed Western countries, on the one hand, continued to plunder the resources and wealth of late-developing countries through neocolonialism, and on the other hand, attempted to block the modernization development of late-developing countries by imposing strict restrictions in areas such as economy and technology. At the same time, the developed Western countries also adopted means such as cultural colonization, attempting to destroy the civilizational characteristics of late-developing countries, wear down their national will and spirit, and pose a serious threat to the survival and development of late-developing countries. Only by combining the conditions of the times, with a high degree of civilizational and cultural confidence and national self-strengthening, exerting historical initiative, and keeping pace with the times to explore a modernization development path that conforms to the trends of the times and the general trend of history, can civilizational continuation be promoted.

生产力的进步水平决定了文明赓续的进程，生产力的进步方式决定了文明赓续的底色，生产力的发展速度和质量则取决于对现代化道路、现代化模式的选择。近代以来，西方资本主义国家通过历次工业革命和科技革命率先实现工业化，并走上现代化道路，打造了现代化的西方模式。但是西方现代化模式伴随着资本主义的固有矛盾和顽疾，现代化与殖民掠夺、压迫剥削相伴而生，对内不断压迫本国农民、工人等为代表的无产阶级，实现资本的原始积累和资本增殖；对外推行殖民扩张，掠夺生产资料，抢占世界市场，给世界各国家各民族造成了巨大伤害和深重苦难。尽管第二次世界大战结束后，世界各国民族解放运动风起云涌，殖民主义世界秩序迅速瓦解。但随着资本主义的发展，以跨国贸易、金融垄断等隐形方式为主要内容的新殖民主义更加深化了。冷战结束后，和平与发展成为时代主题，但西方先发现代化国家一方面通过新殖民主义继续掠夺后发国家的资源与财富，另一方面通过实施经济、科技等方面的严格限制，企图封锁后发国家的现代化发展。与此同时，西方先发国家还采取了文化殖民等手段，企图摧毁后发国家的文明特性，消磨其民族意志和精神，对后发国家的生存与发展造成了严重威胁。只有结合时代条件，以高度的文明文化自信和民族自强，发挥历史主动精神，与时俱进地探索符合时代潮流、符合历史大势的现代化发展道路，才能推动文明赓续。

In the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has set the direction, led the Chinese nation and the Chinese people in united struggle, implemented a series of strategic measures, advanced a series of transformative practices, achieved a series of breakthrough progress, overcome a series of risky challenges, and obtained a series of landmark achievements. The cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics has achieved historic breakthroughs, made historic achievements, undergone historic changes, and made historic contributions. General Secretary Xi Jinping comprehensively summarized the great changes and great achievements of the Party and the state in the New Era in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC. The great changes and great achievements of the New Era are of groundbreaking significance at the theoretical, institutional, and practical levels. Chinese-path modernization is a Chinese solution for humanity to enter modernization, a socialist modernization practice that achieves leapfrog development, breaking the myth that “modernization equals Westernization,” avoiding the “evils” and “evil consequences” of Western modernization, and setting a successful example for other late-developing countries to embark on the path of modernization. “Chinese-path modernization is the new mission of the ancient state of the Chinese nation, which will surely promote Chinese civilization to regain its glory.” [16]16 Xi Jinping, speech at a ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China, July 1, 2021.

新时代，以习近平同志为核心的党中央举旗定向，领导中华民族和中国人民团结奋斗，实施了一系列战略性举措，推进了一系列变革性实践，实现了一系列突破性进展，战胜了一系列风险性挑战，取得了一系列标志性成果。中国特色社会主义事业实现了历史性突破、取得了历史性成就、发生了历史性变革、作出了历史性贡献。习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中对新时代党和国家事业伟大变革和伟大成就进行了全面总结。新时代的伟大变革和伟大成就，在理论、制度和实践等层面上都具有开创性意义。中国式现代化是人类社会迈入现代化的中国方案，是实现跨越发展的社会主义现代化实践，打破了“现代化等于西方化”的迷思，避免了西方现代化的“恶行”与“恶果”,为其他后发国家走上现代化道路树立了成功典范。“中国式现代化是中华民族的旧邦新命，必将推动中华文明重焕荣光。”15

Civilization and social formation are dialectically unified; a leap in social formation inevitably demands and promotes a leap in the form of civilization. “Chinese-path modernization endows Chinese civilization with modern power, while Chinese civilization endows Chinese-path modernization with profound foundations.” [17]17 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the First ‘Conference on Dialogue of Chinese and World Civilizations’ and the Sixth ‘China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum’,” *People’s Daily*, October 20, 2023. Chinese-path modernization has laid the material foundation for promoting the building of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, and the Two Integrations have provided the ideological guidance and action guide for promoting the building of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly pointed out: “In the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, an important reason why the cause of the Party and the state has achieved historic accomplishments and undergone historic changes is that we have adhered to the ‘Two Integrations.’” [18]18 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage,” *People’s Daily*, June 3, 2023. In this sense, the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is the civilization achievement of the Chinese nation, adhering to the guidance of Marxism, adhering to the Two Integrations, and using Chinese-path modernization to promote the modern transformation of Chinese civilization, keeping pace with the times. “The times are the mother of thought; practice is the source of theory.” [19]19 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China,” *People’s Daily*, July 2, 2021. Standing at the great achievements and historical juncture of the New Era, we must use Chinese principles to summarize Chinese experience, elevate Chinese experience into Chinese theory, use Chinese theory to guide Chinese practice, and constantly enrich and develop the modern civilization of the Chinese nation in step with the times.

文明与社会形态是辩证统一的，社会形态的跨越发展，必然要求并促进文明形态的跨越发展。“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。”16中国式现代化为推动建设中华民族现代文明奠定了物质基础，“两个结合”为推动建设中华民族现代文明提供了思想指引和行动指南。习近平总书记明确指出：“在中国特色社会主义新时代，党和国家的事业之所以取得了历史性成就、发生了历史性变革，一个重要原因就是我们坚持了‘两个结合’。”17从这个意义上讲，中华民族现代文明就是中华民族坚持以马克思主义为指导，坚持“两个结合”,以中国式现代化推动中华文明现代转型的与时俱进的文明成果。“时代是思想之母，实践是理论之源。”18站在新时代的伟大成就和历史方位上，我们要以中国道理总结中国经验、把中国经验提升为中国理论，运用中国理论指导中国实践，不断与时俱进地丰富与发展中华民族现代文明。

III. The Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation Is a Civilization Achievement of Upholding Fundamental Principles and Breaking New Ground

三、中华民族现代文明是守正创新的文明成果

The modern civilization of the Chinese nation is the result of the renewal of Chinese civilization from an ancient civilization to a modern civilization. It is a civilization achievement that adheres to the fundamental requirement of the Two Integrations, adheres to the cultural leadership of the Communist Party of China, and adheres to the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, reflecting the theoretical stance of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

中华民族现代文明是中华文明由古老文明向现代文明更新的结果，是坚守“两个结合”根本要求、坚守中国共产党文化领导权、坚守中华民族文化主体性的文明成果，体现了中华民族现代文明的理论立场。

The key to building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation lies in upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Party leadership is the fundamental guarantee for the continuous development and comprehensive prosperity of Chinese civilization. The modern civilization of the Chinese nation is a holistic interpretation of the Chinese nation, Chinese civilization, and a great modern socialist country. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “From now until the middle of this century, comprehensively building a great modern socialist country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation are the central tasks of the whole Party and the people of the whole country.” [20]20 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the First Session of the 14th National People’s Congress,” *People’s Daily*, March 14, 2023. Comprehensively building a great modern socialist country is an inevitable requirement for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation implies the rejuvenation of Chinese national culture, and to realize this long-cherished wish, it is necessary to build a strong cultural country and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.” “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is both the result of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation and the basic sign that the modern civilization of the Chinese nation has been built. Therefore, the modern civilization of the Chinese nation endows the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with specific cultural implications.” [21]21 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage,” *People’s Daily*, June 3, 2023. China is a unified multi-ethnic country with a long and splendid historical civilization. Chinese civilization has outstanding continuity and unity, and “is the only great civilization in the world that has continued uninterrupted and developed in the form of a state to this day.” [22]22 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage,” *People’s Daily*, June 3, 2023. The development of things has its objective laws; one must see the essence through phenomena, that is, grasp the key points within the whole and grasp the crucial elements within the overall situation. “The Communist Party of China is the leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” [23]23 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China,” *People’s Daily*, July 2, 2021. The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the primary feature and important guarantee of the “inward cohesion” of the outstanding unity of Chinese civilization. It has a decisive role and significant importance for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, and comprehensively building a great modern socialist country in China in the New Era. Only by deeply understanding the historical contributions of the Communist Party of China can we understand modern China and future China on the basis of understanding ancient China. Only under the leadership of the Communist Party of China can the Chinese nation, Chinese civilization, and China in the New Era uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and move toward the future.

建设中华民族现代文明的关键在于坚持中国共产党的领导，党的领导是中华文明赓续发展和全面繁荣的根本保障。中华民族现代文明是对中华民族、中华文明和社会主义现代化强国的整体性阐释。习近平总书记强调，“从现在起到本世纪中叶，全面建成社会主义现代化强国、全面推进中华民族伟大复兴，是全党全国人民的中心任务。”19全面建成社会主义现代化强国是实现中华民族伟大复兴的必然要求。“中华民族的伟大复兴意味着中华民族文化的复兴，而要夙愿成真，就必须建设文化强国、建设中华民族现代文明。”“中华民族的伟大复兴，既是建设中华民族现代文明的结果，又是中华民族现代文明得以建成的基本标志。因此，中华民族现代文明赋予中华民族伟大复兴以特定的文化意蕴”20。中国是历史文明悠久璀璨的统一多民族国家，中华文明具有突出的连续性和统一性，“是世界上唯一绵延不断且以国家形态发展至今的伟大文明”21。事物的发展有其客观规律，要透过现象看本质，就是要在整体中把握重点，在全局中把握关键。“中国共产党是中国特色社会主义事业的领导核心。”22中国共产党领导是中华文明突出统一性“向内凝聚”的首要特征和重要保障，对实现中华民族伟大复兴、建设中华民族现代文明和新时代中国全面建成社会主义现代化强国具有决定性作用与重要意义。只有深刻理解中国共产党的历史贡献，才能在理解古代中国的基础上，理解现代中国和未来中国。只有在中国共产党的领导下，中华民族、中华文明和新时代中国才能守正创新、走向未来。

National prosperity, national rejuvenation, and civilizational flourishing are dialectically unified in the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China. The founding of the Communist Party of China has extremely significant and far-reaching historical significance for the Chinese nation, Chinese civilization, and China. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The birth of the Communist Party of China was a momentous event that profoundly changed the direction and process of the development of the Chinese nation in modern times, profoundly changed the future and destiny of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation, and profoundly changed the trend and pattern of world development.” [24]24 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China,” *People’s Daily*, July 2, 2021. Seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation is the original aspiration and founding mission and historical responsibility of the Communist Party of China. The Communist Party of China led the Chinese people in a great struggle of extreme hardship and founded the People’s Republic of China. The founding of the People’s Republic of China was a historical turning point for China from decline to strength. The fate of old China, a sheet of loose sand, backward and vulnerable to attack, was thus rewritten. It swept away the century-long gloom of the nation being humiliated, the people suffering, and civilization being tarnished since modern times, opened a new chapter in national rejuvenation, and inaugurated a new era in Chinese history and world history. The Chinese nation and the Chinese people have since stood up, and Chinese civilization has embarked on a bright path to regain its glory. The scientific guidance of the advanced theory of Marxism and the profound nourishment of fine traditional Chinese culture have enabled the Communist Party of China to always maintain a high degree of historical confidence and historical initiative at important historical junctures, accurately grasp the direction of historical progress, and make scientific historical judgments. The history of the Communist Party of China for more than one hundred years, the history of the People’s Republic of China for more than seventy years, and the history of reform and opening up for more than forty years show that only under the comprehensive leadership of the Communist Party of China can the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the continuous prosperity of Chinese civilization have leadership and guarantee.

国家富强、民族复兴、文明兴盛，三者辩证统一于中国共产党的坚强领导。中国共产党的成立，对于中华民族、中华文明和中国都具有极其重大而深远的历史意义。习近平总书记指出：“中国产生了共产党，这是开天辟地的大事变，深刻改变了近代以后中华民族发展的方向和进程，深刻改变了中国人民和中华民族的前途和命运，深刻改变了世界发展的趋势和格局。”23为中国人民谋幸福，为中华民族谋复兴，是中国共产党的初心使命和历史责任。中国共产党领导中国人民进行了艰苦卓绝的伟大斗争，成立了中华人民共和国。中华人民共和国的成立，是中国历史由衰落走向强盛的历史拐点，旧中国一盘散沙、落后挨打的命运从此被改写，一扫近代以来国家蒙辱、人民蒙难、文明蒙尘的百年阴霾，掀开了民族复兴的新篇章，开辟了中国历史和世界历史的新纪元，中华民族、中国人民从此站起来了，中华文明踏上了重焕荣光的光明大道。马克思主义先进理论的科学指导和中华优秀传统文化的深厚滋养，使中国共产党始终能够在重要历史关头保持高度的历史自信和历史主动、准确把握历史前进方向、进行科学的历史判断。百余年的中国共产党历史、70多年的中华人民共和国史和40多年的改革开放史表明，只有在中国共产党的全面领导下，中国特色社会主义的伟大事业、中华民族的伟大复兴、中华文明的延绵兴盛才有了领导和保障。

The Communist Party of China is the fundamental guarantee for Chinese civilization to uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, to prosper and develop, and to cultivate the roots and soul for building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. Adhering to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of fine traditional Chinese culture is the greatest magic weapon for the Communist Party of China to lead the Chinese people and the Chinese nation to achieve great success in various undertakings. The Communist Party of China is not only a faithful believer and practitioner of Marxism but also a faithful inheritor and promoter of fine traditional Chinese culture. “Fine traditional Chinese culture is the outstanding advantage of the Chinese nation and the foundation for us to stand firm amidst the global cultural currents. It must be inherited and promoted in light of new contemporary conditions.” [25]25 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage,” *People’s Daily*, June 3, 2023. In the historical process of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, the Communist Party of China has always, under the guidance of Marxism and in combination with the different historical conditions of socialist revolution, construction, and reform, inherited and promoted fine traditional Chinese culture, and built and developed Chinese civilization. Under the historical conditions of the great changes and great achievements of the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, in light of the historical juncture of the New Era, has put forward the historical mission of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. Building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation requires strong cultural confidence, which stems from cultural subjectivity. “For any culture to stand firm, go far, and have leading power, cohesion, shaping power, and radiating power, it must have its own subjectivity.” [26]26 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage,” *People’s Daily*, June 3, 2023. At the historical juncture of the New Era, “the creation of Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the most powerful manifestation of this cultural subjectivity.” [27]27 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage,” *People’s Daily*, June 3, 2023. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a powerful cultural force for the Communist Party of China to lead the times, and it is the scientific theory and action guide for the Communist Party of China to lead the building of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

中国共产党是中华文明守正创新、繁荣发展的根本保障，为建设中华民族现代文明培根铸魂。坚持将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，是中国共产党领导中国人民和中华民族取得各项事业巨大成功的最大法宝。中国共产党不仅是马克思主义的忠实信仰者和践行者，更是中华优秀传统文化的忠实继承者和弘扬者。“中华优秀传统文化是中华民族的突出优势，是我们在世界文化激荡中站稳脚跟的根基，必须结合新的时代条件传承和弘扬好。”24在推进马克思主义中国化时代化的历史进程中，中国共产党始终在马克思主义的指导下，结合社会主义革命、建设、改革的不同历史条件，传承和弘扬中华优秀传统文化，建设和发展中华文明。在中国特色社会主义新时代伟大变革和伟大成就的历史条件下，以习近平同志为核心的党中央，结合新时代历史方位，提出建设中华民族现代文明的历史使命。建设中华民族现代文明需要强大的文化自信，文化自信源于文化主体性。“任何文化要立得住、行得远，要有引领力、凝聚力、塑造力、辐射力，就必须有自己的主体性。”25在新时代的历史方位上，“创立新时代中国特色社会主义思想就是这一文化主体性的最有力体现”26。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是中国共产党引领时代的强大文化力量，是中国共产党领导建设中华民族现代文明的科学理论和行动指南。

A person without spirit cannot stand; a nation without spirit cannot be strong. The emergence of an epochal proposition embodies the pursuit of the spirit of the times, and the spirit of the times in turn provides spiritual impetus for solving the epochal proposition. “A great cause requires a great spirit; a great spirit forges a great dream.” [28]28 Xi Jinping Thought on Culture (习近平文化思想) was formally established at the National Conference on Propaganda and Cultural Work in October 2023, as a component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, emphasizing cultural confidence and the development of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed: “Spirit is the soul on which a nation

人无精神则不立，国无精神则不强。时代命题的出现体现了时代精神的追求，时代精神又为破解时代命题提供了精神动力。“伟大事业需要伟大精神，伟大精神铸就伟大梦想。”27习近平总书记强调：“精神是一个民族赖以长久生存的灵魂，唯有精神上达到一定的高度，这个民族才能在历史的洪流中屹立不倒、奋勇向前。”28“坚持真理、坚守理想，践行初心、担当使命，不怕牺牲、英勇斗争，对党忠诚、不负人民”29的伟大建党精神是中国共产党的精神之源。“中国人民伟大创造精神、伟大奋斗精神、伟大团结精神、伟大梦想精神”30的伟大民族精神“为中国发展和人类文明进步提供了强大精神动力”31。伟大建党精神和伟大民族精神辩证统一，共同作用于建设中华民族现代文明的伟大事业和历史使命。伟大民族精神在波澜壮阔的历史进程中孕育了伟大建党精神，伟大建党精神在引领历史前进方向中重铸了伟大民族精神。伟大建党精神与伟大民族精神统一于建设中国特色社会主义伟大事业，统一于实现中华民族伟大复兴32。伟大建党精神与伟大民族精神为中华民族现代文明构筑了精神内涵，为推动建设中华民族现代文明提供精神动力，为铸牢中华民族现代文明的马克思主义之“魂”、培植中华民族现代文明的中华优秀传统文化之“根”提供精神保障。伟大建党精神和伟大民族精神在新时代突出表现为以爱国主义为核心的民族精神和以改革创新为核心的时代精神。热爱祖国、强根铸魂是所守之“正”,与时俱进、开拓进取是所创之“新”。民族精神与时代精神是我们守正创新的坚实精神支撑，为我们在新起点、新征程上开创新局面、取得新成就汇聚了强大精神力量。

Building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is not only a cultural mission in the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the New Era, but also a grand event in the history of human civilization and the history of socialism, bearing great theoretical and practical significance. In the great practice of the New Era, only by unswervingly upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China and following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture can we accurately grasp the contemporary implications of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation — seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and upholding fundamental principles while breaking new ground — and can we clearly elucidate its rich connotations, scientifically construct its theoretical system, and effectively expand the practical paths for building it.

建设中华民族现代文明，不仅是新时代中华民族伟大复兴历史进程中的文化使命，而且是人类文明史、社会主义发展史上的宏大事件，具有重大的理论与现实意义。在新时代伟大实践中，只有毫不动摇地坚持中国共产党领导，坚持习近平文化思想指引，才能准确把握中华民族现代文明的实事求是、与时俱进、守正创新的时代意蕴，才能清晰阐释中华民族现代文明的丰富内涵、科学构建中华民族现代文明的理论体系、有效拓展建设中华民族现代文明的实践路径。

(Author’s biography: Fang Zheng, male, born in 1990, native of Xiangyang, Hubei Province, member of the Communist Party of China, Doctor of Laws, postdoctoral fellow. Graduated from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in 2019. Engaged in postdoctoral work at the Institute of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences from 2019 to 2022. Joined the Institute of Philosophy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in August 2022. Currently Assistant Researcher at the Xi Jinping Thought on Culture Research Office, and Specially Appointed Researcher at the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.)

（作者简介：方正，男，1990年生，湖北襄阳人，中共党员，法学博士，博士后。2019年毕业于中国社会科学院研究生院，2019年至2022年于中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院从事博士后工作，2022年8月进入中国社会科学院哲学研究所工作。现为习近平文化思想研究室助理研究员，中国社会科学院习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特约研究员）

Online editor: Tongxin

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