Building the Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation Must Firmly Grasp the “Root Vein” and the “Soul Vein”

In his speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping set the goal of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation and systematically elucidated what the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is and how to build it. During the sixth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The major proposition of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times itself determines that we must never abandon the soul vein of Marxism, nor must we abandon the root vein of fine traditional Chinese culture.” In the process of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, it is equally necessary to adhere to the “soul vein” of Marxism and the “root vein” of fine traditional Chinese culture. This determines the fundamental direction for building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

在文化传承发展座谈会上的讲话中，习近平总书记提出建设中华民族现代文明的奋斗目标，并系统阐明了什么是中华民族现代文明、怎样建设中华民族现代文明。在二十届中央政治局第六次集体学习时，习近平总书记指出：“马克思主义中国化时代化这个重大命题本身就决定，我们决不能抛弃马克思主义这个魂脉，决不能抛弃中华优秀传统文化这个根脉。”在建设中华民族现代文明过程中，同样要坚持马克思主义这个“魂脉”和中华优秀传统文化这个“根脉”。这决定着建设中华民族现代文明的根本方向。

I. Building the Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation Must Firmly Grasp the “Root Vein”

一、建设中华民族现代文明要牢牢把握“根脉”

Fine traditional Chinese culture is both the root vein for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times and the root vein for building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

中华优秀传统文化，既是马克思主义中国化时代化的根脉，也是建设中华民族现代文明的根脉。

The Chinese nation has a history of civilizational development spanning over 5,000 years without interruption. Throughout this unceasing process of development, Chinese civilization has experienced both the childhood period of human civilization, becoming one of the few early civilizations in the world, and the mature period of human civilization, creating a splendid ancient civilization and making extremely important contributions to the development and progress of human civilization. After 1840, China suffered externally from the aggression of Western powers and internally from the oppression of feudal autocratic rule. The country endured humiliation, the people endured suffering, and the civilization was covered in dust; the Chinese nation experienced unprecedented calamities. Where was the Chinese nation to go, and where was Chinese civilization to go? These became the two historic issues of modern China. Under the guidance of Marxism, the Communist Party of China united and led the Chinese people through the New Democratic Revolution, the Socialist Revolution and Construction, not only successfully resolving these two issues but also, during the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, creating socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the great struggle to vigorously advance socialism with Chinese characteristics into the New Era, build a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and victoriously embark on the new journey of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation, we have ushered in a new stage of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. In this new stage, it is necessary not only to comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization but also to build a socialist cultural power, construct the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, manifest the appeal of a new form of human civilization, and enable Chinese civilization to once again stand at the forefront of the world. To achieve this inspiring and unifying goal, it is essential to strengthen cultural confidence and firmly grasp the root vein of fine traditional Chinese culture.

中华民族有着5000多年从未中断的文明发展史。在这个生生不息的发展过程中，中华文明既经历过人类文明的童年时期，成为世界上少有的早期文明的代表者之一；也经历过人类文明的成熟期，创立了辉煌的古代文明，为人类文明发展进步做出极其重要的贡献。1840年后，中国外受西方列强的侵略，内受封建专制统治的压迫，国家蒙辱、人民蒙难、文明蒙尘，中华民族遭受了前所未有的劫难。中华民族向何处去、中华文明向何处去，成为近代中国的两大历史性课题。在马克思主义指导下，中国共产党团结带领中国人民，历经新民主主义革命、社会主义革命和建设，不仅成功地解决了这两大课题，而且在改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期开创中国特色社会主义，并在奋力推动中国特色社会主义进入新时代、全面建成小康社会、胜利踏上强国建设民族复兴新征程的伟大斗争中，迎来了建设中华民族现代文明的新阶段。在这个新阶段，不仅要以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴，而且要建成社会主义文化强国，建设中华民族现代文明，彰显人类文明新形态的魅力，使中华文明重新走在世界前列。为了实现这个振奋人心、凝聚人心的目标，就必须坚定文化自信，牢牢把握中华优秀传统文化这个根脉。

In the current changes unseen in a century in the world, competition and rivalry in comprehensive national strength centered on high technology are becoming increasingly intense, and the status and role of national cultural soft power centered on culture and civilization are becoming more prominent. A pattern must be formed in which Chinese-path modernization, led by innovation-driven, high-quality development, and the modern civilization of the Chinese nation operate as dual engines; only then can the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation have reliable guarantees.

在当今世界百年未有之大变局中，围绕高科技的综合国力的竞争和较量日趋激烈，以文化文明为中心的国家文化软实力的地位和作用更加凸显。必须形成以创新驱动、高质量发展为引领的中国式现代化同中华民族现代文明双轮驱动的格局，中华民族伟大复兴才有可靠的保障。

Culture is the soul of a country and a nation. When culture thrives, the nation’s fortunes prosper; when culture is strong, the nation is strong. Cultural confidence is the foothold of the Party, the country, and the nation. Without a high degree of cultural confidence, without cultural prosperity and flourishing, there can be no great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Cultural confidence is a more fundamental, deeper, and more enduring force. This is especially important for an ancient Eastern country that has, since modern times, experienced national humiliation, people’s suffering, and civilization covered in dust. Firm confidence in the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, confidence in the theory, and confidence in the system ultimately come down to firm cultural confidence. Both history and reality show that a nation that abandons or betrays its own history and culture cannot only fail to develop but is also likely to stage a historical tragedy.

文化是一个国家、一个民族的灵魂。文化兴国运兴，文化强民族强。文化自信，是党、国家、民族的立足点。没有高度的文化自信，没有文化的繁荣兴盛，就没有中华民族伟大复兴。文化自信是更基本、更深沉、更持久的力量。特别是作为近代以来经历过国家蒙辱、人民蒙难、文明蒙尘的东方古国来说，文化自信显得更为重要。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。历史和现实都表明，一个抛弃了或者背叛了自己历史文化的民族，不仅不可能发展起来，而且很可能上演一场历史悲剧。

Firming cultural confidence also has another layer of significance: in building a socialist cultural power, it means consciously resisting the Western view of civilization. According to the Western view of civilization, only Western civilization is a modern civilization based on industrialization and modernization, which will ultimately replace other civilizations. This Western view of civilization confuses two basic facts. First, is the development of civilizations in the world “pluralistic” or “unitary”? The Western view of civilization actually seeks to replace “pluralism” with so-called “unitarism.” Second, are the civilizations of the world equal, or are there distinctions of superiority and inferiority? Can ancient civilizations born in the era of agrarian civilization enter modern civilization along with the process of modernization? The Western view of civilization actually seeks to place Western civilization above the civilizations of developing countries, eliminating the civilizational foundations for other nations’ independent development and independent survival in the process of so-called “imitating” the West, thereby achieving the goal of permanent global hegemony. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is not a simple continuation of the master copy of our historical culture, nor is it a copy of the Western development model. Rather, it is the dialectical unity of the theoretical logic of scientific socialism and the historical logic of Chinese social development. It is scientific socialism rooted in Chinese soil, reflecting the will of the Chinese people, and adapting to the requirements of China’s and the times’ development and progress. It is the only way to comprehensively build a modern socialist country through Chinese-path modernization and to fully realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Similarly, the fine traditional Chinese culture nurtured over more than 5,000 years of civilizational development, the revolutionary culture nurtured in the great struggles of the Party and the people, and the advanced socialist culture embody the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation and represent the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation. On this foundation, it is certainly possible to build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

坚定文化自信，还有另一层重要意义，就是在社会主义文化强国建设上，自觉抵制西方文明观。在西方文明观看来，只有西方文明才是建立在工业化和现代化基础上的现代文明，最终要取代其他文明。这种西方文明观混淆了两个基本事实。一是世界各国文明发展究竟是“多元”还是“一元”的，西方文明观实际上是要用所谓“一元”取代“多元”；二是世界各国的文明究竟是平等的还是有所谓优劣之分，产生于农耕文明时代的古老文明能否随着现代化进程跨入现代文明。西方文明观实际上是要将西方文明凌驾于广大发展中国家的文明之上，在所谓“效仿”西方的过程中消除其他民族独立发展、独立生存的文明根基，而达到永远称霸世界的目的。中国特色社会主义，不是简单地延续我国历史文化的母版，更不是西方发展模式的翻版，而是科学社会主义理论逻辑和中国社会发展历史逻辑的辩证统一，是根植于中国大地、反映中国人民意愿、适应中国和时代发展进步要求的科学社会主义，是以中国式现代化全面建设社会主义现代化国家、全面实现中华民族伟大复兴的必由之路。同样，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，一定能够在此基础上建成中华民族现代文明。

History shows that the development of Chinese civilization is inseparable from both cultural confidence and openness and inclusiveness. The dazzling Qin-Han culture, Tang culture, and others in the history of Chinese civilization are all products of innovative development and drawing on the strengths of others. Openness and inclusiveness are both a theoretical quality of Marxism and a unique endowment of fine traditional Chinese culture, with a high degree of compatibility between them. The creation of Marxism itself critically inherited and absorbed the excellent intellectual achievements of German classical philosophy, British classical political economy, and the utopian socialist doctrines of 19th-century France and Britain. The history of Marxism is a history of Marx, Engels, and their successors continuously developing according to the development of the times, practice, and understanding, and a history of continuously absorbing all excellent intellectual and cultural achievements in human history to enrich themselves. This openness and inclusiveness keep Marxism at the forefront of the times, constantly exploring new issues raised by the development of the times and responding to new challenges faced by human society, keeping the tree of theory evergreen. The endowment of openness and inclusiveness in fine traditional Chinese culture benefits from the Chinese nation’s inclusive and diverse view of civilization, which always holds that different civilizations have no distinction of superiority or inferiority, and that civilizations communicate through diversity, learn from each other through communication, and develop through mutual learning. Chinese civilization has never replaced diverse cultures with a single culture; rather, it has gathered diverse cultures into a common culture, resolving conflicts and building consensus. Chinese cultural identity transcends regional localities, blood lineages, religious beliefs, etc., integrating a vast territory and a large population with enormous internal differences into a pluralistic and unified Chinese nation. Openness and inclusiveness have always been a source of vitality for civilizational development and a notable marker of cultural confidence. The broad and magnificent atmosphere of Chinese civilization benefits from the open posture and inclusive mindset of Chinese culture since ancient times. The more inclusive it is, the more it gains recognition and protection, and the more it will endure continuously. This is the foundation of our confidence in building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

历史表明，中华文明的发展，既离不开文化自信，也离不开开放包容。中华文明发展史中璀璨夺目的秦汉文化、大唐文化等，无一不是创新发展与博采众长的结晶。开放包容，既是马克思主义的理论品格，也是中华优秀传统文化的独特禀赋，彼此存在高度的契合性。马克思主义的创立，就是批判地继承和吸收了德国古典哲学、英国古典政治经济学、19世纪法国及英国的空想社会主义学说的优秀思想成果。一部马克思主义发展史就是马克思、恩格斯以及他们的后继者们不断根据时代、实践、认识发展而发展的历史，是不断吸收人类历史上一切优秀思想文化成果丰富自己的历史。这种开放包容，使得马克思主义始终站在时代前沿，不断探索时代发展提出的新课题、回应人类社会面临的新挑战，使理论之树常青。中华优秀传统文化开放包容的禀赋，得益于中华民族的包容多样的文明观，始终认为不同文明没有优劣之分，文明因多样而交流、因交流而互鉴、因互鉴而发展。中华文明从来不用单一文化代替多元文化，而是由多元文化汇聚成共同文化，化解冲突，凝聚共识。中华文化认同超越地域乡土、血缘世系、宗教信仰等，把内部差异极大的广土巨族整合成多元一体的中华民族。开放包容始终是文明发展的活力来源，也是文化自信的显著标志。中华文明的博大气象，就得益于中华文化自古以来开放的姿态、包容的胸怀。越包容，就越是得到认同和维护，就越会绵延不断。这是我们建设中华民族现代文明的底气所在。

II. Building the Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation Must Firmly Grasp the “Soul Vein”

二、建设中华民族现代文明要牢牢把握“魂脉”

The “Two Integrations,” summarized and proposed by the Communist Party of China in its long-term practice of advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, have found the only correct path for building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

中国共产党在推进马克思主义中国化时代化的长期实践中总结概括提出的“两个结合”，为建设中华民族现代文明找到了唯一正确的道路。

Why is it that only Marxism can not only point the correct path for the Chinese nation to seek national independence and people’s liberation, but also enable the Chinese nation to recover its cultural confidence in the course of national rejuvenation? This is because Marxism, in its view of civilization, fundamentally negates the Western colonialist theories of “the strong preying on the weak” and “a strong country is bound to seek hegemony.” It not only advocates the equality of all national cultures, but also truly transcends the West and the East in thought and culture, bridging the West and the East, and communicating between the West and the East. Civilizations differ, but none is superior. Although Marxism took the politically, economically, and socially developed countries of the West at that time as its original model, the scientific theory it expounds is more suited to vast backward countries like China, and is easier to implement in such countries. Especially with the emergence of the Communist Party of China, a Marxist political party that consciously integrates the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities, it opened up the path of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. For us, Marxism is no longer a dogma but has truly become a guide to action. China’s choice of Marxism not only gave new life to ancient China on the socialist path, but also endowed Marxism with even greater vitality through the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics. “The Two Integrations” [1]1 “The Two Integrations” refers to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture. are the profound revelation by the Communists of the New Era of the basic laws governing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and they also point the correct direction for building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

为什么只有马克思主义，不仅能为中华民族寻求民族独立、人民解放指明正确道路，而且能为中华民族在民族复兴中找回自己的文化自信？这是因为，马克思主义在文明观上，根本否定了西方殖民主义的“弱肉强食”、“国强必霸”理论，不但主张各民族文化一律平等，而且真正在思想文化上做到了超越西方与东方、跨越西方与东方、沟通西方与东方。文明只有不同，没有优劣。马克思主义尽管是以当时的西方发达国家为政治的经济的社会的母本，但它阐述的科学理论更切合像中国这样的广大落后国家，在这些国家更容易实行。特别是有了中国共产党这样自觉地把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的马克思主义政党，开辟了马克思主义中国化道路。马克思主义对于我们来说，不再是教条，而是真正成为行动的指南。马克思主义的中国选择，不但使古老的中国在社会主义道路上获得新生，而且使马克思主义因为有了中国特色社会主义的成功而获得了更加强大的生命力。“两个结合”，是新时代中国共产党人对马克思主义中国化时代化基本规律的深刻揭示，也为建设中华民族现代文明指明了正确方向。

The integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture plays a dual role in continuously advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

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，在不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化中具有一体两面的作用。

The process of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities is both a process of adhering to the guidance of Marxism and applying its scientific worldview and methodology to solve China’s practical problems, and a process of upholding the principles of emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and being pragmatic and realistic. It requires proceeding from reality, focusing on solving the practical problems of reform and opening up and socialist modernization in the New Era, and continuously answering the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times. In this process, we must produce correct answers that conform to China’s realities and the requirements of the times, arrive at scientific understandings that accord with objective laws, and form theoretical results that keep pace with the times, so as to better guide China’s practice.

马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的过程，既是坚持以马克思主义为指导、运用其科学的世界观和方法论解决中国实际问题的过程，也是坚持解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进、求真务实，一切从实际出发，着眼解决新时代改革开放和社会主义现代化建设的实际问题，不断回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问的过程。要在这一过程中作出符合中国实际和时代要求的正确回答，得出符合客观规律的科学认识，形成与时俱进的理论成果，更好指导中国实践。

The process of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of traditional Chinese culture is both a process of localizing Marxism and a process of creatively transforming and innovatively developing the best of traditional Chinese culture. Regarding the former, only by taking root in the fertile soil of the nation’s and its own historical culture can the tree of Marxist truth flourish. Regarding the latter, the best of traditional Chinese culture, with its long history, profound depth, and vast breadth, is the crystallization of the wisdom of Chinese civilization. It contains concepts such as “the world is for all,” “the people are the foundation of the state,” “governing with virtue,” “reforming the old and establishing the new,” “appointing people on their merits,” “the unity of heaven and humanity,” “unceasing self-improvement,” “embracing all things with virtue,” “upholding good faith and harmony,” and “being friendly and neighborly.” These are important manifestations of the worldview, view of the world, view of society, and view of morality accumulated by the Chinese people in their long-term production and life, and they are highly compatible with the value propositions of scientific socialism. We must strengthen historical confidence and cultural confidence, uphold the principle of making the past serve the present and weeding through the old to bring forth the new. In this process, we must integrate the essence of Marxist thought with the essence of the best of traditional Chinese culture, and connect it with the common values that the people use daily without conscious awareness. We must continuously endow scientific theory with distinct Chinese characteristics, continuously consolidate the historical and mass foundations for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and let Marxism take deep root in China.

马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合的过程，既是使马克思主义本土化的过程，也是使中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展的过程。就前者来说，只有植根本国、本民族历史文化沃土，马克思主义真理之树才能根深叶茂。就后者来说，中华优秀传统文化源远流长、博大精深，是中华文明的智慧结晶，其中蕴含的天下为公、民为邦本、为政以德、革故鼎新、任人唯贤、天人合一、自强不息、厚德载物、讲信修睦、亲仁善邻等，是中国人民在长期生产生活中积累的宇宙观、天下观、社会观、道德观的重要体现，同科学社会主义价值观主张具有高度契合性。我们要坚定历史自信、文化自信，坚持古为今用、推陈出新，在这一过程中把马克思主义思想精髓同中华优秀传统文化精华贯通起来、同人民群众日用而不觉的共同价值观念融通起来，不断赋予科学理论鲜明的中国特色，不断夯实马克思主义中国化时代化的历史基础和群众基础，让马克思主义在中国牢牢扎根。

Persistently advancing and promoting “the First Integration” [2]2 “The First Integration” refers to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities. while placing great emphasis on “the Second Integration” [3]3 “The Second Integration” refers to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of traditional Chinese culture. is a prominent feature of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is precisely for this reason that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era can be both the Marxism of contemporary China and the Marxism of the twenty-first century, as well as the essence of Chinese culture and the spirit of the times, achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

始终坚持和推进“第一个结合”，高度重视和强调“第二个结合”，是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的一个突出特征。正因为如此，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想才能够既是当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义，又是中华文化和中国精神的时代精华，实现了马克思主义中国化时代化新的飞跃。

General Secretary Xi Jinping, drawing from the laws of “the Two Integrations,” has summarized and articulated the relationship between the “root vein” of the best of traditional Chinese culture and the “soul vein” of Marxism. This not only reveals the core essence that runs through “the Two Integrations” from a more fundamental perspective, but also resolves, from the fundamental direction and fundamental method, the issue of how to integrate the “soul vein” of Marxism with the “root vein” of the best of traditional Chinese culture in building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

习近平总书记从“两个结合”规律中概括总结出中华优秀传统文化“根脉”同马克思主义“魂脉”的关系，不仅从更本质的方面揭示出“两个结合”一脉贯通的核心要义，而且从根本方向和根本方法上解决了在中华民族现代文明建设中如何将马克思主义“魂脉”同中华优秀传统文化“根脉”相互融合的问题。

What is the highest realm and fundamental purpose of integrating the “root vein” and the “soul vein”? It is to comprehensively excavate the treasure trove of the over 5,000-year civilization of the Chinese nation under the guidance of Marxism, to use Marxism to activate the vital and excellent factors within the best of traditional Chinese culture and endow them with new contemporary connotations, to inject the great spirit and rich wisdom of the Chinese nation into Marxism at a deeper level, to effectively integrate the essence of Marxist thought with the essence of the best of traditional Chinese culture, transforming them into new theoretical advantages, and continuously scaling new ideological heights. In this process, we must also broaden our theoretical horizons, learn from and draw upon all outstanding achievements of human civilization with an open mind that embraces all rivers, and absorb excellent ideological and cultural resources from the “sum total of human knowledge” to innovate and develop the Party’s theory, forming a grand theoretical landscape and pattern that is inclusive and draws on diverse strengths.

什么是“根脉”和“魂脉”结合的最高境界和根本目的呢？那就是以马克思主义为指导对中华民族5000多年文明宝库进行全面挖掘，用马克思主义激活中华优秀传统文化中富有生命力的优秀因子并赋予新的时代内涵，将中华民族的伟大精神和丰富智慧更深层次地注入马克思主义，有效地把马克思主义思想精髓同中华优秀传统文化精华贯通起来，聚变为新的理论优势，不断攀登新的思想高峰。在这个过程中，还要拓宽理论视野，以海纳百川的开放胸襟学习和借鉴人类社会一切优秀文明成果，在“人类知识的总和”中汲取优秀思想文化资源来创新和发展党的理论，形成兼容并蓄、博采众长的理论大格局大气象。

Clearly, if we detach ourselves from the guidance of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and one-sidedly emphasize inheriting and promoting the best of traditional Chinese culture while neglecting its creative transformation and innovative development, then building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation would be like having no soul or mind. Conversely, if we fail to attach importance to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of traditional Chinese culture, and neglect to inject the great spirit, rich wisdom, and successful experience of the Chinese nation into Marxism at a deeper level, then building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation would be like having no foundation or feet, and would be equally impossible to advance.

很显然，如果脱离了中国化时代化的马克思主义指导，片面强调继承和弘扬中华优秀传统文化，忽视了对中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化、创新性发展，中华民族现代文明建设就等于没有了灵魂和头脑。反之，如果不重视把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合，忽视了将中华民族的伟大精神和丰富智慧、成功经验更深层次地注入马克思主义，中华民族现代文明建设就等于没有了根基和双脚，同样寸步难行。

III. Doing a Great Job of the Organic Unity of the “Root Vein” and the “Soul Vein”

三、做好“根脉”和“魂脉”有机统一这篇大文章

On the new journey, we must do a great job of the organic unity of the “root vein” and the “soul vein,” both in opening up new horizons for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and in building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. This requires us to maintain political clarity and political firmness on the following three issues.

新征程上，我们既要在开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界中，也要在建设中华民族现代文明中，做好“根脉”和“魂脉”有机统一这篇大文章。这就要在以下三个问题上始终保持政治清醒和政治坚定。

How to understand Chinese civilization. Chinese civilization has outstanding continuity, which fundamentally determines that the Chinese nation must take its own path. If we do not understand China from the perspective of its long-standing historical continuity, it is impossible to understand ancient China, modern China, or future China. Chinese civilization has outstanding innovativeness, which fundamentally determines the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation to uphold the right principles without being conservative, to respect the ancients without being antiquated, and determines the fearless character of the Chinese nation in not fearing new challenges and being willing to accept new things. Chinese civilization has outstanding unity, which fundamentally determines that the cultures of all ethnic groups of the Chinese nation are integrated into one, and that even when encountering major setbacks, they are firmly cohesive. It determines the common belief that the territory cannot be divided, the country cannot be thrown into chaos, the nation cannot be dispersed, and the civilization cannot be broken. It determines that national unity is forever the core of China’s core interests, and that a strong and unified country is the destiny of all ethnic groups. Chinese civilization has outstanding inclusiveness, which fundamentally determines the historical orientation of exchange, interaction, and integration among the Chinese nation’s ethnic groups, determines the harmonious pattern of coexistence of multiple religious beliefs in China, and determines the open-mindedness of Chinese culture to absorb all that is good from world civilizations. Chinese civilization has outstanding peacefulness, which fundamentally determines that China is always a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. It determines that China continuously pursues exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations without engaging in cultural hegemony. It determines that China will not impose its own values and political system on others. It determines that China adheres to cooperation, not confrontation, and will never engage in “cliques for selfish interests.” Only by properly resolving these issues can we truly adhere to the “root vein” of the best of traditional Chinese culture.

如何认识中华文明。中华文明具有突出的连续性，从根本上决定了中华民族必然走自己的路。如果不从源远流长的历史连续性来认识中国，就不可能理解古代中国，也不可能理解现代中国，更不可能理解未来中国。中华文明具有突出的创新性，从根本上决定了中华民族守正不守旧、尊古不复古的进取精神，决定了中华民族不惧新挑战、勇于接受新事物的无畏品格。中华文明具有突出的统一性，从根本上决定了中华民族各民族文化融为一体、即使遭遇重大挫折也牢固凝聚，决定了国土不可分、国家不可乱、民族不可散、文明不可断的共同信念，决定了国家统一永远是中国核心利益的核心，决定了一个坚强统一的国家是各族人民的命运所系。中华文明具有突出的包容性，从根本上决定了中华民族交往交流交融的历史取向，决定了中国各宗教信仰多元并存的和谐格局，决定了中华文化对世界文明兼收并蓄的开放胸怀。中华文明具有突出的和平性，从根本上决定了中国始终是世界和平的建设者、全球发展的贡献者、国际秩序的维护者，决定了中国不断追求文明交流互鉴而不搞文化霸权，决定了中国不会把自己的价值观念与政治体制强加于人，决定了中国坚持合作、不搞对抗，决不搞“党同伐异”的小圈子。只有把这些问题解决好，才能真正做到始终坚持中华优秀传统文化“根脉”。

How to understand Marxism. First is the relationship between Marxism and the era, which resolves the ideological confusion over why Marxism does not become outdated. Marx’s thought and theory originated from that era yet transcended it; it was both the essence of the spirit of that era and the essence of the entire human spirit. This is determined by Marxism’s distinctive characteristics. Marxism is a scientific theory that creatively revealed the laws of development of human society. These laws extend from history to the present and connect to the future; they are the scientific basic principles that have been repeatedly tested by history and practice. Marxism is a theory of the people, which for the first time established an ideological system for the people to achieve their own liberation. The reason Marxism has an influence that transcends nations and eras is that it is rooted among the people and points to the righteous path of relying on the masses of the people to advance history. Marxism is a practical theory that guides the people’s actions in transforming the world. Marxism is not a doctrine confined to the study; it was created to change the historical destiny of the people, formed in the practice of the people’s struggle for liberation, and enriched and developed in that same practice, providing a powerful spiritual force for the people to understand and transform the world. The process of coming from the people’s practice, guiding the people’s practice, and constantly being tested by the people’s practice is also a process of continuously understanding laws, developing truth, and perfecting truth. Marxism is an ever-developing, open theory that always stands at the forefront of the times. Marx repeatedly warned people that Marxist theory is not a dogma but a guide to action, and must develop with changes in practice. Therefore, Marxism can forever retain its wonderful youth, constantly exploring new issues raised by the development of the times and responding to new challenges facing human society. Second is the relationship between Marxism and its adaptation to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, which resolves the question of how to correctly treat Marxism and how to uphold the correct worldview and methodology. Only by integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities can we continuously solve the problem of keeping pace with the times, focus on solving the practical problems of reform and opening up and socialist modernization in the New Era, constantly answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times, make correct answers that conform to China’s actual conditions and the requirements of the times, arrive at scientific understandings that conform to objective laws, form theoretical achievements that keep pace with the times, and better guide China’s practice. Only by integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the fine traditional Chinese culture can we continuously solve the problem of deep roots and luxuriant leaves, constantly endow scientific theory with distinct Chinese characteristics, continuously consolidate the historical and mass foundations of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and let Marxism take deep root in China. To achieve the sustained realization of the “Two Integrations,” we must uphold people-centeredness, uphold self-confidence and self-reliance, uphold upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, uphold a problem-oriented approach, uphold systems thinking, and uphold a global vision. Only by solving these problems well can we truly always adhere to the “soul vein” of Marxism.

如何认识马克思主义。首先是马克思主义与时代的关系，解决的是马克思主义为什么不会过时的思想困惑。马克思的思想理论源于那个时代又超越了那个时代，既是那个时代精神的精华又是整个人类精神的精华。这是由马克思主义鲜明的特色决定的。马克思主义是科学的理论，创造性地揭示了人类社会发展规律。这一规律从历史通向当代，又联通未来，是经过历史和实践反复检验的科学的基本遵循。马克思主义是人民的理论，第一次创立了人民实现自身解放的思想体系。马克思主义之所以具有跨越国度、跨越时代的影响力，就是因为它植根人民之中，指明了依靠人民群众推动历史前进的人间正道。马克思主义是实践的理论，指引着人民改造世界的行动。马克思主义不是书斋里的学问，而是为了改变人民历史命运而创立的，是在人民求解放的实践中形成的，也是在人民求解放的实践中丰富和发展的，为人民认识世界、改造世界提供了强大精神力量。来自人民实践、指导人民实践、不断接受人民实践检验的过程，也是不断认识规律、发展真理、完善真理的过程。马克思主义是不断发展的开放的理论，始终站在时代前沿。马克思一再告诫人们，马克思主义理论不是教条，而是行动指南，必须随着实践的变化而发展。因此，马克思主义能够永葆其美妙之青春，不断探索时代发展提出的新课题、回应人类社会面临的新挑战。其次是马克思主义与中国化时代化的关系，解决的是如何正确对待马克思主义、怎样坚持正确的世界观和方法论的问题。只有把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，才能不断解决与时俱进的问题，着眼解决新时代改革开放和社会主义现代化建设的实际问题，不断回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问，作出符合中国实际和时代要求的正确回答，得出符合客观规律的科学认识，形成与时俱进的理论成果，更好指导中国实践。只有把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合，才能不断解决根深叶茂的问题，不断赋予科学理论鲜明的中国特色，不断夯实马克思主义中国化时代化的历史基础和群众基础，让马克思主义在中国牢牢扎根。为了“两个结合”的持续实现，就必须坚持人民至上，必须坚持自信自立，必须坚持守正创新，必须坚持问题导向，必须坚持系统观念，必须坚持胸怀天下。只有把这些问题解决好，才能真正做到始终坚持马克思主义“魂脉”。

How to understand the “Two Integrations.” The “Two Integrations” are the inevitable path for building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. The CPC’s more than one hundred years of struggle history is also more than one hundred years of innovation history in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. The process of the “Two Integrations” is also a process of mutual integration and organic unity between the “root vein” and the “soul vein.” In his speech at the Forum on Cultural Heritage and Development, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly explained the “Two Integrations.” The prerequisite for “integration” is mutual compatibility. “Integration” is not a forced patchwork. Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture have different origins, but there is a high degree of compatibility between them. Marxism grasps the essence of human beings from the perspective of social relations; Chinese culture also places human beings within the family, the state, and the world; both oppose viewing human beings as isolated individuals. Only mutual compatibility enables organic integration. The result of “integration” is mutual achievement, creating an organic and unified new cultural life form, making Marxism Chinese and making fine traditional Chinese culture modern, and making the new culture formed through “integration” the cultural form of Chinese-path modernization. “Integration” has consolidated the foundation of the path. Chinese-path modernization endows Chinese civilization with modern power, and Chinese civilization endows Chinese-path modernization with profound heritage. “Integration” has opened up space for innovation. The “Second Integration” is another ideological emancipation, allowing us to fully utilize the precious resources of fine traditional Chinese culture in a broader cultural space and explore theoretical and institutional innovations oriented toward the future. “Integration” has consolidated cultural subjectivity. The creation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the most powerful manifestation of this cultural subjectivity. This shows that our Party’s understanding of the path, theory, and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics has reached a new height; it shows that our Party’s historical confidence and cultural confidence have reached a new height; it shows that our Party’s consciousness of promoting cultural innovation while inheriting fine traditional Chinese culture has reached a new height.

如何认识“两个结合”。“两个结合”是建设中华民族现代化文明的必由之路。中国共产党的百余年奋斗史，也是马克思主义中国化时代化的百余年创新史。“两个结合”的过程，也是“根脉”、“魂脉”相互结合、有机统一的过程。在文化传承发展座谈会上的讲话中，习近平总书记对“两个结合”做了深刻阐释。“结合”的前提是彼此契合。“结合”不是硬凑在一起的。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。马克思主义从社会关系的角度把握人的本质，中华文化也把人安放在家国天下之中，都反对把人看作孤立的个体。相互契合才能有机结合。“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，让经由“结合”而形成的新文化成为中国式现代化的文化形态。“结合”筑牢了道路根基。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。“结合”打开了创新空间。“第二个结合”是又一次的思想解放，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。“结合”巩固了文化主体性。创立习近平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。这表明我们党对中国特色社会主义道路、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。

(Author: President of the Chinese Society of Historians, Specially Invited Researcher of the National Research Association for Party Building)

（作者：中国史学会会长、全国党建研究会特邀研究员）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心