Advancing Chinese-Path Modernization Must Adhere to Independence and Self-Reliance

Direction determines the path, and the path determines destiny. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized adhering to independence and self-reliance. In the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, the General Secretary identified “must uphold self-confidence and self-reliance” as one of the “six musts” for continuing theoretical innovation on the basis of practice, and “upholding the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics” as one of the “five major principles” that must be firmly grasped in comprehensively building a modern socialist country. On the new journey of the New Era, to adhere to independence and self-reliance, unswervingly uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, and advance Chinese-path modernization, it is necessary to maintain strategic resolve, place the development of the nation and the people on the foundation of our own strength, continuously promote theoretical innovation, correctly handle the dialectical relationship between independence and self-reliance on the one hand and opening up to the outside world on the other, and rely on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for the cause.

方向决定道路，道路决定命运。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记反复强调坚持独立自主、自立自强。在党的二十大报告中，总书记把“必须坚持自信自立”作为继续推进实践基础上的理论创新的“六个必须坚持”之一，把“坚持中国特色社会主义道路”作为全面建设社会主义现代化国家必须牢牢把握的“五个重大原则”之一。新时代新征程，坚持独立自主、自立自强，坚定不移坚持和发展中国特色社会主义，推进中国式现代化，必须保持战略定力，把国家和民族发展放在自己力量的基点上，不断推动理论创新，正确处理独立自主、自立自强与对外开放的辩证关系，依靠顽强斗争打开事业发展新天地。

I. Adhering to Independence and Self-Reliance Is a Historical Conclusion Drawn from the Party’s Century-Long Struggle

一、坚持独立自主、自立自强是党百余年奋斗得出的历史结论

Taking our own path is the foothold of all the Party’s theory and practice, and it is even more so a historical conclusion drawn from the Party’s century-long struggle. In each historical period of revolution, construction, and reform, our Party has, proceeding from China’s national conditions, explored and formed the new-democratic revolutionary path, the path of socialist transformation and socialist construction, and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that conform to China’s actual conditions. This spirit of independent exploration, this firm determination to take our own path, is the true essence of our Party’s continuous awakening from setbacks and its continuous march from victory to victory. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Independence is the inevitable conclusion of our Party’s revolution, construction, and reform based on China’s actual conditions and relying on the strength of the Party and the people. Whether in the past, present, or future, we must place the development of the nation and the people on the foundation of our own strength, uphold national self-esteem and self-confidence, and unswervingly take our own path.”

走自己的路，是党的全部理论和实践立足点，更是党百余年奋斗得出的历史结论。我们党在革命、建设、改革各个历史时期，坚持从我国国情出发，探索并形成了符合中国实际的新民主主义革命道路、社会主义改造和社会主义建设道路、中国特色社会主义道路，这种独立自主的探索精神，这种坚持走自己的路的坚定决心，是我们党不断从挫折中觉醒、不断从胜利走向胜利的真谛。正如习近平总书记指出的，“独立自主是我们党从中国实际出发、依靠党和人民力量进行革命、建设、改革的必然结论。不论过去、现在和将来，我们都要把国家和民族发展放在自己力量的基点上，坚持民族自尊心和自信心，坚定不移走自己的路”。

During the period of the new-democratic revolution, Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, integrated the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism with China’s specific realities. Through arduous exploration and at great sacrifice, they blazed the correct revolutionary path of encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing state power by armed force, established Mao Zedong Thought, and pointed the correct direction for winning the new-democratic revolution. Independence is one of the living souls of Mao Zedong Thought and an important magic weapon for the victory of the Chinese revolution. It was precisely by adhering to independence and self-reliance that our Party, based on the social reality of semi-colonial and semi-feudal China, found a revolutionary path suited to China’s national conditions, united and led the people to achieve the great victory of overthrowing the three mountains of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism [1]1 The “three mountains” refers to imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, which Mao Zedong identified as the main enemies of the Chinese revolution., realized national independence and the liberation of the people, enabled the Chinese people to stand up, and created the fundamental social conditions for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

新民主主义革命时期，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，经过艰苦探索、付出巨大牺牲，开辟了农村包围城市、武装夺取政权的正确革命道路，创立了毛泽东思想，为夺取新民主主义革命胜利指明了正确方向。独立自主是毛泽东思想活的灵魂之一，是中国革命胜利的重要法宝。正是坚持独立自主、自立自强，我们党立足半殖民地半封建的中国社会现实，找到了适合中国国情的革命道路，团结带领人民取得推翻帝国主义、封建主义、官僚资本主义三座大山的伟大胜利，实现了民族独立和人民解放，使中国人民站起来了，为实现中华民族伟大复兴创造了根本社会条件。

During the period of socialist revolution and construction, how to build socialism in China was a new subject facing our Party after it came to power. As the shortcomings of the Soviet model gradually became exposed, Comrade Mao Zedong proposed taking the lessons of the Soviet experience as a warning and independently exploring a path of socialist construction suited to China’s national conditions. He clearly stated: “The most important thing is to think independently and integrate the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism with the specific realities of China’s revolution and construction. During the democratic revolution, we suffered great losses before successfully achieving this integration and winning the new-democratic revolution. Now, in the period of socialist revolution and construction, we must carry out a second integration [2]2 The “second integration” refers to Mao Zedong’s call in the 1950s to integrate Marxism-Leninism with China’s specific realities for the period of socialist construction, distinct from the earlier integration during the new-democratic revolution. and find the path for building socialism in China.” It was precisely by adhering to independence and self-reliance that the Party united and led the people to establish the socialist system on the basis of a poor and blank foundation, build an independent and relatively complete industrial system and national economic system, independently develop the “two bombs and one satellite” [3]3 “Two bombs and one satellite” refers to China’s development of nuclear bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and artificial satellites in the 1960s and 1970s., effectively safeguard national sovereignty and security, greatly enhance China’s international status, accumulate important understanding and experience for building socialism in a large Eastern country with a very backward level of social productive forces, lay the fundamental political prerequisite and institutional foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and provide valuable experience, theoretical preparation, and material foundation for creating socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new historical period.

社会主义革命和建设时期，如何在中国建设社会主义，是我们党执政后面临的一个崭新课题。随着苏联模式的弊端日渐暴露出来，毛泽东同志提出要以苏联经验教训为鉴戒，独立自主探索适合中国国情的社会主义建设道路。他明确指出：“最重要的是要独立思考，把马列主义的基本原理同中国革命和建设的具体实际相结合。民主革命时期，我们吃了大亏之后才成功地实现了这种结合，取得了新民主主义革命的胜利。现在是社会主义革命和建设时期，我们要进行第二次结合，找出在中国怎样建设社会主义的道路。”正是坚持独立自主、自立自强，党团结带领人民在一穷二白的基础上建立了社会主义制度，建立起独立的比较完整的工业体系和国民经济体系，独立研制出“两弹一星”，有力维护了国家主权安全，极大提升了我国的国际地位，积累起在中国这样一个社会生产力水平十分落后的东方大国进行社会主义建设的重要认识和重要经验，为实现中华民族伟大复兴奠定了根本政治前提和制度基础，为在新的历史时期开创中国特色社会主义提供了宝贵经验、理论准备、物质基础。

During the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, the Party united and led the people in the great process of deepening reform and opening up, always adhering to independence and self-reliance, and created, upheld, and developed socialism with Chinese characteristics. Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “Integrating the universal truth of Marxism with China’s specific realities, 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.” “China’s affairs must be handled according to China’s conditions and by relying on the strength of the Chinese people themselves. Independence and self-reliance, whether in the past, present, or future, are our foothold.” It was precisely by adhering to independence and self-reliance that our Party united and led the Chinese people in the new great revolution of reform and opening up, successfully embarked on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, elevated China to the world’s second-largest economy, created the great achievements of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, and provided an institutional guarantee full of new vitality and the material conditions for rapid development for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期，党团结带领人民在深入推进改革开放的伟大历程中，始终坚持独立自主、自立自强，开创、坚持、发展了中国特色社会主义。邓小平同志指出：“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”，“中国的事情要按照中国的情况来办，要依靠中国人自己的力量来办。独立自主，自力更生，无论过去、现在和将来，都是我们的立足点”。正是坚持独立自主、自立自强，我们党团结带领中国人民进行改革开放新的伟大革命，成功走出了中国特色社会主义道路，使我国跃升为世界第二大经济体，创造了改革开放和社会主义现代化建设的伟大成就，为实现中华民族伟大复兴提供了充满新的活力的体制保证和快速发展的物质条件。

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, based on China, looking at the world, and facing the future, bearing in mind the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world, and facing severe and complex risks and challenges, has attached great importance to adhering to independence and self-reliance. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Independence is a fine tradition of the Chinese nation and an important principle on which the Communist Party of China and the People’s Republic of China are founded and governed.” “To advance Chinese-path modernization, we must adhere to independence and self-reliance, insist on placing the development of the nation and the people on the foundation of our own strength, and insist on firmly holding the destiny of our country’s development and progress in our own hands.” It was precisely by adhering to independence and self-reliance and unswervingly taking the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core united and led the Chinese people, with confidence and self-reliance, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, and comprehensively overseeing the great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and the great dream [4]4 The “great struggle, great project, great cause, and great dream” is a four-part formulation from Xi Jinping, referring respectively to the struggle against, successfully overcoming a series of risks and challenges, solving many long-standing problems that had been difficult to solve, accomplishing many major tasks that had been desired but not accomplished, and promoting historic achievements and historic changes in the cause of the Party and the state, providing more complete institutional guarantees, a more solid material foundation, and a more proactive spiritual force for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process.

党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央立足中国、放眼世界、面向未来，胸怀中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，面对严峻复杂的风险挑战，高度重视坚持独立自主、自立自强。习近平总书记强调：“独立自主是中华民族的优良传统，是中国共产党、中华人民共和国立党立国的重要原则。”“推进中国式现代化，必须坚持独立自主、自立自强，坚持把国家和民族发展放在自己力量的基点上，坚持把我国发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中。”正是坚持独立自主、自立自强，坚定不移走中国特色社会主义道路，以习近平同志为核心的党中央团结带领中国人民，自信自强、守正创新，统揽伟大斗争、伟大工程、伟大事业、伟大梦想，成功战胜一系列风险挑战，解决了许多长期想解决而没有解决的难题，办成了许多过去想办而没有办成的大事，推动党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革，为实现中华民族伟大复兴提供了更为完善的制度保证、更为坚实的物质基础、更为主动的精神力量，中华民族伟大复兴进入了不可逆转的历史进程。

II. On the New Journey of the New Era, We Must Adhere to Independence and Self-Reliance

二、新时代新征程必须坚持独立自主、自立自强

General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly pointed out, “The great social transformation in contemporary China is not a simple continuation of the master copy of our history and culture, not a simple application of the template envisioned by Marxist classic writers, not a reprint of the socialist practices of other countries, and not a copy of the modernization development of foreign countries.” On the new journey of the New Era, adhering to independence and self-reliance is a fundamental requirement for firmly grasping the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world, and it contains profound historical logic, theoretical logic, and practical logic.

习近平总书记明确指出，“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”。新时代新征程，坚持独立自主、自立自强，是牢牢把握中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局的根本要求，蕴含着深刻的历史逻辑、理论逻辑和实践逻辑。

Upholding independence and self-reliance is the logical unity of the universal lawfulness of human social development and the diversity of development paths. Social development has its laws, but in terms of concrete development paths, it manifests richness and diversity because different countries and nations face different historical circumstances. Marx pointed out, “The same economic basis—the same in its main conditions—can, due to countless different empirical circumstances, natural conditions, racial relations, historical influences acting from outside, etc., show infinite variations and gradations in appearance.” [1]1 The “three mountains” refers to imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, which Mao Zedong identified as the main enemies of the Chinese revolution. Lenin also clearly emphasized that a country’s or a nation’s revolutionary and developmental path should be decided according to its own national conditions. He stated that the proletarian party “must be an absolutely independent party,” and that “no one has the right to impose another’s will upon us. Nor does the Bureau of the Socialist International have such a right. If threats are made, they are only empty words.” [2]2 The “second integration” refers to Mao Zedong’s call in the 1950s to integrate Marxism-Leninism with China’s specific realities for the period of socialist construction, distinct from the earlier integration during the new-democratic revolution.

坚持独立自主、自立自强是人类社会发展普遍规律性与发展道路多样性的逻辑统一。社会发展具有规律性，但在具体发展道路上因各个国家、各个民族面临不同的历史环境而呈现出丰富性和多样性。马克思指出，“相同的经济基础——按主要条件来说相同——可以由于无数不同的经验的情况，自然条件，种族关系，各种从外部发生作用的历史影响等等，而在现象上显示出无穷无尽的变异和色彩差异”。列宁也明确强调一个国家、一个民族的革命和发展道路应该根据本国国情来自己决定。他指出，无产阶级政党“应当是一个绝对独立自主的政党”，“任何人无权把别人的意志强加给我们。社会党国际局也无权这样做。如果进行威胁，那也只是空话”。

On June 24, 2024, the new-generation icebreaking research vessel *Jidi* (Polar Region), independently designed and built by China, was delivered. The *Jidi* is equipped with a variety of marine survey instruments and can undertake comprehensive observation and survey tasks for marine environments including sea ice, three-dimensional water bodies, geophysics, and the atmosphere. The image shows the *Jidi* icebreaking research vessel of China’s 14th Arctic Ocean expedition setting sail from the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center pier on July 5, 2024. People’s Image, photo by Yang Xuemei.

2024年6月24日，由我国自主设计、自主建造的新一代破冰调查船“极地”号交付。“极地”号搭载了多种海洋调查设备，能够承担海冰、三维水体、地球物理、大气等海洋环境的综合观测调查任务。图为2024年7月5日，中国第14次北冰洋考察队“极地”号破冰调查船从山东青岛奥帆中心码头启航出征。 人民图片 杨雪梅/摄

There is no one-size-fits-all concrete development model in the world, nor is there a development path that remains unchanged forever. The diversity of historical conditions determines the diversity of development paths chosen by different countries. In human history, no nation or country has achieved strength and revitalization by relying on external forces or by blindly following others. The result of doing so is either inevitable failure or inevitable subordination to others. Unique cultural traditions, unique historical destinies, and unique basic national conditions determine that we must take a development path suited to our own characteristics. Oranges grown south of the Huai River are sweet oranges, but when grown north of the Huai River, they become bitter trifoliate oranges. [3]3 “Two bombs and one satellite” refers to China’s development of nuclear bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and artificial satellites in the 1960s and 1970s. With a land area of over 9.6 million square kilometers and 56 ethnic groups, whose model could we copy? And who can point fingers and tell us what to do? Only an institution rooted in the soil of one’s own country and drawing on ample nourishment is the most reliable and effective. To practice socialism in a large country like China, we must uphold “Chinese characteristics.” Socialism with Chinese characteristics is rooted in Marxism, and also rooted in Chinese practice and in the over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. The socialism with Chinese characteristics, arduously explored and independently pioneered by the Communist Party of China, 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 the land of China, reflecting the will of the Chinese people, and adapted to the requirements of China’s and the era’s development and progress. It is the only way to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

世界上没有放之四海而皆准的具体发展模式，也没有一成不变的发展道路。历史条件的多样性，决定了各国选择发展道路的多样性。人类历史上，没有一个民族、没有一个国家可以通过依赖外部力量、跟在他人后面亦步亦趋实现强大和振兴。那样做的结果，不是必然遭遇失败，就是必然成为他人的附庸。独特的文化传统，独特的历史命运，独特的基本国情，注定了我们必然要走适合自己特点的发展道路。橘生淮南则为橘，生于淮北则为枳。中国有960多万平方公里土地、56个民族，我们能照谁的模式办？谁又能指手画脚告诉我们该怎么办？只有扎根本国土壤，汲取充沛养分的制度，才最可靠、也最管用。在中国这样一个大国搞社会主义，必须坚持“中国特色”。中国特色社会主义根源于马克思主义，也根植于中国实践，根植于5000多年中华文明。中国共产党艰苦探索、独立自主开创的中国特色社会主义，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，是实现中华民族伟大复兴的必由之路。

Upholding independence and self-reliance is an inevitable choice for responding to the changes unseen in a century in the world. Currently, the changes unseen in a century in the world are accelerating. Changes of the world, of the times, and of history are unfolding in ways unprecedented. While human civilization continues to progress, factors of insecurity, instability, and uncertainty have also increased significantly. In particular, Western countries led by the United States are imposing all-round containment, encirclement, and suppression on China, posing unprecedented severe challenges to China’s development and making China’s external development environment more severe and complex. Under such circumstances, if we cannot uphold independence and self-reliance and maintain our independence in economic, political, cultural, and other aspects, our modernization process will be interrupted, and the process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will be interrupted

坚持独立自主、自立自强是应对世界百年未有之大变局的必然选择。当前，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开，人类文明在不断进步的同时，不安全、不稳定、不确定因素也明显增加，尤其是以美国为首的西方国家对我实施全方位的遏制、围堵、打压，给我国发展带来前所未有的严峻挑战，我国发展的外部环境更为严峻复杂。在这种情况下，如果不能坚持独立自主、自立自强，保持自己经济、政治、文化等方面的独立性，我们的现代化进程就会中断，中华民族伟大复兴的进程就会中断。习近平总书记明确指出，“现在，国际上单边主义、贸易保护主义上升，我们必须坚持走自力更生的道路。中国要发展，最终要靠自己”。

A nation thrives when its science and technology thrive; a nation is strong when its science and technology are strong. In today’s world, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is deepening, and the scientific and technological revolution is intertwined with great-power games. The high-tech field has become the forefront and main battlefield of international competition, profoundly reshaping the global order and development landscape. Although China’s scientific and technological undertakings have made considerable progress, its original innovation capacity remains relatively weak, some key core technologies are subject to control by others, and top-tier scientific and technological talent is insufficient. Chinese-path modernization must be supported by scientific and technological modernization; high-quality development must rely on scientific and technological innovation to cultivate new drivers of growth; and scientific and technological innovation is the core element in developing new quality productive forces. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that “truly key core technologies cannot be bought with money” and that “only by mastering core technologies in our own hands can we truly grasp the initiative in competition and development, and can we fundamentally ensure national economic security, national defense security, and other security.” To uphold independence and self-reliance, we must strengthen our sense of urgency, fully recognize the strategic leading position and fundamental supporting role of science and technology, anchor the strategic goal of building a strong nation in science and technology by 2035, strengthen top-level design and overall planning, and accelerate the achievement of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening.

科技兴则民族兴，科技强则国家强。当今世界，新一轮科技革命和产业变革深入发展，科技革命与大国博弈相互交织，高技术领域成为国际竞争最前沿和主战场，深刻重塑全球秩序和发展格局。虽然我国科技事业发展取得了长足进步，但原始创新能力还相对薄弱，一些关键核心技术受制于人，顶尖科技人才不足。中国式现代化要靠科技现代化作支撑，实现高质量发展要靠科技创新培育新动能，科技创新是发展新质生产力的核心要素。习近平总书记强调，“真正的核心关键技术是花钱买不来的”，“只有把核心技术掌握在自己手中，才能真正掌握竞争和发展的主动权，才能从根本上保障国家经济安全、国防安全和其他安全”。坚持独立自主、自立自强，就必须增强紧迫感，必须充分认识科技的战略先导地位和根本支撑作用，锚定2035年建成科技强国的战略目标，加强顶层设计和统筹谋划，加快实现高水平科技自立自强。

Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature. In recent years, Huaibei City in Anhui Province has effectively improved the transformation of coal mining subsidence areas. Based on ecological restoration, it has implemented treatment projects for six subsidence lakes, including Nanhu, Qianlonghu, Lvjinhu, Tanguhu, Gulehu, and Shuoxihu. A central lake belt of over 100 square kilometers and a national urban wetland park are gradually taking shape in the city center. The dream of Huaibei’s people to “develop embracing the lakes” has turned from a blueprint into reality. The picture shows a former coal mining subsidence area of barren grass and waste beaches transformed into a beautiful ecological park. People’s Picture, Niu Xudong/Photo.

中国式现代化是人与自然和谐共生的现代化。近年来，安徽淮北市有力提升采煤塌陷区改造工作，以生态修复为基础，实施南湖、乾隆湖、绿金湖、碳谷湖、古乐湖、朔西湖等六大塌陷湖泊治理工程，城市中心正逐步形成100多平方公里的中心湖带和国家城市湿地公园，淮北人民“拥湖发展”的梦想从蓝图变成现实。图为昔日荒草废滩的采煤沉陷地，变成了美丽的生态公园。 人民图片 牛旭东/摄

Upholding independence and self-reliance is an inherent requirement for comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. The path of modernization a country chooses is determined by many factors, including historical traditions, social systems, development conditions, and the external environment. Different national conditions lead to different paths of modernization. Modernization is not the “patent” of a few countries, nor is it an “either-or multiple-choice question”; it cannot be a simple, uniform “copy and paste.” For a country to achieve modernization, it must not only follow the general laws of modernization but also, more importantly, base itself on its own national conditions and have its own characteristics. The people of a country have the most say in what kind of modernization suits them best. China is carrying out modernization in a country with a population of over 1.4 billion, exceeding the total population of existing developed countries. Its arduousness and complexity determine that we cannot copy the Western model of modernization; we can only independently explore the path of Chinese-path modernization. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC summarized the Chinese characteristics of Chinese-path modernization from five aspects: modernization of a huge population, modernization of common prosperity for all, modernization of material and cultural-ethical progress in harmony, modernization of harmony between humanity and nature, and modernization of peaceful development. These five aspects profoundly reveal the scientific connotation of Chinese-path modernization. They are both a theoretical summary and a practical requirement, pointing out a broad road for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. On the new journey, we must safeguard the foundation, source, root, and soul of Chinese-path modernization, unswervingly adhere to its Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles, uphold the Party’s basic theory, basic line, and basic strategy, and adhere to the series of major policies and guidelines since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, ensuring that Chinese-path modernization always advances in the correct direction.

坚持独立自主、自立自强是以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的内在要求。一个国家选择什么样的现代化道路，是由历史传统、社会制度、发展条件、外部环境等诸多因素决定的。国情不同，现代化途径也不同。现代化不是少数国家的“专利品”，也不是非此即彼的“单选题”，不能搞简单的千篇一律的“复制粘贴”。一个国家走向现代化，既要遵循现代化的一般规律，更要立足本国国情，具有本国特色。什么样的现代化最适合自己，本国人民最有发言权。中国是在一个14亿多人口的国家进行现代化建设，超过了现有发达国家人口的总和，其艰巨性和复杂性决定了我们不能照搬西方现代化模式，只能独立自主地探索中国式现代化道路。党的二十大报告从5个方面概括了中国式现代化的中国特色：人口规模巨大的现代化、全体人民共同富裕的现代化、物质文明和精神文明相协调的现代化、人与自然和谐共生的现代化、走和平发展道路的现代化。这5个方面深刻揭示了中国式现代化的科学内涵，既是理论概括，也是实践要求，为全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现中华民族伟大复兴指明了一条康庄大道。新征程上，我们要守好中国式现代化的本和源、根和魂，毫不动摇地坚持中国式现代化的中国特色、本质要求和重大原则，坚持党的基本理论、基本路线、基本方略，坚持党的十八大以来的一系列重大方针政策，确保中国式现代化始终沿着正确方向前进。

Upholding independence and self-reliance has a solid foundation and conditions. China’s adherence to independence and self-reliance is not only necessary but also has a foundation and conditions. We have the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the scientific guidance of Marxism; we have the notable advantages of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, which can mobilize the initiative of all sides and concentrate resources to accomplish major tasks; we can maintain political stability and enjoy a long-term stable social environment; in particular, we have General Secretary Xi Jinping at the helm and

坚持独立自主、自立自强有坚实的基础和条件。中国坚持独立自主、自立自强不仅有必要，而且有基础、有条件。我们有中国共产党的坚强领导和马克思主义的科学指导；有中国特色社会主义制度的显著优势，能够调动各方面积极性，集中力量办大事；能够保持政治稳定，有长期稳定的社会环境；特别是有习近平总书记领航掌舵，有习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想科学指引，这是党和人民战胜一切艰难险阻、应对一切不确定性的最大确定性、最大底气、最大保证。我们有持续快速发展积累的坚实基础，经过新中国成立特别是改革开放以来的发展，我国经济实力、科技实力、国防实力、综合国力显著增强，已经成为全球制造业第一大国、货物贸易第一大国、服务贸易第二大国、商品消费第二大国和外汇储备第一大国；2023年我国国内生产总值超过126万亿元，增长5.2%，增速居世界主要经济体前列；我国是世界上唯一拥有联合国产业分类目录中全部工业门类的国家；我国研发人员总量居世界首位，2023年全年研究与试验发展（R&D）经费支出与国内生产总值之比为2.64%；等等。我们有共同的理想信念、价值理念、道德观念，有中华优秀传统文化、革命文化、社会主义先进文化，特别是进入新时代以来，中国人民的前进动力更加强大、奋斗精神更加昂扬、必胜信念更加坚定，积极性、主动性、创造性进一步激发，志气、骨气、底气进一步增强，焕发出更为强烈的历史自觉和主动精神，为奋进新征程、建功新时代注入了强大精神力量。所有这些，为我们坚持独立自主、自立自强提供了根本前提、奠定了坚实基础。习近平总书记指出，“当今世界正经历百年未有之大变局，但时与势在我们一边，这是我们定力和底气所在，也是我们的决心和信心所在”。

III. Firmly Strengthening the Resolve and Confidence in Upholding Independence and Self-Reliance

三、坚定坚持独立自主、自立自强的决心和信心

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" [6]6 "New China" refers to the People's Republic of China, founded in 1949. points out: "Independence is the soul of the Chinese national spirit and an important principle on which our Party and country are founded and developed." This is also an important principle we must uphold on the new journey.

《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》指出：“独立自主是中华民族精神之魂，是我们立党立国的重要原则。”这也是新征程上我们必须坚持的重要原则。

Maintain strategic resolve and steadfastly follow our own path. If strategic judgments are accurate and initiative is maintained, the cause of the Party and the people will have hope and remain invincible; conversely, lacking sufficient resolve, hesitating and wavering strategically, one easily drifts with the tide and loses ground. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: "On major principled issues such as the path, direction, and stance, the banner must be clear and the attitude unambiguous, with no room for ambiguity." On the issue of the path, we must possess the strong resolve of 'biting firmly on the green mountain and never letting go, letting the winds from east, west, north, and south blow as they may' [7], insisting that the path does not change and the will does not waver, neither taking the old path of closed-door rigidity nor the evil path of changing the banner [8], but unswervingly always taking the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

保持战略定力，坚持走自己的路。在战略上判断准确，保持主动，党和人民事业就有希望，就会立于不败之地；反之，缺乏足够定力，战略上犹豫不决、摇摆不定，就容易随波逐流、进退失据。习近平总书记强调：“在道路、方向、立场等重大原则问题上，旗帜要鲜明，态度要明确，不能有丝毫含糊。”在道路问题上，必须有咬定青山不放松、任尔东西南北风的强大定力，坚持道不变、志不改，既不走封闭僵化的老路，也不走改旗易帜的邪路，而是坚定不移始终走中国特色社会主义道路。

Uphold the "Two Integrations" [9] and continuously advance theoretical innovation. Theory is the guide to action; without revolutionary theory, there can be no revolutionary action. The vitality of theory lies in innovation. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasizes: "Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for founding the Party and the country, and for rejuvenating the Party and the country. Practice tells us that why the Communist Party of China can succeed and why socialism with Chinese characteristics works is, in the final analysis, because Marxism works, especially Marxism that has been adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times." Upholding independence and self-reliance requires upholding the "Two Integrations" and continuously advancing theoretical innovation on the basis of practice. Against the backdrop of the accelerated evolution and deep interaction of the "two overall situations" [10], human society faces many common problems that urgently need resolution, and various fields in our country, including reform, development, and stability; domestic affairs, foreign affairs, and national defense; and Party governance, state governance, and military governance, all face a series of new major issues. The new questions posed to us by the queries of China, the queries of the world, the queries of the people, and the queries of the times [11] are more complex and difficult than in the past, urgently requiring us to submit answers from the combination of theory and practice. Today, the task of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is not lighter but heavier. On the new journey, we must firmly establish a grand historical perspective, grasp the development context and correct direction of world history with a broader vision and a longer-term perspective, clearly recognize the major logic and major trends of China's social development and human social development, grasp the historical evolution and practical requirements of Chinese-path modernization, comprehensively and systematically propose scientific concepts and effective countermeasures to solve practical problems, and enable contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism to demonstrate a more powerful and convincing truth force.

坚持“两个结合”，不断推进理论创新。理论是行动的先导，没有革命的理论，就没有革命的行动。理论的生命力在于创新。党的二十大报告强调：“马克思主义是我们立党立国、兴党兴国的根本指导思想。实践告诉我们，中国共产党为什么能，中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是马克思主义行，是中国化时代化的马克思主义行。” 坚持独立自主、自立自强，必须坚持“两个结合”，不断推进实践基础上的理论创新。在“两个大局”加速演进并深度互动的时代背景下，人类社会面临许多亟待解决的共同问题，我国改革发展稳定、内政外交国防、治党治国治军等各个领域也都面临着一系列新的重大课题，中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问给我们提出的新考题比过去更复杂、更难，迫切需要我们从理论与实践的结合上提交答卷。今天，我们推进马克思主义中国化时代化的任务不是轻了，而是更重了。新征程上，要牢固树立大历史观，以更宽广的视野、更长远的眼光把握世界历史的发展脉络和正确走向，认清我国社会发展、人类社会发展的大逻辑大趋势，把握中国式现代化的历史沿革和实践要求，全面系统地提出解决现实问题的科学理念、有效对策，让当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义展现出更为强大、更有说服力的真理力量。

Correctly handle the dialectical relationship between independence, self-reliance, and opening up to the outside world. To advance Chinese-path modernization, on the one hand, we must uphold independence and self-reliance, firmly holding the destiny of our country's development and progress in our own hands; on the other hand, the more complex the international environment, the more we must open our minds and open our doors, coordinate openness and security, and achieve self-reliance through open cooperation. China's door of opening up will not close; it will only open wider. We must actively absorb all outstanding achievements of human civilization, continuously raise the level of opening up to the outside world, and expand the development space for Chinese-path modernization. Accelerating the construction of a new development pattern is the strategic foundation for promoting high-quality development and a strategic layout and preemptive move to firmly grasp the initiative in future development. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: "Accelerating the construction of a new development pattern is to enhance our viability, competitiveness, development capacity, and sustainability amidst all kinds of foreseeable and unforeseeable storms and tempests, ensuring that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is not delayed or even interrupted." Accelerating the construction of a new development pattern, with domestic circulation as the mainstay, by no means means closing the door to operate in isolation, but rather, by leveraging the potential of domestic demand, better connecting the domestic market with the international market, using domestic circulation to attract global resources and factors, better utilizing both domestic and international markets and resources, improving the ability to allocate resources globally, and better striving for strategic initiative in open development.

正确处理独立自主、自立自强与对外开放的辩证关系。推进中国式现代化，一方面，必须坚持独立自主、自立自强，坚持把我国发展进步的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中；另一方面，国际环境越复杂，我们越要敞开胸怀、打开大门，统筹开放和安全，在开放合作中实现自立自强。中国开放的大门不会关闭，只会越开越大。必须积极吸收人类文明的一切优秀成果，不断提高对外开放水平，拓展中国式现代化的发展空间。加快构建新发展格局，是推动高质量发展的战略基点，是深刻把握未来发展主动权的战略性布局和先手棋。习近平总书记指出：“加快构建新发展格局，就是要在各种可以预见和难以预见的狂风暴雨、惊涛骇浪中，增强我们的生存力、竞争力、发展力、持续力，确保中华民族伟大复兴进程不被迟滞甚至中断。”加快构建新发展格局，以国内大循环为主体，绝不是关起门来封闭运行，而是通过发挥内需潜力，使国内市场和国际市场更好联通，以国内大循环吸引全球资源要素，更好利用国内国际两个市场两种资源，提高在全球配置资源能力，更好争取开放发展中的战略主动。

Rely on tenacious struggle to open up new horizons for the cause. Our Party created history through struggle, and it must rely on struggle to win the future. On the new journey, the risks and tests we face will only become more complex, and we may even encounter unimaginable storms and tempests. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: "'A skilled warrior places himself in an

依靠顽强斗争打开事业发展新天地。我们党依靠斗争创造历史，更要依靠斗争赢得未来。新征程上，我们面临的风险考验只会越来越复杂，甚至会遇到难以想象的惊涛骇浪。习近平总书记指出：“‘善战者，立于不败之地，而不失敌之败也。’唯有主动迎战、坚决斗争才有生路出路，才能赢得尊严、求得发展，逃避退缩、妥协退让只会招致失败和屈辱，只能是死路一条。”新征程上，坚持独立自主、自立自强，必须把握新的伟大斗争的历史特点，发扬斗争精神，把握斗争方向，把握斗争主动权，坚定斗争意志，掌握斗争规律，增强斗争本领，既敢于斗争，又善于斗争，全力战胜前进道路上各种困难和挑战，依靠顽强斗争打开事业发展新天地。

On the eve of the founding of New China, Comrade Mao Zedong stated, "China's affairs must be decided and handled by the Chinese people themselves." [6]6 "New China" refers to the People's Republic of China, founded in 1949. Entering the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The strategy of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people to take root in Chinese soil, absorb the outstanding achievements of human civilization, and independently achieve national development is correct and must be upheld for the long term without wavering." On the new journey, as long as we adhere to independence, self-reliance, and self-strengthening, we will surely be able to build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful.

新中国成立前夕，毛泽东同志就说过，“中国的事情必须由中国人民自己作主张，自己来处理”。进入新时代，习近平总书记强调：“中国共产党和中国人民扎根中国大地、吸纳人类文明优秀成果、独立自主实现国家发展的战略是正确的，必须长期坚持、永不动摇。”新征程上，只要我们坚持独立自主、自立自强，就一定能够把我国建设成为富强民主文明和谐美丽的社会主义现代化强国。

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心