马克思主义研究网Marxism Research Network

Unofficial English translation by DeepSeek, a Chinese LLM · source marxism.cass.cn

Steadfastly Advance the Great Cause of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Pioneered by Comrade Deng Xiaoping

中共中央党史和文献研究院:把邓小平同志开创的中国特色社会主义伟大事业不断推向前进

· · Sinicization of Marxism · Qiushi, 2024, no. 16 · 23 min read

Comrade Deng Xiaoping was a universally recognised outstanding leader of high prestige among the entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country, a great Marxist, a great proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist, and diplomat, a tested communist fighter, the chief architect of China’s socialist reform, opening up, and modernisation, the pioneer of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the principal founder of Deng Xiaoping Theory. On the 120th anniversary of Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s birth, and as the entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country deeply study and implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC [n1], commemorating his monumental achievements and learning from his lofty conduct is of great significance for closely uniting around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and for comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernisation.

邓小平同志是全党全军全国各族人民公认的享有崇高威望的卓越领导人,伟大的马克思主义者,伟大的无产阶级革命家、政治家、军事家、外交家,久经考验的共产主义战士,中国社会主义改革开放和现代化建设的总设计师,中国特色社会主义道路的开创者,邓小平理论的主要创立者。在邓小平同志诞辰120周年之际,在全党全军全国各族人民深入学习贯彻党的二十届三中全会精神之时,缅怀他的丰功伟绩,学习他的崇高风范,对紧密团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围,以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业,具有重大意义。

I. Comrade Deng Xiaoping Established Immortal Merits for the Independence and Liberation of the Chinese Nation and for China’s Socialist Modernisation

一、邓小平同志为中华民族的独立和解放、为中国的社会主义现代化事业建立了不朽的功勋

Deng Xiaoping — a name forever engraved in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people. Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s life was closely linked to the historical process of the creation and development of the Communist Party of China, the People’s Liberation Army, and the People’s Republic of China; closely linked to the historical process of China’s revolution, construction, and reform; and closely linked to the historical process of the Chinese nation’s struggle, independence, and rejuvenation. It was a glorious life, a fighting life, and a great life.

邓小平,一个铭刻在亿万人民心中不朽的名字。邓小平同志的一生,同中国共产党、中国人民解放军、中华人民共和国创建和发展的历史进程紧紧相连,同中国革命、建设、改革的历史进程紧紧相连,同中华民族抗争、独立、振兴的历史进程紧紧相连,是光辉的一生、战斗的一生、伟大的一生。

During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, Comrade Deng Xiaoping established outstanding merits for the cause of national independence and people’s liberation led by the Party, and was a founding father of the People’s Republic of China. From the Baise Uprising [n2] to fighting in the Taihang Mountains [n3], from advancing into the Central Plains [n4] to the decisive Huaihai Campaign [n5], from crossing the Yangtze River [n6] to directing operations in the Southwest [n7], Comrade Deng Xiaoping, as a close comrade-in-arms of Comrade Mao Zedong, with extraordinary courage and remarkable military achievements, rendered illustrious service for the victory of the New Democratic Revolution and the birth of New China.

新民主主义革命时期,邓小平同志为党领导的民族独立和人民解放事业建立了卓越功勋,是中华人民共和国的开国元勋。从百色起义到浴血太行,从挺进中原到决战淮海,从横渡长江到挥师西南,邓小平同志作为毛泽东同志的亲密战友,以超人的胆识和卓著的战功,为新民主主义革命的胜利和新中国的诞生,建立了赫赫功勋。

During the period of socialist revolution and construction, Comrade Deng Xiaoping made outstanding contributions to the successful completion of the socialist revolution and the exploration of China’s path of socialist construction. As an important member of the Party’s first generation of central collective leadership with Comrade Mao Zedong at its core, Comrade Deng Xiaoping put forward many correct propositions for exploring a path of socialist construction suited to China’s conditions and for overcoming economic difficulties, and carried out highly effective work.

在社会主义革命和建设时期,邓小平同志为胜利完成社会主义革命、探索我国社会主义建设道路作出了杰出贡献。作为以毛泽东同志为核心的党的第一代中央领导集体的重要成员,邓小平同志为探索适合我国情况的社会主义建设道路、为克服经济困难提出许多正确主张,进行了卓有成效的工作。

In the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernisation, Comrade Deng Xiaoping became the core of the Party’s second generation of central collective leadership and made historic contributions to pioneering socialism with Chinese characteristics. Facing the severe situation created by the “Cultural Revolution” [n8], Comrade Deng Xiaoping unequivocally opposed the erroneous viewpoint of the “Two Whatevers” [n9], supported and led the discussion on the criterion of truth [n10], and promoted all-round efforts to bring order out of chaos. Under Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s guidance, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Party [n11] re-established the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, ceased using the erroneous formulation of “taking class struggle as the key link,” decided to shift the focus of the Party’s work to socialist modernisation, and made the major decision to implement reform and opening up, thus achieving a great turning point of far-reaching significance in the Party’s history.

在改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期,邓小平同志成为党的第二代中央领导集体的核心,为开创中国特色社会主义作出了历史性贡献。面对“文化大革命”造成的严峻局面,邓小平同志旗帜鲜明反对“两个凡是”的错误观点,支持和领导开展真理标准问题的讨论,推动进行各方面的拨乱反正。在邓小平同志指导下,党的十一届三中全会重新确立了解放思想、实事求是的思想路线,停止使用“以阶级斗争为纲”的错误提法,确定把全党工作的着重点转移到社会主义现代化建设上来,作出实行改革开放的重大决策,实现了党的历史上具有深远意义的伟大转折。

After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, Comrade Deng Xiaoping led our Party in making a series of major decisions, advancing reform, opening up, and socialist modernisation step by step. He guided our Party in systematically summing up historical experience since the founding of New China, resolving the two interrelated major historical issues of scientifically evaluating Comrade Mao Zedong’s historical status and the scientific system of Mao Zedong Thought, and, based on new realities and developmental requirements, establishing the correct path for China’s socialist modernisation. On the basis of the Party’s revolutionary and construction practices since the founding of New China, he led our Party in successfully blazing a new path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. He stressed the need to adhere to taking economic construction as the central task, uphold the Four Cardinal Principles [n12], and persist in reform and opening up. He led our Party in formulating the Party’s basic line for the primary stage of socialism and the “three-step” development strategy for modernisation [n13]. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Comrade Deng Xiaoping resolutely and forcefully supported the Party and government in their struggle to defend socialism with Chinese characteristics, and delivered his Southern Talks [n14], which theoretically provided profound answers to many major cognitive questions that had long troubled and constrained people’s thinking, and put forward important ideas of immediate and long-term guiding significance for the entire socialist modernisation effort, ensuring that the Party and the country advanced courageously along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

党的十一届三中全会以后,邓小平同志领导我们党作出一系列重大决策,把改革开放和社会主义现代化建设一步一步推向前进。他指导我们党系统总结新中国成立以来的历史经验,解决了科学评价毛泽东同志的历史地位和毛泽东思想的科学体系、根据新的实际和发展要求确立中国社会主义现代化建设的正确道路这样两个相互联系的重大历史课题,领导我们党在新中国成立以来革命和建设实践的基础上,成功走出了一条中国特色社会主义新道路。他强调必须坚持以经济建设为中心,坚持四项基本原则,坚持改革开放,领导我们党制定了党在社会主义初级阶段的基本路线,制定了现代化建设“三步走”发展战略。20世纪80年代末90年代初,邓小平同志坚决有力地支持党和政府为捍卫中国特色社会主义而进行的斗争,并发表南方谈话,从理论上深刻回答了长期困扰和束缚人们思想的许多重大认识问题,提出了对整个社会主义现代化建设具有现实和长远指导意义的重要思想,保证了党和国家沿着中国特色社会主义道路奋勇前进。

Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s contributions to the Party and the people were historic and also global in nature; they not only changed the historical destiny of the Chinese people but also changed the historical course of the world. This can be seen with particular clarity when we look back at the path we have travelled, compare it with the paths of others, and look ahead to the path before us. Reviewing the arduous explorations our Party experienced in leading socialist construction, considering the severe setbacks socialism suffered in some countries, and then observing the tremendous success socialism has achieved in China today, one cannot help but feel deeply grateful that China had Comrade Deng Xiaoping to lead us in pioneering the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The 15th National Congress of the CPC [n15] ranked Deng Xiaoping alongside Sun Yat-sen and Mao Zedong as the “three great figures standing at the forefront of the times in the 20th century,” and General Secretary Xi Jinping hailed the great cause of reform, opening up, and socialism with Chinese characteristics pioneered by Comrade Deng Xiaoping as one of the “three major milestones in achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation since modern times” [n16]. Such an assessment is well deserved by Comrade Deng Xiaoping. Comrade Deng Xiaoping once said: “Without Chairman Mao, at the very least we Chinese people would still be groping in the dark for a much longer time.” Similarly, it should be said that without Comrade Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese people would not have the new life they have today, and China would not have the new situation of reform and opening up and the bright prospects of socialist modernisation that it enjoys today.

邓小平同志对党和人民的贡献,是历史性的,也是世界性的,不仅改变了中国人民的历史命运,而且改变了世界的历史进程。这一点,在回看走过的路、比较别人的路、远眺前行的路中可以看得格外清晰。回顾我们党在领导社会主义建设中经历的艰辛探索,联系社会主义在一些国家遭受的严重挫折,再看看社会主义在今天中国取得的巨大成功,让人由衷感慨,中国有邓小平同志来领导我们开创中国特色社会主义伟大事业是多么值得庆幸!党的十五大把邓小平和孙中山、毛泽东并称为20世纪“三位站在时代前列的伟大人物”,习近平总书记把邓小平同志领导开创的改革开放和中国特色社会主义伟大事业誉为“近代以来实现中华民族伟大复兴的三大里程碑”之一,这样的评价,邓小平同志当之无愧。邓小平同志说过:“没有毛主席,至少我们中国人民还要在黑暗中摸索更长的时间。”同样应当说,如果没有邓小平同志,中国人民就不可能有今天的新生活,中国就不可能有今天改革开放的新局面和社会主义现代化的光明前景。

Throughout his glorious life of unremitting struggle for the Chinese people, Comrade Deng Xiaoping fully demonstrated the noble character, broad-mindedness, extraordinary courage, and revolutionary style of a true communist, and he was truly a great son of the Chinese people. The most distinctive political quality of Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s life was firm conviction; his deepest emotional attachment was his love for the people; his most important ideological characteristic was seeking truth from facts; his most distinctive leadership style was pioneering and innovation; his most magnificent revolutionary bearing was strategic thinking; and his most brilliant personal charisma was magnanimity and selflessness. His unwavering faith and conviction in Marxism and communism, his profound love for the motherland and the people, his ideological method and leadership art of being adept at “handling affairs according to dialectics” [n17], his courage and daring to discard the old and establish the new and to press forward with indomitable spirit, his global vision and strategic thinking of “keeping the whole world in view and looking forward to the future,” and his broad-mindedness, as vast as the world, with no selfish desires — all these are so intimately moving and yet so commanding of respect. Comrade Deng Xiaoping remained always optimistic and open-minded in adversity, always handled heavy responsibilities with ease, always kept his vision far-reaching while staying down-to-earth, and never became arrogant or claimed credit for his immense achievements. Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s monumental achievements and lofty conduct will forever be engraved in the hearts of the Chinese people and will forever inspire us to forge ahead courageously on the new journey of the New Era. Today, let us sincerely say once more: “Hello, Xiaoping!” [n18]

邓小平同志在为中国人民不懈奋斗的光辉一生中,充分展现了一位真正共产党人的崇高品德、博大胸怀、卓越胆识和革命风格,不愧是中国人民的伟大儿子。邓小平同志一生最鲜明的政治品格是信念坚定,最深厚的情感寄托是热爱人民,最重要的思想特点是实事求是,最鲜明的领导风范是开拓创新,最恢宏的革命气度是战略思维,最光辉的人格魅力是坦荡无私。他对马克思主义、共产主义始终不渝的信仰信念,对祖国和人民的深情大爱,善于“照辩证法办事”的思想方法和领导艺术,革故鼎新、一往无前的勇气锐气,“放眼世界,放眼未来”的世界眼光和战略思维,心底无私天地宽的博大胸怀,是那样亲切感人,又那样令人肃然起敬。邓小平同志身处逆境而始终豁达乐观,肩负重任而总是举重若轻,目光远大而始终脚踏实地,功高至伟而从不居功自傲。邓小平同志的丰功伟绩和崇高风范,将永远铭刻在中国人民的心中,永远激励我们在新时代新征程奋勇前进。今天,让我们衷心地再道一声:“小平您好!”

II. Deeply Understand the Historical Status and Guiding Significance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, and Continuously Open Up New Horizons in Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times from a New Starting Point

二、深刻认识邓小平理论的历史地位和指导意义,在新的起点上不断开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界

The most important ideological and political legacy Comrade Deng Xiaoping left us is the socialism with Chinese characteristics he pioneered together with the Party and the people, and the Deng Xiaoping Theory he founded. Deng Xiaoping Theory is the product of the integration of the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism with the practice of contemporary China and the characteristics of the times, the inheritance and development of Mao Zedong Thought under new historical conditions, a new stage in the development of Marxism in China, contemporary Chinese Marxism, and the crystallisation of the collective wisdom of the Communist Party of China.

邓小平同志留给我们的最重要的思想和政治遗产,就是他带领党和人民开创的中国特色社会主义,就是他创立的邓小平理论。邓小平理论是马克思列宁主义的基本原理同当代中国实践和时代特征相结合的产物,是毛泽东思想在新的历史条件下的继承和发展,是马克思主义在中国发展的新阶段,是当代中国的马克思主义,是中国共产党集体智慧的结晶。

What is socialism and how to build it — this was the fundamental question that Comrade Deng Xiaoping constantly raised and repeatedly pondered in the course of leading reform and opening up and modernization. The twists and setbacks experienced by China’s socialism before reform and opening up, and some of the perplexities encountered in its advance after reform and opening up, were all related to the fact that this question had not been fully clarified. Comrade Deng Xiaoping said: “In carrying out reform and opening up and shifting the focus of our work to economic construction, we have not abandoned Marx, Lenin, or Mao Zedong. The ancestors cannot be abandoned! The problem is to get clear about what socialism is and how to build and develop it.” It was precisely by closely focusing on this fundamental question that the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their chief representative, profoundly summed up the positive and negative experiences since the founding of New China, drew on the historical experience of world socialism, and founded Deng Xiaoping Theory. On major issues such as the path of socialist development, the stage of development, the fundamental task, the driving force of development, external conditions, political guarantees, strategic steps, the leading force and the force to rely on, and the reunification of the motherland, Deng Xiaoping Theory formed a series of interrelated basic viewpoints, for the first time relatively systematically and preliminarily answering a series of basic questions about how to build, consolidate, and develop socialism in a country like China, which was economically and culturally relatively backward. It inherited and developed Marxism with new ideas and viewpoints, raising the understanding of socialism to a new scientific level.

什么是社会主义、怎样建设社会主义,这是邓小平同志在领导改革开放和现代化建设过程中不断提出和反复思考的根本问题。我国社会主义在改革开放前所经历的曲折和失误,改革开放后在前进中遇到的一些困惑,都与这个问题没有完全搞清楚有关。邓小平同志说:“我们搞改革开放,把工作重心放在经济建设上,没有丢马克思,没有丢列宁,也没有丢毛泽东。老祖宗不能丢啊!问题是要把什么叫社会主义搞清楚,把怎么样建设和发展社会主义搞清楚。”正是紧紧围绕这一根本问题,以邓小平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人,深刻总结新中国成立以来正反两方面经验,借鉴世界社会主义历史经验,创立了邓小平理论。邓小平理论在社会主义发展道路、发展阶段、根本任务、发展动力、外部条件、政治保证、战略步骤、领导力量和依靠力量、祖国统一等重大问题上,形成了一系列相互联系的基本观点,第一次比较系统地初步回答了在中国这样经济文化比较落后的国家如何建设社会主义、如何巩固和发展社会主义的一系列基本问题,用新的思想观点继承和发展了马克思主义,把对社会主义的认识提高到新的科学水平。

Emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts are the essence of Deng Xiaoping Theory. As early as 1958, Comrade Deng Xiaoping said, “Emancipate the mind, break down superstitions, and those who come later can surpass their predecessors,” “We must dare to think, dare to speak, dare to act, and be creative,” and “We must write China’s articles according to China’s conditions.” After reform and opening up, Comrade Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “When we talk about emancipating the mind, we mean, under the guidance of Marxism, breaking free from the shackles of habitual forces and subjective prejudices, studying new situations, and solving new problems.” “Emancipating the mind means making thought conform to reality and making the subjective conform to the objective; it means seeking truth from facts.” Throughout reform and opening up and modernization, every major decision Comrade Deng Xiaoping made at critical moments embodied the emancipation of the mind and seeking truth from facts. It was precisely by relying on emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts that Comrade Deng Xiaoping guided us to accomplish a completely new undertaking that “Marx never discussed, our predecessors never attempted, and no other socialist country has ever done,” and with a series of pioneering ideas and viewpoints, he opened up a new realm of Marxism. For example: China is still in the primary stage of socialism; the essence of socialism is to liberate and develop the productive forces, eliminate exploitation and polarization, and ultimately achieve common prosperity; science and technology are primary productive forces; the household contract responsibility system was implemented in rural areas; allowing some regions and some people to get rich first, with the developed regions helping and driving the less developed regions; planning and the market are both economic means, and having more planning or more market is not the essential distinction between socialism and capitalism; without democracy there is no socialism, and no socialist modernization; using the scientific concept of “one country, two systems” to resolve the Taiwan issue, the Hong Kong issue, and the Macao issue; and so on. Many of these major conclusions, which seem commonplace to people today, were so earth-shattering and groundbreaking when they were first proposed, and they had such a huge and far-reaching impact on clearing away the ideological fog in people’s minds and opening up a new situation in reform and opening up and modernization!

解放思想、实事求是是邓小平理论的精髓。早在1958年,邓小平同志就说过,“思想解放,破除迷信,后来者可以居上”,“要敢想、敢说、敢干,富有创造性”,“要按照中国的情况写中国的文章”。改革开放后,邓小平同志强调:“我们讲解放思想,是指在马克思主义指导下打破习惯势力和主观偏见的束缚,研究新情况,解决新问题。”“解放思想,就是使思想和实际相符合,使主观和客观相符合,就是实事求是。”改革开放和现代化建设过程中,邓小平同志在关键时刻作出的每一项重大决策,都体现了解放思想、实事求是。也正是依靠解放思想、实事求是,邓小平同志指引我们干出了“马克思没有讲过,我们的前人没有做过,其他社会主义国家也没有干过”的全新的事业,并以一系列具有开创意义的思想观点,开辟了马克思主义新境界。比如:我国还处在社会主义初级阶段;社会主义的本质,是解放生产力,发展生产力,消灭剥削,消除两极分化,最终达到共同富裕;科学技术是第一生产力;在农村实行联产承包责任制;允许一部分地区、一部分人先富裕起来,先发展起来的地区带动和帮助后发展的地区;计划和市场都是经济手段,计划多一点还是市场多一点,不是社会主义与资本主义的本质区别;没有民主就没有社会主义,就没有社会主义现代化;用“一国两制”的科学构想解决台湾问题和香港问题、澳门问题;等等。其中不少在今天的人们看来习以为常的重大论断,在当时提出来是多么振聋发聩乃至石破天惊,对廓清人们头脑中的思想迷雾、开创改革开放和现代化建设新局面产生了多么巨大而深远的影响!

The history of the Communist Party of China is a history of continuously adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. In this great historical process, Deng Xiaoping Theory occupies a pivotal position. This great historical process was initiated by the Chinese Communists with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative; Mao Zedong Thought achieved the first historic leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. Following the path of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context pioneered by Comrade Mao Zedong, our Party successively founded Deng Xiaoping Theory, formed the important thought of the “Three Represents” and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and formed the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. Deng Xiaoping Theory is the inheritance and development of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought under new historical conditions, and it is also the opening work of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is a great essay. Comrade Deng Xiaoping set its basic ideas and basic principles for it. The Party’s third generation of central collective leadership with Comrade Jiang Zemin at its core and the Party Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as General Secretary both wrote brilliant chapters in this great essay. Now, the task of our generation of Communists is to continue writing this great essay.”

中国共产党的历史就是一部不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化的历史。在这一伟大历史进程中,邓小平理论有着举足轻重的地位。这一伟大历史进程是以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人开启的,毛泽东思想实现了马克思主义中国化的第一次历史性飞跃。沿着毛泽东同志开拓的马克思主义中国化道路,我们党先后创立邓小平理论,形成“三个代表”重要思想和科学发展观,形成了中国特色社会主义理论体系,实现了马克思主义中国化新的飞跃。邓小平理论是对马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想在新的历史条件下的继承和发展,同时又是中国特色社会主义理论体系的开篇之作。正如习近平总书记指出的:“坚持和发展中国特色社会主义是一篇大文章,邓小平同志为它确定了基本思路和基本原则,以江泽民同志为核心的党的第三代中央领导集体、以胡锦涛同志为总书记的党中央在这篇大文章上都写下了精彩的篇章。现在,我们这一代共产党人的任务,就是继续把这篇大文章写下去。”

Comrade Deng Xiaoping once said: “Marx had the language of his era, and we have the language of our era. Each era has its own language, and a new era always has new language.” In the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the “new language” of our Chinese Communists. This important thought scientifically answers major contemporary questions of our era, such as what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop and how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. It is the inheritance and development of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the “Three Represents,” and the Scientific Outlook on Development. It is the Marxism of contemporary China and the Marxism of the 21st century, the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit of the times, achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

邓小平同志说过:“马克思有他那个时代的语言,我们有我们时代的语言。一个时代有一个时代的语言,新时代总有新语言。”在中国特色社会主义新时代,习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想就是我们中国共产党人的“新语言”。这一重要思想科学回答了新时代坚持和发展什么样的中国特色社会主义、怎样坚持和发展中国特色社会主义等重大时代课题,是对马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观的继承和发展,是当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义,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。

Today, the breadth and depth of changes in the times and China’s development have far exceeded what the classical Marxist writers could have imagined, placing new and higher demands on promoting theoretical innovation based on practice. Comrade Deng Xiaoping once said: “A true Marxist-Leninist must understand, inherit, and develop Marxism-Leninism in light of the current situation.” We must earnestly shoulder the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists, unify upholding Marxism with developing Marxism, unswervingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to consolidate souls and unite hearts, unswervingly use the “arrow” of Marxism to shoot at the “target” of China in the New Era, and unswervingly combine the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture, continuously writing new chapters in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

今天,时代变化和我国发展的广度和深度,远远超出了马克思主义经典作家当时的想象,对推进实践基础上的理论创新提出了新的更高要求。邓小平同志曾说:“真正的马克思列宁主义者必须根据现在的情况,认识、继承和发展马克思列宁主义。”我们要切实肩负起当代中国共产党人的庄严历史责任,把坚持马克思主义和发展马克思主义统一起来,坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂,坚持不懈用马克思主义之“矢”去射新时代中国之“的”,坚持不懈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,不断谱写马克思主义中国化时代化新篇章。

III. Forge Ahead Along the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Pioneered by Comrade Deng Xiaoping, and Comprehensively Advance the Great Cause of Building a Strong Country and National Rejuvenation through Chinese-Path Modernization

三、沿着邓小平同志开创的中国特色社会主义道路奋勇前进,以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业

Achieving modernization has been the goal our Party has tirelessly pursued for over a hundred years, embodying the lifelong efforts of older-generation revolutionaries such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, and it is also the unfinished cause they left to us. Comrade Deng Xiaoping affectionately named our socialist modernization cause “Chinese-path modernization” and interpreted it using the concept of “moderate prosperity” (小康), which is rich in traditional cultural connotations. With extraordinary boldness, he also designed a grand blueprint for us to basically achieve modernization in three steps. He emphasized: “Achieving the four modernizations with one heart and one mind is the overriding central task of the people of the whole country for a fairly long period to come and is a great undertaking that will determine the destiny of the motherland.” Today, the best way to commemorate Comrade Deng Xiaoping is to anchor the major deployments made at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party [n19], persevere with unyielding determination and genuine effort, and comprehensively advance the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization.

实现现代化是我们党百余年来孜孜以求的奋斗目标,凝结着毛泽东、邓小平等老一辈革命家的毕生心血,也是他们留给我们的未竟事业。邓小平同志亲切地把我们的社会主义现代化事业命名为“中国式的现代化”,并用“小康”这个富有传统文化色彩的概念进行诠释,还以非凡的胆略为我们设计了分三步走基本实现现代化的宏伟蓝图。他强调:“同心同德地实现四个现代化,是今后一个相当长的时期内全国人民压倒一切的中心任务,是决定祖国命运的千秋大业。”现在,对邓小平同志最好的纪念,就是锚定党的二十届三中全会作出的重大部署,锲而不舍、真抓实干,以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业。

To advance Chinese-path modernization, it is necessary to firmly adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. From the very beginning of reform and opening up, Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out that upholding the Four Cardinal Principles [20]20 The Four Cardinal Principles: upholding the socialist path, the people’s democratic dictatorship, the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. “is the fundamental prerequisite for achieving the four modernizations,” and its core “is upholding the Party’s leadership.” He repeatedly stressed, “The cause of China’s socialist modernization is led by the Communist Party; this principle cannot be shaken,” and “The unity of our people, the stability of society, the development of democracy, and the unity of the country all depend on the Party’s leadership.” Comrade Deng Xiaoping also noted: “Chinese-style modernization must proceed from China’s own characteristics.” “In the past, when we carried out the democratic revolution, we had to suit China’s conditions and take the path of encircling the cities from the countryside pioneered by Comrade Mao Zedong. Now, in building the country, we must also suit China’s conditions and blaze a path of Chinese-style modernization.” Chinese-path modernization is a socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China, a modernization that shares the common features of modernization in all countries but is more distinctly characterized by its own national conditions. We must implement the Party’s overall leadership in all areas and aspects of Chinese-path modernization, unswervingly uphold the Party’s basic theory, basic line, and basic strategy, firmly grasp the Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles of Chinese-path modernization, neither taking the old closed and rigid path nor the heretical path of changing the banner [21]21 “Changing the banner” (改旗易帜) is a standard Party formulation referring to abandoning socialism for capitalism., so that Chinese-path modernization can ride the wind and waves, advancing steadily and far.

推进中国式现代化,必须坚定在中国共产党领导下走中国特色社会主义道路。从改革开放一开始,邓小平同志就指出,坚持四项基本原则“是实现四个现代化的根本前提”,核心“是坚持党的领导”。他反复强调,“中国的社会主义现代化建设事业由共产党领导,这个原则是不能动摇的”,“我们人民的团结,社会的安定,民主的发展,国家的统一,都要靠党的领导”。邓小平同志还指出:“中国式的现代化,必须从中国的特点出发。”“过去搞民主革命,要适合中国情况,走毛泽东同志开辟的农村包围城市的道路。现在搞建设,也要适合中国情况,走出一条中国式的现代化道路。”中国式现代化是中国共产党领导的社会主义现代化,是既有各国现代化的共同特征、更有基于自己国情的鲜明特色的现代化。我们要把党的全面领导落实到中国式现代化建设各领域各方面,坚持党的基本理论、基本路线、基本方略不动摇,牢牢把握中国式现代化的中国特色、本质要求、重大原则等,既不走封闭僵化的老路,也不走改旗易帜的邪路,让中国式现代化乘风破浪、行稳致远。

To advance Chinese-path modernization, it is necessary to take high-quality development as the hard truth of the New Era. Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out, “Socialism has many tasks, but the fundamental one is to develop the productive forces.” He repeatedly stressed: “Development is the hard truth.” The hard truth is hard because it is a truth repeatedly proven by practice and is the overall situation of the Party and the state’s work that must be obeyed and served. Comrade Deng Xiaoping profoundly summarized the past lesson of failing to shift the focus of work to economic construction in a timely manner or being unable to persist when there was interference, and emphatically stressed “taking economic construction as the center,” and that “all other tasks must submit to and revolve around this center, and must never interfere with or impact it.” He repeatedly demanded, “Seize opportunities to develop China”; “Strive to reach a new level every few years”; “In the long process of future modernization construction, it is necessary and achievable to have several stages of relatively fast development and relatively good results.” Development was and remains the key to solving all of China’s problems; the strategic thinking that development is the hard truth must be unswervingly upheld. At the same time, we must also recognize that today’s development environment and conditions have changed greatly compared to the past, and “the problems after development are no fewer than before development.” Entering the new stage of development, we must take high-quality development as the primary task of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, take the development of new quality productive forces as the internal requirement and important focus for promoting high-quality development, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, and strive to promote high-quality development. Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out that to achieve the four modernizations, science and technology are the key, and education is the foundation. We must take education, science and technology, and talent as the foundational and strategic support for Chinese-path modernization, unswervingly and deeply implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education, the strategy of strengthening the country through talent, and the innovation-driven development strategy, and continuously shape new momentum and new advantages for development.

推进中国式现代化,必须把坚持高质量发展作为新时代的硬道理。邓小平同志指出,“社会主义的任务很多,但根本一条就是发展生产力”。他反复强调:“发展才是硬道理。”硬道理,硬就硬在它是被实践反复证明的真理,是必须服从和服务的党和国家工作大局。邓小平同志深刻总结过去工作重点未能及时转移到经济建设或一有干扰就不能坚持的教训,突出强调“把经济建设当作中心”,“其他一切任务都要服从这个中心,围绕这个中心,决不能干扰它,冲击它”。他反复要求,“利用机遇,把中国发展起来”;“力争隔几年上一个台阶”;“在今后的现代化建设长过程中,出现若干个发展速度比较快、效益比较好的阶段,是必要的,也是能够办到的”。发展过去是、今后仍是中国解决所有问题的关键,发展是硬道理的战略思想必须始终不渝地坚持。同时也要看到,今天的发展环境和条件相比过去有了很大变化,而且“发展起来以后的问题不比不发展时少”。进入新发展阶段,必须把高质量发展作为全面建设社会主义现代化国家的首要任务,把发展新质生产力作为推动高质量发展的内在要求和重要着力点,完整、准确、全面贯彻新发展理念,加快构建新发展格局,着力推动高质量发展。邓小平同志指出,实现四个现代化,科学技术是关键,基础在教育。我们要把教育、科技、人才作为中国式现代化的基础性、战略性支撑,坚定不移深入实施科教兴国战略、人才强国战略、创新驱动发展战略,不断塑造发展新动能新优势。

To advance Chinese-path modernization, it is necessary to continue to make good and full use of the important magic weapon of reform and opening up. Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out, “Reform is China’s second revolution,” and “Persisting in reform and opening up is a move that determines China’s destiny.” Regarding the nature and purpose of reform, it is by no means to negate or abandon the socialist system, but to achieve the self-improvement and self-development of the socialist system. Comrade Deng Xiaoping proposed, “Be bold in action but steady in steps,” and “If you are sure of something, try it boldly and forge ahead boldly.” He also summarized the “three favorable” criteria [22]22 The “three favorable” criteria (三个有利于), proposed by Deng Xiaoping in 1992, judge the success of reform by whether it is favorable to developing the productive forces, to increasing the overall strength of the socialist state, and to raising the people’s living standards. for judging the merits of reform and all work, stressing that “practice is the hardest criterion,” and “we must use hundreds and thousands of facts to answer whether reform and opening up is ‘socialist’ or ‘capitalist,’ and that it is beneficial to socialism.” Comrade Deng Xiaoping had a long-term and deep vision for reform and opening up, stressing that “reform should not only be judged over three or five years, but over twenty years, and over the first fifty years of the next century,” and “reform and opening up must run through the entire process of China’s development.” Through more than 40 years of reform and opening up, our Party has led the people to achieve a great leap from catching up with the times to leading the times. Especially since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has comprehensively deepened reform to address prominent contradictions and problems in modernization construction, successfully advancing and expanding Chinese-path modernization. Reform and opening up is always ongoing, never complete. The more great and arduous Chinese-path modernization is, the more we must seek momentum from reform and vitality from opening up. The recently concluded Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC [23]23 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC was held in Beijing in July 2024. made arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization, fully reflecting the historical initiative of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core to improve and develop the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, and its firm determination to open up broad prospects for Chinese-path modernization through further comprehensively deepening reform, fully releasing a strong signal that reform will not stop and opening up will not cease. We must deeply study, publicize, and implement the spirit of the plenary session, resolutely remove all institutional obstacles and constraining factors that hinder the smooth progress of Chinese-path modernization, and write a new chapter for advancing Chinese-path modernization on the new journey through further comprehensively deepening reform.

推进中国式现代化,必须继续用好用足改革开放这个重要法宝。邓小平同志指出,“改革是中国的第二次革命”,“坚持改革开放是决定中国命运的一招”。就改革的性质和目的而言,决不是要否定和抛弃社会主义制度,而是社会主义制度的自我完善和发展。邓小平同志提出,“胆子要大,步子要稳”,“看准了的,就大胆地试,大胆地闯”。他还概括了判断改革和各方面工作是非得失的“三个有利于”标准,强调“实践这个标准最硬”,“要用上百上千的事实来回答改革开放姓‘社’不姓‘资’,有利于社会主义”。邓小平同志对改革开放看得很远、想得很深,强调“改革不只是看三年五年,而是要看二十年,要看下世纪的前五十年”,“改革开放要贯穿中国整个发展过程”。通过40多年的改革开放,我们党带领人民实现了从赶上时代到引领时代的伟大跨越。特别是党的十八大以来,以习近平同志为核心的党中央围绕解决现代化建设中存在的突出矛盾和问题全面深化改革,成功推进和拓展了中国式现代化。改革开放只有进行时,没有完成时。中国式现代化越是伟大而艰巨,越要向改革要动力、向开放要活力。前不久闭幕的党的二十届三中全会,就进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化作出部署,充分体现了以习近平同志为核心的党中央完善和发展中国特色社会主义制度、推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的历史主动,以进一步全面深化改革开辟中国式现代化广阔前景的坚强决心,充分释放了改革不停顿、开放不止步的强烈信号。我们要深入学习宣传贯彻全会精神,坚决清除一切妨碍中国式现代化顺利推进的体制机制障碍和制约因素,以进一步全面深化改革谱写好新征程推进中国式现代化的时代新篇。

To advance Chinese-path modernization, it is necessary to promote the all-round development of people and common prosperity for all. In Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s view, poverty is not socialism, nor is polarization; without democracy there is no socialism, and without the rule of law there is no socialism; neglecting material progress cannot achieve socialism, and neglecting cultural-ethical progress cannot achieve socialism either. He stressed that “to achieve the four modernizations, we must have two hands; only one hand will not do,” and promoted a series of strategic measures of “grasping with both hands, both hands must be firm,” such as grasping material progress with one hand and cultural-ethical progress with the other, grasping construction with one hand and the rule of law with the other, and grasping reform and opening up with one hand and punishing corruption with the other. Comrade Deng Xiaoping also attached great importance to the issue of common prosperity, pointing out: “Common prosperity, we have talked about it since the beginning of reform, and one day it will become the central issue.” “The greatest superiority of socialism is common prosperity, which is something that embodies the essence of socialism.” Over more than 40 years of reform and opening up, from insisting on both material progress and cultural-ethical progress to promoting the coordinated development of material, political, cultural-ethical, social, and ecological civilization, from eradicating poverty and achieving moderate prosperity to placing the promotion of common prosperity in a more prominent position, the connotation of Chinese-path modernization has been continuously enriched and its advantages continuously demonstrated, creating a new form of human civilization. We must take the realization of the people’s aspiration for a better life as the starting point and落脚点 [24]24 The Chinese term 落脚点 (luòjiǎo diǎn) literally means “foothold” or “point of arrival”; in this context it is translated as “end point” to convey the sense of ultimate purpose. of modernization construction, while enriching the material foundation of modernization, continuously enrich the people’s spiritual world, develop whole-process people’s democracy, promote harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, and promote more obvious and substantive progress in the all-round development of people and common prosperity for all.

推进中国式现代化,必须促进人的全面发展和全体人民共同富裕。在邓小平同志看来,贫穷不是社会主义,两极分化也不是社会主义;没有民主就没有社会主义,没有法制也没有社会主义;不重视物质文明搞不好社会主义,不重视精神文明也搞不好社会主义。他强调“搞四个现代化一定要有两手,只有一手是不行的”,并推动一手抓物质文明、一手抓精神文明,一手抓建设、一手抓法制,一手抓改革开放、一手抓惩治腐败等一系列“两手抓、两手都要硬”的战略举措。邓小平同志还高度重视共同富裕问题,指出:“共同致富,我们从改革一开始就讲,将来总有一天要成为中心课题。”“社会主义最大的优越性就是共同富裕,这是体现社会主义本质的一个东西。”改革开放40多年来,从坚持物质文明和精神文明都搞好到促进物质文明、政治文明、精神文明、社会文明、生态文明协调发展,从摆脱贫困、实现小康到把推进共同富裕摆在更加突出的位置,中国式现代化的内涵不断丰富、优势不断彰显,创造了人类文明新形态。我们要把实现人民对美好生活的向往作为现代化建设的出发点和落脚点,在厚植现代化的物质基础的同时不断丰富人民精神世界,发展全过程人民民主,促进人与自然和谐共生,推动人的全面发展和全体人民共同富裕取得更为明显的实质性进展。

To advance Chinese-path modernization, we must adhere to the path of peaceful development. Comrade Deng Xiaoping, with far-sighted vision, made the major judgment that “peace and development are the two major issues in the contemporary world,” stressing that “our foreign policy, as far as our own country is concerned, is to seek a peaceful environment for achieving the four modernizations.” He pointed out that “China will never seek hegemony, never bully others,” “we must maintain our image of independence, not fearing evil, not fearing ghosts,” [25]25 “Not fearing evil, not fearing ghosts” (不信邪、不怕鬼) is a Chinese idiom meaning not to be intimidated by threats or superstitions, used here to convey China’s independent and unyielding stance. and “no foreign country should expect China to be its vassal, nor should it expect China to swallow the bitter fruit that harms our interests.” Unlike the old path of modernization taken by some established capitalist countries through war, colonization, plunder, and other means, Chinese-path modernization is a modernization that follows the path of peaceful development. We must firmly stand on the right side of history, on the side of human civilization and progress, hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, promote the common values of all humanity, advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, seek our own development while firmly safeguarding world peace and development, and in turn better safeguard world peace and development through our own development.

推进中国式现代化,必须坚持走和平发展道路。邓小平同志高瞻远瞩地作出“和平和发展是当代世界的两大问题”的重大判断,强调“我们的对外政策,就本国来说,是要寻求一个和平的环境来实现四个现代化”。他指出,“中国永远不会称霸,永远不会欺负别人”,“要维护我们独立自主、不信邪、不怕鬼的形象”,“任何外国不要指望中国做他们的附庸,不要指望中国会吞下损害我国利益的苦果”。不同于一些老牌资本主义国家通过战争、殖民、掠夺等方式实现现代化的老路,中国式现代化是走和平发展道路的现代化。我们要坚定站在历史正确的一边、站在人类文明进步的一边,高举和平、发展、合作、共赢旗帜,弘扬全人类共同价值,推动构建人类命运共同体,在坚定维护世界和平与发展中谋求自身发展,又以自身发展更好维护世界和平与发展。

To advance Chinese-path modernization, we must deeply advance the great new project of Party building in the New Era. Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out that “China’s modernization requires our Party.” At the beginning of reform and opening up, he raised the question: “What kind of party should a ruling party be? How should its members be qualified? How should the party be good at leading?” Comrade Deng Xiaoping earnestly cautioned that “if problems arise in China, they will still arise from within the Communist Party,” stressing that “if the leadership is dynamic, overcomes bureaucracy, improves efficiency, and mobilizes the enthusiasm of the grassroots and the people, then the four modernizations will truly have hope,” “we must concentrate our efforts on Party building,” “to improve the Party’s work style and the social atmosphere, we must grasp it firmly, without relaxing for a single day,” and “we must oppose corruption throughout the entire process of reform and opening up,” among other things. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has advanced comprehensive and strict governance of the Party with unprecedented resolve and intensity, guiding the century-old Party to open up a new realm of self-revolution. We must always maintain the sobriety and determination to solve the unique problems of a large party, persistently advance comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, lead social revolution through the Party’s self-revolution, ensure that our Party always remains the strong leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and provide a strong guarantee for comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

推进中国式现代化,必须深入推进新时代党的建设新的伟大工程。邓小平同志指出,“中国现代化建设需要我们的党”。他在改革开放之初就提出了“执政党应该是一个什么样的党,执政党的党员应该怎样才合格,党怎样才叫善于领导”的问题。邓小平同志谆谆告诫“中国要出问题,还是出在共产党内部”,强调“领导层有活力,克服了官僚主义,提高了效率,调动了基层和人民的积极性,四个现代化才真正有希望”,“要聚精会神地抓党的建设”,“抓党风、社会风气好转,必须狠狠地抓,一天不放松地抓”,“在整个改革开放过程中都要反对腐败”,等等。党的十八大以来,以习近平同志为核心的党中央以前所未有的决心和力度推进全面从严治党,指引百年大党开辟了自我革命新境界。我们要时刻保持解决大党独有难题的清醒和坚定,持之以恒推进全面从严治党,以党的自我革命引领社会革命,使我们党始终成为中国特色社会主义事业的坚强领导核心,为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业提供坚强保证。

In a large country like China, upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and enabling the entire population of over 1.4 billion to enter a modernized society is a great undertaking that will completely rewrite the world map of modernization. Comrade Deng Xiaoping once said firmly and confidently: “As long as China does not collapse, one-fifth of the world’s population will be adhering to socialism.” He also predicted with expectation: “By the middle of the next century, if we can approach the level of the world’s developed countries, that will be a major change. By then, the weight and role of socialist China will be different, and we can make a greater contribution to humanity.”

在中国这样一个大国坚持和发展中国特色社会主义,让14亿多人口整体迈入现代化社会,是一件很了不起的大事,将彻底改写现代化的世界版图。邓小平同志曾坚定而自信地说过:“只要中国不垮,世界上就有五分之一的人口在坚持社会主义。”他还充满期待地预测:“到下世纪中叶,能够接近世界发达国家的水平,那才是大变化。到那时,社会主义中国的分量和作用就不同了,我们就可以对人类有较大的贡献。”

Today, we can comfort Comrade Deng Xiaoping by saying that the land of China, which he deeply loved, is changing with each passing day; the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that he pioneered is becoming broader and broader; the modernization cause he constantly cherished is full of vitality; and the grand blueprint he drew for us is being turned into a beautiful reality step by step. At the same time, Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s earnest exhortations in his Southern Talks [26]26 The Southern Talks (南方谈话) refer to a series of speeches delivered by Deng Xiaoping during an inspection tour of southern China in early 1992, which reaffirmed the direction of reform and opening up and market-oriented economic reforms. still ring in our ears: “From now until the middle of the next century, it will be a very critical period. We must work hard with our heads down. The burden on our shoulders is heavy, and our responsibility is great!”

今天,可以告慰邓小平同志的是,他深情热爱的中国大地日新月异,他开创的中国特色社会主义道路越走越宽广,他念兹在兹的现代化事业生机勃勃,他为我们擘画的宏伟蓝图正在一步步变成美好现实。同时,邓小平同志在南方谈话中的殷殷嘱托言犹在耳:“从现在起到下世纪中叶,将是很要紧的时期,我们要埋头苦干。我们肩膀上的担子重,责任大啊!”

Now, the wheel of history has advanced to a critical period of comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. Let us unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand the decisive significance of the Two Establishments, [27]27 The Two Establishments (两个确立) refer to establishing Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. enhance the Four Consciousnesses, [28]28 The Four Consciousnesses (四个意识) refer to the consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership. strengthen the Four Confidences, [29]29 The Four Confidences (四个自信) refer to confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. achieve the Two Upholds, [30]30 The Two Upholds (两个维护) refer to upholding Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee. seize the day and work hard, and strive to win new victories in Chinese-path modernization—this unprecedented and magnificent great cause in human history!

现在,历史的车轮已行进到以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业的关键时期。让我们更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围,全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想,深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义,增强“四个意识”、坚定“四个自信”、做到“两个维护”,只争朝夕、埋头苦干,奋力夺取中国式现代化这一人类历史上空前壮丽的伟大事业的新胜利!

Online editor: Zhang Jian

网络编辑:张剑

Notes

  1. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, held in July 2024, focused on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese-path modernisation.
  2. The Baise Uprising (1929) was a communist-led armed revolt in Guangxi province.
  3. Refers to Deng Xiaoping’s role in leading the anti-Japanese base area in the Taihang Mountains during the War of Resistance Against Japan (1937–1945).
  4. Refers to the strategic advance of the People’s Liberation Army into the Central Plains region in 1947 during the Chinese Civil War.
  5. The Huaihai Campaign (1948–1949) was a decisive military engagement in the Chinese Civil War.
  6. The Crossing the Yangtze River Campaign (1949) led to the capture of Nanjing and the fall of the Nationalist government.
  7. Refers to Deng Xiaoping’s leadership in liberating and consolidating control over Southwest China after 1949.
  8. The “Cultural Revolution” (1966–1976) was a mass political movement launched by Mao Zedong, marked by widespread social and political upheaval.
  9. The “Two Whatevers” (1977) was the slogan “Whatever Chairman Mao decided, we resolutely defend; whatever Chairman Mao instructed, we steadfastly follow,” opposed by Deng Xiaoping as dogmatic.
  10. The discussion on the criterion of truth (1978) was a debate that re-established the principle of “practice is the sole criterion for testing truth,” undermining ideological rigidity.
  11. The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee (December 1978) marked the beginning of China’s reform and opening-up era.
  12. The Four Cardinal Principles are: adherence to the socialist path, the people’s democratic dictatorship, the leadership of the CPC, and Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought.
  13. The “three-step” development strategy, proposed by Deng Xiaoping, aimed to: (1) double the 1980 GNP and ensure adequate food and clothing by 1990; (2) quadruple the 1980 GNP by the end of the 20th century, reaching a moderately prosperous level; (3) achieve a per capita GNP level of moderately developed countries by the mid-21st century.
  14. Deng Xiaoping’s Southern Talks (1992) were a series of speeches during a tour of southern China that reaffirmed the course of reform and opening up.
  15. The 15th National Congress of the CPC (1997) formally enshrined Deng Xiaoping Theory as the Party’s guiding ideology.
  16. The “three major milestones” refer to the founding of the CPC, the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the launch of reform and opening up and the drive for socialist modernisation.
  17. “Handling affairs according to dialectics” is a phrase Mao Zedong used to praise Deng Xiaoping’s adherence to dialectical materialism.
  18. “Hello, Xiaoping!” was a spontaneous slogan from students during the 1984 National Day parade, expressing popular affection for Deng Xiaoping.
  19. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, held in July 2024, focused on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese-path modernization.
  20. The Four Cardinal Principles: upholding the socialist path, the people’s democratic dictatorship, the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. ↩
  21. “Changing the banner” (改旗易帜) is a standard Party formulation referring to abandoning socialism for capitalism. ↩
  22. The “three favorable” criteria (三个有利于), proposed by Deng Xiaoping in 1992, judge the success of reform by whether it is favorable to developing the productive forces, to increasing the overall strength of the socialist state, and to raising the people’s living standards. ↩
  23. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC was held in Beijing in July 2024. ↩
  24. The Chinese term 落脚点 (luòjiǎo diǎn) literally means “foothold” or “point of arrival”; in this context it is translated as “end point” to convey the sense of ultimate purpose. ↩
  25. “Not fearing evil, not fearing ghosts” (不信邪、不怕鬼) is a Chinese idiom meaning not to be intimidated by threats or superstitions, used here to convey China’s independent and unyielding stance. ↩
  26. The Southern Talks (南方谈话) refer to a series of speeches delivered by Deng Xiaoping during an inspection tour of southern China in early 1992, which reaffirmed the direction of reform and opening up and market-oriented economic reforms. ↩
  27. The Two Establishments (两个确立) refer to establishing Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. ↩
  28. The Four Consciousnesses (四个意识) refer to the consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership. ↩
  29. The Four Confidences (四个自信) refer to confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. ↩
  30. The Two Upholds (两个维护) refer to upholding Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee. ↩