Deng Xiaoping and Strengthening the Party’s Leadership over Propaganda, Ideology, and Cultural Work

Propaganda, ideology, and cultural work bear on the Party’s future and destiny, the long-term stability of the state, and the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation. In the cause of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, Deng Xiaoping guided the Party in re-establishing the Marxist ideological line, emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, correctly understanding the stage of development and fundamental tasks China was in, scientifically summing up the Party’s historical experience since the founding of New China, upholding the Party’s cultural leadership, adhering to the Four Cardinal Principles [1]1 The “two whatevers” (两个凡是) refers to the slogan “We firmly uphold whatever policy decisions Chairman Mao made, and we unswervingly follow whatever instructions Chairman Mao gave,” which was advanced in early 1977 and became a conservative ideological line that hindered the critique of the Cultural Revolution and the restoration of pragmatic policies. in ideology and politics, setting the correct direction for propaganda, ideology, and cultural work for the development of the Party and the state, persisting in, consolidating, and strengthening the Party’s leadership over propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, and continuously advancing reform and opening up and socialist modernization.

宣传思想文化工作事关党的前途命运、国家长治久安、民族凝聚力和向心力。在改革开放和社会主义现代化建设事业中，邓小平指导党重新确立马克思主义思想路线，解放思想，实事求是，正确认识我国所处的发展阶段和根本任务，科学总结新中国成立以来党的历史经验，坚守党的文化领导权，在思想政治上坚持四项基本原则，为党和国家发展确定宣传思想文化工作的正确方向，坚持、巩固和加强党对宣传思想文化工作的领导，把改革开放和社会主义现代化建设不断推向前进。

I. Supporting and Leading the Discussion on the Criterion of Truth, and Guiding the Party in Re-establishing the Marxist Ideological Line

一、支持和领导开展关于真理标准问题的讨论，指导党重新确立马克思主义思想路线

In the two years of “advancing while hesitating” [2]2 “Set-brightness” (拨乱反正) is a four-character idiom meaning to bring order out of chaos; in CPC historical usage it refers specifically to the post-1978 correction of the errors of the Cultural Revolution and the restoration of the Party’s correct line. after the smashing of the “Gang of Four” [3]3 The Four Cardinal Principles (四项基本原则) are: keeping to the socialist road, upholding the dictatorship of the proletariat, upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and upholding Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. They were formally articulated by Deng Xiaoping in March 1979., the discussion on the criterion of truth, triggered by opposition to and resistance against the “two whatevers” [4]4 The “four upholds” (四个坚持) is an alternative shorthand for the Four Cardinal Principles, used here in Deng’s draft speech., became a distinct theme of the Party’s ideological and theoretical front and its propaganda, ideology, and cultural work. Deng Xiaoping, guided by Marxist historical materialism, supported and advanced this discussion, unifying the emancipation of the mind under the principle that “practice is the sole criterion for testing truth,” thereby promoting the significant effort of bringing order out of chaos [5]5 The “Three Don’ts” (三不主义) refers to the policy of not seizing on others’ faults (不抓辫子), not labeling people (不戴帽子), and not using the big stick (不打棍子), intended to encourage free discussion in ideological and theoretical work. and guiding the Party in re-establishing the Marxist ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts.

在粉碎“四人帮”之后“徘徊中前进”的两年间，由反对和抵制“两个凡是”而引发的关于真理标准问题的讨论，成为党的思想理论战线和宣传思想文化工作的一个鲜明主题。邓小平坚持以马克思主义唯物史观为指导，支持并推进这一讨论，将思想解放统一于“实践是检验真理的唯一标准”之中，推动了具有重大意义的拨乱反正，指导党重新确立解放思想、实事求是的马克思主义思想路线。

(1) Opposing and Resisting the Erroneous Policy of the “Two Whatevers”

（一）反对和抵制“两个凡是”的错误方针

The smashing of the “Gang of Four” ended the “Cultural Revolution” [6]6 “One central task, two basic points” (一个中心、两个基本点) is the Party’s basic line for the primary stage of socialism: taking economic construction as the central task, and upholding the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening up as the two basic points.. However, the proposal of the “two whatevers” policy during this period actually persisted in the errors of the “Cultural Revolution” and hindered the work of bringing order out of chaos. Because this policy did not conform to the requirements of the development of the Party and the state’s cause and violated the basic principles of Marxism, it was naturally met with resolute opposition and resistance from those who adhered to the Marxist standpoint. In the earlier 1975 rectification [7]7 The “three steps” (三步走) strategy, formulated under Deng Xiaoping, set goals for China’s modernization: first, doubling the 1980 GNP and ensuring adequate food and clothing by 1990; second, quadrupling the 1980 GNP and reaching a moderately prosperous level by the end of the 20th century; third, reaching the level of moderately developed countries by the middle of the 21st century., Deng Xiaoping, regarding how to propagate Mao Zedong Thought, had already pointed out in response to problems such as “vulgarizing Mao Zedong Thought” and “truncating Mao Zedong Thought”: “Mao Zedong Thought has rich content and is a complete system”; “how can one seize upon one or two sentences, one or two viewpoints, and propagate them one-sidedly?” He emphasized: “Mao Zedong Thought is closely linked to practice in every field, closely linked to the policies, principles, and methods of work in every aspect; we must study, propagate, and implement it comprehensively.”

粉碎“四人帮”，结束了“文化大革命”。但这一时期“两个凡是”方针的提出，实际上坚持了“文化大革命”的错误，阻碍了拨乱反正的进行。因这一方针不符合党和国家事业的发展要求，违背马克思主义的基本原理，理所当然地受到坚持马克思主义立场者的坚决反对和抵制。在此之前的1975年整顿中，邓小平在怎样宣传毛泽东思想上，就曾针对“把毛泽东思想庸俗化”“割裂毛泽东思想”等问题明确指出：“毛泽东思想有丰富的内容，是完整的一套”，“怎么能够抓住一两句话，一两个观点，就片面地进行宣传呢？”他强调：“毛泽东思想紧密联系着各个领域的实践，紧密联系着各个方面工作的方针、政策和方法，我们一定要全面地学习、宣传和实行”。

The power of truth is always irresistible. On April 10, 1977, on the eve of his return to work, Deng Xiaoping stated in a letter to the Party Central Committee: “We must guide our entire Party, army, and people with accurate and complete Mao Zedong Thought from generation to generation, and victoriously advance the cause of the Party and socialism, and the cause of the international communist movement.” On May 3, the Party Central Committee forwarded this letter to the county-regimental level, affirming Deng Xiaoping’s opinion. On May 24, Deng Xiaoping spoke with Wang Zhen and Deng Liqun [8]8 The Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC was held in June 1981. The “Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China” was a landmark document that officially assessed Mao Zedong’s role and the Cultural Revolution, aiming to unify the Party after the tumultuous Maoist era., mentioning in the conversation that two leading comrades from the Central Committee’s General Office had visited him a few days earlier. Deng Xiaoping said: “I told them, the ‘two whatevers’ won’t work.” He further explained based on the actual work situation at the time: “According to the ‘two whatevers,’ it is impossible to justify the rehabilitation of my case, nor to justify the affirmation that the masses’ activities in Tiananmen Square in 1976 were ‘reasonable.’” He also addressed the epistemological error of the “two whatevers” from a philosophical height and in a theoretical sense, emphasizing: “Taking what Comrade Mao said on one issue and applying it to another, taking what he said in one place and applying it to another, taking what he said at one time and applying it to another, taking what he said under one condition and applying it to another—this won’t do!” “That every word a person says is correct, that a person is absolutely right—there is no such thing.” He pointed out: “This is an important theoretical issue, an issue of whether one adheres to historical materialism. A thoroughgoing materialist should approach this issue as Comrade Mao did. Marx and Engels never said ‘whatever,’ Lenin and Stalin never said ‘whatever,’ and Comrade Mao himself never said ‘whatever.’” Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “Mao Zedong Thought is a system of thought. To hold high the banner, we must study and apply this system of thought.” From July 16 to 21, the Third Plenary Session of the Tenth Central Committee [9]9 The “Cultural Revolution” (1966–1976) was a massive political and social movement launched by Mao Zedong, later officially condemned by the CPC as a period of severe internal turmoil and error. was held, unanimously adopting a resolution restoring all of Deng Xiaoping’

真理的力量总是不可抗拒的。1977年4月10日，复出前夕的邓小平在致党中央的信中提出：“我们必须世世代代地用准确的完整的毛泽东思想来指导我们全党、全军和全国人民，把党和社会主义的事业，把国际共产主义运动的事业，胜利地推向前进”。5月3日，党中央将这封信转发至县团级，对邓小平的这一意见给予了肯定。5月24日，邓小平同王震和邓力群谈话，在谈话中提到前些日子中央办公厅两位负责同志来看他的事情。邓小平说：“我对他们讲，‘两个凡是’不行。”他根据当时的工作实际对此进一步阐明：“按照‘两个凡是’，就说不通为我平反的问题，也说不通肯定一九七六年广大群众在天安门广场的活动‘合乎情理’的问题”。他还就“两个凡是”所犯的认识论错误，站在哲学高度，从理论意义上强调：“把毛泽东同志在这个问题上讲的移到另外的问题上，在这个地点讲的移到另外的地点，在这个时间讲的移到另外的时间，在这个条件下讲的移到另外的条件下，这样做，不行嘛！”“一个人讲的每句话都对，一个人绝对正确，没有这回事情。”他指出：“这是个重要的理论问题，是个是否坚持历史唯物主义的问题。彻底的唯物主义者，应该像毛泽东同志说的那样对待这个问题。马克思、恩格斯没有说过‘凡是’，列宁、斯大林没有说过‘凡是’，毛泽东同志自己也没有说过‘凡是’。”邓小平强调：“毛泽东思想是个思想体系。我们要高举旗帜，就是要学习和运用这个思想体系。”7月16—21日，党的十届三中全会召开，一致通过了恢复邓小平党内外一切职务的决议。9月19日，邓小平在《教育战线的拨乱反正问题》中强调：“我们要准确地完整地理解毛泽东思想的体系。”“毛泽东同志在延安为中央党校题词，就是‘实事求是’四个大字，这是毛泽东哲学思想的精髓。”邓小平认识和把握毛泽东思想的立场、观点和方法，实际上为此后开展的关于真理标准问题的讨论提供了正确方向和有力思想武器。

(2) Supporting and Leading the Discussion on the Criterion of Truth

（二）支持和领导开展关于真理标准问题的讨论

As people opposed and resisted the erroneous "two whatevers" [1]1 The “two whatevers” (两个凡是) refers to the slogan “We firmly uphold whatever policy decisions Chairman Mao made, and we unswervingly follow whatever instructions Chairman Mao gave,” which was advanced in early 1977 and became a conservative ideological line that hindered the critique of the Cultural Revolution and the restoration of pragmatic policies. policy, the understanding of historical and theoretical issues of right and wrong increasingly revolved around the criterion of truth in a philosophical sense. On May 10, 1978, Issue No. 60 of *Theoretical Trends*, an internal publication of the Central Party School of the CPC, published "Practice Is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth." The following day, *Guangming Daily* republished this article under the byline of its special commentator. The article fully demonstrated the truth of this scientific proposition from the perspectives that "only social practice can be the criterion for testing truth," "the unity of theory and practice is one of the most fundamental principles of Marxism," and "any theory must constantly be tested by practice." It answered the question of the criterion of truth, negated the viewpoint of the "two whatevers," and sparked strong repercussions nationwide, triggering a discussion on the criterion of truth. Thereafter, major newspapers and periodicals across the country published a large number of articles on this topic.

随着人们对“两个凡是”错误方针的反对和抵制，关于历史和理论是非问题的认识越来越从哲学意义上围绕真理标准问题而展开。1978年5月10日，中共中央党校内部刊物《理论动态》第60期发表了《实践是检验真理的唯一标准》。次日，《光明日报》以本报特约评论员的署名转发了这篇文章。该文从“检验真理的标准只能是社会实践”“理论与实践的统一，是马克思主义的一个最基本的原则” “任何理论都要不断接受实践的检验”等方面，充分论证了这一科学命题的真理性，回答了真理标准问题，否定了“两个凡是”的观点，并在全国范围内引起强烈反响，引发了一场关于真理标准问题的讨论。此后，全国各地主要报刊刊登了大量这方面的文章。

Regarding the thesis that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, there were initially many voices of opposition, among which was the claim that it was "chopping down the banner" [2]2 “Set-brightness” (拨乱反正) is a four-character idiom meaning to bring order out of chaos; in CPC historical usage it refers specifically to the post-1978 correction of the errors of the Cultural Revolution and the restoration of the Party’s correct line., which was rampant for a time and highly representative. Deng Xiaoping took this very seriously, saying, "It further aroused my interest and attention." On June 2, 1978, when criticizing the erroneous "two whatevers" policy at the All-Army Political Work Conference, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: "Whether what we say and do can solve problems, and whether the problems are solved correctly, hinges on whether we can integrate theory with practice, whether we are adept at summing up experience, and whether we adopt an attitude of seeking truth from facts and proceed from reality in all matters." Seeking truth from facts, proceeding from reality in all matters, and integrating theory with practice—these are the fundamental footholds for the Party's continuous advancement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.

对于实践是检验真理的唯一标准这一论点，起初反对的声音不少，其中就有一种“砍旗”之说，一时甚嚣尘上，很有代表性。邓小平对此非常重视，他说：“进一步引起我的兴趣和注意”。1978年6月2日，邓小平在全军政治工作会议上批评“两个凡是”错误方针时指出：“我们说的做的究竟能不能解决问题，问题解决得是不是正确，关键在于我们是否能够理论联系实际，是否善于总结经验，针对客观现实，采取实事求是的态度，一切从实际出发。”实事求是，一切从实际出发，理论与实践相结合，这是党不断推进马克思主义中国化的根本立足点。

(3) Guiding the Party to Re-establish the Marxist Ideological Line

（三）指导党重新确立马克思主义思想路线

The discussion on the criterion of truth was in essence a debate on whether to emancipate the mind. To emancipate the mind means to bring thought into conformity with reality, to bring the subjective into conformity with the objective, and that is seeking truth from facts. On 16 September 1978, Deng Xiaoping pointed out in “Hold High the Banner of Mao Zedong Thought and Adhere to the Principle of Seeking Truth from Facts”: “How to hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought is a major question.” To proceed according to the “two whatevers”[1]1 The “two whatevers” (两个凡是) refers to the slogan “We firmly uphold whatever policy decisions Chairman Mao made, and we unswervingly follow whatever instructions Chairman Mao gave,” which was advanced in early 1977 and became a conservative ideological line that hindered the critique of the Cultural Revolution and the restoration of pragmatic policies. would “damage Mao Zedong Thought.” “The basic point of Mao Zedong Thought is seeking truth from facts, that is, the integration of the universal principles of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution.” He said: “The reason Comrade Mao Zedong was great and was able to lead the Chinese revolution to victory was, in the final analysis, precisely this.” “When we hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought, we must, in every period and when handling all matters of policy and principle, insist on proceeding from reality.” He pointed out: “The so-called question that theory must be tested through practice is also such a question. That such a question still provokes debate today shows how ossified thinking has become.” To violate the thinking of seeking truth from facts and the principles of dialectical materialism and historical materialism is in fact a reflection of idealism and metaphysics. He said: “The world changes every day, new things constantly emerge, and new problems constantly arise. It will not do for us to shut our doors; if we never use our brains, we will forever lag behind.” On 13 December, Deng Xiaoping delivered the report “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” at the closing session of the Central Work Conference held before the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC. On the question of the future and destiny of the Party and the state, he pointed out sharply: “If a party, a country, or a nation starts from dogma, ossifies its thinking, and allows superstition to prevail, it can make no progress, its vitality will cease, and it will perish as a party and as a nation.” He stressed that only by emancipating the mind, adhering to seeking truth from facts, proceeding from reality in everything, and linking theory with practice can the socialist modernization drive proceed smoothly and the Party’s theory of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought develop smoothly. The debate on the criterion of truth was indeed a question of the ideological line, a political question, a question bearing on the future and destiny of the Party and the state.

关于真理标准问题的讨论，实际上是要不要解放思想的争论。解放思想，就是要使思想和实际相符合，使主观和客观相符合，就是实事求是。1978年9月16日，邓小平在《高举毛泽东思想旗帜，坚持实事求是的原则》中指出：“怎么样高举毛泽东思想旗帜，是个大问题”，按照“两个凡是”搞下去，“要损害毛泽东思想”，“毛泽东思想的基本点就是实事求是，就是把马列主义的普遍原理同中国革命的具体实践相结合”。他说：“毛泽东同志所以伟大，能把中国革命引导到胜利，归根到底，就是靠这个”，“我们高举毛泽东思想的旗帜，就要在每一时期，处理各种方针政策问题时，都坚持从实际出发。”他指出：“所谓理论要通过实践来检验，也是这样一个问题。现在对这样的问题还要引起争论，可见思想僵化。”违反实事求是的思想，违反辩证唯物主义、历史唯物主义的原理，实际上是唯心主义和形而上学的反映。他说：“世界天天发生变化，新的事物不断出现，新的问题不断出现，我们关起门来不行，不动脑筋永远陷于落后不行。”12月13日，邓小平在党的十一届三中全会前召开的中央工作会议闭幕会上作《解放思想，实事求是，团结一致向前看》的报告，在党和国家前途命运问题上鲜明指出：“一个党，一个国家，一个民族，如果一切从本本出发，思想僵化，迷信盛行，那它就不能前进，它的生机就停止了，就要亡党亡国。”他强调，只有解放思想，坚持实事求是，一切从实际出发，理论联系实际，社会主义现代化建设才能顺利进行，党的马列主义、毛泽东思想的理论也才能顺利发展。关于真理标准问题的争论，的确是个思想路线问题，是个政治问题，是个关系到党和国家的前途和命运的问题。

It was precisely through the discussion on the question that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth that the Chinese Communist Party clearly resolved the question of the Party’s ideological line, and restored and developed the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, linking theory with practice, and proceeding from reality in everything. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “This is very important.” Historically, this discussion provided the theoretical preparation for the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC and had major and far-reaching significance for rectifying the ideological line and correcting the long-standing personality cult and dogmatism. The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC enabled the Party to re-establish the Marxist ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts. Later, on 25 December 1980, in a speech at the Central Work Conference of the CPC Central Committee, Deng Xiaoping summarized the discussion on the criterion of truth, pointing out that this discussion “has played an enormous role in promoting a series of reforms in the political, economic, organizational and other fields in recent years, and in enabling us to achieve remarkable results on all fronts.” This shows that the discussion on the criterion of truth promoted the emancipation of the mind, upheld seeking truth from facts, and enabled the Party to re-establish the Marxist ideological line. It not only clearly opposed the erroneous view of the “two whatevers,” but also provided the fundamental ideological and theoretical basis for the Party to promote all-round rectification and set-brightness[2]2 “Set-brightness” (拨乱反正) is a four-character idiom meaning to bring order out of chaos; in CPC historical usage it refers specifically to the post-1978 correction of the errors of the Cultural Revolution and the restoration of the Party’s correct line. in various fields, to make the major decision to implement reform and opening up, and to ensure that all Party and state undertakings developed in the correct direction.

中国共产党正是通过实践是检验真理唯一标准问题的讨论，明确解决了党的思想路线问题，重新恢复和发展了实事求是、理论联系实际、一切从实际出发的思想路线。邓小平指出：“这是很重要的”。历史地看，这场讨论为党的十一届三中全会作了理论准备，对于端正思想路线、纠正长期存在的个人崇拜和教条主义具有重大与深远的意义。党的十一届三中全会使党重新确立了解放思想、实事求是的马克思主义思想路线。之后，1980年12月25日，邓小平在中共中央工作会议的讲话中，概括总结关于真理标准问题的讨论，指出：这场讨论“对于我们这几年来在政治、经济、组织等各方面进行一系列改革，对于我们在各条战线上取得显著成绩，起了极大的推动作用”。由此表明，关于真理标准问题的讨论，促进解放思想，坚持实事求是，使党重新确立了马克思主义思想路线，不仅旗帜鲜明地反对“两个凡是”的错误观点，而且为党推动各方面的拨乱反正，做出实行改革开放的重大决策，为党和国家各项事业朝着正确方向发展提供了根本思想理论基础。

II. Profoundly Elucidating the Fundamental Political and Ideological Prerequisite for Achieving the Four Modernizations, and Promoting and Strengthening Propaganda and Education on the Four Cardinal Principles

二、深刻阐明实现四个现代化在思想政治上的根本前提，推动加强坚持四项基本原则宣传教育

The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC decided to shift the focus of the work of the Party and the state to socialist modernization, made the major decision to implement reform and opening up, and achieved a great turning point of far-reaching significance in the Party’s history. At the beginning of reform and opening up, facing the great practice of achieving the four modernizations and the complex situation on the ideological and theoretical front, Deng Xiaoping clearly put forward the Four Cardinal Principles[3]3 The Four Cardinal Principles (四项基本原则) are: keeping to the socialist road, upholding the dictatorship of the proletariat, upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and upholding Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. They were formally articulated by Deng Xiaoping in March 1979. as the fundamental prerequisite for achieving the four modernizations, stressed the need to adhere to taking economic construction as the central task, adhere to the Four Cardinal Principles, and adhere to reform and opening up, and led the formulation of the Party’s basic line for the primary stage of socialism. This basic line has long-term and overall guiding significance for realizing the general tasks and general goals of the Party in the primary stage of socialism.

党的十一届三中全会确定把党和国家工作重点转移到社会主义现代化建设上来，做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。改革开放之初，面对实现四个现代化的伟大实践和思想理论战线的复杂局面，邓小平鲜明提出坚持四项基本原则这一实现四个现代化的根本前提，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，领导制定了党在社会主义初级阶段的基本路线。这一基本路线对实现党在社会主义初级阶段的总任务和总目标，具有长远的全局性的指导意义。

In order to sum up the experiences and lessons of the theoretical propaganda front, unify thinking, and at the same time study the fundamental tasks of theoretical propaganda work after the shift in the focus of the Party’s work, the Party’s Theoretical Work Conference was held in Beijing from 18 January to 3 April 1979. In the draft speech prepared for this conference, Deng Xiaoping, in response to the tendency toward bourgeois liberalization that had emerged both inside and outside the Party, clearly put forward the “four upholds,”[4]4 The “four upholds” (四个坚持) is an alternative shorthand for the Four Cardinal Principles, used here in Deng’s draft speech. holding that adhering to the socialist road, adhering to the dictatorship of the proletariat, adhering to the leadership of the Party, and adhering to the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought “should now be discussed.” He pointed out that the ideological and theoretical circles should have a guiding ideology. The guiding ideology and central task of theoretical work should be to guide people to look forward. On 30 March, Deng Xiaoping delivered the speech “Uphold the Four Cardinal Principles” at the conference, stressing the need to emancipate the mind, use our brains, seek truth from facts, and unite as one in looking to the future. He said: “Now we must still unswervingly implement this policy. The important thing is to proceed from reality, closely integrate with the current situation and tasks, and further propagate and implement this policy.” He pointed out that in terms of the political and ideological direction, “we have basically returned to the correct track of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, and we will forever advance along this track.” Regarding the main task for the current period and for a considerable historical period to come, he stressed that it is “to engage in modernization. Whether we can achieve the four modernizations determines the destiny of our country and our nation. Under the actual conditions in China, doing a good job of the four socialist modernizations is to uphold Marxism and to hold high the great banner of Mao Zedong Thought.” Otherwise, not to grasp the four modernizations, not to proceed from this reality, is to depart from Marxism and to engage in empty talk about Marxism.

为总结理论宣传战线的经验和教训，统一思想，同时研究全党工作重点转移后理论宣传工作的根本任务，党的理论工作务虚会于1979年1月18日至4月3日在京召开。邓小平在为这次会议准备的讲话稿中，就针对党内和社会上出现的资产阶级自由化倾向，明确提出“四个坚持”，认为坚持社会主义道路，坚持无产阶级专政，坚持党的领导，坚持马列主义、毛泽东思想的基本原理“现在该讲了”。他指出，思想理论界应有一个主导思想。理论工作的主导思想、中心任务是要引导人们向前看。3月30日，邓小平在会上发表了《坚持四项基本原则》的讲话，强调要解放思想，开动脑筋，实事求是，团结一致向前看。他说：“现在还是要坚定不移地执行这个方针。重要的是，要从实际出发，密切结合当前的形势和任务，进一步宣传和贯彻这个方针。”他指出，在思想政治方向方面，“我们已经基本上回到马列主义、毛泽东思想的正确轨道上来，我们将永远沿着这个轨道前进”。关于当前以及今后相当长一个历史时期的主要任务，他强调就是“搞现代化建设。能否实现四个现代化，决定着我们国家的命运、民族的命运。在中国的现实条件下，搞好社会主义的四个现代化，就是坚持马克思主义，就是高举毛泽东思想伟大旗帜”。否则，不抓住四个现代化，不从这个实际出发，就是脱离马克思主义，就是空谈马克思主义。

To achieve the four modernizations, it is necessary to uphold the Four Cardinal Principles politically and ideologically. This is the fundamental prerequisite for achieving the four modernizations. Deng Xiaoping pointed out that these Four Cardinal Principles are not something new; they are what the Party has consistently upheld for a long time. He stressed: “Socialist modernization is the biggest political task at present, because it represents the greatest and most fundamental interests of the people. Now, every Party member, every League member, and every patriotic citizen must, under the unified leadership of the Party and the government, overcome all difficulties and do everything possible to contribute all their strength to achieving the four modernizations.” At that time, a very small number of people in society were spreading ideas that doubted or opposed these Four Cardinal Principles, and a few comrades within the Party not only failed to recognize the danger of this trend of thought but even directly or indirectly supported it to some extent. Although these people were a very small minority both inside and outside the Party, facts proved that they could and already had caused great harm to the cause of the Party and the state. In response, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “We cannot ignore their role just because they are a very small minority.” “It is very necessary to emphasize the propagation of these Four Cardinal Principles.” He also focused on “criticizing the trend of thought that doubts or opposes the Four Cardinal Principles from the right,” and elaborated in depth on why the Four Cardinal Principles must be upheld.

实现四个现代化，必须在思想政治上坚持四项基本原则。这是实现四个现代化的根本前提。邓小平指出，这四项基本原则并不是新的东西，是党长期以来所一贯坚持的。他强调：“社会主义现代化建设是我们当前最大的政治，因为它代表着人民的最大的利益、最根本的利益。现在，每一个党员、团员，每一个爱国的公民，都必须在党和政府的统一领导下，克服一切困难，千方百计地为实现四个现代化贡献出一切力量。”当时，社会上有极少数人正在散布怀疑或反对这四项基本原则的思潮，而党内也有个别同志不但不承认这种思潮的危险，甚至直接间接地加以某种程度的支持。虽然这几种人在党内外都是极少数，但事实证明，他们不但可以而且已经对党和国家的事业造成很大的危害。对此，邓小平指出：“不能因为他们是极少数而忽视他们的作用”，“有很大的必要来强调宣传这四项基本原则”。他还着重“对从右面来怀疑或反对四项基本原则的思潮进行一些批判”，分别就为什么坚持四项基本原则进行了深入阐述。

The inevitability and core essence of upholding the Four Cardinal Principles. On the necessity of upholding the socialist road, Deng Xiaoping stressed that the claim that socialism is inferior to capitalism must be thoroughly refuted. Only socialism can save China; the fact that socialist China is still behind developed capitalist countries in economic, technological, and cultural terms is not caused by the socialist system but, fundamentally, by the history before liberation, by imperialism and feudalism. He stressed that progressive and beneficial elements in capitalist countries should be introduced to the people, especially the youth, while reactionary and decadent elements in capitalist countries should be criticized. On the necessity of upholding the dictatorship of the proletariat, Deng Xiaoping stressed that we have already done a great deal of propaganda to explain that the dictatorship of the proletariat is, for the people, socialist democracy, “the most extensive democracy in history.” Without democracy there is no socialism, and there is no socialist modernization. The more socialism develops, the more democracy develops. He stressed: “Without the dictatorship of the proletariat, we cannot defend, let alone build, socialism.” On the necessity of upholding the leadership of the Communist Party, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that in today’s China, “one should by no means extol the spontaneity of the masses while departing from the Party’s leadership. It is true that the Party’s leadership is not free from error, and how the Party can maintain close ties with the masses and exercise correct and effective leadership is still a problem that must be seriously considered and diligently solved. But this can never become a reason for demanding that the Party’s leadership be weakened or abolished.” On the necessity of upholding Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping stressed that we must grasp the scientific system of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought in a complete and accurate manner; we must proceed from reality and seek truth from facts. He pointed out: “Mao Zedong Thought was the banner of the Chinese revolution in the past and will forever be the banner of China’s socialist cause and the cause of opposing hegemonism. We will forever march forward holding high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought.” He also warned: “Every Communist Party member, let alone every Party ideological and theoretical worker, must not waver in the slightest on this fundamental stand. If any one of these Four Cardinal Principles is shaken, the entire socialist cause and the entire cause of modernization will be shaken.” He pointed out: “Marxist ideological and theoretical work cannot be divorced from actual politics”; “it is inconceivable that one could become a Marxist thinker or theorist without studying the overall political situation, without studying the actual development of the revolutionary struggle.” To emancipate the mind is to use the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought to deeply study the new situations and new problems encountered in China’s realization of the Four Modernizations and to produce answers of great guiding significance. Deng Xiaoping stressed: “This will be a major contribution of our ideological and theoretical workers to Marxism, a true holding high of the banner of Mao Zedong Thought.” Realizing the Four Modernizations is a multifaceted, complex, and arduous task. Deng Xiaoping profoundly elucidated theoretical issues such as the basic contradictions of socialist society and the principal contradiction of the current period, stressing that, in any case, the study and discussion of ideological and theoretical issues must resolutely implement the policy of letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend, must resolutely implement the policy of the “Three Don’ts” [5]5 The “Three Don’ts” (三不主义) refers to the policy of not seizing on others’ faults (不抓辫子), not labeling people (不戴帽子), and not using the big stick (不打棍子), intended to encourage free discussion in ideological and theoretical work. — don’t seize on others’ faults, don’t label people, don’t use the big stick — and must resolutely implement the policy of emancipating the mind, breaking with superstition, and proceeding from reality in everything.

坚持四项基本原则的必然性和核心要义。在必须坚持社会主义道路上，邓小平强调，一定要彻底驳倒所谓社会主义不如资本主义的言论。只有社会主义才能救中国；社会主义的中国在经济、技术、文化等方面现在还不如发达的资本主义国家，这不是社会主义制度造成的，从根本上说，是解放以前的历史造成的，是帝国主义和封建主义造成的。他强调，要向人民特别是青年介绍资本主义国家中进步和有益的东西，批判资本主义国家中反动和腐朽的东西。在必须坚持无产阶级专政上，邓小平强调，我们已经作了大量的宣传，说明无产阶级专政对于人民来说就是社会主义民主，“是历史上最广泛的民主”。没有民主就没有社会主义，就没有社会主义的现代化。社会主义愈发展，民主也愈发展。他强调：“没有无产阶级专政，我们就不可能保卫从而也不可能建设社会主义。”在必须坚持共产党的领导上，邓小平指出，在今天的中国，“决不应该离开党的领导而歌颂群众的自发性。党的领导当然不会没有错误，而党如何才能密切联系群众，实施正确的和有效的领导，也还是一个必须认真考虑和努力解决的问题，但是这决不能成为要求削弱和取消党的领导的理由”。在必须坚持马列主义、毛泽东思想上，邓小平强调，要坚持完整地准确地掌握马列主义、毛泽东思想的科学体系；坚持从实际出发，实事求是。他指出：“毛泽东思想过去是中国革命的旗帜，今后将永远是中国社会主义事业和反霸权主义事业的旗帜，我们将永远高举毛泽东思想的旗帜前进。”他还告诫说：“每个共产党员，更不必说每个党的思想理论工作者，决不允许在这个根本立场上有丝毫动摇。如果动摇了这四项基本原则中的任何一项，那就动摇了整个社会主义事业，整个现代化建设事业”。他指出：“马克思主义的思想理论工作是不能离开现实政治的”，“不能设想，离开政治的大局，不研究政治的大局，不估计革命斗争的实际发展，能成为一个马克思主义的思想家、理论家”。解放思想，就是要运用马列主义、毛泽东思想的基本原理，深入研究中国实现四个现代化所遇到的新情况、新问题，并且做出有重大指导意义的答案。邓小平强调“这将是我们思想理论工作者对马克思主义的重大贡献，对毛泽东思想旗帜的真正高举”。实现四个现代化是一项多方面的复杂繁重的任务。邓小平深刻阐明社会主义社会的基本矛盾和目前时期的主要矛盾等理论问题，强调无论如何，思想理论问题的研究和讨论，一定要坚决执行百花齐放、百家争鸣的方针，一定要坚决执行不抓辫子、不戴帽子、不打棍子的“三不主义”的方针，一定要坚决执行解放思想、破除迷信、一切从实际出发的方针。

Deng Xiaoping promoted the strengthening of propaganda and education on the Four Cardinal Principles. Upholding the Four Cardinal Principles requires opposing bourgeois liberalization and erroneous ideological tendencies. The Four Cardinal Principles first require upholding socialism. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “If we do not uphold socialism, what stability and unity can there be, and what socialist Four Modernizations can there be?” “The core of these Four Upholds is upholding the Party’s leadership.” He stressed: “The Party cannot be separated from the people, and the people cannot be separated from the Party. This is something no force can change.” “These Four Cardinal Principles must be upheld, no one is allowed to shake them, and they must be confirmed in appropriate legal forms.” Regarding propaganda work in a certain period, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “Our propaganda work still has serious shortcomings, mainly in that it has not actively, confidently, and persuasively propagated the Four Cardinal Principles, and has not waged a powerful struggle against some serious erroneous ideas that oppose the Four Cardinal Principles.” He said: “The core of bourgeois liberalization is opposing the Party’s leadership, and without the Party’s leadership there would be no socialist system. In dealing with these problems, we cannot go down the old path again, we cannot engage in any more political movements, but we must certainly wield the weapon of criticism well.” Without the Party’s leadership and without socialism, China has no future. He pointed out: “There is nothing wrong with the Four Upholds themselves. If there is any mistake, it is that we have not been consistent enough in upholding the Four Cardinal Principles, and have not used them as a basic idea to educate the people, to educate students, to educate all cadres and Party members.” On the issue of opposing erroneous ideological tendencies, Deng Xiaoping stressed the need to strengthen propaganda and education on upholding the Four Cardinal Principles, to write more articles on this subject; to criticize “Left” erroneous ideas, and also to criticize Right erroneous ideas.

邓小平推动加强坚持四项基本原则宣传教育。坚持四项基本原则，必须反对资产阶级自由化和错误思想倾向问题。四项基本原则首先要求坚持社会主义。邓小平指出：“不坚持社会主义，还有什么安定团结，还有什么社会主义的四个现代化？”“这四个坚持的核心，是坚持党的领导。”他强调：“党离不开人民，人民也离不开党，这不是任何力量所能够改变的”，“对于这四项基本原则，必须坚持，绝不允许任何人加以动摇，并且要用适当的法律形式加以确定”。针对一定时期的宣传工作，邓小平指出：“我们的宣传工作还存在严重缺点，主要是没有积极主动、理直气壮而又有说服力地宣传四项基本原则，对一些反对四项基本原则的严重错误思想没有进行有力的斗争”。他说：“资产阶级自由化的核心就是反对党的领导，而没有党的领导也就不会有社会主义制度。对待这些问题，我们不能再走老路，不能再搞什么政治运动，但一定要掌握好批评的武器”。中国没有共产党的领导、不搞社会主义是没有前途的。他指出：“四个坚持本身没有错，如果说有错误的话，就是坚持四项基本原则还不够一贯，没有把它作为基本思想来教育人民，教育学生，教育全体干部和共产党员。”邓小平在反对错误思想倾向问题上，强调要加强坚持四项基本原则的宣传、教育，要多写这方面的文章；要批判“左”的错误思想，也要批判右的错误思想。

Marxism scientifically reveals the laws of human social development and profoundly elucidates that the inevitable replacement of capitalism by socialism is an irreversible general trend in human social development. From January 18 to February 21, 1992, during his Southern Tour Talks, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “I firmly believe that people in the world who approve of Marxism will increase, because Marxism is a science. It uses historical materialism to reveal the laws of human social development. Feudalism replaced slave society, capitalism replaced feudalism, and after a long process of development, socialism will inevitably replace capitalism. This is an irreversible general trend in social and historical development, but the road is tortuous.” He also pointed out, regarding the serious setbacks in some countries at that time: “Socialism seems to have been weakened, but the people have been tempered, have learned lessons from it, and this will promote the development of socialism in a healthier direction. Therefore, do not panic, do not think that Marxism has disappeared, is useless, has failed. There is no such thing!” Earlier, in April 1987, Deng Xiaoping had pointed out: Opposing bourgeois liberalization means “ensuring that China’s socialist system does not change, ensuring that the entire policy does not change, the policy of opening up internally and opening up externally does not change.” “If all these change, there will be no hope of achieving our goal of reaching a moderately prosperous level by the end of this century and reaching the level of moderately developed countries by the middle of the next century.” Upholding the Four Cardinal Principles is fundamentally opposed to bourgeois liberalization.

马克思主义科学揭示人类社会发展规律，深刻阐明社会主义必然代替资本主义是人类社会发展不可逆转的总趋势。1992年1月18日至2月21日，邓小平在南方谈话中指出：“我坚信，世界上赞成马克思主义的人会多起来的，因为马克思主义是科学。它运用历史唯物主义揭示了人类社会发展的规律。封建社会代替奴隶社会，资本主义代替封建主义，社会主义经历一个长过程发展后必然代替资本主义。这是社会历史发展不可逆转的总趋势，但道路是曲折的。”他还针对当时一些国家出现严重曲折，指出：“社会主义好像被削弱了，但人民经受锻炼，从中吸收教训，将促使社会主义向着更加健康的方向发展。因此，不要惊慌失措，不要认为马克思主义就消失了，没用了，失败了。哪有这回事！”之前，邓小平在1987年4月就曾指出：反对资产阶级自由化，就是“要保证中国的社会主义制度不变，保证整个政策不变，对内开放、对外开放的政策不变”。“如果这些都变了，我们要在本世纪末达到小康水平、在下世纪中叶达到中等发达国家水平的目标就没有希望了。”坚持四项基本原则，同资产阶级自由化是根本对立的。

Upholding the Four Cardinal Principles in the political and ideological sphere is the fundamental prerequisite for realizing the Four Modernizations and is the foundation of the nation. Without upholding the Four Cardinal Principles, there is no root, no direction, and it is impossible to talk about implementing the Party’s ideological line. Under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Party combined upholding the Four Cardinal Principles with taking economic construction as the center and upholding reform and opening up, established the Party’s basic line for the primary stage of socialism — “one central task, two basic points” [6]6 “One central task, two basic points” (一个中心、两个基本点) is the Party’s basic line for the primary stage of socialism: taking economic construction as the central task, and upholding the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening up as the two basic points. — formulated the development strategy of taking “three steps” [7]7 The “three steps” (三步走) strategy, formulated under Deng Xiaoping, set goals for China’s modernization: first, doubling the 1980 GNP and ensuring adequate food and clothing by 1990; second, quadrupling the 1980 GNP and reaching a moderately prosperous level by the end of the 20th century; third, reaching the level of moderately developed countries by the middle of the 21st century. to basically achieve socialist modernization by the middle of the 21st century, and successfully initiated socialism with Chinese characteristics.

在思想政治上坚持四项基本原则是实现四个现代化的根本前提，是立国之本。离开坚持四项基本原则，就没有根，没有方向，也就谈不上贯彻党的思想路线。在邓小平理论指导下，党将坚持四项基本原则同坚持以经济建设为中心、坚持改革开放结合起来，确立了党的“一个中心、两个基本点”的社会主义初级阶段基本路线，制定了到21世纪中叶分“三步走”、基本实现社会主义现代化的发展战略，成功开创了中国特色社会主义。

III. Scientifically Summarizing the Party’s Historical Experience Since the Founding of New China, Promoting Unity of Thought Throughout the Party

三、科学总结新中国成立以来党的历史经验，推动全党统一思想

The cause of the Party and the state always advances on the basis of continually summing up historical experience. On the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Party adopted the “Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China” (hereinafter referred to as the “Resolution”). [8]8 The Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC was held in June 1981. The “Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China” was a landmark document that officially assessed Mao Zedong’s role and the Cultural Revolution, aiming to unify the Party after the tumultuous Maoist era. Applying Marxist dialectical materialism and historical materialism, the Resolution correctly summed up the major historical events of the Party in the 32 years since the founding of New China, especially the “Cultural Revolution,” [9]9 The “Cultural Revolution” (1966–1976) was a massive political and social movement launched by Mao Zedong, later officially condemned by the CPC as a period of severe internal turmoil and error. scientifically analyzed the correctness and errors of the Party’s guiding ideology in these events, analyzed the subjective factors and social causes of the errors, evaluated Mao Zedong’s historical status in a manner of seeking truth from facts, and fully expounded the great significance of Mao Zedong Thought as the Party’s guiding ideology. The Resolution affirmed the correct path, gradually established since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, [10]10 The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, held in December 1978, is widely regarded as the historic turning point that launched China’s reform and opening-up policy under Deng Xiaoping’s leadership. of building a powerful modern socialist country suited to China’s conditions, and further indicated the direction for the continued advance of China’s socialist cause and the Party’s work. Deng Xiaoping presided over the drafting of this Resolution, and through summing up the Party’s historical experience, it had a profound impact on unifying the thinking of the entire Party.

党和国家事业总是在不断总结历史经验的基础上向前发展的。在中国共产党成立60周年之际，党的十一届六中全会通过了《关于建国以来党的若干历史问题的决议》（以下简称《决议》）。《决议》运用马克思主义的辩证唯物论和历史唯物主义，对新中国成立以来32年党的重大历史事件特别是“文化大革命”做出了正确的总结，科学分析了在这些事件中党的指导思想的正确和错误，分析了产生错误的主观因素和社会原因，实事求是地评价了毛泽东的历史地位，充分论述了毛泽东思想作为党的指导思想的伟大意义。《决议》肯定了党的十一届三中全会以来逐步确立的适合我国国情的建设社会主义现代化强国的正确道路，进一步指明了我国社会主义事业和党的工作继续前进的方向。邓小平主持起草了这一《决议》，通过总结党的历史经验，对统一全党思想产生了深远的影响。

Scientifically evaluating Mao Zedong’s historical status and the scientific system of Mao Zedong Thought, and establishing the correct path for China’s socialist modernization in light of new realities and development requirements. Deng Xiaoping guided the Party in thoroughly negating the erroneous practice and theory of the “Cultural Revolution,” and resolutely resisted the erroneous trend of denying Mao Zedong and Mao Zedong Thought. On March 19, 1980, in a conversation with comrades responsible for the central work, Deng Xiaoping put forward the guiding ideology for the drafting of the Resolution, which, in summary, was that “the most important, most fundamental, and most crucial” and also “the most core point” was “to establish Comrade Mao Zedong’s historical status and uphold and develop Mao Zedong Thought.” He pointed out: “Not only today, but also in the future, we must hold high the banner of Mao Zedong Thought.” “To correctly evaluate Mao Zedong Thought and scientifically establish its guiding status, we must write out the main content of Mao Zedong Thought, especially the content that will continue to be implemented in the future, in relatively concise language.” At the same time, he emphasized that regarding major events in the history since the founding of New China, which were correct and which were erroneous, an analysis must be made in a manner of seeking truth from facts, “including the merits and demerits of some responsible comrades, a fair evaluation must be made,” and through the Resolution, a basic summary of past events should be made, “summing up the past is to guide everyone to unite and look forward.” Deng Xiaoping consistently implemented this guiding ideology in guiding the summing up of the Party’s historical experience, with a firm stance and clear-cut position.

科学评价毛泽东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了中国社会主义现代化建设的正确道路。邓小平指导党彻底否定“文化大革命”的错误实践和理论，坚决顶住否定毛泽东和毛泽东思想的错误思潮。1980年3月19日，邓小平在同中央负责同志的谈话中，提出了《决议》起草工作的指导思想，概括起来主要是，“最重要、最根本、最关键的”也是“最核心的一条”是“确立毛泽东同志的历史地位，坚持和发展毛泽东思想”。他指出：“不仅今天，而且今后，我们都要高举毛泽东思想的旗帜”，“要正确地评价毛泽东思想，科学地确立毛泽东思想的指导地位，就要把毛泽东思想的主要内容，特别是今后还要继续贯彻执行的内容，用比较概括的语言写出来”。同时，他强调，对新中国成立以来历史上的大事，哪些是正确的，哪些是错误的，要进行实事求是的分析，“包括一些负责同志的功过是非，要做出公正的评价”，要通过《决议》对过去的事情做个基本的总结，“总结过去是为了引导大家团结一致向前看”。邓小平在指导总结党的历史经验中始终贯彻这一指导思想，立场坚定、旗帜鲜明。

Systematically expounding the scientific system of Mao Zedong Thought, upholding and developing Mao Zedong Thought. Regarding the central content of the Resolution, on June 27, 1980, in a conversation with comrades responsible for the central work, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “The focus should be on what Mao Zedong Thought is and what Comrade Mao Zedong’s correct things are.” On October 25, in a conversation with comrades responsible for the central work, he emphasized: “The evaluation of Comrade Mao Zedong and the exposition of Mao Zedong Thought are not merely issues concerning Comrade Mao Zedong personally; they are inseparable from the entire history of our Party and our country. This overall situation must be seen. This is what we have repeatedly stressed since the beginning of the drafting work of the Resolution. The part of the draft Resolution expounding Mao Zedong Thought cannot be omitted. This is not just a theoretical issue, but especially a political issue, a very big political issue both domestically and internationally. If this part is not written or is poorly written, it would be better not to make the entire Resolution at all.” He said: “If we do not write into the Resolution Mao Zedong Thought—that is, what has been proven correct through the test of practice and should serve as a guide for our future work—then the weight and historical significance of the revolution and construction we have carried out in the past and will carry out in the future will be diminished. Not to write or not to uphold Mao Zedong Thought would mean we are committing a major historical error.” The Resolution pointed out that the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought consists of the stand, viewpoint, and method that run through all its components, and these have three basic aspects: seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence and self-reliance. “The attitude that, because Comrade Mao Zedong made mistakes in his later years, attempts to deny the scientific value of Mao Zedong Thought and deny its guiding role in China’s revolution and construction is completely wrong.” Mao Zedong Thought is the precious spiritual wealth of the Party and will guide our actions for a long time to come.

系统阐述毛泽东思想的科学体系，坚持和发展毛泽东思想。关于《决议》的中心内容，1980年6月27日，邓小平在同中央负责同志谈话时指出：“重点放在毛泽东思想是什么、毛泽东同志正确的东西是什么这方面。”10月25日，他在同中央负责同志谈话时强调：“对毛泽东同志的评价，对毛泽东思想的阐述，不是仅仅涉及毛泽东同志个人的问题，这同我们党、我们国家的整个历史是分不开的。要看到这个全局。这是我们从决议起草工作开始的时候就反复强调的。决议稿中阐述毛泽东思想的这一部分不能不要。这不只是个理论问题，尤其是个政治问题，是国际国内的很大的政治问题。如果不写或写不好这个部分，整个决议都不如不做。”他说：“不把毛泽东思想，即经过实践检验证明是正确的、应该作为我们今后工作指南的东西，写到决议里去，我们过去和今后进行的革命、建设的分量，它的历史意义，都要削弱。不写或不坚持毛泽东思想，我们要犯历史性的大错误”。《决议》指出，毛泽东思想的活的灵魂，是贯串于毛泽东思想各个组成部分的立场、观点和方法，它们有三个基本方面，即实事求是，群众路线，独立自主。那种“因为毛泽东同志晚年犯了错误，就企图否认毛泽东思想的科学价值，否认毛泽东思想对我国革命和建设的指导作用，这种态度是完全错误的”。毛泽东思想是党的宝贵的精神财富，将长期指导我们的行动。

Adhering to seeking truth from facts, unifying the thinking of the entire Party. On the issue of correctly evaluating Mao Zedong’s historical status, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “In writing the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, we must seek truth from facts and well sum up the lessons of ‘Left’ errors.” “Comrade Mao Zedong’s mistake lay in violating his own correct things.” “We Communists are thoroughgoing materialists; we can only affirm what should be affirmed and negate what should be negated in a manner of seeking truth from facts. Comrade Mao Zedong, throughout his life, rendered immortal contributions to our Party, country, and people. His achievements are primary, and his mistakes are secondary. To gloss over his mistakes because of his achievements is not a materialist attitude. To deny his achievements because of his mistakes is equally not a materialist attitude.” He emphasized: “The ‘Cultural Revolution’ was erroneous and failed precisely because it completely violated the scientific principles of Mao Zedong Thought. The scientific principles of Mao Zedong Thought, which have been proven correct through long-term practical testing, not only guided us to victory in the past but will also remain our guiding ideology in the long-term struggle ahead. Any doubt or wavering on such a major principle of the Party is incorrect and runs counter to the fundamental interests of the Chinese people.” Deng Xiaoping not only approved of adding a review of the 28 years of history before the founding of New China to the Resolution, to write the history since the founding of the Party, thereby providing a comprehensive historical basis for establishing Mao Zedong’s historical status and upholding and developing Mao Zedong Thought, but also supported and guided the addition of a section on the history after the smashing of the “Gang of Four” [11]11 The “Gang of Four” was a radical political faction led by Mao’s wife Jiang Qing, purged in 1976 shortly after Mao’s death, marking the end of the Cultural Revolution. to the Resolution. He said: “This part must inevitably be written.” It was under this guidance that the Resolution added a section titled “A Great Historical Turning Point,” writing about the historical turning-point significance of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, as well as the restoration and development of Mao Zedong Thought and the Party’s correct policies under new conditions.

坚持实事求是，统一全党思想。在正确评价毛泽东的历史地位问题上，邓小平指出：“我们写建国以来党的若干历史问题的决议，要实事求是，要很好地总结‘左’的教训”，“毛泽东同志的错误在于违反了他自己正确的东西”，“我们共产党人是彻底的唯物主义者，只能实事求是地肯定应当肯定的东西，否定应当否定的东西。毛泽东同志在他的一生中，为我们的党、国家和人民建立了不朽的功勋。他的功绩是第一位的，他的错误是第二位的。因为他的功绩而讳言他的错误，这不是唯物主义的态度。因为他的错误而否定他的功绩，同样不是唯物主义的态度”。他强调：“‘文化大革命’所以错误和失败，正因为它完全违反了毛泽东思想的科学原理。经过长期实践检验证明是正确的毛泽东思想的科学原理，不但在历史上曾经引导我们取得胜利，而且在今后长期的斗争中，仍将是我们的指导思想。对于党的这样一个重大原则表示任何怀疑和动摇，都是不正确的，都是同中国人民的根本利益相违背的。”邓小平不仅赞成《决议》增加回顾新中国成立前28年的历史写建党以来的历史，为确立毛泽东的历史地位、坚持和发展毛泽东思想提供全面的历史根据，而且支持并指导《决议》补写粉碎“四人帮”以后的历史。他说：“这段势必要写。”正是在这一意见指导下，《决议》以“历史的伟大转折”为题作了增写，写出了党的十一届三中全会的历史转折意义，以及毛泽东思想、党的正确政策在新的条件下的恢复和发展。

Taking history as a mirror, opening up the future. Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, the Party has led the people in gradually establishing a correct path for socialist modernization suited to China’s conditions. Deng Xiaoping guided the Party, based on the positive and negative historical experience since the founding of New China, to systematically expound the “main points” of this path in terms of the principal social contradiction, the actual national conditions, building a socialist political system and cultural-ethical progress, and Party building, pointing out that “this path will continue to be enriched and developed in practice.” Deng Xiaoping pointed out that the Resolution “truly achieved our original requirements,” and that “from now on, as a Communist Party member, one must speak within this unified framework,” and “I believe this Resolution can withstand the test of history.” On July 17, 1981, shortly after the Resolution was adopted, in a conversation with comrades responsible for the central propaganda departments on issues in the ideological front, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “The entire Party, the entire army, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country must, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and on the basis of the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China adopted by the Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, unite as one, keep in step, and work hard, so that our ideological front, literary and art front, and other fronts will continue to achieve new victories.”

以史为鉴、开辟未来。党的十一届三中全会以来，党领导人民逐步确立了一条适合我国国情的社会主义现代化建设的正确道路。邓小平指导党根据新中国成立以来正反两方面的历史经验，从社会主要矛盾、国情实际、建设社会主义政治制度和精神文明、党的建设等方面，系统阐述了这条道路的“主要点”，指出“这条道路还将在实践中不断充实和发展”。邓小平指出，《决议》“真正是达到了我们原来的要求”，“今后作为一个共产党员来说，要在这个统一的口径下来讲话”，“相信这个决议能够经得住历史考验”。1981年7月17日，邓小平在《决议》通过不久，就思想战线上的问题同中央宣传部门负责同志谈话时指出：“我们全党、全军和全国各族人民一定要在党中央的坚强领导下，在党的六中全会通过的《关于建国以来党的若干历史问题的决议》的基础上，团结一致，整齐步伐，努力工作，使我们的思想战线、文艺战线和其他战线都不断取得新的胜利”。

Examining the past to understand the future, opening up the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In his opening speech at the 12th National Congress of the CPC, [12]12 The 12th National Congress of the CPC was held in September 1982. It formally adopted the concept of “socialism with Chinese characteristics” as the guiding principle for China’s development. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “Integrating the universal truth of Marxism with the concrete realities of China, 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.” The Party has led the people to unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, liberating and developing the social productive forces. Historical development shows that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the correct path guiding China’s prosperity and development.

察往知来，开辟中国特色社会主义道路。邓小平在党的十二大开幕词中指出：“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。”党领导人民坚定不移走中国特色社会主义道路，解放和发展社会生产力。历史发展表明，中国特色社会主义道路是指引中国繁荣发展的正确道路。

Deng Xiaoping Theory profoundly reveals the essence of socialism and scientifically answers a series of fundamental questions concerning the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Party strengthened its leadership over propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, grasping material civilization with one hand and cultural-ethical progress with the other.

邓小平理论深刻揭示社会主义本质，科学回答了建设中国特色社会主义的一系列基本问题。在邓小平理论指导下，党加强对宣传思想文化工作的领导，一手抓物质文明，一手抓精神文明。

Cultural-ethical progress is the cultural-ethical progress that promotes socialist modernization, upholds the Four Cardinal Principles[13]13 The Four Cardinal Principles (四项基本原则) are the principles of upholding the socialist path, the people’s democratic dictatorship, the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, first articulated by Deng Xiaoping in 1979., facilitates comprehensive reform, and implements opening up to the outside world. Deng Xiaoping pointed out that the ideological front should hold high the banner of Marxism and socialism, educate and guide the people to correctly treat history, understand reality, firmly believe in socialism and the Party’s leadership, and inspire the people to strive diligently and actively, truly achieving ideals, morality, culture, and discipline. He emphasized that after the focus of work shifted to economic construction, the entire Party must study how to adapt to new conditions, strengthen the Party’s ideological work, and prevent the tendency to bury oneself in economic work while neglecting ideological work. The ideological front must not engage in spiritual pollution[14]14 “Spiritual pollution” (精神污染) refers to the spread of bourgeois liberal ideas and decadent cultural influences that Deng Xiaoping criticized in the early 1980s as harmful to socialist; for all serious problems that cause ideological confusion and spiritual pollution, a resolute, serious, and earnest attitude must be adopted, and they must be pursued to the end. Under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Party continuously advanced adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, strengthened its leadership over propaganda, ideology, and cultural work, and on the basis of building socialist material civilization, reinforced the Party’s ideological work and cultural-ethical progress. This is the only way to promote the flourishing and development of socialist ideology and culture.

精神文明建设是推动社会主义现代化建设、坚持四项基本原则、促进全面改革和实行对外开放的精神文明建设。邓小平指出，思想战线应当高举马克思主义的、社会主义的旗帜，教育和引导人民正确地对待历史，认识现实，坚信社会主义和党的领导，鼓舞人民奋发努力，积极向上，真正做到有理想、有道德、有文化、有纪律。他强调，在工作重心转到经济建设以后，全党要研究如何适应新的条件，加强党的思想工作，防止埋头经济工作、忽视思想工作的倾向。思想战线不能搞精神污染，对于造成思想混乱和精神污染的各种严重问题，必须采取坚决严肃认真的态度，而且要一抓到底。在邓小平理论指导下，党不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化，加强对宣传思想文化工作的领导，在建设社会主义物质文明的基础上加强党的思想工作和精神文明建设，这是推动社会主义思想文化繁荣发展的必由之路。

Author: Song Yuehong, Doctor of Law, Professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Researcher at the Institute of Contemporary China Studies

作者：宋月红，法学博士，中国社会科学院教授，当代中国研究所研究员

Online Editor: Jin Qiu

网络编辑：金秋