A Complete Grasp of Several Issues Concerning the “Second Integration”

In order to deepen the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and to help Party members, cadres, and the masses systematically study and master Xi Jinping’s cultural thought, the Central Propaganda Department has compiled and published the *Study Outline for Xi Jinping’

为把学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想不断引向深入，帮助广大党员、干部、群众系统学习掌握习近平文化思想，中央宣传部组织编写了《习近平文化思想学习纲要》，并在全国发行。深入学习领会贯彻落实习近平文化思想，要深刻理解习近平总书记关于“两个结合”，特别是“第二个结合”的相关论述。“两个结合”，即“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”，这是我们在探索中国特色社会主义道路中得出的规律性认识，是我们取得成功的最大法宝。习近平总书记在强调坚持“第一个结合”的基础上，创造性地明确提出“第二个结合”的重大命题。这里针对几个问题谈点学习体会。

Grasping the Relationship between the "Two Integrations"

把握好“两个结合”的关系

On the one hand, we must fully recognize the major contribution of the "Second Integration." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly observed the intrinsic relationship between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture, and has clearly put forward the major proposition of "integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture." In July 2021, General Secretary Xi Jinping first proposed the "Second Integration" at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC; in June 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping gave a comprehensive and systematic exposition of a series of major theoretical and practical issues concerning the "Two Integrations," especially the "Second Integration," at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development. As an objective fact, the "Two Integrations" have been at work ever since the founding of the CPC, regardless of whether people have subjectively recognized them or how deeply they have recognized them. Of course, in the past, attention to the implications of the "Second Integration" was, on the whole, subordinate to the "First Integration," being both relatively vague and insufficiently prominent. Now, the "integration with fine traditional Chinese culture" has been separated out, advancing from "one integration" to the "Two Integrations." This is not only a deepening of understanding but, even more so, an elevation in practice, reflecting a deepening recognition of the status of fine traditional Chinese culture.

一方面要充分认识“第二个结合”的重大贡献。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记深刻洞察马克思主义和中华优秀传统文化的内在关系，鲜明提出“把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合”的重大命题。2021年7月，习近平总书记在庆祝中国共产党成立一百周年大会上首次提出“第二个结合”；2023年6月，习近平总书记在文化传承发展座谈会上对“两个结合”特别是“第二个结合”的一系列重大理论和现实问题作了全面系统的阐述。“两个结合”作为客观事实，在中国共产党成立以后一直在起作用，不管人们在主观上是否认识到或认识得是否深刻。当然，过去对“第二个结合”意蕴的关注，总体看是从属于“第一个结合”的，既比较笼统也不够突出。现今将“同中华优秀传统文化相结合”独立出来，由“一个结合”进展到“两个结合”，既是认识上的深化，更是实践上的提升，体现出对中华优秀传统文化地位的认识在深化。

On the other hand, we must fully recognize the foundational status of the "First Integration." Emphasizing the "Second Integration" must not neglect the "First Integration." The "First Integration" was proposed earlier and is more fundamental. The "First Integration" was proposed during the period of the New Democratic Revolution. Chinese Communists, applying the positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism, deeply studied China's national conditions and revolutionary reality, and successfully found a revolutionary path suited to China's national conditions. The "First Integration" guided the Chinese revolution to victory and laid a solid foundation for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The "China's specific realities" in the "First Integration" also includes the factor of fine traditional Chinese culture. Integrating with China's specific realities cannot sever history. Fine traditional Chinese culture is part of Chinese history. Comrade Mao Zedong emphasized, "We are Marxist historicists; we must not sever history. From Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, we should sum it up and inherit this precious legacy." [1]1 Mao Zedong, "The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War," *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 2. In the New Era, the content of "China's specific realities" has been further elucidated, and "fine traditional Chinese culture" has been further emphasized. In a certain sense, the "First Integration" contains the "Second Integration," and the "Second Integration" is the highlighting and unfolding of an important factor of the "First Integration." Without the successful practice of the "First Integration," there would be no in-depth exploration of the "Second Integration." The "First Integration" provides the necessary theoretical premise and practical foundation for the "Second Integration." The "Second Integration" is the inheritance and development of the "First Integration."

另一方面要充分认识“第一个结合”的基础性地位。强调“第二个结合”，不能忽视“第一个结合”。“第一个结合”提出得更早，更为基础。提出“第一个结合”是在新民主主义革命时期，中国共产党人运用马克思主义的立场、观点和方法，深入研究中国国情和革命实际，成功找到了适合中国国情的革命道路。“第一个结合”指导了中国革命取得胜利，为马克思主义中国化奠定了坚实的基础。“第一个结合”中的“中国具体实际”，也包括了中华优秀传统文化因素。同中国具体实际相结合，不能割断历史。中华优秀传统文化属于中国历史的一部分。毛泽东同志强调，“我们是马克思主义的历史主义者，我们不应当割断历史。从孔夫子到孙中山，我们应当给以总结，承继这一份珍贵的遗产”。新时代对“中国具体实际”的内容有了更进一步的阐释，对“中华优秀传统文化”有了更进一步的强调。在某种意义上，“第一个结合”蕴含着“第二个结合”，“第二个结合”是“第一个结合”重要因子的突出和展开。没有“第一个结合”的成功实践，就没有“第二个结合”的深入探索。“第一个结合”为“第二个结合”提供了必要的理论前提和实践基础。“第二个结合”是对“第一个结合”的继承和发展。

Grasping the Subject of the "Basic Tenets of Marxism"

把握好“马克思主义基本原理”的主语

The "Second Integration" is "integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture." The "basic tenets of Marxism" come first and are the "subject" of the integration. Without Marxism, there would be no "Second Integration." Marxism is the "soul," and fine traditional Chinese culture is the "root." One cannot speak only of the "root" without speaking of the "soul." In grasping the "Second Integration," it is wrong to speak only of fine traditional Chinese culture and not of Marxism; it is also wrong to speak insufficiently of Marxism, to speak "less" of it, or to speak "lightly" of it. There already exist phenomena where traditional culture is excessively exalted while Marxism is intentionally or unintentionally neglected or belittled. Marxism is the guiding ideology for founding the Party and the country, and for rejuvenating the Party and the country. Why the CPC can succeed and why socialism with Chinese characteristics works is, in the final analysis, because Marxism works, especially Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Without the guidance of Marxism, the "Second Integration" cannot be realized.

“第二个结合”即“马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合”。“马克思主义基本原理”是排在前面的，是结合的“主语”。没有马克思主义，就无所谓“第二个结合”。马克思主义是“魂脉”，中华优秀传统文化是“根脉”，不能只讲“根”，不讲“魂”。把握“第二个结合”，只讲中华优秀传统文化，不讲马克思主义不对；马克思主义讲得不够，讲“少”了、讲“轻”了，也不对。业已存在着这样的现象，即过度推崇传统文化，有意无意忽视或贬低马克思主义。马克思主义是我们立党立国、兴党兴国的指导思想。中国共产党为什么能，中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是马克思主义行，是中国化时代化的马克思主义行。没有马克思主义指导，“第二个结合”就实现不了。

Attention should be paid to the usage of the "basic tenets of Marxism." In the past, the phrase "universal truths of Marxism" was also used on some occasions. The use of "basic tenets of Marxism," rather than "Marxism" in general, is because Marxism is a vast theoretical system with extremely rich content, including numerous viewpoints at various levels and in various aspects. The basic tenets of Marxism differ significantly from the general viewpoints of Marxism in terms of authority, stability, and guiding nature. Basic tenets refer to the most fundamental and universally applicable content within Marxism, centrally embodied in the positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism, which have been tested by long-term practice and verified by history, remaining unchanged over long periods. It must be understood that what is integrated with fine traditional Chinese culture is the "basic tenets" of Marxism, not every viewpoint or every thesis. Emphasizing "basic tenets" rather than general viewpoints is conducive to overcoming the "copying and mechanical application" of "dogmatism." Of course, those "individual theses that, constrained by historical conditions, still contain utopian elements" [2]2 A reference to the formulation in the "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People's Republic of China" (1981), which distinguishes between the basic principles of Marxism and individual theses that have become outdated. as well as "erroneous viewpoints dogmatically interpreted and attached to Marxism in name" [3]3 Ibid. are even less suitable for use in integration.

要注意“马克思主义基本原理”的用法。以前也有场合使用“马克思主义的普遍真理”。使用“马克思主义基本原理”，而不是一般的“马克思主义”。在于马克思主义是一个庞大的理论体系，内容极其丰富，包括各个层次各个方面的众多观点。马克思主义基本原理，与马克思主义的一般观点在权威性、稳定性、指导性等方面都存在显著的区别。基本原理是指马克思主义中最基本、最具有普遍适用性的内容，集中体现为马克思主义立场、观点、方法，经过长期的实践检验和历史验证，长期保持不变。须知，去与中华优秀传统文化相结合的，是马克思主义的“基本原理”，而不是每一个观点、每一个论断。强调“基本原理”而不是一般的观点，有利于克服“教条主义”的“照搬照抄”。当然，对于那些“囿于历史条件仍然带有空想因素的个别论断”以及“教条式理解和附加到马克思主义名义下的错误观点”，更不能去用于结合。

Grasping the Cultural Orientation of "Fine"

把握好“优秀”的文化定位

The rich content, long history, and numerous schools of traditional Chinese culture are complex in structure and diverse in elements. There are fine elements, less fine elements, and a large number of elements in an intermediate state. The object of the "Second Integration" is "fine" traditional culture, not general, undifferentiated traditional culture, and certainly not the dross of traditional culture. Marxism follows the inherent laws of cultural inheritance and development, consistently adhering to the methodology of dialectical negation, sublation, and critical inheritance in dealing with history and traditional culture.

中华传统文化丰富的内容、悠久的历史、众多的流派，在结构上具有复杂性、在要素上具有多样性，既有优秀的，也有不那么优秀的，还有大量处于中间状态的。“第二个结合”的对象是“优秀”传统文化，而不是一般的笼统的传统文化，更不是传统文化中的糟粕。马克思主义遵循文化传承发展的内在规律，始终坚持辩证否定、扬弃对待和批判继承的方法论对待历史和传统文化。

"Fine" is precisely the interface for the integration of Marxism and traditional culture. What exactly constitutes "fine" traditional culture? The most fundamental criterion is to judge it from the perspective of political stance and social development, primarily based on the standard of historical materialism. Politically, Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: "We must distinguish between all the decadent things of the ancient feudal ruling class and the fine ancient popular culture, that is, those elements with a more or less democratic and revolutionary character." [4]4 Mao Zedong, "On New Democracy," *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 2. The "democratic character" representing the people and progressive forces is the "essence"; the "feudal character" opposing the people and representing backward forces is the "dross." From the perspective of development, the advanced or backward, the essence or dross of traditional culture must ultimately be tested by, and can only be tested by, social development. Those ideological cultures that hinder the progress of social and historical development, violate the laws of historical development, and represent backward productive forces, no matter how they change their forms, are in the final analysis dross. Chinese traditional culture was born in the agricultural era and inevitably bears the heavy limitations of its time. Fine traditional culture can keep pace with the times, adapt to contemporary society, and provide beneficial inspiration and reference for modern society.

“优秀”才是马克思主义与传统文化的融合接口。究竟什么是“优秀”传统文化，最基本的是以唯物史观的标准着重从政治立场和社会发展来衡判。从政治上，毛泽东同志指出：“必须将古代封建统治阶级的一切腐朽的东西和古代优秀的人民文化即多少带有民主性和革命性的东西区别开来”。代表人民性、代表进步力量的“民主性”才是“精华”，反对人民、代表落后势力的“封建性”就是“糟粕”。从发展看，传统文化的先进与落后、精华与糟粕，最终要靠社会发展，也只能由社会发展来检验。那些阻碍社会历史发展进步、违背历史发展规律、代表落后生产力的思想文化，无论如何变换花样，归根到底都是糟粕。中国传统文化诞生于农耕时代，不能不带有浓重的时代局限。优秀的传统文化能够与时俱进，与当代社会相适应，为现代社会提供有益的启示和借鉴。

Grasping the Orientation of "Adapting to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times"

把握好“中国化时代化”的取向

The “Second Integration” is intended to advance the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, “The path China has taken is inseparable from Chinese culture. The internal genetic code of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that we follow lies precisely here—it contains the gene of fine traditional Chinese culture. So now we must do this thing with full confidence and pride, to excavate and integrate fine traditional Chinese culture, and truly realize the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.” Today, our emphasis on fine traditional culture is not about engaging in cultural restorationism, nor can we engage in the “Confucianization” of theoretical innovation; rather, it is about focusing on advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, injecting the great spirit and rich wisdom of the Chinese nation into Marxism at a deeper level, effectively linking the essence of Marxist thought with the精华 of fine traditional Chinese culture, coalescing them into new theoretical advantages, and continuously scaling new ideological heights. Through the deeper-level “Two Integrations,” Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—this “Marxism for contemporary China and the 21st century”—will further manifest its quality as “the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit of the times.”

“第二个结合”是为了推进马克思主义中国化时代化。习近平总书记指出，“中国走上这条道路，跟中国文化密不可分。我们走的中国特色社会主义道路，它内在的基因密码就在这里，有中华优秀传统文化这个基因。所以我们现在就是要理直气壮、很自豪地去做这件事，去挖掘、去结合中华优秀传统文化，真正实现马克思主义中国化时代化。”今天我们重视优秀传统文化，不是搞文化复古主义，不能搞理论创新的“儒化”，而是要着眼于推进马克思主义中国化时代化，将中华民族的伟大精神和丰富智慧更深层次地注入马克思主义，有效把马克思主义思想精髓同中华优秀传统文化精华贯通起来，聚变为新的理论优势，不断攀登新的思想高峰。通过更深层次的“两个结合”，让习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想这个“当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义”，更加展现“中华文化和中国精神的时代精华”的品质。

The “Second Integration” is intended to advance the building of a strong country and the rejuvenation of the nation. How to advance the “Second Integration” depends, in a certain sense, not on fine traditional Chinese culture itself, but on the needs of contemporary Chinese practice. Looking back at the past with deep feeling is for the sake of doing the present well and moving toward the future. The current central task is to comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. We must closely adhere to the objective realities of the New Era, target the circumstances and tasks of the new journey, take the practice of Chinese-path modernization as the axis, and continuously promote the internal integration of the two. Chinese-path modernization is the new mission of the ancient state of the Chinese nation. Guided by Marxism, we must commit ourselves to promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, developing the productive forces of Chinese society, enhancing China’s comprehensive national power, meeting the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life, and providing theoretical guidance and spiritual impetus for Chinese-path modernization.

“第二个结合”是为了推进强国建设、民族复兴。如何推进“第二个结合”，在某种意义上不取决于中华优秀传统文化本身，而是取决于当代中国实践的需要。深情地回望过去，是为了干好当下、走向未来。当前的中心任务是以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。要紧扣新时代的客观实际，瞄准新征程的形势任务，以中国式现代化实践为轴心，不断推进两者的内在融合。中国式现代化是中华民族的旧邦新命，我们要以马克思主义为指导，致力于推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展，发展中国社会的生产力，增强中国的综合国力，满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要，为中国式现代化提供理论指引和精神动力。

(The author is Director of the 21st Century Chinese Marxism Research Center at Renmin University of China and Deputy Dean of the Academy of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.)

（作者为中国人民大学21世纪中国马克思主义研究中心主任、习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究院副院长）

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧