Four Basic Questions on Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

I. What Is Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

一、什么是马克思主义中国化时代化

In 1938, Comrade Mao Zedong, in his political report entitled “On the New Stage” delivered at the Enlarged Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Party, explicitly raised the proposition of “the Sinicization of Marxism,” emphasizing that “there is no such thing as abstract Marxism, only concrete Marxism. What is called concrete Marxism is Marxism that has taken on a national form, that is, Marxism applied to the concrete struggle in the concrete environment of China, rather than applied abstractly,” and pointing out that “to talk about Marxism apart from China’s characteristics is merely abstract, empty Marxism.” [1]1 The Enlarged Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the CPC was held in September-November 1938. Mao’s report “On the New Stage” was a key document that formally established the line of the Anti-Japanese War and advanced the Sinicization of Marxism.

1938年，毛泽东同志在党的扩大的六届六中全会上作题为《论新阶段》的政治报告，明确提出“马克思主义的中国化”的命题，强调“没有抽象的马克思主义，只有具体的马克思主义。所谓具体的马克思主义，就是通过民族形式的马克思主义，就是把马克思主义应用到中国具体环境的具体斗争中去，而不是抽象地应用它”，指明“离开中国特点来谈马克思主义，只是抽象的空洞的马克思主义”。

With the progress of the times, Marxism also develops accordingly. Therefore, Marxism also needs to be adapted to the needs of the times. What is adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times? It means, based on China’s national conditions and the characteristics of the times, adhering to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture, deeply studying and solving the practical problems of different historical periods of China’s revolution, construction, and reform, truly understanding the epochal issues facing us, continuously absorbing new content of the times, scientifically answering the major theoretical and practical issues raised by the times, and creating new theoretical achievements.

随着时代的进步，马克思主义也在随之而发展。所以，马克思主义还需要时代化。什么是马克思主义中国化时代化？就是立足中国国情和时代特点，坚持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，深入研究和解决中国革命、建设、改革不同历史时期的实际问题，真正搞懂面临的时代课题，不断吸收新的时代内容，科学回答时代提出的重大理论和实践课题，创造新的理论成果。

To better understand adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, one must pay attention to the three layers of meaning it contains: first, using the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to observe the times, grasp the times, and lead the times, solving the practical problems in China’s revolution, construction, and reform; second, summarizing and refining the practical experience of China’s revolution, construction, and reform, elevating it to theory, and continuously enriching and developing the treasure house of Marxist theory; third, expounding Marxism in the language of the Chinese people, enabling it to take root in the soil of the fine traditional Chinese culture, and endowing it with Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese manner.

要更好地理解马克思主义中国化时代化，就要注意其所蕴含的三层含义：第一，运用马克思主义的立场、观点和方法，观察时代、把握时代、引领时代，解决中国革命、建设、改革中的实际问题；第二，总结和提炼中国革命、建设、改革的实践经验并将其上升为理论，不断丰富和发展马克思主义的理论宝库；第三，用中国人的语言来阐述马克思主义，使其植根于中华优秀传统文化的土壤之中，具有中国特色、中国风格、中国气派。

Why must Marxism be expounded in the language of the Chinese people? Marxism originated in the West. Marx, as a German, had a mode of thinking and expression that differs somewhat from that of the Chinese people. For example, when we read the classic texts of Marxism, we sometimes find them awkward. If we want to truly understand and grasp the important expositions of Marxism, we must transform them into a language that is easier for the Chinese people to understand. It can be said that any truth must be grasped by the masses of the people before it can exert its power.

为什么要用中国人的语言来阐述马克思主义？马克思主义源自西方，马克思作为德国人，他的思维方式和表达习惯和中国人有一定的差异。比如，当我们读马克思主义经典文献的时候，有时会感觉拗口。如果我们想真正理解和掌握马克思主义的重要论述，就要将之转化为中国人更容易理解的语言。可以说，任何真理都必须被人民群众所掌握，才能发挥其威力。

In the New Era, upholding and developing Marxism must be combined with the fine traditional Chinese culture. This integration must not be limited to form; it must be applied in concrete practice.

新时代坚持和发展马克思主义必须同中华优秀传统文化相结合。这种结合不能只限于形式，要在具体的实践中得到运用。

II. Why Must Marxism Be Adapted to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

二、马克思主义为什么要中国化时代化

Marxism is a universally applicable truth. Why must we continuously advance the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times?

马克思主义是放之四海而皆准的真理，为什么还要不断地推进马克思主义中国化时代化呢？

The first reason is the inherent requirement of Marxism. Engels pointed out: “Marx’s whole world outlook is not a doctrine, but a method.” [2]2 This is a paraphrase of Engels’s well-known remark in his 1895 letter to Werner Sombart, often cited in Chinese Marxist discourse to emphasize the methodological rather than dogmatic character of Marxism. A doctrine is the teaching of a certain religion; a method is a mode of thinking. Engels further pointed out that Marx “provided not ready-made dogmas, but the starting point for further research and the method for this research.” [3]3 This is a paraphrase of Engels’s 1890 letter to Conrad Schmidt, frequently used in Chinese theoretical texts to stress that Marxism is a guide to research, not a set of fixed formulas. The world outlook and methodology of Marxism run through the entire theoretical system of Marxism and are the soul and core of Marxism.

第一个原因，马克思主义的内在要求。恩格斯指出：“马克思的整个世界观不是教义，而是方法。”教义是某一种宗教所信奉的道理；方法是一种思维方式。恩格斯进一步指出，马克思“提供的不是现成的教条，而是进一步研究的出发点和研究使用的方法”。马克思主义的世界观和方法论贯穿于整个马克思主义理论体系之中，是马克思主义的灵魂和核心。

The basic tenets of Marxism refer to the most important content and the most core part of the Marxist theoretical system, which can centrally embody its stance, viewpoint, and method. The so-called stance is the stance of the people, or the stance of the proletariat; the so-called viewpoint is the view and judgment concerning the laws of development of the material world and human society; the so-called method is historical materialism, materialism, and dialectics. The basic tenets of Marxism mainly include core content such as dialectical materialism, historical materialism, and scientific socialism.

马克思主义基本原理是指马克思主义理论体系中最重要的内容和最核心的部分，能够集中体现其立场、观点和方法。所谓立场，就是人民的立场，或者无产阶级的立场；所谓观点，就是关于物质世界和人类社会发展规律的看法与判断；所谓方法，就是唯物史观、唯物论、辩证法。马克思主义基本原理主要包括辩证唯物主义、历史唯物主义、科学社会主义等核心内容‌。

The second reason is the objective need for Marxism to solve China’s practical problems. When Marx and Engels founded Marxist theory, they did not simply create theory for the sake of creating theory, but used the theory they created to analyze and solve some major social realities of the time. When we use the basic tenets of Marxism to analyze problems, especially when analyzing a specific country, we must integrate these tenets with the actual conditions of that country.

第二个原因，马克思主义是解决中国实际问题的客观需要。马克思、恩格斯在创立马克思主义理论的时候，不是单纯地为了创造理论而创造理论，而是要用创造的理论来分析和解决当时的一些重大社会现实问题。当我们用马克思主义基本原理分析问题时，特别是分析具体某一个国家的时候，一定要把这个原理和这个国家的实际情况结合起来。

Comrade Mao Zedong once pointed out: “We must apply the methods of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin to China and create some new things in China. If we only have general theory and do not apply it to China’s actuality, we cannot defeat the enemy. But if we apply the theory to actuality and use the Marxist stance and method to solve China’s problems and create some new things, then it will be usable.” [4]4 This quotation is from Mao Zedong’s remarks at a meeting in 1941, as recorded in his collected works; it underscores the practical orientation of applying Marxism to China’s specific conditions.

毛泽东同志曾指出：“我们要把马、恩、列、斯的方法用到中国来，在中国创造出一些新的东西。只有一般的理论，不用于中国的实际，打不得敌人。但如果把理论用到实际上去，用马克思主义的立场、方法来解决中国问题，创造些新的东西，这样就用得了。”

In 2021, the “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century” adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC pointed out: “Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for founding the Party and the country, and for strengthening the Party and the country. Marxist theory is not a dogma but a guide to action; it must develop with practice and must be adapted to the Chinese context to take root, and localized to be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.” [5]5 The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC was held in November 2021. The resolution adopted there is the third major historical resolution of the CPC, summarizing the Party’s century-long experience. This is an important summary by the Communist Party of China in the process of advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

2021年，党的十九届六中全会通过的《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》指出：“马克思主义是我们立党立国、兴党强国的根本指导思想。马克思主义理论不是教条而是行动指南，必须随着实践发展而发展，必须中国化才能落地生根、本土化才能深入人心。”这是中国共产党在推进马克思主义中国化时代化的过程中的重要总结。

III. The Achievements of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

三、马克思主义中国化时代化取得的成果

In 2021, at the mobilization meeting for Party history learning and education, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The history of our Party is a history of continuously advancing the Sinicization of Marxism, a history of continuously advancing theoretical innovation and theoretical creation.” [6]6 The Party history learning and education campaign was launched by the CPC in early 2021 to mark the centenary of the Party’s founding, aiming to strengthen ideological unity and historical understanding among Party members. This sentence mentions three “histories”: the history of the Communist Party of China, the history of the Sinicization of Marxism, and the history of theoretical innovation and theoretical creation.

2021年，习近平总书记在党史学习教育动员大会上指出：“我们党的历史，就是一部不断推进马克思主义中国化的历史，就是一部不断推进理论创新、进行理论创造的历史。”这句话里提到了三个“历史”，即中国共产党的历史、马克思主义中国化的历史、理论创新理论创造的历史。

To understand the achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, we must view them in conjunction with the century-long struggle history of the Communist Party of China.

我们要理解马克思主义中国化时代化取得的成果，就要结合中国共产党的百年奋斗史来看。

In 2021, at the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Over the past hundred years, all the struggles, sacrifices, and creations the Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people in can be summed up in one theme: the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” [7]7 This speech was delivered on July 1, 2021, at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, marking the 100th anniversary of the CPC’s founding. From this sentence, it can be seen that since its founding, the Communist Party of China has always been committed to achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Further speaking, the history of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is a history created by the Communist Party of China in the process of advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

2021年，习近平总书记在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上指出：“一百年来，中国共产党团结带领中国人民进行的一切奋斗、一切牺牲、一切创造，归结起来就是一个主题：实现中华民族伟大复兴。”从这句话可以看出，中国共产党成立以来，始终致力于实现中华民族伟大复兴。进一步讲，马克思主义中国化时代化的历史，是中国共产党在推进中华民族伟大复兴的过程中创造的。

The achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times mainly include three aspects:

马克思主义中国化时代化取得的成果主要包括三个方面：

First, Mao Zedong Thought. After the Opium War of 1840, due to the invasion of Western powers and the corruption of feudal rule, China gradually became a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. The country endured humiliation, the people suffered, and civilization was covered in dust. The Chinese nation experienced unprecedented calamities. To save the nation from peril, the Chinese people rose up in resistance, and people of lofty ideals cried out and marched forward, waging heroic and epic struggles. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement, the Westernization Movement, the Hundred Days’ Reform, and the Boxer Rebellion followed one after another, and various plans for national salvation were put forward, but all ended in failure. The Revolution of 1911 led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen overthrew the autocratic monarchy that had ruled China for thousands of years, but it failed to change the semi-colonial and semi-feudal nature of Chinese society or the tragic fate of the Chinese people. China urgently needed new ideological guidance for the salvation movement and new organizations to unite revolutionary forces. [8]8 The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement (1850-1864) was a massive peasant rebellion; the Westernization Movement (1860s-1890s) was a self-strengthening reform effort; the Hundred Days’ Reform (1898) was a short-lived political reform; the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) was an anti-foreign uprising; the Revolution of 1911 overthrew the Qing dynasty.

第一，毛泽东思想。1840年鸦片战争以后，由于西方列强入侵和封建统治腐败，中国逐步沦为半殖民地半封建社会，国家蒙辱、人民蒙难、文明蒙尘，中华民族遭受了前所未有的劫难。为了拯救民族危亡，中国人民奋起反抗，仁人志士奔走呐喊，进行了可歌可泣的斗争。太平天国运动、洋务运动、戊戌变法、义和团运动接连而起，各种救国方案轮番出台，但都以失败告终。孙中山先生领导的辛亥革命推翻了统治中国几千年的君主专制制度，但未能改变中国半殖民地半封建的社会性质和中国人民的悲惨命运。中国迫切需要新的思想引领救亡运动，迫切需要新的组织凝聚革命力量。

The October Revolution brought Marxism-Leninism to China. In 1918, Li Dazhao published two articles, “The Victory of the Common People” and “The Victory of Bolshevism,” eulogizing the October Revolution. [9]9 Li Dazhao (1889-1927) was a co-founder of the CPC and a leading figure in introducing Marxism to China. His articles in 1918 celebrated the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

十月革命一声炮响，给中国送来了马克思列宁主义。1918年，李大钊连续发表了《庶民的胜利》和《布尔什维主义的胜利》两篇文章，颂扬十月革命。

In 1921, the Communist Party of China was founded. This was an epoch-making event, and the face of the Chinese revolution was completely renewed from then on. In the early days of the Party’s founding and during the Great Revolution, our Party formulated the democratic revolutionary program, launched the workers’ movement, the youth movement, the peasant movement, and the women’s movement, promoted and assisted the reorganization of the Kuomintang and the establishment of the National Revolutionary Army, led the great nationwide struggle against imperialism and feudalism, and set off the high tide of the Great Revolution. [10]10 The Great Revolution (1924-1927) refers to the first period of the CPC-Kuomintang united front, during which the Northern Expedition was launched to overthrow the warlords.

1921年，中国共产党成立，这是开天辟地的大事变，中国革命的面貌从此焕然一新。中国共产党建立之初和大革命时期，我们党制定民主革命纲领，发动工人运动、青年运动、农民运动、妇女运动，推进并帮助国民党改组和国民革命军建立，领导全国反帝反封建伟大斗争，掀起大革命高潮。

In 1927, after Chiang Kai-shek launched the April 12 Counter-Revolutionary Coup [11]11 The April 12 Counter-Revolutionary Coup: On April 12, 1927, Chiang Kai-shek, then commander of the National Revolutionary Army, ordered the massacre of Communists and left-wing Kuomintang members in Shanghai, effectively ending the First United Front between the CPC and the Kuomintang., the Great Revolution [12]12 The Great Revolution: The period of the First United Front (1924–1927), during which the CPC and the Kuomintang cooperated in a national revolution against warlords and imperialism, culminating in the Northern Expedition. moved from its high tide to defeat. Why did the Great Revolution fail? We can see that the reason for the victory of the Russian October Revolution was that Lenin combined the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete realities of the Russian workers’ movement and the characteristics of the era. The characteristic of their revolution was that the revolution succeeded in the central cities and then spread to the whole country, whereas at that time China’s basic social contradictions were the contradiction between imperialism and the Chinese nation and the contradiction between feudalism and the broad masses of the people.

1927年，蒋介石发动四一二反革命政变后，大革命从高潮转向失败。大革命为什么会失败？我们看，俄国十月革命胜利的原因是列宁把马克思主义基本原理与俄国工人运动的具体实际和时代特征相结合的成果。他们的革命特点是中心城市革命成功，然后向全国蔓延，而中国当时的社会基本矛盾是帝国主义和中华民族的矛盾、封建主义和人民大众的矛盾。

After the defeat of the Great Revolution, Chinese Communists, through arduous theoretical and practical exploration, launched a profound revolution in the sphere of relations of production — the Agrarian Revolution [13]13 The Agrarian Revolution: The CPC-led land reform movement in the late 1920s and 1930s, which redistributed land from landlords to poor peasants, transforming rural relations of production and mobilizing peasant support for the revolution.. Chinese Communists with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative combined the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism with China’s concrete realities, produced a theoretical summation of a series of pioneering experiences accumulated through arduous exploration and enormous sacrifice, blazed the correct revolutionary path of encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing state power with military force, founded Mao Zedong Thought, and pointed the correct direction for the victory of the New Democratic Revolution.

大革命失败后，中国共产党人通过艰难的理论与实践探索，发动了生产关系领域的一场深刻革命——土地革命。以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，把马克思列宁主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，对经过艰苦探索、付出巨大牺牲积累的一系列独创性经验作了理论概括，开辟了农村包围城市、武装夺取政权的正确革命道路，创立了毛泽东思想，为夺取新民主主义革命胜利指明了正确方向。

Comrade Mao Zedong combined the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities and creatively put forward the theory of New Democracy; its theoretical content is an important component of Mao Zedong Thought.

毛泽东同志将马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，创造性地提出了新民主主义理论，其理论内涵是毛泽东思想的重要组成部分。

During the period of socialist revolution and construction, the main task facing our Party was to realize the transition from New Democracy to socialism, carry out the socialist revolution, advance socialist construction, and lay the fundamental political prerequisite and institutional foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Facing the basic conclusion of the New Democratic Revolution stage and the beginning of the socialist revolution stage, Comrade Mao Zedong further raised and elaborated the theory, policy and line for the transition from New Democracy to socialism, led the whole Party and the people of the whole country in creatively opening up a path of socialist transformation suited to China’s characteristics, victoriously completed the task of the socialist revolution, established the socialist system, and laid an important foundation for all of China’s progress and development.

社会主义革命和建设时期，我们党面临的主要任务是，实现从新民主主义到社会主义的转变，进行社会主义革命，推进社会主义建设，为实现中华民族伟大复兴奠定根本政治前提和制度基础。面对着新民主主义革命阶段基本结束和社会主义革命阶段的开始，毛泽东同志进一步提出并阐述了由新民主主义向社会主义过渡的理论、方针和政策，领导全党和全国人民创造性地开辟了一条适合中国特点的社会主义改造道路，胜利完成了社会主义革命的任务，建立了社会主义制度，为我国一切进步和发展奠定了重要基础。

In 1956, China basically completed the socialist transformation of the private ownership of the means of production, basically realized public ownership of the means of production and distribution according to work, and established the socialist economic system. During this period, Comrade Mao Zedong proposed carrying out a “Second Integration” [14]14 The “Second Integration”: Mao Zedong’s call in 1956 for a second combination of Marxism-Leninism with China’s concrete realities, distinct from the first integration that produced Mao Zedong Thought during the revolutionary period, to guide socialist construction. of the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism with China’s concrete realities. Chinese Communists with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, integrating new realities, enriched and developed Mao Zedong Thought and put forward a series of important ideas on socialist construction, including that socialist society is a very long historical stage, strictly distinguishing and correctly handling contradictions among the people and contradictions between ourselves and the enemy, correctly handling the Ten Major Relationships [15]15 The Ten Major Relationships: A 1956 speech by Mao Zedong outlining ten pairs of contradictions in socialist construction (e.g., industry vs. agriculture, coastal vs. inland regions), intended to balance development priorities. in China’s socialist construction, finding an industrialization path suited to China’s national conditions, respecting the law of value, implementing the policy of “long-term coexistence and mutual supervision” in the relationship between the Party and the democratic parties, and implementing the policy of “letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend” in scientific and cultural work. These pioneering theoretical achievements still have important guiding significance today.

1956年，我国基本上完成对生产资料私有制的社会主义改造，基本上实现生产资料公有制和按劳分配，建立起社会主义经济制度。在这个时期，毛泽东同志提出把马克思列宁主义基本原理同中国具体实际进行“第二次结合”，以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，结合新的实际丰富和发展毛泽东思想，提出关于社会主义建设的一系列重要思想，包括社会主义社会是一个很长的历史阶段，严格区分和正确处理敌我矛盾和人民内部矛盾，正确处理我国社会主义建设的十大关系，走出一条适合我国国情的工业化道路，尊重价值规律，在党与民主党派的关系上实行“长期共存、互相监督”的方针，在科学文化工作中实行“百花齐放、百家争鸣”的方针等。这些独创性理论成果至今仍有重要指导意义。

Mao Zedong Thought is the creative application and development of Marxism-Leninism in China, the correct theoretical principles and summation of experience concerning China’s revolution and construction as proven by practice, and the first historic leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The living soul of Mao Zedong Thought is the standpoints, viewpoints and methods that run through all its components, embodied in the three basic aspects of seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence and self-reliance, providing scientific guidance for the development of the Party’s and the people’s cause.

毛泽东思想是马克思列宁主义在中国的创造性运用和发展，是被实践证明了的关于中国革命和建设的正确的理论原则和经验总结，是马克思主义中国化的第一次历史性飞跃。毛泽东思想的活的灵魂是贯穿于各个组成部分的立场、观点、方法，体现为实事求是、群众路线、独立自主三个基本方面，为党和人民事业发展提供了科学指引。

Second, the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Although we established the socialist economic system in 1956, there was no ready-made experience for how to build socialism.

第二，中国特色社会主义理论体系。1956年，虽然我们建立起社会主义经济制度，但是怎样建设社会主义，并没有现成的经验。

During the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, the main task facing the Party was to continue exploring the correct path for China to build socialism, to liberate and develop the productive forces, to lift the people out of poverty and enable them to become prosperous as quickly as possible, and to provide the institutional guarantee full of new vitality and the material conditions for rapid development needed for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期，党面临的主要任务是，继续探索中国建设社会主义的正确道路，解放和发展社会生产力，使人民摆脱贫困、尽快富裕起来，为实现中华民族伟大复兴提供充满新的活力的体制保证和快速发展的物质条件。

After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee [16]16 The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee: Held in December 1978, this meeting marked the official launch of reform and opening up, shifting the Party’s focus from class struggle to economic modernization under Deng Xiaoping’s leadership., Chinese Communists with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their chief representative united and led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country, profoundly summed up the positive and negative experience since the founding of New China, centered on the fundamental question of what socialism is and how to build socialism, drew on the historical experience of world socialism, and founded Deng Xiaoping Theory.

党的十一届三中全会以后，以邓小平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，团结带领全党全国各族人民，深刻总结新中国成立以来正反两方面经验，围绕什么是社会主义、怎样建设社会主义这一根本问题，借鉴世界社会主义历史经验，创立了邓小平理论。

After the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee [17]17 The Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee: Held in June 1989, this meeting confirmed Jiang Zemin as General Secretary of the CPC, Chinese Communists with Comrade Jiang Zemin as their chief representative united and led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country, adhered to the Party’s basic theory and basic line, deepened their understanding of what socialism is and how to build socialism and what kind of Party to build and how to build it, and formed the important thought of the “Three Represents” [18]18 The "Ten Clarifications" (十个明确) are a set of ten theoretical propositions summarizing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, first formally listed at the 19th National Congress in 2017 and refined at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee in 2021..

党的十三届四中全会以后，以江泽民同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，团结带领全党全国各族人民，坚持党的基本理论、基本路线，加深了对什么是社会主义、怎样建设社会主义和建设什么样的党、怎样建设党的认识，形成了“三个代表”重要思想。

After the 16th National Congress of the CPC [19]19 The "Fourteen Perseverances" (十四个坚持) are fourteen policy directions for implementing Xi Jinping Thought, outlined in the 19th National Congress report., Chinese Communists with Comrade Hu Jintao as their chief representative united and led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country, promoted practical innovation, theoretical innovation and institutional innovation in the course of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, profoundly understood and answered the major questions of what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it under the new circumstances, and formed the Scientific Outlook on Development [20]20 The "Thirteen Areas of Achievement" (十三个方面成就) are thirteen fields of progress under the New Era, summarized at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee in 2021..

党的十六大以后，以胡锦涛同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，团结带领全党全国各族人民，在全面建设小康社会进程中推进实践创新、理论创新、制度创新，深刻认识和回答了新形势下实现什么样的发展、怎样发展等重大问题，形成了科学发展观。

The fundamental reason for all the achievements and progress we have made since reform and opening up can be summed up as follows: we have blazed the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and formed the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The report of the 17th National Congress of the CPC pointed out that the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics includes “the scientific theoretical system comprising Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the ‘Three Represents,’ and the Scientific Outlook on Development and other major strategic thoughts,” and that “the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics is an open theoretical system that is constantly developing.”

改革开放以来我们取得一切成绩和进步的根本原因，归结起来就是：开辟了中国特色社会主义道路，形成了中国特色社会主义理论体系。党的十七大报告指出，中国特色社会主义理论体系包括“邓小平理论、‘三个代表’重要思想以及科学发展观等重大战略思想在内的科学理论体系”，“中国特色社会主义理论体系是不断发展的开放的理论体系”。

In 2021, the “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century” adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee [21]21 The "Six Musts" (六个必须坚持) are six methodological principles for theoretical innovation, introduced in the 20th National Congress report in 2022. pointed out: “The Party led and supported the great debate on the criterion of truth [22], adhered to and developed Marxism on the basis of new practice and the characteristics of the times, scientifically answered a series of basic questions concerning the development path, stage of development, fundamental task, driving force for development, development strategy, political guarantee, national reunification, diplomacy and international strategy, leading force and force to rely on for building socialism with Chinese characteristics, formed the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and realized a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.”

2021年，党的十九届六中全会通过的《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》指出：“党领导和支持开展真理标准问题大讨论，从新的实践和时代特征出发坚持和发展马克思主义，科学回答了建设中国特色社会主义的发展道路、发展阶段、根本任务、发展动力、发展战略、政治保证、祖国统一、外交和国际战略、领导力量和依靠力量等一系列基本问题，形成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。”

Third, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era. The main task facing the Party is to realize the First Centenary Goal [23], embark on the new journey toward the Second Centenary Goal [24], and continue advancing toward the grand goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

第三，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想。党的十八大以来，中国特色社会主义进入新时代。党面临的主要任务是，实现第一个百年奋斗目标，开启实现第二个百年奋斗目标新征程，朝着实现中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟目标继续前进。

In 2021, the “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century” adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee pointed out: “Comrade Xi Jinping has engaged in profound theoretical reflection and made scientific judgments on a series of major theoretical and practical issues concerning the development of the Party and the country in the New Era. With regard to the major epochal questions of what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era and how to uphold and develop it, what kind of socialist modernized power to build and how to build it, and what kind of Marxist political party to build that has been in power for a long time and how to build it, he has put forward a series of original new concepts, new ideas and new strategies for governance, and is the principal founder of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” In this passage, three major questions are raised:

2021年，党的十九届六中全会通过的《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》指出：“习近平同志对关系新时代党和国家事业发展的一系列重大理论和实践问题进行了深邃思考和科学判断，就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，建设什么样的社会主义现代化强国、怎样建设社会主义现代化强国，建设什么样的长期执政的马克思主义政党、怎样建设长期执政的马克思主义政党等重大时代课题，提出一系列原创性的治国理政新理念新思想新战略，是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的主要创立者。”在这段话中，提出了三个大问题：

First, what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop and how to uphold and develop it. The cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics is an unprecedented cause; we have no ready-made experience to follow. What kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop and how to uphold and develop it is both a theoretical question and a practical question.

一是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。中国特色社会主义事业是前无古人的事业，我们没有现成的经验可循。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，既是一个理论问题也是一个实践问题。

Second, what kind of great modern socialist country to build and how to build it. At present, all modern countries in the world have been established under the capitalist system. For socialist countries, there is likewise no experience in building a great modern country. Therefore, our Party has taken what kind of great modern socialist country to build and how to build it as a major issue of the times.

二是建设什么样的社会主义现代化强国、怎样建设社会主义现代化强国。当前，世界上的现代化国家都是在资本主义制度下建立的。对于社会主义国家，建设现代化强国的经验同样没有。所以，我们党将建设什么样的社会主义现代化强国、怎样建设社会主义现代化强国作为一个重大的时代课题。

Third, what kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build and how to build it. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping, centering on the major issue of the times of what kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build and how to build it, has put forward a series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies for governing, revitalizing, and strengthening the Party, raising the understanding of the laws governing Communist Party building to a new height and making major original contributions to the theory of Marxist party building.

三是建设什么样的长期执政的马克思主义政党、怎样建设长期执政的马克思主义政党。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记围绕建设什么样的长期执政的马克思主义政党、怎样建设长期执政的马克思主义政党的重大时代课题，提出一系列管党治党、兴党强党的新理念新思想新战略，把对共产党建设规律的认识提高到一个崭新高度，为马克思主义政党建设理论作出重大原创性贡献。

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the Marxism of contemporary China and the Marxism of the twenty-first century, the quintessence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit, and has achieved a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.

习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义，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新的飞跃。

The "Ten Clarifications,"[18]18 The "Ten Clarifications" (十个明确) are a set of ten theoretical propositions summarizing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, first formally listed at the 19th National Congress in 2017 and refined at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee in 2021. the "Fourteen Perseverances,"[19]19 The "Fourteen Perseverances" (十四个坚持) are fourteen policy directions for implementing Xi Jinping Thought, outlined in the 19th National Congress report. and the "Thirteen Areas of Achievement"[20]20 The "Thirteen Areas of Achievement" (十三个方面成就) are thirteen fields of progress under the New Era, summarized at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee in 2021. proposed at the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee summarize the main content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC put forward the "Six Musts,"[21]21 The "Six Musts" (六个必须坚持) are six methodological principles for theoretical innovation, introduced in the 20th National Congress report in 2022. which summarize and expound the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the standpoints, viewpoints, and methods that run through it. The "Ten Clarifications," the "Fourteen Perseverances," the "Thirteen Areas of Achievement," and the "Six Musts" embody the Party's valuable experience and major achievements in understanding and transforming the world, reflect the distinctive feature of combining theory with practice and unifying epistemology and methodology, and together constitute the scientific system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

党的十九大、十九届六中全会提出的“十个明确”、“十四个坚持”、“十三个方面成就”概括了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的主要内容。党的二十大报告提出了“六个必须坚持”，概括阐述了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观、方法论和贯穿其中的立场观点方法。“十个明确”、“十四个坚持”、“十三个方面成就”、“六个必须坚持”凝结着我们党认识世界、改造世界的宝贵经验和重大成果，体现了理论与实际相结合、认识论和方法论相统一的鲜明特色，共同构成了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的科学体系。

IV. How to Continue to Adapt Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

四、如何继续推进马克思主义中国化时代化

The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC points out: "Practice tells us that the reason why the Communist Party of China can do it and why socialism with Chinese characteristics works is, in the final analysis, that Marxism works and that Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times works. Possessing the guidance of Marxist scientific theory is the fundamental basis for our Party to firmly believe in its faith and ideals and to grasp the historical initiative."

党的二十大报告指出：“实践告诉我们，中国共产党为什么能，中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是马克思主义行，是中国化时代化的马克思主义行。拥有马克思主义科学理论指导是我们党坚定信仰信念、把握历史主动的根本所在。”

In 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized during the sixth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee: "On the basis of summarizing historical experience, the report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC proposed and expounded scientific methods for advancing theoretical innovation, such as the 'Two Integrations' and the 'Six Musts,' providing fundamental guidance for continuing to advance the Party's theoretical innovation. We must adhere to and apply them well."

2023年，习近平总书记在中共中央政治局第六次集体学习时强调：“党的二十大报告在总结历史经验基础上，提出并阐述了‘两个结合’、‘六个必须坚持’等推进理论创新的科学方法，为继续推进党的理论创新提供了根本遵循，我们要坚持好、运用好。”

The "Two Integrations" were clearly proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping in his important speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China, namely, "integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture," greatly enriching and expanding the basic connotation of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

“两个结合”是习近平总书记在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上的重要讲话中明确提出的，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”，极大丰富、拓展了马克思主义中国化时代化的基本内涵。

The "Six Musts" were proposed in the report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, namely, "must uphold a people-centered approach," "must uphold self-confidence and self-reliance," "must uphold integrity and innovation," "must uphold a problem-oriented approach," "must uphold a systems perspective," and "must uphold a global vision."

“六个必须坚持”是党的二十大报告中提出的，即“必须坚持人民至上”“必须坚持自信自立”“必须坚持守正创新”“必须坚持问题导向”“必须坚持系统观念”“必须坚持胸怀天下”。

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: "The major proposition of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times itself determines that we must never abandon the soul of Marxism, and we must never abandon the root of the best of traditional Chinese culture. Adhering to this soul and root is the foundation and prerequisite for theoretical innovation." We must use Marxism to activate the vital factors in the best of traditional Chinese culture and endow them with new connotations of the times, injecting the great spirit and rich wisdom of the Chinese nation into Marxism at a deeper level.

习近平总书记指出：“马克思主义中国化时代化这个重大命题本身就决定，我们决不能抛弃马克思主义这个魂脉，决不能抛弃中华优秀传统文化这个根脉。坚守好这个魂和根，是理论创新的基础和前提。”我们要用马克思主义激活中华优秀传统文化中富有生命力的优秀因子并赋予新的时代内涵，将中华民族的伟大精神和丰富智慧更深层次地注入马克思主义。

Theoretical innovation and theoretical leaps must be fundamentally based on answering the issues of the times. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: "Theoretical leaps are not reflected in the novelty of words and phrases, nor in the self-consistency of logic, but ultimately in answering practical questions and leading practical development. Marxism is a practical theory. The theoretical innovation we promote is theoretical innovation based on practice, not utopian thinking sitting in an ivory tower. We must insist on discovering truth and developing truth in practice, and using practice to realize truth and test truth."

理论的创新和理论的飞跃必须以解答时代课题为根本。习近平总书记指出：“理论的飞跃不是体现在词句的标新立异上，也不是体现在逻辑的自洽自证上，归根到底要体现在回答实践问题、引领实践发展上。马克思主义是实践的理论。我们推进理论创新是实践基础上的理论创新，而不是坐在象牙塔内的空想，必须坚持在实践中发现真理、发展真理，用实践来实现真理、检验真理。”

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: "Promoting the systematization and theorization of theory is the inherent requirement and important pathway of theoretical innovation." There are two core words here: one is systematization; the other is theorization. Why emphasize systematization and theorization? Systematization means incorporating the experience formed in practice into a complete scientific system and logical structure. Theorization means not only describing the phenomena of things but also revealing their essence, not only summarizing experience but also deriving the laws that make experience effective, thereby constructing the principled foundation of scientific theory.

习近平总书记指出：“推进理论的体系化、学理化，是理论创新的内在要求和重要途径。”这里有两个核心词，一是体系化；二是学理化。为什么要强调体系化和学理化？体系化是要把我们在实践中形成的经验纳入到完整的科学体系和逻辑结构中。学理化是指其不仅描述事物的现象，而且揭示事物的本质，不仅总结出经验，而且能得出经验之所以有效的规律，从而构建起科学理论的原理基础。

In the process of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, we must focus on drawing wisdom for theoretical innovation from the creations of the people. Marxism is a theory that speaks for the people and represents the people, founded to change the destiny of the people and enriched and developed in the practice of the people's struggle for liberation. The people's creative practice is the inexhaustible source of Marxist theoretical innovation.

在马克思主义中国化时代化的过程中，我们要注重从人民群众的创造中汲取理论创新智慧。马克思主义是为人民立言、为人民代言的理论，是为改变人民命运而创立、在人民求解放的实践中丰富和发展的，人民的创造性实践是马克思主义理论创新的不竭源泉。

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: "The achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times are all the crystallization of the practical experience and collective wisdom of the Party and the people. Whether it is Mao Zedong Thought, the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics, or the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, all originate from the wisdom, exploration, and creation of the people." Our work in various fields must follow the mass line, and advancing the Party's theoretical innovation must also follow the mass line, and must never engage in working behind closed doors, indulging in empty talk, or lapsing into utopian thinking.

习近平总书记指出：“马克思主义中国化时代化成果，都是党和人民实践经验和集体智慧的结晶。无论是毛泽东思想、中国特色社会主义理论体系，还是新时代中国特色社会主义思想，无不源自于人民的智慧、人民的探索、人民的创造。”我们的各项工作实践要走好群众路线，推进党的理论创新也要走好群众路线，决不能闭门造车、坐而论道、流于空想。

Practice has no end, and theoretical innovation has no end. To continue to advance theoretical innovation based on practice, we must grasp the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and adhere to and apply the standpoints, viewpoints, and methods that run through it. Continuously writing a new chapter in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is the solemn historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists. We must grasp the relationship between historical responsibility and mission tasks, between unifying thinking and upholding integrity and innovation, and between theoretical innovation and practical innovation, seriously study major and urgent issues, continue to advance theoretical innovation based on practice, better use the Party's innovative theories of the New Era to observe the times, grasp the times, and lead the times, and make due contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

实践没有止境，理论创新也没有止境。想要继续推进实践基础上的理论创新，就要把握好习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论，坚持好、运用好贯穿其中的立场观点方法。不断谱写马克思主义中国化时代化新篇章，是当代中国共产党人的庄严历史责任。我们要把握好历史责任和使命任务、统一思想和守正创新、理论创新和实践创新的关系，认真研究重大而紧迫的问题，继续推进实践基础上的理论创新，更好用新时代党的创新理论观察时代、把握时代、引领时代，为中华民族伟大复兴作出应有贡献。

Source: xuanjiangjia.com, November 30, 2024

文章来源：《宣讲家网》2024年11月30日

Online editor: Jing Mu

网络编辑：静穆