Chen Yun’s Thought on the Method of Advancing Reform

Using reform methods to resolve contradictions and problems in development is an important experience of our Party in governing the country. Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC [1]1 The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC, held in December 1978, is widely regarded as the starting point of China’s reform and opening-up era., Chen Yun, drawing on his rich experience in long-term leadership of economic work, published many incisive and profound discussions on how to advance reform, playing a significant role in promoting reform and opening up as well as socialist modernization.

善于用改革的办法解决发展中的矛盾和问题，是我们党治国理政的一条重要经验。党的十一届三中全会以来，陈云以自己长期领导经济工作的丰富经验，就如何推进改革发表了很多精辟而深刻的论述，为推动改革开放和社会主义现代化建设发挥了重要作用。

The direction of reform: “the self-improvement and self-development of the socialist system.” What direction of reform is adhered to determines the nature and ultimate success or failure of reform. At the closing session of the National Conference of the CPC in September 1985, Chen Yun clearly pointed out that the reform we are carrying out is the self-improvement and self-development of the socialist system. He hoped that the entire Party would strengthen their faith in Marxism and their conviction in socialism and communism. He repeatedly emphasized that the reform and opening up we are carrying out is socialist reform and opening up; the economic system reform we are carrying out is socialist economic system reform; the modernization we are pursuing is socialist modernization, not any other kind of modernization. To depart from the ideals of socialism and communism is very dangerous. He also specifically stated that in carrying out reform and opening up, we must devote ourselves not only to material civilization but also attach great importance to cultural-ethical progress. Otherwise, our “entire cause” would deviate in direction, potentially “straying from Marxism and from the socialist path.”

改革的方向：“社会主义制度的自我完善和发展”。坚持什么样的改革方向，决定着改革的性质和最终的成败。陈云在1985年9月召开的中国共产党全国代表会议闭幕会上明确指出，我们正在进行的改革，是社会主义制度的自我完善和发展。他希望全党同志坚定对马克思主义的信仰，坚定对社会主义和共产主义的信念。他多次强调，我们进行的改革开放，是社会主义的改革开放；我们进行的经济体制改革，是社会主义的经济体制改革；我们搞的现代化，是社会主义的现代化，而不是别的现代化。如果脱离社会主义和共产主义理想，是很危险的。他还特别讲到，我们搞改革开放，既要致力于物质文明建设，还要高度重视精神文明建设。否则，我们的“整个事业”就会发生方向性错误，就可能“偏离马克思主义，偏离社会主义道路”。

After reform and opening up entered a new historical period, some people became confused about their faith in Marxism, and some even voiced the negative sentiment that “communism is nowhere in sight.” In response, Chen Yun stressed that communism is within sight; socialism is the first stage of communism. Some people, after going abroad and seeing development overseas, returned to advocate that the Chinese moon is not as round as the foreign moon, that socialism is inferior to capitalism, and so on. In response, in his speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee of the CPC [2]2 The Second Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee of the CPC was held in October 1983., he emphasized that capitalism will inevitably be replaced by communism—this is an unchangeable law—and he shouted, “Long live socialism! Long live communism!”

改革开放进入新的历史时期之后，一些人对马克思主义的信仰产生了迷茫，更有甚者产生了“共产主义遥遥无期”的消极论调。陈云对此强调指出，共产主义遥遥有期，社会主义就是共产主义的第一阶段。有些人走出国门，见到了国外的发展，回来便鼓吹中国的月亮不如外国的圆、社会主义不如资本主义等等。对此，他在党的十二届二中全会的发言中强调，资本主义必然被共产主义所代替，这是无可改变的法则，并高呼“社会主义万岁！共产主义万岁！”

The principle of reform: “To seek truth from facts, we must first clarify the ‘facts.’” Seeking truth from facts was the ideological line Chen Yun practiced throughout his life. He consistently emphasized the materialist method of thought: “not merely following superiors, not merely following books, only following facts; exchange, compare, repeat” [3]3 “Not merely following superiors, not merely following books, only following facts; exchange, compare, repeat” is a well-known methodological maxim of Chen Yun, emphasizing empirical investigation and dialectical thinking., clearly articulating a scientific attitude of proceeding from reality in everything. In March 1979, after resuming leadership of central financial and economic work, Chen Yun repeatedly stressed that to seek truth from facts, we must first clarify the “facts.” First, get the facts straight—this is the key issue.

改革的原则：“讲实事求是，先要把‘实事’搞清楚”。实事求是是陈云践行一生的思想路线。他一贯强调“不唯上、不唯书、只唯实，交换、比较、反复”的唯物主义思想方法，鲜明阐释了一切从实际出发的科学态度。1979年3月，重新主持中央财经工作以后，陈云多次强调，我们讲实事求是，先要把“实事”搞清楚。首先要弄清事实，这是关键问题。

Chen Yun attached great importance to investigation and research, regarding it as the prerequisite and foundation for seeking truth from facts. He pointed out that the difficulty lies in clarifying the situation, not in deciding policy; it is important to see reality completely and clarify the situation, and only then to decide policy and solve problems. He emphasized that more than 90 percent of the time should be spent clarifying the situation, and less than 10 percent of the time on deciding policy. China’s reform began in the countryside, and its main form was the implementation of the household contract responsibility system. Faced with much skepticism, Chen Yun, after fully investigating the “facts” in the countryside, pointed out, “There are over 900 million people, 80 percent in the countryside. Thirty years after the victory of the revolution, there are still people begging; we need to improve their lives. It is under these circumstances that we are pursuing the four modernizations.” He believed that implementing the household contract system conformed to the will of hundreds of millions of peasants and was a good way to solve the problem. In the early 1980s, the household contract responsibility system was quickly rolled out across the country’s rural areas, greatly mobilizing peasants’ production enthusiasm and laying a solid foundation for solving the problem of food and clothing.

陈云高度重视调查研究工作，把调查研究作为实事求是的前提和基础。他指出，难者在弄清情况，不在决定政策；把实际看完全、把情况弄清楚是重要的，其次才是决定政策，解决问题。他强调，要用百分之九十以上的时间去弄清情况，用不到百分之十的时间来决定政策。中国改革从农村开始，其最主要形式是实行家庭联产承包责任制。面对众多质疑，陈云在充分调查了农村的“实事”之后指出，“九亿多人口，百分之八十在农村，革命胜利三十年了还有要饭的，需要改善生活。我们是在这种情况下搞四个现代化的”。他认为实行包产到户合乎亿万农民的意愿，是解决问题的好办法。20世纪80年代初，家庭联产承包责任制很快就在全国农村推开，极大地调动起农民的生产积极性，为解决温饱问题打下了坚实基础。

Baosteel [4]4 Baosteel (Baoshan Iron and Steel Corporation) is a major state-owned steel enterprise in Shanghai, whose construction began in the late 1970s. was also successfully put into operation under the guidance of Chen Yun’s method of seeking truth from facts in reform. Because the Baosteel project was launched hastily, there were some problems, and opinions were divided on whether to continue its construction. After repeatedly listening to opinions from all sides, holding many meetings for discussion, and personally conducting on-site investigations and research in Shanghai, Chen Yun finally made the decision to see the Baosteel project through to completion. After more than seven years of construction, in September 1985, Baosteel was successfully completed and put into operation, later becoming China’s largest steel enterprise.

宝钢也是在陈云实事求是改革方法论的指导下成功投产的。由于宝钢项目是仓促上马，存在一些问题，对宝钢建设是否继续下去，意见不一致。陈云在反复听取各方意见、多次召开会议讨论并亲自到上海实地调研考察的基础上，最终下定决心要求宝钢干到底。经过7年多建设，1985年9月，宝钢顺利建成投产，并在日后成为我国最大的钢铁企业。

The path of reform: “Reform must go through pilot projects.” After reform and opening up, Chen Yun repeatedly emphasized that reform is an exploratory path of “crossing the river by feeling the stones” [5]5 “Crossing the river by feeling the stones” is a famous metaphor for gradual, experimental reform attributed to Deng Xiaoping and widely used in Chinese reform discourse., starting from pilot projects, boldly practicing, advancing steadily, and summarizing in a timely manner.

改革的路径：“改革必须经过试点”。改革开放后，陈云多次强调：改革是一条“摸着石头过河”的探索之路，要从试点开始，大胆实践、稳步前进、及时总结。

Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, from “household contracting” to the “household contract responsibility system,” as well as the implementation of the production economic responsibility system in the industrial sector, these reform measures were all obtained through exploratory practice. Chen Yun discussed this extensively. In December 1980, at the opening session of the Central Work Conference, he pointed out that reform certainly relies on certain theoretical research, economic statistics, and economic forecasting, but more importantly, it must start with pilot projects and summarize experience at any time—that is, to “cross the river by feeling the stones.” In early 1983, regarding the summary of the State Council executive meeting discussing reform of the domestic commercial circulation system, Chen Yun put forward two points: first, the system must be reformed; second, reform must go through pilot projects. In May 1988, when talking with responsible comrades from Zhejiang Province in Hangzhou, he pointed out, “The ‘Nine Streams and Eighteen Ravines’ [6]6 “Nine Streams and Eighteen Ravines” is a scenic area in Zhejiang Province, used here as a metaphor for a complex, step-by-step process.—you always have to cross by feeling the stones; you always have to go down into the river and try. ‘Crossing the river by feeling the stones’—there is nothing wrong with that.”

党的十一届三中全会以来，从“包产到户”到“家庭联产承包责任制”，以及在工业领域实行生产经济责任制等等，这些改革举措都是在摸索实践中得来的。对此，陈云有过诸多论述。1980年12月，他在中央工作会议开幕会上指出，改革固然要靠一定的理论研究、经济统计和经济预测，更重要的还是要从试点着手，随时总结经验，也就是要“摸着石头过河”。1983年初，针对国务院常务会议讨论国内商业流通体制改革的会议纪要，陈云提出两点意见：一是体制必须改革，二是改革必须经过试点。1988年5月，在杭州同浙江省负责人谈话时指出，“九溪十八涧”，总要摸着石头过，总要下河去试一试。“摸着石头过河”，这话没有错。

The purpose of reform: “Truly seek benefits for the people.” Placing the pursuit of benefits for the people first runs through Chen Yun’s economic thought. In many speeches, Chen Yun repeatedly emphasized that the ultimate goal of grasping reform and engaging in economic construction is to improve the people’s lives, to “truly seek benefits for the people.” He said this and he did it. The basic livelihood issues of the masses—food, clothing, housing, transportation—were always on his mind. After solving the problem of grain supply, he made great efforts to solve the problems of ordinary people’s access to vegetables, meat, eggs, and milk, and to solve the employment and housing problems of educated youth returning from the countryside [7]7 “Educated youth returning from the countryside” refers to the urban youth sent to rural areas during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) who returned to cities in the late 1970s and early 1980s, creating significant employment and housing pressures.. He said, “If we cannot solve the people’s problems of food and clothing, our cause of socialist construction will be unstable.”

改革的宗旨：“真正为人民谋福利”。把为人民谋福利放在第一位，贯穿陈云经济思想的始终。在多个讲话中，陈云一再强调，抓改革、搞经济建设的最终目的，都是为了改善人民的生活，“真正为人民谋福利”。他是这么讲的，也是这么做的。人民群众的吃、穿、住、行等基本民生问题，他一直牵挂在心。在解决了吃粮问题之后，又下大力气解决老百姓吃菜肉蛋奶的问题，解决返城知青的就业、住房等问题。他说：“如果我们不能解决人民的吃饭穿衣问题，我们的社会主义建设事业便站不稳。”

Chen Yun paid great attention to handling the relationship between reform and the people’s livelihood. By summing up experience and analyzing various contradictions, he put forward the view that “economic construction and the people’s livelihood must both be taken into account and must be balanced.” In 1978, when considering the order of supply issues in the domestic market, he pointed out that the peasant side must first be stabilized. Once the peasants have grain in hand, it becomes easier to solve problems with cotton, sideline products, oil, sugar, and other cash crops. With the peasant population of over 700 million stabilized, the majority is stabilized, and the world is at peace. Subsequently, Chen Yun summarized the above view as “first, eating; second, construction” and “first, livelihood; then, construction.” This thought later gradually became an important guideline guiding China’s economic and social development.

陈云十分注重处理好改革与民生的关系。通过总结经验和剖析各种矛盾，提出“经济建设和人民生活必须兼顾，必须平衡”的观点。在1978年考虑国内市场供应问题的次序时，他指出，要先把农民这一头安稳下来。农民手中有了粮食，棉花、副食品、油、糖和其他经济作物就好解决了。七亿多的农民人口稳定了，就摆稳了大多数，天下就安定了。随后，陈云将上述观点概括为“一要吃饭，二要建设”“先生活，后建设”。这一思想后来也逐步成为指导我国经济社会发展的一项重要指针。

The guarantee of reform: “Without a good Party style, reform cannot be carried out well.” Chen Yun attached great importance to strengthening the education of Party spirit and discipline among Communist Party members. At the beginning of the re-establishment of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection [8]8 The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC was re-established in 1978 to enforce Party discipline and combat corruption., Chen Yun stressed that the first thing the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection must grasp is Party style. In response to the problem that some localities set compliance with discipline in opposition to reform and opening up, proposing to “untie” cadres, Chen Yun unequivocally pointed out, “There is no question of ‘untying’ the principles of Party spirit and Party discipline. Without a good Party style, reform cannot be carried out well.” “Party discipline must be upheld at all times.”

改革的保障：“没有好的党风，改革是搞不好的”。陈云非常重视加强共产党员的党性教育和纪律教育。中央纪委恢复成立之初，陈云就强调指出，中央纪委首先要抓的就是党风。针对有些地方把遵守纪律与改革开放对立起来，提出要给干部“松绑”的问题，陈云旗帜鲜明地指出，“党性原则和党的纪律不存在‘松绑’的问题。没有好的党风，改革是搞不好的。”“任何时候都必须坚持党的纪律”。

Chen Yun strongly emphasized that leading cadres, especially senior leading cadres, must “lead by example and set a model” in rectifying Party conduct. [9]9 “Rectifying Party conduct” (端正党风) refers to the campaign to correct unhealthy tendencies within the Chinese Communist Party, especially in the early reform era under Deng Xiaoping, when Chen Yun served as head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. In response to problems at the time where some cadres’ children exploited loopholes in reform and engaged in profiteering through speculation, he demanded that the Party’s senior leading personnel set a good example for the entire Party, and absolutely not allow their children to rely on kinship relations to seek power and profit and become privileged individuals. To this end, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection drafted a proposal on prohibiting the children and spouses of leading cadres from engaging in business and running enterprises. After reading it, Chen Yun gave his instruction: “This matter should be stopped by a clear decision from the Central Committee, just as it strictly prohibits Party and government organs and Party and government cadres from engaging in business and running enterprises. Otherwise, as it develops, the Party’s organism and the Party-mass relationship will inevitably be harmed, the Party conduct that has shown some improvement will also be affected, and reform will be difficult to carry out smoothly.”

陈云十分强调领导干部特别是高级领导干部在端正党风问题上“身体力行、作出榜样”。针对当时有些干部子弟钻改革空子、倒买倒卖等问题，他要求党的高级领导人员要给全党带好头，决不允许他们的子女倚仗亲属关系，谋权谋利，成为特殊人物。为此，中央纪委起草了一份关于不许领导干部子女及其配偶经商办企业的建议，陈云看后批示：“这件事，应由中央像严禁党政机关和党政干部经商、办企业的问题那样，作出明确的决定方能制止。不然的话，发展下去，党的肌体、党群关系必将受到损害，有所好转的党风也会受到影响，改革也难以顺利进行。”

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧