An Outline of the Theoretical Themes of Marxism Adapted to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China [1]1 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, held in July 2024, focused on further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization. highly appraised the successful practice and great achievements of comprehensively deepening reform and opening up since the New Era, and clearly pointed out that to further comprehensively deepen reform, it is necessary to uphold Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and to fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Why the Communist Party of China can succeed and why socialism with Chinese characteristics can work is, in the final analysis, because Marxism works, and because Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times works.” [2]2 This is a direct quotation from Xi Jinping’s report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC in October 2022. This important statement is based on the logical mainline of the “two works,” [3]3 “Two works” refers to the statement that “Marxism works” and “Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times works.” clearly pointing out the strong political character and theoretical innovation advantage of our Party, and manifesting great truth power and social value in the interaction and fit between history and reality. History proves that the occurrence of any historical activity has a distinct practical theme, and the content composition of the scientific theoretical system guiding practice requires the leading role of the theoretical theme. Conceptually, “theme” refers to the central idea and core content that a thought theory, cultural work, social activity, etc., intends to disseminate; while “the theme of a theory is the central question that the theory concentrates on exploring and answering,” [4]4 This is a definition of “theoretical theme” cited by the authors from unspecified academic literature. and is also the major epochal issue and main object that the theory seeks to respond to, inherently containing the discursive attributes of politics, culture, and ideology. Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times was formed and developed in the theory and practice of the century-old Party; adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is a process of fitting the basic principles of Marxism with China’s particular practice. Its theoretical theme has consistently run through the different historical periods of the Party’s “saving the nation—rejuvenating the nation—enriching the nation—strengthening the nation” [5]5 This four-part phrase summarizes the historical tasks of the CPC: saving the nation (revolution and independence), rejuvenating the nation (early socialist construction), enriching the nation (reform and opening up), and strengthening the nation (the New Era). and their practical logic, and has become “a single red thread” [6]6 “A single red thread” (一根红线) is a common Chinese metaphor for a unifying or consistent principle running through a body of work or history. for us to understand and grasp the content spectrum and core essence of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. On the new journey of the New Era, strengthening research on the “problem domain” [7]7 “Problem domain” (问题域) is a term from Chinese academic discourse referring to the scope or field of questions a theory addresses. of the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times will help deepen the understanding of the regularity and academic development of the Party’s theoretical innovation, and also help to deeply study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important statements on comprehensively deepening reform and the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, so as to advance Chinese-path modernization through further comprehensively deepening reform, and to comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

党的二十届三中全会高度评价了新时代以来全面深化改革的成功实践和伟大成就，明确指出进一步全面深化改革必须坚持马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想。习近平总书记强调：“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。”这一重要论述立足于“两个行”的逻辑主线，鲜明地指出我们党所具有的坚强政治品格和理论创新优势，在历史和现实的契合互动中彰显着伟大的真理力量和社会价值。历史证明，任何历史活动的发生都有着鲜明的实践主题，而指引实践的科学理论体系的内容构成，都需要理论主题发挥引领作用。从概念上看，“主题”意指一个思想理论、文化作品、社会活动等想要传播的中心思想与核心内容；而“理论的主题，就是理论集中探索解答的中心问题”，也是理论想要回答的重大时代课题和主要对象，内在蕴含着政治、文化和意识形态的话语属性。中国化时代化马克思主义形成和发展于百年大党的理论和实践，马克思主义中国化时代化是将马克思主义基本原理与中国特殊性实践相契合的发生过程，其理论主题始终贯穿于党的“救国——兴国——富国——强国”的不同历史时期及其实践逻辑，已成为我们理解和把握马克思主义中国化时代化内容谱系与核心要义的“一根红线”。新时代新征程，加强对中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题“问题域”的研究，有助于深化对党的理论创新的规律性认识和学理性发展，也有助于深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于全面深化改革的重要论述和党的二十届三中全会精神，以进一步全面深化改革推进中国式现代化，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。

I. The Basic Connotation, Structural Characteristics, and Research Value of the Theoretical Themes of Marxism Adapted to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

一、中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的基本内涵、结构特征及研究价值

The generation of any theoretical system is an internal coupling of historical inevitability and epochal particularity. Deeply grasping the basic connotation, structural characteristics, and research value of the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times helps to deeply understand the theoretical map, development process, and value implications of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

任何理论体系的生成都是历史必然性和时代特殊性的内在耦合。深刻把握中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的基本内涵、结构特征及研究价值，有助于深刻认识马克思主义中国化时代化的理论图谱、发展进程及价值意蕴。

(I) The Basic Connotation of the Theoretical Themes of Marxism Adapted to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

（一）中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的基本内涵

The practice of China’s revolution, construction, reform and opening up, and the New Era proves that the reason why various undertakings of the Party and the state have been able to achieve one historic achievement after another is precisely because they have always adhered to the guidance of Marxism in the practical field and continuously deepened the understanding of the regularity of theoretical innovation in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. In the historical process of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, three major theoretical achievements of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times have been produced successively, namely, Mao Zedong Thought, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics (composed of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development), and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They all belong to Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Currently, academic circles rarely directly take the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times as the research object; related research mostly revolves around theoretical analysis of the three major theoretical achievements. For example: some scholars, based on “contradiction analysis,” believe that “revolution” is the theoretical theme of Mao Zedong Thought; some scholars, based on “value analysis,” believe that the theoretical theme of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is to “provide scientific theoretical guidance for realizing socialist modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”; some scholars, based on “fundamental analysis,” believe that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the theme and mainline running through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Although different theoretical achievements have differences in theoretical themes, under the practical guidance of the “revolutionary-type political party,” [8]8 “Revolutionary-type political party” (革命型政党) refers to the CPC’s self-understanding as a party that continues the revolutionary tradition even after taking power, as opposed to a purely electoral or administrative party. the three major theoretical achievements and the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times to which they commonly belong share a consistent commonality.

中国革命、建设、改革开放和新时代的实践证明，党和国家各项事业之所以能够取得一个又一个的历史性成就，就是因为在实践领域始终坚持以马克思主义为指导，不断深化对马克思主义中国化时代化理论创新的规律性认识。马克思主义中国化时代化的历史进程中，先后产生了中国化时代化马克思主义的三大理论成果，即毛泽东思想、中国特色社会主义理论体系（由邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观构成）和习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，它们都统属于中国化时代化马克思主义。目前，学术界鲜有直接以中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题为研究对象的，相关研究大多围绕三大理论成果展开理论分析，比如：有学者基于“矛盾性分析”，认为“革命”是毛泽东思想的理论主题；有学者基于“价值性分析”，认为中国特色社会主义理论体系的理论主题是为“实现社会主义现代化和中华民族伟大复兴给予科学的理论指导”；有学者基于“根本性分析”，认为中国特色社会主义是贯穿于习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的主题主线。虽然不同理论成果有理论主题的差异，但在“革命型政党”实践引领下，三大理论成果及其共同归属的中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题有着一脉相承的共通性。

From the perspective of connotation, the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times mainly answer the basic questions and epochal issues running through the process of China’s revolution, construction, reform and opening up, and the New Era, including: what is Marxism and how to uphold and develop Marxism; what kind of socialism to build and how to build socialism; what kind of great modern socialist country to build and how to build a great modern socialist country; what kind of Marxist political party to build and how to build a Marxist political party. The theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times and its three major theoretical achievements, while maintaining continuity, keep pace with the times in constantly answering the questions of the era, practice, the people, and the world faced by our Party, jointly constituting the dynamic development pattern and systematic complete form of the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

从内涵上看，中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题主要是回答贯穿于中国革命、建设、改革开放和新时代进程中的基本问题和时代课题，包括：什么是马克思主义、怎样坚持和发展马克思主义；建设什么样的社会主义、怎样建设社会主义；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；建设什么样的马克思主义政党、怎样建设马克思主义政党。中国化时代化马克思主义及其三大理论成果的理论主题，既一脉相承又与时俱进地不断回答着我们党所面临的时代之问、实践之问、人民之问和世界之问，共同构成了中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的动态化发展样态和体系化完整形态。

(II) The Structural Characteristics of the Theoretical Themes of Marxism Adapted to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

（二）中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的结构特征

Structural characteristics refer to the relatively stable, enduring internal relationships formed among various elements, which are the basic units for the generation and development of a thing or theoretical system. The structural characteristics of the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times are presented in the theoretical themes of the three major theoretical achievements, specifically manifested in the following “three commonalities”: First, common origin. Although the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times present different value attributes and structural tensions in terms of content elements, they have a high degree of common origin in terms of driving factors, mainly manifested as: in terms of endogenous driving forces, always adhering to the ideological drive of the Two Integrations; [9]9 The Two Integrations refer to the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of China’s traditional culture. in terms of exogenous driving forces, always formed based on changes in the principal contradiction in society and the enhancement of the adaptive capacity of Party policies. Second, common direction. As a theoretical product that keeps pace with the times, no matter how the connotation of this theoretical theme changes, the development goal carried by its internal genes always moves towards a common direction. Overall, the theoretical themes of different theoretical achievements are all dedicated to realizing the great dream of “national prosperity, national rejuvenation, and people’s happiness.” It is under the guidance of this goal logic that the successful path of Chinese-path modernization has been continuously opened up. Third, common purpose. The mass view of history is the value basis for the generation of the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. The theme and mainline of the century-old Party’s theoretical innovation run through the Party’s mass line, the “three favorables,” [10]10 The “three favorables” (三个有利于) are a criterion proposed by Deng Xiaoping: whether something is favorable to the development of socialist productive forces, to the enhancement of the comprehensive national strength of a socialist country, and to the improvement of people’s living standards. and the development concepts of people-orientedness and putting the people first. The theoretical themes of the three major theoretical achievements have always manifested distinct Party values and people attributes.

结构特征是指各要素之间所形成的相对稳定、持久的内在关联，是一个事物和理论体系所生成和发展的基本单元。中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的结构特征，呈现在三大理论成果的理论主题中，具体表现为以下“三个同”：其一，同源性。中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题，虽然在内容要素方面呈现不同的价值属性、结构张力，但在动力因素方面具有高度的同源性，主要表现为：在内生动力方面，始终坚持“两个结合”的思想驱动；在外生动力方面，始终是基于社会主要矛盾变化以及提升政党政策适应性能力而形成的。其二，同向性。中国化时代化马克思主义作为与时俱进的理论产物，无论这一理论主题的内涵如何变化，其内在基因所携带的发展目标始终朝着共同的方向。整体而言，不同理论成果的理论主题都是在致力于实现“国家富强、民族振兴和人民幸福”的伟大梦想，正是在这一目标逻辑的引领下，不断开辟了中国式现代化的成功道路。其三，同旨性。群众史观是中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题生成的价值观基点。百年大党理论创新的主题主线贯穿着党的群众路线、“三个有利于”、以人为本和人民至上的发展理念，三大理论成果的理论主题始终彰显着鲜明的政党价值观与人民属性。

(III) The Research Value of the Theoretical Themes of Marxism Adapted to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

（三）中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的研究价值

The Communist Party of China adheres to the ideological line of emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, keeping pace with the times, and being realistic and pragmatic, upholds fundamental principles and breaks new ground, and on the basis of exploring the “three laws,” [11]11 The “three laws” (三大规律) are the laws governing the CPC’s governance, the laws governing socialist construction, and the laws governing the development of human society. has formed and developed the theoretical achievements of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Systematically grasping the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times and its three major theoretical achievements has important theoretical, practical, and academic value.

中国共产党坚持解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进、求真务实的思想路线，守正创新，在探索“三大规律”的基础上，形成与发展了中国化时代化马克思主义理论成果。系统把握中国化时代化马克思主义及其三大理论成果的理论主题，有着重要的理论性、实践性和学理性价值。

1. It helps to comprehensively understand and grasp the synchronic and diachronic relationships of the Party’s theoretical innovation, and deeply comprehend the spiritual essence of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

1.有助于全面认识和把握党的理论创新的共时性和历时性关系，深入领会中国化时代化马克思主义的精神实质

Openness, developmental character, and practicality are themselves theoretical genes carried by Marxism. Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is a theoretical system gradually formed on the basis of grasping the dialectical logic of diachronic and synchronic dimensions in accordance with changes in objective circumstances. Among these, diachronicity refers to the characteristics of the stage-by-stage changes in the Party’s theoretical innovation; synchronicity refers to the logical interconnections among the various elements of the Party’s theoretical innovation as they are generated historically. Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is precisely the product of continuous exploration over the Party’s century-long development process. The core theoretical themes formed at its different stages—represented by “revolution,” “construction,” “reform and opening up,” and the “New Era”—manifest the phased tasks and value goals of the Party’s theoretical themes in different periods. Deepening research on theoretical themes helps to grasp as a whole the content genealogy and theoretical characteristics of the three major theoretical achievements, and to profoundly comprehend the scientific connotation and spiritual essence of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

开放性、发展性和实践性本身就是马克思主义自身所携带的理论基因，中国化时代化马克思主义是在依据客观形势变化、把握历时性和共时性的辩证逻辑基础上逐步形成的理论体系。其中，历时性是指党的理论创新的阶段性变化特征；而共时性是指在历史生成中党的理论创新各要素内部之间的逻辑关联。中国化时代化马克思主义正是在党的百年发展历程中持续探索而来的，其不同阶段所形成的以“革命”“建设”“改革开放”“新时代”等为代表的核心理论主题，彰显着不同时期党的理论主题的阶段性任务和价值目标。深化理论主题研究，有助于整体把握三大理论成果的内容谱系和理论特质，深刻领会中国化时代化马克思主义的科学内涵与精神实质。

2. It helps to scientifically grasp and understand the historical positioning, logical mainline, and practical value of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

2.有助于科学把握和理解中国化时代化马克思主义的历史定位、逻辑主线和实践价值

Theory arises from the development of the times and exists because of the needs of society. Based on a dialectical thinking of connection and development, Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times does not remain at a certain historical stage but is a scientific theoretical system that continuously develops along with social practice. Its theoretical themes are based on judgments of the changes in the principal social contradictions and historical orientation at different periods, thereby presenting, within the overall framework, content characteristics that unify the universality and particularity of the theoretical themes of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Deepening research on these theoretical themes helps to comprehensively grasp the phased tasks of the Party’s theoretical innovation, profoundly comprehend the logical mainline and core essence of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and deepen understanding of the guiding function and practical value of the theoretical innovation of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

理论既因时代的发展而生，又因社会的需要而存。基于联系的、发展的辩证思维，中国化时代化马克思主义并非停留在某个历史阶段，而是伴随社会实践得到不断发展的科学理论体系，其理论主题是基于不同时期社会主要矛盾变化和历史方位的基本判断，从而在整体架构中呈现中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的普遍性与特殊性相统一的内容特征。深化对这一理论主题的研究，有助于全面把握党的理论创新的阶段性任务，深刻领会马克思主义中国化时代化的逻辑主线与核心要义，深化认识中国化时代化马克思主义理论创新的引领性功能及实践性价值。

3. It helps to explore and distinguish the logical relationships among concepts such as “theoretical theme,” “theme of the times,” “practical theme,” “theme of the Party Congress,” and “major issues.”

3.有助于探究和辨析“理论主题”与“时代主题”“实践主题”“党代会主题”“重大课题”等概念的逻辑关系

Currently, when discussing theoretical themes, academic circles often use them interchangeably with concepts such as “theme of the times,” “practical theme,” “theme of the Party Congress,” and “major issues.” This makes it necessary to further clarify their mutual theoretical relationships. First, the “theme of the times” refers to major issues in a given historical period that affect the development strategy of the Party and the state; it is an important reference point for the generation of the “theoretical theme.” Second, the “practical theme” is the externalization process of the “theoretical theme,” but “the theoretical theme focuses on revealing the concepts, paths, and methods for realizing this practical theme.” Third, the “theme of the Party Congress” is a goal-oriented positioning based on a specific historical stage, running through the phased tasks of the “theoretical theme”; the relationship between the two is that of a “subset” and a “proper subset.” Fourth, “major issues” refer to the “ox nose” that drives national economic and social development. [12]12 “Ox nose” (牛鼻子) is a Chinese idiom meaning the key or crucial point that controls a situation. In the New Era, matters such as “carrying forward the great spirit of the Long March” have been summarized as current “major issues.” [13]13 The “great spirit of the Long March” refers to the ethos of the Communist Party of China’s strategic retreat (1934–1935), emphasizing perseverance, sacrifice, and revolutionary optimism. It can be seen that “major issues” cover a wide range of content, while the “theoretical theme” is the condensation and summary of “major issues.” Currently, to comprehensively grasp the scientific connotation of the “theoretical theme,” it is necessary to insist that the “theoretical theme” be compatible with the “theme of the times,” consistent with the “practical theme,” linked to the “theme of the Party Congress,” and unified with “major issues.” Only then can the logical relationships among them be accurately grasped.

当前，学界在探讨理论主题时，往往存在着与“时代主题”“实践主题”“党代会主题”“重大课题”概念交叉使用的情况，这就应进一步厘清相互的学理性关系。一是“时代主题”，是指一定历史时期影响到党和国家发展战略的重大问题，这是“理论主题”生成的重要参照点；二是“实践主题”，是“理论主题”的外化过程，但“理论主题侧重揭示实现这个实践主题的理念、路径和方式”；三是“党代会主题”，是基于某一个特定历史阶段而进行的目标性定位，贯穿于“理论主题”的阶段性任务中，两者是“子集”与“真子集”的关系；四是“重大课题”，是指在牵动国家经济社会发展的“牛鼻子”，进入新时代，关于“弘扬伟大长征精神”等都曾被归纳为当前所面临的“重大课题”；可见，“重大课题”内容涉及广泛，而“理论主题”是对“重大课题”的凝练和总结。当前，全面把握“理论主题”的科学内涵，需要坚持“理论主题”与“时代主题”相适应、与“实践主题”相契合、与“党代会主题”相联系、与“重大课题”相统一，才能准确把握相互之间的逻辑关系。

II. The Theoretical Themes of Mao Zedong Thought

二、毛泽东思想的理论主题

As the theoretical achievement of the first historic leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, the most distinctive theoretical theme of Mao Zedong Thought is “revolution.” However, analyzed from a historical dimension, Mao Zedong Thought, as a complete scientific theoretical system, also includes the theoretical connotation of socialist “construction” within its theoretical themes. Among these, the answer concerning China’s “revolution” is expressed in terms of “what is” and “how to complete” the New Democratic Revolution; the answer concerning socialist “construction” is expressed in terms of “what kind of socialism to build” and “how to build it”; and the answer concerning “what kind of Marxist political party to build” and “how to build it” runs through the entire process of the New Democratic Revolution and socialist construction. Together, these constitute the theoretical themes of Mao Zedong Thought.

毛泽东思想作为马克思主义中国化第一次历史性飞跃的理论成果，其理论主题最为鲜明的是“中国革命”；但从历史维度分析，毛泽东思想作为完整化的科学理论体系，其理论主题还有社会主义“建设”的理论内涵。其中，关于中国“革命”的回答，表现在关于“什么是”和“怎么完成”新民主主义革命；关于社会主义“建设”的回答，表现在“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”社会主义；而关于“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”马克思主义政党则贯穿于新民主主义革命和社会主义建设的全过程。它们共同构成了毛泽东思想的理论主题。

(I) What is the New Democratic Revolution and How to Complete the New Democratic Revolution

（一）什么是新民主主义革命、怎样完成新民主主义革命

During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, facing the nature and conditions of a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society in which China was politically dependent, ideologically unawakened, and economically weak, the theoretical theme of Mao Zedong Thought first had to answer: In such a large Eastern country with a huge population and backward economy and culture, how could a revolution be carried out so that China could move toward socialism? Taking this as the starting point, the basic theory of the New Democratic Revolution answered this series of primary questions. On the one hand, it concentratedly expounded the basic program of the New Democracy, answering the question of “what is the New Democratic Revolution.” A political party’s program is a banner openly raised, an important marker revealing the Party’s nature and goal orientation. The basic program of the New Democracy, as the concrete unfolding of the general line of the New Democratic Revolution, indicated the direction of struggle and the forward goals of the Chinese revolution. Among these, the content of the political program included overthrowing the reactionary rule of the “three big mountains” [14]14 “Three big mountains” (三座大山) is a standard Mao-era term for imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, which were seen as the main oppressors of the Chinese people before 1949. and establishing a New Democratic Republic led by the proletariat, based on the worker-peasant alliance, and with a joint dictatorship of all revolutionary classes; the economic program included land reform, confiscation of bureaucratic capital, and protection of national industry and commerce; the cultural program was to build a national, scientific, and mass culture. Based on political construction, economic construction, and cultural construction, these together depicted the ideal state of New Democratic society. On the other hand, it comprehensively summarized the general line of the New Democratic Revolution, answering the question of “how to complete the New Democratic Revolution.” It clarified that the goal and main targets of the revolution were to overthrow the “three big mountains”; the motive forces of the revolution included the working class, the peasant class, the petty bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie; the leading force of the revolution was the proletariat and the leadership of the Communist Party of China; the main task of the revolution was to proceed in “two steps,” externally completing the “national revolution” and internally completing the “democratic revolution.” By deeply studying the characteristics and laws of the Chinese revolution and the situation in which peasants constituted the main body, it opened up the revolutionary path of “armed independent regimes of workers and peasants,” [15]15 “Armed independent regimes of workers and peasants” (工农武装割据) is Mao Zedong’s strategy of establishing rural revolutionary base areas controlled by the Communist Party, distinct from the Soviet model of urban insurrection. put forward the “three magic weapons” [16]16 “Three magic weapons” (三大法宝) refers to the united front, armed struggle, and Party building, which Mao Zedong identified as the three key instruments for the Chinese Communist Party’s victory in the revolution. for the Chinese revolution to defeat the enemy, answered a series of major questions about where the Chinese revolution was heading, and opened up the revolutionary development path of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

在新民主主义革命时期，面对我国政治上不独立、思想上不觉醒、经济上不强大的半殖民地半封建社会性质及状况，毛泽东思想的理论主题首先要回答的是：在这样一个人口众多、经济文化落后的东方大国怎样进行革命，才能使中国走向社会主义？以此为基点，新民主主义革命基本理论回答了这一系列首要问题。一方面，集中阐释了新民主主义的基本纲领，回答了关于“什么是新民主主义革命”的问题。政党的纲领是公开树立的一面旗帜，是展现政党性质和目标走向的重要标识。新民主主义的基本纲领作为新民主主义革命总路线的具体化展开，指明了中国革命的奋斗方向和前进目标。其中，政治纲领的基本内容包括推翻“三座大山”的反动统治，建立一个无产阶级领导的以工农联盟为基础、各革命阶级联合专政的新民主主义共和国；经济纲领包括土地改革、没收官僚资本和保护民族工商业；文化纲领是建设民族的、科学的、大众的文化。基于政治建设、经济建设和文化建设，共同描绘出新民主主义社会的理想状态。另一方面，整体概括新民主主义革命总路线，回答了关于“怎样完成新民主主义革命”的问题。明确革命的目标和主要对象是推翻“三座大山”；革命的动力包括工人阶级、农民阶级、小资产阶级和民族资产阶级；革命的领导力量是无产阶级及中国共产党的领导；革命的主要任务是“分两步走”，对外完成“民族革命”和对内完成“民主革命”。深入研究中国革命特点规律和农民占主体的状况，开辟了“工农武装割据”的革命道路，提出了中国革命战胜敌人的“三大法宝”，回答了中国革命向何处去的一系列重大问题，开辟了马克思主义中国化时代化的革命发展道路。

(II) What Kind of Marxist Political Party to Build and How to Build a Marxist Political Party

（二）建设什么样的马克思主义政党、怎样建设马克思主义政党

Based on a theoretical analysis of a revolutionary-type political party, the questions concerning China’s “revolution” and socialist “construction” fall within the category of social revolution, while the question of how to build a “Marxist political party” falls within the category of the Party’s self-revolution. Mao Zedong’s theory of Party building is an important component of the scientific system of Mao Zedong Thought. Its theoretical themes primarily address the following: On the one hand, the question of “what kind of Marxist political party to build.” It proposed building our Party into a “fully consolidated Bolshevikized Chinese Communist Party” that is “nationwide in scope,” possesses “mass character,” and is based on the “three-in-one” integration of ideological, political, and organizational building; it was the first to call Party building a “great project” and elevate it to one of the “three magic weapons” [17]17 The “three magic weapons” (三大法宝) refers to the united front, armed struggle, and Party building, which Mao Zedong identified as the three key factors for the CPC’s victory in the Chinese revolution. for the victory of the Chinese revolution, using the mass line as the value foundation to answer the Party’s original aspiration and founding mission; after the founding of New China, while mobilizing all positive factors to serve socialism, it explicitly emphasized that “the Chinese Communist Party is the leading core of the entire Chinese people.” On the other hand, the question of “how to build a Marxist political party.” It explicitly placed ideological building at the forefront of Party building, making the education of Marxism-Leninism theory and the strengthening of Party spirit cultivation among Party members the main content, and requiring that Party building be combined with the building of the political line; it adhered to the organizational principle of democratic centralism and the system of collective leadership, explicitly adopted the cadre selection line of “appointing people on their merit,” and strengthened the education, management, selection, and cultivation of Party cadres; it was the first to take the rectification movement [18]18 The rectification movement (整风运动) was a Party-wide campaign of ideological education and criticism, most famously the Yan’an Rectification Movement (1942–1944), aimed at correcting non-proletarian thought and establishing Mao Zedong Thought as the Party’s guiding ideology. as the basic experience for resolving inner-Party contradictions, raising the question of the “historical cycle” [19]19 The “historical cycle” (历史周期率) refers to the cyclical pattern of rise and fall in Chinese dynasties; Mao Zedong raised the question of how a ruling party could avoid this cycle, proposing “democracy” as the answer., the “Two Musts” [20]20 The “Two Musts” (两个务必) were Mao Zedong’s 1949 injunction that the Party must remain modest and prudent, and must remain hard-working and struggle against corruption. thought, and the Party’s “Three Great Styles of Work” [21]21 The Party’s “Three Great Styles of Work” (三大作风) are: integrating theory with practice, maintaining close ties with the masses, and practicing criticism and self-criticism.; through the Yan’an Rectification Movement, the “Three Checks and Three Rectifications” [22]22 The “Three Checks and Three Rectifications” (三查三整) was a rectification campaign during the Chinese Civil War (1947–1948) that checked class origin, ideology, and work style, and rectified organization, ideology, and work style., and the “Three Antis” and “Five Antis” campaigns [23]23 The “Three Antis” (三反, 1951–1952) campaign targeted corruption, waste, and bureaucracy within the Party and government; the “Five Antis” (五反, 1952) campaign targeted bribery, tax evasion, theft of state property, cheating on government contracts, and stealing state economic information among private businesses., it safeguarded the Party’s advanced nature and purity, reflecting theoretical innovation and an understanding of the laws of Marxist Party-building doctrine.

基于革命型政党的理论分析，关于中国“革命”和社会主义“建设”的问题归属于社会革命的范畴，关于怎样建设“马克思主义政党”的问题归属于党的自我革命的范畴。毛泽东党的建设理论是毛泽东思想科学体系的重要组成部分，其理论主题主要回答的是：一方面，关于“建设什么样的马克思主义政党”的问题。提出了要把我们党建设成为一个基于“全国范围的”，兼具“广大群众性的”，在思想、政治和组织建设“三位一体”相结合基础上，实现“完全巩固的布尔什维克化的中国共产党”；首次把党的建设称为“伟大的工程”并上升至中国革命取得胜利的“三大法宝”，以群众路线为价值基点回答了党的初心和使命问题；新中国成立后，在调动一切积极因素为社会主义服务中，明确强调“中国共产党是全中国人民的领导核心”。另一方面，关于“怎样建设马克思主义政党”的问题。明确把思想建设放在党的建设的首位，把开展马克思列宁主义理论教育和加强党员党性锻炼作为主要内容，要求党的建设必须同政治路线建设相结合；坚持民主集中制的组织原则和集体领导制度，明确“任人唯贤”的干部选拔路线，加强对党员干部的教育、管理、选拔和培养工作；首次把整风运动作为解决党内矛盾的基本经验，提出“历史周期率”问题、“两个务必”思想和党的“三大作风”，通过开展延安整风运动、“三查三整”以及“三反”“五反”运动，维护了党的先进性和纯洁性，体现了对马克思主义建党学说的理论创新和规律性认识。

(3) What kind of socialism to build, how to build socialism

（三）建设什么样的社会主义、怎样建设社会主义

After the founding of New China, the main task facing our Party was how to smoothly advance socialist revolution and construction. During this period, Mao Zedong’s theory on socialist construction primarily addressed two basic points: On the one hand, it answered the question of “what kind of socialism to build.” In exploring the path of socialist construction, it clarified that the stages of socialist development are “two stages,” namely “underdeveloped socialism” and “relatively developed socialism”; it stipulated that the fundamental task of the Party after victory in the revolution was to steadily transform China from an agricultural country into an industrial country, systematically “carry out political, economic, cultural, and national defense construction work nationwide,” and gradually enhance the capacity to manage and build the state. On the other hand, it answered the question of “how to build socialism.” With the basic completion of the general line and general tasks for the transition period [24]24 The general line for the transition period (过渡时期总路线, 1953–1956) was the CPC’s policy to simultaneously achieve socialist industrialization and the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts, and capitalist industry and commerce. and the gradual establishment of the socialist political and economic system, China, “taking the Soviet Union as a mirror,” independently explored the socialist path, proposing the “general policy of taking agriculture as the foundation, industry as the leading factor, and arranging the national economy in the order of agriculture, light industry, and heavy industry,” and planning the grand goal of the “Four Modernizations” [25]25 The “Four Modernizations” (四个现代化) were the goals of modernizing agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology, first proposed by Zhou Enlai in 1964.; it proposed correctly distinguishing between two different types of contradictions in socialist society, adopting “democratic” and “dictatorial” methods of resolution according to the different natures of social contradictions; it proposed the slogan “March toward science” and the “Double Hundred Policy” [26]26 The “Double Hundred Policy” (双百方针) is the policy of “letting a hundred flowers bloom, letting a hundred schools of thought contend,” proposed by Mao Zedong in 1956 to encourage intellectual and cultural diversity., clarifying the basic requirement that “education should enable the educated to develop morally, intellectually, and physically”; it creatively proposed the new proposition of “One Guideline and Four Points” [27]27 “One Guideline and Four Points” (一纲四目) was a 1963 proposal for peaceful reunification with Taiwan, with the guideline of one China and four points guaranteeing Taiwan’s autonomy. for the reunification of the motherland, forming the prototype of “one country, two systems”; it proposed the diplomatic strategic thoughts of the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” [28]28 The “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” (和平共处五项原则), jointly advocated by China, India, and Burma in 1954, are: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence., the two “intermediate zones” [29]29 The two “intermediate zones” (中间地带) were Mao’s 1960s concept of two geopolitical zones between the US and the Soviet Union: the first comprising Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and the second comprising Europe, Japan, and Canada., and the “Three Worlds Theory” [30]30 The “Three Worlds Theory” (三个世界划分), proposed by Mao in 1974, divided the world into the First World (US and USSR), the Second World (other developed countries), and the Third World (developing countries, including China).; in national defense construction, it initiated the “Third Front Construction” [31]31 “Third Front Construction” (三线建设, 1964–1980) was a massive industrialization program to build military-industrial bases in China’s interior, away from the coast and borders, in preparation for potential war. under the slogan “Prepare for war, prepare for famine, serve the people”; and so on. This series of theories and practices provided the fundamental political prerequisite, institutional foundation, and material conditions for socialist modernization.

新中国成立后，我们党面临的主要任务是如何顺利推进社会主义革命和建设，这一时期毛泽东关于社会主义建设的理论主要面向两个基本点：一方面，回答了关于“建设什么样的社会主义”的问题。在探索社会主义建设的道路中，明确了社会主义的发展阶段是“两个阶段”，即“不发达的社会主义”和“比较发达的社会主义”；规定了党在取得革命胜利后的根本任务是稳步地把我国由农业国转变为工业国，有系统地“在全国范围内进行政治的、经济的、文化的和国防的建设工作”，逐步提升管理、建设国家的能力。另一方面，回答了关于“怎样建设社会主义”的问题。随着过渡时期总路线和总任务的基本完成、社会主义政治和经济制度的逐步确立，我国“以苏为鉴”，独立自主地探索社会主义道路，提出了“以农业为基础，以工业为主导，以农轻重为序发展国民经济的总方针”，谋划了“四个现代化”的宏伟目标；提出了正确区分社会主义社会两类不同性质的矛盾，依据不同的性质社会矛盾采取“民主”和“专政”两种解决办法；提出了“向科学进军”的口号及“双百方针”，明确了“应该使受教育者在德育、智育、体育几方面都得到发展”的基本要求；创造性地提出了“一纲四目”的祖国统一新主张，构建了“一国两制”的雏形；提出了“和平共处五项原则”、两个“中间地带”和“三个世界划分”的外交战略思想；在国防建设中开启“备战、备荒、为人民”的“三线建设”；等等。这一系列理论与实践为社会主义现代化建设提供了根本政治前提、制度基础和物质条件。

III. The Theoretical Themes of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

三、中国特色社会主义理论体系的理论主题

Regarding the theoretical themes of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, academic circles have conducted extensive discussions, respectively taking “development,” “realizing socialist modernization,” and so on as the main themes and threads of this theoretical system. The report of the 17th National Congress of the CPC [32]32 The 17th National Congress of the CPC was held in 2007. stated that our Party, in advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context, “continuously explored and answered major theoretical and practical questions such as what socialism is and how to build it, what kind of Party to build and how to build it, what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it”; accordingly, some scholars take these “three ‘whats’” and “three ‘hows’” as the core themes of this theoretical system. However, in the author’s view, Deng Xiaoping Theory, as the “opening chapter” of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, is most characterized by its exploration and answers to a series of major theoretical and practical issues concerning socialism with Chinese characteristics. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is a great piece of writing, and Comrade Deng Xiaoping established its basic ideas and basic principles for it.” Therefore, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, as the theoretical achievement of the second historical leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, gradually emerged and developed precisely around the following three theoretical themes.

关于中国特色社会主义理论体系的理论主题，学术界进行了广泛探讨，分别将“发展”、“实现社会主义现代化”等作为这一理论体系的主题主线。党的十七大报告提出，我们党推进马克思主义中国化，“不断探索和回答什么是社会主义、怎样建设社会主义，建设什么样的党、怎样建设党，实现什么样的发展、怎样发展等重大理论和实践问题”；为此，有学者将这“三什么”和“三怎样”作为这一理论体系的核心主题。但在笔者看来，邓小平理论作为中国特色社会主义理论体系的“开篇曲”，其最大特色在于对中国特色社会主义等一系列重大理论与实践问题的探索和回答。正如习近平总书记所指出的，“坚持和发展中国特色社会主义是一篇大文章，邓小平同志为它确定了基本思路和基本原则”。因此，中国特色社会主义理论体系作为实现马克思主义中国化时代化第二次历史性飞跃的理论成果，正是围绕以下三个理论主题逐步生成和发展的。

(1) What is socialism with Chinese characteristics, how to build socialism with Chinese characteristics

（一）什么是中国特色社会主义，怎样建设中国特色社会主义

Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the “Three Represents” [33]33 The important thought of the “Three Represents” (三个代表重要思想), associated with Jiang Zemin, holds that the CPC must always represent the development of advanced productive forces, the direction of advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the Chinese people., and the Scientific Outlook on Development [34]34 The Scientific Outlook on Development (科学发展观), associated with Hu Jintao, emphasizes people-centered, comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable development., as important components of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, have the development goal of “striving for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and are consistent in their theoretical themes.” On the one hand, they answered the question of “what is socialism with Chinese characteristics.” Deng Xiaoping proposed the proposition of “building socialism with Chinese characteristics,” revealed the essential connotation of socialism, and formulated the Party’s basic line of “one central task, two basic points” [35]35 The “one central task, two basic points” (一个中心、两个基本点) is the Party’s basic line: taking economic construction as the central task, and upholding the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening up as the two basic points.. Jiang Zemin clarified the fundamental tasks of socialism with Chinese characteristics and proposed the development goal of “building our country into a prosperous, strong, democratic, and culturally advanced modern socialist country.” The Constitution of the Communist Party of China adopted at the 17th National Congress of the CPC for the first time included “harmonious” together with “prosperous, strong, democratic, and culturally advanced” in the Party’s basic line, planning to “build a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious modern socialist country by the 100th anniversary of the founding of New China.” On the other hand, they answered the question of “how to build socialism with Chinese characteristics.” Centering on this theme, Deng Xiaoping Theory creatively answered major questions about the stage of socialist development, fundamental tasks, development strategies, etc., clarified the idea of “grasping with both hands, both hands must be firm” [36]36 “Grasping with both hands, both hands must be firm” (两手抓、两手都要硬) refers to Deng Xiaoping’s policy of simultaneously pursuing material progress and cultural-ethical progress., the concept of “one country, two systems” for achieving national reunification, and formulated the “three-step” development strategy [37]37 The “three-step” development strategy (三步走发展战略) was Deng Xiaoping’s plan for China to double its GNP by 1990, achieve a moderately prosperous society by 2000, and reach the level of moderately developed countries by 2050. for basically realizing socialist modernization. Jiang Zemin pointed out: “Building socialism with Chinese characteristics should be a process of comprehensive development of China’s economy, politics, and culture.” Entering the 21st century, Hu Jintao required accelerating the construction of an ecological civilization, proposed the thought of “building a harmonious society,” and clarified the general basis, general layout, and general tasks of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. These all provided the direction of struggle and overall layout for the comprehensive progress of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想和科学发展观作为中国特色社会主义理论体系的重要构成，其发展目标是为了“实现中华民族伟大复兴而奋斗，在理论主题上一脉相承”。一方面，回答了关于“什么是中国特色社会主义” 的问题。邓小平提出“建设有中国特色社会主义”的命题，揭示了社会主义的本质内涵，制定了“一个中心、两个基本点”的党的基本路线。江泽民明确了中国特色社会主义的根本任务，提出了要“把我国建设成为富强、民主、文明的社会主义现代化国家”的发展目标。党的十七大通过的《中国共产党章程》首次将“和谐”同“富强、民主、文明”一并写入党的基本路线，谋划了“到新中国成立100年时建成富强民主文明和谐的社会主义现代化国家”。另一方面，回答了关于“怎样建设中国特色社会主义”的问题。围绕这一主题，邓小平理论创造性地回答了关于社会主义发展阶段、根本任务、发展战略等重大问题，明确了“两手抓、两手都要硬”，实现祖国统一的“一国两制”的构想，制定了基本实现社会主义现代化的“三步走”发展战略。江泽民指出：“建设中国特色社会主义应该是我国经济、政治、文化全面发展的进程。”进入21世纪，胡锦涛要求加快生态文明建设，提出“和谐社会建设”思想，明确建设中国特色社会主义的总依据、总布局和总任务。这些都为中国特色社会主义的全面进步提供了奋斗方向和整体布局。

(2) What kind of Party to build, how to build the Party

（二）建设什么样的党、怎样建设党

Whether the Communist Party of China, which governs an ultra-large-scale country, can achieve the building and strengthening of its organizational ranks under the leadership of self-revolution bears on the orderly progress of social revolution and the effectiveness of the state's governance capacity. On the one hand, the question of "what kind of Party to build" is reflected in the historical evolution of the Party's overall building goals. Facing the new tests brought by reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping proposed that our Party should be built into a strong core leading the construction of "two civilizations" [38]38 The "two civilizations" refers to material civilization and cultural-ethical progress (精神文明), a concept introduced by Deng Xiaoping to emphasize that socialist modernization must advance both economic development and ideological/moral development.. The report to the 16th National Congress of the CPC summarized "two vanguards" [39]39 The "two vanguards" refers to the CPC being both the vanguard of the Chinese working class and the vanguard of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation., "one leading core" [40]40 The "one leading core" refers to the CPC being the leading core of the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics., and the "Three Represents" [41]41 The "Three Represents" is Jiang Zemin's theory that the CPC must always represent the development trend of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the broadest majority of the Chinese people. as the Party's nature and overall building goals. The report to the 17th National Congress of the CPC summarized the Party's building goals as "building a Party that serves the public good and exercises power for the people, that is practical and realistic, that is innovative and reforming, that works hard and is clean and honest, that is full of vitality and united and harmonious," anchoring the image components and target direction for advancing the Party's organizational ranks. On the other hand, the question of "how to build the Party" is reflected in the Party's "five areas of building" [42]42 The "five areas of building" refers to ideological building, organizational building, work style building, institutional building, and anti-corruption building.. After reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping explicitly emphasized that to organize and unite such a large political party and country, it is necessary to "rely first on ideals, second on discipline," advancing the process of institutionalization and legalization of Party building. Jiang Zemin for the first time proposed the new great project of Party building and the proposition of strengthening the Party's governance capacity, requiring Party committees and leading cadres at all levels to enhance "five capabilities" [43]43 The "five capabilities" refers to the ability to scientifically assess the situation, master the market economy, cope with complex situations, govern according to law, and exercise overall command. such as scientifically assessing the situation and managing the market economy. Hu Jintao systematically summarized the "four major tests" [44]44 The "four major tests" refers to the tests of governance, reform and opening up, the market economy, and the external environment. and "four major dangers" [45]45 The "four major dangers" refers to the dangers of spiritual slackness, insufficient capacity, detachment from the people, and corruption. facing the ruling Party, put forward the governance concept of "science + democracy + law," comprehensively deployed the overall Party building layout of ideological, organizational, work style, institutional, and anti-corruption building, and set the goal and task of raising the scientific level of Party building.

在超大规模国家执政的中国共产党能否在自我革命引领下实现组织队伍的建大建强，关乎社会革命能否有序进行和国家治理能力的效果呈现。一方面，关于“建设什么样的党”的问题，体现在党建总目标的历史演变中。面对改革开放带来的新考验，邓小平提出要把我们党建设成为领导“两个文明”建设的坚强核心。党的十六大报告将“两个先锋队”“一个领导核心”“三个代表”概括为党的性质和党建总目标。党的十七大报告把党建目标概括为“立党为公、执政为民，求真务实、改革创新，艰苦奋斗、清正廉洁，富有活力、团结和谐”，为推进党的组织队伍建设锚定了形象构成要素及目标方向。另一方面，关于“怎样建设党”的问题，体现在党的“五大建设”方面。改革开放以后，邓小平明确强调组织和团结这么大的一个政党和国家，必须“一靠理想，二靠纪律”，推进了党的建设的制度化与法制化建设进程。江泽民首次提出党的建设新的伟大工程、加强党的执政能力建设的命题，要求各级党委和领导干部提升科学判断形势、驾驭市场经济等“五种能力”。胡锦涛系统概括了执政党面临的“四大考验”和“四大危险”，提出了“科学+民主+依法”的执政理念，全面部署了党的思想、组织、作风、制度、反腐倡廉建设的党建总布局，提出了党建科学化水平的目标任务。

(3) What kind of development to achieve, and how to achieve development

（三）实现什么样的发展、怎样发展

Development is the absolute principle; development is the Party's top priority in governing and rejuvenating the country. "What kind of development to achieve, and how to achieve development" is a major theoretical and practical question that needs to be continuously answered in the course of pioneering the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. On the one hand, regarding the question of "what kind of development to achieve." After reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping emphasized: "The key to solving all of China's problems lies in our own development." In terms of development efficiency, he required that "economic work must follow economic laws"; in terms of development layout, he proposed "the construction of two civilizations" and the "two hands theory" [46]46 The "two hands theory" refers to Deng Xiaoping's metaphor that both material civilization and cultural-ethical progress must be grasped firmly, like "two hands."; in terms of development outcomes, he put forward the theory of "the rich first driving the rich later" and the evaluation criterion of "three favorable" [47]47 The "three favorable" criterion refers to whether something is favorable to the growth of the productive forces in a socialist society, to the increase in the overall national strength of a socialist country, and to the improvement of people's living standards.. Jiang Zemin emphasized: "A socialist society is a society of comprehensive development and comprehensive progress." The aim is to achieve all-round improvement in economic development, democratic politics, science, education, culture, and the people's living standards. Entering the 21st century, Hu Jintao proposed, "The development we seek must be development that emphasizes quality and efficiency." This profoundly answered the major question of "what kind of development to achieve" from the "four-in-one" [48]48 The "four-in-one" perspective refers to the integration of economic, political, cultural, and social development. perspective. On the other hand, regarding the question of how to achieve development. Deng Xiaoping, based on the basic national conditions, proposed taking economic construction as the central task of the Party and the state's development, requiring adherence to the path of law-based governance, concentrating on Party building, proposing the "three orientations" [49]49 The "three orientations" refers to education being oriented toward modernization, the world, and the future. for education, requiring the cultivation of "four haves" [50]50 The "four haves" refers to cultivating new people who have ideals, moral integrity, education, and a sense of discipline. new people, establishing and developing new types of inter-Party relations, and so on. Jiang Zemin emphasized the coordinated development of socialist material civilization, political civilization, and cultural-ethical progress, implemented the open strategy of combining "bringing in" and "going global," and required taking the path of coordinated development featuring production development, industrial revitalization, affluent living, and a good ecological environment. Entering the 21st century, the Scientific Outlook on Development answered a series of major questions about development, emphasizing adherence to the core position of "people-oriented," the basic requirement of "comprehensive, balanced, and sustainable," and the fundamental method of "overall consideration," pointing the way forward for us.

发展是硬道理，发展是我们党执政兴国的第一要务。“实现什么样的发展、怎样发展”，是在开创中国特色社会主义事业进程中需要不断回答的重大理论和实践问题。一方面，关于“实现什么样的发展”的问题。改革开放后，邓小平强调：“中国解决所有问题的关键是要靠自己的发展。”在发展效率上，要求“经济工作要按经济规律办事”；在发展布局上，提出“两个文明建设”和“两手论”；在发展成果上，提出“先富带后富”的理论和“三个有利于”的评判标准。江泽民强调：“社会主义社会是全面发展、全面进步的社会。”目的是使经济发展、民主政治、科教文化以及人民生活水平得到全方位提升。进入21世纪，胡锦涛提出，“我们所谋求的发展必须是讲求质量和效益的发展。”这从“四位一体”层面深刻回答了“实现什么样的发展”这一重大问题。另一方面，关于怎样发展的问题。邓小平立足于基本国情，提出把经济建设作为党和国家发展的中心任务，要求走依法治国的道路，聚精会神地抓好党的建设，提出教育事业的“三个面向”，要求培养“四有”新人，建立和发展新型的党际关系，等等。江泽民注重社会主义物质文明、政治文明、精神文明的协调发展，实施了“引进来”和“走出去”相结合的开放战略，要求走好生产发展、产业振兴、生活富裕、生态良好的协调发展道路。进入21世纪，科学发展观回答了一系列关于发展的重大问题，强调坚持“以人为本”的核心立场，坚持“全面协调可持续”的基本要求，坚持“统筹兼顾”的根本方法，为我们指明了前进方向。

IV. The Theoretical Theme of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

四、习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的理论主题

Before the 19th National Congress of the CPC, academia had taken the "Chinese Dream," the "Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy," and "modernization of national governance" as the core themes of General Secretary Xi Jinping's series of important speeches. After the 19th National Congress of the CPC, academia engaged in extensive and heated discussions around the theoretical theme of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: "what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era, and how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics." The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC summarized the theoretical theme of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the "three major era-era topics" [51]51 The "three major era-era topics" refers to: (1) what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era, and how; (2) what kind of great modern socialist country to build, and how; (3) what kind of Marxist political party to build, and how., reflecting our Party's deepening understanding of the laws of scientific socialism, the development of socialist modernization, and the building of a Marxist political party.

党的十九大以前，学术界曾将“中国梦”“四个全面”“国家治理现代化”等作为习近平总书记系列重要讲话的核心主题。党的十九大之后，学术界围绕习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的理论主题“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”，进行了广泛而热烈的讨论。党的十九届六中全会将习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的理论主题归纳为“三大时代课题”，体现着我们党对科学社会主义、社会主义现代化发展以及马克思主义政党建设规律认识的不断深化。

(1) What kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era, and how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics

（一）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

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as the theoretical achievement realizing a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, is rich in content, systematic and comprehensive, and has a rigorous logical structure. "What kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era" and "how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics" are the theme and main line of this thought. The great transformations of the New Era over the past decade and the completion of the "three major events" [52]52 The "three major events" refers to the celebration of the centenary of the CPC, the achievement of moderate prosperity in all respects, and the convening of the 20th National Congress of the CPC. have been achieved under the guidance of this theoretical theme. On the one hand, regarding the question of "what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era," General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism, not any other kind of ism." This profoundly reveals that no matter how socialism with Chinese characteristics is reformed, innovated, or deepened in opening up, it always remains, under the leadership of the Party, adhering to the socialist path, theory, system, and culture with distinct Chinese characteristics, forcefully responding to various erroneous arguments that attempt to slander the historic achievements of reform and opening up as "state capitalism" or "capital socialism." On the other hand, regarding the question of "how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics," this is reflected in a series of basic aspects of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, including the central task, the general basis, the strategic arrangements, the development goals, and the political guarantees. Among them, the central task is "to comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization"; the strategic arrangements are "to proceed in two steps" and to adhere to the "two layouts" of the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" and the "Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy"; the development goals include the overall goal of comprehensively deepening reform, the overall goal of comprehensively advancing law-based governance, the overall goal of strengthening the military in the New Era, and promoting the common values of all humanity. Based on a strategic perspective, it plans a series of theoretical, principled, and practical issues for continuously advancing the great cause.

习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想作为实现马克思主义中国化时代化新飞跃的理论成果，内涵丰富、系统全面，逻辑结构严密，“新时代坚持和发展什么样的”和“怎样坚持和发展”中国特色社会主义是这一思想的主题主线。新时代10年的伟大变革和完成的“三件大事”，正是在这一理论主题引领下实现的。一方面，关于“新时代坚持和发展什么样的中国特色社会主义”的问题，习近平总书记强调：“中国特色社会主义是社会主义，不是别的什么主义。”这深刻揭示了中国特色社会主义无论怎么改革创新、如何深化开放，都始终是在党的领导下，坚持具有鲜明中国特色的社会主义道路、理论、制度和文化建设，有力回应了试图把改革开放所取得的历史性成就污蔑为“国家资本主义”“资本社会主义”的各种错误论调。另一方面，关于“怎样坚持和发展中国特色社会主义”的问题，体现在新时代坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的中心任务、总依据、战略安排、发展目标、政治保证等一系列基本方面。其中，中心任务是“以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴”；战略安排是“分两步走”、坚持“五位一体”和“四个全面”这“两个布局”；发展目标包括全面深化改革总目标、全面依法治国总目标、新时代强军总目标、弘扬全人类共同价值等。基于战略性高度谋划了持续推进伟大事业的一系列理论性、原则性和实践性的问题。

(2) What kind of great modern socialist country to build, and how to build a great modern socialist country

（二）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

The theoretical theme of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has drawn the grand blueprint for Chinese-path modernization and proposed the path for its realization. On the one hand, regarding the question of “what kind of socialist modernized powerful country to build,” while adhering to the “five aspects” of Chinese characteristics of Chinese-path modernization and the “nine aspects” of its essential requirements, it clearly defines “prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful” and “becoming a leader in comprehensive national power and international influence” as the “synonyms” for a socialist modernized powerful country. On the other hand, regarding the question of “how to build a socialist modernized powerful country,” based on promoting the comprehensive enhancement of China’s material, political, cultural-ethical, social, and ecological civilization, the practical path advances Chinese-path modernization through further comprehensively deepening reform. It requires focusing on building a high-level socialist market economy system, accelerating the construction of a new development pattern, advancing the building of an agricultural powerhouse and the revitalization of rural industries, talent, culture, ecology, and organizations; it requires focusing on developing whole-process people’s democracy, persisting in law-based governance, law-based exercise of state power, and law-based administration, jointly advancing the integrated construction of a law-based state, law-based government, and law-based society, and building a socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics; it requires focusing on building a socialist cultural powerhouse, incorporating the promotion of cultural prosperity and the building of a cultural powerhouse into the content of the new cultural mission for the New Era, widely practicing core socialist values, raising the level of social civility across society, and clarifying the foundational and strategic roles of the integrated advancement of “education, science and technology, and talent” in the practice of the great cause; it requires focusing on improving the quality of life of the people, taking common prosperity as the focal point to construct and perfect a three-tier distribution system; it requires focusing on building a beautiful China, perfecting the ecological protection compensation system, and implementing the “dual carbon” development strategy; and so on. The above series of contents actually clarifies the specific action steps and practical direction for comprehensively building a socialist modernized powerful country.

习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的理论主题，绘制了中国式现代化的宏伟蓝图，并提出了实现路径。一方面，关于“建设什么样的社会主义现代化强国”的问题，在坚持中国式现代化“5个方面”中国特色和“9个方面”本质要求的基础上，明确把“富强民主文明和谐美丽”和“成为综合国力和国际影响力领先”作为社会主义现代化强国的“代名词”。另一方面，关于“怎样建设社会主义现代化强国”的问题，基于推动我国物质文明、政治文明、精神文明、社会文明、生态文明的全面提升，在实践路径方面以进一步全面深化改革推进中国式现代化，要求聚焦构建高水平社会主义市场经济体制，加快构建新发展格局，推进农业强国建设和乡村产业、人才、文化、生态和组织振兴；要求聚焦发展全过程人民民主，坚持依法治国、依法执政、依法行政，共同推进法治国家、法治政府、法治社会的一体建设，建设中国特色社会主义法治体系；要求聚焦建设社会主义文化强国，把推动文化繁荣、建设文化强国纳入新时代新的文化使命内容，广泛践行社会主义核心价值观，提高全社会文明程度，明确“教育、科技、人才”一体推进在伟大事业实践中的基础性、战略性作用；要求聚焦提高人民生活品质，以共同富裕为聚焦点构建完善的三次分配制度体系；要求聚焦建设美丽中国，完善生态保护补偿制度，实施“双碳”发展战略；等等。以上这一系列内容，实际上明确了全面建成社会主义现代化强国的具体行动步骤和实践指向。

(3) What kind of long-term governing Marxist party to build, and how to build a long-term governing Marxist party

（三）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

The key node for adhering to “socialism with Chinese characteristics” and building a “socialist modernized powerful country” lies in whether the supporting and leading role of Party building can be effectively exerted. Entering the New

坚持“中国特色社会主义”和建设“社会主义现代化强国”的关键节点，在于党的建设的支撑作用与引领作用能否有效发挥。进入新时代，习近平总书记关于党的建设的重要思想，深化了对马克思主义政党建设规律的认识。一方面，回答了关于“建设什么样的长期执政的马克思主义政党”的问题。党的十九届六中全会指出：“把党建设成为始终走在时代前列、人民衷心拥护、勇于自我革命、经得起各种风浪考验、朝气蓬勃的马克思主义执政党。”① 这集中概括了新时代中国共产党人的价值取向、政治定力和使命担当，核心目标是促进国家治理与政党治理的有机衔接与协同互补，持续保持破解大党治理难题的“韧性力”。另一方面，回答了关于“怎样建设长期执政的马克思主义政党”的问题。在政治建设上，要求发挥党的政治建设对于其他建设的统领性作用，落实全面从严治党“两个责任”，维护党中央权威和集中统一领导；在思想建设上，建设学习型政党，引导全党牢记党的宗旨和使命任务；在组织建设上，坚持党管干部的政治原则，突出选人用人的政治关、廉洁关等“五关”标准，落实“三个区分开来”；在作风建设上，做好“严管”与“厚爱”相结合，持续深化纠治“四风”现象，涵养“三严三实”的新风正气；在纪律建设上，明确党的六大纪律内容，严明党的政治纪律和政治规矩，加强党内政治生活；在制度建设上，完善党内法规制度体系和党的自我革命制度规范体系，健全党统一领导、全面覆盖、权威高效的监督体系；在反腐败斗争上，坚持“三不腐”一体推进，坚决惩治新型腐败，弘扬新时代廉洁文化，保持解决大党独有难题的清醒和坚定。党的领导是进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的根本保证，应坚持党中央对进一步全面深化改革的集中统一领导，深化党的建设制度改革，深入推进党风廉政建设和反腐败斗争，以钉钉子精神抓好改革落实。

V. The Theoretical Theme of Marxism Adapted to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

五、中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题

Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is constituted by a series of fundamental issues such as the Party’s theoretical stance, theoretical character, and theoretical methods, while the theoretical theme is the primary issue that the Party’s theoretical innovation must address, running through the entire development of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Each major theoretical innovation of the Party inherently contains a distinct theoretical theme. If the theoretical theme of Marxism is “to seek liberation for humanity,” then the theoretical theme of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is composed of a “1+3” structure: the “1” is the answer to “what is Marxism” and “how to uphold and develop Marxism”; the “3” is, on the basis of upholding the integrity and innovation of Marxism, the answer to “what kind of” and “how to build” socialism, a great modern socialist country, and a Marxist political party; the latter three theoretical themes are in fact the theoretical expansion and practical extension of the first theoretical theme.

中国化时代化马克思主义是由党的理论立场、理论品格、理论方法等一系列基本问题所构成的，而理论主题是党的理论创新需要回答的首要问题，贯穿于马克思主义中国化时代化发展始终。党的每一次重大理论创新，都内在蕴含着鲜明的理论主题。如果说马克思主义的理论主题是“为人类求解放”，那么中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题则是“1+3”的内容构成：其中的“1”是对“什么是”和“怎样坚持和发展”马克思主义的回答；其中的“3”是在坚持对马克思主义守正创新的基础上，关于“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”社会主义、社会主义现代化强国以及马克思主义政党的回答；后三个理论主题实际上是第一个理论主题的理论拓展和实践延伸。

(I) What Is Marxism, and How to Uphold and Develop Marxism

（一）什么是马克思主义、怎样坚持和发展马克思主义

The primary prerequisite for the smooth realization of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is how to understand and keep pace with the times in upholding and developing Marxism. Over the past century, in the great journey of “saving the nation,” “building the nation,” “revitalizing the nation,” and “strengthening the nation,” our Party has always achieved the continuous development of the theoretical theme of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times through theoretical confrontations with various social trends of thought.

马克思主义中国化时代化顺利实现的首要前提，就是如何认识并与时俱进地坚持和发展马克思主义。百年来，我们党在“救国”“建国”“兴国”“强国”的伟大征程中，总是在同各类社会思潮的理论交锋中实现中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的不断发展。

First, the understanding of “what is Marxism.” During the revolutionary period, in response to the prevalent tendencies of dogmatism and empiricism within the Party, as well as various anti-Marxist trends of thought, Mao Zedong pointed out that the attitude of seeking truth from facts “is precisely the Marxist-Leninist style of integrating theory and practice,” firmly opposing empty talk about Marxism divorced from China’s concrete reality, and holding that “subjectivism, sectarianism, and stereotyped Party writing—these three things are all anti-Marxist.” [53]53 The “five major constructions” (五大建设) refer to the five-sphere integrated plan (五位一体) for socialism with Chinese characteristics: economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological-construction spheres. After reform and opening up, in response to erroneous trends of thought such as “bourgeois liberalization” and the “end of history,” Deng Xiaoping pointed out that “another name for Marxism is communism,” taking firm belief in Marxism as the spiritual driving force for reform and opening up and development. In the process of advancing the market economy, Jiang Zemin emphasized: “The two ‘unswerving commitments’ and the two ‘no ambiguities’ have always been the touchstone for testing whether we are true Marxists.” [54] This requires that we must adhere to the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to advance the Party’s theoretical innovation. Entering the 21st century, Hu Jintao pointed out that “emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, and keeping pace with the times” is the living soul of Marxism, and “everything for the people, relying on the people for everything” is the value of a Marxist political party. Entering the New Era, in response to various fallacies such as the “uselessness of Marxism,” the “obsolescence of Marxism,” and the “vagueness of communism

第一，关于“什么是马克思主义”的认识。在革命时期，针对党内盛行的教条主义、经验主义倾向以及各种反马克思主义思潮，毛泽东指出，实事求是的态度“就是理论和实际统一的马克思列宁主义的作风”，坚决反对离开中国具体实际空谈马克思主义，认为“主观主义、宗派主义和党八股，这三种东西，都是反马克思主义的”。改革开放后，针对“资产阶级自由化”“历史终结论”等错误思潮，邓小平指出，“马克思主义的另一个名词就是共产主义”，将坚定马克思主义信仰作为改革开放发展的精神动力。在推进市场经济的过程中，江泽民强调：“两个‘坚定不移’、两个‘不能含糊’，始终是检验我们是不是真正的马克思主义者的试金石。”这就要求我们必须坚持马克思主义立场、观点、方法，推进党的理论创新。进入21世纪，胡锦涛指出，“解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进”是马克思主义活的灵魂，“一切为了人民，一切依靠人民”是马克思主义政党的价值观。进入新时代，针对马克思主义“无用论”“过时论”以及共产主义“渺茫论”等种种谬论，习近平总书记强调：“马克思主义博大精深，归根到底就是一句话，为人类求解放。”并将“彻底的批判精神”和“坚持问题导向”作为马克思主义的本质特征和鲜明特点，把是否贯彻群众路线作为辨别“真”“假”马克思主义的“分水岭”，阐明了马克思主义科学性、人民性、实践性和开放性的理论特质。

Second, the understanding of “how to uphold and develop Marxism.” As early as in the article “Rectify the Party’s Style of Work,” Mao Zedong vividly divided Marxism into several forms, emphasizing that “what we want is fragrant Marxism, not stinking Marxism; it is living Marxism, not dead Marxism.” [53]53 The “five major constructions” (五大建设) refer to the five-sphere integrated plan (五位一体) for socialism with Chinese characteristics: economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological-construction spheres. After the founding of New China, in the exploration of an independent path “taking the Soviet Union as a mirror,” Mao Zedong put forward the new task of the “Second Integration” of Marxism with China’s concrete realities. [54] In advancing socialist modernization, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “One who does not inherit and develop Marxism with new ideas and viewpoints is not a true Marxist.” Based on reform and opening up, the market economy, the political party system, and cultural-ethical progress, the practice of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics was advanced. Subsequently, Jiang Zemin stated: “We must keep pace with the times and continue to enrich and develop Marxism,” demanding the continuous development of Marxism in advancing the socialist market economy. Entering the 21st century, Hu Jintao pointed out: “We must study and apply Marxist ways of thinking and working methods,” elaborating and constructing a theoretical pattern of the “three transformations” [55] of Marxism, forming the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Entering the New Era, in response to the phenomena of Marxism being “marginalized,” “emptied,” and “labeled,” General

第二，关于“怎样坚持和发展马克思主义”的认识。早在《整顿党的作风》一文中，毛泽东曾将马克思主义形象化地分为几种形式，强调“我们所要的是香的马克思主义，不是臭的马克思主义；是活的马克思主义，不是死的马克思主义”。新中国成立后，在“以苏为鉴”、独立自主的道路探索中，毛泽东提出马克思主义与中国具体实际的“第二次结合”的新任务。在推进社会主义现代化建设中，邓小平指出：“不以新的思想、观点去继承、发展马克思主义，不是真正的马克思主义者。”基于改革开放、市场经济、政党制度、精神文明等层面，推进了中国特色社会主义道路的实践。随后，江泽民指出：“我们必须与时俱进，继续丰富和发展马克思主义。”要求在推进社会主义市场经济中不断发展马克思主义。进入21世纪，胡锦涛指出：“要学习和运用马克思主义思想方法和工作方法。”阐述与建构了马克思主义“三化”并举的理论格局，形成了中国特色社会主义理论体系。进入新时代，针对马克思主义被“边缘化”“空泛化”“标签化”的现象，习近平总书记强调：“坚持马克思主义，最重要的是坚持马克思主义基本原理和贯穿其中的立场、观点、方法。”只有坚持运用历史唯物论，才能正确回答时代和实践提出的重大问题，才能始终保持马克思主义的蓬勃生机和旺盛活力，其关于“两个结合”的重要论述、关于新时代宣传思想工作的“九个坚持”和文化建设的“十四个强调”的深刻阐述，为习近平文化思想的形成提供了内容基础，丰富了马克思主义中国化时代化的理论内涵。

(2) What kind of socialism to build and how to build socialism; what kind of great modern socialist country to build and how to build a great modern socialist country; what kind of long-term governing Marxist political party to build and how to build a long-term governing Marxist political party

（二）建设什么样的社会主义、怎样建设社会主义；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

The theoretical themes of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times actually run through the theoretical themes of Mao Zedong Thought, the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They are a condensation and elevation of the theoretical themes of the three major theoretical achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

中国化时代化马克思主义的理论主题，实际上贯穿于毛泽东思想、中国特色社会主义理论体系和习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的理论主题中，是对马克思主义中国化时代化的三大理论成果理论主题的凝练和升华。

First, taking “what kind of” and “how to build” socialism as the theoretical theme of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, on the basis of practice, it concretely answers major questions such as “what is” and “how to build” socialism with Chinese characteristics, and “what to uphold and develop” and “how to uphold and develop” socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. Fundamentally, whether it is adding “with Chinese characteristics” to the concept of “socialism” or endowing it with the prefix of the historical orientation of the “New Era,” the essential attribute in both cases is a response to the foundational question of “what kind of” and “how to build” socialism. Centering on this theoretical theme, in the course of development, theories on the essence of socialism, the fundamental task, the primary stage, and institutional reform have been formed and answered, clarifying major issues such as the leading core, driving force, strategic arrangements, and overall layout of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. From the perspectives of theoretical innovation and practical fields, the question of “what kind of” and “how to build” socialism has been deepened in understanding and continuously developed.

第一，以“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”社会主义作为中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题，在实践基础上具体回答了“什么是”和“怎样建设”中国特色社会主义、“新时代坚持和发展”和“怎样坚持和发展”中国特色社会主义等重大问题。从根本上看，无论是在“社会主义”概念中加上“中国特色”，还是赋予“新时代”这一历史方位的前缀词，其本质属性都是关于“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”社会主义基础性问题的回答。围绕这一理论主题，在发展过程中形成和回答了关于社会主义本质论、根本任务论、初级阶段论、制度改革论等，明确了中国特色社会主义事业的领导核心、发展动力、战略安排、总体布局等重大问题，从理论创新和实践领域对“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”社会主义这一问题进行了深化认识与持续发展。

Second, taking “what kind of” and “how to build” a great modern socialist country as the theoretical theme of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, on the basis of practice, it concretely answers major questions such as “what is” and “how to complete” the new-democratic revolution, and “what kind of” and “how to achieve” development. The response to the theoretical theme of “what is the new-democratic revolution, how to complete the new-democratic revolution” is mainly determined by the principal contradiction of the new-democratic revolution, thereby determining the two major historical tasks of the Chinese nation: achieving national independence and the liberation of the people, and realizing national prosperity and strength and the common prosperity of the people. This provides the political prerequisite, social foundation, and directional guidance for building a great modern socialist country. Regarding “what kind of development to achieve, how to develop,” from adhering to a people-centered approach, promoting high-quality economic development, developing democratic politics, strengthening cultural development, building a harmonious society, and constructing an ecological civilization—these “five major constructions” [53]53 The “five major constructions” (五大建设) refer to the five-sphere integrated plan (五位一体) for socialism with Chinese characteristics: economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological-construction spheres. realize the synchronous resonance of “enriching the people” and “strengthening the country,” providing material guarantees for building a great modern socialist country. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC has made strategic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese-path modernization. The historical practice of the century-old Party proves that the theoretical themes of “what is” and “how to complete” the new-democratic revolution, and “what kind of” and “how to achieve” development, jointly point to and serve the theoretical theme of “what kind of great modern socialist country to build, how to build a great modern socialist country.”

第二，以“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”社会主义现代化强国作为中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题，在实践基础上具体回答了“什么是”和“怎样完成”新民主主义革命、“实现什么样的”和“怎样”发展等重大问题。关于“什么是新民主主义革命、怎样完成新民主主义革命”理论主题的回答，主要取决于新民主主义革命的主要矛盾，从而决定了中华民族取得民族独立和人民解放、实现国家繁荣富强和人民共同富裕这两大历史任务，为社会主义现代化强国建设提供政治前提、社会基础和方向指引。关于“实现什么样的发展、怎样发展”，从坚持以人为本，促进经济高质量发展、发展民主政治、加强文化建设、构建和谐社会、建设生态文明这“五大建设”方面实现“富民”与“强国”的同频共振，为社会主义现代化强国建设提供物质保障，党的二十届三中全会就进一步全面深化改革推进中国式现代化作出了战略擘画。百年大党历史实践证明，“什么是”和“怎样完成”新民主主义革命、“实现什么样的”和“怎样”发展的理论主题，共同指向并服务于“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”的理论主题。

Third, taking “what kind of” and “how to build” a long-term governing Marxist political party as the theoretical theme of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, on the basis of practice, it concretely answers major questions such as “what kind of” and “how to build” the Party, and “what kind of” and “how to build” a long-term governing Marxist political party. Reviewing the Party’s development process, no matter how this theoretical theme changes and develops, the core value orientation is to resolve the key question of how a Marxist political party can achieve “long-term governance.” Thus, in deepening the Party’s theoretical innovation and self-revolution, it answers a series of Party-building ideological contents concerning social revolution and self-revolution, the Party’s political construction and other constructions, comprehensive and strict governance of the Party and law-based governance in all respects, and the revolutionary party and the governing party. From a deeper level, it elucidates the fundamental question of “what kind of” and “how to build” a long-term governing Marxist political party, making our Party stronger and more powerful through revolutionary tempering.

第三，以“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”长期执政的马克思主义政党作为中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题，在实践基础上具体回答了关于“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”党、“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”长期执政的马克思主义政党等重大问题。回顾党的发展进程，无论这一理论主题如何变化与发展，核心的价值指向就是要解决马克思主义政党如何“长期执政”的关键问题，从而在深化党的理论创新和自我革命中，回答关于社会革命与自我革命、党的政治建设与其他建设、全面从严治党与全面依法治国、革命党与执政党等一系列党建思想内容，从更深层次阐释“建设什么样的”和“怎样建设”长期执政的马克思主义政党的根本性问题，使我们党在革命性锻造中更加坚强有力。

In summary, theoretical themes possess characteristics of hierarchy and progressivity, which are embedded in the historical evolution of the theoretical themes of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. On the new journey of the New Era, we must examine the main thread of the development of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times from the dimension of theoretical themes, continuously deepen the understanding of the connotation of Marxism in the 21st century, grasp the epochal, inherited, and national characteristics of the theoretical themes of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and provide powerful theoretical support for realizing the great dream. On the new journey of the New Era, we must fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply comprehend General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on comprehensively deepening reform, uphold and apply well the positions, viewpoints, and methods that run through them, fully implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, and use the innovative theory of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times to provide powerful impetus for advancing Chinese-path modernization.

综上所述，理论主题有着层次性和递进性特征，这蕴含在中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的历史演进中。新时代新征程，我们要从理论主题维度透视马克思主义中国化时代化的发展主线，不断深化对21世纪马克思主义的内涵性认识，把握中国化时代化马克思主义理论主题的时代性、继承性和民族性特征，为实现伟大梦想提供强大的理论支撑；新时代新征程，我们要全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，深刻领会习近平总书记关于全面深化改革的重要论述，坚持好、运用好贯穿于其中的立场、观点、方法，全面贯彻落实党的二十届三中全会精神，以中国化时代化马克思主义创新理论为推进中国式现代化提供强大动力。

Online editor: Paul

网络编辑：保罗