Deeply Grasp the Rich Connotations and Practical Requirements of Upholding the Combination of Law-Based Governance and Rule-of-Virtue Governance

Law and morality both serve to regulate social behavior and maintain social order. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized: “To govern the country and society, we must grasp both the rule of law and the rule of virtue with one hand each” and “A distinctive feature of the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics is upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance, stressing that both the rule of law and the rule of virtue must be grasped, and both must be grasped firmly.” As an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance is a brilliant model of upholding the Two Integrations, especially the Second Integration. On the basis of summing up historical experience and grasping the laws of governance, General Secretary Xi Jinping has integrated Marxist legal theory with China’s concrete realities and with China’s excellent traditional legal culture, profoundly elucidating the dialectical relationship between law and morality, and between the rule of law and the rule of virtue. He has profoundly answered major theoretical and practical questions such as what it means to uphold the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance, why it is necessary to uphold this combination, and how to uphold it. This has both expanded our Party’s understanding of the laws of governance and enriched and developed Marxist legal theory, pointing the way forward and providing fundamental guidance for unswervingly following the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. We must deeply understand the original contributions contained in upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance, and continuously improve our ability to combine law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance in the process of studying, contemplating, and practicing Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law.

法律和道德都具有规范社会行为、维护社会秩序的作用。习近平总书记强调：“治理国家、治理社会必须一手抓法治、一手抓德治”“中国特色社会主义法治道路的一个鲜明特点，就是坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合，强调法治和德治两手抓、两手都要硬”。作为习近平法治思想的重要内容，坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合是坚持“两个结合”特别是“第二个结合”的光辉典范。习近平总书记在总结历史经验和把握治国理政规律的基础上，把马克思主义法治理论同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统法律文化相结合，深刻阐明法律与道德、法治与德治的辩证关系，深刻回答了什么是坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合、为什么要坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合、怎样坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合等重大理论和实践问题，既拓展了我们党对治国理政的规律性认识，又丰富发展了马克思主义法治理论，为坚定不移走中国特色社会主义法治道路指明了前进方向、提供了根本遵循。我们要深刻理解坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合所蕴含的原创性贡献，在学思践悟习近平法治思想的过程中不断提高把依法治国和以德治国结合起来的能力。

Excavating and Inheriting the Essence of China’s Excellent Traditional Legal Culture of Combining Virtue and Law, Providing Rich Cultural Nourishment for Upholding the Combination of Law-Based Governance and Rule-of-Virtue Governance

挖掘传承德法合治的中华优秀传统法律文化精华，为坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合提供丰厚文化滋养

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized: “To govern today’s China well, it is necessary to have a deep understanding of our country’s history and traditional culture, and also to actively summarize the explorations and wisdom of ancient Chinese governance.” Marxism holds that law and morality both belong to the category of superstructure, are both determined by the economic base, reflect and serve specific relations of production, and both differ from and are interconnected and interact with each other. Over the course of a long and continuous history, China formed the Chinese legal system, unique in the history of world legal systems, accumulated profound legal culture, and created a unique Chinese civilization of rule of law. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law consistently uses Marxist historical materialism to dialectically view Chinese civilization of rule of law, deeply grasp the essential characteristics of ancient Chinese rule of law and rule of virtue, adhere to the Two Integrations to continuously promote the creative transformation and innovative development of the tradition of combining virtue and law in the practice of building a rule-of-law China in the New Era, endow Chinese civilization of rule of law with new contemporary connotations, and provide rich cultural nourishment for upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance.

习近平总书记强调：“要治理好今天的中国，需要对我国历史和传统文化有深入了解，也需要对我国古代治国理政的探索和智慧进行积极总结。”马克思主义认为，法律与道德同属上层建筑范畴，都由经济基础决定，反映并服务于特定的生产关系，既存在差异、存在区别，又相互联系、相互作用。在源远流长的历史进程中，我国形成了世界法制史上独树一帜的中华法系，积淀了深厚的法律文化，创造了独一无二的中华法治文明。习近平法治思想始终以马克思主义唯物史观辩证地看待中华法治文明，深刻把握中国古代法治和德治的本质特征，坚持以“两个结合”不断推动德法合治传统在新时代法治中国建设实践中创造性转化、创新性发展，赋予中华法治文明新的时代内涵，为坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合提供了丰厚的文化滋养。

Clarifying that Both the Rule of Law and the Rule of Virtue Are Important Means of Governance. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that law and morality “each have their own status and function in national governance,” that “throughout history, the rule of law and the rule of virtue have been indispensable and important means of governance,” and that “China’s history contains a very rich body of thought on equal emphasis on rites and law, and on combining virtue and law.” General Secretary Xi Jinping adheres to and applies the Marxist worldview and methodology, comprehensively summarizes the wisdom and experience of ancient Chinese governance, and profoundly discusses the important status and role of the two means of governance—the rule of law and the rule of virtue—in Chinese history. General Secretary Xi Jinping cites ancient sayings such as “If those who uphold the law are strong, the state is strong; if those who uphold the law are weak, the state is weak” and “When laws and decrees are implemented, the state is well-governed; when laws and decrees are relaxed, the state falls into chaos,” to clarify the foundational role of the rule of law in ancient Chinese state governance, and creatively transforms and innovatively develops the essence of these ideas into theoretical expressions with contemporary value, emphasizing that “law is a heavy instrument of state governance, and the rule of law is an important foundation for the national governance system and governance capacity” and that “governance according to law is the most reliable and most stable form of governance.” He also draws on ancient Chinese wisdom on the rule of virtue, such as “He who governs by virtue is like the North Star, which remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it” and “Guide them with virtue, align them with rites, and they will have a sense of shame and will correct themselves,” to elucidate the important role of the rule of virtue in political life and the normative and educational functions of morality on citizens’ behavior, proposing the important requirement of “understanding great virtue, abiding by public virtue, and strictly observing private virtue.” These important discussions correct the contempt for and distortion of China’s excellent traditional legal culture by historical nihilism and cultural nihilism, and highlight the profound foundation of upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance.

明确法治和德治都是治国理政的重要手段。习近平总书记指出，法律和道德“在国家治理中都有其地位和功能”“古往今来，法治和德治都是治国理政不可或缺的重要手段”“我国历史上有十分丰富的礼法并重、德法合治思想”。习近平总书记坚持和运用马克思主义世界观和方法论，全面总结古代中国的治国理政智慧和经验，深刻论述了我国历史上法治和德治两种治国理政手段的重要地位和作用。习近平总书记引用“奉法者强则国强，奉法者弱则国弱”“法令行则国治，法令弛则国乱”等古语，明确法治对于古代中国国家治理的基础性作用，并将其中的思想精华创造性转化、创新性发展为具有时代价值的理论表达，强调“法律是治国之重器，法治是国家治理体系和治理能力的重要依托”“依法治理是最可靠、最稳定的治理”等；汲取“为政以德，譬如北辰，居其所而众星共之”“道之以德，齐之以礼，有耻且格”等古代中国德治智慧，阐明了德治对政治生活的重要作用以及道德对公民行为的规范作用、教化作用，提出“明大德、守公德、严私德”的重要要求。这些重要论述，纠正了历史虚无主义、文化虚无主义对中华优秀传统法律文化的轻视和曲解，彰显了坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合的深厚底蕴。

Deeply Excavating the Ideological Essence of the Ancient Chinese Combination of Virtue and Law. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “Ancient China advocated that the people are the foundation of the state, that the state gains the people through virtuous governance, that rites and law should be combined with virtue as the primary and punishment as the secondary, that the most important thing for governance is to win people over and to govern officials first, that governance should be based on virtue and self-cultivation, that one should be mindful of danger in times of peace and reform when necessary, and so on. All these can provide important inspiration for people.” Equal emphasis on rites and law, and the combination of virtue and law, are governance concepts long practiced in ancient China and a distinctive feature of the Chinese legal system. The ancient Chinese “rites” (li) were a comprehensive system covering political institutions, social norms, cultural ceremonies, etc., aimed at ensuring social stability, maintaining hierarchical order, and promoting moral education. They possessed both the attributes of “law” and served as a carrier of “virtue.” During the pre-Qin period, the Legalist school proposed the governance idea of “governing the country according to law,” while the Confucian school proposed “governing by virtue” and “exalting rites and emphasizing law.” The Tang Dynasty formed a pattern of combining virtue and law, characterized by “virtue and rites as the foundation of governance and education, and punishment as the instrument of governance and education,” using morality to strengthen inner guidance and law to constrain behavior. Subsequently, the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties largely continued this tradition of combining virtue and law. The combination of virtue and law highlights the profound heritage of Chinese civilization of rule of law and is also a great creation of the Chinese nation in state governance. General Secretary Xi Jinping has deeply excavated the ideological essence of the ancient Chinese combination of virtue and law, concluding that “although the ancients had different views on the status and role of virtue and law, the vast majority advocated using both virtue and law,” thereby consolidating the historical and cultural foundation for upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance.

深入挖掘古代中国德法合治的思想精华。习近平总书记指出：“我国古代主张民惟邦本、政得其民，礼法合治、德主刑辅，为政之要莫先于得人、治国先治吏，为政以德、正己修身，居安思危、改易更化，等等，这些都能给人们以重要启示。”礼法并重、德法合治，是古代中国长期践行的治理理念，也是中华法系的一个鲜明特色。中国古代的“礼”是一个涵盖政治制度、社会规范、文化仪式等方面的综合体系，旨在保障社会稳定、维护等级秩序、推动道德教化，既有“法”的属性，又是“德”的载体。先秦时期，法家提出“以法治国”的治理主张，儒家提出“为政以德”“隆礼重法”；唐代形成了“德礼为政教之本，刑罚为政教之用”的德法合治格局，以道德加强内心引导，以法律进行行为约束；此后，宋元明清时期基本延续了德法合治的传统。德法合治彰显了中华法治文明的深厚底蕴，也是中华民族在国家治理上的伟大创造。习近平总书记深入挖掘古代中国德法合治的思想精华，总结出“尽管古人对德法的地位和作用认识不尽相同，但绝大多数都主张德法并用”的结论，为坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合夯实了历史文化基础。

Scientifically Evaluating the Governance Effects of Combining the Rule of Law and the Rule of Virtue. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “Throughout China’s ancient history, periods when the rule of law and the rule of virtue were properly applied mostly saw relatively good governance and development.” In Chinese history, the Zhou Dynasty, which emphasized rule by rites, gradually formed a governance concept of restraining punishment with virtue and guiding decrees with virtue. The imbalance between “rites” and “punishment” led to the “collapse of rites and the ruin of music,” exposing the governance loophole of the absence of law. The Qin Dynasty, which emphasized “governance according to law,” achieved unification but quickly perished due to tyranny and harsh laws, as “benevolence and righteousness were not practiced, and the situation of offense and defense changed.” By comparison, periods of simultaneous emphasis on rites and law and the combination of virtue and law were mostly eras of good governance, such as the Rule of Wen and Jing [1]1 "Rule-of-virtue governance" (以德治国): A governance principle emphasizing the role of morality and ethical cultivation in state administration, rooted in Confucian tradition and integrated with modern socialist governance., the Reign of Zhenguan [2]2 "Cultural-ethical progress" (精神文明): A term from official CPC discourse referring to the development of socialist culture, ethics, and ideology, as distinct from material progress., and the Kaiyuan Era [3]3 The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, held in July 2025, focused on further deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization. Its "Proposal" outlined the main goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).. General Secretary Xi Jinping not only conducts in-depth investigations into the rise

科学评价法治德治相结合的治理效果。习近平总书记指出：“通观我国古代历史，法治和德治运用得当的时期，大多能出现较好的治理和发展局面。”中国历史上，偏重礼治的周代，逐步形成以德节制刑罚、以德引导政令的治理理念，“礼”“刑”失衡，以致“礼崩乐坏”，暴露了法律缺位的治理漏洞；偏重“缘法而治”的秦代，实现大一统，却也因暴政苛法而迅速灭亡，“仁义不施而攻守之势异也”。比较来看，礼法并举、德法合治的时期则多为治世，如文景之治、贞观之治、开元之治等。习近平总书记不仅以深远的历史视野对我国历代王朝兴衰进行深入考察，还以宏阔的世界眼光认真鉴别外国法治和德治的实践经验，在总结我国古代法治和德治成败得失、指出“在我国历史上，也有纯任法治、纯任德教的主张，但往往在实践中难以贯彻到底”的基础上，深刻指出“国外也是这样，凡是治理比较有效的国家，都注重法治，同时注重用道德调节人们的行为，单纯孤立的德治或法治都不能把国家治理好”，深刻把握了坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合的历史逻辑。

Scientifically reveal the dialectical relationship between law and morality, and between rule of law and rule of virtue, from the height of the modernization of the national governance system, and consolidate the theoretical foundation for upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance

从国家治理现代化的高度科学揭示法律和道德、法治和德治的辩证关系，夯实坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合的理论基础

Upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance is both an inheritance and development of the excellent traditional Chinese legal culture and a profound grasp of the laws governing state governance. Since reform and opening up, our Party has continuously explored and advanced the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance. Comrade Deng Xiaoping proposed that "we must develop socialist democracy and strengthen the socialist legal system" and "build socialist cultural-ethical progress"; Comrade Jiang Zemin proposed that "we must grasp both material progress and cultural-ethical progress, and implement the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance"; Comrade Hu Jintao proposed that "we must uphold the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance, vigorously carry out education in ideals and convictions, and effectively strengthen ideological and moral construction."

坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合，既是对中华优秀传统法律文化的传承发展，也是对治国理政规律的深刻把握。改革开放以来，我们党不断探索推进依法治国和以德治国相结合。邓小平同志提出“必须发扬社会主义民主和加强社会主义法制”“建设社会主义精神文明”，江泽民同志提出“坚持物质文明和精神文明两手抓，实行依法治国和以德治国相结合”，胡锦涛同志提出“要坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合，大力开展理想信念教育，切实加强思想道德建设”。

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has positioned, laid out, and vigorously

党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央从坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的全局和战略高度定位法治、布局法治、厉行法治，将坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合确定为实现建设中国特色社会主义法治体系、建设社会主义法治国家这个全面推进依法治国总目标必须坚持的重要原则之一。习近平总书记把握历史大势、时代大势，从“两个结合”的高度深刻阐明法律和道德的辩证统一关系，深入阐释法治和德治相结合的内在逻辑与科学方法，夯实了坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合的理论基础。

Scientifically elucidate the distinctions and connections between law and morality in their scope of regulation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Law is codified morality, and morality is the law within the heart"; "Law brings peace to the world, virtue nourishes the people's hearts"; "Law is the criterion, which must be followed at all times; morality is the cornerstone, which must never be neglected at any time." These important expositions clearly indicate the distinctions and connections between law and morality in their scope of regulation. Law, as a "criterion," is a system of norms formulated by the state and enforced by the state's coercive power. It regulates the behavior of members of society and maintains social order, possessing the characteristic of rigid constraint, but it does not directly regulate people's ideological concepts. Morality manifests as a self-disciplining social norm, existing within people's ideological concepts and public opinion. It can regulate almost all social relations and can shape social civilization through its educative function, but it lacks rigid means of enforcement. From the perspective of regulating the behavior of members of society and adjusting social relations, morality is the foundation of law, and law is the guarantee of morality; in areas where law finds it difficult to regulate, morality can play a role; for behavior that morality is powerless to constrain, law can impose punishment.

科学阐明法律和道德在调整范围上的区别和联系。习近平总书记指出：“法律是成文的道德，道德是内心的法律”“法安天下，德润人心”“法律是准绳，任何时候都必须遵循；道德是基石，任何时候都不可忽视”。这些重要论述，清晰指明了法律和道德在调整范围上的区别和联系。法律作为“准绳”，是由国家制定并由国家强制力保证实施的规范体系，调整社会成员行为、维护社会秩序，具有刚性约束的特点，但并不直接规范人们的思想观念。道德表现为自律性的社会规范，存在于人们的思想观念和社会舆论中，几乎可以调节一切社会关系，能够以教化作用塑造社会文明，但缺乏刚性的执行手段。从规范社会成员行为、调节社会关系的角度来看，道德是法律的基础，法律是道德的保障；法律难以规范的领域，道德可以发挥作用；道德无力约束的行为，法律则可予以惩戒。

Profoundly reveal the functional advantages of law and morality and their complementary relationship. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Both law and morality have the function of regulating social behavior, adjusting social relations, and maintaining social order, and both have their status and function in national governance"; "Law regulates people's behavior and can coercively punish illegal acts, but it cannot replace the resolution of people's ideological and moral issues"; "Law is heteronomy, virtue is autonomy, and both need to be used together." Law and morality are both behavioral norms of human society and important means of national governance. Both take the maintenance of fairness and justice and the protection of the people's interests as their value orientation, representing the unity of institutional rationality and value rationality. At the same time, the attributes of law and morality differ, and their functions also differ. Law has the functional advantages of coercive enforcement, maintaining order, and stabilizing society; morality has the functional advantages of flexible education, guiding towards goodness, and warming people's hearts. This difference in function implies that the two are both independent and irreplaceable, yet also complementary and inseparable. Without the external hard constraint of law, morality will not be effectively guaranteed; without the internal soft constraint of morality, law will not be consciously followed. Rule by law and rule by virtue are inseparable and cannot be neglected; national governance requires the coordinated exertion of both law and morality.

深刻揭示法律和道德的功能优势及其互补关系。习近平总书记指出：“法律和道德都具有规范社会行为、调节社会关系、维护社会秩序的作用，在国家治理中都有其地位和功能”“法律规范人们的行为，可以强制性地惩罚违法行为，但不能代替解决人们思想道德的问题”“法是他律，德是自律，需要二者并用”。法律和道德都是人类社会的行为规范和国家治理的重要手段，均以维护公平正义、保障人民利益为价值导向，是制度理性与价值理性的统一。同时，法律和道德的属性不同、功能也有差别。法律具有强制执行、维护秩序、安定社会的功能优势；道德具有柔性教化、引导向善、温润人心的功能优势。这种功能上的差异，意味着二者既相互独立、不可替代，又相互补充、不可分离。没有法律的外部硬约束，道德不会得到有力保障；没有道德的内在软约束，法律不会得到自觉遵循。法治和德治不可分离、不可偏废，国家治理需要法律和道德协同发力。

Systematically summarize the internal logic and scientific methods of combining rule by law and rule by virtue. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Under the new historical conditions, to properly implement the basic strategy of law-based governance and the basic mode of law-based exercise of state power, and to properly build a rule-of-law China, we must adhere to the combination of law-based governance and rule-by-virtue governance, so that rule by law and rule by virtue complement, promote, and enhance each other in national governance." The complementarity of law and morality in their functional roles determines that rule by law and rule by virtue are inseparable and cannot be neglected, inevitably requiring the adherence to the combination of law-based governance and rule-by-virtue governance in national governance, so that the two complement each other. General Secretary Xi Jinping has innovatively applied the dialect

系统归纳法治和德治相结合的内在逻辑与科学方法。习近平总书记指出：“在新的历史条件下，我们要把依法治国基本方略、依法执政基本方式落实好，把法治中国建设好，必须坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合，使法治和德治在国家治理中相互补充、相互促进、相得益彰”。法律和道德在功能作用上的互补性，决定了法治和德治不可分离、不可偏废，必然要求在国家治理中坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合，使二者相辅相成。习近平总书记将法律和道德的辩证统一关系创新运用于推进国家治理现代化的实践中，科学揭示了坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合对于推进国家治理现代化的必要性和必然性，在此基础上深刻把握法治和德治相结合的着力点，进一步阐述了实现二者相互补充、相互促进的科学方法。一方面，强调“以法治承载道德理念，道德才有可靠制度支撑”，要求把道德要求贯彻到法治建设中，以法治的力量引导全社会崇德向善，发挥惩恶扬善功能，推动全社会道德素质提升；另一方面，强调“再多再好的法律，必须转化为人们内心自觉才能真正为人们所遵行”，要求以道德滋养法治精神、强化道德对法治文化的支撑作用。这深刻表明，人们对法律的认同，根本上是对其蕴含的道德的认同；人们对法律的遵守，必须源于道德自觉的提升。只有坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合，才能推动二者在更高水平和更深层次、以更优形态实现相结合。

Accurately grasp the practical requirements of upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance, and promote the construction of a socialist rule-of-law state to reach a higher level

准确把握坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合的实践要求，推动社会主义法治国家建设达到更高水平

The Proposal of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party [3]3 The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, held in July 2025, focused on further deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization. Its "Proposal" outlined the main goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). clarified the main objectives for economic and social development during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period [4]4 The "15th Five-Year Plan" refers to China's 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, covering the years 2026-2030., including "the construction of a socialist rule-of-law state reaching a higher level." Upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance provides important impetus for promoting the construction of a socialist rule-of-law state to reach a higher level. We must take Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law as our guide, deeply comprehend, uphold, and skillfully apply the scientific method of the "Two Integrations" [5]5 The "Two Integrations" (两个结合) refers to the principle of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with the best of China's traditional culture., deepen our understanding of the laws governing the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance, better grasp its practical requirements, continuously integrate the experience and wisdom of China's excellent traditional legal culture into the practice of comprehensive law-based governance, and strive to achieve the goal where law brings peace to the world and virtue nurtures the hearts of the people.

党的二十届四中全会《建议》明确了“十五五”时期经济社会发展的主要目标，其中包括“社会主义法治国家建设达到更高水平”。坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合为推动社会主义法治国家建设达到更高水平提供了重要助力。我们要以习近平法治思想为指引，深刻领悟好坚持好运用好“两个结合”的科学方法，深化对坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合的规律性认识，更好把握其实践要求，不断把中华优秀传统法律文化的经验和智慧融入全面依法治国实践，努力实现法安天下、德润人心。

Make socialist rule of law into good laws and good governance. General Secretary Xi Jinping, based on the vivid practice of building a rule-of-law China and delving deeply into the inherent laws of contemporary China's rule-of-law development, has clearly pointed out "accelerating the improvement of the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics, using good laws to promote development and ensure good governance" and "making socialist rule of law into good laws and good governance," profoundly indicating that socialist rule of law takes good laws and good governance as its direction. To this end, the first step is to establish good laws, improve the quality of legislation, and ensure that the laws and regulations formulated establish a clear moral orientation, promote virtue and righteous conduct, and must conform to public opinion and the will of the people, embodying fairness and justice. On this basis, we must pursue good governance, fully leveraging the synergistic role of rule of law and rule of virtue. We must both uphold strict law enforcement and impartial justice to enhance the credibility of the law, and encourage and guide the masses to establish faith in the rule of law and strengthen their concept of the rule of law, laying a solid mass foundation for the strict enforcement of the rule of law, and better transforming the advantages of socialist rule of law into the effectiveness of national governance.

使社会主义法治成为良法善治。习近平总书记立足法治中国建设的生动实践，深入考察当代中国法治发展的内在规律，鲜明指出“加快完善中国特色社会主义法律体系，以良法促进发展、保障善治”“使社会主义法治成为良法善治”，深刻表明社会主义法治以良法善治为方向。为此，首先要立良法，提高立法质量，使制定的法律法规必须树立鲜明道德导向、弘扬美德义行，必须符合民意民心、体现公平正义。在此基础上，要谋善治，充分发挥法治和德治的协同作用。既要坚持严格执法、公正司法，增强法律的公信力，又要鼓励引导人民群众树立法治信仰、增强法治观念，为厉行法治奠定坚实的群众基础，更好把社会主义法治优势转化为国家治理效能。

Integrate core socialist values into the construction of the rule of law. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Core values are, in essence, a kind of virtue, both an individual's virtue and a great virtue, that is, the virtue of the nation and the virtue of society." Core socialist values are a powerful force for uniting people's hearts and gathering popular strength, and are the soul of socialist rule-of-law construction. The "virtue" advocated in contemporary China is mainly embodied in core socialist values. Integrating core socialist values into the construction of the rule of law is an inevitable requirement for upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance. China's Constitution stipulates that "the state advocates core socialist values," providing the highest legal basis for integrating core socialist values into the construction of the rule of law. We must integrate core socialist values into the entire process and all aspects of comprehensive law-based governance, adhere to scientific legislation to promote the integration of core socialist values into legislation; adhere to strict law enforcement to promote truth, goodness, and beauty while combating falsehood, evil, and ugliness, using the power of the rule of law to uphold morality and unite people's hearts; adhere to impartial justice to give full play to the function of judicial adjudication in settling disputes, punishing evil, and promoting good; in accordance with the basic requirements of core socialist values, improve rules and regulations for all trades and professions, and perfect codes of conduct such as市民公约 (civic conventions), 乡规民约 (village rules and agreements), and 学生守则 (student codes of conduct), promoting core socialist values to become the basic guidelines for people's daily work and life, and promoting law-abiding behavior by all.

把社会主义核心价值观融入法治建设。习近平总书记强调：“核心价值观，其实就是一种德，既是个人的德，也是一种大德，就是国家的德、社会的德。”社会主义核心价值观是凝聚人心、汇聚民力的强大力量，是社会主义法治建设的灵魂。当代中国倡导的“德”主要体现为社会主义核心价值观。把社会主义核心价值观融入法治建设，是坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合的必然要求。我国宪法规定“国家倡导社会主义核心价值观”，为把社会主义核心价值观融入法治建设提供了最高法律依据。要把社会主义核心价值观融入全面依法治国全过程各方面，坚持科学立法，推动社会主义核心价值观融入立法；坚持严格执法，弘扬真善美、打击假恶丑，以法治力量维护道德、凝聚人心；坚持公正司法，发挥司法裁判定分止争、惩恶扬善功能；按照社会主义核心价值观的基本要求，健全各行各业规章制度，完善市民公约、乡规民约、学生守则等行为准则，推动社会主义核心价值观成为人们日常工作生活的基本遵循，促进全民守法。

In the moral system, embody the requirements of the rule of law; in moral education, highlight the connotations of the rule of law. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: “For law to play its role, the whole society must first have faith in the law; for morality to be observed, the moral quality of all the people must be raised.” [6]6 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection” (January 22, 2014), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Important Works*, Vol. 1, p. 132. The whole society’s respect, study, observance, and application of the law must be built upon the people’s identification with the moral standards and value concepts contained within the law. Moral education is a process of persuading people toward goodness and encouraging them toward beauty; morality provides the rule of law with broad value guidance and deep cultural support. On the one hand, it is necessary to promote the alignment, coordination, and mutual reinforcement of the moral system with legal norms. For example, the “Implementation Outline for Civic Moral Construction in the New Era” [7]7 The “Implementation Outline for Civic Moral Construction in the New Era” is a policy document issued by the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council in October 2019, outlining goals and measures for moral cultivation in the New Era. issued in 2019 requires strengthening moral construction in cyberspace, cultivating civilized and self-disciplined online behavior, and maintaining the moral order of the internet. This works in the same direction as the legal provision in the Cybersecurity Law implemented in 2017, which states that “the state advocates honest, trustworthy, healthy, and civilized online behavior,” jointly promoting the creation of a clean and upright cyberspace. On the other hand, it is necessary to highlight the connotations of the rule of law in moral education, continuously improve people’s legal literacy through moral education, combine legal norms with moral norms, advance the construction of social morality and professional ethics, deeply conduct education in family virtues and personal morality, and enhance the moral foundation of the rule of law.

在道德体系中体现法治要求，在道德教育中突出法治内涵。习近平总书记强调：“法律要发挥作用，首先全社会要信仰法律；道德要得到遵守，必须提高全体人民道德素质。”全社会尊法学法守法用法，必须建立在人民群众对法律所蕴含的道德标准、价值观念的认同之上。道德教化是劝人向善、促人尚美的过程，道德为法治提供了广泛的价值引领和深厚的文化支撑。一方面，要推动道德体系同法律规范相衔接、相协调、相促进。比如，2019年印发的《新时代公民道德建设实施纲要》要求抓好网络空间道德建设，培养文明自律网络行为，维护网络道德秩序，与2017年施行的网络安全法关于“国家倡导诚实守信、健康文明的网络行为”的法律规定同向发力，共同推动营造风清气正的网络空间。另一方面，要在道德教育中突出法治内涵，通过道德教育不断提高人们的法治素养，把法律规范和道德规范结合起来，推进社会公德、职业道德建设，深入开展家庭美德和个人品德教育，增强法治的道德底蕴。

Use legal means to resolve prominent issues in the moral sphere. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: “We must strengthen the rectification of immoral behaviors that the masses strongly reflect upon, in accordance with the law.” Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, [8]8 The 18th National Congress of the CPC was held in November 2012, marking the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership. civic moral construction has achieved notable results; people’s ideological awareness, moral standards, and civilizational literacy have continuously improved, and the moral sphere has shown a positive, healthy, and upward trend. At the same time, it must also be recognized that there are still some areas where the level of civic moral construction is not adapted or coordinated with the requirements of economic and social development. It is necessary to deeply carry out special governance of prominent issues in the moral sphere, and resolutely punish, in accordance with the law, immoral and morally degenerate behaviors that breach the bottom line of morality. Relevant legislative work must be strengthened to clarify punitive measures for immoral behaviors. Use strict law enforcement to punish serious immoral and dishonest behaviors; for behaviors that seriously violate the law and morality, such as food and drug safety issues, infringement and counterfeiting, which infringe upon the life, health, and legitimate rights and interests of the people, improve the mechanism for rewarding law-abiding and trustworthy conduct and the joint punishment mechanism for illegal and dishonest conduct, so that those who are morally degenerate and violate the law are subject to legal sanctions. Use impartial justice to punish serious immoral and dishonest behaviors, integrating law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance into judicial concepts, judicial systems, and judicial practice, striving to make those who abide by the law and regulations feel proud and uplifted, and making it difficult for those who violate the law and morality to move an inch.

运用法治手段解决道德领域突出问题。习近平总书记强调：“要依法加强对群众反映强烈的失德行为的整治。”党的十八大以来，公民道德建设取得显著成效，人们的思想觉悟、道德水准、文明素养不断提高，道德领域呈现积极健康向上的良好态势。同时也要看到，公民道德建设水平与经济社会发展要求还有一些不适应、不协调的地方，必须深入开展道德领域突出问题专项治理，依法有力惩治失德败德、突破道德底线的行为。要加强相关立法工作，明确对失德行为的惩戒措施。以严格执法惩治严重失德失信行为，对于社会反映强烈的食品药品安全、侵权假冒等侵害人民群众生命健康和消费者合法权益的失德失信行为，健全守法诚信褒奖机制和违法失信行为联合惩戒机制，让败德违法者受到法律制裁。要以公正司法惩治严重失德失信行为，把依法治国和以德治国结合于司法理念、司法制度、司法实践之中，努力让遵法守规者扬眉吐气，让违法失德者寸步难行。

Give play to the key role of leading cadres. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: “Leading cadres should not only be important organizers and promoters of comprehensive law-based governance, but also active advocates and exemplars of moral construction.” Whether leading cadres can lead by example and set a precedent from the top is crucial to creating a good legal environment and moral atmosphere. Upholding the combination of law-based governance and rule-of-virtue governance requires grasping the “key minority” of leading cadres, [9]9 “Key minority” (关键少数) is a term used by Xi Jinping to refer to leading cadres at and above the county level, who are seen as crucial for implementing Party policies. using the “key minority” to drive the “vast majority,” and effectively promoting the coordinated exertion of the rule of law and rule of virtue. To this end, on the one hand, it is necessary to promote leading cadres to become models of respecting, studying, observing, and applying the law, taking the lead in revering the rule of law and fearing the law, taking the lead in handling affairs according to the law, and enhancing their ability to use legal thinking and legal methods to deepen reform, promote development, resolve conflicts, and maintain stability. On the other hand, it is necessary to promote leading cadres to strive to become moral role models for the whole society, taking the lead in practicing the core socialist values, emphasizing Party spirit, [10]10 “Party spirit” (党性) refers to the political consciousness, discipline, and loyalty required of all CPC members, as defined in the Party Constitution. valuing moral conduct, and setting an example, taking the lead in focusing on family, family education, and family traditions, always maintaining the noble character and clean integrity of Communists, and using their own practical actions to drive the whole society to revere virtue and goodness, and to respect and abide by the law.

发挥领导干部的关键作用。习近平总书记强调：“领导干部既应该做全面依法治国的重要组织者、推动者，也应该做道德建设的积极倡导者、示范者。”领导干部能否以身作则、以上率下，对于营造良好法治环境和道德氛围至关重要。坚持依法治国和以德治国相结合，必须抓住领导干部这个“关键少数”，实现以“关键少数”带动“绝大多数”，有效促进法治和德治协同发力。为此，一方面，要推动领导干部做尊法学法守法用法的模范，带头尊崇法治、敬畏法律，带头依法办事，提高运用法治思维和法治方式深化改革、推动发展、化解矛盾、维护稳定的能力。另一方面，要推动领导干部努力成为全社会的道德楷模，带头践行社会主义核心价值观，讲党性、重品行、作表率，带头注重家庭、家教、家风，始终保持共产党人的高尚品格和廉洁操守，以自己的实际行动带动全社会崇德向善、尊法守法。

(The author is a member of the Social Construction Committee of the National People’s Congress)

（作者为全国人大社会建设委员会委员）