The Theme, Main Line, Historical Experience and Epochal Characteristics of the CPC’s Promotion of Theoretical Innovation

As the fundamental guiding ideology for building the Party and the country, and for rejuvenating the Party and the country, the innovative development of Marxism in China has a history of more than one hundred years. The *Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century* takes “upholding theoretical innovation” as one of the ten aspects of historical experience, and points out: “As long as we have the courage to advance theoretical innovation on the basis of new practice and are adept at using new theory to guide new practice, we will surely enable Marxism to demonstrate more powerful and more convincing truth on Chinese soil.” The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC put forward and elaborated on important ideas such as “the Two Integrations” and “six imperatives,” providing fundamental guidance for continuing to advance theoretical innovation on the basis of practice. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Deepen the understanding of the laws of the Party’s theoretical innovation, further clarify the orientation, direction, and methods of theoretical innovation, and achieve more fruitful results in theoretical innovation on the new journey of the New Era.” Exploring the theme, main line, historical experience, and epochal characteristics of the CPC’s promotion of theoretical innovation, grasping the basic logic contained therein, and deeply comprehending the great political courage and strong sense of mission of the CPC in promoting theoretical innovation are of great significance for further opening up new horizons for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

作为立党立国、兴党兴国的根本指导思想，马克思主义在中国的创新发展已经有一百多年的历史。《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》把“坚持理论创新”作为十个方面的历史经验之一，并指出：“只要我们勇于结合新的实践不断推进理论创新、善于用新的理论指导新的实践，就一定能够让马克思主义在中国大地上展现出更强大、更有说服力的真理力量。”党的二十大报告提出并阐述了“两个结合”“六个必须坚持”等重要思想，为继续推进实践基础上的理论创新提供了根本遵循。习近平总书记指出：“深化对党的理论创新的规律性认识，进一步明确理论创新的方位、方向、方法，在新时代新征程上取得更为丰硕的理论创新成果。”探究中国共产党推进理论创新的主题主线、历史经验、时代特点，把握其中蕴含的基本逻辑，深刻感悟中国共产党推进理论创新的巨大政治勇气和强烈使命担当，对于进一步开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界具有重大意义。

I. The Theme and Main Line of the CPC’s Promotion of Theoretical Innovation over More Than a Century

一、百余年来中国共产党推进理论创新的主题主线

The times are the mother of thought; practice is the source of theory. Engels pointed out: “The theoretical thinking of every age, including our own, is a historical product, which at different times takes on completely different forms and, at the same time, completely different content.” [1]1 Friedrich Engels, *Dialectics of Nature*. All epoch-making theories reflect the specific needs of their times and must answer the questions of the times; they can never be divorced from the practice of their times. Lenin pointed out: “The absolute requirement of Marxist theory in analyzing any social problem is to place the problem within a definite historical scope; moreover, if one is speaking of a particular country (for example, speaking of that country’s national program), one must take into account the specific characteristics that distinguish that country from others within the same historical epoch.” [2]2 V. I. Lenin, “On the National Pride of the Great Russians.” For more than a century, the theoretical innovation of the CPC has not been water without a source, nor has it been shooting without a target; rather, it has had its distinct theme and main line. The academic community has conducted preliminary research on this. Some domestic scholars believe that the main line of the CPC’s theoretical innovation is to apply the Marxist theory of the fundamental contradiction of society, uphold the consistency between respecting the laws of social development and respecting the principal position of the people, and correctly handle the principal contradictions faced in the practice of China’s revolution, construction, and reform. Some foreign scholars believe that the CPC adheres to the combination of theory and practice, continuously explores a path of revolution and development suited to its own characteristics, and that theory is not an abstract and empty thing, nor is it used to whitewash the facade, but originates from China’s actual conditions. [3]3 The “urban center theory” refers to the Bolshevik model of launching armed uprisings first in major cities, which the CPC initially followed but later abandoned as unsuitable for China’s conditions. These two views have some validity, demonstrating the driving force and source of theoretical innovation, but they lack a macro perspective and do not address the theme. The theme and the main line are interdependent; only by adhering to a grand view of history can we accurately grasp the theme and main line of the CPC’s promotion of theoretical innovation over more than a century.

时代是思想之母，实践是理论之源。恩格斯指出：“每一个时代的理论思维，包括我们这个时代的理论思维，都是一种历史的产物，它在不同的时代具有完全不同的形式，同时具有完全不同的内容。”一切划时代的理论都反映了特定的时代需要，必须回答时代问题，绝不能脱离所在时代的实践。列宁指出：“在分析任何一个社会问题时，马克思主义理论的绝对要求，就是要把问题提到一定的历史范围之内；此外，如果谈到某一国家（例如，谈到这个国家的民族纲领），那就要估计到在同一历史时代这个国家不同于其他各国的具体特点。”一百多年来，中国共产党的理论创新不是无源之水，也不是无的放矢，而是有其鲜明的主题和主线。学术界对此进行了初步研究，国内有学者认为中国共产党推进理论创新的主线是运用马克思主义社会基本矛盾理论，坚持尊重社会发展规律与尊重人民主体地位的一致性，正确处理中国革命、建设、改革实践面临的社会主要矛盾；国外有学者认为中国共产党坚持理论与实践相结合，不断探索符合自身特点的革命和发展道路，理论并非抽象空洞之物，亦非用以粉饰门面，而是源于中国的现实情况。这两种观点有一定的道理，展现了理论创新的动力和源泉，但缺乏宏观视野，且没有谈及主题。主题与主线互相依存，只有坚持大历史观，才能准确把握百余年来中国共产党推进理论创新的主题主线。

(1) The Party’s Theoretical Innovation Revolves Around the Theme of Realizing the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation

（一）党的理论创新围绕实现中华民族伟大复兴的主题

Marxism was formed and developed in the practice of seeking liberation for the people, providing a powerful ideological weapon for the oppressed nations of the world to wage revolutionary struggle. Marx pointed out: “The degree to which a theory is realized in a country always depends on the degree to which the theory meets the needs of that country.” [4]4 Karl Marx, “A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right: Introduction.” In modern times, the Chinese nation suffered unprecedented calamities, and rejuvenating China was the common aspiration of all Chinese people. But by the early 20th century, various plans to save the nation had all ended in failure, and China urgently needed new revolutionary ideas and a leading force. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “From the very day of its founding, the Communist Party of China established its original aspiration and founding mission as seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. All the struggles, sacrifices, and creations the CPC has united and led the Chinese people in carrying out over the past century boil down to one theme: realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC, July 1, 2021. Marxist theory is not dogma, but a guide to action. Theory and practice are inseparable; theoretical innovation and practical innovation are highly unified. Theoretical innovation is based on practical innovation and provides scientific guidance for practical innovation. “The history of our Party is a history of continuously advancing the Sinicization of Marxism, a history of continuously advancing theoretical innovation and theoretical creation.” [6]6 Xi Jinping, speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC, July 1, 2021. Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the theme of the CPC’s century-long struggle and also the theme of the Party’s theoretical innovation. Generations of Chinese Communists have always revolved around this theme, applied the basic principles of Marxism to solve China’s practical problems, advanced theoretical innovation, and carried out theoretical creation, writing magnificent Chinese chapters in the history of the development of Marxism.

马克思主义是在为人民求解放的实践中形成和发展的，为世界上被压迫民族进行革命斗争提供了强大思想武器。马克思指出：“理论在一个国家实现的程度，总是取决于理论满足这个国家的需要的程度。”近代以来，中华民族遭受了前所未有的劫难，振兴中华是中华儿女的共同期盼。但到了20世纪初，各种救国方案都以失败告终，中国迫切需要新的革命思想和领导力量。习近平总书记指出：“中国共产党一经诞生，就把为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴确立为自己的初心使命。一百年来，中国共产党团结带领中国人民进行的一切奋斗、一切牺牲、一切创造，归结起来就是一个主题：实现中华民族伟大复兴。”马克思主义理论不是教条，而是行动指南。理论与实践密不可分，理论创新与实践创新高度统一。理论创新以实践创新为基础，并为实践创新提供科学指导。“我们党的历史，就是一部不断推进马克思主义中国化的历史，就是一部不断推进理论创新、进行理论创造的历史。”实现中华民族伟大复兴是中国共产党百余年奋斗的主题，也是党的理论创新的主题。一代代中国共产党人始终围绕这个主题，运用马克思主义基本原理解决中国的实际问题，推进理论创新，进行理论创造，在马克思主义发展史上书写了恢宏的中国篇章。

During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, the main task facing the Party was to achieve national independence and the liberation of the people. The Communist Party of China broke through the “urban center theory,” explored a revolutionary path suited to China’s national conditions, and advanced theoretical innovation in the historical process of the Chinese nation standing up. [7]7 The “three big mountains” is a standard CPC term for imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, which Mao identified as the main enemies of the Chinese revolution. The “two-step approach” refers to the CPC’s strategy of first completing the New Democratic Revolution and then transitioning to socialist revolution. Carrying out revolution in a semi-colonial and semi-feudal Eastern power, where the national condition was that peasants constituted the vast majority of the population, what path should be chosen to lead the Chinese revolution to victory? This was an unprecedented challenge in the history of the development of Marxism. The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their main representative, profoundly analyzed China’s social formation and class conditions, opened up a new path of encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing state power by armed force, and wrote theoretical works such as *Why Can China’s Red Political Power Exist?* and *A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire*. [8]8 *Why Can China’s Red Political Power Exist?* (1928) and *A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire* (1930) are two early theoretical works by Mao Zedong that argued for the viability of rural base areas. Marx once wrote to Engels saying that “the whole problem in Germany will depend on the possibility of supporting the proletarian revolution by some kind of second edition of the Peasant War,” [9]9 Karl Marx, letter to Friedrich Engels, April 16, 1856. but their ideas about an ally army did not become a reality. Mao Zedong creatively resolved the issue of the revolutionary united front, rallying the broadest possible army of allies for the cause of the Chinese revolution. He pointed out: “The establishment and development of the Red Army, guerrilla forces, and red areas represent the highest form of peasant struggle under the leadership of the proletariat in semi-colonial China.” [10]10 Mao Zedong, “The Struggle in the Jinggang Mountains” (1928). In the long-term revolutionary struggle, the Chinese Communists continuously deepened their understanding of the laws of the Chinese revolution, put forward the theory of New Democracy, and founded Mao Zedong Thought. On the one hand, Mao Zedong directly used the classic formulations of Marx, Engels, and Lenin regarding “class struggle,” “proletarian revolution,” “socialism,” etc.; on the other hand, he creatively put forward new formulations such as “three big mountains,” “two-step approach,” and “New Democracy,” elucidating “a Chinese-style, special, new-style democracy.” [11]11 The “three work styles” are: integrating theory with practice, maintaining close ties with the masses, and practicing criticism and self-criticism. The “three magic weapons” are: the united front, armed struggle, and Party building. Mao Zedong refuted erroneous statements such as “accomplishing the task at one stroke” and “inserting a bourgeois dictatorship in between,” [12]12 “Accomplishing the task at one stroke” (毕其功于一役) refers to the view that the New Democratic and socialist revolutions could be merged into one. “Inserting a bourgeois dictatorship in between” (横插一个资产阶级专政) refers to the view that a period of bourgeois rule was necessary before socialism. Both were positions Mao criticized. expounded on the characteristics, nature, targets, tasks, and prospects of the Chinese revolution, and enriched and developed Marxist revolutionary thought. At the same time, the Chinese Communists established the principles of building the Party ideologically and building the army politically, treated Party building as a “great project,” “for the first time in the history of Marxist political parties scientifically elucidated the relationship between Party building and the Party’s political line,” [13]13 This phrase is a standard formulation in official CPC historiography, summarizing Mao’s contribution to Party-building theory. summarized and formed the “three work styles” and “three magic weapons,” and, in response to the question of how to escape the historical cycle of rise and fall, gave the first answer: “letting the people supervise the government.” [14]14 The “historical cycle of rise and fall” (历史周期率) refers to the pattern in Chinese dynastic history of a founding period of vigor followed by eventual decay and collapse. In 1945, during a conversation with the democratic personage Huang Yanpei, Mao Zedong proposed that the way for the CPC to escape this cycle was for the people to supervise the government. The Communist Party of China led the people to create the achievements of the New Democratic Revolution, provided Chinese experience for the liberation cause of the oppressed nations of the world, and developed the Marxist classical writers’ theory of revolution in colonial and semi-colonial countries.

新民主主义革命时期，党面临的主要任务是争取民族独立和人民解放，中国共产党突破“城市中心论”，探索适合中国国情的革命道路，在中华民族站起来的历史进程中推进理论创新。在半殖民地半封建的东方大国进行革命，面对的国情是农民占人口的绝大多数，选择什么样的道路才能把中国革命引向胜利？这是马克思主义发展史上前所未有的难题。以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，深刻分析中国社会形态和阶级状况，开辟了农村包围城市、武装夺取政权的新道路，撰写了《中国的红色政权为什么能够存在？》《星星之火，可以燎原》等理论著作。马克思曾致信恩格斯说“德国的全部问题将取决于是否有可能由某种再版的农民战争来支持无产阶级革命”，但他们关于同盟军的思想没有变成现实。毛泽东创造性地解决了革命统一战线问题，为中国革命事业凝聚了最广大的同盟军。他指出：“红军、游击队和红色区域的建立和发展，是半殖民地中国在无产阶级领导之下的农民斗争的最高形式”。在长期的革命斗争中，中国共产党人不断加深对中国革命的规律性认识，提出新民主主义理论，创立了毛泽东思想。毛泽东一方面直接使用马克思、恩格斯、列宁关于“阶级斗争”“无产阶级革命”“社会主义”等经典表述，另一方面创造性提出“三座大山”“两步走”“新民主主义”等新表述，阐明“中国式的、特殊的、新式的民主主义”。毛泽东批驳“毕其功于一役”和“横插一个资产阶级专政”等错误言论，论述了中国革命的特点、性质、对象、任务和前途，丰富发展了马克思主义革命思想。同时，中国共产党人确立思想建党、政治建军的原则，把党的建设作为一项“伟大的工程”，“在马克思主义政党史上第一次科学地阐明了党的建设同党的政治路线的关系”，概括形成了“三大作风”“三大法宝”，面对如何跳出历史周期率的问题，给出“让人民来监督政府”的第一个答案。中国共产党领导人民创造了新民主主义革命的成就，为世界上被压迫民族的解放事业提供了中国经验，发展了马克思主义经典作家关于殖民地半殖民地国家革命的学说。

During the period of socialist revolution and construction, the main task facing the Party was to carry out socialist revolution and construction. The Communist Party of China proposed “taking the Soviet Union as a mirror” and explored a path of socialist construction suited to China’s conditions, advancing theoretical innovation in the historical process of social transformation. How to carry out socialist revolution and construction in a large Eastern country with an extremely backward economy and culture and highly uneven development? This was a brand-new subject for the Communist Party of China, which had taken state power nationwide. The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, put forward the general line for the transition period of “one transformation and three reforms.” [15]15 The general line for the transition period (1953–1956) aimed at socialist industrialization (the “one transformation”) and the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts, and capitalist industry and commerce (the “three reforms”). Marx and Engels first proposed the idea of “buying out” the bourgeoisie, and Lenin had this intention after the October Revolution, but the Russian capitalists refused to accept it. The Communist Party of China successfully realized this idea, transforming the national bourgeoisie into working people who earned their own living, thereby enriching and developing the theory of socialist revolution. During the period of socialist construction, Mao Zedong wrote theoretical works such as “On the Ten Major Relationships” and “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People,” forming a series of original theories on socialist construction, especially the theory of contradictions in socialist society. Marx and Engels described the general characteristics of socialist society, but they did not personally experience socialist society and could not, nor could they have, conducted an in-depth analysis of the contradictions in socialist society. Lenin put forward the idea that contradictions exist in socialist society, but he only made a preliminary exploration of the theory of contradictions in socialist society and did not systematically analyze the roots of contradictions or their methods of resolution. Mao Zedong creatively proposed that socialist society is “full of contradictions,” that “the basic contradiction remains the contradiction between the relations of production and the productive forces, and between the superstructure and the economic base,” and that these are “both compatible and contradictory”; that contradictions between ourselves and the enemy and contradictions among the people are two types of contradictions of different natures, the former to be resolved by coercive, dictatorial methods and the latter by democratic, persuasive, and educational methods; that in the political sphere, democratic centralism should be implemented; in the economic sphere, the policy of “overall consideration and appropriate arrangements” should be adopted; in the relationship between the Communist Party and the democratic parties, the policy of “long-term coexistence and mutual supervision” should be implemented; and in scientific and cultural work, the policy of “letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend” should be implemented. The Communist Party of China led the people to achieve successes in socialist revolution and construction, accumulating important experience in carrying out socialist revolution and construction under backward conditions of poverty and blankness [16]16 “Poverty and blankness” (一穷二白) is a Mao-era phrase describing China’s economic backwardness and low literacy rate. with a large population, thereby adding new content to the classical Marxist writers’ theory of building a new society.

社会主义革命和建设时期，党面临的主要任务是进行社会主义革命和建设，中国共产党提出“以苏为鉴”，探索适合中国国情的社会主义建设道路，在社会变革的历史进程中推进理论创新。在经济文化十分落后、发展极不平衡的东方大国，如何进行社会主义革命和建设？这是执掌全国政权的中国共产党面临的崭新课题。以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，提出过渡时期“一化三改”的总路线。马克思恩格斯最早提出对资产阶级“赎买”的设想，列宁在十月革命后有此打算，但俄国资本家拒不接受。中国共产党成功实现了这种设想，把民族资产阶级改造为自食其力的劳动者，丰富发展了社会主义革命理论。在社会主义建设时期，毛泽东撰写《论十大关系》《关于正确处理人民内部矛盾的问题》等理论著作，形成了关于社会主义建设的一系列原创性理论，特别是社会主义社会矛盾理论。马克思恩格斯描述了社会主义社会的一般特征，但他们没有亲身经历社会主义社会，没有也不可能对社会主义社会的矛盾作出深入分析。列宁提出了社会主义社会存在矛盾的思想，但他只是对社会主义社会矛盾理论作出初步探索，没有系统分析矛盾产生的根源及解决方法。毛泽东创造性地提出社会主义社会“充满着矛盾”，“基本的矛盾仍然是生产关系和生产力之间的矛盾，上层建筑和经济基础之间的矛盾”，它们之间“又相适应又相矛盾”；敌我矛盾和人民内部矛盾是两类不同性质的矛盾，前者要用强制的、专政的方法去解决，后者要用民主的、说服教育的方法去解决；在政治方面实行民主集中制，在经济方面实行“统筹兼顾、适当安排”的方针，在共产党与民主党派的关系上实行“长期共存、互相监督”的方针，在科学文化工作中实行“百花齐放、百家争鸣”的方针。中国共产党领导人民创造了社会主义革命和建设的成就，积累了在一穷二白、人口众多的落后条件下进行社会主义革命和建设的重要经验，为马克思主义经典作家的新社会建设理论增添了新的内容。

During the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, the main task facing the Party was to liberate and develop the productive forces. The Communist Party of China upheld and developed socialism with Chinese characteristics, answered the “debate on socialism versus capitalism,” and advanced theoretical innovation in the historical process of making the Chinese nation prosperous. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Over the forty years of reform and opening up, the theme of the entire theory and practice of our Party has been upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.” Upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, as the stage-specific theme of the Party’s theoretical innovation since reform and opening up, is subordinate to the theme of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. After the end of the “Cultural Revolution,” [17]17 The Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) was a mass political movement launched by Mao Zedong to purge capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society, which caused widespread social and economic disruption. “where should China go” became an important question facing the Communist Party of China. Deng Liang [18]18 “Deng Liang” is a respectful shorthand for Deng Xiaoping, used here in the original text. raised the banner: “Take our own road and build socialism with Chinese characteristics.” The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their chief representative, put forward the theory of the primary stage of socialism, established the basic line for the primary stage of socialism, revealed the essence of socialism, and founded Deng Xiaoping Theory. The Chinese Communists, centering on the fundamental question of what socialism is and how to build it, proposed new concepts such as “quadrupling GDP,” [19]19 “Quadrupling GDP” (翻两番) refers to Deng Xiaoping’s goal of doubling China’s gross domestic product twice between 1980 and 2000. “three-step strategy,” [20]20 The “three-step strategy” (三步走) was a development plan: first, double 1980 GDP by 1990; second, double it again by 2000; third, reach the level of moderately developed countries by the mid-21st century. “moderately prosperous society,” and “Chinese-style modernization,” as well as new formulations such as “socialism must first develop the productive forces,” “the greatest superiority of socialism is common prosperity,” “socialism can also practice a market economy,” and “three favorable criteria.” [21]21 The “three favorable criteria” (三个有利于) are Deng Xiaoping’s standard for judging reform: whether it is favorable to developing productive forces, increasing national strength, and improving people’s living standards. The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Jiang Zemin as their chief representative, put forward the reform goals and basic framework of the socialist market economy system, established the basic economic system and distribution system for the primary stage of socialism, advanced the “new great project” of Party building, and formed the important thought of the “Three Represents.” [22]22 The “Three Represents” (三个代表) 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 majority of the people. The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Hu Jintao as their chief representative, put forward the strategic goal of building a harmonious socialist society, emphasized adhering to a people-oriented, comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable development, ensured and improved people’s livelihoods, and formed the Scientific Outlook on Development. The Communist Party of China led the people to achieve successes in reform and opening up and socialist modernization, realizing the transformation from a planned economy system to a socialist market economy system, and breaking through the Soviet model’s theory of socialist construction.

改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期，党面临的主要任务是解放和发展社会生产力，中国共产党坚持和发展中国特色社会主义，回答“姓资姓社论”，在中华民族富起来的历史进程中推进理论创新。习近平总书记指出：“改革开放四十年来，我们党全部理论和实践的主题是坚持和发展中国特色社会主义。”坚持和发展中国特色社会主义作为改革开放以来党的理论创新的阶段性主题，从属于实现中华民族伟大复兴这个主题。“文革”结束后，“中国向何处去”成为摆在中国共产党面前的重要问题。邓小平亮明旗帜：“走自己的道路，建设有中国特色的社会主义”。以邓小平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，提出社会主义初级阶段理论，确立社会主义初级阶段基本路线，揭示社会主义本质，创立了邓小平理论。中国共产党人围绕什么是社会主义、怎样建设社会主义这一根本问题，提出“翻两番”“三步走”“小康社会”“中国式的现代化”等新概念，以及“社会主义首先要发展生产力”“社会主义最大的优越性就是共同富裕”“社会主义也可以搞市场经济”“三个有利于”等新表述。以江泽民同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，提出社会主义市场经济体制的改革目标和基本框架，确立社会主义初级阶段基本经济制度和分配制度，推进党的建设“新的伟大工程”，形成了“三个代表”重要思想。以胡锦涛同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，提出构建社会主义和谐社会的战略目标，强调坚持以人为本、全面协调可持续发展，保障和改善民生，形成了科学发展观。中国共产党领导人民创造了改革开放和社会主义现代化建设的成就，实现了从计划经济体制到社会主义市场经济体制的转变，突破了苏联模式的社会主义建设理论。

In the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the main task facing the Party is to realize the first centenary goal and embark on the new journey toward the second centenary goal. The Communist Party of China coordinates the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world, resolves the “ancient-modern, Chinese-Western debate,” and advances theoretical innovation in the historical process of making the Chinese nation strong. The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, starting from new practices and the characteristics of the times, centering on the major question of what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era and how to uphold and develop it, have clarified that the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and have put forward the overall goals, overall tasks, overall layout, and strategic layout of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics as the “four beams and eight pillars.” [23]23 “Four beams and eight pillars” (四梁八柱) is a metaphor for the basic framework of a system, here referring to the overall goals, tasks, layout, and strategy of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Centering on the major question of what kind of socialist modernized power to build and how to build it, they have elucidated the basic features, essential requirements, major principles, and key relationships to be handled in Chinese-path modernization, made a “two-step” top-level design for comprehensively building a modern socialist power, broken the myths of “the end of history” and “modernization equals Westernization,” and established that the theory of Chinese-path modernization “is the latest major achievement of scientific socialism.” Centering on the major question of what kind of long-term governing Marxist political party to build and how to build it, they have revealed the Party’s second answer to the question of how to escape the historical cycle of rise and fall, [24]24 The “historical cycle of rise and fall” (历史周期率) refers to the pattern of dynastic cycles in Chinese history. Mao Zedong and Huang Yanpei discussed this in 1945; the first answer was “letting the people supervise the government.” The second answer is “self-revolution.” led social revolution through the Party’s self-revolution, adhered to taking the Party’s political construction as the lead, combined ideological Party building with institutional Party governance in the same direction, interpreted the dialectical unity of Party spirit, Party conduct, and Party discipline, constructed systems and mechanisms to maintain the Party’s advanced nature and purity, and enriched and developed Marxist theory of Party building. Centering on the major question of what kind of world to build under the conditions of “one globe, multiple systems” and how to build it, they have put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, resolved the deficits in peace, development, security, and governance, opposed protectionism, unilateral sanctions, and maximum pressure, and, with the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and the common values of all humanity, broken the theories of “zero-sum game,” “clash of civilizations,” and “Western-centrism,” enriching and developing the Marxist theory of world history. It is precisely on the basis of scientifically answering the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has been established and continuously enriched and developed. The “ten clarifications,” “fourteen upholdings,” “thirteen areas of achievement,” and “six imperatives” [25]25 The “ten clarifications” (十个明确), “fourteen upholdings” (十四个坚持), “thirteen areas of achievement” (十三个方面成就), and “six imperatives” (六个必须坚持) are key components of Xi Jinping Thought, summarizing its theoretical and practical content. are organically unified, together constituting the scientific system of this thought. The Communist Party of China led the people to achieve successes in socialism with Chinese characteristics for the New Era. The Party’s theoretical innovation is magnificent and powerful, providing a new choice for developing countries to move toward modernization and contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the cause of world socialism and the development of human civilization.

中国特色社会主义新时代，党面临的主要任务是实现第一个百年奋斗目标和开启实现第二个百年奋斗目标新征程，中国共产党统筹中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局，破解“古今中西之争”，在中华民族强起来的历史进程中推进理论创新。以习近平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，从新的实践和时代特征出发，围绕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这一重大问题，明确中国特色社会主义最本质的特征是中国共产党领导，提出坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的总目标、总任务、总体布局、战略布局等四梁八柱；围绕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这一重大问题，阐明中国式现代化的基本特征、本质要求、重大原则和需要处理的重大关系，对全面建成社会主义现代化强国作出“两步走”的顶层设计，打破了“历史终结论”和“现代化=西方化”的迷思，中国式现代化理论“是科学社会主义的最新重大成果”；围绕建设什么样的长期执政的马克思主义政党、怎样建设长期执政的马克思主义政党这一重大问题，揭示党跳出历史周期率的第二个答案，以党的自我革命引领社会革命，坚持以党的政治建设为统领，思想建党和制度治党同向发力，诠释了党性、党风、党纪的辩证统一关系，建构起保持党的先进性和纯洁性的体制机制，丰富发展了马克思主义建党学说；围绕“一球多制”条件下建设什么样的世界、怎样建设这个世界这一重大问题，提出全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议、全球治理倡议，破解和平赤字、发展赤字、安全赤字、治理赤字，反对保护主义、单边制裁、极限施压，以人类命运共同体理念和全人类共同价值，打破了“零和博弈论”“文明冲突论”“西方中心论”，丰富发展了马克思主义世界历史理论。正是基于对中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问的科学回答，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想得以创立并不断丰富发展。“十个明确”“十四个坚持”“十三个方面成就”“六个必须坚持”有机统一，共同构成了这一思想的科学体系。中国共产党领导人民创造了新时代中国特色社会主义的成就，党的理论创新气势磅礴，为广大发展中国家迈向现代化提供了全新选择，为世界社会主义事业和人类文明发展贡献了中国智慧、中国方案。

In sum, the Communist Party of China, taking Marxism as its guiding ideology, continuously advances theoretical innovation, has found a correct path for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and has achieved great victories in China’s revolution, construction, and reform. To grasp the Party’s theoretical innovation, the key is to grasp the theme of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; at the same time, it is also necessary to grasp the main tasks faced by the Party in different historical periods and the epochal questions urgently needing answers, thereby deepening the understanding of the Party’s theoretical innovation achievements.

总之，中国共产党以马克思主义为指导思想，不断推进理论创新，找到了一条实现中华民族伟大复兴的正确道路，取得了中国革命、建设、改革的伟大胜利。把握党的理论创新，关键是要把握实现中华民族伟大复兴这个主题；同时，还要把握党在不同历史时期所面临的主要任务和亟待解答的时代问题，从而深化对党的理论创新成果的认识。

(II) The Party’s theoretical innovation runs through the mainline of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times

（二）党的理论创新贯穿推进马克思主义中国化时代化的主线

Since its birth in the mid-19th century, Marxism has spread from its birthplace in Western Europe to the whole world; “the application of these principles will differ, as Marx and Engels themselves stated, in detail, in England from France, in France from Germany, and in Germany from Russia.” [26]26 V. I. Lenin, “Our Programme” (1899). One important reason Marxism still possesses strong vitality today is that it has always been integrated with the concrete realities of each country and has advanced in step with the development of the times, constantly absorbing all the outstanding achievements of human civilization. The basic tenets of Marxism have universal applicability, but they “must be applied in detail, however, in accordance with the existing historical conditions.” [27]27 Friedrich Engels, “Letter to J. Bloch” (1890). The phrase “in accordance with the existing historical conditions” emphasizes precisely the localization and modernization of Marxism; for the Communist Party of China, this means adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

马克思主义自19世纪中叶诞生后，从西欧发源地向全世界传播，“这些原理的应用具体地说，在英国不同于法国，在法国不同于德国，在德国又不同于俄国”。马克思主义迄今仍具有强大的生命力，一个重要原因是它始终与各国具体实际相结合、与时代发展同进步，不断吸收人类一切优秀文明成果。马克思主义基本原理具有普遍适用性，“随时随地都要以当时的历史条件为转移”。“随时随地”，强调的正是马克思主义本土化时代化，对于中国共产党来说，就是马克思主义中国化时代化。

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times did not emerge from thin air, nor was it accomplished overnight; rather, it was a process from unconsciousness to consciousness. From the failure of the Great Revolution to the convening of the Zunyi Meeting, [28]28 The Zunyi Meeting (January 1935) was a key Politburo session during the Long March that ended the dominance of “Left” dogmatism and established Mao Zedong’s leading role in the Party and the Red Army. “Left” dogmatism seriously harmed revolutionary practice. The dogmatists, cloaked in the garb of Marxism, swallowed whole isolated phrases from the Marxist classics and turned Marxism into a dogma. The Zunyi Meeting was a historical turning point; the Communist Party of China began to independently resolve China’s revolutionary problems. At the Enlarged Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, [29]29 The Enlarged Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee (September–November 1938) was a major Party meeting at which Mao Zedong formally proposed the concept of “adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.” Mao Zedong put forward the major proposition of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. He pointed out: “Communists are internationalist Marxists, but Marxism must be realized through national forms. There is no abstract Marxism, only concrete Marxism. What is called concrete Marxism is Marxism that has taken on a national form, that is, Marxism applied to the concrete struggle in the concrete environment of China, not abstractly applied.” [30]30 Mao Zedong, “On the New Stage” (1938). This was a profound summary of the experiences and lessons of the Chinese revolution and a powerful rebuttal to dogmatism, reflecting the Party’s theoretical character of upholding truth and correcting errors.

马克思主义中国化时代化不是凭空产生的，也不是一蹴而就的，而是一个从不自觉到自觉的过程。从大革命失败到遵义会议召开前，“左”倾教条主义曾严重危害革命实践。教条主义者披着马克思主义的外衣，生吞活剥马克思主义经典作家的只言片语，把马克思主义教条化。遵义会议是一个历史转折点，中国共产党开始独立自主解决中国革命问题。在中国共产党第六届中央委员会扩大的第六次全体会议上，毛泽东提出马克思主义中国化的重大命题。他指出：“共产党员是国际主义的马克思主义者，但马克思主义必须通过民族形式才能实现。没有抽象的马克思主义，只有具体的马克思主义。所谓具体的马克思主义，就是通过民族形式的马克思主义，就是把马克思主义应用到中国具体环境的具体斗争中去，而不是抽象地应用它。”这是对中国革命经验和教训的深刻总结，也是对教条主义的有力回击，反映了中国共产党坚持真理、修正错误的理论品格。

Mao Zedong used Marxist philosophy to analyze the characteristics of Chinese society and answer the questions of the Chinese revolution, producing philosophical works such as *On Practice* and *On Contradiction*. *On Practice* expounded the theory of active reflection characterized by the viewpoints of practice and dialectics, reaching the conclusion of upholding the unity of the subjective and the objective, theory and practice, knowledge and action; *On Contradiction* expounded the dialectical relationship between the universality and particularity of contradiction, demonstrating the principle of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s concrete realities. Mao Zedong pointed out: “Marxism-Leninism does not end truth; it constantly opens up the road to the knowledge of truth in the course of practice.” [31]31 Mao Zedong, *On Practice* (1937). *On Practice* and *On Contradiction* were theoretical weapons for opposing various “Left” and Right ideological trends and laid the philosophical foundation for realizing the first historic leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. In *Reform Our Study*, Mao Zedong proposed an attitude of shooting the arrow at the target. He said: “The ‘target’ is the Chinese revolution, and the ‘arrow’ is Marxism-Leninism.” [32]32 Mao Zedong, *Reform Our Study* (1941). Chinese Communists used the “arrow” of Marxism to shoot at the “target” of the Chinese revolution, summed up the experience of the Chinese revolution and elevated it to theory, and found the path of the new-democratic revolution. After the founding of New China, the Communist Party of China adhered to independent thinking, further used the “arrow” of Marxism to shoot at the “target” of socialist revolution and construction, took “the road of China’s industrialization,” and explored “the path of how to build socialism in China.” [33]33 Mao Zedong, “On the Ten Major Relationships” (1956).

毛泽东用马克思主义哲学分析中国社会特点、解答中国革命问题，形成了《实践论》《矛盾论》等哲学著作。《实践论》阐述了以实践观点和辩证观点为特征的能动反映论，得出了坚持主观和客观、理论和实践、知和行相统一的结论；《矛盾论》阐述了矛盾的普遍性和特殊性的辩证关系，论证了马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合的原则。毛泽东指出：“马克思列宁主义并没有结束真理，而是在实践中不断地开辟认识真理的道路。”《实践论》《矛盾论》是反对各种“左”、右倾思想的理论武器，为实现马克思主义中国化第一次历史性飞跃奠定了哲学基础。毛泽东在《改造我们的学习》中提出有的放矢的态度，他说：“‘的’就是中国革命，‘矢’就是马克思列宁主义。”中国共产党人用马克思主义之“矢”去射中国革命之“的”，总结中国革命经验并升华为理论，找到了新民主主义革命道路。新中国成立后，中国共产党坚持独立思考，进一步用马克思主义之“矢”去射社会主义革命和建设之“的”，走“中国工业化的道路”，探索“在中国怎样建设社会主义的道路”。

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese context is a historical process; the Communist Party of China accomplishes different historical tasks and answers different epochal questions in different historical periods. Deng Xiaoping stated bluntly: “If a party, a country, or a nation starts from books, if its thinking is ossified, and if superstition prevails, then it cannot advance, its vitality will cease, and it will perish as a party and a state.” [34]34 Deng Xiaoping, “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” (1978). After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, [35]35 The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee (December 1978) marked the beginning of the reform and opening up era and the shift from class struggle to economic development as the Party’s central task. the Communist Party of China adhered to emancipating the mind, put forward the major proposition of “building socialism with Chinese characteristics,” adhered to the “one central task, two basic points,” [36]36 “One central task, two basic points” refers to economic construction as the central task, and upholding the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening up as the two basic points. successfully promoted institutional reforms in various fields, and avoided the historical tragedy of the disintegration of the Soviet Union; it accurately grasped the epochal theme of “peace and development,” promptly adjusted diplomatic concepts and policies, made opening up a basic state policy, and China caught up with the times in big strides. From the “four modernizations” to “Chinese-style modernization,” and then to “Chinese-path modernization”; from “grasping with both hands and being firm with both hands” in material civilization and cultural-ethical progress to the “four-sphere” overall plan, and then to the “five-sphere integrated plan”; from the “three-step” development strategy proposed at the 13th National Congress of the CPC, to the new “three-step” development strategy proposed at the 15th National Congress of the CPC, and then to the “two-step” strategic arrangement proposed at the 19th National Congress of the CPC, all of this shows that the Party’s theory is consistent in its lineage and advances with the times.

马克思主义中国化是一个历史过程，中国共产党在不同的历史时期完成不同的历史任务，解答不同的时代问题。邓小平直言：“一个党，一个国家，一个民族，如果一切从本本出发，思想僵化，迷信盛行，那它就不能前进，它的生机就停止了，就要亡党亡国。”党的十一届三中全会后，中国共产党坚持解放思想，提出“建设有中国特色的社会主义”的重大命题，坚持“一个中心、两个基本点”，成功推动了各方面体制机制改革，避免了苏联解体那样的历史悲剧；准确把握“和平与发展”的时代主题，及时调整外交理念和政策，把对外开放作为基本国策，中国大踏步赶上了时代。从“四个现代化”到“中国式的现代化”，再到“中国式现代化”；从物质文明和精神文明“两手抓、两手硬”到“四位一体”总体布局，再到“五位一体”总体布局；从党的十三大提出“三步走”发展战略，到党的十五大提出新的“三步走”发展战略，再到党的十九大提出“两步走”战略安排，无不表明党的理论一脉相承、与时俱进。

All epoch-making theories are products that meet the needs of the times; adapting Marxism to the needs of the times is an inherent requirement of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out, “Adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is a process of seeking, revealing, and upholding truth,” that Mao Zedong “provided a brilliant example for us to correctly treat Marxism and continuously advance the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times,” and that “Deng Xiaoping Theory is an important milestone in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.” [37]37 Xi Jinping, speech at a ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China (2021). Marxism is a theory that constantly develops; only by adapting to the Chinese context can it solve practical problems, and only by adapting to the needs of the times can it be the first to articulate the voice of the times. The expansion from “adapting Marxism to the Chinese context” to “adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times” highlights the epochal characteristics of the Chinese chapter of Marxism, reveals the deep code for the evergreen “tree of theory” of Marxism, embodies the great theoretical consciousness and creative spirit of the Communist Party of China, and marks that the Party’s understanding of the laws of theoretical innovation has reached a new height. The changes unseen in a century are accelerating, placing urgent demands on the Party’s theoretical innovation; the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a critical period, with strategic opportunities coexisting with risks and challenges, providing the epochal context for the Party’s theoretical innovation; Chinese-path modernization is being comprehensively advanced, and new quality productive forces are developing rapidly, opening up broad prospects for the Party’s theoretical innovation. The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, profoundly summarize and apply historical experience, accurately judge the new historical orientation and new changes in contradictions, deeply explore the laws of Chinese-path modernization construction, scientifically answer new epochal questions concerning reform, development, and stability; internal affairs, foreign affairs, and national defense; and governance of the Party, the state, and the military, endowing Marxism with distinct Chinese characteristics and new epochal connotations, crystallizing into the latest theoretical achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

一切划时代的理论都是满足时代需要的产物，马克思主义时代化是马克思主义中国化的应有之义。习近平总书记指出，“推进马克思主义中国化时代化是一个追求真理、揭示真理、笃行真理的过程”，毛泽东“为我们正确对待马克思主义、不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化提供了光辉典范”，“邓小平理论是马克思主义中国化时代化的重要里程碑”。马克思主义是不断发展的理论，中国化才能解决实际问题，时代化才能发思想之先声。从“马克思主义中国化”拓展到“马克思主义中国化时代化”，凸显了马克思主义中国篇章的时代特征，揭示了马克思主义“理论之树”长青的深层密码，体现了中国共产党伟大的理论自觉和创造精神，标志着中国共产党对理论创新的规律性认识达到了新高度。世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，对党的理论创新提出了迫切要求；中华民族伟大复兴进入关键时期，战略机遇与风险挑战并存，为党的理论创新提供了时代语境；中国式现代化全面推进，新质生产力快速发展，为党的理论创新开辟了广阔前景。以习近平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，深刻总结并运用历史经验，准确判断历史新方位、矛盾新变化，深入探索中国式现代化建设规律，科学解答改革发展稳定、内政外交国防、治党治国治军等时代新课题，赋予马克思主义以鲜明的中国特色和新的时代内涵，凝结为马克思主义中国化时代化的最新理论成果。

In sum, the history of the Communist Party of China’s theoretical innovation is a history of making Marxism flourish and thrive endlessly on Chinese soil. Facing one unique difficulty after another, the Communist Party of China, with theories, discourses, and methods possessing Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese manner, has developed “Marxism that came to China” into “Marxism that is adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times,” thereby achieving one theoretical leap after another.

总之，中国共产党的理论创新史，就是一部让马克思主义在中华大地上枝繁叶茂、生生不息的历史。面对一个个独有难题，中国共产党以中国特色、中国风格、中国气派的理论、话语和方法，使“来到中国的马克思主义”发展为“中国化时代化的马克思主义”，从而取得了一次次理论飞跃。

II. Historical Experience of the Communist Party of China in Advancing Theoretical Innovation over More Than a Century

二、百余年来中国共产党推进理论创新的历史经验

Possessing the weapon of Marxist theory and taking it as the guide to action is a distinctive advantage of the Communist Party. Marx and Engels pointed out: “Correct theory must be elucidated and developed in accordance with specific conditions and existing circumstances,” and “our theory is a theory that develops.” [38]38 “Peak flown in from elsewhere” (飞来峰) is a classical Chinese allusion referring to a famous limestone peak at the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, said to have flown in from India. In political discourse, it is used metaphorically to criticize the mechanical transplantation of foreign theories or models without regard for local conditions. Over the past century and more, the path of theoretical innovation traversed by the Communist Party of China has been magnificent, accumulating a series of historical experiences. The “Resolution on Certain Historical Questions” [39]39 Mao Zedong, “Speech at the Conference of Communist and Workers’ Parties,” November 1957. highly appraised the Party’s theoretical innovations during the New Democratic Revolution period; the “Resolution on Certain Historical Questions since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China” [40]40 The “three worlds” theory, articulated by Mao Zedong in 1974, divided the world into the superpowers (the US and USSR), the developed countries, and the developing countries (including China). scientifically evaluated the historical status of Mao Zedong Thought; and the “Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century” [41]41 Deng Xiaoping, “Peace and Development Are the Two Major Issues in the World,” March 1985. profoundly summarized the historical experience of the CPC in persisting in theoretical innovation. Academic research results in this area are abundant. Some domestic scholars believe that the experience of the CPC in advancing theoretical innovation mainly includes: must adhere to the basic principles of Marxism, must adhere to the adaptation of Marxism to the times, must adhere to taking what China is doing as the center, and must adhere to summarizing China’s practical experience. Some foreign scholars believe that the secret to China’s creation of great miracles lies in the close integration of Marxist theory, China’s reality, and the collective wisdom of the CPC, continuously advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. These two views each have their merits and are relatively comprehensive in summary, but there is still room for discussion in areas such as the ideological line and the “Two Integrations.” Tracing back to the sources based on the Party’s historical resolutions helps to better summarize the historical experience of the CPC in advancing theoretical innovation.

拥有马克思主义理论武器并将其作为行动指南，是共产党的显著优势。马克思恩格斯指出：“正确的理论必须结合具体情况并根据现存条件加以阐明和发挥”，“我们的理论是发展着的理论”。一百多年来，中国共产党走过的理论创新之路波澜壮阔，积累了一系列历史经验。《关于若干历史问题的决议》高度评价了新民主主义革命时期党的理论创新成果，《关于建国以来党的若干历史问题的决议》科学评价了毛泽东思想的历史地位，《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》深刻总结了中国共产党坚持理论创新的历史经验。学术界相关研究成果丰硕，国内有学者认为中国共产党推进理论创新的经验，主要包括必须坚持马克思主义基本原理、必须坚持马克思主义时代化、必须坚持以中国正在做的事情为中心、必须坚持总结中国实践经验；国外有学者认为中国创造伟大奇迹的秘诀，在于将马克思主义理论、中国现实以及中国共产党的集体智慧紧密结合，不断推进马克思主义中国化时代化。这两种观点见仁见智，概括较为全面，但在思想路线、“两个结合”等方面仍有探讨的空间。依据党的历史决议，追本溯源，有助于更好地总结中国共产党推进理论创新的历史经验。

(I) Adhere to Emancipating the Mind, Seeking Truth from Facts, Keeping Pace with the Times, and Being Practical and Realistic

（一）坚持解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进、求真务实

Seeking truth from facts is the fundamental viewpoint of Marxism and the essence and core of the Party’s ideological line. As early as the Yan’an period, Mao Zedong gave a new interpretation of “seeking truth from facts.” The Yan’an Rectification Movement [42]42 Zhuge Liang was a famous strategist and statesman of the Three Kingdoms period, often used as a metaphor for a person of great wisdom. was a Marxist ideological emancipation movement that established the ideological line of seeking truth from facts. The Great Discussion on the Criterion of Truth [43]43 The “Fengqiao Experience” originated in the early 1960s in Fengqiao, Zhejiang Province, as a method of resolving contradictions through mass mobilization and education, later promoted nationwide. was another Marxist ideological emancipation movement, serving as the ideological precursor to bringing order out of chaos and reform and opening up. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, [44]44 Ai Siqi (1910–1966) was a Chinese Marxist philosopher known for popularizing Marxist philosophy in accessible language. when implementing the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, the CPC prominently emphasized emancipating the mind, keeping pace with the times, and being practical and realistic. “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” [45]45 The “Three Emphases” education (讲学习、讲政治、讲正气) was a Party-wide campaign from 1998 to 2000 emphasizing study, politics, and healthy trends. set the tone clearly at the outset, laying the ideological foundation for advancing theoretical innovation on the basis of practice. Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “Emancipating the mind means making thought conform to reality and making the subjective conform to the objective; it means seeking truth from facts.” It is precisely because of “adhering to the unity of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts” that the CPC has been able to free itself from the ideological shackles of dogmatism and subjectivism, discern current events and trends, and test and develop truth in practice.

实事求是是马克思主义的根本观点，是党的思想路线的实质和核心。早在延安时期，毛泽东就对“实事求是”作了全新阐释。延安整风运动是一场马克思主义思想解放运动，确立了实事求是的思想路线。真理标准问题大讨论是又一场马克思主义思想解放运动，成为拨乱反正和改革开放的思想先导。党的十一届三中全会后，中国共产党在贯彻实事求是的思想路线时，突出强调了解放思想、与时俱进、求真务实。《解放思想，实事求是，团结一致向前看》开宗明义，为推进实践基础上的理论创新奠定了思想基调。邓小平强调：“解放思想，就是使思想和实际相符合，使主观和客观相符合，就是实事求是。”正是因为“坚持解放思想和实事求是相统一”，中国共产党才能从教条主义、主观主义的思想桎梏中解放出来，才能洞察时事和潮流，在实践中检验真理和发展真理。

Seeking truth from facts is the fundamental requirement for the CPC to understand and transform the world, and it is the fundamental guideline for advancing the Party’s theoretical innovation. Once seeking truth from facts is abandoned, spiritual shackles will arise, and even erroneous assertions like the “Two Whatevers” [46]46 “The strong do not oppress the weak” is from the *Mozi*; “all things grow together without harming one another, and the ways run parallel without interfering with each other” is from the *Doctrine of the Mean*. may emerge. Only by consistently adhering to emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, keeping pace with the times, and being practical and realistic can the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times be smoothly advanced. Generations of CPC members have adhered to integrating theory with practice, seeing through appearances to grasp the essence, determining the Party’s work focus based on objective conditions, successfully opening up paths of revolution, construction, and reform suited to China’s national conditions, and achieving major breakthroughs in the Party’s theoretical innovation time and again. Therefore, grasping the ideological line of seeking truth from facts means grasping the inner mechanism of the Party’s theoretical innovation.

实事求是是中国共产党认识世界和改造世界的根本要求，是推进党的理论创新的根本遵循。一旦放弃了实事求是，就会产生精神枷锁，甚至出现“两个凡是”的错误论断。只有始终坚持解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进、求真务实，才能顺利推进马克思主义中国化时代化。一代代中国共产党人坚持理论联系实际，透过现象看本质，根据客观情况确定党的工作重心，成功开辟了适合中国国情的革命、建设和改革之路，党的理论创新取得了一次次重大突破。因此，把握了实事求是的思想路线，就把握了党的理论创新的内在机理。

(II) Adhere to Integrating the Basic Principles of Marxism with China’s Specific Realities and with the Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture

（二）坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合

Marxism is not an immutable dogma; it cannot disregard China’s specific realities and “be taken wholesale and applied to the society in which we live.” Mao Zedong proposed treating Marxism with a scientific attitude, “that is, to study the theory of Marxism-Leninism with a purpose, to integrate the theory of Marxism-Leninism with the actual movement of the Chinese revolution.” He opposed empty and rigid theory, emphasizing taking the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism as the guide and focusing on studying the practical problems of the Chinese revolution. In his talk while reading the Soviet “Political Economy Textbook,” Mao Zedong pointed out: “Any Communist Party in any country, any ideological circle in any country, must create new theories, write new works, and produce its own theorists.” The excellent traditional Chinese culture is the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation, providing fertile cultural soil for Marxism to take root, sprout, blossom, and bear fruit in China. “The excellent traditional Chinese culture has

马克思主义不是一成不变的教条，不能不考虑中国具体实际，“就那样整个拿来，应用于我们生存的社会”。毛泽东提出以科学的态度对待马克思主义，“就是要有目的地去研究马克思列宁主义的理论，要使马克思列宁主义的理论和中国革命的实际运动结合起来”。他反对空洞的、僵化的理论，强调以马克思列宁主义基本原则为指导、以研究中国革命实际问题为中心。毛泽东在读苏联《政治经济学教科书》的谈话中指出：“任何国家的共产党，任何国家的思想界，都要创造新的理论，写出新的著作，产生自己的理论家”。中华优秀传统文化是中华民族独特的精神标识，为马克思主义在中国生根发芽、开花结果提供了文化沃土，“中华优秀传统文化对我们党各个创新理论的主要创立者都有深刻影响”。例如，毛泽东运用《水浒传》“三打祝家庄”“武松打虎”等典故，创造性提出“纸老虎”的术语，说明中国革命要具体问题具体分析、英勇斗争的道理。

Theoretical innovation has its specific time and space; it cannot sever historical culture, nor can it arbitrarily transplant a “peak flown in from elsewhere.” [38]38 “Peak flown in from elsewhere” (飞来峰) is a classical Chinese allusion referring to a famous limestone peak at the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, said to have flown in from India. In political discourse, it is used metaphorically to criticize the mechanical transplantation of foreign theories or models without regard for local conditions. The Communist Party of China upholds making the past serve the present and weeding through the old to bring forth the new, inheriting the historical and cultural legacy from Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, realizing the “phoenix nirvana” of Chinese culture, and enriching the treasure trove of Marxist theory. General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed “upholding the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture,” revealing the theoretical configuration of the mutual integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and the best of traditional Chinese culture. The expansion from “one integration” to the “Two Integrations” is a profound elucidation of the historical logic of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, emphasizing the practical foundation and cultural fertile soil of the Chinese chapter of Marxism, and highlighting the soul and roots of theoretical innovation.

理论创新有其特定的时空，不能割断历史文化，不能想当然搬来一座“飞来峰”。中国共产党坚持古为今用、推陈出新，继承从孔夫子到孙中山的历史文化遗产，实现了中华文化的“凤凰涅槃”，充盈了马克思主义理论宝库。习近平总书记提出“坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合”，揭示了马克思主义基本原理与中国具体实际、中华优秀传统文化相互结合的理论格局。从“一个结合”拓展到“两个结合”，是对马克思主义中国化时代化历史逻辑的深刻阐释，强调了马克思主义中国篇章的实践基础和文化沃土，凸显了理论创新的魂脉和根脉。

(3) Upholding the testing and development of truth in practice

（三）坚持在实践中检验真理和发展真理

Marxism is a practical theory, and practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. In “Oppose Book Worship,” Mao Zedong put forward the important thesis that “no investigation, no right to speak,” revealing the inner logic of opening up new paths and creating new theories. The Communist Party of China uses the Marxist worldview and methodology to analyze China’s characteristics and solve China’s problems, sublimating practical experience into scientific theory, and producing a number of important theoretical works. Mao Zedong pointed out: “I wrote some essays, such as ‘Problems of Strategy in China’s Revolutionary War,’ ‘On Protracted War,’ ‘On New Democracy,’ and the ‘Introduction to The Communist,’ and drafted some documents for the Central Committee on policy and strategy; all were summaries of revolutionary experience.” Only by constantly summing up experience can one make discoveries and create innovations, but one must resolutely oppose empiricism and ideological rigidity. Faced with new problems emerging in socialist construction, Mao Zedong stated bluntly: “If we only had ‘On Practice’ and ‘On Contradiction,’ and did not adapt to new needs, write new works, and form new theories, that would not do either.” “On Contradiction” met the needs of the New Democratic Revolution, while “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People” met the needs of socialist construction. From “On Contradiction” to “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People,” this not only embodies the methodology of moving from the general to the specific but also reflects Mao Zedong’s deepening understanding of the theory of contradiction.

马克思主义是实践的理论，实践是检验真理的唯一标准。毛泽东在《反对本本主义》中提出“没有调查，没有发言权”的重要论断，揭示了开辟新道路、创造新理论的内在逻辑。中国共产党运用马克思主义世界观和方法论分析中国特点、解决中国问题，把实践经验升华为科学理论，推出了一批重要理论著作。毛泽东指出：“我写了一些论文，例如《中国革命战争的战略问题》、《论持久战》、《新民主主义论》、《〈共产党人〉发刊词》，替中央起草过一些关于政策、策略的文件，都是革命经验的总结。”只有不断总结经验，才能有所发现、有所创造，但要坚决反对经验主义、思想僵化。面对社会主义建设中出现的新问题，毛泽东直言：“如果单有《实践论》、《矛盾论》，不适应新的需要，写出新的著作，形成新的理论，也是不行的。”《矛盾论》满足了新民主主义革命的需要，《关于正确处理人民内部矛盾的问题》满足了社会主义建设的需要，从《矛盾论》到《关于正确处理人民内部矛盾的问题》，既体现了从一般到特殊的方法论，又反映了毛泽东对矛盾学说认识的深化。

Practice develops forward, and the movement of cognition develops forward accordingly. During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, the Communist Party of China placed the foothold of revolutionary struggle in the countryside, “overthrowing the local tyrants and distributing the land,” and implementing “land to the tiller.” After the founding of New China, from agricultural collectivization to the household contract responsibility system, from the policy of peaceful redemption to the decision on special economic zones, from semi-closed and closed to all-round opening up, all of this shows that the Communist Party of China has the courage to conform to new practice, study new problems, and put forward new theories. In the discourse system of the Communist Party of China, “crossing the river by feeling the stones” means grasping the laws and seeking true knowledge from practice. To this day, the methodology of “crossing the river by feeling the stones” has not become obsolete. Adhering to the combination of “crossing the river by feeling the stones” and strengthening top-level design is an important principle that must be followed in comprehensively deepening reform, and it is also an inevitable requirement of historical materialism. History proves that if truth is tested and developed in practice, the Party’s theoretical innovation will yield abundant results; conversely, it will inevitably become flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water.

实践是向前发展的，认识运动随之向前发展。新民主主义革命时期，中国共产党把革命斗争的立足点放在农村，“打土豪、分田地”，实行“耕者有其田”。新中国成立后，从农业合作化到家庭联产承包责任制，从和平赎买政策到经济特区决策，从封闭半封闭到全方位开放，无不表明中国共产党勇于顺应新的实践、研究新的问题、提出新的理论。在中国共产党的话语体系中，“摸着石头过河”就是摸规律，从实践中求真知。时至今日，“摸着石头过河”的方法论没有过时。坚持“摸着石头过河”和加强顶层设计相结合，是全面深化改革必须遵循的重要原则，也是历史唯物主义的必然要求。历史证明，坚持在实践中检验真理和发展真理，则党的理论创新硕果累累；反之，则难免成为镜中花、水中月。

(4) Adhering to Grasping the General Trend of the Times and Answering the Questions of the Era

（四）坚持把握时代大势、解答时代课题

Marxism is a product of the times and always stands at the forefront of the times. From the moment it was founded, the Communist Party of China took the realization of communism as its highest ideal, used Marxism to observe the times, grasp the times, and lead the times, and scientifically understood the themes of the times and the relationship between China and the world. Mao Zedong pointed out: “The world today is in a new era of war and revolution, an era in which the forces of socialist revolution are rising high and the forces of capitalist reaction are declining.” [39]39 Mao Zedong, “Speech at the Conference of Communist and Workers’ Parties,” November 1957. Based on this, he made the important judgment that “the new-democratic revolution is a part of the world proletarian-socialist revolution.” In the early 1970s, in response to the situation of US-Soviet hegemony and the world situation, Mao Zedong put forward the idea of the “three worlds” division, emphasizing that China belonged to the third world. [40]40 The “three worlds” theory, articulated by Mao Zedong in 1974, divided the world into the superpowers (the US and USSR), the developed countries, and the developing countries (including China). China made unity and cooperation with third world countries the foothold of its diplomacy and established an international united front against hegemonism. In the 1980s, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “The strategic issues of global significance are, first, the issue of peace, and second, the issue of economics, or the issue of development. The peace issue is the East-West issue, and the development issue is the North-South issue.” [41]41 Deng Xiaoping, “Peace and Development Are the Two Major Issues in the World,” March 1985. The Communist Party of China conformed to the development and changes in the international situation, put forward the epochal theme of “peace and development,” and adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace; in the face of changes unseen in a century in the world, it put forward the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, answering the question of the times: “Where is human society headed?”

马克思主义是时代的产物，始终站在时代前沿。中国共产党一经诞生，就把实现共产主义作为最高理想，用马克思主义观察时代、把握时代、引领时代，科学认识时代主题以及中国与世界的关系。毛泽东指出：“现在世界是处在战争与革命的新时代，是社会主义革命势力向上高涨与资本主义反动势力向下衰落的时代”。基于此，他作出“新民主主义的革命是世界无产阶级社会主义革命的一部分”重要论断。20世纪70年代初，针对美苏争霸态势和世界局势，毛泽东提出“三个世界”划分思想，强调中国属于第三世界。中国把与第三世界国家的团结合作作为外交立足点，建立反对霸权主义的国际统一战线。20世纪80年代，邓小平指出：“带全球性的战略问题，一个是和平问题，一个是经济问题或者说发展问题。和平问题是东西问题，发展问题是南北问题。”中国共产党顺应国际形势的发展变化，提出“和平与发展”的时代主题，坚持独立自主和平外交政策；面对世界百年未有之大变局，提出人类命运共同体理念，回答“人类社会何去何从”的时代之问。

The formulation of the general line for the New Democratic Revolution, the general line for the transition period, and the basic line for the primary stage of socialism all depended on grasping the general trend of the times. Every major theoretical innovation of the Party takes answering the questions of the era as its logical starting point. From the judgment of the epochal theme of “war and revolution” to that of “peace and development,” from the idea of the “three worlds” division to the proposal of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, this fully demonstrates that the Communist Party of China accurately identifies changes, scientifically responds to changes, and actively seeks changes, adheres to and develops the theory of world history, realizes innovation in China’s diplomatic theory, and demonstrates the powerful truth force and profound international implications of Marxism. As long as a theory leads the times, it can go global; the more national it is, the more global it becomes. Generations of Chinese Communists adhere to a grand historical view and a grand view of the times, promote the integrated development of domestic and international publicity, put forward a worldview, order concept, and values with Chinese characteristics, and continuously deepen the understanding of the laws of the development of human society. The Communist Party of China leads the people in exploring the laws of modernization in the long river of history and the great tide of the times, creates a new form of human civilization through Chinese-path modernization, transcends the Western modernization theory centered on capital, reconstructs the theoretical map of world modernization, and in the global modernization trend, moves from “following” to “running alongside” and then to “leading.”

新民主主义革命总路线、过渡时期总路线、社会主义初级阶段基本路线的制定都离不开对时代大势的把握，党的每一次重大理论创新都是以解答时代课题为逻辑起点。从“战争与革命”到“和平与发展”时代主题的判断，从“三个世界”划分思想到人类命运共同体理念的提出，充分表明中国共产党准确识变、科学应变、主动求变，坚持和发展世界历史理论，实现中国外交理论创新，展现出马克思主义强大的真理力量和深厚的国际意蕴。理论只要引领时代就能走向世界，越是民族的越是世界的。一代代中国共产党人坚持大历史观、大时代观，推动内宣外宣一体发展，提出中国特色的世界观、秩序观、价值观，不断深化对人类社会发展规律的认识。中国共产党领导人民在历史长河、时代大潮中探究现代化规律，以中国式现代化创造人类文明新形态，超越了以资本为中心的西方现代化理论，重构了世界现代化的理论版图，在世界现代化潮流中从“跟跑”到“并跑”再到“领跑”。

(5) Adhering to Representing the Will and Fundamental Interests of the Overwhelming Majority of the People

（五）坚持代表最广大人民的意志和根本利益

Marxism is a theory that speaks for and on behalf of the people; safeguarding the fundamental interests of the people is the starting point and ultimate goal of theoretical innovation. From the fundamental purpose of serving the people to the people-centered development thought, from the concept of “building the Party for the public good and exercising power for the people” to the spirit of “I will have no self, and I will not fail the people,” all profoundly answer the fundamental question of what the Communist Party of China is and what it is to do. On the eve of the founding of New China, Mao Zedong published *On the People’s Democratic Dictatorship*, put forward the theory of the people’s democratic dictatorship, and enriched and developed the Marxist theory of the dictatorship of the proletariat. After the founding of New China, Mao Zedong summarized experience from the great practice of the people, repeatedly revised *On the People’s Democratic Dictatorship*, and the theory of the people’s democratic dictatorship was gradually perfected. In *On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People*, Mao Zedong made a historical investigation of the categories of the people and the enemy, creatively put forward the concept of “contradictions among the people,” took the correct handling of contradictions among the people as the theme of the country’s political life, expounded the general principle of handling them, “unity—criticism—unity,” as well as the methods of handling them in different fields, thus forming the theory of contradictions among the people. The specific connotations of the theory of the people’s democratic dictatorship and the theory of contradictions among the people are different, but their people’s standpoint is the same, providing a theoretical basis for correctly handling various social contradictions.

马克思主义是为人民立言、为人民代言的理论，维护人民的根本利益是理论创新的出发点和落脚点。从为人民服务的根本宗旨到以人民为中心的发展思想，从“立党为公、执政为民”的理念到“我将无我、不负人民”的精神，都深刻回答了中国共产党是什么、要干什么这个根本问题。新中国成立前夕，毛泽东发表《论人民民主专政》，提出人民民主专政理论，丰富和发展了马克思主义无产阶级专政理论。新中国成立后，毛泽东从人民伟大实践中总结经验，对《论人民民主专政》进行反复修改，人民民主专政理论日臻完善。毛泽东在《关于正确处理人民内部矛盾的问题》中，对人民和敌人这对范畴作了历史考察，创造性提出“人民内部矛盾”的概念，把正确处理人民内部矛盾作为国家政治生活的主题，阐述了“团结—批评—团结”这一总的处理原则以及在不同领域的处理方法，由此形成了人民内部矛盾理论。人民民主专政理论和人民内部矛盾理论的具体内涵不同，但二者的人民立场相同，为正确处理各种社会矛盾提供了理论依据。

The fundamental reason why the Communist Party of China can advance theoretical innovation is that it comes from the masses and goes to the masses, consolidating the mass foundation for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Mao Zedong pointed out: “The masses have great creative power. Among the Chinese people, there are indeed tens of thousands of ‘Zhuge Liangs’.” [42]42 Zhuge Liang was a famous strategist and statesman of the Three Kingdoms period, often used as a metaphor for a person of great wisdom. In the 1960s, the cadres and masses of Fengqiao Town in Zhejiang Province pooled their wisdom and efforts in solving problems of social security and comprehensive governance, creating the “Fengqiao Experience.” [43]43 The “Fengqiao Experience” originated in the early 1960s in Fengqiao, Zhejiang Province, as a method of resolving contradictions through mass mobilization and education, later promoted nationwide. The “Fengqiao Experience” has been enriched and developed in the fiery practice of the people, forming the “Fengqiao Experience” in the New Era. From the “Fengqiao Experience” to the “Fengqiao Experience” in the New Era, it has always adhered to the mass viewpoint and the mass line, resolving conflicts and disputes at the grassroots level and in their nascent state. In the historical process of reform and opening up, many good policies were created at the grassroots level. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “The invention of the household contract responsibility system in rural areas was the peasants’.” The “big contract” in Xiaogang Village, Anhui Province, gave birth to the household contract responsibility system, becoming a theoretical breakthrough point for rural reform. The Communist Party of China focuses on drawing wisdom for theoretical innovation from the people, gathering “local methods” and “golden ideas,” and elevating fresh experience into regular understanding. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Whether it is Mao Zedong Thought, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, or the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, all originate from the wisdom, exploration, and creation of the people.”

中国共产党之所以能够推进理论创新，根本在于从群众中来、到群众中去，夯实了马克思主义中国化时代化的群众基础。毛泽东指出：“群众有伟大的创造力。中国人民中间，实在有成千成万的‘诸葛亮’”。20世纪60年代，浙江枫桥镇的干部群众在解决社会治安和综合治理问题的过程中群策群力，创造了“枫桥经验”。“枫桥经验”在人民火热实践中丰富发展，形成了新时代“枫桥经验”。从“枫桥经验”到新时代“枫桥经验”，始终坚持群众观点和群众路线，把矛盾纠纷化解在基层、化解在萌芽状态。在改革开放的历史进程中，很多好的政策是从基层创造出来的。邓小平指出：“农村搞家庭联产承包，这个发明权是农民的。”安徽小岗村“大包干”催生了家庭联产承包责任制，成为农村改革的理论突破点。中国共产党注重从人民群众中汲取理论创新智慧，汇集“土办法”“金点子”，把鲜活经验上升为规律性认识。习近平总书记指出：“无论是毛泽东思想、中国特色社会主义理论体系，还是新时代中国特色社会主义思想，无不源自于人民的智慧、人民的探索、人民的创造。”

(6) Adhering to Arming the Whole Party and Educating the People with the Achievements of Theoretical Innovation

（六）坚持用理论创新成果武装全党、教育人民

The history of modern China shows that once thought and culture lag behind, the people are like a sheet of loose sand and apathetic, it is impossible to rejuvenate the Chinese nation, and theoretical innovation is also an empty phrase. Since accepting Marxism, the Chinese people have moved from passivity to initiative in spirit. In the early 20th century, the Communist Party of China and left-wing intellectuals actively promoted the popularization and vulgarization of Marxist philosophy. Ai Siqi’s works *Popular Philosophy* and *Philosophy and Life* made positive contributions to the dissemination of Marxism, influencing a large number of Party members and young students. [44]44 Ai Siqi (1910–1966) was a Chinese Marxist philosopher known for popularizing Marxist philosophy in accessible language. Mao Zedong copied important sentences from *Philosophy and Life* and wrote to Ai Siqi about it. The Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese Military and Political University in Yan’an opened a training class for young cadres, and Mao Zedong personally taught philosophy classes, preparing concise and profound philosophy lecture notes; *On Practice* and *On Contradiction* were initially directly produced to meet the needs of teaching. The Communist Party of China is not only a political party that has the courage to advance theoretical innovation but also a political party that is good at conducting theoretical armament. For more than one hundred years, the Communist Party of China has made studying and implementing the Party’s innovative theories the top priority of ideological armament, successively carrying out the rectification movement, Party rectification, the “Three Emphases” education, etc., [45]45 The “Three Emphases” education (讲学习、讲政治、讲正气) was a Party-wide campaign from 1998 to 2000 emphasizing study, politics, and healthy trends. promoting the Marxist style of study, and advancing the building of a Marxist learning-oriented Party.

近代中国历史表明，一旦思想文化落后，民众一盘散沙、麻木不仁，就不可能振兴中华，理论创新也是一句空话。自从接受了马克思主义，中国人在精神上由被动转为主动。20世纪初，中国共产党和左翼知识分子积极推动马克思主义哲学大众化、通俗化，艾思奇所著的《大众哲学》《哲学与生活》为传播马克思主义作出了积极贡献，影响了一大批共产党员和青年学生。毛泽东曾抄录《哲学与生活》的重要语句，并为此致信艾思奇。延安的中国人民抗日军事政治大学开办了一个青年干部培训班，毛泽东亲自讲授哲学课，准备了简明扼要、意蕴深邃的哲学讲义，《实践论》《矛盾论》最初就是为满足授课需要而直接产生的。中国共产党不仅是一个勇于推进理论创新的政党，还是一个善于进行理论武装的政党。一百多年来，中国共产党把学习贯彻党的创新理论作为思想武装的重中之重，先后开展整风运动、整党、“三讲”教育等，弘扬马克思主义学风，推进马克思主义学习型政党建设。

Marxism is the “true scripture” and “mind-heart learning” of Communists, and studying Marxism is a compulsory course for Communists. During the Yan’an period, the Party Central Committee once designated a “cadre study festival,” and older-generation revolutionaries took the lead in studying Marxism. Mao Zedong repeatedly provided Party cadres and members with reading lists of Marxist classic works, advocating a culture of study. Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “Study Marxism-Leninism; it must be concise and practical.” Mastering this essential skill of Marxism helps to strengthen ideals and convictions and improve theoretical literacy. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “With every step forward in theoretical innovation, theoretical armedness must advance one step further.” The Communist Party of China uses the fruits of its theoretical innovation to cultivate the soul, promotes the normalization and institutionalization of theoretical study for Party cadres and members, perseveres over the long term in understanding, comprehending, and applying theory, and achieves the integration of learning, thinking, and practice, as well as the unity of knowledge, conviction, and action. The Party and the state implement the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project, advance the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, emphasize that “Party schools are of the Party” and “schools of Marxism are of Marxism,” confidently and justifiably offer ideological and political theory courses, and cultivate and produce batches of new-era individuals capable of shouldering the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The Party’s theoretical workers firmly stand on the people’s side, skillfully use language that the masses delight in, speak words the masses enjoy hearing, write articles the masses like reading, and achieve the deepening and solidification of theoretical innovation and theoretical armedness.

马克思主义是共产党人的“真经”和“心学”，学习马克思主义是共产党人的必修课。延安时期，党中央曾规定“干部学习节”，老一辈革命家带头学习马克思主义。毛泽东多次给党员干部列出马克思主义经典著作阅读书目，倡导学习之风。邓小平强调：“学马列要精，要管用的。”掌握了马克思主义这一看家本领，有助于坚定理想信念、提高理论素养。习近平总书记指出：“理论创新每前进一步，理论武装就要跟进一步。”中国共产党用党的理论创新成果培根铸魂，推动党员干部理论学习常态化制度化，在学懂弄通做实上久久为功，实现学思用贯通、知信行统一。党和国家实施马克思主义理论研究和建设工程，推进中国特色哲学社会科学建设，强调“党校姓党”“马院姓马”，理直气壮开好思想政治理论课，培养造就一批批堪当民族复兴大任的时代新人。党的理论工作者站稳人民立场，善用群众喜闻乐见的话语，讲群众喜欢听的话，写群众喜欢看的文章，实现理论创新和理论武装走深走实。

III. Epochal Characteristics of the CPC’s Promotion of Theoretical Innovation in the New Era

三、新时代中国共产党推进理论创新的时代特点

Taking history as a mirror and renewing from history, understanding is an infinitely developing, spiraling process. Engels pointed out: “Where history begins, the course of thought must also begin, and the further development of the course of thought is merely the reflection of the historical process in an abstract and theoretically consistent form.” Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has seized historical initiative, maintained

以史为鉴，向史而新，认识是一个无限发展、螺旋上升的过程。恩格斯指出：“历史从哪里开始，思想进程也应当从哪里开始，而思想进程的进一步发展不过是历史过程在抽象的、理论上前后一贯的形式上的反映。”党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央把握历史主动，保持理论自觉，接续推进马克思主义创新发展，党的理论创新呈现出一系列时代特点。学术界关于习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的研究成果较多，但很少涉及新时代中国共产党推进理论创新的时代特点。因此，需要加强对该问题的研究阐释。

(I) The Unity of Party Leadership and the Principal Position of the People

（一）党的领导与人民主体相统一

The fundamental purpose of the Communist Party of China is to serve the people wholeheartedly, and the people’s standpoint is the Party’s fundamental political stance. The Party and the people breathe the same air and share the same fate; the unity of Party spirit and the people’s character is a main thread running through Marxist theory. The unity of Party leadership and the principal position of the people clarifies the subject of theoretical innovation.

中国共产党的根本宗旨是全心全意为人民服务，人民立场是党的根本政治立场。党与人民同呼吸、共命运，党性与人民性的统一是贯穿马克思主义理论的一根主线。党的领导与人民主体相统一，明确了理论创新的主体。

Party leadership is the foundation and lifeline of the Party and the state, and it is the political guarantee and greatest strength of theoretical innovation. Adhering to Party leadership allows the Party’s theoretical innovation to advance smoothly; otherwise, it will deviate from the course and even commit subversive errors. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China’s reform has entered a critical period and deep-water zone, where the diversification of interests and values among social members has become more pronounced. Without strengthening correct guidance, ideological and theoretical development can easily become pluralistic. The Party Central Committee has proposed firmly grasping the leadership over ideological work, starting from rectifying sources to strengthen propaganda and ideological work, and focusing on resolving the weakening of Party leadership in the ideological sphere, especially the problems of “being voiceless” and “being scolded.” [46]46 “The strong do not oppress the weak” is from the *Mozi*; “all things grow together without harming one another, and the ways run parallel without interfering with each other” is from the *Doctrine of the Mean*. It is necessary to uphold the principle that the Party manages propaganda and ideology, consolidate the responsibility system for ideological work, and strictly enforce the Party’s political and propaganda disciplines; establish a broad concept of propaganda work, mobilize the entire Party to engage in propaganda and ideological work, and strengthen the authority of Party newspapers, journals, and websites, ensuring that everyone is responsible, accountable, and fulfills their duties in their respective domains. The Party’s innovative theories are the crystallization of thought formed under Party leadership by concentrating the wisdom of the entire Party and the people of the whole country. The ideas proposed by Party leaders serve as the vanguard of theoretical innovation, and they play a leading and core role in theoretical innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping is the principal founder of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and important documents such as *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works* [47]47 “Harmony among all nations” is from the *Book of Documents*; “harmony in diversity” is from the *Analects*. centrally present the Party’s innovative theories. The Two Establishments [48]48 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on theoretical work, 2023. are a major political achievement of the Party in the New Era and a prerequisite for the smooth advancement of theoretical innovation.

党的领导是党和国家的根本所在、命脉所在，是理论创新的政治保证、最大优势。坚持党的领导，党的理论创新就能顺利推进；否则就会偏离航向，甚至犯颠覆性错误。党的十八大以来，我国改革进入攻坚期和深水区，社会成员的利益多元化、价值多元化更加突出。如果不加强正确引领，思想理论发展就极易多元化。党中央提出牢牢掌握意识形态工作的领导权，从正本清源入手加强宣传思想工作，着力解决意识形态领域党的领导弱化特别是“失语”“挨骂”的问题。要坚持党管宣传党管意识形态，压实意识形态工作责任制，严明党的政治纪律、宣传纪律；树立大宣传的工作理念，推动全党动手抓宣传思想工作，强化党报党刊党网的权威性，做到守土有责、守土负责、守土尽责。党的创新理论是在党的领导下集中全党全国人民的智慧而形成的思想结晶，党的领导人所提出的思想是理论创新的先导，他们在理论创新中起着领导核心的作用。习近平总书记是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的主要创立者，《习近平著作选读》等重要文献集中展现了党的创新理论。“两个确立”是党在新时代取得的重大政治成果，也是理论创新顺利推进的先决条件。

The masses of the people are the creators of history, and the people’s character is the essential attribute of the Party’s theories. The mass line, as the Party’s lifeline, is a fine tradition of the Party in promoting theoretical innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “The Party’s theories are theories that come from the people, serve the people, and benefit the people; the people’s creative practice is the inexhaustible source of theoretical innovation.” The Communist Party of China has deeply carried out educational实践活动 on the mass line, vigorously promoted the practice of seeking truth from facts through investigation and research, respected the principal position of the people, and stimulated the people’s pioneering spirit, thereby creating theories that are “grounded, gather the people’s wisdom, conform to the people’s will, and win the people’s hearts.” General Secretary Xi Jinping has taken the lead in going

人民群众是历史的创造者，人民性是党的理论的本质属性。群众路线作为党的生命线，是党推进理论创新的优良传统。习近平总书记指出：“党的理论是来自人民、为了人民、造福人民的理论，人民的创造性实践是理论创新的不竭源泉。”中国共产党深入开展党的群众路线教育实践活动，大兴调查研究之风，尊重人民主体地位，激发人民首创精神，从而创造出“接地气、聚民智、顺民意、得民心的理论”。习近平总书记带头深入基层，走访各类群体，问政于民、问需于民、问计于民，提高理论的科学性和针对性。习近平总书记指出，“人民民主是一种全过程的民主”，由此孕育了全过程人民民主这一标识性成果。从“小院议事厅”到“线上议事群”，全过程人民民主拓展了社会主义民主政治的理论和实践内涵，凝聚起人民群众的智慧和力量。中国网民规模不断扩大，网络文学、网络影视剧、网络流行语广受追捧。习近平总书记指出：“很多人特别是年轻人基本不看主流媒体，大部分信息都从网上获取。必须正视这个事实，加大力量投入，尽快掌握这个舆论战场上的主动权”，“老百姓上了网，民意也就上了网”。他要求党员干部做好宣传思想工作，善于运用新媒体，走好网上群众路线，让党的创新理论“飞入寻常百姓家”。

(2) The Unity of Self-Confidence and Self-Strengthening with Openness and Inclusiveness

（二）自信自强与开放包容相统一

Self-confidence and self-strengthening are the spiritual symbols of the Chinese nation and the Communist Party of China, and are the inherent requirements and mental state of theoretical innovation. Openness and inclusiveness are the common attributes of Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture, and are the important conditions and value orientation of theoretical innovation. The unity of self-confidence and self-strengthening with openness and inclusiveness defines the character of theoretical innovation.

自信自强是中华民族和中国共产党的精神标识，是理论创新的内在要求和精神状态。开放包容是马克思主义和中华优秀传统文化的共同属性，是理论创新的重要条件和价值取向。自信自强与开放包容相统一，明确了理论创新的品格。

The Communist Party of China has always called on the people to stand firmly on Chinese soil and build national confidence. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the pace of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has accelerated, and further invigorating the national spirit has become a call of the times. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes firm confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, stating that “cultural confidence is a more fundamental, broader, and deeper confidence.” [46]46 “The strong do not oppress the weak” is from the *Mozi*; “all things grow together without harming one another, and the ways run parallel without interfering with each other” is from the *Doctrine of the Mean*. The Party Central Committee accurately grasps the situation of ideological and cultural exchanges,交融, and confrontations worldwide, elevates the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, stimulates the cultural innovation and creativity of the entire nation, and builds China’s spiritual strength. The Party’s theoretical innovation demonstrates vigorous vitality, the construction of a theoretical power and a cultural power advances in great strides, and the cultural confidence of the entire Party, the entire military, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country has significantly increased, with their spiritual outlook becoming more vigorous and uplifted. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “The Chinese chapter of Marxism is written by Chinese Communists through their own efforts, and a basic point running through it is that China’s problems must be solved by the Chinese themselves based on China’s basic national conditions.” [47]47 “Harmony among all nations” is from the *Book of Documents*; “harmony in diversity” is from the *Analects*. The Communist Party of China takes a clear stand against erroneous words and deeds such as worshiping foreign things, copying and imitating mechanically, and being unable to digest foreign influences, and refutes erroneous trends of thought such as historical nihilism, cultural nihilism, and “universal values.” [48]48 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on theoretical work, 2023. General Secretary Xi Jinping states bluntly: “Some people regard Western theories and

中国共产党历来号召人民脚踏中华大地，树立民族自信。党的十八大以来，中华民族伟大复兴步伐加快，进一步振奋民族精神成为时代呼唤。习近平总书记强调坚定“四个自信”，“文化自信，是更基础、更广泛、更深厚的自信”。党中央准确把握世界范围内思想文化交流、交融、交锋的态势，高扬中华民族的文化主体性，激发全民族文化创新创造活力，构筑中国精神力量。党的理论创新展现出旺盛生命力，理论强国、文化强国建设大踏步推进，全党全国各族人民文化自信明显增强、精神面貌更加奋发昂扬。习近平总书记指出：“马克思主义的中国篇章是中国共产党人依靠自身力量实践出来的，贯穿其中的一个基本点就是中国的问题必须从中国基本国情出发，由中国人自己来解答。”中国共产党旗帜鲜明反对崇洋媚外、照抄照搬、食洋不化等错误言行，批驳历史虚无主义、文化虚无主义、“普世价值”等错误思潮。习近平总书记直言：“有的人奉西方理论、西方话语为金科玉律，不知不觉成了西方资本主义意识形态的吹鼓手。”中国共产党坚持以社会主义核心价值观引领思想文化建设，广泛开展中国特色社会主义宣传教育，提振中国人“精气神”，让中国理论“登高而招”“顺风而呼”。

Confidence and self-strengthening do not mean clinging to outdated rules, closing off and being conservative; rather, they require discarding the old and embracing the new, being open and inclusive. Marxism is an open theory that constantly develops; the theoretical aim of Marx and Engels was to realize the “philosophization of the world,” and their practical goal was the liberation of all humanity. Chinese civilization possesses a pronounced inclusiveness; fine traditional Chinese culture advocates that “the strong do not oppress the weak” and that “all things grow together without harming one another, and the ways run parallel without interfering with each other.” [46]46 “The strong do not oppress the weak” is from the *Mozi*; “all things grow together without harming one another, and the ways run parallel without interfering with each other” is from the *Doctrine of the Mean*. The Chinese nation has historically upheld the principles of “harmony among all nations” and “harmony in diversity.” [47]47 “Harmony among all nations” is from the *Book of Documents*; “harmony in diversity” is from the *Analects*. For the Chinese nation to achieve its great rejuvenation, it must learn from and draw on the outstanding civilizational achievements created by the peoples of all countries, “drawing on excellent ideological and cultural resources from the ‘sum total of human knowledge’ to innovate and develop the Party’s theory, forming a grand theoretical pattern and atmosphere that is inclusive and draws on the strengths of all.” [48]48 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on theoretical work, 2023. The Communist Party of China listens to the voices of the world with an open mindset, opening a broad path for advancing the Party’s theoretical innovation. The Communist Party of China embraces the world with a broad vision, putting forward international expressions such as the concept of righteousness and benefit, sincerity, amity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, a new type of major-country relations, the Belt and Road Initiative, a community with a shared future for mankind, and the common values of all humanity, contributing Chinese wisdom to solving the common problems facing humanity. The Party and the state have adopted multiple measures, actively carrying out ideological and cultural exchanges, promoting mutual learning among the civilizations of the world, and helping international figures understand the history of the Communist Party of China and comprehend the Party’s line, principles, and policies.

自信自强不是刻舟求剑、封闭保守，而要革故鼎新、开放包容。马克思主义是不断发展的开放的理论，马克思恩格斯的理论旨趣是实现“哲学的世界化”，实践目标是解放全人类。中华文明具有突出的包容性，中华优秀传统文化讲求“强不执弱”“万物并育而不相害，道并行而不相悖”。中华民族历来主张“协和万邦”“和而不同”。中华民族要实现伟大复兴，就必须学习和借鉴世界各国人民创造的优秀文明成果，“在‘人类知识的总和’中汲取优秀思想文化资源来创新和发展党的理论，形成兼容并蓄、博采众长的理论大格局大气象”。中国共产党以开放的心态倾听世界声音，为推进党的理论创新开辟了康庄大道。中国共产党胸怀天下，提出义利观、亲诚惠容、新型大国关系、“一带一路”、人类命运共同体、全人类共同价值等国际表达，为解决人类面临的共同问题贡献了中国智慧。党和国家多措并举，积极开展思想文化交流，促进了世界各国文明互鉴，帮助国际人士了解中国共产党的历史、读懂中国共产党的路线方针政策。

(III) The Unity of Consolidating Foundations and Cultivating Roots with Pioneering and Innovation

（三）固本培元与开拓创新相统一

“Theoretical innovation must speak new words, but it cannot discard the old ancestors.” [49]49 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on theoretical work, 2023. Not forgetting the original enables one to open up the future; being adept at inheritance enables one to pioneer and innovate. By upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, one can neither lose direction nor lead the times. The unity of consolidating foundations and cultivating roots with pioneering and innovation clarifies the principle of theoretical innovation.

“理论创新必须讲新话，但不能丢了老祖宗”。不忘本来才能开辟未来，善于继承才能开拓创新。守正创新便能既不迷失方向，又引领时代。固本培元与开拓创新相统一，明确了理论创新的原则。

Only by not wavering in upholding the basic tenets of Marxism, and by not ceasing to develop Marxism rooted in the fertile soil of history and culture, can the Party’s theoretical innovation proceed steadily and far. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee has convened multiple forums on ideological and theoretical work, and the Politburo has conducted many collective studies on the basic tenets and methodology of Marxism, clarifying principled positions on a series of fundamental issues, clearing up theoretical right and wrong, and advancing ideological and theoretical construction. [50]50 The 18th National Congress of the CPC was held in 2012, marking the start of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership. Faced with an extremely complex domestic and international situation and extremely arduous tasks of modernization, the Communist Party of China has adhered to both breaking down and building up, proposing the fundamental task of “two consolidations” in propaganda and ideological work. [51]51 “Two consolidations” refers to consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological domain and consolidating the common ideological foundation of the unity and struggle of the entire Party and all the people. At the conference commemorating the 200th anniversary of Marx’s birth, General Secretary Xi Jinping demanded: “Uphold and apply the world outlook and methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism; uphold and apply the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method; uphold and apply the Marxist principles concerning the materiality of the world and its laws of development, concerning the naturalness, historicity, and related laws of the development of human society, concerning the laws of human liberation and free and comprehensive development, concerning the essence of cognition and its laws of development; and uphold and apply the Marxist views on practice, the masses, class, development, and contradiction.” [52]52 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the conference commemorating the 200th anniversary of Marx’s birth, May 4, 2018. The Communist Party of China emphasizes combining the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture, using Marxist theory to transform the ancient into the contemporary, imbuing fine traditional Chinese culture with a rich contemporary ethos; and drawing wisdom from fine traditional Chinese culture, endowing Marxism with distinct national characteristics. At the symposium on cultural inheritance and development, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The ‘Second Integration’ is another ideological emancipation, allowing us to fully utilize the precious resources of fine traditional Chinese culture within a broader cultural space, to explore theoretical and institutional innovations oriented toward the future.” [53]53 Quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the symposium on cultural inheritance and development, June 2, 2023. The Communist Party of China strengthens historical confidence and cultural confidence, holds fast to the soul and root of theoretical innovation, and advances the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture. For example, the traditional Chinese cosmological view of the unity of heaven and humanity and following the laws of nature has been transformed into “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” and the traditional Chinese social view of the state and society and the people as the foundation of the state has been transformed into “the state is the people, and the people are the state.” [54]54 “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” is a slogan

坚持马克思主义基本原理不动摇，坚持植根历史文化沃土发展马克思主义不停步，党的理论创新方能行稳致远。党的十八大以来，党中央多次召开思想理论工作座谈会，中央政治局多次集体学习马克思主义基本原理和方法论，就一系列根本性问题阐明原则立场，廓清理论是非，推进思想理论建设。面对十分复杂的国内外形势和极其艰巨的现代化建设任务，中国共产党坚持破立并举，提出宣传思想工作“两个巩固”的根本任务。在纪念马克思诞辰200周年大会上，习近平总书记要求：“坚持和运用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的世界观和方法论，坚持和运用马克思主义立场、观点、方法，坚持和运用马克思主义关于世界的物质性及其发展规律，关于人类社会发展的自然性、历史性及其相关规律，关于人的解放和自由全面发展的规律，关于认识的本质及其发展规律等原理，坚持和运用马克思主义的实践观、群众观、阶级观、发展观、矛盾观”。中国共产党注重把马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合，用马克思主义理论化古为今，使中华优秀传统文化充满浓厚的时代气韵；从中华优秀传统文化中汲取智慧，使马克思主义具有鲜明的民族特色。在文化传承发展座谈会上，习近平总书记指出：“‘第二个结合’是又一次的思想解放，让我们能够在更广阔的文化空间中，充分运用中华优秀传统文化的宝贵资源，探索面向未来的理论和制度创新。”中国共产党坚定历史自信、文化自信，坚守理论创新的魂和根，推进中华优秀传统文化创造性转化和创新性发展。例如，把天人合一、道法自然的中华传统宇宙观转化为“绿水青山就是金山银山”，把江山社稷、民为邦本的中华传统社会观转化为“江山就是人民，人民就是江山”。

The vitality of theory lies in innovation; only through innovation can the scientific nature of Marxism be forever preserved. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “In dealing with Marxism, one cannot adopt a dogmatic attitude, nor a pragmatic one; rather, one should treat science with a scientific attitude and pursue truth with the spirit of truth.” [55]55 The 18th National Congress of the CPC was held in 2012, marking the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership. The Communist Party of China exerts historical initiative and creative spirit, treats all new things with full enthusiasm, dares to speak new words that predecessors have not spoken, dares to do things that predecessors have not done, and puts forward important propositions such as the new stage of development, the new development concept, the new development pattern, and new quality productive forces. Faced with new contradictions, new risks, and new challenges on the path forward, it proposes new ideas, new answers, and new methods, enabling the Party’s theoretical innovation to ride the waves and sail straight ahead. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Theories used to observe the era, grasp the era, and lead the era must reflect the voice of the era; they must never be divorced from the practice of the era in which they are situated; they must constantly summarize practical experience and condense it into the ideological essence of the era.” [56]56 The “Five-Sphere Integrated Plan” refers to the coordinated development of economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological civilization construction. The “Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy” refers to comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively governing the country according to law, and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. The Communist Party of China objectively examines the changes and continuities in the world situation, national conditions, and Party conditions, insists on using the “arrow” of Marxism to shoot at the “target” of contemporary China in the New Era, bases itself on the practical foundation of Marxism’s development in the New Era, focuses on the practical application of Marxism, focuses on theoretical thinking about practical problems, promptly summarizes fresh experience, deepens the understanding of the “three laws” from a new perspective, and advances theoretical innovation in step with the times. [57]57 The “Four Greats” refers to the great struggle, the great project (Party building), the great cause (socialism with Chinese characteristics), and the great dream (the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation). For correct theories derived from repeated practice and comparison, it does not waver in its commitment but perseveres. For erroneous theories proven in practice, it does not bury its head in the sand but promptly corrects them. In the benign interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation, and in the dialectical unity of upholding truth and correcting errors, it develops contemporary Chinese Marxism and Marxism for the 21st century.

理论的生命力在于创新，创新才能永葆马克思主义的科学性。习近平总书记指出：“对待马克思主义，不能采取教条主义的态度，也不能采取实用主义的态度，而是应该以科学的态度对待科学、以真理的精神追求真理。”中国共产党发挥历史主动精神和创造精神，以满腔热忱对待一切新生事物，敢于说前人没有说过的新话，敢于干前人没有干过的事情，提出新发展阶段、新发展理念、新发展格局、新质生产力等重要论断。面对前进道路上的新矛盾、新风险、新挑战，提出新思路、新答案、新方法，使党的理论创新破浪前行、直挂云帆。习近平总书记指出：“用以观察时代、把握时代、引领时代的理论，必须反映时代的声音，绝不能脱离所在时代的实践，必须不断总结实践经验，将其凝结成时代的思想精华。”中国共产党客观审视世情、国情、党情的变与不变，坚持用马克思主义之“矢”去射新时代中国之“的”，立足马克思主义在新时代发展的实践基础，着眼于马克思主义的实际运用，着眼于对现实问题的理论思考，及时总结新鲜经验，以全新的视野深化对“三大规律”的认识，与时俱进推进理论创新。对于经过反复实践和比较得出的正确理论，没有心猿意马，而是持之以恒。对于在实践中证明的错误理论，没有掩耳盗铃，而是及时修正。在理论创新与实践创新的良性互动中，在坚持真理与修正错误的辩证统一中，发展当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义。

(IV) The Unity of Mission Guidance and Problem Orientation

（四）使命引领与问题导向相统一

The mission is the “great affairs of the state”; mission guidance enhances theoretical consciousness. [58]58 The “Two Overall Situations” refers to the overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the overall situation of changes unseen in a century. The driving force of theoretical innovation is the practical demand to resolve social contradictions and problems; the process of theoretical innovation is a process of discovering, studying, and solving problems. The unity of mission guidance and problem orientation clarifies the direction of theoretical innovation.

使命是“国之大者”，使命引领增强理论自觉。理论创新的动力是解决社会矛盾和问题的现实要求，理论创新的过程是发现问题、研究问题、解决问题的过程。使命引领与问题导向相统一，明确了理论创新的指向。

Since its founding, the Communist Party of China has cherished its original aspiration and founding mission, carrying on the work generation after generation, and sticking to one blueprint drawn to the end. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee has placed greater emphasis on using the original aspiration and founding mission to guide theoretical innovation. The series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies it has put forward are all closely centered on realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The entire Party has deeply carried out education on the theme of “staying true to our original aspiration and founding mission,” education on the history of the Party, and so forth, strengthening Party spirit and purifying the Party’s ideology. [59]59 A classical allusion from *The Doctrine of the Mean*, emphasizing both broad vision and meticulous attention to detail. The Party Central Committee has put forward the great founding spirit of the Party, promoted the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists originating from the great founding spirit of the Party, and urged Party officials and members to establish a correct outlook on political performance. [60]60 The “Eight-Point Regulations” are a set of rules adopted by the CPC Central Committee in 2012 to improve Party conduct and reduce bureaucracy and extravagance. The great founding spirit of the Party is both a spiritual phenomenon and a theoretical form, coalescing the creative vitality of the whole society. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “We must bear in mind that the people’s aspiration for a better life is our goal of struggle, adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, work hard to ensure and improve people’s livelihoods in all aspects, continuously enhance the people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security, and continuously advance common prosperity for all people.” [61]61 The “Four Forms of Decadence” refers to formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC elaborates in depth on the theory of Chinese-path modernization, clarifies the goals and tasks for the cause of the Party and the state on the new journey of the New Era, and strengthens the determination and confidence to advance the building of a strong country and achieve national rejuvenation.

中国共产党自诞生之日起，就怀揣初心使命，一代接着一代干，一张蓝图绘到底。党的十八大以来，党中央更加注重用初心使命引领理论创新，提出的一系列新理念新思想新战略，都是紧紧围绕实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而展开的。全党深入开展“不忘初心、牢记使命”主题教育、党史学习教育等，加强党性修养，纯洁党的思想。党中央提出伟大建党精神，弘扬以伟大建党精神为源头的中国共产党人精神谱系，推动党员干部树立正确政绩观。伟大建党精神既是一种精神现象，又是一种理论形态，凝聚起全社会创新创造活力。习近平总书记指出：“我们要牢记人民对美好生活的向往就是我们的奋斗目标，坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，努力抓好保障和改善民生各项工作，不断增强人民的获得感、幸福感、安全感，不断推进全体人民共同富裕。”党的二十大报告深入阐述中国式现代化理论，明确了在新时代新征程上党和国家事业发展的目标任务，坚定了推进强国建设、实现民族复兴的决心信心。

A sense of mission alone is insufficient; it must be concretized into a problem orientation. Problems are the voice of the times and the call of the people. Theoretical innovation is realized in the process of answering the questions of the era, not by composing them in a study. Facing ecological and environmental problems, the CPC led the people to concentrate efforts on winning the battles for blue skies, clear waters, and clean soil, and continued to advance the construction of an ecological civilization; from this, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization was generated and developed. Facing the problem of corruption, the Party Central Committee unswervingly “cracked down on tigers,” “swatted flies,” and “hunted foxes,” [55]55 The 18th National Congress of the CPC was held in 2012, marking the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership. and advanced in an integrated manner the goal of ensuring that officials dare not, cannot, and do not want to be corrupt; from this, the theory of Party building was enriched and developed. General Secretary Xi Jinping accurately grasps the changes in the principal

只有使命意识是不够的，还需要将其具体化为问题导向。问题是时代的声音，是人民的呼唤。理论创新是在回答时代问题中实现的，而不是坐在书斋里编出来的。面对生态环境问题，中国共产党领导人民集中力量打好蓝天、碧水、净土保卫战，继续推进生态文明建设，习近平生态文明思想由此生成发展。面对贪污腐败问题，党中央坚定不移“打虎”“拍蝇”“猎狐”，一体推进不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐，党的建设理论得以丰富发展。习近平总书记准确把握我国社会主要矛盾的变化，解答“贫困之因”，明确“扶贫之要”，提出“脱贫之道”。他多次指出：“小康不小康，关键看老乡”，“农民要致富，关键靠支部”，“扶贫必扶智，治贫先治愚”。中国共产党推进以改善民生为重点的社会建设，领导人民打赢脱贫攻坚战，完成全面建成小康社会的历史性任务，形成了中国特色反贫困理论。实践没有止境，理论创新也没有止境。习近平总书记指出：“在新一轮科技革命、全球经济发展大格局和我国发展的阶段性特征中深化对推动高质量发展、构建新发展格局的规律性认识，在世界马克思主义政党命运比较和我们党长期执政面临的现实考验中深化对党的自我革命战略思想的规律性认识，全面系统地提出解决现实问题的科学理念、有效对策”。以习近平同志为核心的党中央聚焦改革发展稳定存在的深层次问题、党的建设面临的突出问题、人民群众急难愁盼问题、国际变局中的重大问题，作出符合中国实际和时代要求的科学回答，得出符合客观规律的正确认识，由此凝结成习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的理论内核。

(5) The Unity of the Systems Concept and Precision Thinking

（五）系统观念与精准思维相统一

Marxist philosophy emphasizes the unity of the “two-point theory” and the “key-point theory,” requiring the observation of things and the grasping of the laws of their development from a connected, comprehensive, and developmental perspective. Theoretical innovation is a complex systemic project that requires systematic planning and precise exertion. The unity of the systems concept and precision thinking clarifies the method of theoretical innovation.

马克思主义哲学强调“两点论”与“重点论”相统一，要求用联系的、全面的、发展的观点观察事物，把握事物发展规律。理论创新是复杂的系统工程，需要系统谋划和精准发力。系统观念与精准思维相统一，明确了理论创新的方法。

The law of the unity of opposites is the essence of materialist dialectics, and the analysis and resolution of complex contradictions depend on the systems concept. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC [55]55 The 18th National Congress of the CPC was held in 2012, marking the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership., the Party’s and the state’s various tasks have become more comprehensive and systematic, where pulling one hair may affect the whole body. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a systems concept, strengthen top-level design and overall planning, and take the people’s aspiration for a better life as the Party’s goal of struggle, which includes aspects such as education, work, income, social security, medical services, the ecological environment, and living conditions. The Party Central Committee has put forward the “Five-Sphere Integrated Plan” and the “Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy,” [56]56 The “Five-Sphere Integrated Plan” refers to the coordinated development of economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological civilization construction. The “Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy” refers to comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively governing the country according to law, and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. overseeing the “Four Greats,” [57]57 The “Four Greats” refers to the great struggle, the great project (Party building), the great cause (socialism with Chinese characteristics), and the great dream (the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation). coordinating the “Two Overall Situations,” [58]58 The “Two Overall Situations” refers to the overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the overall situation of changes unseen in a century. implementing a holistic approach to national security, advancing the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, focusing on systemic integration, and launching a “combined punch.” The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC emphasizes the necessity of adhering to the systems concept, “to provide a scientific method of thinking for forward-looking thinking, overall planning, and holistic advancement of the Party’s and the state’s various undertakings.” Advancing Chinese-path modernization is a systemic project that requires overall consideration and balancing, properly handling major relationships such as top-level design and practical exploration, strategy and tactics. The Party Central Committee has made adhering to the systems concept one of the principles for further comprehensively deepening reform, requiring the enhancement of the systemic, holistic, and synergistic nature of reform, and properly handling major relationships such as the economy and society, the government and the market.

对立统一规律是唯物辩证法的实质，分析和解决复杂矛盾有赖于系统观念。党的十八大以来，党和国家的各项工作更具全面性、系统性，牵一发而动全身。因此要树立系统观念，加强顶层设计、整体谋划，把人民对美好生活的向往作为党的奋斗目标，这包括教育、工作、收入、社会保障、医疗服务、生态环境、居住条件等各个方面。党中央提出“五位一体”总体布局和“四个全面”战略布局，统揽“四个伟大”，统筹“两个大局”，贯彻总体国家安全观，一体推进教育科技人才发展，推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化，注重系统集成，打出“组合拳”。党的二十大报告强调必须坚持系统观念，“为前瞻性思考、全局性谋划、整体性推进党和国家各项事业提供科学思想方法。”推进中国式现代化是一个系统工程，需要统筹兼顾，处理好顶层设计与实践探索、战略与策略等重大关系。党中央把坚持系统观念作为进一步全面深化改革的原则之一，要求增强改革系统性、整体性、协同性，处理好经济和社会、政府和市场等重大关系。

Understanding the particularity of contradictions is key to resolving them, requiring concrete analysis of concrete conditions, strengthening precision thinking, and “reaching the vast and exhausting the subtle.” [59]59 A classical allusion from *The Doctrine of the Mean*, emphasizing both broad vision and meticulous attention to detail. The Party Central Committee introduced the “Eight-Point Regulations,” [60]60 The “Eight-Point Regulations” are a set of rules adopted by the CPC Central Committee in 2012 to improve Party conduct and reduce bureaucracy and extravagance. corrected the “Four Forms of Decadence,” [61]61 The “Four Forms of Decadence” refers to formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance. applied the “Four Forms,” [62]62 The “Four Forms” are graduated disciplinary measures within the Party, ranging from criticism and education to expulsion. implemented the “Three Distinctions,” [63]63 The “Three Distinctions” refers to distinguishing between mistakes made in exploration and experimentation and violations of discipline, between a lack of experience and dereliction of duty, and between unintentional errors and intentional violations. grasped the “key minority” especially the “top leaders”; implemented the strategy of invigorating China through science and education and the strategy of strengthening the nation through talent, instituted the “open competition for key posts” system, won the battle for key core technologies, and solved the “bottleneck” problem; creatively proposed new concepts and new expressions such as “targeted poverty alleviation,” “precision guidance,” “targeted policy implementation,” and “targeted treatment,” forming a work methodology. In the battle against poverty, it adhered to “seeking truth from facts, adapting measures to local conditions, providing classified guidance, and targeted poverty alleviation,” changing from “flood irrigation” to “precise drip irrigation,” prescribing the right “prescription” to pull out the “root of poverty,” and further put forward the “Six Precisions” requirements, namely, precision in identifying the targets of assistance, precisely defining the poor families and populations in need of support; precision in project arrangement, insisting on implementing policies according to the person, the locality, and the type of poverty; precision in fund utilization, allocating funds according to the poverty levels of different groups; precision in measures reaching households, insisting on “one-to-one” assistance; precision in dispatching personnel to villages, selecting outstanding village-based cadres; and precision in the effectiveness of poverty alleviation, achieving the “Two Assurances and Three Guarantees.” [64]64 The “Two Assurances and Three Guarantees” refers to assurances of adequate food and clothing and guarantees of compulsory education, basic medical care, and safe housing. With the refinement of social governance, we must, like “embroidering,” focus on “micro-operation techniques,” with a sharp eye and meticulous work, every stitch must be sewn in the right place; with the determination of a rider never dismounting and a rein never loosening, with the spirit of driving in nails, innovate and act, and work hard on practical results and seeking practical effects. By achieving the dialectical unity of the systems concept and precision thinking, our grasp of problems can be both systematic and comprehensive, and in-depth and meticulous, and the Party’s innovative theory can be more scientific, more rigorous, and more operable.

认识矛盾的特殊性是解决矛盾的关键，要求具体问题具体分析，强化精准思维，“致广大而尽精微”。党中央出台“八项规定”，纠治“四风”，运用“四种形态”，落实“三个区分开来”，抓住“关键少数”特别是“一把手”；实施科教兴国战略、人才强国战略，实行“揭榜挂帅”制度，打赢关键核心技术攻坚战，解决“卡脖子”问题；创造性提出“精准扶贫”“精准制导”“精准施策”“靶向治疗”等新理念新表述，形成了工作方法论。在脱贫攻坚战中，坚持“实事求是、因地制宜、分类指导、精准扶贫”，变“大水漫灌”为“精确滴灌”，开对“药方子”，拔掉“穷根子”，并进一步提出“六个精准”要求，即扶持对象精准，准确界定需要扶持的贫困家庭和人口；项目安排精准，坚持因人、因地和因贫困类型施策；资金使用精准，根据不同群体的贫困程度分配资金；措施到户精准，坚持“一对一”帮扶；因村派人精准，选拔优秀驻村干部；脱贫成效精准，实现“两不愁三保障”。随着社会治理的精细化，我们要像“绣花”那样，注重“微操技术”，眼神要准，活更要细，针针都要绣在实处；以马不离鞍、缰不松手的定力，以钉钉子的精神，创新作为，在务实功、求实效上下功夫。做到系统观念与精准思维的辩证统一，我们对问题的把握就能既系统全面，又深入细致，党的创新理论就能更科学、更严谨、更具有可操作性。

These epochal characteristics fully embody the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, highlight the epochal connotation of the “Two Integrations,” [65]65 The “Two Integrations” refers to integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture. enrich the historical experience of the CPC in advancing theoretical innovation, and deepen the understanding of the laws of the Party’s theoretical innovation.

这些时代特点，充分体现了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论，凸显了“两个结合”的时代内涵，丰富了中国共产党推进理论创新的历史经验，深化了对党的理论创新的规律性认识。

Conclusion

结语

The CPC’s promotion of theoretical innovation revolves around one theme, namely, realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; it runs through one main line, namely, adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times; its fundamental pathway is adhering to the Two Integrations, namely, integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture. As the Party’s latest major theoretical achievement, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has made original contributions to enriching and developing Marxism, concentratedly embodied in landmark achievements such as Xi Jinping’s economic thought, Xi Jinping’s thought on the rule of law, Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization, Xi Jinping’s thought on strengthening the military, Xi Jinping’s thought on diplomacy, and Xi Jinping’s thought on culture, as well as new ideas, new viewpoints, and new theses such as Chinese-path modernization, the new development concept, new quality productive forces, whole-process people’s democracy, the Two Integrations, cultural confidence, cultural subjectivity, targeted poverty alleviation, the “Two Mountains Theory” [66]66 The “Two Mountains Theory” (两山论) refers to Xi, the Party’s self-revolution, the holistic approach to national security, a community with a shared future for mankind, and the Belt and Road Initiative. On the new journey of the New Era, we must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, writing a new chapter in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. First, we must follow the general law of the movement of human cognition—practice, cognition, re-practice, re-cognition—ground ourselves in the great transformations and historic achievements of the New Era, focus on major issues concerning the future of the Party and the state and the destiny of human development, advance the systematic and academic research and interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and construct a Chinese independent knowledge system with original theories and distinctive concepts as its backbone and rigorous logic and solid scholarship as its characteristics. Second, we must adhere to the Second Integration, deeply excavate the literature and classics formed by the dissemination and development of Marxism in China, “use Marxism as a guide to comprehensively excavate the treasure trove of China’s five-thousand-year civilization, activate the vital factors in the best of traditional Chinese culture with Marxism and endow them with new connotations for the times,” refine the epochal essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit, and construct a Chinese Marxist cultural system that runs through past and present. Finally, we must strengthen the combination of “bringing in” and “going global,” grasp historical initiative with theoretical initiative, expand the global dissemination and influence of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, utilize platforms such as the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, the World Conference on China Studies, and the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, promote mutual learning among civilizations through dialogue, and advance civilizational progress through innovation. Let the world know “China in theory” and “China contributing to human civilization,” and construct an international communication discourse system that connects China and the rest of the world.

中国共产党推进理论创新，围绕一个主题，这就是实现中华民族伟大复兴；贯穿一条主线，这就是推进马克思主义中国化时代化；根本途径是坚持“两个结合”，这就是把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合。作为党的最新重大理论成果，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为丰富发展马克思主义作出了原创性贡献，集中体现为习近平经济思想、习近平法治思想、习近平生态文明思想、习近平强军思想、习近平外交思想、习近平文化思想等标志性成果，以及中国式现代化、新发展理念、新质生产力、全过程人民民主、“两个结合”、文化自信、文化主体性、精准扶贫、“两山论”、党的自我革命、总体国家安全观、人类命运共同体、“一带一路”等新思想新观点新论断。在新时代新征程上，我们要坚持守正创新，谱写马克思主义中国化时代化新篇章。首先，要遵循实践、认识、再实践、再认识这一人类认识运动的总规律，立足新时代伟大变革和历史性成就，围绕事关党和国家前途、人类发展命运的重大问题，推进习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想体系化学理化研究阐释，构建以原创性理论、标识性概念为主干和以逻辑严谨、学理扎实为特征的中国自主知识体系。其次，坚持“第二个结合”，深入挖掘马克思主义在中国传播与发展所形成的文献典籍，“以马克思主义为指导对中华五千多年文明宝库进行全面挖掘，用马克思主义激活中华优秀传统文化中富有生命力的优秀因子并赋予新的时代内涵”，淬炼中华文化和中国精神的时代精华，构建贯通古今的中国马克思主义文化体系。最后，加强“引进来”与“走出去”相结合，以理论主动把握历史主动，扩展中国化时代化的马克思主义在世界的传播力、影响力，利用中国共产党与世界政党高层对话会、世界中国学大会、亚洲文明对话大会等平台，以对话推进文明互鉴，以创新促进文明进步。让世界知道“理论中的中国”“为人类文明作贡献的中国”，构建融通中外的国际传播话语体系。