The Discourse Construction and Efficacy of the CPC’s “Distinctive Markers” in the New Era

The key to handling China’s affairs well lies in the Party. How the Communist Party of China is labeled and described bears on the cognition of the Party’s essence, nature, purpose, mission, goals, and tasks. This is not only the key to understanding the theory and practice of the CPC in the New Era, but also a practical necessity for constructing an independent knowledge system of Chinese studies on the history and building of the CPC. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the “distinctive markers” of the CPC and provided concrete explanations of their scientific connotations, such as “the people’s standpoint is the fundamental political stand of the CPC, and is the distinctive marker that distinguishes a Marxist party from other political parties,” and “courage in self-revolution is the distinctive marker that distinguishes the CPC from other political parties.” In his expressions, General Secretary Xi Jinping often uses the precise judgmental phrase “dist

办好中国的事情，关键在党。如何标注和描述中国共产党，事关对党的本质、性质、宗旨、使命和目标、任务的认知。这既是理解新时代中国共产党理念和实践的关键之所在，也是构建中共党史党建学中国自主知识体系的现实之所需。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记多次强调中国共产党的“显著标志”，并对“显著标志”的科学内涵进行了具体阐释，譬如“人民立场是中国共产党的根本政治立场，是马克思主义政党区别于其他政党的显著标志”，“勇于自我革命是中国共产党区别于其他政党的显著标志”等。在表述中，习近平总书记经常在“显著标志”概念之前使用“区别于其他政党”的精准研判性语汇。在这里，至少包括两层意涵：其一，从横向比较的维度来看，当今时代是政党政治时代，政党在各国社会政治生活中都处于举足轻重的地位，但由于政党性质不同、类型不同，其作用发挥也有所差别甚至有很大差别，“显著标志”侧重强调中国共产党相比于世界其他政党的特殊性之所在，并由此形成自己鲜明的政党标识。其二，从纵向延展的维度来看，历史连接着过去、现在和未来，“显著标志”是对中国共产党发展历程中所形成的好的理念、好的做法的一种延伸和拓展，并要求将立党兴党、管党治党的伟大成就和历史经验以“显著标志”的话语进一步集中呈现。因此，全面系统研究新时代中国共产党“显著标志”话语，深刻领悟并准确阐释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课题，具有特别重要的学理价值和现实意义。

I. The Implications of the Presentation of the CPC’s “Distinctive Signs” Discourse in the New Era

一、新时代中国共产党“显著标志”话语呈现的意涵

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly employed the unique discourse of the Party’s

党的十八大以来，习近平总书记一再使用党的“显著标志”这一独特话语，并不断丰富其内涵。党的十九届六中全会通过的《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》强调：“全党要牢记中国共产党是什么、要干什么这个根本问题。”“是什么”是党的性质宗旨和本质特征的体现；“要干什么”昭示党的使命任务和奋斗目标。基于此，党的“显著标志”话语的类型和意涵可以从政党与政权建设、政党与人民立场、政党与历史经验、政党与社会发展等方面呈现和表达，从而使党的“显著标志”话语更加充实、更加体系化。需要说明的是，本文研究的对象是中国共产党的“显著标志”，话语主体均为中国共产党，包括语义相近只是话语程度不同的表述，如“最显著的标志”。但是，关于具体某一领域的“显著标志”话语则没有作为本文研究对象。

(I) The Continuation of the Party’s Life: Courage in Self-Revolution Is the Party’s Distinctive Mark

（一）政党生命赓续：勇于自我革命是党的显著标志

The vitality of a Marxist political party’s growth and expansion lies in self-revolution; the endurance of a Marxist political party’s long-term governance lies in self-revolution. The question of escaping the historical cycle of rise and fall [1]1 The “historical cycle of rise and fall” (历史周期率) refers to the recurring pattern of dynastic rise, peak, decline, and collapse in Chinese history, a concept famously discussed by Mao Zedong and Huang Yanpei in 1945. is a major issue concerning the Party’s eternal cause, concerning the Party’s survival or extinction, and concerning the success or failure of China’s socialist system. Mao Zedong once gave the first answer to escaping the historical cycle in a cave dwelling in Yan’an, namely, “letting the people supervise the government.” [2]2 This refers to Mao Zedong’s 1945 conversation with Huang Yanpei in Yan’an, where Mao proposed popular supervision as the way to break the historical cycle. Through the Party’s more than one hundred years of struggle, especially the theoretical and practical innovations since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have given the second answer to escaping the historical cycle, namely, “self-revolution.” [3]3 Xi Jinping’s concept of “self-revolution” as the second answer to the historical cycle was formally articulated in 2019 and reiterated in the 2021 resolution on the Party’s history. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China: “Courage in self-revolution is the distinctive mark that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties.” [4]4 From Xi Jinping’s speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC on July 1, 2021. One of the Party’s historical experiences summarized in the “Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century” adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC is “persisting in self-revolution,” and “courage in self-revolution is the distinctive mark that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties.” [5]5 The resolution was adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee in November 2021. Self-revolution means strengthening the bones and nourishing the body, detoxifying and sterilizing, cutting off one’s own wrist to save the body, removing decay and regenerating flesh, continuously eliminating viruses that erode the Party’s healthy organism, constantly improving its own immunity, and preventing the ruin of the state and the fall of the government. Courage in self-revolution is the organic unity of the unique spiritual attributes and behavioral traits of a Marxist political party.

马克思主义政党发展壮大的生命力在于自我革命，马克思主义政党长期执政的赓续力在于自我革命。跳出历史周期率问题，是关系党千秋伟业的一个重大问题，关系党的生死存亡，关系我国社会主义制度的兴衰成败。毛泽东曾在延安的窑洞里给出了跳出历史周期率的第一个答案，即“让人民来监督政府”。经过党的百余年奋斗特别是党的十八大以来的理论创新和实践创新，以习近平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人又给出了跳出历史周期率的第二个答案，即“自我革命”。习近平总书记在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年的大会上指出：“勇于自我革命是中国共产党区别于其他政党的显著标志。”党的十九届六中全会通过的《中共中央关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》所总结的党的历史经验之一，就是“坚持自我革命”，“勇于自我革命是中国共产党区别于其他政党的显著标志”。自我革命，就是补钙壮骨、排毒杀菌、壮士断腕、去腐生肌，不断清除侵蚀党的健康肌体的病毒，不断提高自身免疫力，防止人亡政息。勇于自我革命，是马克思主义政党特有的精神属性与行为特质的有机统一。

The history of the international communist movement shows that an advanced Marxist political party is not born naturally but is forged through continuous self-revolution. The history of the Communist Party of China shows that the fundamental reason why the Communist Party of China was able to stand out from repeated contests among various political forces, become the backbone of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation, and always stay at the forefront of the times lies in its courage in self-revolution. With the courage of self-revolution, the Communist Party of China continuously carries forward the spirit of self-revolution, maintains the determination for self-revolution, and constantly enhances its abilities for self-purification, self-improvement, self-renovation, and self-enhancement. It has repeatedly taken up the “scalpel” to excise its own “diseases,” forging itself into the core force leading our cause. Courage in self-revolution has thus become the most distinctive quality and the greatest strength of the Communist Party of China, and the distinctive mark that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties.

国际共产主义运动的历史表明，先进的马克思主义政党不是天生的，而是在不断自我革命中淬炼而成的。中国共产党的历史表明，中国共产党之所以能够在各种政治力量的反复较量中脱颖而出，成为中国人民和中华民族的主心骨，并始终走在时代前列，根本在于勇于自我革命。中国共产党以自我革命的勇气，不断发扬自我革命精神、保持自我革命定力，不断增强自我净化、自我完善、自我革新、自我提高的能力，一次次拿起“手术刀”革除自身的“病症”，把自己锻造成为领导我们事业的核心力量。勇于自我革命由此成为中国共产党最鲜明的品格、最大的优势，成为中国共产党区别于其他政党的显著标志。

The contextual direction of courage in self-revolution is the Party’s own construction, which is the essence of understanding it as a “distinctive mark” that distinguishes it from other political parties. “Its beginning was simple, but its end will be great.” [6]6 A classical Chinese saying from the Zhuangzi, often used to describe how great undertakings begin modestly but end with immense significance. In over one hundred years of continuous development, the Communist Party of China has become a truly century-old major party in the world, possessing the world’s largest membership and primary-level Party organizations, and has undergone a historic transformation from exercising power locally to exercising power nationwide and then to long-term governance. “A major party must have the bearing of a major party,” but being large also has its difficulties. Today, proceeding from its historical position, the missions and tasks it shoulders, and the complex environment it faces, the Chinese Communists in the New Era profoundly recognize that the tests of governance, reform and opening up, the market economy, and the external environment will persist for a long time, and the dangers of mental slackness, insufficient capability, detachment from the masses, and passive corruption will persist for a long time. To always win the support of the people and consolidate its long-term governing position, the Party must always maintain the sobriety and determination to solve the unique problems of a major party. The specific content of the unique problems of a major party includes: how to always remain true to the original aspiration and keep the founding mission firmly in mind, how to always unify thought, will, and action, how to always possess strong governing capacity and leadership level, how to always maintain the spirit of entrepreneurship and dedication, how to always be able to promptly discover and solve one’s own problems, and how to always maintain a clean and upright political ecosystem. [7]7 These six “unique problems of a major party” were systematically outlined by Xi Jinping in a speech at the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in January 2023. To solve these problems, it is necessary to persist in comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, carry the Party’s great self-revolution through to the end, ensure that the Party never deteriorates, never changes its color, and never changes its flavor, and transform the Party from the world’s largest political party into the world’s strongest political party and the strongest Marxist ruling party. Comprehensive and strict governance of the Party is the great practice of the Party’s self-revolution in the New Era, the only way for the Party to forever maintain its vitality and vitality and successfully embark on the new journey of the examination, and it has opened up a new realm of self-revolution for a century-old major party. [8]8 The “new journey of the examination” (新的赶考之路) is a metaphor derived from Mao Zedong’s 1949 remark about entering Beijing to “take the examination” of governance, revived

勇于自我革命的语境指向是党的自身建设，这是理解其作为区别于其他政党的“显著标志”的要义之所在。“其作始也简，其将毕也必巨。”在百余年不断发展中，中国共产党已经成为名副其实的世界百年大党，拥有世界上规模最大的党员队伍、党的基层组织，经历了从局部执政到在全国范围执政再到长期执政的历史性转变。“大就要有大的样子”，但大也有大的难处。当今，从所处的历史方位、肩负的使命任务、面临的复杂环境出发，新时代中国共产党人深刻认识到，党面临的执政考验、改革开放考验、市场经济考验、外部环境考验将长期存在，精神懈怠危险、能力不足危险、脱离群众危险、消极腐败危险将长期存在。而要始终赢得人民拥护、巩固长期执政地位，就必须时刻保持解决大党独有难题的清醒和坚定。大党独有难题的具体内容，包括如何始终不忘初心、牢记使命，如何始终统一思想、统一意志、统一行动，如何始终具备强大的执政能力和领导水平，如何始终保持干事创业精神状态，如何始终能够及时发现和解决自身存在的问题，如何始终保持风清气正的政治生态。要解决这些难题，就必须坚持全面从严治党，把党的伟大自我革命进行到底，确保党永远不变质、不变色、不变味，使党从世界上规模最大的政党变成世界上最强大的政党、最强大的马克思主义执政党。全面从严治党是新时代党的自我革命的伟大实践，是党永葆生机活力、走好新的赶考之路的必由之路，开辟了百年大党自我革命的新境界。

(II) The Revelation of the Party’s Essence: Always Standing Firmly on the Side of the People Is the Party’s Distinctive Mark

（二）政党本质昭示：始终站稳人民立场是党的显著标志

The question of for whom and by whom is the touchstone for testing the nature of a political party and a political regime. From the perspective of historical materialism, the people are both the creators of history and its witnesses, both the “actors in the drama” of history and its “playwrights.” In the lexicon of Chinese Communists, the word “people” carries immense weight. The constant cognition of Chinese Communists in the New Era is that the country is the people, and the people are the country. [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Training Course for Young and Middle-Aged Cadres at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance)” (March 1, 2019), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works*, vol. 3 (Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2024), p. 519. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “The people’s standpoint is the fundamental political standpoint of the Communist Party of China, and it is the distinctive mark that distinguishes a Marxist political party from other political parties.” The contextual orientation of the people’s standpoint is that the foundation of the Communist Party of China lies in the people, its lifeblood lies in the people, and its strength lies in the people. Chinese Communists have always adhered to the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly. Based on this standpoint and purpose, all the struggles, sacrifices, and creations made by the Communist Party of China uniting and leading the people over the past century have been to fulfill the original aspiration and founding mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.

为什么人、靠什么人的问题，是检验一个政党、一个政权性质的试金石。在历史唯物主义的视域中，人民既是历史的创造者，也是历史的见证者，既是历史的“剧中人”，也是历史的“剧作者”。在中国共产党人的词典里，“人民”二字重若千钧。新时代中国共产党人的恒定认知是，江山就是人民，人民就是江山。习近平总书记指出：“人民立场是中国共产党的根本政治立场，是马克思主义政党区别于其他政党的显著标志。”人民立场的语境指向是中国共产党的根基在人民、血脉在人民、力量在人民。中国共产党人始终坚守全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨。基于这一立场和宗旨，百余年来中国共产党团结带领人民进行的一切奋斗、一切牺牲、一切创造，都是在践行为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴的初心使命。

Taking a firm people’s standpoint, always being with the people, and striving for the interests of the people are the fundamental differences between a Marxist political party and other political parties. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has repeatedly emphasized taking a firm people’s standpoint and has innovatively put forward discourses such as people-centered, putting the people first, and the people are the country, which are clear expressions of taking a firm people’s standpoint. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “What the people

站稳人民立场、始终同人民在一起、为人民利益而奋斗，是马克思主义政党同其他政党的根本区别。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央反复强调站稳人民立场，并创新性地提出坚持以人民为中心、人民至上、人民江山等话语，这是对站稳人民立场的鲜明表达。习近平总书记指出：“民之所忧，我必念之；民之所盼，我必行之。”这深刻体现了新时代人民领袖把人民放在心中最高位置的崇高境界。新时代，中国共产党一再强调，始终同人民想在一起、干在一起，“有盐同咸、无盐同淡”，努力为人民创造更美好、更幸福的生活；人民是党的工作的最高裁决者和最终评判者；党的最大政治优势是密切联系群众，党执政后的最大危险是脱离群众；努力让人民群众的获得感成色更足、幸福感更可持续、安全感更有保障；等等。一句话，“为民造福是最大政绩”。中国共产党公开宣称并切实践行的理念是：作为马克思主义政党，“中国共产党始终代表最广大人民根本利益，与人民休戚与共、生死相依，没有任何自己特殊的利益，从来不代表任何利益集团、任何权势团体、任何特权阶层的利益”，“在任何时候都把群众利益放在第一位”。党与人民群众同呼吸共命运的立场不能变，全心全意为人民服务的宗旨不能忘，坚信群众是真正英雄的历史唯物主义观点不能丢。由此，在世界政党政治图景中，中国共产党以“站稳人民立场”的政治品格形塑了区别于其他政党的显著标志。

(3) Summing Up Party Experience: Carrying Forward the Party’s Glorious Traditions and Fine Conduct Is a Distinctive Mark of the Party

（三）政党经验总结：弘扬党的光荣传统和优良作风是党的显著标志

The glorious traditions and fine conduct of the Communist Party of China are the distinctive qualities, noble sentiments, and positive mental outlook gradually formed in the historical process of revolution, construction, and reform, as well as the great achievements attained and valuable experience accumulated, such as loyalty to the Party, integrating theory with practice, maintaining close ties with the masses, engaging in self-criticism, daring to struggle, and working hard. Whether in the past, present, or future, the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct are a spiritual treasure that inspires us to fear no difficulties and forge ahead courageously. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “These glorious traditions and fine conduct are the concentrated embodiment of our Party’s nature and purpose, and they are the distinctive mark that distinguishes our Party from other political parties.” [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Training Course for Young and Middle-Aged Cadres at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance)” (March 1, 2019), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works*, vol. 3 (Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2024), p. 519. Carrying forward these glorious traditions and fine conduct is not only an inheritance of history but also a responsibility in the present and a commitment to the future.

中国共产党的光荣传统和优良作风，是在革命、建设和改革的历史进程中，逐步形成的独特品质、高尚情操和积极的精神面貌以及取得的伟大成就、积累的宝贵经验，诸如对党忠诚、理论联系实际、密切联系群众、勇于自我批评、敢于斗争、艰苦奋斗等。不论过去、现在还是将来，党的光荣传统和优良作风都是激励我们不畏艰难、勇往直前的精神财富。习近平总书记指出：“这些光荣传统和优良作风是我们党性质和宗旨的集中体现，是我们党区别于其他政党的显著标志。”弘扬这些光荣传统和优良作风，既是对历史的传承，也是现实的担当，更是对未来的责任。

The Party’s fine conduct is the concentrated embodiment of its glorious traditions. The Party’s conduct is related to its image, to popular support, and to the Party’s very survival. The Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct have not come easily; they are the result of the combined effect of ideological education and binding control. In confronting the prominent problems in the construction of the Party’s conduct, on the one hand, it is necessary to continuously strengthen education on the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct, especially through intra-Party centralized education, to help Party cadres form correct ideological cognition, build an ideological dam against corruption and degeneration, more firmly remember the original aspiration, and better fulfill the mission; on the other hand, it is necessary to vigorously carry forward the spirit of great struggle, resolutely oppose the thinking and phenomena of privilege, and in particular, persistently advance the anti-corruption struggle, eradicate the soil that breeds unhealthy tendencies, and reshape a political ecology of clean and upright governance. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has started by formulating and implementing the Eight-Point Regulations [10]10 The Eight-Point Regulations are a set of rules on improving Party and government conduct issued by the CPC Central Committee in December 2012, targeting formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance. to break new ground, making institutional provisions for strengthening the construction of the Party’s conduct, curbing some unhealthy practices that had long gone unchecked, and correcting some deep-seated problems that had persisted for years. At the same time, the Party Central Committee has precisely portrayed the formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance that exist within the Party, especially resolutely opposing formalism and bureaucratism and regarding them as great enemies of the Party and the people, clearly putting forward the important thesis that the construction of the Party’s conduct is always on the way, demonstrating the Party Central Committee’s determination and confidence in strengthening the construction of the Party’s conduct. Carrying forward the fine tradition of conducting research and investigation is an important path for solving the problems faced in the New Era and the new journey. In March 2023, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee issued the “Work Plan on Vigorously Promoting Research and Investigation Throughout the Party,” emphasizing the need to keep pace with the times in conducting research and investigation work. From after the 2025 National Two Sessions [11]11 The National Two Sessions refer to the annual plenary meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), typically held in March. to July, the whole Party will carry out education and study on thoroughly implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations, aiming to promote the normalization and long-term effectiveness of conduct construction, use new achievements in conduct construction to promote the maintenance of the Party’s advanced nature and purity, continuously win the trust and support of the people, and provide a strong guarantee for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization. Persevering without letup, making unremitting efforts, leaving a mark on the stone and a print on the iron [12]12 “Leaving a mark on the stone and a print on the iron” is a Chinese idiom meaning to act with firm resolve and tangible results., carrying forward the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct and integrating them into the Party’s practice of governing the country in the New Era, is the distinctive mark that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties.

党的优良作风是党的光荣传统的集中体现，党的作风关系党的形象，关系人心向背，关系党的生死存亡。党的光荣传统和优良作风来之不易，是思想教育和约束管控共同起作用的结果。直面党的作风建设存在的突出问题，一方面，要不断加强党的光荣传统和优良作风教育，特别是以党内集中教育的方式，帮助党员干部形成正确的思想认知，构筑拒腐防变的思想堤坝，更牢地铭记初心、更好地践行使命；另一方面，要着力发扬伟大斗争精神，坚决反对特权思想和特权现象，特别是驰而不息推进反腐败斗争，铲除滋生不正之风的土壤，重塑风清气正的政治生态。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央从制定和落实中央八项规定开局破题，对加强党的作风建设作出制度性规定，刹住了一些长期没有刹住的歪风，纠治了一些多年未除的顽瘴痼疾。同时，党中央为党内存在的形式主义、官僚主义、享乐主义和奢靡之风精准画像，特别是坚决反对形式主义、官僚主义并将其视之为党的大敌、人民的大敌，明确提出党的作风建设永远在路上的重要论断，展现了党中央加强党的作风建设的决心和信心。弘扬做好调查研究的优良传统，是解决新时代新征程所面临问题的重要路径。2023年3月，中共中央办公厅印发《关于在全党大兴调查研究的工作方案》，强调必须与时俱进做好调查研究工作。2025年全国两会后至7月，全党开展深入贯彻中央八项规定精神学习教育，旨在推进作风建设常态化长效化，以作风建设新成效推动保持党的先进性和纯洁性、不断赢得人民群众信任和拥护，为进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化提供有力保障。锲而不舍、久久为功，踏石留印、抓铁有痕，把党的光荣传统和优良作风弘扬好并融入党治国理政的新时代实践，是中国共产党区别于其他政党的显著标志。

(4) Expressing the Party’s Mission: Self-Revolution Leading Social Revolution Is a Distinctive Mark of the Party

（四）政党使命表达：自我革命引领社会革命是党的显著标志

As a long-term ruling Marxist political party, the Communist Party of China carries out self-revolution while deeply advancing social revolution, and leads social revolution with the Party’s self-revolution. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Looking back on the forty-year history of reform and opening up, we can clearly see that continuously carrying out self-revolution while carrying out social revolution is the most distinctive mark that distinguishes our Party from other political parties, and it is also the key to our Party’s continuous progress from victory to new victories.” [13]13 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up” (December 18, 2018), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works*, vol. 2 (Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2023), p. 307. The expression of “distinctive mark” here still uses “distinguishing from other political parties” as the discourse prefix, and uses the word “most” to indicate the degree of “distinctiveness,” which emphatically highlights the importance of the Communist Party of China in the New Era using self-revolution to lead social revolution, and is an important aspect of understanding the discourse connotation of the Party’s “distinctive mark.”

作为长期执政的马克思主义政党，中国共产党在深入推进社会革命的同时进行自我革命，并以党的自我革命引领社会革命。习近平总书记指出：“回顾改革开放四十年的历程，我们可以清楚地看到，在进行社会革命的同时不断进行自我革命，是我们党区别于其他政党最显著的标志，也是我们党不断从胜利走向新的胜利的关键所在。”此处关于“显著标志”的表述，依然是用区别于其他政党作为话语前缀，并以“最”字来表示“显著”的程度，这着重强调了新时代中国共产党以自我革命引领社会革命的重要性，是理解党的“显著标志”话语意涵的重要方面。

From the day of its founding, the Communist Party of China inscribed social revolution on its banner. The Party’s First Program solemnly proposed “and recognizes that the fundamental political purpose of the Party is to carry out social revolution” and that “the aim of the Communists is to create a new society in accordance with the ideal of the Communists.” [14]14 The First Program of the CPC was adopted at the Party’s First National Congress in 1921. The quoted text is from the English translation of the program. In the “Preface” to *A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy*, Marx pointed out: “At a certain stage of development, the material productive forces of society come into conflict with the existing relations of production or—this merely expresses the same thing in legal terms—with the property relations within the framework of which they have operated hitherto. From forms of development of the productive forces these relations turn into their fetters. Then begins an era of social revolution.” [15]15 Karl Marx, “Preface” to *A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy* (1859). The translation follows the standard English edition. The New Democratic Revolution was a great social revolution led by the Party, the socialist revolution and construction was a great social revolution led by the Party, reform and opening up was a great social revolution led by the Party, and unswervingly advancing Chinese-path modernization remains a great social revolution led by the Party. All these social revolutions have greatly changed the face of the country and society, also greatly improved the people’s living standards, and played a significant role in promoting social progress. The success of all these social revolutions is inseparable from the Party’s self-revolution. However, for a social revolution to achieve final victory, it is not accomplished overnight; rather, it requires unswervingly advancing the Party’s self-revolution, injecting more deterministic factors into advancing the social revolution. Practice shows that the Party’s self-revolution is the fundamental basis for the successful conduct of social revolution. By carrying out the Party’s self-revolution, maintaining the health of the Party’s organism, better playing the Party’s role as the leadership core, leveraging the Party’s organizational advantages and the vanguard and exemplary role of Party members, political guarantees and organizational safeguards are provided for advancing the social revolution.

从诞生之日起，中国共产党就把进行社会革命写在自己的旗帜上。党的一大纲领郑重提出“并承认党的根本政治目的是实行社会革命”，“共产主义者的目的是要按照共产主义者的理想，创造一个新的社会”。马克思在《政治经济学批判》“序言”中指出：“社会的物质生产力发展到一定阶段，便同它们一直在其中运动的现存生产关系或财产关系（这只是生产关系的法律用语）发生矛盾。于是这些关系便由生产力的发展形式变成生产力的桎梏。那时社会革命的时代就到来了。”新民主主义革命是党领导的伟大社会革命，社会主义革命和建设是党领导的伟大社会革命，改革开放是党领导的伟大社会革命，坚定不移推进中国式现代化仍是党领导的伟大社会革命。所有这些社会革命，都极大地改变了国家和社会面貌，也极大地改善了人民的生活水平，起到了推动社会进步的重要意义。所有这些社会革命的成功都离不开党的自我革命。但是，一场社会革命要取得最终胜利并非一蹴而就，而是需要坚定不移推进党的自我革命，为推进社会革命注入更多确定性因素。实践表明，党的自我革命是社会革命成功进行的根本所在。通过进行党的自我革命，维系党的肌体健康，更好地发挥党的领导核心作用、发挥党的组织优势以及党员先锋模范作用，为推进社会革命提供政治保证和组织保障。

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Communist Party of China has continued, while carrying out social revolution, to emphasize leading social revolution through self-revolution, issuing a general mobilization to the entire Party and the whole country for building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation, and clearly stating that Chinese-path modernization is the broad road to building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation. It is precisely in this sense that the Party’s courage in self-revolution and its continuous self-revolution while carrying out social revolution constitute the expression of the mission of the Communist Party of China in the New Era, and also the distinctive mark that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties.

党的十八大以来，中国共产党继续在进行社会革命的同时强调以自我革命引领社会革命，向全党全国发起了强国建设、民族复兴的总动员，并明确提出中国式现代化是强国建设、民族复兴的康庄大道。正是在这个意义上，党勇于自我革命、在进行社会革命的同时不断进行自我革命，是新时代中国共产党的使命表达，也是中国共产党区别于其他政党的显著标志。

II. The Construction Mechanism of the CPC’s “Distinctive Mark” Discourse in the New Era

二、新时代中国共产党“显著标志”话语建构机理

The presentation of the Communist Party of China’s “distinctive mark” in the New Era focuses on answering the question of “what it is” from different dimensions. However, we must further answer the question of what kind of discourse construction mechanism the “distinctive mark” follows as an important component of the Party’s theoretical construction and theoretical innovation discourse system in the New Era, thereby achieving the goal of understanding and clarifying “why it is so.”

中国共产党的“显著标志”在新时代的呈现，侧重于从不同维度回答“是什么”的问题，但是，我们还要进一步回答“显著标志”作为新时代党的理论建设、理论创新话语体系的重要组成部分，它遵循着什么样的话语建构机理，从而达到弄清楚、弄明白“知其所以然”的目的。

(I) The “Distinctive Mark” Is a Comparative Concept, and Embodying the Party’s Nature Is the Foundation of Discourse Construction

（一）“显著标志”是一个对比性概念，体现党的性质是话语建构的根本

From discourse to a discourse system, it must conform to a certain matching structure, thereby achieving the purpose of modifying or regulating discourse. This is an important perspective for clarifying the mechanism of discourse construction. In the expressions of the “distinctive mark” discourse by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the prefix often uses the phrasing “distinguishing it from other political parties.” Therefore, the “distinctive mark” is a comparative concept relative to other political parties in the world, aiming to highlight our Party’s “distinctive mark” in comparison with other political parties in the world. Following this logic, the construction of the “distinctive mark” discourse needs to highlight comparability, demonstrating where its “distinctiveness” lies and the significance of its “mark” through comparison. Comparing the differences between different types of political parties, the most fundamental is to discern the differences in the nature of the political parties. In a certain sense, distinguishing the nature of a political party and the “distinctive mark” discourse is a relationship between the “root” and the “branch,” the “inner” and the “outer.” The nature of a political party is its fundamental and inherent attribute, while the “distinctive mark” discourse can change with the times and adapt to circumstances, provided it embodies the nature of the political party. Therefore, the prerequisite for constructing the “distinctive mark” discourse is to deeply understand and grasp the nature of the political party. The so-called nature of a political party refers to the inherent stipulations of a political party itself, reflecting its differences from other political parties. The Constitution of the Communist Party of China states at the very beginning: “The Communist Party of China is the vanguard of the Chinese working class, simultaneously the vanguard of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation, and the leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It represents the development demands of China’s advanced productive forces, represents the forward direction of China’s advanced culture, and represents the fundamental interests of the broadest majority of the Chinese people.” [16]16 The passage quoted is from the General Program of the Constitution of the Communist Party of China, as amended at the 20th National Congress (2022). Each sentence has its unique connotation and direction, collectively stipulating and embodying the fundamental nature of the Communist Party of China that distinguishes it from other political parties. The construction of the “distinctive mark” discourse must take this as its foundation, first deeply embodying the Party’s nature, and then advancing with the times to construct other discourses of the Party’s “distinctive mark.”

从话语到话语体系，要符合一定的匹配结构，从而达到修饰或规约话语的目的。这是厘清话语建构机理的一个重要视角。以习近平同志为核心的党中央关于“显著标志”话语的表述，其前缀语常常使用“区别于其他政党”的提法。因此，“显著标志”是一个相较于世界其他政党的对比性概念，旨在在同世界其他政党的比较中凸显我们党的“显著标志”。按照这样的逻辑，“显著标志”话语的建构需要凸显对比性，在比较中展示其“显著”之所在、其“标志”之意义。比较不同类型政党之间的差异，最根本的就是判别政党性质的差异。从一定意义上说，辨明政党的性质和“显著标志”话语就是“本”与“流”、“里”与“表”的关系。政党的性质是政党根本的、固有的属性，而“显著标志”话语可以在体现政党的性质的前提下，做到因时而变、因事而化。因此，“显著标志”话语建构的前提，就是深刻理解和把握政党的性质。所谓政党的性质，就是指一个政党本身所固有的规定，体现了它同其他政党的区别。《中国共产党章程》开宗明义：“中国共产党是中国工人阶级的先锋队，同时是中国人民和中华民族的先锋队，是中国特色社会主义事业的领导核心，代表中国先进生产力的发展要求，代表中国先进文化的前进方向，代表中国最广大人民的根本利益。”其中，每一句话都有着独特的内涵和指向，共同规定和体现了中国共产党在根本性质上区别于其他政党。“显著标志”话语的建构要以此为根本，首先深刻体现党的性质，再与时俱进建构党的“显著标志”的其他话语。

(II) The “Distinctive Mark” Is a Value Concept, and Manifesting the Party’s Purpose Is the Core of Discourse Construction

（二）“显著标志”是一个价值性概念，彰显党的宗旨是话语建构的内核

The “distinctive mark” is composed of two terms: “distinctive” and “mark.” Among them, “distinctive” more prominently highlights comparability, while “mark” refers to type characteristics and attribution, indicating a certain value or significance, showing that once the “distinctive mark” is established, it becomes the value pursuit of the political party, exerting a profound influence on the behavior of the political party. As a philosophical category, “value” possesses the highest universality and generality. Understanding the “distinctive mark” from the perspective of value helps to better grasp the essence and laws of things. On the dimension of value, the “distinctive mark” that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties is the clear answer to the question of “for whom” the Communist Party of China exists. This is the “distinctive mark” of adhering to the people’s standpoint, embodied in the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly. As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters the New Era, the principal contradiction in Chinese society has changed, the people’s aspiration for a better life has become stronger, requiring a gradual shift from solving the problem of “having or not having” to solving the problem of “good or not good” and “excellent or not excellent.” Chinese-path modernization is planned around people, and is advanced for the Chinese people. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC: “From now on, the central task of the Communist Party of China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country to comprehensively build a modern socialist country, achieve the Second Centenary Goal, and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.” [17]17 The Second Centenary Goal refers to building China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful by the middle of the 21st century, following the completion of the First Centenary Goal (building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2021). Thus, advancing Chinese-path modernization has become the most vivid practice in contemporary China. Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China. The essence of modernization is the modernization of people, and the ultimate goal of modernization is to realize the free and comprehensive development of people. The people here are not people in the abstract sense, but concrete people in reality. Therefore, as a value concept, the construction of the Communist Party of China’s “distinctive mark” in the New Era must consistently adhere to the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, forever maintain the fighting spirit of Chinese Communists, and forever maintain a pure heart for the people. This is the value core of the discourse construction of the Communist Party of China’s “distinctive mark.”

“显著标志”，是由“显著”和“标志”两个语汇组成的，其中“显著”更多的是凸显比较性，而“标志”指的是种类特征和归属，昭示的是某种价值或意义，表明“显著标志”一经确立，就成为政党的价值追求，对政党的行为产生深远的影响。作为一个哲学范畴，“价值”具有最高的普遍性和概括性。从价值的视域来认识“显著标志”，有助于更好把握事物的本质和规律。在价值的维度上，中国共产党区别于其他政党的“显著标志”，就是旗帜鲜明地回答了中国共产党“为什么人”的问题。这就是坚守人民立场的“显著标志”，并体现为全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨。中国特色社会主义进入新时代，我国社会主要矛盾发生变化，人民对美好生活的向往更加强烈，要求在解决了“有没有”之后逐步解决“好不好”“优不优”。中国式现代化，都是围绕着人谋划的，都是为了中国人民而推进的。习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中指出：“从现在起，中国共产党的中心任务就是团结带领全国各族人民全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现第二个百年奋斗目标，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。”由此，推进中国式现代化成为当代中国最生动的实践。中国式现代化是中国共产党领导的社会主义现代化。现代化的本质是人的现代化，现代化的最终目标是实现人的自由而全面发展。这里的人，不是抽象意义上的人，而是现实中的具体的人。因此，中国共产党的“显著标志”作为一个价值性概念，在新时代的建构中要一以贯之坚持全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨，永远保持中国共产党人的奋斗精神，永远保持对人民的赤子之心，这是中国共产党“显著标志”话语建构的价值内核。

(III) The “Distinctive Mark” Is a Historical Concept, and Continuing Historical Experience Is the Requirement of Discourse Construction

（三）“显著标志”是一个历史性概念，赓续历史经验是话语建构的要求

Viewed from the developmental history of the formation of the “distinctive signs” discourse, since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly used the concept of “distinctive signs” on different occasions and from different dimensions, continuously enriching its connotations and essential meanings, and promoting the “distinctive signs” discourse to gradually become an interrelated and mutually supportive discourse system. As early as the Seventh National Congress of the CPC, Mao Zedong proposed in his political report “On Coalition Government”: “Another distinctive sign distinguishing our Communists from any other political party is our closest ties with the broadest masses of the people.” [18]18 The “three mechanisms” (不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐) refer to the integrated anti-corruption strategy of deterrence (dare not), prevention (cannot), and cultivation of norms (do not want to). During this period, Mao used “distinctive sign,” and the prefix also employed “distinguishing from any other political party.” The positioning and connotation of the discourse of “distinctive sign” are basically consistent with the “distinctive signs” since the 18th National Congress of the CPC. This indicates that the “distinctive signs” discourse is a historical concept, with successive generations of Chinese Communists continuously deepening their understanding of the Party’s characteristics and further enriching and perfecting it on the basis of inheritance. For example, promoting the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct is a distinctive sign of the CPC, which also directly embodies the historicity of the “distinctive signs” discourse, with investigation and research being a typical case. Under Mao’s advocacy and personal practice, from the end of 1960 to the first half of 1961, the entire Party conducted a large-scale investigation and research campaign, achieving notable results. [19]19 The Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy (四个全面) is a strategic layout proposed by Xi Jinping, comprising comprehensively building a modern socialist country, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively governing the nation according to law, and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. In March 2023, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee issued the “Work Plan on Vigorously Promoting Investigation and Research Throughout the Party,” continuing our Party’s glorious tradition of vigorously promoting the practice of investigation and research. Another example is that the CPC has always attached great importance to the construction of its work style. The historical experience of “Yan’an work style defeating Xi’an work style” [20]20 The “historical cycle of rise and fall” (治乱兴衰历史周期率) refers to the recurring pattern in Chinese dynastic history of founding vigor, gradual decay, and eventual collapse. In 1945, the CPC leader Mao Zedong discussed with the democratic personage Huang Yanpei how the Party could avoid this cycle, a question that remains central to Party governance theory. during the New Democratic Revolution period enlightens Chinese Communists in the New Era to continue promoting the Party’s fine conduct, shaping the Party’s image and winning people’s hearts with fine conduct. History has repeatedly shown that popular support determines the survival or death of the Party. Continuing history and opening up the future constitute the rationale, theoretical basis, and philosophical principles for constructing and enriching the Party’s “distinctive signs” discourse and discourse system in the New Era.

从“显著标志”话语形成的发展史来看，党的十八大以来，习近平总书记在不同场合、从不同维度一再使用“显著标志”的概念，不断丰富其内涵和要义，推动“显著标志”话语逐渐成为相互关联、相互支撑的话语体系。早在党的七大上，毛泽东在《论联合政府》的政治报告中就提出：“我们共产党人区别于其他任何政党的又一个显著的标志，就是和最广大的人民群众取得最密切的联系。”在这一时期，毛泽东使用的是“显著的标志”，并且前缀也使用了“区别于其他任何政党”。“显著的标志”，其话语的定位、内涵与党的十八大以来的“显著标志”基本是一致的。这表明，“显著标志”话语是一个历史性概念，几代中国共产党人不断深化对党的特性的认识，在继承的基础上进一步丰富完善。例如，弘扬党的光荣传统和优良作风是中国共产党的显著标志，同样直接体现了“显著标志”话语的历史性，其中，调查研究是一个典型例证。在毛泽东的倡导并身体力行下，1960年年底至1961年上半年，全党开展了一次大规模调查研究活动，取得了显著成效。2023年3月，中共中央办公厅印发《关于在全党大兴调查研究的工作方案》，赓续了我们党大兴调查研究之风的光荣传统。再如，中国共产党一直高度重视党的作风建设，新民主主义革命时期“延安作风打败西安作风”的历史经验启示新时代中国共产党人继续弘扬党的优良作风，用优良作风塑造党的形象、赢得人心。历史一再表明，人心向背关系党的生死存亡。赓续历史、开辟未来，是建构、充盈新时代党的“显著标志”话语和话语体系的道理学理哲理。

(4) “Distinctive signs” is a concept of the times and also a developmental concept; the Party’s mission and responsibility are the ultimate purpose of discourse construction

（四）“显著标志”是一个时代性概念，同时是一个发展性概念，党的使命担当是话语建构的旨归

The “distinctive signs” discourse comes from history, but the formation of the “distinctive signs” discourse system is based on the theoretical thinking, theoretical innovation, practical innovation, and practical achievements of Chinese Communists in the New Era. The Party’s “distinctive signs” discourse in the New Era has distinct characteristics of the times and a problem-oriented approach, shaping “distinctive signs” in responding to new issues of the times, and using “distinctive signs” to highlight the Party’s main missions and tasks. In this regard, “distinctive signs” is also a developmental concept. The connotation of the “distinctive signs” discourse has been continuously elucidated. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the world situation, national conditions, and Party conditions have all undergone profound changes. The world today is experiencing changes unseen in a century, and China is at a critical period for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has kept pace with the times, proposing to solve

“显著标志”话语是从历史中走来的，但形成“显著标志”话语体系却是基于中国共产党人在新时代的理论思考、理论创新和实践创新、实践成就。新时代党的“显著标志”话语具有鲜明的时代特征、问题导向，在回应新的时代问题中塑造“显著标志”，并以“显著标志”来彰显党的主要使命任务。就此而论，“显著标志”又是一个发展性概念。“显著标志”话语内涵得到持续阐发。党的十八大以来，世情、国情、党情都发生了深刻的变化，当今世界正经历百年未有之大变局，我国正处于实现中华民族伟大复兴的关键时期。以习近平同志为核心的党中央与时俱进提出要解决好这个时代面临的重大课题，这也是中国共产党在新时代必须要交出的新答卷。例如，勇于自我革命主要是回答新时代如何管党治党的问题，始终站稳人民立场主要是回答新时代为什么人的问题，等等。对这些问题的回答，不仅彰显了党的理论成熟和政治自信，而且还为如何实现新时代中国共产党的使命任务指明了具体方向。另外，从“显著标志”话语建构的机理来看，“显著标志”中的“显著”强调多样性、发展性，而非单一性，折射出“显著标志”话语内涵的丰富性，而不是只局限于某一个方面。并且，“显著标志”话语的建构是一个与时俱进的过程，总是能够结合中国共产党治国理政的实践呈现出新的内涵表达，彰显党的性质、宗旨和使命。以上表明，“显著标志”话语进一步体现了中国共产党对共产党执政规律、社会主义建设规律、人类社会发展规律认识的深化。

III. The Laws Governing the Construction of the CPC’s “Distinctive Symbols” Discourse in the New Era

三、新时代中国共产党“显著标志”话语建构规律

Laws are the inherent, necessary, and stable connections inherent in the development of things; they are the basis for people to understand the world and the guide for transforming it. Although the “distinctive symbols” discourse has different content expressions and modes of presentation, it also exhibits some common laws. These are mainly reflected in the “distinctive symbols” discourse focusing on the requirements of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, adhering to the application of historical materialism, and emphasizing the exertion of subjective initiative.

规律是事物发展中所固有的本质的、必然的、稳定的联系，是人们认识世界的依据和改造世界的遵循。“显著标志”话语虽然有着不同的内容表达和呈现方式，但也有着一些共性的规律，这主要体现于“显著标志”话语聚焦全面从严治党的要求、坚持运用唯物史观以及重视主观能动性的发挥。

(1) The “Distinctive Symbols” Discourse Embodies the Requirements of Comprehensive and Strict Governance of the Party

（一）“显著标志”话语体现了全面从严治党的要求

Within the “distinctive symbols” discourse system, the discourse on daring to engage in self-revolution profoundly embodies the strategic deployment of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party in the New Era, while the discourse on carrying forward the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct reflects the specific requirements of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party in the New Era from different aspects. Practice shows that in comprehensively building a modern socialist country and achieving the goals and tasks of the new journey in the New Era, the key lies in the Party, and the key lies in comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. Only by truly tightening and consolidating the responsibility for managing and governing the Party can the Party’s core leadership role be better exerted, providing a strong political guarantee for the great cause of building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has unswervingly advanced comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, intensively rectifying Party conduct and government conduct, and integrally promoting the mechanisms for ensuring that officials dare not, cannot, and do not want to engage in corruption [18]18 The “three mechanisms” (不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐) refer to the integrated anti-corruption strategy of deterrence (dare not), prevention (cannot), and cultivation of norms (do not want to).. This has fundamentally reversed the lax and soft state of managing and governing the Party, effectively purified the political ecosystem within the Party, and brought a new atmosphere to managing and governing the Party. From a political positioning perspective, comprehensive and strict governance of the Party is a component of the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy [19]19 The Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy (四个全面) is a strategic layout proposed by Xi Jinping, comprising comprehensively building a modern socialist country, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively governing the nation according to law, and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party.. The positioning of the strategic layout determines that comprehensive and strict governance of the Party is a fundamental, leading, and long-term strategic measure for managing and governing the Party, and determines that all aspects of managing and governing the Party must revolve around comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. In order to deeply advance comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, it is necessary to dare to engage in self-revolution, carry forward the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct, and continuously improve the quality of Party building. The daring to engage in self-revolution and the carrying forward of the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct within the “distinctive symbols” discourse are constructed based on the strategic layout of advancing comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, with the aim of deepening comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. Therefore, the construction of the “distinctive symbols” discourse must be correctly grasped within the practical requirements of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. Only in this way can the motivations, basis, goals, and requirements of the construction of the “distinctive symbols” discourse be clarified, forming a regular understanding of the “distinctive symbols” discourse.

在“显著标志”话语体系中，勇于自我革命话语深刻体现了新时代全面从严治党的战略部署，弘扬党的光荣传统和优良作风话语从不同方面体现了新时代全面从严治党的具体要求。实践表明，全面建设社会主义现代化国家，实现新时代新征程各项目标任务，关键在党，关键在全面从严治党。只有真正压紧压实管党治党的责任，才能更好地发挥党的领导核心作用，为强国建设、民族复兴伟业提供强有力的政治保证。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚定不移地推进全面从严治党，集中整饬党风政风，一体推进不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐，从根本上扭转了管党治党宽松软状况，有效净化党内政治生态，使管党治党展现出新气象。从政治定位来看，全面从严治党是“四个全面”战略布局的组成部分。战略布局定位，决定了全面从严治党是基础性、引领性和长期性的管党治党战略举措，决定了管党治党各个方面都要围绕全面从严治党而展开。为了深入推进全面从严治党，就必须勇于进行自我革命、弘扬党的光荣传统和优良作风，不断提高党的建设质量。“显著标志”话语中的勇于自我革命、弘扬党的光荣传统和优良作风，是立足于推进全面从严治党的战略布局而建构的，目的是将全面从严治党引向纵深。因此，对“显著标志”话语的建构，要置于全面从严治党的实践要求中予以正确把握，只有这样，才能明晰“显著标志”话语建构的动因、依据、目标和要求等，形成对“显著标志”话语的规律性认识。

(2) The “Distinctive Symbols” Discourse is a Model of Adhering to and Applying Historical Materialism

（二）“显著标志”话语是坚持运用唯物史观的典范

In each historical period of revolution, construction, and reform, the Communist Party of China has applied historical materialism to systematically, concretely, and historically analyze Chinese social movements and their laws of development, continuously grasping and actively applying laws in the process of understanding and transforming the world, thereby driving the cause of the Party and the people to one victory after another. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “Historical materialism is the fundamental method for us Communists to understand and grasp history.” [20]20 The “historical cycle of rise and fall” (治乱兴衰历史周期率) refers to the recurring pattern in Chinese dynastic history of founding vigor, gradual decay, and eventual collapse. In 1945, the CPC leader Mao Zedong discussed with the democratic personage Huang Yanpei how the Party could avoid this cycle, a question that remains central to Party governance theory. An extremely important issue in historical materialism is how to understand the role of the masses in history. Historical materialism respects the principal position of the people and acknowledges the principal role of the masses in creating history. In the Party’s discourse system of “distinctive signs,” taking a firm stand with the people as a “distinctive sign” of the Party is the most direct embodiment of adhering to and applying historical materialism. The Communist Party of China takes a firm stand with the people as a “distinctive sign” of the Party; its “emphasis” lies in firmly believing that the masses are the fundamental force driving history, its “key” lies in uniting the masses, and its “purpose” lies in winning people’s hearts, thereby drawing strength to create the future and forging a magnificent history. In the Party’s discourse system of “distinctive signs,” daring to engage in self-revolution and promoting the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct are not directly expressions of taking a firm stand with the people. However, in essence, they aim to enable the Communist Party of China to better realize, represent, and safeguard the fundamental interests of the masses. The Communist Party of China was born for the people, thrives because of the people, always stands with the people, always adheres to a people-centered approach, and always maintains flesh-and-blood ties with the masses—this is the basic principle and law of historical materialism embodied in this “distinctive sign” discourse.

在革命、建设、改革各个历史时期，中国共产党运用唯物史观系统、具体、历史地分析中国社会运动及其发展规律，在认识世界和改造世界过程中不断把握规律、积极运用规律，推动党和人民事业取得了一个又一个胜利。习近平总书记指出：“唯物史观是我们共产党人认识把握历史的根本方法。”唯物史观的极重要问题就是如何认识人民群众在历史上的作用。唯物史观尊重人民的主体地位，承认人民群众创造历史的主体作用。在党的“显著标志”话语体系中，将站稳人民立场作为党的“显著标志”话语是坚持和运用唯物史观的最直接体现。中国共产党将站稳人民立场作为党的“显著标志”，“重”在坚信人民群众是创造历史的根本动力，“要”在团结人民群众，“旨”在赢得人心，从而汲取开创未来的力量、创造波澜壮阔的历史。在党的“显著标志”话语体系中，勇于自我革命、弘扬党的光荣传统和优良作风虽然不是直接表达站稳人民立场的话语。但是，从本质上说，它们是为了使中国共产党能够更好地实现好、代表好和维护好人民群众的根本利益。中国共产党为人民而生，因人民而兴，始终与人民站在一起，始终坚持以人民为中心，始终同人民群众保持血肉联系，是这一“显著标志”话语所体现的唯物史观的基本原理和规律。

(III) The “Distinctive Signs” Discourse Emphasizes the Exertion of Individual Subjective Initiative

（三）“显著标志”话语重视个体主观能动性的发挥

In the practice of governance, the Communist Party of China attaches great importance to the exertion of individual subjective initiative. This is because the “distinctive signs” discourse is simultaneously constructed for concrete individuals facing reality. In the theory and practice of the Communist Party of China, people are the most critical and active factor; the historical initiative spirit of every Party member should always be highly valued, and through them, the Party’s “distinctive signs” should be transformed into individual conscious practice. The common law of the “distinctive signs” discourse is to strive to exert the subjective initiative of individual Party members. The Party’s strength comes from organization; the improvement of organizational cohesion and combat effectiveness depends on the exertion of individual Party members’ subjective initiative. From the perspective of the “distinctive signs” discourse, daring to engage in self-revolution inherently requires shaping the self-revolutionary spirit of individual Party members, prompting every Party member to exercise strict self-discipline and promote the actual process of the Party’s self-revolution through their own practical actions. The Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct are also concretely embodied in the work and life of individual Party members. Only when all Party members can, with a strong sense of mission, share the Party’s concerns and do practical things for the people can the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct be demonstrated in concrete practice. In the practice of leading social revolution through self-revolution, it is also necessary to attach great importance to the exertion of individual subjective initiative, focus on the heavy and difficult issues in social revolution, bravely take the lead in social revolution, dare to tackle tough problems, and carry the social revolution through to the end. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: “All comrades in the Party must strengthen their Party consciousness, always place the Party at the highest position in their hearts, remember that their first identity is a Communist Party member, and their first duty is to work for the Party, achieving loyalty to the organization and being of one mind with the Party at all times.” [21]21 “Meeting the test” (赶考) is a metaphor drawn from the imperial examination system, famously used by Mao Zedong in 1949 when the CPC was about to take national power, likening the Party’s governance to a new examination. The “new spirit of meeting the test” refers to the Party’s continued vigilance and self-examination in the New Era. The Party’s “distinctive signs” discourse is an embodiment of Party consciousness. Party members are the cells of the Party organization and the main source of the Party’s cadre ranks. To transform Party consciousness into the conscious actions of individual Party members, it is necessary to attach importance to the exertion of individual Party members’ subjective initiative. Therefore, in the construction process of the “distinctive signs” discourse, focusing on exerting individual Party members’ subjective initiative and their vanguard and exemplary role transforms the Party consciousness carried by the Party’s “distinctive signs” into the conscious actions of Party members, thereby truly implementing the Party’s “distinctive signs” in practice.

在治国理政的实践中，中国共产党高度重视个体主观能动性的发挥，这是因为，“显著标志”话语同时是面向现实的、具体的个人而建构的。在中国共产党的理论与实践中，人是最关键、最活跃因素，应该始终高度重视发挥每一名共产党员的历史主动精神，并通过他们将中国共产党的“显著标志”转化为个体的自觉实践。“显著标志”话语的共性规律，就是致力于发挥党员个体的主观能动性。党的力量来源于组织，组织的凝聚力、战斗力的提升依赖于党员个体的主观能动性发挥。从“显著标志”话语来说，勇于进行自我革命内在地要求塑造党员个体的自我革命精神，促使每一名党员都能够做到严格自我约束，以自身的实际行动来推动全党的自我革命的实际进程。党的光荣传统和优良作风，同样具体体现在党员个体的工作和生活中。只有全体党员都能以强烈的使命意识为党分忧、为民办实事，才能在具体的实践中展现出党的光荣传统和优良作风。在以自我革命引领社会革命的实践中，也需要高度重视个体主观能动性的发挥，聚焦社会革命中的重、难点问题，在社会革命中勇担先锋，敢于啃硬骨头，将社会革命进行到底。习近平总书记强调：“全党同志要强化党的意识，始终把党放在心中最高位置，牢记自己的第一身份是共产党员，第一职责是为党工作，做到忠诚于组织，任何时候都与党同心同德。”党的“显著标志”话语是党的意识的体现。党员是党组织的细胞，是党的干部队伍的主要来源，党的意识要转化为党员个体的自觉行动，就必须要重视党员个体主观能动性的发挥。因此，在“显著标志”话语的建构过程中，聚焦发挥党员个体主观能动性以及发挥党员先锋模范作用，将党的“显著标志”所承载的党的意识转化为党员的自觉行动，进而将党的“显著标志”真正落到实处。

IV. The Release of the Efficacy of the CPC’s “Distinctive Signs” Discourse in the New Era

四、新时代中国共产党“显著标志”话语效能释放

Discourse possesses a magical and powerful force. Discourse originates from practice and in turn has an important guiding and driving role for practice. The CPC’s “distinctive signs” discourse in the New Era is a revelation of the Party’s faith, its theoretical propositions, and its action declarations, possessing significant functions and efficacy. The “distinctive signs” discourse helps to form consensus in ideological cognition, widely carry out organizational mobilization, consolidate the foundation for long-term governance, enhance the recognition of the Party’s political culture, and improve the Party’s soft power, collectively constituting the comprehensive strength and powerful influence of the Communist Party of China as a Marxist ruling party.

话语具有神奇而强大的力量。话语来源于实践又对实践具有重要的引领和推动作用。新时代中国共产党“显著标志”话语是党的信仰昭示、理念主张以及行动宣言，具有显著的功能和效能。“显著标志”话语有助于形成思想认知共识、广泛开展组织动员、夯实长期执政基础、增进政党文化识别、提升政党软实力，共同构成中国共产党作为马克思主义执政党的综合实力和强大影响力。

(I) The “Distinctive Signs” Discourse Possesses a Cohesive Efficacy, Helping to Form Consensus in Ideological Cognition

（一）“显著标志”话语具有凝聚效能，有助于形成思想认知共识

Using innovative signature discourse to consolidate the Party’s ideological consensus, thereby transforming it into a powerful driving force for Party building and social development, is an important experience of the Communist Party of China in governing the Party and leading revolution, construction, and reform. The Party’s “distinctive signs” discourse in the New Era is a vivid portrayal of this. The “distinctive signs” discourse is an important component of the innovative discourse system of Party building in the New Era, characterized by being concise yet essential. It plays an important role in forming a unified force in ideological cognition. On the one hand, it plays a role in consolidating the ideological consensus on strengthening Party building. The Party’s “distinctive signs” discourse in the New Era actually sets different requirements for Party building, manifested in aspects such as the relationship between the Party and the people, the Party itself, the Party and history, and the Party and society, with the common goal of making the Party stronger and more powerful. General Secretary Xi Jinping demands: “Unswervingly enforce comprehensive and strict governance

以标识性话语创新来凝聚全党的思想共识，从而转化为党的建设和推动社会发展的强劲动力，是中国共产党管党治党和领导革命、建设和改革的一条重要经验。新时代党的“显著标志”话语便是生动写照。“显著标志”话语是新时代党的建设创新话语体系的重要组成部分，呈现出少而精的特点。它起到了形成思想认知合力的重要作用。一方面，它起到了凝聚加强党的建设的思想共识的作用。新时代党的“显著标志”话语，实际上是对党的建设提出的不同要求，表现在政党与人民、政党自身、政党与历史、政党与社会等各方面，其共同目标是把党建设得更为坚强有力。习近平总书记要求：“坚定不移全面从严治党，深入推进新时代党的建设新的伟大工程。”从毛泽东提出党的建设伟大工程，到党的建设新的伟大工程再到新时代党的建设新的伟大工程，表明党的建设是一个长期过程，需要持续发力、久久为功。只有把党建设好，才能使我们党始终成为坚强领导核心。另一方面，它起到了凝聚起为不断满足人民对美好生活的向往而努力奋斗的思想共识。新时代党的“显著标志”话语是党的性质和宗旨的集中体现，表明中国共产党始终站稳人民立场、始终牢记初心和使命，注重在发展中保障和改善民生，不断推进社会革命，不断造福人民，让社会发展的成果更多更公平惠及全体人民。

(2) The discourse of "distinctive hallmark" possesses a mobilizational efficacy, which helps to broadly organize the masses.

（二）“显著标志”话语具有动员效能，有助于广泛开展组织群众

The discourse of the Party’s “distinctive markers” in the New Era is condensed in the present, but its discursive intent points toward the future. That is to say, the formation of “distinctive markers” is not a completed state but a process in progress, capable of playing a role in political mobilization and inspiring the entire Party to strive to meet the requirements of the discourse of “distinctive markers.” So-called political mobilization refers to acts such as political propaganda and political agitation undertaken by a specific political subject, such as a political party or political group, to gather strength and achieve a particular political goal. The discourse of the Party’s “distinctive markers” in the New Era—whether it be taking a firm people’s stand, preserving glorious traditions and fine conduct, or engaging in self-revolution and using self-revolution to lead social revolution—is continuously constructed, having only a starting point and no endpoint. Among these, the courage to engage in self-revolution appears with very high frequency in the discourse of the Party’s “distinctive markers” in the New Era; this is the conceptual proclamation and practical confirmation of the CPC’s governance of the Party and comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. On the new journey of the New Era, the situation for governing the Party and enforcing strict discipline is increasingly complex. “Our Party, as the world’s largest Marxist ruling party, how can it successfully escape the historical cycle of rise and fall [20]20 The “historical cycle of rise and fall” (治乱兴衰历史周期率) refers to the recurring pattern in Chinese dynastic history of founding vigor, gradual decay, and eventual collapse. In 1945, the CPC leader Mao Zedong discussed with the democratic personage Huang Yanpei how the Party could avoid this cycle, a question that remains central to Party governance theory. and ensure that the Party never degenerates, changes color, or changes its flavor? This is a strategic question before all Party comrades.” The courage to engage in self-revolution is both a scientific summary of past experience in governing the Party and enforcing strict discipline and a constant requirement for future governance of the Party and enforcement of strict discipline. This requires the entire Party to always maintain political resolve, unswervingly carry the courage to engage in self-revolution through to the end, and consistently use self-revolution to lead social revolution. In this sense, the discourse of the Party’s “distinctive markers” in the New Era is an effective organizational mobilization by the CPC focused on the future, guiding the entire Party to unify thought and action toward the direction and prospects indicated by the discourse of “distinctive markers,” and continuously creating new historic achievements.

新时代党的“显著标志”话语凝成于当下，但话语立意则指向未来。这就是说，“显著标志”的形成不是完成时而是一种进行时，能够起到政治动员的作用，鼓舞全党为达到“显著标志”话语的要求而努力奋斗。所谓政治动员，是指一定的政治主体如政党、政治集团为聚集力量，实现某一政治目标所进行的政治宣传、政治鼓动等行为。新时代党的“显著标志”话语，无论是站稳人民立场、保持光荣传统和优良作风，还是自我革命、以自我革命引领社会革命，其建构都是持续不断的，只有起点、没有终点。其中，勇于自我革命在新时代党的“显著标志”话语中使用频率非常高，这是中国共产党管党治党、全面从严治党的理念宣示和实践确证。新时代新征程，管党治党的形势愈加复杂，“我们党作为世界上最大的马克思主义执政党，如何成功跳出治乱兴衰历史周期率、确保党永远不变质不变色不变味？这是摆在全党同志面前的一个战略性问题”。勇于自我革命既是对既往管党治党经验的科学总结，同时也是对未来管党治党的恒定要求。这就要求全党始终保持政治定力，坚定不移将勇于自我革命进行到底，一以贯之地以自我革命引领社会革命。从这个意义上说，新时代党的“显著标志”话语是中国共产党着眼于未来而进行的有效组织动员，引导全党将思想和行动统一到“显著标志”话语所指明的方向和前景，不断创造出新的历史性成就。

(3) The discourse of “distinctive markers” has a stabilizing efficacy, helping to consolidate the foundation for long-term governance

（三）“显著标志”话语具有稳固效能，有助于夯实长期执政基础

Whether for a regime or a political party, its future and destiny ultimately depend on the will of the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: “The people are the creators of history, and the masses are true heroes.” As a Marxist political party, the CPC comes from the people, takes root among the people, and serves the people, regarding the people as the foundational force determining the Party’s ruling status and establishing people-centeredness as its value orientation. The discourse of the Party’s “distinctive markers” in the New Era has a clear goal-oriented guidance, namely, to educate all Party members to fully recognize the important role of the masses in promoting social development and progress, to guide all Party members not to forget the original aspiration of seeking happiness for the people, and to actively engage in the practice of fulfilling the purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, thereby consolidating the mass base and the foundation of popular will for the Party’s long-term governance. This is precisely the function of the discourse of “distinctive markers.” Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has creatively proposed the new proposition of strengthening long-term governance capacity, indicating that the Party is concerned not only with the issue of governance but also with the issue of how to govern long-term, which places new demands on the Party’s positioning in governance. There are many factors influencing the consolidation of the Party’s ruling status and the realization of its long-term governance, but fundamentally, it comes down to winning the people’s hearts. Only by winning the people’s hearts can a powerful force for consolidating long-term ruling status be formed. “To sum it up, the will of the people and the balance of forces are the key to the success or failure of the Party and the people’s cause, and are the greatest politics.” This is a correct conclusion drawn from Chinese history. Only by respecting the people and trusting the people can the people’s hearts be won. Looking at the discourse of “distinctive markers,” it has a distinct people’s stand and people’s character, reflecting the discursive function, value concern, and goal logic of winning the people’s hearts, and expressing the Party’s view of the masses as the fundamental force determining the future and destiny of the Party and the country, which helps to consolidate the foundation for long-term governance.

无论是一个政权，还是一个政党，其前途与命运最终都取决于人心向背。习近平总书记强调：“人民是历史的创造者，群众是真正的英雄。”作为马克思主义政党，中国共产党来自人民、植根人民、服务人民，将人民视为决定党的执政地位的基础性力量，将以人民为中心确立为价值取向。新时代党的“显著标志”话语具有鲜明的目标引导性，即教育全体党员充分认识到人民群众在推动社会发展进步中的重要作用，引导全体党员不忘为人民谋幸福的初心，积极投身到践行全心全意为人民服务宗旨的实践中，从而夯实党长期执政的群众基础、民心民意基础，这就是“显著标志”话语的功能所在。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央创造性提出加强长期执政能力建设的新命题，表明党不仅关注执政的问题，而且关注如何长期执政的问题，这对党的执政定位提出了新要求。巩固党的执政地位、实现党的长期执政，影响因素很多，但从根本上说就是要赢得人心。只有赢得人心，才能形成巩固长期执政地位的强大力量。“概括起来说，就是人心向背、力量对比是决定党和人民事业成败的关键，是最大的政治。”这是基于中国历史所得出的正确结论。只有尊重人民、信赖人民，才能赢得人心。纵观“显著标志”话语，具有显著的人民立场、人民特色，体现了赢得人心的话语功能、价值关切和目标逻辑，表达了党将人民群众视为决定党和国家前途命运的根本力量的观点，有助于夯实长期执政基础。

(4) The discourse of “distinctive markers” has a discerning function, helping to enhance party cultural identification

（四）“显著标志”话语具有辨析功能，有助于增进政党文化识别

Party culture is an intangible asset of a political party. It not only functions to unify the party’s beliefs, integrate its values, and strengthen its unity, but also generates appeal and attraction for other political parties and other groups, particularly by shaping a cultural identification distinct from other parties. Today, political parties of various types in countries around the world are striving to shape party cultures with their own distinctive features. Through the discourse of “distinctive markers,” the CPC continuously promotes the shaping of party culture and constantly enhances party cultural identification, thereby enabling the world to better understand the CPC’s political philosophy. Specifically, the discourse of the Party’s “distinctive markers” in the New Era refines party cultural identification by answering three aspects: “what to clarify,” “what to uphold,” and “what to practice.” “What to clarify” refers to the fact that constructing the Party’s discourse of “distinctive markers” enables the entire Party to align itself with the Party’s nature and purpose, strengthens the entire Party’s concept of putting the people first, and makes all Party members deeply realize that fighting for the people’s interests is a conviction that cannot be shaken in the slightest when facing any risk, challenge, or test. “What to uphold” refers to the fact that through the Party’s discourse of “distinctive markers,” it is possible to unswervingly examine the reality of Party building in the New Era with a new spirit of meeting the test [21]21 “Meeting the test” (赶考) is a metaphor drawn from the imperial examination system, famously used by Mao Zedong in 1949 when the CPC was about to take national power, likening the Party’s governance to a new examination. The “new spirit of meeting the test” refers to the Party’s continued vigilance and self-examination in the New Era.; the more historic achievements are made, the more necessary it is to maintain a sense of historical vigilance, unswervingly carry the Party’s self-revolution through to the end, and ensure that the Party always stays at the forefront of the times and retains its vitality. “What to practice” refers to the fact that through the Party’s discourse of “distinctive markers,” the entire Party’s historical initiative is stimulated, the historical initiative spirit is vigorously promoted, social revolution is continuously carried out by relying closely on the masses, and the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation is comprehensively advanced through Chinese-path modernization. Party culture is both a spiritual bond that unites people’s hearts and an important component of a party’s comprehensive strength. The construction of the discourse of the Party’s “distinctive markers” in the New Era helps to fully display before the world the cultural forms and cultural symbols that distinguish it from other political parties.

政党文化是政党的无形资产，不仅具有统一党的信仰、整合党的价值、加强党的团结等作用，还能形成对其他政党、其他人群的感召和吸引，特别是塑造着区别于其他政党的文化识别。当今世界各国、各种类型政党都在着力塑造具有自己鲜明色彩的政党文化，中国共产党通过“显著标志”话语不断推动政党文化塑造，不断增进政党文化识别，从而使世界更加了解中国共产党的政治理念。具体来说，新时代党的“显著标志”话语通过回答“明确什么”“推崇什么”和“实践什么”三个方面来提炼政党文化识别。“明确什么”，指的是通过建构党的“显著标志”话语能够使全党对标对表党的性质和宗旨，强化全党坚持人民至上的理念，使全体党员深刻认识到为人民利益而奋斗是在任何风险挑战考验面前都丝毫不能动摇的信念。“推崇什么”，指的是通过党的“显著标志”话语能够坚定不移地以新的赶考精神来审视新时代党的建设实际，越是取得历史伟业越需要保持历史忧患意识，坚定不移将党的自我革命进行到底，确保党始终走在时代前列、永葆生机活力。“实践什么”，指的是通过党的“显著标志”话语激发全党的历史主动意识，大力发扬历史主动精神，紧紧依靠人民群众不断进行社会革命，以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业。政党文化是凝聚人心的精神纽带，也是政党综合实力的重要组成部分。新时代党的“显著标志”话语的建构，有助于将区别于其他政党的文化形态、文化标识充分展现在世人面前。

(5) The discourse of “distinctive markers” has an identity function, helping to enhance the party’s soft power

（五）“显著标志”话语具有认同功能，有助于提升政党的软实力

The discourse of “distinctive markers” enhances the party cognition of the CPC among Party members, the masses, and other countries in the world by clarifying governing philosophy, value orientation, and manifesting ideology, thereby continuously improving the CPC’s party soft power. Unlike the explicit characteristics of party hard power, party soft power is mainly reflected in whether the party’s governing philosophy, value orientation, and ideology have broad dissemination, influence, and recognition. The political practice of Chinese and foreign political parties shows that if a political party wants to continuously improve its governing capacity, it must not only attach importance to the construction of party hard power but also highly value the construction of party soft power. It is in this sense that the construction of the discourse of “distinctive markers” focuses on and helps to further enhance the CPC’s party soft power. Specifically, the discourse of “distinctive markers” expresses the governing philosophy of governing for the people, the value orientation of adhering to a people-centered approach, and the conviction of continuously advancing the great social revolution through core concepts such as the people’s stand, self-revolution, and the Party’s work style. This enables people to have a more comprehensive understanding of what kind of political party the CPC is, enhances the cohesion and attractiveness of the CPC’s ideology, and thereby increases the degree of party identification with the CPC. The degree of party identification reflects people’s subjective evaluation of the party’s ruling status and party activities and is an important indicator of party soft power. The construction of the discourse of “distinctive markers” is precisely a major measure and path to enhance the degree of party identification. Specifically, using the discourse of “distinctive markers” to promote party identification helps, internally, to stimulate the masses’ emotional belonging and ideological identification with the CPC, form value goals and ideal destinations commonly followed by social members, and consolidate the Party’s foundation for long-term governance; externally, it helps to unite all forces that can be united, gather strength for building a strong country and national rejuvenation, and effectively enhance the CPC’s soft power.

“显著标志”话语通过明确执政理念、价值取向和昭示意识形态，增进党员、人民群众以及世界其他国家对中国共产党的政党认知，从而不断提升中国共产党的政党软实力。不同于政党硬实力的显性特质，政党软实力主要体现为政党的执政理念、价值取向以及意识形态是否具有广泛的传播力、影响力和认同力。中外政党的政治实践表明，一个政党要想持续提升执政能力，不仅要重视政党硬实力建设，而且要高度重视政党软实力建设。正是在这个意义上，“显著标志”话语的建构，着眼于并有助于进一步提升中国共产党的政党软实力。具体而言，“显著标志”话语通过人民立场、自我革命、党的作风等核心概念，表达了执政为民的执政理念、坚持以人民为中心的价值取向、接续推进伟大社会革命的信念，使人们对中国共产党是一个什么样的政党有了更为全面的认知，增进了中国共产党意识形态的凝聚力和吸引力，从而提高了中国共产党的政党认同度。政党认同度，体现的是人们对政党执政地位和政党活动的主观评价，是政党软实力的重要表现指征。“显著标志”话语的建构，正是提升政党认同度的主要举措和路径。具体而言，以“显著标志”话语来促进政党认同，对内有助于激发人民群众对中国共产党的情感归属和意识形态认同感，形成社会成员共同遵循的价值目标和理想归宿，厚植党的长期执政基础；对外则有助于团结一切可以团结的力量，为强国建设、民族复兴凝聚力量，使中国共产党的软实力得到有效提升。

(6) The discourse of “distinctive markers” has a shaping function, helping to forge a fine Party conduct and government conduct

（六）“显著标志”话语具有塑造功能，有助于打造优良党风政风

When the Party’s conduct is upright, the government’s conduct is clear; when the government’s conduct is clear, social customs are pure. The discourse of “distinctive markers” has a distinct practical function, helping to shape a fine Party and government conduct. Mao Zedong pointed out: “Marxists hold that human productive activity is the most fundamental practical activity, which determines all other activities.” [22]22 Mao Zedong, “On Practice” (July 1937), in *Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung*, Vol. 1 (Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1965), p. 295. The content to which the discourse of “distinctive markers” points is likewise derived from practice. For example, the courage to engage in self-revolution originates from the CPC’s practice of consistently governing and managing the Party over more than a century. Through the construction of the discourse of “distinctive markers,” it helps to strengthen the ideological and practical consciousness of comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, advancing self-revolution with the political courage to turn inward. Always standing firm on the people’s position originates from the two-way practice of the CPC closely connecting with the masses and winning people’s support through concrete actions. Through the construction of the discourse of “distinctive markers,” it helps the entire Party further close Party-mass and cadre-mass relations, achieving the mass line of coming from the masses and going back to the masses, promptly resolving the urgent, difficult, anxious, and expectant issues raised by the people, and practicing the Party’s mass line and interpreting the purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly through concrete actions. Promoting the Party’s glorious traditions and fine conduct originates from the CPC’s persistent practice of Party conduct building, and further manifests the Party’s nature, purpose, original aspiration, and founding mission, consolidating the foundation, strengthening the core, gathering hearts and souls, and pooling the mighty force for the construction of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era.

党风正则政风清，政风清则社风淳。“显著标志”话语具有鲜明的实践功能，有助于形塑优良党风政风。毛泽东指出：“马克思主义者认为人类的生产活动是最基本的实践活动，是决定其他一切活动的东西。”“显著标志”话语所指向的内容，同样都是来源于实践，诸如勇于自我革命来源于中国共产党百余年来一以贯之管党治党的实践。通过“显著标志”话语的建构，有助于更加坚定全面从严治党的思想自觉和实践自觉，以刀刃向内的政治勇气推进自我革命。始终站稳人民立场来源于中国共产党密切联系人民群众、以实际行动赢得人民支持双向奔赴的实践。通过“显著标志”话语的建构，有助于全党进一步密切党群干群关系，做到从群众中来，再到群众中去，及时解决人民群众反映的急难愁盼问题，以实际行动来践行党的群众路线、诠释全心全意为人民服务的宗旨。弘扬党的光荣传统和优良作风，来源于中国共产党持之以恒地抓党的作风建设的实践，并进一步彰显党的性质、宗旨、初心、使命，培元固本，凝心铸魂，汇聚新时代中国特色社会主义事业建设的磅礴力量。

In summary, the discourse of “distinctive markers” is not only a concentrated embodiment of the CPC’s concepts and practices in the New Era, but it is also itself one of the emblematic concepts for understanding the CPC in the New Era, possessing important theoretical, methodological, and practical value. First, the construction of the Party’s “distinctive markers” discourse has important theoretical value. By conducting research on emblematic concepts represented by “distinctive markers,” it can not only fully manifest the Party’s nature, purpose, mission, and other elements, answering the fundamental question of what the CPC is and what it wants to do, but also form a paradigm for constructing an autonomous knowledge system of CPC history and Party building based on emblematic concepts, thereby deepening the systematic and theoretical research and interpretation of the Party’s innovative theories. Second, the construction of the Party’s “distinctive markers” discourse has important methodological value. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, [23]23 The 18th National Congress of the CPC was held in November 2012, marking the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership. many emblematic concepts have been constructed in the field of CPC history and Party building, forming emblematic concepts of CPC history and Party building. Through in-depth research on the concept of “distinctive markers,” it can provide methodological reference for the study of other emblematic concepts in CPC history and Party building, further deepen the study of emblematic concepts in CPC history and Party building, and provide methodological support for the construction of an autonomous knowledge system of CPC history and Party building. Finally, the construction of the Party’s “distinctive markers” discourse has important practical value. The discourse of “distinctive markers” can effectively stimulate the entire Party to remain true to its original aspiration and keep its founding mission firmly in mind, cultivate fine conduct with a thorough spirit of self-revolution, further close Party-mass and cadre-mass relations, continuously improve the quality of Party building, pool the mighty force of unity and endeavor for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, and continuously create a new situation of comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

综上所述，“显著标志”话语既是新时代中国共产党理念与实践的集中体现，同时它本身也是理解新时代中国共产党的标识性概念之一，具有重要的理论价值、方法价值和实践价值。首先，党的“显著标志”话语建构具有重要的理论价值。通过进行以“显著标志”为代表的标识性概念研究，不仅能够充分彰显党的性质、宗旨、使命等要素，回答中国共产党是什么、要干什么这个根本问题，而且还能形成一种基于标识性概念构建中共党史党建学自主知识体系研究的范式，并以此深化对党的创新理论的体系化、学理化研究阐释。其次，党的“显著标志”话语建构具有重要的方法价值。党的十八大以来，中共党史党建学领域建构了诸多标识性概念，并形成了中共党史党建学标识性概念，通过深入研究“显著标志”概念，能够为中共党史党建学其他标识性概念研究提供方法参考，进一步深化中共党史党建学标识性概念研究，为中共党史党建学自主知识体系建构提供方法支持。最后，党的“显著标志”话语建构具有重要的实践价值。“显著标识”话语能够有效激发全党不忘初心、牢记使命，以彻底的自我革命精神涵养优良作风，进一步密切党群干群关系，不断提高党的建设质量，为坚持和发展中国特色社会主义汇聚起团结奋进的磅礴力量，不断开创以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业新局面。