Basics of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics (Qin Xuan, Xu Hongzhi)
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Basics of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics | |
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Author | Qin Xuan, Xu Hongzhi |
Translated by | Yang Xu |
Original language | Chinese |
Publisher | Canut International Publishers |
First published | 2018-01-15 |
Type | Book |
Source | https://archive.org/details/basics-of-the-theoretical-system-of-socialism-with-chinese-characteristics |
Acknowledgements
The book we present is written by the most prominent researchers of Marxism in China, and reviewed by Qin Xuan and Xu Zhihong the two se- nior scholars of Renmin University. In 14 chapters they have demonstrated the most important component parts of the CPC’s socialism building con- cept in the Chinese particlarity, which is a meta-system theory, with inter- related sub-theories. At the time when Deng Xiaoping proposed this new concept which emphasized Chinese particularity, he has added new mean- ings to it, when compared with Mao Zedong’s understanding of applying Marxism to Chinese conditions: he strived to thoroughly revise the preva- lent concepts of socialism building and open a new chapter in the history of socialist movement in regards, how to define and build socialism in China. It was a tremendously hard task, when the trials in the eastern European countries were still in development and exploration, especially when the Soviet model of socialism building established by Stalin was deemed as the only universally applicable one, except the Yugoslavian model. The CPC when choosing this term has given a clear signal that each socialist or com- munist party should better determine its own path in building socialism, and external interference wouldn’t be favorable.
The meta-theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics has been grad-
ually improved with the development of social practice and times, and is
still in development, but its essence and ultimate goal remain the same. It
has made great breakthroughs in the cognition of socialism and socialism
building and in the aspect of how socialism relates with capitalism and how
it step by step dialectically sublates it.
This academically processed but easily readable book will give the read-
er a comprehensive understanding of this theory and enable them to com-
pare the previous cognition of socialism and socialism building with the
current one.
Editor's Note
In 2007, the 17" National Congress of the Communist Party of China has made clear that our party will persist in following the important stra- i tegic thought of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of the i ‘Three Represents’ and the Scientific Concept of Development which was formed by theoretical and practical innovation, generally referred to as the “Theoretical System of Chinese Socialism” and stressed: the report stated: “In contemporary China, to stay true to Marxism means to adhere [| to the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” Since = the 17" National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the | CPC Central Committee has done a scientific deployment of how to cul- tivate the builders and successors who will hold high the cause of social- ism with Chinese characteristics and on how to use theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, to educate the leaders of the youth across the country. The high-level Office for The Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project pays meticulous and consistent efforts to prepare all kinds of cognitive learning materials, which will reflect and expound on the brand new academic achievements attained in the study of Chinese Marxism. Among them, the textbook “Mao Zedong Thought and The Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics,” has been a unique work which has been highly praised by readers from all walks of people, promising young people including college students. By courtesy of the ministry of education, colleges and universities across the country have made great contributions and achievements in transform- ing the rich contents of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics into teaching materials, a part of which can be utilized in schools. This book—The Basics of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics—we present to readers was prepared by the most prominent scholars of the subject from the Marxism School of the Renmin University of China especially designed for college students. Throughout the writing and editing of this book, we have both enjoyed the advantage of certain comprehension basis, and a certain degree of difficulty, certain com- prehension basis as an advantage, firstly because we had already edited the “Introduction to Deng Xiaoping Theory”, “Introduction to the Important Thought of Three Represents”, since their publication in 2003, the titles were re-published for dozens of times, and the aggregate print of them has nearly reached 3 million, most of which have reached the readers. Secondly, the writers of this textbook are all in the front line of teaching and research, they have a certain degree of research accretion on the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and have abundant teaching experi- ence on the subject. Thirdly, the academic community has made abundant research on “Deng Xiaoping Theory”, and on the “Important Thought of Three Represents” and also on “The Scientific Concept of Development” and other major strategic thoughts, which are component parts of the theo- retical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and have produced numerous precious research results. These above favorable conditions have laid a virtuous foundation in the writing and editing of this book.
We have faced a certain degree of difficulty, firstly because the theoreti-
cal system of socialism with Chinese characteristics still encounters enrich-
ment and perfection. The academic circles have different understandings of
its theme, its historical starting point, main content and the logical structure
of this theoretical system. There still exist differences in the understanding
and interpretation of many major issues regarding it. Secondly, we have
encountered a considerable difficulties, as in the following, how to break
through the previous framework of Deng Xiaoping Theory and unify the
three strategic thoughts of —Deng Xiaoping Theory, Important Thought of
Three Represents, and The Scientific Concept of Development—and inte-
grate them into one and same book, because all the three not only represent
major theoretical achievements having their own unique characteristics,
but also have succession and development relations among them, besides
they follow the same strain and have included successive times character-
istics. Thirdly, since the 17 National Congress of the CPC, our party’s
understanding on the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese charac-
teristics was further deepened, and many new propositions have been put
forward. As Comrade Hu Jintao in his speech at the commemoration of the
90" anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, has put
forward and summarized a new conception of “the socialist system with
Chinese characteristics”, also the 6" Plenary Session of the 17" Central
Committee of the CPC put forward the proposition of “the path of socialist
cultural development with Chinese characteristics.” Regarding these new propositions, the academic community also lacks in-depth research, our un-
derstanding is not accurate, yet, which is also a major problem encountered
in the preparation of teaching materials. The textbook is the crystallization
of collective wisdom, including the designing of its outline, the final draft
to be published has been the result of collective deliberation.Scholars from
the School of Marxism ‘attached to Renmin University of China who have
contributed to this book include Prof. Xu Zhihong (edited Chapter II and
V), Prof. Qin Xuan (Chapter I and VID), Prof. Yang Fengcheng (Chapter XI
and XIV), Prof. Huang Jifeng (Chapter II and [X), Prof. Wang Xiangming
(Chapter VIII and X), Prof. Qi Pengfei (Chapter XII and XIII), Prof. Zhang
Xin (Chapter IV, and VI).
The book was finally reviewed. by Professor Xu Zhihong and Professor
Qin Xuan. We are grateful to Prof. He Yaomin, the President of the Renmin
University Press, and Prof. Zhou Weihua, the editor-in-chief of the Renmin
University Press, who have paid great attention to the to the compilation
and publication, and to Guo Xiaoming, the head of the public administra-
tion department, who has paid a lot of hard work for this book. Our starting
point and innermost desire has been preparing a comprehensive and ac-
curate book that will comprehensively and accurately reflect the theoreti-
cal system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Objectively speaking,
such a complex work can never be perfect, cannot avoid certain shortcom-
ings and deficiencies. We sincerely welcome criticism, from all quarters,
including all aspects, so that we can make it more perfect in future editions.
Formation and Development of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
Social and historical conditions behind the formation of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics
First, the historical basis: evaluating the positive and negative aspects of socialist construction experiences
The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is formed and developed on the basis of the Party’s summarizing and absorb- ing the historical experience of our socialist development and drawing les- sons from other socialist countries. Since the beginning of the new period, our Party has attached great importance to the summary of historical expe- rience. In the 3 Plenary Session of the 11% CPC Central Committee, the Party seriously summed up the positive and negative experiences, drew lessons from the “Cultural Revolution”, restored the ideological line of Marxism, and resolutely made the major historical choice of transferring the work center of the Party and the state to the economic construction and carrying out the reform and opening up. The 6" Plenary Session of the 11" CPC Central Committee adopted The Resolution on Some Historical Issues of the Party Since the Founding of the PRC through which the Party conscientiously cleared up major historical rights and wrongs and adhered to and inherited all the positive achievements made by our Party in the practice of the long-term socialist construction, marking the completion of the Party’s bringing order out of chaos in the ideological line, political line and organizational line. In the process of reform and opening up and modernization construction, our Party earnestly draws lessons from other
countries, especially the Soviet union, eastern Europe and other socialist countries, which provides an important reference for the better develop- ment of the socialism with Chinese characteristics. As Deng Xiaoping said: if there was no profound summarization of historical experience and les- sons, “It would be impossible to formulate the ideological line, the basic line, politics, organizational lines and a series of policies we have estab- lished since the 3 Plenary Session of the 11% CPC Central Committee.”'
It can be said that the development and expansion of the socialist path with -
Chinese characteristics and the formation and development of the theoreti-
cal system of socialism with Chinese characteristics are inseparable from
our Party’s adeptness and efforts in summing up and absorbing the positive
and negative experiences.
Second, the basis of establishment: Basic national conditions of China in the primary stage of socialism
Accurately grasping the basic national conditions of the primary stage of socialism in China is the fundamental starting point for our Party to promote the theoretical innovation and formulate the correct line, guideline and policy. In the 13 CPC National Congress, the Party expounded the is- sue of the primary stage of socialism in a systematic way and emphasized the need to fully understand the long-term, arduous and complex nature of the socialist construction and to constantly enhance the consciousness of starting from the reality that China is in the primary stage of socialism. This issue was reiterated in the 14", 15" and 16 CPC National Congress which stressed that we should not proceed from the subjective wishes, from the various foreign modes, but from the biggest reality that China is in the primary stage of socialism in doing things, making decisions and thinking about issues.
It was further emphasized in the 17" CPC National Congress that the
basic national conditions of our country that it is still in the primary stage
of socialism and the principal contradiction between the increasing mate-
rial and cultural needs of the people and the backward social production
remain unchanged. We shall recognize this basic national condition, grasp
the phase characteristics of the century and new phase, and take it as the
fundamental basis of advancing the reform and planning the development.
It can be said that during the reform and opening up for more than 30 years,
our Party’s theory, line, guideline and policy are correct and play a huge
role in promoting the social development and progress in practice because
they are based on the realities of the primary stage of socialism and on the
sober understanding and accurate grasp of the basic national conditions and
stage characteristics of this primary stage.
Third, the realistic basis: the party leadership sets things right and starts the vivid practice of opening-up and modernization
Reform and opening up is the main theme of contemporary China, the only way to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, and also the important foundation for the development of the theoretical system of so- cialism with Chinese characteristics. Since the reform and opening up for more than 30 years, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese char- acteristics has deepened and enriched with the deepening practice. From the rural reform to urban reform, from the economic system reform to various system reforms, from the establishment of the special economic zone and the opening of the coastal cities to the opening of the inland border cities, the cities along the river and the provincial capitals, from the proposal of the planned commodity economy to the establishment of the socialist market economy, from grasping the two links of material civilization and spiritual civilization to comprehensively promoting the modernization construction in accordance with the “Four-in-one” overall layout, and from strengthen- ing and improving the Party’s leadership to comprehensively promoting the new great project of the Party’s construction, our Party has continuously studied and resolved the new contradictions and problems in advancement and vested the new connotations of the age and practical requirements in the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It can be said that whenever the reform and opening up advances by one step, our Party’s understanding of socialism with Chinese characteristics can be deepened and the enrichment and development of this theoretical system can be pro- moted. The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is vigorous because it is the scientific theory rooted in the great practice of the reform and opening up.
Fourth, the source of power was the rich and creative experience of the people
Insisting on summarizing experience and absorbing wisdom from the vivid practice of the people is an important way to develop the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Deng Xiaoping said that many things in the reform and opening up were put forward by the masses in practice and embodied the wisdom of the masses. Jiang Zemin said that a good solution does not fall from heaven nor is it inherent in our minds, in the final analysis correct theories come from the people’s practice of creat- ing history. Hu Jintao pointed out: “Respecting the people’s practice and drawing ideological nutrition from the people’s great creation and elevating it to a theoretical form are the inexhaustible sources of our party’s theoreti- cal innovation.”
Much of the experience in reform and innovation during the past more Section II than 30 years of reform and opening up has come from the grassroots level and the masses of people. Our Party has always been adhering to the Marxist ideological line “from the masses, to the masses”, enthusiastically support- ing, encouraging, protecting and guiding the great creation of the people, : and profoundly summing up the practical experience of the people, from : First, the preliminary exploration of the path of socialism with which the laws of the socialist modernization construction can be mastered : Chinese characteristics by the CPC
and the Marxist theoretical innovation can be constantly promoted. It can be said that the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is formed and developed due to our party’s effort to closely rely on the people, widely mobilize the people’s enthusiasm, initiative and creativity and gather strength and wisdom from the people.
Fifth, the background: the profound changes in the international situation and the new trends in world development China has experienced a long process of exploration, choice and struggle before embarking on the socialist path
Since the 1970s, great changes have taken place in the whole world, and the intensity and profundity of these changes is far beyond the expectation. The most significant change is that peace and development have become the theme of the times, the trend of world multi-polarization and economic globalization has developed in an accelerating way, and the competition in the comprehensive national strength is becoming increasingly fierce. In particular, the new science and technology revolution and the following wide applications of the great science and technology discoveries and inventions have promoted the unprecedented profound changes in production mode, way of life and economic society all over the world and also unprecedented major changes in the global economic pattern, interest pattern and security pattern. In the face of such profound and major changes our Party should constantly emancipate the mind and vigorously promote theoretical innovation and then the new development of the cause so as to better solve the new issues and meet the new challenges raised by the times and usher in new situations for the development of the party and the people. It can be said that the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, including Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of “Three Represents”, the scientific outlook on development and other ma- jor strategic thoughts, is formed and developed on the basis of our Party’s effort to follow the world development trend, draw on the experience and lessons from the ups and downs of other countries and critically absorb all the civilization achievements created by human society.
Stages in the development of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics
First, the preliminary exploration of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics by the CPC
It is pointed out in the 17 CPC National Congress that the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the scientific theoreti- cal system that includes Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of “Three Represents”, the scientific outlook on development and other major strategic thoughts.
China has experienced a long process of exploration, choice and struggle before embarking on the socialist path. Since modern times, the Chinese nation has faced two historical tasks: one is to seek the national independence and people’s liberation; the other is to realize the national prosperity and mighty and people’s affluence. After the opium war, China was reduced to a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country. In order to save the nation from peril, the Chinese people made a long-term exploration and strenuous struggle, including the Westernization Movement, the Hundred Days’ Reform, Taiping Rebellion led by Hong Xiuquan, the Boxer Rebellion and the Revolution of 1911 led by Sun Yat-sen, which all ended in failure. And the social nature of China as a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society and the people’s miserable fate remain unchanged, for which a fundamental reason is that no scientific theoretical guidance is provided. The advanced Chinese have tried various ideological weapons in order to seek the way of saving the country and their people. After making the fierce struggle and difficult choices, Marxism gradually took root in Chinese society because of its popularity among the progressive youth and even the Chinese people. It is the history that has chosen Marxism and it is Marxism that has profoundly changed the fate of China. Mao Zedong points out that the Chinese people have turned from the passive status into the active status and created a new outlook of Chinese revolution since the introduction of Marxism-Leninism. Thanks to the guidance of Marxism, the repeated com- parison and profound thinking, and especially the influence of the Russian “October Revolution”, the advanced Chinese have made a clear choice of the scientific socialist path. The founding of the Communist Party of China in 1921 ushered in a new era of the Chinese revolution. At the begin- ning of the founding, our Party made it clear that the ultimate direction of the democratic revolution led by it is socialism. Under the leadership of the Party and Mao Zedong, our Party founded Mao Zedong Thought and Opened up a revolution path that was in line with the realities in China by combining the Marxism-Leninism and China’s realities and overcoming the erroneous tendency to dogmatize Marxism and sanctify the resolutions of the Communist International and the experience of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union that enjoyed great popularity at one time. After 28 years of arduous struggle, the Communist Party of China overthrew the three big mountains (imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat-capitalism), won the New Democratic Revolution, and founded the New China, which indicated the realization of the national independence and people’s liberation that several generations of Chinese dreamed about since the modern times and the completion of the first historical task of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
During the 28 years between the founding of the New China and the end
of the “Cultural Revolution”, the Party’s first collective leadership, with
Mao Zedong as the core, led the whole party and people of all ethnic groups
throughout the country to rapidly heal the trauma of the war and restore
the national economy, and then to propose the general line in the transition
period, carry out the socialist transformation, and establish the basic sys-
tem of socialism without losing any time, resulting in the realization of the
most profound and greatest social transformation in China. However, how
to build socialism is a brand new exploration for our Party. Mao Zedong
said at that time that we should realize “the second combination” of the
basic principle of Marxism-Leninism and the concrete realities of China,
and find out the correct way of socialist construction in China. Some impor-
tant ideas on the socialist construction in China, concerning the economy,
politics, culture, national defense, diplomacy and other aspects, were put
forward in Mao Zedong’s Zen Major Relationships, Issues on Correctly
Handling the Contradictions among the People and other works, and the
documents of the 8 CPC National Congress, which marked the beginning
of our Party to independently explore the socialist construction path suit-
able for our country’s national conditions. Under the leadership of the Party
and Mao Zedong, China has gradually established an independent, rela-
tively complete industrial system and national economic system, and accu-
mulated important experience in socialist construction. As a new subject in
the Marxism and socialism development history, the socialist construction
in such a backward eastern country in China was doomed to experience
errors and setbacks, given the lack of regular understanding on how to com-
bine the socialist path with the national conditions and the influence of the
complex international environment at that time. These errors and setback
have left deep historical experience and lessons and China paid a huge price
for them.
Our Party’s victory in the revolution and exploration of the socialist construction path in China under Mao Zedong’s leadership provided the fundamental political premise and institutional foundation for all the devel- opment and progress in contemporary China, and exerted a profound influ- ence on the opening up and emergence of the socialist path with Chinese characteristics. As indicated in the 17" CPC National Congress, we must always bear in mind that the great cause of reform and opening up is based on the valuable experience of the Party’s first collective leadership with Mao Zedong as the core in leading the whole Party and people of all eth- nic groups throughout the country to build the New China, make the great achievements in the socialist revolution and construction and explore the laws of socialist construction.
Second, The initial formation of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics
When the “Cultural Revolution” came to an end in 1976, what stood in front of our Party was the China with many things waiting to be done and an urgent problem about whether China continued adhering to the wrong line in the “Cultural Revolution” period or opened up a new path reflecting the trend of the times and the China’s conditions by getting rid of the “left- ist” ideological shackles. The 3 Plenary Session of the 11% CPC Central Committee held at the end of 1978 re-established the Party’s ideological line, political line and organization line, which brought order out of chaos in the guiding ideology and initiated a new exploration of socialist con- struction. It is in this session when the Party’s second central collective leadership with Deng Xiaoping as the core was formed, which marked the entry of our country into the new period of socialist modernization con- struction. In the new historical period, Deng Xiaoping was keenly aware that the Marxism we adhere to is the science and truth and that the social- ist system established in our country is a good system, but the question is: what is Marxism, how can we uphold Marxism what is socialism and how can we build socialism, of which our understanding was not completely clear enough in the past. Our experience is rich enough, but what matters most is to clarify this question. Hence, at the beginning of the new period, our party insisted on combining Marxism with China’s realities, and car- ried out the in-depth theoretical exploration on how to build socialism in economically and culturally backward countries like China, marking the initiation of the new course of localized Marxism in China. In September 1982, Deng Xiaoping made it clear in the opening speech of the 12% CPC National Congress that “we should take our own path and build socialism with Chinese characteristics”. The proposition of this important conclusion _ Points out the direction of our Party’s theoretical and practical exploration _ In the new period.
From 1978 to 1992, our Party, under Deng Xiaoping’s leadership, com- bined the basic principles of Marxism with the specific realities of China and the features of the times, put forward a series of creative ideas, and initially formed the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese charac- teristics. Deng Xiaoping, based on the new changes of the world situation,
clearly argued that “peace and development are two major problems of the .
contemporary world”, and that it was one of the three tasks in the new pe-
riod to oppose hegemonism and safeguard world peace; he also emphasized -
that we must insist on the basic line that takes the economic construction as
the center and upholds the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening
up, and establish the modernized socialist country of prosperity, democ-
racy and civilization by “three steps”, given China’s national condition that
China is and will be in the primary stage of socialism in the long run when
the essential task is to develop the productivity; he also underscored that
science and technology are the primary productive force and their modern-
ization is the key to realizing the modernization of China, considering their
new development situation in the world; that we should develop the social-
ist democracy and construct the socialist legal system because there would
be no socialism nor the socialist modernization if no democracy exists, and
that we should grasp both the material and spiritual civilization with equal
importance attached to each because the good development of the two is
the real socialism with Chinese characteristics, since the socialism is the
requirement of the society with an all-around development; that the social-
ism can also adopt the market economy since both the plan and the market
are the means rather than the essential difference between socialism and
capitalism, according to the development law of the world economy and
China’s realities; that we should construct a modern, strong and regular-
ized revolutionary army and unswervingly take the path of fewer but bet-
ter troops with Chinese characteristics, given the new requirements of the
world military reform; that we should combine the Marxist theory of the
state with the concrete realities of China, and propose solving the problems
of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan in accordance with the concept of “One
Country, Two Systems”; that the key to China’s problems is the Party and
we should thus concentrate on Party’s construction and make our Party a
Marxist one with fighting capacity and a strong core that leads the whole
nation in constructing the socialist modernization, according to the change
of the Party’s historical orientation.
In the 13 CPC National Congress held in 1987, the theory of the primary
stage of socialism was expounded in a systematic way, the Party’s basic line
in this stage was proposed, the modernization goal of “being prosperous,
democratic and civilized” was established, and the development strategy
of realizing the modernization by three steps until the middle of the 21*
century was formulated. It was clearly indicated in this congress that the
combination of Marxism with China’s practice experienced two great leaps.
The first one occurred in the period of the new democratic revolution when
the Chinese communists finally found the revolutionary path with Chinese
characteristics and led the revolution to victory due to the repeatedly ex-
ploration and the summary of experience in the successes and failures. The
second one occurred when the Chinese communists began to find a way to
build socialism with Chinese characteristics after the 3°? Plenary Session
of the 11% CPC Central Committee by summing up the positive and nega-
tive experience during the past more than 30 years since the founding of
China and studying the international experience and world situation, which
opened up a new stage of socialist construction. In the report of the 13°
CPC National Congress, the new theoretical ideas proposed by our Party
in the process of paving the socialist path with Chinese characteristics are
reduced into 12 articles which constitute the outline and mark the initial for-
mation of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Deng Xiaoping made a southern speech in 1992 in which he summed up a series of major issues concerning the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and proposed that the basic line should be kept for a hundred years, the criteria for judging all aspects of work should be “Three Favorables”, and that the essence of socialism is to liberate and develop the productive forces, eliminate exploitation and polarization between the rich and poor, and finally achieve the common prosperity. This speech boosted the ideological emancipation of the whole Party and Chinese people and ad- vanced the cause of reform and opening up. In 1992, the 14" CPC National Congress made a summary of the new idea of the theoretical innovations of our Party during the period when Deng Xiaoping reigned, which was called “Deng Xiaoping’s theory of building socialism with Chinese characteris- tics”. In 1997, the 15" CPC National Congress made a further summary and discussion on it and named it “Deng Xiaoping Theory”, which was included into the Party Constitution as the guiding ideology.
Third, the further development of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics
Socialism encountered unprecedented sharp challenges in the world after the 13" CPC National Congress: the drastic changes in Eastern Europe in the late 1980s and the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. These events that shocked the world are the most serious and profound cri- ses when socialism turned from the theory into practice. The same situation happened domestically in the course of reform and development: political turmoil occurred; the economy was overheated and had to be improved and rectified; in terms of the system reform, no significant breakthrough Was made in state-owned enterprises, and a dual system existed for a long Socialism encountered unprecedented sharp challenges in the world after the 13" CPC National Congress: the drastic changes in Eastern Europe in the late 1980s and the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. These events that shocked the world are the most serious and profound cri- ses when socialism turned from the theory into practice. The same situation happened domestically in the course of reform and development: political turmoil occurred; the economy was overheated and had to be improved and rectified; in terms of the system reform, no significant breakthrough Was made in state-owned enterprises, and a dual system existed for a long
time with serious contradictions and loopholes due to the lagging reform in the state tax system, financial system and price system. The whole situa- tion was rather grim. In June 1989, the 4% Plenary Session of the 13" CPC Central Committee elected Jiang Zemin as the General Secretary of the Central Committee, and formed the third CPC collective leadership with
Jiang Zemin as the core. However, it became quite urgent for this new lead- .
ership to figure out how to continue promoting the socialist cause with
Chinese characteristics according to the new changes of the world, China.
and the Communist Party.
After the 4" Plenary Session of the 13% CPC Central Committee, the
Communist Party of China with Jiang Zemin as the main representative con-
tinued promoting the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics
by putting forward a series of new ideas and new statements, and enriched
and developed the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteris-
tics. Confronted with the austere political situation at home and abroad and
the arduous task of the reform and development in the late 1980s and early
1990s, this new leadership stressed clearly that the lines and basic policies
formulated since the 3" Plenary Session of the 11 CPC Central Committee
should be maintained steadfastly and implemented comprehensively. Jiang
Zemin pointed out that building socialism with Chinese characteristics was
“a major project”, of which the basic ideas and principles have been es-
tablished by Deng Xiaoping, and our task was to continue implementing
this project in a good way. In this process, Jiang Zemin also proposed a
series of innovative ideas, which are mainly manifested in the following
7 aspects. Firstly, he argued that the goal of economic system reform was
to establish the socialist market economy system and that the combination
of socialism with market economy was a great innovation, according to
Deng Xiaoping’s important view that “socialism can also adopt the mar-
ket economy”. Secondly, the basic economic system that public ownership
plays the leading role and diverse forms of ownership develop side by side,
the distribution system with distribution according to work being the main
form and the multiple ways of distribution co-existing, and the basic po-
litical system should be adhered to and improved, according to the basic
principles of Marxism and the national conditions of China in the primary
stage of socialism. Thirdly, he, combining the issue of development with
the nature and power-exercising philosophy of our Party, made it clear that
development was the first task of our Party in governing and rejuvenating
the country, and that the advanced nature of our Party and the superior-
ity of the socialist system should be put into practice to develop advanced
productive forces, advanced culture, to realize the fundamental interests
of the majority of the people, and to promote the all-round social progress
and human development. Fourthly, the strategy of rejuvenating the country
through science and education, the strategy of sustainable development, and the opening-up strategy that combines “bringing in” with “going out” should be vigorously implemented, the new path of industrialization should be taken, and the rational layout and coordinated development of regional economy should be promoted. Fifthly, he stressed that according to the de- velopment and changes’ of the situation at home and abroad at the turn of the century, our Party should strengthen its construction under the new his- torical conditions, insist on examining itself according to the requirement of the times, improve itself at the spirit of reform, earnestly work out the two major historical problems of how to improve the Party’s leadership and governance capability and its ability to resist corruption and risk, compre- hensively promote the Party construction—-a new great project—so as to make it the Marxist political party that is utterly consolidated ideologically, politically, and organizationally, always ahead of the times, and can with- stand all kinds of risks and lead the whole nation in building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Sixthly, the national defense and army construction should be strengthened and the military reform with Chinese characteristics should be advanced in addition to the main tasks of developing the market economy and keeping the Party’s advanced nature, according to the new situation of the army and national defense construction in the new period. At last, the world multi-polarization and democratization of international relations should be boosted according to the new world situation after the cold war.
This new collective leadership with Jiang Zemin as the core adhered to
the reform and opening up, kept pace with the times, led the whole Party
and the people of all ethnic groups in the whole country through the po-
litical storm, economic risks and other ordeals at home and abroad, and
founded the important thought of “Three Represents” on the basis of a pro-
found and accurate understanding of the situation changes of the world,
China, and the Party. This important thought is a significant part of the
theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the 16%
CPC National Congress in 2002, the Party summed up the basic experience
of our Party in leading people to build socialism with Chinese characteris-
tics since reform and opening up, especially the 4 Plenary Session of the
13" Central Committee, expounded the fundamental requirements of the
important thought of “Three Represents”, explicitly proposed the Party’s
goal and guidelines and policies in various aspects in the first 20 years of
the new century, and made a comprehensive deployment of the socialist
economy, politics, culture, and Party building with Chinese characteristics,
and other work. It is in this congress when the important thought of “Three
Represents” was established along with Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong
Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory as the guiding ideology that our Party must adhere to for a long time, another time when our Party’s guiding ideology advanced with the times.
Fourth, opening of the new realm in the development of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics
Since the 16 CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with _ Hu Jintao as its General Secretary, guided by Deng Xiaoping Theory and
the important thought of “Three Represents”, followed the development
and changes of the situation at home and abroad, carried forward the spirit
of seeking truth and forging ahead, continued promoting the theoretical and
practical innovation, and proposed a series of important theoretical ideas,
strategic thoughts and work arrangement and formed the newest achieve-
ments of the socialist theoretical system with Chinese characteristics in the
course of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.
In the new stage of the new century, our Party, starting from the history
and the times, the basic national conditions of China at the primary stage,
the stage characteristics and practice of China’s development, the world
development trend, the development experience of foreign countries, and
the new development requirements, puts forward a series of ideas, such as
being people-oriented, realizing the comprehensive, coordinated and sus-
tainable development, building the harmonious socialist society, the new
socialist countryside, the innovation-driven country, the socialist core val-
ues system, and the socialist concept of honor and disgrace, and boosting
the construction of a harmonious world, which together answered such ba-
sic questions as what socialism is and how to build it. Facing the opportuni-
ties and challenges in the 21* century, our Party has made it clear that the
construction of its advanced nature is the essence of the Marxist party to
survive, develop and expand. As a result, the Party’s governing capacity
and advanced nature construction should be taken as the main line of the
Party’s construction, the great new project that should be comprehensively
promoted at the spirit of the reform and innovation, so as to make the Party
always the arduous, honest, clean, energetic, united and harmonious ruling
party of Marxism built for the public and exercising state power for the
people, and seeking truth and being pragmatic. Centering on this goal, the
CPC Central Committee has put forward a series of important new ideas on
strengthening and improving the Party’s construction in the new stage of
the new century. Centering on the central issue of development, our Party
has made a creative exploration of what development is, why and how to
develop, for whom the development is, on whom the development depends,
who is to share the development achievements and other major issues, and
emphasized the correct understanding and proper treatment of the major
relations related to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, so
as to strive for scientific, harmonious and peaceful development. In the
17* CPC National Congress, the historical status and background, scientific connotation, spiritual essence and fundamental requirements of the scien- tific outlook on development were profoundly elaborated and taken as an important guideline for China’s economic and social development and a major strategic thought that has to be adhered to and carried out for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Since the founding of the New China, especially the reform and opening
up, our Party’s theories and practices have been centering on the theme of
socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is during the process of the re-
form and opening up when the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese
characteristics was formed and developed. Deng Xiaoping Theory, “Three
Represents” and the scientific outlook on development, formed in different
periods, focused on exploring and answering the new contradictions and
new problems encountered at different periods and different stages, and
made their unique contributions to both theoretical innovation and theoreti-
cal development. They are interconnected and progressive layer by layer,
reflecting the inherent consistency of the scientific system, stage achieve-
ments and developmental requirements of our Party’s theoretical innova-
tion achievements since the new period. They were summarized as “the
theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics” in the 17%
CPC National Congress, which marks the further maturity of the theory
and practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
In 2011, when commemorating the 90" anniversary of the founding of
the Chinese Communist Party, Hu Jintao further pointed out: “We have
embarked on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, formed
a system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics and estab-
lished a socialist system with Chinese characteristics. These achievements
made over 90 years of endeavors, innovation, and enrichment, should be
valued, upheld on a long-term basis and continuously built upon by our
Party and people.” In this speech Comrade Hu Jintao, for the first time
used the term of theoretical socialist system with Chinese characteristics”
into the overall! framework of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which
has further deepened our Party ‘s understanding of Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics.’
In 1990, when commemorating the 90" anniversary of the founding of
the Communist Party of China, Hu Jintao further pointed out: “We have
embarked on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, formed
a system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics and estab-
lished a socialist system with Chinese characteristics. These achievements
made over 90 years of endeavors, innovation, and enrichment, should be
3 See Hu Jintao, “Speech at the 90" Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese Communist Party”, Beijing, People's Publishing House, 2011.
valued, upheld on a long-term basis and continuously built upon by our Party and people.” In this speech Comrade Hu Jintao, for the first time used the term of “theoretical socialist system with Chinese characteristics” into the overall framework of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which has further deepened our Party ‘s understanding of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.
Theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and its main contents
First, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics: a scientific theoretical system with a rich compound
It was clearly stated in the report of the 17" CPC National Congress that “the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics mainly in- cludes Deng Xiaoping Theory, “Three represent”, and the scientific outlook on development”, which is a brand new generalization of this theoretical system. Looking back to the development process of the socialist theory with Chinese characteristics, we can see clearly that our Party’s generaliza- tion of this theoretical system is deepening in a gradual way.
In the 13% CPC National Congress in 1987, the new ideas formed in our Party’s theoretical exploration on socialism with Chinese characteris- tics were divided into 12 aspects which have constituted the outline of the socialist theory with Chinese characteristics, preliminarily answered the basic questions of China’s socialist construction, such as the stages, task, motivation, conditions, layout and international environment, and planned the scientific track of our way forward.
In 1992, the Party’s 14" National Congress summarized the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics from 9 aspects. The 14 National Congress of the Communist Party of China made it clear that the theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics is the product of the inte- gration of the fundamental tenets of Marxism-Leninism with the reality of present-day China and the special features of our times, a continuation and development of Mao Zedong Thought, a crystallization of the collective wisdom of the entire Party membership and the whole Chinese people, and an intellectual treasure belonging to them all.*
4 CPCCC Party Literature Research Office: “Selection of Important Literature since the 14" National Congress” (Vol. D, p. 13, Beijing, Central Literature Publishing House, 1996.
In 1997, when explaining the historical status and guiding significance of
Deng Xiaoping Theory, the 15° National Congress of the Communist Party
of China explicitly pointed out for the first time: “Deng Xiaoping Theory
constitutes a new, scientific system of the theory of building socialism with
Chinese characteristics. It has been gradually formed and developed under
the historical conditions in which peace and development have become the
main themes of the times, in the practice of China’s reform, opening up and
modernization drive, and on the basis of reviewing the historical experi-
ence of successes and setbacks of socialism in China and learning from the
historical experience of the rise and fall of other socialist countries. For the
first time it has given preliminary but systematic answers to a series of basic
questions concerning the path to socialism in China, the stages of develop-
ment, the fundamental tasks, the motive force, the external conditions, the
political guarantee, the strategic steps, Party leadership, the forces to be
relied on, and the reunification of the motherland. It has guided our Party
in formulating the basic line for the primary stage of socialism. It is a fairly
complete scientific system which embraces philosophy, political economy
and scientific socialism and covers, among other things, the economy, poli-
tics, science and technology, education, culture, ethnic, military and foreign
affairs, the united front and Party building. It is also a scientific system
which needs to be further enriched and developed in all aspects.
In July 2003, after the formation of the important thought of the “Three
Represents”, at the theoretical seminar on the important thought of the
“Three Represents”, Comrade Hu Jintao made commented: The important
Thought of the Three Represents, has solved the major issues concerning
the ideological line, the path of development, development stages, devel-
opment ways, the fundamental tasks, the motive forces of development,
the comprehensive national power, the international strategy, the leading
forces, and the fundamental goals of socialism with Chinese characteris-
tics. The Thought of Three Represents fulfills the common wishes of the
Chinese people and forms the foundation of nation building in the new cen-
tury. This thought enriches and develops the basic tenets of Marxism with a
series of new ideas, views and theses and profoundly embodies the integra-
tion of history with reality in the development of the theory of Marxism, it
has answered a series of questions on what socialism is, and how to build
it, which are closely linked and integrated. The important thought of Three
Represents creatively takes the theory of building the party in office as its
main subject and answers what kind of party we should build, and how to
build it.
3. CPCCC Party Literature Research Office: “Selection of Important Literature since
the 16 National Congress” (Vol. I), p.361, Beijing, Central Literature Publishing House,
2005.
Since the 16" CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee taking
Hu Jintao as the General Secretary, starting from the overall situation of the
Party and the country in the stage of the new century, has profoundly sum-
marized the lessons and experience in the foreign and domestic economic
and social development, constantly advanced the theoretical innovations, and
explicitly proposed a series of major strategic thoughts, such as the scientific
outlook on development, the construction of the harmonious socialist society,
the innovation-driven country and the new socialist countryside, the strength-
ening of the construction of the Party’s governance capacity and advanced
nature, the building of the socialist concept of honor and disgrace, and the
path of peaceful development. These important strategic thoughts are elabo-
rated around the socialist theory with Chinese characteristics.
The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is always elucidated around the four closely related basic questions: what is Marxism and how to deal with it, what is socialism and how to build it, what kind of party is to be built and how to build it, and what kind of development is to be achieved and how to achieve it, with a rich compound. In terms of the first question, the system stresses that Marxism keeps pace with the times and its essence is to seek truth from facts, which provides a creative answer to how to adhere to and develop Marxism under the new historical conditions, enriches and develops Marxism with a series of new thoughts and ideas, and opens up a new realm for Marxism in China. In terms of the second question, the system creatively answers how to build, consolidate and develop socialism in a country with backward economic and cultural background after the establishment of the socialist system, and provides a series of new thoughts and ideas on how to develop socialism by not only upholding the basic principles of scientific socialism but also considering the conditions of the times and people’s desire, which has raised our Party’s understanding of socialism to a new level. As for the third question, the system answers in a creative way how to adhere to the Party’s foundation, consolidate the ruling foundation and strengthen the power source when the Party’s historical orientation experiences profound changes, and puts forward a series of new ideas that the nature of the Marxist ruling party should be adhered to, the Party’s governance capacity be improved, and the Party’s advanced nature be maintained and developed, which have enriched and developed the Marxist theory of Party construction. In terms of the fourth question, the system gives a creative answer to what development is, why it is necessary to develop, how to develop, for whom the development is, on whom the development depends, who is to share the development achievements, and proposes a series of new thoughts and ideas on develop- ment connotation, concepts, thoughts and problems, and on how to achieve scientific development, which elevates our Party’s understanding of devel- opment issues to an unprecedentedly high level.
The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is sci- entific in that it is in line with Marxism-Leninism, the essential guiding ideology for our Party and country to be well-established and the action guide and powerful ideological weapon for us to learn about and transform the world, and advances with’ the times. It is the outcome of the combina- tion of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete realities and the characteristics of the times. It adheres to the Marxist world outlook and methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, to the highest ideal and value pursuit of communism, to the leading core—the proletariat—and the power source of the history—the broad masses of the people, to the fundamental task—emancipating and developing productive forces, to the essential characteristics of socialist democratic politics— people are the masters of the country, to the guiding position of Marxism in the field of Marxist ideology, and to the fundamental driving force of the socialist development—reform and innovation. By adhering to and ap- plying the basic principles of Marxism on scientific socialism, this system analyzes the realities of the world and contemporary China, and thus makes a series of theoretical innovations and embodies the spirit of keeping pace with the times. It is a model of upholding and developing Marxism as well as a scientific theory consistent with Marxism-Leninism.
The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a theoretical system which is in line with Mao Zedong Thought and keeps pace with the times. The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese char- acteristics has its profound theoretical roots in Mao Zedong Thought and it is a continuation and development of Mao Zedong’s arduous exploration and achievements regarding laws of building socialism. As Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “we have been restoring the correct things advocated by Comrade Mao Zedong, The basic points of Mao Zedong Thought are still those we have enumerated. In many respects, we are doing things Comrade Mao suggested but failed to do himself, setting right his erroneous opposi- tion to certain things and accomplishing some things that he did not. All this we shall continue to do for a fairly long time. Of course, we have developed Mao Zedong Thought and will go on developing it.”
Both Mao Zedong Thought and the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics insist on emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, keeping pace with the times, adopting the Party’s mass line and walk- ing on its own way independently. This is their common ground on the basic aspects, such as the positions, views, methods, etc.. Today, these two should be still upheld and developed.
6 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 2nd Edition, Volume 2, p. 300, Beijing, People‘s
Publishing House, 1994.
The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a con-
stantly developing and open theoretical system. It is also true for Marxism.
It is clearly stated in the report of the 17" CPC National Congress: The
theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is an open sys-
tem that keeps developing. Keeping pace with the times is the theoreti-
cal quality of Marxism and theoretical innovation is an essential feature of
Marxism and an inexhaustible source of its vitality forever. Practices since
the publication of the “Communist Manifesto” nearly 160 years ago have
proved that only when Marxism is integrated with the conditions of a spe-
cific country, advances in step with the times and is tied to the destiny of
the people can it demonstrate its strong vitality, creativity and its appeal.
The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, as the lat-
est theoretical achievement in adapting Marxism to Chinese conditions, the
Party’s invaluable political and intellectual asset, is also an open theoretical
system itself and also a scientific system that requires constant enrichment
and development. As a new great revolution, reform and opening up cannot
win an easy victory and cannot be accomplished in one go.
Over the past 30 years of reform and opening up, the socialism with Chinese characteristics has made remarkable achievements. China has scored achievements in development that have captured world attention. However, the basic reality that China is still in the primary stage of social- ism and will remain so for a long time to come has not changed, nor has Chinese society’s principal contradiction-the one between the ever-grow- ing material and cultural needs of the people and the low level of social production. Our country is the largest developing country in the world. Its international status has not changed.”
Meanwhile, quite a lot of difficulties and problems still exist in the course of continuing to promote the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics. All the achievements and progress made over the past 30 years of develop- ment can be essentially owed to the fact that our Party has paved the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and formed the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Looking into the future and in order to solve the complex problems in the development of the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics and seize the new victory of building a well-off society in a comprehensive way, our Party is required to hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, unswervingly follow the socialist path with Chinese characteristics, and continue to deepen the study of the socialist theory with Chinese characteristics; to insist on the scientific Marxist principle and spirit, be good at grasping the objective changes and summarizing the fresh experience created by the people in practice, enrich
7 Hu Jintao: Speech at the Meeting Celebrating the 90" Anniversary of the Founding of the CPC, p. 20.
and develop the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteris- tics, continuously endow the contemporary Chinese Marxism with distinc- tive features in terms of the practice, nation and times, constantly open up new horizons for the Marxist theoretical development, and strive to a wider socialist path with Chinese characteristics.
Second, the main contents of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics
The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics runs through the important strategic thoughts: Deng Xiaoping Theory, “Three Represents” and the scientific outlook on development. It is unified and scientific in that it has formed a series of interconnected basic views on such major issues as the socialist development path, development stage, fundamental task, development motivation, external conditions, political guarantee, strategic steps, leadership and supporting group, and reunifica- tion of the motherland. It includes the following 14 aspects:
———The ideological line. It is the essence of the theoretical system of
socialism with Chinese characteristics as well as the soul of Deng Xiaoping
Theory, “Three Represents”, and the scientific outlook on development. It
stresses emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, keeping pace with
the times, starting from the reality, examining and developing the truth in
practice, vigorously carrying forward the spirit of seeking truth and being
pragmatic, vigorously promoting the theoretical and practical innovation,
and making efforts to realize the ideological liberation, theoretical develop-
ment and practical creations.
The fundamental task. It is the central issue of the theoretical system
of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It stresses that development is the
key to solving all problems in China. In essence, socialism is to liberate and
develop the productive forces, eliminate exploitation and polarization, and
finally achieve common prosperity. We should adhere to the unity of the
center—economic construction—and the two basic points—the four basic
principles and the reform and opening up, and to the principle of focusing
on construction and development, grasp the development laws, innovate
the development concept, transform the development mode, solve the de-
velopment problems, improve the development quality and efficiency, and
Strive to achieve the scientific, harmonious and peaceful development.
The development stage and development strategies. It is the strate- gic goal and grand blueprint proposed by our Party according to the basic national conditions of contemporary China. It is emphasized that we should be soberly aware that China is and will be for a long time in the primary tage of socialism and that the main contradiction of the society is the con- flict between the growing material and cultural needs of the masses and the
backward social production. We should accurately grasp the stage charac-
teristics of China’s development, make full use of the important strategic
period, better implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through
science and education, the strategy of strengthening China through talents,
and the strategy of sustainable development, adhere to the basic require-
ments of comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development and the
basic methods of making overall plans and taking all factors into consid-
eration, comprehensively promote the economic, political, cultural, social
and ecological construction according to the four-to-one overall layout, and
realize enough food and clothing, the well-off society and modernization
through three steps, and build a strong, prosperous, democratic and civi-
lized modern socialist country.
The development motivation. It stems from the profound under- standing of the contradiction movement between the socialist productive forces and productive relations, and the economic base and the superstruc- ture, and reveals the vitality source of the development and progress of our Party and country. It emphasizes that the reform and opening up, a new great revolution, is the path to the powerful nation. We should always ad- here to the correct direction of reform and opening up, carry out the spirit of reform and innovation to all aspects of country governance, promote the reform of all areas, and advance the self-improvement and development of our socialist system. In addition, we should improve the scientific nature of the reform decision-making and the coordination of concrete measures, and correctly understand and properly handle the relationship among the reform, development and stability. At last, we should adhere to the basic national policy of opening up to the outside world, make it happen in = as- pects, a higher level and wider areas, better combine the “bringing in” and “going out”, and form the new advantage of participating in international economic cooperation and competition at the background of the economic globalization.
The fundamental purpose. It reflects the starting point and foothold
of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and our Party’s fun-
damental purpose—-serving the people wholeheartedly. It is emphasized
that the Party should always be built for the public and exercise power for
people, adhere to the principle of being people-oriented, uphold the peo-
ple’s principal role in the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics,
carry forward the people’s initiative spirit, realize, maintain and develop the
fundamental interests of the majority of the people, safeguard people’s var!-
ous rights and interests, promote people’s all-round development, so as to
realize the development for the people, development relying on the people,
and development achievements shared by the people.
~——The economic construction. It stresses that we should establish and improve the socialist market economy system, adhere to and improve the basic economic system that public ownership plays the leading role and diverse forms of ownership develop side by side, accelerate the transfor- mation of the economic development mode, and vigorously promote the strategic adjustment of the economic structure. By adhering to the status of science and technology as the first productive force, we should improve the independent innovation capability, promote the coordinated development between urban and rural areas, improve the macro-control system and the level of open economy, and promote the sound and fast development of the national economy. The civilized development path that we develop through production, enjoy in affluence, live in ecologically good environment.
The political construction. It emphasizes that people’s democracy is
the life of socialism and thus we must adhere to the political development
path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the organic unity of CPC’s
leadership, people’s status as the masters of the country and ruling by law,
adhere to and improve the people’s congress system, the CPC-led multi-
party cooperation and political consultation system, the system of national
regional autonomy and the grass-roots democratic system, and constantly
promote the self-improvement and development of the political socialist
system. We should adhere to the correct political direction, deepen the po-
litical system reform, ensure the people’s status as the masters of the coun-
try, set the goal of enhancing the vitality of the Party and the country and
mobilizing people’s enthusiasm, expand socialist democracy, build a so-
cialist country ruled by law and develop the political socialist civilization.
te RNC
The cultural construction. It stresses that we need to adhere to the
direction of advanced culture, vigorously develop the national, scientific
and popular socialist culture that is oriented to modernization, the world,
and the future, promote the socialist cultural development and prosper-
ity, and give rise to a new upsurge of the socialist cultural construction.
By adhering to the guiding position of Marxism in the field of ideology,
equipping people with the scientific theory, guiding people with the right
public opinion, shaping people with the lofty spirit, inspiring people with
excellent works, and approaching the reality, the life, and the masses, we
should focus on constructing the socialist core values system, consolidat-
ing and expanding the mainstream ideological public opinion, promoting
cultural innovation, deepening cultural system reform, developing cultural
undertakings and industries, and improving the soft power of the national
culture, so as to make the people’s basic cultural rights and interests bet-
ter guaranteed, the social and cultural life more colorful and people more
high-spirited.
Se NE el ESN GE
The social (society) construction. It stresses that social harmony is the essential attribute of socialism with Chinese characteristics. As a result, to guarantee and improve people’s livelihood must be carried out as a major task that concerns the overall situation, so as to promote social fairness and justice and enable all people to live a decent and dignified life in which they can be taught when they want to learn, get paid when they work, get treated. when they are ill, be looked after properly when they turn old, and have a place for them to live in. We should also adhere to and improve the distribu- tion system with distribution according to work being the main form and multiple ways of distribution co-existing, and promote the participation of such productive forces as the labor, capital, technology and management into the distribution. Special efforts shall be made to solve the most direct and realistic issue of interests that concern people the most, to correctly handle the contradictions among the people, to maximize the social vitality for creations and the harmonious factors, and to minimize the factors of disharmony.
———The national defense and army building. It stresses that we should,
standing at the height of the national security and development strategy,
integrate the economic construction with national defense construction, ad-
here to the Party’s absolute leadership in the army and to the fundamental
purpose of the people’s army, implement the strategic military guideline
in the new period, accelerate the military reform with Chinese character-
istics, comprehensively strengthen and coordinate the advancement of the
revolutionary construction, modernization and normalization of the army,
and resolutely safeguard the integrity of the state sovereignty, security and
territory, so as to make the prosperous country powerful in its army as well.
——-Basic forces it depends on. It stresses that the working class in- cluding intellectuals, and the broad masses of farmers are the fundamental strength that promotes the development of advanced productive forces and the all-round social progress in our country; and the social classes newly emerging in the social transformation are constructors of the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics. We should fully implement the guideline of respecting the labor, the knowledge, the talent, and the creation, mobilize all positive factors in the broadest and fullest way, develop and expand the patriotic united front, unite all forces that can be united, and promote the harmony of party relations, ethnic relations, religious relations, relations among social strata, and relations among foreign and domestic compatriots at home and abroad.
Promoting the great cause of the national reunification. We must un- swervingly implement the highly autonomous principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Hong Kong self-rule”, and “Macao self-rule” and act strict- ly by the basic laws of the special administrative region, so as to maintain
the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao; adhere to the principle of “peaceful reunification, and One Country, Two Systems”, the 8 proposals for developing the cross-straits relations and promoting the peaceful reunification process of the country, and the four points of view on the development of the cross-strait relations under the new situation, so as to initiate a new situation of the cross-strait relations and achieve the complete reunification of the-country.
The foreign diplomacy and international strategy. It stresses that
we should hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation,
unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, the independent
foreign policy of peace, and the opening-up strategy of mutual benefit
and win-win result, and develop itself through the maintenance of world
peace and maintain world peace through its own development. Besides, we
should develop the friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of
the five principles of peaceful coexistence and promote the construction of
a harmonious world characteristic with lasting peace and common prosper-
ity; the national sovereignty, security and development interests shall be
safeguarded.
The leadership core. It makes clear the leadership and fundamen-
tal guarantee of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is emphasized
that the key to China’s problems lies in the Party and thus the Party con-
struction, a new great project, should be connected with the great cause
of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and be strengthened at the spirit
of reform and innovation. It thus follows that we shall adhere to the prin-
cipal line of the Party’s governing capacity and advanced nature construc-
tion, persist in policing itself and imposing strict discipline on its members,
strengthen the Party’s ideological, organizational, work-style, institutional,
and anti-corruption construction, so that the Party will always be the strong
leadership core of the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics.
Generally speaking, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is not only a scientific, integrated and logically rigorous sys- tem in that it involves various aspects such as reform, development and sta- bility, the domestic and foreign affairs and the national defense, and the ad- ministration of the Party, country and army, and covers the construction in such various areas as the economy, politics, culture, society, Party, national defense and army modernization, but also an open one that is constantly developing and will continue to enrich and develop with the development of the socialist practice with Chinese characteristics.
Historical status, role and guiding significance of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics
First, The correct theory guiding the Chinese people to victories in reform and opening and in promoting socialist modernization
The 17® National Congress of the Communist Party of China has writ- ten the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics into the party constitution and clearly pointed out that the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics “upholds, develops and represents the Party’s adherence to and development of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought and embodies the wisdom and hard work of several gen- erations of Chinese Communists leading the people in carrying out tireless explorations and practices. It is the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to Chinese conditions, the Party’s invaluable political and intellectual asset, and the common ideological foundation for the concerted endeavor of the people of all ethnic groups.”
This is our party’s high evaluation of the historical status and guid- 24 ing significance of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and reflects the common aspirations of the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country.
In the final analysis, the historical position of a scientific theory is deter- mined by practice and determined by its historical pros and cons. Since the reform and opening-up for the past 30 plus years and more, under the guid- ance of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we have achieved rapid and steady long-term development that was unprec- edented in modern times and has won great successes that have attracted worldwide attention. From 1978 to 2007, China’s GDP has increased from 364.5 billion yuan to 24.95 trillion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 9.8%. This is more than three times the growth rate (annual) of the world economy. China’s total economic aggregate has risen to fourth rank in the world fourth. We rely on our own strength in solving the food problem of our 1.3 billion people. China’s total import-export volume has increased from 20.6 billion US dollars to 2.1737 trillion US dollars, ranking third in the world. Its foreign exchange reserves rank the first in the world, consequently China’s foreign investments has increased substantially. And actually utilized foreign capital investments in China has reached nearly
8 CPCCC Party Literature Research Office: “Selection of Important Literature since the 17" National Congress” (Vol.D, p.9, Beijing, Central Literature Publishing House, 2009.
100 billion US dollars. The per capita disposable income of urban residents
in China increased from 343 yuan to 13,786 yuan, an increase of 6.5 times
in real terms. The per capita net income of farmers has increased from 134
yuan to 4,140 yuan, an increase of 6.3 times in real terms. The number of
poor people in rural areas has dropped from 250 million to about 14 mil-
lion. Urban per capita housing construction area and rural per capita hous-
ing area has doubled. We can see that people’s household property, food,
drinking and living standards have seen significant improvement.
The constant enhancement of the economic strength and comprehensive national strength, the remarkable achievements in political, cultural and so- cial construction and the well-off status of people’s living standards on the whole, and the historic changes of the Chinese people, the socialist China and the Communist Party of China, prove that the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the correct theory that has guided the Chinese people in successfully promoting the socialist modernization in the reform and opening up. In contemporary China, none but this theo- retical system can instruct us to achieve the state prosperity and people’s affluence and complete the historical task of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Second, the basic goal of building a moderately well-off society
Since the reform and opening up, especially after entering the new stage of the new century, we have made steady steps towards the goal of build- ing a well-off society in an all-round way which is supposed to be reached by 2020. In the course towards this goal, we face not only important de- velopment opportunities but also many contradictions and problems which are manifested in the following 8 aspects. First of all, the structural con- tradiction and extensive economic development mode formed in a long time remain without fundamental changes, with the relatively low-level productive forces and the less strong capability of independent innovation. Secondly, the institutional and mechanism obstacles in the development and the deep-level contradictions and problems in the further reform in dif- ficult areas still exist. Thirdly, the trend of the widening income distribution gap has not been fundamentally reversed with the number of urban and tural poverty-stricken people and low-income people still considerable and the overall consideration of interests in all areas more difficult. Fourthly, the task of narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas and different regions and promoting the socially and economically coordinated develop- ment remains arduous considering the unchanged weak agricultural foun- dation and lagging rural development. Fifthly, the political system reform needs deepening since the construction of democracy and legal system is not fully adapted to the requirements of expanding people’s democracy and economic and social development. Sixthly, people have increasing spiritual
and cultural needs and their thoughts and activities are increasingly inde- pendent, variable, and diverse with more choices, which poses higher re- quirements for the development of advanced socialist culture. Seventhly, the social structure, social organizational form and social interests pattern have undergone profound changes, and the social construction and man- agement are facing many new problems. Eighthly, the increasingly intense international competition, the advantages of the developed countries in the economy and science and technology over developing countries, and the increasing predictable and unpredictable risks, form a higher requirement for making overall plans of the domestic development and opening up to the outside world. In the face of such complex contradictions and problems and difficulties and challenges ahead, and in order to continue to promote reform and opening up and modernization, we have to adopt the scientific theory as the guidance. Only by adhering to the theoretical system of so- cialism with Chinese characteristics can we have a clearer understanding of the basic national conditions, the stage characteristics of development, and the objective laws of the socialist construction in our country, put forward the correct solutions to these contradictions and problems, and smoothly advance the great cause of building a well-off society in an all-round way and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Third, common ideological basis for the struggles of the whole party and people from all nationalities
Common ideological foundation is the fundamental premise so that a party, a country and a nation can depend on and can maintain its existence and development. Without a common ideological foundation, the party will collapse and the country will be dissolved and its people will be divided. Mao Zedong emphasized: it is of great importance in achieving a common language in the Party, and that socialist countries should have “the will of unity”. Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “in order to advance our cause “the most important thing is the unity of people. To achieve unity, people must have common ideals and firm convictions.” Jiang Zemin pointed out: “Ifa country does not have its own spiritual supporting pillar, it means that it has no soul, and will lose its national cohesion and vitality.”?
Hu Jintao pointed out: “lofty ideals and firm convictions are the great banners that unite people and inspire them to make new progress. They are the source of strength to overcome difficulties and win new victories.”'°
9 Selected Works of Jiang Zemin, Vol.2, pp.230-231, Beijing, People’s Publishing House, 2006. 10 CPCCC Party Literature Research Office: “Selection of Important Literature since the 16 National Congress” (Vol. II) p.729, Beijing, Central Literature Publishing House, 2008.
As a new social system, socialism is not only a social movement, but also a pursuit of the ideal and value, which definitely requires us to unify people’s thoughts with the common thought and will. The Soviet Union gave us a lesson on what kind of theory can be used to unify the Party’s and people’s thoughts. In the Soviet Union, the Party’s theory was rather unat- tractive to the Party members and the masses considering the long-standing ideological rigidity and prevalence of dogmatism within the Party. After coming, into power, Gorbachev put forward “the humane and democratic socialism”, “new thinking”, “openness”, “democratization”, “pluralistic guiding ideology”, “political pluralism”, and “multi-party system”, which confused the thoughts of party members and the masses. Some western scholars explained that the reason for the collapse of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was “the disintegration of the Marxist theory”, which deprived the socialist system of its legitimacy. It shows that we should not only adhere to Marxism but also develop Marxism and unify people’s thoughts and guide the practice with the developing Marxism. The ruling party with more than 80 million party members, confronted with a popu- lation of more than 1.3 billion in China, profound changes in the inter- national and domestic environment, and people’s diverse, variable, and pluralistic views and ideas, must adhere to the education of the Party and people with the developing Marxism and the theoretical system of social- ism with Chinese characteristics. This theoretical system, integrating the socialist development with the historical task of national rejuvenation, the realization of socialist modernization with the common prosperity of the people, and the national security, danger, honor and disgrace with people’s happiness, is the strong spiritual force leading and inspiring the people of all ethnic groups in the country and the backbone conquering all risks and challenges. Only by unifying the thoughts of the whole party and the people with this system can the people of different social classes and different in- terest groups be able to get united to the largest extent and work together for the common goal.
Fourth, a new breakthrough in the development of Marxist theory
Marx and Engels discussed the possibility of constructing socialism and how to build it in countries with backward economy and culture but failed to put it into practice for the absence of conditions. Lenin made some ex- plorations according to Russia’s realities, turned socialism from theory to reality, and achieved valuable results. Based on the experience of the Soviet Union and China’s realities, Mao Zedong made deep reflections and practi- cal explorations, which resulted in many creative ideas. However, Marxist classical writers cannot provide ready-made answers for how to build, consolidate and develop socialism in China today. Deng Xiaoping said: We cannot expect Marx to provide ready answers to questions that arise a
hundred or several hundred years after his death, nor can we ask Lenin to
give answers to questions that arise fifty or a hundred years after his death.
A true Marxist-Leninist must understand, carry on and develop Marxism-
Leninism in light of the current situation."
After the 3 Plenary Session of the 11" CPC Central Committee, our Party has been soberly aware that building socialism cannot proceed from the books nor from the inherent mode but from the concrete realities of China. It is stressed that we should not only adhere to the basic principles of Marxism and carry forward the revolutionary tradition but also compose a new epic of Marxism, create new experience, and guide the new prac- tice of building socialism with Chinese characteristics with the developing Marxism. Our party has combined the basic principles of Marxism with the concrete practical realities of contemporary China, paved the socialist path with Chinese characteristics, formed the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, systematically answered the major theoretical and practical problems of how to build, consolidate and develop socialism in China, added new content and made historic contributions to the Marxist theory.
Ideological Line of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
The enrichment and development of the party’s ideological line Theoretical qualities and essence of Marxism
First, the re-establishment (correction) of the party's ideological line
world outlook and methodology hold by people in the activities of under- standing and reforming the world. The fundamental question that it wants to answer and solve is the relationship between the subjective and objective and that between theory and practice. This question is in fact the concrete embodiment in actual work of the basic philosophical question, namely, the relationship between matter and consciousness and that between be- ing and thinking. Dialectical materialism and historical materialism are sci- entific world outlook and methodology; the fundamental cognitive line of dialectical materialism and historical materialism and the ideological line of the proletariat and its political party is to proceed from reality in all work, achieve correspondence between subjectivity and objectivity, and integrate theory with practice.
The ideological line of the CPC is to proceed from reality in all work, integrate theory with practice, seek truth from facts and verify and develop the truth through practice. An important content and a scientific summary of this ideological line is to emancipate the mind, seek truth from facts, and advance with the times. However, seen from the historical development, emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, and advancing with the times, were not proposed at the same time but experienced a process of continuous enrichment and development. It can be said that Mao Zedong
“Ideological line”, philosophically called cognitive line, refers to the Rae
created this ideological line during the New Democratic Revolution, and
summarized it as “seeking truth from facts”. Deng Xiaoping re-established
and developed it in the new period of socialist construction and summa-
rized it as “emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts”. Jiang
Zemin further developed it in the new century and summarized it as “eman-
cipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, and advancing with the times”.
During the period from the 1920s to 1930s, the “left-dogmatism” and the right-dogmatism in the CPC, especially the “left-dogmatism” repre- sented by Wang Ming, carried out the cognitive line of proceeding from books only. Divorced from the actual situation of the Chinese society and the Chinese revolution, they blindly copied the experience of the October Revolution (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and the resolutions of the Communist International. They depended on rote memorization of the books of Marxism-Leninism to solve the extremely complex problem in China, namely how should China carry out revolution in a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, which almost drove the Chinese revolution to the last ditch. The CPC, represented by Mao Zedong, followed the cognitive line of proceeding from reality in all work and combined the basic prin- ciples of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete reality of the Chinese revo- lution. Their shifts depending on time, place and conditions had repeatedly saved Chinese revolution. In the actual activities of leading the Chinese revolution, Mao Zedong deeply realized the harm of dogmatism and book- ishness inconsistent with the reality of China to the CPC. In order to over- come various wrong ideas widely found in the Party and ensure the smooth development of the Chinese revolution, Mao Zedong summed up the basic cognitive line of dialectical materialism and historical materialism—pro- ceeding from the realities—with four characters “seeking truth from facts” in the 1940s, and established it as the ideological line of the Chinese com- munists. Under the guidance of this ideological line, the Chinese com- munists overcame the obstacles on the way forward, found China’s own revolutionary path, won the new-democratic revolution and established the People’s Republic of China. After the founding of the new China, under the guidance of this ideological line, the Chinese communists quickly restored the national economy, successfully realized the socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts and capitalist industry, established a socialist sys- tem and developed the socialist economy, politics and culture.
In the 1980s, during the struggle against the wrong thinking of “Two Whatevers”, Deng Xiaoping mentioned “emancipating the mind” and “seeking truth from facts” together, proposed a new summary of the fun- damental cognitive line of dialectical materialism and historical material- ism according with the needs of the development of times, re-established the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, and added “emancipating
the mind” to this ideological line, so as to break the long-standing social situation characteristic with the ideological rigidity, ideological conserva- tism and ideological confinement, eliminate the ideological restraints of personal superstition and personal worship on the whole Party and all the people, get rid of the harmful’effects of the “Cultural Revolution” and cre- ate a new historical development period. Guided by the ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, the whole Party and all the people started from the reality of the primary stage of socialism, made trials and errors, and have created a socialist path with Chinese characteris- tics and made great groundbreaking achievements on this path.
Second, the enrichment and development of the ideological line
Just after entering the 21" century, in the report of the 16 National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, Jiang Zemin pointed out: “Persisting in the party’s ideological line, emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, and advancing with the times are the decisive elements for our party to adhere and maintain to its advanced nature and enhance its creativity.”
&
This new argument is the new summary of the fundamental cognitive line of dialectical materialism and historical materialism made by the Chinese communists in the new stage of the new century, according to the new situa- tion, new tasks and new requirements. This new summary is consistent with the development needs of the times. It not only adheres to the ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, but also adds the new content of “advancing with the times” to this ideological line.
In January 2004, at the 3" Plenary Meeting of the Discipline Inspection Committee of CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Hu Jintao put forward the new requirements of “being realistic and pragmatic” to the whole Party. The essence of being realistic and pragmatic is to ask the whole Party to continuously seek for the truth of the basic national condi- tions in the primary stage of socialism in China and adhere to long-term and arduous struggle; seek the law of socialist construction and human social development, and do a good job at development which is the first priority of the Party in governing and rejuvenating the country; seek the historical status and function of the masses, and develop the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people; seek the law of the governance by the communist party and strengthen and improve the Party construction. To adhere to being realistic and pragmatic, we should strive to: effectively strengthen ideological education, constantly improve the consciousness of the party members and cadres of being realistic and pragmatic; insist on serving the people wholeheartedly, and straighten out the relationship with the masses; correctly understand the national conditions, formulate the guidelines and policies and carry out the work according to the national conditions; understand, grasp, follow and apply the laws. In short, being realistic and pragmatic is to closely focus on the implementation of the work of the Party and the country, put theory into practice, translate idea into action and achieve results.
From “seeking truth from facts” established by Mao Zedong to Deng
Xiaoping’s “emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts”, to Jiang —
Zemin’s “emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts and advancing with the times”, and to the new demand of “being realistic and pragmatic” put forward by the former General Secretary Hu Jintao, we can clearly see the continuous enrichment and development of the ideological line of the CPC in revolution, construction and reform practice. With such a continu- ous enrichment and development, the various undertakings of the Party and China have been given a strong spiritual driving force, and the Party’s theo- retical innovation given a fountain head.
Theoretical qualities and essence of Marxism
First, theoretical qualities and essence of Marxism-Leninism
Marxism is a scientific theory that has evolved with the development of social practice. Emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advanc- ing with the times are the theoretical qualities and essence of Marxism. Marxism was born in the 1840s.
Before the creation of Marxism, capitalist society was shrouded in a kind of innocent “myth”. When the bourgeoisie created a productivity that was larger in amount and greater than all productivities created before during its rule which only lasted less than one hundred years and when the capital- ist system showed progress and superiority over the feudal system in all aspects of social life, the bourgeois thinkers, theorists and politicians were so absorbed in such a victory, believing that the capitalist society was the best and most desirable society in the mankind history and that the capital- ist system would be sacred and unshakeable.
Although some economists, philosophers and historians had found that capitalism was not perfect with many defects and full of many evils through studies and observations in various fields, they still strove to speak for the capitalism and demonstrate the sanctity of the capitalist system. In the 1940s, Marx and Engels, starting from the actual conditions of the age when
they lived and critically inheriting all outstanding ideological achievements
created before and at that time, carried out an in-depth study on the opera-
tion characteristics, basic contradiction and development trend of capitalist
economy, politics, culture and’ social life, and finally reached a scientific
conclusion that capitalism was bound to death and socialism was bound
to success. .They founded Marxism, declared the failure of the myth that
capitalism was sacred and unshakeable with the power of truth, and created
anew realm of understanding the law and direction of human society devel-
opment, thus establishing a scientific ideological system for the liberation
movement of the proletariat and all mankind.
Although Marxism, with its critical and scientific spirit, has been warmly welcomed by the proletariat and the masses in the world and has so many strong believers and followers, thus it has become the guiding ideology and theoretical weapon of the proletarian political party, Marx and Engels have never regarded their theories as absolute truths, nor have they treated the specific conclusions that they have arrived under particular historical con- ditions as definite and rigid formulas, besides they have also opposed others who treated their theories as such.
They always emphasized repeatedly: “Our theory is a theory of evolu- tion, not of dogma to be learned by heart and to be repeated mechanically.”
For example, The Communist Manifesto, which is the creation as well as the first programmatic document of Marxism, played a great guiding role in the vigorous development of the workers movement. But the practice in 1872 developed on the basis of the practice at the time when The Communist Manifesto was issued, and as a result, Marx and Engels pointed out clearly in the preface to the second edition of The Communist Manifesto: “However much that state of things may have altered during the last twenty-five years, the general principles laid down in the Manifesto are, on the whole, as correct today as ever. Here and there, some detail might be improved. The practical application of the principles will depend, as the Manifesto itself states, everywhere and at all times, on the historical conditions for the time being existing...., no special stress is laid on the revolutionary measures proposed at the end of Section II. That passage would, in many respects, be very differently worded today.... “But since then, the Manifesto has become a historical document which we have no longer any right to alter.”
Nowhere did Marx indicate this more clearly as when he wrote in his | 877 letter to the Editor of the Petersburg literary-political journal Otechstvennye Zapiski, which printed an article by Nicolai K. Mikhailovski, who treated the analysis found in his book Capital as iron-clad historical laws in non- European settings: He must by all means transform my historical sketch of the development of capitalism in Western Europe into a historical philo- sophical theory of universal development predetermined by fate for all na- tions, whatever their historic circumstances in which they find themselves
may be,.... But I beg his pardon. (That mistaken understanding, does me at -
the same time too much honor and too much insult).”*
For example, when Engels wrote about how to treat materialism, he pointed to the powerful and ever more rapidly onrushing progress of natu- ral science, technology and industry, which have profoundly changed the connotation and denotation of social practice, and he explicitly stressed: “with each epoch-making discovery even in the sphere of natural science it has to change its form.”
The adherence to obtaining theory from practice, putting theory into practice for the test of practice and developing theory together with practice run through the life of Marx and Engels.
Born in the turn of the 19" century and the 20" century, Leninism is the Marxism appearing when capitalism developed into imperialism. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the capitalism entering the imperialist stage underwent quite a lot of changes and found many new characteristics in economy, politics, culture, society and other aspects, comparing to that in the era of free competition. Then, how to rediscover the conditions, paths, methods, means and strategies of proletarian revolution according to the changing situation and practice and turn scientific socialism from theo- ry into practice became a major subject that need be taken seriously and solved by Marxists. However, some people did not proceed from reality but from the books. They rigidified and dogmatized the concrete conclusions of Marx and Engels made in specific historical period and under specific his- torical conditions. They insisted that the socialist revolution could only be successful through simultaneously breaking out in the developed European and American capitalist countries. They argued that the revolution could never break out in the economically and culturally backward countries, let alone achieving the success of socialist revolution. However Lenin insisted that: Marxism is not a dogma but a guide to action.
4 Selected Works of Marx and Engels, 2nd Edition, Vol.3, p.342, Beijing, People's Publishing House, 1995; Marx’s 1877 Letter to the Editor of the Petersburg Literary- political journal Otechstvennye Zapiski. 5 https://www.marxists.org/ archive/marx/works/1886/ludwig-feuerbach/ch02.htm.
For the present, it is essential to grasp the incontestable truth that a Marxist must take cognizance of real life, of the true facts of reality, and not cling to a theory of yesterday, which, like all theories, at best only outlines the main and the general, only comes near to embracing life in all its com- plexity. “Theory, my friend, is grey, but green is the eternal tree of life.”
Starting from this, Lenin combined the basic principles of Marxism with the characteristics of the times and the specific realities of the Russian revolution. Based on the new historical conditions and social practice and through in-depth study of the basic contradictions and development trend of the political and economic relations within and between the imperialist countries, he discovered the imbalance between the economic development and political development of capitalism, and further concluded that: under the new development conditions, the socialist revolution could succeed first in one or several countries in the weak link of the imperialist domination.
“On the Slogan for a United States of Europe” in August 1915, Lenin
wrote: Uneven economic and political development is an absolute law of
capitalism. Hence, the victory of socialism is possible first in several or even
in one capitalist country alone.” In 1917, in his “The Military Programme
of the Proletarian Revolution” he wrote: The development of capitalism
proceeds extremely unevenly in different countries. It cannot be otherwise
under commodity production. From this it follows irrefutably that social-
ism cannot achieve victory simultaneously in all countries. It will achieve
victory first in one or several countries, while the others will for some time
remain bourgeois or pre-bourgeois.”®
Nl RNP RR OU URE HENAN
The victory of the Russian October Revolution and the victory of the
socialist revolution of the countries with relatively backward economy and
culture in the later period proved that Marx and Engels’ thought that the
success of socialist revolution could only be achieved simultaneously in
several developed capitalist countries did not conform to the new historical
conditions and Lenin’s revision of Marx and Engels’ conclusions based on
the new practice was completely correct. His revision is a significant theo-
_ fetical innovation to Marxism, creating a new realm of understanding the
socialist revolution.
Lenin pushed Marxism into a new stage, namely the stage of Leninism and turned scientific socialism from theory into practice. However, Beni did not become complacent because of his great theoretical contribution to the development of Marxism, nor did he absolutize the Russian path be- cause of obtaining the first success of socialist revolution. On the issue of
Se enceeceenaeetenonnns 6 _https://Awww.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/apr/x01.htm. https://www.marxists.org/archive/ lenin/works/1915/aug/23.htm. https://www.marxists.org/ archive/lenin/works/1916/miliprog/i-htm.
theoretical development and revolutionary path, he, like Marx and Engels,
respected practice, insisted on correctness and corrected mistakes. For ex-
ample, with regard to the socialist path, Lenin pointed out that all nations
would eventually go to socialism, which was the universal law of the his-
tory of the world. However, socialism cannot be achieved simultaneously
in various countries in accordance with the same pattern. Because of the .
different conditions in the construction of socialism in various countries, such as nationality differences, national differences, local differences, the’ characteristics of economic structure, lifestyle and other aspects, there are various forms for the countries to move to socialism. And the richer the diversity is, the more reliable and the faster the process moving towards socialism is.
Lenin pointed out, in his attitude towards Marxism: We do not regard Marx’s theory as something completed and inviolable; on the contrary, we are convinced that it has only laid the foundation stone of the science which socialists must develop in all directions if they wish to keep pace with life. We think that an independent elaboration of Marx’s theory is especially es- sential for Russian socialists; for this theory provides only general guiding principles, which, in particular, are applied in England differently than in France, in France differently than in Germany, and in Germany differently than in Russia.’
Moreover, after the proletariat gained power, how to transit to socialism and carry out socialist construction is a new and unprecedented undertak- ing. In order to seek the path for an economically backward country to tran- sit to socialism, Lenin tried “wartime communist policy”, and envisioned a direct transition to communism spanning market and merchandise money relations, namely the transition to the unified production and distribution organized by the country. However, it was found that the approach had many problems and was not applicable. Lenin stopped it decisively, and admitted the failure bluntly.
Lenin decisively stopped this policy and frankly admitted that he “made a lot of mistakes in this regard.” He also emphasized in particular: “The responsibility of the Communists is not to conceal the weaknesses of their own movement, but to openly criticize the weaknesses so that they can be overcome quickly and thoroughly.”
“The attitude of a political party toward its own mistakes is critical in respect whether this party is solemn and whether it truly fulfills one of the most important and credible missions it has assumed for the class and the working masses.”'
Second, the theoretical qualities and the essence of Mao Zedong Thought
Born in the 1940s, Mao Zedong Thought is the first theoretical achieve- ment of Marxism in China. From 1840 to 1920, the Chinese progressive people and political forces had explored for 80 years in order to revitalize the Chinese nation. However, they still failed to truly rescue China from sufferings. The October Revolution sent Marxism-Leninism to China, “Follow the path of the Russians—that was the conclusion”. In 1921, the CPC, which was armed with Marxism-Leninism, was founded. And since then, the Chinese revolution has taken on a new look. However, the devel- opment of the Chinese revolution was not plain sailing, and the final victory of the revolution was not won easily.
In the history of our party, in a period of time, some so-called real Marxists in the CPC could not correctly understand the true meaning of “taking the path of Russia.” Instead of proceeding from the actual situation in China they have proceeded from Marxist books on the series of questions regarding the nature, path, motive forces, strategy and tactics of the Chinese revolution. Instead of exploring the various questions encountered by the Chinese revolution independently, they have absolutized the experiences of the Soviet revolution and sanctified the resolutions of the Comintern, which, has for several times caused the thriving revolutionary movement into frustration. Comrade Mao Zedong resolutely opposed this subjectiv- ism and dogmatism in the Party that did not conform with realities, and who blindly copied others’ experiences. He insisted that “the victory of the China’s revolutionary struggle will depend relies on the Chinese comrades” understanding of Chinese conditions”.
He emphasized: It is up to the Chinese comrades to create a new situation in the revolutionary struggle, it is necessary to learn to apply the basic theo- ry of Marxism-Leninism to the specific environment of China and integrate it with the actual situation in China. He said: to use a common expression, it is by “shooting the arrow at the target”. As the arrow is to the target, so is Marxism-Leninism to the Chinese revolution.
With that in mind, Mao Zedong combined the basic principles of Marxism with the actual situation of Chinese revolution and followed the standpoint, viewpoint and method of dialectical materialism and historical _ Materialism. Based on the changes of historical conditions and practice, the in-depth study of Chinese social class, social bracket and Chinese eco- nomic, political and cultural structure, and the summary of the experience and lessons of success and failure, he correctly answered Chinese social na- ture, revolutionary nature, revolutionary path, revolutionary stage, leading class, supporting power and other major problems, founded Mao Zedong
Thought, and realized the first historical leap of combining Marxism with
practice in China.
For example, on the nature of the Chinese revolution, Mao Zedong gave a thorough analysis of the colonial, semi-colonial and semi-feudal nature of Chinese society: Since Chinese society is colonial, semi-colonial and semi- feudal, since the principal enemies of the Chinese revolution are imperial- ism and feudalism, since the tasks of the revolution are to overthrow these two enemies by means of a national and democratic revolution in which the bourgeoisie sometimes takes part, and since the edge of the revolution is directed against imperialism and feudalism and not against capitalism and capitalist private property in general even if the big bourgeoisie betrays the revolution and becomes its enemy—since all this is true, the character of the Chinese revolution at the present stage is not proletarian-socialist but bourgeois-democratic.”!!
However, in present-day China the bourgeois-democratic revolution is no longer of the old general type, which is now obsolete, but one of a new special type. We call this type the new-democratic revolution and it is developing in all other colonial and semi-colonial countries as well as in China. The new-democratic revolution is part of the world proletarian- socialist revolution.”'?
With regard to the stage of the Chinese revolution, Mao Zedong pointed out that: since the Chinese society is colonial, semi-colonial and semi-feu- dal, the Chinese revolution should be divided into two steps. The first step is the new democratic revolution, and the second is the socialist revolution. The two revolutionary steps are like the first part and the second part of one article. The New-Democratic Revolution is the first part, and the Socialist Revolution is the second part. Only after completing the first part can the second part be started. The first part is the necessary preparation, and the second part is the inevitable outcome of the first part. And no dictator- ship of bourgeoisie appearing between the two parts should be allowed. We may turn to the path of the Chinese revolution. What kind of path should Chinese revolution take? Mao Zedong did not proceed from books, but from the specific realities of China. He pointed out that: in China, due to the weak force of proletariat, the large cities in China were completely in the hands of the reactionary ruling class. Therefore, the European revolution path of creating revolutionary surge through revolts in central cities did was not applicable at all. On the contrary, China had vast rural area where there was relatively weak domination of the reactionary forces. The rural area could provide a wide margin for revolutionary forces, and there were the most reliable allies of the proletariat, namely the peasants. Only by relying on the rural areas, arming the workers and peasants, creating the red re- gime, and encircling the city from the rural areas can the proletariat finally win the success. Therefore, the path of the Chinese revolution is different from the Russian path. It can only be the path of encircling the cities from rural areas and seizing power by armed people. Moreover, in terms of the transition to socialism, Mao Zedong proceeded from the reality of China. After winning the victory of the new democratic revolution, there was a period of new democratic society. Then, there was socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts and capitalist industry and commerce from new democracy. In this way, the transition to socialism was achieved in a peace- ful way. All these are pioneering work, adding new and valuable content to the development of Marxism-Leninism.
Although Mao Zedong made serious mistakes in his later years and once deviated from the ideological line of seeking truth from facts established by him, he was still a great Marxist seen from his whole life. Without his creation of the special path of the Chinese revolution, successful explora- tion of the transition of the backward countries to socialist and pioneering work in other aspects, it would be impossible to have the victory of the Chinese revolution and the establishment of the socialist system of China. Even the mistakes made by Mao Zedong in his later years also provided a useful lesson for Deng Xiaoping to explore the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics seen from the dialectical point of view. Deng Xiaoping’s theory exactly generated, formed and developed on the basis of inheriting forefathers, pioneering and innovating, and insisting on correct- ness and correcting mistakes.
Third, the theoretical qualities and the essence of Deng Xiaoping Theory
Formed in the 1980s, Deng Xiaoping Theory is an important theoretical achievement of Marxism in China as well as an important part of the theo- retical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the late 1970s, China’s society was at a critical juncture in its development. The whole Party and the national people had three paths to choose. One was the old path. The second was the crooked path and the third was a new path. The old path was to continue to follow the “Cultural Revolution”, namely the path of “Two Whatevers”. The crooked path was to deny the socialist path on the excuse of denying the “Great Cultural Revolution” and any mistakes made before, namely the capitalist path. The new path was not only differ- ent from the old path, but also different from the crooked path. It was a path leading to the bright. Which way would China go? The answer was related to the future of socialism and the future of the Party and the country. With extraordinary courage, Deng Xiaoping led the whole Party to break through _the constraint of “Two Whatevers”a new way by rejecting the old path.
Then, he definitely criticized the ideological trend of denying socialism, refusing the crooked path. He insisted on combining the basic principles of Marxism with the contemporary Chinese practice and the characteristics of the times, and insisted on taking practice as the only standard to test the truth. He constantly summed up experiences, affirmed achievements, cor- rected mistakes, and led the whole Party and the national people to make bold breakthrough and trial. Finally, he carved out a new path, nance the socialist path with Chinese characteristics.
In the process of paving this new path, Deng Xiaoping’s greatest charac-
teristic is that he was not dogmatic but insisted on emancipating the mind, even in questions such as what is Marxism and what is socialism.
Deng Xiaoping said: For many years there has been a question of how to understand Marxism and socialism.... Nobody was clear about exact- ly what changes had taken place over the century since Marx’s death or about how to understand and develop Marxism in light of those changes. We cannot expect Marx to provide ready answers to questions that arise a hundred or several hundred years after his death, nor can we ask Lenin to give answers to questions that arise fifty or a hundred years after his death. A true Marxist-Leninist must understand, carry on and develop Marxism- Leninism in light of the current situation.”
Lenin was a true and great Marxist because it was not books that enabled him to find the revolutionary path and to accomplish the October socialist revolution in backward Russia but realities, logic, philosophical thinking and communist ideals. It was not by reading the works of Marx and Lenin that the great Marxist-Leninist Mao Zedong learned how to accomplish the new-democratic revolution in backward China. Could Marx predict that the October Revolution would take place in backward Russia? Could Lenin foresee that the Chinese revolutionaries would win by encircling the cities from the countryside?”"*
The reason why Lenin is a true and great Marxist is that he found the revolutionary path from reality, logic, philosophy and communism ideal in- stead of books, and obtained the success of October Socialist Revolution in a backward country. Mao Zedong, the great Marxist-Leninist of China, did not seek the way to win the victory of the New-Democratic Revolution in the backward China from the books of Marx and Lenin. Could Marx expect the success of the October Revolution in a backward Russia? Could Lenin predict that China will win victory by encircling the cities from the rural areas?” The same is true when the question is how to build up a country.
After winning the revolution, the countries should build socialism on their own terms. There is and will be no fixed pattern. It is precisely this spirit that makes Deng Xiaoping become the founder of Deng Xiaoping Theory.
From Marx to Deng Xiaoping, from the scientific socialist theory to practice, from one nation’s practice to multiple nations’ practice, from the Soviet model socialism,to the socialism with Chinese characteristics, the development history of Marxism fully proves that the history of Marxism is the history of emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts and advanc- ing with the times since its birth. The reason why Marxism is the truth is that it insists on emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and developing with the development of the times; Marxism is a theoretical weapon because it emancipates the mind, seeks truth from facts, keeps pace with the times and is able to solve the major practical problems. The classical Marxist writers never regard their own theories as a dogma, but as a guide to action and a scientific method of understanding and solving problems; they never regard their theories as changeless thing and irrevocable ultimate truth. On the contrary, they always enrich and de- velop their own theories with the development of practice and according to new practical experience, so as to make their theories accept the test of the society. And they will correct incorrect understanding and judgment according to the test of the society. Emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts and advancing with the times profoundly reveals the practicality, scientificity and expansibility of Marxism, and provides a scientific per- spective for us to understand the development law and vitality of Marxism.
Advancing with the times
First, the ideological connotations and the relationship between emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts and advancing with the times
Emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, the 3 principles contain rich ideological contents. The so-called emancipation of the mind is to bravely break the shackles of backward tra-
ditional concepts and be good at starting from reality and strive to forge ahead’!
It is manifested in three aspects. First of all, the premise of emancipat- ing the mind shall be the guidance of Marxism. Mind emancipation will be impossible if non-Marxism or even anti-Marxism rather than Marxism Is taken as the guidance. Secondly, mind emancipation shall aim at break the habitual force and subjective prejudice. If it does not aim to break the habitual force and subjective prejudice, but the correct ideas and practic- es meeting the needs of social development, it shall not be regarded as mind emancipation. Thirdly, the purpose of emancipating the mind shall be studying the new situation, solving new problems and forging ahead. If mind emancipation only remains in the empty slogan and the “revolution” in the mind instead of solving practical problems and forging ahead, it shall not be regarded as mind emancipation. The true mind emancipation shall be the integration of all these three aspects.
According to Mao Zedong’s argument seeking truth from facts, includes the following of cessation: “Facts” are all the things that exist objectively, “¢ryth? means their internal relations, that is, the laws governing them, and “to seek,” means to study. We should proceed from the actual conditions in- side and outside the country, the province, county or district, and derive from them, as our guide to action, laws that are inherent in them and not imaginary, that is, we should find the internal relations of the events occurring around us. And in order to do that we must rely not on subjective imagination, not on momentary enthusiasm, not on lifeless books, but on facts that exist ob- jectively; we must appropriate the study material in detail and, guided by the general principles of Marxism-Leninism, draw correct conclusions from it."°
To be simple, seeking truth from facts is to require people to adhere to proceeding from reality, understanding things according to their original appearance, seeing through the appearance to perceive the essence, striving to grasp the internal relations and development of things, guiding actions with the understanding of the development law of things, and consciously realizing the historical unity of subjective and objective, theory and prac- tice in the activities of understanding and reforming the world.
“Keeping pace with the times means that all the theory and work of the Party must conform to the times, follow the law of development and display great creativity.”...“Its content includes the organic combination of these three aspects: the characteristics of times, regularity and creativity.”"”
Emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times is an organic whole. The three aspects are interrelated, mutually pro- moted and indivisible. Emancipating the mind is the premise and condition of seeking truth from facts. Seeking truth from facts is the essence and foun- dation of emancipating the mind. The two are unified in the social practice. In the final analysis, they are unified in the process of advancing with the times. The key of adhering to the Party’s ideological line, emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts and advancing with the times is to carry on truth-seeking and pragmatic spirit and adhere to advancing with the times. Whether this can be achieved consistently determines the future of the Party and the country.
Second, keeping up with the times as the key link
Why is “keeping up with the times” the key link?
To cerrectly understand and grasp this problem, we must first correctly understand and grasp the concept of “times”. The so-called “times” is an important philosophical category.
Philosophically, its biggest characteristic is that it is one-dimensional, just like time. In other words, it moves in one direction, which is irrevers- ible. Time is continuous, but it is manifested through different stages of development. The larger time span can be called the era, and the smaller time span can be called the development stage or historical period. Whether it is the era, the stage of development or the historical period, the question of the times discussed now is to emphasize that the present is not the past. It is necessary to recognize the difference between the present and the past, the changes since the publication of The Communist Manifesto, and the new situation and new features presented at current development stage compared with the previous development stages. It is because of the characteristics of the times that Jiang Zemin had repeatedly stressed that adhering to advanc- ing with the times is to recognize the major changes in politics, economy, culture, technology and other aspects over the past more than 160 years since the publication of The Communist Manifesto, the major changes in the socialist construction of China, and the major changes in the work, living conditions and social environment of the vast party members and cadres and the masses. It is also necessary to take full account of the serious chal- lenges and new subjects put forward by these changes to the Party, correctly understand the historical process of socialist development, and have a cor- rect understanding of the historical process of the socialist development and capitalist development, the influence of the practice of Chinese socialist reform on the thoughts of people, and the influence of current international environment and international political struggle. Great changes have taken place in the times, and the history has entered a new stage of development. The situation has changed, and the problems are different. In this way, the theory, ideas, methods and measures to solve the problem cannot remain unchanged. If we indiscriminately copy the old theory, ideas, methods and measures to face the new situation, solve the new problems, and create new things, we will inevitably get into trouble on all sides and encounter failure. _ This is why the adherence to advancing with the times should firstly ensure _that “all theories and the work of the Party accord with the times”.
Secondly, to correctly understand and grasp that the key is to advance with times, we should also correctly understand and grasp the relationship between the times and regularity and the significance of regularity. Whether in philosophy or science, “time” is not an empty frame existing indepen- dently. It is always closely related to things, and is the form of existence and development of things. When “time” changes, things will change too. And the internal relationship among things and the development rule and development trend formed by such relationship will also change inevitably. Based on this, we have every reason to say that situation changes when time changes. The past has its own situation, so does the present. Only by grasp- ing the present can we grasp the current situation, go with the flow, and ride on the momentum. If we stand still, we will go against the flow and will inevitably encounter failure. Throughout the development history of human society, the current age is different from the age more than 160 years ago, and the current situation is different from that more than 160 years ago. The times have changed, and the situation is different. As a result, the develop- ment law and development trend of social politics, economy, culture and other aspects of social life will also change inevitably.
To advance with times, we must study new situation and new problems, grasp the new laws and new trends of the development of things, and guide our actions with the understanding and grasp of new laws. Otherwise, noth- ing will be done. Why the formal Chairman Jiang Zemin repeatedly stressed that all party members should focus on the practical problems of China’s reform and opening up and modernization construction, things we are do- ing, the application of Marxist theory, the theoretical thinking on practical problems, new practices and new developments? That is the reason; and that is also the reason why the adherence to advancing with the times is to “make all theories and work of the Party... should accord with the laws of development”.
Finally, to understand and grasp that the key is to advance with times, the most important is to correctly understand and grasp the “advancing”. The achievement of advancing with the times, after all, should be reflected in the ability to “keep pace”. “Advancing” is to move forward. However, moving forward cannot be realized passively. It should be a kind of con- scious behavior. This requires forging ahead and bold innovation. We need
forward. Attitudes of cessation, pessimism, inaction and complacency are
all wrong.
He added: Ideas of stagnation, pessimism, inertia and complacency are all wrong. They are wrong because they agree neither with the historical facts of social development over the past million years, nor with the histori- cal facts of nature so far known to us (i.e., nature as revealed in the history of celestial bodies, the earth, life, and other natural phenomena).”!®
By entering into the 21% century, Jiang Zemin explicitly pointed out: “Innovation is the soul driving a nation’s progress and an inexhaustible source of a country’s prosperity and development, also the source of the eternal vitality of a political party.”"°
In the report of the 16 CPC National Congress, he highlighted the im-
portance of innovation again through summarizing the development history
of human society, the social development history of Chinese society, espe-
cially that since the modern times, and the struggling course of the CPC
since its establishment.
Css
Innovation is manifested in the theory, institution, science and technol- ogy, culture and other aspects of the society. In these innovations, theoreti- cal innovation is the premise and key to the development of the Party and the country. System innovation is the guarantee of the development of the Party and the national cause. Scientific and technological innovation and cultural innovation are the driving force and intellectual support for the development of the Party and the country.
The classical Marxist writers once made clear that the theory is the fore- runner of action and there will be no real revolutionary movement without the correct revolutionary theory; once the correct theory is mastered by the masses, it will be transformed into a great material force to transform the world. Therefore, to obtain the continuous development of the cause of the Party and the country, it is necessary to continuously develop theory at first. The theoretical innovation should be carried out, otherwise all new devel- opments will indulge in empty talk.
However, theoretical innovation does not drop from the skies, nor gen- erate by itself. It is driven by social practice and its needs. Marx made it
to open a path in the thorns, and even a path in the place where there is no |
_ Clear that the degree of implementing a theory in one country depends on
path. If there is no forging ahead, there will be no new path. Without inno-
vation, there will be no new ideological realm. The discovery of the special
path of the New Democratic Revolution in China and the opening of the -
path of socialist construction with Chinese characteristics has proved the
importance of innovation. In the 1960s, Mao Zedong once pointed out tha
human beings have to constantly sum up, discover, invent, create, and move
the degree to which the theory meets the needs of the country. The con- tent of theoretical innovation comes from the scientific induction, sum- Mary and sublimation of new practical experience; theoretical innovation depends on absorbing all the outstanding ideological achievements made
https:/Avww.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/works/red-book/ch22.htm.
Selected Works of Jiang Zemin, Vol.3, p.64.
by predecessors and contemporaries; whether the theoretical innovation is
true or false should be tested and judged by practice; the innovative theo-
ry can be the guide of new practice. Practice, need, inheritance and new
practice guidance are indispensable elements and functions of theoretical
innovation.
The vitality of Marxism lies in constant theoretical innovation; the vital- ity and vigor of the CPC also lies in constant theoretical innovation.
In his article “Insist on the Scientific Method in the Study of Marxism .
and Start from Practical Problems”, Jiang Zemin pointed out: “Attaching importance to theoretical construction and theoretical guidance is one of the fundamental characteristics of our party. And emphasizing the building of the party ideologically is an important political experience of our party. At every moment of the development of our enterprise, our party has paid due attention to the supreme priority of theoretical construction. Our 80-year historical experience shows that paying attention to theoretical innovation is an important guarantee for the advancement of the party’s cause. As long as we closely the principle linking theory with practice and continuously push forward the theoretical innovation, the cause of the Party is full of vig- or and vitality, and when the development of theory lags behind the prac- tice, the cause of the party will be harmed and even setbacks will occa
In his speech at the meeting celebrating the 80" anniversary of the found- ing of the Chinese Communist Party, Jiang Zemin further pointed out: “Many changes have taken place in the present world and the time we are in, as compared with the past. We face many problems both at the interna- tional level and domestic level, therefore new problems and new situations must be answered and resolved theoretically and practically or we will not be able to move forward smoothly. We must keep pace with the times and continue to enrich and develop Marxism. If we allow the trend of old age and stagnation, we will be out of date, and our party will face with the risk of losing its advanced nature and leadership qualifications.””' When celebrating the 90" anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, Hu Jintao pointed out: “For Marxism, practice is the source of its theory, the basis for its development, and the criterion for test- ing its truth. Any actions that stick to dogma, ignore practice, or overstep oF lag behind real life will not succeed.” Based on China’s national conditions, we find that the world is changing
when we open our eyes to the whole world and look forward to the future. — China’s reform and opening up and modernization is moving forward, and the great practice of the masses are developing. All these urge the Party to take the theoretical courage of Marxism to summarize the new experience of practice, draw lessons from the beneficial results of contemporary hu- man civilization, expand new horizons in theory and make new summaries. Only in this way can the Party’s ideological theory guide and inspire the whole Party and the people to continuously push forward with the cause of socialism with Chinese charatteristics.
Treating Marxism with a scientific attitude
First, adherence to Marxism
The premise for carrying on theoretical innovation is that we must adhere to the basic position, basic ideas and basic methods of Marxism, and adhere to the basic principles of Marxism. Why should we insist on this premise? It is because the truth of Marxism is irrefutable and is the guiding ideology and theoretical weapon of the Party. Deng Xiaoping had repeatedly stressed that we are engaged in reform and opening up and socialist modernization without forgetting our ancestor; we should not forget our ancestor. If we lose our ancestor, we lose our root.
In the spring of 1992, Deng Xiaoping also confidently pointed out in a conversation in the South Speeches: I am convinced that more and more people will come to believe in Marxism, because it is a science. Using his- torical materialism, it has uncovered the laws governing the development of human society. Feudal society replaced slave society, capitalism supplanted feudalism, and, after a long time, socialism will necessarily supersede capi- talism. This is an irreversible general trend of historical development, but the path has many twists and turns.””3
In July 2001, Jiang Zemin pointed out in his speech to the 80" Anniversary of the Founding of the CPC that: “Marxism is the fundamental guiding ide- ology of the Party and the country and a common theoretical basis for the unity of the people of all ethnic groups. The basic principles of Marxism should be adhered to at any time, otherwise we will wander from the course and even lose our cause due to the loss of right theoretical foundation and
ideological soul. “This is why we must always uphold the basic tenets of Marxism.”
Second, the development and enrichment of Marxism
To carry out theoretical innovation, we must constantly enrich and de- velop Marxism on the basis of new practice. Why should we do that? It is because although the theory is gray, the tree of life is evergreen. Practice is always moving forward without limit. Thus, theory should also develop together with practice. And the innovation also has no limits. Jiang Zemin pointed out that Marxism is the science of development. It believes that the nature, society and people’s thinking is always in constant movement,
change and development. It does not recognize any ultimate condition and
ultimate truth in the world. This requires that we should combine the basic principles of Marxism with the reality of socialist modernization and the reform and opening up as well as the new developments and changes of the times and world situation, and enrich and develop Marxism in the practice of Marxism. If we ignore the historical conditions and the changes of reality and adhere to certain individual conclusions and concrete action programs made by classical Marxist writers under specific historical conditions and specific situations, we will be unable to go forward smoothly and even make mistakes due to divorcing from the actual situation. This is why we should always oppose the dogmatic approach to Marxism.
In the report to the 16 National Congress of the CPC, Jiang Zemin fur- ther pointed out: “We will surpass our predecessors, and future generations will certainly surpass us. This is an inexorable law governing social ad- vancement. We must adapt ourselves to the progress of practice and test all things in practice. We must conscientiously free our minds from the shack- les of the outdated notions, practices and systems, from the erroneous and dogmatic interpretations of Marxism and from the fetters of subjectivism and subdued and subversive metaphysics.””°
On this point, we must be firm and never allow vagueness.
The historical process of China’s reform and opening up is a process of always adhering to the basic tenets of Marxism and constantly emancipat- ing the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, make in- novations in a pioneering spirit and being pragmatic.”°
Therefore, in the report to the 16" National Congress of the CPC, Jiang Zemin solemnly demanded from the entire party: “While upholding the ba- sic tenets of Marxism, we must add new chapters of theory to it. While car- rying forward the revolutionary tradition, we must acquire new experience. We should be good at seeking unity in thinking through the emancipation of our minds and guiding our new practice with the developing Marxism.”
Guiding the new practice with the developing Marxism faced with the new century, new stage and new situation, requires us to guide our new practice with the scientific outlook on development. The scientific outlook on development is consistent with the Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of “Three Represents”. It reflects the new requirements of the developments and changes of contemporary world and contemporary China for the work of the Party and the country. It is a powerful theoretical weapon to promote comprehensive and coordinated sustainable development of Chinese econ- omy and society, strengthen and improve the Party construction. It is the crystallization of the collective wisdom of the whole Party and the people. It is a major strategic thought that should be adhered to for a long time in the socialist construction with Chinese characteristics.
Development Stages of Socialism and the Strategies to Develop Socialism in the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
The theory of the primary stage of socialism
First, the formation and development of the theory of the primary stage of socialism
Regardless of both the revolution and socialist construction, we must proceed from the basic national conditions of our country. As early as dur- ing the democratic revolution, Mao Zedong pointed out: “Understanding China’s national conditions is the fundamental basis for grasping all the questions of Chinese revolution.”!
The basic national conditions not only refer to the general national con- ditions of China, such as our country having a long history, a vast territory and a huge population. More importantly, it refers to the real nature of the Chinese society and the stage of historical development in which it is de- veloping. In his speech at the meeting celebrating the 70" anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, Jiang Zemin pointed out: “when recognizing China’s national conditions, the most important thing is to recognize all the favorable and unfavorable realistic factors that have a significant impact on the Chinese revolution and construction, especially _the nature of Chinese society and the stage of development it is in, under- Stand their major social contradictions, their development and changes.”
Selected Works of Mao Zedong, 2™ edition, vol.2, p.633. CPCCC Party Literature Research Office: “Selection of Important Literature since the 7* National Congress”, p.1634.
In designing the path of Chinese revolution, why did the Communist
Party of China aim to launch a new-democratic revolution and not directly
engage in the socialist revolution? This was determined by the nature the
country, i.e. its semi-colonial and semi-feudal old society.
The New Democratic Revolution led by the Communist Party of China was able gain victory, because the first generation of the central collective leadership with Mao Zedong as the core accurately grasped that our country
was still a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, correctly analyzed the —
basic national conditions, so as to correctly solve the basic issues of new Democratic revolution, i.e. its goal, nature, motive forces and its future prospects and so on. In the current stage when we are building socialism in China, there is also the question of how to understand the basic national conditions of the country. China is in and will be in the early stage of so- cialism, for a long time in the future which is the scientific judgment of the Communist Party of China and Deng Xiaoping, which was evaluated on the basic national conditions of contemporary China.
This judgment provides a scientific theoretical basis for the Chinese Communist Party to put forward the correct basic line and basic program of the CPC for this stage. The theory of the primary stage of socialism has gone through a long process of practice and cognition.
The founders of Marxism have put forward the basic ideas regarding the future development stages of human society. In the Critique of the Gotha Program, Marx divided the future communism into the first stage and the higher stages of communism according its degree of maturity. Lenin re- ferred to these two stages as socialism and communism. Lenin further elab- orated on the development stages of socialism.
After the victory of the October Revolution, Lenin pointed out that in economically backward Russia, only “primary form of socialism” could be built, and cannot immediately build the “advanced socialism.” This con- tains the concept that a socialist society should from a low level to higher one and from incomplete to a more complete development stage. The im- plementation of the “New Economic Policy” was based on this concept. But Lenin has mainly answered the question of how Russia would transit to socialism, and was not yet able to elucidate on the future development stages of the socialist system. After the death of Lenin, when Stalin led the Soviet people in the process of socialist construction, his evaluations and practice on the development stages of socialism, has gone beyond the real-
ity. Shortly after the establishment of the socialist system in 1936, Stalin proposed that the Soviet Union had already entered the stage of completing
socialist construction and gradually transiting to communism.
After the end of the World War II, after a period of economic reconstruc- tion, in 1952 he had announced that the Party’s main task was to transit from socialism to communism. Stalin’s successors also overestimated the development stages of socialismy in the Soviet Union. Eastern European so- cialist countries and the Soviet Union have shared similar views, basically that they had entered the stage of “developed socialist society.”
China’s cognition regarding the development stages of socialism has also experienced a tortuous development process. After the socialist transforma- tion was basically completed in 1956, Mao Zedong believed that China’s socialist system had just been established and had not yet been fully com- pleted and needed a process of further consolidation. Due to the hasty and early entry into socialism, we didn’t accumulate enough experience to en- able us to have a very clear understanding on the issues of social develop- ment. Throughout the “Great Leap Forward” and the People’s Commune Movement in 1958, there had occurred a blind optimism of targeting “the realization of communism in our country, which is no longer a distant fu- ture”, and thus made a serious and erroneous estimation on the develop- ment stages of socialism.
Although later Mao Zedong and others, when trying to correct the mis- takes of the “Great Leap Forward”, held good discussions on the stage of the development of socialism in China, and pointed to the confusion re- garding the difference between socialism and communism, criticized the viewpoints of denying the law of value and equivalent Exchange in the economic life, but in general, the prevalent “left” tendency could not be corrected.
As Deng Xiaoping pointed out: As early as the second half of 1957 we began to make “Left” mistakes. To put it briefly, we pursued a closed-door policy in foreign affairs and took class struggle as the central task at home. No attempt was made to expand the productive forces, and the policies we formulated were too ambitious for the primary stage of socialism.”?
After the 3" Plenary Session of the Party, after the comparison of our both positive and negative experiences, the Chinese Communist Party has gradually made a scientific conclusion that China is in and will be in the primary stage of socialism.
- The resolution “On The Historical Issues of The Party since the found-
ing of the People’s Republic of China adopted by the 6" Plenary Session of the 11* CPC Central Committee in 1981, pointed out that “of course, our socialist) system will have to undergo a long process of development be- fore it can be perfected,” and made another clear statement as “our socialist
Selected Works of Deng Xiaopi iti g Xiaoping, Ist Edition, Vol. 3, p.269 and https://archive. tam/Selected WorksOfDeng Xiaoping Vol.3/Deng03_djvu.txt. : or
54
system is still in its early phase of development” our socialist system is still in its early phase of development”.
The CC report to 12 CPC National Congress in 1982 once again pointed out: “China’s socialist society is still at an early stage of development.” And on the eve of the thirteenth Chinese Communist Party Congress in 1987, Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “The 13" National Party Congress will explain what stage China is in: the primary stage of socialism. Socialism itself is the first stage of communism, and here in China we are still in the primary stage of socialism—that is, the underdeveloped stage. In everything we do we must proceed from this reality, and all planning must be consis-
tent with it.
The 13 National Congress of the CPC systematically expounded the theory of the primary stage of socialism, clearly defined the meanings of the primary stage of socialism, clarified the main contradictions in the primary stage and the way to solve it, and put forward the mode of party work in the primary stage of socialism, elucidation of this basic line in this Congress marks the formation of the theory of the primary stage of socialism.
The 15" Party Congress once again expounded on the issues of primary stage of socialism, Party Congress further systematically summed up the 9 characteristics of the primary stage of socialism, and for the first time elaborated the basic sub-stages of the primary stage of socialism, thus our cognition on the issue has reached a new height.
When the 16° National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2002, put forward the goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way, it has emphasizes that: “We must be aware that China is in the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for a long time to come. The well-off life we are leading is still at a low level; it is not all-inclusive and is very uneven”, and added that “we need to work hard over a long period of time to consolidate and uplift our current well-off standard of living.”
The 17° National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2007 has analyzed a series of new characteristics of the development of our country since entering the new century. It has pointed out that this is the concrete manifestation of the basic national conditions in the new stage of the new
century.
The Congress emphasized the unremitting efforts of Chinese people
since the founding of new China, especially since the reform and open-
ing up, and added: China has scored achievements in development that — have captured world attention, and experienced far-reaching changes in the productive forces and the relations of production, as well as in the eco- nomic base and the superstructure. However, the basic reality that China is still in the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for a long time to come has not changed, nor has Chinese society’s principal contradic- tion—the one between the ever-growing material and cultural needs of the people and.the low level of social production. The current features of de- velopment in China are a concrete manifestation of that basic reality at this new stage in the new century. Stressing recognition of the basic reality is not meant to belittle ourselves, wallow in backwardness, or encourage unrealistic pursuit of quick results. Rather, such recognition will serve as the basis of our endeavor to advance reform and plan for development. We must always remain sober-minded, base our efforts on the most significant reality that China is in the primary stage of socialism, scientifically analyze the new opportunities and challenges arising from China’s full involvement in economic globalization, fully understand the new situation and tasks in | China’s advance toward an industrialized, information-based, urbanized | market-oriented and internationalized country, have a good grasp of thie new issues and problems we face in development, follow more conscien- tiously the path of scientific development, and strive to open up a broader vista for developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.”
HON
AeA EN
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It is just due to the basic understanding of the basic conditions of social- ism and the correct grasp of the basic conditions of socialism, we have succeeded in blazing a new trial of building socialism with Chinese charac- teristics, and have made remarkable achievements.
The basic line and basic program of the primary stage of socialism
Second, the scientific connotations and the main features of primary stage of socialism
The theory of primary stage of socialism includes two meanings: firstly. China is already a socialist society, must adhere to and stick to the path of socialism; secondly, China’s socialist society is still in the primary stage, it has not fundamentally got rid of poverty and in an undeveloped state an must proceed from the actual conditions of this primary stage, and not at- tempt to go beyond it. The meaning of the former layer refers to the social nature of the primary stage, and the latter meaning points to the degree of development of our socialist society.
When analyzing the basic national conditions of our country, we must first be certain that the basic elements of socialism have already been achieved: the basic dominant position of socialist public ownership and the basic system of socialism have been established. The people’s democratic dictatorship as the state system has been established and the guiding posi- lion of Marxism in the superstructure of the society has been established.
It is due to these basic achievements that have made the Chinese people
stand up, so that China could attain the status of a socialist country among
the community of world nations and have established the prerequisites for
completing realizing socialist modernization in the mid of this century.
At the same time, we must also see that the level of productive forc- es in our country still lags far behind the developed capitalist countries. Thus, building the material and technical base necessary for building the advanced socialism must go through a long historical period.
To fully and correctly understand the concept of the primary stage of socialism, we must first fully grasp the meaning of these above two aspects.
and grasping the 8 Chinese characters of
Only by correctly recognizing “socialism” and “primary stage”, we can unify and grasp the basic national
conditions, which means unifying the nature of the socialist society in our country with its degree of development.
If we cannot grasp the current social nature of our country, it will be im-
possible to make a correct analysis of the basic characteristics, major con- tradictions, fundamental tasks and development orientation of society, and it will be impossible to formulate the correct path, basic line, basic program and policies. Failure to correctly understand the current stage of develop- ment of society, it may appear that we may take a working path which goes beyond the stage or may passively fall behind the situation, which will lead us wrong measures and decision. The basic characteristics of the primary stage of socialism, if summed up in a single sentence is “underdeveloped stage of socialism”. The 13 Party Congress in 1987 has summarized the basic characteristics of the primary stage of socialism in China from the aspects of population structure, industrial development level, regional development differences and level of scientific education and cultural development. The 15 Congress of the CPC has further systematically summed up the 9 characteristics of the primary stage of socialism: (1) This stage is to gradually transcend the underdeveloped state, and the historical stage within which the basic realization of socialist moderniza- tion will be achieved, which is its general overall characteristics.
(2) This historical stage is in which a significant proportion of popula- tion involves in agricultural production, mainly relying on manual labor,
and which will gradually be transformed into non-agricultural populati
and urban population becomes the majority, a stage w modern agriculture and service industry, an industrialized country.
hich will lead us toa
(3) This is a historical stage, wherein the natural economy and semi-nat- ural economy accounts for a large proportion, and will be gradually trans- formed into a highly developed market economy.
(4) This is a historical stage, wherein we have a large proportion of il- literate and semi-illiterate population, which lack education of science and culture is backward, which will be gradually transformed into a relativel advanced level of science and technology, education and culture ed
(5) This is a historical stage, wherein the poor population accounted a nee ah sr wherein people’s living standards are relatively low. which will be gradually transformed into a state th ill achieve remarkable prosperity. Shey yee
(6) This is a historical stage, wherein the regional economic and cultural development levels are quite uneven, wherein through the development achieved in the primary stage, the gaps will be gradually narrowed.
(7) This is a historical stage, wherein we will through reform practice and exploration, establish and improve a more mature and dynamic social- ist market economic system, socialist democratic political system and other aspects of the socialist system.
(8) At this stage, the broad masses of people will be able to firmly estab- lish the common ideals of building socialism with Chinese characteristic strive for self-improvement, forge ahead, hard work, diligence and creati ity, and strive to build spiritual civilization and achieve to realize peers nated development of the two civilizations, energetically promote spirit i civilization while advancing material civilization. _
(9) This stage is a historical stage wherein we will gradually narrow the . Rolie the world s advanced level and achieve the great rejuvenation of a te eae on the basis of socialism. These 9 aspects fully embody € procedural characteristics of the historical i Dace orical development of the primary
In the process of the development of the primary stage of socialism, it is pcsay to go through a number of specific sub-stages of development. which demonstrates distinct qualities.
. 17 National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in 2007 ae a pee analysis and made a new generalization which in-
- aspects of the sub-phasal status of the pri i
tered into the new century. Pipiesagee ne ina gat
- a 2 the current situation, economic strength is significantly enhanced
N : e the overall level of productive forces is not high, independent jiigvac capability is not strong, the status of long-term structural contradictions
still exist and extensive economic growth mode has not fundamentally
transcended.
(2) In the current situation, the initial establishment level of socialist market economic system is achieved, while institutional mechanisms that hinder the development still exist, the reform is faced with deep-seated con- tradictions and problems. ;
(3) In the current situation, in general people’s living standards have achieved a well-off level, while the widening trend of gap regarding the income distribution gap widening trend has not fundamentally reversed, there is a considerable number of urban and rural poor and low-income population in China we need to undertake comprehensive efforts to regulate and optimize the interests of all quarters of the society.
(4) In the current situation, we have made significant achievements in coordinated development, while the agricultural base is still weak, the situ- ation of rural development has not changed. We are faced with the arduous tasks of narrowing development gap between the city and rural areas, be- tween regions and strike a coordinated economic and social development.
(5) In the current situation, the building of socialist democratic politics is developing continuously and our basic strategy of governing the country according to law is carried out. At the same time, the requirements of de- mocracy and legal system construction and expansion of people’s democ- racy and economic and social development are not fully met, the reform of political system needs to be deepened.
(6) In the current situation, the socialist culture has achieved more pros- perous level, and the people’s spiritual and cultural demands are becoming more and more vigorous. We see obvious enhancement of independence, selectivity, diversity and difference in people’s ideological activities, which brings forward higher requirements for the development of advanced so- cialist culture by us.
(7) In the current situation, our society has become evidently more dy- namic, but profound changes have taken place in the structure of society, in the way society is organized and in the pattern of social interests, and many new issues have emerged in social development and management.
(8) In the current situation, China is opening wider to the outside world, but international competition is becoming increasingly acute, pressure in the form of the economic and scientific dominance of developed countries will continue for a long time to come, both predictable and unpredictable
risks are increasing, and the need to balance domestic development and
opening to the outside world is greater than ever. .
At present, the phasal status characteristics of China’s development giv- en above are the concrete presentation of the basic national conditions of the primary stage of socialism in the sub-stage when China has entered into the new century.
' Only by firmly grasping the great historical stage of the primary stage of socialism and seriously analyzing the specific characteristics of the sub- stages in different periods, can we accurately judge the mainstream and direction of our country’s social development and formulate the correct de- velopment strategies and policies.
Third, the long-term nature of the primary stage of socialism
That, China is in the primary stage of socialism, is not conclusion based | on general principles, but a scientific conclusion drawn from the concrete realities of China. i i
The 13 CPC National Congress pointed out: “the primary stage social- ism” does not refer that generally to the initial stage that any country should pass through when proceeding towards socialism “but refers specifically to the backwardness of our country with relatively backward productive forces, and with an the underdeveloped commodity economy, it is certain stage of development that our socialism is bound to go through.”
China’s socialism must go through a long-term primary stage.
Firstly, this truth is determined by the historical premises of our entry into socialism.
The main historical premise of China’s entering socialism is the econom- ic and cultural backwardness attached to the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society of China.
The concrete historical conditions of the modern world and China have determined that China’s bourgeoisie would not lead the democratic revolu- tion to victory, thus China would not be able to realize industrialization, economic modernization and marketization under capitalism. The only Way out for China was to reject capitalist path and strive for the goal of socialism, through new democracy under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. These have historically imposed China to establish a so- Cialist system whence the full development of capitalism was not there. However, this does not mean that China should pass through the stage of full development of capitalism, but at the same time this does not mean that _we are allowed to by-pass beyond the stage wherein the great development of productive forces and full development of the commodity economy is
Se reerenenneeneenmeeneetenrenneneneceeeaer
- . eee Party Literature Research Office: “Selection of Important Literature since
me 13" National Congress” (Vol. I), p.12, Beijing, People’s Publishing House, 1991.
achieved. Socialism is based on the highly advanced productive forces, and industrialization based on high degree of socialization of production, which is accompanied by the full development of the commodity economy, in order to fully demonstrate its superiority over capitalism. When China has entered the socialism building, it was far behind the developed capitalist countries in terms of the level of development of productive forces, in terms of the socialization of production, marketization and economic modern- ization. All these determines that, our country must use a whole historical
stage under socialism conditions to realize the socialization of production, .
marketization and modernization of the economy and industrialization—all of which were realized under capitalism conditions in many other coun- tries—in order to establish and develop socialism it needs to develop the basis regarding the level of productive forces.
Secondly, when evaluating the realities of our national situation, China has not exceeded the primary stage of socialism.
Although after 50 plus years of socialist construction, especially with the rapid development we have achieved after the 3 Plenary Session of the 11" Central Committee of the CPC, China has undergone profound changes, productivity has been a huge development, our cause has made great prog- ress, comprehensive national strength of China is greatly enhanced and the people’s living standards in general have reached a well-off level.
However, in general, the level of productive forces in China is not high yet, our socialist system is not perfect, the socialist economic system is not yet mature, the socialist democracy and the legal system is not sound enough, the backward situation of education regarding science and tech- nology, and cultural level has not been fundamentally changed, the sphere of societal construction and social management are also faced with many new issues. The major social contradiction between people’s ever growing material and cultural needs and the backward social production did not yet enter a new situation.
Thirdly, and finally, the characteristics of the times and the general inter- national environment we are surrounded with determines that the socialist modernization drive of China have to go through a relatively long primary stage. Advance and mature socialism requires that we should continue to develop and improve our material and technical foundation, as well as sci- entific and technological progress.
In today’s world, the productive forces of the developed countries is highly advanced, and looking at the world-wide environment we see that scientific and technological revolution has developed rapidly. Surrounded with this context, in the process of modernization, in addition to the con-
z
g
7 | 2
informationization to meet the challenges of the new scientific and tech- nological revolution surrounding our country, which means that China’s comparative comprehensive national strength is under a great pressure of foreign competition. All these determine that China must go through a long primary stage to develop into a more advanced and mature socialism. In short, our country is still in and will be in the early stages of socialism for a long time to come.
To achieve modernization, to build our country into a prosperous, demo- cratic, civilized and harmonious socialist country, there is still a long way to go, till the middle of the 21* century in order to basically realize modern- ization, from 1956 into the socialist society. The primary stage of the work takes at least a hundred years. In,1992, Deng Xiaoping pointed out in his speech in the south tour: We have been building socialism for only a few decades and are still in the primary stage. It will take a very long historical period to consolidate and develop the socialist system, and it will require persistent struggle by many generations, a dozen or even several dozens. We can never rest on our oars.’
Capitalism has consummated centuries to modernize itself. Only by seiz- ing the opportunities and utilizing them successfully so as to speed up the development, it is possible to achieve this magnificent vision of achieving socialist modernization in 2049.
Recognizing the long-term nature of the primary stage of socialism will help us to keep a clear mind and avoid us from making “left” or right mis- takes, in our thinking and actions, and raise our consciousness of upholding the party’s basic line and basic program, thus will promote the socialist modernization drive.
The basic line and basic program of the primary stage of socialism
First, the main social contradictions in the primary stage of socialism
One of the core issues of the theory of the primary stage of socialism is the correct judgment of the major social contradiction, which is the objec- tive basis for formulating the basic line of the Party in the primary stage of socialism.
6 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, First edition, Vol.3, pp.379-380 and https://archive. org/stream/Selected WorksOfDeng Xiaoping Vol.3/Deng03_djvu.txt
ventional historical task of industrialization, China is also faced with the
After the socialist transformation in our country was basically completed
in 1956, the 8 National Congress of the Party in 1956 pointed out: The
contradiction between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie in our country sae
basically been resolved. The history of the class exploitation system whic
had lasted for thousands of years has basically ended. “The principal con-
tradiction within the country is no longer the contradiction between the pro-
letariat and the bourgeoisie but the one resulted from the need of the people
for rapid economic and cultural development which fell short of their re-
quirements. The chief task confronting the entire nation is to concentrate.
all efforts on developing the productive forces, change our country from an
underdeveloped agricultural country to an advanced industrial country e
soon as possible, and gradually meet the people’s growing economic an
cultural needs.”
The 8" Congress of our Party’s judgment on the major social contradic- tion of China was basically correct, and in line with China’s national condi- tions, but due to variety of subjective and objective reasons, we failed to stick to this correct understanding and judgment.
The failure of expansion of the “anti-rightist” struggle in 1957 was, theo- retically speaking, a reflection of rejecting the correct analysis we a made regarding major social contradiction and meant that we regarde tt € contradiction between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie as ae main social contradiction of our society, which led to the rise of the “left” thoughts.
In 1962, the class contradiction was further emphasized as the main con- tradiction and extended to be the main contradiction throughout the whole period socialism, and the line of “taking class struggle as the key Hink was put forward, leading to the occurrence of the “Cultural Revolution” which caused serious setback in our socialist cause.
The 3" Plenary Session of the 11" Central Committee of the CPC dect- sively corrected the erroneous judgments regarding the main contadicuon and the erroneous line of “taking class struggle as the key link , and shifted the focus of the work of the party and the state to the socialist moderniza-
tion drive.
In 1979, in his important speech “Adhere to the Four Cardinal Principles,” Deng Xiaoping clearly answered the main contradictions at this stage: As for the question of what is the principal contradiction in the current . riod—what is the main issue or central task confronting the Party and ie people in the current period—actually this question was answered by e decision of the 3“ Plenary Session of the 11" Central Committee to shift the
7 CPCCC Party Literature Research Office: “Selection of Important Literature since the Founding of PRC” (Vol. IX), pp.341-342, Beijing, Central Literature Publishing House, 1994.
focus of our work to socialist modernization. The level of our productive forces is very low and is far from meeting the needs of our people and coun-
try. This is the principal contradiction in the current period, and to resolve it is our central task.’
' “The resolution on The Historical Issues of The Party since The Founding of The People’s Republic of China, decided at the 6" Plenary Session of the 11 Central Committee CPC, in 1981 further pointed out that after the socialist transformation was basically completed, the main contradiction to be solved by our country was that “between the ever growing material and cultural needs of the people and the backward social production.”
The 13" Party Congress in 1987 more comprehensively expounded and affirmed the theory of the primary stage of socialism and pointed out that the main contradiction throughout the primary stage of socialism in our country was that “between the ever growing material and cultural needs of the people and the backward social production.”
But as a result of international and domestic factors, class contradictions and class struggle in China will continue to exist within a certain range, and may also intensify, under certain conditions. We must have a clear under- standing of this issue, and take the correct attitude and methods to solve it. But the main contradiction of society is “between the ever growing mate- rial and cultural needs of the people and the backward social production.” This main contradiction runs through the whole process of socialism in our country and demonstrates itself in the various aspects of social life, which determines that we must take economic construction as the center, all the work of the Party must obey and serve this central task.
Deng Xiaoping has always stressed the importance of this idea, by say- ing “even if there is a large-scale invasion by foreign enemies, we must not shake and change our judgment regarding the main contradictions and central task, nothing should interfere the determination of our party’s con- centration over the cause of socialist modernization, must not repeat the mistake we have made regarding the 8" Party Congress judgment, shake the central task work center and turn back to error of “taking class struggle as the key link”.
The 16" National Congress of the Communist Party of China stressed that in the stage of building a well-off society in an all-round way, it is nec- essary to adhere to the economic development work as the central task and solve the problems regarding the development. It emphasized: we should promote social progress, and continuously improve people’s living stan- dards, and ensure that people share the fruits of development, by firmly focusing on the task of economic development. Only by firmly grasping the main contradictions and central task of the primary stage of socialism and concentrating on the development of productive forces can we fundamen- tally change the backwardness of our country and continuously meet the people’s growing material and cultural needs.
Second, the formation and content of the basic line of the of the primary stage of socialism
The basic line, also known as the general line, is the description of the. general goals and tasks of the CPC for a certain historical stage and the pathways and roads set to achieve this goal. The basic line of the primary stage of socialism was established on summing up the past experience and lessons, and was gradually formed in the course of reform and opening up and the practice of socialist modernization.
In the eve of the 3 Plenary Session of the 11° CPC Central Committee in 1978, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that the realization of the four mod- ernizations should be understood as a great revolution. We should carry out comprehensive and major reforms in the economic front and at the same time reform the relations of production and adjust the superstructures so that they can serve the base.
The 3 Plenary Session of the 11" Central Committee decided to shift the focus of Party and state work to economic construction and made the great
decisions of reform and opening up.
Evaluating the doubting thoughts in the society towards the viability of socialist system after certain failures, and in order to control the erroneous thought of negating the Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping put forward the Four Cardinal Principles: adhere to the socialist path, adhere to the peo- ple’s democratic dictatorship, adhere to the leadership of the Communist Party of China, adhere to our guiding ideology of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. In 1980, Deng Xiaoping pointed out in his speech at the 5" Plenary Session of the 11 CPC Central Committee that the political line of our Party at this stage is to engage in four modernizations.
In 1981, in the 6" Plenary Session of the 11" Central Committee estab- lished the goal of building our country into a socialist country with modern
agriculture, modern industry, modern defense and modern science and tech- _ nology, with a high degree of democracy and a high degree of civilization.
By 1982 the 12" National Congress of the Party has proposed the Party task as “one center, two basic points” which was a further summarization
of the above concept. At this Congress, Deng Xiaoping for the first tim
put forward “follow a path of our own, and build socialism with Chinese
characteristics” as an important proposition. In 1986, as suggested by Deng
Xiaoping, the 6" Plenary Session of the 12 CPC Central Committ d
fined the overall comprehensive layout of China’s socialist re ani ‘s
task, that is, “take economic construction as the central task apeits ee
ingly carry out economic reform, unswervingly carry out political fe -
strengthen the construction of spiritual civilization.” reer
On the eve of the 13% CPC National C ; tote on Xiaoping made it further clear: gress held in 1987, Deng
It : our basic line to carry out socialist modernization. If we are to do so and to make China a prosperous and developed country, we must, first
follow the policies of reform and openi pening up, and to the Four Cardinal Principles.”® ae aes
While systematically expounding the theory of the primary stage of eAlsins the Party’s 13" CPC National Congress formally fanitered th party s basic line in the primary stage of socialism: “In the initial sta e se socialism, our party’s basic line of building socialism with Chinese a acteristics is: “To lead and unite the people of all ethnic groups acros the country, taking economic construction as the central task uphold the : Cardinal Principles, persist in reform and opening up, see that people of ite whole country will rise to do hard pioneering work and bring ie a ; rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, thus we will strive to build our co a into a prosperous, democratic and civilized modern socialist country. m0 i
i the 4% Plenary Session of the 13" CPC Central Committee, the third generation of the central collective leadership, with Jiang Zemin if its
core leader, has gradually put forward th j : WG e *yqe socialist harmonious society. major strategic task of building a
ee oe sen
ae report of the 16" National Congress of the Communist Party of 4 ina combined the task of building a socialist harmonious society, with € important goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way.
pote ne 2 CPC National Congress in 2002, the Party Central om is with Hu Jintao as veto Secretary made further cognitive a eae eg the 6" Plenary Session of the 16 CPC Central mitce e an of “harmonious society” and “prosperity and advanced a ee efined as the goal of socialist modernization. All these ics a r celts practice and exploration, our party’s cognition re- Sapa ao of the struggle has gradually deepened, it has attained a . prehensive understanding on how to achieve the overall cause of
- Cialism with Chinese characteristics and how to combine various related
Selected Works of Deng Xiaopi iti g Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.248 and https: i tream/Selected WorksOfDengXiaopingVol.3/Deng03 eats pores
0 CPCCC Party Liter at
- ure Research Office: Selectio of Impo a L &
( ) n [ ip rtant Litera ure since
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tasks as organic unity to achieve our goals. The party’s basic line, deeply summarizes the Party’s goals, fundamental ways to follow and fundamental guarantees to achieve the goals, defines the leadership tasks and reliance on the fundamental principles of the socialist primary stage and the basic principle of achieving it. Firstly, the phrase “to build China into a prosperous, democratic, Civi- lized and harmonious socialist modern country”, which is the party’s goal in the primary stage of socialism, embodies the requirements of the com- prehensively advanced socialist society. ,
Prosperity is the goal and requirement regarding the economic field; de- mocracy is the goal and requirement of the political field; civilization is the goal and requirement in the field of ideology and culture; lastly “harmoni- ous” refers to the goal and requirement of the societal sphere.
The goals of prosperous, democratic, civilized and harmonious are in fact linked with the acts of the of economic construction, political construc- tion, cultural construction and construction of unity and cohesiveness in the society, i.e. social construction.
Secondly, “one center, two basic points”, which is the party’s basic line refers to the most important content we must bear in mind and practice, in order achieve the goal of socialist modernization goals.
Taking “economic construction as the focus” aims to answer the funda- mental task of socialism, embodies the essential requirement: the develop-
ment of productive forces. “Adhere to the Four Cardinal Principles” is one of the two basic points,
which is our political guarantee, when we are struggling for the liberation and the development of productive forces, it also embodies the require- ments of the basic socialist system. “Adhere to reform and opening up” is another basic point, aims to an- swer the question of how to deal with external conditions, when developing Chinese socialism, it also embodies the essential requirement of the libera- tion of productive forces. As explained above “one center” and “two basic points” concept is an indivisible whole.
China’s economic construction is based on the Four Cardinal Principles as its political guarantee, reform and opening up as a powerful driving force;
reform and opening up, to further the liberation and development of pro ductive forces, the consolidation and development of the socialist syste! for the purpose of the Four Cardinal Principles, To ensure that reform ani opening up and economic construction in the right direction, but also fr the new practice continue to draw new experience to enrich and develo
If we give up the economic construction as our central task, all the de- velopment and progress of socialist society will lose its material basis: and if we give up both adhering to Four Cardinal Principles and the fefonin and opening up principle, economic construction will lose both its key soul and its high vitality. °
“One center, two basic points” embodies the strategic layout of China’s
construction of socialist modernization, and reveals the objective laws and
development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Thirdly, “leading and uniting the people of all nationalities” refers to the leadership of Party and also motive social force we rely in order to achieve the goal of socialist modernization.
The Communist Party of China is the core of leadership of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The people of all ethnic groups in the whole country are the forces we depend when fighting for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Fourthly, “self-reliance and arduous pioneering” are the fine traditions of the Chinese Communist Party and the fundamental foothold and basic guideline for realizing our goals in the primary stage of socialism. As Deng Xiaoping had emphasized: “we must work hard and with a pioneering spir- it. This spirit is essential if we are to achieve the four modernizations. The fact that China is poor, has weak economic foundations and is backward in education, science and culture means that we have to go through a hard struggle.”!!
The basic line of the party in the primary stage of socialism embodies the requirements of the nature of socialism, reflects the fundamental law of development of socialism in China, and determines the path of develop- ment of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Therefore, we must with no _ vacillation uphold the principles of the party’s basic line. Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “We should adhere to the basic line for a hundred years, with ee That is the only way to win the trust and support of the
Adhering to the party’s basic line, the key is to adhere to taking the eco- Hontic construction as the focus unwaveringly. Taking economic construc- tion as the focus has summed our bitter lesson of the past, when we took lass struggle as the key link” which has caused major setbacks in the
socialist construction task.
aie Works of Deng Xiaoping, 2nd edition, Vol.2, p.257. elected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3 i i . Vol.3, pp.370-371 and https://archive. g/stream/SelectedWorksOfDengXiaopingVol.3/Deng03_djvu.txt. ree:
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We can only consolidate and improve our socialist system and maintain
social harmony; if we can be able to withstand the pressure of hegemonism
and power politics, and safeguard China’s sovereignty and independence
against foreign pressures and if we can be able to maintain people s living
standards and to strengthen the socialist system. Sovereignty and indepen-
dence; in order to fundamentally get rid of the backward situation, among
the world’s modern forest.
In short, whether to adhere to the economic construction: as the focus, . decides the success or failure of China’s socialist modernization, related to the future of socialism and the fate of our great cause.
Therefore, we must always take economic construction as the focus, all the other work spheres must obey and serve this central task, and all the other work spheres should not separate from this focus, and we should see that nothing should interfere and frustrate our central task.
Adhering to the party’s basic line means we must unite the two: reform and opening up policy and adhering to the Four Cardinal Principles.
The Four Cardinal Principles reflect the ideals and the cause pursued by our country. It is the political foundation of our party and the political guarantee for China’s survival and development. It also plays key role as the political guarantee of the reform and opening up policy and the mod- ernization goal. Reform and opening up is the path we follow so as to inject energy and vitality into China’s development and progress. Thus the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening up, the two are mutually linked and interdependent.
If we ignore the Four Cardinal Principles and talk about reform and open- ing up, the latter will inevitably lose its correct political orientation, it will never proceed smoothly. Reversely if we ignore the reform and opening up and talk about the Four Cardinal Principles, the latter will not be able to in- novate and advance with the times, will become a rigid doctrine. Adhering to the two basic points, i.e. the Four Cardinal Principles, adhering to the reform and opening—must obey and serve the central task of economic construction. Unswervingly upholding the basic line of the party suited to the primary stage of socialism, i.e. the economic construction as the center and the Four Cardinal Principles, and reform and opening up as the two ba- sic points is the great practice, regarding the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which constitutes the most valuable experience of
the CPC since 1978.
Third, the basic program of the primary stage of socialism
The basic program of the Chinese Communist Party throughout the pri- mary stage of socialism is the concretization of the basic line of the Party. The corrective re-establishment of the party’s ideological line in 1978 has provided the necessary ideological premise for the development of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The establishment of the basic theory of the “primary stage of socialism”, the formulation of the basic line of “one center and two basic points” has laid the theoretical basis for CPC’s practice. The new basic line of the Party was also gradually developed.
In 1991, Jiang Zemin made a speech on the 70° anniversary of the found- ing of the Communist Party of China, which summed up the experience of reform and opening up practiced for more than 10 years, he defined the contemporary historical mission of the Chinese Communist Party and the basic economic, political views required in implementing the basic line, expounded on the basic content of culture to be constructed in the new era, and other basic policies that should be followed in the construction of socialism. In this speech, Jiang Zemin has made profound analysis and discussion, and laid the foundation of the basic program of the Party in the primary stage of socialism.
Deng Xiaoping’s important speeches he made in an inspection tour to the South in 1992 and the report of the 14" Party Congress, have provided di- rect theoretical contributions for the formation of the Party’s basic program.
Several Plenum meeting resolutions’ explanations by the Central Committee of the 14 National Congress between 1992-97 and in particu- lar, Jiang Zemin’s contributions on the twelve major issues of China’s so- cialist modernization construction goal have further clarified China’s path of economic system reform, and the basic goals and basic policies of social development strategy, construction of spiritual civilization and the issue of party building in the era, all have laid the foundation for the further forma- tion of the basic program.
On the basis of above achievements, the 15" Party Congress formulated the basic program of the Party in the primary stage of socialism, and thus defined the requirements of the basic line in the primary stage of socialism. The 17° Party Congress has further enriched the content of the basic program: “the construction of a socialist economy with Chinese charac- teristics is to develop an advanced market economy under the conditions
_ Of socialism, to continuously liberate and develop productive forces, to
achieve sound, sustainable and rapid economic development, and to ensure
that people share the fruits of reform and development. That the political
construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics is based on the 3 pillars: party leadership, people assuming as masters of their own destiny
70
and the managing of state affairs, and the rule according to law of law, the development of socialist democratic politics, the realization of social sta- bility, clean and efficient government clean and efficient, and creation of a fully enlivened political situation wherein the people of all ethnic groups enjoy harmony. The construction of the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be guided by Marxism, with the aim of cultivating citizens with ide- als, good morals, and culturally advanced and having discipline conscious- ness. We should promote Chinese culture and build the common spiritual home for the Chinese nation, promote an advanced public socialist culture with the essentials of modern conduct, world-oriented, future-oriented. We should build a socialist core value system, and promote the great develop- ment and prosperity of the socialist culture.
Building a harmonious socialist society means to follow the principles of democracy and the rule of law, social fairness and justice, honesty and fra- ternity, vigor and vitality, stability and order. Building a harmonious social- ist also means seeking for harmony between man and nature and following the policy of all the people building and sharing a harmonious socialist society, we will spare no effort to solve the most specific problems of the utmost and immediate concern to the people and strive to create a situation in which all people do their best, find their proper places in society and live together in harmony, so as to provide a favorable social environment for development.
To achieve the tasks of the basic stage of socialism, the basic program must correctly understand and deal with the dialectical relationship between the party’s maximum and minimum programs.
The socialist construction that we carrying out today is, in the final analy- sis, in order to create conditions for the realization of communism, i.e. our maximum program, and the two are dialectically unified throughout the his- torical process of communist movement. The program of building social- ism with Chinese characteristics is the minimum program of the Chinese Communist Party at this current stage. This minimum program and the maxi- mum program of realizing communism form an organic unity and indivisible.
The maximum program sets the direction for the formulation of the mini- mum program, and the minimum program creates the conditions for the achievement of the maximum program.
The unity of the two, embodies the unity of ideals and reality, the unity of direction and the path, the unity of purpose and process, the unity of con- tinuous development and development stage, also the unity of revolution- ary spirit and scientific attitude.
This requires that we should not only talk about the party’s minimum
program, and forget the party’s maximum program, and should not only
talk about the party’s maximum program, while ignoring the party’s mini-
mum program.
‘ While firmly establishing the lofty ideal of communism, we should es- tablish a firm conviction of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. In his speech at the meeting celebrating the 80" anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, Jiang Zemin pointed out: “All comrades in the Party should set up a lofty communist ideal, fortify their conviction and spur themselves on by holding to high ideological and moral standards. More importantly, they should make unremitting efforts in a down-to-earth manner to realize the Party’s basic program for the current stage and put their heart into each single piece of work now. To care about the immedi- ate interests only while forgetting the lofty ideal will result in the loss of direction of progress. But to talk big about the lofty ideal without doing any practical work will get one divorced from reality.”
upon ening RAN
Throughout the primary stage of socialism, we must adhere to the uni- ty of minimum program and maximum program, unswervingly imple- ment the basic line and basic program of the party suited to the primary stage of socialism, and push forward the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Development strategies to deepen the primary stage of socialism
First, the “three-step” development strategy
The realization of socialist modernization is the long-cherished inspi- ration of the Chinese Communists and the Chinese people. Mao Zedong as the core figure of the first generation of the central collective leader- ship of the party has repeatedly put forward the grand idea of building our “four modernization tasks” till the end of the 20" century. However, due to the lack of consistent understanding of major issues such as the historical stage, major contradictions and fundamental tasks of our country’s social- ism and how to build it, China’s socialist modernization has undergone through a tortuous process. With the ending of the “Cultural Revolution”, Deng Xiaoping has seriously considered how to proceed from China’s na- tional conditions so as to achieve socialist modernization. In September 1978, when Deng Xiaoping met a group of guests from the Japanese press,
13. Selected Works of Jiang Zemin, Vol.3, p.293 and http://www.china-un.ch/eng/zgbd/ smwx/t85789.htm.
72
According to Deng Xiaoping’s suggestions, in the same year in October,
i ina’s “ ization” Is to be he gave a new explanation of China’s “four modernization” goa , fe ‘ the Party’s 13% Congress agreed on the “three-step” strategic conception.
achieved by the end of the 20" century.
He said: “At the end of this century, even if we will achieve our goals of four modernizations, and build a well-off society, our level will not reach that of Japan”. During this period Deng Xiaoping’s visits to the United States, Japan and other countries, had also deepened his understanding of modernization. .
In March 1979, Deng Xiaoping pointed out in his speech at the forum meeting regarding the theoretical work of the party: Now, in our national construction, we must likewise act in accordance with our own situation
and find a Chinese path to modernization.””*
In October the same year, Deng Xiaoping put forward a new point of view at the Political Bureau of the Central Committee. He said: By the political task, we are referring to the four modernizations. We used to have the ambitious goal of realizing the four modernizations by the end of the century. Later we changed the goal the ‘Chinese-style” modernizations, in- tending to lower the standard a little.”'
In January 1980, Deng Xiaoping divided the coming 20 years into the two decades, initially proposed two steps concept to achieve well-off soci-
ety level.
The 12% Party Congress has formally proposed the two-step strategy concept based on his idea. The first step was to use the first 10 years to double the GNP (gross national product) by constant prices in order to solve the people’s food and clothing problem. By the end of the twentieth century, the gross national product (GDP) would be quadrupled (with the constant prices of 1980) so that people’s living standards will reach a well-off level.
The first step, from 1981 to 1990, will be the realization of doubling gross national product of the year 1980, so as to solve the people’s food and clothing problems. The second step, from 1991 to the end of the 20" century, further doubling the gross national product so that people’s living standards will reach a well-off level. The third step, in the 50 years to the middle-of the 21% century, per capita GDP would reach the level of moder- ately developed countries, wherein people living standards will be more af- fluent, and the socialist modernization will be basically realized then, move forward on this basis.
According to Deng Xiaoping’s three-step approach, targeting the basic re- alization of modernization in 2049, China through its effort according to three five-year plan periods, the 2000 goals were achieved in 1995, ahead of time.
In March 1996, in order to link the second-step and the third-step well, the State Council promulgated the “Ninth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and Outline for Long-term Target for the Year 2010.”
In 1997, the strategic goals for the third step, further defined third stage: in the first decade of the 21* century, we will realization the doubling of the gross national product of the 2000, and achieve a well-off life which is more affluent for people, and achieve the formation of a relatively com- plete socialist market economic system. After 10 years of efforts, between 2010-2021 till 100" anniversary of the founding of the CPC, we will a more developed national economy and more perfect socialist systems in all as- pects. And in 29 years till the mid-21* century, by the 100" anniversary of anniversary of the founding of the PRC, modernization will be basically realized and we will “build a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, civilized socialist country. This definition has made the “three- step” strategy and its steps more specific and clear.
The “three-step” strategy was put forward by the central leading col- lective of the Party on the basis of summing up the historical experiences of the development of modernization at home and abroad. And has been a profound embodiment of the characteristics of China’s national conditions and characteristics of times and the correct reflection regarding the objec- tive law of modernization.
The above development strategy which has started from the realities of the primary stage of socialism has reflected the unity of ideal and seeking truth from facts; considered the economic development and improving peo- ple’s living standards as a unity, adhering to the economic development and the realization of the socialist character in gradual steps as another unity.
By the end of the 20" century to achieve quadrupling the GNP, and then move forward the strategic goal that was defined as follows, by Deng Xiaoping: “As The first step Quadrupling the GNP will be a significant achievement... It will provide a new starting point from which, in another 30 to 50 years, we shall approach the level of the developed countries. I am talking about production and living standards.””'®
In April 1987, when he met with the Spanish guests, Deng Xiaoping for the first time, proposed a new development strategy which included three steps to achieve modernization.
14 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 2nd edition, Vol.2, p. 163, and https://archive.org/ stream/Selected WorksOfDengXiaoping Vol. 1/Deng02_djvu.txt.
15 Ibid. 16 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.79 and https://archive.org/
stream/Selected WorksOfDeng Xiaoping Vol.3/Deng03_djvu.txt.
73
- The rights of the people to participate and to develop as equals are
adequately protected. The rule of law for the country, the government, and society is basically in place. Institutions in all fields are further Tapas the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance is base cally achieved. :
Building a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, civilized socialist country, ie. the goals of socialist modernization and adhering to comprehensive and coordinated development of economy and society, and guiding the whole party and the people in building of socialism with Chinese characteristics, has defined the program of action. ; The 19" Party Congress in 2017 led by Xi Jinping further clarified the above strategy as follows: The period between 2017 and 2020 will be decisive in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. We must follow the requirements on building this society set out at our 16", 17%, and 18" National Congresses, act in response to the evolution of the principal con- tradiction in Chinese society, and promote coordinated economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological advancement. We must show firm resolve in implementing the strategy for invigorating China through science and education, the strategy on developing a quality workforce, the innovation- driven development strategy, the rural vitalization strategy, the coordinated regional development strategy, the sustainable development strategy, and the military-civilian integration strategy. We must focus on priorities, ad- dress inadequacies, and shore up points of weakness. In this regard, I want to stress that we must take tough steps to forestall and defuse major risks, carry out targeted poverty alleviation, and prevent and control pollution, so that the moderately prosperous society we build earns the people’s approval
and stands the test of time. The period between the 19" and the 20% National Congress is the period in which the timeframes of the two centenary goals converge. In this pe-
riod, not only must we finish building a moderately prosperous society in
s and achieve the first centenary goal; we must also build on this enary goal
‘ Social etiquette and civility are significantly enhanced. China’s cultur- al soft power has grown much stronger; Chinese culture has greater appeal.
- People are leading more comfortable lives, and the size of the mid-
dle-income group has grown considerably. Disparities in urban-rural de- velopment, in development between regions, and in living standards are significantly reduced; equitable access to basic public services is basically ensured; and solid progress has béen made toward prosperity for everyone.
. A modern social governance system has basically taken shape, and society is full of vitality, harmonious, and orderly.
¥ There is a fundamental improvement in the environment; the goal of building a Beautiful China is basically attained.
In the second stage from 2035 to the middle of the 21* century, we will building on having basically achieved modernization, work hard for a far- ther 15 years and develop China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and
74 beautiful. By the end of this stage, the following goals will have been met:
‘ ; ; ; : New heights are reached in every dimension of material, political, cul- tural and ethical, social, and ecological advancement.
- tae Bs ats
Modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance is achieved.
all respect achievement to embark on a new journey toward the second cent
of fully building a modern socialist country. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the international and domestic
environments and the conditions for China’s development, we have drawn up a two-stage development plan for the period from 2020 to the middle of
Ras China has become a global leader in terms of composite national strength and international influence.
- Common prosperity for everyone is basically achieved.
- The Chinese people enjoy happier, safer, and healthier lives.
The Chinese nation will become a proud and active member of the com-
this century. munity of nations.
In the first stage from 2020 to 2035, we will build on the foundation cre- ated by the moderately prosperous society with a further 15 years of hard © work to see that socialist modernization is basically realized. The vision is that by the end of this stage, the following goals will have been met:
- China’s economic and technological strength has increased significant:
ly. China has become a global leader in innovation.
Second, the goal of building a moderately prosperous society
Through the concerted efforts of the whole party and the people of all thnic groups across the country, by the end of the 20 century, China has chieved the first two goals of the “three-step” strategy of modernization and the people’s living standard has reached a well-off level in general This marked a new milestone in the history of the Chinese nation. j
After the people’s living standards have reached the well-off level, the
Fifth Plenary Session of the 15" CPC, Central Committee in 2000, has pro-
posed that China will enter a new stage of building a well-off society in an
all-round way and accelerate the socialist modernization.
The 16 National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2002, put forward the goal of building a well-off society in an all-round (com- prehensive) way in the first 20 years of the new century. The 17 National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2007, put forward new and higher requirements on the basis of the goal of building a well-off society as compared to the 16" National Congress of the CPC.
How to understand the different terms in the Party documents, such as: low-level well-off, well-off society, and the term of the well-off society in an all-round way. Low-level well-off means that we have just entered the threshold of comprehensively well-off society, also means that we have solve the basic needs of survival, but we are also far away from comprehen- sively well-off (not comprehensive).
Still not comprehensive (all-round) well-off level mainly refers that the currently achieved well-off level includes a moderate level of material civi- lization, but it does not include comprehensive levels of spiritual civili- zation, political civilization, ecological environment, sustainable develop- ment due to lack of enough attention. The development being quite uneven, means we have just entered the threshold of comprehensively well-off so- ciety but the national income distribution among the population is unbal- anced, which also means there is a huge gap between urban and rural areas, between the eastern and western regions, and means that there is a widening gap, between different income groups and widening gap of economic de- velopment of people as well as living standards of people.
The goal and requirements of building a well-off society in an all-round
way are as the following:
- Enhancing the mode of coordinated development, and strive to achieve -
sound and rapid economic development. Changing the mode of development, making significant progress in opti mizing the economic structure, improve efficie and natural sources, protect the environment on the basis of quadruplin, the per capita GDP between 2000-2020. The socialist market econo system becomes more perfect. The ability of independent innovation | proves significantly, and the contribution rate of scientific and technol cal progress to economic growth rises sharply and China enters amon; ranks of innovative countries. Residents’ consumption level enco steady increase, the formation of coordinated growth pattern of thre lars: consumption, investment, export driven growth pattern. Coordi
ney, reduce waste of human
and interactive development mechanism of urban and rural areas among
- different dea Significant progress will be made in the construction of
_ new socialist countryside. The proportion of urba: i illi ew n popul eee : population will increase
- Expanding socialist democrac { y and better protect people’s ri interests and improve social equity. iii nai
Citizens’ political participation will be enhanced in an orderly manner. The basic strategy of governing the country in accordance with the iaw will be deepened, the rights of the people to participate and to develo as equals will be adequately protected. The rule of law for the count : the government, and society is basically in place. Institutions in all fields are further improved; the modernization of China’s system and capaci eae Gaines achieved. Grassroots democracy ee perfect. The ability of the go i i i i i “eee 2 eet vernment to provide basic public services will
- Strengthening cultural construction, the civilizati
- : vilization quality of th
population will be improved significantly. ee i
The socialist core value system will enj oy a strong popular support, and the good virtues of people and morality will ascend to a higher eck
A public cultural service system covering the whole society will be basi cally established, the establishment of cultural industry encounters a si nif icantly increase in its proportion in comparison to total national eee The international competitiveness regarding accessing to more rich sultagel products will be significantly enhanced to meet the needs of the people °
- Accelerating the development of social i
- . undertakings, and _
sively improve people’s lives. gs, and comprehen
Modern national education system will be more perfect, lifelong educa- on system will be basically formed, the education level of all people and innovative personnel training level will be improved significantly. Social mployment pattern becomes more adequate. The social security system os all the urban and rural residents will be basically established fe everyone enjoys basic living standards and social security.
easonable and equitable distribution of income will be basically formed size of the middle-income group has grown considerably and becomes oes the ultimate elimination of poverty is basically achieved ryone enjoys basic medical and health servi i a ee ania ices. Social management
he above goals will be achieved by 2021.
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- The concept of ecological civilization across the whole society will be
firmly established, the construction of ecological civilization encounters
remarkable progress. The basic form of energy conservation and protection
of the ecological environment of the industrial structure, growth, consump-
tion patterns will be formed. Cire
the proportion of renewable energy increases significantly. The discharge
of pollutants in the main will be effectively controlled, the quality of the
ecological environment will be significantly improved. Sustainable devel-
opment capacity is increasing.
By 2020, when we will achieved the goal of building a well-off society in
an all-round way, our long history of civilization and the developing social-
ist country will encounter the following: industrialization will be basically
realized, the comprehensive national strength is significantly enhanced, the
overall size of the domestic market will rank in the forefront of the world,
the whole people will achieve a higher degree of affluence, the quality of
life has been improved and the ecological environment has been improved.
Thus China will become a country with more full democratic rights and
higher moral quality and spiritual pursuits. It has become a more perfect
a more dynamic and stable society. China will become more
system and to other nations of the
open to the outside world, will have more affinity world, and China will make greater contributions to human civilization.
Building a well-off society in an all-round way is the necessary stage we must pass through realizing the strategic goal of socialist modernization in three-steps. It is an important strategy for the new stage of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The goal of this struggle is in line with China’s ba- sic national conditions and the law of modernization, in line with the aspira- tions of the broad masses of the people, leads us in our efforts to continue to move forward in the new century, points to our direction.
Promoting a sound and rapid economic development
First, taking the path of new industrialization
Industrialization is the basis and premise of modernization, highly de- What kind
of path should be followed as the path to industrialization is a major issue
veloped industrial society is the main symbol of modernization.
facing our country. The 16" National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) 1 2002, pointed out that it should adhere to industrialization combined informatization, promote the informationization of industries, and bla: a new path of industrialization with high technological content, virtue
ular economy ascends to a larger scale, .
economic efficiency, low resource consumption, less environmental pollu-
tion and improvement of qualified human resource advantages. This ss the
major strategic decisions made by the Party Central Conimities to enable
China achieve a well-off society in an all-round way and aecelerie the
advancement of socialist modernization in the new stage of development
eens of feats the new path to industrialization, is the right choice evaluating the realities of both China and the world’s sci alee yaaa S science and techno-
Since the 1990s, the world economic and technological development has undergone tremendous advances: firstly, the new scientific and technologi- cal revolution has developed by leaps and bounds, high-tech, es eciall the extensive application of information technology, has becouse : se driving force for economic and social development, and men’s Seung activities and social has begun to enter the era of information and autom : tion. Secondly, economic globalization has encountered in-depth ieee: ment, the world’s economic and trade development and capital sees a ee transfer movement has imposed to speed up the economies eu a open and interdependence among countries has in-
On ce other hand, in the above defined context of globalization, we cannot close our doors when engage in the industrialization efforts, and a a follow the traditional Western path of colonialist industrializa- ee we need to strictly engage in informationization. In the above xt, we cannot achieve the industrialization with i . . « Out to industrialization. peices
After the founding of new China, especially since the reform and open- ing up, China s economy has made great achievements, China saw rapid progress of industrialization.
But in the past few decades, China’s economic development has relied too much to expand the scale of investment and focused on increasing in- vestments on material economy, this means an extensive economic eek this mode of development has caused excessive waste of resources Nie mental pollution, expansion of urban and rural gap, thus we have said hu : price for economic development. The contradictions regarding energy. ko Sources, environment has become more and more acute and sinsustiinable
a This pala us to change the mode of economic growth, take the path of few industrialization, mainly by saving from the consumption of material Tesources and mainly rely on scientific and technological progress improve € quality of workers, management innovation, shift from ddensive devel- ment to intensive one, so as to achieve that we achieve sustainable and
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In order to take a new path of industrialization, we must firmly grasp the strategic adjustment task regarding the economic structure, as the main task, promote the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure.
The grand policy of adhering to develop an industrialized, information- based, urbanized, market-oriented and internationalized country, considers the formation of high-tech industries as the guiding sectors, the basic in- dustries and manufacturing sectors as the supporting part, and includes the comprehensive development of the service industry.
High-tech industry is based on the IT-industry as the representative sec- tor of the high-tech development in the emerging industries of the world, which is characterized by high level technological content, jt is an impor- tant driving force for rapid development, regarding the national economy and social life and greatly contributes to economic growth. It is becoming the lifeline of both the whole industry of the national economy, it is also the basic material condition for the further development of modern social productive forces. On the other side, the manufacturing industry is at the center of industrial structure, is the basis and prerequisite for accelerating the realization of national industrialization and modernization. Its development can promote and support the development of other industries of the national economy.
The prosperity and proportion of the service industry in the economic structure is the main feature of economic modernization. The proportion of service industry in the national economy is the main symbol to measure the degree of economic and social development and also the modernization
level of a country. To this end, the 17" National Congress of the Party, said: we will develop
a modern industrial system, integrate IT application with industrialization,
push our large industries to grow stronger, invigorate the equipment manu-
facturing industry, and eliminate outdated production capacities.
We will
Second, the construction of a new socialist countryside
The document titled as “The New Ideas in the Work of Agriculture Countryside and Farmers” embodies the major strategic decision made b China’s central leadership to meet the requirements of the new stage ie economic and social development and realize the grand goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way which is the goal of full socialist mod- ernization, in the new era of reform and opening up.
The problems of agriculture, rural areas and peasants, shortly “the three rural issues has always been the fundamental problem of China during— revolution, construction and reform—the three periods.
Bee sinha of our party’s leadership over revolution, construction and reform works are inseparable from its achievements in resolving the “three rural issues”.
After the reform and opening up, especially since the 16 CPC National Congress in 2002, our Party has adopted a series of measures to solve the problem of “agriculture, rural areas and farmers”, so that agriculture would be strengthened, rural areas to be developed, the benefits of farmers to be increased, and considered the three issues as the important premise of pro- moting economic and social development and maintain social stability.
However, it must be seen that the deep-seated contradictions that restricts the agriculture and rural development has not yet been eliminated, and the long-term mechanism for the sustainable and stable increase of farmers’ , mes ea yet been formed. The lagging situation of rural economic and social development, in comparison to urban region > s has n _ fundamentally. : nr
Solving the problem of “three rural” is still a long-term task. The “three _ tural issues” a term in China to summarize rural issues is the key problem in _ the process of building a well-off society in an all-round way.
Building a moderately prosperous society is the most arduous task when
upgrade new- and high-technology industries and develop information, biotechnology, new materials, aerospace, marine and other industries. We will develop the modern service industry and raise the level of the service sector and its share in the economy. We will step up efforts to improve - basic industries and infrastructure and accelerate development of a modern
comprehensive transport system. We will ensure th ation
Pplied to rural areas. If the peasants are not well-off of the peasants, the well-being of the people of the whole country will not be achieved. There Il be no achievement of modernization of the whole China without the dernization of the countryside.
The virtuous development of the rural economy, building qualified and althy farmer homes, so that farmers live a well-off life is a must to ensure t all people share the fruits of economic and social development and ves to the goal of continuously expanding domestic demand and thus pene sustained, rapid and coordinated development of the national my.
energy industry and a quality and safety of products. We will encourage formation of intern
ally competitive conglomerates.
Since the 16% National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)
in 2002, our Party has stressed that it is necessary to solve the problem of
“agriculture, rural areas and farmers” as the top priority of the work of the
whole party and further stressed a coordinated urban and rural development.
At the 4" Plenary Session of the 16 CPC Central Committee, Hu Jintao :
put forward the important idea of “two trends”, that is, in the initial stage of industrialization, agriculture supports industry and provides accumulation for industrialization being a general trend. But as the second trend, after a degree of industrialization (middle and late stage) is achieved, industry should nurture and support agriculture, urban regions should support rural areas, “we should achieve coordinated development of the industry and agriculture, urban and rural regions. At present, China has generally entered the development stage wherein we should promote agriculture, with the support of urban regions. The Fifth Plenary Session of the 16" CPC Central Committee further proposed that building “a new socialist countryside” is a major historical task in the process of modernization of our country.
In 2006, the CPC Central Committee and State Council co-issued the “Opinions on Promoting the Construction of New Socialist Countryside”, and made a comprehensive plan for coordinating the economic and social development of urban and rural areas and promoting the construction of
new socialist countryside.
The central government put forward the general requirements of con- structing a new socialist countryside, as follows: development of agricul-
tural productive forces, well-off life, rural civilization, clean and tidy vil _
lages, democratic village level management.
The comprehensive development of agricultural productive forces, is the central link in building a socialist new countryside... material basis and key link to achieve other objectives of the whole project. Making “increases in farmers’ income” so that they lead a better life is the central task and the purpose of building a socialist new countryside but also the basic scale to
measure the success of our work.
Township civilization, policy is the reflection of the quality of farmers, which reflects the requirements of spiritual civilization in rural regions. We
should boost spiritual civilization and accelerating the development of ed cation and culture in rural areas to cultivate “new-type” farmers.
Clean and tidy villages policy aims to achieve the harmonious deve ment of man and the environment which will meet long-term requirem but also a symbol of building a modern civil society in rural areas W! means boosting harmony, caring for the lives of farmers, improving bi and strengthening social administration in the countryside.
Improving grass-roots democracy is the political guarantee of building _a socialist new countryside means showing respect for and maintenance of _ the peasant masses’ political rights. We should boost grass-roots democracy _ in the countryside and imprové transparency in village affairs. We should fully exert the leading core function of the grass-root party organization to provide solid political and organizational guarantee for the construction of anew socialist countryside. °
The dbove policies form an organic whole, which summarizes the basic connotation and requirements of building a socialist new countryside, the policies have not only sketched out the prospects for the longed pleasant picture for a modern countryside, but also put forward the systematic ideas to solve the “three rural” problem:
Building a socialist new countryside, has been a systematic project, so as to actively promote the coordinated development of urban and rural areas to be carried out under the premise of orderly, planned and gradual methods
In order to strengthen the basic status of agriculture, take the path of ag- ricultural modernization with Chinese characteristics, the establishment of labor to promote agriculture, to urban long-term mechanism with the town- ship, has the formed a new pattern of integration and coordination of urban and rural economic and social development. |
We should adhere to promoting the development of modern agriculture take the prosperity of the rural economy as a primary task, strengthen the construction rural infrastructures, improve rural markets and agricultural service system.
We should increase supports to agricultural development, enforce the protection of arable farming land plots strictly, increase agricultural invest- ments, promote the progress of agricultural science and technology, com- prehensively enhance the agricultural production capacity.
We should take increasing of farmers’ income as the core task, promote € development of township enterprises in rural areas, strengthen hie coun- level economies, explore and establish diverse channels for shifting the mployment of farmers in non-farming occupations, which is one funda- ental problem to solve for increasing farmers’ incomes, employment. We i0uld vigorously increase targeted efforts for poverty alleviation by i: ural development. We should deepen the comprehensive reform in rural S and promote the reform and innovation of the rural financial system | should adhere to the policy of improve the basic management system A al areas, stabilize and improve the contract based land use relationship ecordance with the principle of voluntary compensation in accordance the law, improve the land transfer and management rights contract
84
market. We should explore for more effective forms
i.e. promote the develo operative associations and organi ization of agriculture and also pr prises. All of which can play an important ro in modern value chains, by providing technica
We should also promote the development of leading ent pt defines leading enterprises as important
f modern agriculture and key to in-
areas. Leading enterprises conce components of the industrial system o dustrialized operations in agriculture.
We should cultivate culturally developed, science and o that hundreds of millions of Chinese farmers can
ly, new type of farmers, s
pment of professional and specialized farmers’ co- zations in order to support the industrial- omote the development of leading enter- le in helping farmers operate | training and information.
of collective economy,
erprises in rural
technology friend-
fully play their role in building a new socialist countryside.
Third, improve the ability of independent innovation, building an innovative nation
Tn tive force for the prosperity of a count of the Party Central Committee, has eva world and the historical stage of our country promote independent innovation, building C
This has been a major strategic decisio
the strategy of rejuvenating the country through s
the strategy of strengthening th novative country has become an o international competitiveness. In today encing an evolution from industrial soci
ety. Scientific and technological innovation has
force of national development, and will finall
competitiveness of a country. In the new roun nological competition, developed countries are using th
advantages to maximize their interests.
If developing countries can improve their ab have the opportunity and initiative to develop
further widen the development gap wi
If development is our highest priority,
nology in a strategic position, accelerate the pac drive China’s productive forces furt
tion, build an innovative country,
forward to achieve a qualitative leap in order to grasp the o tion and enhance our initiative to pus
the fierce international competi development.
yd
ovation is the soul of a nation’s progress, and an inexhaustible mo- ry. Hu Jintao as the general secretary luated the development trend of the , made a far-sighted judgment to hina into an innovative country.
n made by our Party to adopt
cience and education and
e country through talents. Building an in- bjective requirement to improve Chinese ’s world, human society is experi- iety to knowledge economy soci-
become the core driving etermine the international
d of global science and tech- eir technological
ilities to innovate, they may better. Otherwise, they will ith the developed countries.
we should put science and tee
e of independent inno’
pportuniti
Building an innovation-oriented country is a major step in imple ; the scientific concept of development and building a well-off menting elround way. It is an urgent requirement to solve the outstandi sen dictions and problems facing China’s current development ng contra-
Only by vigorously promoting scientific and technological progre d innovation, only enhancing our ability of independent innovation oe : mote China's economic growth mode from resoutce-denendent m ie innovation-driven mode, can we continue to maintain stable id oer tainable economic growth. is
The strategic decision to build an i i a an innovative country has not o significant step forward but also a realistic step. = Be
is based on the scientific analysis of China’s basic national conditions 4 comprehensive judgment on the strategic requirements of China, but also aims to launch the full potential of China’s superiority as being . SO- an ee aeeoe of socialism should be given full play. China which already has a good basis of economic and i ei | technological should utilize this basis by independent innovation strategy. oe
eae there is still a big gap between China’s current overall level of i ie Eeicenes with the world’s advanced level, although China’s verall level of science and technolo é erall gy, possess many holes or weak points which hinder its economic and soci ie ocial development i the achievements made sinc i i tes e the founding of new Chi i i the reform and openin i i Seen enae g up, with the establishment of a sociali alist market eco- nomic system, and after we have achi i
- eved sustained and rapid i
and social development: China’ i a emcioe
- s total number of scientific and i
technologi- a ee sere and the total number of R & D personnel in the oe nt of the world, has significantly increas
- ed, we have formed lati
complete research discipline s i eee é ystem regarding natural sciences, th ih some important areas of research oe and development biliti i ae pment capabilities China g the ranks of world’s advanced i oo countries. All these have 4 an important foundation and presents favorable conditions for buildi ina as an innovative country. =
B ortve ee tite we should focus to science and technological ‘Ue peeeaias s rategy, try to achieve a substantial increase in sci- an gical innovation, strive to have an increasingly str Mpetitive advantage against our competitors. ae
pPrsent, a world’s leading innovative countries are the United y : ce fe ee and so on. The common characteristics of these coun- bes gies ution of innovative industries, scientific and technological o their output is more than 70% of the total. And their R & D
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investment expenditures are generally more than 2% of their GDPs; their foreign dependency indicators regarding independent innovation capabil- ity, their dependency to external technology are usually less than 30%.
In building an innovative country, starting from the reality of our coun- .
try, the core task is to enhance the ability of independent innovation as a strategic basis for the development of science and technology. We should follow a path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics, in order to promote the development of science and technology by leaps and bounds. In order to enhance China’s ability of independent innovation as a na- tional strategy, China aims to stimulate the whole nation’s innovative spirit, cultivate high-level innovative talents, form an institutional mecha-
nism conducive to independent innovation, vigorously promote theoreti-
cal innovation, system innovation, scientific and technological innovation,
and constantly consolidate and promote the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
The 12% Five-Year Plan of China emphasized the following: “we should change the development mode and strive to create a scientific development pattern” “and as the focus of accelerating the transformation of the econom- ic development pattern, the building of resource saving and environment- friendly society is a key factor. Obviously, the green economic growth is of extraordinary importance in forming a resource saving and environment- friendly society, and is an inevitable choice in coping with increasingly se- tious resource and environmental constraints. In pursuit of a green growth, endeavors on enhancing the sense of environmental crisis, accelerating en- ergy saving and emission reduction, and constructing an energy-saving and environment-friendly production pattern are urgently needed.” The ability of independent innovation is the core of a nation’s interna- tional competitiveness and the fundamental way to realize the goal of build- ing an innovative country.
The practice of science and technology development in the world shows that, in order to enhance our initiative and grasp opportuniti
international competition, the only way to success can be having a strong
independent innovation capability.
Especially in the key areas of our national economic lifeline and in the key areas of our national economic security, and in core technology velopment areas, and in the areas of key technology we cannot buy fr outside, therefore China must rely on independent innovation.
es in the fierce _
In all our works regarding science and technology, i.e. according to the guideline for scientific and technological work in order to improve our abilities of home-grown, independent innovation, firstly, we should focus to master a number of core technologies, targetly plan to produce a num- ber of independent intellectual property rights which belong to us, create a number of internationally competitive enterprises, thus reach a substantial increase in national competitiveness.
In order to promote the path of independent innovation with Chinese char- acteristics, we must adhere to the above guideline (guideline for scientific and technological work) which focuses “home-grown innovation, leapfrog ad- vancement in key areas, supportive development and leading fot the future”.
Independent home-grown innovation, means to enhance the national in- novation capacity, means to strengthen the indigenous innovation capacity. integrated innovation and means in our technological innovation efforts we should adopt the policy of digestion and assimilation in technological in- novation instead of copying and imitating.
Focusing on leapfrog advancement in key areas means we should insist on doing something wrong, choose such innovation areas where we have a certain degree of foundation and advantages, and strike a good balance when choosing key areas of innovation, i.e. strike a good balance between the needs of people’s livelihood and key national security areas and link them appropriately. It means we should concentrate our efforts, to make breakthroughs in some major areas and achieve leapfrog development.
Focusing on supportive development means we should start from the re- alities of our urgent problems that needs to be solved in order to support the sustained and coordinated economic and social development. And in order to ae the sustained and coordinated economic and social development we should strive to make breakthroughs in the area: a s of key technol and common technologies. : ae
Leading the future, means to look forward with long term vision, strive 10 advance deployment of cutting-edge technologies and promote baste sci- entific and technological research, create new market demand, foster the development of the new industries, so as to lead the future economic and cial development.
This guideline of focusing on “home-grown innovation, leapfrog ad- ancement in key areas, supportive development and leading for the future” a summarization of the practical experiences of developing of science d technology in China for more than half a century. It is an important Olce for the future of our country and related to our cause of great reju- oo of the Chinese nation. We must stick to this guideline through the Ole process of the development of science and technology in China.
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At the beginning of 2006, the State Council formulated “the Outline of the
National Medium- and Long-term Science and Technology Development
Plan”, and put forward the major strategic task of bringing China into the
ranks of innovative countries of the world within 15 years.
The overall goal of building an innovation-oriented country includes the -
following goals:
By 2020, our capability of independent and indigenous innovation will be significantly enhanced, the ability of our science and technological ba- sis to promote economic and social development and to safeguard national security will be significantly enhanced, it will be able to provide a strong support for building an overall well-to-do society. By 2020, the compre- hensive strength of basic science and cutting-edge technology research will be significantly enhanced, and a batch of scientific and technological achievements that will have a significant impact in the world arena will be achieved, thus we will enter among the ranks of innovative countries, and all these will lay the foundation for becoming a world scientific and tech- nological power by the middle of the 21* century.
Accelerating the construction of national innovation system is an im- portant task for building an innovative country. The national innovation system in China an institutional system led by the government which gives full play to the market’s role in the allocation of scientific and technologi- cal resources, this institutional system includes various innovation entities which are closely linked and effectively interact with each other. To further deepen the reform of science and technology system, we should give full play to the role of enterprises in technological innovation, give full play to the backbone of national scientific research institutions and give full play to leading the role of these scientific research institutions, give full play to the role of universities and fully use their research basis.
To this end, we must strive to build a technology innovation system
with enterprises as the main pillar of the system, build a market orientated
_ world-class scientists and leading scientists in the sphere of science and
technology, we should focus on cultivating front-line creative talents, so that innovative spirit and wisdom of the whole society will blossom vigor- ously, thus China will have. numerous innovative talents, who are capable in all aspects.
Fourth, co-ordinated and balanced regional development
China covers a vast geographical land wherein its regions are faced with unbalanced development. Since the reform and opening up, the eastern central and western regions have made great progress. However due to the gaps regarding, the level of economic development in the easieih central and western regions has been widening due to the differences in their re- spective foundations, i.e. their historical basis of social and economic de- velopment, natural geographical environment, their histories and cultures and the speed of economic development levels are quite different. These gaps demonstrate a widening trend. On China to co-ordinate regional de- velopment, and narrowing the development gap between regions has be- come a critical problem that cannot be ignored. It is not only related to the overall situation of our modernization task, but also the stability of society and the long-term stability of the country. Our party has always attached importance to regional coordinated development. Mao Zedong in the fa- mous “On the Ten Major Relations,” urged to care for the development a: between Eastern and Western regions among major issues. is
During the reform and opening up era, in 1980s Deng Xiaoping put for- ward the idea of “two-step sequential strategy to achieve an overall bal- anced development” : the first step would be to let the eastern coastal areas a first me help in speeding up the opening up, in the next step after eastern regions becomes rich, they will vigorously support th of the western regions. fas i
_ The third generation of the central collective leadership, with Jiang
Zemin as its core, at the turn of the century (2000), put forward the strategy
- inplementing the western development as a priority, following Deng
- ee S concept of “two-step sequential strategy to achieve an over-
alanced development”, he declared: At the current stage, we should
system , we should combine production, teaching and research, scientific research and research by higher education institutions. We should also com- bine military and civilian research for innovation. Achieving the establish-
ment of a comprehensive system of scientific and technological innovation will provide a major guarantee in building China as an innovative country. Creating a contingent of innovative S & T talents is the key in buildt an innovative country.
We must adhere to the strategic thinking that human resources are primary forces and regard training innovative talents as an important tegic measure in building an innovative nation. We must strive to ¢
udy and formulate overall plan for west development. We should have
ng term strategic thinking for west development. Through hard work of
veral generations, until mid of 21“ century when China basically realize
odernization, a new West will be built. This new West is of economic
OSperity, progressed society, national unity, beautiful mountains and riv-
S, and happy lives.
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In the new century, evaluating the current situation of China’s region- al development and with the vision of comprehensively promoting the requirements of modernization, Hu Jintao as the general secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC, put forward the coordinated regional de- velopment strategy as follows: We should give high priority to large-scale. development of the western regions, fully revitalize old industrial bases in northeast China, work vigorously to promote the rise of the central regions, and support the eastern region in taking the lead in development. Encourage reasonable division of labor, we should promote distinctive, complemen- tary advantages of regional industrial structure, and promote common de-
velopment of all regions. The 17% Party Congress in 2007 further discussed the idea and advo- cated the coordinated regional development: We should promote balanced development among regions and improve the pattern of land development. To narrow the gap in development among regions, we must work to en- sure their equal access to basic public services and guide a rational flow of factors of production between regions. Following the general strategy for regional development, we will continue to carry out large-scale devel- opment of the western region, rejuvenate northeast China and other old sndustrial bases in an all-round way, boost the development of the central region and support the eastern region in taking the lead in development. We will strengthen land planning, improve policies for regional develop-
ment and adjust the geographical distribution of economic operations in
accordance with the requirement to form development priority zones. In we will work _
form a number of close-knit economic
rims and belts that will provide a strong impetus to the development of — ve full consideration to
supporting development of the central and western regions and encourage
compliance with the laws governing the market economy, beyond administrative divisions to
other areas. In locating major projects, we must g1
the eastern region to help them develop. We will give more support to th development of old revolutionary base areas, ethnic autonomous areas, bor der areas and poverty-stricken areas. We will help transform the economle of areas where natural resources Area in Tianjin play a major role in reform, opening up and independ innovation. Taking a path of urbanization with Chinese characteristics, will promote balanced development of large, medium-sized and smal ies and towns on the principle of balancing urban and rural develop ensuring rational distribution, saving land, providing a full range of tions and getting larger cities to help smaller ones. Focusing on incre the overall carrying capacity of cities, we will form city clusters wit cities as the core so that they can boost development in other areas come new poles of economic growth.
are exhausted. We will have the special economic zones, the Pudong New Area in Shanghai and the Binhai New
ifth, building a resource-saving and environment-friendly society
The Fifth Plenary Session of the 16 CPC Central Committee, in 2005 “put forward the goal of building a resource-saving and iivimormene cic fe ly society relying on the scientific development concept and relying on e concept of building a socialist harmonious society. The concept we build : a socialist harmonious society, has been a new leap in our party’s sade standing of the law of socialist modernization. It is a major measure to ay ordinate the harmonious development of man and nature and promot ee realization of sustainable development. - eas
Resource-saving society, refers to the efficient use of energy resources
in production process, to save the way to consumpti a J mption as the characteristics of the community. * , fundamental
Resource-saving society does not only reflect the transformation of eco- nomic growth mode, but also a new model of social development, it requir that, in all spheres of production, circulation, consumption and a all i oe of economic and social development, we should save energy ae and improve the efficient use of energy resources as the core, with energy sav- ing, water saving, materials saving, land, and suggests ee utili- zation of resources as the focus, with the smallest possible consumption of resources, access to the greatest possible economic and social benefits, so to promote the sustainable development of socio-economic structure —
Environment-friendly society, advocates the harmonious development of man and nature, through the harmonious development of man and natur Specifically, it is a kind of harmony between man and nature as the sal takes an evaluation of carrying capacity of ecological environment - the basis of respecting the laws of nature as the core, it takes supporting reen technology as the driving force, and takes protection of eam priority. Environment-friendly society concept. .
For an environment-friendly society we should develop an orderly and tional division of functional areas, promote an cio pens cul re and ecological civilization understanding , we should promote fhe dinated development of economy, society, and the environment -
uilding a resource-saving and environment-friendly society is one major re- ment of realizing our goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way.
uilding a well-off society in an all-round way not only includes the s of €conomic construction, political construction, cultural construc- ae construction, but also the construction of ecological civilization, € whole society will embark on the path of civilized development
ch includes develo i pment of production development i le and a virtuous ecology. pee eg ie rs ie
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We must see that it is remarkably difficult to meet the requirements of the
resource-saving and environment-friendly society which will be the mark
of the well-off society in an all-round way.
In the future, as the total economy continues to expand and the popula- : tion continues to increase, the demand for energy resources will grow great- ly, the amount of pollutants will continue to increase, pressures on ecologi- cal environment will further increase, environmental problems will become prominent. People’s demands for environmental quality is constantly in- creasing, with the continuous improvement of material quality of their life.
In the process of building a well-off society in an all-round way, we must pay more attention to the conservation of resources and effectively protect the environment. At the same time, we should take effective measures to achieve the effective control of the main pollutant discharge and improve the quality of the ecological environment while we try achieving — targets such as gross domestic product. We should build a new concept o GDP which includes, ecological standards.
Building a resource-saving and environment-friendly society is one ma- jor requirement of implementing the strategy of sustainable development. China is a country with a large population and which faces shortage of natural resources. Since the reform and opening up, China’s economic and social development has made remarkable achievements.
However, since our economic growth was mainly based on high con- sumption, high pollution, i.e, the traditional development model, which pe caused relatively high environmental pollution and ecological damage, dl e contradiction between the environment and development has peaione creasingly prominent. The relative shortage of resources, fragile ecologica environment, limitedness in the carrying capacity of environment, all ee 3 have gradually become a major issue negatively affecting the sels lop- ment. At present, China is in a stage wherein industrialization and urbaniza- tion has accelerated thus faces a lot of resources and environmental pres- sures. It is impossible to have a sustainable economic growth by utilizing excess resources and sacrificing the environment.
The history of human development has shown that the development
and survival of human civilization is closely related to the resources and environment. Resource conditions, especially the deterioration of the ecological env ronment will not only undermine people’s living conditions, but may eve lead to the demise of human civilization. If we do not attach impor saving resources and protecting the environment, we may make mistak
that will be difficult to correct in the future.
__ We should adhere to the government policy of energy and resource conser- vation and ecological environmental protection which relates to the vital in- terests of the people and the survival and development of the Chinese nation.
The 17" Party Congress further emphasized the need to build a resource- saving and environment-friendly society put these tasks to a prominent po- sition in our industrialization and modernization strategy, and include every unit and every family in the implementation of these tasks.
The report said: we must adopt an enlightened approach to develop- ment that results in expanded production, a better life and sound ecological and environmental conditions, and build a resource-conserving and envi- ronment-friendly society that coordinates growth rate with the economic structure, quality and efficiency,’and harmonizes economic growth with the population, resources and the environment, so that our people will live and work under sound ecological and environmental conditions and our economy and society will develop in a sustainable way,
We should improve the laws and policies that are conducive to save en- ergy resources and protect the ecological environment, and speed up the formation of a mechanism for sustainable development. Implementation of energy-saving emission reduction responsibility system.
We should develop and promote advanced technologies for conserva- tion, substitution, recycling and pollution control, develop clean and renew- able energy utilization, promote the protection of land and water resources, build a scientific and rational energy resources utilization system and im- prove energy efficiency.
We should develop an environment protection industry, increase invest- ments for energy conservation and environmental protection, focusing on strengthening water, air, soil pollution prevention and control, thus improve urban and rural living environment.
We should strengthen water conservancy, forestry, grassland protection, strengthen desertification control, promote ecological restoration.
We should strengthen capacity building to fight against climate change, and make active contribution to the protection of global climate.
_ Inshort, we must profoundly understand the importance of strengthening ‘nergy conservation and ecological and environmental protection, with a spirit of being responsible to the state, to the nation and to the next genera- ns, and earnestly put the building of a resource-saving and environment- friendly society in a prominent position in the strategy of industrialization and modernization so that we can better promote all-round, coordinated, stainable economic and social development.
Fundamental Task of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
The fundamental task of socialism is to liberate and develop productive forces
First, the conception of the fundamental task of socialism and its basis
1. The fundamental task of socialism
Marxist classic writers have always attached great importance to the role of productive forces in social development. They have held that productive forces are the decisive force for the development of human society and held _that the superiority of a social system depends on whether productive forces meet the requirements of the continuous development of productive forces, _which one key measure to recognize the superiority of a social system. In he Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels made it clear that once the roletariat seizes power, all measures should be taken to “increase the total
of productive forces as rapidly as possible.””!
This scientific prediction of future socialism includes the idea that the ‘undamental task of socialism is to develop the productive forces. After the tory of Russia’s October Revolution, Lenin repeatedly stressed that to ate an economic system superior to capitalism and to enhancing the la- f productivity is the “fundamental task” of the Soviet Union. The Soviet ime “either ends up in peril or surpasses the economies of the advanced ions,”
Selected Works of Marx and Engels, 2" edition, vol. 1, p.293. Selected Works of Lenin, Vol. 23, p. 271.
95
2. Why is it established as the fundamental task of socialism to liberate
i initi i he fundamental task of social- Obviously, an initial understanding that the i ead ont eure
ism is to develop the productive forces is already included but implicitly into the thoughts of Marxist classical writers.
Since the founding of the New China, Mao Zedong eee sn : eral times that the fundamental task of the socialist society ies to fhe the productive forces and the economy. He stated that a gece es storming class struggle of the masses had gone away with the ae i of the socialist system and our task was to launch the cultura ee on and technology revolution and fight against the nature. In a i in the 8 CPC National Congress when the main contradiction ) : gates - ist society was analyzed and it was pointed out that the main task : a : e people was to bring together all the strength to develop the ae a uc- tive forces, realize the national industrialization and gradua fans ie ple’s growing material and cultural needs. This sateen re) ea oping the productive forces, however, was replaced by He c = : : ae as a guiding principle”, due to the exacerbation of the left-c evia as ; in the Party’s guiding ideology, which devastated the socialist construction.
Since the reform and opening up, Deng Xiaoping, on the basis Su oe 5 practical experience and the Marxist thoughts, further deve cis is Marxist thoughts on productivity development and clearly aes a the current China was still in the primary stage a socialism an - ‘ € —— “primary task”, “first task” and “fundamental task” was to — i hi velop the productive forces. He emphasized that the most vi ae of the socialist stage was to develop the productive forces, or the g _— importance was attached to the development of productive Hee an ing to Marxism. We say that socialism is the primary stage ol eure a According to Marxism, communist society is based on apes abu. a : Only when there is material abundance can the principle io a ae a society—that is, from each according to his ability, to each accor co his needs”—be applied. Socialism is the first stage of perpen a requires that social productive forces develop at a high level an wna material wealth of society be greatly enriched. Therefore, the mos
- 993
mental task in the socialist stage is to develop the productive forces.
- . |
Therefore, it is the fundamental idea of Marxism that the fund task of socialism is to liberate and develop the productive forces.
- os . a
this occasion when Deng Xiaoping explicitly proposed this fundamen task of socialism for the first time in the socialist development history.
The reasons can be summarized as follows.
First of all, this fundamental task is the fundamental manifestation of the superiority of socialism. The largest and most fundamental superiority of socialism is that socialism can better liberate and develop the productive forces than capitalism. In the capitalist society, the contradiction between the private ownership of means of production and the socialized produc- tion makes the capitalism the fetter of the productivity development; while in the socialist society, the private ownership of means of production is eliminated, which can provide a better and more favorable environment for the productivity liberation and development. As Deng Xiaoping pointed out, “The superiority of the socialist system is demonstrated, in the final analysis, by faster and greater development of those forces than under the capitalist system. As they develop, the people’s material and cultural life will constantly improve.”
Since our socialist system is built on the basis of the backward economy and culture in the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, it is a long histori- cal development process to improve the relatively more backward produc- tive forces, economic and cultural development and people’s material and cultural standards compared with the developed capitalist countries. The establishment of the socialist system in our country provides the possibility to greatly shorten this process which still needs the efforts of several gen- erations of our people. Only by vigorously developing the social productive forces can the “potential” superiority of the socialist system become an ac- tual one and the solid material foundation for the victory over the capitalist system be created.
Secondly, it is determined by the historical mission of socialism, that is, to create the material basis for communism. Communism is the inevitable trend of the socialist development as well as the advanced stage of social- sm. The transition from the socialist society to the communist society re- luires a variety of conditions which can generally be summed up in the two Spects: material and humans. The material condition refers to the highly leveloped social productive forces, the abundant social material wealth, on this basis the gradual elimination of various social differences and work according to ability and distribution according to demand; the luman condition refers to human’s own free and comprehensive develop- nt with the labor not only a means of livelihood but also the first need ife. Among these conditions, the highly developed productive forces he most basic one and is thus the material basis for the realization of
Oia a eee . aye 3 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 1* edition, Volume 3, p. 63.
other conditions. Without the highly developed productive forces nor the
abundant material wealth, the realization of the communist ideal will be an
empty talk. Therefore, in order to realize the transition to communism, we
need to create a series of necessary material and spiritual conditions, and
the most fundamental is to create the highly developed social productive ©
forces. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “A Communist society is one in which there is no exploitation of man by man, there is great material abundance and the principle of from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs is applied. It is impossible to apply that principle without overwhelm- ing material wealth. In order to realize communism, we have to accomplish the tasks set in the socialist stage. They are legion, but the fundamental one is to develop the productive forces so as to demonstrate the superiority of socialism over capitalism and provide the material basis for communism.”
Thirdly, it is the essential condition for the socialist consolidation and development. Human history has proved that a new social system is supe- rior to the old one, because, in the final analysis, the former can create a higher labor productivity than the latter; the former can overcome the latter and be well-established, because, in the final analysis, the former is more conducive to the productivity development and can better meet the material
and cultural needs of the masses of people.
It should be noticed as well that there still exists a considerable gap be- tween the socialist country and capitalist country in the productivity devel- opment, since the socialist system is established in countries with relatively backward economy and culture. This situation not only makes the socialist countries in a disadvantageous position in the competition with the capi- talist countries, but also provides the excuse and material conditions for the capitalist to attempt to subvert and destroy the socialist system. The evolution of the socialist countries in eastern Europe and the disintegration
of the first socialist state of the Soviet Union demonstrate that socialist es will find it impossible to realize the consolidation, development and final victory if they fail to develop their productive forces or catch up with and surpass capitalism in terms of the economy, technology and labor it clear that “the social- ist political system and economic system cannot be fully consolidated, nor guaranteed under the dictatorship of the proletariat
countri
productivity. In this regard, Deng Xiaoping made
the national security when the modernization is not launched, the science and technology am
social productive forces remain backward, and the national strength an the people’s material and cultural life remain at a low level. To build Chin into a modern socialist power we should more effectively consolidate 0!
5 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 1* Edition, Vol.3. p.137.
socialist system and cope with the aggression and subversion of foreign _ powers and ensure that we are gradually creating the material conditions and advance toward the great ideal of communism.”
Tf China wants to withstand the pressure of hegemonism and power politics and to uphold the socialist system, it is crucial for us to achieve rapid economic growth and to carry out our development.”
In Fe world where socialism and capitalism coexist and compete fierce y, the development of productive forces in socialist countries deter- mines the fate of socialism and the future of mankind.
Second, the liberation and development of productive forces is the inherent requirement of the essence of socialism
1. The scientific c i : . onnotation and characteristi Jak es of th socialism e essence of
After the 3" Plenary Session of the 11" CPC Central Committee, Den Xiaoping summed up the historical lessons that we had been talkin oa socialism in an abstract way disregarding the productive forces se man years and treating something uncharacteristic of the socialist nature ee _ fettering the development of the productive forces as “socialist principles” and defending it tenaciously but something conducive to the develo ee of productive forces under the socialist conditions as “something ca alist” and opposing it. After the in-depth thinking, he provided a new caeaie tion of the socialist nature, which deepened the understanding of aa He made a new scientific judgment about the essence of socialism: “The ce of socialism is liberation and development of the productive foros
- isa ai ala and polarization, and the ultimate achievement
Deng Xiaoping’s new theoretical generalization of the socialist nature a us, starting from the fundamental question of “what socialism is a ras to build it”, to deeply understand the fundamental task of social- m0 lat iS, liberating and developing the productive forces, and to realiz that it is the intrinsic demand of the socialist nature. , :
a ie early 1980s, Deng Xiaoping first proposed the concept of the es- ce 0 Socialism when he expounded on the issue how to demonstrate the Periority of the socialist system. He pointed out: “Socialism” is a good a but if we fail to have a correct understanding of it and adopt correct Icies for establishing it, we will not be able to demonstrate its essence.”9
Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 2nd edition, Vol.2, p.86 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3 ? 356 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, 373. Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 2nd edition, Vol.2, p3 13.
99
_key part of the socialist nature, which happened in the history of scientific
socialism for the first time and was a major development of Marxism. It is
well-known that Marxist classical writers have always stressed the decisive
role of productivity in social development, and treated social production
as the basis for the existence and development of human society and the
fundamental force pronioting social development, and the adaptation to the
productivity development as:an essential measure of the advanced social
system. Based on this essential standard, Marxist classical writers made a
scientific analysis of the capitalist system and pointed out that the capitalist
system in essence has become a hinder to the development of productive
forces, and therefore is doomed to be replaced by the socialist system. The
root cause for this replacement is that the socialist system can adapt to and
promote the development of productive forces. Deng Xiaoping, based on
the basic views of Marxism and the profound summary of the historical
experience of socialist construction, clearly put forward -the scientific con-
cept of the socialist nature for the first time, and treated the liberation and
development of productive forces as the essential prescription of socialism,
which is undoubtedly a significant development of scientific socialism.
According to him, the development of productive forces comes ne for socialism, because only in this way can the superiority of socialism ecome prominent. The key to judge whether the socialist economic policy is right lies in whether the productivity is developed and people s income increas- es. He described the production development and income aes . the overriding criterion, which was in fact the core content of the socialis ee ture. He also made a profound analysis of the thought that is ee le with the socialist nature, such as the poverty, slow development, ega itari- anism, polarization, and lack of democracy, which are not characteristics
of socialism. | To develop productivity and increasing people’s livelihood and ultimate- ly achieving common prosperity of all. This is the fundamental requirement of socialism. In September 1986, when he replied to a US reporter S report on the relationship between the China’s slogan of “To get Tich 1s glorious and socialism or communism, Deng Xiaoping commented: “Wealth ina socialist society belongs to the people. To get rich in a socialist cea means prosperity for the entire people. The principles of sopialist are: first, development of production and second is common prosperity.
This passage can be seen the prototype of Deng Xiaoping’s ideas on the essence of socialism. In December 1990, Deng Xiaoping once Sen commented on the issue of common prosperity and pointed out: ng the very beginning of the reform we have been emphasizing the nee f or seeking common prosperity; that will surely be the central es a me Socialism does not mean allowing a few people to grow ric a) ile : overwhelming majority live in poverty. No, that’s not socialism. The a est superiority of socialism is that it enables alle people to prosper, a common prosperity is the essence of socialism.
On the basis of a comprehensive summary of the historical experiengs in socialist practice and the fresh experience in reform and opening up, a Xiaoping clearly put forward the famous statement on the socialist nature in the speech made in his 1992 visit to the South. Deng Xiaoping’s new generalization regarding the essence of socialism
nature is rich in its connotations.
Treating the liberation and development of the productive forces as the essential prescription of socialism fully affirms the great role of socialist system in promoting the productivity development, on the one hand; on the other hand, it shows that socialism can liberate and develop the productive forces only when it makes constant reforms. According to the historical experience in China’s socialist construction, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that the establishment of socialist system could not guarantee the natural promotion and development of productive forces, since facts show that it takes time to perfect the socialist system and to give a full play to its su- periority. In particular, when the socialist system was established in our country, it was greatly influenced by the Soviet Union, which made it de- fective and disadvantageous. As a result, the development of productive forces in our country was seriously fettered and the superiority of social- ism was damped. To change this situation, we must deepen the political and economic system reform. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “Revolution Means the emancipation of the productive forces, and so does reform. The erthrow of the reactionary rule of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat- pitalism helped release the productive forces of the Chinese people. This $ revolution, so revolution means the emancipation of the productive ces. After the basic socialist system has been established, it is neces- to fundamentally change the economic structure that has hampered the velopment of the productive forces and to establish a vigorous socialist nomic structure that will promote their development. This is reform, so orm also means the emancipation of the productive forces. In the past,
100
First of all, it profoundly reveals that the socialist nature is is ee - liberating productive forces and developing productive eee 7 the socialism exists and develops and superior over the capita hae . Xiaoping stressed the liberation and development of productive rorces @&
10 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.172 and https://archive. of,
iaopi 03. djvu.txt. tream/ Selected WorksOfDengXiaopingVol.3/Deng Es ae iD select Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.364 and https://archive.or
stream/Selected WorksOfDengXiaoping Vol.3/Deng03_djvu.txt.
101
102
the productive forces. The liberation and development of the productive
__ forces must be based on the premise and condition that we should adhere to
the socialist path for common prosperity, so that we can truly liberate and
_ develop the productive forces.”
we only stressed expansion of the productive forces under aaa out mentioning the need to liberate them through reform. T eee see was incomplete. Both the liberation and the expansion of t sate i Ni forces are essential.”'? According to him, the reform must be a : condition of productive forces, which requires us to establish the eS i - system and economic system that can fully liberate and develop productive forces under the premise of adhering to the socialist basic system so as to fully reflect the essential requirements of socialism.
Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “Economic development must lead to the _ path of common prosperity and always see that polarization is avoided.’
Departing from the fundamental goal, productive forces can neither be truly liberated nor be rapidly developed; our ideal for being a great power Secondly, the fundamental goal of eliminating exploitation ie aoa frill vanish tuto nauoht and wodemivaien all ea ization and achieving the common prosperity was revealed . t e oe of liberating and developing the productive forces. While exp ae at socialism is, Deng Xiaoping repeatedly stressed that the greatest a i age of socialism was the common prosperity, something that embodies t 4 sO- cialist nature. In this new generalization about the socialist nature, cs Xiaoping includes the elimination of exploitation and each anc : ‘ realization of common prosperity as the fundamental goal of the pd nature, which links it with the liberation and development of pro mee forces and thus further reveals the socialist nature in the light of ase ) productive forces and relations of production. If the liberation and ik op- ment of productive forces reflect the nature and superiority oy ee . promoting the development of productive forces, then the elimina = 8 exploitation and polarization and the achievement of ages ss be ty reflect the essential requirements of socialism in relations of pro ss ion, because eliminating exploitation and polarization, and Re ac mek common prosperity exists only in the socialist relations of pro wee: the same time, this also reflects the socialist nature in both ie poe “ velopment goal and the value goal and also shows the essentia di — between the socialist society and the society ruled by the exploiting class,
in regard to the goal of developing productive forces. Deng Xiaoping’s generalization of the essence of socialism has very dis- tinct characteristics.
Secondly, this new generalization has corrected the erroneous tendency in the past that the nature and Superiority of socialism is only embodied in the relation of production with the development of productive forces neglected. Deng Xiaoping profoundly revealed that the essential require- ment, fundamental task and historical mission of socialism were to liberate and develop the productive forces, which was more important especially in the primary stage of socialism. He also pointed out that after the establish- ment of the socialist basic system, the productive forces should be further liberated through reforms, in order to give full play to the superiority of socialism and promote the rapid development of productive forces. It also emphasizes that the liberation and development of productive forces must adhere to the fundamental goal of which the realization can only be based on the former. Considering the low-level productive forces and the primary stage of socialism in China, we have to be soberly aware that we have to go through a long period of constantly liberating and developing the produc- tive forces before achieving the socialist social development goal. It is thus repeated by Deng Xiaoping that we must insist on the economic construc- tion as the center and whether it is conducive to the development of produc- tive forces, to the enhancement of the comprehensive national strength of the socialist country, and to the improvement of the people’s living standard as the standard for the correctness of the work or policy. From this, we can clearly see that Deng Xiaoping stressed the liberation and development of the productive forces because it can help achieve the fundamental goal of eliminating exploitation and polarization and finally achieving common rosperity, create the material basis for communism, and realize the full and ree development of humans, which is the fundamental value goal he and Chinese communists have always insisted on.
First of all, Deng Xiaoping’s new generalization of the socialist a reveals the inherent consistency and dialectical relationship eee o essential requirements, the fundamental task and the social eee ee goals of socialism. To eliminate exploitation and polarization, an a ie ally achieve common prosperity is the fundamental goal of the oe de velopment, while the liberation and development of productive ss s premise and foundation of this goal. Without the development o x i tive forces, the fundamental goal cannot be achieved; the pai oO a ing this fundamental goal is in fact the process of liberating and dev : _ ; | Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.149 and https://archive.org/
12 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.370. am/ Selected WorksOfDengXiaopingVol.3/Deng03__djvu.txt,
103
104
2. Liberating and developing productive forces is the fundamental task of socialism with Chinese characteristics
First of all, the historical premise of socialism in China and the charac- teristics of the times determine that we must vigorously liberate and de- velop the productive forces, and realize the socialist modernization as soon as possible. The socialism was established in China under the historical premise that the old China was a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country with very backward economy and culture and had not experienced the stage of full development of capitalist economy. It thus followed that the socialist countries like China would inevitably fall behind the developed capital- ist countries in productive forces and science and technology for a long historical period. Besides, in the process of building socialism, China also faces the challenges of the times which include, on the one hand, those from the traditional industrial revolution which had been completed in de- veloped capitalist countries from the middle 1700s to the middle 1900s, and on the other hand, the others from the new scientific and technological revolution. This requires us to vigorously develop and improve the science and technology and focus on developing productive forces and carrying out modernization in double efforts, so as to narrow the gap with the developed capitalist countries and enhance our comprehensive national strength as soon as possible. Only in this way can we fully demonstrate the superiority of our socialist system and improve our position in the world.
Secondly, the resolution of various social contradictions and problems : the primary stage of socialism depends on the continuous development “ liberation of productive forces. In addition to the main contradiction—the conflict between the growing material and cultural needs of the people and the backward social production, quite a number of other social contradic- tions and problems also exist in the primary stage of socialism in our ou try, including such contradictions as that among the state, the collective an the individual workers, between the central and local, different local places, and various departments, and between workers and peasants, urban and fu-
ral. and mental labor and manual labor; and such problems as the huge a unequal difference in people’s possession of means of production and dl eir income, and in particular the uneven regional economic development, since
there is still a considerable number of poverty-stricken areas and popu oO 5
tion. These contradictions and problems can be essentially attributed t : low-level productive forces in China and thus be solved only through t continuous development and liberation of productive forces.
1. The scientific c i : . onnotation and characteristi Jak es of th socialism e essence of
After the 3" Plenary Session of the 11" CPC Central Committee, Den Xiaoping summed up the historical lessons that we had been talkin oa socialism in an abstract way disregarding the productive forces se man years and treating something uncharacteristic of the socialist nature ee _ fettering the development of the productive forces as “socialist principles” and defending it tenaciously but something conducive to the develo ee of productive forces under the socialist conditions as “something ca alist” and opposing it. After the in-depth thinking, he provided a new caeaie tion of the socialist nature, which deepened the understanding of aa He made a new scientific judgment about the essence of socialism: “The ce of socialism is liberation and development of the productive foros
- isa ai ala and polarization, and the ultimate achievement
Deng Xiaoping’s new theoretical generalization of the socialist nature a us, starting from the fundamental question of “what socialism is a ras to build it”, to deeply understand the fundamental task of social- m0 lat iS, liberating and developing the productive forces, and to realiz that it is the intrinsic demand of the socialist nature. , :
a ie early 1980s, Deng Xiaoping first proposed the concept of the es- ce 0 Socialism when he expounded on the issue how to demonstrate the Periority of the socialist system. He pointed out: “Socialism” is a good a but if we fail to have a correct understanding of it and adopt correct Icies for establishing it, we will not be able to demonstrate its essence.”9
Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 2nd edition, Vol.2, p.86 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3 ? 356 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, 373. Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 2nd edition, Vol.2, p3 13.
99
_key part of the socialist nature, which happened in the history of scientific
socialism for the first time and was a major development of Marxism. It is
well-known that Marxist classical writers have always stressed the decisive
role of productivity in social development, and treated social production
as the basis for the existence and development of human society and the
fundamental force pronioting social development, and the adaptation to the
productivity development as:an essential measure of the advanced social
system. Based on this essential standard, Marxist classical writers made a
scientific analysis of the capitalist system and pointed out that the capitalist
system in essence has become a hinder to the development of productive
forces, and therefore is doomed to be replaced by the socialist system. The
root cause for this replacement is that the socialist system can adapt to and
promote the development of productive forces. Deng Xiaoping, based on
the basic views of Marxism and the profound summary of the historical
experience of socialist construction, clearly put forward -the scientific con-
cept of the socialist nature for the first time, and treated the liberation and
development of productive forces as the essential prescription of socialism,
which is undoubtedly a significant development of scientific socialism.
According to him, the development of productive forces comes ne for socialism, because only in this way can the superiority of socialism ecome prominent. The key to judge whether the socialist economic policy is right lies in whether the productivity is developed and people s income increas- es. He described the production development and income aes . the overriding criterion, which was in fact the core content of the socialis ee ture. He also made a profound analysis of the thought that is ee le with the socialist nature, such as the poverty, slow development, ega itari- anism, polarization, and lack of democracy, which are not characteristics
of socialism. | To develop productivity and increasing people’s livelihood and ultimate- ly achieving common prosperity of all. This is the fundamental requirement of socialism. In September 1986, when he replied to a US reporter S report on the relationship between the China’s slogan of “To get Tich 1s glorious and socialism or communism, Deng Xiaoping commented: “Wealth ina socialist society belongs to the people. To get rich in a socialist cea means prosperity for the entire people. The principles of sopialist are: first, development of production and second is common prosperity.
This passage can be seen the prototype of Deng Xiaoping’s ideas on the essence of socialism. In December 1990, Deng Xiaoping once Sen commented on the issue of common prosperity and pointed out: ng the very beginning of the reform we have been emphasizing the nee f or seeking common prosperity; that will surely be the central es a me Socialism does not mean allowing a few people to grow ric a) ile : overwhelming majority live in poverty. No, that’s not socialism. The a est superiority of socialism is that it enables alle people to prosper, a common prosperity is the essence of socialism.
On the basis of a comprehensive summary of the historical experiengs in socialist practice and the fresh experience in reform and opening up, a Xiaoping clearly put forward the famous statement on the socialist nature in the speech made in his 1992 visit to the South. Deng Xiaoping’s new generalization regarding the essence of socialism
nature is rich in its connotations.
Treating the liberation and development of the productive forces as the essential prescription of socialism fully affirms the great role of socialist system in promoting the productivity development, on the one hand; on the other hand, it shows that socialism can liberate and develop the productive forces only when it makes constant reforms. According to the historical experience in China’s socialist construction, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that the establishment of socialist system could not guarantee the natural promotion and development of productive forces, since facts show that it takes time to perfect the socialist system and to give a full play to its su- periority. In particular, when the socialist system was established in our country, it was greatly influenced by the Soviet Union, which made it de- fective and disadvantageous. As a result, the development of productive forces in our country was seriously fettered and the superiority of social- ism was damped. To change this situation, we must deepen the political and economic system reform. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “Revolution Means the emancipation of the productive forces, and so does reform. The erthrow of the reactionary rule of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat- pitalism helped release the productive forces of the Chinese people. This $ revolution, so revolution means the emancipation of the productive ces. After the basic socialist system has been established, it is neces- to fundamentally change the economic structure that has hampered the velopment of the productive forces and to establish a vigorous socialist nomic structure that will promote their development. This is reform, so orm also means the emancipation of the productive forces. In the past,
100
First of all, it profoundly reveals that the socialist nature is is ee - liberating productive forces and developing productive eee 7 the socialism exists and develops and superior over the capita hae . Xiaoping stressed the liberation and development of productive rorces @&
10 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.172 and https://archive. of,
iaopi 03. djvu.txt. tream/ Selected WorksOfDengXiaopingVol.3/Deng Es ae iD select Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.364 and https://archive.or
stream/Selected WorksOfDengXiaoping Vol.3/Deng03_djvu.txt.
101
102
the productive forces. The liberation and development of the productive
__ forces must be based on the premise and condition that we should adhere to
the socialist path for common prosperity, so that we can truly liberate and
_ develop the productive forces.”
we only stressed expansion of the productive forces under aaa out mentioning the need to liberate them through reform. T eee see was incomplete. Both the liberation and the expansion of t sate i Ni forces are essential.”'? According to him, the reform must be a : condition of productive forces, which requires us to establish the eS i - system and economic system that can fully liberate and develop productive forces under the premise of adhering to the socialist basic system so as to fully reflect the essential requirements of socialism.
Deng Xiaoping emphasized: “Economic development must lead to the _ path of common prosperity and always see that polarization is avoided.’
Departing from the fundamental goal, productive forces can neither be truly liberated nor be rapidly developed; our ideal for being a great power Secondly, the fundamental goal of eliminating exploitation ie aoa frill vanish tuto nauoht and wodemivaien all ea ization and achieving the common prosperity was revealed . t e oe of liberating and developing the productive forces. While exp ae at socialism is, Deng Xiaoping repeatedly stressed that the greatest a i age of socialism was the common prosperity, something that embodies t 4 sO- cialist nature. In this new generalization about the socialist nature, cs Xiaoping includes the elimination of exploitation and each anc : ‘ realization of common prosperity as the fundamental goal of the pd nature, which links it with the liberation and development of pro mee forces and thus further reveals the socialist nature in the light of ase ) productive forces and relations of production. If the liberation and ik op- ment of productive forces reflect the nature and superiority oy ee . promoting the development of productive forces, then the elimina = 8 exploitation and polarization and the achievement of ages ss be ty reflect the essential requirements of socialism in relations of pro ss ion, because eliminating exploitation and polarization, and Re ac mek common prosperity exists only in the socialist relations of pro wee: the same time, this also reflects the socialist nature in both ie poe “ velopment goal and the value goal and also shows the essentia di — between the socialist society and the society ruled by the exploiting class,
in regard to the goal of developing productive forces. Deng Xiaoping’s generalization of the essence of socialism has very dis- tinct characteristics.
Secondly, this new generalization has corrected the erroneous tendency in the past that the nature and Superiority of socialism is only embodied in the relation of production with the development of productive forces neglected. Deng Xiaoping profoundly revealed that the essential require- ment, fundamental task and historical mission of socialism were to liberate and develop the productive forces, which was more important especially in the primary stage of socialism. He also pointed out that after the establish- ment of the socialist basic system, the productive forces should be further liberated through reforms, in order to give full play to the superiority of socialism and promote the rapid development of productive forces. It also emphasizes that the liberation and development of productive forces must adhere to the fundamental goal of which the realization can only be based on the former. Considering the low-level productive forces and the primary stage of socialism in China, we have to be soberly aware that we have to go through a long period of constantly liberating and developing the produc- tive forces before achieving the socialist social development goal. It is thus repeated by Deng Xiaoping that we must insist on the economic construc- tion as the center and whether it is conducive to the development of produc- tive forces, to the enhancement of the comprehensive national strength of the socialist country, and to the improvement of the people’s living standard as the standard for the correctness of the work or policy. From this, we can clearly see that Deng Xiaoping stressed the liberation and development of the productive forces because it can help achieve the fundamental goal of eliminating exploitation and polarization and finally achieving common rosperity, create the material basis for communism, and realize the full and ree development of humans, which is the fundamental value goal he and Chinese communists have always insisted on.
First of all, Deng Xiaoping’s new generalization of the socialist a reveals the inherent consistency and dialectical relationship eee o essential requirements, the fundamental task and the social eee ee goals of socialism. To eliminate exploitation and polarization, an a ie ally achieve common prosperity is the fundamental goal of the oe de velopment, while the liberation and development of productive ss s premise and foundation of this goal. Without the development o x i tive forces, the fundamental goal cannot be achieved; the pai oO a ing this fundamental goal is in fact the process of liberating and dev : _ ; | Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.149 and https://archive.org/
12 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Ist edition, Vol.3, p.370. am/ Selected WorksOfDengXiaopingVol.3/Deng03__djvu.txt,
103
104
2. Liberating and developing productive forces is the fundamental task of socialism with Chinese characteristics
First of all, the historical premise of socialism in China and the charac- teristics of the times determine that we must vigorously liberate and de- velop the productive forces, and realize the socialist modernization as soon as possible. The socialism was established in China under the historical premise that the old China was a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country with very backward economy and culture and had not experienced the stage of full development of capitalist economy. It thus followed that the socialist countries like China would inevitably fall behind the developed capital- ist countries in productive forces and science and technology for a long historical period. Besides, in the process of building socialism, China also faces the challenges of the times which include, on the one hand, those from the traditional industrial revolution which had been completed in de- veloped capitalist countries from the middle 1700s to the middle 1900s, and on the other hand, the others from the new scientific and technological revolution. This requires us to vigorously develop and improve the science and technology and focus on developing productive forces and carrying out modernization in double efforts, so as to narrow the gap with the developed capitalist countries and enhance our comprehensive national strength as soon as possible. Only in this way can we fully demonstrate the superiority of our socialist system and improve our position in the world.
Secondly, the resolution of various social contradictions and problems : the primary stage of socialism depends on the continuous development “ liberation of productive forces. In addition to the main contradiction—the conflict between the growing material and cultural needs of the people and the backward social production, quite a number of other social contradic- tions and problems also exist in the primary stage of socialism in our ou try, including such contradictions as that among the state, the collective an the individual workers, between the central and local, different local places, and various departments, and between workers and peasants, urban and fu-
ral. and mental labor and manual labor; and such problems as the huge a unequal difference in people’s possession of means of production and dl eir income, and in particular the uneven regional economic development, since
there is still a considerable number of poverty-stricken areas and popu oO 5
tion. These contradictions and problems can be essentially attributed t : low-level productive forces in China and thus be solved only through t continuous development and liberation of productive forces.
Thirdly, the construction of a high degree of the socialist democratic pol:
itics and spiritual civilization, the fundamental requirement for the - tion of socialist modernization, also depends on the development a eration of productive forces. However, it is in need of a solid materia! 0
_and certain economic conditions. At present, the democratic politics and
_ spiritual civilization in our country have not reached the height required by
socialism, with some imperfect or weak points, which can be fundamen-
tally attributed to the low-level productive forces and backward economy
and culture in this stage in China. It can thus be said that the construction of
democratic.politics and'spiritual civilization in our country still has a long
way to go, and in order to create conditions for it, we should definitely take
developing productive forces as the most fundamental task.
Finally, the international and domestic situation China faces also requires us to vigorously develop and liberate the productive forces. Judging from the international situation, the opposition against hegemonism for world peace is inseparable from the development of productive forces. International competition in any era is based on strength. Whoever falls behind is to be beaten. Whether China can withstand the pressure of power politics, adhere to the socialist system, and play a greater role in international affairs, main- ly depends on whether China can achieve the best development, realize our development strategy and strengthen our material base. Judging from the domestic situation, the adherence to the “One Country, Two Systems” and the peaceful reunification of China are inseparable from the development and liberation of productive forces. Deng Xiaoping once said that Taiwan’s return to the motherland and the reunification of the motherland, require us, in the final analysis, to do our own things well. We should be superior 105 to Taiwan not only in the political and economic system but also in the economic development, since only when the economy is developed can we make difference in the realization of the national reunification.
Science and technology are the primary productive forces in promoting and advancing the development of productive forces
First, science and technology are primary productive forces
1. The scientific proposition of “science and technology is the primary roductive force”
In today’s world, science and technology play a decisive role in the de- elopment of productive forces, so in order to liberate and develop pro- uctive forces in China, we must gain a profound understanding of Deng laoping’s thought that “science and technology is the primary productive rces”, and vigorously promote the development of science and technol-
106
Later, he stressed that the economy with a faster growth must rely on _science and technology and education. We should promote science, since _it brings us hope. This famous statement enriches and develops the theory _ of Marxism on science and technology and productive forces, reveals the primary role of science and technology in contemporary productivity de- velopment and social arid economic development, and is of epoch-making theoretical and practical significance.
By examining the development history of human society, especially the great role of modern science and technology in the transformation from the handicraft industry to the modern industry and in the development of capi- talism, Marx made an analysis of the science and technology as a whole, He argued that science and technology is part of the productive forces and. that it is a powerful force in the productivity and social development. The Communist Party of China has always attached importance to the position and role of science and technology in the national Seaaea and: Soci 2. The connotations of “science and technology is the primary productive development, and enriched and developed the theory that science and tech- | forces” | nology is the productive forces in the relevant practice. In 1953 when the New China began its first five-year plan, Mao Zedong proposed that we should learn advanced science and technology and then apply it to the con- struction of our country. In 1956, Zhou Enlai, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, put forward the slogan of “marching to science”.
First of all, the role of science and technology in the national economic growth has been gradually lifted to the first place. In the early 1900s when the world just entered the modefn science and technology development stage, the economic growth mainly depended on the input of manpower, material and capital, about 20% of which came from science and technol- ogy. After the WWII, the knowledge and information played an increasing role in economic development, while mineral resources and cheap labor force played a decreasing role in it. According to the world bank, scien- tific and technological progress contributed 49% on average to the national economic growth in developed countries between 1950 and 1970, and the proportion rose to 60-80% in 1980s, due to the thriving development of the emerging new technology industries. In other words, about 2/3 of the national economic growth in today’s developed countries is achieved by science and technology.
In early 1958, Mao Zedong proposed the technological revolution, and required that the Party’s work should focus on the technological revolu- tion which was suspended later due to the development of “leftist thought. After the 3“ Plenary Session of the 11" CPC Central Committee, Deng Xiaoping explicitly proposed that “science and technology is the primary productive forces”, considering the huge driving effect of the rapid devel- opment of world science and technology on the productive forces. This statement was later revised by Jiang Zemin to “science and technology is the primary productive forces and the centralized embodiment and main symbol of the advanced productive forces”, and then complemented by Hu Jintao’s important statement that science and technology “is the revolution- ary force promoting the progress of human civilization”, which has become an important part of the socialist theory with Chinese characteristics.
Secondly, science and technology has been penetrated into various ele- ments of modern productive forces system. In ancient times, the production development, the increase of labor productivity and the economic growth depended on the manual labor. In modern times, this situation underwent some changes. In modern productive forces system, the science is applied into the production or technological process, penetrated into other various elements of the productive forces, and can be transformed into the actual direct productive forces. Human beings have entered an era of relying more n knowledge, intelligence and science and technology, in which science ind technology can greatly improve the knowledge content and added value f products. The workers’ scientific and cultural quality today has become n important symbol of measuring the level of productivity development. \ccording to statistics, in the primary stage of mechanization, the propor- on of manual labor and intellectual labor consumption in production was pout 9:1; in the medium stage of mechanization, the ratio changed to 3:2; he highly automated and intelligent phase, the ratio reversed to 1:9. It be seen how important science and technology is in productive forces elopment in today’s society.
Deng Xiaoping attached great importance to the status and role of devel- oping science and technology in socialist construction. He pointed out that modern science and technology was undergoing a great revolution, which was manifested not only in individual scientific theory, production technol- ogy, and the progress and reform in the general sense, but also in almost every field of science and technology, the emergence of new leaps and a se ries of emerging science and technology that had and would be coming up
Evaluating the new trend of scientific and technological revolution and :
the rapid development of productive forces across the world, Deng x
further pointed out in September 1988: “Marx said that science and tee
nology are part of the productive forces. Facts show that he was nent In
opinion, science and technology are a primary productive force.
14 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 1st edition, Vol.3, p.274 and https://archive.org/ stream/Selected WorksOfDengXiaoping Vol.3/Deng03_djvu.tst.
107
_ education, put science and technology and education in an important place
_ of economic and social development, strengthen the national scientific and
technological strength and its capability of being transformed to the actual
productive forces, improve the scientific and cultural quality of the whole
nation, carry out the economic construction by relying on the scientific and
k mo Thirdly, modern science and technology makes se ae ae : ai nd scienti lopment of social produc , Scie odern and scientific. In the deve a and technology combines the elements of ee jes ani ees be i i transformation of the potentia : management is the key to the the ! : rae Hee into the actual one. The extensive combination of science and
technology with economy makes management an aye mere eater i i ement is science, knowledge, roductive forces. Production manag ne eames Science, technology, and management are called the three “ portant factors of modern economic development.
Finally, the role of high-tech in knowledge sears = Oa ay ne i knowledge and depends air Knowledge economy is based on pea i inati ledge and information. ket, dissemination and use of know os it reilechual resources and intangible assets as the first element, high-tech in
technological progress ‘and the improvement of workers’ quality, and ac-
_celerate the realization of the national prosperity and strength. The basic
meaning of the strategy of reinvigorating the country through human re- source management is that: talents should be regarded as the key factor in promoting the great cause of building socialism with Chinese character- istics, and as a result, we are supposed to build a large-scale, reasonably- structured and high-quality team of talents that is made up of hundreds of millions of high-quality workers, tens of millions of special talents and a large number of top-notch creative talents, so as to create a new situation
dustry as the pillar, and high-tech products and new stars ener i io i d objects. Therefore, the develop- h information as the main consume a industrialization of high-tech is the fundamental way to promot ing the rapid development of productive forces.
3. The enrichment and development of the thought that “science and technology is the primary productive force” in the new period
Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao inherited and developed ee 108 thought that “science and technology is the primary eager) In the light of the science and technology progress and new situ
social development, they complemented that science conan ardns ‘ - i i but also the centralized emboaime ly the primary productive forces hea ste of advanced productive forces, and that aa | room i ion 1 isive factors for the deve rogress and innovation is the decisiv Seana forces. They emphasized that in asa : ans avant i f the world science and tecnnolog from the rapid development o een i ledge economy, what mattere rapid emergence of know antag i i the nature of science, mainly here to innovation. Innovation, ch streaail se inly through education. ents who can grow and develop main twasel i level of national education are science and technology and the ie doa i rehensive national strength an important symbol of the compreh is BE a coma ial civilizati e flywheels for ea ocial civilization, and two indispensa - eats Therefore, the CPC Central Committee has successive) Pa i jence an j ting the country through science ward the strategy of rejuvena ae tion and the strategy of reinvigorating the country through human resours
management. | wit The basic meaning of the strategy of rejuvenating atic 2 ia science and education is to fully implement the idea a ia : technology is the primary productive forces”, adhere to
that great talents appear successively and everybody is let to display his talents fully and to transform our country from one with a great population into one with a large number of talents.
Second, the development of advanced productive forces is the fundamental mission and fundamental undertaking of our party as a ruling party
1. The development of human society is the historical process in which
advanced productive forces continuously replace the backward productive
109 forces
The development of human society is the historical process in which advanced productive forces continuously replace the backward productive forces. The struggle of the Communist Party of China is the historical pro- cess in which the advanced productive forces is continuously liberated and developed. Our Party has always followed the objective law of social and historical development and taken the liberation and development of China’s advanced productive forces as its fundamental mission, making great con- tributions to the development of China’s advanced productive forces. The Party’s historical experience has repeatedly proved that our cause prospers hen the development direction of advanced productive forces is repre- nted, but it suffers from turns and twists when we go against it.
The history of human development is first of all the development process productive forces. If the human society is to develop, we must constantly lace the backward productive forces with the advanced, which is the W of productive forces and of social development. Advanced productive Ces reflects the achievement and height of the latest science and technol- gy and plays a decisive role in promoting social development. Dating back the history, we can find that the changes and reforms of social system med from the emergence of advanced productive forces, that is, the old
110
wecemernint
social system and social relations become the shackles of advanced produc- —
tive forces, so a new relation of production is needed to correspond to the development requirements of advanced productive forces.
“In acquiring new productive forces men change their mode of produc- tion: and in changing their mode of production, in changing the way of
- * * : 3915 fn
earning their living, they change all their social relations.”!
The “new productive forces” Marx mentioned hereby is precisely the advanced productive forces. The continuous acquisition and Aevelopiict of advanced productive forces, will lead to the change of the “mode of pro- duction”. The change of "the way of earning their living” eventually leads to the change of "social relations" and the establishment of a new social system. "The hand-mill gives you society with the feudal lord; the steam- mill society with the industrial capitalist.”'®
Advanced social system and relation of production represent the onward direction and development level of advanced productive forces.
2. Always representing the development requirements of China's ad-
vanced productive forces . Always representing the development requirements of and vigorously promoting the development of China’s advanced productive forces is the fundamental embodiment and requirements of the CPC's standing at the forefront of the times and keeping the advanced nature as well as the funda- mental mission and responsibilities of the CPC as the ruling party.
The statement that always representing the development requirements of and promoting the development of China’s advanced productive forces is the fundamental requirements and path of the CPC’s keeping the advanced nature as the ruling party is decided by the law of the human society devel- opment, that of the socialist construction, and the ruling law of the on nist party. The CPC’s advanced nature is essentially reflected in its a ility to represent the development requirements of China's advanced productive
forces and promote its development.
Since its establishment, the CPC has been representing the develop : uirements of advanced productive forces in China. It is the vanguard 0
req the Chinese working class who is the representative of modern advance
productive force be conducive to the continuous development of productive forces, cially the advanced productive forces, in order to truly reflect aan the vanguard of the working class and represent the fundamental inte of the working class and the Chinese people. 15 Complete Works of Marx and Engels, Chinese Ist edition, Vol.4, p.144, Beijing.
People’s Publishing House, 1958. 16 Ibid.
esp
s. Therefore, all policies and guidelines of the Party must
The new democratic revolution led by the CPC aimed to abolish the priv- ilege of imperialism in China, eliminate the exploitation and oppression by the landlord class and the bureaucratic bourgeoisie, change the feudal comprador relations of production and the decadent superstructure rising over such an economic base,’ establish a new political system at the core of the people's democratic dictatorship, and fundamentally liberate the fet- tered productive forces. After the founding of the New China, the CPC, as the ruling party, need lead the masses of the people to seek the road and way of developing advanced productive forces. To this end, our Party carried out the socialist transformation on agriculture, handicrafts and capitalist in- dustry and commerce, established the socialist relations of production, and further perfected the socialist superstructure on such economic base so as to continue to liberate and develop the advanced productive forces in China. After the 3 Plenary Session of the 11 CPC Central Committee, China carried out reform and opening up to further liberate and develop advanced productive forces. In a word, the revolution, construction and reform led by the CPC all aim to promote the liberation and development of advanced productive forces in China.
3. Promoting the development of advanced productive forces in China
The development of advanced productive forces is closely related to the continuous improvement of the relations of production and the superstruc- ture. To promote the development of advanced productive forces in China, we should make sure that its development requirements are reflected in all aspects of relations of production and the superstructure. Therefore, we must unswervingly adhere to the reform, improve the socialist relations of production and superstructure, and pave a broader way for the liberation and development of productive forces.
Man is the most active factor in productive forces. To develop advanced productive forces, we must give full play to the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of all people, constantly improve the ideological and moral quali- ties and scientific and cultural qualities of workers, peasants, intellectuals, ther laboring masses, and all other people, and constantly improve their bor skills and creativity. It reflects the efforts and fundamental shift of the ling party in the development of advanced productive forces, different m the behaviors and practices of the exploiting class who contempt and the people. Besides, we should actively build a social environment that ects talents and encourages entrepreneurship, form a good mechanism talents to stand out and display their talents fully, create a new situa- in which talents come forth in large numbers and their enthusiasm and tivity can be given a full play, and provide a strong guarantee for the tm and opening up and modernization construction.
11]
112
The development of advanced productive forces also bk us to
vigorously promote the scientific and technological progress an eee
tion and strive to achieve the leapfrog development of productive she
Advanced productive forces is something armed with Zw eea a Natl a
technology. The rapid development of science and seamen a e world
today has brought great impetus to the productive forces and the ania
development of human society, and its importance for the ee a
social development has never been so prominent. The future a : : an
technological development will still give rise to new major sas a party
must grasp this objective trend sensitively, always pay attention to the ee
bination of the superiority of our socialist system with the mastery, appli-
cation and development of advanced science and technology, vigorously
promote the scientific and technological progress and sabia hee
ously transform and improve the national economy with advance ee
and technology, in an effort to achieve the leapfrog development . aa S
productive forces. This is also the important responsibility a t : ar
as the representative of the development requirements of China's advance
productive forces.
Development is the overriding issue in order to promote the comprehensive development of society
First, development is the overriding issue, and the first priority in governing and rejuvenating the country
Development is the overriding issue
On the basis of profoundly summarizing historical experiences and les- sons and accurately grasping the theme of the present era, Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “Development is the overriding issue, absolute principle”, “development is the key to solve all the problems of China’”®,
Development is the overriding issue. To take the development of produc- tive forces as the fundamental task of socialism is the fundamental view of the scientific socialism and the inevitable requirement of consolidating and developing the socialist system. Whether socialism can consolidate and de- velop itself and reflect its superiority in the contest with capitalism funda- mentally relies on whether its productive forces can develop in a faster and better way than that of capitalism does. Deng Xiaoping pointed out: “To give full play to the superiority of socialism means, in the final analysis, it is necessary to make arduous efforts to develop social productive forces and gradually improve and enhance people's material and spiritual life.”"°
Only when the productive forces are developed can people’s living stan- dards be improved and the social stability be achieved, which will create material conditions for the construction of the socialist democratic politics, spiritual civilization and harmonious society and fundamentally consoli- date the socialist system. Only the socialist development can make those who do not believe in socialism gradually have faith in it and those who do so firmly believe it.
That development is the overriding issue is a profound summary of the historical experience and lessons of the socialist construction. In the 20 years before the reform and opening up, the socialist modernization did not go well, an important reason for which is that the development of produc- tive forces was not realistically taken as the fundamental task of socialist construction in a long time. Deng Xiaoping pointed out that if shortcomings
113
With the human society undergoing profound changes and develo : the theme of the times, the global competition in the economic ithe a : comprehensive national strength is unprecedentedly intense. ae i Cc ee try nor nation can stand aloof in front of this global competition. : a : repeatedly shown that seizing the opportunity to accelerate ae ne a the backward countries and nations may realize the new leap fe) : ment and walk in the forefront of the times; without seizing eal oe ie opportunities, the originally strong countries and nations ee ea : laggards of the times. Whether we can seize new opportunities : a problems and achieve new development is a major test of our bath a erning capability as well as of our national eonesion and ee I root of China’s invincible position and the CPC S historical pau = for the country, the nation and the people to cling to the aie a opportunity period and make an effective use of it, and to strive to ae initiative in this large-scare competition to develop and expand our
existed after the founding of the New China, then we might have neglected developing productive forces to some extent. According to him, neither the long-term economic stagnation nor the long-term low-level living standard of the people can not be called socialism. Socialism is not an empty talk and it cannot be built on the low-level productive forces and poverty for a long ime. To develop the socialism, we must take economic construction as the nter and vigorously develop the social productive forces. We have to rely Our own development in face of all problems, which is the most impor- { conclusion after our Party's scientific analysis of the lessons learned m the socialist construction at home and abroad.
Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 1st edition, Volume 3, p.377 and https://archive. stream/SelectedWorksOfDengXiaoping Vol.3/Deng03_djvu.txt. _Ibid., p.265. _ Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, 2nd edition, Vol.2, p. 251 and https://archive.org/ m/Selected WorksOfDengXiaoping Vol. 1/Deng02_djvu.txt.
114
That development is the overriding issue is the reflection he require- ment of the theme of the times. Peace and development are the two main
themes of the world today, and the global strategic issues. As a socialist
country, developing the worl
the world peace is. C aeanly of the world and the Asia-Pacific region. By the time China
is developed, the forces of peace that restrict the war paneaat oe hanced. Besides the world peace, the resolution of the ly ae ee is in need of China’s development. China is the largest a ae courtly in the world with 1/5 of the world's population. Its ae aoe | not only China itself but es oe world ele i ae a ae : momentum o ina's econo ‘ eee ak of 1.3 billion but also bring enormous ran ee on countries. As the economic globalization deepens, China A ss a becoming a new driving force of the world economic aye us : respect, China's development is of global strategic significance.
To better adhere to the strategic thought that development Is over- ould establish and implement the people-oriented, com- d sustainable scientific outlook on development, the experience in the reform and opening up,
d peace forces. The more developed China is, the more
riding issue, we sh prehensive, coordinated an which is the generalization of the urgent requirement of advancing t well-off society, and the requirement of a characteristics. In order to realize the grand b society in an all-round be ss ea gereet ialism with Chinese characteristics, ts development and promote the comprehensive, ¢
and sustainable social development.
2. Development is the first priority of the party in governing and rejuve-
nating the country
In the process of leading the
characteristics, the Party faces : and urgent tasks, but the primary and most important task is to develop
iori i ing and fe is the first priority of the party in governing ; ee i e Party’s historical mission and
China was gradually reduced to 4
juvenating the country is pee by th ibilities. After the Opium War, : na and semi-feudal society in which the society ae ie the government was overwhelmed with the enduring Hee ee long-standing debility, and the people were plunged into an a ss ca Under the CPC’s leadership and after the arduous and heroic s ae Chinese people, China finally realized the national liberation a
China maintains peace and stability and is an important factor in —
hina’s development is beneficial to the peace
he comprehensive construction of a dvancing socialism with Chinese lueprint of building a well-off _ ontinuing development of, t adhere to the concept of oordinated
whole nation to build socialism with Chinese many problems and all kinds of important
on the socialist path. However, due to the enduring impoverishment and long-standing debility, China began to build socialism on the basis of the backward economy and culture. Until now, the most prominent problem facing us today is still the backward economy and culture and the main contradiction of the-Chinese society is and will be the conflict between the people’s growing material and cultural needs and the backward social pro- duction for a long period to come. This decides that the CPC, as the ruling party and the vanguard of the Chinese working class, Chinese people and Chinese nation, must always take development as the first priority at any time in the great course of leading the people of all ethnic groups in China _ in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and striving to achieve the national rejuvenation.
Whether the CPC can solve the problem of development in the process of leading people in modernizing China, a great developing country with backward economy and culture, directly decides whether the people are for or against and the cause rises or falls. The party, as the ruling party that represents the fundamental interests of the people of China, must always cling to this first priority in governing and rejuvenating the country—de- velopment, and adhere to its advanced nature and give a full play to the superiority of the socialist system by developing the advanced productive forces and advanced culture and realizing the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people, so as to promote the all-round social progress and development of human beings. Clinging to the first priority, we can thoroughly understand the aspirations and fundamental interests of the people, grasp the nature of the socialist modernization, so as to con- ‘stantly consolidate the ruling status of the Party and constantly meet the requirements of enforcing the country and enriching the people.
Whether the CPC can solve the problem of development in such a great developing country like China is directly related to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the future and fate of socialism. The CPC’s ruling sta- tus was chosen by the people, fundamentally because it can lead China to the national prosperity and people’s wealth and the rejuvenation of China. Only by grasping this first priority can the Party realize its historical mis- on in the new stage of the new century. Development plays an inevitable le both in achieving the grand goal of building a well-off society in a mprehensive way, further improving people’s material and cultural life, hancing China’s comprehensive national strength and realizing the great juvenation of the Chinese nation, and in realizing the complete reunifica- n of the motherland and promoting the lofty cause of world peace and evelopment. Only by taking the development as the theme can we thor- ghly understand the aspirations of the people, continuously consolidate id develop the mass base of the Party’s ruling status, push forward the
bbs,
Seremaceeine
116
een
to be guaranteed and improved; there must be quite a number of unstable
factors underlying in the society where the wealth is extremely deficient,
let alone the real social harmony. The mansion of the socialist harmonious
society is by no means built on poverty. At any time, we should insist on
- economic construction as the center in a steadfast way and concentrate on
how to develop the economy.
socialist cause with Chinese characteristics, and create more advanced pro- ductive forces than capitalism through the efforts of several, more than ten or even dozens of generations, so that the people can enjoy more practical benefits and socialism can better display its own superiority.
Second, taking development as the key in solving all kinds of problems
1. Taking development as the key in solving all kinds of problems is an
‘ali eee To solve the problems in advancement with the methods of development important experience gained in the process of our socialist modernization
is a profound summary of the experience in the socialist construction in our _ country. At the beginning of the New China, socialism was constructed at an economically poor and culturally blank background. For decades, the people's living standard has been marching towards a higher level of the well-off society, for which the cantinuous advancement of the socialist modernization can account. At present, with the continuous progress of the society, the people have put forward higher demands on the economic and social development, and a series of new challenges have appeared in the economic and social development process, which require us to take them seriously and make efforts to solve them. In a word, to solve these problems in advancement, in the final analysis, depends on the continuous develop- ment of the socialist society.
practice
Development is the overriding issue and the key in solving all kinds of problems in China. To solve problems occurring in advancement with de- velopment methods is an important experience gained in the process of our socialist modernization practice.
Since the reform and opening up for more than 30 years, the Party's lines, guidelines and policies have gained the support of the masses of the people, we have gone through the international and domestic waves, and our inter- national status and influence has been constantly improving, to which the key is that we firmly grasp the theme of development. Practice has proved that development plays an indispensible role in enhancing the comprehen- sive national strength, constantly improving people's living standards and achieving the “three-step” strategic goal of national development; in con- solidating and improving the socialist system and strengthening the cohe- sion and vitality of socialism with Chinese characteristics; in maintaining social stability, promoting social harmony, and achieving the long-term peace and order of the state; in enhancing the international competitiveness to have the initiative in hands in the international contest; and in accom- plishing the reunification of the motherland and the great cause of the reju- venation of the Chinese nation. Only by focusing on the construction and development can we calmly deal with the difficulties and aaa ~ firmly have the initiative in hands. The prosperity of the country an a wealth of the people is in the final analysis the issue of economic strength, so is the international competition. Without a strong economy, how “| we participate in the international competition, without the Pari : productive forces, how can socialism overcome capitalism. Only when the economy has greatly developed, the economic strength Bnd eee national strength have greatly increased, and the people's livelihood Be : gradually improved can the country gain the long-term peace and order. our back be straightened, our words in the international community carry weight, and socialism be better tomorrow. The continuous manage: of social productive forces is not only the base of the improving Ne standard of the people but also the material base of building a socla : harmonious society. Without development, the people’s life will be difficul
Solving the problems in advancement with the methods of development requires us to cling to the economic construction as the center, adhere to the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory and “Three Represents”, and im- plement the scientific outlook on development. According to the scientific outlook on development, we should adhere to the development as the first priority, the people-oriented development as the core, the comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development as the basic requirements, and making overall plans and taking all factors into consideration as the fun- damental approach. In accordance with the requirements in making overall plans about the urban and rural development, the regional development, economic and social development, the harmonious development of man _ and nature, and domestic development and opening up to the outside world, _we should make efforts to learn about the development laws, innovate the _ development concept, transform the development mode, solve development _ difficulties, and promote the cause of socialist modernization. In addition, we should better implement the strategy of revitalizing the country through cience and education, the strategy of reinvigorating the country through uman resource management, and the strategy of sustainable development, iccelerate the strategic economic restructuring, build an innovation-driven country by speeding the improvement of the capability of independent in- ovation, accelerate the building of a resource-saving and environment- iendly society, continuously enhance the economic strength, scientific and echnological strength, and comprehensive national strength, and enhance
17
and risk-resistance, so as to lay a solid
the international competitiveness f socialism with Chinese characteristics.
foundation for the development o
2. Concentrating on the construction and development
Concentrating on the construction and development is to be absorbed in: the socialist modernization and the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In his speech at the 30" anniversary of the 34 Plenary Session of the 11" CPC Central Committee, Hu Jintao pointed out.that as long as we unswervingly promote reform and opening up and follow. the socialist path with Chinese characteristics, we will absolutely be able to
achieve the set magnificent blueprint and goals.
Since the reform and opening up for more than 30 years, China’s eco- nomic and social development has displayed an unprecedentedly good situ- ation. We not only withstood the test of the drastic changes of the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, successfully responded to a series of serious challenges from natural disasters, but also promoted the rapid development of the socialist cause in China, the enhancement of the comprehensive na- tional strength, the constant improvement of people’s material and cultural life, and the flourishing of the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics. All of these achievements can be mainly attributed to our adherence to the economic construction as the center of the work. peace and development are still the themes of the t and cooperation has become an ir- is in the midst of great chang-
118
masmcnnaen
In the 21* century, times, and seeking peace, developmen resistible trend of the times. The world today es and adjustments, such as the irreversi deepening development of advancement of the science an be seen that the world is still very re still exist, local conflicts and hot issues arise, ance exacerbates, the gap between ditional security threats and non-traditional security and world peace and development face m Confronted with this situation, riod at the beginning solve China’s problems in the economic an ously enhance the comprehensive nat
and improve people’s material and cul “Three-step” development strategy in the middle 2000s. Whether we ©
seize this opportunity to accelerate development decides whether a coun or a nation can win the initiative and advantage. To this end, we mus swervingly promote the reform and opening up, take the socialist path Chinese characteristics, cling to the economic construction as the ce!
d social development, contin
tural life, in an effort to achieve
ble world multi-polarization, the the economic globalization, and the accelerating d technology revolution. However, it should stless. Hegemonism and power politics the global economic imbal-
the north and the south is widening, tra-__ threats are intertwined, _
any difficulties and challenges. we must seize this strategic opportunity pe of the new century to accelerate our own development.
ional strength of the socialist China
a seis to concentrate on the construction and development. Only i anes ve pa cr strengthen the ability of the state to fea 7 realize the grand blueprint of buildi jall-to dae uilding a well-off society i ton dee ie only in this way can the great rejuvenation of the nee qau uilt on a solid foundation and the great cause of sociali i Chinese characteristics be increasingly prosperous aii
F * » . set . the construction and development requires us to deal with cone ti ip between the economic construction and the development — ee i a good way in the process of developing socialism with ae ne nine We should firmly grasp the fundamental task of so iberating and developing the i i ani productive forces, since the d - Gee cb socialist undertakings must be based on the Peete i ialist productive forces. Without the development of producti 4 _ : socialist cause will definitely fail. In any case, we must wo a . . ; y q ape esa construction and promote the better and nee of the social productive forces, in i | , in order t tion for the further development of socialism ere
ed to achieve scientific development, harmonious evelopment, peaceful development, and promote the comprehensive development of society
1. To achieve scientific devel i a eee evelopment, harmonious development and 119
The r th : se OU ok 7" CPC National Congress stresses that efforts should t iuable. and ee people-oriented, comprehensive, coordinated, sus- a eee : eee to realize the organic unity of differ- D iety, and to fe te : e harmonious development of all members of the a Gs nfoaanee ae : out ne peaceful development of the country through that we must adh e world’s peace and vice versa, and clearly points out and peaceful Pent y wich development, harmonious development emnization of our country. , which is the basic way to realize socialist mod-
Adheri jenti ee ae Ra development requires the economic and social ollow the objective laws of soci 4 cial and human develop- ‘ 4 the eae development between man and nature mei ae See as of ss ae so that a people-oriented all-round sustainable development can b i - = e achieved, which in es-
- aati dead sound and rapid economic and social devcianhien
- ee : ne development means to uphold the concepts
s of fairness and justice, democr 5 Lim ; acy and rule of law, h an ili a f a = oe vitality, stability and order, harmony between ath d , So that we can coordinate economic development with social
economic and social development. However, the basic national condition
that our country is still in the primary stage of socialism and will remain
so for a long time to come has not changed, neither does the major social
contradiction between people’s ever-growing material and cultural needs
and the backward social production. It is known that the initial stage of our
socialism will last a long period of time and have different characteristics
in different periods of development. The current characteristics show that
China has entered a crucial period of development and reform, with promi-
nent social contradictions. With profound changes in the economic system,
social structure, pattern of interests, and ideology and concepts, it faces
tremendous pressures on population, resources and environment on the one
hand, and great potentials for development on the other hand. Therefore,
in order to seize the unprecedented opportunities, cope with the hitherto
unknown challenges, and solve the contradictions and problems that will
emerge, we should stick to the path of scientific, harmonious and peaceful
development.
te social development while achieving economic de- l-round way, realize the organic unity of all undertakings, unite all the members of the society, esis aes harmony and stability, and let all the people share the fruits o a ee development. Upholding peaceful development means pasar een : to peace, development and cooperation, strive to the realize the lop
h the maintenance of the world’s peace and vice
ment of our country throug ea versa, and work with other nations together to promote the building of a
harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity.
Scientific, harmonious and peaceful development embody the wee cal materialism’s thinking on the dominant position of the masses - eovle and reflect the fundamental interests and common wishes of the Eaciiinea majority of them. These development principles = ™ i i depending on the people, and the deas of developing for the people, ding an a development shared by the people. Scientific development ~~ be people-oriented and aim at achieving ieee ee Eee : : i to set the all-round develop- inable development, which requires us ; ) see the people as the fundamental goal and to continuously meet their
growing material and cultural needs so that the fruits of development can
be shared by all.
The goal of harmonious development is to achieve the organic unity of
= all undertakings, and the unity and harmony of all members of the commu-
nity, which requires us to comprehensively promote baa spurge , . . . e i tion of socialism according to cal, cultural and social construc ‘al te iali i i haracteristics, and to solve the p layout of socialism with Chinese c ee i i st practical and that people concerning the interests that are mo een irectly related to, so as to bring a concerned about and most direc Oo ee ’s abili h find the proper place and realize of the people’s ability, make eac ee i i of peaceful development, as p monious coexistence of all. The essence : of China’s national development strategy and the gers aes a rei irs, 1 intai 1d peace through seli-develo foreign affairs, is to maintain wor gh mee i ice of developing socialism wit vice versa. In the great practice o man isti i have always cherished the valu peace acteristics, the Chinese people ch . highly. Therefore, while concentrating on building the country, hy favorable surroundings and international environment as an impo ternal condition for safeguarding the country’s development.
Scientific, harmonious and peaceful development are enone based on our national conditions of being at the initial stage : - ae they are in line with the features of our current eae gree : ae at promoting the sound and rapid economic and social deve . a the founding of New China, especially since the Ase rem we have made remarkable achievements that attract worldw1
development, promo | velopment, make progress in an al
Sticking to scientific, harmonious and peaceful development reflects the Party’s profound insight and accurate understanding of the theme of the times and the development tendency of contemporary China and the world. It is a wise choice which complies with the trend of the times. After World War II, mankind has made unprecedented achievements in econom- ic growth. However, due to the excessive emphasis on economic growth, 121 various problems emerge in the world development. As a result, people have been constantly reflecting on and deepening their understanding of the development ideas. In the meantime, under the background of econom- ic globalization, the interdependence of all countries has been deepened. Therefore, only by creating a peaceful environment can all the countries develop themselves, and only by strengthening exchanges and expanding cooperation can they achieve common development. After summing up ex- periences of the world’s development, drawing lessons from the theoretical results of human development, and accurately grasping the trend of world development, the Party puts forward the scientific, harmonious and peace- ful development, which conforms to the trend of the times, concurs with the theme of the times, and demonstrates the foresight and the great breadth of sion of the CPC.
Scientific development, harmonious development, and peaceful devel- ment are intrinsically unified: scientific development is the foundation, ithout which economic development cannot be realized, and harmonious d peaceful development will lose its backing; harmonious development the goal. Scientific and peaceful development aim to create better condi- ms to improve the people’s livelihood and promote social fairness and Stice, so that all the people can share the fruits of reform and development.
122
Meanwhile, harmonious development also provides conditions for scien-
tific and peaceful development, peaceful development is the guarantee.
Without a peaceful international environment, mutual benefit and win-win
result, scientific and harmonious development will also be affected. The
“three developments”
and beneficial to each other, form an organic whole in the great practice of
comprehensively implementing the scientific outlook on development and
building socialism with Chinese characteristics, and becomes the funda-
mental guarantee for realizing the grand goal of socialist modernization.
Therefore, people of all ethnic groups across the country must closely rally
around the CPC, accept the leadership of the Party, work together, and forge
ahead in unity, in order to achieve scientific development, harmonious de-
velopment and peaceful development.
2. To comprehensively promote economic, political, cultural, social and ecological civilization construction: Five constructions
The report of the 17" CPC National Congress, which systematically
elaborates some important issues such as promoting economic, political, ecological civilization construction in an all-round way,
cultural, social and developing socialism with
is the political declaration and guideline for Chinese characteristics and building an overall well-to-do society in the new era. In the construction of the socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics, the coordinated promotion of economic, political, cultural, social and ecological civilization construction is the essential requirement of the development of socialist society and the main task of comprehen-
sively promoting modernization.
First of all, adhering to the coordinated promotion of economic, political, cultural, social and ecological civilization construction is determined by the basic contradiction of socialism, i.e. the contradiction between the relations of production and the productive forces, or in other words, between the superstructure and the economic base, which is mainly manifested in the incompatibility of them. In particular, at a stage where economic develop- ment is backward, the rapid changes in productivity can easily lead to its incompatibility with the relations of production, which is mainly manifest- ed in political, cultural, the economic construction. Actually, above five constructions will open the way for tive forces and create conditions for the all-roun
in China.
Secondly, upholding the coordinated promotion of economic, politics cultural, social and ecological civilization construction is determined the major contradiction our country is facing at the present stage. Maj
the development of produe- d development of sociali
, having different focuses but are closely linked with ©
social and ecological civilization’s lagging behind coordinating the relations among the |
contradiction, as the concentrated expression of social development at a certain stage, plays a dominant and decisive role in the development of the society at that time. In the primary stage of socialism, the main con- tradiction of our country is that between people’s even erowine material and cultural needs andthe backward social production. Whether this con tradiction can be correttly understood and whether the focus of work a fundamental tasks are set aceordingly determines the future and destiny of socialism. However, the material and cultural needs of the broad ce of the people are manifested in many aspects, including not only material but also spiritual and development needs. Therefore, to meet these needs, we must coordinate and promote the economic, political, cultural social & d ecological civilization construction. "
Thirdly, adhering to the coordinated promotion of economic, political cultural, social and ecological civilization construction is also a een drawn from past experiences and lessons, which reflects the deepening of the Party’s understanding of the laws of the construction of socialism it Chinese characteristics. In terms of the ways to achieve modernization, al- though we can learn a great deal from countries first embark on the path to modernization, China, as a populous nation that develops quite late, faces not only a special historical background but also enormous oreacures on population, resources and environment. What’s more, there are significant differences between China and other countries in the objectives ae re quirements and ways of development. As a result, if we simply ae tie: nation’s experience, with the focus on economic development only. lackin guarantee and support from political, cultural and social development i
will not onl i . : ide. y pay a heavy price, but may also ruin the achievements already
In order to adhere to the coordinated development of economic, political cultural, social and ecological civilization construction, we must = wided by the scientific outlook on development, which is the fndieental uid ing ideology of and the essential way and method for building an cul
- well-to-do society. In fact, the basic requirement of the scientific outlook
on development is to achieve comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable evelopment, which is an important manifestation of realizing the cause of ocialism with Chinese characteristics from an overall perspective, reflect- ing our Party’s profound understanding of the laws of the socialist mod- p iton, and revealing the ways to implement the scientific outlook on eve opment in all aspects. By thoroughly implementing the outlook, we 4 coordinate all links in and all aspects of the construction of modennira: n and comprehensively promote socialist economic, political, cultural ocial and ecological civilization construction. —s
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Insisting on the comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable eee
ment, which is gradually formed and deepened in our eicle ey ae
of the laws of socialist modernization in accordance with the eee 0
Marxism, is a necessity in our economic and social nua iee ‘ c a.
sic Marxists believe that the ideal society in the future is one es ie ly
developed social productive forces and spiritual life, Way people she
harmony with each other and with nature. Since compre Sung seein
nated and sustainable development emphasize the syoaiewe! ae ZI
nation not only among all aspects of economic and social deve see , but
also between man and man, man and society, and man and nature, 1 con-
forms to the basic view of Marxism on the development of human society.
In addition, there are rich connotations in comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development: “comprehensive” means that pilaeliat: should be comprehensive and integrate, including fie ane e velopment, but also development in other aspects; tia as si that development should be coordinated and balanced, with a ae _ links adapted to and beneficial to each other; sustainable Hoe a ° development should be lasting and continuous, ensuring not only cures development, but also long-term one. To uphold pare aan ers coor - - ed and sustainable development, we should correctly handle the major rela- tions in the construction of modernization such as that between con and social development, between urban and rural development, ee : development of the eastern, central and western regions, aera e ie opment of man and nature, between domestic development a cara i and among reform, development and stability; coordinate and handle “ the major issues in economic and social development such as ee - and investment, supply and demand, the speed, structure, quality an bi ficiency of development, the full play of the oun of eeu » technology and advantages in human resources, the market mec ;
- : vical
and macroeconomic regulation and control; and see economic, political,
cultural, social and ecological civilization construction and the alle development of human beings as an interconnected, mutually beneficia
and indivisible process.
i hasizes the comprehensive, CO- The 17" CPC National Congress emp hensive:
e they reflect
ordinated and sustainable development, and regards them as quirements of the scientific outlook on development, becaus Oe ee the objective requirements of China’s economic and social nes u at this stage. On the one hand, after the long-term developmen : ee accumulated a solid material and technological foundation and = : greater achievements in promoting comprehensive, coordinated eae : tainable development. On the other hand, problems such as the ae = velopment of urban and rural areas, the uncoordinated economic an:
evelopment, and the incompatibility among economic development, popu- ation, resources and environment, have become more prominent. However, he basic requirements of the comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development provide new ideas to solve the problems, and point out the right direction for China’s economic and social development. Therefore, only by actively advancing comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development, can we better release various constraints on the development of our country, promote the development and ensure the realization of the strategic goal of the development.
To achieve comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development, we must, based on the overall layout of the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics, adhere to the economic construction as the center, constant- ly promote economic development and all-round social progress, and cor- rectly understand that economic, political, cultural, social and ecological civilization, in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, is a mutually reinforcing organic unity. Without economic construction, which provides the material basis for political, cultural and social con- struction, the construction in other fields will lack material foundations. Therefore, we should guarantee the central role of the economic construc- tion, understand the strategic significance of accelerating economic devel- opment, and unswervingly promote the sound and rapid development of the national economy. Without political construction, which provides political security for economic, cultural and social construction, it will be impossible to fully arouse the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the masses, create an environment that is protected by a sound legal system, and guarantee the smooth construction in other fields.
We should stick to the socialist political development path with Chinese characteristics, uphold the organic unity of the leadership of the Party, people as the masters of the country and the rule of law, adhere to and perfect the fundamental systems of socialism with Chinese characteris- cs, deepen the reform of the political system, and constantly promote its self-improvement and development. Without cultural construction, which provides ideological guarantee, spiritual motivation, cultural environment and intellectual support for economic, political and social construction, there will be no common ideals and beliefs and moral norms, and the high- Spirited and pioneering mainstream spirit will not be formed, providing no essential spiritual support for the construction in other fields. Therefore, € must consolidate the ideological guidance of Marxism, adhere to the evelopment of an advanced socialist culture that is modern, international, dvanced, national, scientific and popular, uphold the principle of “three loseness”, strive to establish a socialist core value system, consolidate the ainstream opinions, promote reform and innovation of forms, methods
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and mechanisms, push forward the great prosperity and development of socialist culture, create a new upsurge of socialist cultural construction, and
enhance the national soft power.
Without social construction, which provides favorable social conditions . for economic, political and cultural construction, a favorable social envi-’ ronment for promoting the construction in other fields will not be formed. Therefore, we must speed up the social construction that focuses on im- proving people’s livelihood, promote social fairness and justice, improve social management, stimulate social creation and build a more harmonious society. The ecological civilization construction, which is the foundation of the civilized system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, embodies the strategic concept of the all-round development of socialism, has inher- ent unity with socialism with Chinese characteristics, and makes its overall layout more systematic and better. Therefore, we must firmly establish the concept of ecological civilization, green economy and seeking develop- ment under strict constraints, make resource conservation the basic national policy, develop a recycling economy, and adhere to the path of civilized de- velopment featuring growing production, affluent life and sound ecological environment, so as to realize the unity of speed, structure and quality, and the coordination of economic growth, population, resources and environ- ment, and to build a resource-saving and environment-friendly well-to-do 126 society. In short, according to the requirements of the overall layout, we should take the socialist economic, political, cultural, social and ecological civilization construction as a unified task, a unified undertaking and a uni- fied goal, develop socialist market economy, democracy, advanced culture, and harmonious society vigorously, and promote the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics comprehensively.