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Deng Xiaoping Theory

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Deng Xiaoping otherwise known as the Architect of Reform was in charge of Opening and Reform, being the next General Secretary after Mao to deepen the Sinicization of Marxism in China.

Deng Xiaoping Theory (Chinese: 邓小平理论; pinyin: Dèng Xiǎopíng Lǐlùn),was formulated by the "Architect of Reform" Deng Xiaoping to better account for the socioeconomic conditions of China during the time period of him being party chairman, formulating a key part of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.

According to the official definition of the Communist Party of China, Deng Xiaoping Theory is a theory with Deng Xiaoping as the main founder and with the theme of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Deng Xiaoping Theory is regarded by the Chinese Communist Party as a major theoretical achievement of the Sinicization of Marxism, and a theoretical summary of the socialist construction experience obtained by the Communist Party of China that is different from the Soviet model.[1]

This theory was mainly reflected in Deng Xiaoping's various speeches, reports and meeting resolutions after the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in 1978.

In September 1997, the 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China directly referred to "Deng Xiaoping's Theory of Building Socialism with Chinese Characteristic " as "Deng Xiaoping Theory", hence the name. At this meeting, Deng Xiaoping Theory was written into the party constitution and became one of its guiding ideologies.

Core Content[edit | edit source]

The 4 Cardinal Principles[edit | edit source]

The Four Cardinal Principles (simplified Chinese: 四项基本原则; traditional Chinese: 四項基本原則; pinyin: Sì-xiàng Jīběn Yuánzé) were stated by Deng Xiaoping in March 1979, during the early phase of Reform and Opening-up, and are the four issues for which debate was not allowed within the People's Republic of China. The Four Cardinal Principles were one of Deng's Two Basic Points, the other of which was Reform and Opening.[2]

The principles include:

  1. The principle of upholding the communist path.
  2. The principle of upholding the people's democratic dictatorship.
  3. The principle of upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
  4. The principle of upholding Mao Zedong Thought and Marxism–Leninism.[2]

The purpose of stating the Four Cardinal Principles was to ensure ideological drift would not occur within the Party. Using the Four Cardinal Principles to uphold the Four Modernizations. Setting forth the Four Cardinal Principles would prevent the Ultra-Leftist errors that was set forth through the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution under the Gang of Four and ensuring the Vanguard status of the Communist Party of China. This is necessary for any socialist project, that building up the productive forces was necessary for the liberation of humanity:

"[I]t is only possible to achieve real liberation in the real world and by employing real means, that slavery cannot be abolished without the steam-engine and the mule and spinning-jenny, serfdom cannot be abolished without improved agriculture, and that, in general, people cannot be liberated as long as they are unable to obtain food and drink, housing and clothing in adequate quality and quantity. “Liberation” is an historical and not a mental act, and it is brought about by historical conditions, the development of industry, commerce, agriculture, the conditions of intercourse..."[3]

The 4 Modernizations[edit | edit source]

The Four Modernizations (simplified Chinese: 四个现代化; Pinyin:Sì gè xiàndàihuà) namely the modernization of agriculture, science and technology, defense and industry, are the national strategic goals proposed by the Communist Party of China and the People's Republic of China from the 1950s to the 1960s.[4] Zhou Enlai first put forward the concept of "four modernizations" in the "Government Work Report " made at the First Session of the Third National People's Congress in September 1954.  At the beginning of reform and opening up , Deng Xiaoping allowed the "four modernizations" to become the focus of the work of the party and the government.[4] This caused him to further propose "Xiaokang" or "Moderately Prosperous Society" in 1979.[5]

The Three Step Development Strategy[edit | edit source]

The Three Step Development Strategy (simplified Chinese: 三步走发展战略; Pinyin: Sān bù zǒu fāzhǎn zhànlüè), being first proposed in October 1987, the Thirteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, that the strategic deployment of economic construction should be divided into three steps.[6] Step One was to double the 1980 GNP and ensure that the people have enough food and clothing, which was attained by the end of the 1980s. Step Two was to quadruple the 1980 GNP by the end of the 20th century, which was achieved in 1995 ahead of schedule. Step Three was to increase per-capita GNP to the level of the medium-developed countries by the mid-21st century, at which point, the China's people will be fairly well-off and modernization will be basically realized.[7]

One Center, Two Basic Points[edit | edit source]

One Center, Two Basic Points (Simplified Chinese: 一个中心、两个基本点; Pinyin: Yīgè zhōngxīn, liǎng gè jīběn diǎn)is the core content of the Communist Party of China's basic line. One center refers to Socialist construction as the center; two basic points refers to adhering to the four basic principles and adhering to reform and opening up. The unity of the two basic points is the complete content of the line of the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in November 1, 1987.[8]

Here are 4 basic things to know regarding it:

(1) The concise summary of the party's basic line in the primary stage of socialism is "one center, two basic points".

(2) Socialist construction is the center of the work of the whole party and the country, and Socialist construction is the core and main body of the basic line.

(3) The four basic principles are the foundation of a country and provide political guarantee for modernization; reform and opening up is the only way for China to modernize and provide impetus for modernization.

(4) "One center, two basic points" are interdependent and indispensable. They are all for the better liberation and development of productive forces to improve the material standards of the people, unified in the great practice of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The 3 Favorables[edit | edit source]

The 3 Favorables (simplified Chinese: 三个好处; Pinyin: Sān gè hǎochù) are the standard used to judge the effective measures of Reform and Opening Up, as well as rectifying the practice of constructing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. It stems from the outcome of Deng's policy of stressing on the emancipation of the mind and seeking truth from facts. The 3 favorables are as follows:

  • Whether it is conducive to the development of the productive forces:
  • Whether it is conducive to enhancing the comprehensive national strength of China
  • Whether it is conducive to raising the living standards of the people[9]

But do keep in mind, it is an objective standard rather than a subjective one. It generates and develops on the basis of summing up experience and lessons from pros and cons. It opposes the ultra-left's tendencies and the ultra-rights tendencies. It is the product of emancipation of the mind and seeking truths from facts.

There are inherent and indivisible relations between the 3 Favorables and socialism. The 3 Favorables is the fundamental standard adopted under the requirement of Socialists to measure gains and losses of all praxis. It is the basic part of the superiority of the socialist system. When we use the 3 Favorables, we must think of the direction, principle and superiority of Socialism. The "3 Favorables" becomes meaningless once divorced from Socialism.

The core standard is the development of the productive forces. This standard reflects the principle that the productive forces is the historically materialistic analysis of history, that productivity is the driving force of human development. It also attaches the importance of the productive forces to Marxism-Leninism. Without the development of productivity, it is impossible to enhance national strength and secure an improvement in living standards.

Although the standard of productivity is the core standard, it is closely linked to enhancement of national strength and improvement in living standards. The development of the productive forces should ultimately be reflected in national strength and improvement of living standards. All 3 are interlinked, meaning that it is impossible to develop the productive forces without an increase in national strength and improvement of living standards. And it is impossible to increase national strength and improve living standards without the development of productive forces.

And finally, the highest standard is the improvement of living conditions for the people. The purpose of the Communist Party of China is to work for the well-fare of all peoples. And the purpose of socialism and communism is to emancipate all of humanity. To achieve common prosperity and the free comprehensive development of human beings. Therefore, in the process of developing the productive forces and enhancing comprehensive national strength, we should never forget our ultimate goal is to improve the living standards of the people and achieve common prosperity.

Moderately Prosperous Society[edit | edit source]

Moderately prosperous society or Xiaokang society (Chinese: 小康社会; pinyin: Xiǎokāng Shèhuì), is a Chinese term, originally from Confucianism, used to describe a society composed of a functional middle-class. In December 1979, Deng Xiaoping, then paramount leader of China, first proposed the idea of "Xiaokang" based on the "Four Modernizations".[10]

A well-off society is not a general and vague statement. He Keng, deputy director of the National Bureau of Statistics, said in an interview  that in 1991, the National Bureau of Statistics and researchers from 12 departments including planning, finance, health, and education were formed. In accordance with the connotation of a well-off society proposed by the Party Central Committee and the State Council, 16 basic monitoring indicators and the critical value of a well-off society were established.[11]

(1) The per capita GDP is 2,500 RMB (At 1980 prices and exchange rates, 2,500 yuan is equivalent to $900)

(2) Urban per capita disposable income of 2,400 RMB

(3) The per capita net income of farmers is 1,200 RMB

(4) The per capita usable area of ​​urban housing is 12 square meters

(5) The per capita usable area of ​​rural steel-wood structure housing is 15 square meters;

(6) The per capita daily protein intake is 75 grams;

(7) Each person in the city has a paving area of ​​8 square meters;

(8) 85% of rural administrative villages are connected to roads;

(9) An Engel coefficient of 50%;

(10) The adult literacy rate is 85%;

(11) The average life expectancy is 70 years old

(12) Infant mortality rate is at 3.1%

(13) The proportion of education and entertainment expenditure is 11%

(14) TV penetration rate is 100%;

(15) The forest coverage rate is 15%;

(16) 100% of rural primary health care counties are qualified

At the meeting celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China , Xi Jinping declared, “We have achieved the first century-old goal and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects on the land of China”. Thus the goal of a Moderately Prosperous Society has been met. [12]

Reform and Opening Up[edit | edit source]

Reform and opening-up (Chinese: 改革开放; pinyin: Gǎigé kāifàng) was proposed and founded by Deng Xiaoping , the second-generation paramount leader of the People's Republic of China . It was a series of economic-oriented reform measures that were implemented after the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on December 18, 1978. It can be summarized as "Reform internally and open externally".[13]

It was proposed in order to deal with the main problems the country faced at the time: namely a very poor population, the lack of an industrial base, and the lack of a large urban population (80% of the population lived in rural areas at the time). Deng Xiaoping saw that the country was still too underdeveloped to build Socialism where premature collectivization has brought antagonistic contradictions between the relations of production and the social character of the productive forces. The idea was proposed of implementing market policies in order to build the productive forces in order to eventually be able to build Socialism. In this regard, the Reform and Opening Up policy can be compared to the soviet New Economic Policy implemented by Lenin. Deng Xiaoping explained his policies in the following manner:

"It is wrong to maintain that a market economy exists only in capitalist society and that there is only “capitalist” market economy. Why can’t we develop a market economy under socialism? Developing a market economy does not mean practicing capitalism. While maintaining a planned economy as the mainstay of our economic system, we are also introducing a market economy. But it is a socialist market economy. Although a socialist market economy is similar to a capitalist one in method, there are also differences between them. The socialist market economy mainly regulates interrelations between state-owned enterprises, between collectively owned enterprises and even between foreign capitalist enterprises. But in the final analysis, this is all done under socialism in a socialist society. We cannot say that market economy exists only under capitalism. Market economy was in its embryonic stages as early as feudalist society. We can surely develop it under socialism. Similarly, taking advantage of the useful aspects of capitalist countries, including their methods of operation and management, does not mean that we will adopt capitalism. Instead, we use those methods in order to develop the productive forces under socialism. As long as learning from capitalism is regarded as no more than a means to an end, it will not change the structure of socialism or bring China back to capitalism."[14]

From 1978 to the present, the People's Republic of China has transformed from an isolated country with 200 million people living below the poverty line into a prosperous economy and the second largest economy in the world with an active market. China is also advancing rapidly on the road to industrialization, becoming the "world's factory", an important manufacturing nation, and the largest consumer market in the world. After 40 years of reform and opening up, China's national power has been greatly enhanced. China's median growth between 1980 and 2020 was 9.2%.[15] The value exceeds 17.7 trillion U.S. dollars, with a population of 1.4 billion. The per capita GDP increased from US$115 in 1978 to US$12,551 in 2021, reaching the income level of an upper-middle-level country . The per capita GDP of some eastern provinces and cities has exceeded US$20,000. [16]

One Country, Two Systems[edit | edit source]

One Country, Two Systems (Simplified Chinese:一国两制; Traditional Chinese: 一國兩制; Pinyin:Yīguó liǎngzhì) is the premise that China, the main body of the country adheres to the socialist system; The original capitalist system and way of life remain unchanged for a period time in Macau and Hong Kong. So far, "one country, two systems" has been applied to Hong Kong and Macau . As the establishment of this system, in December 1984, China and Britain signed the " Sino-British Joint Declaration ", and China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. In 1986, China and Portugal signed the " Sino-Portuguese Joint Statement ". Hong Kong and Macau returned to China in 1997 and 1999, respectively.

The experience of Hong Kong's return shows that national reunification can be achieved with the lowest cost and price, or even zero cost; to achieve national reunification, at the same time ensure that no party suffers losses, so that Hong Kong can continue to maintain prosperity, Hong Kong's prosperity and stability cannot be sacrificed, and the normal development and development of the country must not be affected.[17]

The principle is that, upon reunification, despite the practice of socialism in mainland China, both Hong Kong and Macau, which were colonies of the United Kingdom and Portugal respectively, could retain their established system under a high degree of autonomy for up to 50 years after reunification.

Chapter 1, Article 5 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, reads:

The socialist system and policies shall not be practiced in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years.[18]

The success of the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" largely depends on the smooth implementation of the "Basic Law".[19] Although the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is not a country, under the theoretical framework of "one country, two systems" and the institutional design of the "Basic Law", the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has its political system with a high degree of autonomy, including executive, legislative and judicial organs. The successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" depends on an appropriate balance between "One Country" and "Two Systems"

Primary stage of socialism[edit | edit source]

The term "Primary Stage of Socialism" (Chinese: 社会主义初级阶段; Pinyin: Shèhuì zhǔyì chūjí jiēduàn) had been used by the CPC during the Anti-Spiritual Pollution Campaign of 1983 but had never been explained. After consulting with Deng Xiaoping, the theory of a primary stage of socialism was used as the theoretical basis of the Political Report to the 13th National Congress held in 1987. The theory focused mainly on developing the productive forces and took a highly economic deterministic view on developing socialism.

Despite certain pitfalls, the theory is still used to explain the use of capitalist techniques in China. The main aim of the theory was to reconceptualize socialism to make Marxism fit for contemporary use. Su and Zhang Xiangyang said the primary stage of socialism in China began in the 1950s when the CPC put an end to the policies of New Democracy and would last an estimated 100 years. The previous emphasis on economic equality in favour of economic growth was abandoned. Deng stated:

"Of the many lessons we have to sum up, a very important one is this: we should make clear what is socialism and how to build socialism ... The primary task of socialism is to develop production forces and to elevate the standard of the material and cultural life of the people. Our twenty years of experience from 1958 to 1976 have told us: poverty is not socialism, socialism is to eliminate poverty. It is not socialism to not develop production forces and raise the people's living standards."

By this point, Deng had equated upholding socialism with developing the level of the productive forces, to increase the material development and material wealth of the Chinese people. When a sufficient level of the productive forces have been reached, this would allow full play to egalitarianism and closing the inequality gap. Su and Zhang reached similar conclusions, saying that Marx had two goals when he wrote about the socialist future: a social system in which the productive forces developed and the individual would be granted a great chance of self-development.

However, developing the productive forces became the precondition for the greater self-learning of the individual through common equality; Su and Zhang said that the former would lead to the latter. The left were generally pleased with the theory, which was based upon orthodox Marxist premises. However, some people on the right considered the theory was proof that China needed to reintroduce capitalism to build socialism. Marx had written that socialism developed from capitalism, but China had skipped the capitalist mode of production and went from feudalism to socialism.[20]

Army Building Theory[edit | edit source]

Army Building Theory (simplified Chinese: 军队建设理论; pinyin: Jūnduì jiànshè lǐlùn) It was formed on the basis of inheriting the military thoughts of his predecessors, Deng Xiaoping created the theory of army building in the new era according to the specific national conditions and military conditions in the new historical period. This theory is the core content of Deng Xiaoping's army building thought system. Including: building a powerful modernized and regularized revolutionary army. In the new era, army construction should focus on modernization, focus on building an army with quality, take the road of building a strong country with elite troops, strengthen and improve the military’s political work, and improve its logistics support capabilities. This theory has a decisive influence on China's military construction in the new era.

Deng Xiaoping's military strategic thinking is a military strategic thinking of active defense formed on the basis of a major breakthrough and development in the understanding of the characteristics of the times. It focuses on the stability and development of China, the peace and development of all mankind, and integrates national security into development. It is the need of the national development strategy, the need for the party's basic line to remain unshakable for a century, the need for China to embark on the road to re-emergence, and the need for China to occupy its due position in the international strategic structure and fully play its role in international affairs. need. To subdue the enemy with "strength", to control war with "strength", to combine the might of war and to develop both strength and intelligence are the essence of Deng Xiaoping's military strategic thinking in the new era and the basic focus of strategic decision-making.

Core Status[edit | edit source]

After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Party, during the process of formation and development of Deng Xiaoping Theory, Marxism in contemporary China , the whole Party has increasingly realized that it is the guiding ideology of our Party leading reform, opening up and modernization. The report of the Thirteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly pointed out that the theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics is the ideological basis for the unified understanding and strengthening of solidarity of comrades in the whole party and the people of the whole country, and it is a great banner to guide our cause. The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of China put forward the strategic task of arming the whole party with Comrade Deng Xiaoping's theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, and stipulated in the party constitution that this theory is "a guideline to guide the continuous development of my country's socialist cause." The 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China established Deng Xiaoping Theory as the guiding ideology of the Party, and incorporated this theory into the Party Constitution together with Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought as its own guide to action.

Historical Status[edit | edit source]

After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Party, during the process of formation and development of Deng Xiaoping Theory, Marxism in contemporary China, the whole Party has increasingly realized that it is the guiding ideology of our Party leading reform, opening up and modernization. The report of the Thirteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly pointed out that the theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics is the ideological basis for the unified understanding and strengthening of solidarity of comrades in the whole party and the people of the whole country, and it is a great banner to guide our cause. The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of China put forward the strategic task of arming the whole party with Comrade Deng Xiaoping's theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, and stipulated in the party constitution that this theory is "a guideline to guide the continuous development of my country's socialist cause." The 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China established Deng Xiaoping Theory as the guiding ideology of the Party, and incorporated this theory into the Party Constitution together with Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought as its own guide to action.

Guiding Significance[edit | edit source]

A Scientific Understanding of the Laws of China's Socialist Construction[edit | edit source]

Deng Xiaoping Theory upholds and develops Mao Zedong Thought, and is a new stage in the development of Marxism in China. It persists in emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, inheriting predecessors and breaking through stereotypes on the basis of new practice, and it opens up a new realm of Marxism.

A Scientific Guide to Reform, Opening Up and Socialist Modernization[edit | edit source]

Since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Party, Deng Xiaoping Theory has guided the CPC to bring order out of chaos and carry out comprehensive reforms. A series of major changes such as the socialist market economy have enabled China to achieve political stability, economic development, national unity, social productivity, comprehensive national strength, and people's lives to a higher level, and successfully embarked on a new path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The guiding ideology that the party and the country must adhere to for a long time[edit | edit source]

Today, the CPC is advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. the CPC still needs to continue to focus on the primary and basic theoretical issues of what is socialism and how to build socialism, firmly grasp the ideological line of seeking truth from facts, and continuously promote the emancipation of the mind; Hold and deeply understand the basic policy of "grasping with both hands, both hands must be hard" to promote the overall development of the economy and society; implement the basic line of "one center, two basic points"; firmly grasp and understand the basic principles of the primary stage of socialism theory. Efforts should be made to complete the strategic task of basically realizing modernization in three steps. These fundamental guidelines are related to the fate and future of Socialism with Chinese characteristics, and we must not waver in any way.

Learning and practice[edit | edit source]

The content of Deng Xiaoping Theory is very rich and profound. We must study it carefully and use it to guide our actions. Pay attention to the following issues in your study:

First, to study Deng Xiaoping Theory, one must fully, accurately and completely comprehend and grasp its spiritual essence.[edit | edit source]

Deng Xiaoping Theory is a complete scientific system. It starts from strengthening the country and enriching the people, guided by the ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, based on the national conditions in the primary stage of socialism, taking the liberation and development of productive forces as the main line, and taking reform and opening up and the Four Cardinal Principles as the latitude and longitude, centering on the construction of a prosperous China.

A series of basic issues of socialism with characteristics are developed sequentially according to strict logic. Various theoretical viewpoints are closely connected, contained and infiltrated with each other, forming an inseparable scientific system; at the same time, this system is not closed and solidified, but is constantly enriched, perfected and developed in practice. Therefore, in actual work, it is not enough to understand it metaphysically, let alone take it out of context and take what it needs. It must be understood and grasped comprehensively, accurately and completely.

For example, on the issue of adhering to the party's basic line, we must focus on economic construction and unify reform and opening up with the four basic principles. In the two basic points, ignoring either will lead to deviation in practice; negating one of them negates the other at the same time. And these two basic points are organically unified to better liberate and develop productive forces. Only by looking at things in this way can we eliminate all kinds of interference and better implement the party's basic line.

Another example is that in dealing with the relationship between material civilization and spiritual civilization, it is necessary to combine the two civilizations, insist on grasping with both hands, and prevent and correct the deviation of one hand being hard and the other being soft.

For another example, when dealing with the relationship between stability and development, we must also adhere to the viewpoint of dialectical unity. On the one hand, socialist modernization is inseparable from a stable social environment; on the other hand, the ultimate determinant of social stability is economic and social development. When the economy develops, the people's living standards, ideological culture, and moral standards improve, and the country's strength increases, the socialist system will have strong attraction and cohesion, and various social contradictions will be fundamentally resolved.

Second, the key to studying Deng Xiaoping Theory is to grasp its essence, the ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts.[edit | edit source]

The eight words " emancipate the mind and seek truth from facts " embody Comrade Deng Xiaoping's scientific attitude of using Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods to study new situations and solve new problems, which runs through all levels, aspects, and entire contents of his entire theory. All along, it is the source of vitality of this theory. Why Comrade Deng Xiaoping was able to clearly put forward the idea of ​​"intellectuals are part of the working class", "allow some regions and some people to get rich first", "socialism must also implement a market economy", and the concept of "one country, two systems", etc.

The fundamental reason is that he does not focus only on books, does not focus on excellence, does not stick to conventions, dares to break through the shackles of habitual forces and traditional prejudices, and under the guidance of the basic principles of Marxism, he studies new situations, sums up new experiences, and opens up new understandings in practice. The correct way to solve new problems and solve new problems, thus adding new content and new ideas to the theoretical treasure house of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. new perspective.

Emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts are unified. Emancipating the mind requires us to break through the shackles of backward traditional concepts and subjective prejudices under the guidance of Marxism, change the mental state of being conservative and not accepting new things, and make our thinking and understanding conform to objective reality . If our thinking only stays on the dogmatic understanding of certain principles and books of Marxism, on some unscientific or even distorted understandings of socialism, on those unscientific understandings beyond the primary stage of socialism, In terms of correct ideological concepts, it is difficult for us to get rid of the shackles of "Ultra0Left" thoughts, and we may even observe the current reality and the party's line, principles, and policies with the ideological stereotype formed in the "Ultra-Left" climate, resulting in various doubt, worry or resistance.

In this way, it is very difficult for us to understand Deng Xiaoping Theory correctly, let alone apply it consciously. Of course, any correct theory is not a panacea for all diseases, but only a guide to action. Although Comrade Deng Xiaoping has designed an overall blueprint for us to build socialism with Chinese characteristics, the situation varies greatly from place to place, and the economic and social development is very uneven. Only by following the ideological line of seeking truth from facts and combining Deng Xiaoping Theory with the specific realities of the region and department can we correctly understand and solve the problems encountered and effectively advance various tasks. It must also be noted that the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics is an unprecedented creative historical project. In practice, the situation is ever-changing and problems emerge in endlessly. Only by emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts can we seize opportunities and work creatively. In short, the party's ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts must run through the great historical process of socialist modernization. Once you grasp this point, you will grasp the living soul of Deng Xiaoping Theory.

Third, to study Deng Xiaoping Theory, we must study Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s original works carefully, and at the same time, we must also study important party documents since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee.[edit | edit source]

Comrade Deng Xiaoping is the core of the CPC's second-generation collective leadership, the chief architect of China's reform, opening up and socialist modernization, and the founder of contemporary Marxism , the theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics! He respects practice and the masses, always pays attention to the interests and aspirations of the overwhelming majority of the people, be good at summing up the experience of the people, respect the creative spirit of the people, keenly grasp the pulse and opportunities of the development of the times, inherit the predecessors and break through the stereotypes, and show that they have opened up the road of socialist construction. And the great theoretical courage to open up a new realm of Marxism has made a historic contribution to the establishment of the theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The main content and basic spirit of this theory are condensed in the original works of Comrade Deng Xiaoping, and also reflected in the important documents of the Party since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee. Therefore, when we study Deng Xiaoping Theory, we must first earnestly study Comrade Deng Xiaoping's original works, and pay special attention to studying the key articles in Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of "Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping". These original works must be read repeatedly, studied hard, and deeply understood. At the same time, we must also pay attention to studying the important documents of the party since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee.

Fourth, learning Deng Xiaoping Theory must be closely connected with reality so that what you have learned can be applied.[edit | edit source]

It is necessary to closely integrate the reality of economic construction, spiritual civilization construction and party construction, and combine the current situation and tasks to improve the ability to analyze and solve problems. It is necessary to combine the experience since the reform and opening up, the ideological reality and the actual work, sum up experience and lessons, and clarify vague understandings, so as to strengthen the unity and unity based on the party's basic theory and basic line, and enhance the party's cohesion and combat effectiveness.

It is necessary to combine the study of Deng Xiaoping Theory with the transformation of the world outlook and the strengthening of party spirit. To arm your mind with Deng Xiaoping Theory, the most important thing is to connect and transform your outlook on the world and life. For Communist Party members and comrades who want to join the party, it is very important to establish a correct world outlook, outlook on life and values.

To study Deng Xiaoping Theory, one must combine one's own ideological reality and use the Marxist world outlook and methodology throughout this theory to overcome and resist the erosion of non-Marxist ideas such as idealism, mechanical materialism, subjectivism, metaphysics, and extreme individualism. Strengthen the concept of party spirit, strengthen ideals and beliefs, improve theoretical quality and political level, accelerate maturity, and become a pioneer fighter of the working class as soon as possible.

See also[edit | edit source]

Further Reading[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Previous Party Congresses Chinese Communist Party News Network - Documentation Center
  2. 2.0 2.1 Uphold the Four Cardinal Principles, Deng Xiao Ping, 1979
  3. Karl Marx (1846). The German Ideology: 'Part I: Feuerbach. Opposition of the Materialist and Idealist Outlook
  4. 4.0 4.1 How did the "Four Modernizations" come about? - People's Daily Online.
  5. What is the meaning of "moderately prosperous society" proposed by Deng Xiaoping? - People's Daily Online
  6. Three steps to guide the new direction of development (brilliant course) People's Daily Online
  7. The Three-Step Development Strategy - china.org.cn
  8. The Thirteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China--The Thirteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China--People's Daily Online  
  9. Library:Basics of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics - Chapter 5
  10. From "well-off" to "all-round well-off "- A discussion on the formation and development of Deng Xiaoping's theory of well-off society - People's Daily
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