Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is a continuation of Deng Xiaoping Theory and is a form of socialism in a new era, the 21st century.
Much of Xi Jinping Thought comes from Xi's 2013 speech, which focused on Marxism–Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, China's place in history, strategic competition with capitalist nations, and a plea to adhere to the goals of communism.[1]
In surveying the history of China, Xi argued it is "Marxism–Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought that guided the Chinese people out of the darkness of that long night and established a New China." And, as to the future, "the consolidation and development of the socialist system will require its own long period of history... it will require the tireless struggle of generations, up to ten generations."[1]
On the relationship with capitalist nations, Xi said, "Marx and Engels' analysis of the basic contradictions in capitalist society is not outdated, nor is the historical materialist view that capitalism is bound to die out and socialism is bound to win."[1] Xi aimed to reinforce the Marxist–Leninist view of history, stating: "The fundamental reason why some of our comrades have weak ideals and faltering beliefs is that their views lack a firm grounding in historical materialism."[2]
Xi showed great interest in why the Soviet Union dissolved, and how to avoid that failure in China:
Why did the Soviet Union disintegrate? Why did the Communist Party of the Soviet Union fall from power? An important reason was that the struggle in the field of ideology was extremely intense, completely negating the history of the Soviet Union, negating the history of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, negating Lenin, negating Stalin, creating historical nihilism and confused thinking. Party organs at all levels had lost their functions, the military was no longer under Party leadership. In the end, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, a great party, was scattered, the Soviet Union, a great socialist country, disintegrated. This is a cautionary tale![3]
The concepts behind Xi Jinping Thought were elaborated in Xi's The Governance of China book series, published by the Foreign Languages Press for an international audience. Volume one was published in September 2014, followed by volume two in November 2017,[4] followed by volume three in June 2020.[5]
Xi Jinping Thought consists of a 14-point basic policy as follows:[6][7]
- Ensuring Communist Party of China leadership over all forms of work in China.
- The Communist Party of China should take a people-centric approach for the public interest.
- The continuation of "comprehensive deepening of reforms".
- Adopting new science-based ideas for "innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development".
- Following "socialism with Chinese characteristics" with "people as the masters of the country".
- Governing China with the Rule of Law.
- "Practise socialist core values", including Marxism-Leninism and socialism with Chinese characteristics.
- "Improving people's livelihood and well-being is the primary goal of development".
- Coexist well with nature with "energy conservation and environmental protection" policies and "contribute to global ecological safety".
- Strengthen the national security of China.
- The Communist Party of China should have "absolute leadership over" China's People's Liberation Army.
- Promoting the one country, two systems system for Hong Kong and Macau with a future of "complete national reunification" and to follow the One-China principle and 1992 Consensus for Taiwan.
- Establish a common destiny between the Chinese people and other peoples around the world with a "peaceful international environment".
- Improve party discipline in the Communist Party of China.
In subsequent official party documentation and pronouncements by Xi's colleagues, the thought has been said to be a continuation of Marxism–Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, "the important thought of the Three Represents" and the Scientific Outlook on Development as part of a series of guiding ideologies that embody "Marxism adapted to Chinese conditions".[8]
Circulating the ideas of Xi Jinping Thought began shortly after the 2017 speech, particularly to academic and cultural communities, as well as the wider Chinese public.
Content from Xi's 2017 speech is used in public messages, described as being 'pervasive' by a Beijing correspondent for the New York Times.[9] A poster featuring the slogan "Chinese Dream" comes from the speech, where the phrase is used 31 times.[10][11] In July 2018, the carriages of a train in Changchun Subway were decked out in red and dozens of Xi's quotes to celebrate the 97th anniversary of Communist Party of China. The train was described as a "highly condensed spiritual manual" of Xi Jinping Thought by the local government.[12] In January 2019, Alibaba Group released an app called Xuexi Qiangguo for studying Xi Jinping Thought.[13]
By the end of 2017, dozens of Chinese universities had established research institutes for Xi Jinping Thought, applying Xi's stated principle of bringing the thought into all aspects of daily life.[14] Academics such as Jiang Shigong went on to write expositions of Xi Jinping Thought.[15] In December 2019, Fudan University added content concerning the inculcation of teachers and students in Xi Jinping Thought into its charter.[16][17]
In mid-2021, the Ministry of Education announced that Xi Jinping Thought would be taught to Chinese students beginning at the primary school level.[18]