Upholding Fundamental Principles and Breaking New Ground in Staying Committed to Chinese Socialism

History evolves based on its own internal laws; its course is not subject to human will. The more thoroughly people can grasp the laws of history, the clearer and firmer their direction of progress will become, and the stronger and more enduring their sense of initiative for forging the future will be. Upholding fundamental principles means steadfastly adhering to a path that aligns with the laws of historical development, never allowing ourselves to be shaken by risk or swayed by interference. Breaking new ground means having the unwavering courage and determination to reshape reality by dismantling barriers, thus allowing us to move forward in harmony with the logic of history and the development trends of the times.

Our Party has united and led the people through decades of explorations in order to successfully forge the path of Chinese modernization, which offers a sure way for us to build a great country and rejuvenate the nation. The distinctive features, essential requirements, and major principles of Chinese modernization are a reflection of our Party's deep understanding of the laws underlying this process. As we advance reform, we cannot afford to neglect any of these elements; all of them must be consistently upheld and applied at all times.

At the same time, however, Chinese modernization is a groundbreaking endeavor without precedent. The path ahead will inevitably be fraught with hardships, unknowns, and daunting challenges. We must boldly navigate these waters, eliminating the old to make way for new innovations that will take us forward. We must work to better adapt the relations of production to the productive forces, the superstructure to the economic base, and national governance to social development. In doing so, we will enhance the unique features of Chinese modernization, amplify its strengths, and pave the way toward an even brighter future.

In furthering comprehensive reform, it is vital that we stay true to our path and never waver in our commitment. We should neither retreat to the isolation and rigidity of the past nor stray off course by changing our nature or abandoning our system. We must firmly uphold the Four Cardinal Principles as the foundation of our nation and remain resolutely committed to Chinese modernization. We should pursue our overall goals of improving and developing the system of Chinese socialism and modernizing our system and capacity for governance with relentless drive, and stay the course in advancing reforms to develop the socialist market economy.

We must always maintain the momentum of reform by following a problem-oriented approach. Our focus should be on prominent issues in every area, from the economy to politics, culture, society, ecological conservation, national security, and Party development. We must use this new starting point to push for theoretical, practical, institutional, and cultural innovations. Where changes are necessary and feasible, we must carry out reform decisively—no detours, no delays, and no evasions. This way, we will further unleash and develop the productive forces and tap into and boost the vitality of our society. This will ensure that Chinese modernization always retains its tremendous vitality.

Editor: Yi Xiaowei