Develop Marxism Through the Party’s Theoretical Innovation

Develop Marxism Through the Party’s Theoretical Innovation*

June 30, 2023

The Party’s 20th National Congress has set the whole Party the task of further adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times, emphasizing that this is our solemn historic responsibility in contemporary China. Our aim in studying this topic is to increase our understanding of the rules governing the Party’s theoretical innovation, and further clarify the positioning, direction and approaches of these efforts, so that we can achieve further results in this field on our new journey in the new era.

In retrospect, the reason that our Party has been able to make significant progress during the periods of revolution, construction and reform over the past century, and to lead the people in completing arduous tasks that would have defied any other political force, is that we have mastered the scientific theory of Marxism and adapted it to new realities to advance theoretical innovation. This has armed the Party with the power of truth. At the fundamental level, we owe the success of our Party and socialism with Chinese characteristics to the fact that Marxism works, particularly when it is adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of our times. This is a conclusion we have drawn from history.

In the process of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times, the Party has developed a series of major theories, including Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Its unswerving adherence to freeing the mind, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and taking a realistic and pragmatic approach has injected vitality into Marxism in China. Based on a review of the Party’s historical experience, the report to the 20th CPC National Congress sets out and elaborates on effective methodologies for promoting theoretical innovation, such as the Two Integrations and the Six Musts. They serve as the guidelines for our innovative thinking, and we must respect them and follow them.

First, always remaining steadfast in upholding the essence and roots of theoretical innovation. The imperative of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times determines that we must never abandon Marxism, which is the essence of our innovation, nor the best of traditional Chinese culture, which is the roots. Commitment to the essence and roots forms the foundation and precondition for theoretical innovation, the goal of which is to better uphold these core elements. The objective of this commitment is to facilitate better development, and the development helps fulfill the commitment. New thinking must come with new concepts and interpretations. However, it is essential that we never abandon our traditions. Betrayal of our indigenous culture and the basic tenets of Marxism would mean severing our roots and abandoning our essence, which would be a fatal mistake. My view on breaking new ground while upholding fundamental principles is that we must not return to the isolation and rigidity of the past, and that we should never abandon our socialist system. Doing so will only lead to dead ends.

We must uphold Marxism as the bedrock upon which our Party and our country are founded and thrive, and ceaselessly develop Marx­ ism in the rich loam of Chinese history and culture. We must remain confident in our history and culture, make the past serve the present, and develop the new from the old. Guided by Marxism, we must endeavor to unlock the profound riches of over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, energize the vigorous elements of our traditional culture, and imbue them with new life. Moreover, we must infuse the spirit and wisdom of the Chinese nation into Marxism more profoundly. In doing so, we will effectively integrate the essence of Marxism with the best of traditional Chinese culture. The theoretical edge we gain from this synthesis will propel us to new intellectual heights.

Emphasizing the importance of the essence and roots of the Party’s theories, however, does not mean being closed, rigid or conservative in our outlook. Marxism does not exclude any verity. No matter when and where such knowledge comes into being, it takes in all truths to enrich and develop its own framework. We should broaden our theoretical horizons, learning from and utilizing the achievements of all civilizations with an open mind, as the sea accepts every river. In a bid to innovate and develop our Party’s theories, it is essential that we embrace excellent ideas and cultural resources from the “sum of human knowledge”, and create an inclusive and eclectic framework for onward progress.

Second, providing sound and timely answers to new questions emerging in our era. The times are the mother of thought, and practice is the source of theory. All theories of historic significance must satisfy the requirements of their era. Theories employed to observe, grasp and guide the spirit of their era cannot be divorced from their times; they must echo its prevailing voices. They must constantly synthesize experiences derived from practice and distill them into insightful concepts. The worth of a theory does not lie in the ostentatious language it employs, nor in its logical self-consistency and self­-validation, but in its ability to address practical questions and steer practical development. Marxism is a doctrine of practice. The innovations we pursue should be rooted in practice, rather than fantasies dreamed up in ivory towers. We must always seek to discover and develop truths through practice, and realize and verify truths within the realm of practice.

Today’s world is experiencing change on a scale unseen in a century. Similarly, China is also undergoing the most extensive and profound social transformations in its history. The country is at a crucial point in its quest for national rejuvenation, as it progresses along the path of Chinese modernization — a grand, unique, innovative and historic transformation. The momentous changes reshaping the international landscape and our national rejuvenation are deeply interwoven, and they are accelerating. Human society as a whole faces an array of urgent common challenges, and as a nation, we also have a spectrum of new and critical issues to address concerning reform, development, social stability, national defense, domestic and foreign affairs, and governance of the Party, the country, and the military. The questions concerning the present and future of China and its people and the wider world pose challenges that are more complex and demanding than ever before. There is an urgent need for us to provide our answers by combining theory with practice. Today, the task of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times has become even more onerous.

We should comprehend the world’s historical trends and future trajectories from a longer-term and broader perspective. In addition, we should understand the development trends and laws of human society in general and China in particular, and be acutely aware of the historical process and practical needs of Chinese modernization. We should expand our understanding of the principles underlying high­-quality development and the new development dynamic in the context of China’s current developmental stage, the latest wave of scientific and technological revolution, and ongoing international economic growth. We should also expand our understanding of the Party’s strategic thinking on self-reform by analyzing the successes and setbacks encountered by Marxist parties worldwide, and by tackling the actual challenges encountered in the Party’s long-term governance. This will enable us to develop principles and present comprehensive and systematic solutions to address contemporary challenges. Through all these efforts, Marxism in contemporary China and the 21st century will exhibit ever more potent and compelling proof of the power of truth.

Third, focusing on developing the Party’s innovative theories into a coherent and academically sound system. This is an intrinsic requirement and important pathway for theoretical innovation. Marxism wields far-reaching influence because it uncovers the truths of social development with profound theoretical depth and proves the scientific nature of its theories through systematization. Karl Marx once described his writings as an artistic whole, and Vladimir Lenin depicted Marxist philosophy as an integral whole like a single piece of steel. Frederick Engels authored Socialism: Utopian and Scientific and other works to systematically expound the basic tenets of Marxism, illuminating the intrinsic integrity of Marxism’s three essential components. Engels, through his comprehensive theoretical expositions, defended and advanced the scientific nature of Marxism, and averted and rectified the trends of fragmentation and vulgarization of its doctrine by building it into a complete system. All of this demonstrates the crucial role of systematization and theorization in upholding and advancing Marxism.

The report to the 19th CPC National Congress captures developments in theory since the 18th CPC National Congress, and encapsulates them in the eight clarifications and the 14 commitments. These were expanded at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, and were finally summarized as the 10 clarifications, the 14 commitments, and the 13 areas of achievement in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress. The congress also refined and expounded scientific methodologies for advancing the Party’s theoretical innovation, such as the Two Integrations and the Six Musts. This progression demonstrates the constant enrichment, expansion, systematization and theorization of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This Thought constitutes a comprehensive framework that encompasses perspectives on a series of topics such as the economy, the rule of law, eco-civilization, the military, and diplomacy. We should continue to enrich and develop this Thought. As we delve further into practice, the Party will develop more innovative theories.

In advancing the project to study and develop Marxist theory, we should focus on in-depth research and interpretation, especially regarding the fundamental theoretical breakthroughs embodied in the Party’s new visions and ideas, and the intrinsic connections between them. This will educate and guide all Party members and the wider public in studying and understanding the theoretical framework underpinning the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Fourth, focusing on channeling the people’s creativity to fuel theoretical innovation. Marxism is a body of theory that speaks for and represents the interests of the people. Created to transform the people’s destiny, it has been enriched and developed in their quest for liberation. The creative practices of the people are the inexhaustible source of inspiration for Marxist innovative thinking. The people play a pivotal role in shaping history, as they have created both tangible wealth and intangible heritage. They are an immense sea of strength and wisdom. Is there anything greater than the collective strength and wisdom of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people? As long as we maintain close bonds with the people, engage with them, and rely on them, and as long as we genuinely regard them as our mentors, learning from them and seeking their advice, we can tap into a constant stream of theoretical wisdom and practical strength.

This is evident from our experience. The successful results of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times stem from the collective wisdom and practical experience of the Party and the people. Mao Zedong Thought, the theoretical frame­ work of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era all derive from the wisdom, exploration and creativity of the people. The people take the lead in practice, exhibiting the greatest acuity and the keenest awareness of evolving realities, and possessing the greatest wisdom. By engaging with them, we can find answers and solutions to many long-standing questions that have resisted our previous efforts.

We must keep close links with the people in all our endeavors, especially when in pursuit of theoretical innovation. We must refrain from hollow rhetoric or ivory tower thinking, or shutting ourselves off from reality. When planning for this education campaign, I proposed that leading officials at all levels should engage in hands-on field research. My intention was to inspire them to commit fully to the viewpoint of historical materialism, maintain a people-centered mindset, uphold the fundamental purpose of the Party, and aim to solve practical problems and achieve the set goals. They should step out of their offices and go to the grassroots, to listen extensively to the concerns of the public, solicit their advice, and understand their needs. They should apply the Party’s new theories in analyzing and addressing prominent issues arising in the course of development and reform, in order to deliver on the expectations of the grassroots and the aspirations of the broader public. They should draw inspiration from the public’s constructive feedback and opinions to deliver innovations in both theory and practice.

We must honor the people’s pioneering spirit and derive fresh experience from their creativity in practice. We should distill this experience into rational knowledge and develop new theories from it. Furthermore, we should make every effort to popularize the Party’s new theories among the public, ensuring that these ideas effectively address the practical issues faced by the people, as we pool their collective wisdom, fulfill their needs, and earn their support.

* Main part of the speech at the sixth group study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

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