Grasp the Significance of the Two Integrations

Grasp the Significance of the Two Integrations*

June 2, 2023

Given the profound foundations of our 5,000-year-old civilization, the only path for pioneering and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is to integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s realities and the best of its traditional culture (Two Integrations). This conclusion derives from our extensive exploration of Chinese socialism. We have always emphasized integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s realities and have now formalized the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of China’s traditional culture. As I once stated, without the 5,000-year-old Chinese civilization, where would Chinese characteristics come from? If not for these characteristics, how could we have charted the triumphant path of Chinese socialism? Only within the context of more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilization can we genuinely comprehend the historical necessity, cultural significance, and unique strengths of the Chinese path.

Positive and negative historical experience demonstrates that the Two Integrations are the strongest guarantees for our success.

First, mutual compatibility is the prerequisite for integration. The Two Integrations are not far-fetched propositions. Despite their distinct origins, Marxism and the best of traditional Chinese culture exhibit remarkable congruence. For instance, the social principles of pursuing the common good and acting in good faith resonate harmoniously with the ideals and convictions of communism and socialism; the concepts of regarding the people as the foundations of the state and governing by virtue align with the political principle of putting the people first; and the practices of discarding the outdated in favor of the new and ceaselessly pursuing self-improvement correspond faithfully to the revolutionary spirit of Communists. Marxism sees the essence of humanity from the perspective of social relations, while in Chinese culture, people are defined by their relationships with their family, their country, and the world. Both reject the notion of viewing humans as isolated entities. Compatibility is the basis for genuine integration. That is why we say that the Communist Party of China is a steadfast proponent and practitioner of Marxism, while it also works to keep the best of traditional Chinese culture alive and strong.

Second, integration represents a mutually beneficial process. Integration is not mere juxtaposition or a “physical reaction”; rather, it is a “chemical reaction” that creates a new, unified cultural entity. On one hand, the advanced theories of Marxism, with its strength of truth, provide new vitality to Chinese civilization. It ushered China into the modern era, revitalizing and modernizing Chinese culture. Traditional concepts such as regarding the people as the foundations of the state, unified governance over all regions of the country, all things living side by side, and enriching the people have transformed to modern ideas of pursuing democracy, forging a sense of the Chinese nation as one community, maintaining harmony between humanity and nature, and striving for common prosperity. This groundbreaking transformation has given rise to a modern form of Chinese civilization. On the other hand, the best of traditional Chinese culture continues to enrich Marxism and facilitate its breakthroughs in adapting to the Chinese context and the needs of our times, endowing it with an increasingly distinctive Chinese style and ethos, and making it an essential part of Chinese culture and the spirit of this era. The integration with the best of China’s traditional culture has enabled Marxism to take root in China, modernized traditional Chinese culture, and led to the emergence of a new culture that facilitates Chinese modernization.

Third, integration has reinforced the foundations of our path. What makes our socialism unique? What enables it to thrive with such vitality? The answers lie in its distinct Chinese characteristics, and the essence of these characteristics is encapsulated within the Two Integrations. The path of Chinese socialism is fundamentally socialist, grounded in Marxism. The essential socialist elements in Chinese culture provide an intellectual foundation for the embrace of Marxism in China. The path of Chinese socialism is continually broadening, and our determination to remain on this path is unwavering. In the new era, one significant reason for the historic achievements and transformative progress made by our Party and country is our adherence to the Two Integrations. The path of Chinese socialism has been charted under the guidance of Marxism and built upon China’s 5,000 years of civilization. The integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of China’s traditional culture has endowed the path of Chinese socialism with greater historical depth and broadened its cultural underpinnings. Chinese modernization represents a wide avenue leading to a great country and national rejuvenation. Just as Chinese modernization infuses Chinese civilization with modern vitality, the rich heritage of Chinese civilization bolsters Chinese modernization. Chinese modernization seeks to build upon, rather than erase, China’s ancient civilization; it has developed within China, not imported from any other country; and it has stemmed from the renewal, not the disruption, of Chinese civilization. Chinese modernization is a new mission for the Chinese nation, and it will allow Chinese civilization to shine with renewed radiance.

Fourth, integration has opened up new space for innovation. Integration itself embodies a form of innovation, and it also paves the way for significant theoretical and practical breakthroughs. The integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of China’s traditional culture has enabled us to retain the theoretical and cultural initiative, and exerted a strong influence on the path, theory and system of Chinese socialism. From this perspective, we can see that the systems of people’s congresses and political consultation established by our Party reflect the Chinese concept of the people being the foundations of the state, the idea of universal participation in governance, the tradition of collaborative and consultative governance, and the political wisdom of being all-inclusive and seeking common ground while setting aside differences. China’s choice of a system of regional ethnic autonomy within a unitary state, rather than a federal or confederate system, aligns with the development trend of the Chinese nation towards internal cohesion and unity amid diversity. Carrying on the Chinese tradition of striving for great unity in the country, it ensures that all regions apply unified governance and share common customs and practices amid rich diversity and that all people come together as one family. The integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of China’s traditional culture is yet another manifestation of our commitment to freeing the mind. It allows us to fully harness the precious resources of traditional Chinese culture to explore future-oriented theoretical and institutional innovations within a broader cultural framework.

Fifth, integration has reinforced our cultural identity. Cultural identity is essential for the continued preservation and empowerment of a nation’s culture, and for it to unite and inspire the people and to shape values and expand influence. The CPC has consistently emphasized cultural development. In the new era, we have emphasized confidence in our culture alongside confidence in our path, theory and system. Our cultural confidence is rooted in our cultural identity, established by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC in the land of China. It is established on the basis of creative transformation and innovative development of traditional culture, as well as the inheritance of revolutionary culture and the development of advanced socialist culture. While establishing this identity, we have drawn inspiration from the outstanding achievements of human civilization and integrated Marxism’s basic tenets with China’s realities and the best of its traditional culture. The creation of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the most powerful embodiment for our cultural identity. This identity has given us a firm cultural sense of self and provided fundamental support for our cultural confidence. With this cultural identity, the CPC gains significant cultural strength to steer the trends of our times; the Chinese nation and people have a solid cultural foundation for a collective sense of national identity; and Chinese civilization is endowed with distinctive features that facilitate exchanges and mutual learning with the rest of the world.

The integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of China’s traditional culture summarizes our Party’s experience in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times, and embodies our Party’s profound grasp of the laws guiding the development of Chinese civilization. It marks a new level in our Party’s comprehension of the Chinese path, theory and system, our Party’s unprecedented confidence in China’s history and culture, and a fresh pinnacle in our Party’s dedication to fostering cultural innovation, while preserving the essence of China’s cultural heritage.

* Part of the speech at a meeting on cultural inheritance and development.

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