Remarks at press conference

Sun Yeli, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC

Oct. 24, 2022

Good morning, everyone!

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress features great visions, rich connotations, and profound thoughts. It encapsulates the innovations made in the Party's theories and practices since the 18th CPC National Congress, and provides a sound guidance for further innovations in this regard.

I will brief you on the important discourses in the report regarding promoting theoretical innovations and opening a new frontier in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

The second part of the report focuses on theoretical innovations. Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology of the CPC, and we have been constantly working to adapt it to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, bearing in mind the new changes and practical demands emerging both in and outside of China, Chinese Communists represented by Comrade Xi Jinping have provided in-depth theoretical and practical answers to a series of epochal questions on the cause of the Party and the country as well as the Party's governance of China. Major theoretical innovations have been achieved, which are encapsulated in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The thought is Marxism of contemporary China and Marxism of the 21st century. It embodies the essence of Chinese culture and Chinese spirit, marking a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. The 19th CPC National Congress and the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee have summarized the main points of the thought, which we must adhere to over the long term and continue to enrich and develop.

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress expounds on the Party's systematic understanding of upholding and developing Marxism, that is, integrating it with China's specific realties and fine traditional culture. I will elaborate on this.

First, integrating Marxism with China's specific realities, which has always been emphasized and pursued by the Party, is the most precious experience gained in the 100-year history of the Party, and is an effective instrument for the sustained success of the cause of the Party. During the New Democratic Revolution, based on China's realities, the CPC developed the Chinese path of revolution, namely, the path of encircling cities from the countryside, which is different from the Soviet example of insurrections by workers in cities. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the CPC continued to explore the way of socialist construction to match China's realities. In the 1950s, Comrade Mao Zedong wrote the "On Ten Major Relationships," putting forward thoughts of developing Chinese economy, which are remarkably different from the Soviet economic model. During the period of reform and opening up, the Party developed the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics. And after the 18th CPC National Congress, we established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guiding ideology of the CPC. This is exactly a process of combining the tenets of Marxism with China's ever-changing realities. The CPC encountered dogmatism in its history, characterized by a departure from China's realities, and rigid adoption of classic doctrines and foreign experiences – for example in the case of Wang Ming. It dealt severe blows to our cause, serving as a constant lesson for us. Therefore, General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized in the report that we should not treat Marxism as a rigid dogma, but should continue to free our minds, seek truth from facts, move with the times, and take a realistic and pragmatic approach. This is the essence of the CPC's guiding principle. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has been developed following the principle, and will continue to be enriched and developed in this way.

Second, we must integrate Marxism with the fine traditional culture of the Chinese nation. This was proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the ceremony marking the Party's founding centenary, and was then further elaborated in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress. This is another major innovation to the Party's theory system, opening a new paradigm of theoretical innovation of the Party. In fact, our system and path, as well as the lines, principles and policies of our Party, have always reflected China's fine traditional culture, yet it hasn't been made clear theoretically. It is of great significance for General Secretary Xi Jinping for the first time to make a clear statement on the integration. This is an insightful summarization of our history and a deep revelation of the laws governing the development of all things, leading us to the correct direction for future theoretical development. While embodying the new heights of Chinese Communists in their awareness and level of knowledge, it also reflected the strong cultural confidence and self-awareness of the CPC and the Chinese people. This integration is well founded. How did Marxism become the choice of the Chinese people in fierce competition with other theories after it was introduced to China? Not by chance. An important reason is that China's fine traditional culture naturally bonds with the propositions of scientific socialism values. In our Party's course of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, the Chinese civilization which dates back to ancient times has been rejuvenated by the power of Marxism as being truthful, and in turn, China's fine traditional culture nurtured Marxism with its rich cultural elements. So the Marxism adapted to the Chinese context has a distinct Chinese style and Chinese charisma. This second "integration" will be sure to bond even more closely the Party's theories with the more than 5,000 years' history of the splendid Chinese civilization, achieving more abundant ideological and cultural resources. Also, it will ensure that the Party's theories are more deeply rooted in China and in the hearts of hundreds of millions of Chinese people.

The report also explains the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, namely, the "six musts": we must put the people first; we must maintain self-confidence and stand on our own feet; we must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground; we must adopt a problem-oriented approach; we must apply systems thinking; and we must maintain a global vision. This fully exhibits the theoretical character and distinct features of this well-conceived thought. We must have a firm grasp of and follow through these basic requirements when studying and practicing this thought.

That's all I want to say for now. Thank you all!