Tongfang Academy Micro-Party Class, Issue 393: Uphold a Style of Seeking Truth and Being Pragmatic
Uphold a style of seeking truth and being pragmatic.
“Theoretical cultivation is the core of the comprehensive quality of Party members and cadres. Theoretical maturity is the foundation for political maturity, and political steadfastness stems from theoretical clarity.” For Party members and cadres, fostering a fine academic ethos and strengthening theoretical education are both fundamental requirements for cultivating Party spirit and an inescapable political responsibility.
Tongfang Law Firm provides all its lawyers with learning opportunities in the form of micro-party classes, thereby enhancing their ideological and political awareness as well as their spirit of learning and inquiry. By establishing a long-term educational mechanism, the firm has created a new platform for self-education and self-improvement.
This issue's speaker
Uphold a comprehensive and systematic approach, keep pace with developments in a timely manner, think deeply and reflect thoroughly, internalize knowledge and put it into practice, connect theory with reality and ground ourselves in our posts. Let us not only understand the words themselves but also grasp their deeper meanings; let us not only know what is happening but also comprehend the underlying reasons behind it. Through in-depth study, careful reflection, and resolute action, we can enhance our theoretical competence, strengthen our ideals and convictions, elevate our level of awareness, and bolster our capabilities and skills.
Pay particular attention to the people’s voices—their first-hand signals—go deep into the front lines, experience things firsthand, frequently interact with ordinary people, gain insight into their joys, sorrows, and emotions, and listen carefully to their heartfelt words. Obtain comprehensive, objective, and impartial first-hand information to lay a solid foundation for scientific decision-making.
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that Party members and cadres engaged in work and entrepreneurship must be both pragmatic and truth-seeking, and must never indulge in superficiality or empty rhetoric. Seeking truth from facts and being pragmatic are essential guiding principles and working methods for Chinese Communists. On this new journey in the new era, Party members and cadres must continuously uphold the style of seeking truth from facts and being pragmatic in their practice, firmly prevent and overcome formalism and bureaucratic practices, and wholeheartedly engage in practical work, take on responsibilities, and benefit the people.
The fundamental requirement of Marxism is the unity of the subjective and the objective—that is, seeking truth from facts and being pragmatic and down-to-earth. To seek truth from facts and be pragmatic means correctly grasping the underlying laws, taking concrete actions with a practical approach, and striving for tangible results. The spirit of seeking truth from facts and being pragmatic is a scientific ethos that runs consistently through dialectical materialism and historical materialism; it is the core component of our Party’s ideological line, as well as an excellent tradition of the Party and a political quality that every Communist should possess. The history of our Party has proven that seeking truth from facts and being pragmatic—as the core component of the Chinese Communist Party’s ideological line—is closely linked to the success or failure of the Party’s cause. To practice seeking truth from facts and being pragmatic, one must not only adopt an attitude of seeking truth and a style of pragmatism but also have the courage to uphold the truth. When confronted with errors, we must face them squarely and adhere to the truth; we must dare to struggle and be adept at struggling. We must forge the spirit and style of seeking truth from facts and being pragmatic into the worldview, outlook on life, and values of Party members and cadres, making them an integral part of their political character and basic competence.
Seeking truth means constantly pursuing the genuine laws governing the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in theory; being pragmatic means continuously focusing on achieving concrete results in practice. In our daily work, many localities have come up with excellent ideas, effective strategies, and practical measures to advance their undertakings. Yet all too often, these efforts end up petering out halfway or failing to deliver the desired outcomes—largely because they haven't truly embodied the principles of seeking truth and being pragmatic, nor have they been translated into real, hands-on action. To truly seek truth and be pragmatic, we must closely center our efforts on implementing the Party and the state’s various tasks. Most importantly, we must put our ideas into practice, take concrete actions, and achieve tangible results. Party members and cadres must always keep in mind the nation's overarching interests, bear in mind that empty talk harms the country while practical action strengthens it, and genuinely roll up their sleeves to get things done and pursue real effectiveness. They must tackle problems head-on, face difficulties courageously, and approach their duties with a sense of responsibility that never lets them rest easy—a spirit of proactive engagement and commitment. Only then can they faithfully fulfill their responsibilities and serve the Party and the people effectively.
To carry forward the style of seeking truth and being pragmatic, we must enhance our ideological and theoretical competence. Theoretical competence is the core of the comprehensive quality of leading cadres. Theoretical maturity is the foundation for political maturity, and political firmness stems from theoretical clarity. Without strengthening our theoretical cultivation, we simply cannot pass the political test. Without theoretical guidance, we would be like a ship without a rudder—completely at a loss. The fact that some Party members and cadres fail to grasp the right direction at critical moments, falter in complex struggles, and blur the lines between right and wrong on major principled issues all stem from their lack of theoretical cultivation. Party members and cadres must make concerted efforts to improve their ideological and theoretical qualities by systematically and earnestly studying the Party’s scientific theories—especially by thoroughly mastering the worldview and methodology embodied in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as well as the underlying standpoints, perspectives, and methods. The essence of learning lies in putting it into practice. The effectiveness of theoretical study must ultimately be reflected in doing one’s job well and driving the development of one’s cause. We should guide Party members and cadres to combine comprehensive study with focused study, adhering to the principle of focusing on what one does and making up for what one lacks, thereby enhancing the targeted nature of learning and striving to improve its practical effectiveness. We must uphold comprehensive and systematic study, keep pace with developments in a timely manner, think deeply and reflect carefully, strive to understand thoroughly and internalize deeply, translate insights into action, connect theory with practice, and ground ourselves in our posts. We must not only know what is said but also understand its deeper meaning; we must not only know why something is so but also comprehend the underlying reasons. Through deep study, careful reflection, and resolute implementation, we can enhance our theoretical competence, strengthen our ideals and convictions, elevate our level of awareness, and bolster our capabilities and skills.
To carry forward the style of seeking truth and being pragmatic, we must ground our development strategies in scientific planning. Seeking truth is the prerequisite for being pragmatic; only by first clarifying what “the real situation” actually is can we hope to “seek the truth.” Investigative research is the concrete application of dialectical materialism’s epistemology in practical work, embodying both our Party’s ideological line and its mass line. Seeking truth and being pragmatic requires Party members and cadres to be adept at conducting investigations and clarifying their thinking. Party members and cadres must consciously transform their working styles, maintain close ties with the masses, enhance their ability to perform their duties, and strengthen their sense of responsibility. They should master the fundamental skill of investigative research from the perspective of transforming their worldview and enhancing their cognitive abilities. Among various types of information, we must pay particular attention to the voices of the masses—their primary signal—go deep into the front lines, experience things firsthand, frequently interact with ordinary people, gain insight into their joys, sorrows, and concerns, and listen sincerely to what they have to say. We must not only listen to achievements but also to shortcomings and mistakes, gathering comprehensive, objective, and impartial first-hand materials that lay a solid foundation for making scientifically sound decisions. Before introducing policies that directly affect the immediate interests of the masses, we must conduct thorough investigative research, widely solicit opinions and suggestions from all quarters, and carry out rigorous scientific deliberations. We must promptly identify and correct any unreasonable factors in decision-making, striving to achieve the greatest possible outcomes in economic, social, and cultural development while minimizing costs and unavoidable losses. We must make great efforts to address pressing and difficult issues that are crucial to the overall situation and closely related to the daily lives and production of the masses, enhancing the targeted and long-term nature of our work and ensuring that good intentions are genuinely put into practice and that practical matters are effectively addressed. We must start from the changing reality, continuously freeing our thinking from outdated notions, practices, and systems; from erroneous and dogmatic interpretations of Marxism; and from the shackles of subjectivism and metaphysics, thus aligning our thinking with the times and in keeping with the scientific spirit of Marxism.
To carry forward the style of seeking truth from facts and being pragmatic, we must delve deeply into practice to solve problems. It is not the knowledge itself that is difficult; rather, putting knowledge into action is what truly poses challenges. Practice is the source of all genuine insights and also the path and driving force for enhancing our ability to seek truth and be pragmatic. Throughout its history, the Chinese Communist Party has engaged in revolution, carried out construction, and pursued reform precisely to address China’s real-world problems. The Party’s theories have continuously innovated and developed by constantly answering the pressing questions of our times. Problems arise from practice, yet they also propel practice forward—serving as powerful levers for Party members and cadres to get things done, start businesses, and drive work forward. At present, the complexity of the problems we face and the difficulty of solving them have significantly increased. Party members and cadres must scientifically analyze the nature, impact, urgency, and scope of various issues, adopting differentiated approaches and targeted measures. On the basis of gaining a clear understanding of the situation, we must take a holistic, balanced approach, prioritize key areas, and drive progress across the board. Sometimes, we need to focus on the big picture while letting go of minor details—using the big to guide the small; at other times, we must let the small lead the big, discovering greatness within the small. In short, we must “play the piano with all ten fingers.” We must be adept at identifying and focusing on the most critical issues—starting from major problems that affect the overall course of reform and development, from fundamental issues that constrain long-term economic and social progress, and from those that touch upon the core interests of the greatest number of people—and learn how to grasp the “crucial point” that holds the key to success.
Source | People's Daily Online, Official Website for Party History Study and Education
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