Tongfang Academy
Micro Party Class · Issue 310
Always uphold the important principle of staying true to fundamentals while pursuing innovation.
“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, how to carry forward an excellent academic style and strengthen theoretical education is both a fundamental requirement 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.
At the opening ceremony of the special seminar for principal leading officials at the provincial and ministerial levels on studying and implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Upholding the correct principles while promoting innovation is a major principle that we must firmly grasp and consistently uphold in further deepening reform comprehensively.” General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important remarks profoundly highlight the significant importance of upholding the correct principles and promoting innovation for further deepening reform comprehensively, providing crucial guidance for rallying our efforts and ensuring that reform progresses steadily and sustainably on the new journey.
Deeply recognize the importance and urgency of upholding integrity while fostering innovation.
Upholding the principle of staying true to our core values while promoting innovation is a scientific insight that our Party has arrived at through arduous exploration. It is also a valuable experience accumulated since the reform and opening-up, especially during the new era as we have comprehensively deepened reform. We must deeply recognize the importance and urgency of upholding the core values while fostering innovation from a strategic and holistic perspective, and earnestly enhance our political, ideological, and practical consciousness.
This is an intrinsic requirement for further deepening reform in a comprehensive manner and advancing Chinese-style modernization. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has set forth the central task of fully building a great modern socialist country and achieving the second centenary goal—comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization. It has also elaborated on the distinctive features, essential requirements, and major principles of Chinese-style modernization, and laid out strategic plans for advancing Chinese-style modernization. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC has closely focused on the theme of advancing Chinese-style modernization, zeroing in on the major systemic and institutional issues that need to be addressed in this process, and scientifically mapped out strategic measures for further deepening reform in a comprehensive manner. To further deepen reform comprehensively and advance Chinese-style modernization, we must resolutely reform what needs to be reformed while refraining from touching what should not be touched. To accurately determine what needs to be reformed and what should not, we must uphold both upholding the fundamental principles and promoting innovation, and make concerted efforts to improve systems and mechanisms across the board. Only then can we achieve solid results in further deepening reform comprehensively and continuously inject strong momentum into Chinese-style modernization while providing robust institutional safeguards.
Continuously perfecting and developing the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity is an inevitable choice. Over the course of reform and opening-up, especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, our country has made significant progress in reforming key areas and critical links. The foundational institutional framework across various fields has been largely established, and the level of modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity has markedly improved. At the same time, we must clearly recognize that the continuous improvement of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics is a dynamic historical process that will inevitably evolve along with practical development. Existing institutions need to be constantly refined and strengthened, while new areas and new practices call for institutional innovation and the filling of institutional gaps. To continue perfecting and developing the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, we must adhere to the principle of upholding the correct principles while fostering innovation, closely focusing on the overarching goal of further deepening comprehensive reform. We must consolidate our foundations, build on our strengths, address our weaknesses, and reinforce our weak points, continuously promoting the self-improvement and development of the socialist system, making the socialist system with Chinese characteristics more mature and well-defined, and effectively transforming our institutional advantages into greater effectiveness in national governance.
A powerful guarantee for addressing risks and challenges and forging new competitive advantages in the international arena. At present, the century-long transformation is accelerating across all dimensions and at a profound level. China’s development has entered a period characterized by both strategic opportunities and mounting risks and challenges, with an increasing number of uncertain and unpredictable factors. Various “black swan” and “gray rhino” events could occur at any time, and diverse contradictions are highly likely to intertwine and propagate, evolving into systemic risks that threaten national security—and could even slow down or interrupt the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To effectively address risks and challenges and forge new competitive advantages in the international arena, we must adhere to both upholding the fundamental principles and promoting innovation. Only by firmly upholding these principles and maintaining strategic composure can we remain undaunted by any risk and unswayed by any interference, ensuring that “no matter how turbulent the waters may become, we shall remain calmly seated on our fishing boat.” Only through persistent innovation can we seize new opportunities amid crises and create new pathways amid changing circumstances, thereby gaining strategic initiative in an increasingly fierce global competition.
Accurately grasp the dialectical relationship between upholding the correct principles and promoting innovation.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Upholding the correct principles while fostering innovation is an important ideological approach for our Party in governing and administering the country in the new era.” We must deeply understand the dialectical relationship between upholding the correct principles and fostering innovation, and clearly grasp the contemporary implications and practical requirements of this approach.
Upholding the correct path means strengthening the foundation, cultivating the roots, nurturing the essence, and consolidating the fundamentals. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “All the improvements and reforms we are undertaking are continuations of our established course—never a deviation from it, much less a abandonment of the fundamental principles that have enabled our Party, our country, and our people to stand firm and thrive.” Governing a country is like planting a tree: if the roots remain stable and unshaken, the branches and leaves will flourish and thrive. Further deepening reform in a comprehensive and thorough manner requires us to firmly uphold our core principles and origins—the roots and soul—and unswervingly adhere to the Party’s basic theory, basic line, and basic strategy, as well as to the political direction and value stance of reform. Reform is not about changing course; transformation is not about changing colors. Faced with a complex and intricate domestic and international environment, and confronted with a situation in which various ideologies and interest demands are fiercely interacting, we must maintain strategic composure, strengthen our foundations and cultivate our roots while staying true to our principles, and remain steadfast in our direction and unwavering on our path, thus ensuring that reform progresses steadily and sustainably toward long-term goals.
Innovation requires the courage to explore and blaze new trails. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “We must keep making new discoveries, inventing new things, creating new solutions, and moving forward relentlessly, ensuring that socialism with Chinese characteristics remains forever vibrant and full of dynamism.” Those who dare to innovate will advance; those who are adept at innovation will prevail. The deeper reform goes, the more challenges and obstacles it will encounter—and the more urgently we need to embrace pioneering innovation. Innovation is an intrinsic requirement of reform and opening-up, and it is the primary driving force behind development. Further deepening reform in a comprehensive manner is an unprecedented undertaking, one for which there are no precedents to follow. We can only find answers to our problems through our own exploration and initiative. We must never cling to old ways or shrink back in fear; instead, we must summon greater courage and adopt more decisive measures to remove deep-seated institutional and systemic barriers. We should be adept at responding to changing circumstances and acting in harmony with them, seeking breakthroughs through innovation and relying on innovation to open up new horizons for our cause.
Upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation promote each other, complementing and reinforcing one another. Only by upholding orthodoxy can we stay on the right track and avoid catastrophic mistakes; only through innovation can we seize the pulse of our times and lead them forward. Upholding orthodoxy and fostering innovation are like two wings of a single body or two wheels driving a vehicle—mutually reinforcing and enhancing each other. Upholding orthodoxy is the prerequisite for innovation; all innovation must be grounded in the preservation of orthodoxy. Innovation is the best form of inheritance and the most powerful means of upholding orthodoxy. Any effort to uphold orthodoxy can only remain steadfast and enduring if it is underpinned by continuous innovation. Upholding orthodoxy cannot be divorced from innovation; otherwise, it becomes rigid, outdated, and obsolete. Innovation cannot abandon orthodoxy; rather, it must build upon orthodoxy to keep creating and evolving. Otherwise, it risks changing its banner, losing its essence, and becoming distorted and corrupted. The purpose of innovation is to achieve a higher level of orthodoxy—one that is more forward-looking and visionary. We must uphold orthodoxy, but not by resting contentedly in the status quo or closing ourselves off from progress. Instead, we must keep moving forward and stay attuned to the times. We must foster innovation, but not by straying from truth or deviating from the right path. Rather, we must remain true to our roots and stay committed to our original aspirations.
Unite upholding the correct principles with innovation in the great practice of further deepening reform in a comprehensive and all-round manner. Upholding the correct principles while fostering innovation is an intrinsic requirement of reform, embodying the dialectical unity of “change” and “constancy,” inheritance and development, principled adherence and creative initiative. To further deepen reform in a comprehensive and all-round manner, we must both ground ourselves firmly in upholding the correct principles and keep our eyes on innovation; we must not only be adept at consolidating the foundation for further deepening reform through upholding these principles, but also skilled at unleashing vitality and dynamism via innovation. We must clearly identify the fundamental points that must be upheld and consolidated in the process of upholding the correct principles, while at the same time grasping the direction for improvement and development through innovation. We must unswervingly uphold the unity of upholding the correct principles and fostering innovation—innovating within the framework of upholding the correct principles, developing through innovation, and boldly seeking change, novelty, and progress on the basis of upholding the correct principles. Practice knows no bounds, and innovation knows no bounds. Further deepening reform in a comprehensive and all-round manner cannot be achieved overnight nor can it ever be a one-time, permanent solution—it is rather a dynamic process characterized by the interweaving and fusion of upholding the correct principles and fostering innovation, a process of convergence and transformative leaps.
Persistently integrate upholding fundamental principles with innovative thinking into every stage and aspect of reform.
Further deepening reform in a comprehensive and thorough manner involves a broad scope, touches upon profound interests, and presents significant challenges. It is essential to integrate upholding the correct principles with innovation throughout all stages and aspects of the reform process, thereby ensuring that reform initiatives are effectively implemented and put into practice.
Uphold the direction and principles of reform. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Our reform is guided by a clear direction and grounded in firm principles.” The direction determines the path, and the path determines our destiny. To further deepen reform comprehensively, the primary task is to adhere to the correct direction and principles and to move forward along the right path. We have always held high the banner of reform and opening-up, but our reform is one that continuously advances along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics—neither retracing the old, closed, and rigid path nor taking the wrong turn by changing banners and abandoning our original ideals. Our direction is to constantly promote the self-improvement and development of the socialist system, rather than deviating from or abandoning it altogether. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Upholding the Party’s overall leadership, adhering to Marxism, upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics, and upholding the people’s democratic dictatorship—all these principles, which serve as the fundamental guide, direct our course, and ensure long-term stability—are essential to the nature and purpose of the Party, consistent with China’s national conditions, and fully aligned with the fundamental interests of the people. Under no circumstances and at no time should we waver in the slightest on these major issues.” On these crucial matters, we must maintain utmost clarity of mind and unwavering resolve; we must never make principled mistakes, nor can we end up going in the opposite direction.
Anchor ourselves firmly on the overarching goal of further deepening reform in a comprehensive and all-around manner. The overarching goal of further deepening reform, as proposed by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party, answers the fundamental question of why we are advancing reforms across all fields and what overall outcomes we aim to achieve. This goal carries profound guiding significance, serving as the master framework from which all other objectives and tasks derive their direction. All efforts to further deepen reform in a comprehensive and all-around way must be planned and carried out around this overarching goal. Reform initiatives in every field and at every level must move forward in the direction indicated by this overarching goal. This is an essential requirement for upholding both adherence to principles and innovation. We must analyze our current situation and tasks with a pragmatic and realistic approach, constantly updating our assessment of our institutions, policies, and measures in keeping with the times. We must stick to what should be upheld, adjust what needs adjustment, and innovate where innovation is called for. We must never adopt a passive, wait-and-see attitude or cling stubbornly to outdated practices. We need the courage to take risks and the determination to forge ahead boldly, always adhering to the principle of putting our own interests first. Where changes are both necessary and feasible, we must resolutely make them; where changes are neither necessary nor feasible, we must resolutely refrain from making them. Where changes are needed but conditions are not yet in place, we must create those conditions to enable change. And where speed is warranted, we must act swiftly; where speed is not appropriate, we must proceed steadily and incrementally.
Enhance the systematic, holistic, and coordinated nature of reform. As reform continues to deepen, the interconnectedness and interactive effects among various fields and links have become markedly stronger, placing higher demands on the systematic, holistic, and coordinated approach to reform. Consequently, the tasks of establishing rules and systems and building comprehensive frameworks have become even more challenging. We must uphold both adherence to fundamentals and innovation, adopt a systemic perspective, and be adept at examining and planning from a holistic standpoint, ensuring that adherence to fundamentals and innovation mutually promote and complement each other. Economic system reform exerts significant influence and spillover effects on reforms in other areas. In further deepening reform comprehensively, we must unswervingly take economic system reform as the driving force—this is a principle that must be firmly grasped in the process of upholding fundamentals while fostering innovation. At the same time, further deepening reform comprehensively is a complex systemic undertaking involving all aspects and sectors of economic and social development; we must avoid tilting too heavily toward one area at the expense of others or losing sight of the bigger picture. We must adhere to a systemic perspective, skillfully employ systems thinking, strengthen overall coordination and strategic planning, and promote reforms across all fronts in a comprehensive and balanced manner. We should pay greater attention to the synergy and mutual reinforcement among various reform initiatives, drive the coordinated integration and efficient collaboration of reform measures, and thereby generate synergistic momentum and collective strength.
Promote new breakthroughs and achieve new results from reform on a broader scale and at a deeper level. Strengthen forward-looking research to ensure that formulated plans and policies reflect the spirit of the times, grasp underlying patterns, and are rich in creativity. Uphold innovation’s central role in China’s modernization drive, keeping pace with new trends in global development, new demands arising from practical progress, and the fresh expectations of the people. Vigorously advance innovation in theory, practice, institutions, culture, and all other fields, continuously opening up new areas and new pathways for development and fostering new drivers and advantages for growth. For new challenges encountered in emerging fields and innovative practices, fully respect the pioneering spirit of grassroots communities and the general public, encourage exploration and innovation, and constantly generate and accumulate fresh experiences that can be replicated and scaled up.
Source | People's Daily Online, Official Website for Party History Study and Education
Prev:
Tongfang Academy Micro-Party Class, Issue 311: What Determines a Party Member’s Character Is Their Party Spirit.
Next:
Tongfang Academy Micro-Party Class, Issue 309: Promoting the Integration and Coordination of Intra-Party Supervision with Other Types of Supervision
