By studying history, we gain clarity, build confidence, cultivate virtue, and put knowledge into practice. Standing at the historical juncture of the “Two Centennials,” we look back on our journey of struggle in the past and gaze forward toward the path of vigorous advancement ahead.

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Comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up is a defining hallmark of China in the new era, and also the fundamental driving force behind China’s development and progress in this new era. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has, with a great sense of historical initiative, tremendous political courage, and a strong sense of responsibility, unswervingly pushed forward comprehensive deepening of reform and unswervingly expanded opening-up to the outside world. We have tackled many tough challenges that seemed insurmountable, resolved numerous long-standing problems that had previously remained unsolved, and achieved a series of significant political, theoretical, institutional, practical, and spiritual accomplishments. As a result, the cause of the Party and the country has entered a prosperous phase marked by major reforms, greater openness, and vigorous development. In this extraordinarily unusual historical process of comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up, we have accumulated a wealth of invaluable experience, laying a solid foundation for fully advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization.

The journey of comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up in the new era has been extraordinary.

Since the launch of reform and opening-up at the end of 1978, China has achieved two remarkable feats: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. In the new era, the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up, amid complex and profound changes both internationally and domestically, has not only profoundly transformed China’s appearance but also significantly influenced the entire world—truly an extraordinary and exceptional undertaking.

Following the 18th National Congress of the Party, which issued a new call for deepening reform and opening up, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Guangdong for research and issued to the entire Party and the whole nation the rallying cry: “Reform must never pause, and opening up must never stop.” The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Party, held in November 2013, marked an exceptionally important and pivotal moment. At this session, the Party conducted a special study on several major issues concerning the comprehensive deepening of reform and decided to launch reforms of unprecedented intensity and scope across multiple fields—including the economy, politics, culture, society, ecological civilization, and Party building. The session clearly defined the overall goal, strategic priorities, roadmap, and timetable for comprehensively deepening reform, and put forward many original new concepts, new ideas, and new judgments on reform. The session also decided to establish the Leading Group of the CPC Central Committee for Comprehensively Deepening Reform, which will be responsible for the overall design, coordinated planning, holistic promotion, and effective implementation of reform. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Party was epoch-making, ushering in a new historical period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization. The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Party is also epoch-making, opening a new era of comprehensively deepening reform and systematically and holistically designing and advancing reform, thus creating an entirely new landscape for China’s reform and opening up.”

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding ideology that the entire Party must uphold over the long term. It summarized the tremendous achievements made over the past five years in reform and opening-up, and put forward clear requirements for further deepening reform and expanding opening-up in the period ahead. At the Third Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee in 2018, not only did the session continue the tradition—dating back to previous Third Plenary Sessions since the reform and opening-up—that focuses on reform, but it also decided to launch the largest-scale and most profound reform of Party and state institutions since the founding of New China. This reform has progressed smoothly and yielded remarkable results, significantly enhancing the modernization of national governance. Over the five years since the 19th National Congress, we have solemnly celebrated the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up, the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, the 30th anniversary of Hainan’s establishment as a province and its designation as a special economic zone, and the 30th anniversary of the development and opening-up of Pudong. We have systematically summarized the valuable experiences gained from reform and opening-up, and also reviewed and summarized the progress made on the reform tasks set forth at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, clearly demonstrating our firm commitment to carrying the cause of reform and opening-up through to the end.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China not only summarized and distilled three major events experienced in the new era, but also systematically reviewed the great transformations that have taken place over the past decade of the new era—particularly offering a special account of the historic achievements made in the reform and opening-up drive of the new era. The 20th National Congress identified upholding and deepening reform and opening-up as a key principle that must be adhered to on the path toward Chinese-style modernization, and it laid out meticulous plans for reforms across all sectors, marking a renewed mobilization and re-deployment for comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up. Since the 20th National Congress, we have convened the Central Economic Work Conference and a series of meetings of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform, actively planning a new round of comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up. The Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC has launched a new round of institutional reforms within the Party and the state. The 6th China International Import Expo and the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation were successfully held, marking further strides in our efforts to expand opening-up to the outside world.

The comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up in the new era has many distinctive features: First, there is greater emphasis on the Party’s overall leadership. The Party Central Committee insists on setting an example from the top down and integrating efforts from all levels; it upholds its role as the core leader in steering the overall direction, coordinating all parties, and making strategic decisions. The Party fully plays its leading role in setting the course, planning the big picture, formulating policies, and promoting reform, and consistently uses great self-revolution to lead great social revolution. Second, there is greater emphasis on top-level design. Grounded in a holistic and strategic perspective, the Party Central Committee dares to take bold initiatives in charting development paths, outlining major strategies, and introducing significant measures—while ensuring that these initiatives are well-planned and effectively implemented. Third, there is greater emphasis on institutional development. Centered around the main thread of upholding and improving the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, the Party continuously introduces major reform and opening-up initiatives. Fourth, there is greater emphasis on the comprehensiveness of reform and opening-up. The scope of reform covers all areas and aspects of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics—including the economy, politics, culture, society, and ecological civilization—and promotes the establishment of a new pattern of all-round opening-up. Fifth, there is greater emphasis on systematic integration and coordinated synergy. In the reform process, every reform initiative strives for systemic integration, with various fields and departments working together in a coordinated manner, enhancing the interconnectedness and coupling of reforms and truly unleashing the synergistic power of reform. Sixth, there is greater emphasis on steady progress while maintaining stability. We remain committed to the ongoing nature of reform and opening-up, highlighting the coherence and responsiveness of reform initiatives and stressing that reform measures should be carefully considered before being rolled out. Seventh, there is greater emphasis on simultaneously advancing reform and the rule of law. We insist that all major reforms must be grounded in law, leveraging the rule of law’s role in guiding, promoting, standardizing, and safeguarding reform, thus ensuring that reform and opening-up proceed healthily within the framework of the rule of law. Moreover, compared with the early days of reform and opening-up, the reform and opening-up in the new era also exhibits greater consciousness, proactiveness, and enterprising spirit.

The new era has achieved significant accomplishments in comprehensively deepening reform and opening up.

The 19th and 20th National Congresses of the Communist Party of China have successively summarized and reviewed the achievements and experiences gained in comprehensively deepening reform and opening up in the new era, providing us with fundamental guidance for summarizing and analyzing the major accomplishments made in reform and opening up during this new era. The achievements of reform and opening up in the new era are comprehensive, groundbreaking, and fundamental, and they are reflected in all aspects of the economy and society.

In terms of political achievements, the “Two Establishments” have been clearly recognized as having decisive significance for the cause of the Party and the country in the new era, as well as for advancing with all-out efforts toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the great transformations of the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has steered the ship through turbulent waters, setting the course and providing direction; he has remained calm and composed in major battles and critical tests, skillfully planning and strategizing; and in the face of raging storms and overwhelming challenges, he has turned the tide and stood firm as a pillar amidst the waves. Facts have proven that the Party’s establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping’s central role within the Party Central Committee and as the core of the entire Party, as well as the establishment of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding ideology, reflect the shared aspirations of the entire Party, the armed forces, and all ethnic groups across the country. These “Two Establishments” hold decisive significance for the development of the Party and the country in the new era and for advancing the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The “Two Establishments” represent a major political achievement of the Party in the new era and are the decisive factor driving historic accomplishments and transformative changes in the cause of the Party and the country, including the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up. They have become a broad consensus and common will shared by the entire Party, the armed forces, and all ethnic groups across the country, and have been firmly enshrined in the great journey of the new era and deeply engraved in the hearts of every Party member, every soldier, and every member of all ethnic groups across the country. They embody the Party’s greatest certainty, greatest confidence, and strongest guarantee in responding to all uncertainties. All Party members must profoundly grasp the decisive significance of the “Two Establishments,” consciously uphold Comrade Xi Jinping’s central role within the Party Central Committee and as the core of the entire Party, and even more consciously safeguard the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. We must fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and unswervingly maintain the highest degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee—with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core—in thought, politics, and action. Only by profoundly grasping the decisive significance of the “Two Establishments” can we firmly support them and truly provide strong political guarantees for the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up.

In terms of theoretical achievements, the most significant contribution is the establishment of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. In particular, General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of important discourses on comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up, thereby forming a systematic and comprehensive set of principled insights. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. Standing at this new historical starting point, the Party Central Committee—with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core—has, with unprecedented determination and intensity, broken free from ideological constraints and overcome barriers created by vested interests, thus driving historic transformations, systemic reshaping, and overall reconstruction in many fields. As a result, the comprehensive deepening of reform has achieved historically great accomplishments. Deeply reflecting on the Party and the country’s journey and future destiny, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Reform and opening-up is the key move that has determined the fate of contemporary China, and it is also the key move that will determine the realization of the ‘Two Centenary Goals’ and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up cover the historical significance of reform and opening-up, the direction forward for reform and opening-up in the new era, the basic principles, the overall framework, the key areas of implementation, and the scientific methods—all of which constitute a theoretical system that is clearly structured, systematically complete, and logically rigorous. These discourses profoundly answer a series of fundamental questions, including what comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up entails, why we must comprehensively deepen reform and opening-up in the new era, and how we should promote such comprehensive deepening. They bear distinct characteristics of our times and are richly imbued with Chinese features, providing a scientific guide for reform and opening-up in the new era.

In terms of institutional achievements, the socialist system with Chinese characteristics has become more mature and well-defined, and the modernization level of the national governance system and governance capacity has significantly improved. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee—with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core—has placed institutional development in an even more prominent position, adhering to the principle that “whatever reforms are undertaken and how they are carried out must fundamentally be measured by whether they serve the overarching goal of perfecting and developing the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity.” This has propelled the further soundness and perfection of various systems within the Party and the state. Over the past decade and more, the Party’s leadership system and the system of norms for self-revolution have become more systematic and comprehensive, forming a relatively complete system of internal Party regulations. The mechanisms and institutions through which the Party leads economic work and the socialist market economy system have been continuously refined and improved. The institutionalization, standardization, and proceduralization of socialist democratic politics have been comprehensively promoted, enabling the superiority of the political system of socialism with Chinese characteristics to be better realized. Moreover, we have perfected the centralized, unified, efficient, and authoritative leadership system for national security, as well as the legal, strategic, and policy frameworks for national security. The decade-plus since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China represents a period of concentrated efforts and remarkable achievements in institutional development since the founding of New China.

In terms of practical achievements, we have made a series of historic accomplishments and undergone a series of historic transformations in economic and social development. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, one of our most iconic and remarkable achievements has been “historically resolving the issue of absolute poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule.” Specifically: Our country’s economic strength has achieved a historic leap—its GDP has surpassed 120 trillion yuan, and its share of the global economy has exceeded 18%, firmly placing it second in the world. Our country now ranks 12th in the Global Innovation Index, officially entering the ranks of innovative nations. We have become a major trading partner for more than 140 countries and regions, with total merchandise trade volume ranking first in the world. People’s livelihoods have improved across the board; life expectancy has risen above 77 years, and we have built the world’s largest education system, social security system, and healthcare system, among others. The great practice over the past decade-plus of the new era demonstrates that we have successfully continued writing the miracle of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, propelling the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation into an irreversible historical process.

In terms of spiritual achievements, we have primarily summarized and articulated such spirits as the Great Founding Spirit of the Party, the Great Anti-Epidemic Spirit, and the Spirit of Poverty Alleviation. As a result, the Chinese people have become more confident, self-reliant, and determined. The reason our Party has remained vibrant and vigorous after a century of trials and tribulations, and has continued to thrive despite countless hardships, is precisely because of that powerful spirit—combining revolutionary fervor with an unwavering commitment to relentless effort. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC and the Chinese people, as they have navigated through epochal upheavals, have seen their morale and vitality greatly enhanced. The image of the CPC, the face of the Chinese people, and the appearance of the Chinese nation have all been completely renewed, and socialist China now stands even more firmly and proudly. The Great Founding Spirit of the Party, the Great Anti-Epidemic Spirit, and the Spirit of Poverty Alleviation—all reflect the Party’s nature,宗旨, original aspirations, and missions. They vividly embody the will and character of the Chinese people, the spirit of the Chinese nation, and fully demonstrate the Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, we have actively practiced the core socialist values, vigorously promoted China’s outstanding traditional culture, and made concerted efforts to create a clean and healthy cyberspace. As a result, hundreds of millions of Chinese sons and daughters have become more confident, more positive, and more full of fighting spirit, pooling together an immense force dedicated to building a strong country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The new era has accumulated many valuable experiences from comprehensively deepening reform and opening up.

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, we have embarked on a new historical starting point and deployed efforts to comprehensively deepen reform. We have not only achieved many major historic accomplishments but have also created and accumulated a wealth of fresh experiences in reform. It is essential to summarize well the work done during this stage of reform and to vividly showcase the spirit and outlook of reform and opening-up in the new era.” In light of the extraordinary journey of comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up in the new era, it is highly meaningful to systematically summarize the fresh experiences gained during this stage.

Uphold the Party’s comprehensive leadership over reform and opening-up. Consistently upholding and strengthening the Party’s leadership, and using great self-revolution to lead great social revolution—this is the key to the success of reform and opening-up and the winning formula for comprehensively deepening reform. At the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, it was decided to establish the Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reform under the CPC Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping personally serving as its head. Following the 19th National Congress of the CPC, a new round of institutional reforms was carried out within both the Party and the state, transforming the Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reform into the Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform under the CPC Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping again personally serving as its director. To date, this specialized central decision-making, deliberation, and coordination body responsible for comprehensively deepening reform has held 70 meetings and adopted more than 3,000 major reform initiatives, providing strong guidance and impetus for the cause of reform and opening-up in the new era. Meanwhile, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly issued important instructions and directives on comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up, and during his field investigations and inspections, he has frequently provided targeted guidance and direction to various regions, ensuring that the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up stays on the right track. Since entering the new era, each National Congress of the CPC has made specific arrangements for reform and opening-up, thereby continuously driving the reform and opening-up endeavor forward in greater depth.

Uphold the principle of putting the people first. The comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up led by the Communist Party of China firmly adheres to a development philosophy centered on the people, with the ultimate goal of pursuing happiness for the people and national rejuvenation. Through reform and opening-up, we continuously unleash and develop productive forces, constantly remove various institutional and systemic shortcomings, and not only strive to make the “cake” bigger but also ensure that it is distributed more fairly. As a result, we have steadily improved the quality of life for our people and continuously enhanced their sense of happiness, fulfillment, and security. Over the past decade and more, China has made sustained efforts to ensure that children have access to childcare, students receive quality education, workers earn fair remuneration for their labor, the sick receive adequate medical care, the elderly are provided with proper care and support, everyone has decent housing, and vulnerable groups receive necessary assistance. As a result, people’s lives have been comprehensively improved, average life expectancy has continued to rise, and China has built the world’s largest education system, social security system, and healthcare system. In particular, we have adhered to targeted poverty alleviation and mobilized all available resources to win the largest-ever battle against poverty in human history. All 832 impoverished counties across the country have now been lifted out of poverty; nearly 100 million rural poor people have been lifted out of poverty, and over 9.6 million impoverished people have been relocated to new areas. We have thus historically eradicated absolute poverty, making a historic contribution to the global effort to reduce poverty.

Adhere to a systems perspective. Comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up is a complex systemic undertaking that involves all aspects of economic and social development. It requires coordinated planning across all dimensions, levels, and elements, with emphasis on fostering mutual promotion, positive interaction, and synergistic cooperation among various reforms. General Secretary Xi Jinping, in leading the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up, has repeatedly stressed that paying attention to systematicness, wholeness, and synergy is an intrinsic requirement for deepening reform in a comprehensive manner. This is because, having entered a new era, reform and opening-up has reached another critical juncture—many reforms now have far-reaching implications, affecting the whole system when even a single link is touched. In advancing reform and opening-up, we must strike the right balance among the overall picture and local specifics, the immediate and long-term, the macro and micro levels, the principal contradiction and the secondary contradictions, as well as the particular and the general. We must also be adept at viewing the present through history, discerning the essence behind superficial phenomena, and examining the local from the vantage point of the overall situation. Over the past years, the reason we’ve been able to continuously push forward reform and opening-up—despite entering a stage of tough challenges and deep waters—is precisely because our capacities in strategic thinking, historical thinking, dialectical thinking, systems thinking, innovative thinking, rule-of-law thinking, and bottom-line thinking have steadily improved. These enhanced capabilities enable us to plan and promote the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up from a holistic and overarching perspective.

Adhere to a problem-oriented approach. Throughout its history of revolution, construction, and reform, the Communist Party of China has always been driven by the need to address China’s real-world challenges. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Reform is spurred into being by problems themselves, and it deepens precisely as we continuously tackle these problems.” After 45 years of reform and opening-up, China’s reform drive has entered deep waters. General Secretary Xi Jinping once made a vivid analogy: “All the tasty cuts of meat have already been eaten; what’s left are the tough, hard bones that are difficult to chew.” As we enter a new era, our comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up aims to break down outdated notions that constrain people, remove institutional and systemic shortcomings that hinder scientific development, continually improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and steadily advance the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity. How can we deepen reform further? General Secretary Xi Jinping hit the nail on the head: “We must focus on resolving systemic issues, concentrate on addressing the most acute social contradictions, and zero in on the issues that receive the strongest public complaints.” Clearly, the “problem-oriented” approach remains sharp and unmistakable. We are now continuing to push forward two rounds of institutional reforms within the Party and the state, with the primary goal of establishing a functional system for Party and state institutions that is systematic, well-organized, scientifically standardized, and highly efficient—thus enabling these institutions to play an even better role in the process of comprehensively deepening reform and opening-up.

Adhere to goal-oriented approaches. Goals represent direction and embody people’s aspirations and ideals. In the new era of reform and opening-up, we have not only clarified the overarching goal but have also paid close attention to the attainability and sustainability of our goals in strategic planning. The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee put forward the overarching goal of comprehensively deepening reform: “to improve and develop the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity.” This overarching goal serves as a guiding principle for driving the comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up. This overarching goal has been included among the “Ten Clarifications” of the Party’s innovative theories for the new era. The strategic arrangements made at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, the two-phase strategic plan adopted at the 19th CPC National Congress, and the “two-step” national rejuvenation strategy proposed at the 20th CPC National Congress all reflect a goal-oriented approach. Regarding the achievements made over the past decade of comprehensively deepening reform, the report to the 20th CPC National Congress summarized them as follows: “The socialist system with Chinese characteristics has become more mature and established, and the level of modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity has significantly improved.” This is clearly an authoritative summary from the perspective of how fully the overarching goal of comprehensively deepening reform has been achieved.

We must adhere to the combination of strengthening top-level design and “crossing the river by feeling for stones.” Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a prominent feature of the Party Central Committee’s leadership in comprehensively deepening reform has been its emphasis on top-level design while simultaneously upholding the approach of “crossing the river by feeling for stones.” General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that combining strengthened top-level design with the “crossing-the-river-by-feeling-for-stones” approach is a reform methodology that is uniquely Chinese and well-suited to China’s national conditions. “Crossing the river by feeling for stones” means exploring and identifying patterns through practical experience. In the new era, for reforms that we must achieve breakthroughs in but are not yet fully confident about, we carry out pilot explorations and test the waters step by step—only after carefully assessing the situation do we move forward more broadly. However, as reform continues to advance, it is essential to strengthen top-level design and overall planning, enhance the scientific rigor of reform decision-making, and improve the coordination of reform measures. The major decisions adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee and the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee are prime examples of such top-level design and overall planning. The approaches of “crossing the river by feeling for stones” and strengthening top-level design are dialectically unified: advancing phased reforms at the local level must be carried out on the premise of strengthening top-level design, while strengthening top-level design itself must be based on and informed by the progress of these localized, phased reforms. Only by adhering to the integration and flexible application of these two approaches can we continuously push forward reform and opening-up in the new era to deeper levels and higher horizons.