Tian Peiyan: Adhering to the Six Guiding Principles for Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively

The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization (hereinafter referred to as the “Resolution”) was adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The Resolution provides an in-depth summary of the valuable experience we have gained in comprehensively deepening reform since the launch of reform and opening up in 1978 and especially in the new era which began in 2012. On this basis, it sets forth six guiding principles that will serve as important guidelines for further deepening reform comprehensively.

First, upholding the CPC’s overall leadership. We must firmly uphold the Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership and ensure that the Party fulfills its core role of exercising overall leadership and coordinating the efforts of all sides. We must ensure that Party leadership is exercised in every aspect and throughout the entire process of reform to make sure the reform always advances in the correct political direction.

The CPC’s leadership is the defining feature and greatest strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Its overall leadership has been the fundamental guarantee for the successful advancement of China’s reform and opening up. As we continue to reform, we are confronted with formidable challenges given the wide range of sectors and deep-rooted interests involved. We must continually deepen our understanding of the laws underlying reform, guide practices with new theories, and unveil sounder, more forward-looking, more proactive, and more innovative reform measures. We must accurately assess situations in order to grasp the timing, trends, risks, opportunities, advantages, and challenges we face in reform. This will ensure we create a sound basis for reform-related decisions. We must adapt to the new requirements for development and the new expectations of the people by setting a clear direction, developing well-crafted plans, and defining the objectives, tasks, priorities, timetables, and roadmaps for reform. Moreover, we must have the immense political courage and unwavering determination needed to root out deep-seated problems, break down the barriers erected by vested interests, and resolutely eliminate obstacles in our thinking and institutions that are hindering the progress of Chinese modernization. Finally, we must bring together the strength and will of the people and foster a public opinion atmosphere, political ecology, and external environment that are conducive to reform. Each one of these tasks hinges on the strong leadership of our Party.

A staff member serves a local resident in the integrated services hall at the Beijing Urban Sub-center Government Service Office in Xianghe County, Hebei Province, April 30, 2024. China has consistently worked over the past few years to transform government functions and promote the streamlining and digitalization of public services.  PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER WANG XIAO

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, reform has evolved from a variety of trials and breakthroughs limited to certain areas into an integrated drive being advanced across the board. Foundational institutional frameworks have been basically put in place in all sectors, and historic, systemic, and holistic transformations have been achieved in many fields. At the fundamental level, these achievements are the result of President Xi Jinping taking the helm and charting our course and the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

As we continue with the comprehensive reform, we must adhere to the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, ensuring that the general design, coordination, and overall advancement of reform proceed under its command and direction. Party committees and Party leadership groups at all levels must fulfill their leadership responsibilities. Based on local conditions, they must effectively plan and promote reforms in their respective regions and departments and organize the implementation of major reform initiatives. Officials with primary responsibility should personally take charge of reform efforts. They must both lead and actively participate in reform, personally attending to planning for important reforms, overseeing major projects, coordinating work at key links, and supervising implementation. The implementation of major reform measures must also be subject to oversight and inspection to ensure that they take effect and bear fruit.

Adhering to both the spirit of reform and rigorous standards in conducting Party self-governance, we must deepen institutional reforms related to Party development. It is important to apply the “three distinctions,” namely, those between errors caused by lack of experience in pilot reforms and deliberate violations of discipline and law; between errors made in conducting experiments that are not explicitly restricted by higher-level authorities and arbitrary violations of discipline and law in the face of higher-level authorities’ explicit prohibition; and between unwitting errors made in pursuing development and violations of discipline and law for personal gain. On this basis, the problem of officials acting arbitrarily or lacking the willingness, courage, or ability to deliver should be addressed. We must encourage all officials to fully play their part, igniting the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the whole Party for driving reform and development forward. In doing so, we will steadily improve the Party’s leadership as we deepen reform and advance Chinese modernization.

Second, adhering to a people-centered approach. We must respect the principal position and pioneering spirit of the people and make our reform measures highly responsive to the call of the people, so as to ensure that reform is for the people and by the people and that its fruits are shared among the people.

The people are the main actors not only in social development but also in reform. Reform is undertaken for the people, it is driven forward by them, and its effectiveness must also be judged by them. By focusing on the fundamental goal of meeting people’s ever-growing needs for a better life and making substantial progress in promoting the well-rounded development of people and common prosperity for all, reform can become a project of the highest integrity and earn the public’s wholehearted support. By giving play to the people’s role of running the country, mining the inexhaustible wisdom of the Chinese people, and unleashing the creative vitality of our entire society, we can tap into the broadest, deepest, and most enduring force for driving reform forward. When we allow people to be the judges of reform, our efforts can become much more targeted and the results more pronounced.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has remained committed to the principle that reform is for the people and by the people and that its fruits should be shared among the people. It has relied closely on the people to advance reform, setting the agenda based on their demands and expectations. It has identified entry points and made breakthroughs in reform by focusing on the issues of utmost public concern and found inspired reform ideas and innovative solutions in the opinions and suggestions of the people. This has turned the comprehensive deepening of reform into a process that enjoys broad public participation and creates benefits for all.

In furthering reform, we must pursue greater social fairness and justice and increased wellbeing of the people as our ultimate objectives. Throughout this process, we must adhere to the fundamental stance and values of the people-centered approach. In making reform-related decisions, we should reach out to people to solicit their opinions and understand their needs. We must fully harness democratic principles to tap into the collective wisdom of our people, ensuring an attentive ear to their voice and taking swift action when public concerns arise. Reform measures must be highly responsive to the call of the people so that they align not only with actual conditions but people’s aspirations.

We must work harder to craft reforms that genuinely enhance people’s lives, meticulously planning and implementing measures that reflect the public’s pressing concerns and sincere aspirations. Our focus should be on resolving the most pressing difficulties causing the greatest concern, such as those relating to employment opportunities, income growth, access to education and healthcare, affordable housing, childcare and elderly care, and ecological conservation. This will ensure that people derive a genuine sense of fulfillment from reform. We should also inspire people to actively participate in reform, striving to foster a vibrant environment where everyone is eager to get involved, is united in their support, and is working with one mind to make progress. We must respect the pioneering spirit of community-level organizations and the general public. We should encourage efforts to blaze new trails and to use new ideas and approaches to solve emerging issues in new fields of endeavor, in a bid to create fresh experiences that can be applied elsewhere.

Third, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. Staying committed to Chinese socialism, we must keep pace with the times, adapt to the evolution of practice, and take a problem-oriented approach, so that from a new starting point, we can promote innovations in theory and practice, in our institutions and culture, and in all other aspects.

History evolves based on its own internal laws; its course is not subject to human will. The more thoroughly people can grasp the laws of history, the clearer and firmer their direction of progress will become, and the stronger and more enduring their sense of initiative for forging the future will be. Upholding fundamental principles means steadfastly adhering to a path that aligns with the laws of historical development, never allowing ourselves to be shaken by risk or swayed by interference. Breaking new ground means having the unwavering courage and determination to reshape reality by dismantling barriers, thus allowing us to move forward in harmony with the logic of history and the development trends of the times.

Our Party has united and led the people through decades of explorations in order to successfully forge the path of Chinese modernization, which offers a sure way for us to build a great country and rejuvenate the nation. The distinctive features, essential requirements, and major principles of Chinese modernization are a reflection of our Party’s deep understanding of the laws underlying this process. As we advance reform, we cannot afford to neglect any of these elements; all of them must be consistently upheld and applied at all times. At the same time, however, Chinese modernization is a groundbreaking endeavor without precedent. The path ahead will inevitably be fraught with hardships, unknowns, and daunting challenges. We must boldly navigate these waters, eliminating the old to make way for new innovations that will take us forward. We must work to better adapt the relations of production to the productive forces, the superstructure to the economic base, and national governance to social development. In doing so, we will enhance the unique features of Chinese modernization, amplify its strengths, and pave the way toward an even brighter future.

The pavilion for the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone at the Eighth China-Eurasia Expo on June 25, 2024. For the past decade or more, China’s pilot free trade zones have steadily pursued integrated institutional innovations, helping to propel reform and development through opening up. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER CHEN SHUO

In furthering comprehensive reform, it is vital that we stay true to our path and never waver in our commitment. We should neither retreat to the isolation and rigidity of the past nor stray off course by changing our nature or abandoning our system. We must firmly uphold the Four Cardinal Principles as the foundation of our nation and remain resolutely committed to Chinese modernization. We should pursue our overall goals of improving and developing the system of Chinese socialism and modernizing our system and capacity for governance with relentless drive, and stay the course in advancing reforms to develop the socialist market economy. We must always maintain the momentum of reform by following a problem-oriented approach. Our focus should be on prominent issues in every area, from the economy to politics, culture, society, ecological conservation, national security, and Party development. We must use this new starting point to push for theoretical, practical, institutional, and cultural innovations. Where changes are necessary and feasible, we must carry out reform decisively—no detours, no delays, and no evasions. This way, we will further unleash and develop the productive forces and tap into and boost the vitality of our society. This will ensure that Chinese modernization always retains its tremendous vitality.

Fourth, strengthening institutional building as our main task. We must strengthen top-level design and overall planning, always establishing new systems before abolishing old ones while attaching equal importance to efforts in both respects. We must consolidate foundational systems, refine basic systems, and innovate important systems.

A country’s greatest strength lies in its system, and the most fundamental form of competition between nations is based on their respective systems. When systems are stable and robust, countries can stand firm and grow strong. The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a distillation of the major achievements and historical experiences created by our people under the Party’s leadership. It encapsulates our Party’s political ideals, objectives, and program, as well as its strategic and tactical approaches, and reflects the essential attributes of Chinese socialism. It is an advanced system defined by unique Chinese features, clear institutional strengths, and a tremendous capacity for self-improvement. This advanced system was not fully formed or flawless at the time of its inception. Rather, it has required continuous reform to become consolidated, refined, and developed. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, our Party has placed an emphasis on institution building as the main task of comprehensively deepening reform. On this basis, we have worked to accelerate the self-improvement and development of our socialist system, in order to further highlight its strengths and the effectiveness of our national governance.

In furthering comprehensive reform, we must continue to focus on institution building as our main task, working to reinforce foundations, harness strengths, and improve areas of weakness. We need to take steps to consolidate foundational systems, refine basic systems, and innovate important systems. The foundational systems we must uphold and consolidate are the Party’s leadership system, the system of people’s congresses, the system for ensuring the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain, and the system for ensuring the Party’s absolute leadership over the people’s armed forces. The basic systems we need to refine and develop in line with the times are the CPC-led system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation, the system of regional ethnic autonomy, the system of community-level self-governance, and the basic systems of the socialist economy. We also need to step up efforts to innovate important systems for meeting pressing needs in national governance and the people’s new expectations for living a better life.

All these efforts must adhere to the objective laws underlying institution building. We must ensure that institutions are both comprehensive and well-integrated in nature and practicable in implementation. Combining the requirements of the central authorities and the expectations of the people with practical needs and new experiences, we should focus on making institutions instructive, targeted, and workable. This will ensure they have solid foundations, operate smoothly, and are truly effective. We should strive to develop a complete set of institutions that are well-conceived, procedure-based, and efficiently functioning. We also need to strengthen the enforcement of institutions and uphold their authority. This means reinforcing binding constraints to ensure everyone is treated equally under our institutions, with no privileges or exceptions tolerated in compliance and enforcement. By doing so, we will ensure that our institutions maintain their authority and perform effectively at all times and in all situations.

Fifth, staying committed to law-based governance on all fronts. We must deepen reform and advance Chinese modernization under the rule of law and promote unity between reform and the rule of law, ensuring that all major reforms have a solid legal basis and that reform achievements are elevated to law in a timely manner.

The rule of law is the cornerstone of sound and effective national governance. It plays an irreplaceable role in coordinating interests, defusing social tensions, regulating social behavior, maintaining social stability, promoting social fairness and justice, and ensuring the long-term peace and stability of the country. Reform is essentially a process of generating fresh vitality, adding growth drivers, and fostering synergy by discarding the outdated in favor of the new. When carrying out reform, we must rely on the rule of law to build consensus, overcome obstacles, consolidate achievements, and ensure orderly progress. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, our Party has advanced law-based governance within the framework of the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy. This has made it possible to advance reform under the rule of law and to apply the rule of law in carrying out reform. This integrated approach has seen law-based governance and reform advancing in step, with each reinforcing the other. By laying emphasis on the need to use law-based thinking and actions to tackle the challenges of reform, we have used the rule of law to guide, advance, regulate, and guarantee our reform endeavors. As a result, the impressive progress we have made in advancing the rule of law has served to drive the deepening of reform across the board.

We must push ahead with reform under the rule of law and create a sound legal basis for all major reforms. We must ensure the coordination and alignment of reform decisions and legislative decisions. When studying potential reform plans and measures, we need to consider whether there is a legal basis for them. When new laws are necessary, we must act swiftly to present our legislative requests and proposals to advance the formulation of relevant laws. This is particularly true for key sectors, emerging fields, and foreign-related areas where legislation needs to be accelerated. In cases where conditions aren’t quite ripe for full implementation and pilot programs are needed, authorization should be secured through the proper legal channels before proceeding. We must also act quickly to revise or repeal existing laws and regulations that are incompatible with reform. Outmoded legal provisions must not be allowed to become a roadblock for reform.

We should focus on harnessing the force of the law to cement and expand our reform achievements. When experiences or practices prove to be effective, we should codify them into law in a timely manner to turn them into universally binding norms. We must also move ahead with reform concerning the rule of law itself. We should coordinate advancement across all links from legislation and law enforcement to the administration of justice and observance of the law and improve the mechanisms for ensuring all are equal before the law to uphold the ethos of socialist rule of law. Efforts should be made to elevate awareness of the rule of law among every member of society, with a particular focus on leading officials at every level. All aspects of reform must reflect our faith in the rule of law as well as the authority and effectiveness of the rule of law.

Sixth, applying systems thinking. We must properly handle the major relationships between the economy and society, between the government and the market, between efficiency and fairness, between vitality and order, and between development and security, thus pursuing reform in a more systematic, holistic, and coordinated manner.

The world is an interconnected whole, a system of interacting elements. Marxist thought espouses the sound approach of understanding the world and analyzing and solving its problems from a comprehensive, systematic, and evolving perspective based on the universal connectedness of all things. At present, we are witnessing a profound interplay between China’s national rejuvenation strategy and the once-in-a-century changes taking place in the world; all aspects of economic and social development have become increasingly integrated, and various social issues have become intricately intertwined. Now more than ever, we must employ a systematic perspective to observe, grasp, and guide the currents of the era, so as to ensure the progress of our cause.

Furthering comprehensive reform is a complex and systemic project. Given the high degree of interconnectedness and synergy between different parts, many reforms will have a far-reaching impact once they take effect. Therefore, we can neither rely on isolated efforts nor push for breakthroughs on a single front. At the same time, we cannot treat all tasks with equal importance and attempt to tackle everything all at once. We must skillfully employ systematic thinking and methods to understand what is of principal and secondary importance and to grasp the principal issues and their main aspects. In this way, we can plan and advance reform in a more systematic, holistic, and coordinated manner, ensuring that all reforms align in terms of policy orientation, reinforce each other in implementation, and work in concert to produce concrete results.

As a top-level design and comprehensive plan, the Resolution consistently embodies systems thinking. To implement the plans of the plenary session, therefore, we must likewise adhere to and apply this systematic approach. Properly handling the critical relationships between the economy and society, the government and the market, efficiency and fairness, vitality and order, and development and security is crucial to the overall strategy of Chinese modernization. These relationships represent a key issue that must be addressed in further deepening reform. We should identify the main priorities and leverage points for reform based on the dialectical unity of these relationships, with the aim of making them more balanced, complementary, and mutually reinforcing. In formulating each reform measure, we must adopt a comprehensive and holistic perspective, consciously operating within the overall context. We should ensure alignment between all levels and coordination across all sectors and departments to avoid neglecting one task in favor of another or working at cross-purposes. We must properly calibrate the timing and pace of new reform measures; we should neither act rashly and race ahead impulsively, nor remain passive and allow good opportunities to pass us by. We must thoroughly consider the potential ramifications of all measures and work to ensure that every reform initiative delivers the greatest possible impact.

(Originally appeared in Qiushi Journal, Chinese edition, No. 15, 2024)