Qu Qingshan：Opening New Horizons in Adapting the Marxist Theory of Party Building to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

Opening New Horizons in Adapting the Marxist Theory of Party Building to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

Qu Qingshan
President, Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

The development of the Marxist theory of party building is a history of theoretical innovation shaped by the dynamic interplay between theory and practice, marked by both continuity and adaptation to changing historical conditions. Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building both inherits and advances this rich theoretical tradition, opening up new horizons in adapting the Marxist theory of party building to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

First, Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building carries forward and develops the Marxist theory of party building. The theory of party building established by Marx and Engels laid the theoretical foundation for the construction of proletarian political parties. By leading the October Revolution to victory, Lenin enriched and developed the Marxist theory of party building through revolutionary practice, giving rise to the Leninist theory of party building. The Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded in accordance with Marxist principles of party building. In advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context, the Party has continuously deepened its understanding of the laws governing the building of a Marxist political party, producing major theoretical achievements such as Mao Zedong Thought on Party Building and Deng Xiaoping Theory on Party Building. Upholding fundamental principles while breaking new ground, Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building provides a systematic and profound exposition of the fundamental principles, strategic guidelines, value orientation, overall framework, and practical approaches for Party building in the New Era. It has made major original contributions to the enrichment and development of the Marxist theory of party building, elevating it to a new stage of development.

Second, Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building provides a scientific synthesis of the CPC’s historical experience in strengthening Party self-governance. Planning and advancing Party building in close alignment with the Party’s historic mission, while promoting that mission through continuous efforts to strengthen and improve the Party itself, has long been a defining tradition and a valuable source of experience for the CPC. During the new-democratic revolution, the Party creatively launched and advanced the great project of Party building, ensuring that it could effectively wield the two indispensable instruments—the united front and armed struggle—to defeat its enemies and secure nationwide victory in the new-democratic revolution.

During the period of socialist revolution and development, the Party identified the central task of Party building under the conditions of governance and emphasized that “the Party must exercise strict self-governance,” providing the fundamental guarantee for establishing the basic socialist system and carrying out large-scale socialist development. In the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, the Party stressed the need to “focus wholeheartedly on Party building,” launched and advanced the new great project of Party building, and led the flourishing development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building was developed on the basis of a profound synthesis of the Party’s more than one hundred years of experience in strengthening itself. It has driven innovation in the practice, theory, and institutions of Party self-governance, while significantly deepening understanding of the laws governing both Communist Party governance and the Party’s own development.

Third, Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building is a theoretical crystallization of the great practice of exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance in the New Era. The fundamental purpose of theory is to address real-world problems and provide guidance for solving them. In response to persistent problems within the Party—including the weakening, dilution, or marginalization of Party leadership, as well as lax and ineffective Party governance—the CPC Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core adopted a problem-oriented approach and advanced full and rigorous Party self-governance with unwavering determination. Beginning with the formulation and implementation of the Central Eight-Point Decision, it established and implemented the General Requirements for Party Building in the New Era, made political development the guiding principle for all aspects of Party building, and launched and advanced the new great project of Party building for the New Era. Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building is the theoretical crystallization of this historic practice. As an integral component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, it has provided the guiding framework for achieving new progress in both Party governance and state governance in China.

In line with the unified arrangements of the Party Central Committee, we will conscientiously implement the guiding principles of this conference and complete the editing and publication of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Party Building to the highest standards. The volume will serve as an authoritative text for Party members and officials to study the original works, understand their original ideas, and grasp their essential principles. At the same time, we will actively support research, interpretation, public communication, and international outreach on Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building, and demonstrate through concrete actions our firm support for the Two Affirmations and our steadfast commitment to the Two Upholds.