Qu Qingshan：A Deeper Understanding of the Special Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building

A Deeper Understanding of the Special Significance

of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building*

Qu Qingshan

President of the Institute of Party History and Literature of

the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

As the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates the 105th anniversary of its founding, the National Conference on Party Building Work has set out plans for studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building. This marks a major step in advancing the Party’s theoretical innovation and strengthening its theoretical foundations on the new journey ahead. It is an important event that will undoubtedly be recorded in the history of Party building.

 Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and represents the Party-building dimension of this broader theoretical framework. At the same time, it has enriched and further developed the scientific theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, giving it a distinct and particularly important position within that system. A deeper understanding of this special significance is essential for strengthening the commitment, initiative, and resolve needed to study and implement this thought, and for ensuring that these efforts are pursued with greater depth and effectiveness.

Understanding the Special Significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party

Building Through the Lens of the Questions of an Era and the Three Major Laws

The concept of the question of an era was introduced as a major proposition in the political report to the 19th CPC National Congress, which discussed the historical context in which Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was developed. The report stated that, since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, changes in the domestic and international environment, together with the advancement of China’s various undertakings, have raised a major question for our era: how to systematically answer, through the integration of theory and practice, what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be upheld and developed in the New Era, and how it should be upheld and developed.

The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, further developed this understanding when discussing the Party’s major theoretical innovations in the New Era. It expanded the major question of an era into a broader set of fundamental questions: what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be upheld and developed in the New Era, and how this should be achieved; what kind of socialist country should be built, and how it should be built; and what kind of Marxist governing party should be developed for long-term governance, and how such a party should be built. 

These fundamental questions are closely connected with the exploration of the Three Major Laws. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the importance of deepening understanding of the laws governing the Party’s exercise of power, the laws governing socialist development, and the laws governing the progress of human society. The fundamental questions facing the New Era are consistent in both substance and direction with the exploration of these Three Major Laws. 

Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building represents a systematic exploration of the laws governing the Communist Party’s exercise of power. It provides a scientific answer to the major question of what kind of Marxist governing party should be built to ensure long-term governance, and how such a party should be built.

The Special Significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on

Party Building through the Ten Clarifications

In its discussion of the scientific content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the political report to the 19th CPC National Congress provided a theoretical summary in the form of the Eight Clarifications. The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, further distilled and developed the Party’s innovative theories, which have been enriched through practice, into a new framework known as the Ten Clarifications. 

The Ten Clarifications are as follows:

—The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the greatest strength of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and that the Party is the highest force for political leadership. Therefore, all Party members must strengthen their consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and uphold Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership.

—The overarching task of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is to realize socialist modernization and national rejuvenation, and that on the basis of completing the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, a two-step approach should be taken to build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful by the middle of the 21st century, and to promote national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization.

—The principal contradiction facing Chinese society in the new era is that between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life, and the Party must therefore remain committed to a people-centered philosophy of development, develop whole-process people’s democracy, and make more notable and substantive progress toward achieving well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all.

—The integrated plan for building socialism with Chinese characteristics covers five spheres, namely economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological advancement, and that the comprehensive strategy in this regard includes four prongs, namely building a modern socialist country, deepening reform, advancing law-based governance, and strengthening Party self-governance.

—The overall objectives of comprehensively deepening reform are to develop and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and to modernize China’s system and capacity for governance.

—The overall goal of comprehensively advancing law-based governance is to establish a system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics and to build a socialist rule of law country.

—China must uphold and improve its basic socialist economic system, see that the market plays the decisive role in resource allocation and the government plays its role better, have an accurate understanding of this new stage of development, apply a new philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development, accelerate efforts to foster a new pattern of development that is focused on the domestic economy but features positive interplay between domestic and international economic flows, promote high-quality development, and balance development and security imperatives.

—The Party’s goal for military development in the new era is to build the people’s armed forces into world-class forces that obey the Party’s command, that are able to fight and to win, and that maintain excellent conduct.

—Major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics aims to serve national rejuvenation, promote human progress, and facilitate efforts to foster a new type of international relations and build a human community with a shared future.

—Full and rigorous self-governance is a policy of strategic importance for the Party, and the general requirements for Party building in the new era include making all-around efforts to strengthen the Party in political, ideological, and organizational terms and in terms of conduct and discipline, with institution building incorporated into every aspect of this process, continuing the fight against corruption, and ensuring that the political responsibility for governance over the Party is fulfilled. By engaging in great self-transformation, the Party can steer great social transformation.

The Ten Clarifications demonstrate that Party leadership stands at the beginning of this theoretical framework, while Party building provides its concluding dimension. This structure—beginning with Party leadership and culminating in Party building—fully reflects the fundamental principles, strategic orientation, value goals, overall framework, and practical approaches to Party building elaborated in Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building. It highlights that upholding CPC leadership provides the fundamental guarantee for advancing Chinese modernization.

Understanding the Special Significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought

on Party Building through the Fourteen Commitments

In its discussion of the scientific substance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the report to the 19th CPC National Congress set out the Fourteen Commitments from a practical perspective. These commitments are also understood as the fundamental principles that must be followed in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era.

The Fourteen Commitments are as follows:

1. Ensuring Party leadership over all work

2. Committing to a people-centered approach

3. Continuing to comprehensively deepen reform

4. Adopting a new vision for development

5. Seeing that the people run the country

6. Ensuring every dimension of governance is law-based

7. Upholding core socialist values

8. Ensuring and improving living standards through development

9. Ensuring harmony between human and nature

10. Pursuing a holistic approach to national security

11. Upholding absolute Party leadership over the people’s armed forces

12. Upholding the principle of “one country, two systems” and promoting national reunification

13. Promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind

14. Exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party

Among these Fourteen Commitments, the first and the fourteenth—the opening and concluding elements of the framework—both focus on the Party itself: Party leadership and Party building. Upholding the Party’s overall leadership is the fundamental principle that must be followed in advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics. Party leadership determines the fundamental direction, future prospects, and ultimate success of Chinese modernization. Full and rigorous Party self-governance serves as the defining theme of Party building in the New Era.

Understanding the Special Significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought

on Party Building through the Achievements in 13 Areas

The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, reviewed the historic achievements and transformative progress made in the cause of the Party and the country since the 18th National Congress of the CPC. It summarized these achievements in 13 major areas.   

With regard to exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, the Party has, through determined efforts and resolute action, fully realized the role of comprehensive Party self-governance in providing political guidance and institutional safeguards. Its ability to purify, improve, renew, and strengthen itself has been significantly enhanced. The previously lax and weak governance of the Party has been fundamentally reversed. The fight against corruption has achieved an overwhelming victory and has been fully consolidated. Major risks and serious hidden dangers within the Party, the state, and the military have been eliminated, and the Party has grown stronger through a process of revolutionary transformation.

In economic development, China has achieved a more balanced, coordinated, and sustainable pattern of growth. Its GDP has surpassed 100 trillion yuan, and per capita GDP has exceeded US$10,000. The country’s economic strength, technological capabilities, and overall national strength have reached new heights. China’s economy has entered a stage of higher-quality, more efficient, more equitable, more sustainable, and more secure development.

In advancing comprehensive reform and opening up, the Party has continued to deepen reform across broader areas and at greater levels. The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics has become more mature and firmly established, while the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance has continued to advance. The cause of the Party and the country has been infused with renewed vitality and energy.

In political development, China has made comprehensive progress in institutionalizing, standardizing, and formalizing socialist democracy. The strengths of the socialist political system with Chinese characteristics have been further demonstrated, and a political environment characterized by vitality, stability, and unity has been consolidated and strengthened.

In advancing law-based governance, the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics has continued to improve, and solid progress has been made in building a rule-of-law China. The role of the rule of law in consolidating foundations, stabilizing expectations, and ensuring long-term development has become more pronounced. The Party’s ability to lead and govern the country through legal means has been significantly enhanced.

In cultural development, fundamental and comprehensive changes have taken place in the ideological sphere. Cultural confidence among the Party and the people of all ethnic groups has been significantly strengthened, and social cohesion and unity have been greatly enhanced. These achievements have provided a strong ideological foundation and powerful source of spiritual strength for advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the New Era.

In social development, China has strengthened social development in all respects, and people’s lives have improved comprehensively. Social governance has become more participatory, law-based, intelligent, and professional. China has fostered a positive environment in which people live and work in peace and society remains stable and orderly, continuing its achievement of long-term social stability.

In ecological civilization development, the Party Central Committee has placed unprecedented emphasis on ecological conservation. Awareness and initiative across the Party and society in pursuing green development have increased significantly. Major progress has been achieved in building a Beautiful China, and China’s ecological and environmental protection efforts have undergone historic, transformative, and comprehensive changes.

In national defense and military development, under the strong leadership of the Party, the People’s Liberation Army has undergone a comprehensive and revolutionary transformation, regrouping and setting out on a new journey with renewed strength. National defense capabilities and economic strength have advanced in parallel. The integrated national strategic system and capabilities have been developed at an accelerated pace. Systems for the management and support of retired military personnel have been established and improved, national defense mobilization has become more effective, and unity between the military and the government as well as between the military and civilians has been further strengthened. The People’s Liberation Army has faithfully fulfilled its missions and tasks in the New Era and defended China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests through a determined spirit of struggle and concrete actions.

In safeguarding national security, China has comprehensively strengthened its national security system and successfully withstood challenges and risks arising from political, economic, ideological, environmental, and other areas. These efforts have provided a strong guarantee for the continued development and prosperity of the Party and the country and for long-term national stability.

In upholding the policy of One Country, Two Systems and advancing national reunification, practice has demonstrated that, with the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the firm support of the country as a whole, and the concerted efforts of people of all ethnic groups—including compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region, and Taiwan—Hong Kong and Macao can maintain long-term prosperity and stability, and complete national reunification can ultimately be achieved.

In diplomacy, China has continued to advance major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Building a community with a shared future for humanity has become a distinctive banner representing the direction of the times and the progress of humanity. Amid profound global transformations, China’s diplomacy has opened new horizons; amid global turbulence and uncertainty, it has turned challenges into opportunities. China’s international influence, appeal, and ability to shape global affairs have increased significantly.

Among the Achievements in 13 areas in the cause of the Party and the country in the New Era, the first area concerns achievements in upholding the Party’s overall leadership, while the second concerns achievements in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance. 

Understanding the Special Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on

Party Building in the Context of the “Four Greats”

The political report to the 19th CPC National Congress introduced the concept of the “Four Greats” and systematically explained their substance and interrelationships. The “Four Greats” are the great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and the great dream.

The concept of the great struggle was distilled from the call in the political report to the 18th CPC National Congress that “we must be prepared to undertake a great struggle with many new historical features.” The great project brings together two earlier formulations concerning Party building: during the new-democratic revolution, the CPC described Party building as a “great project”; in the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, it described Party building as a “great new project.” The great cause was derived from the concept of upholding and developing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The great dream was drawn from General Secretary Xi Jinping’s formulation after the 18th CPC National Congress that “realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has been the greatest dream of the Chinese nation since the advent of modern times.”

The political report to the 19th CPC National Congress pointed out that realizing the great dream requires carrying out the great struggle. Society advances through the movement of contradictions, and contradictions inevitably give rise to struggle. To unite and lead the people in effectively responding to major challenges, withstanding major risks, overcoming major obstacles, and resolving major conflicts, the CPC must undertake a great struggle with many new historical features.

Realizing the great dream also requires advancing the great project. This great project is the great new project of Party building that the CPC is advancing in greater depth. History has shown, and will continue to show, that without the leadership of the CPC, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation would inevitably remain an illusion.

Realizing the great dream also requires advancing the great cause. Socialism with Chinese characteristics has been the central theme of all the Party’s theory and practice since the launch of reform and opening up. It represents the fundamental achievement secured by the Party and the people through tremendous hardships and at great cost.

In the New Era, the “Four Greats” provide direction, guidance, and inspiration. Advancing all aspects of our work requires taking an overall approach to the “Four Greats.” The great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and the great dream are closely interconnected, mutually reinforcing, and mutually influential, with the new great project of Party building playing the decisive role. Only by advancing the great project in close connection with the practice of the great struggle, the great cause, and the great dream can the CPC ensure that it remains at the forefront of the times amid profound changes in the global environment; continues to serve as the backbone of the Chinese people as they confront various risks and challenges at home and abroad; and remains a strong leadership core in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Understanding the Special Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on

Party Building Through the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy 

The Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy consists of four key elements: building a moderately prosperous society in all respects (now transformed into comprehensively building a modern socialist country), comprehensively deepening reform, advancing law-based governance in all respects, and exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance. This framework has emerged from China’s practical development needs, the people’s aspirations for a better life, and the need to address major challenges and pressing issues encountered in the country’s development.

The goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects was first proposed at the 18th CPC National Congress, with the aim of achieving it by the centenary of the Party’s founding. After this goal was accomplished, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee adopted the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives through 2035, which replaced the first “Comprehensive”—building a moderately prosperous society in all respects—with the new goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects. 

The Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy was not established overnight; rather, it took shape through a gradual process of development. It evolved from the original focus on one “Comprehensive”—building a moderately prosperous society in all respects—to two “Comprehensives” with the addition of comprehensively deepening reform, then to three with the inclusion of advancing law-based governance, and finally to four with the addition of full and rigorous Party self-governance. During an inspection tour of Jiangsu Province in December 2014, General Secretary Xi Jinping for the first time presented the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy as an integrated strategic framework. 

The addition of full and rigorous Party self-governance to the other three components completed the strategic framework and provided the decisive element that brought the overall strategy into full shape. The Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy incorporates both strategic objectives and strategic measures. Each component carries important strategic significance: building a moderately prosperous society in all respects (and now building a modern socialist country in all respects) represents the overarching strategic goal, while deepening reform comprehensively, advancing law-based governance, and exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance serve as the three key strategic measures. Together, the four elements complement, reinforce, and support one another.

Understanding the Special Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on

Party Building from the Perspective of the Defining Feature

of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

The defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the CPC. This represents a major proposition and fundamental conclusion advanced by General Secretary Xi Jinping.

The key to managing China’s affairs successfully lies in the Party. Party leadership is the foundation upon which the Party and the country depend, and it is closely connected with the interests and destiny of the people of all ethnic groups in China. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that socialism with Chinese characteristics has many distinctive features, but its most essential feature is upholding CPC leadership. 

The most fundamental reality of China’s national conditions is the leadership of the CPC. This is precisely the defining characteristic of China’s development path. The Party’s leadership position was not self-proclaimed; it is a choice made by history and by the people. It is determined by the nature of the Party itself and explicitly enshrined in China’s Constitution.

 As China’s fundamental law, the Constitution recognizes the historic struggles and achievements through which the Party has led the people in revolution, construction, and reform. It affirms the CPC’s governing status and establishes its central role in exercising overall leadership and coordinating efforts across all sectors of the state. This provides the fundamental legal foundation for the Party’s long-term governance. 

Upholding the Party’s overall leadership is the inevitable path for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism—it is not any other form of system or ideology. It upholds the fundamental principles of scientific socialism while giving them distinct Chinese characteristics in response to changing historical conditions. At its core is the leadership of the CPC.

All of China’s endeavors are built upon this foundation. Without Party leadership, socialism with Chinese characteristics would cease to be socialism, and the pursuit of socialist development would not be possible. The CPC is the initiator, leader, and driving force of this historic undertaking. Upholding Party leadership is the fundamental guarantee that socialism with Chinese characteristics maintains its essential character and continues along its intended course. 

Understanding the Special Significance of Xi Jinping Thought

on Party Building from the Perspective of the Greatest Strength

of the System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

The greatest strength of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics lies in the leadership of the CPC. This constitutes another major proposition and fundamental conclusion advanced by General Secretary Xi Jinping.

A sound system ensures national stability, while a strong system strengthens the country. The lasting realization of social harmony and stability, as well as enduring national peace and security, ultimately depends on effective institutions and governance systems. Institutional strength is a key advantage that enables a country to gain and maintain strategic initiative. 

The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a comprehensive, integrated, and scientifically structured institutional framework. Its essential foundation is formed by fundamental institutions, basic institutions, and important institutions, among which the system of Party leadership occupies the central and overarching position. The Party leadership system is China’s fundamental leadership system. 

General Secretary Xi Jinping has stated: “The system of Party leadership occupies a commanding position within the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Whether the strengths of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics can be fully realized depends, crucially, on whether the system of Party leadership is effectively implemented.” 

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core has coordinated the advancement of law-based governance, institution-based Party governance, and rule-based Party governance, promoting their integrated development. Focusing on the overall work of the Party and the country, it has strengthened the development of intra-Party regulations and institutional frameworks. These efforts have fully demonstrated the central role of the Party leadership system within the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and provided important guidance and institutional safeguards for the advancement of the Party and the country. 

The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Several Major Issues Concerning Upholding and Improving the System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Advancing the Modernization of China’s System and Capacity for Governance, adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, set out strategic plans and clear requirements for upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance.

 The Resolution called for establishing institutions to ensure that the Party remains true to its original aspiration and founding mission; improving institutions for upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership; strengthening institutions for upholding the Party’s overall leadership; improving institutions for governance that is exercised for the people and relies on the people; strengthening institutions for enhancing the Party’s governing capacity and leadership capabilities; improving institutions for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance; and advancing other related institutional arrangements.

In conclusion, Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building constitutes a core dimension, a rich theoretical framework, an original contribution, a foundational component, and a guiding force within Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It represents the latest theoretical innovation in the field of Party building resulting from the application of the Two Integrations and the Six Must-Upholds and carries profound practical significance and enduring guiding value for strengthening the Party and advancing national development.