Press conference on guiding principles from fifth plenary session of 20th CPC Central Committee

Guangming Daily:

Looking back on the CPC's journey of more than a century, one crucial factor has been the Party's consistent emphasis on building itself ideologically and strengthening itself theoretically. Under the new circumstances, how will the Party better use its new theories to unite and guide Party members and the people so that they think and work toward the same goal and perform their duties and get things done more effectively?

Wang Gang:

I'd like to invite Mr. Hu to answer this question.

Hu Heping:

Thank you for your question. As we know, building the Party ideologically and strengthening it theoretically is a proud tradition of the CPC and a defining feature of the Party's efforts to supervise, govern, develop, and strengthen itself in the new era. The most iconic, leading and pioneering achievement in the Party's ideological development in the new era is the formulation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which represents a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times. In recent years, we have held high our ideological banner, comprehensively strengthened theoretical grounding in the Party's new theories, and continuously promoted study and education, publicity and outreach, and research and interpretation, ensuring that the Party's new theories are increasingly embraced by the people. At the same time, we must also recognize that various ideas and values are currently intermingling and colliding, that young Party members and officials make up an increasing proportion of the Party's ranks, and that learning methods and habits have undergone profound changes, presenting new challenges to the Party's ideological development. The resolution sets out key tasks for using the Party's new theories to build cohesion and forge inner strength, covering areas such as study and education, research and interpretation, and practical application. We will earnestly implement the requirements of the resolution and encourage the entire Party to better apply Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to achieve unity in thinking, will and action.

In our work, first, we must diversify the approaches to theoretical study and education. We must guide Party members and officials to read original works, study original texts and understand underlying principles, so that they can grasp the worldview and methodology of the Party's new theories, as well as the positions, viewpoints and methods that run through them, based on a close study of General Secretary Xi Jinping's original works, and appreciate the vision and commitment they embody. We must highlight the central role of the Party's new theories in the education and training of Party members and officials, tailor and improve study and training approaches to suit different groups and levels, and make learning more targeted and effective, thus enabling those theories to be naturally embraced by Party members and officials. We must innovate and improve learning systems, uphold and improve the top-of-the-agenda system, and enhance the quality of theoretical study within the theoretical study groups of Party committees (leading Party members groups) and within primary-level Party organizations. We must adapt to the new circumstances brought about by the rapid development of internet technology, coordinate online and offline learning, and increase the appeal and cohesion of theoretical study.

Second, we must deepen systematic and academic research and interpretation. We must fully mobilize resources from all sides, conduct collaborative research across disciplines and fields, and focus on academic foundations, practical orientation, international perspectives and historical dimensions to systematically elucidate the rationale, theoretical underpinnings and philosophy of the Party's new theories. We must then transform them into forms of knowledge discourse, academic theories and research paradigms, thereby leading efforts to build an independent knowledge system for China's philosophy and social sciences. We must carry out innovative programs for Marxist theory study and development, give full play to the role of research institutions dedicated to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, national key schools of Marxism, national high-level think tanks, the National Social Science Fund of China, and other platforms, and produce more high-standard research outcomes to provide solid academic support for theoretical education.

Third, we must integrate theory with practice. We must guide Party members and officials to closely connect theory with reality, conscientiously deepen their theoretical study, combine study with research, and draw direction, ideas and methods from the Party's new theories, thereby enhancing their ability to apply these theories to analyze and solve practical problems. We must continue to regard arming all Party members and educating the people with the Party's new theories as our foremost political task, improve long-term mechanisms for reinforcing commitment, acquiring knowledge, improving conduct and enhancing performance through learning, steadily enhance all Party members' understanding of Marxism, and continuously consolidate the common intellectual foundation for the whole Party and all Chinese people to strive in unity, thereby pooling powerful intellectual strength for building a great country and advancing the great cause of national rejuvenation. Thank you.