Plenum lays path for national rejuvenation

Editor's note: 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, which was adopted by the recent Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, is an action plan aimed at achieving the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. How will the resolution guide the nation forward? Four experts share their views on the issue with China Daily:

The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Communist Party of China Central Committee, held from Nov 8 to 11, reviewed the major achievements and historical experience of the Party over the past century and stated that important tasks need to be fulfilled to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era and help the country achieve socialist modernization.

Accordingly, the resolution the sixth plenary session adopted said the Party must strengthen its 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 Xi Jinping's core position in the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, as well as the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership.

Enhanced ability to reform and improve

The resolution also said the Party has enhanced its ability to reform and improve itself, to address major challenges, maintain its vigor and vitality, and lead the people to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

While underlining the importance of political development and Party building, the sixth plenary session adopted a historical resolution－Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century－for only the third time in its history. However, this resolution differs from the previous two resolutions.

The Resolution on Certain Issues in the History of Our Party was adopted in 1945 and the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People's Republic of China was adopted in 1981. The two resolutions analyze the root causes of the grave problems faced by the Party and the mistakes it committed, and objectively evaluate major events and figures. They unified the Party in thinking and action at key historical moments and played a key guiding role in advancing the cause of the Party and the people.

In contrast, the title of the third historical resolution does not include the word "issues" or "questions", indicating the Party will be committed to making more efforts to firmly move forward on the road to socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Hailing the Party's achievements during its 100-year history, the sixth plenum noted that the endeavors of the Party and the people over the past century represent the most magnificent chapter in China's 5,000-year history.

The resolution has divided the Party's achievements into four parts based on the major tasks fulfilled in a certain period.

The Party has led the people in fighting bloody battles with unyielding determination, achieving great success in the new democratic revolution.

The people worked diligently to build a stronger China, achieving great success in the socialist revolution and construction. The Party has led the people in freeing their minds and forging ahead, achieving great success in reform, opening-up and socialist modernization.

The Party has also bolstered self-confidence and self-reliance among the people and promoted innovation on the basis of what has worked in the past, thereby bringing about great success for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The resolution also highlights the CPC's achievements after the 18th Party National Congress including in sustaining economic development, deepening reform and opening-up, carrying out political work, establishing law-based governance, facilitating cultural advancement and social development, better protecting the environment and ecology, safeguarding national security, upholding the "one country, two systems" policy, and promoting national reunification.

Marxism of 21st century

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, through meticulous assessment and deep reflection on a number of major theoretical and practical questions regarding the cause of the Party and the country in the new era, has set forth a series of original new ideas, thoughts, and strategies on national governance revolving around the major questions of our times: what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics we should uphold and develop in this new era, what kind of great modern socialist country we should build, and what kind of Marxist party exercising long-term governance we should develop, as well as how we should go about achieving these tasks.

"This is the Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century," as the resolution said. It emphasized the historical significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as it embodies the best of the Chinese culture and ethos in our times and represents a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.

The sixth plenum also highlighted the importance of the Party's endeavors over the past century from five perspectives. The CPC has fundamentally transformed the future of the Chinese people, opened up the right path for achieving national rejuvenation, demonstrated the strong vitality of Marxism, produced a profound influence on the course of world history, and become a forerunner of the times.

Notably, the Party has also led the people in pioneering a new path to modernization, creating a new model for human advancement, and expanding the channels for developing countries to achieve modernization.

The sixth plenum stated that the Party has accumulated valuable historical experience over the past century in 10 aspects: upholding the Party's leadership, putting the people first, advancing theoretical innovation, staying independent, following the Chinese path, maintaining a global vision, breaking new ground, standing up for ourselves, promoting the united front, and remaining committed to self-reform.

Intellectual treasures built through hard work

These 10 aspects were in line with Xi's speech to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC on July 1. These are intellectual treasures accumulated through the joint efforts of the Party and the people, and will inspire them to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and realize national rejuvenation.

The Party's achievements during the past 100 years have helped it to forge ahead in its bid to build a better future for the country and the people. The historical resolutions the Party adopted in 1945 and 1981 helped unite the whole Party, enabled it to emerge victorious in the revolution, and built consensuses among all its members.

The new historical resolution will help the Party to stay true to its founding mission, and work to build an even better future for the country and the people, and make greater efforts to realize the second centenary goal of developing China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful, and achieve national rejuvenation.

The author is deputy dean of the School of Marxism Studies at Renmin University of China.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.