The Maximum and Minimum Programs of the Party

The programme of the CPC is divided into two parts: the maximum programme and the minimum programme. In the various historical periods such as the revolution, construction and reform, the CPC has not only the maximum programme which determines the long-term goal of struggle—to achieve communism, but also the current programme at each stage which includes current goals, which is termed as, the minimum programme, in the history of Marxist parties across the world.

In his “On New Democracy”, Mao Zedong pointed out: “Everybody knows that the Communist Party has an immediate and a future programme, a minimum and a maximum programme, for the present period, New Democracy, and for the future, socialism”.

As for the dialectical relationship between the maximum programme and the minimum programme, Mao Zedong once stated: "Our present efforts are directed towards the great goal of tomorrow; If we lose sight of that great, we cease to be communists. But, likewise, we cease to be Communists if we relax our efforts of today." He pointed out: "Each member of the Communist Party when joining the Party, should have two clear goals in mind: to strive for the present new democratic revolution and to fight for the future socialism and communism.”

“The Constitution of the Communist Party of China”, revised by the 19th National Congress of the Party, clearly stipulates that the Party's highest ideal and ultimate goal is to achieve communism. The basic line of the CPC in the primary stage of socialism is to lead and unite the people of all nationalities across the country, take economic construction as the center, adhere to the four basic principles, adhere to the Reform and Opening-up, self-reliance and hard work, and strive to build China into into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful. Adhering to the unity of the maximum programme and the minimum one requires the CPC and its members should not only strengthen their beliefs in communism, but also make unremitting efforts to realize the Party's present programme steadfastly.