The Basic Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

The theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics proposed at the 14th CPC National Congress provided, for the first time, a systematic and preliminary answer to a series of basic questions about how to build, consolidate and develop socialism in a country with relatively backward economy and culture, like China, and inherited and developed Marxism with new ideas and viewpoints. The theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics consists of the following 9 aspects.

(1) In terms of the development path of socialism, we should take our own path instead of taking books as dogmas and coping foreign models, by taking Marxism as the guide and practice as the sole criterion for testing truth, emancipate our minds, seek truth from facts, respect the pioneering spirit of the masses, and build socialism with Chinese characteristics.

(2) On the development stage of socialism, China is still in the primary stage of socialism, which may span more than 100 years, and as a result all principles and policies must be formulated on the basis of this basic national condition.

(3) On the fundamental task of socialism, the essence of socialism is to liberate and develop productive forces, eliminate exploitation and polarization, and finally achieve common prosperity.

It is emphasized that the main contradiction in China’s society at present is the contradiction between the people’s growing material and cultural needs and backward social production. It is necessary to put the development of productive forces at the forefront and take economic construction as the center to promote all-round social progress. In the final analysis, whether it is conducive to the development of the productive forces, to enhancing the comprehensive national strength, and to improving the people’s living standards is the standard to judge the right from the wrong of all aspects of work. Science and technology are the primary productive forces, and economic construction must rely on the scientific and technological progress and the improvement of the workers’ quality.

(4) In terms of the development driving force of socialism, it is emphasized that reform is also a revolution that can liberate productive forces and is the only way for China’s modernization. There is no way out for rigidity and stagnation. The goal of economic system reform is to establish and improve the socialist market economic system on the basis of adhering to public ownership and distribution according to work as the main body, supplemented by other economic components and distribution methods. The goal of political system reform is to improve the people’s congress system and the multiParty cooperation and political consultation system led by the CPC and develop socialist democratic politics. Corresponding to the economic and political reform and development, the socialist spiritual civilization construction should set “having ideals, morality, culture and discipline” as the goal.

(5) In terms of the external conditions of socialist construction, peace and development are the two major themes in the contemporary world and we should hence adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace and strive for a favorable international environment for China’s modernization. It is made clear that opening to the outside world is essential for reform and construction, and all the advanced civilization achievements created by all countries in the world, including developed capitalist countries, should be absorbed and utilized to develop socialism. Closure can only lead to backwardness.

(6) Regarding the political guarantee for socialist construction, we shall uphold the path of socialism, the people’s democratic dictatorship, the Party’s leadership and Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. The four cardinal principles are the foundation of the country and the guarantee of Reform and Opening-up and the healthy development of modernization. In turn, they absorb new content of the times from reform, opening up and modernization.

(7) Regarding the strategic steps of socialist construction, the modernization can be basically realized in three steps. In the long process of modernization, we should seize the opportunity to achieve a number of stages with faster development speed and better benefits, and so that we can go up to a high-level stage every few years. Poverty is not socialism, and it is impossible to synchronize prosperity. It is necessary to allow and encourage some people in some areas to get rich first, so as to drive more and more regions and people to gradually achieve common prosperity.

(8) On the socialist leadership and reliable strength, the Communist Party, as the vanguard of the working class, is the leading core of the socialist cause. The Party must adapt to the needs of reform, opening up and modernization, continuously improve and strengthen its leadership in all aspects of work as well as the self-construction. The style of the ruling Party and the relationship between the Party and the masses are issues that affect the survival of the Party. We must rely on the broad masses of workers, peasants and intellectuals, on the unity of the people of all ethnic groups, and on the broadest united front of all socialist workers and patriots who support socialism or the reunification of the motherland. The people’s army led by the Party is the defender of the socialist motherland and an important force in building socialism.

(9) With respect to the reunification of the motherland, the creative conception of “one country, two systems” is offered. Under the premise of one China, the main body of China adheres to the socialist system, while Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan keep the original capitalist system unchanged for a long time. China is going to promote the completion of the great cause of peaceful reunification of the motherland in accordance with this principle. With the development of practice, the basic theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics has been further enriched, improved and developed.