Enrich Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in Both Practice and Theory and Enhance Its Distinctive National Features in Keeping Up with the Times

Hu Jintao proposed this concept for the first time in a speech at a seminar participated by key leaders at the provincial and ministerial level on July 23, 2012.

In November of the same year, Hu Jintao pointed out in the report to the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party that under the new historical conditions, we would continue to advance socialism with Chinese characteristics and must constantly enrich the characteristics of practice, characteristics of theory, characteristics of the nation, and characteristics of times of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The proposal of the “four characteristics” of socialism with Chinese characteristics deepens the understanding of socialism with Chinese characteristics, clarifies the basic features of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and points out the fundamental way to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics. Characteristics of practice are the core characteristics of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is supported by a solid foundation of practice, insisting on coming from practice, being tested in practice, developing in practice and fully respecting the great creation of the people in practice. To continuously enrich the characteristics of practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must draw nourishment from the rich and colorful practices and the great creations of the people, and at the same time combine new practices to promote theoretical innovation based on the practice in answering and solving practical problems, maintain the vigor and vitality of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Characteristics of theory demonstrate the consciousness and confidence of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics adheres to historical materialism, with everything proceeding from reality, breaking the superstition of the Western development path and providing inspiration for developing countries, which has unique theoretical value. To continuously enrich the characteristics of theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, it is necessary to have a high degree of theoretical consciousness and theoretical confidence, make timely summaries of new experiences, make new theoretical summaries of major issues, and continue to inject new vitality into the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to continuously make new contributions to human civilization and progress. Characteristics of the nation are the foothold of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Socialism with Chinese characteristics should be rooted in the fertile soil of Chinese excellent culture.

The long-standing, extensive and profound Chinese culture created by the people of all ethnic groups is to be integrated into all aspects of the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics and to become a powerful driving force for the continuous development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.To continuously enrich the characteristics of the nation of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must adhere to the basic principles of scientific socialism and carry forward the beneficial elements of our traditional culture that have the value of the times, and realize the organic unity of the two on the basis of promoting the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The characteristics of times are reflected in the characteristics of advancing with the times, open and mutual benefit of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics insists on open development, daring and good at meeting the challenges of economic globalization and insists on mutual benefit and win-win development, so that the fruits of China’s economic development can benefit more countries and regions and more people. Socialism with Chinese characteristics adheres to the path of peaceful development, conforms to trends of the times of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, and promotes the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Socialism with Chinese characteristics adheres to the principle of taking what we have as the main body and taking what we need for our own use, conforms to trends of the times, absorbs the essence of the times, and fully absorbs and draws on the useful civilization achievements of contemporary human society. To enrich the characteristics of the era of socialism with Chinese characteristics is to continue to emancipate the mind, seek truth from facts, advance with the times, seek truth and be pragmatic, keep up with the pace of the times, and continue to give socialism with Chinese characteristics fresh contents of the times.