Builders of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

Under the current specific historical conditions in China, builders of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a concept with specific historical significance. It refers to the members of the new social strata that have emerged in China since the Reform and Opening-up. It mainly includes the entrepreneurs and high level managerial and technical personnel of non-public science and technology enterprises, management and technical personnel employed in the foreign-funded enterprises, self-employed individuals, owners of individual non-public enterprises, employees of intermediary organizations, freelancers, etc. Builders of socialism with Chinese characteristics, together with all socialist working people, plus patriots who support socialism, patriots who support for the reunification of the motherland and devote themselves to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, all constitute the patriotic united front in the new era.

The builders of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, as a new social stratum, has appeared during the societal changes in the new period and meet the requirements of the development of social productive forces in the primary stage of socialism. They contribute to the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics and should be respected by the society. The report to 16th National Congress of the CPC in 2002, clearly called this newly emerging social stratum as “the builders of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics”. On March 14, 2004, the second session of the Tenth National People's Congress passed the amendment to the Constitution, which was called “the builders of the socialist cause”, in fact the two terms are essentially identical.

As a part of new social strata, most of the builders of socialism with Chinese characteristics are personnel (personages) from the non-public economy. The values and interests of the non-public economy personnel have become more diverse as socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. Under the new historical conditions, to promote the healthy development of the non-public economy and the healthy growth of the non-public sector of the economy, we should adhere to the principle of unity, service, guidance and education when approaching these personages. On the one hand, we should pay attention to encourage and support them, and on the other hand, we should pay attention to educate and guide them.

We should pay attention both to their political thinking and their difficulties, guide the personages in the non-public economic sector, especially its the younger generation, guide them to think about the source of wealth, as well as be patriotic, zealous, innovative, law-abiding, possessing integrity and making contributions, enhance their faith in socialism with Chinese characteristics. We should also pay attention that they have trust in the CPC and and government, be confident in the development of their companies, increase their credibility within the society, operate in good faith according to law. We should improve the mechanisms for communication and consultation between government and personnel from the non-public economy and get their suggestions. And we should promote that they devote themselves to the cause of glory and charity, actively undertake social responsibility, and lead them to become a qualified builders of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Including the new social strata which was formed in the 1990s among the builders of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a scientific conclusion drawn by the CPC based on reality, practice, and respect for the masses. On the one hand, we must rely on the working class wholeheartedly to give full play to the role of the working class, the peasantry and other working masses in promoting the development of China's productive forces; on the other hand, we should support the new social strata to play the role of builders of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, so that all the people will enthusiastically participate in the great practice of Reform and Opening-up, and make the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics gain new achievements and endow it with a stronger source of power.