Repost | Introduction to the Key Sections of Volume One of “Selected Works of Xi Jinping”

The “Selected Works of Xi Jinping,” edited by the Editorial Committee for Documents of the CPC Central Committee, opens with General Secretary Xi Jinping’s report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, titled “Upholding the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Striving Together to Fully Build a Modern Socialist Country.” The remaining works are arranged chronologically. Volume One includes important writings by General Secretary Xi Jinping from November 2012 to October 2017, comprising a total of 71 pieces such as speeches, addresses, instructions, directives, and orders; some of these works are being made public for the first time. The following is an introduction to the key selections from Volume One of “Selected Works of Xi Jinping.”

“Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive Together to Fully Build a Modern Socialist Country” (October 16, 2022) This is the report delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The report holds high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, adheres to Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and fully implements Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It analyzes both the international and domestic situations, sets forth the theme of the 20th National Congress, reviews and summarizes the work done over the past five years and the great transformations of the past decade in the new era, and elaborates on major issues such as opening up a new realm for the sinicization and modernization of Marxism, as well as the distinctive features and essential requirements of Chinese-style modernization. The report lays out strategic plans for fully building a modern socialist country and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It provides a comprehensive deployment for advancing the “Five-in-One” overall layout and coordinating the “Four Comprehensive” strategic layout, thus charting the course forward and establishing an action guide for the development of the Party and the country in the new era and on the new journey. The report outlines a grand blueprint for fully building a modern socialist country; it is the crystallization of the wisdom of the Party and the people, a political declaration and action program through which the Party unites and leads all ethnic groups across the country to achieve new victories in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and a programmatic document of Marxism.

“The people’s aspiration for a better life is our goal and endeavor.” (November 15, 2012) This is the main part of the speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the meeting between the Standing Committee of the 18th Central Political Bureau of the CPC and Chinese and foreign journalists. The speech pointed out: Our people love life and look forward to better education, more stable jobs, more satisfactory incomes, more reliable social security, higher-quality medical and health services, more comfortable living conditions, and a better environment. They also hope that their children can grow up better, work better, and live better. The people’s aspiration for a better life is precisely our goal and driving force. It was emphasized that responsibility weighs heavier than Mount Tai, and the cause before us is both arduous and long-term. This great responsibility encompasses our duty to the nation, our duty to the people, and our duty to the Party. We must always keep our hearts closely attuned to the people, share their joys and sorrows with them, and unite with them in striving forward. We should endeavor to deliver a satisfactory answer to history and to the people.

“Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the greatest dream of the Chinese nation since modern times” (November 29, 2012) This is a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping during his visit to the exhibition “The Road to Rejuvenation.” In this speech, he proposed and elaborated on the Chinese Dream. The speech stated: To achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the greatest dream of the Chinese people since modern times. This dream embodies the long-cherished aspirations of generations of Chinese people, reflects the common interests of the Chinese nation and the Chinese people as a whole, and represents the shared aspiration of every Chinese son and daughter. Only when the country prospers and the nation thrives can everyone thrive. Today, we are closer than at any other time in history to realizing the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and we have greater confidence and greater capability than ever before to achieve this goal.

"Reform and Opening-up Is an Endless Journey" (December 7–11, 2012) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping during his inspection tour in Guangdong Province. The speech points out that reform and opening-up is the key move that has determined the destiny of contemporary China, and also the key move for achieving the “Two Centenary Goals” and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Today, China’s reform has entered a critical stage and deep waters. To further deepen reform, we must pay even greater attention to its systematic, holistic, and coordinated nature, and promote reforms in key areas and crucial links in a coordinated manner. It was emphasized that to deepen reform and opening-up, we must remain firm in our confidence, build consensus, engage in strategic planning, and advance reforms in a coordinated way. We must uphold the correct direction of reform and opening-up, dare to tackle tough challenges, and dare to venture into uncharted waters—boldly breaking through ideological barriers and overcoming entrenched interests. We must ensure that reform never pauses and that opening-up never stops.

“Without a moderately prosperous society in all impoverished areas, there can be no truly comprehensive moderately prosperous society.” (December 29, 2012) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping during his inspection of poverty alleviation and development efforts in Fuping County, Hebei Province. The speech points out: Eliminating poverty, improving people’s livelihoods, and achieving common prosperity are essential requirements of socialism. To fully build a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the most arduous and daunting tasks lie in rural areas—especially in impoverished regions. Without moderate prosperity in rural areas, particularly without moderate prosperity in impoverished regions, we cannot achieve the goal of fully building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The speech emphasizes the need to step up investment efforts, regard contiguous areas with particularly severe difficulties as the main battleground, and prioritize stabilizing the food and clothing needs of those targeted by poverty alleviation programs and helping them shake off poverty and become prosperous as soon as possible, thereby striving to accelerate economic and social development in impoverished regions.

“Several Questions on Upholding and Developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” (January 5, 2013) This is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the seminar for newly elected members and alternate members of the Central Committee on studying and implementing the spirit of the 18th National Congress of the Party. The speech points out: Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the dialectical unity of the logical consistency of scientific socialism theory and the historical logic of China’s social development. It is a form of scientific socialism rooted in the Chinese soil, reflecting the aspirations of the Chinese people, and meeting the demands of China’s and the world’s development and progress. It is the only path to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism—not any other kind of ideology—and we must never abandon the fundamental principles of scientific socialism. Our Party has led the people in socialist construction through two historical periods—the period before and after the reform and opening-up. These two periods are interconnected yet significantly distinct; however, fundamentally, they both represent the Party’s practical exploration in leading the people in socialist construction. We must not use the post-reform-and-opening-up period to negate the pre-reform-and-opening-up period, nor can we use the pre-reform-and-opening-up period to negate the post-reform-and-opening-up period. It was emphasized that upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is a grand undertaking, and it is the mission of our generation of Communists to continue writing this grand chapter.

“The Eight-Point Regulation: A Starting Point and Mobilizing Call for Improving Work Style” (January 22, 2013) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the Second Plenary Session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China. The speech points out that the task of improving work styles is immensely challenging, and the Eight-Point Regulation serves as both an entry point and a rallying call. The Eight-Point Regulation is neither the highest standard nor the ultimate goal; rather, it is merely the first step in our efforts to improve work styles—a basic requirement that we, as communists, must fulfill. The speech emphasizes that issues related to work style are stubborn and tend to recur: when we tighten our grip, there’s improvement; but as soon as we loosen our vigilance, the problems resurface. Issuing the Eight-Point Regulation is only the beginning—a starting point for addressing these issues—and much more work remains to be done. We must persist with the determination to leave clear footprints on every stone we tread upon and to leave indelible marks wherever we grasp firmly. We must see each effort through to completion, ensuring that we start well, finish well, and achieve success in everything we do—so that the people can continuously witness tangible results and real changes.

“Firmly Grasping the Goal of Strengthening the Military and Building a Powerful People’s Army” (March 11, 2013) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the plenary meeting of the PLA delegation during the First Session of the 12th National People’s Congress. The speech pointed out that, under the new circumstances, the Party’s goal for strengthening the military is to build a people’s army that is loyal to the Party, capable of winning battles, and characterized by excellent conduct. Loyalty to the Party is the soul, determining the political direction of military development; being capable of winning battles is the core, reflecting the fundamental functions of the military and the primary focus of its development; and having excellent conduct is the guarantee, closely linked to the nature, purpose, and intrinsic character of the military. The speech emphasized that the entire armed forces must accurately grasp this goal for strengthening the military, using it as the guiding principle for military development, reform, and preparation for military struggle, and strive to elevate national defense and military construction to a new level.

Speech at the First Session of the 12th National People's Congress (March 17, 2013) The article points out that realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation means achieving a prosperous country, a revitalized nation, and a happy people. To realize the Chinese Dream, we must follow the Chinese path—the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. To realize the Chinese Dream, we must promote the Chinese spirit—the national spirit centered on patriotism and the spirit of the times centered on reform and innovation. To realize the Chinese Dream, we must unite the strength of China—the powerful force of great unity among all ethnic groups in China. At its core, the Chinese Dream is the dream of the people; therefore, we must rely closely on the people to make it a reality and continuously work for their well-being.

“Following the Trend of the Times and Promoting World Peace and Development” (March 23, 2013) This is a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in Russia. The speech points out that today’s world is increasingly becoming a community with a shared future, in which we are all interconnected and interdependent. To keep pace with the progress of our times, we must not allow our minds to remain stuck in the past—still mired in the old era of colonial expansion, trapped in the outdated mindset of the Cold War and zero-sum games. Faced with profound changes in the international landscape and the objective need for countries around the world to pull together, all nations should jointly promote the establishment of a new type of international relations centered on win-win cooperation. As the saying goes, “Only you yourself can tell whether shoes fit or not.” Only the people of a country themselves are best placed to judge whether their country’s development path is suitable or not. The Chinese Dream that we strive to realize will benefit not only the Chinese people but also people from all over the world.

“Focus on Cultivating and Selecting Good Cadres Needed by the Party and the People” (June 28, 2013) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the National Conference on Organizational Work. The speech points out that, in broad terms, the standard for an outstanding cadre is to possess both virtue and talent. To put it succinctly, an outstanding cadre must be firm in their convictions, serve the people wholeheartedly, work diligently and pragmatically, dare to take responsibility, and remain honest and upright. Becoming an outstanding cadre hinges on two key factors: first, one’s own personal efforts; second, systematic cultivation and development by the organization. We must uphold the right orientation in personnel selection, strive to select the worthy and capable, deploy them at the right time, recognize people’s strengths and assign them appropriately, promptly identify outstanding cadres, and make rational use of them.

“Doing a Better Job in Propaganda and Ideological Work” (August 19, 2013) These are the key points from Xi Jinping’s speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work. The speech emphasized that ideological work is an extremely important task for the Party. Propaganda and ideological work aims to consolidate Marxism’s guiding position in the ideological sphere and strengthen the common ideological foundation for the unity and concerted efforts of all Party members and the people across the country. We must firmly uphold the principle of Party spirit, adopt a people-centered approach to our work, and adhere to the crucial guidelines of promoting unity, stability, and encouragement, with positive propaganda taking the lead. To do well in propaganda and ideological work, the entire Party must take action; propaganda and ideological departments must fulfill their responsibilities, bear full accountability, and live up to their duties. It was stressed that we must persist in consolidating and strengthening the mainstream of thought and public opinion, champion the dominant theme, disseminate positive energy, and grasp the right timing, degree, and effectiveness. We should innovate our approaches to external publicity, strive to create new concepts, new categories, and new expressions that bridge China and the rest of the world, tell China’s stories well, and effectively convey China’s voice.

“Truly Align Our Thinking with the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee” (November 12, 2013) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the second plenary session of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. This plenary session was groundbreaking, ushering in a new era of comprehensively deepening reform and systematically and holistically designing and advancing reform. The text points out: We must uphold the overarching goal of perfecting and developing the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity as the general objective for comprehensively deepening reform. Promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity is an inevitable requirement for perfecting and developing the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and it is essential to achieving socialist modernization. To promote the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity means adapting to changes in the times, making institutions in all areas more scientific and more complete, and ensuring that the governance systems for Party, state, and social affairs become institutionalized, standardized, and proceduralized. It emphasizes: We must adhere to the direction of reform toward a socialist market economy. The core issue is to properly handle the relationship between the government and the market, enabling the market to play a decisive role in resource allocation while allowing the government to better fulfill its role.

“Upholding and Effectively Applying the Living Soul of Mao Zedong Thought” (December 26, 2013) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the symposium commemorating the 120th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Mao Zedong. The speech points out that the living soul of Mao Zedong Thought lies in the stance, viewpoint, and methods that run through it—three fundamental aspects: seeking truth from facts, the mass line, and independence and self-reliance. Whether in the past, present, or future, we must always adhere to starting from reality in everything we do, linking theory with practice, testing and developing truth in practice; we must always uphold the principle of serving the masses wholeheartedly and relying on them entirely, coming from the masses and going back to them, transforming the Party’s correct propositions into the conscious actions of the masses, and integrating the mass line into all aspects of state governance and administration; and we must place the development of our country and nation firmly on the basis of our own strength, uphold national self-esteem and self-confidence, and unswervingly follow our own path.

"Upholding the Overall National Security Concept" (April 15, 2014; February 17, 2017) Here are the key points from Comrade Xi Jinping’s two speeches on upholding the Overall National Security Concept: The text emphasizes that ensuring national security is of paramount importance. We must adhere to the Overall National Security Concept, taking people’s security as our guiding principle, political security as the foundation, economic security as the basis, military, cultural, and social security as safeguards, and the promotion of international security as a supporting pillar—thus forging a path of national security with Chinese characteristics. We must maintain strategic composure, strategic confidence, and strategic patience; persist in adopting a global perspective when planning and deploying our strategies; uphold the coordinated approach to development and security; practice bottom-line thinking; and ensure the unity of principled stance and tactical flexibility, firmly keeping the strategic initiative for safeguarding national security in our own hands.

“Actively Cultivating and Practicing the Core Socialist Values” (May 4, 2014) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at a symposium with teachers and students at Peking University. The speech points out: For any nation and any country, the most enduring and profound source of strength lies in the core values universally recognized by the entire society. As Chinese people, what defines us most fundamentally is our unique spiritual world as Chinese individuals—values that are deeply embedded in our daily lives yet often go unnoticed. The core socialist values not only embody the essential requirements of socialism and draw upon the fine traditional Chinese culture, but also incorporate the beneficial achievements of global civilizations and reflect the spirit of our times. We must firmly establish these core socialist values throughout society. The speech emphasizes that young people are at a critical stage in forming and solidifying their values, making it extremely important to focus on cultivating their values during this period. It’s just like buttoning up a garment—every button in life must be fastened correctly from the very beginning. Young people should start now, starting with themselves, and make the core socialist values their fundamental guiding principles.

“Strive to Open Up Even Broader Prospects for the Cause of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” (August 20, 2014) This is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the symposium commemorating the 110th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Deng Xiaoping. In his speech, Comrade Xi Jinping highly praised Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s noble qualities from such perspectives as firm conviction, love for the people, seeking truth from facts, pioneering and innovating, strategic thinking, and integrity and selflessness. The speech pointed out that the most important ideological and political legacy left to us by Comrade Deng Xiaoping is the socialism with Chinese characteristics that he led the Party and the people to forge—a legacy embodied in the Deng Xiaoping Theory he founded. It emphasized that socialism with Chinese characteristics is a theory and practice that is well-suited to China’s national conditions, reflects China’s unique features, and meets the demands of the times; thus, it has achieved—and will continue to achieve—success.

“Strengthening Confidence in the Political System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” (September 5, 2014) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the rally marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the National People's Congress. The speech points out: To firmly uphold our confidence in the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, we must first firmly believe in the political system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In developing socialist democratic politics, the key lies in enhancing and expanding our strengths and distinctive features—rather than weakening or shrinking them. It emphasizes that the reason why the political system of socialism with Chinese characteristics works, is vibrant, and efficient is precisely because it has grown out of China’s own social context. We must not sever ties with history, nor can we imagine suddenly transplanting a “sudden arrival” of a political system from elsewhere. Simply copying and transplanting political systems from other countries will not work; it will lead to maladaptation, result in an awkward imitation that ends up looking worse than the original, and could even jeopardize the future and destiny of our country. Only a system that is deeply rooted in our own soil and draws abundant nourishment from it can be truly reliable and effective.

"Promoting the Broad, Multi-level, and Institutionalized Development of Consultative Democracy" (September 21, 2014) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the conference celebrating the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The speech points out that socialist consultative democracy is a distinctive form and unique advantage of China’s socialist democratic politics, and it represents an important manifestation of the Communist Party of China’s mass line in the political sphere. Under China’s socialist system, when matters arise, it is good to discuss them together; issues concerning the people should be discussed by the people themselves, thereby identifying the greatest common divisor of the will and demands of the entire society—a principle that embodies the true essence of people’s democracy. The speech emphasizes the need to earnestly implement the strategic task of promoting the broad, multi-level, and institutionalized development of consultative democracy, building a socialist consultative democratic system characterized by rational procedures and comprehensive processes, and ensuring that consultative democracy has clear rules, strict compliance, well-defined guidelines, and orderly implementation.

“Upholding a Creation Orientation Centered on the People” (October 15, 2014) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the Symposium on Literary and Artistic Work. The speech points out: Socialist literature and art, in essence, are the literature and art of the people. To put the people at the center means taking the satisfaction of the people’s spiritual and cultural needs as both the starting point and the ultimate goal of literary and artistic creation and work; regarding the people as the primary subjects of artistic expression; recognizing the people as the discerning audience and judges of artistic aesthetics; and considering serving the people as the sacred duty of literary and artistic workers. It emphasizes that the needs of the people represent the fundamental value of literature and art’s very existence. Whether or not we can produce outstanding works ultimately hinges on whether we can write for the people, express their emotions, and convey their sentiments. The most fundamental, critical, and reliable approach to literary and artistic creation is to take root among the people and in real life.

“Accelerating the Construction of a Socialist Rule-of-Law State” (October 23, 2014) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the second plenary session of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The speech points out that there is one overarching red line running through the entire resolution: namely, upholding and expanding the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. To follow the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, we must uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China; we must uphold the principal position of the people; we must uphold the principle of equality before the law for all; we must uphold the integration of governing the country according to law and governing the country according to virtue; and we must adhere to starting from China’s actual conditions. The speech emphasizes that the overarching goal of fully advancing the rule of law is to build a socialist rule-of-law system with Chinese characteristics and to build a socialist country under the rule of law. This goal runs as a central thread throughout the entire resolution, and all work related to the rule of law must be planned and carried out around this overarching goal of fully advancing it.

“Uphold Discipline and Observe Rules” (January 13, 2015) This is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China. The speech points out that party rules and regulations are the norms and guidelines that all Party organizations at various levels and all Party members must abide by. In general, these party rules and regulations encompass the Party Constitution, Party discipline, national laws, as well as the fine traditions and working practices that the Party has developed through its long-term practice. Among all Party disciplines and rules, political discipline and political norms rank first. To uphold political discipline and political norms, we must safeguard the authority of the Party Central Committee and, under any circumstances and at all times, maintain the highest degree of ideological, political, and behavioral alignment with the Party Central Committee; we must preserve the unity of the Party, adhere to the principle of inclusiveness and openness, and unite all comrades who are loyal to the Party; we must follow organizational procedures—seeking instructions when necessary and reporting as required—and absolutely refrain from acting beyond our authorized powers; we must obey organizational decisions and never engage in non-organizational activities or defy organizational decisions; and we must strictly manage our relatives and staff members around us, never tacitly permitting them to exploit their special status for illegal gains.

"Strengthening and Improving the Party's Mass Organization Work" (July 6, 2015) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the Central Conference on Party Mass Organizations Work. The speech points out that, in strengthening and improving the Party’s mass organization work under the new circumstances, the most important thing is to uphold and enhance its political nature, advanced nature, and mass character. Political nature is the soul of mass organizations and comes first. To uphold and enhance the political nature of the Party’s mass organization work, the key lies in ensuring that mass organizations consciously and firmly uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China. As a whole, mass organizations must regard maintaining and enhancing their advanced nature as a major focus of their efforts. Without striving for advancedness, they easily risk becoming fragmented and disorganized. Mass character is the fundamental distinguishing feature of mass organizations. In carrying out their work and activities, mass organizations must put the masses at the center and ensure that the masses play the leading role—rather than merely serving as supporting actors or mere spectators.

“Make Great Efforts to Tackle the Key and Difficult Issues That Are Hindering the On-Time Completion of Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects” (October 29, 2015) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the second plenary session of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The speech points out that to achieve the goals and tasks set forth by the Plenary Session, we must make concerted efforts to address key and difficult issues. We need to shift our development approach and focus on improving the quality and efficiency of development; we must address shortcomings and focus on resolving the issue of imbalanced development; and we must guard against risks and enhance both risk awareness and risk-management capabilities. The speech emphasizes that in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, what is even more important—and also more challenging—is the “all-round” nature of this endeavor. A moderately prosperous society in all respects means comprehensive coverage across all areas—achieving well-rounded progress in the “five-in-one” framework; it means covering all segments of the population—a moderately prosperous society that benefits everyone; and it means ensuring comprehensive coverage across all regions—a moderately prosperous society shared equally between urban and rural areas.

“Poverty Alleviation Must Deliver Concrete Measures, Make Substantial Efforts, and Achieve Real Results through Precision” (November 27, 2015) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the Central Conference on Poverty Alleviation and Development. The speech points out that to achieve tangible results in poverty alleviation, it is crucial to identify the right approach and establish sound institutional mechanisms. At the heart of these effective approaches and mechanisms lies precise poverty alleviation and targeted poverty reduction—focusing particularly on addressing the key questions: “Who should be supported?”, “Who will provide the support?”, “How should the support be provided?”, and “How should we ensure people are lifted out of poverty?” It emphasizes the need to ensure precision in identifying beneficiaries, planning projects, allocating funds, implementing measures at the household level, assigning personnel to villages, and measuring the effectiveness of poverty alleviation efforts. Specifically, we must lift a group out of poverty through production development, another group through relocation, another through ecological compensation, another through education development, and yet another through social security safety nets.

“Deepening Our Understanding of the New Development Philosophy and Promoting Supply-Side Structural Reform” (January 18, 2016) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the special seminar for principal leading officials at the provincial and ministerial levels on studying and implementing the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. In this speech, drawing on both historical experience and contemporary realities, and addressing several major issues, Comrade Xi provided an in-depth theoretical and macro-level exposition on the development philosophy of innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and shared prosperity. The speech pointed out: We must vigorously implement the innovation-driven development strategy; strive to enhance the overall coherence and coordination of development; promote harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature; work to establish a new system of opening up to the outside world; and earnestly put into practice the development philosophy centered on the people. It emphasized that supply-side structural reform should focus on liberating and developing social productive forces, using reform measures to advance structural adjustments, reduce ineffective and low-end supply, expand effective and mid-to-high-end supply, enhance the adaptability and flexibility of the supply structure in response to changes in demand, and improve total-factor productivity.

“Unswervingly Uphold China’s Basic Economic System and Promote the Healthy Development of All Types of Ownership Economies” (March 4, 2016) This is a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping when he attended the joint group meeting of members from the China Association for Promoting Democracy and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce at the Fourth Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The speech pointed out: The basic economic system—under which public ownership plays the dominant role and diverse forms of ownership develop jointly—is a major policy established by the Communist Party of China. Our Party’s stance on upholding this basic economic system has been clear, consistent, and continuously deepened; it has never wavered. The status and role of the non-public sector in our country’s economic and social development have not changed. Our policy of unswervingly encouraging, supporting, and guiding the development of the non-public sector remains unchanged. Likewise, our commitment to creating a favorable environment and providing more opportunities for the development of the non-public sector has not changed. The speech emphasized that the new type of government-business relationship can be summarized in two words: “close” and “clean.” We must encourage and support the vast number of non-public-sector entrepreneurs to become qualified builders of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Building a World Science and Technology Powerhouse (May 30, 2016) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the National Conference on Science and Technology Innovation, the 18th Academician Congress of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the 13th Academician Congress of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the 9th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology. The speech points out: Science and technology are vital tools for a nation. If China is to become strong and the Chinese people are to enjoy a better life, we must have robust scientific and technological capabilities. We must thoroughly implement the new development philosophy, deeply carry out the strategies of rejuvenating the country through science and education, building a country strong in talent, and driving development through innovation, optimize the overall layout of China’s science and technology endeavors, and build China into a world-class scientific and technological power. It emphasizes that to become a world-leading scientific and technological power—a major global center of science and an innovation hub—we must have a group of world-class research institutions, research-oriented universities, and innovative enterprises capable of continuously producing groundbreaking, original scientific achievements. To build China into a world-class scientific and technological power, the key lies in developing a large-scale, rationally structured, and high-quality team of innovative talents, and in unleashing the creativity and potential of all kinds of talented individuals.

“Building an Innovative, Dynamic, Interconnected, and Inclusive World Economy” (September 4, 2016) This is the opening address delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the G20 Hangzhou Summit. The speech pointed out that the global economy faces multiple risks and challenges, including insufficient growth momentum, weak demand, repeated turmoil in financial markets, and persistently sluggish international trade and investment. It emphasized that, in the face of these current challenges, the G20 must keep pace with the times, integrate knowledge with action, pursue joint development and shared benefits, and work together in solidarity to steer the global economy toward prosperity and stability, setting it firmly on a path of strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth.

“Unswervingly Strengthen, Improve, and Expand State-Owned Enterprises” (October 10, 2016) This is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the National Conference on Party Building in State-Owned Enterprises. The speech points out that state-owned enterprises are an important material and political foundation of socialism with Chinese characteristics, a vital pillar and source of strength for our Party’s governance and national rejuvenation, and play a crucial role in consolidating the dominant position of the public ownership system, safeguarding our Party’s ruling status and governing capacity, and upholding our country’s socialist system. It is not only necessary but absolutely essential to run state-owned enterprises well, and we must unswervingly strengthen, improve, and expand them. The speech emphasizes: When we talk about firmly upholding our confidence in our path, our theoretical convictions, our institutional framework, and our cultural identity, and maintaining political steadfastness while resolutely pursuing our own path, this includes firmly supporting the growth and development of state-owned enterprises and firmly backing the expansion and strengthening of the non-public sector economy.

“Upholding Serious Political Life Within the Party and Promoting Comprehensive and Strict Governance of the Party” (October 27, 2016) This is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the second plenary session of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The speech points out that comprehensively and strictly governing the Party requires both all-around efforts and targeted, focused initiatives. Strengthening and standardizing political life within the Party and enhancing intra-Party supervision are precisely the key areas on which we must concentrate our efforts. Serious engagement in intra-Party political life is the foundation for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. To govern the Party effectively, we must first start with the Party’s political life; to enforce strict governance over the Party, we must first enforce strictness in its political life. Intra-Party supervision is the most fundamental and primary form of oversight within both the Party and the state. Only by using intra-Party supervision to drive other forms of oversight and to improve the overall supervisory system can we provide strong institutional safeguards for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. It was emphasized that the “Several Guidelines on Intra-Party Political Life under New Circumstances” and the “Regulations of the Communist Party of China on Intra-Party Supervision,” adopted by the Plenary Session, represent important institutional and legal guarantees for advancing comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. To strengthen and standardize intra-Party political life and enhance intra-Party supervision, we must begin with leading cadres, especially senior-level officials.

“We Must Have High Cultural Confidence” (November 30, 2016) This is part of a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the opening ceremonies of the 10th National Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the 9th National Congress of the China Writers Association. The speech pointed out: To realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must firmly uphold our confidence in the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, our confidence in its theory, our confidence in its system, and our cultural confidence. Among these, cultural confidence is the most fundamental, broadest, and deepest form of confidence—a force that is more essential, more profound, and more enduring. Firmly upholding cultural confidence is a major issue that concerns the rise and fall of our nation’s fortunes, the security of our culture, and the independence of our national spirit. The speech emphasized: Firmly upholding cultural confidence is inseparable from our understanding and effective utilization of the history of the Chinese nation. Only by taking root in this land—the very place where we were born and raised—can literature and art truly connect with the local ethos, gain solid footing, and imbue themselves with vitality, thus securing a firm foothold amid the vigorous currents of global culture.

"Guiding Economic Globalization in the Right Direction" (January 17, 2017) This is part of the keynote speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland. The speech pointed out: Faced with both the opportunities and challenges brought about by economic globalization, the right choice is to fully seize every opportunity, cooperate to address all challenges, and steer economic globalization in the right direction. It emphasized: The vast ocean of the world economy—whether you like it or not—is there, and it’s an inevitability that cannot be avoided. It is impossible—and contrary to historical trends—to shrink the global economy back into isolated little lakes and streams. Adopting protectionism is like shutting oneself up in a dark room: while it may seem to shield one from wind and rain, it also cuts off access to sunlight and fresh air. Engaging in trade wars can only lead to mutual harm and loss for all parties involved.

“Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind” (January 18, 2017) This is a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the United Nations Office at Geneva. The speech points out: “What’s going on in the world, and what should we do about it? These are questions that the entire world is pondering. China’s proposal is to build a community with a shared future for mankind and achieve win-win cooperation and shared prosperity. We must uphold dialogue and consultation to build a world of lasting peace; adhere to joint construction and shared benefits to build a world of universal security; pursue win-win cooperation to build a world of common prosperity; foster exchanges and mutual learning to build an open and inclusive world; and embrace green and low-carbon development to build a clean and beautiful world.” The speech emphasizes: “The destiny of the world should be jointly held by all nations; international rules should be jointly written by all nations; global affairs should be jointly governed by all nations; and the fruits of development should be jointly shared by all nations.”

“The Party Must Dare to Engage in Self-Revolution” (February 13, 2017) This is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the special seminar for leading officials at the provincial and ministerial levels on studying and implementing the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. The speech points out: Being courageous in carrying out self-revolution is the most distinctive feature of our Party and also our Party’s greatest strength. The greatness of the Communist Party of China does not lie in its infallibility, but rather in its unwavering willingness to face up to its own shortcomings, its courage to confront problems head-on, its boldness in undertaking self-revolution, and its exceptionally strong capacity for self-correction. The speech emphasizes: For a Marxist political party to maintain its advanced nature and purity and to fulfill its lofty mission, it must relentlessly address its own problems without any slackening, constantly keeping pace with the demands of the times, practice, and the people, and forge and temper itself with the spirit of daring to carry out self-revolution.

Jointly Promoting the Construction of the Belt and Road (May 14, 2017) This is the speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum held in Beijing. The speech emphasizes that we must uphold the Silk Road spirit—centered on peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and借鉴, and win-win cooperation—and build the Belt and Road into a path of peace, prosperity, openness, innovation, and civilization. It stresses that the construction of the Belt and Road is deeply rooted in the historical legacy of the Silk Road, with a primary focus on the Eurasian and African continents, while remaining open to all friends around the world. The development of the Belt and Road will be jointly deliberated and decided by all parties involved, and its achievements will be shared by everyone together. China will thoroughly implement the development philosophy of innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and shared benefits, injecting strong momentum into the Belt and Road and bringing new opportunities for global development.

“Promoting the formation of green development modes and lifestyles represents a profound revolution in our development philosophy” (May 26, 2017). This is the speech delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping during the 41st collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The speech points out that humans are born from nature, and humans and nature share a symbiotic relationship. Promoting the formation of green development modes and lifestyles is an inevitable requirement for implementing the new development philosophy and represents a profound revolution in our approach to development. To promote the formation of green development modes and lifestyles, we must adhere to the basic state policy of conserving resources and protecting the environment, uphold the principles of prioritizing conservation, prioritizing protection, and relying primarily on natural restoration, and thereby establish spatial patterns, industrial structures, production methods, and lifestyles that conserve resources and protect the environment. We must strive to achieve coordinated progress between economic and social development and ecological environmental protection, creating a favorable living and working environment for the people. It was emphasized that we must protect the ecological environment as carefully as we protect our eyes and treat it with the same care we give to life itself, ensuring that the Chinese land has bluer skies, greener mountains, cleaner waters, and a more beautiful environment.