Learning the Party's History to Understand the Truth, Boost Self-confidence, Uphold Good Virtues and Make Concrete Actions※Learning the Party's history to understand the truth
Xi Jinping
History has told us that, without the guidance of advanced theories, and without the leadership of an advanced political party that was equipped with these advanced theories, and prepared to follow the tide of history, assume its historical mission, and make enormous sacrifices, the Chinese people would have been powerless to fight the various reactionary cliques that held them down; the Chinese nation would have been powerless to free itself from oppression and enslavement; and our country would have been powerless to unite and seek prosperity and strength on the path of socialism.
(Speech at a Ceremony Marking the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China, July 1, 2016)
To understand China, one must understand Chinese history, culture, thought and development stages. In particular, they must understand Marxism in contemporary China. Peking University is the cradle where Marxism started to spread in China, and has made great contributions to the spread of Marxism in China and the founding of the CPC. The year 2018 marked the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx's birth and the 170th anniversary of the publication of the Communist Manifesto. Our best commemoration is to do a good job in studying, promoting and implementing the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and the thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era which embodies Marxism in contemporary China.
(Speech during an inspection in Peking University on May 2, 2018)
A ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is held, July 1, 2021, at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at Tian'anmen Rostrum. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
The exhibition should help educate and guide the people to have a better understanding of the strength of the CPC, the Chinese people, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. A higher degree of recognition should be built among the people of the Party's theory, the principle and strategic arrangements of reform and opening up, and the bright prospect for reform and opening up and socialist modernization. The exhibition should help build a common understanding, accumulate consensus, raise morale, and foster solidarity and a striving spirit. Efforts must be made to boost Chinese people's confidence and determination to follow the Party along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the path of reform and opening up.
(Speech during an exhibition to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up November 13, 2018)
The top priority should be studying and implementing the Party’s innovative theories. It should go together with studying the basic tenets of Marxism, and the histories of the CPC, the PRC, reform and opening up, and socialist development. It should go together with carrying out our great struggle, developing our great project, advancing our great cause, and realizing our great dream. We must work hard to have a good grasp of what we are learning, unify our thinking through freeing our minds, and deepen our understanding in learning the Party’s theories so as to implement them in a more proactive way.
(Speech at the conference reviewing the Aspiration and Mission education campaign on January 8, 2020)
It is impossible for a nation to realize national rejuvenation without theoretical thought and the guidance of thought. In the hardest time of China after the Mid-19th Century, the Chinese Communists found Marxism-Leninism, and adapted Marxism-Leninism to the Chinese context. With the power of the truth of Marxism, the Chinese Communists activated the great civilization that the Chinese nation accumulated over thousands of years. And the Chinese civilization unleashed great power again. Practice has proved that Marxism is the formidable theoretical tool which we use to understand the world, grasp its underlying patterns, search for its truth, and effect change. Marxism is and will continue to be the guiding theory for our Party and nation.
(Speech at a meeting to launch a campaign on Party history learning and education among all Party members, February 20, 2021)
We must make good use of the sites and heritage related to the CPC's history in Party history learning and education. The CPC members should particularly study the history of the Party, New China, reform and opening up, and the development of socialist cause. Party members should learn the Party's history to understand the truth, boost self-confidence, uphold good virtues and make concrete actions. Party members should study the Party's history, understand its theories, do practical work and make new advances. We must continue to improve our ideological understanding and work level on major issues such as sticking to the Chinese way – the right way of managing ethnic issues, safeguarding the solidarity among all ethnic groups, and strengthening a keen sense of identity of the Chinese nation.
(Speech in a deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), March 5, 2021)
An award ceremony of the July 1 Medal is held on June 29, 2021, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing ahead of CPC centenary in Beijing. Xi Jinping, other leaders, and recipients of the medal pose for a group photo. (Photo/Xie Huanchi)
We must seek truth in Party history learning and education, which is the pretext of boosting self-confidence, upholding good virtues, and making concrete actions. Party members should gain a profound understanding of why the CPC is so capable, why Marxism works, and why socialism with Chinese characteristics excels, and figure out the logic of the evolution, history, theory, and practice through CPC's achievements, tests and lessons in history, and fine traditions. Party members should have a profound understanding of the historical necessity of the leadership of the CPC, and strengthen confidence in the Party. Party members should have a profound understanding of the Marxism and adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, apply the new ground in advancing Party-related theories in a more purposeful and determined manner. Party members should have a profound understanding of the correctness of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and stay firmly committed to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Party members must work to make every Party branch a strong fighting fortress. Systems and mechanisms that create enough deterrence must be built, so that officials neither dare, can nor even think of being corrupt. We must continuously work to consolidate a sound political environment.
(Speech during an inspection tour to Fujian from March 22 to 25, 2021)
Learning the Party's history to boost self-confidence
The exhibition "the Road of Rejuvenation" reviews the past, shows the present, and forecasts the future of our nation, which is educational and enlightening. The Chinese nation has gone through difficulties and hardships. With the advent of modern times, the Chinese nation has had grave sufferings and made enormous sacrifices which are rare in the whole world. Despite the bitter suffering, the Chinese people did not yield. Instead, we stood up and fought back. We became the master of our fate and embarked on a great journey of building our country, showing the national spirit with patriotism at its core. The world’s correct path is vicissitudes. Since the reform and opening up, we summarized our experience, made explorations, and finally found the right path to the great rejuvenation of Chinese nation, and achieved remarkable achievements. The path is socialism with Chinese characteristics. Today’s China is “riding the wind and cleaving the waves”. Thanks to the continuous endeavor since the Opium War in the 1840s, China sees promising prospects of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Today, we are closer, more confident, and more capable than ever before of making the goal of national rejuvenation a reality.
(Speech during a visit to the exhibition "the Road of Rejuvenation", November 29, 2012)
The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee holds the 31st group study session on making good use of sites and heritage related to the CPC's history and sustaining our revolutionary legacy, June 25, 2021. The group study involves visits and discussions. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng visit Fengze Garden, former residence of Mao Zedong in the Zhongnanhai leadership compound. (Photo/Ju Peng)
Efforts must be made to strengthen the education on China’s history, especially China’s modern history, the histories of China’s revolution, the CPC, the People’s Republic of China and China’s reform and opening up. We must work relentlessly to promote our core socialist values. Teachers must impart the historic and practical logic proven correct in practice that it is only socialism that could save China and only by upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics can we realize national rejuvenation. We should strive to foster students’ confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics to ensure that they are not misled by any disturbances, and will stay committed to national rejuvenation.
(Speech at a national education conference in Beijing, capital of China, on September 10, 2018)
Belief, commitment and confidence are indispensible at any time. For an individual, a group, a political party, or a country, as long as it has belief, commitment and confidence, it will keep moving forward despite adversities. Belief in Marxism, commitment to socialism with Chinese characteristics, and confidence in national rejuvenation are a powerful inner drive spurring the Chinese people to develop and grow strong.
(Speech at a grand gathering Tuesday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening up, December 18, 2018)
During the revolutionary war years, firm ideals and beliefs helped Chinese Communists overcome challenges of life-and-death. Older generation of revolutionaries including Mao Zedong, He Long and China's revolutionary martyr Xia Minghan stayed true to their original aspirations even though many of their kin sacrificed their lives. Revolutionaries were not intimidated by the bloody upheaval in Changsha after the Mari Incident in 1927. Xia Minghan voiced his strong commitment in a letter to his wife when he was prisoned. Although there are less challenges of life-and-death in today’s peaceful age, we communists are confronted with challenges of other sorts. Only by fostering stronger beliefs can we stand the tests. Party committees at all levels must give political work the top priority, and lead CPC members to practice and support the great ideal and the common ideal.
(Speech at the end of an inspection tour in Hunan province, September 18, 2020)
Working class and the vast number of ordinary working people are the masters of our country. We must strengthen study on political theory, the histories of the Party, the New China, reform and opening up, and development of socialist development. Party members must consciously act as staunch believers in and loyal practitioners of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must carry forward the fine traditions and shoulder responsibilities. The aspirations of the Party and country must be the lifetime goal of the Party members. Party members should have a keen sense of responsibility for national rejuvenation, and integrate their own goals and pursuit of happiness with the great cause of national rejuvenation, and work to realize the dreams in the new era.
Learning the history of the Communist Party of China to boost self-confidence is to enhance confidence in ideals and faith in communism, which is our powerful spirit to defeat all enemies, overcome all difficulties and seize all victories. It is necessary to strengthen conviction in Marxism and communism. Party members and cadres should seek power of conviction from the Party’s struggle over the past century and maintain a tenacious will to overcome various difficulties and challenges. The commitment to socialism with Chinese characteristics should also be enhanced. Party members and cadres should realize that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the inevitable trajectory of history, the only way to develop China, as well as a truth tested in practice. It is necessary to stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must strengthen our confidence in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, educate and guide Party members and cadres to keep in mind their original mission, enhance their confidence in victory, and firmly believe that our Party will be able to unite and lead the people to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and strive to create historical feats for the new era. Confidence in ideals and firm faith in communism are the best preservatives. We must do more to improve Party conduct, build a clean government, and fight corruption, so that more institutional results and greater governance effect of combating corruption are achieved.
(Speech during the investigation in Guangxi Province from April 25 to 27, 2021)
Learning the Party's history to uphold good virtues
Jiao Yulu is a good civil servant for the people, and a role model for secretaries of county committee and the whole Party. The spirit Jiao Yulu features loving people, working hard, being selfless, scientific and realistic, and standing up to difficulties, was, is and will be the valuable spiritual asset of our Party and will never become obsolete. Life is limited, and so is the forming of the lofty spirit of many heroes and model figures. But the spirits form a valuable spiritual wealth which is eternal. The spirit Jiao Yulu coexists with Jinggangshan Spirit, Yan’an Spirit, Lei Feng Spirit, and Red Flag Canal Spirit. Any nation needs strong spiritual power made up by such spirits. And such spirits will never be out of date in all stages in history.
(Speech at an enlarged meeting of the Standing Committee of the CPC Lankao Committee in Henan Province on March 18, 2014)
Having a role model in mind is to learn from heroes, advanced figures and beautiful things, so as to cultivate good ideological and moral pursuits in learning. There are many stories of young heroes in our history. And a large number of young heroes have emerged during the revolution, construction and reform undertaken by people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. You may have heard many of their names. Movies such as “Red Child”, “Little Soldier Zhang Ga”, “Chicken Feather Letter”, “Little Heroes of Eighth Route Army”, and “Heroine of Prairie” were all about the stories of young heroes. Today, there are more good children and teenagers. Some students of your school have been rated as the “best teenager”. In addition, there are many role models from all walks of life who we should learn from, including astronautic heroes, Olympic champions, great scientists, model workers, young volunteers, and those who help others, act bravely for a just cause, stay honest and faithful, dedicate themselves to their work, and care for the elderly and family. The power of role models is infinite. They are the models for us. And we should pursue the same virtues they have. This is what Confucius said, “When we meet with men of worth, we should think how we may equal them. When we meet with worthless men, we should turn into ourselves and find out if we do not resemble them.”
(Speech at a symposium at the National Primary School in Haidian District, Beijing on May 30, 2014)
The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee holds its thirty-first group study on making good use of sites and heritage related to the CPC's history, June 25, 2021. This group study integrates visit and discussion. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, and Han Zheng visit an exhibition on “great cause and red prologue – Red Building of Peking University and early revolutionary activities of the CPC in Beijing” in the Red Building of Peking University. (Photo/Xie Huanchi)
During the Long March across the snow-capped mountains, a comrade in thin old clothes was frozen to death. The commander asked why the quartermaster didn’t give this comrade a cotton coat. Other comrades in this team told the commander in tears that the comrade who was frozen to death is the quartermaster. The quartermaster would rather be frozen to death than keep himself warm. What a lofty state of mind! Enlightenment seems invisible, but it will show great power in a critical moment. Thanks to the selfless dedication of millions of advanced comrades with high political consciousness, our party won arduous struggles one after another.
(Speech at a seminar on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress for newly admitted members, alternate members and major leading cadres of CPC Committee at provincial and ministerial levels, January 5, 2018)
Chongqing is home to heroes with a glorious revolutionary tradition. It is here that Comrade Mao Zedong conducted the Chongqing negotiations which impacted on China’s future. Zhou Enlai led the Southern Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to wage a resolute struggle against the reactionary forces. And Deng Xiaoping led the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to carry out a great deal of pioneering work. A large number of communists with righteousness and noble characteristics were born in Chongqing, such as Zhao Shiyan who was firm in his belief and feared no sacrifice, Wang Liang who was brave and good at fighting and made numerous achievements, Jiang Zhuyun, Wang Pu and Chen Ran who were steadfast and remained loyal to the Party, and Qiu Shaoyun, a hero who was disciplined and had the courage to sacrifice. During the War of Liberation, many Chinese communists who were imprisoned in Zhazidong detention house or White Residence Prison Site, withstood all kinds of torture, and gave their precious lives to the cause of liberation of the Chinese people. This is the Hongyan Spirit. Chongqing should make full use of the sites and heritage related to the CPC's history, and educate and guide Party members and cadres to firmly uphold ideals and beliefs, and cultivate righteousness. We should be deeply conscious of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership. We should stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We should uphold the core position of the General Secretary on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We should maintain highly consistent with the Party Central Committee in terms of political stance, direction, principle, and path.
(Speech at the end of the inspection in Chongqing on April 17, 2019)
Zhang Fuqing, a war hero, has kept a low profile and stayed true to his original heart despite the great contributions he has made to the nation for more than 60 years. When he was in the army, he defended his country. When he left the army, he made contributions to local people. He has lived a wonderful life with his simplicity and indifference to fame and fortune, and is the role model for the cadres and soldiers of the army and veterans. We must actively promote the spirit of dedication and coalesce the powerful force of all people to fight for the new era with one heart.
(Instructions made on April 21, 2019 on the advanced deeds of Zhang Fuqing)
Only when the government is clean can we win the trust of the people. When he was in the Central Soviet Area, Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out that all government workers should be aware that corruption and waste are extremely crimes. Xieshi Temple, the site of the first Soviet Congress, accommodated 15 departments of the temporary central government of the Soviet Republic of China. Mao Zedong once said that our central government is probably the most streamlined in the world. After the Red Army failed to shatter the Fifth Encirclement Campaign of Kuomintang, Liu Qiyao, Chairman of the Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic of Jiangxi Province, begged for a living for several years, without using the gold bars of the Party in his bag. After going through tremendous troubles, he found a Party organization and continued the revolution. Only by inheriting and carrying forward the fine traditions of the Party can we withstand the “four major tests” and “four major dangers,” correctly deal with public-private relations and deal with the nagging problems in the four forms of misconduct within the Party. We must maintain in integrity and discipline, resolutely combat corruption, and keep the political nature of the Party.
(Speech at the end of the inspection in Jiangxi Province on May 22, 2019)
It is important to study the histories of the Communist Party of China and New China, to understand the value of the Party’s original aspiration and mission, and to understand the importance of staying true to the Party’s original aspiration and mission. Yunnan is home to a glorious revolutionary tradition and a great deal of touching stories. As vivid teaching materials for the education campaign, these stories can guide Party members and officials to continuously examine and nourish their original aspiration, and constantly refine their political character of loyalty, cleanness and responsibility.
(Speech during a visit to cadres and people of various ethnic groups in Yunnan on the eve of the Spring Festival from January 19 to 21, 2020)
Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan visit an exhibition on CPC history themed "staying true to the founding mission" at the Museum of the CPC in Beijing, June 18, 2021. At the end of the visit, Xi Jinping led comrades together to review the Party admission oath. (Photo/Li Xueren)
Our Party has cultivated and formed a series of revolutionary spirits with special characteristics during the centenary struggle, which embody the Party’s firm belief, fundamental purpose and excellent work style. They constitute a precious spiritual wealth for us to work unswervingly. Learning the history of the Party to uphold good virtues is to guide Party members and cadres to inherit the “red gene” and cultivate lofty moral qualities. First, we must be loyal to the Party. Party members and cadres should never forget the oath of being loyal to the Party and never betraying the Party when joining the Party. Party members and cadres should always remain loyal to the Party and the cause of the Party. Second, we must benefit the people. Party members and cadres should work for the people, always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people through thick and thin, work actively, and earnestly take benefiting people as the most fundamental duty. Third, we must advocate strict self-discipline. Party members and cadres should be prudent, self-disciplined, clean and honest. They must strive to be a noble, pure and good person with high moral standards and be a man of moral integrity and above vulgar interests and who can bring benefits to people.
(Speech during the investigation in Qinghai Province from June 7 to 9, 2021)
Learning the Party's history to make concrete actions
As the saying goes, “The mirror reflects ourselves and the past sheds lights on the present.” In looking back at our history, our aim is not to take comfort from our past successes, nor are we seeking an excuse to rest on our laurels and evade the difficulties and problems we face today. Rather, our intention is to muster greater courage and strength to forge ahead by reflecting on our past experiences and grasping the underlying patterns of history.
(Speech at a Ceremony Marking the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China, July 1, 2016)
Each period of revolutionary history of our Party is a vivid teaching material of ideals and beliefs. All Party comrades must stay true to the original aspiration and continue to move forward. We should always remember the revolutionary forefathers who made the ultimate sacrifice for national independence and people’s liberation. We must forever preserve the fighting spirit that Chinese Communists demonstrated when the CPC was first founded, and forever preserve our devotion to our people, and strive to create a better and happier life for the people.
(Speech during the investigation in Shanxi Province from June 21 to 23, 2017)
I have said on many occasions that Party members and cadres should regularly reread the Party Constitution, their oath of admission to the Party, and the martyrs’ letters to their family during the revolution. We need to check our actions against the Party Constitution to find out whether we have complied with the requirements and maintained our original aspiration, just as we tidy our rooms and polish our mirrors regularly to keep them neat and clean. We must guide all Party organizations, members and cadres to examine their political thinking against the requirement of the Central Committee, scan their behavior against the Party Constitution and regulations, scrutinize their performance against the people’s expectations, and compare themselves with the revolutionaries and martyrs of the older generation and with today’s role models. We should constantly remind ourselves of our original aspiration, and stay true to and shoulder our founding mission. We need to nurture the aspiration and keep to the mission through innovative thinking, allow them to further motivate us by reviewing the extraordinary history of our Party, and build a deeper understanding of them as we further regulate intra-Party political activities, so that they can be a driving force for us to forge ahead, innovate and do hard and solid work.
(Speech at the conference reviewing the Aspiration and Mission education campaign, January 8, 2020)
To carry out the campaign on Party history learning and education among all party members, we must educate and guide the whole Party to take history as a mirror to understand the great contributions and fundamental achievements made by the Party in uniting and leading the people for the Chinese nation. We should recognize the historical position of China, enhance historical consciousness, and connect the miserable and glorious past, the ever-changing present, and the bright and grand future. We should hold on to the right direction among the changes, muster courage in the face of risks and challenges, gather confidence and motivation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and march ahead with perseverance and determination to create a great historical cause for our generation.
(Speech at the Mobilization and Deployment Meeting for Party History Education on February 20, 2021)
The youth of contemporary China is moving forward together with the new era. Living in China’s golden age, they should shoulder a heavy responsibility. Young people should love our country and people and learn from the history of the Party to gain inspiration and strength. Young people should stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and aspire to become more proud, confident, and assured in their identity as Chinese people. They should establish a firm ideal of always fighting for and being devoted to the motherland and people. They should refine moral character, establish and practice the core values of Chinese socialism, and boost mental strength with traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and socialist culture. It is also important to strengthen moral cultivation, distinguish right from wrong, enhance self-determination, and aspire to pursue a more advanced and tasteful life. They should be brave to make innovations, understand and grasp the trend of the times and the needs of the country. Young people should have the courage to make breakthroughs, contribute their wisdom to the nation and their pioneering spirit to serve the society. They should learn and work hard tirelessly, be down-to-earth, acquire knowledge, pursue greatness, walk the walk instead of talking the talk, earnest shoulder the responsibilities of the times, and achieve a great career.
(Speech during inspection in Tsinghua University on April 19, 2021)
The history of the Party is the most vivid and convincing textbook. The centenary of our Party saw Chinese Communists fulfill the original aspiration, lay the foundation of the socialist cause, and create a brilliant future. Looking back on the past struggle and looking at the road ahead, we must learn and summarize the history of the Party, as well as pass on and carry forward the party’s valuable experience. It is important to remember the history of the struggle, shoulder the historical mission, and draw strength from the party’s struggle history. Party members and cadres should stay true to their original aspiration and mission. Party members and officials should be deeply conscious of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership. Party members should stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Party members should maintain highly consistent with the Party Central Committee in terms of political stance, political direction, political principles and political path and firmly uphold our ideals and beliefs. We should learn and make good use of the Party’s innovative theories, and carry forward the glorious tradition. We should also play a pioneering role, unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country. Based on the new development stage, we should better carry out the new development concept and build the new development pattern, we should do a good job in reform, development and social stability, and gather the majestic force to build a modern socialist country in an all-round way and realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
(Speech during a visit to an exhibition themed "staying true to the founding mission", June 18, 2021)
※This is the excerpts of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speeches from November 2012 to June 2021 about learning the Party's history to understand the truth, boost self-confidence, uphold good virtues and make concrete actions.