中国没有辜负社会主义
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China Has Not Failed Socialism

中国没有辜负社会主义

Commentary published just prior to the CCP’s 100th anniversary under a pen name used by the People’s Daily for authoritative commentaries outlines the achievements that credit the Party’s leadership and people-centered Socialist reforms as the main driver of the country’s success.


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In the British Museum in London, Thomas Moore’s Utopia, published in 1516, rests quietly in a showcase. At the same time, the heavy footprints of a great man have left their traces on the floor of the museum’s reading room. These are the footprints of Karl Marx, who dedicated his life to the cause of human emancipation and transformed socialism from reflections on utopia to a science, thus exerting a profound and far-reaching influence on the world and China in particular. 

英国伦敦,大英博物馆,1516年出版的莫尔的《乌托邦》一书静静躺在展柜里。同时留在这座博物馆图书阅览室地板上的,是一位伟人厚重的足印。正是这位为人类解放事业奋斗终身的马克思,将社会主义从空想变为科学,从而广泛而深刻地影响了世界,也广泛而深刻地改变了中国。

In Beijing, China, in the Great Hall of the People, General Secretary Xi Jinping declared the following to the world during the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2016: the great victory achieved by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CCP has enabled the 500-year-old socialist proposition to successfully forge a correct path with a high degree of reality and feasibility for the most populous country in the world and let scientific socialism shine with new vigor in the 21st century. 

中国北京,人民大会堂,习近平总书记2016年在庆祝中国共产党成立95周年大会上向世界宣示:中国共产党领导中国人民取得的伟大胜利,使具有500年历史的社会主义主张在世界上人口最多的国家成功开辟出具有高度现实性和可行性的正确道路,让科学社会主义在21世纪焕发出新的蓬勃生机。

Through hundreds of years of turbulence, the cause once in doubt is now full of hope. Under the guidance of scientific truth and lofty ideals, great historical changes have taken place in China. We are resolute as never before. Socialism has not failed China! In the tenacious struggle led by the CCP, the light of faith is shining, and the great cause is full of youth. We are extremely proud. China has not failed socialism! 

数百年奔流激荡。曾经苦难深重,如今意气昂扬。在科学真理和崇高理想的指引下,中国大地发生历史巨变,我们无比坚定,社会主义没有辜负中国!在中国共产党领导人民的顽强奋斗中,信仰的光芒熠熠闪烁,伟大的事业青春盎然,我们无比自豪,中国没有辜负社会主义!

(I) 

(一)

When entering Qu Qiubai Memorial Hall in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, the oath “I always want to make a bright road for everyone” immediately catches the eye. 

走进江苏常州的瞿秋白纪念馆,“我总想为大家辟一条光明的路”的誓言格外醒目。

The CCP, a brave and fearless pathfinder that has never turned back, has faced various trials and difficulties. With the determination of the foolish man who believes he can move mountains and the dedication of the bird who believes he can fill in the sea with pebbles and twigs, it led the Chinese people on the steep and magnificent, arduous and broad Chinese road. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental achievement of the Party and the people’s 100 years of struggle, creation, and accumulation. It is a broad thoroughfare to lead China’s progress, enhance the people’s well-being, and realize our national rejuvenation. 

中国共产党这个百折不回的寻路者、大勇无畏的开路人,面对种种考验、重重难关,以愚公移山的坚定、精卫填海的奉献,带领中国人民走出了一条险峻而壮丽、艰辛而宽广的中国道路。中国特色社会主义道路,是党和人民100年奋斗、创造、积累的根本成就,是引领中国进步、增进人民福祉、实现民族复兴的康庄大道。

This is a road of struggle to reverse the destiny of the nation and write a miracle on earth in the torrent of history. In the hesitation and difficulties when confronting “mountains and rivers that block the way forward”, Marxism has given China “a path on which to advance.” Since then, the CCP has carried out the great practice of using the “arrow” of Marxism to shoot the “target” of China. In order to overthrow the “three mountains,” the Party led the people to create a revolutionary path of encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing power by armed force, thereby establishing a New China. In order to change the situation of economic poverty and cultural blankness, we established a brand-new socialist system and formed an independent and relatively complete industrial system and national economic system. On the basis of summarizing what we did right and wrong in this experience, the great voyage of reform and opening up was launched, greatly liberating and developing our productive forces. In the face of the interwoven turbulence of national rejuvenation and world changes, we strengthened our ideals and beliefs, maintained strategic determination, focused on upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, improved the overall layout, and established strategic layouts. This led the Chinese nation to usher in a great leap from standing up to becoming rich and strong. 

这是一条在历史洪流中扭转民族命运、书写人间奇迹的奋斗之路。在“山重水复疑无路”的彷徨困顿中,马克思主义给中国带来“柳暗花明”。从此,中国共产党开展了以马克思主义之“矢”射中国之“的”的伟大实践。为了推翻“三座大山”,党领导人民开创了农村包围城市、武装夺取政权的革命道路,建立了新中国。为了改变一穷二白的落后面貌,我们建立起全新的社会主义制度,形成了独立的比较完整的工业体系和国民经济体系,并在总结正反两方面经验的基础上,开启了改革开放的伟大航程,极大解放和发展了生产力。面对民族复兴和世界变局的交织激荡,我们坚定理想信念、保持战略定力,围绕坚持和发展中国特色社会主义,完善总体布局、确立战略布局,引领中华民族迎来了从站起来到富起来、强起来的伟大飞跃。

This is our original path that puts the people in the supreme position and wins the hearts, obeys the wishes, and benefits the people. “The people are the county. The Communist Party fights for the country and guards the country. We guard the hearts of the people so that the people can live a good life.” For the benefit and well-being of the people, generation after generation of Communists have poured their youth and life, blood and sweat on this beautiful land. “There can be no less on the road to a well-off society”! To allow the sun of happiness to shine in every corner of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping led the whole Party and the country to fight poverty. 255,000 village work teams advanced to the front line, nearly 2 million township and town cadres and millions of village cadres worked tirelessly. In eight years, 98.99 million rural poor people have been lifted out of poverty, 832 poor counties have achieved poverty elimination targets, and 128,000 poor villages have been removed from the list [of poor villages]. This is the great glory of the Party, the people, and the nation. It is a full manifestation of the superiority of China’s socialist system and marks the Chinese nation’s great step towards common prosperity. 

这是一条把人民放在最高位置,得民心、顺民意、惠民利的初心之路。“人民就是江山,共产党打江山、守江山,守的是人民的心,为的是让人民过上好日子。”一代代共产党人为了人民的利益和福祉,把青春和生命、鲜血和汗水,倾注在这片可爱的土地。“小康路上一个都不能少”!为了让幸福的阳光洒遍神州每一个角落,习近平总书记带领全党全国打响脱贫攻坚战,25.5万个驻村工作队挺进一线,近200万名乡镇干部、数百万村干部倾力奋战,八年时间实现了9899万农村贫困人口全部脱贫,832个贫困县全部摘帽,12.8万个贫困村全部出列。这是党、人民、民族的伟大光荣,是我国社会主义制度优越性的充分体现,标志着中华民族向着共同富裕迈出了一大步。

This is an innovative path to explore and construct modernization in economically and culturally backward countries. Modernization has been a historical trend of the world since the modern era and it also holds the expectations of Marxist pioneers for an ideal society. China, which had missed the opportunity of the industrial revolution, had fallen in standing from a “heavenly kingdom” to mere “fish and meat” ready for the slaughter. Yan Fu’s On the Origin of Strength and In Refutation of Han Yu, Guo Songtao’s Shixi Jicheng (an account of his travels in the West), and Sun Yat-sen’s General Plan for the Founding of a Country all bear witness to the hope and disappointment of modernization. Only when the CCP stepped onto the stage of history, eradicated the bane of imperialism and feudalism, and achieved a thorough transformation of the economic foundation and superstructure could it provide the fundamental prerequisite for China’s modernization. From the goal of the “Four Modernizations” to the “Three Steps” strategy, from building a well-off society to building a modernized superpower… The Party led the people not only to complete in decades the industrialization process that took developed countries hundreds of years, but also explored and forged a path of a Chinese-style modernization in which material civilization and spiritual civilization are coordinated, all people are prosperous, man and nature coexist harmoniously, and the path of peaceful development is followed, providing a new modernization option for the development of human society. 

这是一条在经济文化落后国家探索建设现代化的创造之路。现代化是世界近代以来的历史潮流,也寄托着马克思主义先驱对理想社会的期许。错失了工业革命机遇的中国,从所谓“天朝上国”跌落成任人宰割的“鱼肉”。严复著《原强》《辟韩》,郭嵩焘著《使西纪程》,孙中山著《建国方略》,都见证着对现代化的希望和失望。只有中国共产党登上历史舞台,根除了帝国主义和封建主义的祸根,实现了经济基础和上层建筑的彻底改造,才为中国现代化提供了根本前提。从“四个现代化”目标到“三步走”战略,从建设小康社会到建设现代化强国……党领导人民不但用几十年时间走完了发达国家几百年走过的工业化历程,而且探索开辟了物质文明和精神文明相协调、全体人民共同富裕、人与自然和谐共生、走和平发展道路的中国式现代化,为人类社会发展提供了现代化的全新选择。

This is a forging road of always maintaining the revolutionary spirit and leading great social revolutions through the Party’s self-revolution. Lenin pointed out: “In its struggle for power the proletariat has no other weapon but organization.” To unite China, which was once “a tray of loose sand” (一盘散沙, in a state of disunity) we must rely on a disciplined Marxist party with ideals. To fight for grand goals and complete arduous tasks, we must maintain the Party’s advanced nature and purity, creativity, and combat effectiveness. The Gutian Conference, the Zunyi Conference, the Yan’an Rectification Movement, the “Two Musts”, great projects, and new great projects… At every critical juncture, the Party leads the way forward, shoulders its historical responsibility, upholds the truth, corrects mistakes, and leads the people over one mountain after another, winning one victory after another. Since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has upheld the Party’s leadership in all work, has promoted comprehensive and strict governance of the Party with the spirit of self-revolution, and has forged and led new great struggles through the revolutionary nature of the Party. “Iron must be strong by itself.” With determination and courage, the communists in the new era have consolidated the foundation of permanent undertakings and answered the question of the century: how can we jump out of the “progression of historical cycles” (历史周期率, lit. historical cycle rate). 

这是一条始终保持革命精神、以党的自我革命引领伟大社会革命的锻造之路。列宁指出:“无产阶级在争取政权的斗争中,除了组织,没有别的武器。”把曾经“一盘散沙”的中国凝聚起来,不能不依靠有理想、有纪律的马克思主义政党;为宏伟的目标、艰巨的任务而奋斗,不能不保持党的先进性和纯洁性、创造力和战斗力。古田会议、遵义会议、延安整风、“两个务必”、伟大工程和新的伟大工程……每到重大关头,党都指引着前进的方向、担当起历史的责任,坚持真理、修正错误,带领人民翻过一座又一座山,夺取一个又一个胜利。党的十八大以来,以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持党对一切工作的领导,以自我革命精神推进全面从严治党,以党的革命性锻造引领新的伟大斗争。“打铁必须自身硬。”新时代共产党人用决心和勇气夯实了事业常青之基,用行动回答了跳出“历史周期率”的世纪之问!

In March 2021, Gennady Zyuganov, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, wrote an article in Pravda: “The experience of the CCP proves that the failure of socialism at the end of the 20th century was not the ‘failure of the utopian socialist project’ as many anti-communists like to say… Under the leadership of the CCP, the Chinese people are capable of meeting all challenges of the times and advancing along the correct path of building socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.” 

2021年3月,俄罗斯联邦共产党中央委员会主席根纳季·久加诺夫在《真理报》撰文指出:“中国共产党的经验证明,20世纪末社会主义的失利,并不是各种反共产主义者喜欢说的‘乌托邦社会主义计划的失败’……在中共领导下,中国人民有能力应对时代的一切挑战,沿着建设新时代中国特色社会主义的正确道路前进”。

With ironclad facts, China has declared: history has not and will not end, socialism is full of vitality and the future is limitless! The road of socialism with Chinese characteristics is not only correct and feasible, but it is bound to lead to a brighter future! 

中国用铁一般的事实宣告:历史没有终结也不会终结,社会主义生机蓬勃、前途无限!中国特色社会主义道路不但走得对、走得通,而且必将通往更加光明的未来!

(II) 

(二)

Marxism brought the fire of truth back into the world. However, it did not end the truth, but opened the title page of the book of truth. China has written its own immortal chapter in the great work of scientific socialism with vivid and weighty theoretical innovation and ideological creation. 

马克思主义为人间带回真理的火种,但它并没有结束真理,而是开启了真理之书的扉页。中国,以鲜活厚重的理论创新、思想创造,在科学社会主义这部巨著里写下了属于自己的不朽篇章。

– Persevere: China has never deviated from the basic principles of scientific socialism 

——坚守:中国从未背离科学社会主义基本原则

Marx and Engels made scientific predictions and assumptions about the development process, development direction, and general characteristics of the socialist society of the future. For example, organizing production on the basis of public ownership of the means of production and meeting the needs of all members of society is the fundamental goal of socialist production; conducting planned guidance and adjustment of social production and implementing the principle of distribution according to work with an equal amount of labor resulting in an equal amount of products; the transformation and use of nature in accordance with natural law… These constitute the basic principles of scientific socialism. 

马克思、恩格斯曾对未来社会主义社会的发展过程、发展方向、一般特征作过科学预测和设想。比如,在生产资料公有制基础上组织生产,满足全体社会成员的需要是社会主义生产的根本目的;对社会生产进行有计划的指导和调节,实行等量劳动领取等量产品的按劳分配原则;合乎自然规律地改造和利用自然……这些构成了科学社会主义基本原则。

Throughout the centuries, whether weak or strong, whether at a peak or when encountering setbacks, the CCP has never wavered in its adherence to the basic principles of scientific socialism. We have adhered to the leadership of the Party; adhered to the state system of the people’s democratic dictatorship and the political system of the people’s congress; adhered to the socialist principle of distribution that honors labor and performs distribution according to work; adhered putting the value of people in the first place and constantly promoting the all-round development of people and the all-round progress of society… All of these positions embody the basic principles of scientific socialism under the new historical conditions, continuing the bloodline of socialism. 

百年峥嵘岁月,无论弱小还是强大,无论处于高潮还是遭遇挫折,中国共产党从未动摇对科学社会主义基本原则的坚持。我们坚持党的领导;坚持人民民主专政的国体和人民代表大会制度的政体;坚持劳动光荣、按劳分配的社会主义分配原则;坚持把人的价值放在第一位,不断促进人的全面发展和社会全面进步……这些都在新的历史条件下体现了科学社会主义基本原则,赓续了社会主义的基因血脉。

– Development: China continues to promote the Sinicization of Marxism 

——发展:中国不断推进马克思主义中国化

“Marx’s overall worldview is not a doctrine, but a method. It provides not a ready-made dogma, but a starting point for further research and a method for such research.” Only by developing Marxism can we uphold Marxism. This is the dialectics of history. 

“马克思的整个世界观不是教义,而是方法。它提供的不是现成的教条,而是进一步研究的出发点和供这种研究使用的方法。”只有发展马克思主义,才能坚持马克思主义,这就是历史的辩证法。

Over a century of trials and hardships, the CCP has always held high the banner of truth, carried out theoretical innovation, we have insisted on the unity of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts and of cultivating the unity and consolidating the foundation while maintaining integrity and innovation, we have continuously promoted the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s reality. In this way, we have produced major theoretical innovations such as Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of the “Three Represents”, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, continuously enriched and developed Sinicized Marxism, and used scientific theories that keep pace with the times to answer the historical and current questions of “where is China going and where is socialism going”. These ideological achievements deeply rooted in the land of China have profoundly affected the future and destiny of the country and the nation and have greatly changed the spiritual outlook of the Chinese people. The towering socialist trees have deep roots in the global East. 

百年风雨兼程,中国共产党始终高举真理的旗帜、进行理论的创造,坚持解放思想和实事求是相统一、培元固本和守正创新相统一,不断推进马克思主义基本原理同中国实际相结合,产生了毛泽东思想、邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观等重大理论创新成果,不断丰富和发展中国化的马克思主义,用与时俱进的科学理论回答了“中国向何处去、社会主义向何处去”的历史课题、时代之问。这些深深扎根于中国大地的思想成果,深刻影响着国家民族的前途命运,极大改变着中国人民的精神面貌,社会主义参天大树在世界东方根深叶茂。

– Navigation: contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st Century Marxism lead China and influence the world 

——领航:引领中国、影响世界的当代中国马克思主义、21世纪马克思主义

“Philosophy regards the proletariat as its material weapon. Likewise, the proletariat regards philosophy as its spiritual weapon.” From the near shore of reality to the far shore of dreams, from the kingdom of necessity to the kingdom of freedom, we must rely on scientific theories that reveal objective laws, provide insight into historical trends, and respond to the call of the times. 

“哲学把无产阶级作为自己的物质武器。同样,无产阶级也把哲学作为自己的精神武器。”从现实的此岸通向梦想的彼岸,从必然王国通向自由王国,必定依靠揭示客观规律、洞察历史大势、回应时代呼声的科学理论。

The river has been rushing on for a hundred years. In the critical period of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, in the current time of turbulent change across the world, the Chinese Communists rely on historical experience, ideological persistence, and pioneering courage. We focus closely on what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the new era and how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics. We promote a new revolution in practice and a new long march of ideas. This bears fruit that is full of the spirit of China and the essence of the times—Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. 

百年大江奔流,在中华民族伟大复兴的关键时期,在当今世界动荡变革的历史变局之中,中国共产党人凭着历史的积淀、理想的坚守、开拓的勇毅,紧紧围绕新时代坚持和发展什么样的中国特色社会主义、怎样坚持和发展中国特色社会主义,推进实践的新革命、思想的新长征,结出了饱含中国精神、时代精华的硕果——习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想。

“The leadership of the CCP  is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics,” “Uphold the people-centered development ideology,” “Promote even more obvious, substantive progress towards common prosperity,” “Give full rein to the decisive role of the market in the allocation of resources and better utilize the government’s role,” “Adhere to the concept of innovation-based, coordinated, green, open and shared development,” “Lucid waters and lush mountains are precious assets,” “Promote the building a community of common destiny for mankind”… These original thoughts, viewpoints, and judgments have made original contributions in line with the times to Marxism and opened up a new realm of socialism with Chinese characteristics. 

“中国共产党领导是中国特色社会主义最本质的特征”“坚持以人民为中心的发展思想”“推动全体人民共同富裕取得更为明显的实质性进展”“充分发挥市场在资源配置中的决定性作用,更好发挥政府作用”“坚持创新、协调、绿色、开放、共享的发展理念”“绿水青山就是金山银山”“推动构建人类命运共同体”……这些富有创见的思想、观点和论断,对马克思主义作出了原创性、时代性贡献,开拓了中国特色社会主义的新境界。

In the new era, the Chinese Communists have endowed Marxism with distinctive Chinese characteristics, national characteristics, and the characteristics of the times. People’s understanding of the laws of the Communist Party’s governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society has reached a new historical height. This has allowed scientific socialism to release the light of truth with powerful persuasiveness and appeal! 

新时代中国共产党人赋予马克思主义以鲜明的中国特色、民族特色、时代特色,使人们对共产党执政规律、社会主义建设规律、人类社会发展规律的认识达到了一个新的历史高度,使科学社会主义释放出具有强大说服力、感召力的真理光芒!

(III) 

(三)

From the “Utopia” in More’s work to the “The City of the Sun” of Tommaso Campanella, from The Code of Nature written painstakingly by Étienne-Gabriel Morelly to the “New Harmony Community” personally practiced by David Dale Owen, from the Paris Commune that only existed for 72 days, to the Soviet Union, the first socialist country in the world, mankind has never stopped exploring socialist societies and institutional forms. China’s institutional exploration and practice on the road of socialism have allowed us to achieve the “two miracles” of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. 

从莫尔笔下的“乌托邦”,到康帕内拉书中的“太阳城”,从摩莱里苦心写就的《自然法典》,到欧文身体力行的“新和谐公社”,从只存在了72天的巴黎公社,到世界上第一个社会主义国家苏联,人类对社会主义社会和制度形态的探索从未停止。中国在社会主义道路上的制度探索和实践,成就了经济快速发展和社会长期稳定“两大奇迹”。

Once the CCP was founded, it pursued the establishment of a system that embodied the principles of socialism. Whether the Mutual Aid and Cooperative Movement or the workers, peasants, and soldiers congress system, whether the “Three-Thirds System” or the “Bean Voting Method” (豆选法), these early practices in the revolutionary base areas all contained socialist institutional factors and values. They allowed us to accumulate valuable experience for the establishment of a new type of national system. 

中国共产党一经成立,就把建立体现社会主义原则的制度作为追求。无论是互助合作运动还是工农兵代表大会制度,无论是“三三制”还是“豆选法”,这些在革命根据地的早期实践,都蕴含着社会主义的制度因素和价值理念,为建立新型国家制度积累了宝贵经验。

After the founding of New China, we promptly transformed our successful practical experience into institutional results. As a result, our national system not only reflects the basic principles of scientific socialism, but also conforms to China’s special national conditions. A series of systems have been gradually established and improved, such as the socialist public ownership system, the system of people’s congresses, the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CCP, and the system of regional ethnic autonomy. 

新中国成立后,我们及时把成功的实践经验转化为制度成果,使我国国家制度既体现科学社会主义基本原则,又符合中国的特殊国情。社会主义公有制、人民代表大会制度、中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度、民族区域自治制度等一系列制度逐步建立健全。

General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: “The question of institutions is which are more fundamental, global, stable, and long-term.” “Only a system that has roots in the country’s soil and draws ample nutrients will be the most reliable and effective.” 

习近平总书记深刻指出:“制度问题更带有根本性、全局性、稳定性、长期性。”“只有扎根本国土壤、汲取充沛养分的制度,才最可靠、也最管用。”

Entering the new era, we must focus on upholding and improving the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity. On the basis of practical exploration, we must strengthen top-level design and strategic arrangements and carry out “construction drawings” for Party and state institution-building in a grand manner. From the Party’s leadership, the people’s congress, the upholding of the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field, and the Party’s absolute leadership over the people’s army, and other fundamental institutions, to the basic socialist economic system and basic political system, and on to important systems that are innovative and supportive in different fields, the socialist system with Chinese characteristics has a clear hierarchy and a complete system and its institutions are more mature and more standardized. More and more, we can see huge institutional efficiencies in national governance. 

进入新时代,我们聚焦坚持和完善中国特色社会主义制度、推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化,在实践探索的基础上加强顶层设计和战略安排,党和国家制度建设“施工图”恢弘展开。从党的领导、人民代表大会、坚持马克思主义在意识形态领域指导地位、党对人民军队的绝对领导等根本制度,到社会主义基本经济制度、基本政治制度,再到不同领域具有创新性、支撑性的重要制度,中国特色社会主义制度体系层次分明、系统完备,各项制度更加成熟、更加定型,在国家治理中日益显现出巨大的制度效能。

Crisis is the touchstone of institutions. Facing the Covid-19 epidemic unprecedented in a century, the Party has led the people to block the chain of transmission of the disease at all costs and save lives at all costs. We achieved decisive results in the defense of Wuhan and Hubei in only three months and developed safe and effective vaccines at maximum speed. Under immense pressure, we have ensured economic development and social stability and provided strong support for countries around the world to fight the epidemic. Behind China’s speed and Chinese miracle are the socialist philosophy of value that puts people first and life first, the superiority of the system of helping each other in the same boat and concentrating efforts to do great things, and the spirit of internationalism that cares about the safety and well-being of all people of the world! 

危机是制度的试金石。面对百年不遇的新冠肺炎疫情,党领导人民不惜一切代价阻断疫情传播链条,不惜一切代价抢救生命,仅用3个月左右的时间取得了武汉保卫战、湖北保卫战的决定性成果,以最快速度研制出安全有效的疫苗,在压力巨大的情况下确保了经济发展、社会稳定,并为世界各国抗击疫情提供了有力支持。中国速度、中国奇迹的背后,是人民至上、生命至上的社会主义价值理念,是同舟共济、集中力量办大事的制度优越性,是心系世界人民安危福祉的国际主义精神!

German politician Egon Krenz gave the following evaluation: China’s approach to this global crisis has demonstrated the institutional advantages of socialism. The old prescriptions of the capitalist world are no longer popular, and the center of gravity is shifting. The Argentine scholar Marcelo Rodríguez wrote: this crisis once again highlighted the dispute between two ideologies. One is capitalism, which commercializes all social relations and advocates consumerism, individualism, exploitation, and social Darwinism. The other is socialism, which advocates health, education, culture, and other commodities not tradable on the market, but which are the rights of the people. 

德国政治家埃贡·克伦茨这样评价:中国应对这场全球性危机的方式方法,展示了社会主义的制度优势。资本主义世界的旧药方已经不受欢迎,重心正在发生偏移。阿根廷学者马塞洛·罗德里格斯这样写道:这场危机再次凸显了两种理念之争,一种是资本主义,将所有社会关系都商品化,倡导消费主义、个人主义、剥削和社会达尔文主义;另一种是社会主义,倡导健康、教育、文化等不是市场上可交易的商品,而是人民的权利。

Under the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, the Chinese people enjoy unprecedented democracy, freedom, and human rights and experience an unprecedented sense of gain, sense of happiness, and sense of security. The institutions and governance system of China are great achievements made by the Party and people through untold hardships and at great cost. They have erected a monument in the history of the development of human institutional civilization and political civilization! 

在中国特色社会主义制度下,中国人民享受着前所未有的民主、自由和人权,感受着前所未有的获得感、幸福感、安全感。中国制度和治理体系是党和人民历尽千辛万苦、付出巨大代价取得的伟大成就,矗立起人类制度文明和政治文明发展史上的一座丰碑!

(IV) 

(四)

“Cultural self-confidence is a more basic, deeper, and more lasting force in the development of a country and a nation.” Originating from the long-standing and excellent traditional culture of China, forged in the revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture created by the people under the leadership of the Party, and rooted in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics… After a hundred years, the socialist culture with Chinese characteristics has been integrated into the spiritual blood of the CCP, shaping the spiritual character of hundreds of millions of Chinese people every moment. 

“文化自信是一个国家、一个民族发展中更基本、更深沉、更持久的力量。”源自于源远流长的中华优秀传统文化,熔铸于党领导人民创造的革命文化和社会主义先进文化,植根于中国特色社会主义伟大实践……历经百年,中国特色社会主义文化已经融入在中国共产党的精神血脉,时刻形塑着亿万中国人的精神气质。

The long heritage of civilization is in her genes. On March 22 this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping, on an inspection in Fujian, came to Zhu Xi Garden and earnestly pointed out: “If there were no five thousand years of Chinese civilization, where would we find any Chinese characteristics? If it were not for Chinese characteristics, how could there be such a road as socialism with Chinese characteristics on which we have achieved so much today?” Our 5,000-year-old civilization has been passed down and continued to flourish, which has given our Party indomitable tenacity and perseverance. The unique character and endowments of Chinese culture have endowed our Party with the precious character of being simple, vigorous, hard-working, and willing to struggle. The ancient Chinese pursuit of great harmony in the world gave our Party the breadth of mind to care for the common people and view all the world as one people. Marxism, by condensing the essence of human thought, activated the ancient Chinese civilization. China is the only great civilization in history that has never been interrupted, but Marxism has injected rich nutrients and profound impetus into the development of China. 

悠远的文明传承是她的基因。今年3月22日,正在福建考察的习近平总书记来到朱熹园,语重心长地指出:“如果没有中华五千年文明,哪里有什么中国特色?如果不是中国特色,哪有我们今天这么成功的中国特色社会主义道路?”五千年文明的薪火相传、生生不息,赋予了我们党百折不挠的顽强与坚韧;中华文化特有的气质和禀赋,赋予了我们党质朴刚健、艰苦奋斗的宝贵品格;华夏先人对天下大同的追求向往,赋予了我们党心系苍生、天下为公的博大胸襟。凝结着人类思想精华的马克思主义,激活了古老的华夏文明;历史上唯一一个从未中断的伟大文明,又为马克思主义在中国的发展注入丰富的养分和深厚的动力。

The mighty and unyielding revolutionary spirit is her true color. In the one hundred years of the Party’s leadership of the people in the process of breaking new ground, changing the world, and shaking heaven and earth, not only has it set down great achievements that will shine through the annals of history, but it has also forged a great spirit that will shine on long into the future. Shikumen on Xingye Road in Shanghai, Red Boat on Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing, Octagonal Tower on the foot of Jinggang Mountain, Luding Bridge on Long March Road, Baota Mountain in Yan’an, Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the first oil well in Daqing Oilfield, and the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” research bases in the depths of the Gobi desert, the Lotus Mountain in Shenzhen, the flood-resistant monument on the Jingjiang embankment, the Wenchuan New City reconstructed after the earthquake, and the new appearance of the Shibadong Village in Xiangxi… These have long been not only well-known geographical markers at home and abroad, but have also become the spiritual totems of the Chinese nation showing we will refuse to be left behind and struggle hard. Whenever storms strike, and whenever challenges come, the Chinese people strengthen their confidence and muster their courage on the spiritual journey and gather together as a mighty power of united efforts and indomitable progress. 

威武不屈的革命精神是她的本色。在一百年来党领导人民开天辟地、改天换地、翻天覆地的进程中,不但书写了足以彪炳史册的伟大功绩,而且铸就了可歌可泣、光照千秋的伟大精神。上海兴业路的石库门,嘉兴南湖的红船,井冈山麓的八角楼,长征路上的大渡桥,大庆油田第一口油井,戈壁深处的“两弹一星”科研基地,深圳的莲花山,荆江大堤的抗洪纪念碑,汶川地震后建成的新城,旧貌换新颜的湘西十八洞村……这些早已不只是闻名中外的地理标识,更已成为中华民族不甘落后、拼搏奋斗的精神图腾。每当风雨来袭,每当挑战来临,中国人民都在精神之旅中坚定信心、鼓足勇气,凝聚起众志成城、一往无前的磅礴伟力。

Socialism must increase both material productivity and spiritual productivity. An important goal of realizing modernization is the building of China into a socialist cultural superpower. In the new era of China, the Party’s innovative theories are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, the core socialist values have been widely promoted, the reform of the cultural system has been steadily advanced, cultural undertakings and industries are flourishing, and the flowers of civilization are blooming everywhere. My People, My CountryMy People, My Homeland, and other movies convey the sentiments of home and country, TV dramas such as Awakening AgeGoing Across the Yalu River, and Minning Town have moved the hearts of the people, and thematic works such as Never Forget Why You StartedGod Bless ChinaYimeng Mountain, and Ode to the Earth convey the melody of the times. There is also Ulan animal husbandry teams active on the frontier grassland, literary and artistic volunteer teams rooted in the factories and fields, and many Chinese works of art are leaving China and going out into the world… All of this constitutes an exciting concert of the times and a Chinese symphony that moves the world. 

社会主义不但要提高物质生产力、也要提高精神生产力,实现现代化一个重要目标就是建成社会主义文化强国。新时代的中国,党的创新理论深入人心,社会主义核心价值观广为弘扬,文化体制改革扎实推进,文化事业、产业蓬勃发展,文明之花处处绽放。《我和我的祖国》《我和我的家乡》等电影诉说着家国的情怀,《觉醒年代》《跨过鸭绿江》《山海情》等电视剧拨动着人民的心弦,《不忘初心》《天耀中华》《沂蒙山》《大地颂歌》等主题作品传扬着时代的旋律,更有那一支支乌兰牧骑活跃在边疆草原,一支支文艺志愿小分队扎根在工厂田间,一部部作品走出国门、走向世界……这一切,构成了激荡人心的时代协奏、感动世界的中国交响。

This is China where the people are prosperous, and this is China where the culture is flourishing and splendid. The socialist culture with Chinese characteristics has become the spiritual pillar on which China can stand among the nations of the world in the new era. It has become a civilizational treasure trove of the Chinese nation’s contributions to mankind! 

这是人民蓬勃向上的中国,这是文化繁盛绚丽的中国。中国特色社会主义文化,成为新时代中国屹立于世界民族之林的精神支柱,成为中华民族为人类贡献的文明瑰宝!

Over five hundred years, humankind’s pursuit of socialism has been full of both flowers and thorns. For a hundred years, the Chinese people have been shining with glory and dreams in their pursuit of socialism and they are also full of struggle and sacrifice. The great CCP and the heroic Chinese people have never retreated and never wavered. History eloquently proves: China Has Not Failed Socialism! 

五百年来,人类追求社会主义的路途上,有鲜花芬芳,也有荆棘密布。一百年来,中国人追求社会主义的历程中,闪耀着光荣和梦想,也充满着奋斗和牺牲,伟大的中国共产党和英雄的中国人民从未退却、从未动摇。历史雄辩地证明:中国没有辜负社会主义!

Facing towards the future, China will surely make greater contributions to the progress of human civilization and the development of world socialism, and let this righteous and promising cause shine even more brightly! 

面向未来,中国必将为人类文明进步、为世界社会主义发展作出更大贡献,让这个正义而充满前途的事业迸发出更加夺目的光芒!

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宣言 (Xuan Yan). "China Has Not Failed Socialism [中国没有辜负社会主义]". CSIS Interpret: China, original work published in People's Daily [人民日报], June 8, 2021

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