Page 17 - Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects

good use of its stances, viewpoints, and methods.

—We must put the people first. People-centeredness is an essential attribute
of Marxism. Our Party’s theories are from the people, for the people, and
beneficial to the people. The people’s creative practices are the inexhaustible
source of our theoretical innovations. Theories that are detached from the
people will be feeble and ineffective, and theories that cannot deliver for the
people will be stale and lifeless. We must stand firmly with the people,

respond to their wishes, respect their creativity, and pool their wisdom to
develop theories that they like, accept, and adopt and that become powerful
tools guiding them in understanding and changing the world.
—We must maintain self-confidence and stand on our own feet. There has

never been an instruction manual or ready-made solution for the Chinese
people and the Chinese nation to turn to as they fought to end the great
sufferings endured since the advent of modern times and have moved on
toward the bright future of rejuvenation. The Party has led the people in
independently blazing the path to success over the past century, and the
success of Marxism in China has been realized by Chinese Communists
through our own endeavors. One point underpinning these successes is that
China’s issues must be dealt with by Chinese people in light of the Chinese
context. We must remain firm in our conviction in Marxism and socialism

with Chinese characteristics and strengthen our confidence in the path, theory,
system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. With a stronger
sense of historical responsibility and creativity, we should make greater
contributions to the development of Marxism. We should never act blindly
without assessing how conditions have evolved or allow ourselves to become
ossified or closed off, nor should we mechanically imitate others or
indiscriminately absorb foreign ideas.

—We must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground. We are
advancing a great cause that none have attempted before. Only by upholding
fundamental principles can we avoid losing our bearings or making
catastrophic mistakes. Only by breaking new ground can we meet the call of
the day and shape the trends of our times. We should approach Marxism with
a respect for science and in the spirit of seeking truth. We must never waver

in upholding the basic tenets of Marxism, the overall leadership of the Party,
and socialism with Chinese characteristics. We should keep pace with the
times and adapt to the evolution of practice. We should approach each and
every new thing with great enthusiasm and never stop broadening and
deepening our understanding of the world. We must dare to say what has
never been said and do what has never been done, and we must use new
theory to guide new practice.

15