On May 28, the fourth page of the People's Daily published a factual report revealing details of the meeting presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping on the afternoon of May 23 in Jinan, Shandong Province. During this meeting with enterprises and experts.
I personally believe this is a very important piece because it includes many of President Xi's exact words from the discussion on key issues regarding China's reform and development. It addresses how to handle the relationship between reform and the socialist system, as well as the values and paths of reform. President Xi specifically asked entrepreneurs and experts about “the main reasons for the decline in the number of new unicorn companies in China”. He emphasized that the "new three"(新三样) “emerging industries”(新兴产业) should not be equated with "new productive forces"(新质生产力), noting that the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries can also develop “new productive forces”. He also recalled his time working in Zhengding, where he adopted economist Yu Guangyuan(于光远)'s suggestion to establish a rural research institute, stressing that development should find methods suitable for local conditions and doesn't necessarily need to be comprehensive(适应当地的办法,不一定要大而全).
Below is the full translation of the piece. All highlights are mine:
The discussion forum with businesses and experts served as preparation for the 3rd Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which will be held in Beijing in July this year.
Looking back to the autumn of 2013, the "epoch-making" the 3rd Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, faced with "difficult bones to gnaw on," ushered in a new era of comprehensively deepening reform and systematically designing and advancing reform, sounding the "marching orders for reform." Over a decade has passed since then, with momentum and broad waves.
This year, coinciding with another crucial year for deepening reform comprehensively, the primary task is to plan for further comprehensive deepening of reform. "This is not only a continuation of the practice of comprehensively deepening reform since the 3rd Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, but also a new chapter in the era of advancing Chinese-style modernization."
Learn from the past to foresee the future. Since the reform and opening up, each 3rd Plenary has discussed deepening reform issues, signalling that our Party will firmly uphold the banner of reform and opening up without wavering. As the saying goes, "Once you've identified it, grab onto it firmly and unwaveringly."(看准了就坚定不移抓)
"Identifying it" is a strategic clarity.
What to reform, what not to reform, where and how to reform – "one must be a clear-minded reformer." Especially in a country like China, we cannot afford revolutionary errors in fundamental issues. This lesson was learned from over 40 years of reform and opening up practice.
During the forum, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of adhering to correctness while innovating methods when further comprehensively deepening reform. The first point he raised was to uphold correct principles while promoting innovation.
"Adhering to correctness"(守正创新) means adhering to the roots and fundamentals. When the roots are stable, the branches and leaves flourish. "No matter how reform is carried out, the fundamental principles such as upholding the Party's overall leadership, adhering to Marxism, sticking to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and upholding the people's democratic dictatorship must never be shaken; otherwise, it would be like destroying the Great Wall." This weighty statement underscores that reform must have correct political views and a sense of right and wrong and maintain the unwavering determination not to change paths.
Ultimately, identifying it comes down to understanding the path ahead.
The exploration of this path runs through the hundred-year journey of the great Party. From reform to comprehensive deepening of reform, and now to further comprehensive deepening of reform, it's like wearing comfortable shoes and walking one's own path, firmly holding destiny in one's own hands.
This forum clearly defined the theme of further comprehensive deepening of reform, focusing on promoting Chinese modernization. It highlighted the key points of reform, emphasizing the main contradictions and aspects of contradictions. It also indicated the value orientation of reform, reflecting the people's aspirations for a better life.
All these are not without a source. For instance, the value orientation of reform, based on the cornerstone of "people-centred," embodies the profound logic of "Chinese modernization with people's welfare in mind." Over the past decade, in the new era, there has been the pledge of "no one left behind on the road to prosperity" and the commitment of "offending thousands of people but not betraying fourteen billion." The examples are numerous. When a scholar mentioned during the forum that "the goal of this next round of reform is to ensure more groups feel a stronger sense of gain," the General Secretary praised it, saying, "This statement hits the nail on the head; the people's sense of gain is tangible."
"Identifying it" is an effective method for reform. China's vastness lies not only in its expansive territory but also in the significant regional differences. General Secretary Xi Jinping, who has worked in local areas for a long time, deeply understands the importance of coordinating and balancing comprehensively, emphasizing key points and promoting overall development.
Having courage and stability in steps, from local to central levels, has been a common phrase repeated by Comrade Xi Jinping during years of advancing reforms. "Identifying it" requires both courage and a steady pace. Through pilot explorations and seeking advice, experiences have been gained, consensus reached, and with a clear vision and steady progress, small victories accumulate into significant victories.
What is a pilot project? It means feeling one's way across the river with a pioneering spirit. I remember when the Shanghai Free Trade Zone was established. The General Secretary expected it to be replicable and scalable, not just a policy loophole, like a nursery instead of a bonsai.
History is created by the brave. Today's Chinese-style modernization, an unprecedented undertaking, has many unknown areas that require bold exploration through practice.
Considering the vastness of China, "identifying it" is no easy task. Whether achieving significant accomplishments or addressing minor issues, factoring in over 1.4 billion people makes governing a large country challenging and breaking through obstacles daunting.
Firm resolve is not easy to achieve. It demonstrates the will and responsibility of "where the path lies, I will take it even if thousands block the way," embodying the courage and wisdom of "trying the hardest things for the most distant goals."
Chinese modernization differs from modernization for hundreds, millions, or tens of millions. It involves over 1.4 billion people. "This is the largest-scale modernization in human history and the most challenging."
"Addressing problems head-on and focusing on resolving them, decisively eliminating ideological concepts and systemic flaws hindering the advancement of Chinese-style modernization." This clear awareness of issues permeated throughout the discussion. When hearing about innovation and investment, the General Secretary inquired, "What is the main reason for the decrease in the number of new unicorn enterprises?"(我们的独角兽企业新增数下降的主因是什么?)
Issues symbolize the voice of the times. A "list of problems" is also a "list of reforms."
Since the new era, precise poverty alleviation, pollution prevention, and full and strict governance over the Party have led to historic transformations, systemic reshaping, and overall reconstruction in many areas.
"Now, taking steps from the beginning again." As comprehensive deepening reform embarks on a new expedition, facing predictable and unpredictable risks and challenges, as well as difficulties and obstacles, it's essential to advance despite hardships and uncertainties with determination and real efforts.
It is difficult for courage to manifest, and through struggles, one's resolve becomes resolute.
"Were it to benefit my country, I would lay down my life; What then is risk to me?" (苟利国家生死以,岂因祸福避趋之)a poem by Lin Zexu, frequently referenced by General Secretary Xi Jinping, deeply resonates in his heart.
The footprints of reform practitioners are clear and resolute: launching the "Nine Talent Articles" in Zhengding; advocating "the weak bird flies first" in Ningde; initiating "instant handling" in Fuzhou; summarizing the "Jinjiang Experience" in Jinjiang; proposing the "Eight-Eight Strategy" in Zhejiang; and pushing for "strategy for integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta" in Shanghai... From managing a local area to leading China, each step was steadfastly implemented, and everything has blossomed beautifully.
In the new era, comprehensive deepening reform has been included in the "Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy," which establishes a new pattern for developing the party and country in the new situation.
A little over a month after the 3rd Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee convened a meeting and decided to establish the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reform, the first time in the Party's history that a leading body specifically for reform work was set up at the central level.
"The responsibility of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reform is to ensure the implementation of all reform measures proposed at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Party." With swift and decisive actions, General Secretary Xi Jinping has presided over more than 70 meetings of the Central Leading Group for deepening reform and the Central Committee for deepening reform. A robust central leadership hub has effectively implemented major reform initiatives with a "nailing" tenacity.
"Even if reform is difficult, it must move forward." When a decision is made, there should be no fear of storms or challenges but rather a commitment to follow through with the blueprint until the end.
Facing challenges with courage is a brave act; following through until the end relies on great wisdom.
During a recent symposium, the General Secretary shared a story.
"I remember when I was in Zhengding, at the suggestion of the economist Yu Guangyuan, I established a rural research institute. We researched micro-level aspects, including developing the earthworm industry, village-level organizational construction, and more. At the time, he proposed a concept - considering China's economic strength and conditions, we needed to focus more on achieving modernization through 'poor methods.' I added 'local methods' behind 'poor methods,' meaning adapting methods to suit local conditions, not necessarily doing everything on a grand scale."
"Poor methods" and "local methods" speak to the reform wisdom of tailoring solutions to suit specific circumstances and imperatives.
Seizing the moment and the trends. During the critical period of combating the COVID-19 pandemic, when inspecting the Zhoushan Port in Ningbo, Zhejiang, the General Secretary realized that the environmental conditions for large-scale imports and exports had changed. This led to brewing a new development pattern known as the "dual circulation." After the 20th Party Congress, emphasizing driving high-quality development and considering changes in the domestic and international situation, the General Secretary explicitly proposed accelerating the development of new quality productive forces.
Handling strategy and implementation well. In constructing a new development pattern, one of the important requirements from various locales was to "firmly grasp the strategic positioning within the overall national development." Emphasizing the development of new quality productive forces, it was stressed that "each locality should start from reality, establish goals, adapt to local conditions, and provide specialized guidance." When a scholar at the symposium spoke about optimizing the layout of regional productive forces and preventing "inward competition," General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "Further in-depth discussions can be made on the connotations of new quality productive forces. Do new quality productive forces equate to emerging industries? Traditional industry transformation and upgrading can also develop new quality productive forces. Don't just focus on the 'new three,' and avoid impulsive actions. Instead, tailor solutions to specific circumstances, each with its merits."(“新质生产力的内涵,可以做更多深入探讨。新质生产力,是否就等于新兴产业?传统产业改造升级,也能发展新质生产力。不能光盯着‘新三样’,不能大呼隆、一哄而起、一哄而散,一定要因地制宜,各有千秋。”)
While new changes occur, thoughts are always passed down through generations. In the reform chapters of recent years, the imprint of "firmly grasping and persisting once a decision is made" can be seen time and again. At the Central Leading Group's first meeting for Comprehensive Deepening Reform convened after the 3rd Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, "We must strengthen the sense of responsibility for reform. Once a decision is made, we must have the political courage and determination to see it through without wavering."
In the new era, the determination and actions of comprehensive deepening reform have always been resolute and unwavering.