Explanation of the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century

Explanation of the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements  and Historical Experience of the  Party over the Past Century*

November 8, 2021

On behalf of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, I will now brief you on the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, and related issues.

I. Considerations on the Agenda of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee

Our Party has always attached great importance to reviewing its historical experience. As early as in the Yan’an period (1935-1948), Mao Zedong pointed out, “We will not be able to achieve greater success unless we have a clear understanding of our history and of the roads we have traveled.”

In 1945, on the cusp of securing final victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Sixth CPC Central Committee convened its Seventh Plenary Session and adopted the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party. The Resolution reviewed the history of the Party and the experience it had gained and lessons it had learned since its founding in 1921, in particular those in the period between the Fourth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee in January 1931 and the Zunyi Meeting in January 1935. It drew conclusions on major historical issues, leading to a broad consensus among all Party members, particularly high-ranking officials, on fundamental questions pertaining to the Chinese revolution. It served to strengthen the solidarity of the Party, paved the way for the convocation of the Seventh CPC National Congress in 1945, and enabled a significant advance in the Chinese revolution.

When our country entered a new period marked by the launch of reform and opening up in 1978, Deng Xiaoping noted, “The experience of successes is valuable, and so is the experience of mistakes and defeats. Formulating principles and policies in this way enables us to unify the thinking of the whole Party so as to achieve a new unity; unity formed on such a basis is most reliable.”

In 1981, at its Sixth Plenary Session, the 11th Central Committee adopted the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party Since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Resolution reviewed our Party’s history in the period before the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949 and summarized the experience it had gained in the course of socialist revolution and construction (1949-1978).

The Resolution evaluated certain major events and important figures. In particular, it gave a proper appraisal of Mao Zedong and Mao Zedong Thought. It drew a clear distinction between right and wrong and corrected the erroneous “Leftist” and Rightist viewpoints existing at the time. Through the Resolution, the Party came to a clear consensus and was more united than ever in support of a forward-looking approach. All this provided a strong impetus for reform, opening up, and socialist modernization.

Seventy-six years have passed since the adoption of the Party’s first resolution on historical issues, and 40 years since the second. The past four decades have witnessed tremendous progress in the country and tremendous advances in the Party’s theory and practice.

We have now arrived at a new historic milestone. As we look back and set our sights on the future, we have a need for an objective review of our Party’s major achievements and historical experience over the past century, especially those in the 40-plus years of reform and opening up, and the subjective conditions are right.

The Party’s central leadership considers it important in both a practical and historical sense to have a comprehensive review of the major achievements and historical experience of the Party over the past century, as we celebrate its centenary and the fulfillment of the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2021, and move on towards the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country by 2049. This review will help build a broader consensus and stronger unity in will and action among all members, rally all the Chinese people, and lead them to new successes in building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The central leadership understands that there are many issues that merit our careful study, as our Party has gone through an extraordinary journey over the past century, covering a long period of time and a wide range of fields. As a general requirement, we need to review our history and understand the underlying dynamics of its development so as to prepare for the future with greater confidence.

To this end, we need to relive the glories of the Party and appreciate how it has succeeded in rallying the Chinese people and leading them to so many magnificent achievements. We need to take stock of the invaluable experience the Party has gained in carrying out revolution, construction and reform, and summarize the theories and practices that have proved successful in advancing the cause of the Party and the country since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.

To put it more clearly, we need to revisit the Party’s century-long history of leading the people in carrying out revolution, construction and reform. We need to review the Party’s great historical course of achieving one victory after another, and the successes it has achieved in the interests of the country and the nation.

We need to revisit the Party’s century-long history in which it has advanced Marxism in the Chinese context by adapting the basic tenets of Marxism to China’s realities and traditional culture, and we need to gain a deeper understanding of the Party’s innovative theories for the new era.

We need to revisit the Party’s century-long history in which the Party has maintained unity and upheld the authority of the Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership. We need to appreciate the significance of reinforcing the Party’s political foundations, which is a distinctive feature and political strength of a Marxist party such as ours.

We need to revisit the Party’s century-long journey in pursuit of happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We must always bear in mind that the Party and the people are inextricably connected and rise and fall together. Only with this understanding can we Party members better devote ourselves to the wellbeing of the people and rely on them in our endeavors.

We need to revisit the Party’s century-long journey in which it has grown stronger through self-improvement and self-reform. We must never falter in exercising full and rigorous self-governance of the Party, and we must see this as an ongoing endeavor, in order to make sure that the Party always remains a strong leadership core in the endeavor to uphold and develop Chinese socialism in the new era.

We need to reflect on the past in order to understand historical patterns and trends, to be able to take timely actions in advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the new era, and to build greater courage and strength in order to keep to our set goals and stride ahead with pride and confidence.

The central leadership considers it essential to follow the methodology of dialectical and historical materialism in the review of the Party’s major achievements and its experience over the past century. We need to look at the Party’s history in the context of the times and all relevant events, and from an objective and developmental perspective.

We need to look at the Party’s history rationally and from a broad perspective so as to accurately identify the underlying trends and defining features of the CPC’s evolution.

We need to put in perspective the mistakes our Party made and setbacks it encountered on its way forward. We should draw experience from our successes and learn lessons from our mistakes so as to achieve new victories.

We need to be resolute in setting things straight, taking a clear-cut stance against historical nihilism, strengthening ideological guidance and theoretical analysis, and clearing up confusion and misunderstandings over some major questions in the Party’s history.

The central leadership has made it clear that the following are the top priorities in drafting the resolution to be adopted at this session:

First, the resolution must focus on the Party’s major achievements and experience over the past century.

Our Party has already produced two resolutions on historical issues, settling controversies on major issues in Party history in the period from its founding to the early stage of reform and opening up. Their basic points and conclusions remain valid.

Since reform and opening up was introduced in 1978, the Party and the country have by and large made smooth progress in the right direction, achieving results that have earned worldwide acclaim, despite encountering certain problems. In view of this, the draft resolution to be adopted at this session should focus on a review of the Party’s major achievements and experience over the past century. This will help pool our wisdom, strengthen our unity, and boost our confidence and morale.

Second, the resolution must highlight the new era in advancing Chinese socialism.

This resolution should place emphasis on the new era, mainly reviewing the historic achievements and shifts in the cause of the Party and the country, and the latest experience that the Party has gained during this period. This is because the two previous resolutions on historical issues were devoted to Party history during three earlier phases: the period of the New Democratic Revolution, the period of socialist revolution and construction, and the period between the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in 1978 and its Sixth Plenary Session in 1981.

Concerning the achievements and experience gained during the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, the Central Committee has already conducted thorough reviews on the occasions of the 20th and 30th anniversaries of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee. I also gave a systematic analysis of this period in my speech at a gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up.

Therefore, the resolution before us needs to focus on the new era when we advance socialism with Chinese characteristics, along with a brief summary of Party history prior to the 18th CPC National Congress based on existing reviews and conclusions. This will further fortify the confidence of all Party members, and help them to focus on our current endeavors, forge ahead on the new journey with greater strength of purpose, and contribute even more in the new era.

Third, the resolution’s appraisal of major events, significant meetings, and important figures must be consistent with the Party Central Committee’s existing conclusions.

The previous two resolutions and a substantial body of important Party literature document the major events, meetings, and figures in Party history prior to its 18th National Congress, and contain well-considered conclusions on historical issues. These points and conclusions are to be upheld in the new resolution.

Since 2012, I have spoken about Party history and the Party’s conclusions on historical issues on a number of important occasions, including events marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Party, the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and in particular the Party’s centenary. These statements represent an updated understanding on the part of the Central Committee of the Party’s century-long history. This updated understanding needs to be reflected in the new resolution.

II. The Drafting Process

In March this year, the Political Bureau decided that the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee would focus on a comprehensive review of the Party’s major achievements and historical experience in its century-long history.

To this end, a working group was established to draft the document under the auspices of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau. I am head of this group, and my colleagues Wang Huning and Zhao Leji serve as its deputy heads. The group’s membership is composed of other Party and state leaders, as well as leading officials from relevant central departments and localities.

On April 1, the Central Committee issued the Circular on Soliciting Opinions on the Agenda of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee of Focusing on a Full and Systematic Review of the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party, in order to seek comments and suggestions from Party members and non-Party figures as appropriate.

From their feedback, we can see unanimous agreement among all localities, departments and sectors consulted, that the decision of the 19th CPC Central Committee to focus its Sixth Plenary Session on a comprehensive review of the Party’s major achievements and historical experience over the past century is a well-considered one and is of historic and strategic significance.

They believe the decision reflects the Party’s firm resolve to stay true to its original aspiration and founding mission and remain as vibrant as ever. It demonstrates the Party’s keen understanding of the general trends of history, its strong sense of mission and purpose, and its commitment to advancing the cause of the Party and the country. It also embodies the Party’s broad and farsighted vision, its willingness to learn from history, and its commitment to remaining firmly grounded in reality while setting its sights on the future.

They expressed their unanimous endorsement of the Central Committee’s decision to focus the session on a review of the Party’s major achievements and historical experience over the past century. They have also come up with many constructive comments and suggestions on what issues should be covered in the resolution.

They all agree that in its century-long history the Party has united the Chinese people and led them in a continued endeavor to carry out revolution, construction and reform. They agree that the Party and the people have achieved successes that will go down in the annals of the Chinese nation, world socialism, and human society. They agree that the Party and the people have fundamentally changed the course of the Chinese nation’s history in modern times and written a great chapter in the history of world socialism, adding new dimensions to Marxism. They agree that the Party and the people have made great progress towards national rejuvenation, made a significant contribution to human progress, and gained a wealth of invaluable experience on this great journey. All of these merit a systematic review.

The localities, departments and sectors involved in the consultation suggest that in reviewing the Party’s major achievements and historical experience over the past century, we should focus on the historic achievements and shifts in the new era, and the latest experience gained during this period.

Under the planning of the Central Committee, the drafting group first carefully studied the Party’s major historical documents. Following a thorough review of all major issues in the Party’s history and giving full consideration to the comments and suggestions collected from those consulted, the group subsequently began to draft the resolution.

In accordance with a decision made at a meeting of the Political Bureau, the text of the draft resolution was distributed on September 6 to selected Party members, including retired senior Party officials, for consultation. We also sought opinions from the central committees of other political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and prominent individuals without party affiliation.

The feedback we have received provides full endorsement of the text of the draft resolution and its general framework and main content. They all agree that the most salient feature of the document is its focus on facts and its respect for history.

They also agree that the document highlights the Party’s commitment to its original aspiration and founding mission in all its endeavors over the past century. It is a fact-based document and its descriptions and appraisals of major events, meetings and figures are consistent with those in the Party’s existing historical documents. It also demonstrates the Central Committee’s updated understanding of Party history in the period after the Party’s 18th National Congress.

Under the subheading, “Historical Significance of the Party’s Endeavors over the Past Century”, the document provides a comprehensive, in-depth and systematic summary of the Party’s historic contribution to China and humanity.

Under the subheading, “Historical Experience of the Party’s Endeavors over the Past Century”, the document summarizes the Party’s experience in the past and also highlights its significance for guiding ongoing and future endeavors.

All localities, departments and sectors consulted agree that this draft resolution represents a political declaration of China’s Communists to stay true to their original aspiration and founding mission, and their commitment to upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. It is a guideline for the Party to create a brighter future and achieve national rejuvenation by learning from history.

They also agree that the draft resolution is imbued with the same spirit as the two previous resolutions on historical issues, while also reflecting the spirit of the times. It will inspire the whole Party to strive harder on the journey ahead.

Over the course of soliciting opinions, we received many valuable comments and suggestions from the localities, departments and sectors consulted. The drafting group analyzed these opinions and suggestions individually and incorporated as many of them as possible. Following multiple discussions and careful consideration, a total of 547 revisions were made to the preliminary draft. The revised draft therefore fully reflects the input of those consulted. During the drafting process, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau met three times and the Political Bureau twice for the purpose of discussing and finalizing the draft. The current draft for your consideration is a product of these meetings.

III. The General Framework and Main Content of the Document

In addition to a preamble and a conclusion, the document has seven sections.

1.  A Great Victory in the New Democratic Revolution

This section outlines the major tasks of the Party during the New Democratic Revolution period, namely opposing imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat-capitalism, and working for the nation’s independence and the people’s liberation, so as to create the fundamental social conditions necessary for realizing national rejuvenation.

It analyzes the historical background to the founding of the Party, and highlights the revolutionary struggle waged by the people under the Party’s leadership and its great achievements in the early days of the Party and during the periods of the Great Revolution (1924-1927), the Agrarian Revolutionary War (1927-1937), the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945), and the War of Liberation (1946-1950). It also highlights the Party’s major achievements in establishing Mao Zedong Thought, and initiating and advancing the great project of strengthening the Party.

It emphasizes that founding the People’s Republic of China, achieving national independence, and securing the people’s liberation represented China’s great transformation from a millennia-old feudal autocracy to a people’s democracy. Through these achievements, gained by tenacious struggle, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people showed the world that China had stood up and the time in which the Chinese nation could be abused and oppressed by others was gone and would never return. This marked the beginning of a new epoch in China’s development.

2.  Socialist Revolution and Construction

This section specifies the Party’s major tasks during this period, which were to realize the transformation from new democracy to socialism, carry out socialist revolution, promote socialist construction, and lay down the fundamental political conditions and the institutional foundations necessary for national rejuvenation.

It reviews the Party’s great achievements during the period following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, in which the Party led the people in surmounting many challenging obstacles to consolidate the newly-established state power, completing the process of socialist transformation, establishing the socialist system, launching large-scale socialist construction on all fronts, and breaking new ground in foreign affairs.

It recaps the efforts of the Party to build up its capacity as the governing party, and summarizes the preliminary experience gained in this regard. It gives a rational appraisal of Mao Zedong Thought based on a summary of the creative theories put forward by the Party during this period.

The section also highlights the achievements of the Chinese people under the Party’s leadership, which brought about a great transformation from a poor, backward and populous Eastern country to a strong socialist nation. Through these achievements, gained by tenacious struggle, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people showed the world that the Chinese people were not only capable of dismantling the old world but also of building a new one, and that only socialism could save China and develop China.

3.  Reform, Opening Up, and Socialist Modernization

This section recounts the major tasks of the Party during this period, which were to continue exploring the right path for building socialism in China, unleash and develop productive forces, lift the people out of poverty and help them become prosperous in the shortest time possible, and fuel the push towards national rejuvenation by providing new, dynamic institutional guarantees as well as the material conditions for rapid development.

It highlights the great significance of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, and documents the historic contribution of China’s Communists with Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao as their chief representatives. It reviews the spectacular progress and resounding successes of the Party during this period as it led the people in restoring order in all sectors, developing the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, advancing reform, opening up and socialist modernization, effectively responding to the many challenges to China’s overall reform, development and stability, promoting national reunification, safeguarding world peace, pursuing common development, and launching and advancing the great new project of strengthening the Party.

This section commends the great achievements of the Party and the people during this period, which made possible the Chinese nation’s tremendous advance from standing up to becoming prosperous. Through these achievements, gained by tenacious struggle, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people showed the world that reform and opening up was a crucial move in making China what it is today, that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the right path towards development and prosperity, and that China has caught up with the times in great strides.

4.  A New Era of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

This section outlines the major tasks of the Party during this period: completing the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, launching a new journey to realize the Second Centenary Goal of turning China into a great modern socialist country, and continuing to advance towards the great goal of national rejuvenation.

It elaborates on the new era in advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics, which represents a new phase in China’s development. It reviews the Party’s achievements in theoretical innovation since its 18th National Congress, and thoroughly analyzes the conditions, risks and challenges faced by the Party in the new era.

With a focus on the original ideas, transformative practices, new breakthroughs, and landmark accomplishments over the past nine years, the section reviews the great achievements and historic shifts in the new era in 13 areas:

• upholding the Party’s overall leadership; 
• exercising full and rigorous self-governance of the Party;
• pursuing economic development;
• expanding reform and opening up;
• reinforcing the political foundations;
• advancing law-based governance;
• driving cultural progress;
• promoting social progress;
• spurring eco-environmental progress;
• strengthening national defense and the armed forces;
• safeguarding national security;
• upholding the One Country, Two Systems policy and promoting national reunification; 
• bolstering the diplomatic front.

The section emphasizes that the great achievements of the people under the leadership of the Party during this period provide better institutional conditions, stronger material foundations, and a source of inspiration for realizing national rejuvenation. Through these achievements, gained by tenacious struggle, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people have shown the world that the Chinese nation has achieved the tremendous transformation from standing up and becoming better off to growing in strength.

5. The Historical Significance of the Party’s Endeavors over the Past Century

Based on a thorough review of the Party’s major achievements over the past century, this section highlights the significance of the Party’s endeavors from a broad perspective:

• fundamentally transforming the future of the Chinese people;
• opening up the right path for achieving rejuvenation of the Chinese nation;
• demonstrating the vitality of Marxism;
• exerting a profound influence on the course of world history; 
• making the CPC a forerunner of the times.

It spells out the CPC’s historic contribution to the Chinese people, the Chinese nation, Marxism, human progress, and the development of Marxist political parties.

This five-point summary is rooted in China’s experience, but represents a vision for the future of humanity. It reflects the close bond between the CPC and the Chinese people and nation, the connections between the CPC and Marxism, world socialism, and human society, and the underlying logic behind the Party’s history, theory and practice in the past 100 years.

6. The Historical Experience of the Party’s Endeavors over the Past Century

The historical experience of the Party is of fundamental and far-reaching significance. This section summarizes this experience from 10 perspectives:

• upholding the Party’s leadership;
• putting the people first;
• advancing theoretical innovation;
• staying independent;
• following the Chinese path;
• maintaining a global vision;
• breaking new ground;
• standing up for ourselves;
• promoting the united front; 
• remaining committed to self-reform.

These 10 points form a systemic, interconnected and indivisible whole. They are critical to the continued success of the Party and the people. They are the source of the Party’s strength, and are the very reason why the Party has always been able to take timely actions. They are essential for the Party to preserve its progressive and wholesome nature and always stand at the forefront of the times.

This section reiterates that the 10 points represent valuable practical experience the Party has gained on its century-long journey and they are intellectual treasures created through the joint efforts of the Party and the people. We must all cherish them, uphold them over the long term, and continue to enrich and develop them in practice in the new era.

7. The Communist Party of China in the New Era

This section focuses on the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. It calls on all Party members to make unremitting and resolute efforts to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and never to let up until we reach our goals, bearing in mind that the last leg of the journey marks the halfway point only.

It emphasizes the importance of adhering to the Party’s underlying theories, basic guidelines, and fundamental principles, and of grounding our work in this new development stage, applying the new development philosophy, fostering a new development dynamic, and pursuing high-quality development. It calls for coordinated nationwide efforts to make our people prosperous, our nation strong, and our country beautiful.

It reiterates the need to forever maintain the Party’s close ties with the people and the need to better realize, safeguard and advance the fundamental interests of all the people. It reminds us that one may thrive in adversity and decline in times of ease. It requires us to see things from a long-term, strategic perspective, and always remain mindful of potential dangers, and inspires us to continue the great new project of strengthening the Party in the new era. It emphasizes that we must nurture the people who will carry on the cause of the Party from generation to generation.

It calls on the whole Party, the military, and all our people to bear in mind the glories and hardships of yesterday, rise to the mission of today, and live up to the great dream of tomorrow. It also calls on us to learn from history, work hard, forge ahead for a better future, and make tireless efforts to realize the Second Centenary Goal and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Comrades,

The key task of the present session is to review and adopt the resolution. I hope that in doing so, you will act in accordance with the requirements of the central leadership, and adopt a holistic perspective on the past, the present, and the future of our Party.

I also hope you will carry out in-depth discussions on the draft resolution, draw on our collective wisdom, and come up with constructive ideas and suggestions.

Let us work together to make this session a great success and do our best to improve the draft.

* Speech at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)