Original source: China Daily

Our “three great achievements” over the past 90 years are that “we have embarked on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, formed a system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics and established a socialist system with Chinese characteristics”. These achievements “should be valued, upheld on a long-term basis and continuously built upon by our Party and people”. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Hu Jintao’s speech at the 90th CPC anniversary gathering concluded that the “three great achievements” and historical experience gained during the nine decades have charted the course of bright future for the Chinese people led by the CPC, says an article in People’s Daily. Excerpts:

Ninety years of struggles, sacrifices and innovations of the CPC have not only turned the semi-colonial, semi-feudal country into socialist New China and brought about the victories of new-democratic and socialist revolutions, but also started and advanced the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The “three great achievements” of the past 90 years are owed to the tenacious struggle of the CPC as well as the great efforts made by the people.

These achievements are rooted in history, embedded in the present and open to the future.

China can realize socialist modernization and make lives of people decent and happy only by following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics is sound, and will help the CPC and people realize great rejuvenation of the country as they advance. The socialist system with Chinese characteristics, embodying the distinctive features and strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics, is the basic institutional guarantee for development of contemporary China.

The “three great achievements” have established a solid foundation for the development of today’s China and are closely related to the future and the destiny of the CPC and the country.

Though the CPC and the people have made remarkable achievements, China’s basic condition remains unchanged. China is still in the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for a long time.

China’s status as the largest developing country in the world has not changed, either. Development is still the key to solving all the problems in China. And given the drastic changes across the world, China faces an arduous task of promoting reform and development and maintaining stability.

To unite with and lead the people in forging ahead, and further the “three great achievements”, the Party must hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, keep to and expand the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, uphold and enrich the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and adhere to and improve the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.

The key to continuing and developing the “three great achievements” is to advance with the times and foster a spirit of reform and innovation. To further advance socialist modernization, the CPC has to timely resolve the emerging issues in practice and make timely conclusions on fresh experiences and theoretical generalization that could continuously enrich the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Only if all the notions and institutional drawbacks that hinder scientific development are removed can the socialist system with Chinese characteristics be improved continuously.

The practical theme for the “three great achievements” is that the CPC has consistently integrated the basic tenets of Marxism with the specific conditions of China, made two great theoretical achievements in the historical process of adapting Marxism to China’s conditions, and maintained the motivation that enables it to forge ahead in a pioneering spirit.

As long as we keep passing down and giving full play to the basic historical experience, and dare to make reform and innovation, the future of the socialism with Chinese characteristics will be bright.