Outlook Weekly Issues Shen Haixong’s Essay: Politics Must Be Unequivocal

The 27th February publication of “Outlook Weekly” will feature Shen Haixiong’s essay titled “Politics Must Be Unequivocal”. The text is below:

(Abstract) Shouldering the responsibility of realising the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the century long goals of contemporary Chinese communists, leading cadres at all levels - the ‘select few’ must speak unequivocally of politics in order to fully reinvigorate and maintain a high degree of consistency with Xi Jinping and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

During the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist party of China (CPC) Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech with reference to the Chinese Communist Party’s Marxist roots. “We must speak unequivocally of politics. It is the fundamental way for our party to cultivate self-revolutionary courage, enhance self-purification and improve political immunity".

Xi’s speech expounded the significance to strengthen and standardize the party’s political life and invigorate inner-party supervision, and provided far-reaching guidance on how to promote the party’s development of new projects and introduced ways to establish a stricter governance of the party.

As the Chinese Communist Party adopts the ideology of Marxism, it is important to firmly establish political ideals, correctly grasp a political direction, and strengthen and accumulate political experience to allow cadres to consciously talk about politics.

Speaking of politics, the most important thing is to firmly establish and practice the "Four Consciousnesses"; a political theory established by Xi, and to resolutely safeguard and defend General Secretary Xi Jinping’s position as the party's core. One must firmly adhere to political rules and remain loyal to the party’s leader, as they play a vital role in leading a political party and even a nation. Xi is the core of the Central Committee and reflects the common will and aspirations of the whole nation and people of all ethnic groups throughout the country.

As the Central Committee faces a more complex and ever-changing international environment, they shoulder a more arduous task of reform, development and stability. Ideologically and politically they strive to strengthen and improve the party’s leadership requirements, achieve the ‘Chinese dream’, resolve internal conflicts within the party and focus on establishing a unified leadership.

At present, the party and the nation is in a critical stage of development as they try to promote the ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics. To succeed, unity within the party is integral, as is safeguarding the authority of the party’s core.

Political ability is an important connotation of party spirit. Political ability is the capacity to grasp the direction, general trend and the overall situation, and to maintain political power, control political situations and to prevent political risks. All cadres should practice the new ideas presented by Xi, and continuously improve their knowledge of Marxism, the Central Committee and all aspects of the economy. The only way to improve is to be courageous, to practice, to face challenges and to learn from them. Leading cadres are also advised to be stricter with self-discipline, work on strengthening their political power, discipline, moral strength and their resistance to resolute.

During the New Year celebration tea party of CPPCC National Committee, Xi called for the nation to "vigorously carry forward the spirit of the revolution to the end". This is reminiscent to Chairman Mao Zedong’s “Carry the Revolution Through to the End” New Year speech. Xi wants the nation to strive to push forward the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The author is Chinese Communist Party Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, Head of Publicity Department

Issued Outlook News Weekly 27th February 2017 9th Period