Xinhua News Agency Commentator: The Only Correct Path to National Strength and National Rejuvenation

　　BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) — Title: The Only Correct Path to National Strength and National Rejuvenation — A Second Commentary on Deeply Understanding General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Seminar on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China

　　Xinhua News Agency Commentator

　　“Chinese modernization is both viable and sustainable, and it represents the only correct path toward national strength and national rejuvenation.” At the opening ceremony of the seminar on studying and implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly elucidated the profound significance of the Chinese path to modernization and thoroughly revealed its scientific essence, thereby injecting powerful ideological and practical momentum into our efforts to study and implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and to correctly understand and vigorously advance Chinese modernization.

　　One knows the difficulty only after experiencing it; what seems easy often proves arduous. Since the founding of New China, and particularly since the launch of reform and opening-up, our Party has united and led the people in accomplishing, in just a few decades, an industrialization process that took Western developed countries centuries to complete. This has given rise to the remarkable achievements of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, opening up vast prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, building on previous gains, our Party has continued to forge ahead, constantly achieving innovative breakthroughs in both theory and practice, and successfully advancing and expanding Chinese modernization. Our understanding has deepened steadily: we have formulated Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, marking a new leap in the sinicization and contemporary adaptation of Marxism and providing the fundamental guiding principle for Chinese modernization; we have further refined our grasp of the connotations and essence of Chinese modernization, articulating its distinctive Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, and major principles, and have begun to construct a theoretical framework that makes Chinese modernization clearer, more scientific, and more tangible and attainable; we have continuously improved our strategic planning, furnishing solid strategic underpinnings for Chinese modernization; and we have enriched its practical implementation, driving historic achievements and transformative changes in the cause of the Party and the country, thereby providing more robust institutional safeguards, a stronger material foundation, and a more vigorous spiritual force. Along this journey, Chinese modernization has propelled the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation into an irreversible historical course. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese people are advancing with unshakable confidence in the great leap forward—moving from standing up, to becoming prosperous, to growing strong. Today, we are closer than ever before in history—and more confident and capable—of realizing the goal of national rejuvenation.

　　History and practice have amply demonstrated that the path of Chinese modernization is not only viable and steady but also increasingly broad. On this new journey, by steadfastly advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization, we will surely continue to create new developmental miracles and make even greater contributions—both to our own development and to the well-being of the world.

　　For a country to achieve modernization, it must not only follow the general principles of modernization but also align with its own national conditions and forge a path with distinctive national characteristics. Throughout human history, no nation or people has ever attained strength and rejuvenation by relying on external forces, blindly copying foreign models, or merely following in others’ footsteps. Chinese modernization is firmly rooted in China’s reality, reflecting both the common features shared by all nations undergoing modernization and its own unique attributes shaped by China’s specific national conditions. The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly articulates five defining Chinese characteristics of this model: modernization on an enormous scale; modernization that ensures common prosperity for all the people; modernization that balances material and spiritual progress; modernization that fosters harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature; and modernization that follows the path of peaceful development. These features profoundly illuminate the scientific essence of Chinese modernization. They constitute both a theoretical synthesis and a practical imperative, charting a broad and promising course toward fully building a strong socialist modern country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

　　Chinese modernization is the fruit of the long-term practice and exploration of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, and it is a great yet arduous undertaking. Precisely because it is so arduous, it is all the more magnificent; precisely because it is so arduous, its glory shines all the brighter. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, let us unswervingly follow the only correct path of Chinese modernization—this path to national strength and national rejuvenation—remain steadfast in upholding the Party’s basic theory, basic line, and basic policy, firmly maintain confidence in our path, theory, system, and culture, and adhere to independence and self-reliance. We must remain true to our course and unwavering in our resolve, neither retracing the old road of isolation and rigidity nor taking the dangerous detour of changing banners and principles. We must anchor national and ethnic development firmly on our own strengths, ensure that the destiny of China’s development and progress remains firmly in our own hands, and continuously secure new victories in building a modern socialist country in all respects.