"One central task and two basic points"

The “one central task and two basic points” proposition – taking economic development as the central task and the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening up as the two basic points – is the core of the Party’s basic line for building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the primary stage of socialism. It was established at the 13th CPC National Congress.

The 15th CPC National Congress summarized the Four Cardinal Principles to be “the very foundation for building China” and reform and opening up “the path to a stronger China.” The 17th CPC National Congress called the “one central task” – economic development – “vital to invigorate the nation,” which is the fundamental requirement for the prosperity and stability of the Party and the state.

The Party and the state must take economic development as the central task throughout the primary stage of socialism. This task shall take precedence over and be served by all other work of the Party and the government, and the development of productive forces shall enjoy top priority.

The Four Cardinal Principles constitute the very foundation for building China. They serve as the political cornerstone for the existence and development of the Party and the state, are the political anchor for the Chinese people to unite in their concerted endeavors and represent their fundamental interests, and provide the political guarantee for socialist modernization.

Reform and opening up is the path to making China strong. It provides powerful impetus for China’s economic development, and is the source of vitality of the Party and the state. The decision to adopt reform and opening up is of historic significance and will determine the future of contemporary China.

The one central task and the two basic points are an interconnected, interdependent and inseparable whole. If China deviates from this central task of economic development, socialist society will lose its material base for development and progress. If it deviates from the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening up, economic development will lose its orientation and impetus.

“一個中心、兩個基本點”

“一個中心，兩個基本點”是黨在社會主義初級階段建設中國特色社會主義的基本路線的核心內容，即以經濟建設為中心，堅持四項基本原則，堅持改革開放，在黨的十三大提出并確立。黨的十五大把堅持“兩個基本點”分別概括為立國之本、強國之路，黨的十七大把堅持“一個中心”概括為興國之要。其中，經濟建設為中心是興國之要，是黨和國家興旺發達、長治久安的根本要求，整個社會主義初級階段黨和國家始終要把經濟建設作為中心工作，各項工作都必須服從和服務于經濟建設，把發展生產力放在首要地位；四項基本原則是立國之本，是黨和國家生存發展的政治基石，是全國各族人民團結奮進的共同政治基礎，是全國人民的根本利益所在，是社會主義現代化建設事業的政治保證；改革開放是強國之路，為經濟建設提供強大動力，是決定當代中國命運的歷史性決策，是黨和國家發展進步的活力源泉。因此，“一個中心，兩個基本點”是相互貫通、相互依存、不可分離的統一整體。離開經濟建設這個中心，社會主義社會的一切發展和進步就會失去物質基礎;離開四項基本原則和改革開放，經濟建設就會迷失方向和喪失動力。

“一個中心,兩個基本點”共同統一于建設有中國特色社會主義的偉大實踐，是中國特色社會主義理論的創新成果，具有非常重要的地位，任何時候都絕不能動搖。