The basic strategy for developing socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era

In his report to the 19th CPC National Congress in October 2017, Xi Jinping clearly outlined the basic strategy for developing socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era. The strategy, also referred to as the Fourteen-point Strategy, emphasizes: the Party’s leadership role in all aspects of national governance; a people-centered approach; the need for expanding in-depth reform; a new development concept; the people’s ownership role; the rule of law; core socialist values; the importance of improving the people’s wellbeing in our development efforts; harmony between man and nature; a holistic concept of national security; the Party’s absolute leadership in the armed forces; the principle of “one country, two systems” and promotion of national reunification; the initiative to build a global community of shared future; and the imperative to enforce strict Party discipline.

Whether as an overall framework or as individual provisions, the Fourteen-point Strategy reflects the essence of Xi Jinping Thought of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is based on a clear understanding of the dynamics that drive the development of Chinese socialism in a new era. While Xi’s thought constitutes the Party’s theoretical guidelines, the basic strategy is action-oriented. The two are equally important and neither is dispensable. They are complementary to each other and mutually reinforcing.

新時代中國特色社會主義基本方略

2017年10月，習近平在十九大報告中對新時代堅持和發展中國特色社會主義的基本方略進行了明確闡述，主要內容包括：堅持黨對一切工作的領導；堅持以人民為中心；堅持全面深化改革：堅持新發展理念；堅持人民當家作主；堅持全面依法治國；堅持社會主義核心價值體系；堅持在發展中保障和改善民生；堅持人與自然和諧共生；堅持總體國家安全觀；堅持黨對人民軍隊的絕對領導；堅持“一國兩制”和推進祖國統一；堅持推動構建人類命運共同體；堅持全面從嚴治黨。以上“十四個堅持”，構成新時代堅持和發展中國特色社會主義的基本方略（簡稱“十四條基本方略”）。

“十四條基本方略”既在總體框架上又在具體條文上體現了習近平新時代中國特色社會主義思想中最核心、最關鍵、最重要的內容，是對新時代中國特色社會主義規律的總體把握。習近平新時代中國特色社會主義思想是中國共產黨指導思想層面的表述，新時代堅持和發展中國特色社會主義的基本方略則是行動綱領層面的表述。二者既同等重要、缺一不可，又相互貫通、相輔相成。