Xi Jinping Thought

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
File:General Secretary Xi in the 19th National Congress of CPC (2).jpg Xi Jinping addressing the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
Traditional Chinese	習近平新時代中國特色社會主義思想
Simplified Chinese	习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Xí Jìnpíng xīn shídài zhōngguó tèsè shèhuì zhǔyì sīxiǎng

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (Chinese: 习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想), or Xi Jinping Thought referred to by some western media, is a political theory derived from the Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping.

The first official mention of the term was at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It has gradually been developed since 2012, after Xi became General Secretary of the Communist Party (China's paramount leader). The 19th Congress affirmed the ideology as a guiding political and military ideology of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The affirmation received unanimous support, as every delegate voted to approve by raising hands when Xi asked their opinions on the congress. The incorporation made Xi the third Chinese leader after Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping whose names appeared in the list of fundamental doctrines of the CPC, which raised Xi above his two most recent predecessors, former general secretaries Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin. In his report, Xi promised to make China great again, propelling the country into so called "new era".

Generally, with its aspirational tone and expression of ideals in very broad strokes, some observers have argued that it is unclear whether such political "thought" or "theory" would suffice in actual fact to address pressing social, economic and political reform issues facing China in the next several decades—among other things, issues such as the acceleration of social and economic disparity in China, the degradation of the environment, the need for political reform and liberalization, respect for the dignity and freedom of the people of Taiwan and China's treatment of its own citizens who dissent.

Xi first made mention of the "Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" in the opening day speech delivered to the 19th Party Congress in October 2017. His Politburo Standing Committee (top decision-making body) colleagues, in their own reviews of Xi's keynote address at the Congress, prepended the name "Xi Jinping" in front of "Thought".

Xi himself has described the Thought as part of the broad framework created around Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, a Dengist term that places China in the "primary stage of socialism". In official party documentation and pronouncements by Xi's colleagues, the Thought is said to be a continuation of Marxism–Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, "the important thought of the Three Represents" and the Scientific Development Perspective, as part of a series of guiding ideologies that embody "Marxism adapted to Chinese conditions" and contemporary considerations.

The Thought consists of a 14-point basic policy, as follows:

1. Ensuring Communist Party of China leadership over all forms of work in China.
2. The Communist Party of China should take a people-centric approach for the public interest.
3. The continuation of "comprehensive deepening of reforms".
4. Adopting new development ideas based on science and for "innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development".
5. Following "socialism with Chinese characteristics" with "people as the masters of the country".
6. Governing China with the rule of law.
7. "Practise socialist core values", including Marxism, communism and "socialism with Chinese characteristics".
8. "Improving people's livelihood and well-being is the primary goal of development".
9. Coexist well with nature with "energy conservation and environmental protection" policies and "contribute to global ecological safety".
10. Strengthen national security.
11. The Communist Party of China should have "absolute leadership over" China's People's Liberation Army.
12. Promoting the one country, two systems system for Hong Kong and Macau with a future of "complete national reunification"; and to follow the One-China policy and 1992 Consensus for Taiwan.
13. Establish a common destiny between Chinese people and other people around the world with a "peaceful international environment".
14. Improve party discipline in the Communist Party of China.

On 24 October 2017, at its closing session the 19th Party Congress approved the incorporation of Xi Jinping Thought into the Constitution of the Communist Party of China.

Dozens of Chinese universities have established research institutes for Xi thought after the congress, dedicating to advocate the incorporation of Xi thought in all aspects of daily life.

See also

• General Secretary Xi Jinping important speech series
• Mao Zedong Thought (Maoism)
• Deng Xiaoping Theory
• Three Represents
• Scientific Outlook on Development