Forum on Strengthening the Military | Guide New Practice with New Theory

Guide New Practice with New Theory

■ Wu Xinglong, Xu Xiaokai

Only a political party that possesses a scientific theory possesses the power of truth; only a cause guided by scientific theory possesses a bright future.

"Emphasize revealing and applying truth within the movement of social contradictions, be adept at testing and developing truth through practice, continuously guide new practice with new theory, and ensure that the cause of the Party and the people advances in the correct direction." This important statement by Chairman Xi at the rally commemorating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China profoundly illuminates the great significance of theory in guiding practice, and points the way forward and provides the fundamental basis for us to arm our minds with the Party's innovative theories, guide our practice, and advance our work.

The vitality of theory lies in innovation. The history of our Party is a history of continuously advancing the Sinicization of Marxism (马克思主义中国化), and also a history of continuously advancing theoretical innovation and engaging in theoretical creation. Over more than one hundred years, our Party has persisted in integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China's concrete realities, establishing Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory, forming the important thought of the "Three Represents" and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and establishing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, continuously opening up new horizons for Marxism, providing scientific theoretical guidance for the development of the cause of the Party and the people, and guiding the Communist Party of China to advance continuously from victory to new victory. The fundamental reason the Communist Party of China has been able to lead the people to accomplish arduous tasks through repeated searching, repeated setbacks, and repeated pioneering lies in its courage to continuously advance theoretical innovation in conjunction with new practice, and its ability to use new theory to guide new practice—the two complementing and mutually promoting each other.

"Real success is the best theory; no abstract dogma can argue with it." Advanced thought always shines in mutual reflection with extraordinary endeavors; scientific theory always resonates in mutual stimulation with great practice. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was established in the great practice of the new era, achieving the mutual promotion of theoretical innovation and practical innovation, and demonstrating powerful truth-force (真理力量) and immense practical might. China today—the vigorous vitality and exuberant dynamism of the socialist cause—fully proves that the Party's innovative theories are not only theories that are "correct" and "good," but also theories that "work" and are "alive."

Theory is a weapon; thought is strength. An army that aspires to become a powerful and elite force cannot be separated from military theoretical innovation for even a moment. The key to the People's Army's continuous growth and strengthening lies in its consistent adherence to the guidance of advanced military theory. Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military (习近平强军思想) embodies a scientific standpoint, viewpoint, and methodology; is filled with political wisdom; and radiates the light of truth. It is the essence of the spirit of the times, and the path to military strengthening and the path to victory for the People's Army. Confronting the turbulent and treacherous international situation, the complex and sensitive surrounding environment, and the arduous and heavy tasks of struggle, we must keep pace with the times, strengthen theoretical arming (理论武装), deeply appreciate the flavor of faith, the power of truth, and the light of thought contained therein, further strengthen the sense of vigilance in times of peace (居安思危的忧患意识), temper the hardworking commitment to bearing heavy burdens (知重负重的实干担当), and forge the solid capabilities to fight and win.

"The development of practice is endless; our recognition of truth and our theoretical innovation are likewise endless." This year is the inaugural year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, and also a critical year for fighting and winning the decisive battle to achieve the centenary goal of Army building (建军一百年奋斗目标). The more magnificent the journey, the more ambitious the goals, and the more arduous the tasks, the greater the need for the guidance and navigation of scientific theory. The examination questions of the times and the test papers of military strengthening are constantly new; we must have the courage to continuously advance theoretical innovation and theoretical arming in conjunction with new practice, use the "arrow" of scientific theory to hit the "target" of force building, dare to study and resolve the key, difficult, and bottleneck problems constraining the generation of combat power (战斗力生成), strive to transform the fruits of study into vivid practice that drives the high-quality development of the military and effectively fulfills the missions and tasks of the new era, and better respond to a changing situation, grasp the overall situation, and open up a new situation through innovative breakthroughs in theory.

(Authors' unit: Army Research Institute)