(Adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on November 11, 2021)

The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing from November 8 to 11, 2021.

The plenary session was attended by 197 members and 151 alternate members of the Central Committee. Members of the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and leading officials from relevant departments were present as nonvoting delegates. Also present as nonvoting delegates were some grassroots-level comrades and experts and scholars who are delegates to the 19th CPC National Congress.

The plenary session was presided over by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered an important speech.

The plenary session heard and discussed a work report delivered by Xi Jinping on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, deliberated and adopted the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, and the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Convocation of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Xi Jinping made explanations on the draft resolution on the major achievements and historical experience of the Party over the past century.

The plenary session fully affirmed the work of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee since the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee. It was unanimously agreed that over the past year, with the combined impacts of global changes of a magnitude not seen in a century and the global pandemic of COVID-19, the external environment has become increasingly complicated and严峻, and tasks in COVID-19 response and economic and social development on the domestic front have remained daunting and onerous. Under the strong leadership of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, which has held high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and followed the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and thoroughly implemented the guiding principles from the 19th CPC National Congress and the second, third, fourth, and fifth plenary sessions of the 19th CPC Central Committee, China has coordinated domestic and international imperatives and its COVID-19 response with economic and social development, balanced development and security, upheld the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully implemented the new development philosophy, and accelerated efforts to foster a new pattern of development. As a result, the economy has sustained sound growth, self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology have been advanced, reform and opening up have been deepened, the battle against poverty has been won as scheduled, people’s livelihoods have been effectively improved, overall social stability has been maintained, modernization of national defense and the armed forces has been advanced, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has been fully pursued, Party history learning and education have been solidly conducted, and various severe natural disasters have been overcome. New major achievements have thus been made in all endeavors of the Party and the country. A series of celebrations marking the centenary of the CPC were successfully held, and General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech announcing that China has realized the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. This has inspired all Party members and people of all ethnic groups across the country to embark on a new journey toward the Second Centenary Goal with great confidence and morale.

The plenary session emphasized that summarizing the major achievements and historical experiences of the Party over the past century is essential for embarking on a new journey to build a modern socialist country under the historical conditions of the Party's centenary, and for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. It is crucial for strengthening political consciousness, maintaining a broad perspective, upholding the core leadership, and aligning with the central Party leadership, as well as for reinforcing confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This ensures the firm support for Comrade Xi Jinping's core position in both the Party Central Committee and the entire Party, and the unwavering commitment to the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, guaranteeing the Party's unified progress. It is also vital for advancing the Party's self-reform, enhancing its ability to confront challenges and risks, preserving its vitality and vigor, and uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country to continue striving for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the Chinese Dream. The entire Party must adhere to the materialist view of history and a correct perspective on Party history, drawing from the Party's century-long struggle to understand why we succeeded in the past and how we can continue to succeed in the future. This will enable us to more resolutely and consciously fulfill our original aspirations and missions, and better uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The plenary session noted that since its founding in 1921, the Communist Party of China has always regarded seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation as its original aspiration and mission. It has consistently upheld the ideals of communism and the convictions of socialism, uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country in an unrelenting struggle for national independence, people's liberation, and the prosperity and strength of the country, as well as the happiness of the people, thus marking a glorious century of endeavor. The Party and the people's century-long struggle has written the most magnificent epic in the thousands of years of Chinese history.

The plenary session pointed out that during the New Democratic Revolution, the Party's primary mission was to oppose imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, striving for national independence and the liberation of the people, thereby creating fundamental social conditions for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the revolutionary struggle, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, integrated the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism with China's specific realities, and through arduous exploration and immense sacrifice, developed a series of original theories and experiences. They charted the correct revolutionary path of encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing power through armed struggle, and established Mao Zedong Thought, which provided the correct direction for the victory of the New Democratic Revolution. The Party led the people in a heroic and indomitable struggle, achieving the great success of the New Democratic Revolution, founding the People's Republic of China, and realizing national independence and the liberation of the people. This marked the complete end of the era of semi-colonial and semi-feudal society in old China, the era when the vast laboring people were ruled by a tiny minority of exploiters, and the era of disunity in old China. It also abolished all unequal treaties imposed on China by foreign powers and all privileges of imperialism in China, achieving a great leap from millennia of feudal autocracy to people's democracy in China. This transformation also significantly altered the global political landscape and inspired oppressed nations and peoples worldwide in their struggles for liberation. Through their heroic and tenacious efforts, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people solemnly declared to the world that the Chinese people had stood up, and the era when the Chinese nation was at the mercy of others and suffered from bullying was gone forever, ushering in a new era for China's development.

The plenary session pointed out that during the period of socialist revolution and construction, the Party's primary mission was to achieve the transition from New Democracy to socialism, carry out the socialist revolution, and advance socialist construction, thereby laying the fundamental political prerequisites and institutional foundations for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. During this period, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, proposed a series of important ideas on socialist construction. Mao Zedong Thought represents the creative application and development of Marxism-Leninism in China, a summary of the correct theoretical principles and practical experiences of China's revolution and construction, and the first historic leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The Party led the people in self-reliance and vigorous efforts, achieving the great success of socialist revolution and construction, realizing the most extensive and profound social transformation in the history of the Chinese nation, and accomplishing the great leap of a vast Eastern country with a large population and a poor, backward foundation into a socialist society. China established an independent and relatively comprehensive industrial system and national economic framework, significantly improved agricultural production conditions, and made great strides in education, science, culture, health, and sports. The People's Liberation Army grew stronger, and the humiliating diplomacy of old China was completely ended. Through their heroic and tenacious efforts, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people solemnly declared to the world that the Chinese people were not only adept at destroying an old world but also at building a new one, and that only socialism could save China and only socialism could develop China.

The plenary session pointed out that during the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, the main tasks of the Party were to continue exploring the correct path for building socialism in China, to liberate and develop the productive forces, to help the people shake off poverty and become prosperous as soon as possible, and to provide the necessary institutional guarantees full of new dynamism and the material conditions for rapid development for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Party, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as their chief representative, united and led the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups in the country in summing up both positive and negative experiences since the founding of the People’s Republic. By focusing on the fundamental question of what socialism is and how to build it, and by drawing on the historical lessons of socialism around the world, they formulated the Theory of Deng Xiaoping. They freed their minds and sought truth from facts, made the historic decision to shift the focus of the work of the Party and the state onto economic development and to launch reform and opening up, and profoundly revealed the essence of socialism. They established the basic line for the primary stage of socialism, explicitly put forward the idea of blazing a path of our own and building socialism with Chinese characteristics, and scientifically answered a series of basic questions on building socialism with Chinese characteristics. They formulated a three-step development strategy for basically achieving socialist modernization by the middle of the 21st century, and thus successfully inaugurated socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The Plenum noted that after the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Jiang Zemin as their chief representative, united and led the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country in upholding the Party’s basic theory and line. They gained a deeper understanding of what socialism is and how to build it, and what kind of Party to build and how to build it. With all this, they developed the important thought of Three Represents. Confronted with complex domestic and international situations and the serious setbacks of world socialism, they defended socialism with Chinese characteristics, established the goal and basic framework of building a socialist market economy, and laid out the basic economic system with public ownership playing a dominant role and different economic sectors developing side by side, as well as the distribution system whereby distribution according to work is dominant and a variety of modes of distribution coexist—both systems to be practiced in the primary stage of socialism. They blazed a new trail in all-round reform and opening up, advanced the great new project of Party building, and successfully advanced socialism with Chinese characteristics into the 21st century.

The Plenum noted that after the Party’s 16th National Congress, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Hu Jintao as their chief representative, united and led the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country in promoting practical, theoretical, and institutional innovation in the course of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. They gained a deeper understanding of the major questions of what kind of development to achieve and how to achieve it in the new circumstances, and developed the Scientific Outlook on Development. Seizing the important period of strategic opportunities, they dedicated themselves to the Party’s work of development and concentrated on construction, committed to seeing that development is for the people, by the people, and with the people sharing in its benefits. They emphasized the need to pursue comprehensive, balanced, and sustainable development, took steps to ensure and improve people’s wellbeing, and promoted social equity and justice. They also advanced the Party’s governance capability and vanguard nature, and successfully upheld and developed socialism with Chinese characteristics under the new circumstances.

The plenary session emphasized that during this period, the Party, proceeding from new practices and the characteristics of the times, upheld and developed Marxism, scientifically answered a series of fundamental questions such as the path of development, stages of development, fundamental tasks, driving forces for development, development strategies, political guarantees, national reunification, foreign and international strategies, leadership forces, and forces to rely on in building socialism with Chinese characteristics, forming the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The Party led the people in emancipating their minds and forging ahead with determination, creating great achievements in reform, opening up, and socialist modernization. China achieved a historic transformation from a highly centralized planned economy to a vibrant socialist market economy, from being closed or semi-closed to comprehensive opening up, a historic breakthrough from a relatively backward productive capacity to becoming the world's second-largest economy, and a historic leap from inadequate food and clothing to overall moderate prosperity and now striving for comprehensive prosperity, propelling the great leap of the Chinese nation from standing up to becoming prosperous. Through tenacious and heroic struggles, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people solemnly declared to the world that reform and opening up is the crucial move that determines the fate of contemporary China, that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the correct path guiding China's development and prosperity, and that China has caught up with the times in great strides.

The plenary session noted that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The main tasks faced by the Party are to achieve the first centenary goal, embark on a new journey to realize the second centenary goal, and continue advancing toward the grand objective of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The Party has led the people in maintaining confidence and self-reliance, upholding fundamental principles while breaking new ground, creating great achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The Plenary Session emphasized that the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, have stayed committed to integrating the fundamental tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional culture, upheld Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and, based on a thorough review of our Party’s history since its founding, have fully applied the lessons gained from this history. In response to the needs of our day, they have established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Comrade Xi Jinping has thought profoundly and made a sound assessment on a series of major issues concerning the cause of the Party and the country in the new era—what socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop and how to do so, what kind of modern socialist country to build and how to do so, and what kind of long-term ruling Marxist party to build and how to do so. He has put forward a number of original ideas, thoughts, and strategies on governance, and is the principal proponent of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era represents Marxism adapted to the Chinese context in the contemporary era and twenty-first century. It encapsulates the best of Chinese culture and ethos in our times and constitutes another breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The Party’s establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in the Party reflect the common will of the entire Party, the military, and Chinese people of all ethnic groups, and are of decisive significance for advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and for driving forward the historical process of national rejuvenation.

The plenary session noted that the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, with great historical initiative, tremendous political courage, and a strong sense of mission, has taken into account both domestic and international imperatives, implemented the Party’s basic theory, line, and policy, and led the great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and the great dream. It has upheld the underlying principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, introduced a host of major principles and policies, adopted a raft of major measures, and advanced a series of major tasks. It has prevailed over a number of major risks and challenges, solved many tough problems that were long on the agenda but never resolved, and accomplished many things that were wanted but never got done. These efforts have led to historic achievements and historic changes in the cause of the Party and the country.

The plenary session emphasized that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party’s overall leadership has been upheld with strong assurances of the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee. The Party’s leadership system has been continuously improved, and its leadership methods have become more scientific. The entire Party is more unified in thought, more united politically, and more consistent in action, with the Party’s political leadership, ideological guidance, mass organization, and social mobilization capabilities significantly enhanced. In exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, the Party’s ability to purify, improve, reform, and elevate itself has markedly strengthened, fundamentally reversing the lax and weak oversight within the Party. The fight against corruption has achieved an overwhelming victory and is being consolidated comprehensively, making the Party stronger through its revolutionary forging. In economic development, China has seen a notable improvement in the balance, coordination, and sustainability of its economic growth. The nation’s economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and comprehensive national power have reached new heights, setting the economy on a path of higher quality, greater efficiency, increased fairness, enhanced sustainability, and improved security. In comprehensively deepening reform and opening up, the Party has continuously advanced reforms across the board with greater breadth and depth. The socialist system with Chinese characteristics has become more mature and well-defined, and the modernization of the national governance system and governance capabilities has steadily progressed, injecting new vitality into the Party and the country’s endeavors. In political development, the Party has actively promoted whole-process people’s democracy, comprehensively advancing the institutionalization, standardization, and proceduralization of socialist democratic politics in China. The superiority of the socialist political system with Chinese characteristics has been better leveraged, consolidating and developing a dynamic, stable, and united political environment. In advancing the rule of law in all respects, the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics has been continuously refined, and solid steps have been taken in building a law-based China. The Party’s ability to lead and govern the country in accordance with the law has significantly strengthened.In the realm of cultural development, China has witnessed a comprehensive and fundamental transformation in the ideological sphere, with a marked increase in cultural confidence among the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the nation. The cohesion and solidarity of society have been greatly enhanced, providing strong ideological assurance and powerful spiritual strength for pioneering new endeavors in the cause of the Party and the country in the new era. In terms of social development, the people's lives have improved in all respects, and the level of social governance has significantly advanced in socialization, rule of law, intelligence, and specialization. A favorable situation has been fostered where people live and work in peace and contentment, and society remains stable and orderly, continuing the miracle of long-term social stability. In ecological civilization construction, the Central Committee of the Party has pursued ecological progress with unprecedented determination, achieving significant strides in building a beautiful China. Historic, transformative, and comprehensive changes have taken place in ecological and environmental protection. In national defense and military development, the People's Army has undergone comprehensive and revolutionary restructuring, setting out anew with a revitalized spirit. The strength of national defense and the economy has grown in tandem, with the People's Army resolutely fulfilling its missions and tasks in the new era, defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests with tenacious struggle and concrete actions. In safeguarding national security, security has been comprehensively strengthened, successfully withstanding tests and challenges from political, economic, ideological, and natural domains, providing a strong guarantee for the prosperity and enduring stability of the Party and the country. In upholding the "one country, two systems" principle and advancing national reunification, the Central Committee has implemented a series of measures that address both symptoms and root causes. It has firmly enforced the policies of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and "patriots administering Macao," facilitating a major turnaround in Hong Kong from chaos to governance, laying a solid foundation for governing Hong Kong and Macao according to law and ensuring the steady and sustained practice of "one country, two systems." Adhering to the One-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, it resolutely opposes "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference, firmly maintaining the dominance and initiative in cross-strait relations.In foreign affairs, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has advanced comprehensively, with the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind becoming a bright banner guiding the trend of the times and the direction of human progress. Amid global transformations and turmoil, China's diplomacy has forged new paths and turned crises into opportunities, significantly enhancing its international influence, appeal, and power to shape. Through tenacious and heroic struggle, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people have solemnly declared to the world that the Chinese nation has achieved a great leap from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong.

The plenary session outlined the historic significance of the CPC's endeavors over the past century: The Party's endeavors have fundamentally transformed the future of the Chinese people. The Chinese people have broken free from the fate of being bullied, oppressed, and enslaved, and have become the masters of the country, society, and their own destiny. Their aspiration for a better life is being realized continuously. The Party's endeavors have charted the right course for achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. China has completed a process of industrialization that took developed countries several centuries in just a few decades, creating two miracles—rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. The Party's endeavors have demonstrated the powerful vitality of Marxism. The scientific and truthful nature of Marxism has been fully tested in China, its people-oriented and practical character has been thoroughly implemented, and its openness and contemporary relevance have been fully manifested. The Party's endeavors have profoundly influenced the course of world history. Under the Party's leadership, the Chinese people have successfully pioneered a distinctly Chinese path to modernization and created a new model for human civilization, providing a new option for developing countries to achieve modernization. The Party's endeavors have forged the CPC as a vanguard of our times. A lineage of inspiring spirits with the great founding spirit of the Party at the core has taken shape, and the Party's advanced nature and integrity have been preserved. Its capacity to govern and lead has grown continuously. The CPC has proved itself to be a great, glorious, and correct party.

The plenary session points out that over the past century, the Party has led the people in great endeavors and accumulated precious historical experience, which can be summarized as the following: upholding the Party’s leadership, putting the people first, advancing theoretical innovation, staying independent, following the Chinese path, maintaining a global vision, breaking new ground, standing up for ourselves, promoting the united front, and remaining committed to self-reform. These 10 points represent a summary of the Party’s historical experience accumulated through a century of endeavor and a crystallization of the valuable intellectual assets jointly created by the Party and the people. They must therefore be cherished and upheld for long time to come, and they should also be further enriched and developed in the practice of the new era.

The plenary session emphasized that staying true to our founding mission is the only way to succeed. The Communist Party of China is dedicated to the great cause of the Chinese nation for generations, and a century finds the Party in its prime. Over the past century, the Party has delivered an excellent answer to the people and to history. Now, united with the Chinese people, the Party has embarked on a new journey to achieve the Second Centenary Goal. The entire Party must keep firmly in mind what the Communist Party of China is and what it aims to accomplish, grasp the overarching historical trends, strengthen our ideals and convictions, and always bear in mind our founding mission. We must remain modest and prudent, guard against conceit and impetuosity, be hardworking and enterprising, fear no threat, yield to no pressure, and never waver on fundamental issues, so as to ensure that we achieve our goals with dogged determination and an unrelenting spirit.

The plenary session underscored that the entire Party must uphold Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must observe, comprehend, and guide the trends of the times by applying Marxist stances, viewpoints, and methods, and continue to deepen our understanding of the laws governing the governance of the Communist Party of China, the development of socialism, and the evolution of human society. We must uphold the Party's basic theory, line, and policy, strengthen the Four Consciousnesses, maintain the Four Confidences, and achieve the Two Upholds. We must adopt a systematic approach, advance the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan in a coordinated way, and implement the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in a holistic manner. We must ground our efforts in the new development stage, apply the new development philosophy, create a new pattern of development, and promote high-quality development. We must comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, promote common prosperity, advance self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology, develop whole-process people's democracy, ensure the people run the country, uphold the rule of law in all respects, adhere to the socialist core value system, ensure and improve people's wellbeing through development, promote harmony between humanity and nature, balance development and security, accelerate the modernization of national defense and the armed forces, and work in concert to achieve prosperity for the people, strength for the nation, and beauty for China.

The plenary session stressed that the whole Party must always maintain close ties with the people, implement the people-centered development philosophy, and continue to fulfill, safeguard, and develop the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people, uniting and leading all Chinese people in the tireless pursuit of a better life. The Party must always bear in mind the admonition that adversity brings survival while comfort leads to demise, stay mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace, and continue to advance the great new project of Party building in the new era. It must uphold full and rigorous self-governance, advance the fight against corruption with unwavering resolve, and demonstrate an indomitable spirit that can withstand any test or pressure, propelling the great ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics forward through wind and waves, undeterred and unstoppable.

The plenary session decided that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will be convened in the second half of 2022 in Beijing. The session noted that the upcoming CPC National Congress is a highly important one to be held at a critical moment when the Party is embarking on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and to march toward the second centenary goal. It will be a major event in the political life of the Party and the country. The entire Party must rally and lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in tackling challenges and forging ahead, to make new and greater contributions to building a modern socialist country in all respects, securing the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and to greet the 20th CPC National Congress with outstanding achievements.

The Party Central Committee calls upon all Party members, the military, and people of all ethnic groups across the country to unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, vigorously promote the great spirit of Party building, never forget the hardships and glories of yesterday, live up to the mission of today, and hold fast to the great dream of tomorrow. We must take history as a mirror and create the future, work hard with determination, and forge ahead courageously to strive unremittingly for the realization of the Second Centenary Goal and the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We firmly believe that the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, who have won great victories and glory in the past century, will surely achieve even greater victories and glory on the new journey of the new era!