Learning keywords is one of the best ways to keep abreast of the latest developments in a country. The China Academy of Translation, a research institute affiliated with the China International Publishing Group, the country's leading international publisher, regularly analyzes prevailing Chinese terms in various sectors and translates them into a number of foreign languages ranging from English to Arabic. In each issue, Beijing Review presents a selection of these keywords to help readers know more about China.

The general premise of socialism with Chinese characteristics  

Socialism with Chinese characteristics is premised on the fact that China is in the primary stage of socialism. All reform initiatives by the CPC and the Chinese Government must be taken with due regard to present-day China's actual context. Efforts to promote economic, political, cultural, social and ecological progress must proceed on a clear understanding that China is still in the primary stage of socialism. Such an understanding should inform all aspects of our work, including long-term planning and day-to-day operations, even when our economic aggregates have shown clear improvement.

The Chinese strength 

China's strength lies in the support of the Chinese people, including Chinese workers, who constitute a dominant force, and people in non-public economic sectors and other emerging social groups. It is built on the unity and cooperation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and other political parties in China and people without party affiliation, and the unity of all ethnic groups on the basis of equality as partners that help each other and live in harmony. It is also highlighted by the unity of the people on China's mainland, and in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese, to be reinforced by all other forces that can be mobilized and can contribute to achieving our common goals. It is the combined wisdom and strength of the 1.3 billion Chinese people, of whom over 88 million are CPC members, in their quest to make the Chinese dream a reality.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics 

The concept of socialism with Chinese characteristics was first highlighted by Deng Xiaoping when he addressed the opening ceremony of the 12th National Congress of the CPC in 1982. He emphasized the importance of integrating the universal truth of Marxism with China's realities, pursuing a path of our own, and building a socialist society with Chinese characteristics. Since then, this concept has been prominently embedded in the CPC's theoretical thinking and in all aspects of its work.

The concept consists of three pillars, namely, our chosen path toward achieving our goals, a theoretical framework that offers guidance to action, and our political system that provides a fundamental basis to ensure that we proceed on the right track. All three pillars are integral to our great endeavor to build a socialist society with Chinese characteristics. By applying theoretical guidelines to practical needs, this concept provides a convincing answer to the central question: What type of socialism best suits the specific context of China, a large country with a huge population and a weak economic base, and how could we build such a socialist society?

The imperative to build socialism with Chinese characteristics is premised on the fact that China is in the primary stage of socialism. Our overall approach is to promote economic, political, cultural, social and ecological progress, while our overarching goals are to bring about socialist modernization and the great renewal of the Chinese nation.

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