Editor’s note: In this column we introduce phrases frequently used in the Chinese media and by the Chinese government, thereby providing a succinct overview of China’s political thinking, its policies, and ongoing reforms and transitions.  

CHINA KEY PHRASES

“四个全面”

2014年12月,习近平在江苏省调研时,首次明确提出了“四个全面”战略布局,即全面建成小康社会、全面深化改革、全面依法治国、全面从严治党。

这四项工作是紧密联系在一起的:全面建成小康社会是中共十八大提出的总目标,全面深化改革与全面推进依法治国则如鸟之两翼,车之两轮,共同推动全面建成小康社会奋斗目标顺利实现。在这个过程中,全面从严治党则是各项工作顺利推进、各项目标顺利实现的根本保证。“四个全面”战略布局的提出,更完整地展现出中国新一届领导集体治国理政的总体框架。

The Four-Pronged Strategy

The Four-Pronged Strategy was first put forth by Xi Jinping during an inspection tour of Jiangsu Province in December 2014. The strategy calls for completing the process of building a moderately well-off society, pursuing an expanded in-depth reform agenda, implementing a comprehensive framework for promoting the rule of law, and launching an all-out effort to enforce strict Party discipline.

These four components of the strategy are mutually reinforcing. The completion of the process of building a moderately well-off society is the overall goal set by the CPC at its 18th National Congress. The pursuit of further reform and the promotion of the rule of law work side by side, like both wings of a bird or the two wheels of a chariot, to propel the country toward smooth realization of the goal. Efforts to strengthen Party discipline serve to ensure progress in all areas. The strategy provides an overall framework for the exercise of governance by China’s new central leadership.

中国特色社会主义的总布局

中国特色社会主义总布局是经济建设、政治建设、文化建设、社会建设、生态文明建设“五位一体”。中国特色社会主义是全面发展的社会主义，坚持以经济建设为中心，在经济不断发展的基础上，协调推进政治建设、文化建设、社会建设、生态文明建设以及其他各方面建设。

The Overall Approach to Building Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

Our overall approach to building socialism with Chinese characteristics is to promote economic, political, cultural, social and ecological progress. It is a holistic approach, with economic development as its central pillar and coordinated development in political, cultural, social, ecological and other areas pursued on the basis of continued economic growth.

中国特色社会主义的总依据

中国特色社会主义总依据是社会主义初级阶段。社会主义初级阶段是当代中国的基本国情、基本实际。中国共产党和中国政府在任何情况下都要牢牢把握这个国情,推进任何方面的改革发展都要牢牢立足这个实际。不仅在经济建设中要始终立足初级阶段,而且在政治建设、文化建设、社会建设、生态文明建设中也要始终牢记初级阶段;不仅在经济总量低时要立足初级阶段,而且在经济总量提高后仍然要牢记初级阶段;不仅在谋划长远发展时要立足初级阶段,而且在日常工作中也要牢记初级阶段。

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.

中国特色社会主义的总任务

中国特色社会主义的总任务是实现社会主义现代化和中华民族伟大复兴。中国共产党从成立那天起,就肩负着实现中华民族伟大复兴的历史使命。中国共产党领导人民进行革命建设改革,就是要让中国人民富裕起来,国家强盛起来,振兴中华民族,按照现代化建设的战略部署,把中国建设成为富强、民主、文明、和谐的社会主义现代化国家。

The Overarching Goals of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

The overarching goals of socialism with Chinese characteristics are to bring about socialist modernization and the great renewal of the Chinese nation. Since its founding, the CPC has made it its historic mission to strive for national renewal. The objectives of revolutionary struggles, and economic development and reform efforts by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC have been none other than to secure a better life for the people, bring prosperity to the country, and bring about national renewal. Along the same lines, China’s modernization strategy calls for building a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious.

Selected from Keywords to Understanding China published by China Academy of Translation and China International Publishing Group.