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Question: What is the fundamental task of socialism?

Answer:

The correct answer is D. 解放和发展生产力 (liberating and developing the productive forces).

Detailed Explanation

This is a core principle of Marxist theory as developed and applied in the context of Chinese socialism, particularly since the reform and opening-up period.

1. Marxist classical foundation
   Marx and Engels repeatedly emphasized that the ultimate goal of the proletarian revolution and socialist society is to eliminate class oppression and exploitation so as to liberate the productive forces on a scale far greater than under capitalism.
   The development of productive forces is the material basis for eliminating classes, narrowing the three major differences (urban-rural, worker-peasant, mental-manual labor), and eventually achieving communism.

2. Mao Zedong era
   In the early period after the founding of New China, especially during the socialist transformation (1953–1956), the CPC clearly stated that after the basic completion of socialist transformation, the principal contradiction in Chinese society became “the contradiction between the advanced socialist system and the backward social productive forces.”
   Therefore, the central task shifted to developing the productive forces.

3. Deng Xiaoping’s decisive formulation
   After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee (1978), Deng Xiaoping explicitly corrected the long-standing “left” error of “taking class struggle as the key link” (以阶级斗争为纲).
   He repeatedly stressed:

   “社会主义的根本任务是发展生产力。”
   “马克思主义最注重发展生产力。”
   “社会主义阶段的最根本任务就是发展生产力。”

   This became the most authoritative and standard formulation in official CPC documents and textbooks from the late 1970s onward.

4. Later reaffirmations
   • Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, Xi Jinping — all continued to affirm that developing the productive forces is the fundamental task of socialism.
   • The Communist Party of China Constitution (amended versions since 1982) states: “The fundamental task at the primary stage of socialism is to liberate and develop the social productive forces.”

Why the other options are incorrect

• A. 最终达到共同富裕 (ultimately achieving common prosperity)
  Common prosperity is an important goal and the essential requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics (especially emphasized since the 18th National Congress). However, it is not defined as the “fundamental task.” It is the result/outcome of liberating and developing the productive forces over a long period.

• B. 以阶级斗争为纲 (taking class struggle as the key link)
  This was the erroneous guiding principle during the “Cultural Revolution” period (1966–1976). It was officially repudiated at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in 1978 as a serious “left” mistake.

• C. 实现“两个一百年”目标 (realizing the Two Centenary Goals)
  The “Two Centenary Goals” (building a moderately prosperous society by 2021 and a modern socialist country by 2049) are specific strategic goals at the present stage, not the fundamental task of socialism itself.

Summary

The fundamental task (根本任务) of socialism, according to Marxism and the consistent position of the CPC since 1978, is liberating and developing the productive forces (解放和发展生产力). All other goals — common prosperity, modernization, national rejuvenation — ultimately depend on fulfilling this fundamental task.

References:

• Deng Xiaoping, 《解放思想，实事求是，团结一致向前看》 (December 13, 1978)
• 《中国共产党章程》 (Party Constitution, all versions since 1982)
• Official CPC theoretical textbooks: 《毛泽东思想和中国特色社会主义理论体系概论》 (standard university textbook)

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