Xi Jinpings Four Great Framework Explained | Generated by AI

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Question: Provide a comprehensive introduction to the “四个伟大” (Four Greats) in Chinese politics.

Answer:

In contemporary Chinese politics, “四个伟大” (sì gè wěidà, “Four Greats”) refers to a key political formulation introduced and emphasized by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC). It consists of:

The full official phrasing is: 进行伟大斗争、建设伟大工程、推进伟大事业、实现伟大梦想 (“carry out the great struggle, build the great project, advance the great cause, and realize the great dream”).

This concept was most prominently and systematically presented in Xi Jinping’s report to the 19th National Congress of the CPC in 2017, where it became one of the core ideological frameworks of “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.”

Historical Background and Origin

The phrase “四个伟大” originally appeared during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), when Mao Zedong was glorified with the titles “great teacher, great leader, great commander, great helmsman” (伟大的导师、伟大的领袖、伟大的统帅、伟大的舵手). That earlier usage was part of intense personality cult propaganda.

The current version under Xi Jinping uses the same numerical structure but completely different content. It first gained attention in theoretical articles around 2014–2017 and was then elevated to central status in the 19th Party Congress report. It is not a revival of Mao-era worship but a new strategic concept tailored to the “new era.”

Meaning of Each Component

  1. 伟大梦想 (Great Dream)
    • Refers to the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation (中华民族伟大复兴), commonly called the Chinese Dream (中国梦).
    • It serves as the ultimate goal and highest aspiration, representing national strength, prosperity, and the people’s better life.
    • It is positioned as the long-term vision guiding all other efforts.
  2. 伟大事业 (Great Cause)
    • Refers to advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics (中国特色社会主义伟大事业).
    • It is the flag and main pathway — continuing reform and opening-up, building a modern socialist country, and eventually achieving communism in the distant future.
    • Closely linked to the “four comprehensive” strategy (全面小康, 全面深化改革, 全面依法治国, 全面从严治党) and the “five development concepts.”
  3. 伟大工程 (Great Project)
    • Refers specifically to the new great project of Party building (党的建设新的伟大工程).
    • It is described as the foundation and the element that plays the decisive role among the four.
    • Emphasizes comprehensive and strict Party governance (全面从严治党), anti-corruption, ideological purity, organizational strength, and maintaining the Party’s advanced nature and purity.
    • Without a strong Party, the other three cannot succeed.
  4. 伟大斗争 (Great Struggle)
    • Refers to carrying out struggle with many new historical characteristics.
    • It is the spirit and method — daring to confront risks, challenges, contradictions, and enemies (both domestic and foreign).
    • Includes political, economic, cultural, social, ecological, and national security struggles, as well as ideological battles.
    • Xi repeatedly stresses that the great rejuvenation will not be achieved easily or with fanfare; it requires long-term, arduous struggle.

Internal Logical Relationship

The official explanation emphasizes that the Four Greats are closely linked, interconnected, and mutually reinforcing:

They form an organic whole and a systematic project. The Party’s leadership and self-revolution (through the Great Project) are seen as the prerequisite and guarantee for success in the other three.

Political Significance in the Xi Era

In summary, the “四个伟大” is the most important action program and strategic narrative of the CPC in the new era. It integrates dream, cause, Party-building, and struggle into one unified logic, with the Party’s self-reinvention placed at the center.

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