On 18 October 2017, Xi Jinping stood before more than 2,000 delegates at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to deliver a speech that would last over three hours. The address, delivered at the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, introduced a new ideological framework that has since been enshrined in both the Party constitution and the national constitution: "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era."
The lengthy formulation may seem unwieldy to outside observers, but within the lexicon of Chinese Communist Party ideology, every word carries weight. Understanding this new ideological framework—and what it signifies for China's domestic governance and international engagement—requires unpacking its constituent parts.
A New Historical Juncture
Central to Xi's formulation is the assertion that China has entered a "new era"—a distinct historical period requiring new theoretical guidance. According to the full text of Xi's report published by China Daily, this new era represents a fundamental shift in the "principal contradiction" facing Chinese society.
For decades, Chinese Marxist theory held that China's primary challenge was the contradiction between "the ever-growing material and cultural needs of the people and backward social production." This framing justified prioritising economic growth above all else. Xi's reformulation identifies a new contradiction: "between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life."
This subtle but significant shift provides ideological justification for policies addressing inequality, environmental degradation, and quality of life—issues that have accompanied China's remarkable but uneven economic development.
The Weight of Words
Within Party nomenclature, the term "Thought" (sixiang) carries particular significance. Only two previous leaders have had their ideas designated as "Thought" whilst still in power: Mao Zedong and, now, Xi Jinping. Deng Xiaoping's contributions were termed "Theory" (lilun), whilst Jiang Zemin's and Hu Jintao's were labelled "Important Thought" and "Scientific Outlook" respectively.
This elevation signals Xi's status within the Party hierarchy. By having his name attached to an ideology ranked alongside Mao Zedong Thought, Xi has achieved a level of political authority unprecedented since the Mao era itself. Any challenge to his policies becomes, by extension, a challenge to the Party's guiding ideology.
Fourteen Principles
The "New Era" framework encompasses fourteen fundamental principles, ranging from ensuring Party leadership over all forms of work to promoting the development of a "community of common destiny for mankind." These principles touch on governance, military modernisation, environmental protection, and foreign policy.
Several principles have direct implications for the Belt and Road Initiative and China's broader international engagement. The commitment to "peaceful development" whilst simultaneously "advancing great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics" suggests a more assertive foreign policy, even as it maintains the rhetoric of non-interference and mutual benefit.
Implications for the Belt and Road
The formal incorporation of the Belt and Road Initiative into the Party constitution at the 19th Congress underscores the initiative's centrality to Xi's vision. It is no longer merely a policy programme but an integral component of the Party's ideological framework.
This elevation has practical consequences. Criticising the BRI becomes more difficult within China, as doing so now implicitly challenges Party ideology. Resources will continue to flow towards BRI projects regardless of short-term economic considerations. The initiative's success or failure becomes tied to Xi's personal legacy and the Party's legitimacy.
A Confident China
Perhaps most striking about the 19th Congress formulations is their confidence. Gone is the language of "hiding capabilities and biding time" that characterised earlier eras. Instead, Xi speaks of China "moving closer to centre stage" and making "greater contributions to mankind."
The "New Era" framing explicitly positions China's development model as an alternative for other countries—"a new option for other countries and nations who want to speed up their development while preserving their independence." This represents a significant departure from previous Chinese reticence about promoting its system abroad.
Questions for the Future
The ideological framework emerging from the 19th Party Congress raises as many questions as it answers. How will the emphasis on "balanced" development affect resource allocation along the Belt and Road? Will the more confident tone translate into a more assertive foreign policy? And whose interests does this "New Era" ultimately serve?
For observers of China's international engagement, the answers to these questions will shape the trajectory of the Belt and Road Initiative and China's role in the world for decades to come. Understanding the ideological foundations of Chinese policy—however opaque they may seem—remains essential to anticipating what lies ahead.
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