Since November 2012, the Communist Party of China (CPC), under the leadership of Xi Jinping, has been committed to advancing along the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics and fighting for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To address problems in China, Xi has proposed the "Four Comprehensives" strategic blueprint, encouraging problem-oriented and scientific thinking, considering the prevailing situation in China, and summing up past experience.

The past two years and more have led to the formation of this blueprint, whose four concepts are "comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively advancing the rule of law, and comprehensively strengthening Party discipline”. This is the first time that the building of a moderately prosperous society has been proposed as "a key step towards the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation". The major goal of comprehensively deepening reform has never before been defined as "improving and developing the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, upgrading governance systems and promoting state governance modernization". This is also the first time that comprehensively advancing the rule of law and deepening reform have been brought together. The CPC has pointed out for the first time that it should strengthen Party discipline through promoting the party governance system, improving the predictability, creativity and effectiveness of policies, and forging a strong leadership core. These four concepts complement each other, integrating concept with Chinese reality and helping the CPC's policies on governing the country keep pace with the times.

Marx said that the application of a theory in a country depends on the extent to which it can meet the needs of that country. The "Four Comprehensives" are crucial to bringing systemic, coordinated, and overall development and governance to a China that has now begun to enjoy prosperity. Over the past two years and more, the CPC has taken a holistic approach to reform, development and stability, and secured the transition of China's economy to a "new normal" of slower but more sustainable growth. In addition, the CPC advances the rule of law, law-based governance, and administration by law, upgrades a system serving “the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics” and promotes fairness and justice as being key to the building of a moderately prosperous society. The CPC has also launched the anti-corruption campaign, advocating clean governance and calling for improved discipline and better working practices from its members. Moreover, the CPC is striving for success in the governance of internal affairs, diplomacy, and national defense. The "Four Comprehensives" have a strategic role to play with regard to upholding the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and pressing forward with the development of socialist theory and the socialist system.

The philosophical foundations of the "Four Comprehensives" rest on Xi's elaboration of the basic principle and methodology of dialectical materialism which took place at the first collective study session of the CPC Politburo in 2015. Countries all over the world pursue development as the goal of the era. Reform as the trend of the times is the driving force of social progress. The rule of law ensures a sound system of state governance and the modernization of state governance. In order to strengthen the Party the CPC must run the Party strictly. The "Four Comprehensives" make clear the CPC’s commitment to building a moderately prosperous society, carrying out the spirit of reform, enhancing the rule of law and strengthening the Party discipline.

This article was edited and translated from 《引领民族复兴的战略布局一论协调推进“四个全面”》，source: People's Daily, author: commentator for People's Daily.