Discussions over China's Cultural Revolution, a major setback during the development of China and its party, have been emerging recently.

In August 1980, when Deng Xiaoping met the Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, he talked about the evaluation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution with historic vision and political attitude.

In the following year, a document named “resolution on certain questions in the history of our party since the founding of the People's Republic of China” was issued by the CPC, making the authoritative conclusion of the utter denial of Cultural Revolution and evaluating Mao's historical status by analyzing the significance of his thoughts.

The evaluation and analysis on this political campaign has withstood the test of practice, people and time.

As the document concluded, the Cultural Revolution, initiated by the national leader and exploited by the reactionaries, is an internal chaos bringing disasters to the party, the country and the people. The history has proved that the Cultural Revolution was totally wrong in its theory and practice.

The CPC has admitted, analyzed and corrected the mistakes made by itself and the leaders of the country, drawing lessons from both failures and successful experiences.

By differentiating the ten-year period of the Cultural Revolution with the incorrect theory and practice of it, the above document also strongly refutes the viewpoint that denies the history and leadership of the CPC, even the socialist system with the excuse of internal chaos.

It is such positive attitude that alerted the CPC and helped it return to a correct track for the primary stage of socialism. After 30 years' of reform and opening up, China has become a strong power with improved livelihood and amplified legal system. For a brighter future, the replay of the Cultural Revolution will never be allowed.

Drawing lessons from the past is for further improvement. We should never forget the lesson of the Cultural Revolution and steadfastly build the socialism with distinctive Chinese characteristics.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, under the guidance of the CPC Central Committee headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, we have proposed new concepts and strategies of national governance such as the promotion of all-round economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress and the strategy of “four comprehensives". We are now closer than ever to the dream of national rejuvenation. In addition, we have the most confidence and capability in the history to achieve such goal.

At this very time, the party and people should unite together to make efforts to realize our dream. We should combine our thoughts and practice with the decision made by the CPC Central Committee and the spirit advocated by President Xi Jinping in his speeches. We should arm the party and educate the people by innovative theories, and keep our confidence in the building of the socialism with distinctive Chinese characteristics. We should make joint efforts to achieve the "two centenary goals" and national rejuvenation. 

This article was edited and translated from 以史为鉴是为了更好前进, source: People's Daily