International Open Access Journal Platform

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is the fundamental ideological weapon for achieving the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is an inevitable choice under the goal of The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation, that is, to better realize the practical application and transformation of theory (Xi, 2022). Chinese modernization embodies the people-centered development philosophy and the historical foundation rooted in Chinese civilization (Cui, 2025). Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times and The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation have an inherent compatibility. The alignment of cultural traditions and values guides people to understand the world in practice and reveals truth in the process of understanding the world. The theoretical innovation of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism should be based on practical innovation, achieving theoretical innovation and characteristic development. Seeking the convergence point between Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times and The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation provides new theoretical guidance and path choices for the practice of Chinese modernization.

1 The Practical Choice of Marxism Sinicization

The Sinicization and modernization of Marxism have set the direction for national rejuvenation, emerging from the imperative to address practical issues. From the perspective of historical materialism, social consciousness exerts a reactive influence on social existence. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is a product of the times and an important driving force for social progress. The pursuit of a better and happier life is the driving force for national rejuvenation. Concurrently, the process of continuously solving social problems and alleviating social contradictions serves to optimize the underlying theoretical support. A historic leap has been achieved through the creative transformation and innovative development of Sinicized Marxism. The Two Combinations have endowed Marxism with its distinct Chinese characteristics and a profound cultural foundation. Achieving the extension of theory and the elevation of thinking, promoting theoretical innovation in practice, and enriching theoretical achievements. The Two Combinations have demonstrated the new narrative value orientation of the Chinese nation in terms of spirit, concept, thought, and practice, achieving a two-way integration and a joint drive for the continuous development of Contemporary Chinese Marxism (Wang, 2025a).

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times meets the requirements of the times and is also a correct choice based on reality. It continuously enriches the theoretical foundation of Marxism and also continuously develops and elevates itself in the process of guiding practice. The path of Chinese modernization is deeply linked with the civilization perspective of Marxism. The creation and development of a new type of civilization in the Chinese path is of great significance to the development of human civilization. Traditional culture needs to undergo a modernization transformation to meet the requirements of the times. The Marxism in the New Era, in the historical process of sinicization and modernization, constantly adheres to the correct path, innovates and keeps pace with the times, and realizes the elevation of cognition. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is a proposition that combines theory and practice. It liberates thinking in solving problems and implements the new cultural mission. Empowering social governance with culture and exploring new paths for Chinese modernization.

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times means applying advanced theories to guide China’s practices and creating new theoretical achievements. It involves constantly summarizing and enriching practical experience to form theoretical innovations. It also means explaining and illustrating China’s stories in a way that is appealing to the Chinese people. Based on China’s actual circumstances, Marxism is made to shine with the light of truth in China. Modern civilization has shaped a new form of human civilization, endowing it with new connotations and development prospects. A new development mode and exploration path accompany the progress of human civilization. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times enriches the expression form of Marxism. Also, it gives it new vitality and a broader development space, guiding China’s practical development and enriching the theoretical treasury. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times requires integration with the modernization of traditional civilization. Upholding the coordinated development of material civilization and spiritual civilization is a consistent value pursuit under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The premise of The Two Combinations is mutual compatibility, and the result of The Two Combinations is mutual achievement. Mutual compatibility makes the combination possible, and mutual compatibility is a latent factor for the combination. Mutual achievement reflects mutual promotion, and there is an endless source of driving force.

2 The Practical Impetus of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times

The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation has catalyzed the continuous deepening of Marxism’s adaptation to the Chinese context. The practical value of Marxist theory is particularly evident in its application, aligning with core societal value pursuits. Its practical value lies in its ability to keep pace with the times, solve problems of the era, address new issues, and explore new methods. The theoretical achievements of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times constitute a continuously developing and rich theoretical system, reflecting the mutual integration, interconnection, and adaptation of the two. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is the unity of theory and practice, and it realizes practical innovation through theoretical innovation.

2.1 Traditional Culture Empowers Modernity

The contextualized development of Marxism in China is a process of modernization, one that is not formulaic (Meng, & Gao, 2025). The strong vitality of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times stems from the development and forward-looking nature of a theory. This theory continuously serves the people in practice and integrates and inherits advanced ideological and cultural elements, preserving and carrying forward excellent culture. This alignment provides more possibilities and development space for the combination of the two. Chinese culture is inclusive, while Marxism features openness. The Sinicization of Marxism is characterized by its thoroughgoing critique and distinct political stance. It serves to resist flawed ideologies from Western cultures while consistently highlighting the value of indigenous culture. The result of this combination is a continuously developing and vigorous theoretical system. Alignment is the prerequisite for combination, and the result of combination reflects its internal driving force for self-development and the active attitude of actively integrating into construction. To realize the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation, it is necessary to adhere to Marxism and arm the mind and guide practice with scientific and practical theories. New theoretical achievements are the specific application of the universal truth of Marxism, and they themselves make new generalizations based on the development of practice. The process of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context is one of self-critique and self-renewal for contemporary Chinese Marxism. Its essential content retains its vitality by continuously evolving and improving with the times.

2.2 The historical inevitability of achieving rejuvenation

The realization of The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation is historically inevitable. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is the inevitable choice for achieving this great rejuvenation. Marxism provides a universal development path, but after learning from the Soviet experience, China deeply realized the importance of independent development, adhered to Seeking Truth from Facts, followed its own national conditions, chose the correct theoretical guidance, and endowed it with new era missions. Under the new historical conditions, it guided China’s revolutionary practice and achieved new great accomplishments. Based on guiding practice, it continuously realizes the positive interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation, thus endowing its own development with the theoretical quality of Keeping Pace with the Times. Focusing on national governance and advancing its modernization, reshaping the image of socialism, and activating dialogue among civilizations. Marxism achieves cognitive elevation and ideological leaps through the dialectical interplay between theory and practice.

Realizing the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation is a pursuit of ideals and an aspiration for a better life, which embodies the value concept of universal harmony. This is in line with the Marxist conception of history. History always progresses as it moves forward continuously. Social progress should be achieved on the basis of respecting the laws of the development of human society. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is permeated with the concept of development and embodies the consensus of national rejuvenation.

2.3 The Goal Orientation of People-Centered

The Chinese people have chosen the path of progress, the path of struggle, and the path of socialism, and are striving to create a better social life. They have firmly held onto the belief of ultimate victory, deeply recognizing the infinite potential of development and the necessity of transforming social life. They have eliminated drawbacks and established new systems. The process of Marxism Sinicization is about upholding cultural autonomy, basing oneself on one’s own reality, achieving long-term development, and recognizing the progressiveness of historical development. Based on Chinese practice, they are following a Chinese path that suits China’s national conditions. This cultural expression of national subjectivity has achieved new cultural shaping. It is clear that the ultimate goal of historical development is to achieve the free and all-round development of human beings, the exertion of individual essence and subjectivity, and to achieve new creations based on grasping the laws. People’s liberation is based on solving the material means of life, as Marx pointed out: Liberation is a historical activity, not a mental one (Xu, & Duan, 2025).

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is precisely how the Chinese people apply the basic principles of Marxism to solve practical problems in China, and it has certain practical orientation and theoretical innovation significance. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is in the form and development model of modern times, and theoretical practice is also continuously enriched through theoretical innovation based on new practices. When history reaches a certain stage, what is its ultimate destination? What is the direction of its development? In the end, it must be driven by the people to achieve historical progress. The Communist Party of China, by uniting the most reliable forces, realizes a greater social practice, better promotes historical progress, and better serves the social life of the people. Meet the people’s needs for a better life, improve living standards, and enhance the happiness and satisfaction of life.

3 The Synergistic Points between Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times and The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation

Practice is the source of theory and also its destination. In the journey of the Chinese nation’s great rejuvenation, it continuously provides new scientific guidance. The distinct features of developing Marxism lie in seeking points of convergence with traditions in practice.

3.1 Theoretical Quality That Keeps Pace with the Times

Theoretical achievements are the product of the times and also the product of practice. Discovering contradictions and solving practical problems in China is the pulse of development. Keeping Pace with the Times indicates continuous development and serving social practice, while also enriching the theoretical system of Marxism through practice and endowing it with vitality and vigor, injecting continuous impetus into development. It showcases the socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the new era with strong ideological leadership, spiritual cohesion, value appeal, and international influence.

The distinct practical character lies in basing oneself on practice, addressing real-world issues, enriching theory in practice, guiding the nation’s development with theory, and complementing and promoting each other. Practice is the fundamental stance of Marxist epistemology. It lays the foundation for development, promotes development in practice, elevates theory, and forms the spiritual essence of the era. Propelled by the twin drivers of emerging practical issues and new theoretical insights, the truth of Marxism shines even brighter.

3.2 Common Historical Mission

Both the Sinicization of Marxism and the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation share the common historical mission of achieving popular happiness and national renewal. The Communist Party of China has always adhered to the people-centered development philosophy, constantly paying attention to issues related to people’s livelihood. It addresses the difficulties of the people and follows the path of serving the people. Taking the people’s aspiration for a better life as the goal of struggle, this is highly consistent with the people-centered stance of Marxism and has gathered powerful spiritual strength for the realization of The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. The common historical mission has made Marxism more in line with China’s excellent traditional culture, and the two complement each other. It provides strong ideological power for the realization of The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation, and also provides an endless source of power.

The achievements of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times are the practical experiences accumulated through continuous summary, serving the current needs. This is a role of theoretical guidance, with new theoretical achievements constantly emerging. It responds to the new needs of the times and social concerns, and unites the people in a united struggle. The combination of the two gives Marxism Sinicization a new cultural confidence, national consciousness, and people’s strength. Persisting in applying and grasping well the scientific worldview and methodology of Marxism, deepening the understanding of the laws of the times, consolidating the cultural foundation, and innovating contemporary theories is an important driving force for opening up a new realm of Marxism Sinicization and modernization.

3.3 Reconstruction of National Subjectivity

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times has enabled China to shift from being mentally passive to being proactive. It uses traditional culture to strengthen cultural identity and jointly enhance cultural confidence and national cohesion. The construction of cultural subjectivity strengthens cultural confidence and cultural identity, giving new vitality to Chinese culture. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times has value compatibility with The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation, highlighting cultural value and subjectivity construction, enriching theoretical quality and cultural connotation, and highlighting the construction of Chinese characteristics.

In the new historical position and development stage, the value and significance of human beings cannot be ignored. We should guide the development and progress of human civilization along a harmonious path. The theoretical achievements of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times are scientific theories for achieving national rejuvenation, possessing both an advanced nature and guiding significance. The compatibility between Marxism and Chinese culture makes the integration of the two possible, leading China towards the path of national rejuvenation. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times constantly gives rise to new theoretical achievements, serving social practice, providing a broader prospect for the path of national rejuvenation, and offering a new practical foundation for the path of civilization.

4 Achieving a Compatible Development Path

Convergence is the prerequisite for the Sinicization of Marxism, which in turn represents the inevitable path toward national rejuvenation. By activating the contemporary value of Chinese excellent traditional culture through Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times, the process of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is a process of cultural integration.

4.1 Upholding cultural inheritance

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times has guided the Chinese people to achieve remarkable achievements in revolution, construction and reform, and has yielded fruitful results. It led to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and the establishment of the socialist system. Reform and Opening-up have injected a more solid material foundation and stronger development impetus into the efforts to realize The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. The path of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times has certain theoretical, practical and realistic significance, embodying certain value concepts and cultural inheritance. The vigorous vitality of Marxism is inseparable from the support and nourishment of traditional culture. The core concepts of traditional culture, such as the pursuit of universal harmony and the value of peace, still shine with the light of truth and wisdom. This historical tradition is characterized by continuity and inheritance. The educational role of culture is of profound significance for shaping the national spirit and creating the nation’s future.

Marxism has endowed traditional culture with new contemporary connotations, making it a spiritual bond that unites the strength of the whole nation and promotes national rejuvenation. This force is spontaneous, and this choice of path is also an inevitable result of history. The subjectivity of the people is also fully demonstrated in this process. That is, to strive for a better life and contribute to The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. National rejuvenation is a clearly defined development goal in our arduous historical journey. Achieving national rejuvenation cannot be separated from the efforts of every individual, nor can it be separated from correct theoretical guidance. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times runs through the process of national rejuvenation and also provides certain practical conditions and theoretical foundations for it. In practice, we continuously enhance our understanding of the theory and conduct in-depth analysis to deepen our thinking. With the correct theoretical guidance, the goal of The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation has a more long-term development prospect and a more practical result. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times will surely open up new development prospects and gather development forces for the realization of national rejuvenation and national prosperity.

4.2 Stimulating the Subjective Force of the Masses

The people are the decisive force in historical development. The tremendous driving force comes from the inner pursuit of an ideal political future. This pursuit, as a firm belief, always inspires them to strive for the great rejuvenation of the nation and contribute their strength. This force is boundless and enduring. We should continue to strive and take national rejuvenation as our guide. The essential need of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is to scientifically answer the practical questions of the times. The Two Combinations are fundamental approaches that provide the fundamental path for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The development path of The Two Combinations provides the vitality source and solid theoretical foundation for Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times.

At critical historical junctures, the power of the people converges, makes correct decisions, and leads the direction of the times. This force is intangible but powerful, gathering the tremendous power for national rejuvenation and the development of human society. The creative synthesis of Marxism and the cultural genes of Chinese civilization has resolved the binary opposition between “tradition” and “modernity”, establishing “people-centered” principles as the value foundation of the modernization narrative. Through practices such as Targeted Poverty Alleviation and the creative transformation of local wisdom in Ecological Civilization, we have forged a discursive paradigm of non-Western modernization.

4.3 Constructing a Chinese Discourse System

As a systematic innovation with historical significance, Chinese modernization is essentially a process of breaking the value core, practical path, and civilizational picture, and reconstructing the concept of development with a new narrative approach. The combination of Marxism and Chinese civilization is more in line with the cognitive ability of the masses. This transformation of discourse power is not a simple change of terms, but a creative recombination and systematic structuring of the basic principles of Marxism and the cultural genes of Chinese civilization in the context of modernization. The appeal of the national cultural bloodline inspires us to explore the centripetal force of cultural development.

Marxism has shown the light of truth in the face of historical predicaments, bringing hope to China’s development. At the moment of national peril, various classes attempted different solutions to save the country, but all failed. There was an urgent need for new theoretical guidance. The October Revolution brought Marxism to China, promoting Ideological Liberation and creating a new cultural atmosphere. It provided new paths, new ideas, and new development directions for solving China’s practical problems. The Communist Party of China was established under the guidance of Marxism, and since then, the Chinese people have had a correct direction for progress and a strong leadership force. Each revolutionary practice has deepened the understanding of truth and accumulated correct revolutionary experience. Truly, truth comes from practice and serves practice. The combination of Marxism with China’s specific conditions, exploring the Chinese path, has achieved the victory of the New Democratic Revolution in China for the first time and determined the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, laying a material foundation for the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. The Second Combination has realized the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture and fostered a new form of Chinese culture, providing theoretical guidance for solving practical problems.

4.4 Strengthening the Modernization of National Governance Capacity

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times has promoted the historical process of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. In different historical periods, it has clarified social contradictions, solved practical problems, strengthened the forces of development, and demonstrated the collective might. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times has continuously addressed practical issues, advanced theoretical innovation, and kept pace with the historical trend. The theoretical connection with practice is the theoretical essence of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times. The correct direction is the primary condition to avoid serious setbacks in construction. In a certain period, it is necessary to clarify the development plan and set development goals, and achieve new creative results in the process of goal planning to complete the expected goals. For example, the 15th Five-Year Plan provides strategic guidance for the new phase of national development and to modernize the national governance system and capacity.

The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation has endowed Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times with new era characteristics and missions. In the face of different historical issues, it is necessary to clarify the development goals and directions, be firm in the goals, focus on practice, and take real actions to solve real problems. This is the dialectical logic of the generation of truth. In the dynamic balance, a new impetus for the evolution of civilization is cultivated. The internal logic of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times and The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation is consistent. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times and The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation have an inherent fit. They both advocate continuous theoretical and practical development and reflect the same value and goal orientation. Truth is discovered in solving problems, promoting social progress and modernization.

Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is the correct theoretical path in line with the development of the times and also the only way for Marxism to remain vigorous. It is a development path in line with China’s national conditions and also the correct way to apply Marxism to solve Chinese problems. The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation is ultimately the development goal of Marxism and also the goal of the Chinese people. It highlights the exertion of human essential power and the construction of a harmonious society. Zhang Jingru pointed out that to achieve Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times. In his article The Anti-Japanese War and Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times, Zhang Jingru proposed three standards for achieving Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times: first, to be based on China’s reality; second, to have national characteristics; and third, to have new theoretical creation. Continuously based on China’s development needs, new theoretical creations should be made to enrich the theoretical system of development (Wang, 2025b).

Undoubtedly, Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times in the new era is constantly leading China towards the bright prospects of national rejuvenation. On the basis of achieving the Second Centenary Goal, it should pool Chinese strength and contribute Chinese wisdom to the development of human society. The Communist Party of China has always upheld Historical Confidence, grasped Historical Initiative, transcended the Western development model, and broken new ground in modernization. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times is the fundamental guarantee for Strengthening the Party and Rejuvenating the Country. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times runs through the great journey of national rejuvenation, which is the need of the times and also the choice of its own theoretical development. History has chosen Marxism, and Marxism, in turn, has taken root in China. Once selected and integrated into the practice of the development of human society, it has demonstrated enduring vitality and boundless potential. The development path in the new era cannot be separated from the theoretical exploration and practical guidance of Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Times, which is also the most solid guarantee on the road to national rejuvenation.

Under the promotion of The Two Combinations, we should firmly believe in victory, continuously enhance the ability to carry out struggles, and be good at formulating appropriate strategies and methods according to changes in the situation. To continue advancing theoretical innovation on the basis of practice, we must first gain a good grasp of the worldview and methodology of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and firmly uphold and apply the stances, viewpoints and methods running through it. Only by firmly grasping the position, accurately identifying the direction and mastering the methods of Marxism Sinicization can we resolve contradictions in the struggle, achieve Chinese modernization and realize the dream of national rejuvenation. In practice, adhering to the original aspiration, pursuing truth and realizing the free and all-round development of human beings are the distinct features and contemporary mission of Marxist theory.

References

[1] Cui, W. S. (2025). Logical thinking and practical paths of comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation with Chinese modernization.Journal of Yanbian Party School, 41(5), 16–21.

[2] Meng, W. Y., & Gao, Z. L. (2025). A preliminary discussion on the essential issue of Marxism Sinicization. Journal of the Central Institute of Socialism, (1), 53–65.

[3] Wang, B. (2025a). An exploration of the contemporary value of Marxism Sinicization from the perspective of “Two Combinations”. Journal of Harbin University, 46(9), 26–30.

[4] Wang, Z. P. (2025b). Zhang Jingru and the study of Marxism Sinicization. Journal of Jiangsu Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 51(5), 25–36.

[5] Xi, J. P. (2022). Governance of China (Vol. 5). Foreign Languages Press.

[6] Xu, R. T., & Duan, Y. L. (2025). A study on the regularity of The Two Combinations of Marxism Sinicization. Journal of Fuzhou University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 39(2), 17–23.