Caixin Weekly | Reviewing the Thought Line of Seeking Truth from Facts

On December 25th, Caixin Weekly published an editorial titled “Revisiting the Thought Line of Seeking Truth from Facts”, revisiting the “seeking truth from facts” thought line proposed by Deng Xiaoping, the former leader of the Communist Party of China (the chief architect of reform and opening up). It also quoted Xi Jinping’s original words – “History has repeatedly proven that adhering to seeking truth from facts can lead to the prosperity of the Party and the country; going against seeking truth from facts will lead to the detriment of the Party and the country.” It also elaborated on some historical examples – “During the Cultural Revolution, the national economy was on the verge of collapse, but the official still insisted that ‘the situation is excellent and getting better and better’, but in fact, people’s livelihood was withering, poverty and backwardness, not only widening the gap with developed countries, but also being far behind the rapidly developing neighboring countries and regions.”

In November 2023, Caixin Weekly also published an editorial “New Breakthroughs Urgently Needed for Reform”, which was also 404.

This editorial has sparked widespread discussion on platforms inside and outside the wall, but as of the time of publication by China Digital Times, the article has been 404, and the next Weibo post by @Caixin.com has also been deleted. Many netizens believe that the article is actually criticizing Xi Jinping’s retrogressive actions in politics and economics by borrowing official language.

@Caixin Weekly: 【Editorial｜Revisiting the Thought Line of Seeking Truth from Facts】45 years, a long and glorious journey. The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, held at the end of 1978, re-established the thought line of seeking truth from facts, decisively ended the “taking class struggle as the key link”, and shifted the focus of the entire Party’s work to economic construction, which initiated the prelude to reform and opening up. Reform and opening up has become the key move that determines the future and destiny of contemporary China. Commemorating the 45th anniversary of reform and opening up is not only to look back on the difficult journey of the past, not to forget the original intention, but also to gather consensus and forge ahead.

At that time, after experiencing the impact of the “ten years of turmoil”, the economy and society were scarred, and people’s hearts were yearning for change. The fundamental experience of the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee being able to set things right and lay the foundation for China’s subsequent economic take-off was to follow the thought line of seeking truth from facts. Seeking truth from facts is the fundamental viewpoint and method of Marxism, and it is written into the Party Constitution. The Party’s ideological line is to proceed from reality in everything, to combine theory with practice, to seek truth from facts, and to test and develop truth in practice. Deng Xiaoping said, “The success of reform and opening up does not rely on books, but on practice, on seeking truth from facts.” General Secretary Xi Jinping also pointed out, “History has repeatedly proven that adhering to seeking truth from facts can lead to the prosperity of the Party and the country; going against seeking truth from facts will lead to the detriment of the Party and the country.” Revisiting the thought line of seeking truth from facts is to get rid of dogma and face reality. This experience is an indispensable magic weapon for development so far, and a guide for today’s reform.

Revisiting this ideological line, we can more deeply understand that 45 years ago, facing the severe situation of everything to be done, how much firm determination, strong courage and superb wisdom were needed to overcome the difficulties.

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Xi Jinping has repeatedly mentioned the need to adhere to “seeking truth from facts”:

The following is a selection of comments from netizens by China Digital Times editors:

The invincible master of debate’s husband: It’s already quite sad that things that were common sense have to be emphasized again and again.

dongfeng891: The lesson history has taught us is that we haven’t learned any lessons from history.

Anonymous wave: I forwarded Caixin Weekly’s editorial “Revisiting the Thought Line of Seeking Truth from Facts” at noon, and now the original post is gone.

ouCgI7hwTvwihAn: Now it’s two “everything is”.

SleepO13579: “Two safeguards” is a repetition of “two everything is”, the second Cultural Revolution dares not to be blatant but is secretly advancing.

Nice234166: If it weren’t for the Cultural Revolution, I would even think he was talking about the present.

Scott332152201: May I ask which side of the pancake this is?

lcdfghtt: The great leader has found another prey.

Pandita_ll: The Christmas party committee is on holiday.

tsubasahito1024: It’s a good thing that more people are charging the tower.

rEc22fTRImvgOgH: If the soil doesn’t change, just relying on the weather, the crops won’t grow either.

watashinoakagi: Seeking truth from facts can make the country prosperous? Then it seems that China is hopeless.

AndewA25323116: General Secretary Xi is personally pointing the way.

eSYeegphDR0D6Nv: Bao: Just call my name directly.

Fire Rain Swallow: It’s rare and valuable. Chinese media people who have some ideals either run away, go to jail, change careers, or become mentally abnormal.

Cat is writing a draft light version: Chatting with the editor at noon, she said that sometimes she feels sad because everyone regards some of Caixin’s articles as “fierce works”. Because these are actually the most basic truths. To tell the truth is now also regarded as a kind of brave virtue. I just found that the original text of Caixin and this one I copied have both been 404.