Editor’s note: This is the first part of a series on the historical document the CPC passed in the sixth plenary session of its 19th Central Committee.

The sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has recently passed the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, only the third historical resolution the Party has adopted since its establishment. Why was this resolution adopted at this time? What does it have in common with, and how does it differ from, the previous two?

The latest resolution, adopted after the realization of the first centennial goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and at the beginning of a new journey to achieve the second centennial goal of socialist modernization and national rejuvenation, set the stage for the CPC to take another important “examination”

In 1945, the seventh plenary session of the Sixth Central Committee of the CPC adopted the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party, which summarized the important experience gained and lessons learned over the previous 20-plus years since the founding of the CPC, explicating the harm caused by “Left” dogmatism within the Party, affirming the leadership position of Mao Zedong within the Party, and addressing practical problems concerning the Chinese revolution. This resolution marks the Party’s transition to maturity from infancy, establishing the ideological and political foundation equipped with important theories that are crucial to the successful convocation of the Seventh National Congress of the CPC and the ensuing victory in the War of Liberation (1946-49).

In 1981, the sixth plenary session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC adopted the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, which renounced the “cultural revolution” (1966-76) and the erroneous theories on class struggle. The second resolution also made a realistic assessment on the major historical events and important political figures including Mao Zedong, summarized the experience of the socialist revolution and national development since the establishment of New China, and mapped out the correct development path that dovetailed with China’s actual conditions with a focus on 10 aspects. This resolution, in addition to the efforts made in the third plenary session of the 11th Central Committee, was a further step to set things right in the Party’s guiding ideology, providing an important ideological and political foundation for Party members to correctly understand socialism and refocus on economic development.

The latest landmark resolution, adopted at a historical juncture as the Party celebrates its 100th anniversary, has broader and deeper dimensions. It further expands on the major events in the CPC’s history, and expounds on the major achievements of the Party and the nation over the course of reform and opening-up, especially since the 18th National Congress, which ushered in the new era for socialism with Chinese characteristics. As no disagreement over fundamental issues has ever emerged within the Party over the past 40 years, the third resolution, unlike the previous two, focuses on summing up the achievements instead of rectifications.

All three resolutions were adopted at a historical juncture when the nation was prepared to set out new development objectives and take on new challenges. The 1945 resolution was adopted when the country’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) was in sight, and the CPC was ready to seize the State power for the ultimate purpose of establishing a New China.

The 1981 resolution, adopted after the reform and opening-up process kicked off, sought to free the Party from the shackle of erroneous ideas so that efforts would be refocused on the country’s socialist modernization.

When the Party’s Central Committee left Xibaipo for Beijing in 1949, Mao Zedong called it a journey to “take the examination”. The latest resolution, adopted after the realization of the first centennial goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and at the beginning of a new journey to achieve the second centennial goal of socialist modernization and national rejuvenation, set the stage for the CPC to take another important “examination”. The new historical resolution will galvanize all Party members to do well in the new “examination” for sure.

History offers guidance for meeting new challenges and creating a bright future. The new CPC resolution highlighted this wisdom by calling on all Party members to study its history, “looking back on the Party’s endeavors over the past century, we can see why we were successful in the past and how we can continue to succeed in the future”.

Every time the country entered a new stage of development, the CPC would mobilize all Party members with a set of clear strategies formulated in a unique way, and lead the Chinese people to pursue the goals in lockstep. It is doubtful that one can find another political party that is as visionary and as committed to the people’s well-being as the CPC.

The author is a veteran current affairs commentator. 

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.