The Communist Party of China has always advanced with the times, so has the Party Constitution. And the inclusion of "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" in the Party Constitution shows the political wisdom and strategic insight of the central leadership with General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core.

By writing it into Party Constitution, the Party has made the thought the new guideline to realize China's modernization and the great rejuvenation of the nation. It also shows the core role of Xi in the Party leadership has been further strengthened.

Given the grand vision of realizing modernization and national rejuvenation and the complex challenges that have to be met to do so, China needs scientific planning in the new era. And to better understand the characteristics of the new era and China's reality, one has to first understand how Xi has used Marxism to explain the complexity of China's new problems, for only by so doing can a person comprehend the depth and importance of his concept and definition.

First, the deduction that socialism with Chinese characteristics has stepped into a new era reflects outstanding political judgment, which enriches Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development. The fact that the judgment also reflects the reality that China is still in the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for a long time, which will further help socialist construction.

Second, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a theory with goals and means, and it raises the question of "what kind of modernization and national rejuvenation China should have" while exploring ways to achieve the goals of modernization and national rejuvenation.

Xi's thought embodies the new ideas, new thinking, and new strategies of the governance philosophy of the CPC Central Committee in the new era of development. As a significant innovation both for theory and practice, the "New Era" will facilitate the realization of China's two centennial goals — building a moderately prosperous society by 2020 and establishing its position as a great modern socialist country by 2050. More important, the achievement of the two goals will further help realize China's national rejuvenation.

The principal contradiction facing Chinese society has evolved to be the one between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life, which is an important outcome of socialism with Chinese characteristics stepping into a new era and the improvement in the production process.

It's natural that after people's basic needs are met, they will demand better education, higher income, improved social security, housing and healthcare, a greener environment, a just society and rich cultural products. The evolution of the principal contradiction shows the way a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way should be built — a two-step approach should be taken to realize socialist modernization in the first stage from 2020 to 2035 before developing China into a "great modern socialist country" that is "prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful" in the next 15 years.

Unbalanced and inadequate development is seen in economic, social, cultural, ecological fields, while there remains a development and income gap between urban and rural areas. So to tackle the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development, the principal contradiction has to be resolved. And Xi has put forward 14 solutions for the purpose, from strengthening the Party leadership, comprehensively deepening reforms, promoting the rule of law and strictly governing the Party to building up a stronger military and sticking to ecological progress.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era takes a broad and long-term view at the strategic level while following a practical method, specific arrangement and route. And this is a guarantee that despite the many challenges, China will realize its goals in the new era under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought.

The author is a research fellow at the National Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China.