"One central task and two basic points"
The “one central task and two basic points” proposition – taking economic development as the central task and the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening up as the two basic points – is the core of the Party’s basic line for building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the primary stage of socialism. It was established at the 13th CPC National Congress.
The 15th CPC National Congress summarized the Four Cardinal Principles to be “the very foundation for building China” and reform and opening up “the path to a stronger China.” The 17th CPC National Congress called the “one central task” – economic development – “vital to invigorate the nation,” which is the fundamental requirement for the prosperity and stability of the Party and the state.
The Party and the state must take economic development as the central task throughout the primary stage of socialism. This task shall take precedence over and be served by all other work of the Party and the government, and the development of productive forces shall enjoy top priority.
The Four Cardinal Principles constitute the very foundation for building China. They serve as the political cornerstone for the existence and development of the Party and the state, are the political anchor for the Chinese people to unite in their concerted endeavors and represent their fundamental interests, and provide the political guarantee for socialist modernization.
Reform and opening up is the path to making China strong. It provides powerful impetus for China’s economic development, and is the source of vitality of the Party and the state. The decision to adopt reform and opening up is of historic significance and will determine the future of contemporary China.
The one central task and the two basic points are an interconnected, interdependent and inseparable whole. If China deviates from this central task of economic development, socialist society will lose its material base for development and progress. If it deviates from the Four Cardinal Principles and reform and opening up, economic development will lose its orientation and impetus.
“一个中心、两个基本点”
“一个中心，两个基本点”是党在社会主义初级阶段建设中国特色社会主义的基本路线的核心内容，即以经济建设为中心，坚持四项基本原则，坚持改革开放，在党的十三大提出并确立。党的十五大把坚持“两个基本点”分别概括为立国之本、强国之路，党的十七大把坚持“一个中心”概括为兴国之要。其中，经济建设为中心是兴国之要，是党和国家兴旺发达、长治久安的根本要求，整个社会主义初级阶段党和国家始终要把经济建设作为中心工作，各项工作都必须服从和服务于经济建设，把发展生产力放在首要地位；四项基本原则是立国之本，是党和国家生存发展的政治基石，是全国各族人民团结奋进的共同政治基础，是全国人民的根本利益所在，是社会主义现代化建设事业的政治保证；改革开放是强国之路，为经济建设提供强大动力，是决定当代中国命运的历史性决策，是党和国家发展进步的活力源泉。因此，“一个中心，两个基本点”是相互贯通、相互依存、不可分离的统一整体。离开经济建设这个中心，社会主义社会的一切发展和进步就会失去物质基础;离开四项基本原则和改革开放，经济建设就会迷失方向和丧失动力。
“一个中心,两个基本点”共同统一于建设有中国特色社会主义的伟大实践，是中国特色社会主义理论的创新成果，具有非常重要的地位，任何时候都绝不能动摇。