"Four matters of confidence"
In his speech of July 1, 2016, at the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping added “confidence in its culture” to the existing “three matters of confidence” (the socialist path, theory and system), thus coining the term “four matters of confidence.” The scope of this term is an augmentation of and innovation in the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
“Confidence in its path” is confidence in the direction of development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and confidence in its future; “confidence in its theory” is confidence in the scientific nature, truth and sound nature of the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics; “confidence in its system” is confidence in the advanced and superior nature of the system of Chinese socialism; “confidence in its culture” is a full affirmation of the value of China’s own culture and a faith in its vitality.
These four form an organic whole; they provide a complete conceptual system of socialism with Chinese characteristics; they are mutually complementary and interactive. Of the four, “confidence in its culture” is the most fundamental, profound, broad, basic, deep-rooted, and longest-lasting. China’s outstanding traditional culture took shape over the course of 5,000 years of development of its civilization. It is also a revolutionary culture and an advanced socialist culture formed through great struggles of the Party and the people, and a culture crystallizing the deepest aspirations and the distinctive traits of the Chinese spirit.
The most important core mission of today’s Communist Party members is to remain firmly confident in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to continually raise it to new heights.
“四个自信”
2016年7月1日，习近平在庆祝中国共产党成立95周年大会上的讲话中，在“三个自信”（道路自信、理论自信、制度自信）基础上，增加了“文化自信”，从而形成了“四个自信”的表述。“四个自信”的概括是对中国特色社会主义理论体系的丰富和创新。其中，道路自信是对中国特色社会主义道路发展方向和未来命运的自信；理论自信是对中国特色社会主义理论体系的科学性、真理性、正确性的自信；制度自信是对中国特色社会主义制度先进性和优越性的自信；文化自信是对中国自身文化价值的充分肯定，是对自身文化生命力的坚定信念。 概四个自信”是一个有机统一体，是中国特色社会主义的完整信念体系，相辅相成、彼此互动。其中，文化自信是更基础、更广泛、更深厚的自信，是更基本、更深沉、更持久的力量。在5000多年文明发展中孕育的中华优秀传统文化，在党和人民伟大斗争中孕育的革命文化和社会主义先进文化，积淀着中华民族最深层的精神追求，代表着中华民族独特的精神标识。坚定中国特色社会主义道路自信、理论自信、制度自信、文化自信，不断夺取中国特色社会主义新胜利，是当代中国共产党人最核心的使命。