The "Four Matters of Confidence"

In his speech of July 1, 2016, at the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, Xi Jinping added "confidence in its culture" to the existing "three matters of confidence" (confidence in the socialist path, theory and system). 

"Confidence in its path" is confidence in the direction of socialism with Chinese characteristics and confidence in its future; "confidence in its theory" is confidence in the scientific, true and authentic nature of the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics; "confidence in its system" is confidence in the strengths and advanced 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 matters constitute an integrated whole. Of the four, "confidence in its culture" is the most fundamental. China's outstanding traditional culture took shape over the course of 5,000 years. Its modern revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture were formed through China's revolution, reconstruction and reform under the CPC's leadership.

The path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics are what the CPC and the Chinese people have achieved through their persistent efforts. The path leads to socialist modernization and a better life for the people, the theory guides the Party and the people to achieve national rejuvenation, the system is the institutional guarantee for progress, and the culture is the source of strength for the Chinese people. These four together are the most salient features of Chinese socialism and serve the great cause. Firm confidence in all four will support contemporary Communists in their mission to build socialism with Chinese characteristics.

“四個自信”

2016年7月1日，習近平在慶祝中國共產黨成立95周年大會上的講話中，在堅持中國特色社會主義“道路自信”“理論自信”“制度自信”基礎上，增加了“文化自信”，從而形成了“四個自信”的表述。

道路自信是對中國特色社會主義道路發展方向和未來命運的自信；理論自信是對中國特色社會主義理論體系的科學性、真理性、正確性的自信；制度自信是對中國特色社會主義制度先進性和優越性的自信；文化自信是對中國自身文化價值的充分肯定，是對中國文化生命力的堅定信念。“四個自信”是一個有機統一體，是中國特色社會主義的完整信念體系，相輔相成、彼此互動。其中，文化自信是更基礎、更廣泛、更深厚的自信，是更基本、更深沉、更持久的力量。在5000多年文明發展中孕育的中華優秀傳統文化，在中國共產黨和中國人民偉大斗爭中孕育的革命文化和社會主義先進文化，積淀著中華民族最深層的精神追求，代表著中華民族獨特的精神標識。

中國特色社會主義道路、理論、制度、文化，是經過中國共產黨和中國人民長期奮斗取得的，也是經過長期實踐檢驗的產物。中國特色社會主義道路，是實現社會主義現代化、創造人民美好生活的必由之路。中國特色社會主義理論體系，是指導黨和人民實現中華民族偉大復興的正確理論。中國特色社會主義制度，是當代中國發展進步的根本制度保障。中國特色社會主義文化，是激勵全黨全國各族人民奮勇前進的強大精神力量。四者統一于中國特色社會主義偉大實踐，是中國特色社會主義最鮮明的特色。堅定道路自信、理論自信、制度自信、文化自信，不斷奪取中國特色社會主義新勝利，是當代中國共產黨人的重要使命。