To have the courage to carry out self-reform and conduct strict self-governance, this is the most distinctive part of our Party's character. We must uphold the Party Constitution as our fundamental rules, give top priority to the political work of the Party, combine efforts on ideological work and institution building, and strengthen Party competence in all respects. We must focus on oversight over the "key few," by which we mean leading officials, and see that the principle of the Three Stricts and Three Earnests is observed.

We must uphold democratic centralism, ensure that intraparty political activities are carried out in earnest, impose strict Party discipline and strengthen internal oversight. We must develop a positive and healthy political culture in the Party and improve the Party's political ecosystem, resolutely correct misconduct in all its forms and show zero tolerance for corruption. We will continue to strengthen the Party's ability to purify, improve and reform itself and forever maintain its close ties with the people.

Just as there are no bounds to practice, there is no end to theoretical exploration. The world is changing with every second, every moment, and China, too, is changing with every second, every moment. We must ensure our theory evolves with the times, deepen our appreciation of objective laws and advance our theoretical, practical, institutional, cultural and other explorations.

Comrades,

The era is the mother of thought; practice is the fount of theory. If we respond to the call of our times and have the courage to uphold truth and correct errors, the Marxism of 21st century China will, without a doubt, emanate a more mighty, more compelling power of truth.

(Source: Extract from Xi Jinping's report at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, October 18, 2017.)

This episode is presented by Ning Yan.