“Comrade Xi Jinping has many profound thoughts and scientific assessments about a series of significant theories and their implementation … and raised a series of original and new concepts and strategies on governing the nation. He is the major author of ‘Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era’,” the communique said.

The resolution adopted by the Central Committee on Thursday was only the third such resolution in party history. Previous resolutions were passed at critical junctures in the party’s development and served as important focal points for Mao and Deng to forge consensus, settle disputes and focus minds and energy on the party’s objectives.

China on cusp of history as Xi Jinping opens Communist Party’s sixth plenum

The Central Committee also formally decided to hold the 20th National Party Congress in the second half of next year.

This event will herald wholesale changes at the top, although Xi is almost certain to remain as the paramount leader and serve an unprecedented third term.

The communique’s portrayal of Xi’s achievements goes beyond his political leadership and extends to the ideological front by presenting him as the architect of a series of “original theories and strategies” that direct the party to continue its rule and mission of building a socialist China.

It said his theories are a combination of the best of 21st century Marxist-Leninist theory and Chinese culture and spirit, adding that rallying behind Xi and upholding his thoughts as the guiding principles of the party and nation are crucial to the country’s rejuvenation.

The communique also lists a series of challenges China has faced since 2012 and how they were overcome. It describes Xi as a great leader who can solve problems his predecessors could not.

“The party central with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has solved many difficult unresolved issues [the party] has long desired to solve, and completed many important but unaccomplished tasks [it] had hoped to accomplish in the past,” says the communique.

It goes on to say that Xi showed “enormous courage” and “strong responsibility” in overcoming severe risks and challenges both internationally and domestically.

China ready to help bring US relations back on right track: Xi Jinping

In an unusual move, Hong Kong was mentioned in the communique, which said the party has successfully “promoted the great shift from chaos to governance” by imposing a series of measures that ensured Hong Kong and Macau are governed by “patriots”.

The document does not elaborate, but Beijing has imposed a sweeping national security law in Hong Kong and changed the city’s election system in the wake of months of social unrest.

The communique also said the party firmly opposed Taiwan separatism and foreign intervention, and has taken the initiative in handling cross-strait relations.

It further states that China’s diplomatic influence and soft power, as well as its ability to shape the world, has grown under Xi, adding that China has turned crisis into opportunity, although did not elaborate.

The achievements it lists include balancing economic growth and pandemic control, poverty alleviation, pushing forward technological self reliance and modernising the military.

It also says the Communist Party has occupied the ideological high ground and successfully rallied the public behind it and is pushing to deliver prosperity to all people.

“The ideological situation in our country has seen a fundamental shift across the board, the party and all ethnicities have much higher confidence and solidarity,” it says.

The party’s historical resolutions have been seen as a way to demonstrate unity as well as the unparalleled authority of its leader.

The significance of Xi Jinping’s upcoming ‘historical resolution’

The first was issued by Mao in 1945, just before the civil war that eventually led to the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949.

Deng’s resolution in 1981 officially ended the decade-long turmoil of the Cultural Revolution and set China on the path of opening up and reform, transforming it from a backward country to the world’s second-largest economy.

The titles of both previous historical resolutions reflected the party’s “problems” or “issues” following tumultuous periods. In contrast, the latest – the Resolution of the CCP Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experiences of the Party’s Centennial Struggle – is clearly focused on its achievements and prescribes its future course.

The document is expected to soon become a key study material for the party’s 95 million members across all levels.