# Four Confidences

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Chinese Communist Party concept

The **Four Confidences** ([Chinese](/source/Simplified_Chinese_characters): 四个自信) is a political concept by [Chinese Communist Party](/source/Chinese_Communist_Party) (CCP) [general secretary](/source/General_Secretary_of_the_Chinese_Communist_Party) [Xi Jinping](/source/Xi_Jinping). The concept includes "Confidence in Path,[a] Confidence in Theories,[b] Confidence in System,[c] and Confidence in Culture."[d][1] In 2021, the concept was expanded to include the idea of Historical Confidence.

## History

The doctrine was first discussed at the [18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party](/source/18th_National_Congress_of_the_Chinese_Communist_Party) held in November 2012 in a speech by then party General Secretary [Hu Jintao](/source/Hu_Jintao), and the doctrine was termed the Three Confidences (三个自信).[2] The origin of the theory is said to be [Yi Junqing](/source/Yi_Junqing), an official later disgraced for corruption who served as the head of the [Compilation and Translation Bureau](/source/Compilation_and_Translation_Bureau).[2] Xi Jinping added a 'fourth' confidence, "confidence in our culture," in December 2014.[3][4] Along with the [Four Comprehensives](/source/Four_Comprehensives) and the [Chinese Dream](/source/Chinese_Dream), it has, since 2013, become a central theme in political slogans of the CCP, often recited at official meetings, conferences, and by state-owned media.[1]

In 2017, the [19th CCP National Congress](/source/19th_National_Congress_of_the_Chinese_Communist_Party) added the Four Confidences to the [CCP's constitution](/source/Constitution_of_the_Chinese_Communist_Party), inserting "firm confidence in its path, theory, system, and culture," along with other [doctrines proposed by Xi Jinping](/source/Xi_Jinping_Thought).[5]: 201

According to several portraits of Xi by both domestic and foreign observers, Xi Jinping has a deeply held belief that the CCP and the institutions it has created is the best institution to govern China and the best institution to guide China's development.[6]

In 2021, the idea of "historical confidence" was added.[5]: 201

## Doctrine

### Characteristics

Four matters of confidence refer to confidence in the [path](/source/Path_of_socialism_with_Chinese_characteristics), [theory](/source/Theoretical_system_of_socialism_with_Chinese_characteristics), [system](/source/System_of_socialism_with_Chinese_characteristics), and [culture](/source/Culture_of_socialism_with_Chinese_characteristics) of [socialism with Chinese characteristics](/source/Socialism_with_Chinese_characteristics).[7] According to an official translation:[7][5]: 201

"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... 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.

## See also

- [Ideology of the Chinese Communist Party](/source/Ideology_of_the_Chinese_Communist_Party)

- [Xi Jinping Thought](/source/Xi_Jinping_Thought)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** 道路自信

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** 理论自信

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** 制度自信

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** 文化自信

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_5-1) ["以"四个自信"推进新时代中国特色社会主义伟大事业-新华网"](http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-07/09/c_1123096720.htm) [Advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era with the 'four confidences']. *[Xinhua News Agency](/source/Xinhua_News_Agency)* (in Chinese). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200728192710/http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-07/09/c_1123096720.htm) from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2020-04-27.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sange_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sange_6-1) Lin, Baohua (May 22, 2013). [""七个不讲"否定"三个自信"（林保华）"](http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/pinglun/linbaohua/lbh-05222013093904.html) [The 'Seven Don'ts' negate the 'Three Confidences']. *[Radio Free Asia](/source/Radio_Free_Asia)* (in Chinese). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200801002625/https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/pinglun/linbaohua/lbh-05222013093904.html) from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-boxun_7-0)** ["习近平灵机一动 立马改了"三个自信"(图)"](http://www.wenxuecity.com/news/2014/12/23/3892613.html) [Xi Jinping had an idea and immediately changed the 'three confidences']. *[Duowei News](/source/Duowei_News)* (in Chinese). [Boxun](/source/Boxun). December 23, 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170914131543/http://www.wenxuecity.com/news/2014/12/23/3892613.html) from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["从"三个自信"到"四个自信"--理论-人民网"](http://theory.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0707/c49150-28532466.html) [From "Three Confidences" to "Four Confidences"]. *[People's Daily](/source/People's_Daily)* (in Chinese). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210613200441/http://theory.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0707/c49150-28532466.html) from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:02_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:02_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:02_9-2) Bachulska, Alicja; Leonard, Mark; Oertel, Janka (2 July 2024). [*The Idea of China: Chinese Thinkers on Power, Progress, and People*](https://ecfr.eu/publication/idea-of-china/) (EPUB). Berlin, Germany: [European Council on Foreign Relations](/source/European_Council_on_Foreign_Relations). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-916682-42-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-916682-42-9). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240717120845/https://ecfr.eu/publication/idea-of-china/) from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Xijinping_10-0)** [Osnos, Evan](/source/Evan_Osnos) (April 6, 2015). ["Born Red: How Xi Jinping, an unremarkable provincial administrator, became China's most authoritarian leader since Mao"](http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/04/06/born-red?). *[The New Yorker](/source/The_New_Yorker)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150414062220/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/04/06/born-red) from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_11-1) ["Four Matters of Confidence"](http://www.china.org.cn/english/china_key_words/2018-12/03/content_74235119.htm). *[China Internet Information Center](/source/China_Internet_Information_Center)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221222142737/http://www.china.org.cn/english/china_key_words/2018-12/03/content_74235119.htm) from the original on 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2022-12-22.

v t e Xi Jinping General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party President of China Chairman of the Central Military Commission Policies and theories Views History of China (2012–present) paramount leader (2012–present) Leadership core Li Qiang Government (2023–present) Xi Jinping–Li Keqiang Administration 1st term (2013–2018) 2nd term (2018–2023) Li Keqiang Trips First term Second term Third term Presidential orders First term Second term Third term Xi Jinping Thought Culture Diplomacy Ecological Civilization Economy Rule of Law Strengthening the Military Party Building Both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family Clear waters and green mountains Chinese Dream Chinese modernization Code of Conduct for Intraparty Political Life Under New Circumstances Common prosperity Decision on Comprehensively Deepening Reform Document Number Nine Double Eight Strategy Dual circulation Eight Musts Eight-point Regulation Fengqiao experience Five-in-one Four Comprehensives Four Confidences Four Consciousnesses Four Malfeasances Four Noes Great changes unseen in a century High-quality development Houses are for living, not for speculation New concept for development New normal New productive forces Party media takes the party's last name Positive energy Public opinion struggle Roll up our sleeves and work hard Holistic national security The East is rising and the West is declining Historical resolution Resolution on Further Deepening Reform Self-revolution Sense of community for the Chinese nation Forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation Supply-side structural reform Xi's Five Points Telling China's story well Three Musts Two Cannot be Denied Two Centenaries Two Creates Two Establishments Two Integrations Two Upholds Whole-process people's democracy Events First term 2012 election as Party general secretary Southern tour Anti-corruption campaign Implicated officials (2012–2017) Clean Plate campaign Party's Mass Line Education and Practice Activities Special Campaign to Combat and Rectify Cybercrime Zhou Yongkang case August 19 speech National New-Type Urbanization Plan Cleaning the Web 2014 Coordinated Development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Three Stricts and Three Honests World Internet Conference Beijing Forum on Literature and Art 2014 Macau visit 13th Five-Year Plan Deepening National Defense and Military Reform 2015–2016 Chinese stock market turbulence Xi–Chu meeting 709 crackdown Toilet Revolution in China 2015 China Victory Day Parade Ma–Xi meeting Battle against poverty Targeted Poverty Alleviation Two No Worries and Three Guarantees Symposium on News Reporting and Public Opinion Operation Qinglang Two Studies and One Action Copying the Party Constitution THAAD deployment by South Korea Xi–Hung meeting 2017 Hong Kong visit People's Liberation Army 90th Anniversary Parade Second term 2017 reelection as Party general secretary Anti-corruption campaign (2017–2022) Special Campaign to Crack Down on Organized Crime and Eliminate Evil Persecution of Uyghurs in China Xinjiang internment camps 2018 constitutional amendment Deepening the reform of the Party and state institutions 2018 South China Sea Parade China–United States trade war 200th birth anniversary of Karl Marx Strategy for Integrated Development of the Yangtze River Delta 2019–20 Hong Kong protests People's Liberation Army Navy 70th Anniversary Parade Remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind 2019 China 70th National Day grand parade 2019 Macau visit COVID-19 pandemic Response Education and Rectification of the Political and Legal Teams 2020 Inner Mongolia protests 40th Anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone 70th Anniversary of Chinese People's Volunteers 30th Anniversary of Development and Opening Up of Pudong 14th Five-Year Plan 100th Anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party 2020–2021 reform spree 2022 Winter Olympics 2022 Hong Kong visit Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis 2022 military exercises around Taiwan Third term 2022 2nd reelection as Party general secretary Anti-corruption campaign (2022–) 2022 COVID-19 protests in China 2023 Iran–Saudi Arabia summit Plan on reforming Party and state institutions 2023 People's Liberation Army Rocket Force corruption case Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis 2023 military exercises around Taiwan Joint Sword-2024A Joint Sword-2024B Strait Thunder-2025A Justice Mission 2025 2025 Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries 60th anniversary of the Tibet Autonomous Region 2025 China Victory Day Parade 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Global Leaders' Meeting on Women Busan Summit 2025–2026 China–Japan diplomatic crisis 15th Five-Year Plan Xi–Cheng meeting Diplomacy Policies Belt and Road Initiative Forum Community of Common Destiny Global Security Initiative Global Development Initiative Global Civilization Initiative Global Governance Initiative Major-country diplomacy New type of international relations Wolf warrior diplomacy China and the Russian invasion of Ukraine Meetings and trips 2013 Russia, Tanzania, South Africa, Congo visit 2015 Pakistan visit 2015 United States visit 2015 United Kingdom visit 2017 state visit by Donald Trump to China 2017 Vietnam and Laos visit CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting Kim–Xi meetings 2019 North Korea visit 2026 North Korea visit 2019 Italy and France visit Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations CPC and World Political Parties Summit 2022 Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan visit 2022 China-Arab States Summit 2023 Russia visit China-Central Asia Summit 2023 Vietnam visit 2024 France, Serbia, Hungary visit 2024 Kazakhstan and Tajikistan visit 2024 Peru and Brazil visit 2025 Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia visit 2025 Russia visit 2026 state visit by Donald Trump to China 2026 state visit by Vladimir Putin to China Works Reader of General Secretary Xi Jinping's Series of Important Speeches The Governance of China The Hopes of President Xi I Am the Son of the Yellow Earth Zhijiang Xinyu Family Xi Zhongxun (father) Qi Xin (mother) Ke Lingling (1st wife) Peng Liyuan (2nd wife) Qi Qiaoqiao (sister) Xi Yuanping (brother) Xi Zhengning (brother) Xi Mingze (daughter) Related Early life Early political career Amazing China Accelerator-in-Chief Awards Censorship of Winnie-the-Pooh Cult of personality Neoauthoritarianism General Secretary Xi Jinping's Kindness We Never Forget Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Liangjiahe New World Open Letter asking Xi Jinping to Resign Outline for the Study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Panama Papers (Deng Jiagui) Rhyzodiastes xii Xi Jinping Boulevard Xi Jinping faction Xi Jinping in Fuzhou Xuexi Qiangguo Category:Xi Jinping

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Four Confidences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Confidences) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Confidences?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.