**Interviewer**: Professor Chen Dongfang, thank you for joining us today. As a professor at the Marxism Institute of Henan Engineering University and a researcher at the Research Center for the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, can you share your insights on the relationship between efficiency and fairness in the context of China’s modernization?

**Professor Chen**: Thank you for having me. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Party Congress highlighted the importance of maintaining a systematic perspective in managing key relationships, such as those between the economy and society, government and market, efficiency and fairness, as well as development and security. President Xi Jinping has emphasized that “Chinese-style modernization must achieve higher efficiency than capitalism, while also ensuring greater social fairness.” Balancing efficiency and fairness is crucial for the ongoing deepening of reforms and advancing China’s modernization.

**Interviewer**: How do efficiency and fairness interact in the context of reform?

**Professor Chen**: Efficiency and fairness have always been critical issues throughout human history. The relationship between the two directly impacts social stability and development. It’s a complex challenge that we need to address as we deepen our reform efforts. The Party’s 18th National Congress called for both initial and redistributed allocations to consider efficiency and fairness, with greater emphasis on equity in redistribution. As we continue to promote high-quality development, our focus must be on achieving a balance that enhances both aspects, ultimately fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.

**Interviewer**: You mentioned high-quality development. How does it contribute to achieving this balance?

**Professor Chen**: High-quality development is essential for creating a solid material foundation for balancing efficiency and fairness. It embodies the goal of aligning quality with equity. By improving economic productivity and efficiency, while also addressing income disparities and ensuring fair distribution of wealth, we can create a more inclusive economy. This will not only stimulate the economy but also empower various social groups, especially the labor force, thereby expanding the middle-income population and enhancing overall societal purchasing power.

**Interviewer**: In terms of common prosperity, how can we strike the right balance between efficiency and fairness?

**Professor Chen**: President Xi has pointed out that common prosperity is a fundamental goal of Marxism and a long-standing ideal for the Chinese people. Our Party has consistently aimed to integrate efficiency and fairness in our development strategies. Since the 18th National Congress, we’ve focused on improving the living standards of citizens while ensuring that benefits are shared more equitably across society. Addressing issues like employment, healthcare, and education is key to this effort, alongside enhancing public services and increasing the income share for lower-income groups.

**Interviewer**: How can the government enhance the role of fairness while promoting efficiency?

**Professor Chen**: Promoting efficiency entails focusing on technological innovation and fair distribution policies that encourage a healthy economy while addressing local protectionism and monopolies. It is essential to integrate systemic innovations around common prosperity to ensure that initial distribution, redistribution, and third distribution mechanisms work cohesively. This balanced approach not only drives long-term economic development but also fosters social harmony.

**Interviewer**: In closing, what is the key takeaway regarding efficiency and fairness?

**Professor Chen**: Efficiency serves as the material foundation for fairness, while fairness is a vital assurance for efficiency. In the new era, it’s crucial to harmonize these two elements. We must ensure that all sources of social wealth creation are fully tapped, allowing the benefits of modernization to be enjoyed by all, which will clearly showcase the unique characteristics and advantages of Chinese-style modernization. Thank you for the opportunity to share these thoughts.