four self-confidences 四个自信 sìge zìxìn

Slogan emphasising the organic unity and complementarity of key ideological tenets to which Party members must adhere

• dàolù zìxìn 道路自信: confidence in the road (i.e. socialism with Chinese characteristics)
• lǐlùn zìxìn 理论自信: confidence in the theory (Marxism-Leninism and its extensions)
• zhìdù zìxìn 制度自信: confidence in the system (of Party institutions)

These were linked as 'three self-confidences' by outgoing Party General Secretary Hu Jintao 胡锦涛 in a speech to the 18th National Party Congress (2012). In the following year, his successor Xi Jinping 习近平 added a fourth, claiming it to be more general

• wénhuà zìxìn 文化自信: confidence in Chinese culture

In the illustration, the party rises endlessly on a spiral path, supported by four pillars labelled from left to right with the 'self-confidences'.