Starting from the contradiction between productive forces and relations of production, economic base and superstructure, all the revolutions we carried out in the past were aimed at changing the relations of production and superstructure that did not adapt to the development of productive forces. Because these relations of production and superstructure, which are not adapted to the development of productive forces, have become obstacles to the development of productive forces. Only by removing these obstacles can the productive forces continue to develop. So revolution means liberating productive forces. Today's reform, like the past revolution, is also aimed at removing obstacles to the development of productive forces, so the purpose of reform is the same as that of revolution, and it is also aimed at liberating productive forces. Therefore, today's reform and the past revolution are the same in nature and purpose. In this sense, reform is also a revolution. "The nature of the reform, like the past revolution, is also aimed at removing obstacles to the development of productive forces and freeing China from poverty and backwardness. In this sense, reform can also be called revolutionary change. "

Calling China's reform "the second revolution in China" is the opposite of China's first revolution. The first revolution in China included two aspects: the new-democratic revolution and the socialist transformation. The result of the first revolution was to change the basic system of the old society and establish the basic system of socialism. The victory of the new-democratic revolution overthrew the political rule of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucratic capitalism and established a country of people's democratic dictatorship; Confiscate bureaucratic capital and turn it into a state-owned economy; Through land reform, feudal landlord ownership was eliminated and a new democratic economic system was established. Later, we carried out socialist transformation of agriculture, handicrafts and capitalist industry and commerce and established a socialist economic foundation. By this time, China has established the basic socialist system and social system, liberated the productive forces and greatly promoted their development. Therefore, the essence of the first revolution is the change of the basic social system, changing the basic system of the old society and establishing the basic system of the socialist society.

After the reform of the basic system is completed, the basic socialist system is adapted to the development of productive forces. However, with the development of productive forces, the contradiction between social system and productive forces has become increasingly prominent, and it has gradually changed from a positive force to an obstacle to the development of productive forces. In order to promote the further development of productive forces, we must change the original social system and carry out social system reform, which is what we call the second revolution. Therefore, the second revolution is such a revolution to further complete the social system reform after the completion of the basic social system revolution.

Reform is called the second revolution because it is risky. Because reform is a fundamental change in the social system, it involves the adjustment of interests of all classes and will inevitably bring all kinds of new social contradictions. Therefore, starting the reform is risky and therefore bold. But if you don't do this, it will be difficult to move forward, which is a very important thing.

Deng Xiaoping's scientific assertion that "reform is the second revolution in China" reveals the purpose and essence of reform, reflects the objective law of social development in contemporary China, and develops Marxist theory on social revolution, which is of great theoretical and practical significance to the international socialist movement.