What is the essence of socialism?

The essence of socialism is to liberate and develop productive forces, eliminate exploitation and polarization, and finally achieve common prosperity.

The essence of socialism inherits the basic principles of scientific socialism, which is one of the most important theoretical achievements in exploring Socialism with Chinese characteristics's road and a significant development of Marxism. It points out the direction for us to adhere to public ownership, improve and develop it. It breaks through the traditional concept that planned economy and other non-socialist inherent things are regarded as the essential characteristics of socialism. It reflects the interests of the people and the requirements of the times, clarifies the vague concepts that are inconsistent with the laws of the progress of the times and social development, and gets rid of the wrong tendency of sticking to specific models and ignoring the essence of socialism for a long time.