Retired Personnel Party Branch of the Academy of Marxism Holds Symposium on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee
On November 5, 2025, twelve retired Party-member cadres from the Institute of Marxism Studies went to the Institute to hear a presentation by Gao Xiang, a member of the Central Lecturer Group, President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and Secretary of its Leading Party Members’ Group. The report focused on studying and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC for the Institute's entire cadre corps and staff. Following the report, the Retired Party Branch organized a discussion and exchange for the veteran comrades. Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies, expressed his appreciation to the veteran comrades for coming to the Institute to listen to the report and participate in the branch discussion. He offered three suggestions: first, a hope that everyone continues to concern themselves with major national affairs and the country’s development; second, to persist in Marxist theoretical research, follow the Party, and offer suggestions and counsel for national development; and third, to listen to the opinions and suggestions of retired cadres during the year-end work summary.
The retired cadres unanimously agreed that the proposals for the “15th Five-Year Plan” [1] constitute the fundamental basis and programmatic document for the formulation of relevant national policies over the next five years, possessing significant epochal meaning and far-reaching historical significance. Zhang Zuying, a former leader of the Institute of Marxism Studies, spoke highly of President Gao Xiang's report, stating that it helps us accurately grasp and deeply comprehend the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, strengthening our confidence and determination to achieve the primary goals of economic and social development during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period proposed by the Plenum.
Branch Secretary Luan Wenlian stated in her remarks that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee pointed out that the “15th Five-Year Plan” period must “ensure that decisive progress is made in basically achieving socialist modernization.” On the new journey of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, through the efforts of three five-year periods—the “14th,” “15th,” and “16th”—we will basically achieve socialist modernization by 2035, fulfilling the first step of the “two-step” strategic arrangement [2]. At this critical juncture of the historical process, the Party Central Committee has explicitly proposed the goal and requirement of “ensuring decisive progress in basically achieving socialist modernization,” which centrally demonstrates our Party’s firm determination to continuously push the construction of Chinese-path modernization toward greater depth. During the crucial transitional period of the “15th Five-Year Plan,” relying on the scientific formulation and continuous implementation of five-year plans is an important political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must comprehensively deepen reform, which complements economic and social development planning, to ensure decisive progress in basically achieving socialist modernization. Party leadership is the fundamental guarantee for ensuring this achievement.
Branch committee member Wang Shijin stated that the Plenum pointed out the “15th Five-Year Plan” period is a critical stage for laying a solid foundation and exerting full force toward basically achieving socialist modernization. We must recognize that during this period, China’s development environment faces profound and complex changes; strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and uncertain or unpredictable factors are increasing. However, viewed overall, opportunities still outweigh challenges. China's economic base is stable, its advantages are numerous, its resilience is strong, and its potential is vast. The advantages of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the ultra-large-scale market, a complete industrial system, and abundant human resources will become even more apparent. We firmly believe that under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we will certainly create a new situation for Chinese-path modernization and write a new chapter for the “two miracles” [3] of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. Chen Dong maintained that the proposals for the “15th Five-Year Plan” emphasize continuously deepening the construction of the market economy, giving play to the role of the unified national market [4], establishing a modern economic system, and emphasizing scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, all of which have important guiding significance for economic and social development.
The issue of anti-corruption is a matter of great concern. Everyone agreed that the Party Central Committee’s determination to fight corruption is firm and the intensity of the anti-corruption struggle is very high. Li Ruiqin said that our Party’s determination to comprehensively and strictly govern the Party is steadfast; it is strengthening the institutional design of anti-corruption and plugging loopholes to eliminate the soil that breeds corruption, ensuring that officials “do not have the desire to be corrupt, do not dare to be corrupt,” and especially that they “cannot be corrupt” [5].
People’s livelihoods were also a focus of great attention. Zhao Zhikui, who previously conducted in-depth investigations in communities in Shenzhen and Chongqing, noted that since communities involve many aspects of life, community Party building utilizes grid-based management [6], which is very effective in improving government credibility. The veteran comrades also paid close attention to issues of social development and security. Shang Wei argued that since General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the Holistic Approach to National Security [7], China has coordinated development and security, and the construction of a “Peaceful China” has been highly effective. Placing the defense of political security at the forefront of the “15th Five-Year Plan” is extremely important, as it concerns the country's development and long-term stability.
The attendees also expressed great interest in the development of artificial intelligence (AI), believing that AI can boost economic development and the development of new quality productive forces. At the same time, they expressed concern that AI could be exploited by those with ulterior motives to harm individuals or society. They expressed hope that the state would issue relevant policies to constrain such harmful behavior, ensuring that "intelligence is used for good" to assist social development.
In summary, the atmosphere of the discussion and exchange was enthusiastic. Everyone expressed full confidence in the realization of the “15th Five-Year Plan” and high expectations for our Party to lead the people of the entire country toward a better life and the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with even greater strength.
Text provided by Shang Wei, Retired Party Branch of the Institute of Marxism Studies
Photos provided by Lyu Zhicheng, Office of the Institute of Marxism Studies