Han Qingxiang: Four Dimensions of Opening a New Realm for the Localization and Modernization of Marxism | Marxism Research Network

Han Qingxiang, a First-Class Professor at the Central Party School of the CPC (National Academy of Governance), has provided a comprehensive exposition on the proposition of opening new frontiers in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism through four dimensions: practice, theory, philosophy, and interpretation. Regarding the theoretical dimension, he has condensed the Central Committee’s significant discourses on the pathways of theoretical innovation since the 18th Party Congress ^[1] into three core essential points: "identifying, screening, researching, and resolving problems"; the "Two Combinations" ^[2]; and "focusing on deepening the systematized and academic research and interpretation of the Party’s innovative theories." He argues that a close internal logical connection exists between these three: "identifying, screening, researching, and resolving problems" constitutes the starting point and source of impetus for theoretical innovation, focusing on the logic of research and innovation to inject "living headwater" ^[3] into the process; the "Two Combinations," as the necessary path and primary channel for theoretical innovation, are grounded in the dual logic of practice and theory to build a solid foundation for the direction of innovation; and "focusing on deepening the systematized and academic research and interpretation of the Party’s innovative theories" pertains to the logic of discourse formulation, providing support for the precise expression and effective dissemination of innovative achievements. These three elements are interconnected and organically unified, collectively propelling the Party's theoretical innovation toward a new realm.

Notes

↩ [1] 党的十八大 (Dǎng de Shíbā Dà): The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, held in 2012. This event marked the beginning of the New Era and the transition to the current leadership under Xi Jinping.

↩ [2] 两个结合 (liǎng gè jié hé): The "Two Combinations." This theoretical framework posits that Marxism must be combined first with China's specific realities, and second with China's fine traditional culture. While the first combination has been a staple of CPC ideology since Mao Zedong, the second combination was formally elevated during the New Era to emphasize cultural continuity and national identity.

↩ [3] 源头活水 (yuántóu huóshuǐ): "Living headwater" or "fresh spring water from the source." Derived from a poem by the Song Dynasty neo-Confucian philosopher Zhu Xi, it signifies a constant flow of new ideas or vitality derived from a primary source—in this case, the practice of addressing real-world problems.

↩ [4] 体系化、学理化 (tǐxìhuà, xuélǐhuà): "Systematization and academicization." In recent Chinese Marxist discourse, this refers to the effort to move beyond slogans or disconnected policies toward a rigorous, internally consistent, and scientifically structured theoretical system that can withstand academic scrutiny and be taught as a formal discipline.