Academy of Marxism at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Hosts 2024 Youth Academic Forum
On November 20, 2024, the 2024 Youth Academic Forum of the Institute of Marxism Studies (IMS) of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) was held in Conference Room 1345 of the IMS building. The forum focused on "Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee [1] and Xi Jinping Thought on Culture," aiming to strengthen theoretical study among youth, promote youth academic research, and support the academic growth of young scholars. Divided into three segments—opening remarks, keynote speeches with expert commentary, and a concluding summary—the forum was attended by more than 50 people, including the Secretary of the CPC Committee and Deputy Director of the IMS, several directors and deputy directors of research departments and offices, the Youth Working Group, and young cadres from various departments.
Scene of the Youth Academic Forum of the Institute of Marxism Studies
Luo Wendong, Researcher and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the IMS, delivered the opening remarks. On behalf of the IMS leadership, he congratulated the forum, emphasizing that it serves as an essential platform for ideological exchange and the cultivation of young talent. He reviewed the IMS’s academic traditions and innovations, such as the experiences of the Youth Reading Club and academic salons, encouraging young scholars to inherit and carry forward a rigorous style of study and fine academic traditions. Expressing high expectations, he proposed further improving the quality and level of the forum while refining its content and mechanisms. On one hand, a mechanism for publishing outstanding achievements should be established to cultivate excellent young scholars; on the other, the integration of scientific research with administrative work should be strengthened to promote mutual reinforcement between theory and practice.
During the keynote speech and commentary segment, 12 youth representatives spoke, with 12 experts providing individual critiques. The representatives focused on their respective research fields in relation to the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.
Yang Binbin, Associate Researcher in the Department of the Sinicization of Marxism, spoke on "Building a New Type of Civilization through Historical Consciousness and Cultural Confidence," exploring the contemporary significance of Chinese civilization and emphasizing the modern transformation and innovation of fine traditional Chinese culture. Sun Jinya, Assistant Researcher in the Editorial Department of Marxist Studies, spoke on "Advancing Chinese-path Modernization and Deepening Reform of the Cultural System and Mechanisms," highlighting the guiding role of culture in economic development and proposing reform mechanisms from the perspectives of values, the education system, and ideology. Chen Zhigang, Deputy Director of the IMS, and Tian Kun, Director of the CPC Building and Party History Research Office of the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Deputy Head of the Youth Working Group, commented on these speeches, noting that the content should be focused, titles should not be too broad, and concepts must be clear and accurate.
Li Yan, Assistant Researcher in the Department of Marxist Principles, spoke on "A Solemn Declaration and Action Plan for Comprehensively Deepening Reform: Insights from Studying General Secretary Xi Jinping’s 'Explanation of the Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Several Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reform' [2]," analyzing the core content of the 20th Central Committee's decision and emphasizing the comprehensiveness of reform and the direction of key breakthroughs. Liu Haihua, a young cadre from the Scientific Research Department, spoke on "Organized Research Promoting the Construction of an Independent Knowledge System for Chinese Philosophy and Social Sciences," proposing the importance of organized research and the significance of interdisciplinary and practice-oriented integration for knowledge system innovation. He Xinyuan, Deputy Director of the Department of the Sinicization of Marxism, and Fang Tao, Associate Researcher in the same department, commented that young people must possess their own independent reflections and viewpoints and leverage their research strengths.
Bi Guoshuai, Assistant Researcher in the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, spoke on "The 'Second Integration' [3] and the Theoretical Innovation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture," analyzing the role of the "Second Integration" in theoretical horizons, methodology, and the innovation of propositions. Wang You, Assistant Researcher in the Department of International Communist Movement Studies, spoke on "The Cultural Foundation of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation: Insights from Studying Xi Jinping Thought on Culture," analyzing its core essence and significance from the perspective of the contemporary background. Ren Jie, Director of the Editorial Department of Marxist Studies, and Li Kaixuan, Associate Researcher in the Department of International Communist Movement Studies, noted that writing requires finding the right angle for interpretation and ensuring the text matches its title to enhance its academic and theoretical rigor.
Ma Zhengli, Associate Researcher in the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, spoke on "Comprehensively Improving the Modernization Capabilities of Cadres," discussing why "once the political line is determined, cadres are the deciding factor [4]," noting that this is determined by the cadre system with Chinese characteristics. Chen Ni, Assistant Researcher in the Department of the Sinicization of Marxism, spoke on "Striving to Improve Discipline Enforcement Power," reviewing the discourses of classical Marxist writers on the discipline of revolutionary forces and proposing that improving enforcement requires effort in both knowledge and action. Dai Lixing, Deputy Director of the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, and Xia Yipǔ, Associate Researcher in the same department, suggested strengthening problem consciousness, becoming adept at distillation and synthesis, and building the confidence to speak without a script.
Li Bin, Assistant Researcher in the Department of Marxist Principles, spoke on "Deepening Financial System Reform and Promoting High-quality Development of Finance: Implementing the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee," noting that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on financial development profoundly clarify the strategic significance of high-quality financial development, providing the fundamental follow-through and guide to action for the New Era. Wang Zifeng, Assistant Researcher in the Department of International Communist Movement Studies, spoke on "The Significance of Chinese-path Modernization for the International Communist Movement," explaining its importance from the perspective of the international movement. She noted that Chinese-path Modernization answers the question of combining modernization with socialism, breaks the myth and discourse trap of "modernization = Westernization," and provides important enlightenment for developing countries exploring modernization. Hou Weimin, Researcher in the Department of Marxist Principles, and Zhang Jiangang, Deputy Director of the Editorial Department of Marxist Studies, pointed out that scholarship must be problem-oriented and combine theory with practice to better facilitate thinking and writing.
Shan Chao, Assistant Researcher at the World Socialism Research Center, spoke on "Being a Qualified Communist Party Member: Insights from Studying Xi Jinping Thought on Culture," proposing that Party members must face difficulties and problems squarely, alongside historic achievements and transformations [5]. Zhang Ting, an editor at the World Socialism Research Center, spoke on "Reflections on Cultural Subjectivity," explaining the connotation of Chinese cultural subjectivity and the relationship between consolidating that subjectivity and the cultural mission of the New Era, while analyzing the process and reasons for realizing self-awareness in Chinese cultural subjectivity. Zhang Jianyun, Director of the Marxist Philosophy Research Office of the Department of Marxist Principles, and Liu Xukuan, Director of the Ideology and Social Trends Research Office of the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, noted that youth research should focus on academic quality, innovation, and theoretical depth.
Yang Jing, Deputy Director of the Department of Marxist Principles and Head of the Youth Working Group, gave the concluding remarks. She stated that the forum achieved fruitful results, summarized by three keywords: "Comprehensive" (broad participation of youth), "Rich" (diverse themes), and "Deep" (profound content). The forum deepened the understanding of the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and Xi Jinping Thought on Culture while providing a platform for academic exchange and joint exploration. She suggested that young scholars should enhance the academic and theoretical nature of their presentations and focus on originality. She emphasized that young scholars should integrate collective work with personal academic growth to improve overall research levels. The Youth Working Group should promote the institutionalization and scaling of the forum, standardize the submission and display of papers, and provide more resources and publishing opportunities.
To better implement Secretary Luo Wendong’s instructions, she noted that future forums should: first, standardize the submission and management of manuscripts to improve discussion efficiency; second, ensure content closely aligns with the meeting theme to avoid over-generalization; third, launch a selection process for outstanding results to encourage deep and practical research; and fourth, further optimize exchange mechanisms, such as expanding interdisciplinary exchange and cooperation with external units. In conclusion, under the strong leadership and support of the IMS CPC Committee, the Youth Academic Forum should be built into a high-level brand for cooperation, acting as a "ladder" and platform for young scholars to meet their needs, realize the deep alignment of youth research with national development strategies, and assist in the construction of an independent knowledge system for philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.
(Text and Photos by Liu Ying and Lei Xiaohuan)