National Forum of Young Marxist Scholars (2014) Held in Guangzhou

The "National Forum for Young Scholars of Marxism (2014)," co-sponsored by the Institute of Marxism Studies and the Department of Marxist Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), South China Normal University, Guangzhou University, and Guangxi Normal University Press (Group) Co., Ltd., was held on June 28 at South China Normal University. Attendees included Deng Chundong, Director and Party Committee Secretary of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS; Fan Jianxin, Vice Director; Hu Shejun, Party Committee Secretary of South China Normal University; Huang Xiaobo, Deputy Secretary; Ding Jinqing, Director of the Theory Department of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department; and Xu Junzhong, Vice President of Guangzhou University. Ding Jinqing and Huang Xiaobo delivered speeches respectively, and Deng Chundong presented the keynote report. The theme of this year's forum was "Historical Materialism and the Chinese Path." Over 80 young Marxist scholars from more than 50 universities, Party schools ^[1], and research institutions—including the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Renmin University of China, Wuhan University, Beijing Normal University, and Nanjing University—participated in the forum alongside representatives from media outlets such as Social Sciences in China, Philosophical Research, the People's Daily, the Guangming Daily, and the Chinese Social Sciences Today. Fan Jianxin presided over the opening ceremony and the morning sessions.

Wang Weiguang, President and Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group ^[2] of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out in a written address prepared for the forum that historical materialism is the general philosophical explanation of Marxism regarding the development of society and history; it is the ideological weapon for Communists to understand social problems, resolve social problems, and advance social progress. The question of "for whom" is the core issue of the materialist conception of history, and it is a fundamental, directional, and principled issue for promoting the prosperity and development of philosophy and the social sciences. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized the need to firmly establish a people-centered work orientation, which points out the correct direction of endeavor for the vast number of philosophy and social science workers engaged in academic research: first, to always adhere to an academic stance of serving the people; second, to always adhere to the principle of the unity of Party spirit ^[3] and the people's nature; third, to always adhere to the socialist attributes of philosophy and the social sciences; fourth, to always adhere to promoting the excellent academic style of integrating theory with practice; and fifth, to always adhere to advancing innovation in philosophy and the social sciences. Furthermore, Wang Weiguang stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping's series of important speeches unfold across various fields of the Party and state's development, bridging reform, development, stability, internal affairs, foreign policy, national defense, and the governance of the Party, the state, and the military. These speeches are rich in content, profound in thought, and incisive in discourse, forming a scientific system that is both systematic and complete yet open and inclusive. This not only further sublimates our Party’s understanding of the laws of Communist Party governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of human social development, but also represents a further enrichment, development, and innovation of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. They constitute important documents for promoting the Sinicization, modernization ^[4], and popularization of Marxism.

In his keynote report, Deng Chundong stated that historical materialism is the theoretical foundation of the Chinese path. We must use the standpoint, viewpoints, and methods of historical materialism to analyze the difficulties and problems faced in the advancement of the Chinese path, identifying and pinpointing aspects and links within the relations of production and the superstructure that do not adapt to the development of the productive forces. These should be resolved through deepening reform, ensuring that reform and opening up continuously advance along the socialist direction. Historical materialism and the Chinese path are directly related to the construction of socialist ideology. It is hoped that through the research, study, publicity, and education of historical materialism and the Chinese path, the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field will be continuously consolidated, as will the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the whole Party and the people of the whole country.

Participating experts and scholars engaged in exchanges and discussions centered on the forum’s theme, covering topics such as the relationship between the Chinese path and historical materialism, the relationship between the Chinese path and the Chinese Dream ^[5], the relationship between the Chinese path and the core socialist value system, the connotation and value of the Chinese path, the history and future of the Chinese path, and how to strengthen "path confidence" ^[6].

This forum marks the 6th National Forum for Young Scholars of Marxism and is one of a series of academic forums sponsored by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The objective of the forum is to build an academic platform, showcase research results, promote the growth of young Marxist scholars, and deepen the study of Marxist theory.