The First Academic Forum on Studying the Series of Xi Jinping's Important Speeches Held in Beijing on May 20, 2014
On May 20, the "Academic Forum on Studying Xi Jinping’s Series of Important Speeches (2014)—National Governance from a Marxist Perspective and Seminar on Zhi Jiang Xin Yu [1]," sponsored by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Zhejiang Publishing United Group, and the Guangxi Normal University Press Group Co., Ltd., was held in the academic lecture hall of CASS. Scholars and experts in attendance included Wang Weiguan, Secretary of the CASS Leading Party Members’ Group and President of CASS; Li Shenming, Deputy Director of the Internal and Judicial Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress; Zhang Yingwei, head of the Discipline Inspection Group dispatched by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to CASS; and Deng Chundong, Party Committee Secretary and President of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies.
The seminar centered on themes such as the Marxist origins and development of national governance theory, the concepts of governance within Zhi Jiang Xin Yu, Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and the modernization of national governance, the role of Socialist Core Values [2] in the national governance system, as well as public services, harmonious society [3], the socialist market economy, ecological civilization [4] and the national governance system, and international comparisons of national governance systems.
Wang Weiguan, Secretary of the CASS Leading Party Members’ Group and President of CASS, stated at the seminar that earnestly studying and proficiently applying Marxist philosophy is a fine tradition of our Party. He noted that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of speeches serve as a model for using the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method to analyze, understand, and resolve problems. The Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method constitute what we commonly refer to as dialectical materialism and historical materialism. They are the political "telescope and microscope" [5] with which Communists observe and solve all problems. They provide the philosophical basis for our Party to resolve a series of major theoretical and practical issues concerning the overall work of the Party and the state both now and in the future, and they form the most fundamental ideological basis for the entire Party to achieve unity in thought and consistency in action.
In deeply studying and implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches, the most fundamental task is to study the ideological essence—namely, the scientific worldview and methodology—that permeates the speeches. We must learn to use the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method to recognize, analyze, and resolve problems, while continuously improving our Marxist theoretical literacy and our ability to handle issues using Marxism. Currently, China is at a turning point and critical period of economic and social development. Facing an extremely complex international and domestic situation and shouldering a more heavy and arduous historical mission, it is of vital importance for leading officials at all levels to master Marxist philosophy. By striving to grasp and proficiently use the Marxist philosophical worldview and methodology—our "mastery of the craft" [6]—officials can strengthen their ideals and convictions, establish a correct worldview, outlook on life, and values, enhance the theoretical literacy of the cadre ranks, promote the comprehensive deepening of reforms, and increase their political sensitivity and discernment.
Participants in the seminar also included Tong Jian, President of the Zhejiang Publishing United Group; He Chengliang, President of Zhejiang People’s Publishing House; and He Linxia, Chairman of the Guangxi Normal University Press Group. More than 50 experts and scholars from units including CASS, the Central Party School, the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau, Peking University, Renmin University of China, and Zhejiang Ocean University attended the symposium.