On September 22, the Academy of Marxism Held a Theoretical Exchange Meeting on Studying the Spirit of the "July 1" Important Speech

In order to further study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech at the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) held a theoretical exchange meeting on September 22 titled "Studying the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Key July 1st Speech." Deng Chundong, Party Committee Secretary and President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, presided over the meeting. Vice Presidents Fan Jianxin and Jia Chaoning attended, and all cadres and staff of the Institute participated. Presentations were delivered by representatives from various departments: Yuan Xiuli from the Department of Marxist Principles, Yang Junfeng from the Department of Sinicized Marxism, Liu Zhiming from the Department of the History of Marxist Development, Pang Xiaoming from the Department of the International Communist Movement, and Wang Jing from the Department of Foreign Marxist Studies.

Comrade Yuan Xiuli, representative of the Department of Marxist Principles and Director of the Research Office for Lenin and Stalin Thought, delivered a presentation titled "Deeply Grasping the Distinctive Characteristics of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s 'July 1st' Speech." She pointed out that our Party has traversed ninety-five springs and autumns, and it is precisely because several generations of Chinese Communists have adhered to their "original aspiration" ^[1] that world-renowned achievements have been realized. Compared to ninety-five years ago, the environment and status in which our Party currently finds itself have undergone earth-shaking changes. This easily leads some Party members to forget the "original aspiration" under which the Party was founded; indeed, the problems manifesting in certain members stem precisely from forgetting this "original aspiration." Emphasizing "not forgetting the original aspiration" serves to caution all comrades in the Party not to forget our faith. Our Party must treat this as a lighthouse to continue advancing in the right direction. Drawing on her research expertise and the current debate over the "ideologization" of reform, Comrade Yuan illustrated that the General Secretary's speech possesses a profound sense of historical depth, temporal weight, and future vision. She argued that to not forget the original aspiration, one must stay alert to potential danger in times of peace ^[2] and remain full of earnest expectations for the Party; one must remain firm in faith and demonstrate responsibility and commitment to the Chinese nation; one must boldly "draw the sword" ^[3] to resolutely consolidate the Party’s leadership and governing status; and one must take the initiative in construction to solidify the Party’s ideological and practical foundations.

Comrade Yang Junfeng, representing the Department of Sinicized Marxism and the Research Office for Science and Atheism, spoke on "Promoting Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture and Enhancing Cultural Self-Confidence in Socialism with Chinese Characteristics." He noted that General Secretary Xi’s emphasis on the fundamental status of cultural self-confidence reveals the vital significance of cultural construction within the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics. While material productive forces grow at a high rate, we must also succeed in building a new culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics and enhance the cultural self-confidence of the entire nation to truly realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. As the crystallization of the wisdom of thousands of years of Chinese civilization, traditional Chinese culture is long-standing and profound. It centrally reflects the way of thinking and spiritual character of the Chinese people, constitutes the self-identity of the Chinese nation, maintains the collective ideals and spiritual pursuits of unity and development, and provides the rich cultural resources necessary to enhance cultural self-confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics. Therefore, vigorously promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture and rediscovering cultural traditions that have drifted away is an inherent requirement for advancing the Sinicization of Marxism and an important prerequisite for strengthening our cultural self-confidence.

Comrade Liu Zhiming, representative and Deputy Director of the Department of the History of Marxist Development, spoke on "The Epochal Significance of Cultural Self-Confidence." He analyzed why General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed strengthening cultural self-confidence in his "July 1st" speech. He stated that culture is soft power, the bond of national cohesion since ancient times, and the spiritual essence of both governing the country by virtue ^[4] and governing the country by law. It provides reference and enlightenment for upholding values, national governance, and solving developmental dilemmas. He explained the requirements for strengthening cultural self-confidence, arguing that it involves inheriting, innovating, and developing traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture, while also respecting, critiquing, and transforming the cultures of different nations and countries. He discussed the core essence of cultural self-confidence, pointing out that it means adhering to ideology and core values to lay a solid cultural foundation, providing strong support for confidence in our path, theory, and system.

Comrade Pang Xiaoming, representing the Department of the International Communist Movement and its Research Office for the History of the International Communist Movement, spoke on "Planning for the Long Term, Aiming for the Future." He pointed out that in the speech celebrating the 95th anniversary of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping used a profound and magnificent historical perspective and objective scientific rationality to summarize the 95-year magnificent historical process of the CPC and its three major historical contributions to the Chinese nation. He identified the three major historical missions shouldered by Chinese Communists, pointed out four historical experiences the Party should remember, planned eight major strategies for the Party's future development, and expressed the Party's determination and will to not forget the original aspiration, continue advancing, and open up the future. Comrade Pang discussed the "contributions," "missions," "experiences," and "strategies" in depth, interpreting the "July 1st" speech from academic and logical perspectives.

Comrade Wang Jing, representing the Department of Foreign Marxist Studies and the Research Office for Foreign Communist Party Theory, spoke on "The Realistic Significance of 'Not Forgetting the Original Aspirations'." She noted that a distinctive feature of General Secretary Xi Jinping's speech is that it stands at the height of "Great History," viewing the 95-year struggle of the CPC as a consistent whole, and viewing the reform and opening-up and current undertakings as the inheritance and development of China's New Democratic Revolution and Socialist Revolution. By comparing the Communist Party of India with the CPC, and the Indian National Congress with the Chinese Kuomintang, as well as the political, economic, and cultural differences between the two countries, she demonstrated why the CPC must adhere to Marxism, socialism, and communism rather than liberalism or democratic socialism. She stated that the "original aspiration" is the consistent essence, character, purpose, and mission of the Communist Party since its founding; it is the Party's class nature and people-centered nature. To defend the interests of the people and achieve common prosperity, one must follow the socialist path and adhere to communist ideals.

After the academic exchanges, Vice President Fan Jianxin commented on the speeches; Vice President Jia Chaoning made arrangements for recent internal work; and Party Committee Secretary and President Deng Chundong made concluding remarks. He emphasized that studying and publicizing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's "July 1st" speech is currently a major task. All cadres and staff of the Institute of Marxism Studies must maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as General Secretary in ideology, politics, and action. All researchers at the Institute should write articles based on their research expertise and the spirit of the "July 1st" speech. It is hoped that all staff will deeply realize their mission, leverage their advantages in the study of the Sinicization of Marxism, and incorporate the latest research results into their scientific research work. He expressed his hope that all researchers would actively respond to the General Secretary's call to not forget the original aspiration and continue advancing, striving for the further improvement of scientific research and think-tank construction.