On January 13, Dean and Party Secretary Deng Chundong was appointed as a Distinguished Researcher at the Renmin University of China Institute for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and spoke at the inauguration ceremony
On January 13, the plaque-unveiling ceremony for the Renmin University of China Research Institute for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the High-Level Forum on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era were held in Beijing. This is one of the ten research institutes for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era established with the approval of the Party Central Committee. Two other such institutes have been established in higher education institutions, namely at Peking University and Tsinghua University. Deng Chundong, Dean and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), was appointed as a specially invited researcher of the center and spoke at the unveiling ceremony. The transcript of the speech is as follows:
Respected leaders and comrades:
Today, the Renmin University of China Research Institute for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is formally established. This is a major event and a joyful occasion. As researchers of Marxist theory, we feel immensely gratified and express our heartfelt congratulations.
The 19th Party Congress [1] summarized the Party’s innovative theory as Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and established it as the guiding ideology that the Party must adhere to over the long term. This marks another instance of the Communist Party of China (CPC) advancing with the times regarding its guiding ideology; it possesses major practical significance and profound historical significance for the cause of our country’s socialist modernization.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "History and reality both tell us that only socialism can save China, and only socialism with Chinese characteristics can develop China. This is the conclusion of history and the choice of the people." [2] Socialism with Chinese characteristics has been the theme of all the Party's theory and practice since the Reform and Opening-up [3]. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era systematically answers the major epochal question of what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics we should uphold and develop in the New Era, and how we should uphold and develop it. This Thought represents a historic new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism; it is a powerful ideological weapon guiding our Party as it conducts the "Great Struggle," builds the "Great Project," advances the "Great Cause," and realizes the "Great Dream" [4]; and it is the guiding ideology that our Party must adhere to over the long term.
Firmness in politics comes from maturity in theoretical understanding. Only by clarifying the spiritual essence and scientific inner meaning of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era from a theoretical perspective can we better "align ourselves" [5] with the Party Central Committee politically, and better implement and execute this Thought in practice. At the same time, to push the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics forward, we must accurately understand and systematically grasp the connotations and spiritual essence of the Thought. Therefore, studying, researching, and publicizing Xi Jinping Thought is not merely an academic or theoretical issue, but a practical issue related to maintaining the correct direction of Reform and Opening-up and to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The theoretical community should shoulder the responsibility of studying, researching, and publicizing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
The establishment of this Research Institute at Renmin University of China will play an excellent role in demonstrating, driving, and leading the in-depth study and research of Xi Jinping Thought for this university, for higher education institutions nationwide, and for the country’s entire theoretical community.
I am honored to be appointed as a researcher at my alma mater’s Research Institute for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This is a great honor, and I also feel a heavy responsibility. Here, I make the following pledges to the Academic Committee:
First, I will earnestly study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and accurately grasp its spiritual essence and theoretical connotations. This study must be situated within the perspective of the history of the development of Marxist theory, and integrated with the perspective of the historic achievements the Party and the state have attained since the 18th Party Congress [6].
Second, in my research work, I will ensure the integration of theory with practice and avoid dogmatism. Guided by the correct stance, viewpoints, and methods, I will strive to understand Xi Jinping Thought clearly, ensure the "true scripture is not read wrongly" [7], and produce more high-level research results.
Finally, we must strengthen the work of publicizing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The Institute of Marxism Studies, where I serve, will strengthen this publicity through various domestic and international forums and academic exchange activities. This publicity must include not only theoretical dissemination but also popular-science style publicity and education aimed at the broad masses. Through theoretical publicity, we can achieve the effects of arming the whole Party, educating the people, promoting work, and influencing the world. In the future, the Institute of Marxism Studies will also launch collaborations with the Renmin University Research Institute. Let us join hands and work together to promote the in-depth development of research into Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.