On March 3rd, the Labor Union and Women's Working Committee of the Academy of Marxism organized a themed activity titled "Gathering the Power of Women to Celebrate the Centenary of the Founding of the CPC"
The Institute of Marxism Studies (CASS) currently employs nearly 90 female staff members, who have become an important force in all areas of our Institute’s work. Fully carrying out the spirit of professional dedication and selfless sacrifice, they have made great contributions to the smooth development of the Institute's operations. On the occasion of the 2021 "March 8th" International Working Women's Day, and in order to enrich the cultural life of our staff, further enhance institutional cohesion, and promote the "Four Selfs" [1] spirit of women while showcasing their elegance and strength—and simultaneously taking the opportunity to welcome the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party and the launch of the Party history study and education campaign [2]—the Institute’s Labor Union and the Working Committee for Women organized a themed activity titled "Gathering Women’s Strength, Celebrating the Party’s Centenary" on March 3, 2021, with the approval of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies. A total of 82 staff members participated. Participants successively visited patriotic education bases such as the Guo Moruo Memorial Museum, the exhibition of achievements for the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Contemporary China (CASS), and the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling. Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Institute’s Party Committee, and Gong Yun, Vice President of the Institute, attended and delivered speeches.
Group photo at the Guo Moruo Memorial Museum
Guo Moruo was the first president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and, moreover, an outstanding figure in the 20th-century academic and cultural history of China. He was a polymath who combined the roles of writer, historian, paleographer, calligrapher, and social activist. Deeply learned in both ancient and modern texts [3] and a prolific author and translator, he was an encyclopedic cultural giant. Zhou Enlai once paired him with Lu Xun, evaluating him thus: "If Lu Xun was the pioneer who opened up paths where there were none, Guo Moruo is the guide who leads everyone forward together." Ye Ting [4] wrote for his 50th birthday: "In longevity, may he rival George Bernard Shaw; in merit, may he pursue Gorky." Our staff looked with reverence upon the statue of Guo Moruo, visited his former residence and the exhibition of his life, and were deeply moved by his magnificent life—one defined by the pursuit of ideals, service to the country, and a shared destiny with the breath of the era.
Visiting the exhibition on the life of Guo Moruo
Group photo at the Institute of Contemporary China
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Learning the history of the Party and the history of the country is a required course for us to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics and to continue pushing forward the various undertakings of the Party and the state. This course is not only required, but must be mastered." The year 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Contemporary China. As a national institution specialized in the study of national history, the Institute of Contemporary China has achieved proud results: it has launched a large number of research outputs with high academic standards and significant social influence, and accumulated a wealth of important archival documents and library materials. Centering on the core work of the Party and the state, it has played the role of a "think tank" and "brain trust" for the Party Central Committee and the State Council. It has formed a reasonably structured team of scientific research talents with national influence, training a large number of high-level researchers for the cause of national history. It has built academic exchange brands such as the Annual Academic Conference on the History of the People's Republic of China and International Senior Forums, actively constructing domestic and international exchange platforms. It has actively practiced the principle of "conducting scholarship for the people" and dedicated high-quality works to the public. The 30th-anniversary achievement exhibition was divided into eight sections—including "Accepting the Heavy Trust," "A Thirty-Year Journey," "Compiling the Authentic History of the Nation," "Building a Think Tank with Chinese Characteristics," "Emphasizing Responsibility," "Nurturing Talents for the Era," "Broadening Exchanges and Mutual Learning," and "Strengthening Political Guidance"—showcasing thirty years of the Institute of Contemporary China forging ahead and reaping the fruits of its labors.
Visiting the achievement exhibition for the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Contemporary China
After visiting the achievement exhibition themed "Compiling History, Consulting on Governance, Educating People, and Protecting the Nation," our staff collectively watched a documentary on the 30th anniversary of the Institute of Contemporary China. From the documentary, everyone saw the warm congratulations and earnest expectations of the older generation of leaders and scholars for the 30th anniversary, and learned about the arduous struggles and patriotic sentiments [5] of the leadership and all staff today, by which everyone was moved.
After the visit, Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Institute’s Party Committee, delivered a speech. Secretary Xin pointed out that through visiting the exhibition and watching the promotional film, we deeply felt that the Institute of Contemporary China has solidly advanced the study of national history for 30 years, leaving us a very precious wealth of experience. we must learn from the spirit of the Institute of Contemporary China and strengthen our study of the history of the Communist Party of China, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development [6]. Through the study of history, we can better promote Marxist research. He stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized "studying history to clarify principles, studying history to increase credibility, studying history to respect morality, and studying history to practice" [7]. For our Institute, the key to studying history lies in promoting the better development of Marxist research work. Finally, he emphasized that the Institute of Marxism Studies has been established for 16 years. On one hand, we must learn from the serious attitude of the Institute of Contemporary China in compiling history; on the other hand, we must proceed from the reality of the Institute of Marxism Studies, do a good job in all aspects of our work, and push our work to a new stage. Comrade Jiang Hui is both the Director of the Institute of Contemporary China and the President of the Institute of Marxism Studies. His requirements for the Institute of Contemporary China also apply to the Institute of Marxism Studies. We must strive to push our work to new heights.
Speech by Party Committee Secretary Xin Xiangyang
The last stop of the activity was the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling, where everyone listened to a precious Party lecture in the exhibition hall of Soong Ching-ling’s life achievements: "Soong Ching-ling—An Outstanding Party Member." The speaker gave a factual account of Soong Ching-ling’s involvement in the revolution for over 70 years. Throughout the long, tortuous, and complex historical process, she always took the interests of the people as her starting point and ultimate destination. Closely following the pace of the times and pursuing the truth with unswerving determination, she finally realized her lifelong wish to join the Communist Party of China at the end of her life, fulfilling her solemn promise to "always be with the Party." She brought a perfect conclusion to her legendary life of struggle, which had been baptized by blood and fire. Our staff deeply appreciated the demeanor of Soong Ching-ling as a great patriot, democrat, internationalist, and communist fighter.
After the Party lecture, Gong Yun, Vice President of our Institute, gave a concluding speech. He pointed out that this activity was an excellent experience in "studying history to practice." Soong Ching-ling was a great woman. On the eve of International Women's Day, commemorating this communist fighter, learning from her, and paying tribute to her was an unforgettable experience for the staff of the Institute of Marxism Studies. He emphasized that this year marks the beginning of China's new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, which was also the great ideal pursued throughout the lives of revolutionary predecessors including Sun Yat-sen and Soong Ching-ling. At this juncture, visiting the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling to celebrate International Women's Day and conduct Party history education was very meaningful. History is the best textbook, as well as the best nutrient and sobering agent. We must study history, and we must also write the glorious history of 21st-century Marxism.
Speech by Vice President Gong Yun
Finally, our staff visited the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling and gained an in-depth understanding of her nearly 70-year revolutionary career, as well as her indelible contributions to the liberation of the Chinese people, the health care and cultural education of women and children, the reunification of the motherland, the defense of world peace, and the promotion of human progress.
Group photo at the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling
Through this activity, the staff of our Institute unanimously agreed that it was very meaningful for the Labor Union and the Working Committee for Women to organize this visit and study activity at the time of welcoming the centenary of the Party's founding and the development of the Party history study and education campaign throughout the Party. Everyone expressed that as staff of the Institute of Marxism Studies of the CASS, we must consciously strengthen our study of the history of the Communist Party of China, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development. We should achieve a state of "knowing history to love the Party and knowing history to love the country," consciously practice our original aspiration and founding mission, tell the China story well, and spread China's voice well. At the same time, we must learn from Soong Ching-ling and Guo Moruo, strengthen our faith in Marxism, take the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics as our lifelong pursuit, and welcome the centenary of the Communist Party of China with a brand-new posture. Thus, the visit and study activity of the Institute of Marxism Studies for the "March 8th" International Women's Day concluded successfully.
(Author: Wang Zifeng)