The 11th Symposium on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the 14th Academic Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism Successfully Held

In order to implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee ^[1], and to deepen the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the 11th Forum on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the 14th Academic Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism were held in Xi'an on October 19, 2024. The forums were jointly hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Shaanxi Normal University. The theme of the forum was "Advancing the Systematic and Academic Research of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era." More than 90 experts and scholars attended from over 80 universities and research institutions nationwide—including CASS, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, Fudan University, East China Normal University, Zhejiang University, Wuhan University, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Yunnan University, the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, and the Hebei Academy of Social Sciences—as well as from more than 10 press and publication units such as People's Daily, Marxist Studies, Guide to Ideological and Theoretical Education, and World Socialism Studies.

The forum was divided into five segments: the opening ceremony, the first stage of keynote speeches by experts, sub-forum presentations, the second stage of expert presentations, and the closing ceremony.

At the opening ceremony, Luo Yonghui, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Shaanxi Normal University; Xin Xiangyang, Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS; Li Jianbo, Vice Chairman of the Shaanxi Provincial Federation of Social Sciences; and Luo Jun, Deputy Director of the Theory Division of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department, delivered successive speeches. Luo Yonghui welcomed the scholars on behalf of Shaanxi Normal University. She introduced the university's performance over its 80-year history and the development of its School of Marxism and the discipline of Marxist theory, wishing the conference great success as a grand event for academic exchange. Researcher Xin Xiangyang, Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, briefly introduced the historical evolution of the "Forum on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" and the "Academic Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism" in his address. He delivered a keynote speech on three fundamental issues regarding the systematic and academic research of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Xin Xiangyang pointed out that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee was a significant meeting of landmark importance, held during a critical period for comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a powerful country and national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization. It deepened the regular understanding ^[2] of the Party's theoretical innovation, further clarified the position, direction, and methodology of theoretical innovation, and formed a series of new ideas, viewpoints, and judgments on comprehensively deepening reform. The theoretical community should shoulder the responsibility of deepening research into the "Reform Chapters" of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and provide a systematic and academic interpretation of the major contemporary question: "Why must we comprehensively deepen reform, and how shall we do so?"

The expert presentations were divided into three sessions, featuring a total of 17 scholars. Researcher Chen Zhigang of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies spoke on "The Internal Logic of the Systematization and Academicization of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era"; Professor Ren Xiaowei, Vice President of Shaanxi Normal University, on "The Theoretical Innovation Results of the Sinicization of Marxism and the Creation of China’s Independent Knowledge System"; Professor Zhang Runzhi of Beijing Normal University on "Deeply Understanding Modernization Characterized by the Coordination of Material and Spiritual Civilizations"; Professor Zou Guangwen of Tsinghua University on "Constructing the Cultural Form of Chinese-path modernization"; Professor He Husheng of Renmin University of China on "The Nationality of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture"; Professor Jiang Hong of the Ideological Front editorial department at Yunnan University on "Strengthening Patriotic Education on the Cyber-frontier in the New Era"; Professor Liu Mingming of Nankai University on "The Methodology of Chinese Communists' Critique of Capitalist Modernization"; Professor Yan Lianfu of Xi'an Jiaotong University on "Culture and Technology"; Researcher He Xinyuan of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies on "The Emerging Theory of the Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation"; Researcher Zhao Zhique of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies on "The Systematic Construction of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era"; Professor Gao Zhenglei of Beijing Jiaotong University on "Historical Initiative ^[3] in Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform"; Researcher Dong Biao of Peking University on "The 'Second Combination' ^[4] Opening New Realms in the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism"; Professor He Bo of Northwest University on "Arming with the Party’s Innovative Theory and Why the CPC Can ^[5]"; Professor Wang Weiguo of the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on "The Systems Concept of Comprehensive Reform"; Professor Liang Yanbing of Xi'an University of Technology on "The Content, Characteristics, and Significance of Cultural Classics during the Yan'an Period ^[6]"; Professor Zhao Yong of East China Normal University on "The Dialectical Process of Constructing the Discourse of Chinese-path modernization"; and Professor Zhang Fan of Shaanxi Normal University on "A Horizontal and Vertical Interpretation of Marxism and Fine Traditional Chinese Culture."

The forum was organized into four sub-forums with the following topics: "Principles-based Elucidation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," "New Theories and Practices of the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism," "Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform," and "Theoretical Research on Chinese-path modernization." Scholar presentations included both designated speeches and floor discussions.

At the closing ceremony, one scholar representative elected from each sub-forum briefly introduced the viewpoints and exchange results of their respective groups in the main venue. Researcher Dai Lixing, Deputy Director of the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered the concluding remarks. He noted that the forum featured a diverse and extensive range of participants, focused on cutting-edge themes, and maintained an enthusiastic atmosphere, achieving rich results in its deliberations.

This academic forum was organized by the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the School of Marxism at Shaanxi Normal University, the School of Marxism at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the CASS Research Center for National Cultural Security and Ideology, and the CASS Think Tank for Marxist Theoretical Innovation. It was co-organized by the editorial departments of Marxist Studies and World Socialism Studies. The forum was characterized by its high conceptual level, broad vision, and wide coverage, providing an excellent platform for scholars to engage in academic exchange and mutual learning.