Historical Review and Future Prospects for the Development of the Discipline of Ideological and Political Education
To study and implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, strengthen the research and interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, deeply understand the innovative development of ideological and political education within the process of Chinese-path modernization, and improve the level of academic research and talent cultivation in the field, the 2024 National Academic Symposium on Ideological and Political Education was held at Nankai University on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Ideological and Political Education major. The theme of the conference was "Historical Review and Future Prospects of the Development of the Ideological and Political Education Discipline."
The conference was co-hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Nankai University. It was organized by the Department of Sinicized Marxism Research at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the School of Marxism at Nankai University, and the CASS Think Tank for Marxist Theoretical Innovation. Co-organizers included the editorial boards of Marxism Studies (Makesizhuyi yanjiu), Guide to Ideological and Theoretical Education (Sixiang lilun jiaoyu daokan), Teaching and Research (Jiaoxue yu yanjiu), Studies on Marxist Theory Discipline (Makesizhuyi lilun xueke yanjiu), Ethics and Civilization (Daode yu wenming), Nankai Journal (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), and Teaching and Research of Marxist Theory. Experts and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, Peking University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, Wuhan University, and other universities and research institutes gathered in Tianjin to exchange innovative ideas and jointly plan a new chapter for the development of the ideological and political education discipline.
Xin Xiangyang, Director and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies; Niu Wenli, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nankai University; Zhang Zaisheng, member of the Party Leadership Group and full-time Vice Chairman of the Tianjin Federation of Social Science Circles; and Ma Bo, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Fu Hong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Marxism at Nankai University, presided over the opening ceremony.
On behalf of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, Xin Xiangyang expressed high respect and a warm welcome to the hosts, organizers, co-organizers, and guests, and extended sincere thanks to the Publicity Department of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee and the Tianjin Federation of Social Science Circles for their support. He pointed out that the National Academic Symposium on Ideological and Political Education aims to arm minds and guide practice with the latest achievements in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, thereby improving the construction of the ideological and political education discipline. Over the past thirteen years, the symposium has become a high-specification academic platform and brand with broad participation and significant influence. Its role is primarily reflected in three areas: first, researching and interpreting the latest results of the Party's innovative theories through academic exchange and recording the developmental history of the discipline; second, innovating the conference model by forming a four-party collaborative framework involving local publicity departments, educational administrative authorities, CASS, and local universities, achieving an effective combination of functional roles in publicity and interpretation, scientific research, practical teaching, and decision-making services; and third, building an academic exchange platform to gather expert views and promote the high-quality development of the discipline.
On behalf of Nankai University, Niu Wenli expressed heartfelt thanks to the leadership of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee and the Tianjin Federation of Social Science Circles for their support, and extended a sincere welcome to the leaders, experts, and media representatives. He noted that over the years, Nankai University has achieved fruitful results in the construction of the Ideological and Political Education major while promoting the organic integration and coordinated development of the major and the construction of "思政课" (sīzhèngkè—ideological and political theory courses) [1]. By using "思政课" construction to promote professional and disciplinary building, and utilizing achievements in talent training and scientific research to drive reform and innovation in these courses, the university continuously contributes "Nankai power" to the construction of "Grand Ideological and Political Courses" [2]. The university will continue to advance the study and implementation of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speeches, further strengthen the discipline, and promote its high-quality development. He expressed hope that this meeting would serve as an opportunity to work with colleagues to advance the systematization and theorization of disciplinary theory, striving to build a high-quality Ideological and Political Education major that meets the requirements of the New Era and plays its due role in the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
On behalf of the Tianjin Federation of Social Science Circles, Zhang Zaisheng extended a warm welcome to the attendees. He noted that as a bridge between the Party/government and social science workers, the Federation has long attached great importance to the development of this discipline, organizing key research projects and major academic activities. Regarding the high-quality development of the discipline, he shared three insights from his daily work: first, grasp the pulse of the times to construct an independent Chinese knowledge system; second, firm up ideals and convictions to improve the mechanism for "fostering virtue through education" [3]; and third, take root in Chinese soil to serve the construction of a strong country and national rejuvenation.
On behalf of the Publicity Department of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee, Ma Bo extended a warm welcome. He stated that holding the 2024 Symposium on the 40th anniversary of the major’s establishment is of great significance. He introduced Tianjin’s experiences and achievements in strengthening "思政课" construction in the New Era, emphasizing that the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee and Government attach great importance to the Marxist theory discipline and ideological work in schools. He shared three points on innovation: first, respond to major issues to provide support for high-quality development; second, follow educational laws to provide endogenous impetus for the integrated construction of ideological and political education across primary schools, secondary schools, and universities; and third, focus on the "Two Combinations" [4] to stimulate innovative kinetic energy for enhancing the leading power of ideological and political education.
The forum consisted of keynote speeches, thematic reports, and sub-forums. Six experts gave keynote speeches, eleven experts gave thematic reports, and experts and scholars in five parallel groups participated in academic exchanges during the sub-forum stage.
In the keynote speech session, Xin Xiangyang (CASS), Luo Yuting (Wuhan University), Liu Shulin (Tsinghua University), Ni Bangwen (Central School of the Communist Youth League), Wang Shuyin (Beijing Normal University), and Wang Xinsheng (Nankai University) delivered reports on topics including: why Marxism "works" [5]; the strategic positioning of the discipline; ideological and political leading power; disciplinary construction; the mass basis of ideological and political work; and the transformation of academic style and theoretical interpretation. Ren Jie, Director of the Editorial Office of Marxism Studies, presided over the keynote session.
Regarding the conference theme, Xin Xiangyang shared his understanding of why Marxism "works" through five aspects: scientific belief, the scientific nature of the theoretical system, a powerful worldview, systematic methodology, and great humanitarian sentiment.
Luo Yuting pointed out that ideological and political education is a "soul-building project" for fostering virtue through education, a central link in practical development, and a political advantage for governing the Party and the country. Facing the "changes unseen in a century" and the overall strategy of national rejuvenation, it is necessary to grasp the scientific positioning of ideological and political education from the perspectives of political standing, historical orientation, and strategic status.
Liu Shulin elaborated on the manifestations of ideological and political leading power through four areas: adhering to the political direction of comprehensively deepening reform and the principle of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground; adhering to the guidance of Marxist theory; enhancing the core leading power of Socialist Core Values; and implementing the strategy of becoming a power in education centered on the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. He noted the necessity of firmly establishing a people-centered value orientation.
Ni Bangwen elaborated on his thoughts regarding disciplinary construction across six aspects: goal orientation, disciplinary support, pertinence and effectiveness, mechanism building, faculty construction, and degree setting. He clarified that the essence of ideological and political education is to help students form correct ways of thinking and behaving.
Wang Shuyin systematically reviewed General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on mass-based ideological and political work, explaining how to consolidate the mass foundation by clarifying the subjectivity of the masses, enhancing timeliness, and exercising the leadership's role in setting an example.
Wang Xinsheng analyzed the problem of "academic style" (文风—wénfēng) in current philosophy and social science research, pointing out the disconnect between Marxist theory disciplines and other social sciences. He emphasized that transforming the writing style is synonymous with transforming the "study style" (学风—xuéfēng), advocating for research rooted in practice and interdisciplinary integration.
During the thematic report stages, experts including Chen Zhigang (CASS), She Shuanghao (Wuhan University), Sun Xiuling (Xinjiang Normal University), Wu Manyi (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China), Li Chunhui (Inner Mongolia National Junior Normal College), Yang Renzhong (Tianjin Normal University), He Xinyuan (CASS), Xie Lixia (South China University of Technology), Shi Shoulin (Jilin Academy of Social Sciences), Feng Yanli (Chongqing University), and Wu Dongsheng (Nankai University) delivered reports. These sessions were presided over by Liu Xuanqi (Baise Cadre College) and Li Nan (University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences).
In the sub-forums, participants engaged in heated discussions on topics such as Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, the history of disciplinary construction, the "connotative development" [6] of "思政课", the integration of information technology, and new horizons for youth ideological and political education.
At the closing ceremony, representatives from the sub-forums, including Shi Hongbo (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Li Dongpo (Lanzhou University), Luan Chunyu (Tianjin University), Chang Yanhui (Nankai University), and Shu Gaolei (Nankai University), gave reports.
Liu Ailing (CASS) and Wang Shengsheng (Nankai University) summarized the symposium. Finally, Fu Hong (Nankai University) presented the flag to Ruan Chuankan (Fujian Normal University), who delivered an invitation for the next symposium. Xiao Guangwen (Nankai University) presided over the closing ceremony.