Academy of Marxism Celebrates the 100th Birthday of Retired Cadre Comrade Li Chengbin
On November 15, 2024, greeting the first rays of the morning sun in early winter, a four-person delegation led by Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), arrived at the Xinhua Jiayuan Nursing Home to celebrate the 100th birthday of retired veteran cadre [1] Comrade Li Chengbin. Participating in the celebration were Luan Wenlian, Secretary of the Retired Cadres’ Party Branch of the Institute of Marxism Studies; Qi Jianguo, Director of the General Office; Lyu Zhicheng, Deputy Director; as well as Comrade Li Chengbin’s family and children, and the leadership and staff of the Xinhua Jiayuan Nursing Home.
Luo Wendong first presented a congratulatory card from the CASS Bureau of Retired Cadres [2] for Comrade Li Chengbin’s 100th birthday and read the citation. Subsequently, representing the Party Committee and the leadership team of the Institute of Marxism Studies, he expressed warm congratulations and delivered a speech. He affectionately reviewed Comrade Li Chengbin's academic achievements, noting that during his tenure at the Institute of Marxism-Leninism [3] and the Institute of Marxism Studies, Comrade Li worked with diligence and industry. He published several influential papers in the journal Marxism Studies (马克思主义研究), such as "Upholding the Labor Theory of Value," "Upholding Socialist Public Ownership of the Means of Production," and "Historical and Practical Reflections on State Ownership of the Means of Production," all of which garnered significant impact in academic circles. Following his retirement, Comrade Li continued to "plow unceasingly with his pen" [4], remaining dedicated to the scientific research he loves and expressing concern for the construction and development of the Institute. Retired cadres are precious treasures of the Party and the state, and constitute an important force for advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is the unshakable responsibility of a unit’s Party committee to perform work related to retired cadres with heart, emotion, and vigor [5], and to provide high-quality services to all retired personnel. He expressed his hope that Comrade Li would take care of his health and enjoy his twilight years in peace.
Ms. Xu Shumin, Comrade Li Chengbin’s wife, expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the family for the care shown to the elderly comrade by the Party organizations of CASS and the Institute of Marxism Studies. Luan Wenlian, Secretary of the Retired Party Branch of the Institute of Marxism Studies, recalled the piece "My Story of Joining the Party" written by Comrade Li during the centenary of the founding of the CPC. She remarked that Teacher Li [6] devoted himself to the revolutionary cause in his early years and later actively participated in social science research, particularly in Marxist economic theory. He is a respected senior predecessor who has set an example for us in remaining loyal to the Party's social science undertakings and in conducting scholarship with seriousness and rigor. Jiang Qin, Deputy General Manager of Xinhua Jiayuan Senior Care Services (Beijing) Co., Ltd., where Comrade Li resides, expressed her congratulations and welcomed the delegation from the Institute of Marxism Studies. She stated:
“This is a home for the elderly; we provide them with the warmth of a home and the comfort of a family. We are also the family of the elderly and must take good care of their daily lives. May we work together to better advance our country's undertakings for the elderly, so they may enjoy their later years and share in the fruits of the nation's reform and development.”
(Contributed by Luan Wenlian and Lyu Zhicheng; text and photos)