Party Branch of the Department of Marxist Principles Research Conducts Theme Day Activity
On December 8, 2024, the Party Branch of the Department of Marxist Fundamental Theory Studies (hereafter, "the Theory Department") within the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) held a general Party branch assembly in Beijing. Yu Bin, Secretary of the Theory Department Party Branch, delivered a specialized Party lecture titled "Study and Implement the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Instructions on the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project [1] in the New Era." Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies, attended and spoke as an ordinary Party member. The meeting was presided over by Yang Jing, Deputy Secretary of the Theory Department Party Branch, and was attended by all Party members and non-Party masses of the department as part of a thematic Party Day activity.
(Figure 1: The Party Branch of the Department of Marxist Fundamental Theory Studies carries out a thematic Party Day activity)
I. Yu Bin, Secretary of the Theory Department Party Branch, Delivers a Specialized Party Lecture
In his lecture, Yu Bin pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s proposition to "take root in Chinese soil, continue the Chinese cultural lineage, and deepen academic foundations to make greater contributions to the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism" [2] constitutes the focal point of the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project in the New Era. The Project in the New Era must particularly emphasize the "Two Combinations" [3]: the first combination is taking root in Chinese soil and combining with China's specific realities; the second combination is continuing the Chinese cultural lineage and combining with fine traditional Chinese culture. For all personnel in the Theory Department, strengthening the study of classical Marxist works is the practical handle [4] for deepening the academic foundations of Marxist fundamental theory research. Whether it is providing in-depth answers to questions regarding China's specific realities or deeply excavating the rich connotations and contemporary value of fine traditional Chinese culture, both are rooted in the basic principles of Marxism.
Starting from the concept of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, Yu Bin interpreted the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions. He noted that deepening academic foundations is what it means to "uphold the fundamentals," while providing in-depth answers to China's specific realities and excavating the value of fine traditional Chinese culture belongs to the realm of "breaking new ground." The core content of innovation must focus on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The work of the Project in the New Era must strive to deepen systematic and theoretical research and interpretation, and strengthen the targetedness and effectiveness of study and publicity. Taking root in Chinese soil and deepening academic foundations must ultimately be implemented through people, ensuring that the theory "enters the brain and enters the heart."
Finally, Yu Bin set forth requirements regarding the Party branch's cultivation of high-quality talent and key research priorities. Talent cultivation includes two aspects: the training of internal students and visiting scholars, and the self-development of the researchers themselves. Deepening academic foundations requires researchers to further improve their own qualities. Regarding research, it is necessary to deepen studies on the basic theory of Marxism, focusing on major issues within the great cause of comprehensively promoting the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization. One must not engage in "splitting hairs" or pedantic, ivory-tower research.
II. Heads of Research Offices and Branch Committee Members Share Learning Experiences
Zhang Jianyun, Director of the Marxist Philosophy Research Office, stated that it is necessary to strengthen Marxist theoretical research on big data, the Internet, and artificial intelligence. Researching the internal mechanisms of the new round of technological revolution, new quality productive forces, and changes in the mode of production from a Marxist perspective is not only a theoretical necessity but also an urgent practical requirement.
Zhang Fujun, Director of the Marxist Political Economy Research Office, stated that upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground are unified. Upholding the fundamentals means one cannot deviate from Marxism and socialism; however, this is not "carving a mark on a moving boat to find a lost sword" [5], but rather moving forward and advancing with the times. Theoretical innovation cannot lose the "ancestors" [6]; otherwise, it is equivalent to severing the soul-lineage and the root-lineage.
Zhang Duan, Director of the Scientific Socialism Research Office, argued that the CPC has always consciously applied the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method to the practice of revolution and construction, forming an ideological line with contemporary characteristics, practical requirements, and Chinese style. On the basis of inheriting the theoretical explorations of predecessors, General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly proposed that "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is an important ideological method for our Party’s governance of the country in the New Era," and further expounded the relationship and practical requirements therein.
Sun Yingshuai, Director of the History of Marxist Development Research Office, first shared his insights from the training program at the CASS Party School. He suggested strengthening research on Chinese-path modernization and advanced Chinese civilization from the perspective of 21st-century Marxism and the development of scientific socialism.
Yang Jing, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch and Deputy Director of the Theory Department, shared her thoughts on deepening research into the basic principles of Marxism. She argued that to deepen these principles based on the department's research work, one must systematically refine and summarize "identifying concepts" [7] and original theories, which can serve as important support for future research. Understanding identifying concepts from the perspective of basic Marxist principles—and combining the perspectives of the history of Marxist development, Marxist philosophy, Marxist political economy, and scientific socialism—allows for the integration and linkage of various research tasks through the study of original theories and the history of conceptual categories, further driving the department's development.
Zhu Yiyi, Discipline Inspection Member of the Party Branch, shared views on the innovation of a Chinese independent knowledge system for philosophy and social sciences. He argued that constructing such a system requires handling the relationship between Marxism, traditional Chinese culture, and Western knowledge systems.
Liang Haifeng, Organizational Member of the Party Branch, shared his insights focusing on five aspects: the importance of theoretical innovation, the practical requirements of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, the profound connotation of the "Two Combinations," the urgency of constructing an independent knowledge system, and the close integration of theoretical research with practical work.
(Figure 2: Participants exchange learning experiences around the study theme)
III. Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies, Delivers a Keynote Speech
Luo Wendong pointed out that holding a thematic Party Day activity to promptly and deeply study General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project in the New Era is an excellent form of learning. The fact that everyone exchanged experiences in connection with their own work reflects a scholarly style of integrating theory with practice. Such sincere and in-depth exchange also enhances mutual rapport and is a practice worth persisting in. For the future work of the Party branch, Luo Wendong proposed three requirements:
First, improve political standing and clarify the mission and responsibility of the Party branch. The Theory Department is a "national team" for research in philosophy and social sciences. The Party branch must center itself on the overall interests and serve the bigger picture, clarifying the vanguard and exemplary role it should play now and in the future. In particular, we must continuously improve our work in conjunction with the General Secretary's instructions. A review of the Institute's history shows that from its origins as the Institute of Marxism-Leninism to the current Institute of Marxism Studies, it has always accompanied the process of reform and opening up and socialist modernization—emerging from this process and growing strong within it. Therefore, in the new historical era, we must have a spirit of innovation and enterprise, continuously advancing the Project in the New Era, and constantly reflecting on the role played by the Institute and the Theory Department, as well as the duties and missions of every research office and Party member.
Second, continuously strengthen organizational discipline and play the role of a "Four-Strong" Party Branch. "Four-Strong" refers to having a strong political function, a strong branch leadership team, a strong contingent of Party members, and a strong role in performance. The Theory Department Party branch was the first unit in the Institute to be rated a "Four-Strong" branch; it must play a leading role in setting the direction, managing the overall situation, making decisions, promoting reform, and ensuring implementation, serving as the backbone and leader of the Institute’s entire research enterprise. So-called organizational discipline does not only mean using disciplinary norms to restrain behavior, but more importantly, it means doing a good job of "organized research," including the planning of Party branch activities. The leadership of the department and the heads of research offices must unite both Party and non-Party comrades to deeply study and implement the spirit of the General Secretary’s instructions.
Third, continuously update concepts, improve work style, and enhance work effectiveness. Party members must play a vanguard role, and department leaders and office heads must lead by example to implement the Party Group’s fundamental requirements regarding the "Three Consensuses," and effectively carry out the "Three Actions" and "Three Measures" [8]. A focus of Party branch building this year is the promotion of "Party discipline study and education," aimed at rectifying the Party’s work style and leveraging the vanguard role of members to push forward research work. The branch must unite everyone through effective ideological and political work, fully overcoming "fragmentation" and "disorder." At the same time, we must effectively solve the practical difficulties of researchers, create a better work and living environment, and do a good job in "mentoring" (literally "passing the torch, helping, and leading") to help young researchers succeed as quickly as possible.
Finally, Luo Wendong noted that the comrades of the Theory Department completed the preparations for a national academic conference with high responsibility and meticulousness, playing a good role in organization and coordination. He expressed hope that the department would take bold steps forward in coordinating national research forces for Marxist fundamental theory and explore new mechanisms and effective methods, particularly in talent cultivation, to stand at the forefront of national Marxist studies.
After the thematic Party Day activity ended, Yu Bin immediately convened a meeting of the Party Branch Committee to arrange for the study and comprehension of Secretary Luo Wendong's instructions and requirements, formulating a feasible implementation plan to promote new achievements and progress in all aspects of the department's work.
(Text and photos provided by Li Yan and Liang Haifeng)