Department of Marxist Theory Research Holds 2024 Annual Scientific Research Work Conference
On December 8, 2024, the Department of Marxist Principles of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) held its 2024 annual scientific research work conference in Beijing. The meeting aimed to summarize the department's scientific research work in 2024 and clarify key priorities for 2025. The session was presided over by Professor Yu Bin, Director of the Department of Marxist Principles, and Professor Yang Jing, Deputy Director. Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Research staff from the department participated in the meeting and engaged in discussions.
[Figure 1: The Department of Marxist Principles holds its 2024 Annual Scientific Research Work Conference]
I. Work Reports from the Research Offices of the Department of Marxist Principles
Professor Zhang Jianyun, Director of the Research Office of Marxist Philosophy, noted that in 2024, the office led or participated in eight national and provincial-level projects, published two monographs and ten papers, and successfully organized two major academic conferences, thereby expanding its academic influence. In 2025, the office will focus on the integration of digital intelligent technology and Marxist philosophy, exploring the impact of technological change on social development, advancing project applications and conference organization, and striving to produce more innovative results.
Professor Zhang Fujun, Director of the Research Office of Marxist Political Economy, noted that in 2024, the office completed several projects, published two monographs and 14 papers—covering themes such as Chinese-path modernization and high-quality development—and hosted major academic conferences to strengthen academic exchange. In 2025, the office will deepen its research around the basic principles of Marxist political economy and hot topics such as digital capitalism to enhance the quality of its output.
Associate Professor Zhang Duan, Director of the Research Office of Scientific Socialism, noted that in 2024, the office undertook five research projects, published three monographs and three papers, and actively participated in domestic and international academic exchanges and field research while fulfilling teaching duties. In 2025, the office will continue to advance its research projects, strengthen cooperation and exchange, and elevate the level of disciplinary development and academic influence.
Professor Sun Yingshuai, Director of the Research Office of the History of Marxist Development, noted that in 2024, the office achieved positive progress across multiple fields, undertaking eight research projects, publishing four monographs (which received several awards), and publishing over ten papers in authoritative and core journals. The office also actively participated in domestic and international academic exchanges and the drafting of policy recommendations. In 2025, it will deepen research on major projects, strive for more high-quality results, and strengthen cooperation and academic exchange to drive research further forward.
Professor Yang Jing, Deputy Director of the Department of Marxist Principles, fully affirmed the work reports. She pointed out that the research offices achieved fruitful results in 2024, making new progress in publishing high-level papers and demonstrating a rigorous academic style [1] in conference organization, policy drafting, teaching, and research. Each office must further focus on disciplinary strengths and specialized fields, tap into potential, strengthen teamwork, and produce more results with academic depth and social impact in 2025, contributing more to the high-quality development of Marxist theory as a discipline.
II. Comments and Requirements by Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies
Luo Wendong noted that the current work of the Department of Marxist Principles is characterized by three features: first, broad disciplinary coverage and a large academic span, covering multiple sub-disciplines [2] such as the basic principles of Marxism and the history of Marxist development, reflecting the advantages of multidisciplinary comprehensive research; second, a successful integration of basic theory with applied countermeasure research [3], demonstrating a positive academic outlook and a solid work style; third, the implementation of the integration of research and education [4], effectively combining individual research interests with collective research projects and continuously promoting "organized research." Meanwhile, the department has played an effective organizational and coordinating role nationwide, enhancing academic influence and advancing platform construction through a series of academic conferences.
On this basis, Luo Wendong put forward three requirements for future work. First, he emphasized the need to comprehensively identify shortcomings and weaknesses based on past achievements, seeking directions for improvement at both the individual and departmental levels to promote continuous optimization and innovative development. Second, he expressed hope that the department would further focus on academic frontiers, such as new quality productive forces and new-type relations of production, Chinese-path modernization and common prosperity for all, and the digital economy. The goal is to produce more high-level, frontier research results, strive to publish high-quality papers in authoritative academic journals, and achieve new breakthroughs in basic theoretical research to contribute more to the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Marxism Studies.
Third, Luo Wendong emphasized the importance of deepening the integration of research and education. He hoped the department would achieve a better combination of research and teaching in public courses such as "Basic Principles of Marxism," "History of Marxist Development," and "Selected Readings of Classic Marxist Works." He encouraged experienced researchers and teachers to actively participate in research and teaching regarding the basic theory of Marxism, elevating the overall level through collective effort. This will not only highlight the characteristics of Marxist theory as a discipline but also enhance the overall research strength of the department.
Finally, Luo Wendong pointed out that the department needs to prioritize its tasks, scientifically planning research schedules by combining long-term, medium-term, and short-term projects. He encouraged all research personnel to summarize good practices and form sustainable development results based on existing achievements. At the same time, emphasis should be placed on researching new viewpoints, new materials, new systems, and new concepts, avoiding repetitive work and striving to create new influence within the academic community.
III. Summary of the Meeting by Professor Yu Bin, Director of the Department of Marxist Principles
Yu Bin pointed out that this meeting helps promote the scientific research work of the department and further deepen research directions and results. He emphasized that 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Marxism Studies, and the department must contribute high-quality results for this important milestone. In this process, it is necessary to implement Secretary Luo Wendong's requirements, stay closely aligned with reality, fully identify and seize upon current shortcomings and weaknesses, and take effective measures for improvement. By continuously improving research quality and innovation capacity, the department's research work will reach a new level, contributing to theoretical innovation and the disciplinary development of Marxist studies.
Regarding the department's development, Yu Bin noted two areas for further improvement. First, compared with benchmark units of related disciplines in China, there is still a need for further alignment and continuous improvement. Second, it is necessary to profoundly understand the significance of the "Two Combinations" [5]. Specifically, research offices and individuals should fully tap into the economic thought within fine traditional Chinese culture, analyzing and developing it from the perspective of contemporary Marxism to deepen academic foundations.
Yu Bin also proposed advancing basic research in an orderly manner across sections such as productive forces and relations of production, the economic base and the superstructure, and national governance and social development. Meanwhile, through the continuous output of influential results, a foundation will be laid for elevating the status of the discipline.
Finally, Yu Bin emphasized the need to strengthen the coordination and cooperation of academic conferences. The department can host seminars or forums themed on the history of Marxist development, forming closer academic collaboration with other domestic universities and research institutions to inject new momentum into disciplinary development.
[Figure 2: Participants engage in heated discussion on the study of basic Marxist theory]
The meeting concluded with a free discussion session, where participants engaged in a spirited exchange regarding research and innovation in the basic theory of Marxism.
(Report and photos by Li Bin)