The Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Holds the 2024 Youth Academic Forum
On November 20, 2024, the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) held its 2024 Youth Academic Forum in Meeting Room 1345. The forum centered on the theme of "Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee [1] and Xi Jinping Thought on Culture." It aimed to strengthen theoretical study among young scholars, promote youth academic research, and assist in their academic growth. The forum was divided into three segments: opening remarks, keynote speeches with expert commentary, and a concluding summary. More than 50 participants attended, including the Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies, several directors and deputy directors of research departments and offices, the Youth Working Group, and young personnel from various departments.
Scene of the Youth Academic Forum at the Institute of Marxism Studies
Luo Wendong, Researcher and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered the opening remarks. On behalf of the Institute’s leadership, he congratulated the forum organizers, emphasizing that it serves as an important platform for ideological exchange and the cultivation of young talent. He reviewed the academic traditions and innovations of the Institute—such as the experiences of the Youth Reading Groups and Academic Salons—and encouraged the youth to inherit and propagate a fine style of study and academic tradition. Expressing high expectations, he proposed further improving the quality of the forum and refining its content and mechanisms. On one hand, a mechanism for publishing outstanding results must be established to cultivate excellent young scholars; on the other, the integration of scientific research and administrative work must be reinforced to promote mutual advancement between theory and practice.
During the keynote speech and commentary segment, 12 youth representatives spoke, with 12 experts providing individual critiques. The youth representatives focused their speeches on the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, centering on their respective research fields.
Yang Binbin, Associate Researcher in the Department of the Sinicization of Marxism, presented on "Building a New Type of Civilization through Historical Consciousness and Cultural Confidence." He explored the contemporary significance of Chinese civilization and emphasized the modernization, transformation, and innovation of fine traditional Chinese culture [2].
Sun Jinya, Assistant Researcher in the Editorial Department of Marxist Studies, spoke on "Advancing Chinese-path Modernization and Deepening the Reform of Cultural Systems and Mechanisms." She emphasized the guiding role of culture in economic development and proposed cultural reform mechanisms across three dimensions: values, the educational system, and ideology.
Chen Zhigang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies, and Tian Kun, Director of the Party Building and Party History Research Office of the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Deputy Head of the Youth Working Group, provided commentary. They suggested that articles should remain focused, titles should not be over-broad, and concepts must be clear and accurate.
Li Yan, Assistant Researcher in the Department of Marxist Principles, presented "A Solemn Declaration and Program of Action for Comprehensively Deepening Reform: Lessons from Studying General Secretary Xi Jinping’s 'Explanation of the Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Several Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reform' [3]." She analyzed the core content of the Third Plenary Session’s Decision, emphasizing the comprehensiveness of reform and the direction of breakthroughs in key areas.
Liu Haihua, a young cadre from the Scientific Research Office, spoke on "Organized Research Promoting the Construction of an Independent Knowledge System for Chinese Philosophy and Social Sciences." He proposed the importance of organized research and emphasized the significance of interdisciplinary approaches and the integration of practice for knowledge system innovation.
He Xinyuan, Deputy Director of the Department of the Sinicization of Marxism, and Fang Tao, Associate Researcher in the same department, commented that young scholars must possess their own independent reflections and viewpoints, leveraging their specific research strengths.
Bi Guoshuai, Assistant Researcher in the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, spoke on "'The Second Integration' [4] and the Theoretical Innovation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture." He analyzed the role of the "Second Integration" in theoretical horizons, methodology, and propositional innovation.
Wang You, Assistant Researcher in the Department of the International Communist Movement, presented "The Cultural Foundation of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation: Insights from Studying Xi Jinping Thought on Culture." He analyzed the core essence and great significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture from the perspective of the contemporary background.
Ren Jie, Director of the Editorial Department of Marxist Studies, and Li Kaixuan, Associate Researcher in the Department of the International Communist Movement, noted in their commentary that writing requires finding a good angle for interpretation, ensuring the text matches the title, and enhancing the academic and theoretical nature of the work.
Ma Zhengli, Associate Researcher in the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, spoke on "Comprehensively Improving the Modernization Capabilities of Cadres." He discussed why "once the political line is determined, cadres are the deciding factor" [5], noting that this is determined by the cadre system with Chinese characteristics.
Chen Ni, Assistant Researcher in the Department of the Sinicization of Marxism, spoke on "Striving to Improve Discipline Enforcement Power." She reviewed the discourses of classical Marxist writers on the discipline enforcement of revolutionary ranks and proposed that improving such power requires "working on both knowledge and action" [6].
Dai Lixing, Deputy Director of the Department of Xi Jinping Thought on New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, and Xia Yipu, Associate Researcher in the same department, suggested in their commentary that scholars should enhance their "problem awareness" [7], be adept at refining and summarizing, build confidence, and dare to speak without a script.
Li Bin, Assistant Researcher in the Department of Marxist Principles, presented "Deepening Financial System Reform and Promoting High-quality Development of Finance: Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee." He noted that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on financial development profoundly clarify the strategic significance of high-quality financial development, providing the fundamental follow-through and guide for action for the New Era.
Wang Zifeng, Assistant Researcher in the Department of the International Communist Movement, spoke on "The Significance of Chinese-path Modernization for the International Communist Movement." From the perspective of the international movement, she argued that Chinese-path modernization answers the question of combining modernization with socialism, shatters the myth and discourse trap of "modernization = Westernization," and provides important enlightenment for developing countries seeking modernization.
Hou Weimin, Researcher in the Department of Marxist Principles, and Zhang Jiangang, Deputy Director of the Editorial Department of Marxist Studies, pointed out that scholarship must be problem-oriented and combine theory with practice to better facilitate thinking and writing.
Shan Chao, Assistant Researcher at the World Socialism Research Center, spoke on "Being a Qualified Communist Party Member: Lessons from Studying Xi Jinping Thought on Culture." He proposed that as Party members, one must squarely face difficulties and emerging problems, as well as the historic achievements and historic shifts that have been attained.
Zhang Ting, Editor at the World Socialism Research Center, spoke on "Reflections on Cultural Subjectivity." She interpreted the connotation of Chinese cultural subjectivity and the relationship between consolidating that subjectivity and the cultural mission of the New Era, analyzing the process of "self-knowledge" within Chinese cultural subjectivity and the reasons for its realization.
Zhang Jianyun, Director of the Marxist Philosophy Research Office, and Liu Xukuan, Director of the Ideology and Social Trends Research Office, noted that youth academic research should emphasize academic rigor, innovation, and theoretical depth.
Yang Jing, Deputy Director of the Department of Marxist Principles and Head of the Youth Working Group, delivered the concluding remarks. She stated that the forum achieved fruitful results, summarized by the three keywords "Complete," "Rich," and "Deep"—referring to the complete participation of young personnel, the richness of the themes, and the depth of the speeches. This deepened the understanding of the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 200th Central Committee and Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, providing a platform for exchange and an opportunity for collective exploration. She suggested that young scholars should strengthen the academic and theoretical quality of their content and focus on the originality of their viewpoints. She also urged the Youth Working Group to institutionalize the forum and standardize the submission and display of papers.
To better implement the instructions of Secretary Luo Wendong, future forums should: first, standardize the submission and management of manuscripts to improve efficiency; second, ensure content aligns closely with the meeting theme to avoid over-generalization; third, launch a selection process for outstanding results to encourage "deep and solid" research; and fourth, further optimize the exchange mechanism by expanding interdisciplinary and external cooperation. Under the leadership of the Institute’s Party Committee, the forum aims to become a high-level brand for cooperation, "building ladders" for young scholars to achieve a deep alignment between youth research and national development strategies.