Academic Seminar on "Chinese Modernization from the Perspective of Historical Materialism" Successfully Held at Qufu Normal University
On May 11–12, the academic symposium "Chinese-path Modernization from the Perspective of Historical Materialism"—organized by the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism and Qufu Normal University, hosted by the School of Marxism at Qufu Normal University and the National Center for Cultural Security and Ideology Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and co-organized by the editorial departments of Marxism Studies (Makesizhuyi Yanjiu), World Socialism Studies (Shijie Shehuizhuyi Yanjiu), and Qilu Academic Journal (Qilu Xuekan)—was successfully held at Qufu Normal University. Xing Guang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Qufu Normal University, and Xin Xiangyang, Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and President of the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism, attended the meeting and delivered speeches. Experts and scholars from more than 40 universities, scientific research institutes, and journals—including the Central Party School of the CPC, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-sen University, Jilin University, and the editorial offices of Marxism Studies, World Socialism Studies, and Theoretical Exploration (Lilun Tansuo)—gathered at Qufu Normal University. The opening ceremony was presided over by Li Zhihong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Qufu Normal University.
In his address, President Xin Xiangyang pointed out that the growth and expansion of the Association have benefited from its consistent adherence to the healthy interaction between the basic principles of historical materialism and the practice of Reform and Opening-up [1]. Looking toward the future, the Association should continue to hold fast to the basic principles of Marxism, deepen theoretical research, and serve the overall situation of national development. He also expressed his gratitude to Qufu Normal University for hosting this symposium.
In his opening speech, Secretary Xing Guang introduced the achievements of Qufu Normal University in discipline construction and Marxist theoretical research. He noted that at present, the entire nation is progressively deepening its study, implementation, and fulfillment of the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee [2]. Holding this symposium to conduct in-depth discussions and exchanges on major theoretical and practical issues related to Chinese-path modernization is timely and of great significance.
Following the opening ceremony, the conference proceeded in two segments: keynote reports and keynote speeches. During the keynote report segment, President Xin Xiangyang delivered an academic report titled "Chinese-path Modernization Creates a New Human Civilization of the Market." He profoundly contrasted the differences between China and Western capitalist market economies, pointing out that the high-level socialist market economy system possesses higher efficiency, fairer value concepts, and more virtuous ethical pursuits than the capitalist market economy.
In the keynote speech segment, the conference invited 28 scholars—including Researcher Chen Zhigang of CASS, Professor Liu Tongfang of Zhejiang University, Professor Wang Yan of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Professor Zhang Zhidan of Shanghai Normal University, Researcher Li Jianguo of CASS, Researcher Liu Xukuan of CASS, and Professor Dong Zhenhua of the Central Party School—to conduct in-depth interpretations and systematic expositions on the theoretical connotations, practical paths, historical experiences, and epochal value of Chinese-path modernization. These contributions pointed the way forward for the research and development of Chinese-path modernization in the New Era.
At the closing ceremony, President Xin Xiangyang gave full affirmation to the theoretical viewpoints proposed by the experts. He emphasized that in the future, it is necessary to further strengthen basic theoretical research in historical materialism, deeply integrate it with fine traditional Chinese culture [3], and consolidate the historiographical foundation to avoid theory becoming detached from historical facts. Secretary-General Liu Xukuan provided a summary of the conference, noting that this meeting serves as a new starting point to deepen theoretical innovation, promote disciplinary integration, and assist in the construction of Chinese-path modernization. The closing ceremony was presided over by Professor Sun Diliang, Dean of the School of Marxism at Qufu Normal University.
The Chinese Association of Historical Materialism, founded in 1981, is a highly influential national-level academic society in the field of Marxist theoretical research in China. The successful convening of this academic symposium will exert a profound influence on deepening theoretical innovation regarding Chinese-path modernization and promoting academic exchange within the national Marxist theoretical community.