The 15th Academic Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism Successfully Held at Chongqing University
On June 14, 2025, the 15th Academic Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism, themed "The 'Two Combines' [1] and the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism," was held at Chongqing University. This forum was jointly hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Chongqing University. It was co-organized by the Department of Sinicization of Marxism at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the School of Marxism at Chongqing University, and the School of Marxism at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Supporting organizations included the CASS Think Tank for Marxist Theoretical Innovation, the Department of Social Sciences at Chongqing University, and the editorial departments of Marxist Studies (Makezhuyizhuyi Yanjiu), World Socialism Studies (Shijie Shehuizhuyi Yanjiu), and Equality and Justice Studies (Gongping Zhengyi Yanjiu). Experts and scholars from over 80 research institutions and universities nationwide, including the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC (National Academy of Governance), CASS, Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Chongqing University, attended the forum.
[Group Photo of the Assembly]
Chen Zhigang, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Vice President of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies; Yang Jun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Chongqing University; Li Yu, Director of the Secretariat of the Chongqing Research Center for the System of Theories of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics; Li Linqi, Director of the Publicity, Ideology, and Political Education Department of the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission; and Wang Liming, Director of the Planning and Awards Office of the Chongqing Federation of Social Science Circles, attended and delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. The ceremony was presided over by Xie Zhaoming, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Marxism at Chongqing University.
Chen Zhigang emphasized that experts and scholars in the research fields of the Sinicization of Marxism and socialism with Chinese characteristics should enhance their theoretical consciousness and strengthen their theoretical confidence. They must bolster their sense of responsibility and improve their capacity for innovation. Starting from new problems, new subjects, and new practices, they should consciously take up the mission of answering the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times [2]. With the objective of elucidating the Chinese path, Chinese governance, and Chinese theory, they must adhere to the "Two Combines," take root in Chinese soil, continue the Chinese cultural lineage [3], and deepen their academic foundations. They should conduct in-depth research on major issues in the practice of comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation through the Chinese-path modernization, accelerate the construction of an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences, and make due contributions to promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.
Yang Jun emphasized that this forum brought together renowned scholars from across the country to focus on the "Two Combines" and the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism—a major issue concerning the overall situation of Chinese-path modernization. This demonstrates the university’s proactive initiative in promoting the development of philosophy and social sciences. The broad masses of Marxist theoretical workers should thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions on the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, take root in Chinese soil, continue the Chinese cultural lineage, and deepen academic foundations.
Li Yu pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized adhering to the "Two Combines," deeply researching major issues in the practice of Chinese-path modernization, constructing an independent knowledge system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, and cultivating high-quality theoretical talent to contribute to the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. She further emphasized that strong theory leads to a clear direction, united hearts, and sufficient confidence. Promoting the theoretical explanation, academic expression, and systematic construction of the Party's innovative theories is the mission of the times for philosophy and social science workers.
Li Linqi introduced the achievements of Chongqing's education system in promoting Marxist theory and disciplinary construction within the strategic framework of Chinese-path modernization. He affirmed the responsibility and commitment of the School of Marxism at Chongqing University in disciplinary construction, theoretical explanation, and talent cultivation. He emphasized the need to advance the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism to contribute educational strength to Chongqing’s development into a strong city in education and to the broader Chinese-path modernization.
Wang Liming pointed out that, standing at a new historical starting point, it is essential to profoundly grasp the general global trends and new shifts in the international landscape. This must be closely integrated with the actual development of Marxist disciplines. It is necessary to properly handle the relationship between the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and various social trends of thought, other social science disciplines, and public opinion. This aims to strengthen mainstream ideology and public opinion, hold the primary positions [4], and fight the proactive battle [5].
In the keynote report session, Han Qingxiang, Class I Professor at the Party School of the Central Committee (National Academy of Governance); Jin Minqing, Secretary of the Party Committee and Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese Social Sciences journal; Chen Zhigang; Zhang Guozuo, Professor at the School of Marxism at Hunan University and Director of the Research Center for Chinese Cultural Soft Power; and Feng Qiuting, Professor at the Party School of the Central Committee and Director of the Academic Committee of the China Association for Leadership Science, delivered keynote reports. Their reports focused respectively on: "Several Theoretical Issues Regarding the 'Two Combines'"; "The 'Second Combine' as a Process of Fusion and Innovation of Two Distinct Cultures Based on High Degree of Compatibility"; "Why the 'Second Combine' is Another Emancipation of the Mind [6]"; "The Contribution of the 'Second Combine' to the Sinicization of Marxism"; and "The Key to Advancing Chinese-path Modernization Lies in Enhancing the Party’s Leadership." This session was presided over by Feng Yanli, Dean of the School of Marxism at Chongqing University and Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association for Dialectical Materialism.
The forum featured three thematic report sessions and five parallel sub-forums. In the first thematic report session, Professor Sun Xiguo (Peking University), Professor Wang Chuanli (Tsinghua University), Researcher Zhao Zhikui (CASS), Professor Liu Xuanqi (Baise University), Researcher He Xinyuan (CASS), and Professor Du Junhua (Chongqing University) delivered reports. Their topics included: "Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture as a Solution to the Debate Between Ancient and Modern, Chinese and Western"; "On the 'Second Combine' in the Sense of 'Ideological Material'"; "A Brief Discussion on the Theoretical Consciousness and Epochal Pursuits of the 'Second Combine'"; "Profoundly Grasping the Theoretical Value of the 'Second Combine' from the Perspective of the Grand View of History [7]"; "The Four Dimensions of the Generative Logic of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture"; and "The Sinicization of Marxist Theories on Law, Science, and Technology under the Perspective of the 'Two Combines'." This session was presided over by Professor Li Nan, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Marxism at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
In the second thematic report session, Professor Cai Wencheng (Lanzhou University), Professor Zhang Ming (Nanjing University), Professor Wang Feng (Southwest University), Professor Xie Jun (Chongqing Post and Telecommunications University), Professor Liu Fusheng (Chongqing Technology and Business University), Professor Chen Fei (Chongqing University), and Researcher Peng Haihong (CASS) delivered reports. They focused on: "Profoundly Understanding the Subjectivity and Dominance of the 'Two Combines'"; "Civilizational Narrative and the Innovation of the Narrative Paradigm of the Sinicization of Marxism"; "Institutional Construction for Adhering to and Implementing the 'Two Unswervinglys' [8]: A Comprehensive Explanation"; "The Generative Logic and Basic Characteristics of Digital Civilization"; "The Paradigmatic Significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture as a Scientific System"; "Cultural Subjectivity: An Analysis Based on a Social Rationality Perspective"; and "The Fundamental Principles for Developing Spiritual Civilization in the New Era." This session was presided over by Researcher He Shaohui of the Hunan Academy of Social Sciences.
In the third thematic report session, Professor Meng Dongfang, former President of Chongqing Normal University, and Professor Feng Yanli, Dean of the School of Marxism at Chongqing University, delivered reports titled "A Research Outline on the Pathways for the Coordinated Advancement of the 'Four Comprehensives' Strategic Layout in the Process of Comprehensively Building a Modern Socialist Power" and "Philosophical Reflections on the 'Second Combine' as Another Emancipation of the Mind," respectively. This session was presided over by Researcher He Xinyuan.
The sub-forum discussions focused on: "Research on the 'Two Combines' and the Sinicization of Marxism," "The 'Two Combines' and the Theoretical Innovation of the CPC," "Combining the Basic Tenets of Marxism with China’s Fine Traditional Culture," "The Logical Relationship between the 'First Combine' and the 'Second Combine'," and "Frontier Issues in the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism." Participating scholars spoke enthusiastically, engaging in extensive and in-depth academic exchange and the "clash of ideas."
[Sub-forum I]
Zhang Runfeng (Zhejiang Provincial Party School), Chen Ni (CASS), Xu Caiqin (Linyi University), Wu Aiyu (Shandong University of Finance and Economics), and Qiu Suyi (University of CASS) reported the research results on behalf of the five sub-forums. The summary reporting session was presided over by Zhang Dan, editor of China Youth Social Science.
At the closing ceremony, Researcher He Xinyuan provided a summary of the assembly, introducing the fifteen-year development history of the forum, summarizing the main achievements of this session, and looking forward to the forum's future direction. Professor Feng Yanli concluded the forum by noting its high standards and significant harvest. He expressed gratitude for the hard work of the organizers, volunteers, and staff, as well as the strong support from the participating experts. The closing ceremony was presided over by Professor Xu Kun, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Chongqing University.
[Closing Ceremony]
Experts and scholars attending this forum agreed that the theme was distinct, the discussions were profound, and the results were fruitful. As a regular forum of the Institute of Marxism Studies, the Academic Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism provides an important platform and normalized mechanism for establishing an academic community in the fields of the Sinicization of Marxism and the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics nationwide. It has become a significant brand for Marxist theoretical discipline construction and academic research in China. There is high hope that the forum will continue to improve.
(Contributors: Yang Binbin, CASS Institute of Marxism Studies; Qu Yangyi, Qian Tingting, et al., School of Marxism, Chongqing University)