Constantly Opening New Frontiers in Marxist Theoretical Research and Discipline Development

Report by CSSN (Reporter Gao Ying) – From December 26 to 27, the academic symposium "Continuously Advancing the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism and the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences" was held in Beijing. Gao Xiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Jin Minqing, member of the Leading Party Members' Group and Director of the Institute of Contemporary China, delivered a keynote report.

The site of the conference. Photo by staff reporter Zhu Gaolei.

Gao Xiang stated that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to the research and construction of Marxist theory. With a high degree of theoretical consciousness and profound theoretical insight, General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of important discourses and issued a series of important instructions concerning the strengthening of Marxist theoretical research. These have profoundly answered a range of directional, fundamental, and long-term questions regarding upholding and developing Marxism. He has systematically elucidated the directions, goals, basic principles, fundamental tasks, and key priorities for the research and construction of Marxist theory, providing scientific guidance and the fundamental follow-through for Marxist theoretical research in the New Era. The CASS Leading Party Members' Group has deeply studied and implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and the decision-making deployments of the CPC Central Committee. It has persisted in taking the research and interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its primary political, theoretical, and academic task, adopting a series of powerful measures to promote the continuous improvement of quality and efficiency in Marxist theoretical research throughout the academy.

Gao Xiang emphasized that adhering to Marxism as a guide was an inevitable choice for 20th-century Chinese history and Chinese scholarship; it is also the fundamental hallmark that distinguishes contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences from other philosophies and social sciences. We must always uphold the guiding status of Marxism in the field of philosophy and social sciences in our country, persist in researching Marxism with a scientific attitude, deeply advance the systematic and theoretical research and interpretation of the Party’s innovative theories, and accelerate the construction of the basic theoretical system for the discipline of Marxist theory. We must keep the "top priorities of the nation" ^[1] in mind, maintain a global perspective, stand firm in the people's position, and carry forward the fine academic style of integrating theory with practice to continuously improve our capacity and level to serve the overall interests of the Party and the state's development. We must resolutely build a strong line of defense for ideological security, consolidate platforms for the research and dissemination of Marxist theory, and comprehensively enhance the international discourse power of Sinicized Marxism. The Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS was the first comprehensive research institution for Marxist theory in the country established under the direct care of the CPC Central Committee. Standing at a new historical starting point, it must fully carry forward its fine academic traditions, further refine the disciplinary layout, build disciplinary clusters, and promote academic innovation. It should strive to build a school of Marxist theory with Chinese characteristics that takes Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its banner and soul, and to assemble and cultivate a "theoretical academic iron army" that is loyal to Marxism and dedicated to the cause of Marxist research. This will continuously open up new horizons for the cause of Marxist theoretical research and make new and greater contributions to comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation through the Chinese path to modernization.

Jin Minqing pointed out that Marxism is a continuously developing and open theory; it can only take root through localization and can only be full of vitality through modernization. The century-long history of struggle of the CPC is a process of continuously advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and achieving one theoretical leap after another. In this magnificent historical process, not only have rich results of theoretical innovation been produced, but scientific experiences of theoretical innovation have also been accumulated. These experiences include: the necessity of putting the people first and correctly handling the relationship between the Party's theoretical innovation and the practice of the masses; the necessity of maintaining self-confidence and self-reliance, correctly handling the relationship between autonomy and borrowing from others; the necessity of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, correctly handling the relationship between persistence and development; the necessity of remaining problem-oriented ^[2], correctly handling the relationship between "problems" and "isms" ^[3]; the necessity of maintaining a systems-thinking approach, correctly handling the relationship between various elements of theoretical innovation; and the necessity of maintaining a global vision, correctly handling the relationship between China and the world. On the new journey of advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, it is the important responsibility and glorious mission of the vast number of Marxist theoretical workers to pass on successful experiences, deepen the understanding of underlying laws, and serve the Party's theoretical innovation.

Li Shenming, former Vice President of CASS and Director of the World Socialism Research Center, stated that on the occasion of the 132nd anniversary of Comrade Mao Zedong’s birth, reviewing the 20-year development of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies and jointly discussing major issues of Marxist theoretical research in the New Era carries special and important significance. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the latest achievement in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The people-centered development philosophy proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping is a direct continuation of Comrade Mao Zedong’s discourse on the "question of who we serve" ^[4]. The "question of who we serve" is a fundamental and principled issue in philosophy and social science research. Workers in philosophy and social sciences should always keep this question in mind, persist in doing scholarship for the people, and consciously integrate their individual academic pursuits into the torrent of the times.

Jin Nuo, convener of the Discipline Appraisal Group for Marxist Theory and CPC History and Party Building under the State Council Academic Degrees Committee and former Party Committee Secretary of Renmin University of China, stated that in 2005, the State Council Academic Degrees Committee and the Ministry of Education made the major decision to adjust and add "Marxist Theory" as a first-level discipline ^[5]. In the same year, the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies was officially established, and the two formed a strategic synergy. Over the past 20 years, the discipline and the Institute have advanced hand in hand, traversing an extraordinary journey and achieving remarkable results. Practice has proved that establishing the first-level discipline of Marxist Theory and creating specialized research institutions were major strategic moves of great foresight. They have consolidated and strengthened the guiding position of Marxism in the field of philosophy and social sciences in our country, effectively promoted ideological and theoretical innovation and the construction of ideology, laid a solid foundation for building China’s independent knowledge system, and provided a strong guarantee for cultivating a new generation of youth capable of shouldering the great responsibility of national rejuvenation.

Cui Weihang, Director and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, stated that after 20 years of development, the Institute has become a national-level comprehensive research institution for Marxist theory with profound influence and broad leadership both domestically and abroad. All comrades of the Institute of Marxism Studies, under the strong leadership of the CASS Leading Party Members' Group, will continue to adhere to the correct political direction and academic orientation. They will implement the service of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee as their primary task, carry through the spirit, attitude, and style of seeking truth from facts to the end, and work with one heart and mind to write an academic chapter worthy of this great era with even more outstanding achievements.

Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered the closing remarks. The conference featured keynote speeches and four parallel sub-forums. Responsible comrades from CASS functional departments and various units of the Department of Marxist Studies, members of the State Council Academic Degrees Committee's Appraisal Group for Marxist Theory and CPC History and Party Building, and experts and scholars in the field of Marxist theoretical research in China attended the seminar.