2024 National Annual Conference on Marxist Principles and Seminar on the "Two Combinations" and Innovation of Basic Principles of Marxism Held at Yunnan Normal University
On August 22, the 2024 National Annual Conference on Marxist Principles Research and the Seminar on the "Two Combinations" [1] and Innovative Research on the Basic Principles of Marxism convened at Yunnan Normal University. This forum was co-hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL), and Yunnan Normal University. It was jointly organized by the Department of Marxist Principles Research at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the School of Marxism at CUPL, and the School of Marxism at Yunnan Normal University. The theme of this seminar was "The 'Two Combinations' and Innovative Research on the Basic Principles of Marxism." Luo Wendong, Party Committee Secretary of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies; Hu Ming, Party Committee Secretary of CUPL; and Zhang Zuwu, Party Committee Secretary of Yunnan Normal University, attended the meeting and delivered speeches. More than 90 experts and scholars from nearly 80 scientific research institutes, higher education institutions, and periodicals across the country—including CASS, Renmin University of China, and Beijing Normal University—participated through a combination of online and offline formats.
The opening ceremony on the morning of the 22nd was presided over by Li Hong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Yunnan Normal University. Researcher Luo Wendong, Professor Hu Ming, and Zhang Zuwu respectively delivered opening remarks.
In his speech, Luo Wendong pointed out that we are gathered in the beautiful "Spring City" of Kunming to convene this annual conference at a critical moment when the entire Party and nation are rising in a surge of studying and implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee [2], further comprehensively deepening reform, and advancing Chinese-path modernization. He noted that the meeting also coincides with the 120th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China's reform, opening up, and modernization, which undoubtedly imbues the event with profound theoretical and practical significance. He expressed hope that this conference would conduct in-depth study and implementation of the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, focusing on the profound connotation and great significance of the "Two Combinations," the disciplinary construction of Marxist principles, and other major theoretical and practical issues.
Hu Ming noted in his address that the "Two Combinations" profoundly reveal the internal logic and development path of Marxism's progression in China, and hold great importance for advancing innovative research on the basic principles of Marxism. While the "Two Combinations" enrich and expand Marxist theory, they also scientifically guide the modernization of socialism with Chinese characteristics, achieving an organic unity of theory and practice.
Representing Yunnan Normal University, Zhang Zuwu extended a warm welcome and sincere greetings to the attending experts and scholars. He maintained that convening this conference injects academic wisdom into the implementation of the spirit of the Third Plenary Session and the advancement of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, carrying a special and important significance.
The annual conference featured two sessions of keynote reports, two sessions of plenary speeches, and three group discussions. The first keynote session was chaired by Professor Zhang Jian, Party Committee Secretary of the School of Marxism at Yunnan Normal University. Researcher Luo Wendong delivered a keynote titled "The Creative Application and Development of the Basic Principles of Marxism: Insights and Experiences from Studying the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee." Professor Tao Wenzhao, Associate Dean of the School of Marxism at Renmin University of China, presented "Scientifically Grasping the Principle of Adhering to Institutional Building as the Main Thread." Professor Tai Lihua, Executive Dean of the School of Marxism at CUPL, presented "Research on the Endogenous Drivers of the Evolution of Marx’s Thought on Fetishism." Professor Liu Huajun, Dean of the School of Marxism at Yunnan Normal University, presented "The 'Two Combinations' as an Important Path for the Generation of the Spirit of Historical Initiative" [3].
The second keynote session was presided over by Researcher Sun Yingshuai, Director of the Research Office for the History of Marxist Development at CASS. Researcher Yu Bin, Director of the Department of Marxist Principles Research at CASS, delivered a report titled "The Second Leap Across the 'Caudine Forks'" [4]. Professor Yang Zengdong, Associate Dean of the School of Marxism at Beijing Normal University, presented "An Analytical Theory of 'Traditional Culture' in the Classical Writings of Marx and Engels." Professor Wang Weiguo, Executive Dean of the School of Marxism at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, presented "Engels' Concept of the 'Theoretical Sense of the Working Class' and Its Implications." Professor Xie Jun, Dean of the School of Marxism at Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, presented "Reflections on Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence from the Perspective of the Marxist View of Practice."
The first plenary speech session was presided over by Wang Jiayao, Deputy Director of the journal Academic World (Xueshu Jie). Professor Zheng Jie, Dean of the School of Marxism at Anhui University of Technology, spoke on "Building Modern Chinese Civilization through Profoundly Grasping the 'Second Combination'." Professor Wang Haiyun, Dean of the School of Marxism at Kunming University of Science and Technology, spoke on "Continuing the Chinese Cultural Lineage through Adhering to the 'Two Combinations'." Researcher Zhang Jianyun, Director of the Marxist Philosophy Research Office at CASS, spoke on "Adhering to the 'Two Combinations' to Solve Major Problems of the Era and Practice under the Background of New Quality Productive Forces." Professor Lai Jinian, Associate Dean of the Institute for Social Development at Nanjing Tech University, spoke on "The Historical Logic, Theoretical Logic, and Practical Path of the Development of Fine Traditional Chinese Culture under the Perspective of the 'Second Combination'." Professor Lin Jianhua from the School of Marxism at Liaoning Normal University spoke on "Seeking Roots and Clarifying Sources: An Analysis of the Discourse of 'ization' in the Sinicization of Marxism."
The second plenary speech session was presided over by Professor Zhang Jucheng from the School of Marxism at Yunnan University. Professor Zhao Qingjie from the School of Marxism at CUPL spoke on "Making Good Use of Fine Traditional Chinese Culture Resources to Promote the Modernization of State Governance." Professor Wen Changchun from the School of Marxism at Hainan Normal University spoke on "The Historical Generation and Connotative Logic of the Ti-Yong [5] Logic in Xi Jinping Thought on Culture." Associate Researcher Yang Jun from the Institute of Marxism at Fudan University spoke on "From 'Critique of One-sided Legislation' to 'Scientific Legislation': The Constructive Development of Marxist Legislative Theory in the New Era." Associate Professor Wang Ya from the School of Marxism at Yunnan Normal University spoke on "Following Xi Jinping Thought on Culture to Foster Patriotism among Youth in Border Ethnic Areas." Professor Zhu Xianchen from the School of Political Science and Law at Xinjiang Normal University spoke on behalf of the first discussion group; Associate Researcher Zhang Fujun, Director of the Political Economy Research Office at CASS, spoke on behalf of the second group; and Editor Yang Zhongqi from the Journal of Guizhou Normal University spoke on behalf of the third group.
Professor Xie Jun, Dean of the School of Marxism at Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, spoke on behalf of the host for the next annual conference; the 2025 National Annual Conference on Marxist Principles Research will be held in Chongqing.