An Introduction to the Chinese Society of Historical Materialism
The Chinese Association for Historical Materialism is a national, academic, and non-profit social organization voluntarily formed by theoretical and practical workers engaged in the research, propagation, and education of historical materialism. The Association was established on January 16, 1981, originally under the name of the Chinese Society for Historical Materialism Research; in July 1991, it underwent re-registration procedures and changed its name to the Chinese Association for Historical Materialism.
The Chinese Association for Historical Materialism takes Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its guidance. It deeply comprehends the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," strengthens the "Four Consciousnesses" [1], bolsters the "Four Confidences" [2], and achieves the "Two Upholds." In all its activities, the Association adheres to the fundamental system of maintaining the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological sphere. It implements the principle of combining theory with practice and the policy of "letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend" [3]. Closely integrating with contemporary reality, the Association vigorously strengthens the construction of academic and theoretical fronts—particularly ideological fronts. It conducts in-depth, systematic, and creative scientific research on historical materialism, while criticizing the erroneous viewpoints of historical idealism and erroneous trends of thought such as historical nihilism [4]. Its goals are to promote the prosperity and development of the discipline of historical materialism in our country, contribute to the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, and strive to serve the cause of China’s reform, opening up, and socialist modernization through practical action.
The main tasks of the Chinese Association for Historical Materialism revolve around the theory of historical materialism and major practical issues. These include: organizing and convening various types of forums, discussion groups, report meetings, academic exchanges, and seminars; organizing and coordinating members to conduct thematic investigations, site visits, and other academic activities; organizing the compilation and translation of Chinese and foreign research materials on historical materialism and the philosophy of history; undertaking research on major theoretical projects; providing consultancy reports and publishing journals; and recommending excellent scientific research achievements by members to newspapers, publishers, and relevant departments.
The highest authority of the Chinese Association for Historical Materialism is the National Congress of Member Representatives, and its executive body is the Council, under which the Secretariat and other institutions are established. The Chinese Association for Historical Materialism accepts professional guidance and supervisory management from its professional competent authority, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and the registration and management authority, the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The Association is headquartered in Beijing.