High-level Forum on "Marxism's Theory and Practice in Contemporary China" Held in Xuzhou

From November 17 to 18, 2018, the high-level forum "Marxist Theory and Practice in Contemporary China" was held in Xuzhou, Jiangsu. The forum was hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Jiangsu Normal University. It was organized by the Department of Marxist Development Research of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, along with the School of Marxism, the Belt and Road ^[1] Research Institute, and the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Jiangsu Normal University. This forum was convened to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s birth and the 40th anniversary of China’s Reform and Opening-up ^[2], to implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress ^[3], to promote the innovative development of Marxist theory and the construction of Marxist academic disciplines, and to effectively strengthen confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics ^[4]. The conference received 95 papers, and over a hundred experts and scholars from units such as CASS, Jiangsu Normal University, Zhejiang University, Nankai University, and publications including Marxist Studies and the People's Daily attended.

Professor Cen Hong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Jiangsu Normal University, and Researcher Deng Chundong, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered successive speeches at the opening ceremony. Professor Cen Hong expressed a warm welcome to the participating experts and scholars from across the country. She pointed out that the collective exchange and exploration of the theory and practice of Marxist development in contemporary China by these scholars carry profound academic and practical significance.

Researcher Deng Chundong expressed his hope that this forum would play an effective role in the following three areas. First, it should promote the study and research of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He pointed out that Marxist theory and practice in contemporary China is precisely the theory and practice of contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as formed through practice. In recent years, although the academic community has published many research and promotional articles, the intensity of learning and publicizing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era still needs to be increased. In particular, as professional teachers and researchers of Marxist theory, our study, understanding, and research of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics must lead the way, delving deeper and manifesting a higher level and more precise understanding. To achieve this goal, exchange within the profession is necessary; the forum aims to promote a more accurate understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics among the academic and educational circles, and indeed the whole of society, deepening the understanding of all aspects of its content, thereby driving the entire society toward a precise grasp of this important thought.

Second, the forum should promote the better adherence to and development of, as well as the inheritance and innovation of, the scientific theory of Marxism in contemporary China. He emphasized that both adhering to and developing Marxism is the scientific attitude of Communists toward Marxism, as well as the basic experience of Marxism successfully realizing Sinicization; neither can be dispensed with, and there have been lessons in this regard in our Party's history. Regarding how to adhere and how to innovate and develop, the theoretical community must produce substantive, concrete work. We must correctly and theoretically explain to Party members and the whole of society which elements must be adhered to and which require innovative development in contemporary China. The purpose of our forum is to dedicate ourselves to such concrete theoretical work on the understanding and application of contemporary Marxism.

Third, the forum should promote the scientific summation of the practice and experience of Marxism in contemporary China. He pointed out that the practice of Marxism in contemporary China is the development of various undertakings of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" comprises the main contents of the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Over the 40 years of Reform and Opening-up, we must clarify how to understand the practical achievements of the Chinese people and the Communist Party of China, and how to summarize the successful experiences and their manifestations. If the summary of experience is distorted, it will be extremely detrimental to our continued deepening of reform and the promotion of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the future. Currently, two negative tendencies exist in summarizing the results and experiences of Reform and Opening-up. One is the negation of the achievements of Reform and Opening-up—even suggesting that China only achieved certain successes because it learned from the Western market economy. The other is the extremist view that Reform and Opening-up led to many evil consequences. This view attributes the root of all unhealthy phenomena currently emerging in society—such as the lack of integrity, counterfeit and shoddy goods, and fraud in economic and social development, as well as issues of food and drug safety and social vices—to Reform and Opening-up. Marxism does not evade real-world problems. This year, as the whole Party and nation commemorate and summarize the 40th anniversary of Reform and Opening-up, we must take General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourses on reform as our guide to accurately recognize the essence and successful experiences of our country's Reform and Opening-up, and refine these successful experiences theoretically, so as to better guide the in-depth advancement of the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics and ensure the continuous success of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Professor Yu Sinian of Central China Normal University, Researcher Tang Jianjun, Vice Chairman of the 7th Committee of the Hunan Provincial Federation of Social Science Circles, Researcher Liu Zhiming, Director of the Department of Marxist Development Research at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, Wang Shijin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Marxist Studies, Professor Shen Zhengping, Executive Vice President of the Belt and Road Research Institute of Jiangsu Normal University, Researcher Li Yang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua Daily, Professor Chen Yanbin, Dean of the Institute of Chinese Family Culture at Jiangsu Normal University and leader of the key discipline of Marxist theory in Jiangsu Province, Professor Bu Xiangji of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Jiang Xudong, Director of the Editorial Department of Studies on Marxist Theory Disciplines, and Zheng Liping, Deputy Director of the Special Theory Division of the Social Science Center of the Ministry of Education, among others, delivered keynote reports at the plenary session focusing on Marxist theory and practice in contemporary China. Professor Shi Haibing, Dean of the School of Marxism at Jiangsu Normal University, and others chaired the plenary speeches.

At the three sub-forums, participating representatives conducted exchanges and discussions on topics such as the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the theoretical development of Marxism in contemporary China, practical exploration and experience summation, and the study of Core Socialist Values. Director Deng Chundong delivered the final conference summary, fully affirming the results achieved by the forum in advancing Marxist theoretical research and in summarizing the practical experience of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

[Images: Forum rostrum; Director Deng Chundong delivering a speech; Deputy Secretary Cen Hong delivering a speech; Professor Yu Sinian speaking; Researcher Tang Jianjun speaking; Director Liu Zhiming speaking; Professor Shen Zhengping speaking; Marxist Studies Deputy Editor-in-Chief Wang Shijin speaking; Professor Chen Yanbin speaking; Professor Bu Xiangji speaking; Deputy Editor-in-Chief Li Yang speaking; Director Jiang Xudong speaking; Professor Shi Haibing speaking; Deputy Director Zheng Liping speaking; Secretary Ma Xianhui presiding; Director Deng Chundong giving the conference summary; Forum rostrum and partial panoramic view.]