Mobilization Meeting for the "Staying True to Our Initial Mission" Theme Education of the International Department
On the evening of June 11, 2019, the Party Branch of the Department of Foreign Marxism Studies at the Institute of Marxism Studies (IMS), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), held a mobilization meeting for the "staying true to our original aspiration and founding mission" thematic education campaign. The meeting was convened in the 10th-floor conference room of the Ningbo Municipal Federation of Trade Unions. The meeting consisted of two primary items: First, Jia Chaoning—Vice President and Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection [1] of the IMS, who was leading the delegation’s field research—and Li Ruiqin, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Marxism Party Branch, respectively conveyed the spirit [2] of the central "staying true to our original aspiration and founding mission" thematic education work conference held on May 31, 2019, and the spirit of the CASS mobilization meeting for the same campaign held on June 6, 2019. Second, Vice President Jia Chaoning delivered a mobilization speech for the thematic education, led the attending Party members in re-swearing the admission oath [3], and conducted a "Theme Party Day" activity.
First, Vice President Jia Chaoning conveyed the spirit of the important speech delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the thematic education work conference, as well as the concluding remarks by Comrade Wang Huning. Vice President Jia pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping noted at the 19th National Congress that "seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation" is the original aspiration and founding mission of Chinese Communists. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 70th year of our Party’s governance of the country; as such, launching this thematic education at this moment is timely. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that carrying out the "staying true to our original aspiration and founding mission" thematic education is an urgent need to arm the whole Party with is Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, an urgent need to advance Party building in the New Era, an urgent need to maintain the flesh-and-blood ties between the Party and the masses [4], and an urgent need to achieve the goals and tasks set by the 19th National Congress.
General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed that in carrying out this thematic education, one must firmly grasp the general requirements of "upholding the aspiration, shouldering the mission, finding the gaps, and ensuring implementation." One must firmly grasp the fundamental task of deeply studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, tempering a political character of loyalty, integrity, and responsibility, and uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country to strive together for the realization of the Great Dream [5]. We must strive to achieve specific goals: ensuring gains in theoretical study, a baptism of the mind in ideology and politics, the courage to take responsibility in career endeavors, solving problems for the people's benefit, and setting an example of clean and honest governance, thereby ensuring the thematic education achieves solid results. Vice President Jia conveyed Comrade Wang Huning’s concluding remarks: General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech profoundly expounded on the great significance of the thematic education, clearly defined its goals, requirements, and key measures, and set forth explicit requirements. The speech is highly political, theoretical, targeted, and instructive; it serves as the fundamental guide for the thematic education and a programmatic document for strengthening Party building in the New Era. Vice President Jia required all Party members in the branch to earnestly study and comprehend the spirit of General Secretary Xi’s speech and focus on its implementation.
Branch Secretary Li Ruiqin then conveyed the mobilization speech of Xie Fuzhan, President and Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group [6] of CASS, and the remarks of Zhang Zhijun, Leader of the 14th Central Guidance Group, at the CASS mobilization meeting on June 6. President Xie Fuzhan emphasized that this thematic education is a major deployment to arm the whole Party with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, a major measure to advance Party building in the New Era, a major practice to push the whole Party to adhere to the people’s standpoint, a major way to stimulate the whole Party’s initiative in career endeavors and responsibility-taking, and a strong guarantee for accelerating the construction of the "three major systems" [7] of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.
Xie Fuzhan emphasized that CASS, as an important research institution promoting the Party’s theoretical innovation, must combine the thematic education with the Academy's central research work and the construction of the "three major systems." It must reach new heights in studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; set an example in strengthening the "four consciousnesses," [8] firming up the "four confidences," [9] and achieving the "Two Upholds"; show new initiative in the research and interpretation of Xi Jinping’s thought; demonstrate new responsibility in accelerating the "three major systems"; reach a new realm in adhering to "scholarship for the people"; and achieve new breakthroughs in fostering a clean and upright political ecosystem and academic ecosystem. President Xie proposed that the thematic education must strictly avoid formalism and be carried out with high standards, integrating the spirit of General Secretary Xi’s speech at the Work Conference on Philosophy and Social Sciences and the spirit of his three congratulatory letters to CASS.
Zhang Zhijun, leader of the 14th Central Guidance Group, pointed out that General Secretary Xi’s speech is a programmatic document for Party building and the fundamental followed for all our work. For this thematic education, the Central Committee has established 34 guidance groups to provide unified leadership and supervise implementation. The group assigned to CASS consists of 14 members, including comrades from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, and the National Supervisory Commission. The task of the guidance group is to convey and implement the spirit of the Central Committee, supervise the activities nationwide, arm minds with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and conduct guidance based on investigation and research through "roving supervision." The guidance group will publicize and summarize typical experiences and report situations to the Central Committee in a timely manner. Leader Zhang Zhijun also noted that the reading class for bureau-level cadres [10] held by CASS in May was an excellent format.
Comrade Zhang Zhijun put forward requirements for the thematic education: First, focus on theoretical study and ensure implementation. Deeply conduct investigation and research on theoretical issues surrounding Xi Jinping Thought. Second, solidly implement the twelve-character general requirement of "upholding the aspiration, shouldering the mission, finding the gaps, and ensuring implementation." Third, adhere to the five-point goal: namely, gains in theory, baptism in ideology, responsibility in action, solving problems for the people, and set examples in integrity. Use these three months to resolve prominent issues in Party building.
After conveying the instructions from the Central Committee and CASS, the Party branch moved to the second item on the agenda: Vice President Jia Chaoning’s mobilization speech for the Department of Foreign Marxism Party Branch.
With sincere emotion, Vice President Jia recounted the deeds of Zhang Fuqing, a combat hero of silent dedication. The 95-year-old Party member was a soldier in the Northwest Field Army who performed many meritorious services, twice winning the honorary title of "Combat Hero" and the "People’s Service" medal. After discharge, he chose to work in the remote Laifeng County, Hubei Province, dedicating his life to the impoverished mountain regions. For decades, he intentionally hid his achievements, persevering in anonymity and creating greatness within the mundane. It was not until the collection of veteran information in late 2018 that his heroic past was discovered. Old Zhang Fuqing spent a lifetime writing his extraordinary story; for over sixty years, he stayed true to his original aspiration, concealing his merits and fame, and remaining indifferent to personal gain. In Zhang Fuqing, we see the spirit of a soldier and the character of a Communist.
Jia Chaoning—himself a veteran—was deeply moved by Zhang Fuqing’s deeds, his voice choking with emotion and pausing in reflection several times during the speech. He understood the profound weight of the "Special Merit" and "First Class Merit" honors Zhang had received. In the years of war, these were honors exchanged for blood and life, awarded only for outstanding and major contributions. Linking this to the thematic education, he encouraged Party members to dare to take responsibility, focusing on solving the issue of "joining the Party ideologically" and reflecting the "people-centered" [11] stance in their actions. The members were deeply educated, solemn and reflective. Comparing the past and present, they perceived that the thematic education is of far-reaching significance for our Party leading the people in the "Great Struggle, Great Project, Great Cause, and Great Dream." [12] It is also an important vehicle for remembering martyrs, honoring heroes, maintaining revolutionary youthfulness, and preserving the advanced nature of Party members. Vice President Jia thus delivered a vivid "Party lecture." [13]
Under the leadership of Vice President Jia, all attending Party members re-swore the admission oath. Standing before the bright red Party flag, they solemnly took the oath and reflected on their original vows.
Finally, the branch members discussed the integration of the thematic education with disciplinary development. Members expressed that for every Communist, the first priority is to be a "qualified Party member" according to the requirements of the Party Constitution. In this thematic education, President Xie Fuzhan particularly emphasized using General Secretary Xi’s "May 17" speech [14] and his three congratulatory letters as guidance, combined with the construction of the "three major systems" (academic, disciplinary, and discourse) to advance the Academy's work. This emphasis left a strong impression on everyone. Attending members stated they would integrate their professional research with the study of theory, aiming to publish in-depth theoretical articles on the thematic education in newspapers and journals. By highlighting the unique advantages of researchers in implementing the spirit of the Central Committee, they aim to ensure the thematic education is carried out solidly and effectively.
The mobilization meeting was filled with a sense of solemnity, mission, and sanctity. To ensure the success of the activity, the branch prepared the Party flag in advance and distributed reports of General Secretary Xi’s May 31 speech. Under the radiance of the Party flag, by re-swearing the oath and learning from heroic martyrs, the members underwent a profound washing of their minds.
(Written by Tang Fangfang)