The 12th National Forum for Young Marxist Scholars Successfully Held at Nanchang Institute of Technology
On the occasion of welcoming the 70th anniversary of the founding of the New China [1], the "12th National Forum for Young Scholars of Marxism" was held at Nanchang Institute of Technology from September 21 to 22, 2019. The forum was hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Nanchang Institute of Technology; organized by the editorial department of Marxism Studies (《马克思主义研究》) and the School of Marxism at Nanchang Institute of Technology; and co-organized by the Social Sciences Academic Press (China). The theme of this forum was "The Construction of a Great Modern Socialist Country from the Perspective of Marxism."
At the opening ceremony, Wu Zejun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanchang Institute of Technology, and Jia Chaoning, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS, delivered speeches respectively. Wang Rongyou, Vice President of Nanchang Institute of Technology, presided over the session.
In his address, Wu Zejun pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s report to the 19th National Congress proposed to "deepen the study and construction of Marxist theory and accelerate the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics." This is the foothold for studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and even more so the foothold for scientifically summarizing the historical experience of the 70th anniversary of the New China in the New Era. National young scholars of Marxism must shoulder the new mission and new responsibility, actively deepen Marxist research, and take the initiative to respond to major theoretical and practical issues in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, demonstrating the new spirit and new accomplishments of young Marxists.
Jia Chaoning explained the original aspiration and founding mission of Marxist research within the context of the New Era and elaborated on the great significance of hosting the National Forum for Young Scholars of Marxism. He pointed out that young scholars should establish lofty ideals, keep the original mission in mind, and shoulder their responsibilities. Young scholars must build a solid theoretical foundation, diligently study classical Marxist theory, Mao Zedong Thought, and the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics—particularly Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Furthermore, young scholars should actively devote themselves to national construction and contribute their strength to the prosperity and strength of the country.
During the expert keynote speeches, Zhao Zhikui—Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences—spoke on the topic "Changes Unseen in a Century [2] and the Construction of a Great Modern Socialist Country with Chinese Characteristics." He elaborated on the nature of these global changes, the opportunities and challenges facing the modernization of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the innovation and development of Marxism in the 21st century.
Zhu Huanghe—former Party Branch Secretary and President of the Jiangxi Provincial Federation of Social Science Circles, and Professor at the School of Marxism, Jiangxi Normal University—spoke on "The Question of Confidence in the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics." He traced the historical process of the proposal of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and explained the connotations of the "Four Confidences" [3].
Zhou Lisheng—Director of the Publicity Department of the Party Committee and Dean of the School of Marxism at Jiangxi Normal University—presented his views on "The Theoretical Themes of the New Thought." He noted that we should highlight several major theoretical themes: "socialism," "cultural confidence," "changes in the principal contradiction," [4] "the great struggle," [5] and "the Party’s overall leadership."
During the young scholars' presentations, seven individuals delivered keynote speeches focused on issues such as the historical evolution of the principal social contradiction since the founding of the New China, the logic of a great modern socialist country, the developmental logic of ecological civilization, the evolution of the CPC's thinking on the development of philosophy and social sciences, and the historical evolution of the CPC's construction of ruling ideology.
Subsequently, the forum conducted breakout group discussions. Participating scholars engaged in detailed and in-depth exchanges on three topics: "Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the comprehensive building of a great modern socialist country," "The theoretical contributions and practical explorations of a great modern socialist country," and "The basic experience of the 70 years of the Communist Party of China in power." The participants unanimously agreed that the forum provided young scholars with a platform to showcase themselves. Each scholar was able to speak freely [6] on the themes, sharing their research and exchanging their puzzles. Through the expert commentary sessions, they achieved a leap in understanding and gained confidence for future academic research.
This forum also selected 10 award-winning papers from more than 460 submissions by young scholars and from issues of Marxism Studies (from No. 10, 2018 to No. 7, 2019). This included one first prize, two second prizes, three third prizes, and four excellence awards; certificates were presented to the winners to encourage them.
First-prize winner Liu Haoyan spoke on behalf of the awardees. In his speech, he shared the details and feelings of his communication with editors during the submission process to Marxism Studies. He remarked that although the process was agonizing, it was highly rewarding, and he frankly stated that this is, in fact, the process of learning and growth for young scholars.
The "Face-to-Face" session between the editorial department of Marxism Studies and the young scholars is a characteristic segment of the forum. In this session, Liu Pu (Director of the Journal Division of the Bureau of Scientific Research Management, CASS), Tan Xiaojun (Director of the Marxism Studies Editorial Department), Wang Shijin (Deputy Director), editors Liu Shuhui and Liu Ying, Liu Tonghui (editor from Social Sciences Academic Press), and Xu Muxi (editor of the Marxism Research Website) communicated with the young scholars. They discussed the development of the forum, the academic growth of young scholars, and issues to note during submission, enabling the young scholars to better understand the requirements of authoritative journals.
At the closing ceremony, Chen Fulong, Dean of the School of Marxism at Nanchang Institute of Technology, performed a handover with Chen Jianbing, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Xi'an Jiaotong University—the organizing host for the 13th National Forum for Young Scholars of Marxism in 2020. Representing his university, Chen Jianbing welcomed young Marxist scholars from across the country to gather in Xi'an next year.
Finally, Director Tan Xiaojun summarized the forum through "one purpose," "two platforms," and "three hopes." She pointed out that there is only one purpose for hosting the forum: to cultivate and serve young scholars. The editorial department will actively build the two platforms of Marxism Studies and the "National Forum for Young Scholars of Marxism." She expressed hope that the broad masses of young scholars would come to the annual forum with hope and return with a full harvest; that young scholars could conduct research with their feet on the ground [7] and settle down to do scholarship during their golden years; and that they would continue to support the journal and the forum. She noted that this forum was organized in a compact and smooth manner, featuring full deliberation by young scholars whose views were novel and whose thinking was forward-looking, making it an excellent opportunity for exchange and learning. In her closing remarks, she urged young scholars to pursue scholarship for the country and the people, to discover, study, and solve problems, and to transform themselves into researchers and scholars useful to the nation and the people.