"Seminars on Cheng Enfu's Academic Thought: Upholding Integrity and Promoting Innovation in Marxist Theory" Held in Beijing
On September 22, 2020, the "Symposium on Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground in Marxist Theory—The Academic Thought of Cheng Enfu" was held in Conference Room 218 of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). Comrade Jiang Hui, a member of the CASS Leading Party Group, Director of the Institute of Contemporary China, and President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, attended and delivered an address. The meeting was chaired by Xin Xiangyang, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies. More than forty experts and scholars from institutions including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University, and CASS attended the symposium.
[Venue of the Symposium on Cheng Enfu's Academic Thought]
[Jiang Hui, Member of the CASS Leading Party Group and President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, congratulates Academic Division Member Cheng Enfu on 45 years of teaching]
In his address, Comrade Jiang Hui pointed out that Academic Division Member [1] Cheng Enfu has for decades been committed to pioneering research and forward-looking exploration in political economy. By insisting on a systematic analysis of economic methods, principles, and policies, Cheng has pushed modern political economy toward internationalization, practical application, and mathematization, playing a leading role in academic circles both at home and abroad. Professor Cheng Enfu has played a unique role in providing suggestions and counsel [2] for the Party and the state. Over the past decade and more, he has served as a deputy to the 11th and 12th National People's Congress (NPC) and as a member of the Education, Science, Culture, and Public Health Committee of the 13th NPC. In these capacities, he has actively used political economy theory to offer suggestions for reform, opening up, and development, which have been highly valued by the leadership of the NPC, the State Council, and relevant ministries and commissions. During his tenure leading the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies and the Academic Division of Marxism Studies, Professor Cheng Enfu actively implemented the CASS Leading Party Group’s strategic deployments regarding the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project [3]. He performed an immense amount of work in promoting innovation in basic theoretical research, strengthening the institute through management, cultivating talent, developing academic journals and think-tank forums, and advancing international cooperation in Marxist studies. Professor Cheng Enfu places equal importance on writing books and educating people; over his 45-year teaching career, he has trained a large number of researchers and educators in Marxist theory for the nation.
Comrade Jiang Hui emphasized that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is currently at a critical period. This is an era that requires ideological theory and will certainly produce ideological theory. There is great potential for the development and innovation of Marxist theory. We must unwaveringly take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guide and make new contributions to the development of contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism. To realize this historical mission, we need a group of Marxist scholars who are firm in their stance, exquisite in their professional work, adept at innovation, and brave in shouldering responsibilities, working together with collective wisdom and efforts. He expressed his wish for Professor Cheng Enfu to reach new heights and continue to play an exemplary role as an academic leader.
Renowned scholars spoke at the meeting, including Tian Xinming, former Director of the Social Science Development Research Center of the Ministry of Education; Wen Kui, former President of the Capital University of Economics and Business; Senior Professor Ding Bing; Bai Baoli, Director of the Contemporary Economic Theory Research Center at Beijing Normal University; Xiao Guiqing, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Tsinghua University; Song Chaolong, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Peking University; Guo Fei, Director of the China Economic Development Research Center at the University of International Business and Economics; Professor Tian Chenshan of Beijing Foreign Studies University; Li Chengxun, former Vice Dean of the CASS Graduate School; Zhang Shunhong, former Director of the Institute of World History; Zhou Suyuan, former Party Committee Secretary of the Institute of Modern History; and Feng Yanli, Deputy Director of the Institute of Philosophy. Media personnel from the People’s Daily and Economic Science Press also attended the symposium.
The participating experts held discussions around Professor Cheng Enfu’s writings and theories, his teaching and mentorship, his participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs [4], his international pioneering work, scientific research management, and the building of academic organizations. They generally agreed that Professor Cheng Enfu has made special contributions to upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in Marxism, particularly in the field of political economy.
Contributed by: Scientific Research Department