The 8th Forum on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Seminar on a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind and 21st Century Marxism Held in Xiamen
Photo of participating experts
On April 6, to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), to conduct in-depth study and research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to discuss hot topics amidst the changes unseen in a century [1], the "8th Forum on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," co-hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Xiamen University, was held in Xiamen. The theme of this forum was "A Community with a Shared Future for Humanity and 21st-Century Marxism." Hou Libiao, Party Secretary of the School of Marxism at Xiamen University; Ye Shen, Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee; and Chen Zhigang, Director of the Research Department of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered opening remarks. The opening ceremony was presided over by Zhang Youkui, Executive Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Xiamen University. Xin Xiangyang, Party Secretary of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, attended the meeting and delivered a keynote report. Keynote reports were also delivered by Huang Ping, Director of the CASS Center for Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao Studies; Feng Gang, Dean of the Research Institute of Ideological and Political Education at Beijing Normal University; Zheng Chuanfang, Chief Expert of the Marxism Theoretical Research and Construction Project and Professor at the School of Marxism, Fujian Normal University; Hao Lixin, Changjiang Scholar and Professor at the School of Marxism, Renmin University of China; Liu Tongfang, Changjiang Scholar and Dean of the School of Marxism at Zhejiang University; and Cheng Meidong, President of the Beijing Higher Education Association for Sinicized Marxism Teaching and Research and Professor at the School of Marxism, Peking University.
Ye Shen, representing the Propaganda Department of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee, expressed warm congratulations on the convening of the forum. He pointed out that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the guide to action for the whole Party and the people of the whole country in their struggle to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Fujian is an important birthplace and place of practice for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, serving as a "rich mine" for studying this important thought. The social science and theoretical circles in Fujian must take the study, publicity, and implementation of the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech during his inspection of Fujian as an important political task. This should be closely integrated with the study and implementation of the series of important instructions and comments made by General Secretary Xi Jinping on Fujian's work since the 18th Party Congress, as well as the study and implementation of the important concepts and major practices from the General Secretary’s time working in Fujian [2]. It is necessary to vigorously uphold the precious spiritual wealth left to us by General Secretary Xi Jinping, continuously drawing the power of thought, wisdom, and spirit from it, and striving to write the Fujian chapter of comprehensively building a modern socialist country.
Ye Shen, Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee, delivers a speech.
In his speech, Chen Zhigang pointed out that since the concept of "a community with a shared future for humanity" was proposed in 2013, it has been continuously enriched and developed, exerting a broad influence worldwide and being incorporated into multiple United Nations resolutions, playing an important role in promoting world peace and development. On one hand, facing the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world's changes unseen in a century, the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity has received strong support from all sides, especially as international consensus has strengthened following the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the changes unseen in a century have also presented us with many new situations, topics, and challenges, providing growth points for the new development of 21st-century Marxism. He expressed hope that the participating representatives would offer their profound insights on these matters.
Chen Zhigang, Director of the Research Department of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, delivers a speech.
Hou Libiao pointed out in his speech that the world is currently facing changes unseen in a century, and the prospects for the world socialist movement are bright. China adheres to and develops Marxism, continuously deepening its understanding of the laws of the Communist Party's governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society [3]. It has opened a new realm of 21st-century Marxism and made important contributions to the theoretical and practical innovation of scientific socialism. The important thought of building a community with a shared future for humanity proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping contributes Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions for promoting world peace and development and solving problems commonly faced by human society. It provides a brand-new choice for all countries to seize opportunities, develop together, and resolve major questions such as "where is the world heading?" This is an original contribution by the CPC to the development of 21st-century Marxism.
Hou Libiao, Party Secretary of the School of Marxism at Xiamen University, delivers a speech.
Xin Xiangyang delivered a keynote report titled "Several Major Questions to be Answered by 21st-Century Marxism." Xin emphasized that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the solid foundation for the long-term stability and sustainable development of the Party and the country's cause. Throughout thousands of years of historical evolution, the Chinese nation created a brilliant ancient civilization and formed rich ideas regarding state systems and national governance; socialism with Chinese characteristics grew and developed by integrating the essence of Chinese civilization. Given the reality that socialism and capitalism have coexisted for over 100 years, and China's socialism and the market economy have been combined for over 40 years, it is essential to ensure the essential character, individuality, and characteristics of the socialist system. It is necessary to use 21st-century Marxism to study the underlying logic and future direction of this synthesis. At the same time, we must ensure that the red territory [4] is passed down from generation to generation and achieve a law-based and orderly succession of the leadership collective. He argued that the higher stage following China's primary stage of socialism [5] remains a socialist stage; this stage is longer, marking a period of progression from a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful great modern socialist country toward an even greater modern socialist country. 21st-century Marxism must analyze the basic contradictions of contemporary capitalism and their new manifestations. Compared to historical capitalism, while the nature of the basic contradictions of 21st-century capitalism has not changed, the forms of expression differ greatly. This difference lies not only in the deepening contradiction between the socialization of production and the private ownership of the means of production, but crucially in the emergence of internal contradictions within each aspect of those contradictions.
Xin Xiangyang, Party Secretary of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, delivers a keynote report.
Huang Ping, in a report titled "A Community with a Shared Future for Humanity Provides a 'Chinese Solution' for the Globe," pointed out that building a community with a shared future for humanity is the "Chinese solution" provided by contemporary China for promoting world peace and development and global governance. China has written "promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity" into the preamble of its Constitution, expressing China's firm will to struggle alongside countries worldwide for this goal and fulfilling the CPC’s solemn commitment to "struggle for the cause of human progress." He emphasized that China always adheres to the path of peaceful development, and China's development has brought opportunities to the world. Meanwhile, in the process of advancing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, China has formed a series of pioneering and leading achievements, reflecting China's responsibility as a responsible major power, injecting positive energy into an uncertain international landscape, and bringing new hope. China dares to face the various difficulties, challenges, crises, and risks facing the world today, and dares to answer the confusion and bewilderment in people's minds. This provides great wisdom and new ideas for world development and the future of humanity to move in the right direction. As China advances steadily, the beautiful vision brought by such brand-new concepts will surely be realized.
Huang Ping, Director of the CASS Center for Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao Studies, delivers a report.
Feng Gang, in a report titled "Philosophical Inquiries into a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity," pointed out that the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity reflects the contemporary value of Marxism. He analyzed and explained the concept, connotation, value, and significance of "human destiny" from a philosophical perspective. He argued that, on one hand, efforts should be focused on solving major questions such as "Why should humanity build a community with a shared future?", "How can humanity build a community with a shared future?", "How to become a community?", and "What kind of community should it become?" On the other hand, specific issues such as urban-rural problems, environmental problems, and the intergenerational transmission of culture are all inherent requirements [6] to be considered when building a community with a shared future for humanity. He emphasized that 21st-century Marxism should be future-oriented while rooted in the present; it should solve both Chinese and global problems.
Feng Gang, Dean of the Research Institute of Ideological and Political Education at Beijing Normal University, delivers a report.
Zheng Chuanfang, in a report titled "Innovative Development of 20th and 21st-Century Marxism," pointed out that Marxism has continuously achieved Sinicization and modernization during the century of struggle by Chinese Communists, demonstrating vitality and achieving fruitful theoretical results that have been successfully carried into the 21st century. This shows that the emergence and development of Marxism are closely related to the Communist Party; the vitality of Marxism lies in its integration with the practical activities of the people in promoting social development and its adaptation to the historical trends of the times; Marxism is maintained and developed through struggle; and the scientific nature and truth of Marxism itself are the keys to winning people's hearts. He argued that to promote the new development of 21st-century Marxism, we must not only stay alert to danger in times of peace and turn danger into safety, but also seek opportunities within crises and transform crises into opportunities [7]. First, the primary force for the innovative development of 21st-century Marxism remains the CPC, and the main subject is the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics engaged in by the hundreds of millions of people led by the Party. Second, it must be clearly recognized that with the further technological revolution and innovative development of the 21st century, Marxism will continue to face excellent opportunities and great challenges for development. Third, socialism with Chinese characteristics will surely further innovate and develop Marxism while opening up new situations for the new development stage of the New Era. Finally, people of all countries in the world will feel the charm and power of Chinese characteristics through China's experience and wisdom, thereby stimulating their own innovation and creativity, providing an important practical source for the new development of Marxism in the 21st century and contributing important experience and results from their explorations.
Zheng Chuanfang, Chief Expert of the Marxism Theoretical Research and Construction Project and Professor at the School of Marxism, Fujian Normal University, delivers a report.
Hao Lixin, in a report titled "The Scientific Dimension and Value Significance of the Concept of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity," pointed out that the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity is a full synthesis of Comrade Xi Jinping’s big-picture view of history, global outlook, and view of human interests, providing new wisdom and solutions for cracking global governance puzzles. Marxism undoubtedly occupies the high ground of scientific truth and morality. The concept of a community with a shared future for humanity reflects this scientific and value-oriented nature in five aspects: First, it is an organism with a high degree of unity between scientific nature and value nature, built on the recognition of common human values and in line with the interests and aspirations of the world's people. Second, it is built on a scientific understanding of the world development pattern, promoting the global governance system to develop in a more just and reasonable direction. Third, "a community with a shared future for humanity" is a temporal and spatial extension and expansion of the category of "community"; it conforms to historical logic, is an inevitable product of the evolution of world history, represents an advanced stage of community development, and expresses a beautiful aspiration for building harmonious international relations. Fourth, the basic principles and value goals of building a community with a shared future for humanity have been established as the basic strategy for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, evoking a strong response in the international community. Fifth, the concept highlights the common values of humanity and embodies China’s concepts and responsibility as a responsible major power.
Hao Lixin, Professor at the School of Marxism, Renmin University of China, delivers a report.
Liu Tongfang, in a report titled "Several Issues Worthy of Attention in the Study of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity," proposed ten basic issues and five frontier issues currently worthy of attention in research. He argued that the basic issues to be focused on include: the rich connotation, theoretical basis, and reality of the concept; the necessity, related difficulties, and practical paths of building it; its correlation with common human values and socialism; and issues regarding the rights, obligations, and civilizational dialogue within the community. The frontier issues to be focused on include: the building of the community and the direction of the international order in the post-pandemic era; the new technological revolution and the building of the community; the relationship between the "two overall situations" [8] and the building of the community; the relationship between the community for the Chinese nation [9] and the community with a shared future for humanity; and the foreign recognition and evaluation of the concept.
Liu Tongfang, Dean of the School of Marxism at Zhejiang University, delivers a report.
In his report titled "A Community with a Shared Future for Humanity in the Process of World Civilization," Cheng Meidong pointed out that researching the destiny of humanity requires a global vision and a worldwide perspective. By inspecting and analyzing the destiny of humanity through four periods—the ancient world, the fusion of modern civilizations, the vigorous rise of the communist movement, and the patterns of the two World Wars and the Cold War—he indicated that the history of the development of world civilization is a history of human interaction moving from enclosure to globalization and from looseness to tightness. It is also a history of forming a community with a shared future where "you are in me and I am in you" [10]. The progression of world civilization has provided a profound historical foundation for the formation of the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity. He noted that the process of humanity moving toward civilization relies on the continuous expansion and deepening of institutional exchange; it is impossible for humanity to solve the problem of symbiotic destiny through war. Humanity can only construct a community with a shared future through active consultation, cooperation, and win-win results. Simultaneously, the investigation of world history proves the importance of the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, for the future development of mankind.
The conference established four sub-forums. Li Jianguo, Director of the Editorial Department of Marxism Studies (《马克思主义研究》), presided over "The Philosophical Significance and Contemporary Meaning of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity"; Li Yabin, Deputy Director of the Theory Department of Guangming Daily, presided over "Several Major Issues of 21st-Century Marxism"; Wu Ying, President of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, presided over "A Community with a Shared Future for Humanity and the Reconstruction of the Global Governance System"; and Feng Xia, Professor at the School of Marxism at Xiamen University, presided over issues such as "Changes Unseen in a Century" [11] and "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era." Participating representatives engaged in full exchange and deliberation through keynote speeches and free discussions.
Zhang Yantao, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Xiamen University, presided over the closing ceremony. Representatives from each sub-forum delivered reports.
In his concluding remarks at the closing ceremony, Chen Zhigang pointed out that holding this forum on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China is timely and significant. The brilliant reports and speeches by the participating experts and scholars have provided everyone with reflection and enlightenment. The theme of this conference must be grasped from a historical dimension. The historical miracles created by the CPC have already proved that not only has Marxism changed China, but China has also changed and innovated Marxism and socialism. As 21st-century Marxism, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has opened up a new realm for Marxism and socialism. Chinese practice has caused Marxism and socialism to demonstrate vigorous vitality and energy, leading socialism from a low ebb toward resurgence. China has made outstanding contributions to the entire world during immense tests for human society, such as financial crises and sudden public crises. The sharp contrast between "Western chaos and Chinese governance" [12] tells us that we must strengthen the "Four Confidences" [13]. Currently, the weight of the tasks we face is unprecedented, and the number of risks and challenges we face is also unprecedented. However, the resilience and huge potential of the Chinese economy, the full manifestation of the institutional advantages of CPC leadership, and the wide recognition of a community with a shared future for humanity in the world ensure that China remains in an important period of strategic opportunity. Looking to the future, in building a community with a shared future for humanity, although the road is tortuous, the future is surely bright.
This forum was co-organized by the School of Marxism at Xiamen University, the CASS Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the School of Marxism at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Department of Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies. It was co-sponsored by the editorial departments of Marxism Studies and World Socialism Studies. More than 140 experts and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Xiamen University, Fudan University, Beihang University, Guangming Daily, various provincial and municipal Party schools, academies of social sciences, and other universities and research institutions participated in the forum deliberations. The holding of the forum coincided with the centenary of the founding of Xiamen University; the participating experts and scholars expressed their warm congratulations and heartfelt blessings to Xiamen University!