Let Marxism shine with even more brilliant rays of truth

On the morning of June 3, against the backdrop of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the deep implementation of Party history study and education throughout the whole Party, the theoretical symposium "Sinicization of Marxism within the Horizon of a Century of Party History" was held in Yongzhou, Hunan Province—the hometown of Comrade Li Da ^[1]. Jiang Hui, member of the Leading Party Members’ Group of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Director of the Institute of Contemporary China and the Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered a written address. Liu Xue, Deputy Director of the Office of the Provincial Party Committee Leading Group for Party History Study and Education and Deputy Head of the Provincial Publicity Department, and Ai Kezhi, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, delivered speeches. Zhong Jun, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Head of the Municipal Publicity Department, presided over the opening ceremony.

Seated on the rostrum were Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies and Executive Deputy Director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; Xin Guangwei, Editor-in-Chief of the People’s Publishing House; Cao Jianhua, Executive Vice President of the Party School of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee; Song Zhifu, Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group and Executive Vice Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Federation of Social Sciences; Liu Jianwu, Counselor of the Hunan Provincial Government and former President of the Provincial Academy of Social Sciences; Gong Yun, Deputy Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies and Executive Deputy Director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; and Li Yuanyuan, the daughter of Comrade Li Da.

In his written address, Jiang Hui systematically expounded on the original contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era toward developing 21st-century Marxism, from the perspective of deepening the understanding of the laws of CPC governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society. He pointed out that the Sinicization of Marxism is a continuous process with no final conclusion; one must perceive the power of truth and the great practical strength of the Sinicization of Marxism from the century of Party history. On the new journey, we must continue to practice our original aspiration and founding mission, seek happiness for the people, rejuvenation for the nation, and the Great Harmony for the world ^[2], letting Marxism shine with an even more brilliant light of truth.

In his speech, Liu Xue elaborated on Hunan’s significant historical position in the historical process of the Sinicization of Marxism and the inspirations drawn from a century of the Party. He stated that standing in the New Era and continuing to write new chapters in the Sinicization of Marxism requires examining the realistic foundations and practical needs of Marxism’s contemporary development with a broader vision. We must more deeply promote the integration of Marxism with the concrete realities of contemporary Chinese development, constantly opening new horizons for the development of 21st-century Marxism, so that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—this contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism—radiates an even more brilliant light of truth.

Ai Kezhi expressed that standing at the historical confluence of the "Two Centenaries" ^[3], Yongzhou will always hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Under the firm leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, the city will accurately grasp the practical requirements of the new stage, new philosophy, and new paradigm ^[4]. It will actively study and absorb the theoretical achievements of this symposium, solidly manage Yongzhou’s own affairs, and unswervingly promote the rooting, flowering, and fruiting of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Yongzhou.

Subsequently, eight experts and scholars delivered keynote speeches: Xin Xiangyang, Xin Guangwei, Liu Jianwu, Gong Yun, as well as Xin Ming, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance); Zheng Chengjun, member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Beijing International Studies University; Wang Xiang, Dean of the School of Marxism at Central South University; and Chen Ruchai, Deputy Director of the Management Office of Li Da’s Former Residence. During the afternoon sub-forums, participating experts and scholars conducted in-depth discussions centered on the "Century-long Logic of the Sinicization of Marxism" and "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as Contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism."

Finally, Gong Yun delivered concluding remarks, noting that on the eve of the Party's centenary, incorporating this academic symposium into the Hunan provincial Party history study circles is an innovative measure by which the theoretical and political spheres have joined hands to promote the development of Marxism. This innovatively achieved an organic combination of the scientific nature of Marxism and the political nature of the governing party. He called on Marxist researchers to enhance their sense of mission and responsibility. Regarding the promotion of making Marxism more popular, contemporary, and academic, they should continue to learn from Comrade Li Da. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, they must unswervingly advance the cause of the revolutionary predecessors. Through a day of discussion, the symposium provided a panoramic perspective and a theoretical feast for a profound understanding of the developmental course of the Sinicization of Marxism, yielding a batch of excellent theoretical articles and brand-new viewpoints. The consensus held that we must always adhere to and establish a correct view of Party history: a century of Party history is the century-long history of the Sinicization of Marxism. Li Da made many pioneering contributions to promoting the Sinicization of Marxism.

This theoretical symposium was hosted by the CASS Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Office of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee Leading Group for Party History Study and Education, and the Publicity Department of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee; it was organized by the Yongzhou Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal People’s Government. The symposium received more than 180 papers from experts and scholars at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Central Party School, People’s Publishing House, and national universities and research institutions such as Peking University, Renmin University of China, Zhejiang University, Shandong University, Lanzhou University, Liaoning University, Soochow University, Hunan University, and Central South University. More than 100 experts and scholars attended.

Yongzhou is one of the regions in the country that was bathed in the brilliance of Marxism early on. When the First National Congress of the CPC was held, among the 50-plus Party members nationwide, there were three from Yongzhou: Li Da, Li Qihan, and Chen Weiren. Before the opening ceremony, participants presented flower baskets to the bronze statue of Li Da and visited Li Da’s former residence to commemorate his glorious achievements and learn from his great spirit and noble character.