National Forum of Deans of Marxism Schools and Executive Council Meeting of the National Association of Deans of Marxism Schools Held at Fudan University
To deeply study the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech at the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), to summarize and exchange experiences in establishing Schools of Marxism, and to promote the construction of the discipline of Marxist theory, the National Forum for Deans of Schools of Marxism (Sub-forum) and the Standing Committee Meeting of the National Forum for Deans of Schools of Marxism were held at Fudan University on July 10. The events were hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the Standing Committee of the National Forum for Deans of Schools of Marxism, and organized by the School of Marxism and the Institute of Marxism Studies at Fudan University. Xu Zheng, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Fudan University Committee and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the School of Marxism, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the CPC Committee and Deputy Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and gave the concluding remarks for the forum. Chen Jian, Executive Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of the School of Marxism at Fudan University, presided over the opening ceremony.
In her address, Xu Zheng expressed a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the experts and scholars participating in the forum. She stated that the convening of this forum coincided with the centenary of the CPC and is of great significance for studying the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding. Xu Zheng pointed out that throughout its 116-year history, Fudan University has maintained a glorious tradition of studying, researching, and propagating Marxist theory. Former President Chen Wangdao translated the first full Chinese version of the Communist Manifesto [1], planting the "red gene" [2] in Fudan’s educational governance. In recent years, Fudan University has deeply advanced Marxist theoretical research and disciplinary construction. In particular, it has earnestly studied and implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important reply letter [3], promoting a new outlook for its National Key School of Marxism, achieving new results in the construction of the "Two Great Projects," and reaching a new level in ideological and political education. Fudan University will take this forum as an opportunity to deepen exchanges and cooperation with participating experts to continuously contribute wisdom and strength to the Party's theoretical and practical innovation.
In his speech, Xin Xiangyang noted that the forum was held at Fudan University at the exact moment of the Party's centenary, making it both timely and appropriately located. With the theme of studying General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech at the 100th-anniversary celebration, the forum is of great significance for profoundly grasping the great achievements created by the Party leading the Chinese people over the past century, continuously strengthening the "Four Confidences," and earnestly perceiving the innovative achievements of Sinicized Marxist theory. He pointed out that the General Secretary's important speech comprehensively reviewed the Party's century-long journey of struggle, systematically summarized the important experience of the Party in leading China’s revolution, construction, and reform, and sounded the horn for starting the new journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is a programmatic document shining with the radiance of Marxist truth. In the speech, the General Secretary proposed many important viewpoints and judgments, setting new tasks and requirements for advancing the Sinicization of Marxism, which require in-depth research and interpretation by the academic community, especially Marxist theory researchers. He expressed hope that participating experts would use this forum to strengthen cooperation and communication, jointly pushing Marxist research to a new stage.
Following the opening ceremony, nine experts and scholars from CASS, Jilin University, Shandong University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Tianjin Normal University, Fujian Normal University, Hebei Normal University, Xiamen University, and Nankai University delivered keynote reports. Lin Jianhua, Deputy Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS, presided over the keynote session.
In his keynote report titled "How Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Has Changed China," Xin Xiangyang pointed out that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism. This Thought has profoundly changed the situation where Marxism was marginalized in some fields for a period, promoting the Sinicization, modernization, and popularization of Marxism. It has profoundly changed the situation where Socialism with Chinese Characteristics was once questioned, pushing the path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics to grow ever wider. It has profoundly changed the previous characteristics of China’s extensive economic development, pushing the Chinese economy toward the new path of high-quality development. It has profoundly changed the mental outlook of the Chinese people, encouraging the Chinese people and the Chinese nation to look at the world on an equal footing [4] with a more high-spirited posture. Finally, it has profoundly changed the landscape of global political development, prompting the Chinese people to make new major contributions to human political civilization.
Wu Hongzheng, Dean of the School of Marxism at Jilin University, in his keynote report "Marx’s World-Historical Outlook," noted that observing and reflecting on China’s development requires a global perspective. Marx’s world-historical outlook provides three points of reference: first, as the subjects of world history, humanity bears responsibility for its developmental trends—meaning one must not only explain the world but change it; second, the developmental trend of world history ultimately points toward the realization of freedom and liberation for all humanity; third, the development of world history follows discoverable laws, embodied in the inevitable victory of communism.
Zhang Shihai, Dean of the School of Marxism at Shandong University, delivered a report titled "A Century of Historical Experience in the Construction of the CPC’s Cultural Hegemony [5]." He pointed out that understanding "why Marxism works" requires upholding theoretical confidence and unswervingly maintaining the guiding position of Marxism. This is not only a historical conclusion but a practical necessity. To maintain cultural hegemony, one must adhere to four methodological principles: combining a Chinese standpoint with a global vision, combining practical needs with historical reflection, combining theoretical construction with theoretical development, and combining the exploration of essence with holistic grasping.
Zhang Zhongmin, Dean of the School of Marxism at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, in his report "Grasping the Laws and General Trends of Historical Development, Mastering the Initiative to Turn Shifting Conditions into the Larger Strategic Map," began with Mao Zedong’s On the People's Democratic Dictatorship and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech at the CPC centenary. He noted that being adept at observing trends, grasping laws, and summarizing experience is a fine tradition of our Party. Studying the General Secretary's speech requires: first, grounding oneself in the "Two Overalls" [6], keeping the "Greatness of the Nation" [7] in mind, and continuously improving the "Three Political Capacities" [8]; second, grasping the laws of historical development and correctly understanding the significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; and third, being adept at seizing opportunities during turning points and having the courage to turn shifting conditions into a favorable strategic map.
Yang Renzhong, Dean of the School of Marxism at Tianjin Normal University, introduced reflections on opening a new realm of the Sinicization of Marxism under the new historical coordinates in his report titled "Advancing the Sinicization of Marxism Through Pioneering and Innovation." He pointed out that for the first time in his speech, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the "Two Combinations"—combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with China’s fine traditional culture—which is of great significance for advancing the Sinicization of Marxism. To achieve the "Two Combinations" in the New Era, we must further highlight the theoretical connotations and original achievements of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, base ourselves on Chinese reality to study its great significance for developing countries and the development of all humanity, and promote systematic, holistic, and comprehensive research.
Fu Huifang, Executive Dean of the School of Marxism at Fujian Normal University, noted in her report "Further Understanding 'Staying True to the Original Aspiration and Founding Mission' from Three Dimensions" that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech is a political manifesto for staying true to the original aspiration and founding mission and a programmatic Marxist document. Over the past century, no matter how the situation or environment changed, the CPC’s original aspiration and mission have remained constant. This constancy can be analyzed from three aspects: first, understanding the mission within the historical coordinates of a century of struggle shows that while specific historical tasks change at each stage, the original aspiration remains the same; second, the mission remains unchanged when facing the unprecedented opportunities and challenges of the "Two Overalls"; third, the mission remains unchanged throughout the CPC's process of promoting self-revolution.
Li Suxia, Executive Dean of the School of Marxism at Hebei Normal University, explained the "Five Characteristics of Chinese-path Modernization" from three perspectives: first, Chinese-path modernization has its own historical, theoretical, and practical logic, profoundly reflecting the CPC's century of experience in exploring the path to modernization, the close integration of basic Marxist principles with China's specific reality, and the institutional advantages of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. Second, Chinese-path modernization is characterized by a massive population, common prosperity for all, the coordination of material and ethical-cultural advancement, harmony between humanity and nature, and following the path of peaceful development. Third, the experience of Chinese-path modernization is of great significance for transcending existing modernization theories and models.
Following the keynote reports, Yang Jing, Deputy Director of the Department of Principles at the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS, presided over the exchange and discussion session.
Vice Deans from various Schools of Marxism—Liu Jun (Peking University), Xi Ge (Renmin University of China), Duan Yan (Northeast Normal University), Chen Shifeng (Wuhan University), Chen Yongsheng (Beijing Foreign Studies University), Liu Zhili (Dalian University of Technology), Ma Zhong (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Liu Aijun (Harbin Normal University), and Zhang Wei (Tianjin University)—delivered exchange speeches. Their topics included "The Historico-Philosophical Foundations of Xi Jinping’s Thought on a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity," "Strengthening the Construction of Marxist Theoretical Disciplines in the New Era," "The Global Significance of the Concept and Practice of Chinese-path Modernization," "The New Path of Chinese-path Modernization Creating a New Form of Human Civilization," "On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Thought on Scientific and Technological Innovation," "Theoretical Sublimation and Innovative Development of a Civilization-type Political Party," "Methodological Reflections on Ideological Discourse Research," "Ideological Construction and the Centenary Development of the CPC," and "Carrying Forward the Great Founding Spirit of the Party and Inheriting the Red Spiritual Lineage."
In his summary, Xin Xiangyang noted that the keynote reports and exchange speeches focused on studying General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech and provided in-depth reflections on major theoretical and practical issues such as Chinese-path modernization, the new form of human civilization, the laws of world-historical development, and the Party's century of struggle. He stated that the content was excellent, the perspectives diverse, and the reflections profound, making the meeting a complete success.
On the afternoon of July 10, the Standing Committee Meeting of the National Forum for Deans of Schools of Marxism was held. During the meeting, Xin Xiangyang and Lin Jianhua presided over the expert review meeting for the "First National Outstanding Achievements in Marxist Theoretical Research" and the seminar on improving the quality of graduate theses, respectively. Participating experts and scholars engaged in exchange speeches regarding the relevant topics.