Academic Forum on "A Century of Historical Experience and Chinese Modernization" and the Book Launch of the "Historical Experience of the Party’s Centennial Struggle" Series Successfully Held

On May 14, 2023, the academic forum “A Century of Historical Experience and Chinese-path Modernization,” along with the book launch for the Series on the Historical Experience of the Party’s Century of Struggle, was successfully held in Beijing. The event was co-hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Jinan Publishing House, and the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS). It was organized by the Department of Sinicization of Marxism of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies and the School of Marxism of UCASS, with support from journals such as Marxist Studies (Mayesizhuyi Yanjiu) and World Socialism Studies (Shijie Shehuizhuyi Yanjiu).

Experts and scholars from various institutions attended the meeting, including the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), CASS, Tsinghua University, Nankai University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Minzu University of China, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Capital Normal University, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Henan Polytechnic University, and Tongren University. Also present were editors and journalists from media outlets including Studies on Chinese Socialism (Zhongguo Tese Shehuizhuyi Yanjiu), Party Building (Dangjian), Administrative Reform (Xingzheng Guanli Gaige), China Youth Daily, Chinese Social Sciences Today, the Beijing Municipal Party Committee’s magazine Frontline (Qianxian), Guangming Online, Party Building Online, Chinese Social Sciences Net, CCTV News Center, and Shandong Radio and TV Station.

Opening addresses were delivered by Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies; Wang Weiheng, Director of the Book Department of the Publishing Bureau of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; and Tian Junlin, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Jinan Publishing House.

Xin Xiangyang emphasized that the historical resolution adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee ^[1] profoundly reveals why we were successful in the past and how we can continue to succeed in the future. It provides a profound exposition of why the Communist Party of China works, why Marxism works, and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good. Furthermore, it offers profound answers to major questions of the era, such as what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be maintained and developed in the New Era and how to maintain and develop it; what kind of great modern socialist power should be built and how to build it; and what kind of long-term governing Marxist party should be built and how to build it. This resolution is a programmatic document shining with the radiance of Marxist truth; it is a political manifesto for Chinese Communists in the New Era to remain true to their original aspiration and founding mission and to maintain and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics; and it is an action guide for the Party to lead the entire people in using history as a mirror to create the future ^[2] and realize the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It provides a classic text for us to further study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, to enrich and develop the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, to further promote the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and to advance the New Great Project of Party Building in the New Era.

Wang Weiheng emphasized that the Series on the Historical Experience of the Party’s Century of Struggle was selected for the Publicity Department’s 2022 list of key publications for "Theme Publishing" ^[3]. Centered on the "Ten Pieces of Historical Experience" summarized at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the series uses vivid, fluid, yet academic language and the latest materials to expound on theoretical hotspots. It explains profound principles through vivid examples, integrating emotion with reason and seeing the big picture through small details ^[4], making it easy to read and understand. The publication of this series is of great significance for the academic and theoretical communities to deeply study and grasp the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, to conduct in-depth research on the historical experience of the Party’s century of struggle, and to comprehensively and systematically study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Tian Junlin emphasized that shortly after the adoption of the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party’s Century of Struggle at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, Jinan Publishing House, together with the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, launched the planning, writing, and publication of this series. The successful publication serves as a testament to the full support of the Institute and the series authors, as well as the attention and support of experts, scholars, and media friends.

During the book launch and presentation ceremony, Xin Xiangyang and Wang Weiheng jointly unveiled the Series on the Historical Experience of the Party’s Century of Struggle. Xin Xiangyang presented the books to Wang Lan, Director of the CASS Library, who in turn presented a collection certificate for the series. Following this, Xin Xiangyang delivered a keynote report titled "The Significant Advantages of Chinese-path Modernization."

In the thematic report session, several scholars presented their findings: Ni Degang—Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, and Education Inspector at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) and Vice President of the China Association of Scientific Socialism—delivered a report titled "The 'Five Great Innovations' of Chinese-path Modernization Theory." Wang Chuanli, Professor at the School of Marxism, Tsinghua University, presented "National Conditions and World History: Contradictions Faced by Late-Developing Modernizing Countries." Wang Shengsheng, Deputy Dean and Professor of the School of Marxism at Nankai University, presented "Modernized Nations from the Perspective of Historical Materialism." Liu Xuexia, Professor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the journal Administrative Reform at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), presented "Advancing Chinese-path Modernization through High-Quality Development." Gong Yutao, Professor at the School of Marxism, Minzu University of China, presented "The Fundamental Guarantee of Chinese-path Modernization." Hong Zhentao, Secretary of the Party Committee and Associate Professor of the School of Marxism at Henan Polytechnic University and doctoral student at the School of Marxism of UCASS, presented "The People-Centered Sentiment Contained in the Five Characteristics of Chinese-path Modernization."

The opening ceremony was chaired and the concluding remarks were delivered by Yu Junxiao, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Deputy Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies. The thematic report session was presided over by Zhao Yingchen, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Senior Editor of the journal Studies on Chinese Socialism.