Opening up New Horizons in Adapting Marxism to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

Conference Scene On May 20, the 13th Academic Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism, jointly sponsored by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Propaganda Department of the Wuxi Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Jiangnan University, was held in Wuxi. More than a hundred experts and scholars from all over the country attended the meeting to jointly discuss major theoretical and practical issues regarding the Sinicization and modernization ^[1] of Marxism.

Inauguration of the Jiangnan University Theoretical Research Base of the Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Zhang Yinglu, Vice President of Jiangnan University; and Gong Yonggang, Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. The Jiangnan University Theoretical Research Base of the Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was inaugurated. Li Jiamin, Director of the Propaganda Department of the Party Committee of Jiangnan University, presided over the opening ceremony.

Address by Lin Jianhua Lin Jianhua stated that 2023 is the inaugural year for implementing the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, a crucial year for connecting the past and the future in the implementation of the "14th Five-Year Plan" ^[2], an important year for laying the foundation for the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country, and also the year for deeply conducting the thematic education on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, vigorously promoting the trend of investigation and research ^[3], and deeply studying the first and second volumes of the Selected Readings from the Works of Xi Jinping. The purpose of this meeting is to deeply study and comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, deepen the theoretical research and promotional interpretation of the glorious course of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, strengthen the academic exchange among researchers of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism and researchers of the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics across the country, consolidate the theoretical research teams of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and promote the disciplinary development of the Sinicization of Marxism. To base ourselves on the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era and to comprehensively comprehend, systematically study, and scientifically interpret Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must further improve our understanding of the importance of the Party's innovative theories, further deeply grasp the essence of the scientific system of the Party's innovative theories, and further promote the research, interpretation, and dissemination of the Party's innovative theories.

Address by Zhang Yinglu Zhang Yinglu introduced the general situation of Jiangnan University, especially the achievements in the construction of the School of Marxism and its disciplinary development. She stated that the report of the 20th CPC National Congress focused on the proposition of "opening up new realms in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism," which possesses both profound theoretical connotations and major political significance. It systematically expounded on the issue of theoretical innovation based on the great changes of the decade in the New Era and proposed a series of new concepts, new thoughts, and new strategies. Continuously deepening the study of the basic theories and frontier issues of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism is an inevitable requirement for further enhancing the academic and theoretical nature of the discipline of Sinicization of Marxism and for continuously constructing an independent Chinese knowledge system. It is necessary to deepen research in this field, increase the depth and breadth of research, further broaden academic horizons, improve research capabilities, and form new points of academic growth.

Address by Gong Yonggang Gong Yonggang proposed that Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which we establish and revitalize our Party and our country. Why the Communist Party of China can [succeed], and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, is because, in the final analysis, Marxism works, and the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism work ^[4]. The Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is an important front for the Party's ideological building. The Jiangnan University Theoretical Research Base of the Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era must regard the continuous deepening and expansion of research into the Party's innovative theories as its primary task, striving to produce more high-level research results to provide solid theoretical support for building a strong country and national rejuvenation. It is necessary to maintain the correct political direction, strengthen theoretical equipping, better guide people to firmly uphold the "Two Establishments" and resolutely achieve the "Two Upholds," make greater achievements in promoting the Party's ideological and theoretical building, and contribute more strength to the comprehensive advancement of the new practice of Chinese-path modernization in Jiangsu.

Li Jiamin presided over the opening ceremony. The participating experts and scholars conducted in-depth discussions on major theoretical and practical issues of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism through keynote reports, thematic reports, and sub-forum discussions.

(Contributors: Shen Yang, Wang Guanglu)