Deeply Understand the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Speech on Cultural Inheritance and Development
Studying, publicizing, and implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches is the primary political, theoretical, and academic task for the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) at present and for the period ahead.
In order to implement this work in depth, according to the spirit of the notice from the CASS Leading Group Office for Theme Education [1] and the arrangements of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies (IMS), on the afternoon of June 15, 2023, all Party members, activists [2], and researchers of the Department of the International Communist Movement gathered in Meeting Room 1237 of the IMS to hold a study and exchange session. The meeting focused on conveying and studying the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development held in Beijing (June 2). Furthermore, in-depth study and exchange were conducted in conjunction with relevant chapters from Selected Readings from the Works of Xi Jinping (Volumes I and II), the Excerpted Compendium of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the Study Outline for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (2023 Edition). Representatives from the Research Office of the History of the International Communist Movement, the Research Office of Contemporary World Socialism, and the Research Office of Contemporary World Capitalism delivered keynote presentations. All participants engaged in full exchange and deep discussion, achieving the expected learning outcomes.
Pan Jine, a Research Fellow and Secretary of the Party Branch, first led the group in a diligent study of the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development. The group studied two articles: "An Action Program for Building the Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation," written by the CASS Leading Group of the CPC, and "'The Second Integration' [3] is Yet Another Emancipation of the Mind," written by Xin Xiangyang, a Research Fellow and Secretary of the IMS Party Committee. Pan also put forward several requirements for the Department of the International Communist Movement to continue strengthening its in-depth study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era:
First, it is necessary to strengthen the "primary identity" awareness of Party members and cadres and their awareness of being part of a political organ. Efforts should continue to deepen the study of Selected Readings from the Works of Xi Jinping (Volumes I and II), the Excerpted Compendium of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Study Outline for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (2023 Edition), the Excerpted Compendium of the Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and On the Self-Revolution of the Party. Particular emphasis must be placed on following up on the study of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s latest important speeches and articles.
Second, it is necessary to closely integrate the development of the discipline of the International Communist Movement. In relevant research projects, researchers must deeply grasp the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and do a good job in related research, publicity, and interpretation.
Third, it is necessary to combine the study with the disciplinary field research planned for July to deepen the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. During the study and investigation, we must adhere to a problem-oriented approach [4], enhance our problem awareness, identify issues accurately, and propose solid countermeasures, striving to produce high-quality research results.
Three young comrades from the Department of the International Communist Movement—Li Kaixuan, Yu Hui, and Wang Zifeng—shared their learning experiences in connection with the report "Promoting the Academic Spirit and Continuing the Historical Context," which was the first lecture of the CASS Youth Grand Lecture Series held on the afternoon of June 14. They unanimously agreed that Research Fellow Zhang Haipeng's report, which combined his work experience to discuss how to study and apply the materialist conception of history in historical research, expanded their academic horizons and strengthened their position of "conducting scholarship for the people." As young social science workers, they must closely integrate theory with reality in their study and work, and actively offer advice and suggestions to the Party and the state.
Subsequently, Wang You from the Research Office of the History of the International Communist Movement spoke on the chapter "Advancing the New Great Project of Party Building Must Be Consistent" from Volume II of the Selected Readings from the Works of Xi Jinping. From the perspective of the history of the international communist movement, Wang profoundly explained why "strengthening the leadership of the Party is the fundamental guarantee for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era" and "why, to build the Party well, we must grasp the 'key minority' [5]." The presentation combined history with theory and offered a novel discourse.
Li Kaixuan, from the Research Office of Contemporary World Capitalism, focused on chapters related to the inheritance and development of civilization and culture in Selected Readings from the Works of Xi Jinping (Volumes I and II). She argued that as young social science workers, they must strengthen their cultural confidence, uphold openness and inclusiveness, and while inheriting and developing the fine traditional Chinese culture, promote the localization of foreign cultures. With the integrity and vigor of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, they should continue the historical cultural context and write contemporary chapters of glory.
Long Mengyao, from the Research Office of Contemporary World Socialism, elaborated on chapters concerning the digital economy in Selected Readings from the Works of Xi Jinping (Volumes I and II). She pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on the digital economy are the theoretical crystallization of the practice of promoting China’s digital economy development in the New Era, and are theoretical innovations permeated with the ideological logic of Marxist political economy. They are also the results of the General Secretary’s deep observation, reflection, and practice regarding the digital economy over a long period of work. From "Digital Fujian" and "Digital Zhejiang" to the initiatives of becoming a cyber powerhouse and building a Digital China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has proceeded from China’s national conditions to discern the general trend of digital economy development. He profoundly recognized that the digital economy is an important industrial high ground for which all countries in the world are competing. Developing the digital economy must follow its inherent laws of development, scientifically answering questions such as "what is the digital economy and how to develop it." This fully conforms to the Marxist epistemology of "practice—knowledge—again practice—again knowledge."
Each research office held a lively discussion revolving around the speeches of the aforementioned teachers and exchanged their respective learning experiences. Finally, Research Fellow Yuan Xiuli, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch of the Department of the International Communist Movement, summarized the theme study activity. She emphasized that in future studies, it is necessary to continue improving political standing [6], deeply understand the great significance of carrying out theme education, and earnestly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech at the Theme Education Work Conference. It is essential to effectively enhance the sense of political responsibility and historical mission in managing theme education, taking practical actions to uphold the Two Establishments and practice the Two Upholds.
(Text/Yu Hui; Photo/He Qin)