A Review of the 2023 Annual Conference of the Chinese Society of Historical Materialism and the 8th Tianjin Forum on Contemporary Chinese Marxism
A Review of the “2023 Annual Meeting of the China Society of Historical Materialism and the 8th Tianjin Forum on Contemporary Chinese Marxism”
Original Title: Research on the Systematization and Theoretical Formulations of Contemporary Chinese Marxism: A Review of the “2023 Annual Meeting of the China Society of Historical Materialism and the 8th Tianjin Forum on Contemporary Chinese Marxism”
On November 26, 2023, the “2023 Annual Meeting of the China Society of Historical Materialism and the 8th Tianjin Forum on Contemporary Chinese Marxism” was held at Tianjin Normal University. The forum was jointly organized by the China Society of Historical Materialism, the Education Work Committee of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee, the Tianjin Federation of Social Science Circles, and Tianjin Normal University. It was hosted by the School of Marxism at Tianjin Normal University and the Tianjin Association for Contemporary Chinese Marxism Studies, with the editorial department of Marxist Studies (Mǎkèsuīzhǔyì Yánjiū) and the Institute of New Era Marxism at Tianjin Normal University serving as co-organizers. The theme of the forum was "Research on the Systematization and Theoretical Formulations of Contemporary Chinese Marxism."
Qu Kai, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tianjin Normal University; Wang Liwen, Secretary of the Party Group and Executive Vice Chairman of the Tianjin Federation of Social Science Circles and Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee; and Hou Huiqin, President of the China Society of Historical Materialism and Dean of the Institute of New Era Marxism at Tianjin Normal University, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. The ceremony was presided over by Ma Lei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Tianjin Normal University. More than 200 experts and scholars in Marxist theory from universities and research institutes across the country were invited to attend, including Ai Silin, Vice President of the China Society of Historical Materialism and Dean of the Institute of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era at Tsinghua University; Jiang Yingchun, Vice President of the China Society of Historical Materialism and Party Secretary of the School of Information Management at Nanjing University; Yuan Yinchuan of the School of Marxism at Wuhan University; Yang Shengping, Director of the Center for Globalization and Cultural Studies at Capital Normal University; Yan Xiaofeng, Dean of the School of Marxism at Tianjin University; Feng Yanli, Vice President of the China Society of Historical Materialism; Yan Feng, member of the Party Group and First-Level Counsel of the Tianjin Federation of Social Science Circles; and Li Jianguo, Secretary-General of the China Society of Historical Materialism.
1. Profoundly Grasping the Scientific Connotations and Major Significance of the "Two Combinations"
The "Two Combinations" [1] is a major theoretical concept explicitly proposed by Xi Jinping in his speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. It is a major theoretical innovation achieved since the 18th National Party Congress by Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative. Participating scholars conducted in-depth discussions on the scientific connotations and major significance of the “Two Combinations.”
The “Two Combinations” more clearly expresses the historical process and logical rationale of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Grasping the dialectical relationship between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture is the key to scientifically understanding the connotations of the “Two Combinations,” especially the “Second Combination.” Hou Huiqin pointed out that a significant innovation of the “Two Combinations” lies in its clarification of the vital relationship between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture. Overall, fine traditional Chinese culture requires the guidance of Marxism: first, to guide our inheritance of this culture, and second, to achieve its "innovative development and creative transformation" [2] through Marxist guidance. Correctly handling the relationship between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture is the foundation for understanding the "root" and the "soul" of the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Zhang Zhidan, Dean of the School of Marxism at Shanghai Normal University, noted that understanding the relationship between the "soul" (húnmài) and the "root" (gēnmài) is particularly important; the “Second Combination” must first clarify that Marxism serves as the guiding ideology and, second, that Marxism can combine with fine traditional Chinese culture as a cultural and intellectual resource.
Deepening research on the “Two Combinations” is the inevitable path toward building a modern Chinese civilization and is of great significance for promoting the systematization and theoretical formulation of contemporary Chinese Marxism. Yan Xiaofeng pointed out that adhering to the “Second Combination” is the successful "magic weapon" [3] for building a modern Chinese civilization. This civilization must be constructed on the basis of scientifically grasping the historical positioning, key links, and developmental goals of the “Second Combination.” Zhao Huanchun, Party Secretary of the School of Marxism at Nanjing Audit University, pointed out that only by effectively realizing the organic combination of Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture can the subjectivity of Chinese culture be consolidated and strengthened. Tian Haijian, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Hebei University, noted that scientifically grasping the “Second Combination” allows us to fully utilize the precious resources of fine traditional Chinese culture within a broader cultural space, constantly expanding the arena for theoretical and practical innovation in contemporary socialism with Chinese characteristics. Zan Ruili, a researcher at the National Defense University’s Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, pointed out that scientifically grasping the “Two Combinations” enables a better systematized and theoretical interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
2. Deepening Research on Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture
Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture constitutes the "cultural chapter" of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It enriches and develops Marxist cultural theory and serves as the ideological guide for promoting the prosperity of Chinese culture, building a leading socialist cultural power, and constructing a modern Chinese civilization. Scholars conducted in-depth discussions on the key topics and hotspots of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture, exploring its rich connotations, practical requirements, and major significance.
Deepening research on Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture requires a profound grasp of the methodological significance inherent in Marxist cultural theory. It demands a comprehensive synthesis of the practical experience of socialist cultural construction since the 18th National Party Congress and a thorough explanation of the thought’s rich connotations, theoretical sources, characteristics, and contributions, thereby providing solid academic support for advancing socialist culture. Jiang Yingchun pointed out that Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture is the innovative development of Marxist cultural theory in the New Era, and interpreting it is a vital responsibility for scholars of historical materialism. This thought provides a powerful spiritual impetus and scientific cultural guidance for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Lu Zhongping, former Dean of the School of Marxism at Nanchang University, pointed out that Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture originates from the cultural discourses of classical Marxist writers, fine traditional Chinese culture, and the outstanding achievements of human civilization. Its theoretical characteristics lie in its systematic, strategic, practical, contemporary, people-centered, and global nature. Its theoretical contribution lies in its profound answer to the major question of what kind of socialist culture should be constructed. Wang Yonggui of Nanjing Normal University pointed out that the original contribution of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture lies in its profound understanding of the laws governing socialist cultural construction; its concepts, categories, systems, and structures constitute new judgments, expressions, and elaborations on important issues in the process of cultural construction. Li Baogeng, Dean of the School of Marxism at Ningbo University, noted that the thought contains rich content, some of which is a further development of the practical explorations conducted by Xi Jinping during his time working in Zhejiang Province [4].
Deepening research on Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture must be based on the laws governing the development of human culture and socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics. It must deeply explain the thought’s methodological significance and point the way toward the new cultural mission of the New Era. Yang Shengping pointed out that the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics possesses its own unique modern characteristics, manifested as a dynamic dialectical unity between individual and collective subjects, and between instrumental and value rationality. Xie Xiaojuan, Dean of the School of Marxism at Liaoning University, noted that Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture is a scientific synthesis of the practical experience of cultural construction since the 18th National Party Congress, providing a methodological basis for the fundamental goal of "cultivating people through culture" (yǐ wén huà rén).
3. Deeply Explaining the Scientific Connotations, Practical Requirements, and Major Significance of Chinese-path Modernization
Chinese-path modernization is a major achievement of the long-term exploration and practice of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. It is the only correct path for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. Scholars conducted in-depth discussions on its scientific connotations, practical requirements, and major significance, contributing to the specialized explanation of the theory of Chinese-path modernization.
To promote research on Chinese-path modernization, one must correctly grasp the dialectical relationship between the common characteristics of modernization and the Chinese characteristics of Chinese-path modernization, while constantly advancing discourse innovation and enriching the theoretical content. Ai Silin pointed out that constructing a discourse system for Chinese-path modernization can provide a guarantee at the level of discourse for understanding the practical results of socialism with Chinese characteristics, achieving the goal of a great modern socialist country, and presenting a "credible, lovable, and respectable" [5] image of China. Yuan Yinchuan pointed out that, on one hand, Chinese-path modernization follows the universal laws of human modernization and thus shares common characteristics with the modernization of all countries. On the other hand, it is the socialist modernization led by the CPC based on China's specific national conditions and unique historical and cultural traditions, and thus possesses distinct Chinese characteristics. Explaining the theory of Chinese-path modernization requires an organic integration of these two aspects. Tian Pengying of Northeastern University noted that Chinese-path modernization has rich practical results and a solid practical foundation; it is a creative answer to the "global question of modernization." Systematically synthesizing practical experience and revealing basic laws is an inevitable choice for explaining the theory. Cui Fazhan, Dean of the School of Marxism at Southwest Petroleum University, pointed out that Chinese-path modernization concerns the relationship between the "ancient and modern" and the "Chinese and Western." The CPC has handled these relationships well, and the theory must be explained through these lenses. Zhang Ling of Shanghai Jiao Tong University noted that the topic of Chinese-path modernization has become a "hot" research field both domestically and internationally, generating significant responses in international academia and contributing Chinese wisdom to the development of human modernization.
To advance research on Chinese-path modernization, one must correctly handle the dialectical relationship between theory and practice, grasp the scientific connotations and practical requirements from multiple dimensions, and explore pathways for its progression. Feng Yanli pointed out that research should specifically combine the five major characteristics, five major principles, and nine essential requirements [6] of Chinese-path modernization to provide a solid methodological basis for practice. Wang Yan of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics pointed out that Chinese-path modernization is a modernization of common prosperity for all; advancing common prosperity is an inevitable choice to demonstrate the essential requirements of this path, and regulating wealth accumulation should be an inherent part of this process. Liu Fengyi, Director of the Publicity Department of Nankai University, pointed out that achieving high-quality development is an essential requirement of Chinese-path modernization; uncovering and mastering the economic laws of high-quality development is the key to advancing modernization in the New Era. Song Chao-long, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Peking University, pointed out that building a strong socialist financial power is an important component of a great modern socialist country; it should be guided by Xi Jinping’s economic thought to explore practical paths for financial strength. Wang Binbin, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of Sichuan University, pointed out that modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature is a distinct Chinese characteristic; it requires following objective laws and seeking practical paths within the process of resolving the "principal contradiction" [7] of society in the New Era. Zhu Dapeng of the School of Marxism at Lanzhou University pointed out that advancing Chinese-path modernization is a systemic project (xìtǒng gōngchéng) that requires conscious and proactive use of "systems thinking" (xìtǒng sīwéi) to improve the quality of implementation.
(Author's affiliation: Institute of New Era Marxism, Tianjin Normal University) Web Editor: Tongxin Source: Marxist Studies, No. 12, 2023