The 8th National Congress and 2019 Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Historical Materialism Held
From November 8 to 10, 2019, the Eighth National Congress of the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism and the Theoretical Seminar on "Philosophical Adherence and Innovation of Contemporary Chinese Marxism"—concurrently the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism—were held in Tianjin. The event was hosted by the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism and Tianjin University, and organized by the School of Marxism at Tianjin University. The meeting elected a new leadership team for the Association, with over 300 member representatives, paper presenters, experts, and scholars from across the country in attendance for in-depth deliberations. During the annual meeting, the "Tianjin University Research Center for New Media Ideological Construction" was inaugurated.
As this year marks the transition year for the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism, several sessions were convened on the afternoon and evening of November 8: the preparatory meeting for the Eighth National Congress and the fifth meeting of the Seventh Council; the Eighth National Congress of the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism; and the first meeting of the Eighth Council. The Eighth National Congress first reviewed and approved the Work Report and Financial Report of the Seventh Council. Prior to the election, staff presented the explanatory notes on the nomination of candidates for the Eighth Council, the Standing Council, and Vice Presidents. Zhu Jidong, Secretary-General of the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism, explained the election procedures. Following more than two hours of balloting, the Eighth National Congress first elected the Eighth Council of the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism, consisting of 182 directors. Subsequently, the first meeting of the Eighth Council elected the Standing Council and the new leadership team. Hou Huiqin was re-elected as President. Xin Xiangyang, Zhao Jianying, Jin Minqing, Ai Silin, Sun Xiguo, Guo Jiezhong, Jiang Yingchun, Yuan Yinzhuan, Yang Shengping, Zhao Liwen, Li Jianping, Lin Jian, Yan Xiaofeng, Wu Fulai, Feng Yanli, and Yang Haifeng were elected Vice Presidents, while Zhu Jidong was elected Secretary-General.
On the morning of November 9, the Theoretical Seminar on "Philosophical Adherence and Innovation of Contemporary Chinese Marxism" and the 2019 Annual Meeting officially opened in the auditorium of the Zheng Dong Library on the Beiyangyuan Campus of Tianjin University. Zhao Meirong, Deputy Secretary of the Tianjin University Party Committee, and Professor Hou Huiqin, President of the Association and Director of the CASS Research Center for National Cultural Security and Ideological Construction, delivered opening remarks. The opening ceremony was chaired by Research Fellow Xin Xiangyang, Vice President of the Association and Deputy Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies.
In her address, Zhao Meirong stated that this seminar coincides with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the convocation of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee. With the theme of "Philosophical Adherence and Innovation of Contemporary Chinese Marxism," the seminar is designed to conduct an in-depth summary of the fundamental experience of the 70 years since the founding of New China from the perspective of historical materialism, and to study major theoretical and practical issues facing China's development and the Party’s governance. This seminar will play a vital role in further studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, while promoting adherence and innovation in contemporary Marxist philosophy.
Professor Hou Huiqin noted in his speech that this meeting reached a record high in attendance, and he expressed gratitude to the organizers and participants on behalf of the Association. He emphasized that this meeting is of particular significance for the Association's development, especially given the successful completion of the leadership transition. He expressed confidence that under the guidance of the new leadership and through the collective efforts of the Council and all members, the Association would achieve better and faster development. Professor Hou pointed out the necessity of a deeper understanding of the scientific nature of Marxism. He argued that the scientific character of Marxism lies not only in its capacity to encompass natural and empirical sciences but also in its ability to resolve problems that those sciences cannot—namely, the unity of knowledge and faith, and of phenomenon and noumenon. Consequently, Marxism serves as the worldview and methodology for scientific research, including the natural sciences, and provides the cornerstone for constructing philosophy and social sciences in the modern sense. Only by intensifying research into Marxist philosophy can we better grasp the theme of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and clarify what exactly should be "upheld and consolidated, and what should be improved and developed" regarding the persistence of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
The inauguration ceremony for the "Tianjin University Research Center for New Media Ideological Construction" was held during the session, with Hou Huiqin and Zhao Meirong jointly unveiling the plaque. This center builds upon the solid foundation and future trajectory of Marxist theory at Tianjin University. It integrates the university’s long-standing strengths in engineering—specifically computer science, software engineering, network security, and artificial intelligence—with the development of disciplines such as journalism, communication, and law. The aim is to enhance the capacity for empirical research in Marxist theory and accelerate the deep integration of cross-disciplinary studies to advance scholarly work on major domestic and international theoretical and practical issues.
Following the opening ceremony, the congress held an academic symposium on the theme "Philosophical Adherence and Innovation of Contemporary Chinese Marxism." Professor Hou Huiqin delivered the keynote report titled "Basic Experience in Adhering to and Improving the Institutional System of Communist Party Leadership." In his report, he noted that the system of socialist governance has been a long-standing challenge that the world socialist movement had not fully resolved. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee comprehensively elucidated the components of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, indicating that our national system has achieved preliminary maturation and refinement. He identified four primary reasons why the CPC was able to achieve this historic breakthrough: first, the Party has consistently withstood pressure, identified key problems, held the bottom line, followed the tide of history, and continued to break new ground; second, it has maintained an independent, controllable, and orderly reform and opening up; third, it has consistently adhered to bottom-line thinking to prevent and defuse major risks and avoid "subversive errors" [1]; and fourth, it has found an effective path to maintain the Party’s advanced nature and purity. Professor Hou pointed out that the "staying true to our original aspiration and founding mission" [2] theme education is of great significance for the Party's self-revolution. This education "establishes the soul" for Party building by ensuring we "never forget our roots" and remain grounded in the Party’s essence, character, and capability; it "establishes the law" for the Party's prosperity by ensuring we "never change quality," maintaining our nature regardless of how far we progress or how much circumstances change; and it "establishes the voice" for the Party’s vigilance by ensuring we "never succumb to complacency," maintaining an awareness of gaps and a sense of potential crisis [3] regardless of the scale of our achievements.
Keynote speeches were delivered by eleven experts and scholars, including Research Fellow Xin Xiangyang, Research Fellow Zhao Jianying (Party Secretary and President of China Social Sciences Press), Professor Wu Fulai, Professor Guo Jiezhong, Senior Editor Wei Shu (Editorial Board Member of People’s Daily Overseas Edition), Research Fellow Feng Yanli, Professor Sun Xiguo, Professor Liu Shulin, Professor Wang Yan, Research Fellow Hao Qingjie, and Professor Zheng Chengjun. They conducted in-depth discussions on subjects such as the adherence to and innovation of Marxist philosophy within Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the construction of a discourse system for philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics based on a philosophical worldview and methodology. The keynote sessions were chaired by Professor Yan Xiaofeng and Research Fellow Li Jianguo.
On the afternoon of the 9th, the seminar moved into five sub-forums: "Chinese Institutions, Governance, and Historical Materialism"; "Innovation and Development of Historical Materialism by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era"; "Major Issues in Ideological Construction in the New Era"; "The Materialist Conception of History and Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era"; and "Philosophical Foundations for Comprehensively Building a Modern Socialist Country." More than 300 experts and scholars engaged in presentations and interactive discussions. These forums were chaired by Professors Liu Lvhong, Gu Linhui, Sun Lanying, Liu Guizhan, Hua Zhengxue, Zhang Zhidan, Zhao Huachun, Liang Jianxin, and Han Meiqun.
The academic symposium continued on the 10th with keynote speeches from seven scholars, including Research Fellow Jin Minqing, Professor Yuan Yinzhuan, Professor Yang Shengping, Professor Yan Xiaofeng, Research Fellow Zhu Jidong, Professor Li Yan, and Professor Li Fuyan. Professor Zhao Liwen from the Central Party School chaired this phase. Subsequently, representatives from the five sub-forums reported on their research findings.
The closing ceremony was chaired by Professor Yuan Yinzhuan, and Research Fellow Zhu Jidong delivered the concluding report. Zhu Jidong noted that, thanks to the meticulous organization of Tianjin University, the congress was a gathering of unity, success, and progress. The leadership transition was conducted under strict procedures. He observed that the experts provided a "spiritual feast" [4] of ideas centered on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee. The combination of keynote reports and group discussions deepened the communication between scholars through the "clash of ideas." Finally, Professor Hou Huiqin concluded with a speech outlining requirements and expectations for the Association's future development.
The convocation of this congress, occurring on the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China, serves as a significant academic exchange for the domestic Marxist philosophical community. By summarizing the 70-year experience of New China through the lens of historical materialism, the event holds great theoretical and practical significance for the further study, research, promotion, and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress.
Source: "Ideological Torch" (思想火炬) WeChat Public Account Web Editor: Xinran