The 12th Academic Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism by the Academy of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Successfully Held

On July 2, 2022, the 12th Scholarly Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism, organized by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), was successfully held at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies and Gannan Normal University. This scholarly forum was co-hosted by the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies and Gannan Normal University, and organized by the Department of Research on the Sinicization of Marxism at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the School of Marxism at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the School of Marxism at Gannan Normal University, and the Research Center for the Revolutionary Spirit of the Communist Party of China and Cultural Resources at Gannan Normal University. Co-organizers included the editorial boards of Marxist Studies (Makesizhuyi Yanjiu), World Socialism Studies (Shijie Shehuizhuyi Yanjiu), Frontline (Qianxian), Theory and Criticism (Lilun yu Pinglun), and the Journal of Red Culture (Hongse Wenhua Xuekan). Taking "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the New Leap Forward in the Sinicization of Marxism" as its theme, the forum was conducted through a combination of online and offline sessions.

At the opening ceremony, Secretary Xin Xiangyang of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies and Professor Zhu Xiaoli, President of Gannan Normal University, delivered speeches on behalf of the host institutions. Secretary Xin Xiangyang proposed that we must deeply research and explain the scientific internal logic, historical status, and major significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; deeply research and explain the theoretical value and practical significance of the new leap forward in the Sinicization of Marxism; and deeply research and explain the series of new concepts, new propositions, and new judgments put forward since the 18th National Congress ^[1]. Simultaneously, Secretary Xin Xiangyang delivered a keynote report titled "The Path by Which Marxism Activates Chinese Civilization." Researcher Lin Jianhua, Deputy Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, presided over the opening ceremony.

During the thematic report session, Professor Sun Xiguo from the School of Marxism at Peking University, Professor Wang Shuyin from the School of Marxism at Beijing Normal University, Professor Zhang Zhanbin, Dean of the School of Marxism at the Central Party School of the CPC (National Academy of Governance), and Professor Zhou Lisheng, Vice President of Jiangxi Normal University, delivered reports. Their respective topics were: "Original Contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to Marxism," "Fundamental Experiences of the Sinicization of Marxism," "Original Contributions of Xi Jinping’s Economic Thought," and "Reflections on the Communist Party of China as the Highest Force of Political Leadership." Professor Qiu Xiaoyun, Vice President of Gannan Normal University, presided over this session.

In the first round of thematic presentations, Researcher Liu Zhiming, Director of the Department of Research on the Sinicization of Marxism at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, focused on "The Marxist Theoretical Foundations of the 'Two Establishments'"; Professor Chen Shifa, Vice President of Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, discussed "A Multi-dimensional Interpretation of Grasping Historical Initiative ^[2]"; Researcher Li Jianguo, Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Office Director of Marxist Studies, spoke on "The Persistence of the People-Centered Position by New Era Chinese Communists"; Professor Zhang Zhidan, Dean of the School of Marxism at Shanghai Normal University, addressed "Original Innovations in Ideological Work in the New Era"; Associate Professor Wang Weiguo, Deputy Dean of the School of Marxism at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explored "An Analysis of Spiritual Initiative under the Macro-View of History ^[3]"; and Professor Yao Hongyue, Deputy Dean of the School of Marxism at Beijing Technology and Business University, shared "Several Insights into Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the Essence of Chinese Culture and the Chinese Spirit in Our Times." Professor He Xinchun, Dean of the School of Marxism at Gannan Normal University, presided over this session.

In the second round of thematic presentations, Researcher Di Chengguang from the Anhui Academy of Social Sciences discussed "The New Positioning of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era"; Professor Fang Guangshun from Liaoning University addressed "Ideals, Beliefs, and Cotinguing to Advance the Sinicization of Marxism"; Shen Yang, Director of the Research Office for the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, spoke on "Three Frontier Issues in the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics"; Associate Professor Zhang Xiao from the School of Marxism at Soochow University explored "Multi-dimensional Major Advancements of the Marxist View of the State by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era"; Researcher Peng Haihong from the Research Office for the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies examined "Characteristics and Significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on the Three Rural Issues ^[4]"; Lecturer Ma Hongshun from the School of Marxism at Tianjin Normal University discussed "New Developments in Marxist Thought on Common Prosperity in the New Era"; Professor Xia Chunyu, Director of the Development Planning Office at Wenzhou University, analyzed "Basic Dimensions of CPC Organizational Building in the New Era"; and Professor Wang Dezhao from the School of Marxism at Tongren University explored "The Historical Connotations of the CPC’s Original Aspiration and Founding Mission." Researcher He Xinyuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Research on the Sinicization of Marxism at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, presided over this session.

In the third round of thematic presentations, Assistant Researcher Yang Binbin from the Research Office for the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies spoke on "The Rationality of the Concept of a 'New Form of Human Civilization'"; Lecturer Li Jian from the School of Marxism at Xiamen University discussed "The Multiple Meanings of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Important Expositions on Whole-Process People’s Democracy"; Liu Qi, a doctoral student at the School of Marxism at Nankai University, presented "General Views of Foreign Scholars on Chinese-path Modernization and Their Critical Analysis"; Associate Professor Cheng Xiaoqiang from the School of Marxism at Gannan Normal University spoke on "The Logical Interaction between the CPC’s Original Aspiration and Founding Mission and the Principal Contradiction in Society ^[5]"; Yang Chuan, a graduate student at the School of Philosophy and Social Development at Guizhou University, discussed "Contemporary Enlightenment of the View of Marriage and Family in Engels' The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State"; and Wang Liyuan, a graduate student at the School of Marxism at Gannan Normal University, focused on "The 'Way' and 'Logic' of China’s Response to Great Changes Unseen in a Century ^[6]." Professor Zheng Qing, Party Secretary of the School of Marxism at Gannan Normal University, presided over this session.

Professor Qiu Xiaoyun, Vice President of Gannan Normal University, presided over the closing ceremony and provided a summary of the forum.

As a regular forum of the Institute of Marxism Studies, the Scholarly Forum on the Sinicization of Marxism has been successfully held eleven times since its inception, with this year marking the twelfth. This forum attracted high attention from experts, scholars, and academic colleagues across the country in the fields of the Sinicization of Marxism and the study of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. According to statistics, more than 150 experts, scholars, teachers, and students participated in the forum both online and offline.

The holding of this forum helps us take the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee as our guide, persist in the macro-view of history, and comprehensively interpret the major achievements and historical experience of the Party’s century of struggle. It aids in grounding ourselves in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era to systematically study and scientifically explain Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It contributes to deepening theoretical research and the publicity and explanation of the glorious century-long journey of the Sinicization of Marxism. Furthermore, it strengthens academic exchange among researchers of the Sinicization of Marxism and socialism with Chinese characteristics across the country, promoting the disciplinary development of the Sinicization of Marxism.