Wang Puqu: Building China's Independent Knowledge System in the Process of Chinese Modernization

On February 7, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized at the opening ceremony of a study session for principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels to study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC: "Chinese-path modernization is deeply rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture; it embodies the advanced nature of scientific socialism, draws upon and absorbs all outstanding achievements of human civilization, represents the developmental direction of human civilizational progress, presents a new vista different from Western modernization models, and constitutes a brand-new form of human civilization." The General Secretary's important speech indicates that constructing a Chinese independent knowledge system within the process of Chinese-path modernization is the developmental direction and path for Chinese philosophy and social sciences.

Chinese-path Modernization and the Construction of a Chinese Independent Knowledge System. Constructing a Chinese independent knowledge system during the process of Chinese-path modernization is a fundamental requirement of dialectical materialism and historical materialism. Chinese-path modernization is the root and source of the independent knowledge system, while the Chinese independent knowledge system is the cognitive crystallization of Chinese-path modernization. Constructing a Chinese independent knowledge system within this process is an essential manifestation of the laws governing the development of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.

Advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization is a major mission and task of the Party. "From this day forward, the central task of the Communist Party of China will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal ^[1] of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization." Chinese-path modernization is the main thread of the work of the Party and the state.

The central tasks of the Party and the state impose significant theoretical and practical demands on the construction of a Chinese independent knowledge system. Chinese philosophy and social sciences must respond to these requirements, provide intellectual support, and contribute wisdom through independent theories, knowledge, and methods.

Chinese-path modernization is a modernization in which material civilization and spiritual civilization are coordinated. A Chinese independent knowledge system is, in essence, the cognitive achievement, spiritual condensation, and cultural creation of Chinese-path modernization. Therefore, constructing a Chinese independent knowledge system is both a component of the new form of civilization created by Chinese-path modernization and the practical path for Chinese philosophy and social sciences to take their place among the world's academic community.

The Practical Premises for Constructing a Chinese Independent Knowledge System. Chinese-path modernization stipulates the fundamental purpose of a Chinese independent knowledge system: namely, to serve the people, to serve the Party's governance of the country, to serve Chinese-path modernization, and to contribute to the cause of human progress.

Chinese-path modernization determines the fundamental positioning of the Chinese independent knowledge system: namely, to be rooted in China and the cause of human progress, committed to solving Chinese problems through Chinese scholarship, advancing Chinese scholarship through Chinese practice, and contributing to human civilization through original Chinese theories, knowledge, and methods.

Chinese-path modernization contains unique perspectives on the world, values, history, civilization, democracy, and ecology. These stipulate the value orientation, value content, value inclination, and value utility of the Chinese independent knowledge system.

Chinese-path modernization provides the empirical basis, source of knowledge, theoretical cornerstone, and yardstick for testing the Chinese independent knowledge system. It constitutes the empirical material, subjective content, innovative drive, basis for argumentation, and verification standards of this system.

Chinese Principles for Constructing an Independent Knowledge System. The core requirement for constructing an independent knowledge system is to persist in and implement the basic stance, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism—particularly those of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This involves persisting in putting the people first, maintaining self-confidence and self-reliance, upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, remaining problem-oriented, applying systems thinking, and maintaining a global perspective.

Deeply study the laws of development of Chinese-path modernization. Starting from the basic contradictions of society and the primary contradiction ^[2] in society, we must reveal the laws of developmental modernization by combining the modernization of human society with Chinese-path modernization. We must elucidate the fundamental driving force, cultural undertones, strategies, tactics, and developmental patterns of Chinese-path modernization.

Profoundly clarify the fundamental characteristics and essential attributes of Chinese-path modernization. We must thoroughly explain that Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China. The leadership of the Party is the fundamental characteristic and essential requirement of Chinese-path modernization, and socialist modernization is its essential attribute.

Thoroughly expound upon the inherent logic, academic rationale, philosophical principles, legal basis, and mechanisms of Chinese-path modernization. Drawing from multiple disciplines and fields, we must tangibly analyze the specific scenarios, cultural stipulations, institutional backgrounds, and constraints of Chinese-path modernization. By closely integrating theoretical generalizations with practical requirements, we shall construct a Chinese independent knowledge system.

Adhere to a major problem-oriented approach in constructing the Chinese independent knowledge system. We must "continuously propose new ideas, new thinking, and new methods that truly solve problems." We must answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times ^[3] to arrive at scientific understandings that conform to objective laws, forming theoretical achievements that advance with the times to better guide Chinese practice.

Persist in the fundamental stance of centeredness on the people. In the construction of a Chinese independent knowledge system, we must deeply implement the fundamental stance and essential requirement that Chinese-path modernization is for the people, relies on the people, and serves the people.

Maintain a perspective of "Great History" and a global vision in Chinese-path modernization and the construction of a Chinese independent knowledge system. We should construct the Chinese independent knowledge system starting from the history of human society and the development of modernization. Through comparative studies of civilizations, we can reveal and summarize the unique laws, Chinese characteristics, and developmental patterns of Chinese-path modernization.