2025 Development Report on Marxist Theory Research
Theoretical innovation is the important magic weapon [1] through which the Communist Party of China has achieved glorious successes over its century-long history; it is the fundamental guarantee for the development of the cause of the Party and the state. In the historical coordinates of the New Era, we must attach great importance to theoretical innovation and continuously deepen our understanding of the patterns governing the development of Marxist theory. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed: "Deepen the study, promotion, and education of the Party's innovative theories, and unremittingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to coagulate the soul and cast the spirit." Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the fundamental guide for constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. Adhering to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the banner and soul is the most prominent characteristic of the times and the most distinct theoretical character of every discipline within philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. To fulfill the major tasks of Marxist theoretical research in the New Era—a solemn historical mission bestowed upon us by the times—we must persist in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, continuously open new paths for development, and explore new modes and methods.
Progress and Highlights of Marxist Theoretical Research
In his "Speech at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences," General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Faced with a new situation where social ideas and value orientations are increasingly active, mainstream and non-mainstream ideas coexist, and social trends of thought are swirling and surging, how to consolidate the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field, cultivate and practice the core socialist values, and consolidate the common ideological basis for the united struggle of the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups throughout the country urgently requires philosophy and social sciences to play a better role." The year 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Marxism as a first-level discipline [2]. Based on the accumulated development of the discipline and keeping close to the pulse of the times, the Marxist theoretical community has pushed forward in depth around several major directions: the systematized and academic research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories, the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, new contemporary responses to classical Marxist theory, and the review and reflection on the 20th anniversary of the Marxist theory discipline. This has resulted in a wealth of research outcomes that both deepen basic theoretical research and strengthen the observation of practical issues.
First, new progress has been made in leading the construction of an autonomous knowledge system through the systematized and academic research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories. Providing academic and systematic expositions of Sinicized and modernized Marxism is a fine theoretical innovation tradition of the CPC. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Promoting the systematization and academicization of theory is an intrinsic requirement and an important path for theoretical innovation." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping, standing in the historical coordinates of the New Era and coordinating the overall international and domestic situations, has founded Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era with immense courage for theoretical innovation. This theoretical system is rigorous in structure, strict in logic, rich in connotation, and profound in scope. It integrates Marxist philosophy, political economy, and scientific socialism, covering various fields such as reform, development, and stability; internal affairs, foreign policy, and national defense; and the governance of the Party, the state, and the military. It has formed a series of important principled results and made a series of major original contributions. The innovative theories of the Party in the New Era are fruitful; they require researchers to deeply sort through their internal logic, conceptual links, and practical foundations to promote the elevation of "original viewpoints" into a "scientific system." This requires the theoretical and academic communities to strengthen research from the perspectives of systematization and academicization. In 2025, the Marxist theoretical community conducted in-depth study, promotion, research, interpretation, and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, exhibiting a continuously deepening logical thread: shifting from early investigations of its origins, interpretations of its connotations, and summaries of its ideological characteristics toward deeper systematized and academic research, gradually rising to the academic interpretation of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Simultaneously, the theoretical and academic communities have conducted systematic research and interpretation of various components of this Thought as well as the new ideas and viewpoints proposed during its continuous development.
Second, revolving around the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, research on important "identifying concepts" [3] has been advanced. The Marxist theoretical community attaches great importance to the significance of the Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (hereinafter referred to as the "15th Five-Year Plan Recommendations"). By actively conducting research and interpretation, the academic community generally believes that the "15th Five-Year Plan Recommendations" determine the scientific theoretical basis, policy foundation, strategic planning, forward-looking deployment, and practical requirements for the Party to lead the people in comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period. This fully reflects the historical initiative and powerful leadership of the Party in leading the people to write a new chapter of the "two miracles" of rapid economic development and long-term social stability [4], and in striving to create a new situation for Chinese-path modernization. This will surely guide and promote high-quality economic and social development during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, laying a more solid foundation for basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035. Centering on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, the academic community has continuously deepened research on important identifying concepts such as Chinese-path modernization and staged development.
Third, basic theoretical research has exhibited the dual characteristics of detailed textual analysis and practical resonance. In 2025, basic Marxist theoretical research focused on the deep mining of classical works and the contemporary theoretical explanatory power of basic principles, breaking through the limitations of traditional research paradigms and achieving an organic unity between textual interpretation and realistic concerns.
Fourth, the era-defining direction of the development of the Marxist theory discipline has been clarified through review and reflection. The year 2025 is the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Marxism as a first-level discipline and the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the "05 Scheme" [5] for ideological and political theory courses. The Marxist theoretical community has launched a series of theoretical summaries regarding the discipline's 20-year history, major experiences, and future prospects, providing clear path guidance for its long-term development.
In-depth Promotion of Systematized and Academic Research and Interpretation of the Party’s Innovative Theories
To carry out systematized and academic research and interpretation, one must first accurately grasp the scientific connotations and dialectical relationship between "systematization" and "academicization." Han Qingxiang of the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC (National Academy of Governance) proposed that the basic connotations of academicization include: academicizing the transformation of practical creation, academicizing the sublimation of historical experience, academicizing the interpretation of original contributions, academicizing the scientific demonstration of ideological issues, and academicizing discursive expression. The specific connotations of systematized interpretation include: determining the theoretical starting point and grounding, determining identifying categories and original judgments, determining the structural backbone and logical framework, determining the core tenets and ideological essence, and determining the philosophical foundation. Academicization is the basis and prerequisite, the function and theme of systematization; systematization is the advancement and elevation, the carrier and goal of academicization. Systematized and academic research requires systematic thinking when facing specific ideological research. Taking Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization as an example, Chen Xueming of Fudan University pointed out that current academic research mainly manifests in three aspects: research from the level of ecological governance, research from the levels of ecological economics and ecological ethics, and research from the level of ecological philosophy. All three levels are indispensable, but research from the philosophical level is the most important. The innovation of Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization regarding Marxist philosophical ontology is mainly manifested in the "human-nature symbiosis" ontology. Our ecological civilization construction is achieving great successes because it is rooted in correct philosophical theory.
Regarding the scientific connotation of the systematized and academic research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories, Cui Weihang of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) proposed that the Party's innovative theory is 21st-century Marxism and contemporary Chinese Marxism. Marxism is not a study confined to the library, nor an academic philosophy for explaining the world, but a guide to action for changing the world. The development of the Party's innovative theory has its own logic—that is, leading practical development by resolving the problems of the times. In nature, this logic is not speculative but realistic and practical. Here, it is also necessary to summarize and extract concepts, but it is not a case of "the more abstract the better"; rather, one must persist in making necessary abstractions and generalizations based on practical foundations. Abstract generalization serves practical needs and the needs of the Party's theoretical construction and theoretical arming. Regarding the induction of the power mechanism for the systematization and academicization of the Party's innovative theories, Sun Laibin of Peking University believes there are several types: first, "practice-driven theory," whose main purpose is to solve realistic problems; second, "cultural adaptation theory," emphasizing the influence of fine traditional Chinese culture on theoretical construction; third, "political construction theory," emphasizing that theory serves political needs, especially maintaining the Party's governing legitimacy; and fourth, "international interaction response theory," emphasizing how to respond to international issues.
Taking the "educational study on the in-depth implementation of the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulations" as an opportunity, theoretical research by the academic community on the Party's self-revolution and the improvement of conduct was a hot topic in 2025. It exhibited distinct characteristics of multidisciplinary integration and innovation in research methods across theoretical depth, practical dimensions, and the mining of era-defining value. Regarding the deepened research on the theoretical connotation and development of the Party's self-revolution, the academic community has deeply interpreted its theoretical origins and innovative development from the height of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxist party-building theory. The Party's self-revolution is the prominent mark distinguishing the CPC from other political parties; it is the precious experience and spiritual wealth formed by the Party during its century of struggle. Wu Fulai of Renmin University of China proposed that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thought on the Party's self-revolution is a new result achieved by our Party in adhering to the "Two Combinations" [6] to promote theoretical innovation; it is a new chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, marking a new height in our Party's understanding of the patterns of Marxist party construction and the patterns of Communist Party governance. Regarding research on the internal logical connection between the Party's self-revolution and the "spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulations," the academic community has profoundly revealed their inherent unity and dialectical relationship. Research suggests that the "spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulations" is the concrete manifestation of the Party's self-revolution in the field of conduct construction, serving as an important entry point and breakthrough for the Party to promote self-revolution. The Party's self-revolution provides the fundamental political guarantee and powerful spiritual motivation for implementing the "spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulations," while the in-depth practice of the "spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulations" is the vivid practice and important result of the Party's continuous deepening of self-revolution. Some studies further point out that both serve the construction of the Party's long-term governing capacity, and its advanced and pure nature; they are inevitable requirements for the Party to maintain flesh-and-blood ties with the people and consolidate its governing position. Scholars emphasize that implementing the "spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulations" must be treated as a normalized task in promoting the Party's self-revolution, using the actual results of conduct construction to drive the Party's self-revolution to develop in depth. Simultaneously, through the comprehensive promotion of the Party's self-revolution, a more solid ideological, organizational, and institutional foundation can be provided for the continuous deepening of the "spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulations."
The systematized and academic research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories, particularly Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, is an important responsibility bestowed upon the theoretical and academic communities by the times. However, current research and interpretation still need further strengthening. While there are currently many articles of this nature, a significant portion of the results has not truly achieved systematization and academicization, still suffering from problems such as unclear logic, vague concepts, insufficient depth, and weak support. The development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a process of continuous enrichment, refinement, systematization, and academicization. As theoretical innovation in the New Era further unfolds, research on its systematization and academicization will surely advance in depth. This requires us to deeply grasp the essential connotation of the thought, its worldview and methodology, and the standpoints, viewpoints, and methods running through it. We must comprehensively and systematically grasp the major original contributions, important principled results, and their internal logical relationships. We must understand the scientific system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era deeply, systematically, and comprehensively across the high unity of truth and value, people-centeredness and class nature, inheritance and leaps, historicity and modernity, and nationality and worldliness.
Focusing on the Research and Interpretation of the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was a highly important meeting held on the new journey of our Party marching toward the Second Centenary Goal [7]. The academic and theoretical communities have conducted extensive theoretical research around the spirit of this session. The session deliberated and adopted the...
The "Suggestions for the 15th Five-Year Plan," guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, accurately grasp the historical position of the cause of the Party and the state during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. They provide a profound analysis of the deep and complex changes facing China’s development environment during this time, offering a top-level design and strategic blueprint for development over the next five years. This represents another general mobilization and deployment to ride the momentum and continuously advance the construction of Chinese-path modernization. It is a programmatic document ensuring that decisive progress is made in basically achieving socialist modernization [8]. Furthermore, it reflects the historical initiative of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core to unite and lead the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in writing a new chapter of the "two miracles" of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, while striving to create a new situation for Chinese-path modernization.
Past Five-Year Plans have recorded the historical process of China's modernization across different periods and have allowed one of the distinct characteristics of Chinese-path modernization—its people-centered nature—to be continuously and fully demonstrated and vividly explained. The design of Five-Year Plan indicators focuses on people's livelihoods and well-being, adhering to the principle of "asking the people for their suggestions" [9]. The results of their implementation are shared by the masses, consolidating a majestic force for advancing Chinese-path modernization. Yang Mingwei of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee believes that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China's development environment will face profound and complex changes, where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and uncertain or unpredictable factors will increase. To respond to the risks and challenges of this period in a comprehensive, systematic, and scientific manner, it is necessary to scientifically master the Marxist worldview and methodology, persist in and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, establish and improve a sound institutional system while giving full play to institutional efficacy, be brave and skillful in struggle [10], rely firmly on the united struggle of all the people as the solid foundation and greatest source of confidence, and simultaneously join hands with the international community to cooperate in response.
The academic community also emphasizes grasping the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the temporal orientation of the "Suggestions for the 15th Five-Year Plan" from the perspective of the historical process of Chinese-path modernization. Some scholars suggest that Chinese-path modernization emerged from the depths of history; only by making good use of historical thinking and grasping the historical logic of this great cause with a strong sense of historical depth can one accurately understand its distinct characteristics of revolutionariness, continuity, and world-historicity. Based on the historical coordinates, theoretical origins, and major achievements of Chinese-path modernization, we must bridge the past and present, China and the world, to further summarize Chinese experience, the Chinese road, and the Chinese solution. This will accelerate the formation of an original theoretical system rooted in Chinese experience and supported by Chinese discourse, consolidating a broad consensus for advancing Chinese-path modernization. Scholars believe that Chinese-path modernization is a socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China, and its distinct planned characteristic is a significant marker distinguishing it from Western modernization models. The overall leadership of the Party is the fundamental political guarantee for the implementation of plans; the unity of long-term goals and phased tasks ensures the continuity and practicality of the modernization process; and the deep integration of top-level design with hierarchical planning has constructed a multi-level, all-encompassing planning system, ensuring that planning covers every field and link of national modernization.
The spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the "Suggestions for the 15th Five-Year Plan" contain important innovative theories of the Party that require continuous and in-depth academic research. Sun Daiyao of Peking University proposed that the "Suggestions for the 15th Five-Year Plan" focus on the relationship between pivotal tasks of the 15th Five-Year Plan period and the 2035 goal of basically achieving socialist modernization. He introduced the theory of "staircase-style progression" [11] of socialist modernization, which reflects a macro-historical view and dialectics, deepening the Party's understanding of the laws of modernization. The academic and philosophical principles contained therein merit our deep study and explanation. Xi Ge of Renmin University of China proposed that "achieving socialist modernization is a historical process of staircase-style progression and continuous development and progress." This major judgment is a fundamental theoretical innovation of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, serving as the historical and methodological foundation for scientifically determining the historical position, strategic orientation, and significant status of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, as well as for scientifically planning economic and social development during that time. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee took "promoting well-rounded human development" as the fundamental goal of economic and social development and integrated it into deployments across all fields. This profoundly reveals the essential characteristic of Chinese-path modernization as "people-centered," in contrast to the "capital-centered" nature of Western modernization. The spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee made innovative and systematic deployments regarding the unity of "institution-governance-development-humanity" and the intrinsic unity of "high-quality development" and "well-rounded human development," providing important growth points for the innovative development of basic Marxist theory.
Classics and the Era: Deepening Research on Basic Theory
The compilation of classic works and the deepening of textual research: The compilation and interpretation of classic literature remain the cornerstone of research. On the one hand, research on the relevant volumes of the second Chinese edition of the Collected Works of Marx and Engels continues to progress, providing important references for the academic community to accurately grasp classical thought. Through research on basic theory, scholars have continuously advanced the understanding of fundamental issues. Wang Nanshi of Nankai University proposed that Marx's proposition on the "abolition of philosophy" essentially signifies the end of the traditional Ancient Greek transcendental metaphysical paradigm, achieving a shift toward a "practical anthropological" way of thinking.
Faced with a new round of technological revolution and changes unseen in a century [12], how Marxist philosophy should provide ideological guidance for the future development of human society in a theoretical posture is also a hot theoretical issue. Philosophy is the essence of the spirit of the age and an important tool for understanding and transforming the world. While changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the new technological revolution—represented by artificial intelligence, big data, and large-scale models—is not only profoundly restructuring human production, lifestyles, and social forms but also presenting unprecedented temporal challenges to the philosophy and social sciences.
Scholars believe that the evolution of social forms is the product of the contradictory movement between the productive forces and the relations of production; the development of productive forces drives changes in the relations of production, which in turn trigger the replacement of social forms. Re-examining classic Marxist theory prompts new reflections on traditional philosophy under the new technological revolution. Yang Hongyuan of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) proposed that in the current era, the technological leap from digitalization to "digital intelligence" (shùzhìhuà) has become a key factor driving social development. As a transformative frontier technology of the digital intelligence era, generative AI likewise brings profound influences and challenges to research in philosophy and the social sciences. Tian Guanhao of Jilin University suggested that modern philosophy takes the consciousness of "crisis" in its own era as a starting point. This crisis is directly reflected in the contradictory experience of modern humans: on the one hand, people are clearly aware of their own power—with the development of AI and bio-genetic technology, humanity is creating a new world; on the other hand, people find that human problems cannot rely entirely on technology for resolution, and there is a need to seek the existential impulses of life within the sensory world.
Furthermore, based on Marxist theory, the academic community has critiqued new forms of contemporary capitalism, expanding the theoretical horizons of research. Zhang Wu of Peking University, from the perspective of combining the technological revolution with classic Marxist theory, proposed that the underlying logic of digital capitalism remains finance capitalism, and that a deep correlation exists between information technology and finance capitalism.
Development of the Discipline of Marxist Theory and the Construction of an Independent Knowledge System
Scholars believe that establishing the discipline of Marxist theory is an inevitable move for persisting in and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, a fundamental requirement for developing philosophy and social sciences, an important task for implementing the Project to Study and Build Marxist Theory, and a disciplinary lever for strengthening and improving ideological and political education for university students. Over the past 20 years, the discipline of Marxist theory has leapt from its foundational beginnings to prosperous development, yielding fruitful results in disciplinary layout, theoretical innovation, and talent cultivation, while driving the construction of an independent, multi-level disciplinary system. Xiao Guiqing of Tsinghua University believes that the high-quality development of the Marxist theory discipline must be scientifically planned, with in-depth analysis of problems existing in the construction process, strengthened study of documents such as Marxist classics, and reinforcement of the teaching faculty. Some scholars have proposed clarifying the relationship between the discipline of Marxist theory and the discipline of CPC History and Party Building. These two should cooperate, support, and fulfill each other: the history component provides historical support for Marxist theory, while the Party building component requires theoretical support from the Marxist theory discipline. The academic community generally believes that in the future, the discipline of Marxist theory must be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It should focus on the tasks of high-quality development, optimize disciplinary layouts and evaluation mechanisms, and build a synergy of "discipline-curriculum-teacher-textbook." This will promote the construction of an independent knowledge system for the discipline and continuously enhance international communication capacity and discourse power, contributing wisdom and strength to the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Liu Jianjun of Renmin University of China proposed that constructing an independent knowledge system for the discipline of Marxist theory should revolve closely around relevant sub-disciplines. Scholars believe that as an important frontline for Marxist theoretical research, the discipline should, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, effectively respond to the question of our times—how disciplinary construction serves national development strategies. It should further strengthen disciplinary confidence, bolster academic research, adhere to a problem-oriented approach, and reinforce disciplinary leadership to provide support for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Review of Achievements: Works, Papers, and Conferences
The "Academic Seminar on the Systematization and Theoretical Explanation of the Party's Innovative Theories" hosted by the Social Sciences in China Press revolved around the theme of "The Logic of Theoretical Innovation in the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism." It conducted in-depth explorations of the logic of theoretical innovation in the process of Sinicizing and modernizing Marxism, and engaged in deep exchanges regarding the great significance, logical paths, and methods of the systematization and theoretical explanation of the Party's innovative theories. This resulted in a series of academic achievements. Han Qingxiang of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) published the monograph Research on the Basic Issues of 21st-Century Marxism (Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, 2025). From an academic perspective, it provides a deep analysis of a series of fundamental issues of 21st-century Marxism. On this basis, it outlines a complete picture of 21st-century Marxism along a general framework of "clearing and summarizing," "basic path," "basic meaning," "foundation of formation," "foundational issues," "the Chinese sample," "original contributions," "theoretical markers," "philosophical foundations," and "overall framework." Han Xiping of Jilin University, in the article "Exploring the Path to Promoting the Systematization and Theoretical Explanation of the Party's Innovative Theories" (Journal of the Communist Party of China Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), Issue 6, 2025), proposed that a series of regular understandings can be refined in the process: first, using a problem-oriented approach as the basic method; second, using the testing of practice and policy as the construction path; third, using the refinement of developmental experience as the mode of formation; fourth, using an independent knowledge system to elevate theoretical rigor; and fifth, using the dissemination of a discourse system to enhance influence. There is an intrinsic theoretical logic between the research on systematization and theoretical explanation of the Party's innovative theories and the construction of an independent knowledge system. Wu Xiaoming of Fudan University, in the paper "The Basic Path to Constructing China's Independent Knowledge System" (Fudan Journal (Social Sciences Edition), Issue 6, 2025), argued that the explicit proposal of "Chinese-path modernization" means that today's modernizing practice in China has reached a level of self-awareness: while actively learning from and drawing on external experience, it is completely grounded in itself. Consequently, its entire superstructure—including knowledge, academia, and culture—will undergo a corresponding transformation. The contemporary task of constructing China's independent knowledge system was precisely put forward on the basis of this historic practice. However, this task will not be completed spontaneously just because it has a practical foundation; the construction of an independent knowledge system must still be truly realized through specific ideological and theoretical paths.
The "Marxist Philosophy Youth Academic Forum (2025)," themed "The New Technological Revolution and the Marxist Philosophical Tradition," explored the theoretical posture Marxist philosophy should adopt to provide ideological guidance for the future development of human society in the face of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and the world’s profound changes unseen in a century [13]. A series of discussions centered on the twenty-year developmental history, primary experiences, and future prospects of the discipline of Marxist theory were held at several major conferences. These included the academic seminar "Accelerating the Construction of an Independent Knowledge System for the Discipline of Marxist Theory," hosted by Renmin University of China to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the discipline’s establishment; the commemorative meeting for the 20th anniversary of the discipline and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the School of Marxism at Jilin University; and the academic seminar "Continuously Advancing the Sinicization and Modernization of Marxism," hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) to mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of its Institute of Marxism Studies.
Reflection and Prospect
Reviewing the research on Marxist theory over the past year, three significant developmental trends have emerged overall. First, the theoretical community has more consciously assumed the mission of our times to interpret the Party's innovative theories, dedicating itself to promoting the systematization and academic theorization of research. Through systematic collation and in-depth analysis, scholars have continuously enriched the theoretical inner meaning and enhanced its scientific nature and guiding capacity. Second, in the face of the profound transformations brought about by the new round of scientific and technological revolution, the academic community has proactively responded to new challenges. It has focused on innovation through inheritance, continuously stimulating the vitality of the basic principles and classical theories of Marxism, and striving to construct comprehensive and systematic theoretical responses to adapt to the new requirements of the times. Finally, research has consistently adhered to a problem-oriented approach, centering closely on the rich practice of building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. By responding to real-world problems and summarizing fresh experiences, researchers have continued to drive the innovation and development of the theory itself, manifesting the powerful vitality and practical value of Marxism.
Under the conditions of the New Era, research in Marxist theory has achieved a series of advances this year. However, we must also note that Marxist theoretical research should not merely involve pure theoretical deduction within an ivory tower, nor should academic research be treated solely as a scholar’s personal monologue or academic fabrication. Marxist research must avoid the following tendencies:
First is the tendency toward "academicization" and "neutralization," which blurs the theory's ideological attributes, reduces Marxist theoretical research to pure academic exploration, and ignores its distinct class nature and practical orientation. Second is the tendency toward "textualization" and "mystification," which detaches research from the reality the theory is meant to observe. This approach explains major Marxist propositions based solely on texts, alienating Marxist research into a textual game or conceptual collage divorced from reality. Third is the tendency toward "individualization" and "opposition," where Marx's thought is studied in isolation, sometimes even leading to the pitting of Marx and Engels against other classical authors. Fourth is the tendency toward "forced interpretation," using Western or one's own conceptual frameworks to forcibly explain Marx. While Marxist research can proceed from different angles, one must avoid absolutizing any single research paradigm. Fifth is the tendency toward "fragmentation" and "utilitarianism," which neglects the construction of the theoretical system as a whole. We must prevent Marxism from being carved into a "knowledge platter" of unrelated pieces or sacrificing academic accumulation for the sake of short-term results.
Rooted in our times and facing the future, Marxist theoretical research must, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, base itself on the realities of the rapid developments and changes in contemporary China and the world today. It must firmly grasp the fundamental theme of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and profoundly answer major questions of the times—such as how to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, how to comprehensively build a great modern socialist country, and how to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. It must address major practical issues concerning the overall development of the Party and state and the well-being of the people. Through the process of researching, answering, and solving these problems, it must form scientific judgments and theoretical reflections, refine and condense new experiences from practice, and generate original new ideas and viewpoints, thereby enriching and developing contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism.
(Authors: Marxist Theory Editorial Department, Social Sciences in China Press Drafted by: Li Xiaoxiao and Wang Zhiqiang) Source: China Social Science Daily (January 21, 2026) Editor: Huihui