2018 · The 5th National Forum on the Development of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Successfully Held
The Chinese Social Sciences Net (reported by correspondents Liu Xukuan and Liang Yuchun) — From September 29 to October 1, 2018, the 5th National Forum on the Development of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics was successfully held at Xinjiang Normal University. The theme of the forum was "Reform and Opening-up and the Development of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era." This forum was hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Xinjiang Normal University. It was organized by the Department of Marxist Development Research at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies and the School of Marxism at Xinjiang Normal University, with co-sponsorship from the editorial boards of Marxism Studies (Makesizhuyi Yanjiu) and Studies on Marxist Theory Disciplines (Makesizhuyi Lilun Xueke Yanjiu).
Deng Chundong, Party Committee Secretary of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, and Parhati Jalal, President of Xinjiang Normal University, delivered successive opening addresses. More than 200 participants from CASS, major universities, research institutions, and academic journals across the country attended the forum, where several experts and scholars delivered keynote speeches. Liu Zhiming, Director of the Department of Marxist Development Research at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, presided over the opening ceremony, and Vice President Sun Xiuling of Xinjiang Normal University delivered the concluding remarks.
Deng Chundong — a researcher, member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) [1], and Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies — emphasized in his speech the profound significance of hosting the Forum on the Development of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and put forward three expectations. First, he hoped the research findings of this forum would contribute to the summation of experiences and lessons from the 40 years of China's reform and opening-up. Second, he hoped that through this forum, the research and dissemination of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of theories on comprehensively deepening reform would play an active role in further advancing reform efforts. Finally, he hoped that such forums would be utilized to continuously deepen the systematic understanding of the laws [2] governing all aspects of socialism with Chinese characteristics, providing intellectual support for the development of Chinese socialism.
Parhati Jalal, President of Xinjiang Normal University, noted in his address that Marxist theory is the power of truth for adhering to and developing the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and consolidating the CPC's governing position. He stated it is also the conceptual "magic weapon" [3] for resisting the infiltration of various social trends of thought and winning the struggle in the ideological sphere. He remarked that this forum is of great significance, as the theoretical achievements of the experts and scholars not only assist the development of the discipline of Marxism but also provide the essential theoretical foundation required for maintaining social stability and long-term peace and security [4] in Xinjiang.
Focusing on the theme "Reform and Opening-up and the Development of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics," experts conducted insightful academic exchanges from diverse perspectives and multidimensional levels. The participating scholars maintained that reform and opening-up broke through all ideological and institutional obstacles hindering the development of the nation and the people. It opened the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, allowing China to catch up with the times in "great strides" [5]. We are now closer than at any time in history to realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and are increasingly moving toward the center of the world stage. It is necessary to fully recognize the major historical significance and epochal value of reform and opening-up for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Some scholars argued that reform and opening-up must adhere to a consciousness of "red lines" and "bottom lines," maintaining the correct direction of reform and ensuring that no "subversive errors" [6] are committed. Integrating the reality of Xinjiang, some scholars pointed out that the CPC Central Committee’s strategy for governing Xinjiang is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They described it as the vivid practice of this Thought in Xinjiang and the guide to action for performing Xinjiang-related work effectively. Other scholars elucidated the innovation and practice of the theory of the Sinicization of Marxism, noting that the 40 years of contemporary Chinese reform and opening-up constitute a great social revolution under the guidance of Marxism. Some scholars discussed the epochal mission of the philosophy of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era from the levels of thinking paradigms, innovation, and construction. Furthermore, from an interdisciplinary perspective, scholars mapped the multi-spectrum forms of values in current society and their influence; others explored the issue of building a "clean and upright" [7] cyberspace ideology and the issue of "leading practice with the posture of 'taking an exam'" [8], while proposing policy countermeasures.
The consensus was that reform and opening-up is the driving force for carving out socialism with Chinese characteristics and the "magic weapon" for its development. We must unswervingly and comprehensively deepen reform and promote the formation of a new pattern of comprehensive opening-up to provide inexhaustible momentum for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and to win new victories for Chinese socialism in the New Era.
The experts concluded that the great achievements of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics have established a unique temporal coordinate. These achievements demonstrate a new journey of socialist development and highlight the bright future of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the future developmental context of humanity, socialism with Chinese characteristics—with confidence in its path, theory, system, and culture—will inevitably forge a new and great era. It will continue to meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life and proclaim the new future of socialism within the historical process of the "Two Inevitabilities" [9].