Luo Wendong: A Programmatic Document for the Prosperity and Development of Philosophy and Social Sciences in the New Era
Philosophy and the social sciences act as the study of the essential attributes and laws of development of the world in its totality and of every field of social life. They are an important force for guiding humanity in both understanding and transforming the world, and in promoting social progress and the advancement of history. On May 17, 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Seminar on Philosophy and Social Sciences (referred to hereafter as the Speech), which accurately analyzed the status, role, current situation, and tasks of our nation’s philosophy and social sciences, as well as the major problems to be solved. It profoundly elucidated a series of major issues, including the historical mission, guiding ideology, fundamental requirements, and political guarantees for contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences, providing a scientific guide and fundamental compliance for the flourishing of philosophy and social sciences in the New Era. The Speech is profound in its vision, rich in connotation, and unifies essence with application [1]. It deepens our Party’s understanding of the essential laws of philosophy and the social sciences and provides a top-level design and strategic deployment for their development. It is a programmatic document of milestone significance that guides the philosophy and social sciences of our country to uphold the fundamentals and break new ground. In the ten years since its publication, the Speech has served as an ideological beacon, guiding us to establish and persist in the fundamental system of the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field, to deepen the research and construction of Marxist theory, and to promote the arming of the whole Party, the education of the people, and the guidance of practice with the Party’s innovative theories. We strive to build a philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics that possesses an optimized disciplinary layout, solid academic foundations, high levels of scientific research, strong service capabilities, and significant international influence, continuously opening new vistas for the development of philosophy and social sciences.
Elucidating the Important Status, Situation, and Tasks of Philosophy and Social Sciences
As a high-level crystallization of the development of human culture and a core element of spiritual civilization, philosophy and the social sciences constitute the essence of the national spirit and the spirit of the age, concentrating the finest and most precious intellectual essence of the people. The Speech begins with a broad perspective, observing the evolutionary context and profound influence of philosophy and social sciences within the grand history of the world and our country’s development. It emphasizes that our Party has always attached great importance to philosophy and social sciences and has vigorously promoted their development. From the strategic height of the overall situation of persisting in and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Speech analyzes the new situation facing our country’s philosophy and social sciences, emphasizing that “the status of our country’s philosophy and social sciences is more important than ever, and their tasks more arduous.”
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that we face a new situation where social thoughts, concepts, and value orientations are increasingly active; where mainstream and non-mainstream ideas coexist; and where social currents of thought are surging and clashing. We face a new situation where the economy has entered a “new normal,” and the international development environment has undergone profound changes. We face a new situation where reform has entered a period of "tough challenges" and a "deep-water zone" [2], where various deep-seated contradictions and problems are continuously emerging, and where various risks and challenges are increasing. We face a new situation of global exchange, integration, and confrontation between various ideologies and cultures. We face a new situation where comprehensively and strictly governing the Party has entered an important stage, and the risks and tests facing the Party are manifesting in a concentrated manner. Given these, we must coordinately promote the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four Comprehensives strategic layout, realize the Two Centenary Goals, and achieve the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation—all of which urgently require philosophy and the social sciences to play a better role.
Adhering to dialectical thinking and a problem-oriented approach, the Speech comprehensively analyzes the great progress and achievements made by Chinese philosophy and social sciences in the New Era, as well as the prominent problems and deficiencies that persist, thereby pointing out the direction and goals for development. On one hand, the disciplinary system of our philosophy and social sciences has been continuously refined, the ranks of talent have grown, research levels and innovation capabilities have improved, and achievements in research and teaching have continuously emerged, making major contributions to persisting in and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. On the other hand, the overall level of construction of the disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system of our philosophy and social sciences is not yet high; academic originality is still weak; and the management systems and operational mechanisms are not yet perfect. It is "still in a state where there is quantity but a lack of quality, and experts but a lack of masters, and its role has not been fully exerted." To change this situation, the broad ranks of philosophy and social science workers must redouble their efforts, build on strengths while addressing weaknesses, and make tangible and significant progress in solving the prominent problems of our philosophy and social sciences.
The development of practice is the source of theoretical innovation, and the changes of the times are the driving force of scientific progress. Contemporary China is undergoing the most extensive and profound social transformation in history and is conducting the most grand and unique practical exploration. This will inevitably provide an inexhaustible source and powerful impetus for philosophy and the social sciences. Great social transformations call for the great flourishing of philosophy and the social sciences, which in turn promotes great leaps forward for the era. Looking ahead, the Speech notes that we are in an era that needs ideological theory and is certainly capable of producing it. It calls upon all philosophy and social science workers with ideals and ambitions to "stand at the forefront of the tide of the times, understand the changes from ancient to modern times, and voice the precursors of thought; actively speak and write, and offer suggestions and strategies for the Party and the people, shouldering the glorious mission bestowed by history." Over the past decade, under the guidance of the spirit of the Speech, from the central government to the localities, and from universities to research institutes, the level of attention and support given to philosophy and social sciences has been unprecedented. Disciplinary settings, funding, and talent training have increased significantly, ushering in a New Era and a period of opportunity for flourishing development.
Emphasizing that Philosophy and Social Sciences Must Adhere to Marxism as Guidance
The choice of ideological theory for guidance determines the nature and direction of philosophy and the social sciences. Marxism is a scientific worldview and methodology, a sharp ideological weapon for the proletariat and the broad masses of the people, and the guiding ideology and spiritual banner of communists worldwide. When Marxism was introduced to China, the face of Chinese scholarship underwent a total renewal and profoundly influenced the developmental process of Chinese civilization. Modern and contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences took the entry of Marxism into our country as their starting point and developed under the guidance of Marxism. This is a determinacy and necessity bestowed by the logic of Marxist theory and the historical process of Chinese social development. The Speech clearly points out: "Adhering to the guidance of Marxism is the fundamental hallmark that distinguishes contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences from others." Deviating from Marxism would mean that Chinese academic research could only remain on the partial and shallow surface of phenomena, unable to enter the essential depths of society and history; philosophy and the social sciences would lose their soul, lose their direction, and fail to play their proper role. We must resolutely rectify erroneous tendencies in some fields where Marxism is marginalized, hollowed out, or labeled, and those where it is "voiceless" in certain disciplines, "missing" from textbooks, or "silent" in forums. We must integrate Marxist stances, viewpoints, and methods into every field and throughout the entire process of philosophy and the social sciences.
Adhering to the guidance of Marxism requires a scientific attitude rather than a dogmatic or pragmatic one. The Speech clearly states: "An important task of our philosophy and social sciences is to continue promoting the Sinicization, modernization, and popularization of Marxism, and to continue developing 21st-century Marxism and contemporary Chinese Marxism." We cannot treat the words and sentences of the classic Marxist writers as sacrosanct dogmas or as "magic formulas" to be copied mechanically. Instead, we must combine the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and the characteristics of the times, unifying the persistence in Marxism with the development of Marxism, and continuously making new theoretical creations in light of new practices to ensure that Marxism maintains its vitality. Adhering to the guidance of Marxism cannot remain a matter of lip service; rather, the latest achievements in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism must be consciously integrated into the entire process of research and teaching, and transformed into clear theoretical consciousness, firm political convictions, and scientific methods of thinking. The Speech profoundly notes: "Marxism possesses the theoretical quality of advancing with the times. Under the new situation, to adhere to Marxism, the most important thing is to adhere to its basic principles and the stance, viewpoints, and methods that permeate them. This is the essence and living soul of Marxism." To adhere to the guidance of Marxism, we must first solve the problem of truly understanding and believing in it, identifying various idealist viewpoints, and resisting the fallacies of historical nihilism [3]. Centrally, we must solve the problem of "for whom" research is conducted, adhering to a research orientation centered on the people and establishing the ideal of doing scholarship for the people. Ultimately, this must be implemented in the "how to use" it—earnestly studying and solving major and urgent realistic problems, and proposing correct ideas and effective methods for problem-solving. In the ten years since the Speech, our Party has vigorously promoted theoretical innovation based on practice, achieving a new leap in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has entered textbooks, classrooms, and minds, becoming the banner and soul of our philosophy and social sciences. The Project to Study and Build Marxist Theory has progressed steadily, and the construction of Marxist theoretical disciplines has been continuously strengthened, laying a solid foundation and pointing out the road for the flourishing of philosophy and social sciences in the New Era.
Clarifying the Essential Requirements and Fundamental Guarantees for the Development of Philosophy and Social Sciences
The banner points the way, and the path determines the destiny. The Speech not only elucidates the status, role, and guiding ideology of our philosophy and social sciences but also clarifies the developmental ideas, characteristics, goals, and principles. It systematically answers a series of major questions such as why we develop philosophy and social sciences, what kind of philosophy and social sciences to develop, and how to develop them. Adhering to the principle of seeking truth from facts and the unification of essence and application, the Speech identifies which banner our philosophy and social sciences should hold, which path they should take, and toward which goals they should advance. It serves as a manifesto, a call to action, and a roadmap for the flourishing of philosophy and social sciences in the New Era.
Accelerating the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics is a historical responsibility bestowed by the New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The characteristics, style, and spirit [4] of philosophy and social sciences are the products of a certain stage of development; they are signs of maturity, symbols of strength, and manifestations of confidence." Addressing problems such as the fact that our capabilities and levels in academic propositions, thoughts, viewpoints, standards, and discourse do not yet match our comprehensive national strength and international status, the Speech clearly proposed a developmental approach: basing ourselves on China while drawing on foreign experience, excavating history while grasping the contemporary, and caring for humanity while facing the future. We must reflect inheritance and ethnicity, originality and contemporaneity, and systematicity and professionalism. We must focus on building a disciplinary system, academic system, discourse system, textbook system, and evaluation system for philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, style, and spirit, thus forming and demonstrating our own characteristics and advantages. We must persist in making the past serve the present and foreign things serve China; we must persist in not forgetting our origins, absorbing external influences, and facing the future. Centered on what we are currently doing, we must discover new problems, propose new viewpoints, and construct new theories from the practice of our reform and development. We must create new concepts, judgments, and ideas that are easily understood and accepted by the international community, thereby enhancing the discourse power and influence of our philosophy and social sciences.
Constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics is a long-term and complex systemic project that requires the strong leadership of the Party and the support of corresponding principles and policies. The Speech points out: "The cause of philosophy and social sciences is an important cause for the Party and the people; the front of philosophy and social sciences is an important front for the Party and the people. Strengthening and improving the Party's leadership over philosophy and social science work is the fundamental guarantee for the prosperity and development of our country's philosophy and social science undertakings." Party committees at all levels must include philosophy and social science work on their important agendas, deepen the reform of management systems, optimize the layout of scientific research, and allocate resources rationally. Party committees and governments at all levels must give play to the important role of philosophy and social sciences in governance, strengthen the construction of new types of think tanks with Chinese characteristics, and implement an overall development strategy for philosophy and social sciences centered on cultivating talent. We must earnestly implement the policy of "letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend" [5] and the Party’s policy toward intellectuals, advocating for theoretical and knowledge innovation, encouraging bold exploration, and conducting academic debates that are equal, healthy, lively, and fully reasoned to activate the academic atmosphere. We must promote the formation of an excellent academic style, establish good academic ethics, and create a clean, healthy, mutually learning, and upward-looking academic ecosystem, ensuring that the academic community truly becomes an advocate of advanced ideas, a pioneer of academic research, a leader of social trends, and a firm supporter of the Party’s governance.
All that is past is prologue; the future is even more promising. Under the guidance of the spirit of Xi Jinping’s important Speech, the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics has become an academic consensus. New and interdisciplinary fields have been rapidly established, "cold" and nearly extinct branches of learning [6] have been strengthened, and the reform to break the "Five Onlys" (only papers, only professional titles, only academic degrees, only awards, and only "titles" [7]) has been gradually implemented. Projects for the translation of Chinese academic works have steadily progressed, and the international dissemination of academic discourse has expanded significantly. Philosophy and the social sciences are demonstrating new accomplishments and a new outlook.
Social practice knows no bounds, and the development of science must never cease. On April 25, 2022, while inspecting Renmin University of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping further emphasized: "The accelerated construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics ultimately boils down to the construction of a Chinese independent knowledge system [8]. We must take China as our point of reference and the times as our point of reference. Rooted in Chinese reality and solving Chinese problems, we must continuously promote the creative transformation and innovative development [9] of fine traditional Chinese culture, and persistently advance innovation in knowledge, theory, and methodology, so that philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics truly stand tall among the world's academic forests." The "Proposals of the CPC Central Committee on Formulating the Fifteenth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development," adopted by the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, once again proposed: "Deepen the study, publicity, and education of the Party's innovative theories, and unswervingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to solidify the soul and build consensus [10]. Innovatively implement the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project, and accelerate the construction of an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences." This sets forth new goals and tasks for the prosperity and development of philosophy and social sciences.
The broad ranks of philosophy and social science workers must live up to the high expectations of the Party Central Committee. In accordance with the requirements of having a clear direction, true belief, profound scholarship, and upright conduct, they must consciously take up the responsibility of answering the questions posed by China, the world, the people, and the times [11]. They should write new chapters for the cause of philosophy and social sciences, making new and greater contributions to advancing Chinese-path modernization and the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation!
(The author is the Secretary of the Party Committee and a Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.)
Source: Xin Xiang Review, Issue 10, 2026, Electronic Magazine Editor: Huihui