Jin Minqing: Major Achievements and Basic Experience in Constructing Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics
In May 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the Seminar on Philosophy and Social Sciences. Over the past ten years, under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Chinese philosophical and social science community has fully implemented the spirit of the General Secretary’s important speech. It has focused on constructing a philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, achieving significant progress and accumulating important experience. Standing at the new starting point of the commencement of the "15th Five-Year Plan" [1], the theoretical community must further strengthen its theoretical consciousness and historical initiative. With more subjective and original academic achievements, it must systematically answer the Questions of China, the World, the People, and the Times. It must accelerate the construction of an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences to provide solid theoretical support for the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, and contribute more Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
I. The Fundamental Compliance and Theoretical Logic for Constructing Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics
Accelerating the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics is a major strategic deployment made by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, based on the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world’s profound changes unseen in a century [2]. The philosophical and social science community persists in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its guide, specifically taking the important expositions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics as its fundamental compliance. By grasping the pulse of the times, adapting to the requirements of practice, and following objective laws, the community has continuously enhanced its theoretical, practical, cultural, and civilizational consciousness in constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.
(1) The Guiding Ideology for Constructing Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics
Since the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of important speeches concerning work in philosophy and social sciences. He has systematically expounded on the guiding ideology, strategic goals, key tasks, and fundamental paths, providing the fundamental compliance and manual for action for this construction.
On May 17, 2016, at the Seminar on Work in Philosophy and Social Sciences, General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly pointed out: "We must follow the approach of 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 strive to construct philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, fully reflecting Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese demeanor in guiding ideology, disciplinary systems, academic systems, and discourse systems." This important exposition established the general program for the development of Chinese philosophy and social sciences. In particular, the proposal of the strategic task to construct the "three major systems"—disciplinary, academic, and discourse systems—clarified the core content and main direction of attack. It profoundly answered the major questions of what kind of philosophy and social sciences should be built in the New Era and how to build them, marking a new height in our Party's understanding of the laws governing the development of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.
On April 25, 2022, during an inspection of Renmin University of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly stated: "In the final analysis, the accelerated construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics is the construction of China's independent knowledge system." This major thesis represents an innovative leap in the understanding of the laws and paths of development for philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, pointing out the way forward and providing the fundamental compliance for promoting the prosperity and development of philosophy and social sciences in the New Era.
On June 2, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping attended the Seminar on Cultural Inheritance and Development and delivered an important speech, profoundly expounding on the rich connotation and great significance of the "Two Combinations" [3], especially the "Second Combination." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "To open up and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound foundation of more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, the 'Two Combinations'—combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific reality and with fine traditional Chinese culture—is the inevitable path." This important exposition profoundly reveals the high degree of compatibility between fine traditional Chinese culture and Marxism. It clarifies that the "Second Combination" is the inevitable path to allow Marxism to become Chinese and fine traditional Chinese culture to become modern. It emphasizes the spiritual soul-vein and cultural root-vein that must be upheld in constructing an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences.
General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important expositions constitute a systematic, complete, logically rigorous, and internally unified scientific theoretical system. They profoundly answer major theoretical and practical questions regarding the development of Chinese philosophy and social sciences in the New Era, providing scientific theoretical guidance and a powerful ideological weapon for accelerating the construction of an independent knowledge system. In accordance with the spirit of the General Secretary’s important expositions, the Party and the State have formulated a series of major strategic decisions, deployed major strategic tasks, and launched major strategic projects. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress explicitly proposed to "accelerate the construction of disciplinary, academic, and discourse systems for philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics," elevating the construction of the "three major systems" to the level of national strategy. The Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese-path Modernization further emphasized the need to "innovate the Project to Study and Build Marxist Theory, implement the Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Project, and construct an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences." The Outline of the "15th Five-Year Plan" clearly proposes to "implement the Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Project and accelerate the construction of an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences." This series of strategic deployments fully reflects the high importance the Party and the State accord to work in philosophy and social sciences; the construction of an independent knowledge system has entered a new stage of systematized, institutionalized, and project-based advancement.
(2) The Epochal Value of Constructing Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics
Constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics is a strategic necessity for advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, responding to the world’s profound changes unseen in a century, and seizing the initiative in thought and culture. It is rooted in Chinese practice, highlights the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, and strives to provide theoretical nourishment for Chinese-path modernization and contribute Chinese wisdom to the new form of human civilization. It possesses important theoretical value and epochal significance.
First, it systematically summarizes the practical experience of Chinese-path modernization. Chinese-path modernization is the largest-scale and most difficult modernization in human history. Since the New Era, the great practice of Chinese-path modernization has been continuously advanced and expanded, accumulating a large amount of original experience that urgently needs systematic theoretical summation. For a long time, the US-led West has persisted in the presupposition of "Western-centrism," packaging its specific modernization path as the "unique" model of modernization. Chinese-path modernization has shattered the myth that "modernization = Westernization." It has blazed a new path of modernization characterized by a huge population, common prosperity for all, coordination between material and spiritual civilizations, harmony between humanity and nature, and peaceful development. Constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics means basing ourselves on the vivid practice of Chinese-path modernization to refine new theories that are academic, systematic, and follow objective laws. This involves using Chinese theory to explain Chinese practice and Chinese scholarship to answer Chinese questions, marking the theoretical consciousness of the Party and the people on the path of modernization.
Second, it solidifies the foundation of the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation. Cultural subjectivity is the fundamental marker for a nation or a country to establish itself and manifest its characteristics at the cultural level. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "For any culture to stand firm and go far, to have leadership, cohesion, shaping power, and radiation power, it must have its own subjectivity." In modern times, Chinese people once followed the West as "apprentices," but the results showed that mechanically copying the experiences and theories of others is unworkable. Only by taking a path rooted in China's own civilizational soil can we shake off the shackles of empiricism and dogmatism and become a "firm self in a cultural sense." Constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics means establishing the subjective position of Chinese culture at the academic level. Through the "Second Combination," it uses Marxism to activate the vital and excellent elements within fine traditional Chinese culture, forming a knowledge system with Chinese characteristics, style, and demeanor. Only by solidifying this knowledge foundation can the Chinese nation maintain strong strategic resolve amidst the turbulence of various cultural trends and truly achieve spiritual independence and autonomy.
Third, it provides strategic support for the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation. Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization is the central task of the Party and the people on the new journey in the New Era. Currently, China's development has entered a period where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing. Whether in promoting high-quality development and constructing the dual circulation development pattern, or in developing whole-process people's democracy and advancing the modernization of national governance, or in responding to major risks and maintaining national security—all require intellectual support from philosophy and social sciences. Constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics means forming a set of systematic theories and methods based on China's national conditions and aimed at solving China's problems, thereby more effectively serving the great practice of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Fourth, it contributes Chinese wisdom to the development of human civilization. Currently, the world’s profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the international power structure is undergoing profound adjustments, and the global governance system is being deeply reshaped. Emerging economies and developing countries are rising as a group. As the largest developing country, China should and can demonstrate the responsibility of a major power. The concepts of "harmony in diversity" and "the world is for the public" [4] in Chinese civilization provide important insights for addressing global challenges. The people-centered development philosophy provides new ideas for solving the global development deficit, and "common values of all humanity" provide a new solution for transcending Western discursive hegemony and building a new type of international relations. In particular, Chinese-path modernization provides a brand-new reference for the vast number of developing countries to explore modernization paths suited to their own national conditions. An important focus of constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics is to introduce these excellent ideas and experiences to the world, contributing Chinese thought and wisdom to building a community with a shared future for humanity and promoting the development of human civilization.
(3) The Theoretical Logic of Constructing Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics
The Chinese philosophical and social science community persists in taking General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on work in philosophy and social sciences as its fundamental compliance. In advancing the construction of an independent knowledge system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, it has continuously enhanced its theoretical, practical, cultural, and civilizational consciousness, gradually forming a theoretical approach with internal logic.
First, establishing the guiding position of Marxism and the logical starting point of "Chinese characteristics," firming up the correct direction and fundamental foothold for construction, and continuously strengthening theoretical consciousness. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Adhering to the guidance of Marxism is the fundamental hallmark that distinguishes contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences from others; it must be adhered to with a clear-cut stand." Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for the Party to unite and lead the people in development and struggle; it is a scientific cognitive tool and a powerful ideological weapon for understanding and transforming the world. The fundamental prerequisite for constructing China’s independent knowledge system lies in unswervingly adhering to the guiding position of Marxism. Of course, Marxism is not an immutable dogma but a scientific truth that is continuously enriched and improved along with the development of practice. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the latest achievement in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, and it is the banner and soul of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. In the process of constructing China’s independent knowledge system, the academic community has always adhered to the basic tenets of Marxism, consciously and deeply studying and explaining the original contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and systematically organizing the positions, viewpoints, and methods running through it to ensure the construction of the independent knowledge system always develops in the right direction. On the other hand, by firmly rooting itself in China's national conditions and unswervingly proceeding from our country's historical characteristics, cultural traditions, and economic and social development practices, the community refines concepts, categories, and theoretical propositions with distinct indigeneity and originality. This gives the construction of the independent knowledge system a distinct "Chinese characteristic." Of course, this is not a negation of universal laws, but a profound grasp of the dialectical relationship between particularity and universality.
Second, rooting itself in the great practice of Chinese-path modernization, adhering to the distinct problem-orientation of constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, and continuously enhancing practical consciousness. As the understanding of the laws governing the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics has deepened, the constructive work of the theoretical community has adapted to the realistic needs of Chinese-path modernization. The focus has shifted toward the more systematic "three major systems" and "independent knowledge system."
The construction process exhibits a distinct practice-oriented character, continuously tapping into the "living water" flowing from the source of practice. Regarding the disciplinary system, the layout of basic disciplines has been optimized, supporting the development of key, emerging, niche, and underdeveloped disciplines. This involves promoting interdisciplinary integration and cross-disciplinary research to construct a high-quality disciplinary system characterized by comprehensive and balanced development. Regarding the academic system, methods of organizing scientific research have been innovated by organizing cross-departmental, cross-regional, and cross-disciplinary collaborative research to promote synergistic innovation. This leverages the role of platforms such as the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project and the National Social Science Fund of China to research and establish an academic evaluation and assessment mechanism that is clearly oriented, conforms to objective laws, is scientifically authoritative, and is open and transparent. Regarding the discourse system, the goal is to refine and generalize identifying academic concepts and categories that possess Chinese characteristics and world influence. This promotes the formation of academic and research paradigms with their own distinctive traits, continuously enhancing the persuasiveness, appeal, and influence of our nation's academic discourse system.
Third, drawing upon the profound wisdom and intellectual essence of fine traditional Chinese culture, deeply rooting the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics in cultural soil, and continuously deepening cultural self-awareness. General Secretary Xi Jinping originally proposed the "Second Integration," [5] which gives prominence to the necessity of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture. This has expanded the horizons for constructing an independent knowledge system for philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the "root and vein" [6] of the Party's theoretical innovation and the development of Chinese philosophy and social sciences in the New Era. Only by taking root in the fertile historical and cultural soil of the Chinese nation can the tree of Marxist truth grow deep roots and luxuriant leaves, bearing fruit, and only then can China's independent knowledge system stand firm and travel far. The theoretical circles have profoundly grasped the scientific connotation and great significance of the "Second Integration," focusing on drawing intellectual nourishment from the vast and profound Chinese civilization to fortify the cultural foundation for the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. At the level of civilizational characteristics, systematic research has been conducted around the prominent continuity, innovation, unity, inclusivity, and peaceful nature of Chinese civilization. This involves deeply excavating the core genes of Chinese civilization and the essential elements of fine traditional Chinese culture, making them an indispensable cultural bedrock for understanding China’s path, system, and theory. At the level of the integration mechanism, scholars have profoundly elucidated the high degree of compatibility between Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture, creating a new "cultural lifeform" through the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture.
Fourth, engaging in civilizational exchange and dialogue with an open mind, promoting the contribution of China’s independent knowledge system of philosophy and social sciences toward solving common human challenges, and continuously elevating civilizational self-awareness. The significance of constructing China’s independent knowledge system lies not only in explaining and guiding China’s own development, but also in carrying a higher civilizational mission: striving to provide Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions for solving the common problems facing humanity, and exploring and demonstrating the possibilities of a new form of human civilization. The theoretical circles have deeply researched the rich connotations of the new form of human civilization created by Chinese-path modernization, committing to refining Chinese experience into developmental and civilizational theories of universal heuristic significance. Simultaneously, they have extensively conducted global academic exchanges, promoting the movement of Chinese theory and scholarship toward the world stage, providing important intellectual references and thought resources for the development of human civilization. This marks China's role transition from "learner" and "borrower" to "contributor" and "illuminator." China's independent knowledge system is not a closed system of self-admiration, but an open system facing the world and the future.
II. Major Progress and Development Space in the Construction of Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics
China's philosophy and social science circles have persisted in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide, deeply researching and elucidating the latest achievements in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. They have made major progress in constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, providing solid intellectual support and knowledge contributions for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
(1) The Guiding Position of Marxism Has Been Comprehensively Consolidated
Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which our Party and country are founded and thrive. It plays a fundamental leading role in the development of Chinese philosophy and social sciences, serving as the soul and banner for constructing an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences, and pointing out the direction for the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.
The systematic and academic research and elucidation of the Party's innovative theories continue to deepen. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as the latest achievement of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, is contemporary Chinese Marxism and twenty-first-century Marxism. Persisting in using Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance is the fundamental requirement for the prosperity and development of our nation's philosophy and social sciences in the New Era; it is also the most prominent characteristic of the times and the most distinct theoretical quality in constructing an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences. Workers in the field of Chinese philosophy and social sciences have profoundly understood the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," enhanced the "Four Consciousnesses," [7] strengthened the "Four Confidences," [8] and achieved the "Two Upholds," consciously unifying their thoughts and actions with the decision-making and deployments of the Party Central Committee. Over the past 10 years, the philosophy and social science circles have continuously deepened the systematic and academic research and elucidation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They have formed a powerful research matrix around major theoretical achievements such as the "Ten Clarifications," the "Fourteen Perseverances," the "Achievements in Thirteen Aspects," and the "Six Must-Perseveres," [9] producing a large number of research results with academic depth and practical value.
The Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project has yielded significant results, launching a series of authoritative textbooks and research monographs that possess both theoretical depth and realistic value. This has gradually built up an academic system of Marxist theory with Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese flair, laying a solid academic foundation for consolidating the guiding position of Marxism. As a foundational and leading discipline, the construction of the Marxist theoretical disciplinary system is becoming increasingly refined. This not only provides solid disciplinary support for consolidating the guiding position of Marxism but also sets a theoretical benchmark and methodological model for the development of other philosophy and social science disciplines, powerfully promoting the improvement of the overall level of Chinese philosophy and social sciences.
(2) The Space and Path for Theoretical Innovation Have Been Continuously Expanded
"Integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture" — the "Two Integrations" — is a major theoretical innovation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as well as a fundamental requirement and development path for constructing an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences. The "Two Integrations" both uphold the scientific nature of Marxism and endow it with distinct Chinese characteristics and features of the times, providing inexhaustible momentum and opening up vast space for theoretical innovation.
A new emancipation of the mind has been achieved under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture contains rich original contributions and fundamental achievements. Within it, the "Second Integration" represents another emancipation of the mind, allowing Marxism to radiate new civilizational vitality on Chinese soil. Fine traditional Chinese culture is long-standing and profound, containing rich philosophical thoughts, humanistic spirit, and moral concepts, providing fertile cultural soil for the dissemination and development of Marxism in China. The "Two Integrations" are not a simple superposition, but a mutual integration and promotion. Through the concrete practice of "creative transformation and innovative development," Chinese philosophy and social science workers have allowed Marxism to take root in the fertile soil of fine traditional Chinese culture, while also allowing fine traditional Chinese culture to create a new "cultural lifeform" in its integration with Marxism. Through the "Two Integrations," the philosophy and social science circles have broken free from the blind worship of Western theories, broken through the inherent framework of the Western modernization model, and achieved a true emancipation of thought. This has allowed Chinese philosophy and social sciences to exhibit distinct Chinese characteristics, style, and flair, injecting powerful cultural genes and intellectual momentum into the construction of an independent knowledge system.
Following the requirements of the "Two Integrations," the theoretical circles have based themselves on Chinese reality, inherited fine traditional Chinese culture, and drawn on the excellent achievements of human civilization. They have broken the monopoly of Western academic paradigms and gradually formed an academic paradigm with Chinese characteristics, style, and flair. In terms of value orientation, they persist in a people-centered approach, taking the fulfillment of the people’s growing needs for a better life as the starting point and goal of knowledge production, emphasizing the "people-oriented" and practical nature of knowledge. In terms of research methods, they persist in the worldview and methodology of seeking truth from facts, emphasizing the combination of history and reality, theory and practice. In terms of theoretical aim, they persist in a problem-oriented approach, committing to solving the realistic problems faced by development, providing theoretical support for comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation via Chinese-path modernization, while contributing Chinese solutions to global problems. The formation of an academic paradigm with Chinese characteristics marks a new stage of development in the construction of an independent knowledge system.
(3) Cluster Emergence of Identifying Concepts and Original Theories
Identifying concepts and original theories are the core elements of an independent knowledge system and an important hallmark of a knowledge system's maturity. In the process of practicing Chinese-path modernization, the Party’s innovative theories have proposed a series of core concepts and original theoretical views of identifying significance. For example, "Chinese-path modernization" profoundly reveals the essential connotation of socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China; "whole-process people's democracy" reveals the comprehensiveness, authenticity, and effectiveness of socialist democracy; the "new form of human civilization" highlights the world significance and civilizational contribution of China's development path; and "new quality productive forces," as an important original concept of Xi Jinping’s economic thought, is a scientific generalization of the trend where the development of social productive forces since the New Era has moved from quantitative change to qualitative change. Characterized by innovation as the leading factor and featuring high technology, high efficiency, and high quality, it has become a prominent identifier of the independent knowledge system of Chinese economics. These identifying concepts and fundamental theories are not simple developments of existing theoretical paradigms, but are fundamental sublimations based on a profound grasp of the laws of the Communist Party’s governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society. They have become core concepts and important pillars leading the innovative development of the independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences in the New Era.
In their systematic and academic research, theoretical circles have greatly enriched the connotations of the independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences by elucidating and researching these identifying concepts. They have formed a series of landmark theoretical achievements in various disciplinary fields, constituting important content of the independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences. These theoretical achievements are interconnected, mutually supportive, and organically unified, elevating practical experience into academic logic of universal significance and transforming the themes of the times into theoretical paradigms with explanatory and leading power. This marks the transition of our nation's philosophy and social science knowledge production from "following" and "running alongside" to "leading," becoming the core concepts, basic viewpoints, and theoretical paradigms for constructing Chinese philosophy and social sciences, and consolidating the academic foundation of the independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences.
(4) The Construction of the "Three Major Systems" Has Undergone an Overall Leap
The disciplinary system (学科体系), academic system (学术体系), and discourse system (话语体系) are the core components of constructing an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences. The three are interconnected and mutually promoting, forming an organically unified whole. With the goal of constructing an independent knowledge system, the philosophy and social science circles have promoted the coordinated advancement and overall leap in the construction of these "three major systems," exhibiting a favorable situation of integrated promotion and mutual support, and providing solid structural sustenance for the construction of the independent knowledge system.
Regarding the optimization and expansion of the disciplinary system, the philosophy and social science circles have continuously advanced disciplinary construction. In the disciplinary layout, they have focused on consolidating basic disciplines and promoting the "inner-depth" (connotative) development of traditional advantageous disciplines. Simultaneously, they have vigorously developed emerging and interdisciplinary subjects to fill knowledge gaps, forming a group of advantageous characteristic disciplinary clusters. Revolving around the trends of the new technological revolution and major national strategic needs, they have promoted cross-disciplinary integration, providing interdisciplinary support for solving complex problems. In disciplinary management, they have deepened "Double First-Class" construction (creating world-class universities and disciplines), guiding universities and research institutions to focus on advantageous disciplines and build a group of first-class disciplines with international competitiveness. They have refined the disciplinary evaluation mechanism, broken down status rigidity, and established dynamic adjustment mechanisms to stimulate disciplinary development vitality. Through the optimization and expansion of the disciplinary system, a favorable pattern has formed where basic disciplines are solid, applied disciplines are leading, emerging disciplines are flourishing, and interdisciplinary subjects are continuously surfacing, providing a broader platform for knowledge innovation.
(5) International Academic Influence Has Significantly Increased
Constructing an autonomous knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences requires not only being grounded in and serving China but also facing and influencing the world. As comprehensive national strength continues to rise and the autonomous knowledge system becomes increasingly refined, the discourse power and influence of Chinese philosophy and social sciences on the international academic stage have grown steadily. China’s voice is becoming increasingly resonant, marking solid strides into the global forest of academia.
On one hand, the capacity for agenda-setting has continuously improved, and international discourse power has significantly strengthened. In recent years, Chinese researchers in philosophy and social sciences have taken the initiative to set agendas on the international academic stage, proposing Chinese viewpoints and solutions regarding global issues, guiding the direction of international academic discussions, and significantly enhancing their ability to speak globally. Addressing major global challenges such as imbalanced development, intensifying "clashes of civilizations," and ecological deterioration, Chinese scholars—leveraging the theoretical achievements of the autonomous knowledge system—have proposed a series of high-influence international agendas. This has broken Western monopolies over global agenda-setting and promoted the development of the international academic agenda toward a more equitable and reasonable direction.
On the other hand, the effectiveness of disseminating achievements has been upgraded from one-way output to mutual learning between civilizations [10]. The continuous advancement of translation projects and the construction of international academic exchange platforms has allowed a batch of important academic achievements to be translated into multiple languages and go global. This has gradually rectified the situation of "possessing the truth but being unable to speak it, or speaking it without it spreading." Major works such as Xi Jinping: The Governance of China have been translated into English, French, Spanish, and other languages, achieving wide global circulation and allowing the international community a deeper understanding of China. Simultaneously, by continuously improving international academic communication capabilities and strengthening maritime communication platforms, China has built a group of academic journals, media platforms, and think tanks with international influence, bolstering the global reach of Chinese academic output.
While fully affirming the series of important results achieved in constructing an autonomous knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences, we must also clearly recognize that many deficiencies remain. First, the excavation of the original contributions and fundamental theoretical achievements of Xi Jinping's New Era Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is not deep enough; systematic and academic research and explanation need further advancement. Second, the conceptual system and theoretical integration are still insufficient; the systematic construction of "identifiable concepts" (标识性概念) requires more progress, and a more rigorous theoretical system has yet to take shape. Third, the collaborative efficiency of the "Three Systems" [11] needs improvement; the mechanisms connecting the disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system are not sufficiently sound, their coordination is not tight enough, and phenomena of mutual decoupling exist. Fourth, breakthroughs are still required in research paradigms and innovative drive; in some fields, path dependency on Western research paradigms has not fundamentally changed, and the construction of autonomous, innovative research paradigms lags behind. Furthermore, there is a continued need to produce high-level achievements; the situation of having "plateaus" but no "peaks" [12] has not fundamentally shifted. These existing problems are precisely the starting point for further progress. We must use deep theoretical clarity and a high degree of political consciousness to courageously meet challenges, remedy defects, and open new spaces at this new starting point, pushing the work of constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics toward deeper development.
III. Important Experience and Future Outlook for Constructing Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics
Standing at the new historical starting point of the "15th Five-Year Plan" [13], it is of great significance to deeply summarize valuable experiences and scientifically chart a blueprint for development. This will push the construction of an autonomous knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences to a higher level on this new journey, better serving the grand cause of Chinese-path modernization.
(1) Important Experience in Constructing Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics
First, strengthening the Party’s comprehensive leadership over the construction of an autonomous knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences. The Party's leadership is the firm political guarantee for the prosperity and development of philosophy and social sciences. Over the past ten years, the Party Central Committee has integrated philosophy and social science work into the overall development of the Party and the state. From the "May 17" important speech [14] to the proposal to "construct China's autonomous knowledge system," General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally planned, deployed, and promoted this work, pointing the way forward for innovative development. Party organizations at all levels have implemented the Central Committee’s strategic deployments, refined the institutional mechanisms for the Party's leadership over philosophy and social sciences, and reinforced the political responsibility of supervisory and hosting units. The theoretical community has consciously become firm believers and practitioners of the Party’s innovative theories, ensuring the Party's line, principles, and policies are implemented without fail across academic research, discipline construction, textbook compilation, and achievement evaluation. This ensures that philosophy and social sciences remain a powerful support for consolidating the Party’s ruling foundation and realizing the Party's historical mission.
Second, upholding the fundamental standpoint of the autonomous knowledge system. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "For our country's philosophy and social sciences to achieve anything, they must adhere to a people-centered research orientation." Divorced from the people, philosophy and social sciences will lack attraction, resonance, influence, and vitality. Constructing an autonomous knowledge system must focus on the urgent anxieties and longings of the masses, going deep into the grassroots and rooting itself in the "fields," ensuring that academic research truly becomes a discipline that speaks for the people and represents their interests. For ten years, philosophy and social science workers have insisted on "writing their papers on the land of the Motherland," adhering to the value pursuit of doing scholarship for the people. They have contributed wisdom in major practices such as poverty alleviation, common prosperity, and epidemic prevention, continuously elevating the creative practices of the masses into academic understanding and providing important references for central decision-making.
Third, deeply rooting the cultural foundations of the autonomous knowledge system. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We have our own history and culture, our own systems and mechanisms, and our own national conditions... In the construction of our disciplinary system, we must have confidence and self-assurance." Over the past ten years, the theoretical community has continuously enhanced confidence in our path, theory, system, and culture, prominently highlighting cultural subjectivity. By adhering to the principle of "placing ourselves at the center and making foreign things serve China," they have distilled Chinese theory from Chinese experience, used Chinese theory to explain Chinese practice, and provided Chinese academic achievements and intellectual wisdom for global problems.
Fourth, adhering to the principles and direction of the autonomous knowledge system. Only by upholding the fundamentals can we avoid losing our way; only through innovation can we grasp and lead the times. The firmer we are in upholding the fundamentals, the more confidence we have to innovate. For ten years, the social science community has held fast to the "fundamentals" (正) of Marxism, the "fundamentals" of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the "fundamentals" of fine traditional Chinese culture, laying a solid foundation for the autonomous knowledge system. Meanwhile, in accordance with the fundamental requirements of the "Second Integration," [15] they have forged ahead courageously, daring to be pioneers and creating new "cultural life-forms" [16] through the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture.
Fifth, focusing on the epochal themes of the autonomous knowledge system. Problems are the voice of the times. Only by listening to the voice of the times and responding to real-world concerns can academic research possess powerful vitality and explanatory power. For ten years, China's social science community has taken the study of major theoretical and practical issues regarding reform, development, and stability as its main direction. Grounded in the great practice of Chinese-path modernization, they have focused on major epochal propositions such as new quality productive forces, high-quality development, common prosperity, national security, and global governance, pushing the autonomous knowledge system toward substantive progress in theoretical construction, paradigm innovation, and discourse formation.
Sixth, strengthening the methodological support for the autonomous knowledge system. Constructing an autonomous knowledge system is a systematic project. Over the past decade, we have placed greater emphasis on combining top-level design with grassroots exploration, on the coordinated advancement of the disciplinary, academic, and discourse systems, and on the synergistic efforts of universities, research institutes, and Party/government research departments. Guided by a "systems perspective," the philosophy and social science front has strived to handle the relationship between the local and the global, the present and the long-term, and the particular and the universal, forming a dynamic situation of coordinated tackling of key problems and holistic progress.
Seventh, expanding the international vision of the autonomous knowledge system. Only that which is national can truly be global; only by leading the times can one head toward the world. Chinese philosophy and social sciences belong to China, but they also belong to the world. Accelerating the construction of an autonomous knowledge system requires us to establish a global outlook—being adept at absorbing all beneficial achievements of human civilization while also courageously elevating Chinese experience into knowledge products of universal significance, making unique Chinese academic contributions to the progress of human civilization and world peace.
(2) Striving to Create a New Realm of Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics
The "15th Five-Year Plan" period is a critical period for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and a key stage for constructing the autonomous knowledge system. We must take Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as our guide, adhere to a problem-oriented approach, strengthen strategic thinking, and push for decisive breakthroughs in constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.
First, focus on core tasks, deepening the systematic and academic research of the Party’s innovative theories and their popularization. The primary task of constructing an autonomous knowledge system is to deeply research and thoroughly explain the core tenets, spiritual essence, rich connotations, and practical requirements of Xi Jinping New Era Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. A series of major special projects should be established to organize superior forces for multi-disciplinary and cross-field in-depth interpretation of core concepts such as the "Two Integrations," Chinese-path modernization, New Forms of Human Civilization, and the Community of the Chinese Nation. We must promote the organic integration of the Party’s innovative theories into textbooks, classrooms, and the hearts of the people, solidifying the common ideological foundation for the whole Party and the people of the whole country, making the Party’s innovative theories truly the soul of the autonomous knowledge system.
Second, optimize disciplinary layout, reinforcing the "four beams and eight pillars" [17] of the autonomous knowledge system. Focusing on national strategic needs and academic development trends, we should vigorously implement the Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Project and continuously optimize the disciplinary structure. We must consolidate the supporting role of foundational disciplines such as Marxist theory and vigorously develop urgently needed disciplines such as National Security Studies, CPC History and Party Building, and Area Studies. We should explore the establishment of a dynamic adjustment mechanism for disciplines, upgrading those that do not meet epochal needs and providing key support for emerging disciplines that align with the direction of modern development. We must promote interdisciplinary integration, break down disciplinary barriers, build a number of substantive cross-disciplinary research platforms, and layout ahead of time in frontier intersectional fields such as digital humanities and computational social science to seize the commanding heights of future development.
Third, enhance original capacity, producing a batch of identifiable, original, and leading achievements. We must place the enhancement of original capacity at the core and deeply promote "organized research." Centering on major propositions such as the tracing of the origins of Chinese civilization, the path of Chinese-path modernization, and the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, we should organize cross-disciplinary and cross-unit collaborative research. Long-term stable support should be given to basic theoretical research, encouraging scholars to "sharpen a sword for ten years" through quiet, dedicated study. We should actively utilize new technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence to empower research, build a batch of philosophy and social science laboratories, and construct a new collaborative research paradigm of "data-model-theory." We strive, in the next 5 to 10 years, to launch a series of original theoretical results with world influence in foundational disciplines like philosophy, history, economics, political science, and law, forming academic schools with distinct Chinese characteristics at the methodological level.
Fourth, innovate the discourse system, improving the international influence and communication power of Chinese scholarship. We should focus on constructing a system of "Chinese civilization identifiers," distilling identifiable concepts that display the spirit and cultural essence of Chinese civilization to help Chinese culture go global more effectively. We must accelerate the construction of Chinese discourse and narrative systems, strengthen audience awareness in academic discourse, distinguish between domestic and international targets, and build modes of expression that integrate Chinese and foreign perspectives. We must exert great effort to solve the problem of "possessing the truth but being unable to speak it." Implementing the "Going Out" plan for Chinese scholarship, we should support the construction of excellent foreign-language academic journals and push more Chinese scholars to enter international academic organizations and hold important positions. By strengthening international communication capabilities and using new media platforms effectively, we can allow Chinese scholarship to reach the world while also strengthening the introduction, absorption, and re-innovation of outstanding foreign academic results.
Fifth, reform institutional mechanisms, stimulating the innovative and creative vitality of the philosophy and social science community. We should integrally promote the development of education, technology, and talent, and link it with innovations in incentive and evaluation mechanisms. Respecting the laws of philosophy and social science research, we must further deepen the reform of the research evaluation system, establishing a diversified evaluation mechanism guided by innovative ability, quality, effectiveness, and contribution. Categorized evaluations should be implemented for basic research, applied research, and policy consultation, thoroughly breaking the "Five Onlys" (破五唯)...
We must further improve the management of scientific research projects and grant researchers greater autonomy. We shall refine mechanisms for talent development, implement talent engineering projects for the philosophy and social sciences, and increase training and support for young talent.
Sixth, we must strengthen coordination and linkage to aggregate the ideological wisdom of the "five main forces" [18] of philosophy and social sciences. Constructing an independent knowledge system is a systemic project that requires the joint efforts of all parties. We must promote the coordinated operations of the "five main forces"—universities, research institutes, Party schools (academies of governance), military academies, and research institutions of Party and government departments. We must establish normalized communication and coordination mechanisms among various research institutions to form a new development pattern characterized by resource sharing and complementary advantages. We should encourage local authorities to conduct differentiated explorations based on actual conditions, creating regional academic brands with distinct characteristics. Furthermore, we must promote the deep integration of industry, academia, research, and application, guiding philosophy and social science research to better serve the "main battlefield" of economic and social development. This ensures that the construction of an independent knowledge system always moves in the same direction and at the same pace as the cause of the Party and the state.
Facing the future, our responsibilities are heavy. Standing at the new starting point of the commencement of the "15th Five-Year Plan" [19], constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics must persist in taking Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide. We must persist in and strengthen the Party’s overall leadership, take root in the soil of China, continue the Chinese cultural lineage [20], and base ourselves on the great practice of Chinese-path modernization. With academic achievements characterized by greater subjectivity and originality, we must systematically answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times [21], and strive to open up a new realm for the prosperous development of Chinese philosophy and social sciences.
(Author: Jin Minqing, Member of the Leading Party Members’ Group of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Director and Researcher of the Institute of Contemporary China) Source: Shishi Baogao (Party Committee Central Study Group Learning), Issue 2, 2026 Editor: Huihui