Guiding the High-Quality Development of the Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Project with Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought

The “Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Promoting Chinese-Path Modernization,” deliberated and adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party, states: “Innovate the Marxist theory research and development project, implement the philosophy and social sciences innovation project, and construct an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences.” [1]1 The “Decision” was adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC in July 2024, outlining major reforms for Chinese-path modernization. This is a major deployment made by the Party Central Committee based on fulfilling new cultural missions and the laws governing the development of philosophy and social sciences. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought, as an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, is the theoretical distillation of the Party’s practical experience in leading cultural construction in the New Era, providing a powerful ideological weapon and a scientific guide for action for the high-quality development of the philosophy and social sciences innovation project. On the new journey of the New Era, deeply implementing Xi Jinping’s cultural thought holds great and far-reaching significance for promoting the high-quality development of the philosophy and social sciences innovation project.

党的二十届三中全会审议通过的《中共中央关于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的决定》指出：“创新马克思主义理论研究和建设工程，实施哲学社会科学创新工程，构建中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系。”这是党中央立足完成新的文化使命和哲学社会科学发展规律作出的重大部署。习近平文化思想作为习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的重要组成部分，是新时代党领导文化建设实践经验的理论升华，为哲学社会科学创新工程的高质量发展提供了强大的思想武器和科学的行动指南。新时代新征程，深入贯彻习近平文化思想，对于推动哲学社会科学创新工程高质量发展具有重大而深远的意义。

Clarifying the Development Direction of the Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Project

明确哲学社会科学创新工程发展方向

Upholding the leadership of the Party and upholding the guiding position of Marxism in the field of philosophy and social sciences are the fundamental guarantees for implementing the philosophy and social sciences innovation project. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought strongly emphasizes the Party’s comprehensive leadership over philosophy and social sciences research work and the fundamental guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain. The Communist Party of China has always been the leading core of socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics; this is the most fundamental and solid historical lifeline running through the innovation and creation of philosophy and social sciences. Only by upholding the Party’s leadership and the guiding position of Marxism can we ensure that the philosophy and social sciences innovation project does not deviate from the correct track and always serves the overall development of the Party and the state. In the study of major theoretical and practical issues, the Party Central Committee guides the vast number of social science workers to proceed from the national strategic height, grasp the research focus, and make research results better serve decision-making. In the New Era, facing the complex and volatile international situation and the arduous and heavy tasks of domestic reform, development, and stability maintenance, philosophy and social sciences research must unswervingly uphold the Party’s leadership and the guiding position of Marxism. In recent years, many major projects of the National Social Science Fund have conducted in-depth research around the systematic and theoretical study and interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the great achievements and great changes since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Chinese-path modernization, new quality productive forces, forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, the Party’s self-revolution, and building a community with a shared future for mankind, interpreting with outstanding research results the decisive significance of upholding the Party’s leadership and the guiding position of Marxism for the flourishing development of philosophy and social sciences. [2]2 The 18th National Congress of the CPC, held in 2012, marked the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership.

坚持党的领导、坚持马克思主义在哲学社会科学领域的指导地位，是实施哲学社会科学创新工程的根本保证。习近平文化思想高度强调党对哲学社会科学研究工作的全面领导和马克思主义在意识形态领域的根本指导地位。中国共产党始终是中国特色社会主义文化建设的领导核心，这是贯穿哲学社会科学创新创造建构中最根本、最坚实的历史命脉。只有坚持党的领导，坚持马克思主义的指导地位，才能确保哲学社会科学创新工程不偏离正确轨道，始终服务于党和国家的发展大局。在重大理论和现实问题研究中，党中央引导广大社科工作者从国家战略高度出发，把握研究重点，使研究成果更好地为决策服务。在新时代，面对复杂多变的国际形势和艰巨繁重的国内改革发展稳定任务，哲学社会科学研究更要坚定不移地坚持党的领导，坚持马克思主义指导地位。近年来，许多国家社科基金重大项目围绕习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想体系化学理化研究阐释、党的十八大以来的伟大成就伟大变革、中国式现代化、新质生产力、铸牢中华民族共同体意识、党的自我革命、构建人类命运共同体等方面开展深入研究，以卓越的研究成果诠释坚持党的领导和马克思主义指导地位对于哲学社会科学繁荣发展的决定性意义。

Being people-centered is the value pursuit of the practice of the philosophy and social sciences innovation project. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought prominently emphasizes the principal position of the people in cultural construction. This requires philosophy and social sciences research to pay attention to the needs and concerns of the people, focus the research perspective on major practical issues in contemporary Chinese social transformation, provide theoretical support and feasible practical solutions for solving the people’s practical problems, and truly benefit the broad masses with the research results of philosophy and social sciences. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: “Scientific researchers should write their papers on the land, turn the true knowledge formed in practice into papers, and become true doctors and true experts needed by the Party and the people.” [3]3 This is a paraphrase of Xi Jinping’s remarks encouraging practical, people-oriented research, often cited in Chinese academic policy discourse. Currently, some social science researchers simply engage in research from text to text, lacking humanistic care at the practical level. Detached from the needs of the people, philosophy and social sciences will have no appeal or influence. Facing the new requirements of the New Era, philosophy and social sciences workers must adhere to the fundamental stance and scientific method of “people first,” conduct solid investigation and research by going deep into the grassroots and reality, understand the living conditions of the people, grasp the ideological pulse of the masses, continuously answer the questions of the times, the questions of practice, and the questions of the people, and effectively write their papers on the land of the motherland.

以人民为中心是哲学社会科学创新工程实践的价值追求。习近平文化思想突出强调人民在文化建设中的主体地位。这要求哲学社会科学研究关注人民群众的需求和关切，将研究视角聚焦于当代中国社会变革中的重大现实问题，为解决人民群众的实际问题提供理论支持和切实可行的实践方案，使哲学社会科学研究成果真正惠及广大人民。习近平总书记强调：“科研工作者要把论文写在大地上，把实践中形成的真知变成论文，当党和人民需要的真博士、真专家。”当前，一些社会科学研究人员简单从事从文本到文本的研究，缺少实践层面的人文关怀。脱离了人民需要，哲学社会科学就不会有吸引力、感染力。面对新时代新要求，哲学社会科学工作者要坚持“人民至上”的根本立场和科学方法，通过深入基层深入实际扎实开展调查研究，了解百姓生活状况、把握群众思想脉搏，不断回答时代之问、实践之问、人民之问，切实把论文写在祖国大地上。

Deepening the Connotation Construction of the Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Project

深化哲学社会科学创新工程内涵建设

The “Two Integrations” are the fundamental path for deepening connotation construction. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought emphasizes adhering to integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the excellent traditional Chinese culture. The “Two Integrations” are both a scientific theory and an important methodology guiding the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “The Chinese nation has a profound cultural tradition, forming a distinctive ideological system, reflecting the knowledge wisdom and rational speculation accumulated by the Chinese people over thousands of years. This is our unique advantage.” [4]4 This is a direct quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on philosophy and social sciences in 2016. To deepen the connotation construction of the philosophy and social sciences innovation project, on the one hand, we must base ourselves on China’s national conditions and development reality, summarize experience and refine theory from China’s practice, and coordinate the most basic cultural genes of the Chinese nation with modern society. On the other hand, we must deeply understand Chinese civilization, excavate the ideological essence of excellent traditional Chinese culture, integrate it into philosophy and social sciences research, promote the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture, and consolidate the profound foundation for constructing an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences. As a pioneering achievement of Xi Jinping’s cultural thought, the “Second Integration” profoundly resolves the long-standing “ancient-modern, Chinese-Western debate” in the development history of Chinese philosophy and social sciences since modern times. Relevant departments should strengthen guidance effectiveness in topic selection, formulate key topic lists through systematic planning and organization, and concentrate resources around the “Second Integration” for key support in specific periods. At the same time, establish and improve incentive mechanisms to stimulate scholars’ endogenous motivation to devote themselves to academic innovation.

“两个结合”是深化内涵建设的根本路径。习近平文化思想强调坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合。“两个结合”既是科学的理论，也是指导构建中国特色哲学社会科学的重要方法论。习近平总书记指出：“中华民族有着深厚文化传统，形成了富有特色的思想体系，体现了中国人几千年来积累的知识智慧和理性思辨。这是我国的独特优势。”深化哲学社会科学创新工程内涵建设，一方面，要立足中国国情和发展现实，从中国的实践中总结经验、提炼理论，使中华民族最基本的文化基因与现代社会相协调。另一方面，要深入理解中华文明，挖掘中华优秀传统文化的思想精髓，将其融入哲学社会科学研究，推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展，夯实构建中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系的深厚基础。作为习近平文化思想的首创性成果，“第二个结合”深刻破解了近代以来中国哲学社会科学发展历程上长期存在的“古今中西之争”。相关部门应在课题选题方面强化引导效能，通过系统性规划与组织，制定重点选题清单，围绕“第二个结合”在特定时期集中资源予以重点扶持。同时，建立健全激励机制，激发学者投身学术创新的内生动力。

Constructing an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences is the core task of connotation construction. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought provides the theoretical foundation and directional guidance for the construction of an independent knowledge system, and provides a powerful ideological weapon and scientific guide for action for doing a good job in philosophy and social sciences research in the New Era. To construct an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences, we must break the myth of the hegemony of the Western philosophy and social sciences system and strengthen cultural confidence. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “Cultural confidence is a more fundamental, broader, and deeper confidence, a more basic, deeper, and more enduring force.” [5]5 This is a direct quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the CPC in 2016. “Only by taking China’s reality as the starting point of research, putting forward theoretical viewpoints with subjectivity and originality, and constructing a disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system with its own characteristics can China’s philosophy and social sciences form its own characteristics and advantages.” [6]6 This is a direct quotation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the symposium on philosophy and social sciences in 2016. We must unswervingly use Xi Jinping’s cultural thought to guide China’s philosophy and social sciences work, consciously implement this important thought in all aspects and the entire process of philosophy and social sciences, strengthen cultural confidence, break the unreasonable “blanket acceptance” of Western social science theories, while reasonably drawing on the beneficial achievements of foreign philosophy and social sciences, and improve and develop the independent knowledge system through exchange and mutual learning. In the construction of the disciplinary system, comprehensively strengthen the construction of disciplines such as Marxist theory and the history and construction of the CPC, consolidate advantageous key disciplines, vigorously develop supporting disciplines, prospectively lay out emerging and interdisciplinary disciplines, attach great importance to the protection and development of niche disciplines, and build a disciplinary system with Chinese characteristics that is clearly layered, synergistically progressive, and full of vitality. In the construction of the academic system, innovate scientific research methods, open up new paths empowered by digital intelligence, improve evaluation mechanisms, and build a diversified evaluation system. In the construction of the discourse system, create academic discourse with Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese manner, enhance international academic discourse power, and provide China’s stance and China’s wisdom for solving major problems facing China and the world’s development.

构建中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系是内涵建设的核心任务。习近平文化思想为自主知识体系的构建提供了理论基础和方向指引，为做好新时代哲学社会科学研究工作提供了强大思想武器和科学行动指南。构建中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系，要打破对西方哲学社会科学体系霸权的迷思，坚定文化自信。习近平总书记指出：“文化自信，是更基础、更广泛、更深厚的自信，是更基本、更深沉、更持久的力量。”“只有以我国实际为研究起点，提出具有主体性、原创性的理论观点，构建具有自身特质的学科体系、学术体系、话语体系，我国哲学社会科学才能形成自己的特色和优势。”要坚定不移用习近平文化思想指导中国哲学社会科学工作，自觉把这一重要思想贯彻落实到哲学社会科学全过程各方面，坚定文化自信，打破对西方社会科学理论不合理的“照单全收”，同时合理借鉴国外哲学社会科学的有益成果，在交流互鉴中完善和发展自主知识体系。在学科体系建设上，全面加强马克思主义理论、中共党史党建等学科建设，巩固优势重点学科，大力发展支撑性学科，前瞻性布局新兴学科与交叉学科，高度重视冷门学科的保护与发展，构建起层次分明、协同共进、充满活力的中国特色学科体系。在学术体系建设上，创新科研方法，开辟数智赋能新路径，完善评价机制，构建多元评价体系。在话语体系建设上，打造具有中国特色、中国风格、中国气派的学术话语，增强国际学术话语权，为解决我国和世界发展面临的重大问题提供中国立场、中国智慧。

Activating the Development Vitality of the Philosophy and Social Sciences Innovation Project

激活哲学社会科学创新工程发展活力

Encouraging innovation and creation is the key to stimulating vitality. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought advocates openness, inclusiveness, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. By creating a relaxed and free academic environment, it encourages scholars to boldly explore and innovate along the path of philosophy and social sciences development led by the Communist Party of China, to break through traditional thinking patterns, and to conduct cross-disciplinary and cross-field research. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC[7]7 The 18th National Congress of the CPC, held in 2012, marked the beginning of the New Era under Xi Jinping’s leadership., in the face of extensive and profound social changes, the continuous emergence of new problems has also placed urgent demands on theoretical innovation, making it imperative to strengthen the original construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. This requires further promoting a new situation where the organizational forms of scientific research are more efficient, major high-quality research results continue to emerge, and research vitality is constantly unleashed. Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, implements General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on philosophy and social sciences, actively practices Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and implements the “Xi’s Words ‘Liao’ Bright”[8]8 “Xi’s Words ‘Liao’ Bright” (习语‘聊’亮) is a local propaganda campaign in Liaocheng that plays on the homophone between “Liao” (聊, the first character of the city’s name) and “bright” (亮, meaning to illuminate or make clear), aiming to popularize Xi Jinping’s discourses. project to consolidate the soul and build the Party, striving to ensure that the Party’s innovative theories take root at the grassroots level, providing important support for the philosophy and social sciences innovation project.

鼓励创新创造是激发活力的关键。习近平文化思想倡导开放包容、守正创新，通过营造宽松自由的学术环境，鼓励广大学者沿着中国共产党领导的哲学社会科学发展道路大胆探索、勇于创新，突破传统思维定式，开展跨学科、跨领域研究。党的十八大以来，面对广泛而深刻的社会变革，持续产生的新问题也对理论创新提出迫切要求，强化中国特色哲学社会科学的原创性建构刻不容缓。这需要进一步推动形成科研组织形式更加高效、重大科研精品成果不断涌现、科研活力不断迸发的新局面。山东省聊城市贯彻落实习近平总书记关于哲学社会科学的重要论述，积极践行习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，实施“习语‘聊’亮”凝心铸魂工程，努力推进党的创新理论在基层落地生根，为哲学社会科学创新工程提供重要支持。

Strengthening talent cultivation is the foundation for stimulating vitality. Talent is the primary resource for innovation in philosophy and social sciences. Xi Jinping’s cultural thought attaches importance to the construction of the talent team. It is necessary to establish and improve the talent cultivation system, strengthen the construction of philosophy and social sciences disciplines in universities and research institutions, and cultivate a group of high-quality talents with profound theoretical foundations, keen problem awareness, and innovative abilities. At the same time, attract outstanding talents from home and abroad to devote themselves to philosophy and social sciences research, build a talent team with a reasonable structure and excellent quality, and inject fresh blood into the innovation project. Liaocheng is the only city where the Yellow River and the Grand Canal meet, and it is a fertile ground for the flourishing development of philosophy and social sciences. In recent years, guided by the academic spirit and humanistic feelings of the famous Liaocheng-born scholar Mr. Ji Xianlin[9]9 Ji Xianlin (1911–2009) was a renowned Chinese linguist, paleographer, historian, and writer, known for his work on Indology and Buddhist studies., it has innovatively implemented the only municipal-level social science talent project in the province—the “Xianlin Scholar Cultivation Project”—demonstrating Liaocheng’s sense of responsibility in promoting the reform of social science talent in the New Era and strengthening the construction of the social science talent team.

加强人才培养是激发活力的根本。人才是哲学社会科学创新的第一资源，习近平文化思想重视人才队伍建设。要建立健全人才培养体系，加强高校和科研机构的哲学社会科学学科建设，培养一批具有深厚理论功底、敏锐问题意识和创新能力的高素质人才。同时，吸引国内外优秀人才投身哲学社会科学研究，打造一支结构合理、素质优良的人才队伍，为创新工程注入新鲜血液。聊城是黄河、大运河唯一交汇城市，是哲学社会科学繁荣发展的一片沃土，近年来以聊城籍著名学者季羡林先生的学术精神和人文情怀为引领，创新实施了全省唯一市级社科人才工程——“羡林学者培育工程”，展现了聊城在推动新时代社科人才改革、强化社科人才队伍建设中的责任担当。

Guiding the high-quality development of the philosophy and social sciences innovation project with Xi Jinping’s cultural thought is the necessary path to break out of the historical predicament of philosophy and social sciences where “the East is subordinate to the West” and to construct the disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. We must deeply study and implement Xi Jinping’s cultural thought, actively engage in innovative practice, and provide a continuous source of spiritual motivation and intellectual support for accelerating the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics and promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

以习近平文化思想引领哲学社会科学创新工程高质量发展，是走出“东方从属西方”的哲学社会科学历史困境，构建中国特色哲学社会科学学科体系、学术体系、话语体系的必由之路。我们要深入学习贯彻习近平文化思想，积极投身创新实践，为加快构建中国特色哲学社会科学，推动中华民族伟大复兴提供源源不断的精神动力与智力支持。

(The authors are, respectively, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chair of the Liaocheng Municipal Federation of Social Sciences, and President of the Liaocheng Academy of Social Sciences; and Deputy Dean of the School of Marxism at Liaocheng University, and Distinguished Research Fellow of the Shandong Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.)

（作者系聊城市社科联党组书记、主席，市社科院院长；聊城大学马克思主义学院副院长，山东省习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特约研究员）

Online Editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧