Do Not Disappoint This Great Era, Shoulder the Glorious Mission

In his important speech at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “All philosophy and social science workers with ideals and aspirations should stand at the tide of the times, comprehend the changes of past and present, give voice to pioneering thoughts, actively establish theories and offer advice for the Party and the people, and shoulder the glorious mission entrusted by history.” This important exposition not only reflects General Secretary Xi Jinping’s high regard and ardent expectations for philosophy and social science workers, but also points out the direction and path for how contemporary Chinese philosophy and social science workers can demonstrate new responsibilities and achieve new accomplishments, providing a value framework.

习近平总书记在哲学社会科学工作座谈会上的重要讲话中强调：“一切有理想、有抱负的哲学社会科学工作者都应该立时代之潮头、通古今之变化、发思想之先声，积极为党和人民述学立论、建言献策，担负起历史赋予的光荣使命。”这一重要论述既体现了习近平总书记对哲学社会科学工作者的高度重视和殷切期待，又为当代中国哲学社会科学工作者如何展现新担当、实现新作为指明了方向路径、提供了价值遵循。

Bravely Stand at the Tide of the Times

勇立时代之潮头

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “All epoch-making theories are the product of meeting the needs of the times.” Only by standing at the forefront of the times, listening to the voices of the times, and responding to the calls of the times can philosophy and social sciences exert greater power and lead the development of the times. As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters the New Era, the more our cause advances and develops, the more new situations and new problems emerge, and the more risks and challenges we face. This urgently requires philosophy and social science workers to base themselves on the orientation of the times, keep pace with the times, consciously link their personal academic pursuits closely with the development of the nation and the country, and strive to produce research results that withstand the test of practice, the people, and history.

习近平总书记指出：“一切划时代的理论，都是满足时代需要的产物。”只有站在时代前沿，聆听时代声音、回应时代呼唤，哲学社会科学才能发挥更大威力，引领时代发展。随着中国特色社会主义进入新时代，我们的事业越前进、越发展，新情况新问题就越多，面临的风险和挑战就越多。这迫切需要哲学社会科学工作者立足时代方位、紧跟时代步伐，自觉把个人学术追求同国家和民族发展紧紧联系在一起，努力推出经得起实践、人民、历史检验的研究成果。

Bravely standing at the tide of the times requires solving problems for the times. Problems are the voice of the times, and the times always develop through the continuous resolution of problems. Philosophy and social science workers must demonstrate genuine skill and achieve good results in researching and resolving major issues concerning the overall, fundamental, and critical aspects of the Party and the state. They must further strengthen their problem awareness, focusing on new problems encountered in practice, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, problems of urgent concern to the people, major problems in international changes, and prominent problems faced in Party building. Through in-depth observation and meticulous research, they must discover the essence beneath the multitude of appearances, and continuously put forward new concepts, new ideas, and new methods that truly solve problems.

勇立时代之潮头，需要为时代破题。问题是时代的声音，时代总是在不断解决问题中发展的。哲学社会科学工作者必须在研究解决事关党和国家全局性、根本性、关键性的重大问题上拿出真本事、取得好成果。要进一步增强问题意识，聚焦实践中遇到的新问题、改革发展稳定存在的深层次问题、人民群众急难愁盼问题、国际变局中的重大问题、党的建设面临的突出问题，通过深入观察和细致研究，从林林总总的表象中发现本质，不断提出真正解决问题的新理念新思路新办法。

Bravely standing at the tide of the times requires foreseeing for the times. “Worrying before events occur allows one to avoid worry; worrying only when events happen cannot save the situation.” [1]1 A classical Chinese saying from the *Book of Commandments* (《申鉴》) by Xun Yue (荀悦, 148–209 CE), a Han dynasty historian and philosopher, emphasizing the importance of foresight and preparation. The era we are in is one of turbulent change, facing a world that changes with each passing day. Only by constantly observing the general trend and considering the overall situation can we take precautions and be prepared. Philosophy and social science workers must leverage the strengths of their respective disciplines, promptly look ahead to the future course, and shift from passive “encountering” to active “foreseeing.” They must possess the ability to discern subtle signs, like “knowing a deer has passed by the rustling of grass and shaking of leaves,” [2]2 A classical Chinese idiom, originally from the *Huainanzi* (《淮南子》), a Han dynasty philosophical text, describing the ability to infer the presence of a large animal from subtle environmental clues, used here as a metaphor for keen insight and foresight. regularly analyze and judge risks and hidden dangers in various fields and aspects, and be able to perceive and precisely defuse various potential risks and challenges in advance, thereby better providing beneficial countermeasures and suggestions for the Party and the state to prevent and resolve various risks.

勇立时代之潮头，需要为时代预言。“忧先于事，故能无忧；事至而忧，无救于事。”我们所处的是一个风云变幻的时代，面对的是一个日新月异的世界，常观大势、常思大局，才能做到未雨绸缪、有备无患。哲学社会科学工作者必须发挥各学科所长，及时瞻望未来航向，从被动“遇见”转向主动“预见”。要有“草摇叶响知鹿过”的见微知著能力，对各领域各方面的风险隐患，经常分析研判，对可能发生的各种风险挑战，能做到提前感知、精准拆弹，进而更好为党和国家防范化解各类风险提供有益的对策和建议。

Bravely standing at the tide of the times requires leading the times. A great era often has many “wind vents” of the times, which represent the major momentum and great opportunities of social development. Whether philosophy and social science workers can leverage this “timing” and “momentum” to help the Party and the state seize opportunities and take the initiative in the times has always been crucial. What kind of era are we in today? How should we understand and lead the era? To answer these questions, philosophy and social science workers need to accurately grasp the general trend and currents of world development, keenly perceive changes in the internal and external environment, utilize relevant knowledge structures to precisely identify developments and trends in the economic, political, cultural, social, and technological fields, and on the basis of comprehensive and objective analysis, strive to reveal the major logic and major trends of China’s social development and the development of human society.

勇立时代之潮头，需要为时代领跑。一个伟大的时代，往往会有许多时代“风口”，这是社会发展的大势能和大机遇。哲学社会科学工作者能否借助这个“时”与“势”帮助党和国家抓住时代机遇、占据时代主动，历来相当关键。我们今天到底处在一个什么样的时代？该怎样认识并引领时代？回答这些问题，哲学社会科学工作者需要准确把握世界发展的大势和潮流，敏锐觉察内外部环境的发展变化，利用相关的知识构成，精准辨别经济、政治、文化、社会和科技等领域发展端倪和动向，在全面客观分析的基础上，努力揭示我国社会发展、人类社会发展的大逻辑大趋势。

Skillfully Comprehend the Changes of Past and Present

善通古今之变化

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “The actual form of philosophy and social sciences is the result of the integration and generation of various knowledge, concepts, theories, methods, etc., from ancient to modern times. We must be adept at integrating various resources from ancient and modern, China and abroad.” From the perspective of the relationship between inheritance and development, the proposal of any great thought and the creation of any great theory are inseparable from the perfect combination of “past” and “present.” When explaining Chinese-path modernization, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “Chinese-path modernization is a modernization that continues ancient civilization, not one that eliminates it; it is a modernization that has grown from Chinese soil, not one that copies other countries; it is the result of civilizational renewal, not the product of civilizational rupture. Chinese-path modernization is the new mission of the ancient state of the Chinese nation, [3]3 “New mission of the ancient state” (旧邦新命) is a phrase from the *Book of Songs* (《诗经》), the oldest Chinese poetry collection, reinterpreted here to mean that Chinese civilization, while ancient, is undertaking a new historical mission through modernization. which will surely restore the glory of Chinese civilization.” It can be seen that only by integrating past and present can we put forward insights that influence the process of world modernization and write a new chapter in the flourishing development of philosophy and social sciences.

习近平总书记指出，“哲学社会科学的现实形态，是古往今来各种知识、观念、理论、方法等融通生成的结果。我们要善于融通古今中外各种资源”。从传承与发展的关系来看，任何伟大思想的提出与伟大理论的创造都离不开“古”与“今”的完美结合。习近平总书记在阐释中国式现代化时强调，“中国式现代化是赓续古老文明的现代化，而不是消灭古老文明的现代化；是从中华大地长出来的现代化，不是照搬照抄其他国家的现代化；是文明更新的结果，不是文明断裂的产物。中国式现代化是中华民族的旧邦新命，必将推动中华文明重焕荣光”。可见，只有融通古今，才能提出影响世界现代化进程的真知灼见，谱写哲学社会科学繁荣发展新篇章。

Skillfully comprehending the changes of past and present requires firm cultural confidence. All things have their origin, yet one must know to guard their roots. [4]4 A classical Chinese saying from the *Huainanzi* (《淮南子》), emphasizing the importance of preserving one’s origins and roots, used here to advocate for cultural confidence. Firm cultural confidence is the strong foundation and powerful support for constructing philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. At the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “Chinese culture, which has continued for several thousand years, is the deep foundation for the growth and development of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.” Only by being adept at extracting essence and absorbing energy from the treasure trove of Chinese culture, and by maintaining high confidence in their own cultural ideals and cultural values, as well as high confidence in the vitality and creativity of their own culture, can philosophy and social science workers put forward ideological theories that reflect Chinese positions and Chinese wisdom, embodying inheritance and national character.

善通古今之变化，需要坚定文化自信。万物有所生，而独知守其根。坚定文化自信是构建中国特色哲学社会科学的强大底气与有力支撑。习近平总书记在哲学社会科学工作座谈会上强调，“绵延几千年的中华文化，是中国特色哲学社会科学成长发展的深厚基础”。哲学社会科学工作者只有善于从中华文化宝库中萃取精华、汲取能量，始终保持对自身文化理想、文化价值的高度自信，保持对自身文化生命力、创造力的高度信心，才能提出体现继承性、民族性的中国立场、中国智慧的思想理论。

Skillfully comprehending the changes of past and present requires adhering to the Two Integrations. Entering the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly grasps the inherent laws of the innovative development of Marxism and creatively proposed the important thought of the Two Integrations, providing important methodological guidance for advancing the innovation of knowledge and discourse in philosophy and social sciences. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is itself a brilliant example of adhering to the Two Integrations. It both upholds tradition and speaks many new words, achieving a new leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Only by adhering to the Two Integrations, in the construction of the disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system, both upholding the guiding position of Marxism in China’s philosophy and social sciences field and fully integrating China’s specific realities and fine traditional Chinese culture, can philosophy and social science workers successfully build philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese manner.

善通古今之变化，需要坚持“两个结合”。进入新时代，习近平总书记深刻把握马克思主义创新发展的内在规律，创造性提出“两个结合”的重要思想，为推进哲学社会科学知识话语创新提供了重要方法论指导。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想本身就是坚持“两个结合”的光辉典范，它既坚持了传统，又讲了许多新话，实现了马克思主义中国化时代化新的飞跃。哲学社会科学工作者只有坚持“两个结合”，在学科体系、学术体系、话语体系建设上，既坚持马克思主义在我国哲学社会科学领域的指导地位，同时也充分结合中国具体实际与中华优秀传统文化，才能建设好具有中国特色、中国风格、中国气派的哲学社会科学。

Skillfully comprehending the changes of past and present requires adhering to upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. Upholding fundamental principles means adhering to truth and the right path; breaking new ground means daring to explore and open up new realms, daring to say what predecessors have not said, and daring to do what predecessors have not done. In practice, philosophy and social science workers must scientifically grasp the enterprising spirit of “upholding fundamental principles without being conservative, respecting antiquity without restoring the old ways.” General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “We must strengthen the excavation and elucidation of fine traditional Chinese culture, so that the most basic cultural genes of the Chinese nation adapt to contemporary culture and coordinate with modern society, and promote the cultural spirit that transcends time and space, transcends national boundaries, is full of eternal charm, and has contemporary value. We must promote the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese civilization, activate its vitality, and let Chinese civilization, together with the colorful civilizations created by peoples of all countries, provide correct spiritual guidance for humanity.”

善通古今之变化，需要坚持守正创新。守正就是坚守真理、坚守正道；创新就是勇于探索、开辟新境，敢于说前人没有说过的新话，敢于干前人没有干过的事情。哲学社会科学工作者在实践中必须科学把握“守正不守旧、尊古不复古”的进取精神。习近平总书记强调，“要加强对中华优秀传统文化的挖掘和阐发，使中华民族最基本的文化基因与当代文化相适应、与现代社会相协调，把跨越时空、超越国界、富有永恒魅力、具有当代价值的文化精神弘扬起来。要推动中华文明创造性转化、创新性发展，激活其生命力，让中华文明同各国人民创造的多彩文明一道，为人类提供正确精神指引”。

Dare to Give Voice to Pioneering Thoughts

敢发思想之先声

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Every major leap forward in human society and every major development in human civilization are inseparable from the knowledge transformation and ideological guidance of philosophy and social sciences.” Philosophy and social science workers in the New Era, in interpreting Chinese practice and constructing Chinese theory, should give voice to pioneering thoughts, promptly research, propose, and apply new thoughts, new concepts, and new methods to solve new situations and new problems arising in the process of social development.

习近平总书记指出，“人类社会每一次重大跃进，人类文明每一次重大发展，都离不开哲学社会科学的知识变革和思想先导”。新时代的哲学社会科学工作者在解读中国实践、构建中国理论上，理应发思想之先声，及时研究、提出、运用新思想新理念新办法，来解决社会发展进程中的新情况新问题。

To dare to be the first to voice ideas, it is necessary to adhere to the people-centered stance. The question of for whom is a fundamental and principled issue in philosophical and social science research. For whom do China’s philosophical and social sciences write books and establish theories—do they serve the few or the vast majority? This is a question that must be clarified. When applied to individual philosophical and social science researchers, it means understanding the value choice of for whom to speak and for whom to voice opinions. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, “If China’s philosophical and social sciences are

敢发思想之先声，需要坚守人民至上的立场。为什么人的问题是哲学社会科学研究的根本性、原则性问题。我国哲学社会科学为谁著书、为谁立说，是为少数人服务还是为绝大多数人服务，是必须搞清楚的问题。落实到具体哲学社会科学工作者的身上，就是要明白该为谁发声、为谁而言的价值选择问题。习近平总书记强调，“我国哲学社会科学要有所作为，就必须坚持以人民为中心的研究导向。脱离了人民，哲学社会科学就不会有吸引力、感染力、影响力、生命力。我国广大哲学社会科学工作者要坚持人民是历史创造者的观点，树立为人民做学问的理想”。这充分彰显了坚守人民至上的立场，应成为当代中国哲学社会科学工作者立言发声的根本出发点与立足点。

To dare to be the first to voice new ideas requires carrying forward the spirit of seeking truth from facts. Seeking truth from facts is the fundamental viewpoint of Marxism and the basic requirement that all philosophy and social science workers must follow in their research. In his important speech at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Science Work, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “At present, there are some unhealthy tendencies in the field of philosophy and social sciences, with varying degrees of academic exaggeration, academic misconduct, and academic corruption. Some are driven by quick success, piece together materials, and produce shoddy work; some evade reality, work behind closed doors, and engage in empty talk; some plagiarize others’ achievements, or even tamper with documents and fabricate data.” Although this situation has somewhat improved, we still need to remain vigilant. The emergence of such phenomena is often due to philosophy and social science workers deviating from the method and spirit of seeking truth from facts. If we do not pay attention, remain vigilant, or correct this, the negative impact and consequences will be difficult to predict. In the Party’s history, the publication of the article “Practice Is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth” was like a thunderclap on a clear day, producing a huge impact precisely because the philosophy and social science workers at that time upheld the spirit of seeking truth from facts, dared to break free from the shackles of backward traditional concepts and subjective biases, and thereby pushed forward the Party’s cause and various tasks. Therefore, an important prerequisite for daring to be the first to voice new ideas is that philosophy and social science workers adhere to the spirit of seeking truth from facts. Only in this way can their achievements withstand the test of practice and gain genuine recognition.

敢发思想之先声，需要弘扬实事求是的精神。实事求是，是马克思主义的根本观点，也是哲学社会科学工作者进行一切研究所必须遵循的根本要求。习近平总书记在哲学社会科学工作座谈会上的重要讲话中指出，“当前，哲学社会科学领域存在一些不良风气，学术浮夸、学术不端、学术腐败现象不同程度存在，有的急功近利、东拼西凑、粗制滥造，有的逃避现实、闭门造车、坐而论道，有的剽窃他人成果甚至篡改文献、捏造数据”。虽然这种状况已经有所改变，但是我们仍需警醒。此类现象的出现，很多时候就在于哲学社会科学工作者背离了实事求是的方法与精神。如果不重视、不警惕、不纠正，其消极影响和后果难以预料。党的历史上，《实践是检验真理的唯一标准》一文的发表，之所以犹如平地一声惊雷，产生巨大影响，就在于那时的哲学社会科学工作者秉持了实事求是的精神，敢于冲破落后的传统观念和主观偏见的束缚，进而把党的事业和各项工作推向前进。因此，敢发思想之先声的一个重要前提，就是哲学社会科学工作者坚守了实事求是的精神。唯其如此，其成果才经得起实践的检验，得到真正的认可。

To dare to be the first to voice new ideas requires cultivating the boldness of not yielding to others when it is one’s duty. The New Era endows new tasks, and the New Era also puts forward new demands. Domestically, facing the new situation where social thought, values, and value orientations are becoming increasingly active, with mainstream and non-mainstream coexisting simultaneously, and social trends of thought surging and clashing, consolidating the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain and consolidating the common ideological foundation for the united struggle of the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups in the country urgently requires philosophy and social science workers to “dare to be the first to voice new ideas.” Internationally, in the face of remarks that demonize and stigmatize China and the Chinese people, to better present a true, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive China, and to strive to shape a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China, it also urgently requires philosophy and social science workers to dare to be the first to voice new ideas. Philosophy and social science workers in the New Era must be determined to become “advocates of advanced thought, pioneers of academic research, leaders of social trends, and firm supporters of the Party’s governance.” They must be “warriors” who dare to struggle, not “gentlemen” who cherish their feathers, daring to clarify misunderstandings and “draw the sword” against rumors, moving from “not speaking out” to “wanting to speak out,” and then to “daring to speak out” and “being good at speaking out,” fully unleashing the ideological power of philosophy and social science to transform customs and educate people, unite hearts and minds, clarify fallacies, and distinguish right from wrong.

敢发思想之先声，需要涵养当仁不让的气魄。新时代赋予新任务，新时代也提出新要求。国内而言，面对社会思想观念和价值取向日趋活跃、主流和非主流同时并存、社会思潮纷纭激荡的新形势，巩固马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位，巩固全党全国各族人民团结奋斗的共同思想基础，迫切需要哲学社会科学工作者“敢发思想之先声”；国际来看，面对那些妖魔化、污名化中国和中国人民的言论，更好展现真实、立体、全面的中国，努力塑造可信、可爱、可敬的中国形象，也迫切需要哲学社会科学工作者敢发思想之先声。新时代的哲学社会科学工作者必须立志做“先进思想的倡导者、学术研究的开拓者、社会风尚的引领者、党执政的坚定支持者”，要做勇于斗争的“战士”，不做爱惜羽毛的“绅士”，敢于对误读澄清、对谣言“亮剑”，从“不发声”到“想发声”，再到“敢发声”“善发声”，充分发挥哲学社会科学成风化人、凝心聚力，澄清谬误、明辨是非的思想伟力。

The sage is not rigidly attached to things but adapts to the times. Philosophy and social science workers should be exactly like this: neither stubbornly clinging to objective circumstances nor biased, but able to delve into research and make progress as the times develop, pushing the wheel of history forward. It is believed that as long as they bravely stand at the forefront of the times, are adept at understanding the changes of past and present, and dare to be the first to voice new ideas, philosophy and social science workers in the New Era will surely overcome hardships, live up to their mission, and with their wisdom and efforts, make new and greater contributions to building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.

圣人不凝滞于物，而能与世推移。哲学社会科学工作者正当如此，既不拘泥偏执于客观时势，又能随着时代发展而钻研进取，推动历史车轮滚滚向前。相信只要勇立时代之潮头、善通古今之变化、敢发思想之先声，新时代的哲学社会科学工作者就一定能不畏艰辛、不辱使命，以自己的智慧和努力，为强国建设、民族复兴作出新的更大贡献。

Online editor: Paul

网络编辑：保罗