Providing Strong Theoretical and Intellectual Support for Writing a New Chapter

Philosophy and social sciences serve as an important tool for people to understand and transform the world, and a crucial force driving historical development and social progress. The Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (hereinafter referred to as the Recommendations), adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, has made significant arrangements for "innovatively advancing the Project of Studying and Developing Marxist Theory and accelerating the establishment of an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences".

On the new journey, how will the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) continue to promote knowledge innovation, theoretical innovation, and methodological innovation to make greater contributions to opening up new horizons for the prosperity and development of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics in the new era? Reporters from Xinhua News Agency interviewed Gao Xiang, President and Secretary of the Leading Party Group of CASS.

Vigorously Serving as a Think Tank for the Decision-Making of the Party and the Country

Q: During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics have flourished. As the top academic institution for philosophy and social sciences research in China, what contributions has CASS made?

A: Since the launch of the 14th Five-Year Plan, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and earnestly implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, CASS has strengthened the systematic and theoretical research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories, and achieved new results in promoting the high-quality development of philosophy and social sciences.

In-depth research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories: We have persisted in taking the research and interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our primary political, theoretical, and academic task. We have advanced the Project of Studying and Interpreting Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and mobilized the full capacity of the academy to conduct research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories. We have compiled The World Outlook and Methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the sixth batch of textbooks for the training of Party and government officials nationwide. We have also released 9 textbooks including Lectures on Xi Jinping Economic Thought, as well as landmark works such as the Series on Symbolic Concepts of New Thoughts for the New Era and Research on Fundamental Issues of the Two Combinations.

Solid progress in building an independent knowledge system: We have continuously promoted the development of the "Three Major Systems" for philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, and deepened research on basic disciplinary theories, disciplinary history, and the history of academic thought. We have strengthened the mechanism for organizing and implementing major scientific research tasks and actively explored a CASS - specific model of organized scientific research. Works such as A New Compendium of General History of China, A Concise Reader on the History of Chinese Civilization, and A New History of the Second World War have been published. We have increased support for esoteric and less - popular disciplines, opened the National Museum of Chinese Archaeology to the public, and further improved the integrated "academy - level, specialized, and institute - level" think tank development framework in advancing the development of new - type think tanks with Chinese characteristics.

New progress in exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations: In 2024, the academy hosted the First World Conference on Classical Studies and established the Institute of Chinese Classical Civilization in Athens. In 2025, the new premises of the institute were officially put into use, and a dialogue conference on exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Greek civilizations was held, which built a new high - end academic platform for the dissemination of Chinese civilization in the West and the promotion of mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations. We have also organized important international academic exchange activities such as the International Symposium on "China and the World: Joining Hands to Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind", the World Forum on Socialism, the Frontier Forum of World History, the World Congress of China Studies, and the World Archaeology Forum, telling China's stories through academic discourse.

Stronger institutional development and talent support: We have further advanced the Innovation Project for Philosophy and Social Sciences and continuously improved institutional mechanisms that conform to the laws governing the development of philosophy and social sciences and meet the requirements of the development of scientific research productivity in the new era. We have vigorously promoted the construction of scientific research innovation pilot sites at the Chinese Academy of History and the Academy of Chinese - Style Modernization, built comprehensive academic research platforms, and promoted the formation of new academic communities. A General Research Division has been set up to open up new development channels for interdisciplinary talents. We have further implemented talent programs and established a full - cycle talent training system covering the "Mentorship Program for Young Scholars", the "Youth Initiation Program", and the "Peiyuan Program". We have stepped up efforts to allow exceptional promotions in professional titles and strived to create an institutional environment conducive to the emergence of young talents.

Accelerating the Establishment of an Independent Knowledge System for Chinese Philosophy and Social Sciences

Q: The Recommendations have made arrangements to "innovatively advance the Project of Studying and Developing Marxist Theory and accelerate the establishment of an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences". What key aspects will CASS focus on to implement this deployment?

A: The inclusion of this initiative in the key tasks for the 15th Five-Year Plan period in the Recommendations is a major arrangement made by the Party Central Committee based on the strategic position of philosophy and social sciences in building a country with a strong culture. It plays an important guiding and leading role in the high - quality development of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.

Looking ahead, we will take addressing the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times as our academic mission, and take highlighting China's path, China's governance, and China's theories as our ideological pursuit. We will put forward systematic, forward - looking, and innovative academic insights in studying and solving major issues of overall, fundamental, and critical significance to the Party and the country, and conduct academic research that is ideological, compassionate, principled, and future - oriented.

Upholding the guiding position of Marxism: We will adhere to Marxism's guiding role in the field of ideology, take Marxism as the most fundamental, profound, and unshakable foundation for CASS, strengthen research on the "Two Combinations", and improve the disciplinary layout of Marxist theory. Currently, our top priority is to be guided by the Party's innovative theories, adapt to the requirements of the times, base ourselves on China's realities, systematically refine and summarize major symbolic concepts, original ideological viewpoints, and theoretical achievements of a fundamental nature. We will continuously deepen the systematic and theoretical research and interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, produce more research results with in - depth academic value and practical significance, and accelerate the establishment of a basic disciplinary theoretical system guided by the latest achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

Accelerating the development of an independent Chinese knowledge system: Chinese academic research must be rooted in China's realities and highlight Chinese characteristics, making its voice heard clearly and resoundingly amid the global academic trends. We will strive to build a basic disciplinary theoretical system with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its banner and soul. We will carefully sort out the historical context, development trends, and future directions of disciplinary development, consolidate the historical foundation for academic innovation, expand the international perspective of Chinese academia, and identify key areas for promoting knowledge innovation, theoretical innovation, and methodological innovation. We will formulate targeted strategic plans for disciplinary and academic development, continue to make efforts in research on major strategic issues, cutting - edge academic topics, and the inheritance of esoteric and less - popular disciplines, continuously consolidate our academic competitive advantages of having unique strengths and excelling in areas where others also have capabilities, build a leading group of academic fields driving the development of Chinese academia, and establish an independent Chinese knowledge system that inherits history, continues cultural traditions, and carries forward academic heritage.

Inheriting and developing fine traditional Chinese culture: We will give better play to the role of the Chinese Academy of History in coordinating and guiding historical research across the country. We will conduct in - depth research on the origin and development of Chinese civilization, its prominent characteristics, the Chinese nation community, and exchanges and mutual learning among human civilizations. We will promote the implementation of major projects such as the Project of Tracing the Origins of Chinese Civilization and the "Archaeological China" initiative to provide more archaeological evidence for the splendid Chinese civilization. We will continue to run the National Museum of Chinese Archaeology and the Guo Moruo Memorial Hall well, innovate exhibition forms, and vividly tell the stories behind cultural relics. We will fully leverage the functions of local chronicles in recording history, providing reference for governance, and educating people, promote the compilation of The Chronicles of China's Poverty Alleviation and The Chronicles of China's Comprehensive Moderate Prosperity at a high level, and organize and implement the third round of local chronicles compilation with high quality.

Strengthening regional and country - specific studies: We will carefully design and optimize our global academic strategic layout, continue to develop overseas research institutions such as the Institute of Chinese Classical Civilization, the China - Central and Eastern European Institute, and the Overseas China Studies Research Center. We will deepen cooperation and exchanges with foreign universities, think tanks, and government departments, enhance our international academic discourse power, and promote exchanges and dialogues between Chinese academia in the new era and the mainstream international academic community. We will carefully compile the new editions of the Chronicles of Countries and the Chronicles of International Organizations, conduct in - depth on - site research in international studies, and continuously improve our ability to serve the overall work of the Party and the country.

Continuously Promoting the Transformation and Innovation of Scientific Research Paradigms in Philosophy and Social Sciences

Q: The Recommendations propose to "fully implement the 'Artificial Intelligence +' initiative and take artificial intelligence as the driver for transforming scientific research paradigms". How will CASS promote the effective implementation of this deployment?

A: General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly pointed out that accelerating the development of a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) is a crucial strategic measure for us to gain the initiative in the global scientific and technological competition, and an important strategic resource for promoting China's leapfrog development in science and technology, industrial upgrading, and overall improvement in productivity.

In recent years, CASS has actively explored new ways, methods, and paths to empower philosophy and social sciences research with technology, promoted the formation of a new scientific research model of "new technology + philosophy and social sciences", and built a cluster of philosophy and social sciences laboratories that deliver tangible results within the academy, set industry benchmarks, and exert national influence. The academy has established 9 laboratory research platforms, including the AI - powered professional large - scale model for world economy and politics, and 22 databases.

Moving forward, we will fully grasp the opportunities brought by the new scientific and technological revolution, strengthen the layout of strategic, forward - looking, and leading research, and continuously promote the transformation and innovation of scientific research paradigms in philosophy and social sciences.

Identifying the entry points for AI to empower philosophy and social sciences: We will closely monitor the development trends and evolutionary laws of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation represented by AI. We will conduct in - depth analysis of the in - depth impacts and operational mechanisms of AI on human cognitive judgment, ethical norms, social forms, social psychology, and the evolution of civilization. We will further expand our research horizons and the application areas of new technologies, explore the establishment of a theoretical system for the ethical application of AI, and promote AI to better benefit humanity.

Promoting the transformation of scientific research organization models: We will strengthen the development of emerging and interdisciplinary disciplines, take interdisciplinary integration as a distinctive methodological feature, fully absorb and draw on research methods from natural sciences, and expand the research fields and academic boundaries of philosophy and social sciences. We will integrate the academy's advantageous resources, build key laboratory support platforms, laboratory incubation platforms, and database platforms, promote the transformation of research methods in philosophy and social sciences to a human - machine collaboration model, and explore the establishment of a new scientific research model that breaks the boundaries between research institutes and conforms to the laws of development in the digital and intelligent era.

Establishing an effective mechanism for the development of "AI + philosophy and social sciences": We will actively build an integrated AI platform, launch special initiatives to empower research with AI, establish bases for innovative research methods in philosophy and social sciences, and create more academic communities, scientific research pilot sites, and experimental zones that facilitate interdisciplinary integration, cross - disciplinary exchanges and cooperation, and cross - field collaborative research. This will help foster new academic growth points and innovation areas in philosophy and social sciences.

Reporter: Wang Sibe

Xinhua News Agency