Co-hosted by Social Sciences in China Press (SSCP) and Tongji University, and organized by the Institute for China & World Studies and the School of Political Science & International Relations (SPSIR) of Tongji University, the 1st Forum on China & World Studies & High-Level Seminar on “Academic Expression of the Chinese Road” was held in Tongji University in Shanghai on May 30, 2015. More than 30 influential experts and scholars from Tongji University, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC, Renmin University of China, East China Normal University, China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Central China Normal University, and China Foreign Affairs University, carried out interdisciplinary dialogues, exchanges and discussions around such key topics as 'The Birth and Development of the Chinese Road', 'The International Influence of the Chinese Road', 'The Chinese Road and the Future of the World', and 'The Chinese Road from a Multidisciplinary Perspective'. This fruitful meeting, where diverse opinions were expressed, has provided an authoritative and pioneering understanding of the Chinese Road.

Prof. Yang Xianjin, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tongji University, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. He said, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the new leading group with Xi Jinping as General Secretary has been committed to a new era of comprehensively deepening reform and opening up, with a grand strategy vital to China’s future being gradually formed. And China has resolutely and calmly taken a path of peaceful development. Meanwhile, the exploration of the Chinese Road has also attracted the attention of global elites. On the one hand, it provides developing countries with an alternative that is different from that of the West, and also benefits the development of human society; and on the other hand, it shows the international community how China understands development, and contributes the Chinese experience and road to the world. Today’s China needs to make its “voice” heard by the world. This voice not only comes from decision-makers, social media and literary works, but also requires academic expression by intellectual elites. That’s why this meeting was held. With this meeting as a start, Tongji University will continue to hold the Forum on China & World Studies to promote wider cooperation with SSCP and other sister institutions, allowing the development of Tongji’s liberal arts to contribute to humanities and social sciences in China.

Wang Limin, Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief of SSCP, thanked the participating experts for their strong support and Tongji University for its careful organization. He pointed out that after more than 30 years of reform and opening up, China has explored a unique road. This road and related academic theory are closely linked and benefit each other. Marxism, Western academic theory and traditional Chinese thought have become important ideological resources supporting the development of the Chinese Road. In the current critical historical period of comprehensively deepening reform, the Chinese academia is faced with a historic task: to theorize the Chinese Road and enhance its academic significance, and build an academic discourse system with Chinese characteristics and style. In his viewpoint, the academic expression of the Chinese Road should be as open and evolutionary as the Chinese Road itself. In this great historical period where the four-pronged comprehensive strategy is implemented, building an academic discourse system for today’s China, solving major problems in the theoretical and practical development in today’s China, and creating a new future for the Chinese Road with an international perspective, will become an important task for Chinese scholars, which is also an important element for the realization of the Chinese dream.

In the formal agenda, based on the topics set by the organizing committee, some participants delivered enlightening keynote speeches or comments with academic significance, covering basic propositions of related studies on the connotation and extension of the Chinese Road, the course and contribution of the Chinese Road, and the goals and approaches of the Chinese Road, etc. Around the topic of “The Birth and Development of the Chinese Road”, the speakers started with tracing historical source and examining the economic foundation, and then defined the connotation and extension of the Chinese road through vertical review and horizontal expansion, with reference with the domestic and international situations. Around the topic of “The International Influence of the Chinese Road”, scholars of international studies discussed the universality and particularity of the Chinese Road in terms of China’s foreign policy, major power strategy and international discourse system, and then drew insights on the international influence of the Chinese Road. Around the topic of 'The Chinese Road and the Future of the World', scholars explored the possibilities for China in building a new type of major-power relationship and international relations and shaping the world order on macro- and meso-level issues, and put forward the view of taking the Chinese road characterized by “taking China as an example to build a global community”. Under the topic of 'The Chinese Road from a Multidisciplinary Perspective', experts from philosophy, political science, sociology and other disciplines had a cross-disciplinary discussion and debate on the Chinese Road, which has further enriched the content of the Chinese Road.

In general, the experts and scholars offered thought-provoking insights in line with the theoretical needs of their respective academic field and the strategic demands of national development, according to their own research interest. And every participant was impressed by the heated discussion and debate. The features and results of this high-level seminar included: First, it was a gathering of intellectual elites. The participants are all top scholars and experts in related fields in China. Their papers and opinions are rich in both historical and contemporary meaning, with theoretical logic and policy analysis combined; they not only provide a guiding interpretation of related theories, but also offer advice and suggestions on national strategies, reflecting the high caliber of this meeting. Second, it was a feast of ideas. Some of China’s best scholars in political science, international studies, philosophy, law, economics, history, sociology, communication and many other disciplines were invited to jointly contribute to the understanding of and research on the issues related to the Chinese Road. The participants elaborated on the Chinese Road at different levels and from different perspectives based on their core issues and methodology, and also criticized and improved the research findings of other disciplines, reflecting the high quality of this meeting. Third, it was a pool of wisdom. The participants provided different yet meaningful interpretations of the Chinese Road, a complex and profound issue, which included both converging views and dialectical criticism. A rational and passionate atmosphere was running through the meeting. The clash and blending of opinions highlighted the innovative value of communication, reflecting the high return of this meeting.

At the closing ceremony, Tongji University Vice President Jiang Bo spoke highly of the forum and appreciated the warm atmosphere and theoretical profundity of the discussion. Jiang first thanked the organizer for putting forward the meaningful theme of 'Academic Expression of the Chinese Road' as it precisely reflects the historic task and responsibility for Chinese scholars of philosophy and social sciences in the current development stage, and then thanked the guests for attending the meeting. He noted that the academic results and the atmosphere of public opinion achieved in this meeting will ultimately serve the students, and hoped the Tongji students present to turn the gains from this meeting into supplies for their future development. Finally, Jiang looked forward to new breakthroughs from this forum that will be built into a sustainable platform.

Sun Hui, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of SSCP, spoke on the significance of academic expression of the Chinese road. He first reviewed the general trend and main results of the development of social sciences in recent years, believing that the Chinese scholars should strengthen critical reflection and a true Chinese academic school should be created to reflect the reality of the Chinese road. Then, Sun put forward his own thoughts and expectations for China’s future academic development: First, in face of the historical basis that has already changed substantially, the Chinese academic studies under the banner of Marxism cannot dogmatically rely on the way of text interpretation to replace theoretical research on the reality and spirit presented in this era of change; Second, in face of the historical appeal of multiple alternatives to modernity, and the world significance of historic originality released by the Chinese Road, the Chinese academic studies are inevitably required to move towards a stronger discourse power and an open mind; Third, it is essential to understand the Chinese problems, the Chinese road, the Chinese experience and the Chinese model by standing in the forefront of the times and the academic studies, and to be aware that China should deeply participate in globalization and play a dominant role; Fourth, as the world is increasingly integrated, human development requires a theory of universal significance, underscoring the contribution of the Chinese expression to the entire human civilization.

Through high-caliber, multi-disciplinary and all-round academic discussion, the 1st Forum on China & World Studies & High-Level Seminar on 'Academic Expression of the Chinese Road' shows that inspiring progress has been made in the academic studies on the Chinese Road, which has paved the way for the next stage of exploration. At the same time, as one of the key platforms for future development of liberal arts in Tongji University, this forum has also provided experience and inspiration for the next steps, breathing new life into China’s strategic studies.

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