Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a symposium discussing the country's work in philosophy and social sciences in Beijing, capital of China, May 17, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/Ding Lin)
President Xi Jinping stressed the irreplaceable role of philosophy and social sciences for building socialism with Chinese characteristics, urging Chinese characteristics to be incorporated in their development.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks in a speech delivered at a symposium on Tuesday to discuss philosophy and social sciences in China.
Xi said a country without advanced development of the natural sciences could not possibly be a leading nation, and neither can a country without booming achievements in philosophy and the social sciences.
Xi said people should recognize the irreplaceable roles played by philosophy and social sciences and the important work done by researchers in these fields.
Xi called for developing a system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics that incorporates the country's socialist practices.
Xi noted that the current era is conducive to the development of philosophy and social sciences.
"China is undergoing the most profound and widespread social reform in its history," Xi said.
Such unprecedented practices will generate enormous power and broad space for developing theory, he added.
The present time requires great theory and great minds, Xi said, encouraging philosophy and social science researchers to respond to the call and pool their wisdom in the service of the Party and the people.
Xie Chuntao, a professor with the CPC Central Committee Party School, noted that China's performance in philosophy and social sciences does not match its progress in reform and opening up, and efforts are needed to better sum up and analyze China's successful practices.
China's achievements over the past decades have been remarkable, and people in philosophy and social sciences need to work harder to tell China's stories, Xie said.
Xi said the country's study of philosophy and social sciences should focus on China and the contemporary era while using foreign studies and history as a reference and keeping concern for mankind and the future in mind.
Chinese characteristics should be incorporated into the guiding ideology, discourses and scholastic systems of these fields.
The president called for integrating Marxism, Chinese traditions and other schools in philosophy and the social sciences, Xi said, adding that confidence in the path, theory and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be strengthened.
"After all, confidence in our culture should be strengthened, which is a power that is more basic, deeper and more lasting," Xi said.
Xi said philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics should show originality and reflect the features of the times.
Only through original theories based on China's practical conditions can China's philosophy and social sciences establish their own systems, characteristics and advantages, Xi said.
