Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, awards a certificate to an author whose work is collected in "national achievements library of philosophy and social sciences" during a symposium on the formation of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics in Beijing, capital of China, May 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
While China is increasingly confident in its dazzling economic growth in past decades, the country is placing urgency on building more basic and lasting confidence -- to generate its own great minds in philosophy and social sciences.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) has recently pledged to step up building "philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics," a system including various fields such as history, economics, politics, culture, society, ecology and the military.
People in these fields must shoulder their responsibilities, consolidate confidence in Chinese culture and enhance innovation in their field, said Liu Yunshan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, at a high-level seminar held on Wednesday to promote the project.
The remarks came just one year after Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made a speech at a symposium on the development of philosophy and social sciences.
The speech, ranging from Marxism and the CPC leadership to talent cultivation and innovation, was regarded by academics and officials as a guiding thought on developing these fields.
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 at the symposium held on May 17 last year.
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Academics believe present day China requires great theory and great minds.
As the country is undergoing the most profound and widespread social reform in its history, the nation's drive is expected to generate power and broad space for developing theory, said Professor Xie Chuntao with the CPC Central Committee Party School.
He noted that China's performance in philosophy and social sciences has not kept up with its progress in reform and opening up, and efforts are needed to better sum up and analyze the country's successful endeavors.
Academics must work harder to generate theories to support future development, Xie said.
