Nanjing University Hosts Seminar Marking First Anniversary of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Speech on Cultural Heritage, Development, and Modern Chinese Civilization

On June 1, the first anniversary of studying and implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech at the symposium on cultural inheritance and development and the seminar on the theory of modern Chinese civilization were held at Nanjing University. The seminar was hosted by the Institute of Modern Chinese Civilization of Nanjing University and co-organized by the Nanjing University Theoretical Research Base of the Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Experts and scholars from various disciplines gathered together to discuss the development path of building a modern Chinese civilization.

In his speech, Yang Zhong, the executive deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the University, pointed out that this seminar has further strengthened Nanjing University’s confidence and determination to study and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, and further clarified the specific path of how to promote the research of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. He put forward three requirements for the research of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation at Nanjing University: First, in-depth study and active practice of Xi Jinping’s cultural thoughts, and further strengthen the research and interpretation of the party’s innovative theories; second, comprehensively coordinate the advantages of the disciplinary platform, break down disciplinary barriers, form a research synergy, and further build and strengthen the Institute of Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation; third, fully integrate research forces, strengthen top-level design, and strive to create a series of books on the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, highlighting the value pursuit of Nanjing University’s originality, Nanjing University’s masters, and Nanjing University’s school. Yang Zhong expressed the hope that more teachers and students will actively join the research of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, further strengthen cultural confidence, and make pioneering contributions to the research of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.

Chen Yunsong, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the University, delivered a speech and introduced the important phased achievements of Nanjing University’s research on the modern civilization of the Chinese nation in the past year. He pointed out that Nanjing University has a profound cultural heritage in inheriting and developing the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and has unique advantages in telling Chinese stories well and strengthening international communication. It is the unshirkable mission of Nanjing University to study, interpret and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation well. In the future, we must further improve our political stance, deepen the academic research, theoretical interpretation and systematic construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, and produce more high-quality works with heavy weight, far-reaching influence and long life to better serve the “great cause of the country”.

In his keynote speech, Mo Lifeng, a senior professor of humanities and social sciences and professor of the School of Literature at Nanjing University, made an in-depth analysis of the actual impact of ancient Chinese literature and art in modern Chinese society. He pointed out that ancient Chinese literature and art are the most valuable heritage that can best reflect the national characteristics and high achievements of Chinese civilization. They play an irreplaceable and unique role in expressing national emotions, embodying national spirit, enhancing national cohesion, and achieving social harmony. At the same time, ancient Chinese literature and art have always assumed multiple responsibilities of moral education, knowledge dissemination, sentimental cultivation, and aesthetic education. They are an important means to promote the improvement of social civilization and have played a huge role in the development and growth of the Chinese nation. Mo Lifeng emphasized that efforts should be made to closely combine academic research with solving real social problems; cultural inheritance requires both in-depth academic research and popularization of traditional culture; Nanjing University scholars will be committed to contributing to the popularization of traditional culture and strive to improve the breadth and depth of popularization work.

Professor Liu Yingsheng of the School of History systematically sorted out the history of the formation of China’s territory and the evolution of the concept of “China”, and explained the important role that civilization plays in the process of multi-ethnic China moving towards long-term stability. Zhou Xiaohong, a senior professor of humanities and social sciences and professor of the School of Social Sciences, believes that the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is a theoretical narrative of Chinese-style modernization, the ideological accumulation of the production and life practices of the Chinese people, a model of transcending the traditional civilization of the Chinese nation, an open and inclusive system facing all nations in the world, and a diverse representation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Professor Zhang Bowei of the School of Arts said that liberal arts students at Nanjing University should consciously shoulder the mission of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, and hoped that liberal arts could play a better role and contribute. Fan Conglai, director of the Yangtze River Delta Economic and Social Development Research Center, proposed that the development of new productivity should be promoted with an innovative spirit of reform and innovation, and the material foundation for the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation should be consolidated. Hua Tao, chief expert of the Center for Ethnic and Frontier Studies, said that Chinese history is a magnificent and colorful historical drama performed by the Chinese nation. It is necessary to inherit the excellent traditional culture of all ethnic groups and enhance the cohesion of the Chinese nation. Professor Du Junfei of the School of Journalism and Communication believes that for cultural traditions, only creative development is the real inheritance, and scientific researchers should explore theoretical and institutional innovations for the future. Professor Li Chenggui of the Department of Philosophy deeply analyzed the importance of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation and the important role of Confucian “life” thought in building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. Li Gongzhong, dean of the Xueheng Research Institute, explained the important methodological support for the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation from the perspectives of conceptual history research, independent knowledge system construction, and exploration of local experience.

Experts and scholars including Xu Xingwu, Dean of the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Qi Lin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nanjing University Press, and Wang Yiru, Assistant Professor of the School of History, further conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions on topics such as theoretical innovation, research methods, cultural popularization, think tank construction, talent training, and team building. They expressed the hope that through new cultural practices, the continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness, and peace of Chinese civilization can be fully utilized, the essence of China’s excellent traditional culture can be integrated into modern society, the boundaries of cultural communication can be broadened, and a new chapter in the modern civilization of the Chinese nation can be created.

The seminar was chaired by Chen Donghua, Director of the Social Science Division. Heads of relevant units of Nanjing University, representatives of young scholars, undergraduate and graduate students, and media representatives attended the meeting.