To thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, fully comprehend President Xi Jinping’s important discourses on Chinese modernization and improving ethnic work, and promote academic exchanges among graduate students, Jilin University’s School of Marxism, in collaboration with the Northeast Ethnic Research Center, hosted the Graduate Academic Forum on“Chinese Modernization and Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation”from July 4 to 6, 2023. Partner institutions included the Schools of Marxism at Tibet University, Xinjiang Medical University, and Wuhan University of Technology. Over 40 experts and graduate students participated in the event.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony, hosted by Professor Luo Kequan, Deputy Dean of the School of Marxism at Jilin University, featured welcome speeches from prominent academic leaders:
•Wu Hongzheng, Dean of the School of Marxism, Jilin University
•Nima Ciren, Dean of the School of Marxism, Tibet University
•Zhu Zhe, Dean of the School of Marxism, Wuhan University of Technology
•Hu Dengxiong, Party Secretary of the School of Marxism, Xinjiang Medical University
In his remarks, Wu Hongzheng highlighted the strong tradition of academic exchange between the four schools and emphasized the importance of theoretical discussions in addressing real-world issues. Nima Ciren expressed gratitude for the support provided by Jilin University and anticipated deeper cooperation among the institutions. Zhu Zhe and Hu Dengxiong praised the forum’s academic value and encouraged young scholars to support the development of China’s frontier regions, blending theory with practice.
Keynote Report
Following the opening ceremony, Professor Ma Weidong, Deputy Dean of the College of Literature at Jilin University, delivered a keynote speech titled“On the Unified Feudal State of the Western Zhou Dynasty.”He analyzed two stages of political unification in ancient China: the feudal unification of the Zhou dynasty and the centralized governance of the Qin and Han dynasties. Ma highlighted the cultural and institutional foundations laid during the Zhou dynasty, which fostered a shared cultural identity and ethnic integration, ultimately shaping the unified ideology that persisted throughout Chinese history.
Sub-Forum Discussions
The forum featured two parallel sub-forums, each comprising three sessions. Participants engaged in thematic presentations, expert reviews, and interactive discussions, offering a platform for graduate students to refine their academic skills and exchange ideas.
Sub-Forum 1
•Group 1: Hosted by Li Jiaqi, a master’s student at Jilin University, with thematic presentations on topics such as the driving mechanisms of Chinese modernization and Tibet’s developmental experience. Guest commentator Chu Xiaoshan from Tibet University praised the students’academic rigor and provided detailed suggestions for paper refinement.
•Group 2: Chaired by Gao Yi from Tibet University, with discussions on philosophical dimensions of modernization. Hu Dengxiong provided constructive feedback, encouraging students to integrate theory with practical application.
•Group 3: Led by Wang Yaru from Xinjiang Medical University, this session explored agricultural modernization and ecological development. Zhu Zhe offered guidance on focusing research topics and strengthening argumentation.
Sub-Forum 2
•Group 1: Chaired by Bai Shuqi from Jilin University, with discussions on cultural symbols and fostering community identity. Guest commentator Ma Chao emphasized the importance of academic debate in refining ideas and theories.
•Group 2: Led by Wei Guangbo from Wuhan University of Technology, the group covered topics such as red culture and democratic governance in Tibet. Hu Dengxiong highlighted the relevance of these studies to real-world challenges.
•Group 3: Chaired by Li Jiarong from Xinjiang Medical University, the session included discussions on frontier spirit and modern governance. Nima Ciren provided detailed feedback, stressing the importance of logical clarity and theoretical grounding.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was hosted by Cui Zeming, Deputy Dean of the School of Marxism at Xinjiang Medical University. Graduate representatives Gao Yi (Tibet University) and Wei Guangbo (Wuhan University of Technology) summarized the forum’s achievements, highlighting the academic exchange and mutual learning fostered during the sessions.
Professor Nima Ciren announced the award winners, with students from all participating universities receiving recognition for their outstanding contributions.
At last,Professor Luo Kequan delivered the closing address, expressing gratitude for the fruitful collaboration and wishing for future opportunities to strengthen academic ties. The forum concluded with warm applause, marking the successful completion of this academic gathering.
