The meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences was held on May 17 in Beijing.

At a meeting to commemorate its 40th anniversary on May 17, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) looked back on its evolution into China’s premier think tank.

In a congratulatory letter, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, praised the role CASS has played as a national think tank serving the decision-making of the Party and the nation, boosting the Sinicization of Marxism, and developing Chinese philosophy and social sciences in the past four decades.

The last 40 years have witnessed steady development of the academic institution. Starting from 14 subordinate research institutes in May 1977, it now consists of six academic divisions and 39 institutes that cover major areas of philosophy and social sciences. Since it was founded, it has emerged as the top research institution with the greatest academic strength and most complete disciplines.

The last 40 years have also witnessed CASS talent teams carrying the torch of Chinese academics. Such masters as Guo Moruo, Jin Yuelin, Chen Hansheng, Hou Wailu, Lü Shuxiang, Qian Zhongshu, Sun Yefang, Xia Nai and Zhang Youyu, who have won recognition at home and abroad, wrote books, established theories, imparted knowledge and cleared doubts at CASS, adding glories to Chinese academic history.

Now it has built an excellent talent team led by CASS Members, bolstered by leading figures in different fields and backed by outstanding young academics. In 2006, 129 honorary CASS Members and 61 CASS Members were elected.

CASS is also a cradle for eminent talent in the fields of philosophy and social sciences. It has cultivated more than 10,000 doctors and graduates, nurturing the best brains for China’s academic cause.

In the past 40 years, CASS has achieved fruitful academic results. By the end of 2016, it had produced 12,938 monographs, 147,003 academic papers, 27,140 research reports, 3,724 translation books, 23,473 translated texts, 33,266 catogories of academic materials, 514 kinds of collated ancient books, 1,108 textbooks, 1,819 readings and 1,886 reference books. Research fruits of other forms, such as theoretical publicity articles, have also been reaped in large volumes.

So far, it has successively staged nine activities to evaluate excellent research achievements, and a total of 1,049 high-quality academic works have been awarded.

In his speech, CASS President Wang Weiguang attributed the success of CASS to its unswerving adherence to the right political direction and academic orientation as well as its proper handling of the fundamental issue of who should be served by philosophy and social sciences research.

He also cited the Innovation Program as a critical part of its scientific working measures. That it has attached much importance to its researchers and personnel in work and life is likewise an indispensible experience.

May 17 also marked the first anniversary of Xi addressing a symposium on the country’s work in philosophy and social sciences. Recently, the CPC Central Committee promulgated Opinions on Accelerating the Building of Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics, making strategic plans for the academic cause of China.

In this light, Wang vowed greater efforts to promote Chinese academics to go global and boost the international influence of Chinese philosophy and social sciences.