Weekly News Collection

MARXISM
Deepening specific, comprehensive studies of Marxism
At a seminar hosted by East China Normal University on Aug. 2, scholars said strengthening Marxism as a discipline will encourage the development of philosophy and social sciences in modern China. Tong Shijun, secretary of the Party committee of the university, said that it is important to assert Marxism’s guiding role while calling for the construction of sub-disciplines of Marxism. In addition to comprehensive studies, scholars should pay attention to professional studies from philosophy, political economics, scientific socialism and other aspects, he said, adding that Chinese academia should place equal emphasis on theoretical innovation and dissemination, domestic and international communication of Marxism.

BELT AND ROAD
‘Belt and Road’ to promote economic globalization 
Scholars pointed out the opportunities presented by the “Belt and Road” amid setbacks in European integration at a recent roundtable convened by the Chongyang Institute of Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. Li Weiwei, deputy director of the Department for European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said the “B&R” is charting a new course for economic globalization at a time when European integration is undergoing major adjustment. Talking about cooperation in Northern Europe, Xu Erming from Renmin University said China can make use of its advantages in e-commerce and service, and innovate core technologies to enhance manufacturing competitiveness. Chen Wenling, chief economist of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said European countries are looking for new driving forces, and expecting the “B&R” to drive the world economic growth.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Liquidity of resources key to rural development 
Recently, the Rural Development Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the China Social Sciences Press released a report analyzing challenges and driving forces in rural China. Agricultural mechanization still needs to be upgraded while resources and assets are being wasted. Furthermore, protecting the natural environment remains a priority and rural governance requires innovation. To infuse new vitality, the report suggested increasing liquidity of resources and assets, reforming collective property rights, constructing new operational models, and improving support policies to ensure steady development. In addition, the report pointed out that regional gaps have narrowed, and that imbalance between the developed Northeast, and less-developed regions, like western and central China, has improved in various aspects.

CULTURAL INDUSTRY
Guangzhou takes top spot in new cultural industries
The cultural industry maintained growth momentum in Guangzhou and played a bigger role in driving the city’s economic and social development in 2016, according to a report published by the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences and the Social Sciences Academic Press on Aug. 2. “Culture plus Technology” has become a highlight in the city. It ranked first across the nation in emerging cultural industries, such as online gaming, animation and new media. Among the top 100 internet enterprises, eight were from Guangzhou. It also stood out in output of performance equipment. The output value of its lighting and sound equipment industry accounted for about half the national total. However, the report pointed out there is not sufficient investment funding from the government and that there is a lack of interest in cultural enterprises by private and risk investment. Intermediary agencies in the capital market have yet to improve services for small and medium-sized cultural enterprises.