On the afternoon of May 23, 2025, a distinguished academic lecture hosted by the School of Marxism was successfully held in Room 1600, Huiwen Building, Shenzhen University. Professor Qiao Qingju, a senior professor and doctoral supervisor at the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (National Academy of Governance), delivered a brilliant lecture titled “Promoting the Integration of the Basic Principles of Marxism with Fine Traditional Chinese Culture.” The lecture was chaired by Professor Zhang Shoukui, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism, and attended by several faculty members and students.
At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Qiao emphasized that the “second integration” — integrating the basic principles of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture — is a key topic requiring in-depth study in today’s academic community. He elaborated on this theme from three major aspects.
1. The Necessity and Possibility of Integrating Marxism with Fine Traditional Chinese Culture
Professor Qiao first analyzed the historical and cultural foundations that made it necessary and possible for China to adopt Marxism.
He noted that Marxism provided answers to the major challenges China faced in modern times — particularly the tension between maintaining the moral integrity of Chinese civilization and learning from the West. China struggled with questions such as: How to learn from Western advancement without embracing its colonial aggression? How to build a modern state without falling into the trap of narrow nationalism? How to strengthen the nation while preserving moral principles?
The introduction of Marxism offered systematic solutions to these issues. In terms of development, Marxism helped break the ideological barriers equating modernization with capitalism and imperialism, guiding China toward its own form of democratic, humanistic modernization. In national identity, Marxism transcended the single-nation concept and contributed to the formation of the “Chinese nation” as a unified political and cultural entity. In values, Marxism’s critique of capitalist exploitation resonated with the moral spirit of Chinese civilization, helping maintain the continuity of Chinese culture.
Moreover, Marxist values align closely with those of traditional Chinese philosophy. The universality of Marxism corresponds with the “tianxia” (all-under-heaven) worldview of Chinese thought. Their historical visions share common aspirations — the pursuit of communism parallels the Confucian ideal of “great harmony under heaven.” In subjectivity, Marxist people-centered theory echoes the Confucian concept of “the people as the foundation.” In their view of nature, both emphasize harmony and coexistence between humanity and nature.
2. The Contemporary and Global Significance of Fine Traditional Chinese Culture
Professor Qiao observed that China’s attitude toward its traditional culture has undergone a historic transformation — from criticism to inheritance, from rejection to revival, from inferiority to confidence. Today, traditional culture is regarded with objectivity, rationality, and reverence.
He stressed the need to integrate the essence of Marxist thought with the essence of Chinese traditional culture, linking it to the shared values of the people and achieving the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese civilization. Fine traditional culture, he argued, has become the spiritual foundation of national rejuvenation, with five key dimensions of value:
Historical: It connects contemporary China with its historical legacy, affirming cultural identity before the world.
Holistic: It serves as a cultural resource that supports all dimensions of socialist modernization — political, economic, social, ecological, and cultural.
Fundamental: It not only constitutes the “cultural background” of socialism with Chinese characteristics but also dynamically participates in modernization, becoming the source of cultural confidence.
Strategic: As China’s deepest form of soft power, traditional culture shapes the world’s understanding of modern China.
Humanistic: Chinese-style modernization represents a new path of human civilization — one distinct from Western models, offering a fresh vision for global development.
3. Integrating the Essence of Marxism with the Essence of Fine Traditional Chinese Culture
Professor Qiao emphasized that the integration of Marxism and fine traditional Chinese culture is not merely theoretical but mutually empowering. From Marxism’s perspective, this integration deepens its Sinicization and modernization, enriching it with Chinese cultural characteristics. From the perspective of traditional culture, it revitalizes the inner vitality of Chinese civilization and renews its creative life.
He described this integration as value-based, structural, and all-encompassing, aimed at creating a new form of human civilization. It manifests in every dimension of Chinese society — from economic ideals and political philosophy to social governance, ecological civilization, and international relations — and continues to deepen.
The “second integration,” he concluded, reflects the Communist Party of China’s civilizational responsibility toward humanity. As China demonstrates the values of its civilization to the world, it embodies the spirit of “a great nation upholding righteousness,” fulfilling its moral and cultural responsibility to human progress.
4. Interactive Session and Closing Remarks
During the Q&A session, faculty and students engaged in discussions with Professor Qiao on topics such as “the specific problems Marxism solves in China” and “the coordination between material and spiritual civilization.” Professor Qiao provided detailed and insightful answers to each question.
In conclusion, Vice Dean Zhang Shoukui expressed heartfelt gratitude to Professor Qiao for his enlightening lecture, noting that it was both profound in thought and rich in perspective. He emphasized that the lecture broadened the participants’ horizons and provided valuable guidance for further academic research.
The lecture concluded successfully amid warm applause from all attendees.
