On March 29, Peking University held a consultative meeting on the launch of the compilation of the Collection of Marxist Classics and Documents.

At the meeting, Gu Hailiang, director of the project, explained the meaning and planning of the project. He pointed out that though the international community and the academic world have attached importance to the research, compilation and publication of Marxist classics and documents, literature on Marxist development has yet to be collected.

This, however, does not match the influence of Marxism on the world and its role as the core of contemporary Chinese ideology and falls short of the requirements of research, innovation on Marxist theories and the Sinicization of Marxism, he added.

“In this context, the Collection can promote the research of Marxist theories and enhance the influence of Sinicized Marxism,” Gu observed.
 

“In compilng the Collection, we should pay attention to theoretical analysis, academic value and authoritative sourcing,” said Gu, “Founded on existing results, the Collection will gather all kinds of documents in printed and electronic forms. In the process, the same emphasis will be put on compilation and research. And it is important to cultivate talent and promote collaboration among different disciplines.”
 

The project will be implemented step by step. First is the Chinese part, which will include documents published since the latter half of the 19th century when Marxism spread to China and will be completed around 2024. Second is the international part, which will collect international documents and research achievements of Marxist development and will be finished around 2035.

The entire project, which will take about 20 years, will make China an international center of compiling and researching Marxist documents.

Chen Yejun is a report at the Chinese Social Sciences Today.