On August 22nd, the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations (SFSSA) held this year’s Presidents’ Dialogue Summer at the Shanghai Social Sciences Hall. Over 100 participants, including presiding figures of academic associations affiliated with the Federation and other experts and scholars, attended the event. 

Wang Gonglong, President of the Shanghai Marxist Studies Association and Dean of the Marxism School of the Shanghai Party Institute of CPC, described the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee as a pivotal link, bridging the past and the future. It represents both a pragmatic continuation of the comprehensive deepening of reforms initiated at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee and a new epochal chapter in propelling Chinese modernization on its new trajectory. Such a description is based on the fact that the Resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization centers on institutional development as its core theme and, moreover, it introduces a suite of innovative ideas, views, and theses on how to push forward the reforms and the overarching strategy for Chinese modernization. 

Zhao Xiaolei, Vice President of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Research Association and a professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics（SUFE）, noted that in recent years, the Central Government has been proactive in rolling out pivotal initiatives such as the “General Plan of Institutional Opening-up of Shanghai FTZ”, the “Plan for the Pilot Comprehensive Reform of Pudong New Area of Shanghai”, “Several Policy Measures on Further Enhancing the Hongqiao International Opening-up Hub”, and the “General Plan of Constructing the Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone”. These strategic plans have positioned Shanghai as a national strategic hub for leading high-level opening-up and establishing a national demonstration zone for institutional innovation. He stressed that Shanghai should prioritize the accelerated development of the “Five Centers” as its core objectives, fully leveraging the four national-level opening-up platforms. The city must serve as a testing ground for new institutions, a pressure gauge for assessing challenges, and a pioneer in exploring new pathways for the nation. Shanghai is committed to advancing pioneering reforms and cutting-edge opening-up policies, accelerating the development of a globally competitive policy and institutional framework. It ensures that high-level reform and opening-up are integral to the development of the “Five Centers,” and expedites the construction of a modern socialist international metropolis with global influence.

Zheng Tuyou, Vice President of the Shanghai Association for Yan Huang Culture and a professor at Fudan University, observed that since the beginning of this century, Shanghai has successfully established a comprehensive network for the protection of intangible cultural heritage, spanning from the municipal to district and community levels. This achievement is the result of concerted efforts by governmental authorities at various levels, as well as the dedication of those who inherit and preserve these cultural traditions. These networks have facilitated the preservation and transmission of some endangered intangible cultural heritage projects. Integrated into educational curricula and community activities, many intangible cultural heritage projects have enriched the cultural fabric of citizens’ lives. Additionally, there has been a continuous drive to innovate and evolve these heritage projects while safeguarding their essential characteristics, effectively transforming them into vital catalysts for “mass entrepreneurship and innovation.” This approach has demonstrated that the protection, transmission, and innovative utilization of intangible cultural heritage can substantially contribute to the cultivation of a robust socialist cultural landscape. Professor Zheng He suggested that,  Shanghai should intensify its commitment to the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage, ensuring that these traditions remain vibrant and relevant in the modern era.

Ding Xiaoqiang, Vice President of the Shanghai Society of the History of Communist Party of China and a professor of the School of Marxism at East China Normal University, addressed on how to “maintain the Party’s centralized and unified leadership in the ongoing comprehensive reform efforts,” “advance the structural reform of Party construction,” and “improve the Party’s work style to promote integrity, clean governance and the anti-corruption campaign.” He underscored the imperative of advancing Chinese modernization as a cornerstone for the Chinese nation; to realize the modernization, it is necessary to deepen the reforms comprehensively. Such a deepening of reforms represents a tangible manifestation of the profound social revolution embarked upon in the new era's journey. This self-reform is crucial for steering and propelling the broader reform agenda, ensuring that it remains aligned with the nation's modernization goals and the ongoing pursuit of the Chinese Dream.