From March 28 to 29, 2025, the Third Future Scholars Forum on Chinese Modernization and High-quality Development was held in Beijing by the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS). Gao Xiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group at CASS, attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Zhao Rui, Vice President and Member of the Leading Party Members' Group of CASS, was also present.
In his speech, Gao Xiang emphasized that, throughout human history, the humanities and science and technology have been like two wheels of a cart or two wings of a bird—interdependent and equally essential. In today's world, scientific progress increasingly relies on the support and nourishment of the humanistic spirit, which in turn cannot thrive without the advancement and protection of science and technology. As the world undergoes profound changes unseen in a century and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation reaches a critical stage, the ongoing process of Chinese modernization further underscores the vital role of philosophy and the social sciences in understanding and transforming the world.
Gao stressed that young people are the hope of the nation and the future of the country. In the face of changes in the world, the times, and history itself, more "future scholars", individuals with a global perspective, a strong sense of responsibility, and an innovative spirit, are needed. He noted that the Future Scholars Forum is a key initiative to nurture young talent in philosophy and social sciences, and for advancing the development of UCASS. Gao encouraged students to pursue the ideal of "attaining to the broad and great while addressing the delicate and minute," to keep academic inquiry in sync with the pulse of the times, and to become pillars of social sciences in China—individuals capable of contributing to the country's modernization and national rejuvenation.
Li Peilin, former Vice President and academic member of CASS; Zhang Zhiqiang, Director of the Institute of Philosophy under CASS and Dean of the School of Philosophy of UCASS; and Gao Cheng, Vice President of UCASS, delivered keynote speeches at the opening ceremony. The ceremony was chaired by Cui Weihang, Secretary of the Party Committee of UCASS, with a welcome address delivered by Zhang Zhengwen, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of UCASS.
During the forum, over one hundred young scholars from the All-China Students' Federation, various universities, and research institutions engaged in academic discussions on five major topics: the theory and practice of Xi Jinping's Thought on Economy; technological innovation and the new development of the digital economy; the "two integrations" (integrating the underlying tenets of Marxism with China's realities and the best of its traditional culture) and the innovative development of contemporary Marxism; law-based governance in the context of Chinese modernization; and the modernization of China's governance system and capacity. More than 30 senior scholars in relevant fields served as judges and mentors, providing in-depth feedback and guidance on the students' academic presentations.
The Future Scholars Forum is guided by CASS Bureau of Scientific Research Management and organized by the UCASS Graduate Student Union and Student Union. This year's forum received more than 1,100 submissions.
