On March 20, meetings on the original textbook development in Chinese philosophy and social sciences, as well as the launch of major research projects, were held at CUEB. Tian Lixin, Director-General of the Department of National Textbooks (hereafter referred to as DNT) under the Ministry of Education, addressed the meeting. Wu Weixing, Deputy Party Secretary and President of CUEB, presided over the meeting. Also present at the summary meeting were Chen Yanbin, head of the Research Group for the Strategic Planning Initiative and Director of the Institute of Industrial Economics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, key members of the Research Group, senior experts from 29 first-level disciplines in philosophy and social sciences, as well as officials from the DNT, the Institute of Curriculum and Textbook Research (ICTR), Higher Education Press (HEP), relevant national textbook bases, and CUEB.

Tian Lixin noted that advancing the overall strategic planning for the development of China’s original textbooks in philosophy and social sciences is an important initiative to integrate Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into curricula and textbooks, as well as for constructing China’s autonomous knowledge and textbook systems. In 2025, the DNT established dedicated research group led by Chen Yanbin. The group brought together senior experts from disciplines of philosophy and social sciences for joint research, and invited ICTR and HEP to participate. Through concentrated efforts and refinements, the group produced a series of research outcomes, laying a solid foundation for the strategy. The overall strategic plan is currently in the full implementation stage. Tian noted, the research group should continue to conduct follow-up studies with major research projects as the primary driver and by drawing on the development of original textbooks, distill signature concepts for the 29 first-level disciplines, summarize original theories by discipline, and establish a series of academic forums on the development of original textbooks, so as to effectively support textbook development and better fulfill its role as a think tank.

Chen Yanbin, head of the Research Group for the Strategic Planning Initiative and Chief Investigator of the major research project, reviewed the development process, summarized their experience, and outlined the overall design and research priorities of the project. Chen stated that the strategic plan has clarified the working approach, deepened understanding, and built a professional team, thus accumulating valuable experience for carrying out follow-up research and supporting the development of original textbooks. In the next phase, efforts will be made to summarize the experience gained, deepen theoretical research, and promote the application of research outcomes. The group will jointly host the forum on the development of original philosophy and social science textbooks in China with relevant universities and institutions, explore compiling a dictionary of typical concepts, and release the core achievements of the Handbook s on Chinese Economics Research in due course.

Zhao Dewu, former Party Secretary of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics; Tang Qingli, Secretary of Discipline Inspection Commission of Chengdu University of Technology; Liu Kunlun, Executive Director of the National Textbook Base for Law at China University of Political Science and Law; Zeng Tianshan, Deputy Director of ICTR; and Tan Fangzheng, Editor-in-Chief of HEP, reported on their work in strategic planning, drafting the overall plan, and developing the framework.

Wu expressed gratitude to DNT and experts from various disciplines for their trust and support. He stated that CUEB would strengthen organizational support, innovate working mechanisms, fully support the research team’s work, and provide comprehensive guarantees to facilitate the intensive efforts on the major projects.

Subsequently, the project launch and review meeting was held for the major research project on curriculum and textbooks across primary, secondary and higher education, themed “Research on the Overall Strategic Planning for the Construction of China’s Original Textbooks across 29 First-Level Disciplines in Philosophy and Social Sciences”. Li Kunpeng, Member of the Standing Committee and Vice President of CUEB, presided over the meeting. Chen Yanbin, Chief Investigator of the project, delivered the opening report. Attendees included Ma Haitao, President of Central University of Finance and Economics; Zhang Yi, Member of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Liu Li, former President of Beijing Language and Culture University; Meng Zhongjie, President of Shanghai International Studies University; and Tong Dezhi, Vice President of Tianjin Normal University. They offered suggestions to further improve research quality and strengthen the practical relevance.