Abstract:The international communication of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics is an important part of the construction of the Chinese modern international discourse system, and also the due meaning of improving Chinas international communication ability and international discourse power. The construction of Chinas independent knowledge system is not only a practical necessity to promote Chinese modernization and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but also a theoretical requirement to contribute to the global knowledge system the Chinese wisdom and experience that can be stated, established and disseminated. The independent knowledge system based on the three major systems is the origin of the international communication of Chinese philosophy and social sciences. Without Chinas independent knowledge system, there is no foundation for enhancing the dissemination and influence of Chinese civilization, and the international communication is like water without a source or a tree without roots. The unity of independence and embeddedness, value relevance and value independence is the theoretical form that the international communication of Chinese philosophy and social sciences should possess. However, at present, comparing with Harvard Universitys Fei Zhengqing Center for China Studies, it can be found that the international communication of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics still has many problems, including insufficient research on the international communication object, lagging behind of international communication media and channel construction, insufficient setting of international communication agenda, and imperfect funding and control system of international communication. In this regard, suggestions are proposed from the dimensions of constructing an independent knowledge system with Chinese characteristics embedded in the world, and constructing an international communication system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics that is more suitable for communication.

Abstract:In December 2023, the Central Economic Work Conference put forward a major strategy of optimizing the layout of major productive forces and strengthening the construction of the national strategic hinterland. The CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to the development of the western region. In April 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Chongqing, emphasizing that the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle is a major strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee. The 2024 Government Work Report also emphasizes the importance of strengthening the construction of the national strategic hinterland. As the name suggests, a strategic hinterland is relative to a coastal (border) area. Therefore, the central and western regions will certainly be the key areas for the construction of the national strategic hinterland. The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, thousands of kilometers away from the eastern coastal areas. With a large population, vast land, abundant natural resources, large economic scale, strong scientific and technological strength and special strategic position, the region is one of Chinas most ideal core bearing areas for building a national strategic hinterland in the new era. This paper first reviews the remarkable achievements of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle in terms of economic growth, population agglomeration, scientific and technological innovation, industrial development, market cultivation and opening up since the beginning of this century, analyzes the opportunities and challenges of cultivating new productive forces and improving the quality of development in the region, and finally puts forward policy suggestions for the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle in the new era as the core carrying area of the national strategic hinterland.

Abstract:In the era of digital economy, the widespread application and promotion of data elements and digital technology breaks the physical barriers of time and space, promotes inter-city division of labor and collaboration, profoundly reshapes the regional economic and geographical pattern represented by urban agglomerations, and accelerates the evolution of the spatial system of urban agglomerations from the traditional scale and hierarchy order to the new era of balanced development mode. At the same time, the interactive connection of multiple factors flows within urban agglomerations promotes the formation of networked spatial structure, effectively improves the overall network externality, and further strengthens the enabling performance of the digital economic development level of urban agglomerations in improving the spatial system balance. Therefore, the internal mechanism of digital economy enabling the balanced development of urban agglomerations spatial system has both direct effects and the moderating effects of various flow networks in urban agglomerations from the perspective of flow space, including traffic information network, traditional factor network and innovation factor network. Under the guidance of the theoretical framework, this paper takes 19 urban agglomerations in China as samples, establishes a multi-source database, measures the digital economic development index, the degree of spatial system balance and the network externality based on three kinds of flows, summarizes the characteristic facts, and carries out empirical tests. The analysis based on the characteristic facts shows that the digital economy level of 19 urban agglomerations in China has been steadily improved, but there is a large regional development gap, forming a relative gradient development pattern. The spatial system of most urban agglomerations is more balanced, while a few urban agglomerations show a trend of polarization. Each urban agglomeration has formed a certain network-type spatial structure, but there exists heterogeneity between individuals and regions. The analysis based on empirical tests shows that the digital economy of urban agglomerations directly improves the degree of spatial system balance, and the results remain robust after the regression of instrumental variables and the replacement of core explanatory variables. At the present stage, the flow of goods is more conducive to the spatial distribution of economic activities than the flow of people, and the regional industrial structure dominated by the tertiary industry accelerates the spatial polarization of urban agglomerations to a certain extent. The formation and development of transportation information network, traditional factor network and innovation factor network in urban agglomerations have a positive moderating effect, that is, to further strengthen the empowerment performance of digital economy to improve the degree of spatial system balance in urban agglomerations. The regression results of the direct effect of urban agglomerations in the eastern, central and western regions of China are basically consistent, but there is a large regional heterogeneity in the moderating effect. This paper firstly establishes the theoretical mechanism framework of digital economy promoting the balanced development of urban agglomeration spatial system, and demonstrates it through the methods of characteristic fact interpretation and empirical test analysis, which provides reference and reference for in-depth understanding of the reform direction and optimization path of urban agglomeration spatial system in the digital economy era, and has certain enlightenment for promoting the high-quality development of urban agglomeration in China.

Abstract:Strengthening the construction of national strategic hinterlands is the implementation of the strategic deployment of guaranteeing the new development pattern with a new security pattern proposed by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, demonstrating the significant strategic considerations of the CPC Central Committee in coordinating and realizing the dynamic balance of the high-quality development and high-level security. As a specific national strategic hinterland, superimposed on the development trend of urban agglomerations becoming spatial growth poles and factor carriers of regional development, it is of significant importance for Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle to actively serve and integrate into the construction of the national strategic hinterland in the new era. The national strategic hinterland is adjacent to the national-level growth poles or pilot regions, possessing the foundation for high-quality economic development and industrial undertaking capability. It can support the overall economic operation, undertake industry transfer, provide resource supply, and ensure ecological security during general or special periods, and serve the overall national strategic development. The core carrier area of national strategic hinterlands is the important positioning of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle in the construction of the national strategic hinterland, which undertakes the pursuit of high-quality development of making overall development planning based on one region. It embodies the value attributes of the CPC Central Committee in coordinating high-quality development and high-level security, being a key space where locality and systematicity coexist, an important growth pole driving the high-quality development of various strategic hinterlands. The core carrier area of national strategic hinterlands in the new era shall have development advantages such as active economic organizations, complete industrial categories, sufficient factor supply, and perfect infrastructure. Currently, the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle possesses comparative advantages of building the core carrier area of national strategic hinterlands in the new era, including a solid and comprehensive development foundation and industrial system, the key technological innovation strength to maintain and stabilize the industry chains, industry backup and undertaking capacity that serves the overall situation, and factor supply and facility support for both peacetime and wartime. However, there are weaknesses of incomplete regional spatial structure development, low efficiency in transforming high-tech achievements, and homogeneity of industries and low visibility within the region. In the future, the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle shall build a backup base for national key strategic industries with strategic thinking, develop a regional innovation system and model of independent innovation with innovative thinking, create a strategic base for ensuring the supply of Chinas important primary products with thinking that can deal with worst-case scenarios, and improve the industrial system for both peacetime and wartime and swift responses to emergencies with thinking that can deal with extreme-case scenarios, striving to build a core carrier area of national strategic hinterlands in the new era.

Abstract:The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly proposes to accelerate the construction of a strong transportation country, to further implement the regional coordinated development strategy and to promote the formation of a new pattern for the development of the western region, providing the driving force and fundamental guidelines for the high-quality development of regional mega-transportation infrastructure interconnection (RMII) in the new period. RMII is a typical complex system, driven by both government and market, coordinated development can drive the interaction of regional comparative advantages, regional transportation interconnection division of labor and regional transportation linkage and superimposed collaborative effects, thus driving the system’s continuous dynamic evolution to high-level coordination. As a development requirement of the new era, the coordinated development of RMII in the western region faces three major challenges, such as weak regional comparative advantages, inefficient division of labor in regional transportation interconnection and low degree of regional transportation connection, at the same time of remarkable development. The study suggests that the following paths should be taken to realize the coordinated development of RMII in the western region. Firstly, improving the investment and financing system for regional mega-transportation infrastructure in the western region to enhance regional comparative advantages. It is necessary to improve the investment and financing mechanism, innovate the investment and financing model, and enhance the governance capacity of transportation investment and financing platforms. Secondly, deepening the coordination of stakeholders of RMII in the western region to optimize the division of labor in regional transport interconnection, it should establish an organization for the coordinated development of RMII in the western region, a collaborative system for RMII in the western region, and a benefit-sharing mechanism for stakeholders of RMII in the western region. Thirdly, accelerating the hardware construction of RMII in the western region to strengthen regional transport links, it should strengthen the coordinated hardware construction of mega transport infrastructure, build a channelized, hubbed and systematic mega transport infrastructure network, continuously promote the comprehensive transport development in old revolutionary base areas, ethnic areas, border areas and contiguous areas of dire poverty, and empower traditional transport infrastructure with new infrastructure.

Abstract:Confronted with the intricate international political landscape and global industrial competition, China must promptly optimize and adjust the distribution of its major productive forces in light of the new characteristics of its development stage. This involves expanding strategic depth in the vast central and western inland hinterland to fortify national security. The strategic concept of building the national strategic hinterland was first introduced at the Central Economic Work Conference in December 2023, laying the groundwork for optimizing productive force distribution and safeguarding national security. The concept delineates key geographical attributes and strategic characteristics, pragmatic practices in different historical periods show that the concept of rear area is the basic appearance of national strategic hinterland. The positioning of the national strategic hinterland by the CPC Central Committee is considered and planned from the overall situation of national development. Compared with other major regional strategies, the national strategic hinterland possesses fundamental characteristics such as its pivotal geographical location, robust economic resilience, role as an engine for innovation and development, and its ability to foster urban culture cohesion. Throughout Chinas regional economic development history, both the third line construction and coordinated development strategy have been tasked with optimizing the layout of major productive forces and maintaining a strong rear area during different historical periods. In new era, the concept of a national strategic rear area naturally assumes historical responsibility within this contemporary context. Accelerating the construction of the national strategic hinterland represents a timely response to significant changes in this century. It aims to establish a new pattern of development and optimize major productive force layouts in order to confidently navigate external uncertainties and seize strategic initiative. In order to translate strategic decisions and anticipated goals into tangible results, systematic promotion of the construction of the national strategic hinterland is imperative. By enhancing the top-level design of strategic planning, coordinating the establishment of strategic material reserves, strengthening the support for strategic scientific and technological capabilities, and establishing strategic industrial backup bases and developing a network of strategic transportation capacity in space, it will become a new growth pole and power source of Chinas economic development. This will continuously promote high-quality development and advanced security infrastructure construction in the rear area during this new era.

Abstract:Exploring the intermediate input imports has a profound impact on China’s industrial policy adjustment in the next stage. From a practical point of view, the geographical agglomeration of enterprises has a dual characteristic. To clarify the mechanism by which import geographical agglomeration enhances the export sophistication, the article uses development zones as geographical agglomeration units and determines the park where the enterprise is located by positioning its longitude and latitude. The article mainly explores the evolution path of enterprises and the increase in export sophistication from three different geographical agglomeration modes: import agglomeration of the same products, import agglomeration of related products, and import agglomeration of differentiated products. The results indicate that: 1) In terms of geographical agglomeration mode, the same product import agglomeration only has an effect in the early stages of economic development. The agglomeration of related product imports and differentiated product has positive impact on export sophistication, but the agglomeration of related products can easily form a low-end lock-in. 2) In terms of geographical agglomeration evolution, the same product import agglomeration enhances export sophistication by reducing information search costs and generating regional scale effects in the early stages of enterprise development. However, enterprises in the mature stage need to break free from the constraints of regional homogenization and further enhance export sophistication through related and differentiated product import agglomeration. Otherwise, there are significant differences in the development models of different regions in China. Developed region enterprises mainly rely on differentiated product import agglomeration to enhance export sophistication, while catch-up regions still enhance export sophistication through learning and imitation. 3) In terms of geographical agglomeration mechanism, import agglomeration of the same product mainly enhances export sophistication by reducing the price of import inputs through information transmission mechanisms, while import agglomeration of related and differentiated products enhances export sophistication through promoting import diversification, which also alleviates trade uncertainty shocks. With the steady development of the Chinese economy, the diversity of imports has become a core element of enterprise development. Creating a spatial agglomeration form where upstream and downstream industries rely on each other and have core competitiveness is a breakthrough in the high-quality development of Chinese enterprises. Based on this, the following policy suggestions are proposed: further improve China’s open policy, actively expand imports, and open up a new situation of opening up to the outside world; further improve the inter industry collaboration and innovation system, improve the integrity of the industrial chain and supply chain, and strengthen the support capacity of the industrial chain for domestic systemic circulation; actively break down the administrative barriers between regions, promote the free flow of resources and factors, guide the information exchange between enterprises in different regions, give play to the spillover effects of technology, innovation, management, etc., and lay a good market foundation for improving the technological relevance of industrial spatial agglomeration.

Abstract:Presently, a peak of intergenerational succession has already begun in Chinese family businesses. Internationalization is a key strategy for family firms to achieve long-term competitiveness and sustainable growth. Previous literatures on the impact of intergenerational succession on family firm internationalization largely examine the effects of family next generation involvement in power on the internationalization of family firm, and ignore the influence of second generation succession patterns on the internationalization of family firms. On the basis of dividing second generation succession patterns into the evolutionary succession pattern and revolutionary succession pattern in Chinese family businesses, the authors make the initial effort to empirically examine the effect of second generation succession patterns on family firm internationalization, and explore the moderating effects of intergenerational authority, founder political identity and successor age in the above relationship. Furthermore, they explore the masking effect of internationalization commitment in the above relationship, so as to reveal the mechanism and context of second generation succession patterns on family firm internationalization. Drawing on the survey data of 253 family firms in the eastern and western provinces or municipalities (e.g., Chongqing, Zhejiang,) from 8 to 10 month in 2020, they find that:first, compared to the revolutionary succession pattern, family firms that adopt the evolutionary succession pattern are more likely to choose deep, extensive and rapid access to international market; second, intergenerational authority, founder political identity and successor age significantly weakens the positive effects of the evolutionary succession pattern on internationalization depth, breadth and speed in family firms, that is, the positive effects of the evolutionary succession pattern on internationalization depth, breadth and speed become less obvious in family firms with higher intergenerational authority, founder political identity and older successors. The authors employ an alternative definition for family business, as well as select samples of family firms that are going or had already gone through intergenerational succession for robustness test, the above-mentioned results are still valid. Expand research shows that internationalization commitment plays a masking effect on the relationship between the evolutionary succession pattern and both internationalization depth and breadth, that is, the evolutionary succession pattern weakens its positive effects on both internationalization depth and breadth by reducing the level of international commitment in family firms. Based on the above research results, the following recommendations are put forward. Firstly, founders in family firms should make succession plans in advance, and arrange the evolutionary succession for the second generation as far as possible. In the process of evolutionary succession, founders should help the second successors to establish authority legitimacy as soon as possible to reduce the authority difference between the two generations. Secondly, founders in family firms should rationally understand the positive and negative effects of political relations, and actively build a friendly and clean relationship between government and business. Government departments should strive to build a more just, fair and transparent business environment, so as to fully mobilize the enthusiasm of family entrepreneurs in business activities.

Abstract:The self-reform of the Communist Party of China embodies the dialectical unity of understanding and practice, profoundly revealing the essential attributes of a Marxist party. To fully grasp the theoretical core of the Partys self-reform, it is indispensable to analyze its basic elements. Mutuality, as an important feature of self-reform, not only reflects the comprehensiveness and systematic nature of self-reform but also demonstrates its innovative and contemporary nature. Understanding the origins of research into the mutual characteristics of self-reform requires delving into the relevant discussions of traditional classic Marxist authors for theoretical foundations of mutuality, meticulously outlining the academic studies on the mutuality of self-reform, and elaborating on the mutual characteristics of self-reform in an academic manner. This reveals that the Partys self-reform is not an isolated, static practice, but is constantly in a state of interaction. A thorough analysis of the reciprocal characteristics embedded in self-reform, including mutual inspiration, interdependence, and integration, not only provides a clear understanding of the significant value of the Partys self-reform but also offers methodological insights for an in-depth study of General Secretary Xi Jinpings important thoughts on the Partys self-reform. Specifically, reciprocity is an intrinsic spiritual drive, reflecting the mutual linkage and motivation between individuals; interdependence is an efficient and stable operating mode, reflecting the mutual reliance and support between various domains; integration is a continuously optimized dynamic system, reflecting the adaptive nature of the times and societal demands.

Abstract:As the cultural chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture adheres to the standpoint, viewpoints and methods of Marxism, and adheres to the standpoint of Chinese culture, which is the latest cultural and ideological achievement of the Communist Party of China. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has clarified the road map and task book of cultural construction in the new era, has a clear practical-orientation, and provides a powerful ideological weapon and scientific action guide for propaganda ideological and cultural work in the new situation. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has rich value implications, enriches and develops Marxist cultural theory, indicates and marks new cultural mission in the new era, and has provided action guidelines and injected strong spirit for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture shows the characteristics of the times, adheres to the peoples position and political background, adheres to the combination of macro and micro and link of entity and use, and highlights national characteristics and world vision. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture adheres to and realizes the unity of historicity and reality, the unity of cultural noumenon and cultural form, the unity of law and purpose, the unity of internal development and external security. Grasping the internal logic of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is conducive to a deep understanding of the internal and external causes of the generation, existence and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture.