On January 3, 2024, Professor Li Chong's new book release of the Study of Marx's Political Economy under New Historical Conditions -- Re-reading Capital in the 21st Century and the seminar on the construction of the discipline of Political Economy was successfully held in Beijing Normal University. The meeting was chaired by Sun Zhijun, Secretary of the Party Committee of BNUBS.

Dean Qi Yudong first congratulated Professor Li Chong on the release of the new book, pointing out that this is another landmark achievement of Marx's Political Economy Research. He pointed out that Professor Li Chong, with his profound knowledge and profound economic skills, has made a new interpretation and verification of Marx's Political Economy, which has important guiding significance and reference value for current research, and will greatly promote the discipline construction and professional development of Theoretical Economics and Political Economy in our School.

Then, Professor Li Chong introduced his reasons for studying Marxist economics from three aspects: "Why to study Marxist Economics", "How to understand Marxist Economics", "What research work has been done in his monograph" and "academic advice for young economists".For how to understand Marxist economics, Professor Li Chong elaborated from five questions, including the similarities and differences between the two theoretical systems of Marxist economics and Western economics, the similarities and differences between the research methods of the two theoretical systems, and whether the Marxist economics is a political theory, whether Marxian Economics is obsolete, and whether Marxian Economics is out of touch with reality.Professor Li Chong introduced the research work of the monograph from the aspects of the purpose of writing the monograph, logical demonstration, statistical testing, supplementary opinions, and proposed solutions to the three difficult problems. Finally, Professor Li Chong put forward academic suggestions to young economists, hoping that they can strengthen their training in the history of economic thought, read more original works of economic classics, and draw useful ideas from them.

Professor Hu Haifeng, Professor Li You and Professor Yang Chengyu spoke successively in the discussion session. Professor Hu Haifeng took the lead in expressing the feeling of reading Professor Li Chong's new book, that is, to find laws from history, to solve the current practical problems, and to criticize the current situation where the concept of "capital" is not clearly defined. Professor Li You reviewed the history of the teaching and research development of political economy in BNUBS, discussed the theoretical framework and practical significance of teacher Li Chong's new book, and put forward suggestions for the construction of the discipline of political economy. Professor Yang Chengyu affirmed the significance of the publication of the new book for the study of Marx's political economy, and then mainly discussed the fourth and fifth chapters of the new book, and put forward his own four points of thinking.

Associate Professor Xu Minbo, Associate Professor Zhu Mengbing, Teacher Wen Qiao, and Professor Sun Yunchuan, Associate Professor Zhao Xiangyang and Teacher Chen Su from the two history teaching and research teams of BNUBS gave speeches to express their admiration for Professor Li Chong's academic achievements and the teaching and research inspiration they drew from Professor Li Chong's new book. Professor Li Chong made timely responses and exchanges to the teachers' views and questions.

General Secretary Xi Jinping once said, "Some people say that Marxist political economy is obsolete, that Capital is obsolete. That statement is arbitrary." "After the international financial crisis, many Western scholars are re-studying Marxist political economy and Capital to reflect on the drawbacks of capitalism." Facing the new characteristics of The Times and practical requirements, Marx's political economy needs to be further sinicized, modernized and popularized, which is also the direction of the construction of the discipline of Political economy in BNUBS.

Provided by Department of Finance

Edited by Jiang Jie

Reviewed by Cai Hongbo