On January 30, 2013, China’s National Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Science published on their website a lengthy list of focus areas for 2013 research proposals [zh]. The 60-item list details many propaganda mainstays, such as “research on the basic foundation, overall approach, and general task of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.” But it also touches on a range of systemic problems, such as corruption, income distribution, the environment and urbanization, hinting at the real anxieties currently being felt by the Chinese government. CDT provides a full translation of the list of research areas below:
1. Research on the path, theories, and the systems of socialism with Chinese characteristics
2. Research on the confidence to continue in the path, theories and systems of socialism with Chinese characteristics
3. Research on the realization of the great renaissance of the Chinese nation, the “Chinese Dream”
4. Research on the basic foundation, overall approach, and general task of building socialism with Chinese characteristics
5. Research on the basic requirements for achieving new victory for socialism with Chinese characteristics
6. Research on the historical status, spiritual essence and practical requirements of the Scientific Development Outlook
7. Research on the improvement of work culture and strengthening ties with the masses
8. Research on the strict enforcement of Party political discipline
9. Research on resource conservation and combating extravagant social practices
10. Research on the establishment of a comprehensive punishment and prevention system to combat corruption
11. Research on punishment and prevention mechanisms that ensure the restriction and oversight of the exercise of power
12. Research on the comprehensive implementation of a system of government conduct and transparency
13. Research on the strengthening of national anti-corruption legislation and Party discipline
14. Research on methods by which to overcome and oppose the mindset and phenomena of seeking special privileges
15. Research on the changing connotations and conditions of the current crucial strategic period for our nation under the new circumstances.
16. Research on the goals of establishing an all-around prosperous society and comprehensively deepening reform and openness
17. Research on the basic requirements, fundamental methods and policy decisions to promote the country’s sustained and sound economic development
18. Research on the fundamental direction, major difficulties, and effective approaches by which to deepen reform
19. Research on the macro-regulatory policies of promoting balanced development between regions
20. Research on the acceleration of changes to the growth model and improvements to the socialist market economy
21. Research on the implementation of strategic adjustments to the economic structure
22. Research on the strategies and policies for developing the real economy in our country
23. Research on policies through which to resolve the problems of developing industry sectors with serious production capacity redundancy
24. Research on the establishment of a new system for developing modern industry
25. Research on the implementation of strategies for innovation-driven development
26. Research on the promotion of the synchronization of industrialization, the application of information technology, urbanization and agricultural modernization
27. Research on the integration of urban and rural development
28. Research on new intensive, intelligent, green, and low-carbon models of urbanization
29. Research on scientific and balanced urbanization
30. Research on ways to deepen income distribution reform
31. Research on the ways to realize sustained and sound economic growth and doubling income
32. Research on preventing systematic and regional financial risks
33. Research on maintaining the path and political develop of socialism with Chinese characteristics and promoting political reform
34. Research on methods to make the people’s democracy more extensive, fuller in scope and sounder in practice
35. Research on the problems and historical limitations of contemporary western political systems
36. Research on the hypocrisy of western-style “freedom of speech” and “freedom of press”
37. Research on accelerating the establishment of a socialist country based on the rule of law
38. Research on improving socialist consultative democracy
39. Research on developing a stronger socialist culture in China
40. Research on cultivating and practicing core socialist values
41. Research on handling, tracking, and investigating serious ethical problems
42. Research on enhancing the overall strength and international competitiveness of Chinese culture
43. Research on accelerating improvement in cultural sector management and operation of cultural sector production
44. Research on strengthening and innovating in the field of social management
45. Research on social stability with respect to the integration of urban and rural development
46. Research on the establishment of a system for guaranteeing fairness in society and ensuring social justice
47. Research on registering rural migrant workers as permanent urban residents in an orderly way
48. Research on the promotion of the employment environment
49. Research on making great efforts to promote ecological progress and building a beautiful China
50. Research on improving the development of national land
51. Research on intensifying the protection of the ecosystem and environment
52. Research on promoting all-around improvement to China’s open economy
53. Research on the changing of trends and strategies for handling the world economic transition
54. Research on the strategic transformation from a large trading nation to a strong trading nation
55. Research on the establishment of a new type of long-term, stable relationship and sound growth with other major countries
56. Research on promoting the integration of regional economies into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
57. Research on strategies to handle new changes to the geopolitical environment within Northeast Asia
58. Research on building a strong maritime power and maritime security in our territorial waters
59. Research on enriching the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” and advancing China’s reunification
60. Research on accelerating the modernization of national defense and the armed forces
Translated by Mengyu Dong. Source: National Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Science.