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.