Xi Jinping’s ideological "banner term"—"Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era"—was unveiled and added to the Party’s constitution at last October’s 19th Party Congress. (See BBC Monitoring for a brief 14-point primer on Xi Thought’s main principles, which stress Party leadership and national strength and unity.) Its addition to the national constitution in February was another landmark event in Xi’s consolidation of power. The inclusion of Xi’s name, the high standing implied by the "Thought" designation, and its addition to the constitution after only a single leadership term all underscored the gravity of the development.

Even before this, the banner term’s unveiling had triggered a surge of Xiological research on ground prepared by earlier campaigns against ideological “infiltration.” Universities across China, led by Beijing’s Renmin University, launched Xi Thought institutes "to disseminate and preach Xi Jinping Thought […] in businesses, neighborhoods and villages," and to foster "a greater belief in the Chinese dream." Beijing-based historian Zhang Lifan described them less enthusiastically to Radio Free Asia as "a project that deals in the performance of ideology for political advancement." "Perhaps,” he added, “they will attract scholars who haven’t been very successful and who are keen on political speculation."

On April 13, the Beijing Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Science announced a new round of research funding, including a special topic: "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the Spirit of the 19th Party Congress." This would be supported with grants of up to 300,000 yuan from the Beijing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Research Center. CDT has translated the suggested project titles listed under this special topic heading:

1. On the scientific system, historical status, and contemporary significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
2. On the philosophical basis and theoretical essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
3. On the original contribution to Marxism of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
4. On the global significance and international impact of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
5. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s views on the New Era
6. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s use of the principle of "putting the people at the center"
7. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on comprehensive deepening of reform
8. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on comprehensive rule of law
9. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on comprehensive strictness toward Party members
10. On economic ideology in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
11. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on scientific and technological advancement
12. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on opening up to the world
13. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on democratic politics
14. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on rule by law
15. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on culture
16. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on ideological work
17. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s views on Chinese culture
18. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s views on the people’s livelihood
19. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on poverty alleviation
20. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on education
21. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on building an ecological civilization
22. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on mankind’s Community of Common Destiny
23. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on global governance
24. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics
25. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s views on national security
26. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on military strength
27. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on maintaining "One Country, Two Systems" and advancing the unity of the motherland
28. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on strengthening the Party’s comprehensive leadership
29. On General Secretary Xi Jinping’s methods of national governance
30. On CCP members’ original aspiration and mission
31. On the implications and interrelations of the "Four Greats"
32. On the overall objective and main tasks in maintaining and developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era
33. On the general pattern of maintaining and developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era
34. On changes in our country’s principal contradictions in the New Era
35. On opportunities, challenges, and pathways toward securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects
36. On implementing new development concepts and building a modernized economic system
37. On deepening supply-side structural reform
38. On perfecting a socialist market economy system in the New Era
39. On accelerating the construction of an innovative nation in the New Era
40. On new patterns in our country’s comprehensive opening-up in the New Era
41. On perfecting rules and systems for the people to be masters of their own affairs in the New Era
42. On deepening practice of rule of law in the New Era
43. On forging community consciousness among the Chinese people
44. On propaganda and education for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
45. On ideological work in the New Era
46. On the socialist core value system
47. On maintaining the security and improvement of the people’s livelihoods during the course of development
48. On forging a social governance structure built, managed, and enjoyed by all
49. On maintaining harmonious paragenesis between man and nature
50. On reforming environmental monitoring systems
51. On comprehensively advancing national security and military modernization
52. On building a human community of common destiny, in theory and in practice
53. On driving forward the Party’s construction of new great engineering projects in the New Era
54. On using political construction to command overall strengthening of the construction of the Party in all aspects
55. On institutional construction multi-facetedly permeated by Party construction
56. On perfecting Party and state supervision systems
57. On Xi Jinping’s thoughts on construction of the capital in the New Era [Chinese]