By Shannon Tiezzi
Criticisms of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences are part of Xi Jinping’s new emphasis on ideological purity.
The South China Morning Post reports that an influential Chinese think-tank has come under fire from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the Chinese Communist Party body responsible for investigating corruption and other illegal actions among Party cadres. Citing remarks made by Zhang Yingwei, the CCDI official tasked with overseeing the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), SCMP reports that CASS has been accused of being “infiltrated by foreign forces.”
Zhang’s comments were specifically made during remarks before a modern Chinese history research institute. In an online summary of his remarks, Zhang warned of “illegal collusion during sensitive times” between CASS and “foreign forces.” Zhang also warned that CASS had developed “ideological problems” and criticized CASS researchers for, among other things, going online to promote unorthodox viewpoints on sensitive topics. Zhang urged CASS to “remain alert to some politically sensitive issues,” effectively demanding that its researchers do a better job of self-censorship.
Interestingly, the summary of Zhang’s comments was removed within a day of being posted online, perhaps indicating that his accusations do not represent the views of the Party as a whole. Still, talk of “ideological problems” within one of China’s highest-profile think-tanks could reflect Xi’s new emphasis on correct ideology and “core socialist values.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat