In a recent initiative, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has established an institution called the “Institute of Rare Disciplines” in response to remarks made by the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping a decade ago. Observers interpret this move as a demonstration of allegiance from the academic community to Xi, which aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to solidify its control.
On November 6, the Institute of Rare Disciplines was launched at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences University in Beijing. This new institute is tasked with the study of various ancient ethnic scripts, including Turkic, Western Xia, Khitan, and Jurchen, as well as oracle bone inscriptions and ancient texts on silk and bamboo. The academy claims that this institute will provide academic support for ensuring long-term stability in China’s frontier regions.
On the same day, a nationwide “Alliance of Rare Disciplines” was also inaugurated, with over 80 organizations joining, including prominent institutions like Tsinghua University and the First Historical Archives of China. Zheng Duisheng, the general secretary of the China Tibetology Research Center, stated that the center would participate in the alliance by adhering to the so-called “new era party’s governance strategy in Tibet.”
Reports indicate that ten years ago, during a seminar focused on philosophy and social sciences, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of lesser-known academic fields, suggesting they should be developed and utilized when necessary. On the day of the institute’s unveiling, Zhao Rui, the vice president of the social sciences academy, remarked that establishing the institute is a tangible step to implement Xi’s directives.
Chinese state media outlets have also begun publishing content explaining the reasons behind the importance of “rare disciplines.”
However, this announcement has sparked mockery on various overseas social media platforms.
Writer Cui Chenghao humorously pointed out, “The name alone is laughable. Are we finally going to study the long-lost methods of exorcism or the four different ways to write the character for ‘fennel’? It’s all about allocating too much funding to research these strange academic niches.”
The platform “Lens on World” commented, “It turns out that ‘rare disciplines’ are not just whims of bored literati but are a directive personally called for by Xi Jinping. Now, with a state-sanctioned label, the politically savvy individuals can legitimately access the national treasury. Meanwhile, state media and the academic community are merely putting on a performance, giving a green light to this academic oddity. This situation mirrors the fable of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes,’ where everyone sees the deception, yet no one dares to speak out.”
Commentator Chen Xiaoping suggested that it wouldn’t be long before this institute is quietly declared a fraudulent institution. “Its emergence is merely a façade, using the banner of ‘thoroughly implementing Xi Jinping’s cultural thoughts’—that is to say, it is sustained by Xi’s patronage.”
Some observers warningly noted, “The goal of the study into rare disciplines is for the party to gain intimate knowledge of the culture, ideologies, and behaviors of minority ethnic groups, particularly those not fully sinicized. These groups are seen as distinct others, and the aim is to ensure nothing is left to chance.”
Self-media commentator Wang Jian asserted that this situation reveals two pressing issues: “First, how neglected has historical and cultural research become under CCP rule? Second, why must the study of ancient scripts serve political objectives, specifically providing support for the party’s historical narrative? Given recent controversies surrounding the ‘New Qing History,’ it seems the establishment of this institute is about more than just rescuing endangered ancient scripts.”
Wang Dan, a leader from the Tiananmen Square protests and political commentator, shared his thoughts in a Taiwan publication, emphasizing that the derision surrounding the “Institute of Rare Disciplines” largely focuses on the academy’s lowbrow and commercialized name. However, he cautions that, in the context of the CCP’s propaganda, this initiative is indeed no laughing matter. Alongside the establishment of the institute, the national “Alliance of Rare Disciplines” was formed, reflecting a top-down directive influenced by CCP ideology and led by the current Minister of Propaganda, Li Shulei.
Wang Dan observed that since coming to power, Xi Jinping has packaged his vision of “great rejuvenation of the nation” as a form of ideological branding. The so-called “rare disciplines” encompass scripts and cultures that relate to the historical interactions between various ethnicities, cultures, and civilizations in Chinese history. The purpose of the CCP is to strengthen the discourse around the “Chinese national community” by seeking additional supportive textual evidence, ancient documents, and archaeological findings.
Furthermore, Wang pointed out that Zhao Rui, the vice president of the social sciences academy, candidly articulated the political intent behind setting up the institute and the alliance, emphasizing that research should aid in “frontier governance” and “ethnic work.” Here, the term “service” insinuates the intervention of political and administrative bodies into academic affairs. The CCP’s strategy involves reinterpreting and repackaging history to reinforce the legitimacy of the current governance model, paving the way for Xi Jinping’s continued rule.
In June 2023, Xi Jinping visited the National Chinese Version Museum and the Chinese Academy of History, where he attended a symposium focused on “cultural inheritance and development.” The meeting highlighted the importance of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s outstanding traditional culture. Former professor at the Central Party School, Cai Xia, previously disclosed that Li Shulei had been investigating how to forcibly integrate Chinese culture with Marxism during his tenure at the party school, suggesting he is a primary architect behind this ideological framework.
Chinese issues expert Li Linyi remarked that the CCP is fundamentally grounded in atheism, with Marxism not only being a foreign ideology but also an adversary to divinity. Since the establishment of the CCP, traditional culture has faced multiple purges, particularly during the Cultural Revolution. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest among Chinese people, including global Chinese communities, in reviving traditional culture and seeking their roots. Recognizing its inability to entirely eradicate the public’s yearning for tradition, the CCP now aims to blend Marxism with Chinese culture, presenting it as a form of “new era culture” in an attempt to confuse the populace—a form of cultural manipulation that yields a counterfeit version of “traditional culture,” which is fundamentally part of the party’s narrative.