On August 14th and 15th, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Harbin Engineering University and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the sociology discipline, an academic seminar titled "The Chinese Path to Modernization: Practices and Innovations in Sociological Theory" took place at our university. This seminar was a significant component of the academic anniversary events.

The conference is being hosted by HEU and co-organized by the Heilongjiang Sociology Society, Heilongjiang Social Work Society, and Heilongjiang Social Psychology Society. Principal YAO Yu attended the conference's opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

YAO Yu briefly introduced the historical development and distinctive characteristics of the school. He highlighted that since its inception, the sociology discipline has embraced the responsibility of upholding the cultural legacy of the PLA Military Institute of Engineering. Over the course of two decades of development and growth, it has remained dedicated to upholding and advancing its traditions. The discipline has been resolute in its commitment to bolstering China's global cultural influence and has effectively harnessed its geographical proximity to Russia. Moreover, it has undertaken extensive research into social ideologies within Central and Eastern Europe as well as Russia.

Emphasizing the need for a broader academic perspective, YAO Yu underscored the importance of deepening collaboration and exchange. He also stressed the significance of elevating the discipline's standards of development, all in service of contributing enhanced professional expertise to the ongoing endeavor of realizing the Chinese path to modernization.

In his address, ZHANG Yi, President of the Chinese Society and also President of the Institute of Social Development Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, extended his congratulations to Harbin Engineering University on the occasion of its 70th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the sociology discipline.

During the keynote session, seven renowned sociologists delivered addresses centered on the significant academic accomplishments within their respective research domains. They also discussed strategies for harnessing the discipline's unique attributes to facilitate the advancement of the Chinese path to modernization.

During the parallel forum, the attending experts and scholars engaged in comprehensive deliberations across six distinct topics: Chinese sociological theory in the new era, the Chinese path to modernization and its high-quality development, social evolution and the emergence of intelligent societies, social governance and the unique Chinese experience, rural revitalization and grassroots governance, as well as population health and the enhancement of quality of life.