Jiusan Society

Jiusan Society
Name	Jiusan Society
Native name	九三学社
Founded	1945
Headquarters	Beijing
Country	China
Position	Consultative
National affiliation	Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

Jiusan Society is a political organization founded in 1945 originating among Chinese scientists and intellectuals after the Second Sino-Japanese War and during the Chinese Civil War. It functions as one of the eight legally recognized non-Communist political parties participating in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and works alongside the Communist Party of China, the State Council, and the National People's Congress in advisory and consultative roles. The Society emphasizes links between scientific communities, technological institutions, and national policymaking, interacting with universities, research institutes, and provincial governments.

History

The Society was established in the aftermath of the Second Sino-Japanese War and during the closing years of the Chinese Civil War, inspired by anniversaries such as the September 3, 1945 victory date and influenced by figures associated with the Kuomintang era, the Communist Party of China, and intellectual circles in Beijing and Shanghai. Early members included scientists and academics from institutions like Peking University, Tsinghua University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who navigated relationships with the People's Republic of China's founding leadership including interactions with Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and later administrations under Deng Xiaoping. Throughout the Cultural Revolution and the reform era, the Society adapted to policy shifts related to Four Modernizations and reforms promoted by leaders such as Zhao Ziyang and Hu Yaobang, contributing to debates on science and technology policy during the administrations of Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao.

Organization and Membership

The Society is structured with a central committee, local branches in provinces like Guangdong, Sichuan, and Shandong, and specialized committees connected to institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and major universities including Fudan University, Nanjing University, and Zhejiang University. Membership historically comprised academics, engineers, medical professionals, and researchers from organizations such as the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, with notable overlaps among alumni of Northwestern Polytechnical University and Harbin Institute of Technology. The Society participates in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference delegations and holds seats coordinated through provincial people's congresses and municipal consultative bodies in cities like Shanghai, Chongqing, and Xi'an.

Ideology and Platform

The Society emphasizes scientific advancement, technological innovation, and policy recommendations aligned with national development strategies such as the Made in China 2025 initiative and the National Innovation-Driven Development Strategy. It advocates for strengthened ties between research institutions like the Institute of Computing Technology and industrial clusters including the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, and supports public health initiatives associated with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and medical reforms promoted by the National Health Commission. The platform stresses modernization goals similar to those in policy frameworks endorsed by leaders like Li Keqiang and Wen Jiabao, and often frames proposals referencing international scientific collaborations such as with institutions like the World Health Organization and research programs that intersect with projects like Belt and Road Initiative science cooperation.

Political Role and Activities

Acting as an advisory body, the Society submits proposals to state organs including the State Council and participates in consultative sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. It organizes symposia and conferences involving partners such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, and provincial science and technology commissions, and contributes expert assessments on legislation related to intellectual property law revisions, industrial policy, and public health responses exemplified during outbreaks requiring coordination with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and municipal authorities in Wuhan and Guangzhou. The Society engages in international exchanges with foreign academies and participates in bilateral scientific dialogues with counterparts in countries like United States, Germany, and Japan, often coordinated through institutions such as the China Association for Science and Technology.

Notable Members

Prominent figures associated with the Society have included leading scientists, engineers, and academics from institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Peking University, and Tsinghua University. Past and present members have been influential in fields spanning mathematics, physics, chemistry, and medicine, collaborating with organizations such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences, and research centers in cities including Beijing and Shanghai. Members have participated in national advisory roles alongside politicians such as Peng Zhen and technocrats from ministries like the Ministry of Education.

Publications and Contributions

The Society issues position papers, policy briefs, and academic reports produced jointly with partners including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Modern Physics, and university presses at Fudan University and Zhejiang University. Its contributions inform white papers and consultative documents submitted to the State Council, influence planning in programs such as the National Medium- and Long-Term Program for Science and Technology Development (2006–2020), and appear in journals associated with institutions like the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Society for Science and Technology Studies. The organization also sponsors conferences, awards, and collaborative projects with municipal science commissions in places like Shenzhen and Chongqing, and participates in international scientific forums alongside bodies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Health Organization.

Category:Political parties in China Category:Organizations established in 1945