Scholars from the Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences visit Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic for academic exchanges

From August 4 to 13, 2025, a delegation led by Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies (IMS) of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), traveled to Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic for scholarly exchanges. Members of the delegation included Research Fellow Hou Weimin from the Department of Marxist Principles, Research Fellow Liu Haixia, Deputy Director of the Department of the International Communist Movement, Research Fellow Zhou Miao from the Department of Overseas Marxism, and Associate Research Fellow Wang Xiaohong from the Department of Marxist Principles.

From August 4 to 5, the delegation visited Austria, holding symposiums with leaders, experts, and scholars from organizations including the Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ) and the Austrian-Chinese Friendship Association (ÖCGF). Key Austrian participants included Martin Konecny, Secretary of the Education Department of the KPÖ; Rainer Hackauf, Representative of the Party Central Committee; and Professor Hannes Fellner, Vice President of the ÖCGF. The two sides exchanged views and held discussions on the international dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the current international situation, the political and economic conditions and trends in Austria and the European Union, as well as the basic status and development trends of the KPÖ. (The delegation holds an exchange symposium and group photo with leaders of the KPÖ)

From August 5 to 10, the delegation visited Germany, holding symposiums with leaders and scholars from organizations such as the German Communist Party (DKP), the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, and the University of Trier. Key German participants included Patrik Köbele, Chairman of the DKP; Dr. Daniela Trochowski, Managing Director of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation; Professor Michael Brie; and Professor Christian Jansen from the University of Trier. The two sides engaged in dialogue and exchange on major issues including the international dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the economic and social situation and trends in Germany and Europe, the causes, lessons, and impact of the "drastic changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe" ^[1], and the basic status and challenges facing the DKP. (The delegation holds an exchange symposium and group photo with the Chairman and leaders of the DKP) (The delegation holds an exchange symposium with leaders of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation)

From August 10 to 12, the delegation visited the Czech Republic, holding symposiums with leaders and scholars from the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM), the Czech Academy of Sciences Think Tank, and the Institute of Left Studies. Key Czech participants included Milan Krajča, Vice Chairman of the KSČM; Josef Skála, Director of the Czech Institute of Left Studies; Štěfík, Member of the Central Committee of the KSČM and Regional Councilor; Roman, Director of the International Department of the KSČM; and Marek Hrubec, Director and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre of Global Studies attached to the Czech Academy of Sciences. The two sides conducted dialogue and research on major issues including the current status, development trends, and difficulties facing the KSČM, Sino-Czech economic and trade relations and cultural exchanges, as well as the theory and practice of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era. (The delegation holds talks and a group photo with leaders of the KSČM)

The IMS delegation’s visit not only involved broad and in-depth discussions with left-wing scholars and local think-tank experts from organizations and research institutes in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic, but also facilitated exchanges with leaders and department heads of the Communist Parties of these three nations to actively publicize Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Both the Chinese and foreign sides expressed their intention to continue strengthening ties and cooperation, actively developing exchanges and mutual visits between Chinese and foreign Marxist theoretical research institutions and think tanks to jointly promote the development and growth of world socialism. (Contribution by Liu Haixia)