Yu Haiqing, Vice President of the Academy of Marxism, Leads a Delegation to Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy for Academic Exchanges
To strengthen exchange and cooperation with foreign Communist parties and research institutions, and to promote the international dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, a delegation led by Professor Yu Haiqing, Deputy Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), visited Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy for academic exchange from August 31 to September 9, 2025. The delegation included researchers Zhang Jiangang, Jia Keqing, Peng Haihong, and Li Kaixuan from the Institute of Marxism Studies.
On the afternoon of August 31, local time, the delegation held friendly exchanges in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the Chairperson of the Communist Party (Denmark) (DKP), Lotte Rortoft-Madsen, and National Committee members including Kaivon Kjems (Head of the International Department), Emil Boost, Marc Sanganee (Editor-in-Chief of the journal Arbejderen), and Rune Jørgensen. They listened to a detailed presentation by the DKP regarding its membership structure, developmental history, current status, and future goals. The two sides also engaged in seminars and in-depth discussions on theoretical and practical issues, such as the development of the basic principles of Marxism by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the global significance of Chinese-path modernization, and the essence of socialism. (The delegation holds a symposium with members of the Communist Party (Denmark))
On September 1, the delegation met with experts and scholars in Copenhagen, including Professor Kjeld Erik Brodsgaard of the Copenhagen Business School. Deputy Director Yu Haiqing provided a brief overview of China's economic and social development since the start of the New Era. Professor Brodsgaard elaborated on his views regarding party politics and modernization from the perspectives of party-government models, immigration issues, and welfare systems. The two sides also held a detailed discussion on the development of the Party’s cadre ranks [1]. (The delegation holds a symposium with Professor Brodsgaard, joined by staff from the Chinese Embassy in Denmark)
On September 2, the delegation met in Geneva, Switzerland, with left-wing scholars including Stefano Araujo (Researcher at the University of Geneva), Ludevic Iberg (Researcher at the University of Lausanne), and Karim Lasseb (PhD, University of Lausanne). They exchanged views on how young Swiss intellectuals have perceived the path and experience of Chinese-path modernization in recent years and explored possibilities for future cooperation. (The delegation holds a symposium with left-wing scholars from the University of Geneva and the University of Lausanne)
Following their return to Bellinzona from Locarno on September 3 and the afternoon of September 4, the delegation met with Massimiliano Ay, General Secretary of the Swiss Party of Labour (Communist Party); Alessandro Lucchini, Deputy Secretary; and several members of the Central Committee, including Samuele Iembo (Head of the International Department), Amos Speranza (Editor-in-Chief of Nuova Politica), Nil Malyguine (Editor-in-Chief of the party’s left-wing website), Rudi Alves, and Adam Barbato-Shoufani (General Secretary of the Communist Youth). They discussed the experience of Chinese-path modernization and the Swiss Communist Party's experience in achieving electoral breakthroughs. Ay stated that China is a major power and that the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has proven to be vital and effective; the Swiss Party of Labour highly identifies with the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Ay also introduced the improving development of the Swiss Party of Labour and the main agenda for its party congress in November 2025. Through cooperation with other left-wing parties and participation in regional and municipal governance, the party’s influence among the Swiss public continues to grow. Deputy Director Yu Haiqing introduced the latest developments in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and noted two prominent strengths of the Swiss party: a youthful and energetic membership structure, and a high degree of ideological consensus and organizational unity—both key reasons for its sustained growth in recent years. (The delegation holds a symposium with the General Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Central Committee members of the Swiss Communist Party)
On September 4, the delegation met in Locarno with Davide Rossi, a founding member of the Swiss Institute of History and Contemporary Philosophical Thought. The two sides discussed the theoretical and practical fruits of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, as well as the latest trends and evolution of European left-wing thought. The delegation elaborated on the important role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in driving China's development and promoting reforms in global governance. The Swiss side briefly introduced the Institute’s contributions to Sino-Swiss cultural and artistic exchange and shared new perspectives from the European Left on issues of equality, sustainable development, and social justice. (The delegation holds a symposium with members of the Swiss Institute of History and Contemporary Philosophical Thought)
On September 5, the delegation met in Milan, Italy, with Professor Matteo Bolocan of the Polytechnic University of Milan to discuss how Italian left-wing scholars view the global significance of Chinese-path modernization. Deputy Director Yu Haiqing introduced the latest developments in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and refuted or clarified misunderstandings held by some European scholars regarding Chinese-path modernization. Professor Bolocan argued that Chinese-path modernization has broken the dependency on Western paths to modernization. Through internal institutional optimization and peaceful development, China has provided a non-aggressive, non-colonial new development paradigm for the Global South. He particularly affirmed China's efforts in areas such as infrastructure connectivity and South-South cooperation, noting that this development model, centered on sovereign equality, is of great significance for reforming the current unjust system of global governance. (The delegation holds a symposium with Professor Matteo Bolocan and others)
On September 6, the delegation met in Rome with members of the National Executive Committee and Secretariat of the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), including Cinzia Della Porta and Pierpaolo Leopardi (International Department Coordinator). The USB is an independent trade union that has developed rapidly in recent years outside of Italy’s three major unions (CGIL, CISL, and UIL). It possesses strong mobilization power for national strikes and demonstrations and holds considerable influence within the World Federation of Trade Unions. By strengthening ties with Italian unions, the delegation further deepened its exchange and cooperation with the European Left. (The delegation holds a symposium with leaders of the USB)
Also on September 6, Deputy Director Yu Haiqing led the group in a meeting with Counselor Zou Jianjun of the Chinese Embassy in Italy. The two sides discussed how to strengthen political and cultural exchange and cooperation with Italy. Yu Haiqing expressed gratitude for the embassy’s strong support of the Institute of Marxism Studies’ international academic activities and introduced the objectives and achievements of this European tour. Counselor Zou Jianjun welcomed the delegation, noting that within the current context of "changes unseen in a century" [2], the European left-wing political landscape and culture have undergone significant shifts. Challenges and opportunities coexist, and he expressed his expectation that scholars from the Institute will continue to play an active role in telling the story of the achievements, experience, and global significance of the Chinese-path modernization, while promoting cooperation with European left-wing forces and academia.
On September 7, the delegation met in Rome with the Communist Refoundation Party (PRC), the Italian Communist Party (PCI), and the Communist Party (PC) to discuss the experience of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the issue of unity within the Italian communist movement. The delegation presented the practical achievements of Chinese-path modernization, emphasizing the institutional advantages and the "people-centeredness" [3] of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The General Secretaries of the three parties—Maurizio Acerbo, Mauro Alboresi, and Alberto Lombardo—attended the meeting. they expressed high alignment with the inspiring nature of the theory and practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. They stated that left-wing synergy should be strengthened on issues of labor rights, anti-hegemonic struggle, and social equity to jointly meet the challenges posed by the expansion of right-wing forces in Europe. (The delegation holds a symposium with the principal leaders of the three Italian Communist parties and left-wing scholars)
During the talks, Deputy Director Yu Haiqing also proposed specific measures for strengthening cooperation with Communist parties and left-wing forces, including the translation of works, publication of articles, and participation in conferences, which received positive responses. On the same day, the group also met with scholars from the Association for the Study of Marxism in the 21st Century and the journal Marx Ventunismo. Both sides highly affirmed the fruits of recent cooperation and drafted preliminary directions for future collaboration.
On September 8, the delegation met with the Gramsci Foundation (Fondazione Gramsci) in Rome. The Gramsci Foundation is one of Italy's most important and influential cultural and political research institutions, holding the world's most complete and precious collection of Gramsci’s research documents and archival records of the Italian Communist Party’s history. Rooted in the Marxist and socialist traditions of Gramsci, it is a significant center for left-wing scholarly thought in Italy and globally. Five representatives of the Foundation’s Scientific Committee—Michele Di Donato (Roma Tre), Giancarlo Schirru (L'Orientale, Naples), Gianluca Fiocco (Tor Vergata), Gabriele Siracusano (Sapienza), and Alessio Gagliardi (Bologna)—discussed with the delegation how to further strengthen cooperation and expand the global influence of Gramsci studies. They exchanged views on the current status and developmental challenges of the European Left and were introduced to the achievements and global significance of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. (The delegation holds a symposium and photo session with members of the Gramsci Foundation)
The visit of the Institute of Marxism Studies delegation to Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy was both a tracing of the origins and dissemination of Marxist theory and a profound dialogue on the development and practice of contemporary socialism. Through these exchanges, we recognized more clearly that the European Left's critique of the structural contradictions of capitalism and its pursuit of social justice demonstrate the analytical power and moral appeal of Marxism. Against the backdrop of profound changes in global governance and the frequent crises of the Western modernization model, China—guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—has blazed the trail of Chinese-path modernization. This path has achieved rapid economic development and long-term social stability, highlighting the international significance of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the future, we should participate even more proactively in global dialogue, manifesting the power of truth inherent in scientific socialism through both critical engagement and mutual learning. (Contribution and photos by Yu Haiqing, Zhang Jiangang, Jia Keqing, Peng Haihong, and Li Kaixuan)