The 11th International Forum on Socialism held in Vientiane, Laos
On November 8, 2024, the "11th International Forum on Socialism," sponsored by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, was successfully held in Vientiane, Laos. The theme of this forum was "Marxism in the 21st Century." Nearly one hundred experts, scholars, government officials, and diplomatic envoys from countries including China, Vietnam, and Laos conducted lively and productive discussions and exchanges around three topics: "Theory of Socialist Modernization and Harmonious Sustainable Development," "Practice of Socialist Modernization and Harmonious Sustainable Development," and "Socialist Cooperation for Achieving Harmony and Sustainable Development."
The opening ceremony of the forum was presided over by Pone Veibounyon, Deputy Director of the General Office of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences.
Konekeo Saysongkham, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President and Party Secretary of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, noted in his opening address that while the current international situation is characterized by a convergence of change and disorder [1] and the changes unseen in a century [2] are accelerating, Laos, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and Cuba continue to persist in the socialist direction for socio-economic development. They remain convinced that the socialist system is a superior and ideal social system. He emphasized that the exchange and exploration of "Marxism in the 21st Century" at this forum are of great significance for these five countries in determining Party lines, policies, and socio-economic development.
Chen Zhigang, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, pointed out in his opening address that Marxism is a constantly developing and open theory; it can only take root through localization [3] and remain full of vitality through adaptation to the times. Under the arduous exploration and joint efforts of Marxist ruling parties in socialist countries, Marxism in the 21st century has continuously opened up new realms and taken on a new look, increasingly radiating new vigor. As the changes unseen in a century accelerate, humanity once again stands at a crossroads of history. It is the common responsibility of Marxist ruling parties in socialist countries to continue promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, illuminating the forward path of humanity with the light of truth.
Ta Minh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in his opening address that we have witnessed significant theoretical and practical progress in the three socialist countries of China, Laos, and Vietnam—particularly reflected in the great achievements in economic development, solving social development issues, and improving the material and spiritual living conditions of the people. These achievements clearly demonstrate the validity and power of Marxism in the 21st century; it is not only a stable system of thought but also one capable of rapid adaptation and innovative development within a fast-changing global context.
Thamalay Chanthamoungkhoun, Deputy Director of the Institute of History and Archaeology at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, pointed out in a keynote speech titled "The Application of Marxist Theory in the Lao People's Democratic Republic" that by combining Marxist theory with the specific national conditions of Laos, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party not only achieved revolutionary victory but also made many great achievements in national construction.
Tran Tuan Phong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Philosophy at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in a keynote speech titled "Reflections on Socialism and Sustainable Development in Vietnam" that the Communist Party of Vietnam has creatively applied the ideas of scientific socialism to Vietnam's specific development practices. By always remaining people-centered and taking people's happiness as the highest goal, it has integrated economic development with social development while simultaneously improving sustainable development systems across economic, political, cultural, social, and environmental dimensions.
Wang Zhongbao, Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS, pointed out in a keynote speech titled "On Marxism and Sustainable Development" that the economic ideas of circulation and conservation, theories of moderate population, theory of comprehensive and coordinated development, and theories of moderate and green consumption contained within Marxism—as the spiritual wealth of humanity—are scientific theories for guiding sustainable socio-economic development.
Daovong Simavong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Political Science at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, noted in a keynote speech titled "Applying Marxist Theory to Develop a Harmonious and Sustainable Political System in the Lao People's Democratic Republic" that the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has developed its political system in an innovative manner and applied Marxism-Leninism to achieve coordinated and sustainable development. The Party understands that "Marxism" is not a dogma but a guide to action, and it has improved and changed new leadership plans to adapt to the changes of the era in Lao society.
Professor Liu Haolin from the School of Marxism at Guangxi Normal University noted in a keynote speech titled "Common Prosperity in the Context of Chinese-path Modernization" that common prosperity in this context is a collaborative development across all fields and dimensions. Its understanding and evaluation should be based on objective and rational standards and a scientific index system. The methodology for realizing common prosperity is reflected in the unity of the "two-point theory" and the "priority theory" [4].
Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Religious Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out in a keynote speech titled "Harmonious and Sustainable Socialism: The Vietnam Model as an Example" that Vietnam has achieved many successes and gained development experience in its course of building socialism. Simultaneously, it faces many challenges under the new situation. Finding a development path that both achieves socialist goals and adapts to global goals such as sustainable and harmonious development is a question that requires reflection at the theoretical, practical, and even logical and historical levels.
Yang Binbin, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS, noted in a keynote speech titled "Deeply Grasping the Original Contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture through the 'Second Combination'" [5] that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a precious result of connecting the essence of Marxist thought with the finest of traditional Chinese culture and integrating it with the common values that the masses "use daily without realizing it" [6]. It is a highly condensed summary of the historical experience of cultural construction led by the CPC during the processes of revolution, construction, and reform, and a profound revelation of the laws governing socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics, especially since the New Era.
Vilaivone Phommachanh, Deputy Director of the Institute of Socio-Economic Policy at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, pointed out in a keynote speech titled "The Lao People's Revolutionary Party's Application of Marxist Theory to Determine Policies for Harmonious and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in the LPDR" that the main content of the Party's application of Marxist theory is: improving the construction of the people's democratic system and creating all conditions to develop socialism, foremost of which is the transition of agricultural production to collectivized and industrialized production.
Vu Thi Thu Ha, Deputy Director of the Institute of Religious Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in a keynote speech titled "Vietnamese Religious Resources Participating in Building a Harmonious and Sustainable Society" that from the perspective of religious studies and sociology, Vietnam's religious circles possess vast resources and have made active contributions to the cause of building a harmonious and sustainable society across economic, cultural, social, and environmental sectors.
Professor Tang Ming from the School of Politics and International Relations at Central China Normal University pointed out in a keynote speech titled "Characteristics and Advantages of Grassroots Democracy with Chinese Characteristics" that grassroots democracy is the most extensive practice of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics. Its prominent features and obvious advantages are mainly manifested in: first, adhering to the leadership of the CPC; second, persisting in the people as masters of the country; third, focusing on consultation; fourth, adhering to whole-process people's democracy; and fifth, being extensive, full, authentic, concrete, and effective.
Vansay Sayavong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Macroeconomics at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, noted in a keynote speech titled "Economic Development and Social Fairness in Laos" that due to the needs of socio-economic development and a lack of capital, Laos transformed its management to use a market economy mechanism with a socialist orientation. Through the liberalization of foreign trade and investment, it achieved sustained economic growth, with average per capita national income increasing nearly tenfold and the poverty rate gradually declining.
Professor Xue Xinguo from the School of Marxism at Xihua University pointed out in a keynote speech titled "Historical Experience and World Significance of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" that the revival of world socialism requires not only the spiritual weapon of the innovative development of socialist theory but also the support of material forces—namely, the development of the socialist movement.
Nguyen Duc Chuyen, Deputy Director of the Institute of Social Sciences (Southern Region) at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in a keynote speech titled "Mobilizing Resources to Implement Social Policies to Ensure Comprehensive Development in the Context of Vietnam's Transformation and International Integration" that mobilizing resources contributes to Vietnam utilizing domestic and foreign actors to ensure the people's social security and promotes the precious tradition of the Vietnamese people always standing united to contribute to national development.
Xia Yipu, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS, pointed out in a keynote speech titled "Whole-Process People's Democracy: Institutional Innovation of Chinese-path Modernization" that whole-process people's democracy is an important component of adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is a thorough elucidation of the general trend of democratic development in human history, marking a new height in the CPC’s understanding of the laws of the development of political civilization.
Keomany Inthavong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Sociology at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, noted in a keynote speech titled "The Socialist Direction of Sustainable Social Development" that the socialist-oriented sustainable social development represents the path, policy, focus, and goal of the Lao Party and government to address the people's livelihood and lead the country out of its current economic backwardness.
Phi Vinh Tuong, Acting Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out in a keynote speech titled "Persisting in the Socialist Direction of Development on the Basis of Strengthening International Cooperation" that to achieve the goals of prosperity, democracy, fairness, and civilization for the people, it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation in economic, political, cultural, and especially scientific and technological fields, while gradually learning and improving capabilities.
Xu Qinfa from the School of Marxism at Guangxi University noted in a keynote speech titled "The Logical Rationale of Promoting the Construction of China-Laos and China-Vietnam Communities with a Shared Future through Inter-Party Exchanges" that by taking shared values and concepts as a guide, the political parties of China, Laos, and Vietnam can effectively resolve differences through inter-party exchanges. This not only plays a role in "setting the course" [7] for state-to-state relations but also provides an important impetus for the development of world socialism.
Saysompone Havannala, Deputy Director of the Institute of Culture at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, pointed out in a keynote speech titled "Cooperation to Develop a Harmonious and Sustainable Culture" that culture consists of the material and spiritual values created by humans throughout various historical periods of the birth and growth of human society; cooperative development of a harmonious and sustainable culture is important and necessary for the development of the nation.
He Qin, a Research Fellow at the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), pointed out in a plenary speech titled "National Characteristics and Common Features of Socialist Modernization" that strengthening the study and investigation of the specific characteristics and shared traits of socialist modernization helps us profoundly understand the historical laws governing it. On the new journey of promoting the development of world socialism, we must strengthen our historical confidence, enhance our historical consciousness, and maintain historical initiative [8] to continue writing new historical chapters of socialist modernization.
(Research Fellow He Qin of the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS, delivers a plenary speech)
Chansamone Vongphasy, Deputy Director of the Enterprise Development Institute at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences (LASES), noted in a plenary speech titled "Socialism-based Economic Cooperation for Sustainable Development: Perspectives from the Lao People's Democratic Republic" that to build a strong and prosperous country in the present era, it is essential to understand how to establish a rational economic structure. This includes opening up and economic cooperation as a means to utilize advanced global financial resources, technology, and management, thereby integrating Laos into international life and narrowing the gap between Laos and other developing countries.
(Chansamone Vongphasy, Deputy Director of the Enterprise Development Institute, LASES, delivers a plenary speech)
Chen Yongsheng, an Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out in a plenary speech titled "Vigorously Developing New Quality Productive Forces to Promote Harmonious and Sustainable Development of Economy, Society, and Man" that new quality productive forces utilize innovative methods to break away from traditional economic growth modes and development paths of the productive forces, thereby achieving high-quality development. Furthermore, new quality productive forces shape new relations of production adapted to them by transforming the mode of production, achieving harmonious social development. Through new models of talent cultivation, they form "new quality laborers," facilitating the free and well-rounded development of the individual.
(Associate Research Fellow Chen Yongsheng of the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS, delivers a plenary speech)
Participating scholars spoke highly of the fruitful results achieved at this forum. They reached a consensus that strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among the theoretical circles of socialist countries holds significant theoretical and practical importance for advancing the modernization of socialist nations. Khonkeo Xaysongkham, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences; Chen Zhigang, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; and Ta Minh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), respectively summarized the forum's proceedings and engaged in a tripartite exchange of gifts.
(Lao and Chinese sides exchange gifts) (Chinese and Vietnamese sides exchange gifts) (Vietnamese and Lao sides exchange gifts)