The International Symposium "Chinese Social Sciences Forum (2013 · International Marxism) — Socialism and the Contemporary World" was held in Beijing on November 16-17, 2013

On November 16–17, 2013, the "Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Forum (2013 · International Marxism)—Socialism and the Contemporary World" international academic symposium was convened in Beijing. Sponsored by the Presidium of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and jointly organized by the Division of Marxism Studies and the Institute of Marxism Studies, the forum brought together nearly one hundred experts and scholars from countries including the United States, Russia, France, Canada, Japan, Cuba, and Turkey. Participants also represented Chinese institutions such as CASS, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University, Minzu University of China, Beijing Language and Culture University, Capital Normal University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Nankai University. Li Jie, Vice President of CASS, and Deng Chundong, President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered opening remarks. Cheng Enfu, Director of the CASS Division of Marxism Studies and Editor-in-Chief of the English quarterly International Critical Thought, presided over the opening ceremony.

In his speech titled "Meeting the Challenges of the Times and Advancing the Constant Innovation and Development of Marxist Theory," Li Jie emphasized that in today’s era of economic globalization, the future of socialism is inextricably linked to contemporary global economic and social development. Following the global financial crisis, world economic development remains in a state of instability and uncertainty, and the neoliberal economic, political, and cultural models have reached an impasse. Against this backdrop, the joint study of the development of 21st-century Marxism and new trends in socialism possesses great theoretical and practical significance. Marxism possesses the theoretical quality of advancing with the times ^[1]; its adaptation to the era, localization, and popularization must be closely integrated with a country’s own practice of socialist reform and opening up ^[2], as well as world socialist practice. Only by standing at the forefront of the tides of the times, answering the questions of the era, and responding to its challenges can Marxism continuously develop and innovate. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is both an adherence to and a development of scientific socialism; it is still in the process of development and refinement. Although it faces many risks and challenges, practice has proven and will continue to prove that it is the best choice and the only way ^[3] to realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We are in an unprecedented era of major adjustment, collision, change, and development. To be fully prepared for the future, we must maintain Marxist theoretical clarity and theoretical self-consciousness at all times, and continuously promote innovation in Marxist theory, practice, disciplines, and discourse systems.

In his welcoming remarks, Deng Chundong noted that the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee had concluded only a few days prior. This Plenum deliberated upon, adopted, and has now published the full text of the Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Several Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reform. This document makes overall deployments for China’s comprehensive deepening of reform from a new historical starting point and serves as a programmatic document for China’s comprehensive deepening of reform in the new period. The Decision provides a top-level design and planning for improving the systems and mechanisms of socialism with Chinese characteristics in all aspects, ensuring the sustained and healthy development of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Moving forward, the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country will earnestly study and implement the spirit of the Plenum, uniting closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as General Secretary. They will forge ahead with determination, overcome difficulties, and write a new historical chapter in the great cause of reform and opening up, striving to achieve the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, winning new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics, and realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. At such a historical moment, scholars from around the world gathering to discuss Marxism, socialism, and contemporary world issues will undoubtedly yield significant theoretical value and positive practical significance.

The forum brought together influential and well-known scholars from various disciplines worldwide to discuss the development of 21st-century Marxism and new trends in socialism under the theme "Socialism and the Contemporary World." Keynote speeches were delivered by prominent domestic and international scholars, including David Kotz (Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst), Michael Perelman (Professor of Economics, California State University, Chico), David Laibman (Professor at the City University of New York and Editor of Science & Society), Kenneth Surin (Professor of Literature, Religion and Critical Theory, Duke University), Janell Watson (Editor of The Minnesota Review), Elaine Coburn (Professor at EHESS and the American University of Paris and Editor of Socialist Studies), Viktor Alekseyevich Efimov (Rector and Professor of Economics, St. Petersburg State Agricultural University), Vladimir Mikhailovich Zaznobin (Professor, St. Petersburg State Agricultural University), Kenji Mori (Professor, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Tohoku University), Ingo Schmidt (Distinguished Researcher, Rosa Luxemburg Foundation), Tsuyoshi Sasaki (Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo and Professor at the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences), and CASS Institute of Marxism Studies researchers Fan Jianxin, Hu Leming, Jin Minqing, Liu Shuchun, Feng Yanli, Xin Xiangyang, and Yu Bin. The forum also featured breakout sessions on three topics: Critical Thought and the Contemporary World, Critique and Resistance to Globalized Capitalism, and the Development and Practice of Marxism. During the conference, an expanded editorial board meeting was held for International Critical Thought, the international English quarterly founded by the CASS Division of Marxism Studies, where scholars conducted in-depth discussions on how to improve the journal and promote the exchange of Marxist and left-wing academic thought.