Deng Chundong Visits Germany and Italy for Academic Exchanges

At the invitation of the Left Party of Germany, the Communist Refoundation Party of Italy, the Italian Association of 21st Century Marxism, and the Gramsci Foundation of Italy ^[1], Deng Chundong, Director and Party Committee Secretary of the Institute of Marxism Studies (CASS), visited Germany and Italy from September 22nd to 29th to engage in exchanges with the heads and scholars of the aforementioned organizations. During this period, Deng Chundong delivered reports in Berlin to the Left Party of Germany and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation ^[2] regarding the issue of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics; he delivered the same reports in Italy to the Communist Refoundation Party, the Gramsci Foundation, and the Italian Association of 21st Century Marxism. Following these reports, he engaged in academic exchanges with the leadership and scholars of the institutions in both countries.

During these exchanges, the personnel from Germany and Italy expressed unanimous agreement and affirmation regarding the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the economic and social progress China has achieved in recent years. They expressed approval of the series of speeches delivered by Comrade Xi Jinping following the 18th National Congress ^[3] and maintained a firm conviction in Marxism and scientific socialism. At the same time, they raised questions concerning certain policies and measures within the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, to which Deng Chundong provided answers and explanations for each. They suggested that we strengthen the work of refining, publicizing, and explaining the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, while also offering several policy recommendations for the advancement of socialism with Chinese characteristics. During the exchanges, they also introduced Deng Chundong to the primary conditions and characteristics of the Left parties in Germany and Italy, as well as their objectives and activities as non-governing parties.