On October 13, the 4th China Road European Forum 2017 was held in Italy
On October 13, 2017, the 4th Europe Forum on the Chinese Path (Italy Session) was held in Rome. The forum was hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Italian "Marx 21" Association for Political and Cultural Studies, and the Gramsci Foundation (Italy); it was co-organized by the Shandong Academy of Social Sciences and supported by the Theory Department of China's People's Daily, the editorial office of China's Marxism Studies (Markesizhuyi Yanjiu), and Italy's "Marx 21" Publishing House. The theme of this forum was "Sino-European Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative." More than 130 experts and scholars from China and Italy attended.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Silvio Pons, President of the Gramsci Foundation and Professor of History at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Professor Pons pointed out that the "Belt and Road" initiative is the world's largest undertaking, characterized by ambitious goals and a vast geographical reach. Regarding the concept of a "new type of globalization" constructed by the Belt and Road, Europe has not adapted well, yet Italy is paying close attention. Culture and economy are interdependent; the Belt and Road Initiative encompasses not only cooperation in economy and trade but also exchange and cooperation in various fields such as culture. We shall follow this path to carry out extensive cooperation in all areas.
Address by Deng Chundong, Director and Party Committee Secretary of the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS
Researcher Deng Chundong, Director and Party Committee Secretary of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered a speech on behalf of the organizers. He pointed out that although information is highly developed in contemporary society, reports on China's domestic situation in Europe, including Italy, contain inaccuracies and lack comprehensiveness. This has played a misleading role in Europe's understanding of China and is detrimental to the strengthening of friendship, necessitating in-depth exchange between us. The "Belt and Road" initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has gained broad recognition from the international community, promoting "facility connectivity, policy communication, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds" [1] among countries along the routes. Cooperation documents signed between China and relevant countries have reached 76 major categories and 276 specific items. The Belt and Road Initiative has also been incorporated into United Nations documents and received support from 193 countries. To promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Chinese government has provided substantial policy support, established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and set up the Silk Road Fund; cooperation projects are currently being carried out in full swing [2]. However, the enthusiasm of most European countries toward this differs significantly from other regions. At the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in May this year, only the Italian Prime Minister attended among major European leaders. Therefore, it is vital to strengthen Europe's objective understanding of the "Belt and Road" initiative.
The nature of the "Belt and Road" initiative is to promote better cooperation among countries along the routes while adhering to the principles of "extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits." It will never engage in "I win, you lose" zero-sum games; never engage in the export of political systems or ideologies; never engage in coercive actions; and never engage in small interest groups. China's Belt and Road is neither a method for old colonists to compete for markets, nor a replica of the Marshall Plan, nor the original neoliberal globalization. Rather, it is a new type of globalization adhering to equal cooperation, the purpose of which is to build a community with a shared future for humanity. We hope for more cooperation with the Italian side to promote exchanges between China and Italy.
Address by Zheng Xuan, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Italy
Ms. Zheng Xuan, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, delivered an important speech at the opening ceremony on behalf of Ambassador Li Ruiyu. She pointed out that "Belt and Road" and Sino-Italian cooperation are both the theme of this forum and hot topics of broad concern across various sectors of Italian society. Since 2013, the Belt and Road has gradually transformed from a concept into action and from a vision into reality. The builders of the Belt and Road are increasing, and the "circle of friends" is expanding. The Belt and Road is a path of peace, prosperity, openness, innovation, and civilization. Although the "Belt and Road" initiative originated in China, it benefits the world; it has already become an important avenue for strengthening international cooperation and has provided new opportunities for enhancing the well-being of people in all countries. Italy was the terminus of the ancient Silk Road and is an important hub for the "Belt and Road." It possesses its own advantages and specialties in many fields, and there are many points of alignment for the future development of both countries. The Chinese side is willing to work hand-in-hand with the Italian side to seize opportunities and ensure that Sino-Italian relations progress steadily and reach far [3].
Amarilis Gutierrez Graffe, Consul General of Venezuela in Naples, Italy, also spoke at the opening ceremony.
More than thirty scholars and officials from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Ministry of Education, the Shandong Academy of Social Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Northeast Normal University, China University of Political Science and Law, Zhengzhou University, Nanjing University, Henan Normal University, Dalian University of Technology, Shandong Jiaotong University, and the Dazhong Daily; as well as from the University of Siena, the University of Naples "L'Orientale," the University of Copenhagen, the journal Marx 21, the Marx 21 Association for Political and Cultural Studies, the Lorenzo de' Medici Institute, the University of Bolzano, and members of the Central Committee of the Italian Communist Party (PCI), conducted thematic presentations and discussions focused on the "Belt and Road," economic and political links between China and the European Union, and the construction of a new type of globalization.
Scholars such as Professor Sergio Cesaratto of the University of Siena, Professor Fabio Massimo Parenti of the Lorenzo de' Medici Institute, Domenico Losurdo, President of the Marx 21 Association for Political and Cultural Studies, and Fausto Sorini, member of the leadership group of the "No to War, No to NATO" committee, pointed out that China is an important force for peace rather than a threat. China's "Belt and Road" follows a path of global cooperation rather than one of conflict and friction. It is inappropriate to compare the "Belt and Road" with the Marshall Plan; the "Belt and Road" involves not only free trade but also equal cultural exchange. Dialogue between different civilizations is equivalent to fighting for peace. We must safeguard peace through cultural exchange and commit ourselves to building a peaceful world together. The "Belt and Road" initiative will bring peace and stability to the Eurasian continent and new development to all participating countries.
Speech by Andrea Catone, Editor-in-Chief of the magazine Marx 21
Speech by Maurizio Acerbo, National Secretary of the Communist Refoundation Party (PRC), at the Closing Ceremony
At the closing ceremony, Maurizio Acerbo, National Secretary of the Italian Communist Refoundation Party, pointed out that the rise of the Communist Party of China is a rise built on the foundation of respect for the whole world. We hope that left-wing forces in every European country will learn from the Communist Party of China and strengthen cooperation. China is an important guarantee for world peace. China's experience is worth our study; we pay tribute to their achievements, which bring hope to the people of the world. Claudio Grassi, a major leader of the Italian Left and former Senator, pointed out that the era of Columbus has ended; the era of boundless, greedy expansion and conquest has passed. China is becoming a leader on the international stage; we must assist China in initiating a new era [4] for China.
Group Photo of the 2017 Europe Forum on the Chinese Path (Italy Session)
Outside of the formal forum, Director Deng Chundong also held in-depth and candid discussions on October 11 with the major leader of the Italian Left and Senator Giuseppe De Cristofaro and former Senator Claudio Grassi. On October 12, he held separate meetings with Maurizio Acerbo, National Secretary of the Communist Refoundation Party, and Mauro Alboresi, National Secretary of the Italian Communist Party.
(Contributed by Chen Zhigang, Pan Xihua, and Li Kaixuan; Photography by Wang Zhongbao)