Xin Xiangyang, President of the Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Leads a Delegation to the UK, Ireland, and Portugal for Academic Exchanges
From August 30 to September 7, 2024, a delegation led by Xin Xiangyang, Director and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), visited the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Portugal to conduct academic exchanges. Delegation members included Researcher Yu Bin, Director of the Department of Marxist Principles at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies; Associate Researcher Liu Zixu, Deputy Director of the Editorial Department of International Critical Thought; and Associate Researcher Wang Xuedong of the Department of Overseas Marxism Studies.
On August 31, the delegation held an exchange symposium at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) with several renowned British Marxist scholars and friends of China [1]. Participating foreign scholars included Radhika Desai, Visiting Professor at LSE and convener of the International Manifesto Group; Keith Bennett, Vice Chair of the 48 Group Club and co-editor of Friends of Socialist China (FOSC); and Alan Freeman, Professor at the Geopolitical Economy Research Centre at the University of Manitoba, Canada. Chinese and foreign scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on the great achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the important reform measures proposed at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee [2], current international conditions, and the developmental trends of imperialism.
(Director Xin Xiangyang introduces the proceedings of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to attending Marxist scholars and friends of China)
On September 3, at Connolly Books, an affiliate of the Communist Party of Ireland (CPI), the delegation held a symposium with General Secretary Jimmy Corcoran, National Political Committee member Gearóid Ó Machail, and other key leaders of the CPI. Xin Xiangyang introduced the main contents of the Decision [3] adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, while the responsible comrades of the CPI introduced the century-long history and current developmental status of their party. Both sides also engaged in deep exchanges regarding the current international situation and the state of the international workers' movement.
(The delegation holds an exchange symposium and group photo with key leaders of the Communist Party of Ireland)
On the morning of September 5, the delegation held a symposium with Albano Nunes, member of the Central Cadres Commission and the Central Control Commission of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and Editor-in-Chief of O Militante; Francisco Melo, member of the PCP Central Control Commission and Director of Editorial Avante!; and Luis Carapinha, member of the PCP Central International Department. The two sides conducted a full exchange of views on the developmental achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics, China's international status and its responsibilities as a major country, as well as the century-long history of the PCP and its role on the contemporary European political stage.
(The delegation holds an exchange symposium and group photo with relevant leaders of the Portuguese Communist Party)
On the afternoon of September 5, at the invitation of the Chinese Embassy in Portugal, Xin Xiangyang delivered a guidance report [4] to the entire embassy staff on the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Ambassador Zhao Bentang spoke highly of the systematic nature and theoretical depth of the report’s content, expressing hope that both sides would continue to strengthen communication and exchange to make active contributions to the overseas dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
(Director Xin Xiangyang holds talks with Ambassador Zhao Bentang and delivers a report to the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Portugal)
During this trip, the delegation not only held in-depth seminars with Marxist scholars and friends of China from relevant universities and research institutes but also engaged in full exchanges with leaders of the Communist Parties of the UK, Ireland, and Portugal. Both Chinese and foreign parties expressed that they would continue to strengthen communication and cooperation in the future, actively promoting the mutual translation and dissemination of Chinese and foreign Marxist theoretical achievements, and jointly advancing the development and progress of the world socialist movement and the cause of communism.
(Text and photos contributed by Wang Xuedong)