Chen Zhigang, Vice President of the Academy of Marxism at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Leads a Delegation to Laos for Academic Exchanges
From November 6 to 10, 2024, Chen Zhigang, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee and Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies (IMS) of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), led a delegation to Laos for an academic exchange visit. The delegation members included: Researcher Wang Zhongbao, Director of the Editorial Department of International Critical Thought; Researcher He Qin, Director of the Department of Contemporary World Socialism at the Institute of International Communist Movement; Associate Researcher Xia Yipu from the Department of Basic Theory at the Institute of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; Associate Researcher Chen Yongsheng from the Department of Marxist Philosophy at the Institute of Marxist Principles; and Associate Researcher Yang Binbin from the Department of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics at the Institute of Marxist Sinicization.
On the morning of November 7, the delegation first visited the National University of Laos (NUOL), where they met with Thongsouk Keomany, Vice President of NUOL, and held a symposium with experts and scholars from the China Research Center, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the Research Management Office, and the Post-Graduate School. Sitthixay Xayavong, Director of the China Research Center at NUOL, introduced the center’s activities and proposed initiatives and outlooks for academic exchange between China and Laos. NUOL, the first comprehensive undergraduate university in Laos, was formed in 1995 through the merger of nine independent colleges; it is located in the capital, Vientiane, and comprises 13 faculties. Established in 2015, the China Research Center actively conducts research on Chinese politics, economy, society, culture, and science and technology. In recent years, it has attached great importance to research on the Belt and Road Initiative, a community with a shared future for humanity, and the China-Laos Railway, while engaging in various forms of exchange and cooperation with China to promote research findings. Vice President Chen Zhigang introduced the work of the IMS and offered several suggestions for establishing institutionalized cooperation focused on the China-Laos community with a shared future, reaching a high level of consensus with the Lao side. The two parties also engaged in in-depth discussions regarding the curriculum design of ideological and political education courses, joint training of graduate students, and cooperation in journal publishing.
On the afternoon of November 7, the delegation visited the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences (LASES) to meet with Khomekeo Syasongkham, a member of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and Party Committee Secretary and President of LASES. Subsequently, the delegation held a symposium with the leadership and scholar representatives from seven research institutes under LASES. Vice President Chen Zhigang introduced the organizational structure and functional positioning of the IMS. Members of the delegation and LASES experts engaged in enthusiastic and in-depth exchanges on issues such as Chinese-path modernization, the socialist market economy system, and the overseas dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Researcher Wang Zhongbao introduced the editorial status of the English journals International Critical Thought and World Review of Political Economy, proposing initiatives for future cooperation.
On November 8, the delegation participated in the 11th International Forum on Socialism hosted by LASES. More than 100 experts, scholars, government officials, and diplomats from China, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted productive discussions under the theme "Marxism in the 21st Century." Opening remarks were delivered by LASES President Khomekeo Syasongkham, Ta Minh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), and Chen Zhigang, Vice President of the IMS.
In his remarks, LASES President Khomekeo Syasongkham noted that despite the current turbulent and complex international situation, the five socialist states governed by Marxist parties—Laos, China, Vietnam, the DPRK, and Cuba—remain steadfast in exploring socialist paths with their own national characteristics. He stated that the socialist system is an ideal and superior social system, and that the chosen theme of this seminar holds significant theoretical and practical importance for determining the LPRP's guidelines and Laos's socio-economic development strategy. The Lao Party and government have always regarded Marxism-Leninism as the guide for action in steering national liberation movements, promoting socio-economic development, and gradually realizing socialist objectives.
VASS Vice President Ta Minh Tuan pointed out that the seminar holds outstanding strategic significance when facing the international challenges and opportunities of the New Era. He emphasized the need to deeply understand the intellectual value of Marxism and, based on national conditions, innovatively apply Marxism to the practical actions of socialist modernization. In developing socialism in the New Era, Laos, China, and Vietnam should strengthen learning and innovation, deepen mutual exchange and learning, and integrate Marxist theory with practice to promote the innovative development of Marxism’s localization and modernization.
In his address, IMS Vice President Chen Zhigang noted that since its inception in 2013, the International Forum on Socialism has been successfully held ten times across China, Vietnam, and Laos. The forum has kept pace with the times of construction and reform in socialist countries, facilitating continuous theoretical discussions based on the spirit of the latest Party congresses, the thoughts of national leaders, and theoretical innovations. It has produced a series of results reflecting the frontiers of theoretical development in socialist countries, greatly enhancing solidarity and consensus among Marxist and social science circles. Currently, as the changes unseen in a century accelerate [1], humanity stands at another crossroads of history. Continuing to promote the localization and modernization of Marxism to illuminate the path forward with the light of truth is the shared responsibility of Marxist governing parties in socialist countries. In his keynote speech, "The Distinctive Characteristics and Great Significance of Chinese-path Modernization," Chen Zhigang pointed out that the theory of Chinese-path modernization is an essential component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It represents a major development of Marxist modernization theory and a significant innovation in global modernization theory. The five distinctive features of Chinese-path modernization profoundly reflect the essential differences between Chinese and Western modernization, embodying the Communist Party of China's fundamental pursuit of resolving contradictions between man and nature, man and man, man and society, and between nations to achieve harmonious and sustainable development. This offers important reference points for developing countries exploring their own paths to modernization.
The first session of the forum, titled "Theories of Socialist Modernization and Harmonious Sustainable Development," was chaired by Ousavanh Thiengthepvongsa, Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Policy at LASES, and Pi Yongxiang, Acting Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at VASS. Reports were presented by Thamalae Chanthamoungkhoun, Acting Director of the Institute of History and Archaeology at LASES, on "The Application of Marxist Theory in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic"; Tran Tuan Phong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Philosophy at VASS, on "Some Reflections on Socialism and Sustainable Development in Vietnam"; Researcher Wang Zhongbao of the IMS on "On Marxism and Sustainable Development"; Daovong Simaxayhong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Political Science at LASES, on "Applying Marxist Theory to Develop the Political System of the LPDR in a Modern and Sustainable Direction"; Professor Liu Haolin, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Guangxi Normal University, on "The Concept of Common Prosperity in the Context of Chinese-path Modernization"; Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Deputy Director of the Institute for Religious Studies at VASS, on "Harmonious and Sustainable Socialism: A Perspective from the Vietnamese Model"; and Associate Researcher Yang Binbin of the IMS on "Deeply Grasping the Original Contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture through the 'Second Combination' [2]."
The second session, "Practice of Socialist Modernization and Harmonious Sustainable Development," was chaired by Bounsy Phouthavong, Acting Director of the Institute of Sociology at LASES, and Professor Xu Qinfa, Dean of the School of Marxism at Guangxi University. Reports were delivered by Vilaivone Phommachanh, Deputy Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Policy at LASES, on the application of Marxist theory in formulating socio-economic policies; Vu Thi Thu Ha, Deputy Director of the Institute for Religious Studies at VASS, on "Vietnamese Religious Resources Participating in Building a Harmonious and Sustainable Society"; Professor Tang Ming from the School of Politics and International Relations at Central China Normal University on "Characteristics and Advantages of Primary-level Democracy with Chinese Characteristics"; Vansay Sayavong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Macroeconomic Research at LASES, on "Economic Development and Social Equity in Laos"; Professor Xue Xinguo from the School of Marxism at Xihua University on "Historical Experience and World Significance of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics"; Nguyen Duc Chieu, Deputy Director of the Institute of Social Sciences at VASS, on "Mobilizing Resources to Implement Social Policies for Comprehensive Development under the Background of Vietnam's Transformation and International Integration"; and Associate Researcher Xia Yipu of the IMS on "Whole-process People's Democracy: Institutional Innovation in Chinese-path Modernization."
The third session, "Socialist Cooperation for Achieving Harmony and Sustainable Development," was chaired by Keoviengxay Khennavong of LASES and Tran Tuan Phong of VASS. Reports included "Socialist Direction for Sustainable Social Development" by Dr. Kemany Inthavong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Sociology at LASES; "Persisting in the Socialist Development Direction on the Basis of Strengthening International Cooperation" by Pi Yongxiang of VASS; "The Logical Rationale of Promoting China-Laos and China-Vietnam Communities with a Shared Future through Inter-Party Exchanges" by Professor Xu Qinfa; "Cooperative Development of Harmonious and Sustainable Culture" by Saisomphone Havannala, Deputy Director of the Institute of Culture at LASES; "National Characteristics and Common Features of Socialist Modernization" by Researcher He Qin of the IMS; "Economic Cooperation Based on Socialism to Promote Sustainable Development: Perspective of the LPDR" by Chansamone Vongphaisy, Deputy Director of the Institute for Enterprise Development at LASES; and "Vigorously Developing New Quality Productive Forces to Promote Harmonious and Sustainable Development of Economy, Society, and Man" by Associate Researcher Chen Yongsheng of the IMS.
On the afternoon of November 8, a roundtable meeting of the heads of the Chinese, Lao, and Vietnamese delegations was held to consult on the theme, time, and location of the next forum. The three parties agreed that the 12th International Forum on Socialism, themed "Drivers of Socialist Development in the New Era," will be held in Vietnam from late October to early November 2025. Finally, the heads of the three delegations delivered concluding remarks.
On November 9, accompanied by the LASES team, the delegation took the China-Laos Railway to Luang Prabang for an inspection. The delegation focused on the operation of the railway and conducted research on key areas of the China-Laos community with a shared future, such as connectivity, economic and trade relations, and people-to-people exchanges. The delegation also engaged in deep discussions with the Lao side on shared concerns including primary-level governance, poverty alleviation, and the protection of historical and cultural heritage.
China and Laos share the same mountains and rivers; they are socialist neighbors with a shared future. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Laos, and the China-Laos community with a shared future was the first agreement of its kind signed by China with a fellow socialist country. For a long time, both sides have sought development through mutual trust and cooperation and met challenges with sincere help, putting the spirit of a community with a shared future into practice. This visit will further deepen the friendly cooperation between CASS and Lao academic institutions like LASES and NUOL. The consensus reached on academic research, journal building, and talent cultivation will contribute wisdom and strength to promoting China-Laos people-to-people exchanges and building a China-Laos community with a shared future in the New Era.
(Reported by Yang Binbin)