The 11th International Forum on Socialism held in Vientiane, Laos
On November 8, 2024, the "11th International Forum on Socialism," sponsored by the Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, was successfully held in Vientiane, Laos. The theme of this year's forum was "Marxism in the 21st Century." Nearly one hundred experts, scholars, government officials, and diplomats from countries including China, Vietnam, and Laos conducted lively and productive discussions and exchanges centered on three topics: "Theory of Socialist Modernization and Harmonious Sustainable Development," "Practice of Socialist Modernization and Harmonious Sustainable Development," and "Socialist Cooperation for Achieving Harmony and Sustainable Development."
Phonvephon Saygnasone, Deputy Director of the General Office of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, presided over the opening ceremony of the forum.
Kikeo Chanthaboury, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, noted in his opening remarks that while the current international situation is characterized by intertwined chaos and the "changes unseen in a century" [1] are accelerating, Laos, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and Cuba continue to adhere to the socialist direction for socio-economic development. They remain firmly convinced that the socialist system is superior and represents an ideal social system. He emphasized that the exchange on "Marxism in the 21st Century" is of great significance for these five countries in determining Party policies and socio-economic development.
Chen Zhigang, Vice President of the Academy of Marxism at CASS, stated in his opening speech that Marxism is a constantly developing and open theory; it can only take root through localization, and only by staying current with the times can it be full of vitality. Under the arduous exploration and joint efforts of Marxist ruling parties in socialist countries, 21st-century Marxism has continually opened new horizons and displayed a new atmosphere, radiating renewed vigor. As the world’s "changes unseen in a century" accelerate, humanity once again stands at a crossroads of history. It is the shared responsibility of Marxist ruling parties in socialist countries to continue promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, illuminating the forward path for humanity with the light of truth.
Ta Minh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in his speech that we have witnessed significant progress in theory and practice in China, Laos, and Vietnam—particularly in economic development, solving social development issues, and improving the material and spiritual living conditions of the people. These achievements clearly demonstrate the effectiveness and power of Marxism in the 21st century; it is not only a stable system of thought but also one capable of rapid adaptation and innovative development within a fast-changing global context.
Thamalay Chanthamoungkhon, Deputy Director of the Institute of History and Archaeology at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, pointed out in a keynote speech titled "The Application of Marxist Theory in the Lao People's Democratic Republic" that by combining Marxist theory with the specific national conditions of Laos, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party not only achieved revolutionary victory but also made great strides in national construction.
Tran Tuan Phong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Philosophy at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in his speech, "Reflections on Socialism and Sustainable Development in Vietnam," that the Communist Party of Vietnam has creatively applied the ideas of scientific socialism to Vietnam’s specific development practices. By remaining people-centered and taking the people's happiness as the highest goal, the Party has integrated economic and social development while perfecting sustainable development systems across the economic, political, cultural, social, and environmental spheres.
Wang Zhongbao, a researcher at the CASS Academy of Marxism, stated in his speech "On Marxism and Sustainable Development" that the circular and conservative economic ideas, moderate population theory, theory of comprehensive and coordinated development, and theories of moderate and green consumption contained within Marxism—as the spiritual wealth of humanity—are scientific theories guiding sustainable socio-economic development.
Daovong Sigmavong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Political Science at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, noted in his speech titled "Applying Marxist Theory to Develop a Harmonious and Sustainable Political System in the Lao PDR" that the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has developed its political system in an innovative manner, applying Marxism-Leninism to coordinate sustainable development. The Party understands that "Marxism" is not a dogma but a guide to action, and has improved its leadership plans to adapt to the changing eras of Lao society.
Professor Liu Haolin of the School of Marxism at Guangxi Normal University stated in his speech, "Common Prosperity in the Context of Chinese-path Modernization," that common prosperity in this context represents the coordinated development of all fields and dimensions. Its understanding and evaluation should be based on objective and rational standards and a scientific index system. The methodology for achieving common prosperity is embodied in the "unity of the two-point theory and the priority theory" [2].
Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Religious Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in her speech "Harmonious and Sustainable Socialism: Taking the Vietnamese Model as an Example" that Vietnam has achieved many successes and gained development experience in its socialist construction. Facing many challenges under the new situation, finding a path that achieves socialist goals while remaining compatible with global goals of sustainable and harmonious development is a question requiring reflection at theoretical, practical, and even logical and historical levels.
Yang Binbin, Associate Researcher at the CASS Academy of Marxism, noted in her speech "Deeply Grasping the Original Contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture through the 'Second Combination'" [3] that Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is a precious result of connecting the essence of Marxist thought with the cream of fine traditional Chinese culture and integrating it with the common values that the masses "use daily without realizing" [4]. It is a highly condensed summary of the historical experience gained in cultural construction during the Party-led revolution, construction, and reform, and a profound revelation of the laws governing socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics, especially in the New Era.
Vilaivanh Phommachanh, Deputy Director of the Institute of Socio-Economic Policy Research at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, stated in his speech that the main content of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party's use of Marxist theory to develop socialism includes: perfecting the construction of the people's democratic system and creating all conditions for developing socialism, foremost of which is transitioning agricultural production toward collectivization and industrialization.
Vu Thi Thu Ha, Deputy Director of the Institute of Religious Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in her speech "Participation of Vietnamese Religious Resources in Building a Harmonious and Sustainable Society" that from the perspective of religious studies and sociology, Vietnam's religious circles possess immense resources and have contributed actively to a harmonious and sustainable society across economic, cultural, social, and environmental dimensions.
Professor Tang Ming of the School of Politics and International Relations at Central China Normal University noted in his speech "Characteristics and Advantages of Grassroots Democracy with Chinese Characteristics" that grassroots democracy is the most extensive practice of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics. Its advantages are manifested in: first, adhering to the leadership of the CPC; second, ensuring the people are masters of the country; third, emphasizing consultation; fourth, adhering to whole-process people's democracy; and fifth, being extensive, full, authentic, concrete, and effective.
Vansay Sayavong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Macroeconomic Research at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, noted in his speech "Economic Development and Social Equity in Laos" that given the needs of socio-economic development and a lack of capital, Laos shifted to using a market economy mechanism with a socialist orientation to manage the economy. Through the liberalization of foreign trade and investment, it achieved sustained economic growth, a nearly tenfold increase in average per capita national income, and a gradual decline in the poverty rate.
Professor Xue Xinguo of the School of Marxism at Xihua University stated in his speech "Historical Experience and World Significance of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" that the revival of world socialism requires not only the spiritual weapon of innovative development in socialist theory but also the support of material force—namely, the development of the socialist movement.
Nguyen Duc Chuyen, Deputy Director of the Institute of Social Sciences at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in his speech that mobilizing resources for social policy implementation helps Vietnam utilize both domestic and international actors to ensure social security for its people and carries forward the precious Vietnamese tradition of unity and concerted effort toward national development.
Xia Yipu, Associate Researcher at the CASS Academy of Marxism, noted in her speech "Whole-Process People's Democracy: Institutional Innovation of Chinese-path Modernization" that whole-process people's democracy is an essential component of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. It provides a thorough elucidation of the general trend of democratic development in human history, marks a new height in the CPC's understanding of the laws of political civilization, and is a major contribution by the CPC to human political civilization.
Keomany Inthavong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Sociology at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, noted in her speech "Socialist Direction of Sustainable Social Development" that this direction represents the path, policy, focus, and goal of the Lao Party and government in addressing the people's livelihoods and leading the country out of its current economic backwardness.
Phi Vinh Tuong, Acting Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, noted in his speech that to achieve the goals of a prosperous people, a strong country, and a democratic, fair, and civilized society, it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation across economic, political, cultural, and especially scientific and technological fields.
Xu Qinfa of the School of Marxism at Guangxi University noted in his speech "The Logic of Promoting the Construction of China-Laos and China-Vietnam Communities with a Shared Future through Inter-party Exchanges" that guided by shared values, inter-party exchanges between China, Laos, and Vietnam can effectively resolve differences, setting the direction for state-to-state relations and promoting the development of world socialism.
Saysomphone Havanalath, Deputy Director of the Cultural Institute of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, noted in his speech that culture consists of the material and spiritual values created by humanity throughout history. Collaborative development of a harmonious and sustainable culture is important and necessary for the development of the nation.
He Qin, Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), noted in his conference presentation titled "National Characteristics and Common Features of Socialist Modernization" that strengthening the research and investigation into the national characteristics and common features of socialist modernization helps us profoundly understand the historical laws of socialist modernization. On the new journey of promoting the development of world socialism, we must strengthen historical confidence, enhance historical consciousness, and maintain historical initiative [5] to continue writing new chapters in the history of socialist modernization.
Chansamone Vongphasy, Deputy Director of the Enterprise Development Institute of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences (LASES), stated in her presentation, "Economic Cooperation Based on Socialism to Promote Sustainable Development: Perspectives from the Lao People's Democratic Republic," that to build a strong and prosperous nation in the current era, one must understand how to establish a rational economic structure. This includes opening up and economic cooperation to utilize advanced global financial resources, technology, and management, thereby integrating Laos into international life and narrowing the gap between Laos and the world's developing countries.
Chen Yongsheng, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of the CASS, noted in his presentation, "Vigorously Developing New Quality Productive Forces to Promote Harmony and Sustainable Development of Economy, Society, and Humanity," that new quality productive forces utilize innovative methods to break away from traditional economic growth modes and development paths for productive forces, thereby achieving high-quality development. Furthermore, new quality productive forces transform modes of production to form corresponding new relations of production, achieving the harmonious development of society. Through new models of talent cultivation, these forces shape "new quality laborers," ultimately realizing the free and well-rounded development of the individual.
Participating scholars spoke highly of the fruitful results achieved at this forum, reaching a consensus that strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among the theoretical circles of socialist countries holds significant theoretical and practical importance for advancing the modernization of socialist nations. Khornkeo Saysongkham, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the LASES; Chen Zhigang, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies of the CASS; and Ta Minh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, respectively summarized the forum and participated in a tripartite exchange of gifts.