Chen Zhigang, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee and Vice President of the Academy of Marxism, Leads Delegation for Academic Exchanges in the UK, Ireland, and Portugal
To deepen the study of the history of Marxist development, strengthen cooperation with foreign communist parties and research institutions, and propagate the Party’s innovative theories in the New Era, a delegation led by Professor 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), visited the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Portugal from July 15 to July 24, 2025, to conduct academic exchanges. Delegation members included Associate Researchers Liu Yan, Zhuo Mingliang, and Fang Tao, and editor Han Dongyun from the IMS.
On the afternoon of July 15, local time, the delegation held a symposium at the Marx Memorial Library in London with scholars and friends of China, including representatives from the UK website "Friends of Socialist China" and the Communist Party of Britain. The focus of the exchange included the development of the basic tenets of Marxism through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the global significance of Chinese-path modernization, and theoretical innovations in Marxism.
(The delegation holds a symposium and takes a group photo with members of "Friends of Socialist China" and others)
Following the symposium, the delegation conducted field research at the Marx Memorial Library. Established in the 1930s, the library propagates Marxism by collecting books and organizing lectures. The first floor houses a meeting room, while the second floor contains editions of works by Marx and Engels published worldwide, Marxist research monographs, and labor movement periodicals. It features the "Lenin Room," where Lenin edited Iskra [1], and underground archives containing a vast collection of newspapers and periodicals.
(The delegation conducts research at the Marx Memorial Library)
On July 16, the delegation visited the University of Cambridge to engage in academic exchange with David Lane, Emeritus Professor of the Department of Sociology and Emeritus Fellow of Emmanuel College. David Lane analyzed policy changes under the Trump administration and expounded on the causes of the decline of global socialism and the transformational dilemmas facing socialist parties.
(The delegation holds an exchange and discussion with Professor David Lane of Cambridge University)
On July 17, the delegation traveled to Manchester to visit the Manchester Branch of the Communist Party of Britain and the North West TUC (Trades Union Congress) office, and conducted research at Chetham’s Library. Founded in 1653, Chetham’s Library is where Marx and Engels once collected and read literature. At the Working Class Movement Library in Manchester, the delegation held a symposium with Jack Youd, Deputy City Mayor of Salford in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority; Jenny Clegg, former Vice Chair of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU); and regional organizers of the Communist Party of Britain, the North West TUC, and publishing companies. The exchange centered on Chinese-path modernization and the organizational building of the Communist Party of Britain and trade unions. Deputy Mayor Jack Youd warmly welcomed the delegation led by Chen Zhigang, introduced the general situation of Salford, and discussed the progress of cooperation with Yangzhou. Chen Zhigang introduced the major theoretical innovations in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism since the beginning of the New Era.
(The delegation holds a symposium with Salford Deputy Mayor Jack Youd and former SACU Vice Chair Jenny Clegg)
On the afternoon of July 18, the delegation held an exchange and discussion with staff from the Chinese Embassy in Ireland regarding the international communication of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Chen Zhigang introduced the perceptions and evaluations of Chinese-path modernization within European academic circles. Zhuo Mingliang, Fang Tao, and Liu Yan respectively discussed the international communication of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era from the perspectives of communication effectiveness and methods, historical experience, and ecological civilization [2]. Minister-Counselor Yang Tong analyzed the problems and countermeasures facing the overseas promotion of the Party’s innovative theories, and relevant staff introduced the Embassy’s major initiatives in communicating Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
(The delegation holds an exchange and symposium with staff of the Chinese Embassy in Ireland)
On July 19, the delegation went to Trinity College Dublin to hold a symposium with Professor Helena Sheehan and others, discussing Chinese-path modernization and the crisis of Western civilization. Professor Sheehan and others stated that China leads the world in new energy and ecological environmental protection, and its cultural development is flourishing, describing Chinese-path modernization as an entirely new model.
(The delegation holds a symposium and group photo with Professor Helena Sheehan and others)
On the afternoon of July 19, the delegation held a symposium at Connolly Books in Dublin with Eugene McCartan, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Ireland. Chen Zhigang introduced the historical process and basic experience of the Party leading the people in advancing Chinese-path modernization, emphasizing its distinct advantages. Eugene McCartan introduced the policy positions of the Communist Party of Ireland and its specific practices in member recruitment and propaganda work, praising the experience of China’s construction of modernization.
(The delegation holds a symposium and group photo with Eugene McCartan, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Ireland)
On the morning of July 22, the delegation visited the national headquarters of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) in Lisbon, meeting with Paulo Raimundo, General Secretary of the PCP, and holding a symposium with heads of the PCP Central Secretariat and the International Department. Paulo Raimundo warmly welcomed the delegation. Both sides exchanged views on the history and organizational building of their respective parties, as well as major practices in advancing ecological civilization and coordinated development.
(The delegation meets and takes a group photo with Paulo Raimundo, General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party)
During the symposium, Chen Zhigang introduced the major achievements and distinctive characteristics of Chinese-path modernization. The relevant department heads of the PCP introduced the history of Portugal and the PCP’s specific practices in maintaining ties with the masses [3] and developing its membership. They elaborated on their policy positions regarding domestic and international issues and fully affirmed the great achievements of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
(The delegation holds a symposium with relevant department heads of the Portuguese Communist Party)
On the afternoon of July 22, Chen Zhigang held a meeting and exchange with Zhao Bentang, Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, and delivered a tutorial report to embassy staff titled "Why the 'Second Combination' is a Great Liberation of Thought." Ambassador Zhao Bentang fully affirmed the theoretical, ideological, informative, systematic, and instructional value of the report, emphasizing the need to effectively conduct external propaganda work on the basis of deeply studying and thoroughly grasping the Party’s innovative theories, so as to more powerfully master international discourse power.
(Chen Zhigang holds a meeting with Ambassador Zhao Bentang and delivers a report to embassy staff)
This trip was highly productive. Members of the delegation personally experienced the birth, dissemination, and current state of Marxism in Europe, furthered their understanding of the overseas communication of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and deepened their cognition of the history of Marxist development. Through the comparison between Chinese and Western realities, they became even more resolute in their "Four Confidences" [4] and further strengthened their original aspiration and founding mission to practice the research, promotion, and interpretation of the Party’s innovative theories.