The 7th International Forum on Socialism Held in Dalian
On June 25 and 26, the 7th International Socialist Forum, jointly organized by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, and the Lao Academy of Social Sciences, was held at the Dalian International Finance Conference Center. The forum was hosted by the School of Marxism at Dalian University of Technology and the Department of International Communist Movement Studies at the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS. The theme of this year’s forum was "Party Building in the New Era and the New Development of Socialism." Speeches were delivered by Professor Wang Hansong, Party Secretary of Dalian University of Technology; Researcher Fan Jianxin, Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS; Professor Pham Van Duc, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Dr. Phongsavanh Logvongsa, head of the delegation from the Lao Academy of Social Sciences; and Researcher Seo Song-il, Director of the Institute of Socio-Political Science at the Academy of Social Sciences of the DPRK. A total of 138 experts and scholars from Vietnam, Laos, the DPRK, and over 60 research institutions and universities in China attended the congress. The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Hong Xiaonan, Dean of the School of Marxism at Dalian University of Technology.
Wang Hansong delivered a speech on behalf of Dalian University of Technology. He offered a profound interpretation of the historical significance of socialism with Chinese characteristics entering the New Era, noting that strengthening the Party’s comprehensive leadership and comprehensively strengthening Party building are the essential characteristics and fundamental guarantees of this period. He emphasized that promoting the development of socialist theory and practical exploration require one to uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, engage in mutual exchange and learning, and draw on the strengths of all [1] to jointly compose a new chapter in the development of socialist theory and practice.
In his address, Fan Jianxin pointed out that strengthening Party building is a vital historical experience for the ruling proletarian parties of socialist countries to consolidate their foundations and carry the cause into the future [2]. He stated that persisting in the independent exploration of socialist paths with unique characteristics is the fundamental principle for socialist countries seeking sustainable development. Consolidating traditional friendships and strengthening exchange and mutual learning is the inevitable choice for socialist countries facing the future. Only through solidarity, mutual trust, and helping each other in the same boat [3] to continuously elevate and expand the historical height, depth, and breadth of socialist development, can socialist countries jointly promote the revitalization and development of 21st-century world socialism.
Professor Pham Van Duc, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and Dean of its Graduate School; Dr. Phongsavanh Logvongsa, head of the Lao delegation; and Researcher Seo Song-il, Director of the Institute of Socio-Political Science at the DPRK Academy of Social Sciences, expressed their shared vision for jointly advancing the development of world socialism. The participants reached a consensus that China's successful experience holds great appeal for the entire world and provides a feasible "China solution" for all countries. They expressed their hope that this forum would allow them to listen to the experiences of fraternal socialist countries, learn from one another, and promote the building of proletarian ruling parties and the new development of socialism in their respective nations.
During the forum, more than 30 experts from China, Vietnam, Laos, and the DPRK spoke freely and engaged in in-depth, extensive, and candid discussions centered on seven issues: strengthening exchange and mutual learning among socialist countries; the theoretical innovation and global contribution of Party building in socialist countries; the basic experiences and lessons of Party building in socialist states; the construction and evaluation of the ranks of Party members and cadres in socialist countries; the manifestation of the Party’s role as the core of leadership in various socialist undertakings in the New Era; the innovation and development of Marxist theory regarding ruling party construction; and new progress in anti-corruption and socialist reform (renovation) [4]. From our university, Professor Hong Xiaonan, Professor Wei Xiaowen, Professor Liu Jie, Associate Professor Fang Yumei, and Professor Liu Zhili delivered keynote speeches.
In his concluding remarks, Hong Xiaonan stated that this forum revealed the latest dynamics and landscape of research into Party building in socialist countries during the New Era. Representatives from various socialist countries attending the meeting expressed that the forum was an intellectual feast of exchange, mutual learning, and the convergence of wisdom. Dr. Phongsavanh Logvongsa, head of the Lao delegation, announced that the 8th International Socialist Forum in 2020 will be hosted by Laos and extended a sincere invitation to the guests.
Prior to the opening ceremony, Wang Hansong met with Fan Jianxin, Pham Van Duc, Phongsavanh Logvongsa, and Seo Song-il.