The 9th International Forum on Socialism was successfully held
On September 12, 2022, the 9th International Forum on Socialism, hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, and the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, and organized by the International Cooperation Bureau of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, was held concurrently in Hanoi and Beijing via video conference. The theme of the forum was "Socialist Development Models under New Era Conditions: Theory and Practice." More than ten experts and scholars from China, Vietnam, and Laos engaged in in-depth discussions focused on three topics: "Theoretical Issues of Socialist Development Models," "Practical Issues of Socialist Development Models," and "International Perspectives on Socialist Development Models."
Dang Xuan Thanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and organizer of this forum, noted in his opening remarks that the socialist development model is a core component of socialist construction. It reflects the basic principles of scientific socialism while simultaneously taking into account the specific national conditions of each country. The socialist development models of China, Vietnam, and Laos have achieved brilliant successes in their respective economic, political, cultural, and social fields, contributing increasing material and spiritual value to the common development of humanity today. While continuing to supplement and develop Marxist-Leninist theories on socialism, socialist countries must also constantly explore and create new methods and measures consistent with their specific historical conditions to drive the success of socialism and ensure the socialist path gains universality on a global scale.
Zhen Zhanmin, Vice President of CASS, pointed out in his speech that since the beginning of the 21st century, socialist countries, under the leadership of Marxist governing parties, have formed socialist development models with distinct characteristics through the autonomous exploration of the laws of socialist development. In recent years, with the deepening of a new round of reform measures and the implementation of various new policies, socialist countries have generally entered a period of stable development in institutional system building, opening a new historical stage of concentrating forces to build socialism suited to their own national conditions. In the overall global context where "capitalism is strong and socialism is weak" [1], the development of socialist countries still faces a highly complex international environment, risks, challenges, and political pressures. Enhancing the exchange and mutual learning of development models and experiences among socialist countries helps them strengthen strategic confidence, optimize strategic foresight, and thus more firmly advance the process of socialist modernization aimed at national prosperity and people's happiness.
Khamlaied Keobounphanh, Vice President of the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, noted in her speech that in the face of the challenges of globalization and the complex international situation, Laos, which is in the transitional stage toward socialism, must follow the socialist road and promote sustainable and green economic and social development. Laos should strengthen the exchange and summary of theoretical research and practical experience with other socialist countries to find a suitable model and realize the goals and aspirations of socialist construction for the Lao People's Democratic Republic in the New Era.
Professor Pham Van Duc, former Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, stated in his presentation titled "New Understandings of Vietnam's Socialist Development Model in the Documents of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam" that scientific socialism remains valuable, but this theory must be creatively applied to Vietnamese practice to find a new model suitable for Vietnam's reality. From the perspective of the target system, the overall goal of the Vietnamese socialist model is a wealthy people, a strong country, and a democratic, equitable, and civilized society. To achieve this goal, specific measures taken by Vietnam include developing a knowledge economy and promoting national industrialization and modernization; developing a socialist-oriented market economy; building an advanced culture rich in national identity; cultivating the people, improving living standards, and achieving social progress and equity; firmly guaranteeing national defense, security, and social order; pursuing a foreign policy of independence, autonomy, multilateralization and diversification of external relations, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, and proactive international integration; and building socialist democratic politics while leveraging the power of great national unity. Although the issue of Vietnam's socialist model is frequently supplemented and refined, it still requires further exploration and clarification in both theory and practice. Constructing and perfecting the conceptualization of the Vietnamese socialist model is not only a clear, correct, and complete definition of goals but also the basis for determining the methods and measures to firmly implement these goals.
Researcher Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, noted in his keynote presentation "The Scientific Connotation and Practical Significance of the Basic Principles of Scientific Socialism" that the basic principles of scientific socialism are the profound roots of the flourishing cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the inexhaustible source of its long history. The basic principles of scientific socialism are not dogmas but a guide and method for action. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has elaborated on the basic principles of scientific socialism many times, which can be summarized into nine aspects: organizing social production on the basis of public ownership of the means of production; conducting organized and purposeful regulation of social production; implementing the principle of distribution according to work in the primary stage of socialism and distribution according to need in the advanced stage; transforming and utilizing nature in accordance with natural laws; achieving the free and comprehensive development of every individual; maintaining the advanced nature, purity, and morality of the proletarian party; achieving a very high level of civilization in the future society; attaining common prosperity for the whole society; and maintaining a powerful proletarian state power. To uphold the basic principles of scientific socialism, the Communist Party of China must be built to be increasingly powerful. On the basis of upholding these basic principles, we must continuously deepen our understanding of them and persistently enrich and develop them.
Dr. Khanpheng Thipmuntali, Director of the Social Research Institute of the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, noted in his presentation "Theoretical Issues that Need Re-recognition and Transcendence in the Theory of Socialist Development Models" that to achieve the goals of social transformation and building a beautiful new society, every governing party must establish a theoretical foundation that meets three basic requirements: satisfying the development needs of the broad masses of people, conforming to the trends of the era, and answering practical questions. On the basis of a profound understanding of Marxism-Leninism and the absorption of Kaysone Phomvihane Thought [2], the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has formulated specific goals and guidelines for economic, cultural, and social development, as well as for security and defense, diplomacy, the political system, and Party building suited to the practices of each stage, which have been consolidated and supplemented in successive Party Congresses.
Associate Professor Loung Dinh Hai of the Institute of Anthropology at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences mentioned in his presentation titled "The Theory and Practice of Current Vietnamese Socialism: Models and Characteristics" that socialism must always use a spirit of critique and innovation to selectively absorb and supplement the latest achievements of thought and science. This ensures that socialism and its doctrines maintain a fresh vitality, constantly add new vigor, and are imbued with the spirit of the times, so that they do not become fossilized, stagnant, or lag behind practice.
Researcher Gong Yun, Vice President of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, pointed out in his keynote "Attaching Great Importance to Developing the Rural Collective Economy in the New Era" that developing the rural collective economy in the New Era is related to the common prosperity of Chinese farmers, to their adherence to the socialist road, and to the realization of rural revitalization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Developing the rural collective economy in the New Era is an important and urgent task for realizing rural revitalization. It requires effective paths and measures: strengthening the Party's comprehensive leadership over the development of the rural collective economy, developing it with a spirit of reform and innovation, leveraging the subjective role of primary-level Party organizations in the countryside, and cultivating a large workforce for this development. We should emphasize rural collective economic development from the height of adhering to the socialist road and common prosperity, push for the "second leap" [3] of socialist agriculture through practical actions, and promote the realization of rural revitalization as scheduled.
Professor Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, noted in his keynote "The Scientific Judgment of Contemporary China’s Historical Orientation and Development Stage and its Evolutionary Logic" that the Communist Party of China has made major judgments on China's historical orientation and development stage from different dimensions—namely, that China is still in the primary stage of socialism, that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era, and that our country has entered a new development stage. These judgments fully reflect a correct grasp of the dialectical unity between continuity and stages, and between quantitative and qualitative change in contemporary Chinese social development, pushing contemporary Chinese society forward in accordance with laws using a great spirit of historical initiative. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, our Party has continued to emphasize that our country is in and will long remain in the primary stage of socialism, while making the major judgment that "socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era." The important basis for this is that the principal contradiction in our society has evolved from the contradiction between the ever-growing material and cultural needs of the people and backward social production to the contradiction between the people's ever-growing needs for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development.
Associate Professor Nguyen Ngoc Ha of the Institute of Philosophy at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences stated in his presentation "New Understandings of the Communist Party of Vietnam on Socialism and the Period of Transition to Socialism in Vietnam" that the current understanding of the CPV regarding socialism and the transitional period contains new content compared to the period before 1986.
Khman Siphanxay, Executive Director of the Institute of History and Archaeology at the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, argued in his presentation "Achievements and Challenges in the Process of Practicing the Socialist Development Model in Laos" that socialist construction in Laos and for all humanity still faces many obstacles. In the context of globalization, multipolarity, and multilateral cooperation, countries need to exchange, cooperate, and learn from each other's experiences to promote the further development of their socialist models, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Pan Jine, Director of the Department of International Communist Movement Studies at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, pointed out in her presentation "New Developments in World Socialism and the International Communist Movement in 2021–2022" that the dynamics of the international communist movement and world socialism in 2021 were comprised of several major events. First, the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, where the brilliant achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics won the appreciation of countries worldwide. Second, four other socialist countries [4] successively held new Party Congresses, actively fighting the pandemic and promoting economic and social development. Third, non-governing Communist Parties in various countries persisted in intra-parliamentary and extra-parliamentary struggles, making adaptive adjustments to seek space for survival and development. Simultaneously, Communist Parties and Marxist scholars worldwide reviewed the historical experiences and lessons of the Paris Commune and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, revisiting the revolutionary thoughts of early revolutionaries in the international communist movement to learn from history and address realistic challenges. In 2022, the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war increased the risk of imperialism launching wars, and the international communist movement faces new shocks. However, the magnificent centenary history of the CPC will inspire Communist Parties worldwide to steady their direction and continue toward a brilliant tomorrow.
Dr. Dao Thi Minh Thao, Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, summarized the overall changes in six aspects of Vietnam's national construction and Doi Moi over the past 35 years in her presentation "Vietnam After 35 Years of Socialist-Oriented Renovation": implementing national industrialization and modernization; developing a socialist-oriented market economy; cultural and human development; implementing democracy and social equity and building a socialist rule-of-law state; executing a progressive foreign policy line; and building a pure and strong Party. After thirty-five years of renovation, the characteristics of the Vietnamese socialist model have become more distinct. Some deficiencies remain, such as the gap between rich and poor, relatively slow industrialization and modernization processes, and corruption and waste. In the process of building socialism, Vietnam must continue to study, summarize, and learn from the experiences and lessons of various countries and strengthen exchanges with them.
He Qin, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), delivered a speech titled "New Progress in the Updating of the Cuban Socialist Model from the Perspective of the Eighth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba." He pointed out that since the Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in 2011, the updating of the Cuban socio-economic model has progressed steadily. The new Constitution of Cuba adopted in 2019 further consolidated Cuba's socialist system and clarified Cuba's socio-economic development plan geared toward 2030. At the Eighth Congress of the PCC, it was emphasized that the updating of the Cuban socio-economic model must adhere to socialist principles and direction, while reflecting upon and criticizing the overall lag in the process of model updating. Under the dual test of the blockade [5] and the pandemic, the Cuban people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, have continuously deepened the updating of the economic model through measures such as monetary reform, reform of state-owned enterprises, and promoting the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. They have also strengthened livelihood guarantees and pandemic prevention and control, while actively expanding diversified diplomacy and international cooperation.
Phonxay Khanphanya, Executive Director of the Institute of Political Science at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, delivered a speech titled "On the Relationship Between Socialist Development Models of Various Countries: The Current Reality of Development in Laos." He noted that Laos will continue to seek the consistent care and support of socialist countries, particularly the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam which border Laos. It will also continue to comprehensively deepen relations with North Korea and Cuba, enhancing the role and status of socialism amidst the current complex and increasingly contradictory global situation.
Nguyen Thi Tham, Director of the Center for Korean and North Korean Studies at the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, argued in her speech titled "Innovation in North Korea's Socialist Economic Management System" that North Korea has applied new economic management mechanisms to adjust the role of the state in the centrally planned economy. This has enhanced the autonomy and creativity of enterprises and individuals engaged in economic activities regarding price determination, product selection, and profit management.
Xun Shouxiao, Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out in the speech "The Evolution and New Development of the Guiding Ideology of the Workers' Party of Korea" that Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism is the sole guiding ideology of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). Kim Jong Un has further developed Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, answering the question of "how to build North Korean-style socialism." The most important point is summarizing its essence as "People-Firstism" [6]—a political concept that views the masses as the masters of revolution and construction, relying on the masses and serving the people selflessly. In the report to the Eighth Congress of the WPK held in 2021, Kim Jong Un clearly pointed out that North Korea has entered a "new era of development," namely the era of "Our State-Firstism" [7]. He maintained that the victories achieved through tenacious struggle in the five years since the Seventh Congress of the WPK possess a specific characteristic: they have opened a new era of development, the era of "Our State-Firstism," which is also a new era of self-reliance and prosperity.
The discussions in each unit were chaired respectively by Professor Pan Jine, Director of the Department of International Communist Movement Studies at the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS; Professor Pham Van Duc, former Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; and Khamlaxy Chivaphon, Vice President of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences. Dang Xuan Thanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, delivered the closing remarks. Over one hundred experts and scholars from Vietnam, Laos, and China participated in the online meeting. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences will host the 10th International Socialist Forum in 2023.