The 7th International Forum on the Communist Movement Successfully Held in Zunyi, Guizhou
On June 1, 2019, the 7th International Communist Movement Forum was held in Zunyi, Guizhou Province—the "Red Capital and City of the Turning Point" [1]. Jiang Hui, member of the Leading Party Members’ Group of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Director of the Institute of Contemporary China, and President of the Institute of Marxism Studies, attended the meeting, delivered a speech, and presented a keynote report. Fan Jianxin, Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, presided over the opening ceremony.
The forum was jointly hosted by the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences, and Zunyi Normal University. It was organized by the Department of International Communist Movement Studies of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the Institute of Party Building (Institute of Marxism) of the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences, and the Center for the Study of the Revolutionary Spirit of the CPC and Cultural Resources at Zunyi Normal University. Co-organizers included the Social Sciences Academic Press, and the editorial departments of Marxism Studies (Makesizhuyi Yanjiu), and Guizhou Social Sciences.
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, this forum centered on the theme of "70 Years of New China and Research on the International Communist Movement." Participants conducted a comprehensive review of the historical process since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) 70 years ago. They engaged in deep discussions regarding the PRC's major contributions to the development of scientific socialism, the great significance of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era for world socialism, and the new characteristics, patterns, and trends of world socialism in the 21st century.
In his keynote report, Jiang Hui pointed out that the 70 years of New China have successfully answered the historical question of "what is socialism and how to build and develop it." China has become the leading banner and the mainstay for the development of world socialism in the 21st century. Through its unique institutional advantages, 21st-century China has fully demonstrated the superiority of the socialist system. Jiang Hui noted that 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, the 100th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement [2], and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist International (Comintern). These are all major commemorative dates in the history of the international communist movement. Holding the "International Communist Forum" at such an important juncture in the red fertile soil of Zunyi holds special significance for the international communist movement to pack its bags and set out anew [3], ushering in a new situation for its development. Jiang Hui contended that the 21st century is a century for the revitalization of world socialism. With eloquent facts, the new developments in 21st-century world socialism have shattered the wild and arrogant assertions that "capitalism would once again unify the world" following the dramatic changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. It has crushed the long-promoted plot of "peaceful evolution" [4] through which capitalist strategists sought "victory without war," and has ended the myth of the so-called "end of history." Furthermore, it powerfully and continuously validates the historical law that socialism must inevitably replace capitalism on a global scale, restoring and boosting the power of Marxist truth.
Yan Shizhong, Inspector of the Propaganda Department of the Guizhou Provincial Party Committee, noted in his speech that Marxism has provided a powerful impetus for China's revolution, construction, and reform, enabling China to create development unprecedented in human history. It has guided China to successfully embark on the broad road [5] of building a modern socialist powerhouse in all respects. As loyal believers in Marxism, Chinese Communists are making persistent efforts to uphold and develop Marxism, and the International Communist Movement Forum serves as a platform for these dedicated efforts.
Chen Daijun, Deputy Secretary of the Zunyi Municipal Party Committee, stated in his speech that we are all firm believers in Marxism and supporters of the banner of communism. We must consistently adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, firmly establish the "Four Consciousnesses," [6] strengthen the "Four Confidences," [7] and adhere to the "Two Upholds," striving to continuously promote the Party's theoretical innovation and maintain its youthful vitality forever.
Wu Dahua, President of the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences, noted that holding the International Communist Movement Forum is a vivid manifestation of Marxist researchers "not forgetting the original aspiration and packing their bags to set out anew." This forum is another important achievement of the cooperation between CASS and the Guizhou Provincial People's Government, as well as between CASS and the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences. It is the result of long-term cooperation between the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences and Zunyi Normal University, and one of the series of activities by the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.
Wang Dazhong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Zunyi Normal University, pointed out that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has further developed scientific socialism and deepened the understanding of the laws of Communist Party governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society, holding an extremely important status in the history of Marxist development. Today, our discussion here on the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China and the trends of the international communist movement is aimed at developing Marxism and contemporary Chinese Marxism, gathering the intellectual wisdom and courageous strength for the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and striving to push forward the great cause initiated by revolutionary predecessors.
During the keynote report session, experts presented reports on topics including: "The Relationship between the Comintern and the Chinese Revolution from the Perspective of the Sinicization of Marxism," "How to View the Current Status and Development Trends of World Socialism," "The Tortuous Development of Relations between the CPC and Latin American Communist Parties over the 70 Years of New China," "The May Fourth Movement and the New Development of 21st Century Marxism," "The Positivization of 'Positive Energy' and 'Negative Energy' in the History of Socialist Construction and the Positivization of China's Reform and Opening Up," "The Comintern and the Chinese Revolution," "The Contribution of the PRC's 70 Years to the International Communist Movement," and "Theoretical Resources of World History for Constructing a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity."
In the plenary speech session, experts spoke on: "Characteristics and Trends of the CPC's Party Governance in the New Era," "Significance and Enlightenments of New China's 70-Year Exploration for Modernization in Developing Countries," "The US-China Trade War in the Process of the International Communist Movement," "The Shift in the Center of Gravity of World Socialist Development in the 20th Century," "The Dilemmas Faced by Theoretical and Policy Adjustments of Communist Parties in Developed Countries," "Historical Origins of the Comintern and 'Comrade plus Brother' Relations between China and Vietnam," "30 Years since the Changes in Eastern Europe: Reshaping and Wasted Time," and "The Latest Development Trends of the Communist Movement in Nepal."
During the breakout sessions, experts discussed three topics: "New Dynamics in World Socialism and the Development of Foreign Communist Parties," "The 100th Anniversary of the May Fourth Movement and the Comintern and their Influence on China," and "70 Years of New China: Experience and Achievements."
The forum also saw the release of the Yellow Book: Report on the Development of the International Communist Movement (2018–2019). This is the first in a series of "Blue Books" [8] concerning the "International Communist Movement" published by the Social Sciences Academic Press. Edited by Jiang Hui and Pan Jin’e, the Yellow Book comprises five sections: "General Report," "Theoretical Focus," "Reform and Development," "Ideological Trends and Movements," and "Reference Materials."
The Yellow Book suggests that against the backdrop of the international landscape facing great development, transformation, and adjustment, the international communist movement in 2018 was characterized by a surge of interactions between history and reality, theory and practice, and China and the world. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth and the 170th anniversary of the publication of the Manifesto of the Communist Party, various commemorative activities were held worldwide, re-recognizing Marx's genius and reaffirming the important historical value and practical significance of Marxism. China held a grand gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Reform and Opening Up, proving the scientific and practical nature of Marxism through the great practical achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This demonstrated that combining the scientific socialist theory explained in the Manifesto with the specific realities of one's own country is a successful path to building socialism. The success of socialism with Chinese characteristics highlights the superiority of the socialist system and has boosted confidence in the international communist movement and the development of world socialism.
The Yellow Book uses primary source materials and a comprehensive perspective to reflect the basic situation and characteristic trends of the discipline's annual development. The forum aims to assist the developmental growth of the international communist movement as a discipline through the publication of the Yellow Book, while also opening a window for readers to deeply understand the contemporary world and contemporary China.
In the concluding remarks, Researcher Pan Jin’e, Deputy Director of the Department of International Communist Movement Studies at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, noted that guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, experts and scholars reviewed the 70-year history of New China and its major contributions to world socialism. They reviewed the development of the international communist movement since the founding of the Comintern over 100 years ago, analyzed the CPC's historical development since the May Fourth Movement 100 years ago, examined the new characteristics of current world socialist movements and trends, and looked forward to the new trends of world socialist development in the 21st century. The discussions among experts and scholars will provide powerful theoretical support for China to better adhere to the "Four Confidences," fully realize a moderately prosperous society, achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and advance the cause of world socialism.
More than 100 experts and representatives from the field of international communist movement research across the country attended the forum, including those from CASS, the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), Renmin University of China, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Shandong University, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Nanjing Normal University, Guizhou Normal University, and Zunyi Normal University.