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, and hosted by the School of Marxism at the Dalian University of Technology and the Department of International Communist Movement Studies at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, was held at the Dalian International Financial Conference Center. The theme of this year's forum was "Party Building in the New Era and New Developments in Socialism." Speeches were delivered by Professor Wang Hansong, Party Committee Secretary of the Dalian University of Technology; Researcher Fan Jianxin, Party Committee Secretary and Deputy Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies; Professor Pham Van Duc, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Dr. Phongsavanh Logvongxay, head of the delegation from the Lao Academy of Social Sciences; and Researcher Seo Seong-il, Director of the Institute of Socio-Politics at the Academy of Social Sciences of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). A total of 138 experts and scholars from over 60 research institutions and universities in Vietnam, Laos, the DPRK, and China attended the conference. 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 the Dalian University of Technology. He provided a profound explanation of the historical significance of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics entering the New Era, pointing out that strengthening the Party’s overall leadership and comprehensively strengthening Party building are the essential characteristics and fundamental guarantees of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics entering the New Era. He emphasized that promoting the development of socialist theory and practical exploration requires one to uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, engage in mutual exchange and learning ^[1], and draw on the strengths of all parties to jointly compose a new chapter in the development of socialist theory and practice.

In his remarks, Fan Jianxin noted that strengthening Party building is a crucial historical experience for the proletarian ruling parties of socialist countries to consolidate their foundations and carry the cause forward into the future ^[2]. He asserted that adhering to the independent exploration of socialist paths with unique characteristics is the fundamental guideline ^[3] for socialist countries seeking sustainable development. Furthermore, consolidating traditional friendships and strengthening mutual exchange and learning is an inevitable choice for socialist countries facing the future. Only through unity, mutual trust, and helping each other in the same boat ^[4], while continuously enhancing and expanding the historical height, depth, and breadth of socialist development, can socialist countries jointly promote the development and revitalization of world socialism in the 21st century.

Professor Pham Van Duc, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and President of the Graduate Academy; Dr. Phongsavanh Logvongxay, head of the delegation from the Lao Academy of Social Sciences; and Researcher Seo Seong-il, Director of the Institute of Socio-Politics at the Academy of Social Sciences of the DPRK, expressed their beautiful visions for jointly promoting the development of world socialism. The participants reached a consensus that China's successful experience is highly attractive to the entire world and provides a viable "Chinese solution" for all countries. They expressed their hope that through this forum, they could listen to the experiences of fraternal socialist countries ^[5], learn from one another, and promote the building of proletarian ruling parties and new developments in socialism in their respective nations.

At this forum, more than 30 experts from China, Vietnam, Laos, and the DPRK expressed their views freely and engaged in in-depth, extensive, and candid exchanges and discussions on seven key issues: strengthening mutual exchange and learning among socialist countries; the theoretical innovation and global contribution of Party building in socialist countries; the basic experience and lessons of Party building in socialist countries; the construction and evaluation of the ranks of Party members and cadres in socialist countries; the manifestation of the Party's core leadership role 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) ^[6]. 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 on Party building in socialist countries in the New Era. The representatives from various socialist countries attending the meeting expressed that this forum was an intellectual feast of mutual exchange, learning, and the alignment of wisdom. Dr. Phongsavanh Logvongxay, head of the delegation from the Lao Academy of Social Sciences, 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 Logvongxay, and Seo Seong-il.