The 12th World Socialist Forum held in Beijing

On December 21, the 12th World Socialism Forum was held in Beijing. The forum was themed on "Upholding the Fundamentals and Breaking New Ground in 21st-Century Marxism." Gao Xiang, Vice President and Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and President and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese Academy of History; Jiang Hui, Vice President and Member of the Party Leadership Group of CASS, Director of the Institute of Contemporary China, and Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies; Guo Yezhou, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee; and Carlos Miguel Pereira, the Cuban Ambassador to China, attended the opening ceremony.

Gao Xiang, Vice President and Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of CASS and President and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese Academy of History, delivered a speech.

Gao pointed out that deeply studying the spirit of the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century (hereinafter referred to as the Resolution) adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee ^[1], and further profoundly grasping Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, is of particularly significant importance for advancing the cause of world socialism. In the historical process of continuous and profound changes in the global situation, contemporary Chinese Communists must unswervingly hold high the great banner of Marxism. They must transform the "Two Establishments" into a conscious political, ideological, and active commitment to the "Two Upholds," becoming firm believers in 21st-century Marxism. They must strengthen their ideals and convictions to be faithful practitioners of the Sinicization of Marxism; and they must take the building of a community with a shared future for humanity as their guide, acting as relentless agents for promoting human peace and development and constructing a better world.

Jiang Hui, Vice President and Member of the Party Leadership Group of CASS, Director of the Institute of Contemporary China, and Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered the keynote report.

Jiang pointed out that as we enter the third decade of the 21st century, a landmark fact and development trend that people increasingly recognize is that the world is undergoing changes unseen in a century ^[2], and China has become a major driving force in these global changes. The developmental miracles and immense contributions of the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics are a brilliant chapter in China’s historical process and a great creation in the history of human social development. Socialism with Chinese characteristics has shattered the myth of so-called "universal values" and the "only choice," providing Chinese wisdom and a Chinese solution for human social development and the exploration of better social systems. It offers a brand-new direction, a completely new choice, and a bright future.

Guo Yezhou, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech.

Guo stated that upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in 21st-century Marxism, as well as the development of socialism, must be observed and advanced within the coordinates of world history and on the broad international stage. Currently, under the interactive influence of the changes unseen in a century and the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of the cause of world socialism still has a long way to go. It is of great significance for Marxist political parties to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on the basis of seeking common ground while reserving differences, mutual respect, and mutual learning. This is vital for upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in 21st-century Marxism and for the further revitalization of the world socialist movement.

Carlos Miguel Pereira, the Cuban Ambassador to China, delivered a speech.

Carlos Miguel Pereira stated that the historical achievements of the Communist Party of China over its century-long journey fully prove that the CPC is always able to maintain a firm political and revolutionary stance, defending the interests of the Chinese nation with reason, advantage, and restraint ^[3]. This enables the CPC to face immense challenges and tests, unswervingly leading the Chinese nation along the socialist road. The important experience gained by China in the process of building socialism provides significant reference value for Cuba and other socialist countries.

Li Shenming, former Vice President of CASS and Director of the World Socialism Research Center, spoke at the forum.

Li Shenming stated that the Resolution adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee points out the need to "uphold and develop Marxism." In China today, as long as the entire Party adheres to a people-centered approach, focuses on the new and incomparably magnificent wealth of practice, seeks truth from facts in summarizing historical experience and lessons, and—under the strong and correct leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core—unifies the upholding and development of Marxism, it will surely be able to realize Comrade Mao Zedong’s grand wish for the Chinese nation to make greater contributions to humanity.

Li Wentang, Member of the School Board of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) and Director of the Department of Literature and History, spoke at the forum.

Li Wentang stated that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era demonstrates a strong historical consciousness and civilizational concern, achieving a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism. Building on the three major narrative discourses of revolution, nation, and modernization formed during the first two leaps ^[4], it has reinforced a civilizational narrative discourse. This allows the Chinese path and national rejuvenation to more prominently highlight historical subjectivity and the internal logic of civilization, centrally embodying the civilizational awakening of the CPC and the Chinese nation. The development of 21s-century Marxism in China requires academia to further shed the civilizational imprint of Western-centrism and build a Chinese discourse and narrative system rooted in Chinese civilization.

Egon Krenz, former General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), remarked that looking back at the past, many political parties set out on their journeys full of hope, only to be cast aside by the wheels of history. The Communist Party of China has withstood the test of history; today she stands towering, leading the country continuously forward. The CPC combines Marxism-Leninism with Chinese reality and continuously develops Marxism-Leninism; the resulting historical and practical impact is of international significance. The Chinese example possesses a future value that cannot be underestimated.

Zhang Quanjing, former head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, former President of the National Building Research Association, and consultant to the World Socialism Research Center, sent a written congratulatory message to the forum. Chen Li, Director of the Academic and Editorial Committee of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a written speech. Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, presided over the forum. Attending Chinese and foreign guests used a combination of online and offline methods to conduct in-depth discussions on topics such as the major achievements and historical experiences of the CPC's century of struggle, the contribution of the political development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics to human political civilization, the lessons and inspirations from the 30th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Communist Party and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the persistence and development of 21st-century Marxism.

The forum was hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and organized by the CASS World Socialism Research Center, the Institute of Marxism Studies, the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the Bureau of International Cooperation.