The 10th International Communist Movement Forum and the Launch of the "Report on the Development of the International Communist Movement" (Foreign Language Editions) Held
On July 30, the 10th International Communist Movement Forum and the New Book Launch for the Report on the Development of the International Communist Movement (Foreign Language Editions) were held in a combined online and offline format in Beijing and Kunming. The conference was co-hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Yunnan University, and the CASS Ideological Think Tank.
The proceedings began with the launch of several foreign-language editions of the Report on the Development of the International Communist Movement, including the 2019–2020 edition in English and Italian, and the 2020–2021 edition in Vietnamese. These volumes were condensed and translated from the Chinese-language "Yellow Book on the International Communist Movement" [1] series published by the Social Sciences Academic Press (China). They were published respectively by Italy’s MarxVentuno (21st Century Marx) Press and Vietnam’s Political Theory Publishing House. Taking this launch as an opportunity, the forum invited over 30 experts and scholars from China and abroad to deliver speeches, engaging in discussions focused on new trends in the development of the international communist movement and the publication status of the Yellow Books. Over 100 domestic and international scholars attended the meeting via online platforms.
Professor Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, noted in his address that the Yellow Book on the International Communist Movement was first published by the Social Sciences Academic Press in 2019. Three volumes have been released to date, generating significant impact and attention both domestically and abroad. These works have earned high praise from Chinese peers and have become a signature achievement of the Institute of Marxism Studies. The publication of the Yellow Books abroad helps promote exchange and communication between Chinese Marxist researchers and readers in English, Italian, and Vietnamese, as well as the theoretical circles of various countries. This facilitates the formation of a consensus on the new trends regarding the global landscape and the world socialist movement, which is conducive to advancing the development of 21st-century Marxism and the resurgence of world socialism.
Regarding the historical process and contemporary direction of world socialism, Lin Jianhua pointed out that on a global scale, socialism has successively undergone a developmental process of moving from utopia to science, from theory to practice, from one country to multiple countries, and from setbacks toward resurgence. This trajectory embodies the historical process of world socialism, reflects the essence of its development, and indicates its future direction. Party building, the seizure of power, and construction [2] constitute the "trilogy" played out by the international communist movement. Amidst the "changes in the world," "China’s governance" stands in sharp contrast to "Western chaos." [3] As reforms continue to advance and deepen, moving toward resurgence or renewed vitality has become a distinctive feature and the actual state of socialism. To this end, we must establish a historical perspective: "Only within the long river of the history of all human development can one perceive the essence of historical movement and the direction of the development of the times."
Professor Duan Hongyun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Yunnan University, noted in his address that under the combined impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the "changes unseen in a century," [4] the world has entered a period of turbulent transformation. Socialist countries such as China and Vietnam have effectively controlled the pandemic and achieved economic growth, demonstrating the superiority of the socialist system and enriching the theory and practice of the international communist movement. Meanwhile, Western countries have faced rampant outbreaks, frequent social movements, a widening gap between the rich and the poor, and more prominent issues of social inequality, exposing various defects of the capitalist system. The trend of "the East is rising and the West is declining" [5] in the international landscape has become more evident. Within the changes unseen in a century, the international communist movement faces both opportunities and challenges. This forum helps deepen our understanding of the historical mission undertaken by the Communist Party of China in the New Era and on the "new journey." [6] It encourages the in-depth study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the exploration of the contributions and significance of the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics to the development of world socialism. Furthermore, it facilitates the continuous tracking and study of the latest developmental trends in the contemporary international communist movement to build consensus and promote the steady progress of the movement toward a flourishing state.
Dr. Nguyen Minh Hoan, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the Academy of Journalism and Communication of the Central Communist Party of Vietnam, and Andrea Catone, Editor-in-Chief of the Italian magazine MarxVentuno, served as representatives of the foreign publishers. They respectively provided explanations regarding the publication of the Report on the Development of the International Communist Movement (Foreign Language Editions) and expressed a strong desire to strengthen international Marxist research and the cooperation of the world proletariat.
Experts and scholars from China, Italy, Vietnam, and Laos held in-depth discussions on topics such as "new trends in the development of the international communist movement," "the influence and contribution of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era to world socialism," "new progress in the theory and practice of foreign communist parties under the background of the COVID-19 pandemic," and "the relationship between the two systems [7] and the characteristics of the global landscape." Their aim was to grasp the latest dynamics of the international communist movement and world socialism in a timely manner and to deeply understand the interconnectedness between socialism with Chinese characteristics and world socialism.
More than 100 experts and scholars from institutions including the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC (National Academy of Governance), the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Yunnan University, the China University of Political Science and Law, Shandong University, Central China Normal University, Soochow University, and Xiamen University also attended the meeting via online and offline channels.
(Reported by Pan Xihua)