The 9th International Forum on Socialism 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 (VASS), and the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences (LAESS), and organized by the International Cooperation Bureau of VASS and the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS, 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 conducted in-depth discussions surrounding 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—the host of this forum—noted in his opening speech that the socialist development model is the core content of socialist construction. It reflects the basic principles of scientific socialism while simultaneously accounting for 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 socialist theory, 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 achieves universality on a global scale.

Zhen Zhanmin, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted in his speech that since entering the 21st century, socialist countries, under the leadership of Marxist governing parties, have formed socialist development models with distinct characteristics through the independent exploration of the laws of socialist development. In recent years, with the deepening of a new round of reform measures and the implementation of diverse new policies, socialist countries have generally entered a period of stable development in the construction of their institutional systems, opening a new historical stage of concentrating forces to build socialism suited to their own national conditions. Under the overall global pattern of "strong capitalism and weak socialism," the development of socialist countries will still face a highly complex international environment, risks, challenges, and political pressures. Strengthening the exchange and mutual learning of development models and experiences among socialist countries helps them enhance strategic confidence and optimize strategic foresight, thereby more firmly advancing the process of socialist modernization aimed at national prosperity and people's happiness.

Khamla Souphanthavong, Vice President of the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, noted in his speech that facing the challenges of globalization and the complex international situation, Laos, which is in the transition stage toward socialism, must follow the socialist road and promote sustainable and green economic and social development. Laos should strengthen the exchange and summation 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, pointed out in his presentation, "New Understandings of the Vietnamese 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. From the perspective of the target system, the overall goal of the Vietnamese socialist model is a "prosperous people, strong country, democracy, justice, and civilization." To achieve this goal, specific measures taken by Vietnam include developing a knowledge economy, promoting national industrialization and modernization; developing a socialist-oriented market economy ^[1]; building an advanced culture rich in national characteristics; developing the people, improving living standards, and realizing social progress and justice; firmly safeguarding national defense, security, and social order; pursuing an independent, autonomous, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, and actively integrating into the international community; 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 theory and practice. Constructing and refining the concept of the Vietnamese socialist model is not only a clear, correct, and complete definition of goals but also the foundation for determining methods and measures to firmly implement these goals.

Researcher Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, noted in his keynote speech, "The Scientific Connotation and Practical Significance of the Basic Principles of Scientific Socialism," that the basic principles of scientific socialism are the deep roots of the prosperity of the 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. These 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 first stage of socialism and distribution according to need in the higher stage; transforming and utilizing nature in accordance with natural laws; achieving the free and well-rounded development of every individual; ensuring the proletarian party maintains its own advancement, purity, and morality; reaching a very high level of civilization in the future society; achieving common prosperity for the entire society; and maintaining a powerful proletarian state power. To adhere to the basic principles of scientific socialism, one must build the Communist Party of Vietnam [and other parties] to be increasingly strong. We must continually deepen our understanding of these basic principles and constantly enrich and develop them on the basis of upholding them.

Dr. Khampheng Thipmountali, Director of the Social Research Institute of the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, pointed out in his speech, "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 the three basic requirements of satisfying the development needs of the masses, conforming to the trends of the times, 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 defense, diplomacy, the political system, and Party building, which have been consolidated and supplemented during successive Party Congresses.

Associate Professor Luong Dinh Hai of the Institute of Anthropology at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences mentioned in his speech, "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—preventing them from becoming rigid, stagnant, or falling behind practice.

Researcher Gong Yun, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, pointed out in his keynote, "Attaching Great Importance to the Development of the Rural Collective Economy in the New Era," that developing the rural collective economy in the New Era relates to the common prosperity of Chinese farmers, to Chinese farmers' 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 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 primary role of primary-level Party organizations in the countryside, and cultivating a large workforce for its development. We should emphasize rural collective economic development from the height of adhering to the socialist road and common prosperity, pushing for a "second leap" ^[3] in socialist agriculture and ensuring rural revitalization is achieved as scheduled.

Professor Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, noted in his keynote, "The Scientific Judgment of Contemporary China’s Historical Orientation and Development Stage and its Evolutionary Logic," that the CPC, from different dimensions, has made major judgments on China's historical orientation and development stage, such as China still being in the primary stage of socialism, socialism with Chinese characteristics entering a New Era, and our country entering a new development stage. These judgments fully reflect the correct grasp of the dialectical unity of continuity and stages, and of quantitative and qualitative change in contemporary Chinese social development, pushing contemporary Chinese society forward in accordance with laws through a great spirit of historical initiative. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, our Party has continued to emphasize that our country is in and will long remain in the primary stage of socialism, while also making the major judgment that "socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era." A key basis for this is that the principal contradiction in Chinese 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 need 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 speech, "New Understandings of the Communist Party of Vietnam on Socialism and the Transitional Period 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.

Khammanh Siphanxay, Executive Director of the Institute of History and Archaeology at the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, argued in his speech, "Achievements and Challenges in the Process of Laos's Practice of the Socialist Development Model," that the construction of socialism 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 socialist models and contribute to maintaining regional and world peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

Pan Jine, Director of the International Communist Movement Department at the Institute of Marxism Studies of CASS, 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 consisted of several major events: first, the centenary of the CPC, where the brilliant achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics won appreciation from countries worldwide; second, the 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 insisted on struggles both inside and outside parliaments, making adaptive adjustments to seek space for survival and development. Meanwhile, 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 to use history as a mirror to meet current challenges. In 2022, the combination of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war increased the risk of imperialism launching wars, and the international communist movement faced new shocks. However, the magnificent centenary history of the CPC will inspire Communist Parties worldwide to remain firm in their direction and continue toward tomorrow’s glory.

Dr. Dao Thi Minh Thao, Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, summarized in her speech, "Vietnam after 35 Years of Socialist-Oriented Doi Moi," the overall changes in six aspects of Vietnam's national construction over the past 35 years: implementing national industrialization and modernization, developing a socialist-oriented market economy, cultural and human development, practicing democracy and social justice, building a socialist state under the rule of law, executing a progressive foreign policy line, and building a pure and strong Party. After thirty-five years of Doi Moi, the characteristics of the Vietnamese socialist model have become more distinct. Some deficiencies remain, such as the gap between rich and poor, the relatively slow process of industrialization and modernization, 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.

He Qin, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), noted in a presentation titled "New Progress in the Updating of the Cuban Socialist Model in Light of the Eighth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba" that the updating of Cuba’s socio-economic model has progressed steadily since the Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in 2011. The new Cuban Constitution, adopted in 2019, has further consolidated Cuba's socialist system and clarified Cuba's socio-economic development plan leading toward 2030. At the Eighth PCC Congress, it was emphasized that the updating of the Cuban socio-economic model must adhere to socialist principles and direction; the Congress also reflected upon and criticized the overall lag in the progress of this model update. Under the dual trials of the blockade ^[5] and the pandemic, the Cuban people—under the leadership of the PCC—have continuously deepened the updating of their economic model through measures such as monetary consolidation ^[6], reform of state-owned enterprises, and the promotion of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). They have also strengthened social welfare guarantees and pandemic prevention and control while actively expanding multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation.

Phonxay Khanphanya, Executive Director of the Institute of Political Science at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, pointed out in a speech titled "On the Relationship Between Socialist Development Models in Various Countries: Current Realities of Development in Laos" 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. He emphasized that Laos would continue to comprehensively deepen relations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Cuba, enhancing the role and status of socialism amidst the current complex world situation where contradictions are increasingly prominent.

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 presentation "Innovation in North Korea's Socialist Economic Management System" that the DPRK has applied a new economic management mechanism. This has adjusted the state's role within the centrally planned economy and 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 CASS, pointed out in "The Evolution and New Development of the Guiding Ideology of the Workers' Party of Korea" (WPK) that Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism is the sole guiding ideology of the WPK. Kim Jong Un has further developed Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, answering the question of "how to build North Korean-path socialism." The most crucial point is the summarization of its essence as "The People-First Principle" ^[7]—a political concept that regards the masses as the masters of revolution and construction, relies on the masses, and serves the people selflessly. In the report to the Eighth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea held in 2021, Kim Jong Un clearly stated that the DPRK has entered a "new era of development," namely the era of "Our State-First Principle." He argued that the victories achieved through tenacious struggle in the five years following the Seventh WPK Congress possess a specific characteristic: they have opened a new era of development, the era of "Our State-First Principle," which is also a new era of self-reliance and prosperity.

The discussion units were chaired respectively by Professor Pan Jine, Director of the Department of International Communist Movement Studies at the Institute of Marxism Studies (CASS); Professor Pham Van Duc, former Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; and Khamlaxy Keobounphanh, 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 conference. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences will host the 10th International Socialist Forum in 2023.