Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Leads a Delegation to Turkey and Greece for Academic Exchanges
From November 14 to 23, 2023, Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), led a delegation to Istanbul, Turkey, and Athens, Greece, to engage in academic and intellectual exchanges with leftist party figures, leftist scholars, and members of the educational community in both countries.
On the 14th, the delegation held a symposium with Professor Hayri Kozanoglu, former chairman of the Democratic Left Party of Turkey, and others. Professor Kozanoglu and his colleagues introduced the current state of Marxist studies and leftist socialist movements in Turkey. Director Xin Xiangyang addressed questions of interest to the hosts, including the Belt and Road Initiative [1], the "new development pattern" [2], and evaluations of historical figures such as Mao Zedong and Sun Yat-sen.
On the morning of the 15th, the delegation held a symposium at the headquarters of the Vatan (Patriotic) Party of Turkey with its leader, Mr. Doğu Perinçek, and others. Mr. Perinçek introduced the current status and political program of the Patriotic Party, speaking highly of the achievements in constructing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era and the global influence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He also engaged in exchanges with the delegation on theoretical and practical issues concerning socialism. Director Xin Xiangyang provided detailed elaborations on relevant issues in accordance with the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress [3].
On the afternoon of the 15th, the delegation visited the editorial office of the Belt and Road Quarterly. Editor-in-chief Mr. Firket Akfirat introduced the journal’s mission, funding sources, publishing status, topic selection, key articles, and future development plans. Director Xin Xiangyang communicated with Mr. Akfirat regarding exchange and cooperation between the Institute of Marxism Studies and the journal.
On the 17th, Director Xin Xiangyang delivered a presentation to comrades at the Chinese Consulate-General in Istanbul titled "On the Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era."
On the 19th, the delegation held a symposium with Professor Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek Finance Minister, founder of the Movement for Democracy in Europe (DiEM25), and economist at the University of Athens. The two sides engaged in discussion and exchange regarding Professor Varoufakis's 2023 book, Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism. Director Xin Xiangyang introduced to Varoufakis China’s major measures to regulate and guide capital, as well as the functions of the newly established National Data Bureau.
On the 20th, the delegation visited Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens. Director Xin Xiangyang held discussions and consultations with Rector Christina Koulouri, Vice Rector Christos Papatheodorou, and Deputy Director of International Relations Marianna Psylla regarding the state of university education in China and Greece, and the possibilities and methods for further strengthening international exchange and cooperation.
On the morning of the 21st, the delegation visited the Nicos Poulantzas Institute, a renowned European leftist think tank. They engaged in exchanges with Director Costas Douzinas, former director (and former Minister of Education and Culture) Aristides Baltas, Head of Foreign Relations (and consultant to the Party of the European Left think tank) Danai Koltsida, and researcher Michalis Spourdalakis. Topics included the international influence of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the development of leftist political parties in Greece, and cooperation between the two sides in research on the Marxist theory of the state.
On the afternoon of the 21st, Director Xin Xiangyang delivered a presentation to comrades at the Chinese Embassy in Greece titled "How to Tell China's Story Well Starting from the 'Two Combinations'" [4].
Through this visit, the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences engaged in in-depth exchanges with leftist party figures, scholars, and educators in Turkey and Greece, enhancing mutual understanding and creating favorable conditions for better cooperation in the future.