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 CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, 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 around 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 VASS—the organizer of this forum—pointed out 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 taking into account the specific national conditions of various countries. 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 theories on socialism, socialist countries also need to constantly explore and create new methods and measures consistent with the specific historical conditions of each country to promote the success of socialism and make the socialist path universal 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 their own characteristics through the autonomous exploration of the laws of socialist development. In recent years, with the deepening of a new round of reform measures and the implementation of various new policies, socialist countries have generally entered a period of stable development in institutional system building, opening a new historical stage of concentrating forces to build socialism suited to their own national conditions. Under the overall global structure of "the strength of capitalism and the weakness of socialism" ^[1], the development of socialist countries will still face a very complex international environment, risks, challenges, and political pressure. Strengthening the exchange and mutual learning of development models and experiences helps socialist countries enhance their strategic confidence, optimize strategic foresight, and thereby more firmly advance the process of socialist modernization aimed at national prosperity and people's happiness.

Khanlasy Keobounphanh, Vice President of the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, noted in her speech that in the face of the challenges of globalization and the complex international situation, Laos, which is in the transitional stage of 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 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 Understanding 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 general goal of the Vietnamese socialist model is a wealthy people, a strong country, democracy, justice, and civilization. To achieve this goal, specific measures taken by Vietnam include developing a knowledge economy and promoting national industrialization and modernization; developing a socialist-oriented market economy; building an advanced culture rich in national character; building up the people, improving people's living standards, and achieving social progress and justice; firmly guaranteeing national defense, security, and social order; pursuing an independent foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification of external relations, peace, friendship, and cooperative development, and actively integrating into the international community; and building socialist democratic politics to leverage the strength of great national unity. Although the issue of Vietnam's socialist model is frequently supplemented and perfected, it still requires further exploration and clarification in theory and practice. Constructing and perfecting the conceptual view of the Vietnamese socialist model is not only a clear, correct, and complete definition of goals but also the basis for determining the methods and measures to firmly implement these goals.

Researcher Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, pointed out in his keynote presentation "The Scientific Connotation and Practical Significance of the Basic Principles of Scientific Socialism" that the basic principles of scientific socialism are the profound 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 guides and methods 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 ^[2] in the first stage of socialism and distribution according to need in the higher stage; transforming and utilizing nature in accordance with natural laws; realizing the free and comprehensive development of every individual; the proletarian party maintaining its own advancement, purity, and morality; a very high level of civilization in the future society; common prosperity for the entire society; and a powerful proletarian state power. To adhere to the basic principles of scientific socialism, the Communist Party of China must be built to be stronger and stronger. We must continue to deepen our understanding of these basic principles on the basis of adhering to them, and constantly enrich and develop them.

Dr. Khampheng Thipmuntali, Director of the Institute of Sociology at the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, pointed out in his presentation "On Some Theoretical Issues that Need to be Re-recognized and Transcended in the Theory of Socialist Development Models" that to achieve social transformation and build 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 broad masses of the people, 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 ^[3], the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has formulated specific goals and guidelines for economic, cultural, and social development, as well as for security and defense, diplomacy, the political system, and Party building suitable for the practice of various stages, which have been consolidated and supplemented in successive Party Congresses.

Associate Professor Luong Dinh Hai of the Institute of Anthropology at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences mentioned in his presentation titled "Theory and Practice of Current Vietnamese Socialism: Models and Characteristics" that socialism must always maintain a spirit of critique and innovation, selectively absorbing and supplementing the latest achievements of thought and science. This ensures that socialism and its doctrines maintain eternal vitality, constantly add new vigor, and are full of the flavor of the times, so that they do not become ossified, stagnant, or lag behind practice.

Researcher Gong Yun, Vice President of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, pointed out in his keynote presentation "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 is related to the common prosperity of Chinese farmers, the adherence of Chinese farmers to the socialist road, and 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 realizing rural revitalization. It requires effective paths and measures: strengthening the Party's comprehensive leadership over the development of the rural collective economy, developing the rural collective economy with a spirit of reform and innovation, giving play to the subjective role of primary-level rural Party organizations in developing the rural collective economy, and cultivating a large workforce for developing the rural collective economy. We should emphasize rural collective economic development from the height of adhering to the socialist road and farmers' common prosperity, take practical actions to promote the second leap ^[4] of socialist agriculture, and advance the realization of rural revitalization as scheduled.

Professor Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, pointed out in his keynote presentation "The Scientific Judgment and Evolutionary Logic of Contemporary China's Historical Orientation and Development Stage" that the Communist Party of China has made major judgments on China's historical orientation and development stage from different dimensions, including that China is still in the primary stage of socialism, that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era, and that China has entered a new development stage. These fully reflect the correct grasp of the dialectical unity of continuity and stage-specific nature, 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 National Congress of the CPC, our Party has continued to emphasize that China is in and will long remain in the primary stage of socialism, while making the major judgment that "socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era." The important basis for this is that the principal contradiction ^[5] 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 needs 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 noted in the presentation titled "The New Understanding 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 ^[6].

Khamman Siphanxay, Executive Director of the Institute of History and Archaeology at the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, argued in the presentation titled "Achievements and Challenges in the Process of Practicing the Socialist Development Model in Laos" that socialist construction 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 peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Pan Jin'e, Director of the International Communist Movement Research Department at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, pointed out in the presentation "New Developments in World Socialism and the International Communist Movement in 2021–2022" that the dynamics of the international communist movement and world socialist development in 2021 consisted of several major events: first, the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, with the brilliant achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics winning the appreciation of countries worldwide; second, four other socialist countries ^[7] successively held new Party Congresses, actively fighting the pandemic and promoting economic and social development; third, non-governing Communist Parties in various countries persisted in struggles both within and outside parliaments, making adaptive adjustments to seek space for survival and development. At the same time, Communist Parties and Marxist scholars around the world reviewed the historical experiences and lessons of the Paris Commune and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, revisiting the revolutionary thoughts of early revolutionaries of the international communist movement to learn from history and respond to realistic challenges. In 2022, the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war increased the risk of imperialism instigating war, 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 a brilliant tomorrow.

Dr. Dao Thi Minh Thao, assistant researcher at the Institute of Philosophy of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, in the presentation "Vietnam after 35 Years of Socialist-Oriented Doi Moi," summarized the overall changes in six aspects of Vietnam's national construction and renovation 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 and building a socialist rule-of-law state, 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 inadequacies remain in Vietnamese socialism, such as the gap between the rich and the 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 with them.

He Qin, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), delivered a speech titled "New Progress in the Updating of the Cuban Socialist Model Seen from the 8th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba." He pointed out that since the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in 2011, the updating of the Cuban socio-economic model has progressed steadily. The new Cuban Constitution adopted in 2019 further consolidated Cuba's socialist system and clarified Cuba's socio-economic development plan looking toward 2030. At the 8th Congress of the PCC, it was emphasized that the updating of the Cuban socio-economic model must adhere to socialist principles and direction, while reflecting upon and criticizing the overall lag in the process of model updating. Under the dual test of the blockade and the pandemic, the Cuban people, under the leadership of the PCC, have continuously deepened the updating of the economic model through measures such as monetary consolidation, reform of state-owned enterprises, and promoting the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. They have also strengthened livelihoods and pandemic prevention while actively expanding diversified diplomacy and international cooperation.

Phonxay Khanphanya, Executive Director of the Institute of Political Science at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, delivered a speech titled "On the Relationship Between Socialist Development Models in Different Countries: Current Realities of Development in Laos." He pointed out that Laos will continue to strive for the consistent care and support of socialist countries, especially 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 DPRK and Cuba to enhance the role and status of socialism in the current complex world situation where contradictions are becoming increasingly prominent.

Nguyen Thi Tham, Director of the Center for North and South Korean Studies at the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, argued in her speech "Innovation in the Economic Management System of North Korean Socialism" that the DPRK has applied new economic management mechanisms to adjust the role of the state in the centrally planned economy. These changes have increased 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 a speech titled "Evolution and New Developments in the Guiding Ideology of the Workers' Party of Korea" that Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism is the sole guiding ideology of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). Kim Jong Un has further developed Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, answering the question of "how to build Korean-style socialism." The most important point is summarizing its essence as "People-First-ism" ^[8]—a political concept that regards the masses as the masters of revolution and construction, relying on the masses and serving the people selflessly. In the report to the 8th Congress of the WPK held in 2021, Kim Jong Un clearly pointed out that the DPRK has entered a "new era of development," namely the era of "Our-State-First-ism" ^[9]. He maintained that the victories achieved through tenacious struggle in the five years since the 7th Congress of the WPK possess a specific characteristic: they have opened a new era of development, the era of "Our-State-First-ism," which is also a new era of self-existence and prosperity.

The discussion units were respectively moderated by 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 Keobounphan, 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. More than 100 experts and scholars from Vietnam, Laos, and China participated in the online meeting. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences will host the 10th International Forum on Socialism in 2023.