Symposium on the Disciplines of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement Held in Beijing
On July 18–19, 2025, the "Symposium on the Disciplines of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement" was held in Beijing. The event was hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), organized by the CASS Priority Discipline of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement, and co-organized by the editorial department of World Socialism Studies. More than 40 experts, scholars, and disciplinary leaders from central and state organs—including the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, and the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance)—along with representatives from CASS and various universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Sichuan University, Northeast Normal University, Shandong University, the Central University of Finance and Economics, and Suzhou City University, attended the symposium. Participants conducted in-depth discussions on major theoretical and practical issues within the world socialist movement and exchanged views on the primary achievements, basic experiences, and developmental trends in the disciplinary construction of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement.
At the opening ceremony on the morning of the 18th, Researcher Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Disciplinary Head of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, delivered a speech introducing the academic traditions, resource advantages, and major achievements of the Institute in the disciplinary construction of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement. Since the start of Reform and Opening-up, and with the strong support of CASS, the development of this discipline has secured solid platform support and organizational guarantees. Since 2017, it has successively become a "Climbing Strategy" [1] Key Discipline and Priority Discipline within CASS. In recent years, the Institute of Marxism Studies has built important platforms for academic exchange and the advancement of theoretical and practical research by hosting national and international forums, editing and publishing journals, compiling relevant "Blue Books" [2] and book series, and strengthening think tank construction. Researcher Yu Haiqing, Deputy Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies, presided over the opening ceremony and the first stage of expert presentations. She noted that the participating experts and scholars provided profound analyses and judgments on many significant theoretical issues, offering important inspiration for deepening reflections on the history, theory, movements, practices, realities, and futures of world socialism.
The second through fifth stages of expert presentations were presided over respectively by Researcher Yu Bin, Director of the Department of Foreign Marxism Studies (at the deputy bureau level); Researcher Yuan Xiuli, Director of the Department of International Communist Movement Studies; Researcher Chen Airu, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Marxism Studies; and Researcher Liu Haixia, Deputy Director of the Department of International Communist Movement Studies.
The discussions focused on two main areas: major theoretical and practical issues in the development of world socialism, and the achievements and experiences in the disciplinary construction of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement. Scholars articulated and discussed, from various perspectives, overarching issues in the international communist movement, the discourse system of 21st-century world socialism, the developmental trends of ruling parties in socialist countries and communist parties abroad, and the new horizons opened for world socialism by the Chinese path. Participating scholars fully affirmed the effectiveness and distinct characteristics of the discipline's construction. Simultaneously, they offered active suggestions for the long-term development of the disciplines of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era and the International Communist Movement, focusing on clarifying disciplinary affiliation and strengthening the disciplinary discourse system and the cultivation of personnel.
Researcher Chai Shangjin of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee delivered a keynote speech titled "The Historical Process and Lessons of Experience of the International Communist Movement." He proposed that the overall development of the movement should be observed through dimensions such as the evolution of socialist thought, the practice of scientific socialism, the governance of proletarian parties, the practical innovation of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, and the qualitative and quantitative development of 21st-century world socialism. The international communist movement has undergone a process of advancing through twists and turns and ascending in a spiral. It is essential to adhere to the guiding position of Marxism and the fundamental character of scientific socialism, persist in integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the specific realities of each country, and maintain the leading position of the Communist Party in socialist revolution and construction, while fully grasping the epochal, diverse, and exploratory nature of the international communist movement.
Researcher Tang Haijun of the World Party Institute of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee delivered a keynote speech titled "Several Issues Worthy of Attention and Research in the Contemporary International Communist Movement." He pointed out that current academic research should focus on re-evaluating the historical experience of Soviet socialist construction and rethinking the relationship between the two systems of socialism and capitalism. Contemporary China, based on an insight into global developments, should persist in and carry forward the spiritual endowment of proletarian internationalism to provide active political, directional, and value leadership for the world socialist movement.
Researcher Lin Jianhua, Secretary of the Party Committee of the CASS Institute of Chinese-path Modernization, delivered a keynote speech titled "Practical and Theoretical Innovation of Marxist Parties is the Eternal Theme of the International Communist Movement." He emphasized that innovation in theory and practice runs through the entire historical process of proletarian parties—from their founding and the seizure of power to construction—profoundly shaping the developmental forms of the international communist movement. The generation and evolution of the cause of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era are permeated with the unremitting exploration and pioneering innovation of Chinese Communists regarding the basic question of "what is socialism and how to build it." [3]
Professor Wang Zhongru, Deputy Director of the Department of Scientific Socialism at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), delivered a keynote speech titled "Scientific and Technological Revolution and the Development of World Socialism." He noted that the progression of socialism from utopia to science, from theory to practice, and from a single country to multiple countries has always been closely linked to the application of the latest scientific and technological achievements of the era. In the process of promoting the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation in the New Era, it is essential to give full weight to the status of science and technology as the primary productive force, deeply integrate technological progress into the practice of socialist construction, and always uphold the fundamental core idea that technological progress serves the well-rounded development of the individual. This will drive the cause of socialism toward higher-quality development through the unification of technological empowerment and value leadership.
Professor Wang Chuanli of the School of Marxism at Tsinghua University delivered a keynote speech titled "Research on Scientific Socialism and the Communist Movement against the Backdrop of the Imminent Resurgence of World Socialism." He emphasized the need to base research on the historical context of the coming resurgence of world socialism, proactively using the basic principles of scientific socialism to respond to major theoretical questions emerging in practice, studying the new laws of the contemporary world socialist movement, and clarifying China's role and responsibility therein.
Professor Song Chaolong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Dean of the School of Marxism at Peking University, delivered a keynote speech titled "New Trends in Global Fascistization and the New Mission of Socialism." He pointed out that scientific socialism is the inevitable destination of Marxism, and its emphasis on organization is the only way to dissolve the global hegemony of contemporary finance capital. It is necessary to continue strengthening the status of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement within the entire academic ecosystem and disciplinary system of Marxist theory to provide solid discursive and logical support for the great practice of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era.
Researcher Wang Jin, Executive Editor-in-Chief of Contemporary World and Socialism at the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a keynote speech titled "The World-Historical Status and Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era." She noted that this Thought is a major theoretical achievement in the history of the development of Marxism, world socialism, the Communist Party of China, and human thought, making important contributions to the construction of a better world through the dimensions of value, path, and demonstration.
Professor Wang Tingyou of the School of Marxism at Renmin University of China delivered a keynote speech titled "Reflections on the Disciplinary Development of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement." He emphasized that these disciplines are of great importance and hold significant potential. Their development should be understood from the height of constructing an autonomous knowledge system. Scholars, journals, universities, and research institutions in related fields should strengthen cooperation to form an academic community.
Professor Xu Xiaofeng, former Vice President of Harbin Normal University, delivered a keynote speech titled "Challenges, Response Strategies, and Inspirations for Ideological Work in Socialist Countries such as Vietnam, Cuba, and North Korea." He noted that against the backdrop of increasingly complex and concealed ideological struggles following the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe [4], countries like Vietnam, North Korea, and Cuba have persisted on the socialist path despite the dual pressures of Western ideological penetration and economic blockades. They have explored ideological work models suited to their own national conditions, accumulating valuable experience while also facing new challenges.
Professor Yu Weihai, Director of the Research Center for Foreign Marxist Parties at Central China Normal University, delivered a keynote speech titled "The Construction of the Discourse System of 21st-Century World Socialism." He pointed out that 21st-century world socialism is a vital growth point for the discipline. It provides a contextual reference and global soil for promoting the "Two Combinations." [5] It is necessary to employ a "Great View of History" [6] regarding world socialism to grasp the historical position of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, and to strengthen research on the basic theory of the 21st-century international communist movement and the construction of corresponding textbook systems.
Professor Zhao Ting, Deputy Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University, delivered a keynote speech titled "Reflections on the Construction of the Scientific Socialism Major and Personnel Cultivation." She introduced the basic situation of the scientific socialism major at Shandong University and, based on practical experience, proposed directions for optimizing the design of cultivation plans, improving students' competitiveness, and laying a solid foundation in basic theory, principles, and literature.
Associate Professor Wu Guofu of the School of Marxism at Sichuan University delivered a keynote speech titled "The Typological Developmental Trends and Influence of Contemporary Foreign Communist Parties." He introduced the current status of foreign communist parties as "differentiating as a whole, clustering in parts." He attributed this situation to factors such as expansive interpretations of Marxism, the summarization of lessons from international and domestic socialist movements, and responses to new changes in the global and domestic situations. This further highlights that "upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground" has become a new epochal task for the world socialist movement.
Researcher Wang Xiaoju of the CASS Institute of World History delivered a keynote speech titled "Classical Marxist-Leninist Authors and Russian Historical Research." She noted that classical Marxist-Leninist authors wrote numerous immortal works on Russian history, leaving behind highly valuable reflections. Contemporary Chinese historians of Russia should consciously take Marxism as their guiding ideology, deeply comprehend the paradigms and methods used by classical authors, and utilize their famous works more extensively in research and teaching.
Professor Hu Haibo of the Faculty of Marxism at Northeast Normal University delivered a keynote speech titled "Existing Problems and Possible Solutions in the Disciplinary Construction of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement in Universities." He called on universities and research institutes to explore maintaining disciplinary boundaries and independence, strengthening curriculum systems, augmenting teaching staff, and leveraging unique advantages to integrate disciplinary resources and expand disciplinary fronts.
Professor Tian Zhijian, Dean of the School of Marxism at Suzhou City University, delivered a keynote speech titled "The Value of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics to the Development of World Socialism." He emphasized the necessity of consciously employing a "Great View of History" to understand Socialism with Chinese Characteristics as part of the overall process and global pattern of world socialism. Developing vigorously during the "low ebb" of the world socialist movement, Socialism with Chinese Characteristics has opened a new horizon for the development of world socialism by demonstrating its own advantages and presenting a new vision for the socialist path.
Researcher Li Ruiqin of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS delivered a keynote speech titled "Reflections on the Activities and Characteristics of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation in Recent Years." She introduced recent measures by the CPRF, including name adjustments, the rehabilitation of Stalin’s reputation, and refuting Western stigmatization of Soviet history. She emphasized that the drastic changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe left painful, century-defining lessons of global proportions, and the damage to Russia's socialist forces continues to this day. The CPC should deeply absorb the lessons of the Soviet collapse and properly deal with risks and challenges on the road ahead.
Professor Wang Miao of the School of Marxism at the Central University of Finance and Economics delivered a keynote speech titled...
[She delivered] a keynote speech titled "The Theoretical Logic, Real-World Dilemmas, and the Chinese Solution Regarding Western Digital Socialist Trends of Thought." She pointed out that the critique of digital capitalism by Western left-wing scholars deviates from the basic principles of scientific socialism in terms of ownership, the subject of revolution, and the path of transformation, thus degenerating into a tool for the self-adjustment of capitalism. The digital exploration of socialism with Chinese characteristics adheres to the Marxist standpoint, viewpoints, and methods, providing a model for the development of scientific socialism in the digital era.
Deng Chao, an associate researcher at the Institute of World History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), delivered a keynote speech titled "Global History Research Methods and the Study of 'American Socialist Exceptionalism.'" He introduced the core connotations of global history research methods and their innovation regarding the research paradigm of "American socialist exceptionalism." He noted that combining cutting-edge research methods with the classic theoretical problems of the discipline of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement helps to expand research horizons, achieve new insights, and promote the development of the discipline as it upholds the fundamentals and breaks new ground.
Scholars from the Department of Foreign Marxism Studies and the Department of International Communist Movement Studies of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences—including Yu Bin, Pan Jin'e, Yuan Xiuli, Liu Haixia, Chen Airu, Zhou Miao, Wang Xuedong, Pan Xihua, He Qin, and Shan Chao—also delivered exchange speeches. They focused on topics such as the new changes in the current global landscape, the opportunities and challenges facing ruling parties in socialist states and Communist parties abroad, and the "academic growth points" in the study of the history of the international communist movement. These exchanges deepened the understanding of the theory and practice of world socialism and the disciplinary construction of world socialism and the international communist movement.
Luo Wendong, a researcher and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered the concluding remarks. He stated that this meeting was a high-level thematic symposium that achieved the goals of exchanging ideas and perspectives and expanding platforms for communication and cooperation. It laid a solid foundation for further building a joint disciplinary meeting mechanism and leveraging the systemic advantages of exchange and collaboration, marking a new starting point for the development of the discipline of World Socialism and the International Communist Movement. He encouraged the participating experts and scholars to strengthen their ideals and convictions, enhance their historical initiative [7], and leverage disciplinary advantages. He urged them to strive to overcome problems currently existing in the discipline’s development, such as weak influence, fragmentation, and decentralization. In doing so, they should reach a new realm of disciplinary development: "reaching the vast and great while exhausting the refined and subtle" [8], "understanding history while emphasizing reality," "connecting the domestic and the international to plan for the overall situation," and "seeking self-reliance while promoting cooperation."
(Contributed by Feng Mengqi of the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS; Photos by Wang Yi)