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 members of left-wing parties, left-wing scholars, and figures from the educational sectors of 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 research and left-wing socialist movements in Turkey. Director Xin Xiangyang addressed questions of interest to the hosts regarding the Belt and Road Initiative [1], the "new development paradigm" [2], and evaluations of historical figures such as Mao Zedong and Sun Yat-sen.
On the morning of the 15th, the delegation met with Mr. Perinçek, leader of the Patriotic Party of Turkey, and others at the party’s headquarters. Mr. Perinçek introduced the current status and political program of the Patriotic Party, speaking highly of the achievements in building 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 engaged in discussions with the delegation on theoretical and practical issues regarding socialism. In accordance with the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress [3], Director Xin Xiangyang provided detailed elaborations on the relevant issues.
On the afternoon of the 15th, the delegation visited the editorial office of the Belt and Road Quarterly. The Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Firket Akfirat, introduced the journal’s mission, funding sources, publishing status, selection of topics, major articles, and future development plans. Director Xin Xiangyang communicated with Mr. Firket Akfirat regarding exchanges 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 Finance Minister of Greece, founder of MeRA25 (the European Realistic Disobedience Front), and economist at the University of Athens. The two sides conducted an in-depth discussion on Professor Varoufakis's 2023 book, Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism. Director Xin Xiangyang introduced to Varoufakis China’s major measures for regulating and guiding 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 engaged in discussions and consultations with President Christina Koulouri, Vice-Rector Christos Papatheodorou, and Marianna Psylla, Deputy Director of International Cooperation, regarding higher education in China and Greece, as well as 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 prominent European left-wing think tank. They held exchanges with Director Costas Douzinas, former Director (and former Minister of Education and Culture) Aristides Baltas, Head of International Relations (and advisor to the Party of the European Left think tank) Danai Koltsida, and researcher Michalis Spourdalakis. Their discussions covered 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 left-wing political parties in Greece, and potential cooperation in research on Marxist theories 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 the China Story Effectively Based on the 'Two Combinations'" [4].
During this visit, the delegation from the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences engaged in profound exchanges with left-wing party figures, scholars, and educators in Turkey and Greece. These interactions enhanced mutual understanding and created favorable conditions for better cooperation in the future.