Yu Haiqing, Vice President of the Academy of Marxism, Leads a Delegation to Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy for Academic Exchanges
To strengthen exchange and cooperation with foreign Communist Parties and research institutions and to promote the international dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, a delegation led by Professor Yu Haiqing, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), conducted an academic visit to Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy from August 31 to September 9, 2025. The delegation members included research staff from the Institute of Marxism Studies: Zhang Jiangang, Jia Keqing, Peng Haihong, and Li Kaixuan.
On the afternoon of August 31, local time, the delegation held friendly exchanges in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Lotte Rørtoft-Madsen, Chairperson of the Communist Party (Denmark) [1], as well as National Committee members including Kaivon Kjems and Emil Boost from the International Department, Marc Sanganee, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Arbejderen (The Worker), and Rune Jørgensen. They listened to a detailed introduction by the Communist Party (Denmark) regarding its membership structure, developmental history, current status, and future vision. The two sides also engaged in seminars and in-depth discussions on theoretical and practical issues, such as the development of the basic tenets of Marxism by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the global significance of Chinese-path modernization, and the essence of socialism. (The delegation holds a symposium with members of the Communist Party (Denmark))
On September 1, the delegation exchanged views with Professor Kjeld Erik Brodsgaard and other experts and scholars at Copenhagen Business School. Vice President Yu Haiqing gave a brief introduction to Professor Brodsgaard on China's economic and social development since the start of the New Era. Professor Brodsgaard elaborated on his views regarding party politics and modernization from the perspectives of party-government models, immigration issues, and welfare systems. The two sides also held an in-depth and meticulous discussion on the building of the Party’s cadre ranks [2]. (The delegation holds a symposium with Professor Brodsgaard; staff from the Chinese Embassy in Denmark participate in the exchange)
On September 2, the delegation met in Geneva, Switzerland, with left-wing scholars including Stefano Araujo, a researcher at the University of Geneva; Ludovic Iberg, a researcher at the University of Lausanne; and Karim Lasseb, a PhD from the University of Lausanne. They exchanged views on how young Swiss intellectuals have perceived the path and experience of Chinese-path modernization in recent years and explored potential future cooperation. (The delegation holds a symposium with left-wing scholars from the University of Geneva and the University of Lausanne)
After returning to Bellinzona from Locarno on September 3 and the afternoon of September 4, the delegation met in Bellinzona with Massimiliano Ay, General Secretary of the Communist Party (Switzerland) [3], Deputy Secretary Alessandro Lucchini, and several members of the Central Committee—including Samuele Iembo, head of the International Department; Amos Speranza, Editor-in-Chief of Nuova Politica; Nil Malyguine, Editor-in-Chief of the Party’s left-wing website; Rudi Alves; and Adam Barbato-Shoufani, General Secretary of the Communist Youth Strategy. They exchanged views on the experience of Chinese-path modernization and the Communist Party (Switzerland)’s experience in achieving electoral breakthroughs. Ay stated that China is a major power and that the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has proven to be very important and effective; he noted that his party highly identifies with the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Ay also introduced the increasingly positive development of the Communist Party (Switzerland) and the main agenda for its Party Congress to be held in November 2025. By cooperating with other left-wing parties and participating in regional and municipal governance, the party's influence among the Swiss populace continues to rise. Vice President Yu Haiqing introduced the latest developments in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and pointed out two prominent strengths of the Swiss party: first, a youthful and energetic age structure among its members; and second, unified ideological understanding and high organizational solidarity. He noted these as important reasons for the party’s sustained growth in recent years. (The delegation holds a symposium with the General Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Central Committee members of the Communist Party (Switzerland))
On September 4, the delegation met in Locarno, Switzerland, with Davide Rossi and other founding members of the Institute of History and Contemporary Philosophical Thought. The two sides discussed the theoretical and practical achievements of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, as well as the latest trends and evolutionary trajectories of European left-wing thought. The delegation elaborated on the important role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in driving China's development and promoting reforms in global governance. The Swiss side briefly introduced the Institute’s contributions to Chinese-Swiss cultural and artistic exchanges in recent years and shared new perspectives of the European left on issues such as equality, sustainable development, and social justice. (The delegation holds a symposium with members of the Swiss Institute of History and Contemporary Philosophical Thought)
On September 5, the delegation met in Milan, Italy, with Professor Matteo Bolocan of the Polytechnic University of Milan and others to exchange views on how Italian left-wing scholars view the global significance of Chinese-path modernization. Vice President Yu Haiqing introduced the latest developments in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and offered refutations and clarifications regarding misunderstandings of Chinese-path modernization held by some European scholars. Professor Bolocan argued that Chinese-path modernization has broken the dependency on Western modernization paths. Through internal institutional optimization and the practice of peaceful development, it has provided a new non-aggressive and non-colonial development paradigm for Global South countries. He particularly affirmed China's efforts in areas such as infrastructure connectivity and South-South cooperation. He believes this development model, centered on sovereign equality, is of great significance for reforming the existing unjust global governance system. (The delegation holds a symposium with Professor Matteo Bolocan and others)
On September 6, the delegation met in Rome, Italy, with members of the National Executive Committee and Secretariat of the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), including Cinzia Della Porta and International Department Coordinator Pierpaolo Leopardi. The USB is an independent trade union that has developed rapidly in recent years outside of Italy’s three major confederations (CGIL, CISL, and UIL). It possesses strong mobilization power in organizing national strikes and demonstrations and holds considerable influence within the World Federation of Trade Unions. By strengthening ties with Italian unions, the delegation further deepened its exchange and cooperation with the European left. (The delegation holds a symposium with leaders of the Italian Unione Sindacale di Base)
On the same day, Vice President Yu Haiqing led the delegation in a symposium with Counselor Zou Jianjun and others from the Chinese Embassy in Italy. The two sides discussed how to strengthen political and cultural exchange and cooperation with Italy. Vice President Yu expressed gratitude for the strong support provided by the Italian Embassy for the Institute’s international academic activities over the past few years and introduced the purposes and gains of this European trip. Counselor Zou welcomed the delegation and pointed out that under the current "changes unseen in a century" [4], the left-wing political landscape and political culture in Europe have undergone significant changes, with challenges and opportunities coexisting. He expressed hope that scholars from the Institute of Marxism Studies would continue to play an active role in telling the story of the achievements, experiences, and global significance of the Chinese-path modernization and in promoting exchange and cooperation with European left-wing forces and academia.
On September 7, the delegation met in Rome with the Communist Refoundation Party (PRC), the Italian Communist Party (PCI), and the Communist Party (Italy) [PC] to exchange views on the experience of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the issue of unity within the Italian communist movement. The delegation introduced the practical achievements of Chinese-path modernization, emphasizing the institutional advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the principle of the people as masters of the country. The General Secretaries of the three Italian parties—Maurizio Acerbo, Mauro Alboresi, and Alberto Lombardo—attended the meeting. they expressed high alignment with the inspiring nature of the theory and practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. They stated that left-wing coordination should be strengthened on issues of labor rights, the anti-hegemonic struggle, and social equity to jointly respond to the challenge of the expansion of right-wing forces in Europe. (The delegation holds a symposium with the main leaders of three Italian Communist Parties and left-wing scholars)
During the meetings, Vice President Yu Haiqing also proposed specific measures for strengthening cooperation with various Communist Parties and left-wing forces, including the translation of works, the publication of articles, and participation in conferences, which received recognition and positive responses from the counterparts. On the same day, the delegation also exchanged views with scholars from the Association for the Study of Marxism in the 21st Century and the journal MarxVentuno. Both sides highly affirmed the fruits of their cooperation in recent years and preliminary drafted future directions and content for collaboration.
On September 8, the delegation met with the Gramsci Foundation (Fondazione Gramsci) in Rome. The Gramsci Foundation is one of Italy’s most important and influential cultural and political research institutions, possessing the world’s most complete and precious collection of Gramsci’s research documents and the historical archives of the Italian Communist Party. Rooted in Gramsci’s Marxist and socialist intellectual traditions, the Foundation is a major center for left-wing academic thought in Italy and globally, enjoying a high reputation in the international academic community. Five representatives of the Foundation’s Scientific Committee—Michele Di Donato (University of Rome III), Giancarlo Schirru (University of Naples L'Orientale), Gianluca Fiocco (University of Rome Tor Vergata), Gabriele Siracusano (University of Trento/Sapienza University of Rome), and Alessio Gagliardi (University of Bologna)—discussed with the delegation members how to further strengthen cooperation and deepen and expand the global influence of Gramsci studies. The delegation and the Foundation representatives exchanged views on the current status and developmental challenges of the European left and introduced the developmental achievements and global significance of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. (The delegation holds a symposium and takes a group photo with members of the Gramsci Foundation)
The visit of the Institute of Marxism Studies delegation to Communist Parties and left-wing organizations in Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy was both an exploration of the origins and dissemination of Marxist theory and a profound dialogue centered on the development and practice of contemporary socialism. Through these exchanges, we have gained a clearer understanding that the European left’s critique of the structural contradictions of capitalism and its pursuit of social equity and justice reflect the practical explanatory power and moral appeal of Marxism. Against the current backdrop of profound changes in the global governance system and the frequent crises of Western modernization models, China’s adherence to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its guide has opened up the road of Chinese-path modernization, achieving rapid economic development and long-term social stability, which demonstrates the international significance of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the future, we should participate more proactively in global dialogue, manifesting the power of truth in scientific socialism through critical engagement and mutual learning.