The 7th International Forum on the Communist Movement Successfully Held in Zunyi, Guizhou
On June 1, 2019, the 7th International Communist Movement Forum was held in Zunyi, Guizhou Province—the "Red Capital and City of Turning Points [1]." Jiang Hui, Member of the Leading Party Members’ Group of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Director of the Institute of Contemporary China, and Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies, attended the meeting, delivered remarks, and presented a keynote report. Fan Jianxin, Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, presided over the opening ceremony.
Other attendees who delivered remarks included Yan Shizhong, Inspector of the Propaganda Department of the Guizhou Provincial Party Committee; Chen Daijun, Deputy Secretary of the Zunyi Municipal Party Committee; Wu Dahua, President of the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences; and Wang Dazhong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Zunyi Normal University.
The forum was jointly organized by the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences, and Zunyi Normal University. It was hosted by the Department of International Communist Movement Studies of the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, the Institute of Party Building (Institute of Marxism) of the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences, and the Research Center for the Revolutionary Spirit and Cultural Resources of the Communist Party of China at Zunyi Normal University. Support was provided by the Social Sciences Academic Press, and the editorial departments of Marxism Studies and Guizhou Social Sciences.
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the forum focused on the theme "70 Years of the New China and Research on the International Communist Movement." Participants comprehensively reviewed the historical trajectory of the 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), and held in-depth discussions on the major contributions of these 70 years to the development of scientific socialism. They further explored the profound significance of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era for world socialism, as well as the new characteristics, patterns, and trends in the development of 21st-century world socialism.
In his keynote report, Jiang Hui pointed out that the 70 years of the New China have successfully answered the historical question of "what is socialism and how to build and develop it." China has become the leading banner and the mainstay for the development of world socialism in the 21st century. Through its unique institutional strengths, 21st-century China has fully demonstrated the superiority of the socialist system. Jiang noted that 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, the 100th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement [2], and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist International (Comintern). These are all major milestones in the history of the international communist movement. Holding the "International Communist Forum" at such a significant juncture and on the "red soil" of Zunyi carries special significance for the movement to "pack its bags and set out anew [3]" to usher in a new phase of development. Jiang argued that the 21st century is the century of the revitalization of world socialism. Through eloquent facts, the new developments of world socialism in the 21st century have shattered the arrogant claims that "capitalism has reunified the world" following the dramatic changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe [4]. They have crushed the "peaceful evolution [5]" plots long pursued by capitalist strategists to "win without fighting," debunked the myth of the so-called "end of history," and provided continuous, powerful verification across the globe of the historical law that socialism must inevitably replace capitalism, thereby restoring and boosting the power of Marxist truth.
Yan Shizhong stated in his remarks that Marxism provided a powerful impetus for China's revolution, construction, and reform, enabling China to create unprecedented development in human history. It has guided China toward the "broad road" of comprehensively building a great modern socialist country. As loyal believers in Marxism, Chinese Communists are making persistent efforts to uphold and develop it, and this forum serves as a platform for those dedicated efforts.
Chen Daijun noted that as firm believers in Marxism and supporters of the banner of communism, we must always maintain Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guide. We must strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses [6]," bolster the "Four Confidences [7]," and uphold the "Two Upholds" to struggle for the continuous promotion of the Party's theoretical innovation and the eternal preservation of its youthful vitality.
Wu Dahua remarked that hosting this forum is a vivid manifestation of Marxist researchers "remaining true to our original aspiration and packing our bags to set out anew." This forum represents a significant achievement in the cooperation between CASS and the People's Government of Guizhou Province, as well as between CASS and the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences. It is also one of the activities celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the New China.
Wang Dazhong pointed out that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has further developed scientific socialism and deepened our understanding of the laws of the Communist Party's governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the development of human society. It holds an extremely important historical position in the development of Marxism. Today, discussing the trends of the international communist movement in the context of the PRC's 70th anniversary serves to develop Marxism and the Marxism of contemporary China, mobilizing the wisdom and courage for the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
During the keynote reporting session, experts presented on topics including: "The Relationship between the Comintern and the Chinese Revolution from the Perspective of the Sinicization of Marxism"; "How to View the Current Status and Trends of World Socialism"; "The Tortuous Development of Relations between the CPC and Latin American Communist Parties over the 70 Years of the New China"; and "Resources of World History Theory for Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity."
In the plenary session, experts discussed: "Trends in the Party Governance of the CPC in the New Era"; "Significance and Lessons of the New China’s 70-Year Exploration for the Modernization of Developing Countries"; "The China-US Trade War within the Process of the International Communist Movement"; "The 30 Years since the Changes in Eastern Europe: Reconstruction and Wasted Years"; and "The Latest Developments of the Communist Movement in Nepal."
During the breakout sessions, experts focused on three main topics: "New Dynamics in World Socialism and the Development of Foreign Communist Parties"; "The Centenary of the May Fourth Movement and the Comintern and their Influence on China"; and "70 Years of the New China: Experience and Achievements."
The forum also saw the release of the "Report on the Development of the International Communist Movement (2018-2019)" Yellow Book. This is the first volume in the "Yellow Book" series concerning the international communist movement published by the Social Sciences Academic Press. Edited by Jiang Hui and Pan Jin’e, it comprises five sections: Genral Report, Theoretical Focus, Reform and Development, Ideological Trends and Movements, and Data and Materials.
The Yellow Book concludes that against the backdrop of great development, transformation, and adjustment in the international landscape, 2018 saw the international communist movement resonate through various interactions between history and reality, theory and practice, and China and the world. On the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth and the 170th anniversary of the Communist Manifesto, commemorative events worldwide reaffirmed Marx’s genius and the contemporary relevance of Marxism. China’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of Reform and Opening-up proved the scientific and practical nature of Marxism through the achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It demonstrated that combining the theory of scientific socialism with a country's specific realities is a successful path. The success of socialism with Chinese characteristics has highlighted the superiority of the socialist system and boosted confidence in world socialism.
The book reflects the annual development of the discipline through primary sources and a comprehensive perspective. The forum aims to promote the development of the discipline of international communist movement studies through the publication of the Yellow Book, while providing readers with a window for a profound understanding of the contemporary world and contemporary China.
In her concluding remarks, Researcher Pan Jin’e, Deputy Director of the Department of International Communist Movement Studies at the CASS Institute of Marxism Studies, summarized that the participating scholars, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, analyzed the trajectory of the PRC and its contributions to world socialism. Their discussions provide strong theoretical support for China to better maintain the "Four Confidences," comprehensively achieve a moderately prosperous society, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
More than 100 experts and representatives from CASS, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), Renmin University of China, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Shandong University, and other institutions attended the forum.