The 9th International Forum on Socialism (2022) Successfully Convened
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 Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, was held concurrently in Hanoi and Beijing via video conference. The theme of the forum was "The Development Model of Socialism under New Era Conditions: Theory and Practice." More than ten experts and scholars from China, Vietnam, and Laos conducted in-depth discussions surrounding three topics: "Theoretical Issues of the Socialist Development Model," "Practical Issues of the Socialist Development Model," and "The Socialist Development Model from an International Perspective."
In the opening ceremony remarks, Dang Xuan Thanh, Vice President of VASS—the organizing institution of this forum—pointed out that the socialist development model is the core content of socialist construction. This reflects the basic principles of scientific socialism while simultaneously taking into account the specific national conditions of each country. 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 theory on socialism, socialist countries also need to continuously explore and create new methods and measures that conform to the specific historical conditions of each country to promote the success of socialism, ensuring the universality of the socialist path 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 distinct characteristics through the independent exploration of the laws governing 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 the construction of their institutional systems, opening a new historical stage of concentrating forces to build socialism suited to their own national conditions. Within the overall global landscape of "strong capitalism and weak socialism" [1], the development of socialist countries will still face a highly complex international environment, risks, challenges, and political pressure. Strengthening the exchange and mutual learning of development models and experiences among socialist countries helps them enhance strategic confidence and optimize strategic foresight, thereby more firmly advancing the process of socialist modernization aimed at national prosperity and people's happiness.
Khamlaied Keobounphanh, Vice President of the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, pointed out in her speech that in the face of the challenges of globalization and a complex international situation, Laos, which is in the transitional stage to socialism, must follow the socialist path and promote sustainable and green economic and social development. Laos should strengthen the exchange and synthesis of theoretical research and practical experience with other 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 titled "New Understandings of the Vietnam 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's reality. From the perspective of the target system, the general goal of the Vietnamese socialist model is a rich people, a strong country, democracy, justice, and civilization. To achieve this goal, specific measures taken by Vietnam include developing a knowledge economy, promoting national industrialization and modernization, developing a socialist-oriented market economy, building an advanced culture rich in national identity, building the people, improving people's living standards, and achieving social progress and justice; firmly guaranteeing national defense, security, and social order; pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of external relations, peace, friendship, cooperative development, and proactive international integration; and building socialist democratic politics while leveraging 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 refining the conceptualization of the Vietnamese socialist model is not only a clear, correct, and complete definition of goals but also the foundation for determining methods and measures to firmly implement these goals.
Researcher Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, pointed out in his keynote presentation "The Scientific Connotation and Realistic Significance of the Basic Principles of Scientific Socialism" that these basic principles are the deep 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 in 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 in the primary stage of socialism and distribution according to need in the advanced stage; transforming and utilizing nature in accordance with natural laws; realizing the free and comprehensive development of every individual; ensuring the proletarian party maintains its own advancement, purity, and morality; reaching a very high level of civilization in the future society; achieving common prosperity for the whole society; and maintaining a powerful proletarian state power. To uphold the basic principles of scientific socialism, the Communist Party of China must be built to be increasingly powerful. We must continually deepen our understanding of these basic principles on the basis of adhering to them, and constantly enrich and develop them.
Dr. Khanpheng Thipmuntali, Director of the Social Research Institute of the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences, pointed out in his presentation "On Some Theoretical Issues Needing Re-recognition and Transcendence in the Theory of Socialist Development Models" that to achieve the goals of social transformation and building a beautiful new society, every governing party must establish a theoretical foundation that meets three basic requirements: 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 [2], the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has formulated specific goals and guidelines for economic, cultural, and social development, as well as security defense, diplomacy, the political system, and Party building, which are consistent with the practice of various stages and have been consolidated and supplemented in successive Party Congresses.
Associate Professor Luong Dinh Hai of the Institute of Anthropology at VASS mentioned in his speech titled "Current Theory and Practice of Vietnamese Socialism: Models and Characteristics" that socialism must always use a spirit of critique and innovation to selectively absorb and supplement the latest achievements of thought and science. This allows socialism and its doctrines to maintain eternal vitality, continuously add new energy, and remain full of the flavor of the times, ensuring they do not become rigid, stagnant, or fall behind practice.
Researcher Gong Yun, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, pointed out in his keynote speech "Attaching Great Importance to Developing 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, to Chinese farmers' adherence to the socialist path, and to 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, such as strengthening the Party's comprehensive leadership over the development of the rural collective economy, developing it with a spirit of reform and innovation, giving play to the subjective role of primary-level Party organizations in the countryside, and cultivating a large workforce for its development. We should place importance on the development of the rural collective economy from the height of adhering to the socialist path and farmer common prosperity, promoting the "second leap" [3] of socialist agriculture and ensuring rural revitalization is achieved as scheduled.
Professor Lin Jianhua, Vice President of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, pointed out in his keynote presentation "The Scientific Judgment and Evolutionary Logic of Contemporary China's Historical Orientation and Development Stage" that the CPC, from different dimensions, has made major judgments on historical orientation and development stages—namely, 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 stages, and of quantitative and qualitative change in contemporary China's social development, pushing contemporary China's development forward according to laws with a great spirit of historical initiative. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, our Party still emphasizes that our country is in and will long remain in the primary stage of socialism, while also making the major judgment that "socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era." The important basis for this is that the principal contradiction in our society has transformed 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 need for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development.
Associate Professor Nguyen Ngoc Ha of the Institute of Philosophy at VASS noted in the presentation titled "New Understandings 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 includes new content compared to the period before 1986 [4].
Khammanh Siphanxay, Executive Director of the Institute of History and Archaeology at LAESS, argued in the presentation "Achievements and Challenges in the Process of Laos's Practice of the Socialist Development Model" 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 their respective socialist models and contribute to maintaining regional and world peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
Pan Jine, Director of the International Communist Movement Research Department at the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, pointed out in her presentation "New Developments in World Socialism and the International Communist Movement in 2021-2022" that the dynamics of these movements in 2021 consisted of several major events: first, the centenary of the CPC, where the brilliant achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics won the appreciation of countries worldwide; second, the four overseas socialist countries [5] successively held new Party Congresses, actively fought the pandemic, and promoted economic and social development; third, non-governing Communist Parties insisted on struggles both inside and outside parliaments, making adaptive adjustments to seek space for survival and development. Meanwhile, Communist Parties and Marxist scholars around the world reviewed the historical experiences and lessons of the Paris Commune and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, revisiting the revolutionary thoughts of early revolutionaries of the international communist movement to learn from history and meet realistic challenges. In 2022, the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic combined with the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war increased the risk of imperialism launching wars. The international communist movement faces new shocks, but the magnificent centenary history of the CPC will inspire Communist Parties worldwide to remain firm in their direction and continue toward a glorious future.
Dr. Dao Thi Minh Thao, Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy at VASS, summarized the overall changes in six aspects of Vietnam's national construction in her presentation "Vietnam after 35 Years of Socialist-Oriented Doi Moi": implementing national industrialization and modernization, developing a socialist-oriented market economy, cultural and human development, implementing 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 35 years of Doi Moi, the characteristics of the Vietnamese socialist model have become more distinct. Some deficiencies remain, such as the gap between rich and poor, relatively slow industrialization and modernization, and corruption and waste. In the process of building socialism, Vietnam must continue to study, synthesize, and learn from the experiences and lessons of various countries and strengthen exchanges.
Dr. Đào Thị Minh Thảo, Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), delivered a presentation.
He Qin, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), noted in his presentation titled "New Progress in the Updating of the Cuban Socialist Model in Light of the 8th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC)" that since the 6th Congress of the 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 oriented 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; the Congress also reflected upon and criticized the overall lag in the updating process. Under the dual trials of the blockade [6] and the pandemic, the Cuban people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, have continuously deepened the updating of the economic model through measures such as monetary consolidation, reform of state-owned enterprises, and the promotion of small, medium, and micro-enterprises. They have strengthened the guarantee of people’s livelihoods and pandemic prevention while actively expanding diversified diplomacy and international cooperation.
Phonxay Khambounheuang, Executive Director of the Institute of Political Science at the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences (LASES), stated in his presentation "On the Relationship Between Socialist Development Models in Various Countries: Current Development Realities in Laos" 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. It will also continue to comprehensively deepen relations with North Korea and Cuba, enhancing the role and status of socialism in the current complex world situation where contradictions are increasingly prominent.
Nguyễn Thị Thắm, Director of the Center for Korean and North Korean Studies at the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), argued in her presentation "Innovation in North Korea's Socialist Economic Management System" that North Korea has applied new economic management mechanisms to adjust the role of the state in the centralized planned economy. These mechanisms 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 the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), pointed out in his presentation "The Evolution and New Development of the Guiding Ideology of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK)" that Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism [7] is the sole guiding ideology of the WPK. Kim Jong Un has further developed Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, answering the question of "how to build North Korean-style socialism." The most important point is summarizing its essence as "people-masses-first-ism" [8]—a political concept that views the masses as the masters of the revolution and construction, relying on the masses and serving the people selflessly. In the report to the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea held in 2021, Kim Jong Un clearly pointed out that North Korea has entered a "new era of development," namely the era of "our-state-first-ism." He believed that the victories achieved through tenacious struggle in the five years since the 7th Congress of the WPK possessed a certain characteristic: they inaugurated 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 sessions were chaired respectively by Professor Pan Jin’e, Director of the Department of International Communist Movement Studies at the Institute of Marxism Studies (CASS); Professor Phạm Văn Đức, former Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; and Khanlasy Keobounphanh, Vice President of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences. Đặng Xuân 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 conference. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences will host the 10th International Forum on Socialism in 2023.