The 14th World Socialism Forum, hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was held in Beijing on Sept 9. The event brought together high-ranking representatives of communist parties, Marxist scholars, left-wing social activists, and diplomats from more than 30 countries, more than 60 in all, to engage in discussions about the global transformations taking place and the role of socialism in shaping the future.

With the theme “Current changes of the World, of Our Times and of History”, the forum delved into issues such as global power shifts, the changing political landscape, the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the challenges confronting Western capitalism.

In his keynote speech, Zhen Zhanmin, vice-president of CASS, highlighted the remarkable achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era are not only a highlight in China’s 5,000-year history, but also an important chapter in the history of human development. Socialism with Chinese characteristics has greatly enriched and expanded the theory and practice of scientific socialism, showing the world the strengths and vitality of the socialist system. It has also brought new energy and hope to the global socialist movement. He emphasized that China’s success in modernization has broken the myth that modernization equals Westernization, offering a new model of human development and providing developing countries with a fresh reference for their modernization.

Phouvong Ounkhamsaen, president of the Lao National Academy of Political and Public Administration, said after the collapse of the Soviet Union, reforms in socialist countries such as China and Vietnam have achieved great success. He added the achievements of the Communist Party of China in the past century, the continuous development of other socialist countries, and the exploration of the path of socialist development in the new century by the Western Communist Parties have proved that socialism has a strong life force.

José Luis Centella, president of Communist Party of Spain, said that China is deepening its reform policies to continue developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, adapting Marxist theory to China’s specific reality. In doing so, it is offering the world a path toward peacefully resolving international conflicts through negotiation, within the framework of the United Nations’ founding principles. The decisions of the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee and the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were of great importance, as they demonstrate China’s determination to advance toward a community with a shared future for all humanity.

Dr. Gyula Thurmer, president of the Hungarian Workers’ Party, said China has formulated principles of modernization that are different from Western ones – namely reform, innovation and sustainability. Behind socialism with Chinese characteristics lies the further development and enrichment of Marxism. Marxism is not a dogma; it can be further developed in accordance with national characteristics.

The importance of China’s model was reiterated by Roman Romanov, deputy director of the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who said that China’s successful experience in reform can inspire other countries to enhance innovation and find new drivers for development. “The inclusion of the concept of new quality productive forces in the resolution of the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee is a continuation of the CPC’s efforts to combine Marxist theory with Chinese practice,” he stressed.

Pham Van Duc, former vice-president of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, emphasized that the successes of socialist countries, especially China, have made socialism more globally recognized as a viable stable path for development. Today, the socialist path holds more promise than ever before.

Xin Xiangyang, president of the Academy of Marxism at CASS, highlighted the global significance of China’s modernization process, noting that China’s achievements are continuously enriching Marxism with new breakthroughs in the theory and practice of socialism. Chinese-style modernization, firmly rooted in Marxist principles, not only proves the scientific and truthful nature of Marxism but also promotes the great development of Marxism worldwide. As China progresses in its modernization efforts, the successful adaptation of Marxism to China’s unique context presents Marxism in a fresh and dynamic light on the international stage.

The forum, first held in 2004, has since become a key platform for dialogue between Chinese and international Marxist leaders and scholars. It plays a significant role in promoting China’s perspectives and sharing its experiences with the world.

Xie Yuqi and Lu Tianyue contributed to the story.