The Fifth International Forum on Socialism Held in Vientiane, Laos, on November 22–23

On November 22–23, 2017, the Fifth International Forum on Socialism was held in Vientiane, Laos. This forum was funded by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ “Social Sciences Forum,” co-hosted by the Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, and the Lao Academy of Social Sciences, and organized by the Lao Academy of Social Sciences. The theme of the forum was “Marxism and Socialist Construction.” More than 120 experts and scholars from China, Laos, and Vietnam, as well as public officials from the Lao Party and government departments, participated in the forum. The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Laos, María de la Concepción Muñoz Prieto, and the Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Laos, Ri Chang-gun, attended the meeting.

2017年11月22日-23日，第五届社会主义国际论坛在老挝万象举行。本届论坛受中国社会科学院“社科论坛”资助，由中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院、越南社会科学翰林院、老挝社会科学院共同主办，由老挝社会科学院承办，论坛的主题为“马克思主义与社会主义建设”。来自中国、老挝、越南的专家学者以及老挝党和国家政府部门公职人员共120多人参加了本届论坛。古巴共和国驻老挝大使玛利亚•德拉孔塞晋西翁•穆纽兹•普利耶多、朝鲜民主主义人民共和国驻老挝大使李常根出席会议。

Right (first): Ri Chang-gun, Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Laos;

右（一）朝鲜民主主义人民共和国驻老挝大使李常根；

Right (second): Fan Jianxin, Researcher and Vice President of the Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences;

右（二）中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院副院长樊建新研究员；

Right (third): Professor Soukongseng Saignaleuth, President of the Lao Academy of Social Sciences;

右（三）老挝社会科学院院长苏孔森•赛雅烈教授；

Right (fourth): Professor Phạm Văn Đức, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences;

右（四）越南社会科学翰林院副院长范文德教授；

Right (fifth): María de la Concepción Muñoz Prieto, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Laos.

右（五）古巴共和国驻老挝大使玛利亚•德拉孔塞晋西翁•穆纽兹•普利耶多

At the opening ceremony, Professor Soukongseng Saignaleuth, President of the Lao Academy of Social Sciences, delivered a warm address. He pointed out that socialism is a great achievement of Marxism. Marxism possesses grand ideas and scientific concepts; although each country has a different historical background, every country can creatively apply Marxism to build its own socialism. This year marks the centenary of the victory of the October Revolution. Since the victory of the October Revolution in 1917 and the establishment of the first socialist state, the socialist system has undergone arduous tests. Despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe [1]1 The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the collapse of communist governments in Eastern Europe (1989–1991) are referred to in Chinese Marxist discourse as the “drastic changes in Eastern Europe” (东欧剧变) and the “dissolution of the Soviet Union” (苏联解体), often cited as setbacks for world socialism., countries that adhere to the ideal goal of socialism have gained new development after enduring difficult trials. The great achievements of the reform and opening up of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the results of socialist renovation experiments in Vietnam and Laos, and the socialist construction in Cuba and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea all prove the basic principles and vitality of Marxism-Leninism and inspire the development of socialist countries. The theme of this forum is “Marxism and Socialist Construction,” a theme of profound significance for communist parties. In the era of globalization, there are both opportunities and challenges. While seeing the development of socialist countries in the world and certain achievements in defending the socialist system, we should also recognize that imperialist countries are constantly resisting, obstructing, and undermining the development of socialist countries. For this reason, we, the socialist countries governed by communist parties, must not only strengthen and improve Party building within our own countries but also strengthen and consolidate unity among socialist countries, cooperate sincerely, and jointly promote the development of socialism.

在开幕式上，老挝社会科学院院长苏孔森•赛雅烈教授发表了热情洋溢的致辞。他指出，社会主义是马克思主义的伟大成就。马克思主义具有宏伟的思想和科学的观念，虽然各国都有不同的历史背景，但是各国都能创造性地运用马克思主义来建设本国的社会主义。今年是纪念十月革命胜利一百周年，自1917年十月革命胜利、第一个社会主义国家以来，社会主义制度经历了艰苦的考验。尽管苏联解体，东欧剧变，但坚持社会主义理想目标的国家，在历经艰苦波折的考验后，获得了新的发展。中国特色社会主义改革开放的伟大成就，越南、老挝社会主义革新试验的成果，以及古巴、朝鲜的社会主义建设，都证明了马克思列宁主义的基本原则和生命力，鼓舞了社会主义国家的发展。本次论坛的主题是“马克思主义与社会主义建设”，这是一个对共产主义政党具有深刻意义的主题。在全球化时代，既有机遇又有挑战。在看到社会主义国家在世界上得到发展，为了捍卫社会主义制度取得一定成就的同时，也应看到帝国主义国家仍在时刻抵制、阻碍、破坏社会主义国家的发展。为此，我们共产党执政的社会主义国家，不仅要加强和完善党的自身建设，也要加强和巩固社会主义国家之间的团结，精诚合作，共同促进社会主义的发展。

Fan Jianxin, Researcher and Vice President of the Academy of Marxism, delivered a speech and addressed the forum.

马克思主义研究院副院长樊建新研究员致辞并发言

In his address, Fan Jianxin, Researcher and Vice President of the Academy of Marxism, first affirmed the significance of holding this forum. He stated that since the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Lao Academy of Social Sciences, and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences successfully held the first International Forum on Socialism in Beijing in 2013, the International Forum on Socialism has been successfully held four times, receiving widespread praise from scholars of the five socialist countries of the world—China, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea—as well as from the international community. Holding the “Fifth International Forum on Socialism,” in addition to consolidating existing achievements, will help us more comprehensively understand the development of the world socialist movement, more scientifically grasp the trends of world socialism, and thereby provide reference and inspiration for each socialist country.

马克思主义研究院副院长樊建新研究员在致辞中首先肯定了本次论坛举办的意义。他说，自2013年中国社会科学院、老挝社会科学院、越南社会科学翰林院在北京成功举办首届社会主义国际论坛以来，社会主义国际论坛已经成功举办过四届，受到包括中国、老挝、越南、古巴、朝鲜五个世界社会主义国家学者及国际社会的广泛好评。举办“第五届社会主义国际论坛”，除了巩固已有的成果，将有助于我们更加全面地了解世界社会主义运动的发展状况，更加科学地把握世界社会主义的发展趋势，进而为各个社会主义国家提供借鉴和启示。

In connection with the theme of this forum, Fan Jianxin offered several opinions: First, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are all socialist countries, all guided by Marxism, with similar ideals and convictions, similar development paths, and interconnected futures and destinies. This is an important political foundation for the development of relations among the five countries and also provides a broad stage for deepening inter-party exchanges, promoting mutual learning, and strengthening exchanges of experience in governing the Party and the state. Second, the Belt and Road Initiative is not only China’s initiative but also a common aspiration of China and the countries along the route. Everyone should take into account the legitimate concerns of other countries while pursuing their own national interests, and promote common development among all countries while seeking their own development. We should take the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity, adhere to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and connectivity, and build a community with a shared future for socialist countries. Third, under the current new international political and economic landscape, accurately grasping the basic characteristics, development laws, and development prospects of the world socialist movement requires the joint efforts and active promotion of experts and scholars from all countries. As the backbone of the world socialist movement today, we should join hands to conduct in-depth research on the basic conditions, renovation practices, development dynamics, and development trends of communist parties and other left-wing forces in various countries under globalization, as well as the new historical changes in contemporary capitalism, and jointly promote the revival of the world socialist movement.

结合本届论坛主题，樊建新谈了几点意见：一是中国、越南、老挝、古巴、朝鲜同为社会主义国家，都以马克思主义为指导，理想信念相通，发展道路相近，前途命运相关，这是五国关系发展的重要政治根基，也为深化五国的党际交流、促进互学互鉴、加强治党治国经验交流提供了广阔的舞台。二是“一带一路”不仅是中国的倡议，更是中国与沿线国家的共同愿望。大家要在追求本国利益时兼顾他国合理关切，在谋求本国发展中促进各国共同发展，要以“一带一路”为契机，坚持互利共赢和互联互通，打造社会主义命运共同体。三是在当前国际新的政治经济格局下，准确把握世界社会主义运动的基本特点、发展规律以及发展前景，需要各国专家学者的共同努力和积极推进。作为当今世界社会主义运动的中坚力量，我们应该携起手来，深入研究全球化背景下各国共产党和其他左翼的基本状况、革新实践、发展动态和发展趋势，以及当代资本主义的历史新变化，共同推动世界社会主义运动的复兴。

Professor Phạm Văn Đức, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, expressed congratulations on the convening of the forum. He said that socialist countries currently face some common issues in their practical development, such as democratic construction, the construction of a socialist law-based state, corruption, political stability, and social unity. To solve these problems, it is necessary to ensure the guiding position of Marxism and to give play to the guiding role of Marxism in socialist construction and in promoting clean governance.

越南社会科学翰林院副院长范文德教授对论坛的召开表示祝贺。他说，当前社会主义国家在现实中发展中面临一些共性的问题，例如民主建设、社会主义法治国家建设、腐败问题、政治稳定、社会团结等，要解决这些问题，必须确保马克思主义的指导地位，必须发挥马克思主义在社会主义建设和促进廉政建设方面的指导作用。

María de la Concepción Muñoz Prieto, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Laos, shared several views on Marxism and its contribution to the Cuban revolution, based on the process of the Cuban revolution. She said that Marxism-Leninism is the guiding ideology of revolutionary people worldwide. Marx’s theory has never been a predetermined plan but a method, an interpretation, a science. Therefore, we must seriously study and widely disseminate Marxism; this is of fundamental, decisive, and vital significance for the revival of the world socialist movement. She stated that dialectical materialism and historical materialism are the worldview and methodology of revolutionaries. The Cuban revolution proves this. In a world characterized by imperialist domination and hegemony, our leader Fidel Castro not only absorbed the ideological legacy of Marxism-Leninism but also put it into practice. Over a long period, leading a blockaded country to overcome countless obstacles, he consolidated the achievements of the socialist revolution. In leading the process of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro’s propositions on objective and subjective conditions, revolutionary theory and revolutionary movement, leadership and the revolutionary vanguard, and armed struggle as a means enriched and developed Marxism-Leninism.

古巴共和国驻老挝大使玛利亚•德拉孔塞晋西翁•穆纽兹•普利耶多结合古巴革命进程，谈了对马克思主义及其对古巴革命贡献的几点看法。她说，马克思列宁主义是全世界革命人民的指导思想。马克思的理论从来不是一个既定方案，而是一种方法、一种诠释、一门科学。因此，我们要认真学习和广泛传播马克思主义，对于世界社会主义运动的复兴来说，具有根本的、决定性的、至关重要的意义。她说，辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义是革命者的世界观和方法论。古巴革命证明了这一点。在一个以帝国主义统治和霸权为特征的世界中，我们的领导人菲德尔•卡斯特罗不仅吸收了马克思列宁主义的思想遗产，而且将其付诸于实践。在一个漫长的时间里，领导一个被封锁的国家克服了无数障碍，巩固了社会主义革命成果。在领导古巴革命进程中，菲德尔•卡斯特罗提出的客观和主观条件、革命理论和革命运动、领导与革命先锋队、作为一种手段的武装斗争等内容，丰富和发展了马克思列宁主义。

Group photo of participating Chinese and foreign experts and scholars.

参会中外专家学者合影

Group photo of participating Chinese scholars and experts.

中方参会学者专家合影

In four sessions of presentations, 19 experts and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Renmin University of China, Dalian University of Technology, Xiamen University, Guangxi Normal University, Guizhou University, Yunnan Agricultural University, Guizhou Normal University, Central China Normal University, the Lao Academy of Social Sciences, and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences delivered speeches on four topics: the role of Marxism in building a safe and democratic state for the people; the guiding role of Marxism in developing the political system and promoting unity; the role and current status of Marxism in cultivating social and cultural values and promoting the development of human resources; and the application of Marxism in the socialist economic development of various countries. In the discussion sessions, experts and scholars from the three countries conducted in-depth, extensive, and candid exchanges and discussions on the above four topics.

在四个单元的发言中，来自中国社会科学院、中国人民大学、大连理工大学、厦门大学、广西师范大学、贵州大学、云南农业大学、贵州师范大学、华中师范大学、老挝社会科学院、越南社会科学翰林院的19位专家学者围绕马克思主义在为人民建设一个安全民主的国家中的作用、马克思主义在发展政治制度和促进团结中的指导作用、马克思主义在培育社会文化价值观和促进人才资源发展方面的作用及现状、马克思主义在各国社会主义经济发展中的应用等四个议题作了发言。在讨论环节，三国专家学者们又对上述四个议题进行了深入、广泛、坦诚的交流和讨论。

The meeting decided that the Sixth International Forum on Socialism will be held in Vietnam in 2018, with the theme “Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Marx.”

会议决定，第六届社会主义国际论坛将于2018年在越南举行，主题为“纪念马克思诞辰200周年”。

(Contributed by Pan Xihua, Photographed by Qi Jianguo)

（潘西华 供稿 齐建国 摄影）