Chen Zhigang, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Vice President of the Academy of Marxism, Leads a Delegation to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Portugal for Academic Exchange

To deepen research on the history of the development of Marxism and strengthen cooperation with foreign communist parties and research institutions, as well as to promote the Party’s innovative theories in the New Era, from July 15 to July 24, 2025, a delegation led by Chen Zhigang, Researcher and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Vice President of the Academy of Marxism at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, visited the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Portugal for academic exchange. The delegation members included Associate Researchers Liu Yan, Zhuo Mingliang, and Fang Tao, as well as Editor Han Dongjun, all from the Academy of Marxism at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

为深化研究马克思主义发展史和加强同国外共产党、研究机构的合作，宣传新时代党的创新理论，2025年7月15日至7月24日，中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院纪委书记、副院长陈志刚研究员率团出访英国、爱尔兰、葡萄牙，开展学术交流。团组成员包括中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院副研究员刘燕、禚明亮、方涛和编辑韩冬筠。

On the afternoon of July 15 local time, at the Marx Memorial Library in London, UK, the delegation held discussions and exchanges with scholars and China-friendly individuals from the British website “Socialist China Friends” and the Communist Party of Britain, focusing on topics such as the development of the fundamental principles of Marxism by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the global significance of Chinese-path modernization, and theoretical innovation in Marxism.

当地时间7月15日下午，团组在英国伦敦的马克思纪念图书馆，与英国“社会主义中国之友”网站、英国共产党等相关学者、友华人士，围绕习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想对马克思主义基本原理的发展、中国式现代化的世界意义、马克思主义的理论创新等问题进行研讨交流。

(The delegation holds a discussion and group photo with individuals from “Socialist China Friends” and others in the UK)

（团组同英国“社会主义中国之友”等人士座谈并合影）

After the discussion, the delegation conducted research at the Marx Memorial Library. Established in the 1930s, the Marx Memorial Library promotes Marxism through book collections and lectures. The first floor is a meeting room; the second floor houses publications of Marx and Engels from various countries, works on Marxist studies, and periodicals on the workers’ movement. It also features a “Lenin Room” where Lenin edited the newspaper *Iskra*. The underground archives store a large number of newspaper and periodical materials.

座谈会后，团组调研了马克思纪念图书馆。马克思纪念图书馆设立于20世纪30年代，以收藏图书、组织讲座等方式宣传马克思主义。图书馆一层是会议室，二层存放着各国出版的马克思恩格斯著作、研究马克思主义的著作、工人运动期刊等，设有列宁编辑《火星报》的“列宁室”，地下档案馆存放着大量报刊资料。

(The delegation conducts research at the Marx Memorial Library)

（团组调研马克思纪念图书馆）

On July 16, the delegation visited the University of Cambridge and held discussions with David Lane, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Cambridge and Emeritus Fellow of Emmanuel College. David Lane analyzed the policy changes of the Trump administration and elaborated on the reasons for the decline of world socialism and the difficulties in the transformation of socialist parties.

7月16日，团组到访剑桥大学，同剑桥大学社会学系荣休教授、伊曼纽尔学院荣休研究员大卫·莱恩（David Lane）研讨交流。大卫·莱恩分析了特朗普政府的政策变化，阐述了世界社会主义衰退的原因和社会主义政党的转型困境。

(The delegation holds discussions and exchanges with Professor David Lane at the University of Cambridge)

（团组同剑桥大学大卫·莱恩教授交流研讨）

On July 17, the delegation visited the Manchester branch of the Communist Party of Britain and the Northwest Regional Trade Union Office in Manchester, UK, and conducted research at Chetham’s Library. Chetham’s Library, established in 1653, was where Marx and Engels once collected and read documents. At the Manchester Working Class Movement Library, the delegation held discussions with Jack Youd, Deputy Mayor of Salford City in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority; Jenny Clegg, former Vice Chair of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding; and regional organizers of the Communist Party of Britain, as well as representatives from the Northwest Regional Trade Union and publishing companies. The discussions focused on Chinese-path modernization, the Communist Party of Britain, and trade union organizational construction. Deputy Mayor Jack Youd warmly welcomed Chen Zhigang and the delegation, introducing the basic situation of Salford City and its cooperation progress with Yangzhou City. Chen Zhigang introduced the major theoretical innovations in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times since the New Era.

7月17日，团组赴英国曼彻斯特市访问了英国共产党曼彻斯特支部、西北地区工会办事处，在切特姆图书馆进行调研。切特姆图书馆建于1653年，马克思恩格斯曾在此收集和阅读文献。在曼彻斯特工人运动图书馆，团组同大曼彻斯特都会区的索尔福德市副市长杰克·尤德(Jack Youd)、英中了解协会原副主席珍妮·克莱格(Jenny Clegg)和英国共产党区域组织者、西北地区工会、出版公司等座谈，围绕中国式现代化、英国共产党和工会组织建设等问题进行交流。杰克·尤德副市长热烈欢迎陈志刚率团来访，介绍了索尔福德市的基本情况及与扬州市的合作进展。陈志刚介绍了新时代以来马克思主义中国化时代化的重大理论创新。

(The delegation holds discussions with Salford City Deputy Mayor Jack Youd, former Vice Chair of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding Jenny Clegg, and others)

（团组与索尔福德市副市长杰克·尤德、英中了解协会原副主席珍妮·克莱格等座谈）

On the afternoon of July 18, the delegation held discussions and exchanges with staff of the Chinese Embassy in Ireland on the international dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Chen Zhigang introduced the perceptions and evaluations of Chinese-path modernization among European academic circles. Zhuo Mingliang, Fang Tao, and Liu Yan respectively introduced the international dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era from the perspectives of dissemination effectiveness and methods, historical experience, and ecological civilization. Minister Counsellor Yang Tong of the Embassy analyzed the problems and countermeasures in the overseas promotion of the Party’s innovative theories, and relevant staff introduced the Embassy’s important measures in disseminating Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

7月18日下午，团组同中国驻爱尔兰大使馆工作人员围绕习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的国际传播进行交流研讨。陈志刚介绍了欧洲学界对中国式现代化的认知和评价，禚明亮、方涛、刘燕分别从传播成效和方式、历史经验、生态文明等方面介绍了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的国际传播。使馆公赞杨通分析了党的创新理论海外宣传面临的问题及其对策，相关工作人员介绍了大使馆在传播习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想上的重要举措。

(The delegation holds discussions and exchanges with staff of the Chinese Embassy in Ireland)

（团组同中国驻爱尔兰大使馆工作人员交流座谈）

On July 19, the delegation visited Trinity College Dublin and held discussions with Professor Helena Sheehan and others, focusing on Chinese-path modernization and the crisis of Western civilization. Helena Sheehan and others stated that China leads the world in areas such as new energy and ecological environmental protection, is thriving in cultural construction, and that Chinese-path modernization represents a completely new model.

7月19日，团组赴都柏林圣三一学院同海勒娜·希恩（Helena Sheehan）教授等座谈，围绕中国式现代化、西方文明危机等问题进行交流研讨。海勒娜·希恩等表示，中国在新能源、生态环境保护等方面引领世界，在文化建设上蓬勃发展，中国式现代化是一种全新的模式。

(The delegation holds discussions and a group photo with Professor Helena Sheehan and others)

（团组同海勒娜·希恩教授等座谈并合影）

On the afternoon of July 19, the delegation held discussions at Connolly Books in Dublin with Eugene McCartan, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Ireland, and others. Chen Zhigang introduced the historical process and basic experience of the Communist Party of China leading the people in advancing Chinese-path modernization, emphasizing its significant advantages. Eugene McCartan introduced the Communist Party of Ireland’s policy positions and specific practices in recruiting members and conducting propaganda work, praising the experience of Chinese-path modernization construction.

7月19日下午，团组在都柏林康诺利书店同爱尔兰共产党前总书记尤金·麦卡坦（Eugene McCartan）等座谈。陈志刚介绍了中国共产党领导人民推进中国式现代化的历史进程和基本经验，强调了中国式现代化的显著优势。尤金·麦卡坦介绍了爱尔兰共产党的政策主张和发展党员、开展宣传工作的具体做法，称赞中国式现代化建设的经验。

(The delegation holds discussions and a group photo with former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Ireland Eugene McCartan and others)

（团组同爱尔兰共产党前总书记尤金·麦卡坦等座谈并合影）

On the morning of July 22, the delegation visited the national headquarters of the Portuguese Communist Party in Lisbon, Portugal, met with Paulo Raimundo, General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party, and held discussions with the Secretariat and International Department heads of the Portuguese Communist Party Central Committee. Paulo Raimundo warmly welcomed Chen Zhigang and the delegation. The two sides exchanged views on the history of their respective communist parties, organizational construction, and main practices in advancing ecological civilization construction and coordinated development.

7月22日上午，团组访问了位于葡萄牙里斯本的葡萄牙共产党全国总部，与葡萄牙共产党总书记保罗·雷蒙多（Paulo Raimundo）进行会见,并同葡萄牙共产党中央书记处、国际部负责人座谈。保罗·雷蒙多热情欢迎陈志刚率团来访。双方围绕两国共产党的历史、组织建设及在推进生态文明建设、协调发展等方面的主要做法进行了交流。

(The delegation meets and takes a group photo with Paulo Raimundo, General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party, and others)

（团组同葡萄牙共产党总书记保罗·雷蒙多等会见并合影）

During the discussions, Chen Zhigang introduced the major achievements and distinctive features of Chinese-path modernization. Relevant department heads of the Portuguese Communist Party introduced Portugal’s history and the specific practices of the Portuguese Communist Party in connecting with the masses and recruiting members, elaborated on their policy positions on domestic and international issues, and fully affirmed the great achievements of the Communist Party of China in leading the Chinese people.

座谈时，陈志刚介绍了中国式现代化的重大成就和鲜明特质。葡萄牙共产党相关部门负责人介绍了葡萄牙的历史和葡萄牙共产党联系群众、发展党员等方面的具体做法，阐述了对国内外问题的政策主张，并充分肯定中国共产党领导中国人民取得的伟大成就。

(The delegation holds discussions with relevant department heads of the Portuguese Communist Party)

（团组同葡萄牙共产党相关部门负责人座谈）

On the afternoon of July 22, Chen Zhigang held talks and exchanges with Zhao Bentang, Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, and delivered a guidance report to the Embassy staff titled “Why the Second Integration Is an Ideological Emancipation.” Ambassador Zhao Bentang fully affirmed the report’s theoretical, ideological, intellectual, systematic, and guiding nature, emphasizing the need to do a good job in external propaganda on the basis of thoroughly studying and deeply understanding the Party’s innovative theories, so as to more effectively grasp international discourse power.

7月22日下午，陈志刚与中国驻葡萄牙大使赵本堂会谈交流，并以“‘第二个结合’何以是一次思想解放”为题，向使馆工作人员作辅导报告。赵本堂大使充分肯定报告的理论性、思想性、知识性、系统性和指导性，强调要在学深悟透党的创新理论基础上做好对外宣传工作，更加有力地掌握国际话语权。

(Chen Zhigang holds talks and exchanges with Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Zhao Bentang and delivers a report to the Embassy staff)

（陈志刚与中国驻葡萄牙大使馆赵本堂大使会谈交流，并为使馆工作人员作报告）

The delegation’s trip was highly fruitful. Members personally experienced the birth, dissemination, and current state of Marxism in Europe, further understood the overseas dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deepened their understanding of the history of the development of Marxism, and, through the comparison of Chinese and Western realities, became more confident in the Four Confidences [1]1 The Four Confidences (四个自信) refers to confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics., further strengthening their original aspiration and founding mission [2]2 Original aspiration and founding mission (初心使命) refers to the Party’s commitment to seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. to practice, research, and propagate the Party’s innovative theories.

团组此行收获满满，大家亲身感悟了马克思主义在欧洲的诞生、传播与现状，进一步了解了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的海外传播情况，深化了对马克思主义发展史的认识，在中西现实比较中更加坚定“四个自信”，进一步坚定了践行研究宣传阐释党的创新理论的初心使命。

(Contributed and photographed by Chen Zhigang, Fang Tao, Zhuo Mingliang, Liu Yan, and Han Dongjun)

（陈志刚、方涛、禚明亮、刘燕、韩冬筠供稿、供图）