On May 11, 2006, the Research Center for Global Socialism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing held an opening ceremony to celebrate the publication of the "2006 Yellow Paper on Global Socialism."[1]
Over 100 Communist Party officials, scholars, and research staff attended the ceremony. Li Shenming, Director of the Research Center for Global Socialism, spoke at the ceremony.
Li stated that world socialism has hit its lowest ebb since the downfall of the former Soviet Union and East Germany. In 1994, the Chinese Communist Party issued a mandate: Under the auspices of the Communist Party’s Department of Propaganda, an "Overseas Socialism Research Group" was established. Its participants include the Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party, the Translation Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the Xinhua News Agency, the Communist Party Institute, and China’s National Education Commission.
Over the past 12 years, this research group has completed a number of projects providing the foundation for Communist Party policies.
Li stated that new research on global socialism should focus on the following areas:
• The rise and fall of the Soviet Communist Party and the former Soviet Union
• The current status and projected trends of modern capitalism
• The relationship between socialism and capitalism, including their historical relationship and ongoing conflicts; the temporary success of capitalism and the ultimate, inevitable victory of socialism; and their long history of cooperation, competition, and often intense stand-offs
• An analysis of and projections for the progress of socialism worldwide in the 21st century
Li particularly stressed the need for the long-term tracking of new developments in reforms in existing socialist countries; the restructuring of communist parties in both western and eastern countries; and the spread of Marxism, socialism, and other left-wing movements of labor unions, students, and farmers.
Li further emphasized that inequality in the political and economic order may temporarily maintain prosperity in the few developed countries only to accelerate and aggravate the disparity between the wealthy and the poverty-stricken. "We will co-exist with the capitalist world for a long time. We must apply our firm principles with flexible strategies. … The 21st century will be one in which socialism revives," concluded Li.{mospagebreak}
The above are selections from the meeting. Many scholars spoke and their viewpoints were diverse.
Xiao Tian is a correspondent for Chinascope.
references:
[1] The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, http://www.cass.net.cn/file/2006051559241.html
Preface to the 2006 Yellow Paper on Global Socialism
By Li Shenming
"No question. Socialist movement in the world is still at a low point. But when we look around, clearheaded, and examine world trends, we can be absolutely confident in concluding that, instead of ‘termination,’ the worldwide socialist movement will gradually revive in spite of difficult times and will further develop to see a booming spring in the new century."
"At present, the global socialist movement has not only survived enormous changes in the former Soviet Union and East Germany, it has recovered and developed. One, socialist countries such as China, Cuba, Vietnam, Korea, and Laos are bucking unprecedented pressure, proactively exploring a socialist path applicable to their respective countries. … Two, with renewed enthusiasm for Marx in western developed countries, a resurgence of Marxism is now highlighting the international political arena. Three, in former socialist countries, socialist forces are regrouping. Four, countries in Asia, Africa, and particularly Latin America, having tasted the bitter fruit of neo-liberalism, are witnessing more and more left-wing governments in power.
"As we are well aware, socialism is the most fundamental social change ever in human history and will not be displaced by any global alternative. Fight, failure, fight again, high points, low points, and a rise to even greater heights-this is the inevitable process by which global socialism will ultimately replace global capitalism."
Translated by CHINASCOPE from http://www.peacehall.com/news/gb/pubvp/2006/05/200605200934.shtml