16th World Socialism Forum held in Beijing

Image via news video screenshot

Various Sources

The 16th World Socialism Forum was held last week in Beijing and brought together delegates from 40 countries, including around 80 international Communist Party leaders, alongside Marxist scholars, diplomats, and social activists.

The forum gathered a broad international delegation with nearly 300 total participants. Representatives included leaders from parties in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin America, as well as youth organizations and left‑wing foundations.

The event focused heavily on Marxist party building, governance, and the future of socialism. Key topics included the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) 105‑year history and governance model. Gao Xiang of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences emphasized how the CPC’s long-term political practice informs its approach to party building and governance.

Speakers highlighted the value of learning from China’s experience, especially in maintaining strategic direction and responding to global uncertainty.

European delegates noted rising curiosity about socialist ideas and alternative development models, including in the United States.

Discussions addressed maintaining ties with the people, organizational strength in a digital world, and sustaining political vitality amid complex conditions.

A major theme was self‑reform, described as essential for Marxist parties to avoid stagnation and maintain legitimacy. Delegates discussed anti‑corruption efforts, long-term governance, and staying rooted among the people. Speakers contrasted CPC accountability mechanisms with slower, less effective processes in many Western political systems. Self‑reform was framed as relevant not only for ruling parties but also for opposition parties seeking to stay connected with the masses.

“Corruption is one of the ways in which the imperial powers keep a stranglehold on our economies and on our governance structures,” Vinod Moonesinghe, member of the political bureau of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka noted.

The forum served as a platform for international cooperation among socialist and progressive movements. It also connected with China’s Global Civilisation Initiative, emphasizing mutual learning and rejecting notions of civilizational superiority.