From November 14 to 23 of 2023, Xin Xiangyang, Party Secretary and President of the Academy of Marxism of the CASS, led a delegation to Istanbul, Turkey, and Athens, Greece, for academic and intellectual exchanges with left-wing party members, left-wing scholars, and educators in these two countries.

On November 14, the delegation had a discussion with Professor Hayri Kozanoglu, former Chairman of the Democratic Left Party (Demokratik Sol Parti) in Turkey, and others. Professor Haley Kozhanoglu and others presented some information on Marxist studies and left-wing socialist movements in Turkey. President Xin Xiangyang answered the Turkish people’s concerns about “the Belt and Road Initiative,” “New Development Pattern,” and the evaluation of Mao Zedong, Sun Yat-sen and other historical figures.

On the morning of November 15, the delegation had a discussion with Mr. Perincek, the leader of the Patriotic Party (Vatan Parti) in Turkey, and others at the party’s headquarters. Mr. Perinczyk introduced the current situation and political platform of the Patriotic Party, spoke highly of the achievements in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era and the worldwide influence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and exchanged views with the delegation on a number of theoretical and practical issues related to socialism. President Xin Xiangyang elaborated on the relevant issues based on the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

On the afternoon of November 15, the delegation visited the editorial office of Belt & Road Initiative Quarterly. Mr. Firket Akfirat, Editor-in-Chief, introduced the aims of the journal, sources of funding, publication, selection of topics, important articles and the future development of the journal. President Xin Xiangyang communicated with Mr. Firqet Akvorat on the exchange and cooperation between the Academy of Marxism and the journal.

On November 17, President Xin Xiangyang gave a lecture titled “Worldview and Methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” to the comrades of the Consulate General of China in Istanbul.

On November 19, the delegation had a discussion with Professor Yanis Varoufakis, former Minister of Finance of Greece, founder of the DiEM25 movement and economist at the University of Athens. Both parties conducted a discussion and exchange on Professor Varoufakis’s new book Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism, which is published in 2023. President Xin Xiangyang briefed Professor Varoufaski on China’s major initiatives to regulate and guide capital and the functions of the newly established National Data Administration.

On November 20, the delegation visited the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens. President Xin Xiangyang exchanged and negotiated with Christina Koulouri, President of the University, Christos Papatheodorou, Vice-President of the University, and Marianna Psylla, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office, on the situation related to the education of the Chinese and Greek universities, and on the possibilities and ways to further strengthen the international exchanges and cooperation.

On the morning of November 21, the delegation visited The Nicos Poulantzas Institute (NPI), a leading European left-wing think tank, and carried out an exchange with its director Costas Douzinas, former director (and former Minister of Education and Culture) Aristides Baltas, director of external relations (advisor to the European Left think tank) Danai Koltsida, researcher Michalis Spouvololakis on issues including the international influence of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the development of left-wing political parties in Greece, as well as cooperation between the two sides in the study of Marxist state theory.

On the afternoon of November 21, President Xin Xiangyang gave a lecture to the comrades of the Chinese Embassy in Greece on “How to Tell a Good Story of China from the Perspective of ‘Two Combinations.’”

During this visit, the Academy of Marxism of the CASS and the left-wing party members, left-wing scholars and educators in Turkey and Greece had in-depth exchanges, enhanced mutual understanding, and created favorable conditions for better cooperation in the future.

(Provided by Liangxiao)