JCP and CPC exchange views on contemporary Marxism

Fuwa Tetsuzo, Japanese Communist Party Social Sciences Institute director, on May 23 and 24 in Beijing held the second round of theoretical discussions with the Communist Party of China.

In a meeting on May 23, Zhang Zhijun, CPC International Liaison Department deputy director in charge of theoretical issues, expressed his thanks to Fuwa, stating that the first round of theoretical discussions with the CPC in December 2005 that covered a wide range of topics was of a great significance. Zhang added that he was convinced that Fuwa's visit to China at this time will help further the theoretical exchanges between the two parties.

Fuwa replied that the previous talks were "intellectually stimulating" in that it gave him a chance to review things from new angles.

Asked by the Chinese side to comment on the present situation of Marxism and Marxist parties in the world, Fuwa stated the JCP's views on the recent theoretical developments in Europe, pointing out that the collapse of the former Soviet Union and East European countries constituted a major change.

Both parties also exchanged views on JCP-CPC relations and Japan-China relations that include historical issues.

Later, the talks were attended by Zhang Ximing, the CPC Central Committee Propaganda Department Theory Division deputy chief who headed the CPC delegation to the first CPC-JCP theoretical talks in Tokyo last December, other CPC delegation members, and other members from the CPC International Liaison Department. Fuwa began his statement by saying, "It is a great pleasure to have the second talks so soon after the last talks."

Zhang Ximing reaffirmed the great significance of the JCP-CPC exchanges and said that the CPC hopes that such exchanges will continue further. Then he spoke about the two-year history of the CPC project on the research and development of Marxism.

Fuwa stated that there is no party but the CPC with which the JCP holds regular theoretical exchanges and that these exchanges are made possible by the mutual trust between the two parties.

On May 24 in Beijing, Fuwa exchanged views with 15 public figures from various circles in China.

Of the project's 500 or so staff members, Li Shenming, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences deputy president, Wei Jianhua, CPC CC Compilation and Translation Bureau director who is in charge of the study of Marxist works, as well as other scholars of philosophy, the political economy, socialist theory, and theoretical foreign studies took part in the talks. Executive members of the CPCCC Propaganda Department and the CPC Central Committee International Department were also present at the talks.

Acting as host, Zhang Ximing, who is also a chief project coordinator, emphasized the important results of the first CPC-JCP theoretical talks, and added that the day's talks with the presence of China's top academics were unprecedented.

Saying, "As we are meeting for the first time, let me introduce myself and the JCP," Fuwa spoke about the JCP's efforts in independent theoretical works and relevant activities, and the JCP's historical struggles concerning the outside attacks to split the JCP with special regard to the "1950 question" of split and in the 1960s.

Li Shenming raised questions concerning the contemporary world, including the basic reason for the Soviet Union's collapse, perspectives of socialism in the 21st century world, and the relation between socialism and the market economy.

Other Chinese participants asked Fuwa about Lenin's theory on the state, Marx's theory on socialism, changes in socialist theory in Europe, his definition of a socialist society, and many other questions. Wei Jianhua, CPCCC Compilation and Translation Bureau director, reported on the result of translation and study of classical Marxist theory as part of the CPC project.

Zhang Ximing concluded his statement by expressing his thanks to Fuwa for giving clear answers to major themes, and stressed that China's project has important significance in that it is taking place as an international project. He expressed his hope that the exchanges will proceed further.

Fuwa said that the latest exchanges were very fruitful and that all participants became old friends from the outset, expressing hope that exchanges will be developed between the JCP and various scholars of China.
- Akahata, May 24 and 25, 2006