Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has made remarkable achievements in political, economic and social development over the past century. According to international communists, the CPC has created an earthshaking miracle, the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics has greatly contributed to the development of world socialism and Marxism and China has made tremendous efforts to maintain international order, safeguard world peace and promote multilateral cooperation and common development.

At an international symposium titled "Centennial Communist Party of China and World Socialism in the 21st Century", communists and scholars from all over the world were invited to sum up the experience of the CPC's century of development, analyze the great contribution of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to Marxism in the 21st century, the significance of socialism with Chinese characteristics to the world and the development trends of socialism and capitalism in the 21st century.

The event was jointly organized by the Academy of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Bureau of International Cooperation, CASS, World Socialism Research Center, CASS, Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the Contemporary China Publishing House in Beijing on July 16, 2021.

A new book titled A Century of the Communist Party of China: Statements from 100 Foreign Communists was also released at the symposium. By interviewing more than 100 international communists from over 40 countries and 50 communist party organizations, the book reviewed the development history of the CPC and the great changes of Chinese society in the past century under the leadership of the CPC.

At the opening ceremony, Xie Fuzhan, president of the CASS and secretary of the academy's Party group, pointed out 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the CPC, and on this momentous and solemn occasion the publication of this book is of great significance.

"The development history of socialism is actually the history of unremitting struggles to pursue an ideal society for generations of communists and progressives. The CPC's centennial history is an important part of world socialist history," Xie said.

Gao Xiang, vice-president of the CASS, deputy secretary of the academy's Party group and director of the Chinese Academy of History, told the symposium world socialism in the 21st century should be promoted in the grand dimension of time and space. He added that in the evolution of the international landscape, we should bear deep understanding of peace and development, promote world socialism in the 21st century in the process of carrying forward the common values of mankind and pursuing human progress and liberation.

He said with the great achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, the Marxism of contemporary China and Marxism of the 21st century can guide the future development of world socialism in the 21st century.

Jiang Hui, a member of the CASS Party group, director of the Institute of Contemporary China Studies and director of the CASS Academy of Marxism, said the book is very special as it reflects the great achievements of the CPC from the perspective of foreign communist parties.

He mentioned the international communists who contributed to this book are from a wide range of regions, political parties and languages and most are senior party leaders and famous scholars, which enabled the book to show the opinions of global communists in a more international and comprehensive way.

Wang Linggui, vice-president of CASS and a member of the CASS Party group, said Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the banner of the Marxism of contemporary China and the CPC in the new era, which is also the fundamental guide for China's political life.

As it enters a new stage of development, China should always follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to fully, accurately and comprehensively apply the new development philosophy, create a new framework of development and realize high-quality development so that the stable development and the construction of a great modern socialist country can be ensured, he added.

Gennady Andreyevich Zyuganov, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, said China's economic and social achievements are indisputable, and the role of the CPC is obvious. He also said the CPC has made special contributions in terms of promoting the development of the international communist movement and striving for humanitarian and social progress.

Li Shenming, former vice-president of the CASS and director of the academy's World Socialism Research Center, said President Xi Jinping's speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China is a glorious document of Marxism, adding it is a political declaration of Chinese communists to stay true to their original aspiration and founding mission in the new era and a guide for moving toward the second centenary goal.

Andro Vázquez, counselor of Political Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in China, said the CPC has shown an ability to renew itself and overcome difficulties at every stage. Under the guidance of the CPC, China gained valuable experience in the process of building socialism, which is significant to Cuba and other socialist countries.

Li Yi, vice-president of the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC (National Academy of Governance), said the struggle, sacrifice, and creation through which the Party has united and led the Chinese people over the past hundred years has been tied together by one ultimate theme—bringing about the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Zhou Li, former vice-minister of the CPC Central Committee's International Department, compared the notions of "people first" and "capital first" in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out the CPC has always put people's lives and safety first, which is very different from other political parties in the world.

Marco Rizzo, general secretary of the Communist Party of Italy, said Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the important contribution to Marxism in the 21st century, adding socialism with Chinese characteristics is of great inspiration to people of other countries.

Yu Hongjun, executive deputy secretary of the party committee of Peking University, said Marxism conforms to the basic laws of development revealed by dialectical and historical materialism. In the new century, the human community will finally see the great rejuvenation of Marxism and open up a new future.

Hans Modrow, former prime minister of the German Democratic Republic, chairman of the Senate of the German Left Party said the German Left Party commends and supports the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics and is encouraged by every economic and scientific accomplishment achieved by the CPC.

Victor Kot, general secretary of the Communist Party of Argentina, said the founding of the CPC is a milestone in the international communist movement. China's achievements have deepened the Chinese people's respect and love to the CPC and also aroused admiration of the CPC from people around the world.

Wang Jing and Xu Ruodan contributed to this article.