Editor's note: A forum on Marxism in the 21st Century and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was held at Renmin University of China recently. Following are excerpts from the three of the participants' speeches:

Representing the practical aspects of Marxism

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has opened a new frontier of Marxism in the 21st century, which was summarized in President Xi Jinping's speech at a commemorative conference to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Karl Marx. Xi's thought is the collective wisdom of the Communist Party of China and Chinese people's long-term practical experiences, and a combination of the fundamental principles of Marxism and China's actual practices.

First, Xi's thought has elevated the understanding of the CPC's governance system in the new era, and the laws of socialist construction and human development to a new level. In particular, it inherits and develops Marxism's scientificity in terms of adhering to and developing Marxism in the new era and abiding by and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era based on China's actual situation. From this perspective, Xi's thought inherits and develops the scientificity of Marxism.

Second, Xi's thought is people-oriented; it adheres to and manifests Marxism's people-oriented philosophy. By adhering to historical materialism and dialectical materialism, Party members work for the good of the people. And the fact that the Party advocates that its members should work for national rejuvenation and Chinese people's happiness demonstrates the new frontier of Marxism's people orientation.

Third, Xi's thought represents Marxism's practicality, which profoundly reveals the historical changes, achievements, experiences and the laws of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Fourth, Xi's thought has made Marxism even more open, especially since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in November 2012.

Jin Nuo, Party chief of Renmin University of China

A lot to learn from China's practices

For the Chinese, Marxism is not a dogma. And what we see from the 19th CPC National Congress is precisely how China applies Marxism creatively as a method in specific conditions. The thing that also strikes us (in South Africa) is the phases that China sets out and the very precise time lines China has.

I'm very impressed by the way China achieves that. It decides its strategy for the next five or 10 years. It has already set dates for when it will succeed in building a moderately prosperous society (in 2020) and when it will achieve socialist modernization (in 2035).

China also talks about becoming independent of the capitalist societies of the West when it comes to technology. And given that we're talking about the fourth industrial revolution, that is very significant for China's own socialist ability.

So we think there's a lot to learn from China's experiences, but we have to apply to our conditions.

Yunus Ismail Carrim, member of the Political Bureau of the South African Communist Party

Ensuring people's well-being, maintaining global peace

China is a socialist country, which determines we adopt socialist and Marxist methods to deal with the relationship between China and Africa.

Women's liberation movement as well as national healthcare development, especially healthcare for the poor people, have made huge progress in China in recent years, and offer a different way to solve social problems in the world.

Based on socialism, can China cope with imperialists' slander about its development projects and activities in Africa? The basic point of view for China is socialism, and that's why it is working for Chinese people's well-being, and making efforts to maintain peace and facilitate development across the world.

Wang Xiangming, vice-dean of the Academy of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Renmin University of China