Solidarity determines at the Crossroads of World History

The speech by Jiri Mäntysalo, Vice Chairperson of the Communist Party of Finland, at the 15th World Socialism Forum in Beijing, China on November 3rd, addressed militarism, the erosion of international law, the importance of youth participation in a system change, the environmental crisis, as well as just artificial intelligence and its potential to liberate the working class.

Dear comrades!

It is a great honour to speak at the 15th World Socialism Forum. This forum plays an influential role as a platform for progressive dialogue, which is more critically needed now than it has been in a long time. I thank the organizers of this forum for their excellent initiative and look forward to engaging in insightful and solution-oriented analyses and cooperation. Warm greetings on behalf of Communist Party of Finland!

We have gathered at a moment that can rightly be called a crossroads of world history. Before us lie multiple paths, many of which pose countless threats to humanity and our planet. These dangerous paths are marked by capitalism, imperialism, and militarism.At the same time, there are paths that lead to sustainable peace, happiness, and shared progress. Strengthening these paths is a matter of destiny for our world.

Humanity faces a choice: shall we build a system based on functional everyday life, decent livelihoods, cooperation, and solidarity – or continue with a system that serves only the interests of the few? A capitalist system whose history is filled with exploitation, wars, and inequality. The example and inspiration of the Communist Party of China in building well-being and strengthening solidarity is encouraging and inviting.

The key strengths of this 15th World Socialism Forum are our diverse dialogue, the sharing of our expertise and experiences, and our common and shared determination to improve the living conditions of the peoples of the world, to build opportunities for well-being and self-realization, to stop the environmental crisis, and to achieve lasting peace and a new international cooperation.

China's modernization and the new form of human advancement

Dear comrades!

It is essential that the World Socialism Forum convenes here in China. The socialist modernization of the People's Republic of China, founded 76 years ago, has demonstrated that development and prosperity do not need to – and should not – be based on the impoverishment of other nations.

China’s path has been constructive: the eradication of extreme poverty, technological advancement, promotion of public health and education, strengthening of environmental protection, and long-term planning.

More and more young people are asking: why does the capitalist market economy, which promised freedom and prosperity, instead deliver poverty, debt, anxiety, and insecurity?

This is a new form of human progress – one that does not measure development solely through Gross Domestic Product, but through indicators of human well-being, education, and a shared future.This model also offers us in Europe a chance to see development differently. In Finland and across Europe, more and more young people are asking: why does the capitalist market economy, which promised freedom and prosperity, instead deliver poverty, debt, anxiety, and insecurity?

China’s example reminds us that true modernization does not mean individuals competing against one another, but rather a society progressing coherently toward collective good.

The Global South and the rise of a new governance order

Dear comrades!

When analyzing the changing world, special attention must be paid to the rise and cooperation of China and the Global South.

This is a fundamental shift: the world’s center of gravity is no longer fixed in one direction but is opening up to new ideas and structures. The nations of the world refuse to be commanded, to accept the spirit and frameworks of the colonial era, or to agree to international treaties made at the expense of developing countries’ natural resources and sovereignty.

BRICS has shown that international order can be based on mutual respect, not domination. New institutions, such as the New Development Bank (BRICS Bank), help balance a world where financial power and resources have long been concentrated in the Global North. In this, long-standing institutions like the Non-Aligned Movement may also play an important role.

The Communist Party of China’s commitment as a guiding force and enabler of global transformation is historically significant. It is commendable how the CPC has remained firmly committed to combating the environmental crisis, even as others falter in this regard.

Rejecting unilateral power and promoting international justice

Dear comrades!

One of the greatest threats of our time is the erosion of international law. Primarily the United States and Israel treat international law with contempt.

Sanctions have become a tool of politics – not of justice, but of coercion. Human rights are used as rhetorical weapons – not to protect people, but to oppress nations and overthrow progressive governments.

It is time to restore international law and the UN Charter to their original purpose: to protect peace and the environment, to strengthen equitable cooperation, and to prevent the recurrence of catastrophes like the Second World War.

For Communist Party of Finland and many civic movements, it is clear that a just world can only be built on multilateral agreements and the right of nations to self-determination.

Finland's military budget has more than doubled in five years. Foreign and security policy has been practically removed from public debate by decision-makers and major media companies.

In Finland, we are witnessing an unprecedented rise in militarism and arms spending. Our military budget has more than doubled in five years. Foreign and security policy has been practically removed from public debate by decision-makers and major media companies. Critical views on militarism and alternative foreign and security policies – such as those advocated by peace organizations – have been pushed to the margins.

Communist Party of Finland has continued active and honest work for peace, diplomacy, and international agreements, as well as building cooperation with others who seek change. We are proudly among those who do not enjoy the favour of major media or financiers, because that means we are not for sale – we act independently and as ourselves. We have noticed that more and more Finns recognize the problems of our current parliamentary parties and their willingness to commit to cuts in public services.

Despite its international reputation, Finland’s once-successful education system is now just a memory due to decades of budget cuts. That is why communists offer a principled alternative to impoverishment and political games.

New characteristics of world socialism and the mission of youth

Dear comrades!

Socialism today is a flame in which the society of the future is being shaped. A key strength of modern socialism is its flexibility and ability to renew itself based on the needs of nations and new knowledge. This flexibility is expressed as democratic agility in methods – not as a departure from core principles or abandonment of socialist ideals.

Socialism is a system and an idea that generates great interest in bourgeois societies like Finland. Young people are reading Karl Marx and engaging in lively debate about how Marx’s ideas and teachings can be applied to today’s social transformation. Socialism's new features are visible in technology, environmental policy, and youth participation.

Socialists, communists, and progressive forces exist all over the world. Although our parties and groups differ in national conditions and size, we are part of the same international movement. For a small communist party in a small country like Finland, it is inspiring to see the work and influence of comrades around the world, and to build political initiatives and alternatives by gaining ideas, experience, and insight from fellow parties. Even though capitalist forces still dominate much of the world, the unity of socialists, communists, and progressives is a key to more powerfully challenging capitalism.

We must develop AI that does not uphold old power structures and the accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few, but instead liberates human resources, creates space for creativity and strategic planning, and strengthens democratic participation.

Artificial intelligence holds great potential, much of which is still untapped. We must develop AI that does not uphold old power structures and the accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few, but instead liberates human resources, creates space for creativity and strategic planning, and strengthens democratic participation. At the same time, we must pay close attention to minimizing the environmental impacts and security risks of AI and technology. Promoting fair and just AI is a key factor in building socialist welfare societies. From an educational perspective as well, the responsible use of AI in work and everyday life is a growing and increasingly important theme today and in the future.

In this work, trade unions play a decisive role. They have the potential and power to set boundaries against labour exploitation and to remind us that every technological shift is also a class issue.Young people around the world see this more clearly than ever. They do not want to be mere competitors in the labour market, but to participate in collective decision-making, planning, and a solidarity-based economy.

Defending the legacy of the United Nations and the anti-fascist war

Dear comrades!

The United Nations and international agreements built after the defeat of fascism in World War II were not perfect, but they marked the beginning of a new world – one in which horrors like fascism were not supposed to happen again.Today, those achievements are under threat. The genocide and war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza are latest example of this. That is why we must be vocal in the front lines of peace, anti-fascism, everyday security, sustainable development, and international diplomacy and cooperation. We must not forget that defeating fascism was not only a military struggle, but also a deeply moral and political one: a defense of our shared humanity.

Dear comrades!

This is a moment when history is not merely happening to us – we are making history.

Nations, movements, youth, and workers of all countries can choose a path that leads to an ecologically sustainable, just, and socialist future.

As China has shown, development can be independent, peaceful, and aimed at the common good. As the UN reminds us, the shared foundation of humanity still exists – it simply requires us to strengthen our ranks.

Comrades, as we have all shown, our time demands courage – courage to think in new ways, to act together, and to believe that socialism, peace, and cooperation are not just utopias, but the necessities of tomorrow.

Thank you!