"NEW ERA" IN CHINA:OPENING UP A NEW CHAPTER IN WORLD SOCIALISM

CHAI SHANGJIN

Researcher, Research Of fi ce, International Department of the CPC Central Committee

In the report he delivered at the 19thNational Congress of the Communist Party of China and other important speeches, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that socialism with Chinese characteristics entering a new era means scientific socialism is full of vitality in 21stcentury China, and the success of scientific socialism in China is of vital significance to the world socialism, as it enriches mankind’s imagination for a better world and stands at the forefront of the development of political civilization for the humanity. These statements provide important theoretical guidance for us to better understand the historical position of socialism with Chinese characteristics and gain deep insights into the historical and logical correlation between socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and the world socialism.

BREAKING NEW GROUND FOR WORLD SOCIALISM

In the second half of the 20thcentury,as economic globalization was steadily moving forward, countries in the world were increasingly interconnected, with peace and development becoming the defining trend of the world. Against this backdrop, the world socialism entered a new era of readjustment and reform,as the main task facing by Communists and left-wing forces across the world was to explore the socialist road suited to their respective national conditions.Due to the differences in their guiding ideologies and paths, the world socialist movement after the 1970s was faced with a very complex situation, as Eurocommunism did not succeed, drastic changes occurred in the former Soviet Union and Eastern European socialist countries as a result of the reforms conducted in these countries, democratic socialism adopted the Third Way and thus turned further right, while the leftwing forces in Asia, Africa and Latin America were exploring socialism in a tortuous process. In particular, the drastic changes in Eastern Europe and the dissolution of the Soviet Union dealt a heavy blow to the Communist Parties and left-wing forces in many countries,resulting in the hard times for world socialist movement as even claimed “The End of History” by the west. Entering the 21stcentury, many people still falter in their quests for Communism, as they are not sure whether the world socialist movement can bounce back and when they will see the light at the end of the tunnel. One of the leading causes for the crisis of faith is some people’s ossified perception of scientific socialism.Deeming the Soviet socialism as the only pattern of scientific socialism, they draw a parallel between the collapse of Soviet model and the perceived failure of scientific socialism. As a matter of fact, scientific socialism doesn’t equate with the Soviet Union’s model of socialism, and the fundamental reason for the dissolution was that leaders of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union abandoned Marxism and deviated from the basic principles of scientific socialism. China is no Soviet Union. Led by the Communist Party of China, Chinese people are following the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, opening a brilliant chapter in the history of the development of socialism. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is scientific socialism, and the former should not be excluded from the system of the latter, otherwise the one-sided view would arise that socialism with Chinese characteristics doesn’t belong to scientific socialism.

Only those with national characteristics can truly belong to the world, and only those leading the trend of the time can go global. Just as Marxism acted as a beacon of hope in China’s fight towards independence, liberation and national rejuvenation, the inheritance,development and growth of scientific socialism in China will undoubtedly help push forward the world socialist movement. As a development model in the path towards modernization, socialism with Chinese characteristics is special while also enjoying some commonality. In the quest for the answers and solutions to China’s questions,socialism with Chinese characteristics provides experience and an option for other countries with relatively backward economic and cultural development in their pursuit of modernization and national development. Socialism with Chinese characteristics doesn’t mean it is unique to China. Rather, its features and characteristics, after being summed up and theorized, can be translated into common experience that could be duplicated and shared. The late Cuban leader Fidel Castro said long before that as a big socialist country, China’s development has global significance.Communist Party of Russian Federation holds the view that China’s rapid development is a strong rebuttal to some people’s skepticism about the dynamism of socialism after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In the 40-year reform and opening-up, China achieved what took developed countries centuries to achieve by lifting 700 million people out of poverty, becoming the second largest economy in the world and contributing over 30% to world economic growth. Such remarkable achievements not only enable it to play a central role on the global stage, but also demonstrate that scientific socialism is booming in the big Oriental country with one fifth of the world population and 5000 years of civilization.

The socialist system with Chinese characteristics has provided the rest of the world with the Chinese solution to diff i culties in party, national and global governance. The picture shows that on December 1, 2017, some foreign party leaders, who were in Beijing for the the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting, were visiting the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC and an exhibition showcasing China’s achievements over the past fi ve years.

The impact of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the world today is not limited to the fact that China is going closer to the center of the world stage,evolving from the dependent variable and follower of the economic globalization in the past to the independent variable and leader of the current global trend. Moreover, it also lies in the correlation between China’s social development and the theory of scientific socialism, i.e. socialism with Chinese characteristics is a perfect combination of the historical logic of China’s social development and the theoretical logic of scientific socialism. Containing both the historical essence of traditional Oriental culture and the Marxist genes,socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era will strongly boost the development of the current world socialist movement. Born out of the application of Marxism-Leninism to China’s labor movement, ever since its founding, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has adhered to the purpose of achieving Communism and followed the principles of proletarian internationalism in developing friendly relations with Communist Parties and progressive forces all across the world so as to support the world peace and human progress. From Mao Zedong’s statement that “China ought to make great contribution to mankind” to Xi Jinping’s proposal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, generations of Chinese Communists have gone our own ways to untiringly fight for the renewal of the Chinese nation and the human progress, always keeping our mother-land in mind while also opening our eyes to the rest of the world. As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new era, the world socialist movement starts to shift from the period of diminished strength, lacking direction and difficult exploration in the wake of the drastic changes in Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to a new era of rebuilding faith, reestablishing goals and reviving forces. When leading China onto the world stage, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era will definitely help push the world socialism into a new era. Many foreign Communists and those from the left-wing point out that the world socialist and left-wing forces,which are faced with the predicament of confusion in ideology and theory as well as lack of good policy and action,can learn from the experience in the theoretical and practical innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics,not least the CPC’s experience in the governance of the state and party discipline, so as to revitalize the world socialist movement.

GIVING FULL PLAY TO THE ADVANTAGES AND APPEAL OF THE SOCIALIST SYSTEM

How to give full play to the strengths of the socialist system? Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels did not face the task of establishing the socialist system, and Lenin passed away too prematurely to explore this question in great depth.Subsequent Soviet Union leaders put in place a highly centralized socialist model, which was no solution to this question. Rather, many people called into question the socialist system as a result.Since previous international communist movement all failed to provide a right answer to this question, Deng Xiaoping had a strong sense of crisis and urgency in terms of how to give full play to the strengths of China’s socialism, insisting that only by generating productivity higher than that of capitalism can the superiority of socialism be shown. He pointed out that if China suffered from backwardness for the long run, it would be isolated from the rest ofthe world,and China needs to catch up as soon as possible.

In the new era, to start the great cause and great struggle at the new historical starting point, we need to provide a solution to the problems unsolved in the previous international communist movements and prove the superiority of the socialist system with our new efforts and great achievements. General Secretary Xi Jinping said, “through continuous reform and innovation,socialism with Chinese characteristics can be more efficient in emancipating and developing productivity, unleashing social vitality, as well as promoting the all-round development of our people, do a better job in inspiring all the people’s enthusiasm, initiative and creativity, provide more favorable conditions for social development, and win comparative advantages in competitions than capitalism so that the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics can be fully reflected in this way.” However, the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics will not manifest itself without our hard work. In particular, under the leadership of the CPC, we must pursue the path suited to our national conditions and continuously perfect the socialist system so that the system’s strengths in political, economic, social and cultural areas will be revealed. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the combination of the fundamental political system, basic political system,basic economic system and systems and institutions in various areas. It links the national-level democracy with the grassroots democracy. It also integrates the adherence to Party leadership, the people being masters of the country and the lawbased governance of China. Suited to our national conditions, the features and strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics are fully reflected.”

China’s institutional advantages have kept emerging in our socialist construction in nearly 70 years, especially in the 40-year reform and opening-up, under the firm and strong leadership of the CPC. The international community increasingly realizes that China couldn’t have been successful without the leadership of the CPC. They are aware that if they didn’t take into account the role of the CPC leadership, they would not get a correct understanding of China’s development, or make sense of the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics today. The CPC leadership is the “formula” of Chinese politics, and is also what distinguishes Chinese politics from western politics.

To judge the nature of a country’s system or whether it is good or not, it doesn’t matter whether it is a multi-party system or whether the ruling party has an impressive manifesto. The only indicator is whether this system can lead to “good governance” of the country.Different from western democracy, the CPC and China’s government agencies practises democratic centralism. Before making important decisions, the CPC and China’s government would seek valuable suggestions from different sectors and then conduct democracy-based decision-making. In this way, democracy is fully practised, while decision and subsequent implementation is ensured.Thanks to this centralized system under the CPC leadership, we can pool resources to get major things done, which is something western countries are unable to do. In contrast, western countries enter an era defined by “mediocre politicians” whose prime interest is to grab more power. No wonder they cannot get things done. In the United States,worsening partisanship led to the 3-day government shutdown at President Trump’s one-year anniversary of inauguration. As for Britain’s High Speed 2,a project linking London, Birmingham and Manchester that costs 55 billion GBP, it will take over 20 years from the project demonstration to its full operation. India’s many reform measures and legislation proposals aiming to improve people’s well-being aborted as a result of endless party politics in the parliament.It is widely considered by many foreign political parties and think tanks that the CPC, as the core of leadership, is driven by lofty ideals and would take resolute actions once goals are set. They think the CPC can achieve what many countries longed for but failed to achieve,and can solve difficult problems in the world governance.

The integration of the CPC leadership, the people being masters of the country and law-based governance of China help effectively straighten out complex political relations, fundamentally ensuring the political and social stability of our country. It is a strength of China’s system, unlike western country’s political polarization. The advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics appeal very much to foreign socialist and left-wing forces.China adheres to the path of peaceful development and socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, but we will never export our development path or model. The aim of sharing our development experience with the rest of the world is only to provide them with an option of new models.

CONSTANTLY PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCIENTIFIC SOCIALISM THEORY

Evolving from a Utopian vision to a scientific notion, from theory to practice, from Soviet socialism to socialism with the characteristics of different countries, history has proven that socialism is a theory under constant development instead of an unchangeable dogma. Looking at the ups and downs in China’s revolution and construction,we can find that we were hit by setbacks every time we simply followed the dogma and rapid progress was made every time we explored our own ways. As China travels on the socialist road, we have no ready answer to anything, because Marxism, Engels and Lenin couldn’t have known our own national conditions and environment in their lifetime.That’s why we should explore our own ways independently. In exploring our own ways, we have adhered to the basic principles of scientific socialism on the one hand, turning Marxism’s basic ideas of socialist system into reality. On the other hand, in light of our national conditions, we have learned from historical experience and lessons, continued to reform and innovate, and ultimately initiated the development path and model of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the theme running through all the theories and practices of the Party since the reform and opening-up. But socialism with Chinese characteristics doesn’t mean China has deviated from Marxism and scientific socialism. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is undoubtedly scientific socialism. It cannot be taken out of the context of the Communist cause pioneered by Marx and Engels or the values pursued by the world socialism today. Adopting socialism with Chinese characteristics doesn’t mean we turn our back on the rest of the world and engage in self-admiration. Rather, we improve and perfect ourselves on the basis of drawing upon and learning from achievements of all the civilizations of human society. China’s success proves that only by adhering to the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics can we overcome the difficulties of building socialism in a country less developed economically and culturally, and continually uphold and develop Marxism.

Since the 18thCPC National Congress,guided by Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory,the Important Thought of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, in response to contemporary developments and by pooling the wisdom of the whole Party in vigorously promoting theoretical innovation, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has put forward a series of new thoughts, new opinions and new conclusions to address the major question of our times-what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics the new era requires us to uphold and develop and how we should uphold and develop it, thus giving shape to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.The adaptation of Marxism in China has been brought to a new level, so has been the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to carry out a great struggle, develop a great project,advance a great cause, and realize a great dream, ushering in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The successful practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics has huge influence on foreign socialist and leftwing forces. In spite of some differences among some Communists and leftwing personnel over theory and policy,they generally agree that they must take the path suited to the conditions of their respective parties and countries on the basis of thoroughly summing up the experience of the theoretical and practical innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics. They have come to realize that party must strengthen the building of ideology and theory, conduct theoretical innovation,and give right answers to basic questions such as the characteristics of the time, development stage of contemporary capitalism, and ways of achieving socialism. Innovation is the only way to get out of the current predicament so as to effectively appeal to and lead the people in the socialist struggle.

To realize the ideal of communism is the original aspiration and mission of Communists. To realize the reemergence and development of the world socialism, it is also important that the Communist Party itself must have mature internal conditions with strong capacity, in addition to favorable external conditions. A major obstacle to the revitalization of the world socialist movement will be the immaturity of internal conditions. As required by the situation and practice in the new era, we must deepen our insights into the laws of the CPC governance, socialist construction,and the human society development from a new perspective. We must remain true to our original aspiration and bear in mind our missions so as to build socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era in theory and practice and translate it into China’s solutions with global significance and influence,making greater contribution to the adaptation of Marxism in China and the further development of the 21stcentury world socialism.