Issues in the Development of China's Communist Struggle in the 21st Century – English

ZheSheng Li

Issues in the Development of China's Communist Struggle in the 21st Century – English

Preface

This book aims to explore the future direction and development path of international communism, Marxism, and scientific socialism in the rapidly changing 21st century. In the 21st century, facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities brought by globalization, as well as the rich experiences and profound lessons accumulated in historical practice, we need to re-examine and explore the contemporary value and practical pathways of Marxist theory. Formulating 21st-century Marxist-Leninist and socialist theories that align with current developmental goals has become a significant historical task borne by our generation.

Marxism, as a scientific theoretical system founded by Marx and Engels, encompasses a scientific worldview, theories of social and historical development, the theory of proletarian revolution, and the theories of socialist and communist construction. It emerged in the 1840s as a product of intensifying capitalist contradictions and the development of the workers' movement. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lenin creatively developed Marxism. Faith in Marxism and belief in socialism and communism have always been the foundation and political soul of Communists' existence and purpose. In China, this ideal and conviction is vividly likened to the "calcium" in the spiritual life of Communists—if theory and ideals are lacking or wavering, Communists will suffer from a spiritual "calcium deficiency," leading to ideological "soft-bone disease." Therefore, upholding and developing Marxism is the foremost issue determining the success or failure of the cause.

To this day, the universal truths of Marxism possess enduring intellectual value. However, the classical Marxist writers did not exhaust all truth but continuously paved the way for seeking and developing it. Socialism has always advanced through exploration. Therefore, the core issues this book focuses on are precisely aimed at addressing the widespread concerns of the contemporary international community regarding the future and destiny of socialism and communism. These issues not only touch upon the foundations of theoretical and path confidence but also relate to the development path chosen by China, a nation of over 1.4 billion people, as well as the lofty goals of human society in pursuing prosperity, democracy, civility, and harmony.

Under the new historical conditions of the 21st century, the Communist Party of China, as the ruling party in China, bears the responsibility of uniting and leading the people to comprehensively build a socialist society, advance socialist modernization, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The developments in the international situation since the 21st century, the expansion of undertakings, and the expectations of the people all demand that the Communist Party of China, with a spirit of reform and innovation, comprehensively advance the new great project of Party construction. The success of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, along with the continuous development of its theory and practice in the 21st century, is not only crucial for the Chinese people's aspiration for a better life but also has a profound impact on world peace and development.

Below, we will elaborate in detail on the significance and importance of the core issues to be explored in this book:

The first topic explores "whether China today represents revisionism," with its significance lying in directly addressing the essence and directional nature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, while also responding to domestic and international doubts about China's economic system reforms.

The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics represents the dialectical unity of the theoretical logic of scientific socialism and the historical logic of China's social development. This book examines whether China's path has deviated from the course of Marxism, which plays a decisive role in consolidating the common ideological foundation that unites the entire Party and people of China in their struggle.

The Communist Party of China has clearly stated that socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism, not any other kind of doctrine. The fundamental principles of scientific socialism cannot be abandoned, for to abandon them would mean it is no longer socialism. Comrade Deng Xiaoping pioneered socialism with Chinese characteristics, initially answering a series of fundamental questions about how to build and develop socialism in a relatively backward country like China in terms of economy and culture. Using new ideas and perspectives, he inherited and developed Marxism, elevating the understanding of socialism to a new scientific level.

China must adhere to the socialist system, develop a socialist economy, and modernize socialist theory and systems. Under these circumstances, it is unacceptable for the Communist Party of China in the 21st century to lack ideals, lose convictions, or be without discipline. If the socialist path is abandoned, China’s development path and future plans will inevitably suffer from ideological and strategic failures. Without the ideological guidance of the Communist Party of China, China could easily become ideologically infiltrated by the West and turn into an ideological vassal of others. Therefore, determining whether China is "revisionist" serves as a fundamental safeguard to ensure that China neither reverts to the old, closed, and rigid path nor follows the capitalist and individualist mindset in the process of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Historically, Comrade Deng Xiaoping clearly pointed out that promoting "bourgeois liberalization" meant leading China onto the capitalist path. This ideological trend represents resistance or opposition to current policies and systems. Therefore, upholding the Four Cardinal Principles—namely, keeping to the socialist road, upholding the people's democratic dictatorship, upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and upholding Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought—and adhering to the reform and opening-up policy are mutually reinforcing. Without opposition to bourgeois liberalization, coupled with the inevitable influx of "chaotic elements" brought by opening up, if capitalist ideologies are not restrained and combine with individualistic thinking, their convergence will impact socialist development and the cause of opposing revisionism in the 21st century.

Thus, the importance of discussing whether China's path constitutes "revisionism" lies in testing and consolidating the Communist Party of China's adherence to the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological sphere, ensuring that all Party members firmly believe in Marxism and communism.

Questions about "revisionism" often focus on the deepening development of China's market economy. The significance of this theoretical article lies in its need to clearly define the nature of the socialist market economy and demonstrate that it has not shaken the foundations of socialism.

In terms of economic system reform, China has set the reform goal of establishing a socialist market economy, which is a major theoretical and practical innovation by our Party in the process of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. This system allows the market to play a decisive role in resource allocation, reflecting the general laws of a market economy and aiming to improve the efficiency of resource allocation.

However, China implements a socialist market economy system, which still adheres to leveraging the advantages of the socialist system and the active role of the Party and government. It upholds and improves the basic economic system with public ownership as the mainstay and the common development of diverse forms of ownership, which serves as a crucial pillar for consolidating and developing the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. The state requires giving full play to the dominant role of the state-owned economy, continuously enhancing its vitality, control, and influence. The property rights of the public sector are inviolable, while the property rights of the non-public sector are equally protected by law.

The concern over whether China's market economy has led to a "new bourgeoisie" is at the core of critiques by revisionist opponents against China's current socialist market economy. Deng Xiaoping once pointed out that as long as the basic means of production remain owned by the state and collectives, that is, publicly owned, and as the nation grows stronger and people's living standards improve, a new bourgeoisie will not emerge. Many believe that China's state apparatus is robust and, once deviations from the socialist direction are detected, it will intervene to correct them.

Therefore, through in-depth analysis of the relationship between China's economic base and superstructure, this book will provide a case study for the world socialist movement—a complex, continuously self-improving model that adheres to the dominant position of public ownership as a "21st-century non-revisionist" paradigm.

Other articles in this book will also explore "Whether Socialism Is Still Applicable in the 21st Century," whose importance lies in directly addressing fundamental doubts about the feasibility of the socialist path in the international community following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, while elucidating the inevitability and superiority of China's choice to adopt and persist with the socialist path in its historical progression.

The Communist Party of China, in summarizing historical experiences, has pointed out that only socialism can save China, and only socialism with Chinese characteristics can develop China. This is the conclusion of history and the choice of the people. Since modern times, countless patriots and revolutionaries rose up in resistance to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but they failed repeatedly. After the founding of the Communist Party of China, it united and led the people to transform the impoverished and backward old China into a new China increasingly advancing toward prosperity and strength.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics carries the ideals and explorations of generations of Chinese Communists. In practice after the founding of the People's Republic, whether before or after the reform and opening-up, it has essentially been the practical exploration of our Party leading the people in socialist construction. Deng Xiaoping explicitly stated in the 1980s that China can only follow the socialist path.

In the 21st century, China still faces significant and severe risks and challenges. However, achieving the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, realizing national prosperity, national revitalization, and people's happiness is the common aspiration of all Chinese people. Socialism is the only path to achieving this grand goal. Therefore, discussing the applicability of socialism in the 21st century fundamentally addresses whether the Chinese Dream can be realized.

The primary stage of socialism is the most fundamental national condition and reality of contemporary China. China remains and will long remain in the primary stage of socialism. This stage, beginning with the basic completion of socialist transformation in the 1950s and lasting until the fundamental realization of socialist modernization, will require at least a century.

Precisely because it is in the primary stage, China faces issues such as imbalance, lack of coordination, and unsustainability in its development, with significant gaps remaining in urban-rural and regional development as well as income distribution among residents. Any tendency to rush for quick results that transcends reality and stages must be diligently avoided. Therefore, China must adhere unwaveringly to the Party's basic line for the primary stage of socialism, namely "one central task, two basic points"—focusing on economic construction as the central task, upholding the Four Cardinal Principles, and persisting in reform and opening up. In this context, we need to continuously advance the development of Marxist-Leninist theory in the 21st century, ensuring that the socialist theoretical system keeps pace with the times and technological progress, and can sustainably address the various problems and practical difficulties faced by society and the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Deng Xiaoping once pointed out that China is still in the primary stage of socialism, an underdeveloped stage. Everything must proceed from this reality, and plans must be formulated based on this reality. This pragmatic attitude is precisely the key to ensuring the sustained development and success of socialism in the 21st century.

The vitality of socialism lies in development and innovation. Marxism must inevitably develop along with the progress of the era, practice, and science; it cannot remain static. Without continuous advancement in theoretical innovation, practical innovation, and institutional innovation, it will be difficult for socialism to achieve new victories in the 21st century.

Through reform and opening-up, China has achieved a historic shift from a highly centralized planned economy to a dynamic socialist market economy. The pace of such reforms must accelerate, yet ideological development and theoretical progress must keep pace with economic growth. The remarkable success of China's economy in recent years powerfully demonstrates the strong applicability of integrating the fundamental principles of scientific socialism with contemporary developments.

Furthermore, China has incorporated ecological civilization construction into the overall layout of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This involves coordinating and advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics through a "five-in-one" theoretical and developmental framework, encompassing economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress. This represents the integration of China's socialism with its industrial, economic, cultural, and technological development realities in the 21st century, striving toward a new era of socialist ecological civilization. It reflects socialism's profound response to sustainable human development beyond material civilization in the 21st century, and also signifies socialism and Marxism-Leninism's deep engagement with the evolution of human civilization in this era.

Therefore, in-depth research and critical analysis of this topic not only bolster the Chinese Communist Party's confidence in its path and theories but also offer significant theoretical and practical references for nations and countries worldwide still exploring their own development paths.

We will also explore "whether socialism and communism inherently imply a lack of freedom and democracy," as its significance lies in addressing the ideological criticisms of the socialist system from the Western world and clarifying the core concepts and institutional advantages of the political development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

One of the goals of socialism with Chinese characteristics is to build a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious. This clearly demonstrates that democracy is an inherent requirement of socialism.

The core of this issue lies in distinguishing between socialist democracy and bourgeois liberalization. In China, it is essential to uphold the organic unity of the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the position of the people as masters of the country, and the rule of law, with the fundamental goal of ensuring that the people are the masters of the country.

Comrade Deng Xiaoping profoundly pointed out: "To safeguard people's democracy, it is necessary to strengthen the legal system. Democracy must be institutionalized and written into law so that such institutions and laws will not change with the change of leadership or with the shifts in the focus of their attention." This emphasizes the supreme role of the constitution and laws in protecting people's democracy and freedom. The constitution establishes the principle that all power in the country belongs to the people and ensures the realization of citizens' economic, cultural, social, and other rights.

China upholds and improves its fundamental political systems, including the system of people's congresses, the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the system of regional ethnic autonomy, and the system of community-level self-governance. Consultative democracy, as a distinctive form and unique strength of China's socialist democracy, helps improve the orderly political participation of the people.

Therefore, the discussion on this topic serves as a declaration to the world that on its development path, China pursues not only material prosperity but also political civilization, and resolutely opposes any organization or individual enjoying privileges beyond the Constitution and laws.

Western doubts about China being "unfree and undemocratic" often stem from the proletariat's rejection of "bourgeois liberalization.

Deng Xiaoping clearly stated that engaging in "bourgeois liberalization" means worshipping the "democracy" and "freedom" of Western capitalist countries while negating socialism.

Attempting to blindly transplant Western development models to China and using Western standards and perspectives to measure China's socialist development is, in fact, a form of ideological turmoil—a lingering ideological poison from the Cold War-era demonization propaganda by Western capitalist blocs against socialist countries.

Without a stable and united political environment, it is impossible to carry out development. Therefore, China must adhere to the socialist system and maintain overall social stability. This emphasis on stability and order is precisely the fundamental issue that must be addressed during China's economic development period.

Socialist democracy aims to achieve the broadest people's democracy, rather than blindly copying models from other countries. China must determine its own system and management methods based on its own characteristics, because "only the wearer knows if the shoes fit.

The importance of this topic is also reflected in the fact that socialist democracy and freedom must center on social fairness, justice, and common prosperity.

Fairness and justice are inherent requirements of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the lifeline of political and legal work. We must, on the basis of economic and social development, accelerate the establishment of systems crucial for ensuring social fairness and justice, and gradually build a social fairness guarantee system. The effectiveness of all work should ultimately be measured by whether the people have truly benefited, whether their lives have genuinely improved, whether their rights and interests have been effectively safeguarded, and whether the proletariat still holds the leadership of the country during social transformation and development.

The goal of socialism in China is to eliminate class distinctions and achieve a communist society. Common prosperity is a fundamental principle of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must ensure that the fruits of development benefit all people more extensively and fairly, steadily advancing toward common prosperity. Only by innovating institutional arrangements and striving to overcome phenomena that violate fairness and justice due to human factors can we better embody the principles of socialist fairness and justice.

Therefore, this book's exploration of the topic will reveal how socialism with Chinese characteristics safeguards people's rights and interests through its unique political system, striving to avoid the polarization that may occur under Western capitalist systems, thereby demonstrating that socialism in the 21st century not only pursues development but also emphasizes people-centered fairness and justice.

These three issues are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, forming a comprehensive examination and feedback on the development prospects of socialism and Marxism in the 21st century. We must recognize that upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is a grand undertaking, and no single book can fully elaborate on it. Comrade Deng Xiaoping established the fundamental principles and basic framework for socialism with Chinese characteristics, bringing socialist China into the 21st century. The task of our generation of the proletariat is to continue writing this epic story of socialist revolution and development. This requires us to maintain firm confidence in 21st-century socialism, as well as confidence in the path, theory, and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, observing and solving problems from the Marxist standpoint, perspective, and methodology.

We are living in an era of shifting winds and changing clouds, facing a world that is constantly renewing itself. The balance of international forces continues to evolve in a direction favorable to world peace and development. However, humanity still faces numerous challenges and difficulties, with hegemonic behavior, power politics, and neo-interventionism on the rise. Against this backdrop, China adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace, refrains from seeking hegemony or expansion, and is committed to promoting the building of a harmonious world characterized by lasting peace and common prosperity.

The study in this book aims to seize historical opportunities on the new historical journey, identify shortcomings, and forge ahead with determination and bold exploration—blazing trails through mountains and building bridges across rivers—to continuously open new horizons for the Sinicization of Marxism. It seeks to make contemporary Chinese Marxism radiate even more brilliant light of truth and contribute new and greater advancements to human civilization.

The Independent Exploration and Historical Resonance of Contemporary China’s Socialist Path: Re-examining the Critique of Dogmatism and False Revisionism—Starting from Deng Xiaoping Theory

Across today's international and domestic political discourse, debates over China's social nature have never ceased. Particularly within the rhetorical frameworks of certain critics and extreme leftists, there exists a clear implication—even explicit assertion—that contemporary China has already become a "revisionist state," deviating from the so-called fundamental path of socialism or Marxist orthodoxy. In my view, this narrative not only reflects a superficial understanding of historical practice but also represents a self-limiting denial of Marxism's vitality. We must soberly recognize that Marx and Lenin cannot rise from their graves to solve the challenges of the twenty-first century for us. They are giants of history, not saviors of the present era.

My core argument is that the development path of socialist economy and communist revolution is by no means an immutable dogma—it requires China to find answers through its own practice and align with the realities of 21st-century progress. Those who equate socialism with rigid planned economies and fantasize about China reverting to an era of poverty are foolish and unrealistic. As Comrade Deng Xiaoping stated, the fundamental criteria for evaluating a socialist economic system do not lie in the specific methods of economic development adopted, but in its ability to effectively narrow the wealth gap, achieve common prosperity, ensure the working class and proletariat hold a dominant position in society, and guarantee that the voices of grassroots citizens are genuinely heard.

Therefore, certain leftists who regard the Soviet Union of the 1970s and modern North Korea as "models of socialist development," and consequently accuse China of deviating from the right path, are undoubtedly engaging in conceptual substitution and are profoundly mistaken. We will delve into the limitations of these historical examples and demonstrate that, despite missteps in its economic explorations, China has upheld the essence of socialism—particularly by successfully avoiding the descent into bureaucratic capitalism—which in itself constitutes a significant historical achievement.