Several Questions on Upholding and Developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

Speech delivered by Xi Jinping on January 5, 2013. Main points of the speech at the seminar attended by the members and alternate members of the newly elected Central Committee of the CPC for implementing the guiding principles of the Party’s 18th National Congress.

Contained in from Selection and Compilation of Important Documents since the 18th National Congress (Vol.1). The speech expounded how to adhere to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics from four aspects.

Firstly, Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is socialism, it is not any other sort of “ism”, the foundational, scientific principles of socialism cannot be abandoned; only if they are abandoned would our system no longer be socialist. From first to the last our Party has emphasized that “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” adheres to the basic principles of scientific socialism and it is imbued with characteristically Chinese features bestowed by the conditions of the times. There has been no end to the different flavors of “China collapse” theory. Yet China has not collapsed. Onthe contrary, our comprehensive national strength increases day by day. The living standards of the people are constantly improving, “the scene before us is unique in its beauty.” In the past it was improper to import the Soviet system full-scale; today it is just as impossible for us to import the Western system full-scale. After the end of the Cold War many developing countries were forced to adopt the Western model. No matter how Reform and Opening-up is, we should always adhere to the path, theory, and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Secondly, our Party has led the people two historical periods of building socialism: before the “Reform and Opening-up” and afterwards. These are two periods are interrelated. They also had significant differences, but in essence they were both practical explorations made by our Party in leading the people in socialist construction. Socialism with Chinese characteristics was first initiated in the period of Reform and Opening-up. However, it was during the New China era that the basic socialist system was built, and socialism with Chinese characteristics could only have been initiated on the twenty-year foundation laid by the work socialist construction, in that period. The speech emphasized that although the two historical periods are very different in their guiding thoughts, principles, policies, and practical work, they are by no means separated from or opposed to each other. Even though the guidance, policy, and actual work of building socialism in these two historical periods possess large differences, they are by no means cut off from each other, much less inherently antithetical to each other. The reason why I emphasize this problem is because it is a major political issue. If it is not handled well, it will have serious political consequences, as one ancient said: “To destroy a people, you must first destroy their history.” The disintegration of the Soviet Union and the dissolution of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union are lessons for us from the past.

Thirdly, Marxism must always develop along with the social realities and technology of the times, Marxism cannot stagnate, After the start of opening-up, socialism has only continued to advance. Upholding the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics is much like a great book. The responsibility of this generation of Communist Party members is to write the next chapter of this great work. To uphold Marxism and socialism, we must take the perspective of development. We must take the practical problems of China’s modernization and reform and put these things we are doing at the center of our vision. Then we must focus our view of them through the perspective of Marxist theory, the sort of theoretical thinking that addresses practical problems, and through the new practices and forms of development that result from this. We have said that there is no one-size-fits-all path of development for the entire world. There also is no path of development that does not require change. Therefore, to uphold Marxism and socialism, we must have a benign development perspective.

Fourthly, our Party has always adhered to the lofty ideals of communism, and Communist Party members, especially leading Party cadres, must be firm believers and faithful practitioners of the lofty ideals of communism and the common ideals of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Faith in Marxism and belief in socialism and communism is the political soul of the Communists and the spiritual pillar of the Communists to withstand all kind of tests. Revolutionary ideals reach higher than the heavens. Without lofty ideals, one is not a qualified as a Communist Party member. Yet those who abandon their work in the real world to vainly preach such ideals also do not reach this standard. The fundamental reason why some of our comrades have weak ideals and faltering beliefs is that their views lack a firm grounding in historical materialism.

Xi Jinping emphasized that facts have repeatedly told us that Marx and Engels’ analysis of the basic contradictions of the capitalist society is not outdated, nor is the historical materialist view that capitalism is bound to die out and socialism is bound to win. This is an inevitable trend of social and historical development. But the path is tortuous. Here we must have a great strategic determination, resolutely reject all kinds of erroneous claims arguing for abandoning socialism. We must consciously correct the various mistaken ideas that go beyond and not accord with the current stage. Thinking that going into communism takes one or two seconds is unrealistic.