Xi Jinping: All CPC members must study Marxist theory

This is an abbreviated translation of a speech by Xi Jinping to the Politbureau from 2018 illustrating the importance Marxist theory still has for China. It has notably been republished by the CPC theory newspaper Qiushi in November 2019. The translation is not verbatim for better readability but captures the essence and the structure of the original Chinese text to the best of my understanding. Comments welcome.

Marxist thinking is essential for all members of the Communist Party of China, and several study sessions of the politbureau were held with respect to Marxist theory. The importance of the Communist Manifest is that for the first time it describes Socialism in a scientific and comprehensive way. There are several important points to note:

1.      It describes the scientific worldview of Marxism, looking at history from a materialistic view, without the need for celestial beings, characters, or thought concepts, solely explaining humanity’s development based on material developments. It also explains the fundamental contradictions within capitalism and why it must be overcome by socialism ultimately. It shows how capitalism socializes production and thereby creates the foundation for socialism. It explains that the overall level of production determines the relationship between productive forces. It also contains the standpoint of Marxism, which is to benefit the very big majority of the people.

2.      It further describes the progressive nature of the Marxist political party, which is fighting for those who don’t own capital. The Communist Party participate in present movements but also shows the way for future movements. It must consist of most forward-thinking, fearless and never-tiring fighters.

3.      It clarifies the Marxist standpoint, which is to fight in the interest of those who don’t own capital and the majority of the people. It pushes for modernized production and for the interest of the large majority rather than for special interests.

4.      It clarifies the ideal of Marxists and members of the Communist Party, which is to realize communism, liberate the people and achieve comprehensive development.

5.      It describes the revolutionary principle of the Communist Party, which is to lead the people without capital to become the ruling group of society, fight for democracy, and use this power to rapidly increase overall production. There are even some concepts on how to increase productivity, although some of them are not applicable anymore today, but their spirit is still positive today.

6.      It describes the internationalist nature of Marxism. It explains how capitalism crosses all borders to increase market size and production efficiency. And it makes clear that the struggle of the people without capital is not local and territorial and that for the true liberation of them, the people all over the world must be liberated.

We must know how the Communist Manifest has influenced global socialism. Shortly after its publication the “First International” was founded. In 1917 Lenin succeeded in establishing the first Socialist country taking socialism from theory to practice. After WWII other nations followed into the path of Socialism. The first revolutionaries of our own Communist Party were inspired by the Communist Manifest and all our political theory was built on the basis of Marxist thinking. Marx is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the recent 1000 years, and after the financial crisis interest in Marxism is also on the rise in the West again.

We uphold the scientific principles and spirit of the Communist Manifest. As I’ve said before, when you feel ill at ease, go read some of the classics. Reading again the Communist Manifest can inspire one, based on one’s experience.

Take-Aways from the Communist Manifesto by the CPC Politbureau

1.      Vow to stick to the far dream of Communism and the common goal of Sino-Socialism. It is the scientifically outlined belief that society will evolve towards the Communist ideal (equality, fairness, freedom) and we must strictly adhere to this belief in order to “sway with every breeze”. And the members of the communist party must inspire the common people to see the ideals of Communism. Socialism was on the verge of becoming a “ghost” again, after the fall of the Soviet Union and the domino effect in Eastern Europe. But the continuous successes of China inspire again more and more people to see the power of Marxist theory. We must be confident in China’s own path of development, in our theory, in our political system, and in our culture, and strictly adhere to the principles of the Communist Party as not to damage the honorary title of being a Party member.

2.      Put the people at the center of development. The people have the highest importance, and both people and society should develop comprehensively. The Main Contradiction of the Chinese society is “the daily increasing needs for a better life of the people vs. the not sufficient and not balanced development” and we must us the New Development Concept [quality instead of quantity growth] to increase the quality of development and the quality of life of the people. Reform must benefit the people, what hinders the development of productive forces must be dissolved, what blocks the cultural development of society must be removed, people should get a stronger sense of sharing in the benefits of development, of increasing happiness, and increasing safety [including economic safety in sickness and old age].

3.      Follow the major global trends while pushing for a shared understanding among world society. These years we see the trends towards a multi-polar world, a globalized economy, the information age, cultural diversity; all countries are connected with all others and more and more rely on each other for their existence, as Marx and Engels have predicted. Every country has the right to development and must consider its own benefit, yet it mustn’t damage other countries in the process. Unilateralism and protectionism don’t conform with the main trends of humanity. We won’t budge in protecting our development interests, in further opening up our country, push the international community to address the generational challenges, the challenges from globalization. We will push for a more open, more tolerant, more balanced system where all can be winners and profit from globalization: different countries, different levels of society, different groups of people.

4.      Modernize the organization of the Communist Party of China according to the new needs of the new era. The CPC supervises the big picture of all aspects of CPC, country, and armed forces, coordinating all aspects. The CPC must lead the people into the major revolution of society, the reawakening of the peoples of china, starting with self-optimization and self-criticism. While implementing all kinds of reform projects, we must also fight against new challenges within the CPC, like empty slogans without action, or unnecessary bureaucracy, leadership inaction and indecision, weak knowledge of theory and strategic direction at the base. We must ensure the CPC remains a Marxist party, progressive, at the heart of the peoples of China.

5.      Further develop the sinification of Marxism. The power and the vitality of Marxism is in answering the major topics of our time, progressing with time and with the changes in society. The logic of thought in the Communist Manifesto is absolutely correct, but we can’t expect it to make specific predictions for the developments 170 years later. We must take the truth, the logic, the science in Marxism and apply it to present challenges. We must deepen our understanding of the patterns (natural laws) of Communist Party leadership, building of socialism, and the development of humanity, to develop Marxism of the 21st century, Chinese Marxism.

6.      All members of the CPC and especially the leadership of the CPC must study the classics of Marxism like the Communist Manifesto, study in order to apply, read and reflect, grasp the concepts, the methods, and the standpoint of Marxism (to stand with the working class). We need more experts in modern Marxism who can explain and specify the theory in current circumstances, and we must find new ways to provide this knowledge to the masses in ways they can enjoy learning it.

Another 30 years from now, 2048 the Communist Manifesto will have been published for 200 years. That coincides with the target date for China to have become a modern, powerful, socialist country, having achieved the Great Reawakening of the Chinese Peoples (the second 100 year plan of Deng Xiaoping). This will be the proof of the correctness, the scientific value, and the predictive power of Marxism. Let’s make this great moment reality by practical action!