[Vietnam] Vo Van Phuc: China and Vietnam Join Hands to Contribute to the Development of Contemporary World Socialism
The Communist Party of China (CPC) takes Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its guides to action, while the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) takes Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought as its guiding ideology. The political and academic circles of both countries persist in and develop Marxist-Leninist theory in accordance with the progress of the times. Consequently, there are many similarities in the localization [1] and practical application of the Marxist-Leninist theoretical systems in each country. A prominent feature of both China and Vietnam in the cause of socialist construction is that China implements a basic economic system in which public ownership is the mainstay and diverse forms of ownership develop together, and in which distribution according to work is the mainstay and diverse modes of distribution coexist, alongside the socialist market economy system. Vietnam, during its transitional period toward socialism, is implementing a socialist-oriented market economy system [2].
Although the names of the market economy systems in China and Vietnam are not identical, in practice, both are new types of market economy systems. The economic bases of both countries have been tested and practiced under the leadership of their respective Communist Parties, and both countries take Marxism as their guiding ideology. Socialism with Chinese characteristics possesses "Fourteen Persistences" [3], while Vietnamese socialism possesses eight characteristics. These socialist characteristics of China and Vietnam share similarities and serve as the foundation for the cause of socialist modernization in both countries, making a significant contribution to the collective development of contemporary world socialism.
The great achievements made by China during various stages of socialist modernization not only affirm the profound significance of socialist modernization for China’s development, but also contribute a brand-new "Chinese solution" to global development through the "construction of a community with a shared future for humanity." China’s socialist modernization is both an affirmation of Marxism and a process that has been tested through the practice of actual socialist construction.
General Secretary Xi Jinping, in his speech at the conference celebrating the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up, stated: "On the road ahead, we must persist in taking Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the ‘Three Represents’ important thought, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guide, and persist in the organic unity of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts. Developing 21st-century Marxism and contemporary Chinese Marxism is the unshirkable historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists." This implies that China’s reform and opening up possesses the character and direction of the comprehensive development of socialism, and persisting in and developing this cause is also an embodiment of the "Great Struggle" [4].
For the Communist Party of Vietnam, after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi [5] (Renovation) and development, the Party has formed several basic theoretical viewpoints regarding the socialist model and the Vietnamese path to socialism.
First, it has persisted in and developed the ideological foundation of the Party. Under the guidance of the banner of Marxism-Leninism, the CPV has led the Vietnamese revolutionary cause from victory to victory. Based on the requirements of the Doi Moi cause, the CPV resolved that "The Communist Party of Vietnam takes Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought as its ideological foundation and guide to action." This is an extremely vital issue, of great significance for the Doi Moi cause and the revolutionary prospects of Vietnam in the new period.
Second, it has clarified the developmental direction of socialism and the model for building Vietnamese socialism. After nearly 40 years of Doi Moi, the CPV has centered socialism as the basic direction in all major fields of the renovation cause, clearly pointing out that the state must guard against the risk of deviating from the socialist direction within the socialist process under the new era's context. The most crucial and directional viewpoint is the need to maintain the CPV's status as the governing and leading party, improve the management efficiency of the socialist rule-of-law state [6], and give full play to the people’s role as the masters of the country.
Third, it has innovated and developed the theory of Vietnam’s socialist-oriented market economy. At its Sixth National Congress in December 1986, the CPV clarified that economic and social development is the central task, while Party building is the key task. The socialist-oriented market economy is the general economic model for Vietnam during its transition to socialism. This is a form of market economy that both follows the laws of the market economy and embodies, is guided by, and is governed by the essential principles of socialism, serving the interests of the Vietnamese working people and the entire nation.
Fourth, it has formed the theory of a Vietnamese socialist rule-of-law state that belongs to the people, comes from the people, and is for the people. The socialist rule-of-law state built by Vietnam must maintain its revolutionary and class nature, truly becoming an effective tool for the people to exercise their rights as masters of the house [7]. By means of the rule of law and management according to law, the status and role of the legal system are elevated, requiring every organization and citizen in society to fulfill their obligations to respect and obey the law, while simultaneously promoting national morality and the values of national culture.
Fifth, it has continuously deepened and developed the understanding of an advanced Vietnamese culture that is rich in national identity, diverse, and unified. By standing on the foundation of traditional culture and absorbing the essence of human civilization, the CPV has gradually established a set of new, modern Vietnamese national cultural values. These values serve as the goal, foundation, and driving force for the country to rapidly achieve sustainable development, constantly improving the material and spiritual lives of the people.
Sixth, it has formed a theory of opening up and international integration. The CPV has formulated and continuously refined a diplomatic theoretical system and line for the country's opening up and international integration within the context of economic globalization. It "pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, and the diversification and multilateralization of external relations. It ensures the highest interests of the nation and people on the basis of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law regarding equality, cooperation, and mutual benefit. It combines national strength with the power of the times, actively and proactively integrating into the international community in a comprehensive and in-depth manner. Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner, and an active, responsible member of the international community."
Seventh, it has developed the CPV’s theory of governance. During the Doi Moi period, the CPV has attached great importance to summarizing various issues involving the country’s economic and social life, including politics, ideology, morality, organization, and cadres.
Eighth, it has clarified and stimulated the great driving force of the Vietnamese revolution. Great national unity is the Party’s strategic line, the source of strength, and the decisive factor in winning the cause of building and defending the fatherland. The solid foundation of great national unity is the alliance of the working class, the peasantry, and the intelligentsia under the leadership of the Party; the close link between the Party and the people; the people’s trust in the Party and the state; and the unity among all classes, ethnic groups, and religions in Vietnam, as well as between Vietnamese people at home and abroad, and between the Vietnamese people and those who love peace and progress throughout the world.
In summary, by providing comprehensive leadership over the Doi Moi cause, the CPV has gradually formed, developed, and continuously refined a line for the country’s comprehensive renovation according to a socialist orientation. This is also a process of forming, supplementing, and gradually improving the theory regarding the socialist model and the Vietnamese path to socialism.
Since China’s reform and opening up and Vietnam’s Doi Moi, the cause of socialist modernization has achieved enormous successes. These achievements are a concrete manifestation of persisting in Marxism-Leninism, suited to each country's reality, collectively contributing to the growing destiny of world socialism and to the promotion of building a community with a shared future for humanity.