Li Shenming: Adhering to the Highly Organic Unity of Maintaining and Developing Marxism
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized at the Ceremony Marking the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China: "Why is the Communist Party of China capable? Why is socialism with Chinese characteristics good? Ultimately, it is because Marxism works!" This indicates that being "capable," "good," and "working" are not in a parallel relationship; rather, "Marxism works" holds a uniquely commanding position among the three. This thoroughgoing materialist judgment and conclusion reached by General Secretary Xi Jinping possesses immense strategic significance. Precisely for this reason, how to integrate a complete, comprehensive, and accurate understanding of what we mean by Marxism carries equal strategic weight.
The "Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century" (hereinafter referred to as the Resolution), adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, helps us profoundly understand what we mean by Marxism. The Resolution explicitly points out: "Marxism reveals the laws governing the development of human society; it is a scientific truth for understanding and transforming the world." It further states: "Marxist theory is not a dogma but a guide to action; it must develop along with the development of practice," and "Upholding and developing Marxism requires arduous and highly challenging efforts from Marxists worldwide, spanning from theory to practice." What our Party refers to as the integration of the universal truths of Marxism with China’s specific realities and the features of the times—namely, the Sinicization of Marxism—encompasses both upholding Marxism and developing Marxism; it is the unity of upholding and developing Marxism. Of course, depending on different circumstances, it may be necessary to emphasize different aspects. To uphold the universal truths of Marxism is to uphold the universality of contradiction; to persist in combining it with China’s realities and the features of the times is to uphold the particularity of contradiction [1]. Only by integrating the universal truths of Marxism with Chinese reality and the features of the times can we truly uphold and develop Marxism. Otherwise, it is neither genuine upholding nor genuine development.
In the theoretical building of the Party, we must first unswervingly uphold the basic principles of Marxism. While reading the Soviet Textbook of Political Economy [2] between 1959 and early 1960, Mao Zedong said: "The books of the ancestors [3] like Marx must be read, and their basic principles must be observed." Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, and Xi Jinping have all mentioned many times that the "ancestors" must not be forgotten, but we must first correctly recognize and understand the connotation of what they mean by "ancestors." The ancestors they speak of refer to our Party’s theoretical, ideological, and political ancestors—namely Marx, Engels, and Lenin—and absolutely do not refer to genealogical or bloodline ancestors of various clans, nor to Confucius, Lao-Zhuang [4], or Buddhist studies within traditional Chinese culture, much less Western culture and civilization. Of course, regarding the fine traditional Chinese culture—the ancestors in a broad sense—and all human civilizations including Western civilization, we must learn from them, use them for reference, and inherit them critically; however, in essence, these do not constitute the guiding ideology of our Party. In February 1962, Mao Zedong said: "If you do not attach importance to studying theory and just engage in routine affairs every day, you will surely lose your way." In November 1966, while meeting a delegation of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Workers' Party, Mao said: "One must study Marxism-Leninism; the common foundation for truly revolutionary Communist Parties worldwide is Marxism-Leninism."
General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the need to uphold Marxism unswervingly. In December 2015, at the National Conference on Party Schools, General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly pointed out: "The theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is, in the final analysis, guided by the basic theories of Marxism and is the result of combining these basic theories with China’s specific realities. Marxism is the 'True Sutra' [5] for us Communists. If the 'True Sutra' is not recited well, and one is always thinking of 'seeking scriptures from the West,' [6] it will ruin great undertakings! If one does not understand or is unfamiliar with the basic principles of Marxism, it is impossible to truly understand and master the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics." At the same time, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to strengthen the "study and research of Marxist classical works," to "read the original works, learn the original texts, and internalize the principles, especially to understand the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method contained therein, rather than stopping at a superficial level." On September 29, 2017, during a collective study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Times are changing and society is developing, but the basic principles of Marxism remain scientific truth." He added: "Should we deviate from or abandon Marxism, our Party would lose its soul and lose its way. On the fundamental issue of upholding Marxism as our guide, we must remain steadfast and never waver at any time or under any circumstances."
To unswervingly uphold Marxism, there is a secondary issue that needs to be explored: which formulation is more accurate, the "Sinicization of Marxism" (马克思主义中国化) or "Sinicized Marxism" (中国化的马克思主义)? In October 1938, at the Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth CPC Central Committee, Mao Zedong proposed: "The great strength of Marxism-Leninism lies in its connection with the specific revolutionary practice of each country." "Therefore, to concretize Marxism in China, so that in every manifestation it carries the necessary Chinese characteristics—that is to say, to apply it according to China's characteristics—has become a problem that the whole Party urgently needs to understand and solve." According to notes in the Chronological Biography of Mao Zedong, the aforementioned "concretize Marxism in China" was revised by Mao while editing the Selected Works of Mao Zedong; in his 1938 political report "On the New Stage," it was "the Sinicization of Marxism." What is the concretization or Sinicization of Marxism? It is what Mao later frequently used: "the integration of the universal truths of Marxism-Leninism with the specific practice of the Chinese revolution," or "the unity of the universal truths of Marxism-Leninism with China's specific conditions." On January 30, 1962, Mao further proposed: "We must integrate the universal truths of Marxism-Leninism with the specific reality of China's socialist construction, and with the specific reality of the future world revolution, as well as possible." On December 3, 1962, meeting with Brazilian guests, when a guest mentioned that Mao’s works were creative Marxism, Mao replied: "This is how we formulate it—the integration of the universal truths of Marxism-Leninism with the specific practice of the Chinese revolution. I suspect that in Latin America, in Brazil, you must also integrate the universal truths of Marxism-Leninism with the specific practice of your own country." Since the 18th National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized "upholding the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities," while also emphasizing the "Sinicization of Marxism," similarly no longer emphasizing the use of the concept "Sinicized Marxism." This author suggests that it is better not to use the concept "Sinicized Marxism." Because the basic principles or universal truths of Marxism belong not only to China but to the world; they are truths that are universally applicable. The formulation "Sinicized Marxism" often leads people to mistakenly believe that the theoretical foundation of the CPC's guiding ideology has become fully mature and no longer has anything to do with the "ancestors" of Marxism-Leninism. This could unconsciously and unintentionally dilute the foundational part—the universal truths or basic principles of Marxism—within the process of the Sinicization of Marxism.
Upholding Marxism is not the same as upholding dogmatism. As early as May 31, 1945, at the Party’s Seventh National Congress, Mao Zedong said: "Where does dogmatism come from? Does it come from Marx, Engels, Lenin, or Stalin? It does not. they frequently remind us in their writings that their doctrine is a guide to action, a weapon, not a dogma. What they speak is not dogma, but it becomes dogma after we read it because we haven't read it thoroughly or don't know how to read it. Can we blame them?" In March 1957, Mao explicitly pointed out: "Dogmatism is not Marxism, but anti-Marxism." In May 1958, at the second session of the Eighth National Congress, Mao also said: "Marx and Lenin are guides, not dogmas. Dogmatism is the most worthless and the ugliest." Merely shouting a few Marxist slogans or treating Marxism dogmatically—or even attempting to use Marxist phrases as a "stepping stone" to seek personal gain or seize special interests for a small clique—does not play any positive role and instead ruins the reputation of Marxism. In fact, when Marxist theory fails to play its proper role, it is often because it has not been treated with a scientific attitude. Problems that arise after its application are absolutely not problems with Marxist theory itself, but the inevitable result caused by our own inability to correctly understand and apply it. Therefore, we must never lay the blame on Marxist theory when the study and application of Marxism fails to solve existing problems or leads to major issues; instead, we should seek truth from facts and recognize that it is because we ourselves have not understood or applied it well.
While unswervingly upholding Marxism, Mao Zedong and Xi Jinping have also emphasized many times that we must have the courage to develop and innovate upon Marxism. In July 1958, Mao pointed out: "The basic principles of Marxism-Leninism are consistent, but the specific conditions of each country differ. Marxists must be good at independent thinking to apply Marxism-Leninism." While reading the Soviet Textbook of Political Economy between 1959 and early 1960, Mao added: "The Communist Party of any country and the ideological circles of any country must create new theories, write new works, and produce their own theorists to serve the current politics. Relying solely on the ancestors will not do."
General Secretary Xi Jinping, while emphasizing upholding Marxism, also particularly emphasizes developing Marxism. On May 17, 2016, at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Marxism possesses the theoretical quality of advancing with the times." He stated: "Marxism is an open theoretical system that develops continuously along with the development of the times, practice, and science. It has not ended truth, but has opened up the path toward truth." He further noted: "Using the quotes of Marxist classical writers to speak about everything, and believing that if the classical writers didn't say it, it cannot be said—this is not a Marxist attitude." Finally, he said: "Integrating the upholding of Marxism with the development of Marxism, and continuously making new theoretical creations in combination with new practices—this is the secret to Marxism maintaining its eternal vigor and vitality."
To achieve a high degree of internal, organic unity between upholding and developing Marxism is exactly what Mao Zedong said in January 1961: "The Sinicization of Marxism is the unity of the universal truths of Marxism with the specific practice of the Chinese revolution. There are some differences in the branches and leaves in different countries—there must be such differences—but the root is the same." This is to say, combining the basic principles of Marxism with the realities of various countries is itself a basic principle of Marxism. Upholding and developing Marxism are also highly dialectically unified. What we mean by upholding Marxism refers to upholding the basic principles of Marxism, rather than individual specific conclusions made by classical writers under specific historical conditions. The basic principles of Marxism are universally applicable truths that will never become obsolete before the realization of communism; even after communism is realized, Marxist theories regarding the universality and particularity of contradiction, and the struggle between the advanced and the backward, will likewise not become obsolete. Developing Marxism primarily means that in the process of combining the basic principles of Marxism with the realities of various countries and the features of the times, one must apply them flexibly according to different locations, times, and trends. One must have the courage to reach new conclusions and create new theories to guide new practice. Of course, the prerequisite for development is upholding, and genuine upholding must necessarily reside within development. Upholding the correct application of the basic principles of Marxism in new practice will inevitably result in development. Upholding is the prerequisite for development, and development is the result of upholding. Upholding and development are a highly organic unity, much like the palm and the back of a hand cannot be separated. If one separates upholding from development, or one-sidedly emphasizes only one aspect, it will lead to bias. General Secretary Xi Jinping said: "Toward Marxism, one cannot take a dogmatic attitude, nor a pragmatic attitude." Generally speaking, emphasizing only upholding without discussing development easily leads to dogmatism; emphasizing only development without discussing upholding easily leads to pragmatism. Dogmatism and pragmatism are equally harmful.
To highly prioritize the Party's theoretical construction and to uphold and develop Marxism, we must also correctly understand and handle the various relationships between internal education, external propaganda, and diplomatic statements. While expressions may vary depending on the audience and occasion, they remain identical in essence. Only when theory is thorough can it persuade and master the masses. We must not form several sets of essentially different and contradictory discourse systems. In diplomatic and international settings, we should also, at appropriate times and in suitable ways, confidently explain the Socialism with Chinese Characteristics that we seek to uphold and develop; we absolutely must not passively avoid this.
In December 1959, while presiding over an enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, Mao Zedong pointed out: "There is no doubt that the great development of Marxism-Leninism is in China." During the 43rd collective study session of the 18th Central Committee Political Bureau, General Secretary Xi Jinping explicitly required: "Deeply summarize the practice of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, better achieve the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with the specific realities of contemporary China, and simultaneously broaden our horizons to absorb all beneficial achievements of human civilization, continuously innovating and developing Marxism." In his speech at the conference celebrating the 40th anniversary of Reform and Opening-up, General Secretary Xi Jinping further noted: "Developing 21st-century Marxism and contemporary Chinese Marxism is the unshakable historical responsibility of contemporary Chinese Communists."
On January 30, 1962, at a time when China's economy was facing relatively significant difficulties, Mao Zedong clearly pointed out at the Enlarged Central Work Conference: "From now until fifty or a hundred years hence will be a great era of radical change in the social system of the world, an era of earth-shaking transformation [7], incomparable to any previous historical era. Living in such an era, we must be prepared to engage in great struggles whose forms differ in many characteristics from those of past eras." Comrade Xi Jinping served as the head of the drafting group for the report to the 18th Party Congress. During the drafting process, he strongly advocated for including the phrase "must be prepared to engage in a great struggle with many new historical features" [8] into the plenary report. In this great era of "radical change in the social system of the world" and "earth-shaking transformation," and in conducting the great struggle with many new historical features, Chinese Communists bear the special mission of upholding and developing Marxism. We uphold Marxism because it reveals the inevitable laws of human historical development; we develop Marxism because the future struggle will be both arduous and magnificent.
We are well aware that the birth of any correct theory is never easily achieved amidst the beating of gongs and drums; rather, it can only be born through extremely fierce struggles and even tests of blood, fire, life, and death. In today’s China, as long as the entire Party adheres to the people-centered development philosophy, focuses on the new and magnificent great practice, and seriously summarizes experiences and lessons from all sides by seeking truth from facts, then under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we are fully equipped to innovate and develop contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism. We will surely realize Mao Zedong’s grand final wish for the Chinese nation to make a greater contribution to humanity.
(Author profile: Li Shenming: Director of the World Socialism Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences [CASS], former Vice President and Researcher of CASS)
Web Editor: Tongxin Source: World Socialism Research, Issue 2, 2022