The Modern World, China’s Experience, and the Development Prospects of Socialism: An Interview with D.G. Novikov, Deputy Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs
D.G. Novikov, male, born in 1969 in Khabarovsk, Russia (USSR), holds a Candidate of Sciences [1] degree in History. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) and First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the State Duma. He joined the CPRF in June 1992 and was elected as a member of the CPRF Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Committee in 2004. In 2008, he was elected to the Presidium of the CPRF Central Committee and as Secretary of the Central Committee. At the plenary session of the Central Committee held after the 15th National Congress of the CPRF in 2013, he was elected Vice Chairman of the CPRF Central Committee. At the 17th National Congress of the CPRF in 2017, he was elected to the CPRF Central Committee and, at the first plenary session, was elected to the Presidium and as Vice Chairman of the Central Committee. He has served as a deputy in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th sessions of the Russian State Duma. He has published essays including "I Always Believe in China's Future," "The Common Mission of China and Russia is to Lay the Foundation for a New World," "China is a Shining Example for the Whole World," "The ‘Belt and Road’ Leads to a Beautiful Future," "The Concept of a ‘Community with a Shared Future for Humanity’ is Taking Deeper Root in People's Hearts," "Russia-China Friendship is an Important Factor for Global Stability," and "I See a China Full of Vitality."
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era. Reviewing the course of the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping provided a profound summary: "Since the 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee has united and led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in overcoming many long-standing and difficult problems, accomplishing many major tasks of long-term significance, and withstanding risks and challenges from politics, economy, ideology, and the natural world. The cause of the Party and the country has achieved historic achievements and undergone historic transformations, providing a more complete institutional guarantee, a more solid material foundation, and a more proactive spiritual force for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." How do foreign communists view socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, the leadership of the CPC, and Chinese-path modernization? How do they understand today's world and the prospects for the development of socialism? To this end, we conducted an exclusive interview with D.G. Novikov, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the State Duma.
I. The Achievements of Building Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era and Their World Significance
▲ (Interviewer, hereafter abbreviated as ▲): Vice Chairman D.G. Novikov, hello! Thank you very much for accepting our interview. We know that you have written many articles related to the achievements of building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, published in major newspapers and websites in Russia and China. Please share your views on these achievements.
● (Interviewee, hereafter abbreviated as ●): Thank you! I believe that the achievements of building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era can be more clearly demonstrated only when placed in a global context and through a comparative method.
In the 20th century, the establishment of the United Nations was one of the major achievements of the international community following World War II. The UN was established primarily to address the following tasks: —To prevent humanity from breaking out into a new world war; —To establish mechanisms to prevent armed conflict and build a stable collective security mechanism; —To prevent the resurgence of fascism or other anti-human ideologies; —To promote the spread of the concepts of cooperation, humanitarianism, dialogue, equality, and mutual benefit; —To respect the sovereignty of all countries, reflect their common interests, and actively carry out dialogue; —To explore effective ways toward a better future.
For many years, the UN has made many efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and set the timeline for global poverty eradication by 2030. Today, only China has achieved tremendous success in addressing poverty. According to data provided by experts, the vast majority of countries in the Asia-Pacific region have fallen behind the SDGs by a full 35 years. However, even with a 35-year delay to 2065, there is still no guarantee that the goal of eradicating poverty can be achieved. First, various factors can interfere with the realization of the SDGs; for example, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the development of many countries. Second, the situation in various regions of the world is continuously deteriorating. The Human Development Index (HDI) has declined for the first time in 30 years. The number of people living in poverty worldwide has increased by more than 100 million, and nearly 800 million people live in hunger. In his speech at the 2022 World Economic Forum virtual session, President Xi Jinping pointed out that "the global development process is suffering a serious impact, with problems such as the North-South gap, divergent recoveries, development faults, and the technological divide becoming more prominent," calling on the world to work together to "bridge the development divide and revitalize the cause of global development." While global poverty intensifies, already extremely complex situations in fields such as employment, education, healthcare, and food security continue to worsen. On March 15, 2023, at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, General Secretary Xi Jinping noted that at the current stage of development of human civilization, "multiple challenges and crises are interwoven and superimposed, the recovery of the world economy is difficult, the development divide is constantly widening, the ecological environment continues to deteriorate, and the Cold War mentality persists."
The people of the world face a sharp question: what is to be done [2]? To treat a disease, one must investigate the cause. What is the cause of the global problems facing humanity? All these problems are related to one common cause, one ultimate "super-problem"—the deepening of the general crisis of capitalism. In works written during World War I, Lenin already demonstrated that capitalism had transitioned to the stage of imperialism, had lost its progressive historical role, and had entered a stage of decline, decay, and the outbreak of deep-seated crises. From this, it is evident that within the framework of capitalism, global problems cannot be resolved.
In the face of current threats, it is precisely the People's Republic of China that has provided a powerful response. While countries shackled by capitalism move further away from achieving the UN development goals, China strides forward. China did not wait until 2030, but fulfilled its poverty alleviation tasks 10 years ahead of schedule. The fundamental reason lies in China's choice of a socialist development path based on the fundamental interests of the broad masses of the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that the CPC "has been able to achieve major accomplishments in various historical periods of revolution, construction, and reform, and has been able to lead the people in completing arduous tasks that other political forces in China could not complete, fundamentally because it has mastered the scientific theory of Marxism and continuously advanced theoretical innovation in light of new realities."
▲: Could you talk about your understanding of China's practice of governance in the New Era?
●: It is impossible to overstate the importance of the experience of China's governance practice in the New Era. China's experience tells us that creatively developing Marxism and integrating it with the cultural characteristics of the masses can lead to monumental achievements. This is the first and most important conclusion.
The second conclusion is that Xi Jinping's achievements in governance are of vital significance. Especially in terms of strengthening Party discipline and modernizing anti-corruption efforts, he requires that both central and state organs strictly comply. This is extremely necessary for national development.
Equally important are the analysis and judgment of the international situation and the precise understanding of the development trends of world-historical events. Only by understanding the surrounding environment can one choose an effective response. As Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized: "For a country or a nation to rejuvenate, it must advance within the logic of historical progress and develop within the tide of the times." Of course, this does not mean abandoning fundamental values. On the contrary, what we see is a creative stance toward Marxism, which is the cornerstone of its success.
Xi Jinping also stated: "The Chinese people have a vivid memory of the turmoil and suffering they endured in modern times. I often say that what the Chinese people oppose is war, what they seek is stability, and what they hope for is world peace. The realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is inseparable from a peaceful and stable international environment." The fact that Xi Jinping: The Governance of China has been translated into 24 languages and is a bestseller in more than 160 countries and regions speaks for itself. The people of the world sincerely admire China's achievements. They are increasingly willing to draw on China's successful experience and, combined with their own actual conditions, seek development for their own countries.
In July 2022, while participating in the CPC and World Marxist Political Parties Forum, CPRF Chairman Zyuganov emphasized in his speech that China's development experience is increasingly of universal significance to today's world. As is well known, China does not impose its own development path on other countries. However, every thinking person should be able to analyze the situation and draw a conclusion: if a large country like China can develop rapidly in the face of a world economic crisis, there must be a reason; if these reasons can be clarified and studied, China's experience will absolutely be beneficial to the development of other countries.
II. The Leadership of the CPC is the Key to the Success of China's Socialist Construction
▲: How do you view the reasons for China's rapid development?
●: China has achieved accomplishments that have caught the world's attention. What is the reason? If these reasons can be studied and understood, China's experience can provide insights and inspiration for other countries to explore their own development paths. Of course, China now has both friends and enemies in the world. However, whether friends or enemies, most of them marvel at China's achievements, and many speak of the "Chinese miracle." But we must be clear: China has become the "locomotive" of world development not by a "miracle," but through the hard struggle of the Chinese people led by the CPC.
I have always maintained that the study of China's experience cannot be limited to economic growth data; rather, one must thoroughly study achievements in many areas, such as economic growth, the battle against poverty, the consolidation of national security, the enhancement of the PRC's prestige and status on the international stage, and the resolution of ecological problems. The reason China has been able to achieve these successes lies fundamentally in the successful and creative policies pursued by the CPC.
Some Russian experts and scholars, when participating in debates exploring the reasons for the development of various countries, often point out that China's success lies in the diligence and bravery of the Chinese people. But these scholars have not hit the mark, because they fail to specify the leading role played by the CPC in national and social development. Indeed, the Chinese people are very industrious; diligence is their nature. Throughout the 5,000-year history of the Chinese nation, the Chinese people have always been very industrious, but this national character could not and did not protect China from being bullied by the Great Powers in the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries. It is the CPC's policies that are able to defend national interests. It is precisely the CPC that leads the Chinese people in solving various difficult problems, allowing them to exercise their wisdom and talents, display their labor-loving nature, and unleash their potential. From this, it is clear that the leadership of the CPC is the key to the success of China's socialist construction.
Both domestically and internationally, the CPRF affirms the outstanding contribution made by the CPC to the cause of world socialism. The finest sons and daughters of the Chinese people see with pride that their motherland has become stronger and more beautiful today. We Russian Communists firmly believe that under the leadership of the CPC, the Two Centenary Goals [3] will surely be successfully realized!
III. The Epochal Value and Significance of Chinese-path Modernization
▲: You just mentioned the successful and creative policies pursued by the CPC. Could you share your views on Chinese-path modernization?
●: It can be said that the 20th National Congress of the CPC has true historical significance. China has embarked on a new journey of building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. The country is carrying out the construction of Chinese-path modernization. Modernization is not just a term that always sounds modern or even fashionable. In the practice of contemporary China, modernization signifies a long-term process and an important developmental mission. The historically significant 20th National Congress of the CPC defined the Party's goal as "comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization."
China's thinking on Chinese-path modernization is based on summarizing the historical experience of modernization in various countries while standing on the foundation of the progress of all humanity. At the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, President Xi Jinping pointed out: "The process of human social development is full of twists and turns, and the journey of various countries in exploring modernization paths is full of hardships." To successfully achieve modernization, one needs to understand historical experience and phenomena of great significance to human development, such as the Industrial Revolution, industrialization, and the scientific and technological revolution.
Historically, the most successful modernizations have been closely linked to the activities of Communist Parties. Following the victory of the Great October Socialist Revolution, Lenin proposed the national electrification plan. This laid the foundation for Soviet industrialization and the initial five-year plans under Stalin's leadership.
On November 13, 2023, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) published an "Appeal to the People of Russia" titled "With Lenin Toward the Future." The founder of Soviet Russia, Lenin, passed away 100 years ago on January 21, 1924. However, Lenin's death marked the beginning of his immortality.
The CPRF Central Committee’s "Appeal" cited three great contributions made by Lenin:
First is Lenin’s contribution to Marxism. Lenin developed Marxism, advancing it into the stage of Marxism-Leninism.
Second is Lenin’s contribution to the practice of the international communist movement. Lenin founded Bolshevism, established a vanguard-type political party, and led it to victory.
Third is Lenin’s contribution to advancing the historical process of Russian development. Lenin organized the Russian working people to successfully carry out the socialist revolution, led the Soviet government, and initiated successful socialist transformations. He founded the Red Army, ensuring victory in the struggle against foreign interventionists and domestic counter-revolutionaries, and created the foundation for the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
During the First Five-Year Plan, the Soviet Union built more than 9,000 factories. Industrial output increased nearly sevenfold compared to 1913. New economic sectors were established—machine tool manufacturing, tractor manufacturing, the chemical industry, and aircraft manufacturing, among others. In the first 30 years following the founding of the Soviet Union, industrial production grew nearly 12 times, while during the same period, US industrial growth was only 100% and UK growth only 60%. Overall, the Soviet Union of the 1920s and 30s can be described as a period of Lenin-Stalin socialist modernization. Its direct consequence was the inspiration of the struggle of the global proletariat and oppressed nations, driving the development of the socialist and national liberation movements.
In the subsequent 100-year course of world history, only one country has achieved such remarkable success, and 그 country is China. At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, she developed at lightning speed.
The Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China were founded at different times and under different conditions. However, while possessing their own characteristics, the two countries share the following commonalities: first, both experienced a massive phase of rapid development; second, both achieved remarkable success through transformation; third, both modernizations were conducted in the process of building socialism and under the leadership of a Communist Party. Seen in this light, the greatest modernizations in human history have all been socialist modernizations.
Every country's modernization is closely linked to the progress of all human civilization. China has made a huge and increasing contribution to this progress. The Communist Party of China (CPC) continually proves that Chinese social development does not rely on sacrificing the interests of other countries and peoples, but rather on developing alongside them. Therefore, I wish to say: global cooperation brings more benefits to the people of all nations than global exploitation; this applies to any country.
▲: In your view, how do different countries and nations differ in their perceptions of modernization?
●: It can be said that the whole world is interested in the issue of modernization, but there are vast differences in the understanding of its goals, methods, and prospects.
The United States and European Union countries strive to maintain their hegemony. To this end, they employ "subtraction" when addressing modernization issues. They believe that the neo-colonial system they built with their own hands is the ideal world, because in this world they can occupy the dominant position and plunder the rest of the world. To achieve their goals, imperialists use a series of methods: first is unequal exchange under the dollar hegemony system; second is the use of debt nooses to keep other nations in a subordinate position; third is the overthrow of governments they are dissatisfied with through "color revolutions" [4]; and finally, militarism and the use of force. Today we see the US and its allies continuously upgrading military capabilities; NATO continues its expansion toward Finland and Sweden, and AUKUS—a new military alliance that poses a threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region—is taking shape.
One piece of evidence of the shameless policy and pursuit of plunder by Western countries is their cessation of the implementation of the parts of the Black Sea Grain Initiative [5] involving Russia. According to the agreement, Russia would provide grain to impoverished African nations, but Western countries, rather than assisting in the transport of grain, instead took it for themselves.
The Western bloc requires modernization "with a minus sign" because the Western ruling class believes this can prevent the West from bearing the consequences of the capitalist crisis, while simultaneously refusing to reject capitalism itself. For imperialists, neo-colonialism is a means to avoid complete, decisive, and all-around modernization. For capitalist countries, complete, decisive, and all-around modernization means socialist revolution.
The modernization understood by the majority of nations and people is completely different from the modernization understood by the masters of global capital. For the majority of nations, modernization means perfecting their own socio-economic systems; the tasks of modernization are to consolidate sovereignty, change the status of economic and technological backwardness, and improve the lives of the people. These countries are opponents of imperialism, hegemonism, aggression, and neo-colonialism.
IV. The "Belt and Road" Initiative, Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, and the Global Civilization Initiative Actively Promote the Construction of a New System of World Relations
▲: How do you view the "Belt and Road" Initiative, the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and the Global Civilization Initiative?
●: Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping proposed the "Belt and Road" Initiative (BRI). Over the past decade, it has been highly effective and achieved remarkable success. Now, China has signed BRI cooperation documents with 152 countries and 32 international organizations. Under the BRI framework, China has actively built railways, highways, power stations, and docks, creating 420,000 jobs for participating countries and lifting nearly 40 million people out of poverty. The BRI has promoted the construction of a new system of world relations and formed the embryonic form of a new type of economic relations that leaves no room for colonialism to survive.
The world has changed, and several very important historical events have occurred in recent years. For example, the BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and ASEAN are continuously expanding. Left-wing forces in Latin American countries such as Brazil and Colombia have achieved success. Despite the harsh blockade policy implemented by the US, it has failed to strangle Cuba. The US failed to eliminate Syria and fled from Afghanistan. African countries have risen up to struggle against neo-colonialism. US attempts to carry out "color revolutions" led by Guaidó in Venezuela, Tsikhanouskaya in Belarus, and in Nicaragua have all ended in failure. It is becoming increasingly difficult for imperialists to implement hegemonic policies.
The foundations of a new world order are being built, and the construction achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era are of great significance to this. Unlike the West, China does not base itself on egoistic positions. This is vividly reflected in the concept of "building a community with a shared future for humanity" proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Russia was one of the first countries to support the BRI. In 2015, President Xi Jinping and President Putin signed a joint statement to promote the docking of the Silk Road Economic Belt with the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union.
The CPRF utilizes its influence to actively support Russia-China friendly cooperation. Together with the Embassy of the PRC in the Russian Federation and the Russia-China Friendship Association, it organized events in Moscow to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. In 2022, the CPRF’s "Red Line" TV station began broadcasting the "China Today" program, through which Russian viewers can watch Chinese films, TV dramas, and various documentaries, gaining a deep understanding of China in the New Era.
The CPRF believes that Russia and China can and should join hands to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
China’s position on the international stage has always been constructive. The Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping is a powerful response to various threats to peace; he advocates that all countries work creatively for common and sustainable development. The humanitarian potential of socialism is fully manifested here. China has proven that peaceful development is entirely in line with its interests. Socialism does not need war to prove its superior position. Aggression is alien to it. Socialism believes in its own strength because progress is on its side. Therefore, China proposes global peaceful coexistence and promotes friendship among all nations.
The Global Civilization Initiative is a further clarification of the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity; it provides important solutions for resolving long-standing disputes and conflicts. A great example is China’s successful mediation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. This news emerged from Beijing in early 2023 and caused a global sensation.
The Global Civilization Initiative injects new momentum into the promotion of BRI construction. It has become a solid ideological basis for countries to strengthen economic cooperation for common well-being and achieve mutually beneficial, win-win results.
The CPRF believes that the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping will help improve the international situation; it provides momentum for promoting business and cultural exchanges and will facilitate the resolution of various problems accumulated in the world today. And how many such problems there are!
The policies of Western governments look completely different; they are becoming increasingly destructive. The West is carrying out a campaign to "purge" Russian culture. Germany announced that its universities will stop cooperating with Confucius Institutes.
Russia and China are committed to building values of peace and construction on the international stage. The regular meetings between President Xi Jinping and President Putin confirm this. Much depends on the success of Russia-China cooperation in a turbulent world. Today, supporters of a multipolar and just world are united around the BRICS, the SCO, and the positions of China and Russia. In fact, these countries constitute the peace-loving majority of the world today. For them, the most important thing is to take communal and effective measures of struggle against the extremely dangerous adventurist policies of the Western imperialist bloc.
One of the conditions for consolidating the friendship between the Russian and Chinese peoples is mutual understanding. In 2023, a specialized institution for the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was established in Moscow. The CPRF is willing to actively support the work of this institution and participate in its projects.
V. Global Leftist Forces Need to Unite and Carry Out the Struggle to Realize Socialism
▲: Please share your views on the current global socialist movement.
●: First, it must be stated that the destruction of the Soviet Union was by no means the "end of history." It did not mean the cessation of the general crisis of capitalism, which can be proven by two points.
First, the United States and its allies won the victory against the Soviet Union, but they did not stabilize capitalism; on the contrary, the crisis of capitalism continues to deepen.
Second, on the world stage, China has hoisted the red flag of the socialist struggle. Considering the proportion of China's population in the world and the weight of China's economy in the global economy, China's success represents the success of world socialism. It is precisely the People's Republic of China that has provided a powerful response to various threats at the current national and global levels.
Nowadays, new ways of interaction among global left-wing forces are emerging. On April 22, 2023, the International Anti-Fascist Forum was held in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. This was an international forum jointly prepared by the CPRF, the Communist Party of Belarus, and the Union of Communist Parties—Communist Party of the Soviet Union (UCP-CPSU) [6]. Representatives from more than 50 political parties worldwide participated, including representatives from China, Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Germany, Portugal, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Georgia, and others. The forum adopted a concluding document titled "Keep Humanity Away from Fascism! Declaration for the Solidarity of the Peoples of the World," the main ideas of which received broad support from left-wing parties. From October 27–28, the European Peace Conference was held in Rome, Italy. Participants believed that, at the international level, millions of people need to be mobilized against militarism and imperialism. The meeting called for an end to the arms race, the dissolution of NATO, the cessation of weapon supplies to Ukraine, an end to the Russophobic campaign, and an end to sanctions against Russia.
On October 21, 2023, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) conducted an assessment of the current international situation. In his report, Gennady Zyuganov, Chairman of the CPRF Central Committee, emphasized that the United States is becoming increasingly aggressive. It faces the challenge of realizing world hegemony, establishing the hegemony of global financial capital, and building a neo-colonialist system. To this end, the imperialists are deploying various financial, economic, military-police, and informational capabilities. The AUKUS military bloc and other alliances are being formed, the history of the Second World War is being distorted, monuments erected in Europe to anti-Nazi fighters are being demolished, and the verdicts of the Nuremberg trials are being ignored. It is evident that against the backdrop of the intensifying crisis of capitalism, reactionary trends are growing. However, this is a deadlock with no exit. On this path, not even one significant creative task can be resolved, nor can any single global threat to humanity be defeated.
Under these circumstances, the significance of the socialist alternative to capitalism continues to become more prominent. The subjects of the struggle for socialism are the working class, other laboring strata of the people, and consistent patriots in every country. Today, this struggle is closely linked with the struggle against imperialism, militarism, and neo-colonialism. This is a battle for peace, justice, and socialism. In order to win victory, Communists must combine their own practical achievements to present the people of the world with an appealing image of the future.
Socialism achieved great accomplishments in the 20th century, and it will surely achieve great accomplishments in the 21st century as well.
(Translator: Chen Airu, Master's Supervisor at the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Researcher at the Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) Source: Marxist Studies (《马克思主义研究》), Issue 4, 2024. Editor: Huihui