Thoughts on the 18th National Congress of the CPC
By ROLF BERTHOLD
NATIONAL congresses of the Communist Party of China (CPC) invariably polarize the attention of the international community. Certain observers expect decisions that may affect the composition of the new leadership or the general line of the CPC. Others might be on the look out for media sensations. Both, however, are bound to be disappointed.
That the People's Republic of China (PRC) has made great achievements and outstanding successes is indisputable. This is a fact, however, that is deliberately ignored by those who expect China to suffer a fate similar to that of the former Soviet Union and socialist European countries 20 years ago.
For various reasons, the 18th National Congress of the CPC will go down in party history as an event of particular importance. This year's congress confirms the clearly defined political course of the CPC. The world-acknowledged achievements of the PRC in economic and social development on the one hand as opposed to the crisis of the capitalist system on the other clearly prove that, regardless of existing problems and difficulties, the CPC strategy is correct.
China's position in the global economy has strengthened, the country's international influence is growing and, in spite of various attempts at sabotage, China has sustained its internal stability. Furthermore, although certain social problems still exist, China has significantly improved its people's living standards. In sum, all these factors have induced a change in the global balance of forces.
The 18th National Congress of the CPC will lead to greater worldwide perception of the fact that the dramatic changes since the end of the last century did not foreshadow the end of socialism, and that capitalism does not have the final say in history.
Many countries, especially those that are developing, follow China's development closely and thoroughly analyze its mode of economic and social progress. Countries around the globe, developing and otherwise, also monitor and scrutinize China's economic, financial, social and international policies, as well as what's happening in the country.
The CPC has always regarded historical development as a process of revolutionary change characterized by historical continuity. Before the founding of the PRC, China was a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society which, to escape the fate of either sinking into a mire of colonialism or falling prey to a capitalist system controlled by colonial powers, had no choice but to take on a more advanced social system.
This struggle for change resulted in the theory as well as practice of a new democratic revolution, which in the course of combating feudalism and imperialism under the leadership of the proletariat and its party, evolved into a socialist revolution. This process appeared as a completely new mode of social development.
The chosen path of the CPC, however, inevitably entailed detours and difficulties. But it has been a creative route of development that has taken China into new theoretical and practical territory.
Although this new route was undoubtedly determined by the PRC's native conditions, other countries under similar circumstances can nonetheless draw important lessons from the Chinese model for their national development. The CPC's new development mode is by no means confined to China's specific situation.
Based on its experience in the new democratic revolution, the Communist Party of China has successfully explored a development mode featuring socialism with Chinese characteristics. Many Chinese particularities determine the process entailed, among them China's size, history and culture. But all who strive for peace and social progress would benefit from the study of CPC policies and approaches, and on that basis reflect on their own strategies and methods.
