Interview of G.S. Hanna Gharib with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
1. Fromyour perspective, during the century since the founding of the Communist Party of China, what great revolutions and historical events have changed the historical destiny of the Chinese people?
The entire achievements of China in our present days, especially in the fields of economy, technology, and health care, along with its viable political system which upholds significant values to the Chinese people were not to be achieved without a long journey of Chinese people struggle since the beginning of the 20th century; a struggle which aimed at achieving national liberation and constructing a socialist system. One of the visible achievements nowadays is China’s significant battle against Covid-19. In fact, founding the Chinese Communist Party in 1921 have had a great impact on all facets of life throughout the past 100 years. The Communist Party of China lead the national struggle against the Japanese aggression, and therefore, had heavily contributed to the historic victory of China which was resembled by the announcing the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The birth of this republic resembled the culmination of a historical breakthrough in the human history in general, and in the Chinese history in specific. This strong republic is founded on the basis of a strong national heritage and culture; a one that dates back to thousands of years of civilization.
2. What do you think is the successful experience of the Communist Party of China in leading the Chinese revolution, construction, and reform?
Ever since the outbreak of the Chinese revolution, it considered the values of liberation and equality to be at its cornerstone. Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the Chinese Communist Party, was able to meet the expectations of the Chinese people and to respond to their aspirations, especially with regard to the country’s workers and peasants. The party worked hard in order to achieve the strategic aims it had committed itself to, with its two core missions: achieving national liberation and socialism. Moreover, the party was able at a later stage to effectively lead the state making it one of the strongest nations. Even when the reform programme began in 1978, the party was conscious that this process is a national obligation and it can also be an opportunity to renew Marxism in light of the special conditions of the country. Founding its mechanisms on these pillars, the Communist Party of China had always felt the necessity to undertake continuous assessments and evaluations in its strategic attempt to renew and modernize the party. This is what made the party achieve the main objectives of the Chinese revolution.
3. The Communist Party of China has gone through somedetours. What do you think is the most critical factor for the Communist Party of China to overcome difficulties and even mistakes, going from frustration to success?
Needless to say that any party which leads a revolutionary process as the case of China, and amid a very sensitive political environment in the country and in the world, is prone to these detours. In fact, the Communist Party of China had undergone several significant landmarks in its history- from the Great Leap Forward to the Cultural Revolution. In each and every breakthrough following these events, the party was able to revisit its policies or tactics in such a way that guarantees the sustainability of the reform and development of the country and its people. This feature had leveraged the party because it had always responded in the right manner to the pressing issues, and adapted itself to all changing situations. As an outside observer, I cannot but express my fascination toward this party and its tendency to keep itself updated and renewed.
4. From the perspective of the world's Marxist parties, the Communist Party of China advocates "building a community with a shared future for mankind." What are the opportunities for changes of a kind unseen in a century? What are the major challenges?
In my opinion, this slogan is of utmost importance especially in the present times. There is a need to craft a new and standardized vision for the entire humanity. Through adopting an economic model based on new paradigms of development for the past forty years, the Communist Party of China made itself a role model for many countries that wish to construct or replicate a similar experience. This model was achieved only because the country’s political and economic structures highlighted the need for cooperation among the world’s population apart from the hegemony and harsh power that are exercised by some countries. For example, the United States of America is exacerbating tensions in different parts of the world, applying a hostile attitude against China, launching a trade war against it, and considering the Communist Party to be an “enemy of itself “and “an enemy to democracy”. We can clearly see that there are two rationales that governs the behavior of world countries nowadays. While the first one is led by China and its foundations are based on mutual cooperation for the benefit of humanity and its development, the second one is led by the US is based on wars, hostility, aggression, unfair competition, and marginalization. In my opinion, the US will not be able to push forward with this orientation, because the entire world is leaning toward more and more strengthening the bonds of cooperation and solidarity, as the President of the Republic Xi Jinping called for during Davous annual conference in 2017.
5. Through the 100-year history of the Communist Party of China and the profound lessons learned from the drastic changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, what do you think the Marxist theoretical character, political theoretical foresight, revolutionary ideals and beliefs of the Communist Party leaders are indispensable, especially for the Socialism?
Undoubtedly, the global communist movement had undergone series of developments in the twentieth century. In addition to the Chinese revolution, there was the Great Russian Revolution and the establishment of socialist systems in Eastern Europe following the second World War. All of these models inspired communists around the globe. Through their different socialist models, these countries had given the world an important lesson. We had saw the possibility of establishing strong states and developed societies in multiple fields without having to impose exploitation or any of the values which is usually promoted by capitalism. Moreover, these countries achieved equality and development far more than what capitalist states achieved in the past or achieving now. But, the collapse of the Soviet Union had also taught us that the really challenge is not only founding socialism, but also preserving and sustaining it. I would like to note that China witnessed challenges that are similar to the ones present earlier in the Soviet Union, but China addressed these challenges through launching its reform programme in 1978. Contrary to what some people might think, this programme was based on the Marxist theory in an attempt to develop the productive forces, which form the materialistic basis of socialism. Let me please take this opportunity to remind readers of what Deng Xiaoping had once wrote: “In order to build socialism, you have to develop the productive forces. Socialism does not mean at all poverty. But in order to promote socialism (that supersede capitalism), you need to end poverty first.”
6. In your opinion, how did the Communist Partyof China promote the process of world socialism? How to judge the future prospects of world socialism?
As I mentioned in my previous answer, the Chinese Communist Party implemented reforms which were based on Marxism or what we call the Scientific Socialism. These theories explicitly say that developing the productive forces is a high necessity. The scientific socialism perceived the historical development to be a process based on laws implied by the current situation. Based on this theory in specific, the Communist Party of China considered that production relationships do not correspond to the current situation of the productive labor forces, since the Chinese economy was an agricultural one. Therefore, your party priotorized reform before launching socialism at its core. This was one of many conclusions set by the latest national Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. The congress had concluded that reaching the stage of a modern socialist system would not before 2049, and this proves the validity of Marxism. In this context, the statement said by the Chinese President still rings a bell. He once said “The Political economy of China is by its essence the political economy set forward by Marxism, and it cannot be something else.” By the way, there are several notable figures in the West who expected that the reforms China are implementing will eventually transform it into a capitalist state. When nothing of this was visible, a severe hostility toward China began to take place, not only because it is an ascending power, but more importantly because it aspires to build a socialist system. Based on the above, I strongly believe that the future horizon of the global socialism heavily depends on China and its ability to build and sustain socialism.
7. Please talk about the friendship history and future prospects between the Communist Party of China and the Marxist party led by you.
In fact, the Lebanese Communist Party has historic and strong ties with the Chinese Communist Party. Lately, communication channels were strengthened between the two parties. On a regular basis, our party delegates several of its cadres and members to visit China in an attempt to cultivate deep knowledge of the Chinese model of Socialism. These visits also constitute a valuable opportunity for our members to clearly understand and see the political, economic, and technological advances of China. Also, our party hosts delegations of the Chinese Communist Party who comes to Lebanon for different reasons. The cooperation between the two parties had become strong lately, and one of the events which saw this strengthened cooperation, was the meeting held by the two parties during the Forum of the International Communist and Workers Parties, held on an annual basis.
8. Among the contributions that the Communist Partyof China makes to world peace and development over the past century, what impresses you most?
The Chinese Communist Party lead a unique model for international cooperation. This model is based on mutual respect between the peoples of the World, in addition to strengthening their bonds, apart from force, control, and exploitation exercised by some nations. In fact, the Belt and Road Initiative is a clear example of the value system that China believes in. Through this initiative, China is giving the entire world an important lesson; equal and mutual cooperation between multiple countries can be achieved. I would like to add that the foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China aspires for international peace, while that of the United States is based on imperial practices, such as launching wars, establishing military bases, and interfering in domestic affairs of other countries. In conclusion, it is of extreme importance to forge inter-state relationships based on international solidarity and peace away from wars and aggressions. I believe this is the destiny of humanity, and China is making this option a feasible one.