Posted: On the CPA (ML) website, May 26, 2012.
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Sam Richards and Paul Saba
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We are still in a process of developing our understanding of changes that have taken place in China over the past three decades.
During the first three decades after Liberation (1949) a fairly solid socialist base was put into place and the politically advanced sections of the working class and peasantry directed the affairs of state through the Communist Party.
The “reform and opening” initiated by Deng Xiaoping returned domestic and foreign capitalism to experimental zones, spread that to various municipalities and provinces, and eventually put the national economy on the path of markets and privatisations – in other words, the socialist road began to be challenged by the capitalist road.
So long as the Communist Party retains its current powers and functions and professes some form of socialism, it is likely that there will be contested areas of ideology, culture and the economy. However, it is the majority view of the Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist) that the restorationists in China have the upper hand and that the most likely future for China is one of further embedding capitalist practices at the expense of the interests of the Chinese workers and peasants.
Whether we take Lenin’s definition of imperialism (his famous five features), or Mao’s definition of a superpower (a power that engages in interference, subversion, bullying and control), China cannot now be labelled as “imperialist”. However, the trend is clearly in the direction of China engaging in the imperialist, globalised economy and Australia is in the front line of those countries experiencing a surge in Chinese capital export, including its direct investment in agriculture and mining.
The Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist) takes seriously its responsibilities to the Australian working class and the international proletariat. It is an independent Party that acknowledges its previous strong affinity with the Communist Party of China during the era of Mao Zedong. It continues to seek friendly, mutually beneficial relationships with all peoples, including the great Chinese people. It supports the continued promotion of friendship and understanding between the peoples of Australia and China.
Developments, particularly since 1990, including the emergence and consolidation of private capitalist accumulation from exploitation of workers and peasants, and the export of capital, mean that previous certainties about socialism in China have been challenged and are now obsolete.
The CPA (M-L) encourages China to develop along the socialist road. At the present time, our view is that forces working for the further entrenchment of capitalism in China have the upper hand in the Communist Party of China.
The CPA (M-L) notes the significant growth of Chinese investment in the Australian economy, and will always put the interests of the Australian working class at the front and centre of our activities and demands.
The CPA (M-L) notes the growing rivalry between China and US imperialism, and takes seriously the threat of instability and conflict in our region. US imperialism is the main source of new wars and new conflicts and has the political loyalty of most of the Australian bourgeoisie. As their rivalry grows, both China and the US will attempt to influence events in Australia. The CPA (M-L) will base its response to international affairs on the basis of Marxism Leninism and proletarian internationalism.