World Notes the Emergence of China
M A Baby
A DELEGATION of the CPI(M) visited China at a time when both, the world and China, are experiencing extraordinary scenes. Our six-member team visited Beijing and the provinces of Hubei and Zhejiang, from September 23 to 30.
I first visited China forty years ago, in 1985, to participate in an international youth gathering. Returning again in the first decade of this century, the changes I witnessed were astonishing. The underground cultural complex at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square — National Center for the Performing Arts, the largest theatre complex in Asia, colloquially known as the Giant Egg – with its remarkable architectural finesse and spacious facilities capable of hosting four or five events simultaneously, showcased China’s capacity for innovation in infrastructure development and cultural vibrancy. During that visit, I merely walked around and observed the Centre. However, this time around, we could enjoy an exquisite violin-guitar music recital there.
2021 marked the centenary of the formation of the Communist Party of China (CPC). As part of the celebrations, a major public welfare program was implemented under CPC’s decision, drawing global attention. China lifted 800 million people above the poverty line as defined by the World Bank. Incidentally, it needs to be mentioned, that taking inspiration from this example, and in an effort to address the material circumstances of the state, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala has taken up a progressive initiative to eradicate extreme poverty. By November, Kerala will become the first Indian state to do so.
In the centenary year, a Museum of the Communist Party of China was opened on July 15, in Beijing. The museum is a prime example of how a nation’s and a party’s history can be presented using cutting-edge science and technology. In the museum, the story of the CPC's century-long journey, from its formation to modern-day achievements, is presented with the help of digital and immersive tools.
The CPC’s struggles to liberate the country from imperialist and colonial powers, as well as the strategic and tactical measures adopted across different periods, right from its inception, are illustrated. It highlights the leadership era of Mao Zedong, the alliance with Kuomintang, the split and struggles since 1927, the Long March, victory of the revolution through great sacrifices and struggles, the modernisation initiatives under Deng Xiaoping and later leadership by Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. It culminates in Xi Jinping’s current phase of leadership to the Party and the country since 2012.
The museum features 4,548 exhibits. Among these are Karl Marx’s Brussels notebook, the coat and cap worn by Mao Zedong when proclaiming the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Mao’s handwritten manuscripts, Chen Wangdao’s Chinese translation of the Communist Manifesto, belts used during the Long March, and the captured flag of the US Army’s 31st Infantry Regiment which was defeated by Chinese forces.
Several bilateral discussions were held during the visit. The most prominent among them was the discussion with a delegation of the CPC leadership, led by their Polit Bureau member Li Shulei. That meeting reaffirmed the deep and long-standing ties between the CPC and the CPI(M). Both parties recognise that the US State, under President Donald Trump, is trying to impose a unipolar world under its dominance. ‘Countries of the South’ — developing nations — need to stand together to resist this. In this context, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) 2025 Summit in Tianjin was particularly taken note of.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and China. Beyond cooperation within the SCO, both countries are playing their roles within BRICS as well. In the coming years, India and China are both set to hold the BRICS chairmanship, taking turns. The discussions stressed that India and China must resolve the issues between them through dialogue. Improving India-China relations would not only benefit both countries but also contribute to global peace and progress. Therefore, both sides must make patient and focused efforts toward de-escalating tensions along the border. It is serendipitous that during our visit certain significant developments were taking place towards this, such as the resumption of direct flights between India and China.
When the US President Donald Trump is attacking and issuing threats to almost all nations around the globe through ‘Tariff Terrorism’, China was unflinching in its resistance and stood firm against it. It was based on the strength acquired by the Chinese economy and the CPC’s political vision. Apart from international relations, the discussions covered regional situation, where both India and China are major economies.
A memorable episode was our visit to the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong — where his embalmed body has been preserved without decay — to pay our respects. Scribbling down a few lines in the official visitor’s book there, on behalf of the CPI(M), was a deeply moving experience. The courage of the Chinese comrades who were led by Mao Zedong and others, is an everlasting source of inspiration for all those who hold the red flag high and fight for a world free from exploitation.
