The peaceful development path is a breakthrough in the traditional socialist path, a breakthrough from developing socialism behind closed doors, and a breakthrough in the world revolution path. In the late 1980s, socialism in the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and other countries suffered a setback. The reason that the traditional socialism path suffered a setback is largely related to trying to develop a socialist planned economy on its own by following the so called “Stalin model.” The “Stalin model” was a product of the special conditions during the era of war and revolution in Russia. It was for a large yet economically weak country to survive and develop, although surrounded by capitalism, to increase economic power and to strengthen its national defense at all costs through the implementation of a comprehensive collectivization of its system, and to establish a mandatory and highly centralized planned economy in the political system.

The core feature of this model is that a socialist country isolates itself from the capitalist world, and tries to develop socialism on its own, in order to lay a foundation for world revolution. Although this model has the advantage of conceiving a big picture under a concentration of power, there are many profound defects in following this model, such as causing institutional rigidities, resource constraints, and a lack of vitality . . . . The failure of socialism in the world since the 1980s is not the failure of the socialist path itself, but the failure of the “Stalin model.” 

In contrast, the reason that socialism with Chinese characteristics was able to revive and become more vital since the 1980s is because the CCP has established and followed a peaceful development path ever since it adopted the reform and opening up policy, which was after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee took place. Through the reform and opening up, the room for the development of China’s socialism has widened, so that it can take advantage of the strategic opportunities brought about by globalization and the new technological revolution, thus adding strong impetus to China’s development. The peaceful development path is not only a breakthrough in the traditional socialist path, but also a breakthrough in the traditional capitalist path. It is the external realization of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Thirty years experience of adopting the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has proven that China’s development is inseparable from the rest of the world. As a less developed country, to build socialism we must anchor together with the capitalist world, adhere to an open, peaceful development path, seek cooperation through an open policy, develop through cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit and development based on common interests with the other countries of the world. Only in this way…can we advance the magnificent undertaking of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Therefore, to strengthen socialism in China by extensively participating in the labor division in the international arena, to obtain nutrition from “the body of capitalism” by opening up to the world, and to advance socialism with Chinese characteristics through cooperation with the entire capitalist system, are the essence of China’s peaceful development path, the core of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. 

The peaceful development path is not only a breakthrough in the isolated and revolutionary traditional socialist path, but also a breakthrough in the traditional capitalist path that is based on expanding outwards and shifting crises. It is not a path of seeking hegemony, nor is it a path of waging war. Rather it is a path to promote world peace and world harmony. China’s adhering to the peaceful development path is determined by the characteristic of globalization, China’s own internal development needs, and the goals and tasks of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Since the 15th century, none of the development paths of the world’s major capitalist powers were peaceful paths, but rather paths full of overseas colonization, external plundering, expansion and even military invasion.  However, since the 1980s, along with the development of globalization, international competition has been switching to competition of overall national power and creation of a peaceful international environment. The competition is centered on competing resources of technology, talent, raw materials and other factors of production, rather than a debate about social system and ideology. In the race between socialism and capitalism, the core competitiveness of socialism with Chinese characteristics comes from self-development via seeking a peaceful international environment, providing needed markets, capital, technology, talent, raw materials, and other important factors for China’s development, and the enhancement of society’s recognition of the national identity. It also comes from China’s active participation in establishing and improving the new international rules and standards, safeguarding the new, just, peaceful and stable international order, establishing a harmonized world of long lasting peace and prosperity with other countries, and increasing China’s influence and appeal to the international community.  Therefore, the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is very different from the modernization path that the world’s major capitalist powers have walked through.

China’s choice of the peaceful development path is also the only choice of globalization. The development of globalization has tied China closely to the rest of the world. China’s development is inseparable from the world. Dependencies on international trade, international investment, and other aspects of social life are all on the rise; the cost would be extraordinarily high for China to elect a non-peaceful development path. Therefore, China cannot follow the footprint of Germany and Japan to accumulate resources at any cost by expanding externally and starting a war, because in the globalization era, the damage a country creates to the world development environment will also negatively impact the country itself, and even lead to the retrogression of the country’s comprehensive national power and its social development. In the era of globalization, the relationship between the socialist countries and the capitalist countries is no longer “who wins and who looses; who lives and who dies,” but rather the co-existent relationship of “you have me, I have you,” and a relationship of “cooperation when there is competition, and competition when there is cooperation.”  Therefore, the main task of socialism with Chinese characteristics is not to eradicate or replace capitalism, but to effectively use capitalism to serve the development of socialism.

In fact, what the international community worries about most is not China showing its military power in the future, because the combined Western powers are sufficient to meet a challenge from China alone. What they are concerned about most is that China expedites the implementation of the socialist modernization goals through its unremitting efforts. Once the goals and ideals become a reality, China’s practice will prove incontrovertibly that capitalism is not the only choice of human history. Any country will be able to learn from the experience of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, choose the socialist path that fits its own characteristics, and ultimately implement its own historic mission of achieving national prosperity and national rejuvenation. In this way, the prediction of “the end of history” will be declared to be a complete failure and the balance of international power will change to be more favorable to socialist development. This is the most lethal weapon for the capitalist world and definitely what the Capitalist countries do not want to see.

The peaceful development path is the only way that socialism with Chinese characteristics needs to take.  This is determined by China’s basic national condition of remaining at the primary stage of socialism for a long time. China is a socialist country. Practice has proved that only socialism can make China develop, and only socialism can solve the fundamental problem of 1.2 billion people reaching prosperity. However, China’s socialism is not as Marxism envisaged, that socialism grows out of the most developed Capitalist society. Instead, it is established through revolution in the most backward semi-feudal and semi-colonial society. Building socialism in China cannot avoid a fundamental situation. That is, China will remain at socialism’s primary stage for a long time. As for development, China faces greater pressure and more severe challenges than any other country. It cannot avoid pressure because of relatively limited resources, and a relatively large population. Thus, for a fairly long period of time, developing socialism in China must focus on the development of productivity. Development is the top priority for the CCP to govern and rejuvenate the nation. . . . We need to be able to endure loneliness. No matter how the international situation changes and no matter how other countries comment, always adhering to the peaceful development path is the inherent requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics.   

From the worldwide perspective, the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is constrained by the international system that has long been dominated by capitalism, making the fight for a peaceful international environment the primary task of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In particular, since the late 1980s, the socialist movement in the world went into valleys. In contrast, capitalism has shown considerably strong development vitality, with the globalization wave, the rapid technological revolution, an information network-based “knowledge economy,” and the creation of more efficient social productivity. The power between capitalism and socialism in the world is out of balance.

In front of such an imbalanced situation, there is no way for China alone to challenge the entire capitalist world. The vitality of China’s socialism depends entirely on China’s own development, and depends on China’s economic strength and social improvements. Only when we use any opportunities that we can possibly use to boost domestic development, to develop China, and to target reaching a higher level every few years, can we have a voice in international affairs, and prove the superiority of Socialism. . . . Thus, the competition between socialism with Chinese characteristics and capitalism is not on the war battlefield, but on its strength in the development path and its stamina in the future. China does not need to pursue winning over the opponent with the military. There is no need to seek hegemony, or to be overly concerned about so-called world influence. As long as China can fully take advantage of the “strategic period” of the peaceful international environment to grow itself, the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics will naturally be shown. In recent years, the international community’s heated discussion on “China’s rise,” the praise of the “China model,” and the attention paid to China’s strength, are the result of China’s 30 years of continuous, rapid and peaceful development. Recognizing this point is very important to understanding the significance of China’s peaceful development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
 
The peaceful development path has set the basic road map for socialism with Chinese characteristics: overseas, seeking cooperation as much as possible with the developed capitalist countries at all levels in order to win time, resources and opportunities for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics; domestically, actively expediting the process of the market economy, developing various forms of the non-public economy, and maximizing the productivity of the capitalist market economy, to provide a solid foundation for the development and growth of socialism. Therefore, China’s peaceful development path is the external form of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The nature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is essentially peaceful development. These two are different forms of the same path. In practice, they are the outside and inside of the same thing, supporting each other, and serving the magnificent undertaking of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Endnote:
[1] http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=0&id=3037&bid=2

The National Video Teleconference on Political and Legislative Affairs was held on December 18, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. The attendees included key party leaders and government officials from the central, provincial, prefectural, and county levels. Meng Jianzhu, the Minister of Public Security (MPS), hosted the three-hour long meeting. Those who spoke at the meeting include Zhou Yongkang, member of the Standing Committee Politburo, head of the Committee on Political and Legislative Affairs of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCCCP) and the Committee for Comprehensive Management of Public Security, and leader of the Steering Group on Stability Preservation Work; Wang Shengjun, President of the Supreme Court; Cao Jianming, Procurator-General of the Supreme Procuratorate; Yang Huanning, Executive Vice Minister of Public Security; and Wu Aiying, Minister of Justice. The MPS report lists six key tasks for year 2010.

I. Effectively Grasp the Initiative in the Combat against the Enemies

Further enhance our political sensitivity and discernment. Do in-depth studies to accurately grasp the new changes and new characteristics of the enemies’ current situations. Vigorously strengthen intelligence and intelligence operations. Strive to anticipate and prevent the enemies’ actions, and prevail by using preemptive strikes.

First, we need to strengthen the task of securing our ideological field. We should closely monitor the key people, effectively control their activities, constrict their movement space as much as possible, and weaken the effectiveness of their activity. To those enemies inside China and overseas who dare to challenge the bottom line of our political system with illegal and criminal activities, we must strike them with the law, taking a clear-cut stand.

Second, we must do everything we can to safeguard the social stability in Xinjiang and Tibet. We need to conscientiously implement the spirit of the upcoming CCCCP’s Fifth Forum on Tibetan Tasks as well as the CCCCP’s Forum on Xinjiang Tasks; properly handle the critical relationships between the short term and long term, domestic and overseas issues, and the struggle against the enemy and contradictions among our own people; comprehensively strengthen the working mechanism and grass roots level infrastructures on maintaining Xinjiang and Tibet’s stability; and continuously improve the ability to initiate combat, prevent attacks, and handle emergencies. All levels of Tibetan public security authorities need to take further effective measures to strengthen management on all aspects in the community, strengthen the control of key temples and people, insist on beating down the Dalai clique’s sabotage, and make sure to maintain the stability of Tibet and other Tibetan areas.

Third, we must be firm and determined to crack down on the sabotage by “Falun Gong” and other organizations. It is necessary to focus on the fight against “Falun Gong” and dig deep into its underground organization to further weaken its revival ability. Use the law to strengthen the monitoring and control of key people in the religious field and effectively fight against the hostile forces who use religion to infiltrate and sabotage activities inside and outside China.

Fourth, we must pay great attention to combat against the so-called “human rights defenders.” We need to effectively strengthen investigations at the grass roots level, identify those hostile overseas organizations and the key domestic individuals taking part in so called “defending human rights” activities, cut off their communication channels, prevent individuals from becoming leaders of human rights defense groups, prevent the formation of human rights defense organizations, and prevent them from forming an influential force. To those leaders and backbone individuals who stir up others in the name of “defending human rights,” we must strengthen educating, transforming, and controlling them. If they are incorrigible, we need to collect evidence and handle them using legal provisions. For all kinds of “human rights defense” groups, overseas groups, and non-governmental groups, who are funded, controlled, and supported by the Western hostile forces to engage in defending human rights and in infiltration and sabotage activities, we must coordinate with relevant authorities to closely monitor them as well as monitor their agents and their affiliated groups.

Fifth, we need to intensify the fight online. Crack down on illegal online activities such as forming political parties and communities, as well as the spread of illegal information to stir up others. We must do everything to stop the spread of harmful information, and prevent the hostile forces and individuals from establishing online fronts that could eventually form a force. To those who use the Internet and other new media to attack the party and the government and attempt to create ideological confusion, once discovered, they should be immediately deleted or blocked. Then we need to investigate it online and detect their physical location as soon as possible. We need to effectively integrate various resources and step up control of the Internet. The Internet police force needs to be extended to the county-level; their online patrol effort needs to reach toward relatively weak areas such as the online QQ groups and Twitters. We must enhance our effort to improve online detection, supervision, control, and handling abilities, prevent the formation of covert criminal organizations, and prevent the formation of destructive forces that could stir up society.

II. Actively Prevent and Appropriately Handle Major Massive Social Unrest

First, thoroughly carry out the work to resolve conflicts and disputes.

Second, establish and improve the mechanism for dealing with emergency situations.

Third, focus on improving on-site handling ability.

Fourth, strengthen the development of emergency support.

III. Fully Implement Public Security’s Management and Control Measures

First, insist on the “strike hard” policy to harshly crack down on all serious criminal activities.
Second, follow the unified arrangements of the Committee for Comprehensive Management of Public Security to fix critical security issues and carry out the cleanup of places with poor public security. The focus is on suburban areas, critical residential areas inside cities, small hotels, rental houses, KTV and ballrooms, bath and massage houses, and hair salons.

Third, focus on strengthening the management of key populations, key items, and key sites; be determined to prevent loopholes in the areas of management and control. The key population includes the mobile population, high-risk individuals that could potentially be involved in violence and terrorist groups, individuals with criminal records who have a tendency to take revenge on communities, and mental patients who are likely to make trouble. Key items include firearms and ammunition, dangerous explosives, and regulated cutlery. Key sites include entertainment places, the market place, hotels, and Internet services.
Fourth, build a street-level monitoring network and actively promote a dynamic prevention and control system for public security. We will strive for completing this prevention and control system at the provincial, municipal, and county levels within three years, starting next year.

IV. Do Well in the Security Work for the Shanghai World Expo and the Guangzhou Asian Games

V. Further Promote the “Three Basics” Project and the “Three Developments” [3]

First, accelerate the development of information technology in public security departments. Build a “Grand Intelligence” information system [2] in public security government organs and comprehensively promote the second stage of the “Golden Shield Project.” Strive to finish the intelligence information platform at the provincial, municipal, and county levels before the end of next year.
 
Second, vigorously strengthen the development of standard law enforcement procedure.

Third, strive to build a harmonious relationship between the police and the public.

Fourth, further strengthen the grass roots development of public security work.

VI. Further Strengthen and Improve the Public Security Team

First, further enhance the efforts in education and training. For next year, focus on doing a good job in running the three training classes for directors of municipal police stations, political directors of provincial and municipal public security authorities, and leaders of provincial and municipal information departments of the public security authorities. The provincial and municipal public security authorities shall give extensive training to all grass roots level police station chiefs.

Second, further intensify supervision and management.

Third, further increase benefits to police officers.

The state security authorities’ “people’s defense” and the “610” Office’s task arrangements will be covered in another meeting.

Endnotes:
[1] Source: Chinascope.
[2] The “Grand Intelligence” information system is a system shared by all police and public security personnel throughout China.
[3]The “Three Basics” project refers to:
Focus on the basic level of police forces, improve the basic infrastructure of the police work, and train every policeman in basic skills.
“Three Developments” refers to:
Development of information technology in the public security system; development of standard law enforcement procedures; development of a harmonious relationship between the police and the public.