The Principal Contradiction (主要矛盾) of Internationalism and the Chinese Path: 为迷茫的世界注入希望，为人类的进步探索方向（和音）[Inject hope into the confused world and explore the direction for human progress (Harmony)]

 

Pic Credit here (Roy Lichtenstein 1964)

 

Most people, if pressed, might confess a definitive preference for hope in a confused world--even for hope in a world a little less confused than one might speculate in darker moments. Liberal democracy has been injecting hope into the global community since the middle of the last century; now from the Marxist-Leninist camp comes hope in a  reworked formula.

Pix credit here

It is with that in mind that one might most usefully approach a quite interesting essay published prominently in the People's Daily  in the wake of Xi Jinping's recent visit to various European states. That essay, 为迷茫的世界注入希望，为人类的进步探索方向（和音）[Inject hope into the confused world and explore the direction for human progress (Harmony)]. To some extent it represents a refinement of and an effort to popularize (that is to develop a narrative for the masses, domestic and international) of the New Era Socialist Internationalism. The timing was meant to capitalize on popular interest in the latest travel of Xi Jinping: "透过习近平主席此次欧洲之行，世界再次看到中国维护世界和平、促进共同发展的大国担当    [Through President Xi Jinping’s trip to Europe, the world has once again seen China’s responsibility as a major country in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development] (为迷茫的世界注入希望，为人类的进步探索方向（和音）).

The narrative turn is anchored on several key premises wrapped in a rhetoric that underscores key terms with signification in international, Marxist-Leninist, and liberal democratic ways of organizing and making meaningful the world(s) around them. They are meant to be trans-cognitive--shared words/different signification. The object is to inject Chinese wisdom into a global situation which, under the leadership of the liberal democratic vanguard, has produced chaos (乱象), creating major challenges (重大挑战) that have brought the world to a critical turning point (关键转折点). The resulting hot issues (热点问题) have become too complex and difficult (复杂难) under the current vanguard leadership bringing European peace and security issues to a crossroad (欧洲和平安全走到十字路口). "Confusion and anxiety have generally increased and China is expected to provide Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to resolve the crisis and achieve peace." [迷茫和焦虑情绪普遍上升, 期待中国为解决危机、实现和平提供中国智慧、中国方案。] (为迷茫的世界注入希望，为人类的进步探索方向（和音）). 

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The torch of hope, following this discursive river, must be handed off from one old vanguard, to another better suited for leadership in the current stage of global historical development. "Becoming a beacon of development and progress in the world and increasingly playing an important leadership role in international affairs" "China is an important and positive force in the world's multi-polar structure"成为世界发展与进步的灯塔，在国际事务中日益发挥重要领导作用”“中国是世界多极化格局中的重要和积极力量” (Ibid.). These were views were especially embraced by China's European friends with whom the visit produced stronger bonds, among them the current leadership in Serbia and Hungary. The basis of hope under the vision of a new global vanguard consists of three critical points.

Pix credit here Roy Lichtenstein 1962 (Masterpiece)

1. "China advocates an equal and orderly world multipolarity, emphasizing the equality of all countries, large and small, and earnestly promotes the democratization of international relations to ensure that the multipolarization process is generally stable and constructive "[中方倡导平等有序的世界多极化，强调大小国家一律平等，切实推进国际关系的民主化，确保多极化进程总体稳定和具有建设性。]. (Ibid).

2.  "Today's world is shaped by economic globalization, and protectionism cannot change the general trend of economic globalization. China and Europe jointly insist on tearing down walls instead of building them, opening up without isolating, and integrating without decoupling, which will help create a better tomorrow for the world economy" [当今世界是经济全球化塑造的世界，保护主义改变不了经济全球化大势。中欧共同坚持拆墙而不筑墙、开放而不隔绝、融合而不脱钩，有助于开创世界经济更加美好的明天。] (Ibid.).

3.  On the issues of Ukraine and the Hams-Israel war, and more generally "On issues related to peace and stability, China has always stood on the right side of history, on the side of peace and justice, and on the commanding heights of international morality. China has been widely recognized and highly praised by the international community, and has become a mainstay in promoting international peace and stability" [在攸关和平与稳定的问题上，中国始终站在历史正确一边，站在和平正义一边，站在国际道义制高点，得到国际社会的广泛认同和高度评价，成为促进国际和平与稳定的中流砥柱。] (Ibid).

These suggest not merely the core of China's vision, but also the central premises on which this vision is to be advanced. They are best read on two simultaneously operating cognitive tracks: the first is as a positive statement of the Chinese vision; the second is as a deep criticism of the current vision; every word includes both a positive (what one is) and a negative (what one is not) statement. In the process one acquires a better sense of both the Chinese vision and the Chinese understanding of the world into which China seeks to project that vision as something different.  Principal among the anchoring points are a strong aversion to chaos and instability (except perhaps as part of a revolutionary process going in the correct direction), the privileging of development as the core human rights, the primacy of collective rights, duties and obligations, and the value of an ordering structure in which  every state occupies the center of its own universe, arranged in categories of ascending clusters of prominence, strength, and power. The conceptual universe in which the vision of Socialist internationalism emerges is structured around these critical terms that serve as the skeleton of this vision in this New Era, at least least at this stage of its historical development: chaos (乱象); major challenges (重大挑战); hot issues (热点问题); critical turning point (关键转折点); crossroads (十字路口). This, in effect, is the projection of the fundamental structures of the dialectics of contradiction into the international sphere (foundation, Mao Zedong, 'On Contradiction').  And in the New Era, the principal contradiction is "between the ever-growing needs of the people for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development." 

In short, the Communist Party of China’s understanding of the principal contradictions in our society has constantly kept pace with the times and the specific changes in our country’s national conditions. The process of the Party’s continuous deepening of its understanding of the principal contradictions in our society marks our Party’s understanding of the development of human society. The understanding of the laws and laws of socialist construction has reached a new level, which is a new development of the Marxist theory of contradiction and the sinicization of Marxism. [总之，中国共产党对我国社会主要矛盾的认识是随着时代发展和我国国情的具体变化而不断与时俱进的，党对我国社会主要矛盾认识不断深化的过程，标志着我们党对人类社会发展规律、对社会主义建设规律的认识达到了一个新境界，是马克思主义矛盾学说的新发展，也是马克思主义中国化的新发展。] (韩振峰中国共产党对我国社会主要矛盾的认识过程 [Han Zhenfeng,The process of the Communist Party of China’s understanding of the principal contradictions in our society])

It is only a small step to the internationalization of contradiction and to Socialist internationalism, which is also the dialectics of the movements of cognitive foundations from one set of ordering premises (liberal democracy) to another (Marxist-Leninist). That, at any rate, is the theory; and from that theory to the cognitive power of ideological frameworks (if constructed well enough).

"The law of contradiction in things, that is, the law of the unity of opposites, is the fundamental law of nature and of society and therefore also the fundamental law of thought. It stands opposed to the metaphysical world outlook. It represents a great revolution in the history of human knowledge. According to dialectical materialism, contradiction is present in all processes of objectively existing things and of subjective thought and permeates all these processes from beginning to end; this is the universality and absoluteness of contradiction." (Mao Zedong, 'On Contradiction')

Pix credit here; Roy Lichtenstein "Drowning Girl" 1963

 The full essay on the original Chinese and in an English translation follows below.

 

 

为迷茫的世界注入希望，为人类的进步探索方向（和音）

《 人民日报 》（ 2024年05月13日   第 02 版）

　　透过习近平主席此次欧洲之行，世界再次看到中国维护世界和平、促进共同发展的大国担当    

　　　　“当前世界面临重大挑战，国际局势处于关键转折点，法国和欧盟比以往任何时候都更加需要同中国加强合作，这事关欧洲的未来”“在习近平主席坚强领导下，中国取得举世瞩目的成就，成为世界发展与进步的灯塔，在国际事务中日益发挥重要领导作用”“中国是世界多极化格局中的重要和积极力量”……习近平主席应邀对法国、塞尔维亚、匈牙利进行国事访问期间，三国领导人如是表达对中国在国际事务中发挥积极作用的认可和支持。

　　当前，世界各地乱象频发，热点问题复杂难解，风险挑战纷至沓来。特别是乌克兰危机延宕两年多，欧洲和平安全走到十字路口，迷茫和焦虑情绪普遍上升，期待中国为解决危机、实现和平提供中国智慧、中国方案。习近平主席近年来提出全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，契合国际社会求和平、谋发展、促合作的普遍诉求，得到欧洲国家领导人的高度赞赏。塞尔维亚总统武契奇表示：“塞方坚定支持并将积极参与习近平主席提出的全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，同中方密切多边战略协作，共同反对霸权强权，维护联合国宪章宗旨，捍卫国际公平正义。”匈牙利总统舒尤克表示：“习近平主席提出全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，主张加强国际对话合作，这对于解决当前世界面临的各种挑战、防止阵营对抗至关重要，匈方高度赞赏。”

　　中国倡导平等有序的世界多极化，为全球治理提供引领和支持。多极化是当今世界的基本趋势。中方倡导平等有序的世界多极化，强调大小国家一律平等，切实推进国际关系的民主化，确保多极化进程总体稳定和具有建设性。此访期间，中法达成的关于中东局势的联合声明、关于人工智能和全球治理的联合声明等，体现出共同应对国际安全与稳定面临的挑战与威胁的担当；中塞发表的联合声明强调，双方倡导平等有序的世界多极化和普惠包容的经济全球化，坚持大小国家一律平等，反对霸权主义和强权政治，反对各种形式的单边主义和保护主义；中匈双方表示，愿在多边领域加强沟通和协作，积极倡导平等有序的世界多极化和普惠包容的经济全球化，坚定捍卫国际公平正义，推动构建人类命运共同体。这些充分表明，中国高瞻远瞩的主张得到广泛认可。

　　中国倡导普惠包容的经济全球化，为完善全球经济治理贡献智慧。当今世界是经济全球化塑造的世界，保护主义改变不了经济全球化大势。中欧共同坚持拆墙而不筑墙、开放而不隔绝、融合而不脱钩，有助于开创世界经济更加美好的明天。此访期间，习近平主席宣布中国扩大对外开放的一系列举措，包括将对法国等12国公民短期来华的免签政策延长至2025年年底，将自主扩大电信、医疗等服务业对外开放等。习近平主席还面向欧洲阐释中国式现代化的世界意义，强调中国推动高质量发展，加快发展新质生产力，将为包括欧洲在内的世界各国提供更广阔的市场空间，带来更多合作共赢的机遇。欧洲企业界人士纷纷表示，将继续保持或扩大对华投资，期待深度参与中国高水平、制度型开放进程。

　　此访期间，习近平主席从历史纵深和战略高度阐明中方在乌克兰危机上的看法主张，高屋建瓴地概括提炼中欧之间的共识和共同利益，指出中欧要共同反对战事外溢升级，共同为和谈创造条件，共同维护国际能源粮食安全、产业链供应链稳定。访法期间，中法一致同意，以巴黎奥运会为契机，倡议运动会期间全球停火止战。关于巴以冲突，习近平主席强调，当务之急是尽快实现全面停火止战，重中之重是确保人道主义救援，根本出路是落实“两国方案”。中方支持尽快召开更大规模、更具权威、更有实效的国际和平会议，推动巴勒斯坦问题早日得到全面、公正、持久解决。在攸关和平与稳定的问题上，中国始终站在历史正确一边，站在和平正义一边，站在国际道义制高点，得到国际社会的广泛认同和高度评价，成为促进国际和平与稳定的中流砥柱。

　　透过习近平主席此次欧洲之行，世界再次看到中国维护世界和平、促进共同发展的大国担当。面向未来，中国愿同包括欧洲国家在内的国际社会一道，加强在重大国际问题上的沟通和协作，共同为迷茫的世界注入希望，为人类的进步探索方向。

 

 Inject hope into the confused world and explore the direction for human progress (Harmony)

"People's Daily" (Page 02, May 13, 2024)

Through President Xi Jinping’s trip to Europe, the world has once again seen China’s responsibility as a major country in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

​“The world is currently facing major challenges and the international situation is at a critical turning point. France and the EU need to strengthen cooperation with China more than ever before. This is related to the future of Europe.” “Under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has achieved world-renowned achievements. Becoming a beacon of development and progress in the world and increasingly playing an important leadership role in international affairs" "China is an important and positive force in the world's multi-polar structure"... During President Xi Jinping's state visit to France, Serbia and Hungary upon invitation, the three countries The leaders expressed their recognition and support for China's active role in international affairs.

At present, chaos occurs frequently around the world, hot issues are complex and difficult to resolve, and risks and challenges arise one after another. In particular, the Ukraine crisis has been delayed for more than two years. European peace and security have reached a crossroads. Confusion and anxiety have generally increased. China is expected to provide Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to resolve the crisis and achieve peace. In recent years, President Xi Jinping has proposed global development initiatives, global security initiatives, and global civilization initiatives, which are in line with the universal aspirations of the international community for peace, development, and cooperation, and have been highly praised by leaders of European countries. Serbian President Vucic said: “Serbia firmly supports and will actively participate in the global development initiative, global security initiative, and global civilization initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and will work closely with China on multilateral strategic coordination to jointly oppose hegemonic powers, safeguard the purposes of the United Nations Charter, and defend the International fairness and justice.” Hungarian President Sjouk said: “President Xi Jinping has proposed global development initiatives, global security initiatives, and global civilization initiatives, and advocates strengthening international dialogue and cooperation, which are crucial to solving various challenges facing the world and preventing confrontation between camps. It is important and highly appreciated by the Hungarian side.”

China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and provides leadership and support for global governance. Multipolarization is the basic trend of today's world. China advocates an equal and orderly world multipolarity, emphasizing the equality of all countries, large and small, and earnestly promotes the democratization of international relations to ensure that the multipolarization process is generally stable and constructive. During this visit, China and France reached a joint statement on the situation in the Middle East, a joint statement on artificial intelligence and global governance, etc., which reflected their responsibility to jointly respond to challenges and threats to international security and stability; the joint statement issued by China and Serbia emphasized that, Both sides advocate an equal and orderly world multipolarity and inclusive economic globalization, adhere to the equality of all countries, big and small, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and oppose various forms of unilateralism and protectionism; China and Hungary expressed their willingness to Strengthen communication and collaboration in multilateral fields, actively advocate an equal and orderly world multipolarity and inclusive economic globalization, firmly defend international fairness and justice, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. These fully demonstrate that China's far-sighted propositions are widely recognized.

China advocates inclusive economic globalization and contributes wisdom to improving global economic governance. Today's world is shaped by economic globalization, and protectionism cannot change the general trend of economic globalization. China and Europe jointly insist on tearing down walls instead of building them, opening up without isolating, and integrating without decoupling, which will help create a better tomorrow for the world economy. During this visit, President Xi Jinping announced a series of measures for China to expand its opening to the outside world, including extending the visa-free policy for citizens of 12 countries including France to come to China for short-term visits to the end of 2025, and independently expanding the opening of telecommunications, medical and other service industries to the outside world. President Xi Jinping also explained the world significance of China-style modernization to Europe, emphasizing that China's promotion of high-quality development and accelerated development of new productive forces will provide a broader market space for countries around the world, including Europe, and bring more win-win cooperation opportunity. European business people have expressed that they will continue to maintain or expand investment in China and look forward to deeply participating in China's high-level, institutional opening-up process.

During this visit, President Xi Jinping clarified China’s views and propositions on the Ukraine crisis from a historical and strategic perspective, summarized and refined the consensus and common interests between China and Europe from a high level, pointed out that China and Europe should jointly oppose the spillover and escalation of the war, and jointly create conditions for peace talks. Jointly safeguard international energy and food security and the stability of industrial and supply chains. During the visit to France, China and France unanimously agreed to take the Paris Olympics as an opportunity to initiate a global ceasefire and cessation of war during the Games. Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, President Xi Jinping emphasized that the top priority is to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to the war as soon as possible, the top priority is to ensure humanitarian relief, and the fundamental way out is to implement the "two-state solution." China supports the convening of a larger, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference as soon as possible to promote an early comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. On issues related to peace and stability, China has always stood on the right side of history, on the side of peace and justice, and on the commanding heights of international morality. China has been widely recognized and highly praised by the international community, and has become a mainstay in promoting international peace and stability.

Through President Xi Jinping’s trip to Europe, the world has once again seen China’s responsibility as a major country in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. Facing the future, China is willing to work with the international community, including European countries, to strengthen communication and collaboration on major international issues, jointly inject hope into a confused world, and explore directions for human progress.