The Communist Youth League of China’s international responsibilities and tasks in the New Era

The Communist Youth League (CYL) of China opened its 19th National Congress in Beijing on June 19. Nearly 1,500 delegates, representing nearly 73 million CYL members, were joined at the opening ceremony by Xi Jinping and other top party leaders. Delivering greetings on behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Cai Qi urged the youth in China to strive to be the new era’s great young generation with ideals, a sense of responsibility, grit, and dedication. Continued efforts should be made to deliver new results that are worthy of the times and history, and true to the expectations of the people, he added.

Congratulations to the congress were also delivered by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the All-China Women’s Federation, and other people’s organizations.

The congress concluded its work on June 22.

In this context, we are grateful to our advisory group member Roland Boer – Professor at the School of Philosophy at Renmin University of China – for drawing our attention to the below article by Zhuo Mingliang, which was originally published in the journal Party Building Reference Material, and for translating it for us. Zhuo Mingliang is a research fellow at the Youth Think Tank and the Academy of Marxism, both of which are under the umbrella of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

In his article, Zhuo argues that China’s CYL should take the initiative to promote the construction of a World Communist Youth League United Front, drawing on historical experience and for the following key reasons:

• First, from a Chinese perspective it is objectively necessary to engage in struggle over international public opinion in the new era, win the support and approval of international youth, and carry out central tasks for the Party and the country.
• Second, it is inevitable that the world’s youth should choose to work together in dealing with the impact of Western capitalist ideology.
• Finally, it is a strategic move to promote the unity of young people around the world, strengthen mutual understanding, learn from each other’s strengths, and complement each other’s weaknesses, view the world from the perspective of appreciation, mutual learning, and sharing, and join hands to build a community of shared future for humankind.

The author further argues that there are now sufficient subjective and objective conditions for this, in that young communist organisations:

• Accept the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and communism.
• Accept the leadership of the Communist Party.
• Are mass organisations of communist parties.
• Are guided by the spirit of proletarian internationalism.
• Have similar historical origins.
• Maintain some existing organisational ties, for example membership of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY).
• Young people the world over face similar tasks and responsibilities.

Zhuo insists that the young communists of China would not be seeking to “recreate a centralised system” or “establish another world authority.” Instead, they would seek to build a new type of international coordinating body based on the principles of voluntary participation, equality, consultation, mutual assistance, and joint construction. He also says that China’s CYL should, “seek to guide the Communist Youth Leagues of socialist countries to take the initiative in assuming international responsibilities and obligations and strengthen publicity of and support for the Communist Youth Leagues in capitalist countries.”

He proposes that the CYL should learn from the Communist Party of China’s recent experience in arranging dialogues with Marxist parties from around the world and further suggests it holds an annual summer or winter camp for young communists from around the world.

The article is an interesting indication of important debates taking place in China.

Translator’s introduction: The article translated here was written by Zhuo Mingliang, who is a research fellow at the Youth Think Tank and the Academy of Marxism, both of which are under the umbrella of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article is one result of a research project concerning the international responsibilities and tasks of the Communist Youth League of China.

I would add that the article is one example of the extraordinary ferment of ideas, proposals, and plans taking place in China at the moment. This is truly a time of “letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend.” All of this takes place in a context in which there is a quiet but very evident optimism in China about the future, and the sense that the times suit China very well. While this is primarily due to the internal dynamics and ever clearer qualitative advantages of China’s socialist construction, the global context also plays a role. The growing consensus here in China is that the West has hit rock bottom and it will be an immense struggle for Western countries to understand the reasons and find a way out. By the time they do so, the world will be a very different place. Readers may note the phrase – very common in China – “changes taking place in the world that we have not seen for a century.” Think back a century or so: this was the time of the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. Historically, of course, we are in a very different situation, but the deep nature of the changes underway at the moment is analogous to the changes of a century ago.

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In April of 2022, the State Department Information Office of China published the white paper entitled “Youth of China Youth in the New Era”. The white paper points out that humanity has entered a new era of inter-connectivity, in which the interests and destinies of all countries are closely linked and intertwined. Since the world today is faced with increasingly obvious deficits in governance, trust, peace, and development, as well as worsening chaos, discord and injustice, our era calls on young people around the world to unite, strengthen mutual understanding, learn from each other’s strengths and complement each other’s weaknesses, view the world from the perspective of appreciation, mutual learning, and sharing, and join hands to build a community of shared future for humankind. Since the Communist Youth League of China is the largest of such organisations in the world, the League should take the initiative in promoting the building of a World Communist Youth League united front, explain well the stories of the Communist Party of China and Communist Youth League of China, and draw upon the wisdom and strength of youth in building a community with a shared future for humankind.

1. The Communist Youth League of China’s Promotion of a World Communist Youth League United Front is both Necessary and Feasible

In historical terms, the World Communist Youth Movement has played an important international role. However, after the dissolution of the Communist Youth International, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the dramatic changes in Eastern Europe, the World Communist Youth Movement entered a period of profound disunity with each fighting its own battle. At present, only a few regional youth league communication mechanisms exist, such as the European Communist Youth League Conference. Thus, there is an urgent need to work practically towards a larger international youth alliance. The reasons are as follows:

First, from a Chinese perspective it is objectively necessary to engage in struggle over international public opinion in the new era, win the support and approval of international youth, and carry out central tasks for the Party and the country. As the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics advances steadily in the new era, there is greater need for: an objective and friendly environment of international public opinion; uniting, winning over, and gaining wide support from young people in all countries; and promoting closer people-to-people ties. At present, the discourse power of international public opinion is still mainly in the hands of Western countries. China is still often on the defensive in the struggle over international opinion, so there is much work to be done in strengthening a youth alliance.

Second, it is inevitable that the world’s youth should choose to work together in dealing with the impact of Western capitalist ideology. In the context of changes taking place in the world that we have not seen for a century, the International Communist Youth Movement is confronted with a common enemy: Western capitalist ideology. This ideology uses the bourgeois outlook on the world, life, and values in its efforts to “tame” the vast numbers of youth in capitalist countries, and even in some socialist countries. Thus, the young people of China and the world must seek to strengthen their alliance with one another.

Finally, it is a strategic move to promote the unity of young people around the world, strengthen mutual understanding, learn from each other’s strengths and complement each other’s weaknesses, view the world from the perspective of appreciation, mutual learning, and sharing, and join hands to build a community of shared future for humankind. Building such a global human community requires the active participation of all forces, and especially those of young people. Therefore, it is necessary to foster the awareness of and enhance the understanding of what a “community with a shared future” means among young people of all countries. In this way, we can lay foundations for building a community with a shared future for humankind.

At present, there are sufficient subjective and objective conditions for the Communist Youth League of China to take the initiative in building a World Communist Youth League united front. These conditions include the following:

Guiding theory: all Communist Youth Leagues and organisations in the world accept the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and communism, take a critical stand against the capitalist system, hold to the same core content in terms of ideals, beliefs, and political programs, and share similar political sensibilities.

System of leadership: all Communist Youth Leagues and organisations in the world accept the leadership of the Communist Party organisations in each country. Although some communist youth leagues and organisations retain a certain degree of independence, they all firmly uphold the centralised and unified leadership of the Party and implement the Party’s resolutions.

Modes of operation: all Communist Youth Leagues and organisations in the world are mass organisations of Communist Parties. There is significant scope for communication between them in terms of the content of the mass work in which they engage, such as uniting the masses of young people, propagating the Party’s positions, and publicising the Party’s theories, lines, and principles.

International focus: Communist Youth Leagues and organisations are guided by the spirit of proletarian internationalism, which facilitates communication on a range of international issues.

Historical origins: some Communist Youth Leagues and organisations were at one time members of the Communist Youth International and have had the experience of common struggle under the leadership of the Communist International.

International ties: most of the world’s Communist Youth Leagues and organisations are currently members of the World Federation of Democratic Youth. Thus, the first step has been made for an international mechanism for mutual exchange and communication.

Practical circumstances: in the wider context of changes taking place in the world that have not been seen in a century, young people everywhere face tasks and responsibilities typical of their stage of life, such as education, employment, childbirth, and career development.

2. The basic principles, main objectives, and forms of cooperation to which the Communist Youth League of China should adhere in promoting the construction of a World Communist Youth League United Front.

In promoting the establishment of the World Communist Youth League united front, the Communist Youth League of China is not seeking to “recreate a centralised system” or “establish another world authority.” Instead, it seeks to build a new type of international coordinating body based on the principles of voluntary participation, equality, consultation, mutual assistance, and joint construction. The participating Communist Youth League organisations of all countries will enjoy equal rights and obligations, adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contributions and shared benefits, and focus on “sharing experiences” and “consensus building.” The Communist Youth League of China should seek to promote the development of the Communist International Youth Movement in the 21st century primarily through demonstrating examples from its own experience and providing guidance through models of youth organisation. The Communist Youth League of China will not seek direct leadership or use compulsive means.

The main objectives of the Communist Youth League of China in promoting the establishment of the World Communist Youth League united front include: Explain well the stories of the CPC, of the Communist Youth League of China, and of the Communist Parties and Communist Youth Leagues of each country; “Speaking for” the global youth community, and resolutely safeguarding and defending the legitimate rights and interests of young people in all countries; Speak out as a “Youth Voice” so as to formulate positions, views, and solutions concerning major international problems and pressing regional issues; Rebuild the “spirit of internationalism,” as well as facilitate and coordinate the international activities of the World Communist Youth League; Share the main experiences of Communist Youth Leagues in each country in terms of propagating the Party’s propositions, implementing the Party’s resolutions, and keeping close ties with the youth masses.

We aim to gather an “International Youth Platform” so as to publicise communism, strengthen the construction of the league’s organisation, and gradually enhance the organisational strength and political and social influence of the Communist Youth Leagues of each country.

In practice, the Communist Youth League of China can promote the construction of the World Communist Youth League united front by adopting the following forms of cooperation:

First, strengthen the construction of “political consensus.” So as to develop greater consensus, we need to enrich and improve the system of communication among Communist Youth Leagues. We can do so by enhancing exchanges among the central and regional leadership of Communist Youth Leagues, and by deepening exchanges at grassroots levels and among rank-and-file league members.

Second, focus on “guidance through experience.” Already, a regular communication mechanism has been established, and international Youth League dialogues have taken place. The Communist Youth League of China regularly shares its experiences in league management and governance with the Communist Youth Leagues of other countries.

Third, emphasise international responsibilities and undertakings. We should seek to guide the Communist Youth Leagues of socialist countries to take the initiative in assuming international responsibilities and obligations, and strengthen publicity of and support for the Communist Youth Leagues in capitalist countries.

Fourth, jointly champion the image of communism. We should seek to guide the Communist Youth Leagues in capitalist countries to make use of their news media to publicise actively the achievements in the construction, reform, and development of socialist countries, actively champion the image of governance in socialist countries, and counter the vilification and slander by the few individual media of capitalist countries.

Fifth, carry out resolute struggle. International statements and joint declarations should be issued at appropriate times to support Communist Youth Leagues of all countries in resolutely carrying out ideological and public opinion struggles against bourgeois anti-Communist propaganda.

3. Suggestions for the Communist Youth League of China in Promoting the Construction of the World Communist Youth League United Front.

In learning from history, we should systematically study and summarise the main experiences and lessons of Communist Youth Leagues in the context of the international communist movement. This task will be mainly concerned with the lessons learned from the construction of the International Communist Youth League united front during the existence of the Young Communist International from 1919 to 1943, and the lessons of the world communist youth movement after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the dramatic changes in Eastern Europe.

In strengthening exchanges and cooperation, we should explore further and enrich the new forms of cooperation between the Communist Youth League of China and the Communist Youth Leagues of other countries. Cooperation with other countries’ Communist Youth Leagues should not be limited to theoretical exchanges and discussions but should deepen the spheres and broaden the forms of cooperation according to the requirements of current global developments.

In actively fulfilling the international responsibilities and undertakings of the world’s largest Communist Youth League, we need to take into account and draw on the experiences of Communist Parties themselves in hosting recent international meetings, especially the High-level Dialogue between the Communist Party of China and World Political Parties and the World Marxist Political Parties Theory Seminar.  In light of these experiences, at a Youth League level we should seek to organise and host a High-level Dialogue between the Communist Youth League of China and the World Communist Youth Leagues, as well as The World Communist Youth League Theory Seminar. In doing so, we will seek to improve ideological and political guidance so as to increase the understanding of the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics by Communist Youth Leagues and young people of all countries. Further, we will seek to share the “Chinese experience” and “Chinese wisdom” in league management and governance with the Communist Youth Leagues of other countries.

We propose hosting an annual World Communist Youth League Special Session, which may include the following topics: Strengthening the construction of the Communist Youth League; Enabling the Communist Youth League to function as a ‘shock brigade’; The mission of youth during a time of great changes not seen for a century; and Youth values education. In doing so, we should seek to enhance the ways in which the Communist Youth League of China can radiate its positive vibes among global youth organisations.

With reference to the successful experience of the Communist Youth League of Greece in holding the annual Guide Festival, it is proposed that the Communist Youth League of China regularly hosts the Global Communist Youth League Summer Camp (China Station) or the World Youth Winter Camp in China every year. Communist Youth League organisations from all over the world will be invited to send delegations to participate in the event, with the aim of gradually forming conditions for, increasing the scale of, and strengthening the international influence of a World Communist Youth League.

In terms of more specific planning, the youth camps may include the following activities: opening speeches and attendance by leading cadres of the CPC and the Communist Youth League of China; commemorating major historical events and great figures of the International Communist Youth Movement; holding red concerts with songs and dances; exhibiting revolutionary art works from each country; screening revolution-themed films; holding left-wing youth poetry sessions; arranging theoretical seminars and lectures by young scholars; organising visits to Chinese revolutionary sites; and holding sessions for sharing the history and experiences of league construction by Communist Youth Leagues.