In the following contributed article, Bhabani Shankar Nayak salutes the Chinese people on the 75th anniversary of their revolution, noting that the founding of the People’s Republic constituted a triumph over imperialism, colonialism and feudalism. However, imperialist aggression against China continues in the midst of the country’s stellar progress in all fields, which stands in stark contrast to the crises enveloping the capitalist world.
Bhabani Shankar Nayak is a Professor of Business Management at London Metropolitan University. He is the author or editor of numerous books and articles on China and other issues related to development in the Global South.
On October 1, 1949, the revolutionary people of China established the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), this being the culmination of a protracted struggle that saw the defeat of Western imperialism, Japanese colonialism, and Chinese feudal warlords, all of whom had unleashed a ‘white terror’ on communists, revolutionaries and the Chinese people generally. Even after the defeat of Japanese militarism, American imperialists supported the so-called nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek in an attempt to defeat the communists and undermine the victory of the Chinese revolution.
Imperialist aggression against China continues to this day, as the Chinese people celebrate seventy-five years of their revolutionary republic, while progressing along the path of revolution, reform, and redistributive development centreed on the people. The peace, progress, and prosperity in China define its development path, shaped by the resilient and revolutionary spirit of its people under the leadership of the CPC, whose motto is ‘Serve the People’. The journey from the semi-colonial period of shame and humiliation from the mid-19th century onwards to China’s rise to the position of the second-largest economy is a testament to the resilience and dignity of the Chinese people. It is celebration of the abilities of Chinese people and their indomitable spirit.
What have China and its people achieved over the last seventy-five years?
In 1949, China was economically backward, feudalism was endemic, and the people suffered from poverty, hunger, and homelessness. Over the past seven and a half decades, the Chinese people have transformed their agrarian society into an industrial powerhouse, producing quality goods and efficient services for the world. Unprecedented economic growth, coupled with redistributive development policies, has led to the complete eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. Universal access to food, education, and healthcare has contributed to the development of a scientifically advanced society in China, with a rising standard of living, while capitalist countries are facing economic and social crises. The Chinese people have built technologically advanced infrastructure, new cities, ports, airports, and high-speed rail networks that are more efficient than their capitalist counterparts in America and Europe. China’s lunar and Mars missions exemplify the significant progress the country has made in space exploration and scientific innovation. Despite this rapid modernisation, the Chinese people have not forgotten to reclaim their cultural heritage, celebrating their diversity through art, film, music, literature, language, and fashion.
The Chinese policy of peaceful coexistence and a collaborative approach to building a global community with a shared and sustainable future, aimed at addressing global challenges, offers an alternative to a divided world plagued by imperialist wars. The Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI) are examples of the Chinese approach to global peace and development based on solidarity and cooperation. Such an alternative is not acceptable to American and European hegemons, as it fundamentally opposes their capitalist interests under the guise of democracy dominated by markets, where the majority of people are marginalised. The Chinese vision for global peace and solidarity stands in stark contrast to the confrontational, dominating, competitive, and rent-seeking capitalist approach, which prioritises large corporations while people suffer from never-ending crises.
Therefore, there is relentless propaganda against China and its hardworking people. Phrases like “Chinese goods are cheap”, “Chinese low-quality products”, “Chinese cheap labour”, “Chinese virus”, “Chinese human rights violations”, “expansionist China”, and “Chinese domination and dictatorship” are part of a propaganda campaign designed to undermine the achievements of the Chinese people and their revolution. The Chinese alternative is an anathema to the racial capitalism where the budget for war is prioritised over those for education and health. In China, the state works for the people and their welfare, whereas in capitalist countries, governments serve corporate interests for profits. It is time to expose the hypocrisies of the West and celebrate the achievements of the Chinese people over the last seventy-five years. These achievements offer hope for working people around the world. Thus, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China is a global event for working people. It is a milestone in the revolutionary history of working-class achievements.
