New Trends in the Joint Action of World Communist Parties in Recent Years and Our Response

The changes unseen in a century in the world have entered a period of accelerated evolution, with capitalist crises emerging one after another and erupting intensively, and the "socialist moment" being loudly proclaimed in many parts of the world. The communist movement has ushered in several centenary commemoration activities, and communist parties in many countries have also entered a "centenary" period of reflection on strategy and tactics. So, amid the changes unseen in a century in the world, what is the current state and development trend of the international communist movement? This is the practical environment faced by the Communist Party of China at the historic moment of the centenary of its founding, and also a major theoretical issue to be studied in socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era.

世界百年未有之大变局进入加速演进期，资本主义危机层出不穷且密集爆发出来，“社会主义时刻”在世界多地被高调唱响。共产主义运动迎来若干个百年纪念活动，许多国家的共产党也进入战略和策略的“百年”反思期。那么，处在世界百年未有之大变局，国际共运的现状与发展态势如何?这是站在建党百年历史时刻的中国共产党所面临的实践环境，也是新时代中国特色社会主义所要研究的重大理论问题。

Overall, the various types of communist and workers' parties in the world today are not only large in number, but also show a clear trend toward joint action. The call for joint action among world communist parties has arisen one after another, and various forms of joint action have emerged in many places. Many communist and workers' parties have reached consensus on major issues of the international communist movement, such as socialist struggle, the rights and interests of the working class, peace and justice, new changes in capitalism and new manifestations of imperialism, the struggle situation in various regions, and other major topics, jointly issuing joint statements and concentrating their voices. They have demonstrated a cohesive force in platform mechanisms, ideology, targets of struggle, and practical actions, jointly creating a new situation for the international communist movement and enriching its new forms and connotations. Compared with the international communist movement of the 19th and 20th centuries, this is a new trend of joint action, with many "new historical characteristics."

总体而言，当前世界上各类共产党和工人党不仅数量庞大，而且存在明显的联合之势。世界共产党联合的呼声此起彼伏，多种形式的联合行动在多地涌现。许多共产党和工人党就社会主义斗争、工人阶级的权益、和平与正义、资本主义新变化和帝国主义的新表现、各地区的斗争形势以及其它国际共运重大议题达成一致共识，共同发表联合声明，聚力发声。他们在平台机制、意识形态、斗争对象、实践行动上展示了聚合之力，共同营造了国际共运的新态势，丰富了国际共运的新形式和内涵。而与19、20世纪的国际共运相比，这是一种联合化新趋势，具有许多“新的历史特点”。

I. Manifestations of the Joint Action of World Communist Parties in Recent Years

一、近年来世界共产党联合化的表现

The communist movement is by nature an international movement. In the *Communist Manifesto*, the program drafted by Marx and Engels for the Communist League, they clearly stated: "United action, at least of the leading civilized countries, is one of the primary conditions for the emancipation of the proletariat." [1]1 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, *Manifesto of the Communist Party* (1848), Chapter 2. In the history of the international communist movement, international organizations such as the Communist League, the First International, the Second International, the Communist International, and the Communist and Workers' Parties Information Bureau have emerged, playing a huge role in uniting the struggles of communists around the world. The joint action of world communist parties in recent years differs from the joint action in the history of the international communist movement that had common organizations, programs, objectives, and actions, and instead has many new contents and characteristics.

共产主义运动本质上是国际性的运动。马克思和恩格斯在为共产主义者同盟起草的纲领《共产党宣言》中曾明确提出：“联合的行动，至少是各文明国家的联合的行动，是无产阶级获得解放的首要条件之一。”[1]在国际共运史上，曾出现了共产主义者同盟、第一国际、第二国际、共产国际、共产党和工人党情报局等国际性组织，在联合世界各地共产党人的斗争中发挥了巨大的作用。近年来世界共产党的联合，不同于国际共运史中那种具有共同的组织、纲领、目的和行动的联合，而是具有了许多新的内容和特征。

First, a series of organizational mechanisms for joint action have been established. The disintegration of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe plunged the international communist movement into a low ebb, with most communist parties falling into the predicament of organizational atrophy, laxity, splits, restructuring, or even dissolution, and the "end of history" thesis was rampant. To escape this predicament, world communist and workers' parties strengthened the construction of organizational joint action, establishing a series of fixed platforms for international joint action, including international conferences, international and regional social organizations. Examples include the Union of Communist Parties – Communist Party of the Soviet Union (founded in 1993, with 18 member parties and 3 observer parties), the International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations (founded in 1994, with 24 member parties), the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (founded in 1998, with 118 member parties), the International Marxist Tendency (founded in 2006, active in nearly 40 countries and regions), the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (founded in 2001, with 14 member parties), the International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations (founded in 2010, with 62 member parties), the Initiative of Communist and Workers' Parties of Europe (founded in 2013, with 30 member parties), the International Socialist Alternative (founded in 2020, with branches in 34 countries and regions) [2]2 These are international organizations or networks of communist and workers' parties; the Fourth International is a Trotskyist international organization founded in 1938., as well as various types of communist and workers' party organizational mechanisms such as the Party of the European Left, the Conference of Communist and Workers' Parties of the Balkans, Marxist-Leninist-Maoist Parties and Organizations, the International Revolutionary Left, the Fourth International, the Communist Front, and the Arab Left Forum. These platform mechanisms have played an important role in conference exchanges, organizational liaison, and political joint action, and have become the organizational mechanisms for the joint action of various communist parties. On these platforms, "we can unite in the most appropriate form on the road to reviving the International" [3]3 A quotation from a statement or resolution of one of these international platforms.. "Communists and opportunists cooperate within them, and the revolutionary communist parties of the Unity Network are likely to form a Fourth International together with the European Communist Initiative, making the Unity Network the core of a broad international anti-imperialist, anti-fascist front." [4]4 A quotation from an analysis of the Unity Network (Solidnet), a platform for communist parties. "Today we can say without exaggeration and with pride: the International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations has become an active and proactive representative of the World Revolutionary Association. There are no signs of splits, disintegration, or liquidationist quarrels." [5]5 A quotation from a statement by the International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations (ICOR).

一是建立一系列联合化的组织机制。苏联解体、东欧剧变使国际共运陷入低潮，多数共产党陷入组织萎缩、涣散、分裂、改组甚至解散的困境，“历史终结论”甚嚣尘上。为了摆脱困境，世界共产党和工人党加强了组织的联合化建设，建立了一系列国际联合的固定平台，包括国际会议、国际性和区域性的社会组织等。如创建于1993年的共产党联盟-苏共（现有18个成员政党，3个观察员政党）、创建于1994年的马列主义政党和组织国际会议（现有24个成员政党）、创建于1998年的共产党和工人党国际会议（现有118个成员政党）、创建于2006年的国际马克思主义倾向（在近40个国家和地区开展活动）、创建于2001年的苏联共产党（现有14个成员政党）、创建于2010年的革命政党和组织国际协调（现有62成员政党）、创建于2013年的欧洲共产党和工人党倡议（现有30个成员政党）、创建于2020年国际社会主义选择（在34个国家和地区有分支机构）[2]以及欧洲左翼党、巴尔干地区共产党和工人党会议、马列毛主义政党和组织、国际革命左翼、第四国际、共产主义前线、阿拉伯左翼论坛等各种类型的共产党和工人党组织机制。这些平台机制，在会议交流、组织联络、政治联合等多方面发挥了重要作用，已经成为各共产党联合化的组织机制。在这些平台上，“我们可以在复兴国际的道路上以最适当的形式团结起来”[3]。“共产主义者和机会主义者在其中进行合作，团结网的革命共产党很可能与欧洲共产党倡议一起组成第四国际，使团结网成为广泛的国际反帝国主义、反法西斯阵线的核心。”[4]“今天我们可以毫不夸张地且自豪地说：革命政党和组织国际协调已经成为世界革命协会的活跃的、主动的代表者。没有分裂、解体的迹象或取消主义的争吵。”[5]

Second, joint statements are issued to consolidate voices and gather strength. Since the beginning of the new century, the rise of the internet has broadened the channels of communication among communist parties. Various communist and workers' parties have used international conferences and internet platforms to issue joint statements on major events concerning the vital interests of the people. Examples include Solidnet, In Defense of Communism, In Defense of Marxism, the Initiative of Communist and Workers' Parties, the International Communist Review, Redglobe, Newepoch.media, the International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations (ICOR), the International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations, and Maoistroad. With online and offline linkage, joint statements have become customary and increasingly numerous, not only serving as a window for communist parties to connect with each other, but also, to a certain extent, demonstrating consistent theoretical views and directions of struggle. The number of parties signing joint statements ranges from as few as 2 to as many as over a hundred. Taking 2020 as an example, world communist and workers' parties issued a series of joint statements around topics such as commemorating the 200th anniversary of Engels' birth, the 150th anniversary of Lenin's birth, the 127th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birth, the 75th anniversary of the victory over fascism, and May Day, as well as issues such as the pandemic, the Palestinian question, the situation in Iran, anti-communism, and protests around the world [6]6 These are standard commemorative dates and contemporary political issues around which communist parties coordinate statements.. On April 22, 2020, 93 communist and workers' parties signed a joint statement commemorating the 150th anniversary of Lenin's birth [7]7 Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) was the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and founder of the Soviet Union., with the number of signatories reaching a new high for joint statements in recent years.

二是通过发表联合声明凝声聚气。新世纪以来，互联网的兴起拓宽了各共产党交往的途径，各共产党和工人党利用国际会议和互联网平台就关系人民群众切身利益的重大事件发表联合声明，如团结网（Solidnet）、保卫共产主义（In Defense of Communism）、保卫马克思主义（In Defense of Marxism）、欧洲共产党和工人党倡议（INITIATIVE of Communist and Workers’Parties）、国际共产主义评论（International Communist Review）、红色世界（Redglobe）、新时代媒体（Newepoch.media）、革命政党和组织国际协调（ICOR）、马列主义政党和组织国际会议（International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations）、毛主义之路（Maoistroad）等。线上线下联动，联合声明形成惯例且日渐增多，不仅成为了各共产党彼此联系的一个窗口，在一定程度上展现了一致的理论观点和斗争方向。签署联合声明的政党数量，少则2个，多则上百个。以2020年为例，世界共产党和工人党围绕纪念恩格斯诞辰200周年、列宁诞辰150周年、毛泽东诞辰127周年、反法西斯胜利75周年、五一劳动节等，以及疫情、巴勒斯坦问题、伊朗局势、反共主义、世界各地的抗议活动等议题发表了系列联合声明[6]。2020年4月22日，93个共产党和工人党签署了纪念列宁诞辰150周年的联合声明[7]，签名数达到近年来联合声明新高。

Third, consistent international struggles are carried out. The forms of joint action among world communist parties are diverse, constantly emerging in dense and interwoven ways. Through party media or joint platform mechanisms, communist parties coordinate to carry out various forms of struggle and protest activities, such as demonstrations and expressions of solidarity, around the world [8]8 This refers to coordinated transnational protest actions.. In the anti-imperialist struggles in Venezuela, Cuba, Palestine, Iran, and elsewhere, in the anti-communist struggles in Georgia, Ukraine, the European Parliament, etc., and in the Black civil rights struggle in the United States, communist parties from various countries simultaneously organized various solidarity activities around the world. According to the author's field research during one year in the United States in 2019, in 2019, the Communist Party USA and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, among others, responded to international calls in the "Hands Off Venezuela" campaign, organizing street demonstrations from the central to state and club levels, across all regions. In the 2019 struggle against the US war threat against Iran, multiple communist parties, including Workers World Party, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the Maoist Communist Party of the USA, held a rally outside Philadelphia City Hall to express solidarity with Iran.

三是开展一致性的国际斗争。世界共产党的联合化形式多种多样，不断密集、交织地呈现出来。各共产党通过党媒或联合化的平台机制，协调一致地在世界各地开展游行示威、声援等多种形式的斗争和抗议活动[8]。在委内瑞拉、古巴、巴勒斯坦、伊朗等地的反帝主义斗争中，在格鲁吉亚、乌克兰、欧洲议会等的反共主义斗争中，在美国的黑人民权斗争等中，各国共产党人在世界各地同时组织了各种声援活动。据笔者2019年度在美国一年中的实地调研发现，2019年，美国共产党、美国争取解放和社会主义党等仅在“别碰委内瑞拉”行动中，响应国际呼吁，组织了从中央到各州、俱乐部各层次、各地区的街头游行示威。在2019年反对美国对伊朗进行战争威胁的斗争中，美国工人世界党、争取社会主义和解放党、美国毛主义共产党等多个共产党，在费城市政厅外举行集会开展声援伊朗活动。

Fourth, a common spirit has been condensed and formed, giving the scattered communist movement an international character. Although the struggles of communist parties in various countries lack an international common program of action, they have objectively formed a common spirit. To summarize, the common spirit of contemporary communist parties mainly includes: pursuing socialism and communism in ideals and convictions; overthrowing capitalism and establishing a socialist society as the goal of struggle; advocating freedom, democracy, fairness, justice, internationalism, environmental protection, gender equality, etc., in values; opposing war and aggression, imperialism, neoliberalism, fascism, racism, etc., in ideology; and defending the rights and interests of the working class and the people, opposing racial and gender discrimination, opposing right-wing governments, etc., in practical struggle. It is under this common spirit that communists from various countries converge into a force that restrains capitalism. Guided by this common spirit, even scattered actions exhibit strong commonalities and convergence, invisibly coalescing into a "socialist community" around the world, jointly igniting the sparks of the contemporary international communist movement.

四是凝聚形成了共同精神，使分散的共产主义运动具有国际性。各国共产党的斗争，虽然没有国际性的共同行动纲领，却在客观上形成了共同精神。概而述之，当代共产党的共同精神主要有：理想信念上追求社会主义、共产主义;奋斗目标上推翻资本主义、建立社会主义社会;价值观念上倡导自由民主、公平正义、国际主义、环境保护、性别平等等;意识形态上反对战争与侵略，反对帝国主义、新自由主义、法西斯主义、种族主义等;实践斗争中维护工人阶级和人民的权益、反对种族和性别歧视、反对右翼政府等。各国共产党人正是在这种共同精神下，汇聚成牵制资本主义的力量。在共同精神的指引下，分散的行动也呈现了较强的共性和趋同性，无形中在世界各地凝练成为“社会主义共同体”，共同点燃当代国际共产主义运动的星星之火。

II. New Characteristics of the Current International Unity of World Communist Parties

二、当前世界共产党联合化的新特征

Amidst changes unseen in a century, the organizational and activity methods of communist parties in various countries have undergone many new changes, and their international united activities are no exception. This is mainly manifested in aspects such as the subjects of unity, the space of unity, the frequency of unity, and the methods of unity.

处在世界百年未有之大变局，各国共产党的组织与活动方式出现许多新的变化，其国际性联合活动也是如此，这主要表现在联合主体、联合空间、联合频次、联合方式等方面。

First, equality and pluralism in the subjects of unity. Unlike the unity in the history of the international communist movement, the current unity of world communist parties is based on the mutual independence and equality of each political party. This is a voluntary unity on the basis of equality, a "huddling together for warmth" under the united platform of the international communist movement's organizational mechanisms. On the other hand, "it is not feasible today for all communist and workers' parties to adopt a single strategy; there are subtle or significant differences among us in theory, strategy, and tactics." [9]9 This is a citation from a source referenced in the original text, likely a statement or document from a communist party meeting or publication. Therefore, the united organizations that communist parties participate in include both global and regional ones; both those among communist parties themselves and those within broader left-wing parties, and even progressive groups and social organizations; both Marxist, Marxist-Leninist, Marxist-Leninist-Maoist, and Trotskyist, Hoxhaist, or social-democratic communist parties. Although there are significant theoretical differences among these diverse subjects of unity, they are able to converge their voices on many important issues of the international communist movement. For example, during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, platforms such as the "Solidarity Network" of the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties, the "Initiative of Communist and Workers' Parties of Europe," the "International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations," the "International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations," and the "Maoist Road" all issued joint statements on the pandemic, yet their respective contents and viewpoints differed.

一是联合主体上的平等性和多元化。与国际共运史上的联合不同的是，当前世界共产党的联合是建立在各政党之间是彼此独立、相互平等的，这是平等基础上的自愿联合，是在国际共运组织机制的联合平台下“抱团式”取暖。另一方面，“所有共产党和工人党都采取单一战略的行为在今天并不可行;我们之间在理论、策略和战术方面都存在或细微的或重大的差异”[9]。因此，各共产党参与的联合化组织，既有世界性的，也有区域性的;既有共产党之间的，也有泛左翼政党内的，甚至也有进步团体和社会组织的;既有马克思主义的、马列主义的、马列毛主义的，也有托派的、霍查主义的或社会民主化的共产党。尽管各多元化的联合主体之间，存在较大的理论分歧，却能够在国际共运的许多重要问题上聚力发声。如2020年新冠疫情爆发期间，包括共产党和工人党国际会议的“团结网”平台、“欧洲共产党和工人党倡议”、“马列主义政党和组织国际会议”、“革命政党和组织国际协调”、“毛主义道路”等均就新冠疫情发表联合声明，各自的内容和观点却有差异。

Second, resonance and networking in space. The contemporary international communist movement has moved away from the model of a single center and unified leadership, presenting a pattern of separate actions within multiple organizational mechanisms, converging voices together, and shifting towards networked unity. Communist parties scattered around the world take coordinated actions on the same issue like a butterfly effect, exhibiting a characteristic of resonance. At the same time, in terms of spatial distribution, the exploration and actions of unity unfold at multiple levels—domestic, regional, and global—and when communist parties participate in joint solidarity actions, they often overlap and cross-participate in multiple organizational mechanisms, thus forming a networked tendency of unity. In terms of organizational platforms, many communist parties are formal members of multiple platforms. For example, the Labour Party of Turkey (EMEP) is a member of both the Hoxhaist International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations and the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties, and was also a member of the International Communist Seminar (which ceased activities in 2014).

二是空间上的共振性和网络化。当今国际共运，已经走出了一个中心、统一领导的模式，呈现多组织机制内的分头行动，共同聚力发声，转向了网络化的联合。各共产党散布在世界各地，就同一议题上像蝴蝶效应般采取协调一致的行动，呈现了共振性特征。与此同时，在空间分布上，联合化的探索与行动在国内、地区、世界多个层面展开，而各共产党在参与联合声援行动中，往往又在多组织机制中重叠、交叉性参与，由此就构成了联合的网状化倾向。在组织平台上，不少共产党也是多个平台的正式成员，如土耳其劳动党（EMEP）既是霍查主义的马列主义政党和组织国际会议的成员，也是共产党和工人党国际会议的成员，还曾是国际共产主义研讨会（2014年停止活动）的成员。

Third, continuity and intensification in frequency. Catalyzed by both the harsh survival environment and the international character of the communist movement, many world communist parties repeatedly issue calls and demands for unity. Through the joint efforts of multiple parties, world communist parties have carried out more intensive united actions, creating a rising tide of unity. In fact, since the outbreak of the global financial crisis in 2008, the organizational mechanisms for the unity of world communist parties have continuously improved, practical struggles have been unceasing, joint statements have become increasingly dense, and a common spirit has become increasingly prominent. They continuously and intensively voice and exert force through annual meetings, regular statements, coordinated solidarity actions, and protests and demonstrations. Taking only the first half of 2020—the pandemic, the 150th anniversary of Lenin's birth, May Day, and protests around the world—as an example, world communist parties issued over 30 joint statements, with even more unilateral expressions of solidarity and statements. [10]10 This refers to a specific count of joint statements issued by world communist parties during the first half of 2020, as documented in the original source. This continuity of activities helps maintain the presence and influence of the socialist movement in the world, enhances its vitality, and at the same time allows more people to see the powerful strength and immense potential of the socialist movement.

三是频次上的连续性和密集化。在恶劣的生存环境和共产主义运动的国际性特征的共同催化下，许多世界共产党屡屡发出联合呼吁和诉求。在多方的共同努力下，世界共产党开展了更为密集的联合行动，酿成高涨的联合之势。事实上，自2008年金融危机爆发以来，世界共产党联合的组织机制不断完善，实践斗争绵绵不绝，联合声明愈发密集，共同精神日渐突显。在年度性会议、常态化声明、协同化声援和游行示威中连续、密集地发声发力。仅以2020年上半年的疫情、列宁诞辰150周年、五一劳动节、世界各地抗议活动为例，世界共产党发表联合声明声明达30多个，单方面的声援和声明则更多[10]。这种连续性的活动有助于保持社会主义运动在世界上的存在感和影响力，增强社会主义运动的活力，同时让更多人看到社会主义运动的强大力量和巨大潜力。

Fourth, diversity and issue-orientation in methods. Unlike the previous organizational forms of unity, the current unity of world communist parties takes on new forms. Party alliances, international conferences, joint statements, and solidarity protests are its common main forms, with issue-orientation rather than organization being its obvious characteristic. Many communist parties not only participate in common international conferences and have established fixed platform mechanisms, but also form electoral alliances, governing coalitions, and united front alliances in various routine elections, achieving issue-oriented aggregation under the guidance of a common spirit. For example, in recent years, according to incomplete statistics, [11]11 This indicates that the following list of parties is based on incomplete statistical data available to the author. in terms of electoral alliances, 14 communist parties—including the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, the Communist Party of Chile, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Revolutionary Socialist Party, the Iraqi Communist Party, the Communist Party of Israel, the Portuguese Communist Party, the South African Communist Party, the Syrian Communist Party, the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, the Communist Party of Spain, the Communist Party of Uruguay, and the Communist Party of Venezuela—have participated in or formed electoral alliances. In terms of governing coalitions, more than ten communist parties—including the Communist Party of Argentina, the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia, the Communist Party of Nepal, the South African Communist Party, the Communist Party of Spain, the Syrian Communist Party, and the Syrian Communist Party (Unified)—have formed national or local governing coalitions with left-wing parties. Furthermore, communist parties actively unite domestic progressive forces and left-wing organizations to build united front alliances or fronts, jointly voicing and gathering strength on issues such as anti-capitalism, anti-imperialism, anti-war, achieving fairness, justice, environmental protection, and defending the rights of the working class and the people. For instance, in India, five parties—the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, the All India Forward Bloc, and the Revolutionary Socialist Party—form a left-wing party alliance with strong interaction, frequently issuing joint statements and coordinating various activities in recent years. [12]12 This is a citation from a source referenced in the original text, providing evidence for the examples of electoral and governing alliances.

四是方式上的多样性与议题化。不同于以往组织化的联合形式，当前世界共产党的联合，具有新的形式。政党联盟、国际会议、联合声明、声援抗议是其常见的主要形式，议题化而非组织化是其明显特征。许多共产党不仅参与共同的国际会议并搭建了固定的平台机制，而且还在各种事务性选举中，组建了选举联盟、执政联盟、统一战线联盟，实现共同精神指引下议题化的聚合。例如，近年来，据不完全统计[11]，在选举联盟方面，孟加拉国工人党、智利共产党、印度共产党、印度共产党（马克思主义）、革命社会党、伊拉克共产党、以色列共产党、葡萄牙共产党、南非共产党、叙利亚共产党、斯里兰卡共产党、西班牙共产党、乌拉圭共产党、委内瑞拉共产党等14个共产党参与或组建过选举联盟;在执政联盟方面，阿根廷共产党、孟加拉国工人党、捷克和摩拉维亚共产党、尼泊尔共产党、南非共产党、西班牙共产党、叙利亚共产党、叙利亚共产党（统一）、斯里兰卡共产党等10多个共产党也通过与左翼政党组成过全国或地方执政联盟;而各共产党更是积极联合国内的进步力量和左翼组织，构建统一战线联盟或阵线，共同为反资、反帝、反战，实现公平、正义、环保，捍卫工人阶级与人民的权利等议题发声聚力。如印度的印度共产党（马克思主义）、印度共产党、印度共产党（马列）解放、全印度前进集团、革命社会主义党等五个政党组成左翼政党联盟，互动性非常强，近年来经常联合发表联合声明，协同开展多种活动。[12]

III. An Assessment of the Current International Unity of World Communist Parties

三、对当前世界共产党联合化的评价

The development trend of the international unity of world communist parties further highlights the class character, international character, interconnectedness, and organizational tendency of the socialist movement. It not only helps to consolidate communist forces around the world, ensuring the "passing of the torch" of the international communist movement, but also enriches the content and forms of the international communist movement.

世界共产党的联合化发展态势，更加凸显了社会主义运动的阶级性、国际性、联动性和组织化趋势，不仅有助于凝聚世界各地的共产主义力量，使国际共运“薪火相传”，还丰富了国际共运的内容与形式。

(I) Strengthening the force to counter capitalism and enhancing the momentum of world socialism

（一）增强了反制资本主义的力量，壮大了世界社会主义的声势

Most non-ruling communist parties abroad are relatively scattered and weak. While world communist parties differ in their theoretical positions, organizational conditions, and ideological lines, as well as in their understanding of existing socialist countries and even the world socialist movement, they nonetheless exhibit certain commonalities. Communist parties unite on the basis of these commonalities. On the one hand, sounding the clarion call to attack capitalism from different angles undoubtedly strengthens the forces countering capitalism; on the other hand, in the process of unification, these parties have forged multiple united platforms, enabling them to form a single rope, consolidate voices and strength, and carry out coordinated actions. This undoubtedly helps to enhance the overall strength and momentum of world socialism, while also providing each party with better opportunities for development. Through unity, they strengthen communication and exchange, learn from each other, offer mutual support and solidarity, and enhance their own social influence.

国外多数非执政的共产党，都相对分散和弱小。世界共产党在理论主张、组织状况和思想路线上，在对现行社会主义国家乃至对世界社会主义运动等的理解方面不尽相同，却体现了某些共性。共产党因共性而联合，一方面从不同侧面发起对资本主义进攻的号角，无疑会增强反制资本主义的力量;另一方面，在联合化过程中，这些政党打造了多个联合平台，能够拧成一股绳，凝声聚力，开展协调一致的行动。这无疑既有助于世界社会主义整体力量和声势的提升，对各个政党而言，又获得了更好的发展机会。他们通过联合，加强沟通交流，互学互鉴，彼此相互支持和声援，增强了自身的社会影响力。

(II) Enriching and Developing the Connotation and Form of the International Communist Movement

（二）丰富并发展了国际共产主义运动的内涵与形式

The so-called international communist movement “is an international proletarian revolutionary movement led by proletarian parties guided by Marxism, whose purpose is to overthrow bourgeois rule and all systems of exploitation, establish and develop the socialist system, and ultimately achieve the complete liberation of humanity and the establishment of a communist society.”[13]13 Yu Weihai, “The International Communist Movement in the New Era: Connotation, Characteristics, and Trends,” *Journal of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (Chinese Academy of Governance)*, 2022, no. 3, p. 118. The unity of world communist parties is the best footnote to the continued existence of the contemporary international communist movement. And today’s international communist movement is no longer “one center, one line, one model,”[14]14 This phrase refers to the historical pattern of the international communist movement being dominated by a single leading party (the CPSU), a single ideological line (Soviet Marxism), and a single model (the Soviet model), which collapsed by the late 20th century. but has renewed its form and connotation under the trend of communist party unification.

所谓国际共产主义运动，“是由以马克思主义为指导的无产阶级政党领导的国际性的无产阶级革命运动，其宗旨是推翻资产阶级统治和一切剥削制度，建立和发展社会主义制度，进而最终实现人的彻底解放，建立共产主义社会”[13]。世界共产党的联合，是当代国际共运存续的最佳注脚。而当今的国际共产主义运动，已经不再是“一个中心，一条路线，一种模式”[14]，而是在共产党的联合化趋势下更新了其形式和内涵。

First, the international communist movement has not faded from the historical stage. Many commentators directly deny the existence of the world socialist movement, arguing that we must “abandon the traditional concept of the so-called ‘international communist movement’ from an ideological and theoretical perspective,” because “today’s world socialism” is merely “a ‘grand aggregation’ of various socialist forces, socialist schools, or socialist models that are independent, act on their own, and have no unified connection.”[15]15 Xiao Guiqing, “Theoretical Reflections on the International Communist Movement,” *Contemporary World and Socialism*, 2005, no. 4, p. 30. Admittedly, the theme of the international communist movement is no longer Bolshevik-style world revolution, and violent revolution is not the choice of the vast majority of current communists for the proletarian revolutionary movement. While acknowledging the objective fact that a large number of communist parties still exist today, examining the international proletarian revolutionary movement is the key to understanding the international communist movement. Various united mechanisms together weave an active network of the international communist movement, hosting frequent international conferences, statements, expressions of solidarity, and joint actions, endowing the communist movement with an international connotation. The international unity of world communist parties in terms of subjects, space, tense, and methods interprets the “endless vitality” and “passing the torch from generation to generation” of the contemporary communist movement.

首先，国际共运并没有淡出历史舞台。有不少论者直接否认世界社会主义运动的存在，认为要“从思想理论上抛弃所谓‘国际共运’的传统观念”，因为“当今世界社会主义”不过是“彼此独立自主、各行其是、没有统一联系的各种名目的社会主义力量、社会主义流派或社会主义模式的一个‘大汇总’”[15]。诚然，国际共运的主题已经不再是布尔什维克式的世界革命，暴力革命也不是当前绝大多数共产党人进行无产阶级革命运动的选择。在承认当前仍然存在大量共产党的客观事实前提下，考察国际性的无产阶级革命运动就是考察国际共运的关键所在。各联合机制共同编织成国际共运的活跃网络，承载着频繁的国际会议、声明、声援、联合等，使共产主义运动具有国际性内涵。而世界共产党的联合主体、空间、时态和方式上的国际联合，诠释了当代共产主义运动的“生生不息”、“薪火相传”。

Second, the new unity of the international communist movement coexists simultaneously with internal sectarian struggles. Fragmentation, internal friction, and disputes have long been inherent labels attached to the international communist movement. On the stage of today’s international communist movement, a large number of communist party organizations are active. According to incomplete statistics from Wikipedia, there are approximately over 400 communist parties of various sizes existing in the world today.[16]16 “List of Communist Parties,” Wikipedia, accessed June 20, 2023. Many countries have several, or even a dozen or twenty, communist parties. Taking the United States as an example, the number of communist parties there is large, with many factions, including Marxist-Leninist, Marxist-Leninist-Maoist, democratic socialist, Trotskyist, Hoxhaist, and anarchist types of communist parties. It can be said that they include almost all factions in the history of the international communist movement and contemporary world socialism. There are over ten parties, such as the Communist Party USA, the Party of Communists USA, the Workers World Party, the Revolutionary Communist Party, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the Labor Party, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the Progressive Labor Party, and the Maoist Communist Party. This quite large contingent of communist parties is an awkward result of the fragmentation and continuous fission of communist parties, and also a manifestation of internal friction, differences, and splits among parties.

其次，国际共运的新联合是与内部的宗派斗争同时并存的。分散、内耗、纷争是在国际共产主义运动身上长期以来固有的标签。当今的国际共运舞台上，活跃着数量众多的共产主义政党组织。据维基百科的不完全统计，世界上现存的大大小小共产党数量大约有400多个[16]。世界上许多国家都存在若干个、甚至一二十个共产主义政党。以美国为例，美国的共产主义政党数量多，派系多，有马列主义、马列毛主义、民主社会主义、托洛茨基主义、霍查主义、无政府主义等类型的共产党，可以说几乎包括了国际共运史和当代世界社会主义中的所有派别，存在如美国共产党、共产党人党、工人世界党、革命共产党、争取社会主义与解放党、劳动党、自由道路社会主义组织、进步劳动党、毛主义共产党等10多个党。这一政党数量相当庞大的共产党队伍是共产主义政党分散化、不断裂变的尴尬结果，也是政党之间的内耗、分歧与分裂的表征。

Parties of various factions have their own united platforms internationally, and the boundaries between them are often very clear, with obvious exclusivity. For example, the most influential International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties, although having a certain degree of openness, still refuses membership to many communist parties. This phenomenon exists widely among the world’s left-wing forces, invisibly weakening the international significance of unification and reducing cohesion among the left. The internal friction and sectarianism of today’s international communist movement exert a huge counterforce on the efforts towards unification, keeping the exploration of unification trapped in a low-efficiency predicament.

各派的政党在国际上有自己的联合平台，彼此之间的界限常常十分分明，具有明显的排他性。比如，影响最大的共产党和工人党国际会议，虽然具有一定的开放性，但是仍然拒绝不少共产党加入。此现象广泛存在于世界左翼之间，无形中削弱了联合化的国际意义，降低了左翼间的凝聚力。当今国际共运的内耗与宗派主义对联合化的努力产生了巨大的反作用力，使联合化的探索一直陷于低效困境。

Third, the international communist movement has transformed from a “center-periphery” type of movement into a relatively loose networked movement. On the basis of independence, equality, and voluntariness, communist parties in various countries can independently choose different organizational mechanisms to achieve unity for different purposes and at different levels. For example, the Communist Party of Greece is frequently active on platforms such as the International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties, the European Communist and Workers’ Parties Initiative, the International Communist Seminar, and the Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties of the Balkan Region. The same applies to other communist parties.

再次，国际共运已经从“中心-外围”式的运动变成了较为松散的网络化运动。各国共产党在独立平等和自愿的基础上，可以自主选择不同的组织机制，实现不同目的和层次的联合。例如，希腊共产党经常活跃在共产党和工人党国际会议、欧洲共产党和工人党倡议、国际共产主义研讨会、巴尔干地区共产党和工人党会议等平台上。其他共产党也是如此。

Finally, the international communist movement is more characterized by fragmentation and diversity. Since its birth, Marxism has been interpreted from various perspectives. Although the ideological sources of communist parties in various countries originate from revolutionary mentors such as Marx, Engels, and Lenin, they have acquired different understandings and connotations in different historical development processes and spatial regions. Communist parties have evolved into different types. This diversity is reflected not only in the differences between different types of communist parties (e.g., ruling and non-ruling, Marxist-Leninist and Marxist-Leninist-Maoist, Trotskyist, Hoxhaist, etc.), and in the differences between united mechanisms, but also in the diversification of united issues. The unity of communist parties under different issues is guided by the spirit of internationalism and also reflects their respective quests for their own socialist paths within their nation-states. While diverse unity certainly increases the cohesion of the international communist movement, it also provides fertile ground for sectarianism and dogmatism. The increasing issue-based character of unity makes the tension between the immediate and long-term goals of the international communist movement more prominent.

最后，国际共运更加具有分散性和多样性的特点。马克思主义自从诞生之日起，人们就对其有各种不同的解读视角。各国共产党的思想来源虽然源自于马克思、恩格斯、列宁等革命导师，却在不同的历史发展进程和空间地域，有了不同的理解和内涵。共产党业已演化成了不同的类型。这种多样性不仅体现在不同类型共产党（如执政的和非执政的、马列主义的和马列毛主义的、托派的、霍查主义的等）的差异性上，体现在联合机制之间的差异性上，也体现在联合议题的多元化上。各国共产党在不同的议题下的联合，既有国际主义精神的指引，也是在各自民族国家内竞相探寻自身社会主义道路的反映。多样性的联合，固然增加了国际共运的聚合力，却也为宗派主义、教条主义提供了滋生的沃土。联合中议题化特征的增加，使国际共运眼前目标和长远目标之间的张力更为突显。

IV. Our Response under the “New Historical Characteristics” of the Trend of World Communist Party Unification

四、世界共产党联合化态势这一“新的历史特点”下我们的应对

The report of the 18th National Congress of the CPC pointed out, “Developing socialism with Chinese characteristics is a long-term and arduous historical task, and we must be prepared to carry out a great struggle with many new historical characteristics.”[17]17 Hu Jintao, “Firmly March on the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive to Complete the Building of a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects,” report to the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, November 8, 2012. The new development trend of world communist party unification, and the new connotation and form of the international communist movement, are precisely one of the “new historical characteristics” that need to be seriously studied and grasped in the process of advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era. So, how can we better study and grasp this “new historical characteristic” to serve the great struggle?

党的十八大报告指出，“发展中国特色社会主义是一项长期的艰巨的历史任务，必须准备进行具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争”[17]。世界共产党的联合化发展新态势、国际共产主义运动的新内涵和形式，也正是推进新时代中国特色社会主义伟大事业进程中需要认真研究和把握的“新的历史特点”之一。那么，如何才能更好地研究和把握好这一“新的历史特点”、为伟大斗争服务呢?

First, we must strengthen research on the international communist movement. The trend of world communist party unification has injected new vitality and new content into the international communist movement. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen research on the international communist movement in the New Era, examining its connotative characteristics, organizational mechanisms, united forces, and common spirit, exploring its laws of development, and especially delving into the relationship between socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era and the international communist movement.

首先，要加强国际共运的研究。世界共产党联合化态势为国际共运增添了新的活力，也注入了新的内容。因此，要加强对新时代国际共运的研究，考察其内涵特征、组织机制、联合力量、共同精神，探究其发展规律，特别是要深入研究新时代中国特色社会主义与国际共运之间的关系。

Second, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on Xi Jinping’s relevant theoretical propositions concerning “a new type of party-to-party relations.” Epistemologically, Xi Jinping’s theoretical proposition on a new type of party-to-party relations is a major innovation in the foreign policy of the Communist Party of China; methodologically, it is an effective method for resolving the frequent splits, disputes, and differences among foreign communist parties; logically and prospectively, it is the key for socialism with Chinese characteristics to lead the development of world socialism. Taking Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the logical starting point, systematically study Xi Jinping’s theoretical proposition on a new type of party-to-party relations from five dimensions: background and formation, connotation and system, characteristics and principles, significance and value, and mechanisms and pathways. Study the systematic, innovative, and forward-looking nature of this theoretical system. Conduct applied translational research on Xi Jinping’s theory of a new type of party-to-party relations, focusing on the essence and concepts of party-to-party diplomacy, so as to construct the specific policies of the CPC’s party-to-party diplomacy in the New Era, with key points including the subject, main line, concepts, connotation, levels, domains, orientation, platforms, and mechanisms of party-to-party diplomacy.

其次，要深入研究习近平关于“新型政党关系”的相关理论命题。习近平新型政党关系理论命题在认识论上是中国共产党政党外交政策的重大创新，在方法论上是解决国外共产党频繁分裂、纷争与分歧的有效方法，在逻辑与前景上是中国特色社会主义引领世界社会主义发展的钥匙。以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为逻辑起点，从背景与形成、内涵与体系、特征与原则、意义与价值、机制与路径五个维度，系统研究习近平新型政党关系理论命题，研究该理论体系的系统性、创新性和前瞻性。围绕政党外交的本质与理念开展习近平新型政党关系理论的应用转化研究，从而构建以政党外交主体、主线、理念、内涵、层次、领域、方位、平台、机制等为关键点的新时代中国共产党政党外交的具体政策。

Third, amid the trend of networked joint action among world communist parties, we must cultivate strategic thinking and maintain strategic resolve. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, the situation of the international communist movement became more complex. Various types and factions of communist parties have emerged on the scene, and there are significant theoretical differences among many parties, especially considerable divergence in their cognition and attitudes toward socialism with Chinese characteristics. Many voices criticizing, denying, and attacking us have appeared. This jarring voice frequently emerges in many joint declarations, and the resultant combined effect warrants vigilance. It is precisely these parties that are most enthusiastic about calling for the establishment of a new international organization similar to the “Communist International” and about promoting Bolshevik-style world revolution. At the same time, there are also many voices domestically arguing that the CPC, as the world’s largest communist party, should take up the baton from the Soviet Union and bravely shoulder the banner of uniting the forces of world socialism. Clearly, pursuing grand unity and grand alliance based on wishful thinking neither conforms to our country’s current development strategy nor is it realistic. Faced with this trend of joint action, we must cultivate strategic thinking and maintain strategic resolve: do not take the lead, do not raise the banner, do not participate, and do not oppose. Earnestly developing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the greatest contribution to the international communist movement.

再次，在世界共产党网络化的联合趋势中，我们要树立战略思维、保持战略定力。苏联解体、东欧剧变后，国际共运形势更加复杂，各种类型和派系的共产党竞相登场，许多政党之间理论上的差异性较大，特别是对中国特色社会主义的认知和态度上存在较多分歧，出现了不少批评、否定和攻击我们的声音。这股刺耳的声音在许多联合声明中时有出现，发出的合力效应值得警惕。而正是这些政党，最热衷于呼吁建立类似于“共产国际”式的新的国际组织，热衷于推动布尔什维克式的世界革命。与此同时，国内也有不少声音，认为中国共产党作为世界上最大的共产党，要接过苏联的接力棒，勇于扛起联合世界社会主义力量的大旗。显然，一厢情愿地搞大团结和大联合，既不符合我国当前的发展战略，也是不现实的。面对这样的联合化趋势，我们要树立战略思维、保持战略定力，不当头，不扛旗，不参与，不反对。认真发展好中国特色社会主义伟大事业，就是对国际共运的最大贡献。

Finally, we must rationally utilize the forces of world socialism. The joint action of world communist parties is not only a fresh force against capitalism but can also be rationally utilized, turning it into an external support force and friendly army serving the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In fact, most communist parties have also given us public support in their joint actions, becoming a force that can be drawn upon. In March 2020, in a joint declaration signed by 82 communist parties titled “Take Immediate Measures to Protect People’s Health and Rights,” China’s internationalist anti-epidemic actions were praised [18]18 The “Communist International” (Comintern, 1919–1943) was an international organization of communist parties founded by Lenin, which promoted world revolution under Soviet leadership.; in April, the CPC issued a joint appeal with over 230 political parties from more than 100 countries on strengthening international cooperation against the COVID-19 pandemic, which received support and praise from many communist parties worldwide through signing, public statements, expressions of gratitude, and other means [19]19 The International Department of the CPC Central Committee is the Party organ responsible for managing the CPC’s external relations with foreign political parties..

最后，要合理利用世界社会主义的力量。世界共产党的联合化行动，既是反制资本主义的生力军，同时也可以合理地加以利用，使之成为服务于中国特色社会主义伟大事业的外援部队和友军。事实上，多数共产党也在联合化的行动中，给与了我们公开的支持，成为一支可资利用的力量。2020年3月，在82个共产党签署的题为“立即采取措施保护人民的健康和权利”的联合声明中，中国的国际主义抗疫行动得到了赞誉[18];4月中国共产党同100多个国家230多个政党就加强抗击新冠肺炎疫情国际合作发出共同呼吁，得到了世界众多共产党的签署、公开发文、致谢等多种方式的支持和赞誉[19]。

To better utilize this combined force of world socialism, we must first, from a strategic perspective, attach importance to and do a good job of united front work with foreign communist parties, actively planning and forging a combined force favorable to us. Second, with the International Department of the CPC Central Committee as the main body, we must implement Xi Jinping’s theory on a new type of party-to-party relations, strengthen exchanges with foreign communist parties, and establish a multi-level exchange mechanism centered on high-level thematic dialogues between parties. Third, we must leverage the research capabilities of civil society and universities, establish national-level research think tanks, build mechanisms for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and strengthen theoretical discussions. Only by taking multiple measures simultaneously can we better tell China’s story and provide effective political guidance for world socialism.

为了更好地利用这股世界社会主义的联合之力，我们首先要从战略上重视并做好与国外共产党的统战工作，积极主动地谋划、打造好有利于我们的联合力量;其次，要以中联部为主体，贯彻落实习近平新型政党关系理论，加强与国外共产党的交流，建立以政党高层专题对话会为主的多层次交流机制;再次，要发挥民间和高校的科研力量，建立国家级研究智库，建立人文交流机制，加强理论探讨。多管齐下，才能更好地讲好中国故事，做好对世界社会主义的政治引领。

Xi Jinping pointed out: “Although world socialism may encounter twists and turns in its development, the general trend of human social development has not changed and will not change.” [20]20 The Four Consciousnesses (consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership), the Four Confidences (confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics), and the Two Upholds (upholding Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee) are numbered slogans of the CPC The new trends in the development of world communist parties further confirm the correctness of this profound judgment. As the CPC marks the centenary of its founding, recognizing the current situation and characteristics of the development of the international communist movement, grasping its new development trends, further strengthening the Four Consciousnesses, consolidating the Four Confidences, and achieving the Two Upholds, and developing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics—this is the most beautiful birthday gift for the centenary of the CPC.

习近平指出：“尽管世界社会主义在发展中也会出现曲折，但人类社会发展的总趋势没有改变，也不会改变。”[20]世界共产党的发展新态势进一步印证了这一深刻判断的正确性。在中国共产党迎来建党百年之际，认清国际共产主义运动发展的现状与特点，把握其发展新态势，进一步增强“四个意识”，坚定“四个自信”，做到“两个维护”，发展好中国特色社会主义事业，这是为中国共产党百年诞辰献上的最美生日礼物。

(The author is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Political Science and International Relations, Central China Normal University, and director of the Center for the Study of Marxist Political Parties Abroad at Central China Normal University.)

（作者系华中师范大学政治与国际关系学院教授、博士生导师，华中师范大学国外马克思主义政党研究中心主任）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心