Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and the Revival of European Socialism

The world today is facing multiple risks and challenges. The capitalist system is mired in crisis, and Hungary is also deeply affected. The European Union is losing its competitiveness, Europe’s security structure has collapsed, Cold War thinking lingers, and humanity faces the threat of world war. Capitalism cannot solve the various problems confronting humanity, and people are searching for new, effective solutions. To paraphrase a Marxist formulation, we can say: the revolutionary situation has not yet arrived, but it can arrive! We do not know when it will happen, but we know that we should know that this is possible.

当今世界正面临着多重风险与挑战。资本主义制度深陷危机，匈牙利也深受其害。欧盟正在失去竞争力，欧洲的安全结构已经崩溃，冷战思维挥之不去，人类正面临世界大战的威胁。资本主义无法解决人类面临的各种问题，人们正在寻找新的行之有效的解决方案。套用马克思主义的表述，可以这样说：现在革命形势还没有到来，但是革命形势是可以到来的！我们不知道什么时候会发生，但我们知道，我们应该知道，这是可能发生的。

We socialist parties and organizations should provide answers and find an effective and sustainable way out of the crisis. The future of European socialist parties hangs in the balance, but if we can achieve this, we will secure a place in the new world order. Europe is the cradle of Marxism, having witnessed the first socialist revolution and the birth of the first socialist state. Now, the European socialist-communist movement is struggling to find its place. There are divisions within the movement, with differing opinions on almost all important issues. Nevertheless, socialism in Europe still exists.

我们社会主义政党和组织应该给出答案，并找到一种行之有效可以持续摆脱危机的方法。欧洲社会主义政党的未来岌岌可危，但如果我们能做到这一点，我们将在新的世界秩序中占有一席之地。欧洲是马克思主义的摇篮，见证了第一次社会主义革命和第一个社会主义国家的诞生。现在，欧洲社会主义-共产主义运动正努力寻找自己的位置。该运动内部存在分歧，几乎在所有重要问题上都存在不同的意见。尽管如此，欧洲的社会主义依然存在。

European socialist parties need revitalization, reorganization, and modernization. We need to carry out practices that integrate national and ethnic characteristics, and defend our countries’ sovereignty, language, and traditions. We should point out that capitalism cannot revive Europe; this is the task and mission of our socialist parties. We cannot destroy everything capitalism has brought to Europe, but we should change Europe’s governance system, replacing the profit-based capitalist system with a people-centered socialist system.

欧洲社会主义政党需要振兴、重组和现代化。我们需要进行能够结合国家民族特色的实践，捍卫我们国家的主权、语言和传统。我们应该指出，资本主义无法复兴欧洲，这是我们社会主义政党的任务与使命。我们无法摧毁资本主义给欧洲带来的一切，但我们应改变欧洲的治理体制，用以人民利益为基础的社会主义制度取代以利润为基础的资本主义制度。

Socialism with Chinese characteristics has strengthened our socialist convictions and inspired us to continue the struggle. For decades, the development of socialist thought in Europe and the development of socialist thought in China were disconnected, even isolated from each other. We should now acknowledge past mistakes and leverage the advantage of the parallel development of Chinese and European socialist thought. This is a vast treasure trove of knowledge and theory. Allow me to use some concrete examples to illustrate the significance of socialism with Chinese characteristics for us European communists, and indeed for the revitalization of socialism across Europe.

中国特色社会主义坚定了我们的社会主义信念，鼓舞我们继续斗争。几十年来，欧洲社会主义思想的发展与中国社会主义思想的发展是割裂的，甚至是彼此孤立的。我们现在应该承认过去的错误，利用中欧社会主义思想并行发展的优势。这是一个巨大的知识和理论宝库。请允许我用一些具体的例子来说明中国特色社会主义对我们欧洲共产主义者，乃至对整个欧洲社会主义振兴的意义。

We need a theoretical revival. The collapse of socialism in Europe meant not only the fall of socialist ruling parties but also led to ideological confusion, even a theoretical disaster. The theoretical level of the European socialist movement has declined; some parties have turned to revisionism, while others believe dogmatism can save them. Political thinking is confined within the space of the European continent, and few people are able to broaden their horizons to look at new theoretical developments and achievements in socialism outside Europe. The good news is that we can now see some parties beginning to conduct in-depth analysis of their own history. We see active exploration in response to practical challenges, first and foremost a modern approach to understanding Marxism. We should continue to bravely seek truth, reveal truth, and apply truth.

我们需要理论上的复兴。社会主义在欧洲的崩溃不仅意味着社会主义执政党的倒台，而且导致了意识形态上的混乱，甚至是理论上的灾难。欧洲社会主义运动的理论水平下降了，有些政党转向修正主义，有些政党认为教条主义可以挽救自己。政治思维被局限在欧洲大陆的空间内，很少有人能够打开视野，放眼欧洲以外的社会主义理论新发展和新成就。好消息是，现在我们可以看到一些政党已经开始对其历史进行深入分析。我们看到了应对实际挑战的积极探索，首先是理解马克思主义的现代方法。我们应该继续勇敢地寻求真理、揭示真理、应用真理。

As Marxists, we need to conduct concrete analysis of concrete realities. Marxism is a living, developing theory. Marxism is the common wealth of the world socialist movement, but each party has the right and responsibility to apply Marxism according to its specific national conditions. The practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics proves this. Integrating Marxism with the concrete realities of Europe is the responsibility of our European socialist parties. We must take the path of theoretical innovation, being open to the outside world while maintaining independence and autonomy, and adhering to a national path. Therefore, we can uphold and develop Marxism; this is what we truly need.

作为马克思主义者，我们需要对具体现实进行具体分析。马克思主义是活的、发展的理论。马克思主义是世界社会主义运动的共同财富，但每个党都有权利和责任根据具体国情运用马克思主义。中国特色社会主义的实践证明了这一点。将马克思主义与欧洲具体现实结合起来，则是我们欧洲社会主义政党的责任。我们要走理论创新之路，既要对外开放，又要独立自主，坚持走民族道路。所以，我们可以坚持和发展马克思主义，这是我们真正需要的。

We need to study the experience of the Communist Party of China in depth. We know that some communist parties cannot fully accept the CPC’s new explorations and developments of Marxism. Regarding this, we should continue to discuss with them. We believe it is possible to change the views and attitudes of a new generation of leaders. We firmly believe that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the modern application and development of Marxism under China’s national conditions. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, an important theoretical achievement, and a practical guide to action.

我们需要深入研究中国共产党的经验。我们知道，有些共产党不能完全接受中国共产党对马克思主义的新探索和新发展。对此，我们应继续和他们讨论。我们相信能够使新一代的领导者改变观点和态度。我们坚信，中国特色社会主义是马克思主义在中国国情下的现代应用和发展。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是马克思主义适应中国国情、适应时代需要的新突破，是重要的理论成果，是实践的行动指南。

In June 2023, President Xi Jinping spoke about the significance of the Two Integrations, namely integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture. [1]1 The Two Integrations (两个结合) refers to the principle of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture, first formally proposed by Xi Jinping in 2021 and elaborated in 2023. We need to follow a similar approach in Europe, integrating Marxism with the rich cultural and civilizational heritage of European countries. The experience of Chinese communists in reflecting on the model of modernization is of great benefit to us politically and ideologically. This is not a forced sale of China’s experience, nor even a proposal for other countries, but a sincere sharing of the latest theoretical research and practical experience.

2023年6月，习近平主席谈到了“两个结合”的意义，即将马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合。我们需要在欧洲遵循类似的方式，把马克思主义同欧洲各国丰富的文化和文明遗产结合起来。中国共产党人反思现代化模式的经验，在政治和思想上对我们大有裨益。这并不是对中国经验的强行推销，甚至不是针对他国的方案建议，而是最新的理论研究和实践经验的真诚分享。

We need to break free from the “end of history” thesis. [2]2 The “end of history” thesis is a concept popularized by American political scientist Francis Fukuyama in 1989, arguing that the spread of liberal democracy and market capitalism represents the endpoint of humanity’s sociocultural evolution. After the collapse of socialist states in Europe, the influence of socialism throughout the European workers’ movement hit rock bottom. However, we should believe that the future belongs to us. We should have the courage and ability to continue the struggle. The theory and practice of Chinese-path modernization provide us with new solutions to the basic problems of modern society. China’s victory in comprehensive poverty alleviation shows that even the most difficult problems can be solved.

我们需要摆脱“历史终结论”。在欧洲社会主义国家崩溃之后，社会主义在整个欧洲工人运动中的影响跌到谷底。但是，我们应该相信，未来是属于我们的。我们应该有继续战斗的勇气和能力。中国式现代化的理论和实践为我们破解现代社会的基本问题提供了新方案。中国全面脱贫的胜利表明，即使是最困难的问题也可以得到解决。

We need new, modern forms of cooperation. In the current turbulent period, the possibility of creating a revolutionary situation requires effective coordination rather than frequent meetings, more action rather than documents. This means we need comprehensive modernization. The CPC has accumulated very important and inspiring experience in modernization. The “CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting” held by the CPC in 2023 is a model of modern thinking and action. [3]3 The “CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting” was a high-level conference hosted by the Communist Party of China in March 2023, themed around “Path to Modernization: The Responsibility of Political Parties,” aimed at promoting inter-party exchanges and cooperation. The series of conferences organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences have also made important contributions to this process. The internet has become an important ideological weapon for propagating and explaining socialism with Chinese characteristics; content on socialism with Chinese characteristics can be found on all online platforms, new theoretical achievements can be published in a timely manner, and many of them are translated into foreign languages.

我们需要新的现代合作形式。在目前的动荡时期，创造革命形势的可能性需要有效的协调而不是频繁的会议，需要更多的行动而不是文件。这意味着我们需要全面现代化。中国共产党在现代化建设中积累了非常重要和具有启发性的经验。2023年中国共产党举办的“中国与世界政党高层对话会”是现代思维和行动的典范。中国社会科学院组织的系列会议也为这一进程作出了重要贡献。互联网成为宣传阐释中国特色社会主义的重要思想武器，可以在所有的网络平台上见到关于中国特色社会主义的内容，新的理论成果能够得到及时发表，其中许多被翻译成外文。

We need a clear direction in international affairs. We should do our utmost to avoid world war and propose a new plan for a multipolar world. We hope to build a multipolar world where countries with different social systems can coexist and cooperate. China adheres to the path of peaceful development; the ultimate goal of China’s development is to improve people’s lives. Our program should be to defend world peace, promote human progress, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. We European socialist parties will do our utmost to revive socialism, recapture lost ground, and perhaps gain new ground. We support China’s efforts to build a modern socialist country in all respects. We sincerely wish China continued great achievements.

我们需要在国际事务中有明确的方向。我们应该尽最大努力避免世界大战，提出一个多极世界的新方案。我们希望建立一个多极世界，不同社会制度的国家可以共存与合作。中国坚持走和平发展道路，中国发展的最终目的是改善人民生活。我们的纲领应该是捍卫世界和平、促进人类进步，推动构建人类命运共同体。我们欧洲社会主义政党将尽最大努力复兴社会主义，夺回失去的阵地，也许还会获得新的阵地。我们支持中国为全面建成社会主义现代化国家所做的努力。我们衷心祝愿中国继续取得伟大的成就。

(Author: Thürmer Gyula, Chairman of the Hungarian Workers’ Party; Translator: Qin Zhenyan, Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)

（作者：蒂尔默·久洛（Thürmer Gyula），匈牙利工人党主席；译者秦振燕，中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院助理研究员）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心