The Sunday Mail
Kuda Bwititi
THE Communist Party of China (CPC) has remarkable international appeal and flair, which has transformed the country’s external relations and diplomacy to what it is today.
For a party that was founded on the ideals of socialism and communism, the organisation’s versatility has been demonstrated through its growing friendships with not just sister parties in older republics, but in the developing and developed world, with ties to over 400 parties, most of them in power.
What is remarkable about the CPC’s contacts with the external world is that engagement is based on firm principles and progressiveness.
In turn, the world has found a model of a sound ideologically-oriented party with strong governance and systems.
In Zimbabwe, the ruling Zanu PF is a traditional ally of the CPC and the two parties have a lot in common.
Inside the CPC
international agenda
The international wing of the CPC was established in 1951 and named as a department of the Central Committee charged with conducting its foreign relations with other political parties and expanding exchanges and contacts with the outside world.
This has been a story of success both numerically and qualitatively.
Information available shows that the party has established contacts and exchanges with more than 400 political parties and organisations in over 140 countries around the world, with most of these being in office or participating in government.
The scope and quality of the CPC’s engagement is varied and dynamic and the party has engaged the world through high level contacts, working visits, study trips, theoretical discussions, leadership training, economic co-operation and cultural exchanges. As witnessed here in Zimbabwe, the ruling party and Government officials have visited China on numerous occasions. The Chinese have also reciprocated.
Since 1978, when the party held its Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh CPC Central Committee, the party has accelerated building relations and spreading its tentacles across the world.
The external relations of CPC are based on the so-called “four principles” of inter-party relations, namely, independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
It is the party’s principles that drive State diplomacy and engagement with the world, a synchronisation that has seen China having not just a clear policy agenda, but consistency.
Apart from projecting China’s ideologies, chiefly the model socialism with Chinese characteristics, the international department promotes the ruling party and country’s policies including its opening up thrust.
The opening up has been largely understood as an economic imperative, but this shows a new dimension of realpolitik.
As such, the party including with conservative, labour, liberal and other ideologically-oriented outfits. This engagement with a kaleidoscope of parties has given China an enriched worldview and ideas that can only strengthen its understanding of the world of which it is a global leader.
Romanticising relations
If the growth and expansion of the party is based on firm expansionist and practical elements, on one hand, it has on the other a warmer side of seeking friendship and filial duty. In Beijing, this is described as “making bosom friends in the four corners of the earth and finding kith and kin across the oceans”.
This could be seen as a sound footing for people to people exchanges, as the CPC makes ordinary people ambassadors of its friendship and rich culture of the country.
A lot of countries around the world, mostly where diplomatic relations are deep, see Chinese people as friends, brothers and sisters and warmly associate with them.
This could be an important point in winning the trust of the world.
A new pattern in the party’s international relations has emerged characterised by all-round, multi-channel, wide-scope and in-depth party-to-party exchanges and co-operation. Gratifying results have been achieved.
The party has charged the international department to establish itself as a research institution of international studies, influential with distinct characters both at home and abroad, providing policy recommendations to the central committee for its foreign policy decision making and running of the party and state. This is key to achieving new goals for the next 100 years.
