The Communist Party of China (CPC) has attached great importance to external inter-party activities; and made them an important component of overall diplomatic activities. After nearly 30 years of practical and theoretical exploration, since the conclusion of the Third Plenum of the 11th Party Congress, the CPC has successfully changed its status by gaining rich experience and having a wide impact on the international arena. The key to success is making important contributions to the world.
1. Created new inter-party relations criteria
The four principles proposed by the CPC have been recognized by more and more political parties. The four principles are: independence and autonomy, complete equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs.
These four principles compose a complete scientific system.
Independence and autonomy means that parties from all nations take responsibility for their countries and peoples. Additionally, they independently explore and develop their own principles, directions, rules and policies, in accordance with their circumstances and conditions; select their own roads for revolution, construction and development; and determine their stance and propositions in international affairs. Independence and autonomy does not exclude mutual support and the voluntary exchange of opinions among parties?
Full equality means that regardless of the differences in strength, scale and length of history, all parties should be equal; whether it is the ruling party or not. No single party has privilege over the others.
Mutual respect means that each party has unique strengths and characteristics; and therefore, parties should understand, respect, and learn from each other. Due to the differences in situation and experience, parties may have different views on different situations and tasks. They should seek common ground; while setting aside differences and preventing differences from becoming obstacles to the development of inter-party relations.
Noninterference in each other's internal affairs not only refers to non-interference in another party's internal affairs; but also non-interference in another country's internal affairs. One should ruin others by taking advantage of a bilateral relationship. This is the premise and guarantee for independence and autonomy, complete equality, and mutual respect.
The four principles for inter-party relations and the five principles of peaceful co-existence complement each other in international relations.
2. Resolved traditional obstacles in political contacts
Ideological differences lead to opposition between parties, and can deteriorate relations between countries. This has been proven throughout history. Even nowadays, ideological issues tend to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
One of the advantages of the four principles of inter-party relations is that it does not incorporate ideological factors into relations. It is by seeing beyond ideological differences and seeking mutual understanding and cooperation that the CPC has been able to establish and maintain friendly contacts with different political parties and organizations.
Ideological differences arise from the diversity among civilizations. The CPC has always held that diversity among civilizations is a basic feature of human society, as well as the driving force of human civilization and progress. Every nation has made contributions to the development of human civilization; and therefore, should be treated with respect.
The CPC's advocacy for transcending ideological differences has received strong responses among all political parties in the world; and has helped resolve a traditional obstacle in inter-party exchanges. It is under these conditions that the CPC has been able to expand foreign exchange; broaden the scope of exchange; and diversify the forms. Now it has established contacts and exchanged with more than 400 political parties and organizations in more than 160 countries and regions.
3. Established new political order for inter-party relations
The establishment of new international political and economic order is an urgent task in the new era of peace and development. At the end of WWII, the former international political order was characterized by rampant political hegemony. It was the CPC which first initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence; and pioneered the establishment of a new international political order based on independence, equality, justice, mutual benefit, and common prosperity.
A new international political order calls for the democratization of international relations. As a part of international order, inter-party relations should also be established on the basis of democratic international relations. In fact, it is difficult to establish new international political order in the current situation. However, the CPC succeeded in developing inter-party relations based on the new international political order. In the long run, this will help in the establishment of this order.
4. Enhanced status of political parties in international relations
The CPC regards inter-party communication as an important part of the country's overall diplomacy. As multipolarization and economic globalization proceed, countries tend to exchange and cooperate more closely with each other. More and more people agree that inter-party contact and exchange can better serve the country's diplomatic and economic development. The CPC, therefore, advocates for contact and exchange with various political parties, on the basis of the four principles.
The CPC endeavors to create new inter-party relationships in an all-round, multi-channeled, wide-ranging, and deep-rooted manner. In addition to focusing on political content, it also pays close attention to promoting the economic, scientific, and technological cooperation and exchange with other parties; so as to resolve issues within international affairs. Moreover, it has encouraged the establishment of a harmonious world. This will strengthen the common understanding of foreign political parties.
All the efforts mentioned above have not only improved the CPC's position as one of the major actors in international relations; but also has promoted a healthy development of international party politics.
By People's Daily Online; The author is a researcher at the Center for Contemporary Study and academician of CASS |
