China Briefing | Xi Jinping’s take on communism offers alternative to decline of the West
In reviving Karl Marx’s ideals 200 years after his birth, the Chinese president is directing his nation to embrace a new model of governance
“Karl Marx must be turning in his grave”. Back in the late 1970s and 1980s, that was a phrase some Western media outlets relished including in their reports when they wrote about China’s then paramount leader Deng Xiaoping’s momentous decision to ditch the Marxist, Leninist, and Mao Zedong thoughts effectively, though not in name.
Instead, Deng preached his own philosophy of “feeling the stones to cross the river” by undertaking bold economic reforms, encouraging private sector development, and opening up China to foreign investment, which helped pave the way for China’s economic lift-off.
Marx has probably been rolling in his grave again over the past week or so as China has engaged in a high-profile nationwide campaign to mark the 200th anniversary of his birth and the 170th anniversary of the publication of the Communist Manifesto, which along with Das Kapital set the foundation for the rise of communism and the modern thoughts over labour relations, class struggles and political economies.
With the aid of slick programming, including songs, poem readings and cartoons, elaborate efforts were undertaken to show that the theories of the German philosopher are still relevant today. Particularly targeting Chinese youth, a five-part talk show called Marx was Correct was shown during prime time on China Central Television and heavily promoted online.
