[Abstract] After entering the new era, under the background of profound changes in the situation at home and abroad, the second generation of the central leading collective of the CPC with Deng Xiaoping as the core, relying on rich political experience and keen insight, revolved around two major issues, such as how to understand the international situation and what kind of foreign policy to formulate according to the situation, not only scientifically analyzed the rapidly evolving trend of the times and the world trend at that time, but also formed a series of major strategic judgments that profoundly affected contemporary China. The diplomatic thought of "two transformations" put forward in 1985 is one of the outstanding representatives. History shows that the brewing and development of the diplomatic thought of "two transformations" not only accurately answered a series of important questions such as the historical position of contemporary China and its strategic position in international politics, but also played a great role in promoting China’s modernization and reform and opening up. Therefore, it is a key to understand the development of CPC’s diplomatic thought since the new period.
[Keywords:] "Two transformations"; Put forward the course; profound influence
At the enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission on June 4th, 1985, Deng Xiaoping made a striking speech. He mentioned that after the downfall of the Gang of Four, especially after the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, through the analysis of the general trend of the world and the surrounding environment, China achieved two important changes in its judgment of the international situation and its foreign policy, namely, it changed its original view that the danger of war was imminent and changed the "one line" strategy we pursued in the past. [1](pp.126-128) This idea is what the academic circles later called "two changes" in China’s diplomacy in the new period.
Since the diplomatic thought of "two transformations" was put forward, although the world is not peaceful, under this guidance, the pace of China’s rise has been steadily moving forward. This shows that this idea has stood the test of time and history. It is for this reason that the research on this idea has always been attached importance by domestic academic circles. Previous studies show that "two transformations" are not only a theoretical crystallization of Deng Xiaoping’s diplomatic thought, but also a key to understand the development of the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s diplomatic thought in the new period.
This year coincides with the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic thought of "two transformations". In order to deeply study this important thought, which has a profound influence on contemporary China, the author tries to make a further discussion on the course, basic connotation and far-reaching influence of this thought on the basis of the above research and in combination with the current domestic and international situation.
First, the realization of the historical turning point: the origin of the diplomatic thought of "two changes"
As an important guiding ideology of China government’s foreign policy in the new period, the proposal of "two changes" is not out of thin air and accidental, but has a very complicated and profound historical background.
(A) the basic understanding of the CPC on two major issues in the 1970s
In the 1970s, under the background of bipolar hegemony, with the change of the offensive and defensive situation between the United States and the Soviet Union, the whole international relations presented a complicated situation of drastic changes. One of its appearances is the gradual formation of the strategic triangle between China, the United States and the Soviet Union in the western Pacific and the resulting game among all parties. Under this situation, a series of major historical events have occurred in this region, such as the armed conflict on the Sino-Soviet border, Nixon’s visit to China, the signing of the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems by the United States and the Soviet Union, and the climax of the third diplomatic relations between New China. This series of major historical events profoundly influenced the judgment of the Chinese Communist Party on the international situation and the formulation of foreign policies throughout the 1970s. Undoubtedly, the 10th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 1973 and the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 1977 can best reflect this understanding.
In judging the international situation at the 10th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 1973, the basic points are as follows: First, the current international situation is characterized by chaos in the world, and "everything is coming"; Second, the hegemony between the United States and the Soviet Union is the source of world unrest; Third, the United States and the Soviet Union both compete and collude. The Soviet Union was a diversion from the East to the West, and its real strategic focus was on Europe. While the west wants to lead the disaster to China. Accordingly, in foreign policy, the Tenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China put forward that we should strengthen unity with all countries that are invaded, subverted, interfered, controlled and bullied by imperialism, so as to form the broadest United front and oppose imperialism and colonialism, old and new, especially the hegemonism of the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. [2]
At the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 1977, judging the international situation, its basic points were as follows: First, while the revolutionary factors continued to grow, the war factors increased obviously; Second, the Soviet Union and the United States are the source of the new world war. However, under the strategic situation that the Soviet Union takes the offensive and the United States is on the defensive, the Soviet Union is more dangerous. Third, although the struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States has spread all over the world, its focus is still on Europe; There is a trend of appeasement in the West, which not only fantasizes about maintaining peace by compromising and giving in, but also fantasizes about pushing the Soviet Union to China. Accordingly, in foreign policy, the Eleventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China put forward that all preparations should be made for the Soviet Union and the United States to launch a new world war, and all countries invaded, subverted, interfered, controlled and bullied by imperialism and social imperialism should be United to form the broadest United front against the hegemonism of the two superpowers. [3]
Although there are still obvious mistakes and shortcomings in the ideological line and political line of the Tenth and Eleventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China, these two important meetings comprehensively and intensively reflected the basic understanding of the CPC on two major issues, namely, the judgment of the international situation and the formulation of foreign policies. In short, this is: the hegemony between the United States and the Soviet Union is the root of world turmoil; The factors of war are obviously increasing, and the Soviet Union has become the main threat to trigger war. China needs to build the most extensive international anti-hegemony united front to oppose the possible world war.
(B) the shift of the focus of the work of the party and the state and the origin of the diplomatic thought of "two changes"
The development of history is often not a straight line. After entering the late 1970s, with the development and changes of the domestic and international situation, new changes have taken place in the two major issues mentioned above. The fundamental reason for this change lies in the historical turning point in China at the end of 1978.
The Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held in December 1978 was an important turning point in the contemporary history of China. This plenary session not only completely corrected the "Cultural Revolution" and its previous "Left" errors, but also made a strategic decision to shift the focus of the work of the party and the country to socialist modernization and implement reform and opening up, thus realizing a great turning point with far-reaching significance in the history of the party and the country and opening a new period in the history of reform and opening up in China. Since then, unswervingly promoting reform, opening up and modernization has become "the overriding central task of the people of the whole country for a long time to come" and "a great cause that will determine the fate of the motherland for a thousand years." [4](pp.208-209)
So, how can we ensure this "central task" and "a great cause for generations to come"? In this regard, the top leaders of the Communist Party of China have gradually formed some consensus: to speed up modernization, we must open our doors to the world while basing ourselves on the domestic market, so as to introduce foreign advanced technology, expand exports, increase foreign exchange, and develop foreign economic cooperation, and so on. [5](p.327) Although a consensus has been reached, it is necessary to implement these grand ideas in complicated practical work, but it is necessary to answer the two major questions mentioned above in theory. That is, how to look at the changed international situation and how to formulate China’s foreign policy in the new period.
At the same time that China has achieved a historical turning point, the whole international relations and situation are also in a "turning point". [6] (P. Foreword.1) This is highlighted in the following aspects: After entering the 1980s, a new scientific and technological revolution flourished around the world. Driven by this new scientific and technological revolution, the wave of reform and adjustment began to spread all over different types of countries, and the trend of economic globalization was further highlighted. Moreover, with the further rise of economic and scientific factors in international relations, the strategic focus among big countries is increasingly shifting from short-term and military advantages to long-term and comprehensive national strength competition. [6] (P. Preface.3) Obviously, under this situation, the original judgment that "war is imminent" can no longer accurately reflect the developed and changed world trend, and the original view of the times that insists on revolution and war can no longer scientifically reveal the developed and changed trend of the times.
It can be seen that the origin of the problem of "two changes" is an inevitable requirement for the development of the domestic situation after the shift of the focus of the party and the state. From abroad, this is a reflection and adaptation of the CCP to the changing world trend. In this regard, Deng Xiaoping once profoundly pointed out: "Our foreign policy is based on our general views and analysis of international issues." [7](p.327) "The primary task of China’s foreign work is to strive for peace and serve China’s socialist modernization." [8](p.10)
Second, the exploration in great changes: the brewing process of the diplomatic thought of "two transformations"
Like any mature guiding ideology, the proposal of "two transformations" is not achieved overnight, but has gone through an unusually careful brewing process.
(A) the situation at home and abroad from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s
From the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, the situation at home and abroad developed rapidly and experienced profound changes. Specifically:
Domestically, during this period, China not only brought order out of chaos in the guiding ideology, but also achieved a great victory in the practical work on all fronts, thus realizing a historic and great transformation. On this basis, the Twelfth National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly put forward the scientific proposition of building socialism with China characteristics. After the 12th National Congress, the reform and opening-up began to spread rapidly throughout the country, and China’s social productive forces were greatly promoted, and its comprehensive national strength was constantly enhanced. This is mainly manifested in:
First, the economic field. On the basis of summing up historical experience, the party and the state have steadily shifted the focus of their work to socialist modernization. On the one hand, they have resolutely eliminated the long-standing "Left" errors in economic work, on the other hand, they have conscientiously implemented the policy of adjustment, reform, rectification and improvement. After several years of hard work, by 1985, China’s economy had passed the most difficult period and embarked on a healthy track of steady development.
Second, the political field. It ended the long-term social unrest after the "Cultural Revolution" and realized a stable, United and lively political situation. The leading bodies at all levels of the CPC and the state have been gradually adjusted, rectified and strengthened; Democracy and the legal system have been gradually improved; The relationship of equality and unity among all ethnic groups has been strengthened again; The patriotic United front has been further expanded; Education, science and culture are gradually on the right track and show a preliminary prosperity; Wait a minute. Such a political situation is considered to be "one of the best historical periods since the founding of the People’s Republic of China". [9](p.262)
Third, the ideological field and the self-construction of the CPC. The cult of personality and dogmatism that prevailed in the past have been broken, and the society is active in thinking, and there has been a vivid scene of trying to study new situations and solve new problems. In addition, in order to correctly implement the policy of emancipating the mind, the CPC reaffirmed the four cardinal principles in time and did a lot of work to correct the party style. Moreover, leading posts of the party, government and army at all levels, from the central government to the local government, have added a number of outstanding cadres who have both ability and political integrity and are in the prime of life, and the abolition of the tenure system for cadres and the rejuvenation of cadres have been significantly promoted. [9](p.400)
Fourth, the military field. The People’s Liberation Army has made remarkable achievements in strengthening military training and ideological and political work, improving the relationship between the army and the government, guarding the border, safeguarding the security of the motherland and participating in socialist construction. The military and political quality of the army has been improved under the new historical conditions. [9](p.263)
Fifth, the diplomatic field. The China administration actively adjusted its relations with the United States, Japan, the Soviet Union and other countries, thus "opening up a new situation in the international struggle", constantly improving its international status and greatly improving its international situation and national security situation. Moreover, with the promotion of opening to the outside world, China has gradually broken through the shackles of capital, technology, talents and management, and its economic ties with other countries have become increasingly close and frequent, and its economic dependence with other countries has deepened. [9](p.59)
In short, by the mid-1980s, China "had begun to find a way to build socialism with China characteristics" and was in "one of the best and crucial periods since the founding of the People’s Republic of China". [9](p.397)
At the same time, from the perspective of foreign countries, international politics, economy and new technological revolution are also undergoing a profound change. This is mainly manifested in:
First, the trend of multipolarization in international politics has been further enhanced. First of all, after fierce competition in the early 1980s, the Soviet Union began to shrink its forces and fronts around 1984. Taking this as a turning point, the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union and even the whole international situation began to gradually turn to relaxation. This trend became more obvious after Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. Secondly, with the growing discord within the western camp and the obvious intensification of the centrifugal tendency of eastern European countries towards the Soviet Union, the ability of the United States and the Soviet Union to control and influence international affairs has been greatly weakened. Thirdly, the struggle of the third world, which accounts for three quarters of the world’s population, to safeguard national independence and develop national economy has continued to develop, and it has increasingly become an important force that cannot be ignored in international politics. In addition, the reform and opening up has greatly activated the vitality of China, and China has increasingly become an important force on the international stage.
Second, peace and development have become the central issues of common concern to people all over the world. During this period, under the trend of economic globalization, the re-development of developed countries and the development of developing countries, as well as the contradiction between North and South derived from it, have increasingly become obstacles to the further development of the global economy. Under this background, all countries in the world are troubled by various economic problems. In order to solve their own development problems, countries urgently need not only a peaceful environment, but also economic exchanges between them. Seeking peace, development and cooperation has become the trend of the times.
Third, science and technology are increasingly becoming the most active and decisive factor in the new social productive forces. During this period, with the high-tech strategies such as the "high frontier" in the United States, the "Eureka Plan" in Western Europe, the "comprehensive outline of scientific and technological progress" in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and the "research plan for new fields of human science" in Japan, by the mid-1980s, the competition of developed countries to seize the commanding heights of science and technology had become a heated trend, and the competition of comprehensive national strength based on economy and guided by science and technology had increasingly become the most international competition, especially among big countries. [8](p.49)
Fourth, the economic rise of East Asia in 1980s. Following the rapid development of the "Four Little Dragons of Asia" in the 1970s, the East Asian region, represented by China and Southeast Asian countries, experienced rapid economic growth in the 1980s. The rapid growth of the overall economy in East Asia has attracted worldwide attention and is also known as the "Asian economic miracle". Many people believe that this is the most remarkable event in world history after World War II, and believe that the modernization of Asia will become the most important world development direction from the 1990s to the early 21st century.
(B) In the mid-1980s, the CPC made breakthroughs in understanding several major issues.
It is under the above historical background that the second generation of the Central Leading Group of the Communist Party of China with Deng Xiaoping at the core has made an unusually prudent exploration around how to treat the changed international situation and formulate foreign policies corresponding to it. This kind of exploration, first of all, is reflected in a key breakthrough in understanding a series of major issues that have long puzzled people’s minds, such as how to treat "war and peace", "theme of the times" and "alliance". Specifically:
First, about war and peace. Based on his profound insight into the international situation in this period, Deng Xiaoping believed that: under the background of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were the only ones who wanted to wage or were able to wage war; Other international forces besides the United States and the Soviet Union, including Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, China and the vast Third World, are opposed to war, which makes "the forces of peace and the forces that restrict war have made gratifying progress" and makes the United States and the Soviet Union "dare not wage war easily". [10](p.1085) On this basis, around 1984, the top leaders of the Chinese Communist Party gradually changed the traditional understanding that "war is imminent" and "world war is inevitable", and then reached a new major judgment. Namely: "It is possible not to have a large-scale world war for a long time, and there is hope for maintaining world peace." [1](p.127)
Second, about the theme of the times. After the judgment of war and peace became clearer, Deng Xiaoping’s strategic judgment on the theme of the times began to mature. Through a profound analysis of the great changes at home and abroad in the same period, he believes that "peace issues" and "development issues" have increasingly become "two prominent issues" and "the most fundamental issues" in the world today, and they have "global and strategic significance". [10](pp.979, 974, 1010) During 1984 and 1985, his thought was continuously developed and perfected, and finally he put forward that "peace and development" are the two major problems in the contemporary world. He said: "The real big problems in the world now have global strategic problems, one is peace, and the other is economic or development." [1](p.105)
Third, about "alliance." Since the founding of New China, under the special background of the Cold War, based on the comprehensive consideration of social system, ideology, national security and strategic interests, China has successively pursued strategic policies such as "one-sided" and "one-line". In the anarchic international politics, for China, a relatively small country, this strategic policy of "alliance" or "quasi-alliance" is undoubtedly an act with relatively low cost and controllable risk. However, after entering the new era, with the shift of the focus of the work of the party and the state, the vigorous rise of domestic economic construction, and the development and evolution of international politics, especially the "strategic triangle" between China, the United States and the Soviet Union, the disadvantages of pursuing "alliance" or "quasi-alliance" in foreign policy began to stand out. Deng Xiaoping knew this very well. In this regard, he once hit the nail on the head and pointed out: "We are willing to be friendly with whoever wants to be friendly with us, but we will never get involved in any group or form an alliance with them." [10](p.1068) "China’s foreign policy is independent and truly non-aligned." [1](p.57)
In short, under the historical background of the rapid development of the domestic and international situation in the mid-1980s, around the above-mentioned major issues, our party has successively achieved key breakthroughs in understanding. Undoubtedly, these key breakthroughs will promote the emergence of new important ideas.
Third, the creation of a new diplomatic situation: the proposal and great significance of the diplomatic thought of "two changes"
After this series of breakthroughs in understanding, as a theoretical summary of how the CPC treats the international situation and foreign policy in the new period, the diplomatic thought of "two transformations" is coming to the fore. Its time node was finally fixed in 1985.
(A) 1985: The diplomatic thought of "two transformations" was finally put forward.
As mentioned above, Deng Xiaoping finally put forward the important thought of "two transformations" at the enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission on June 4, 1985.
In his speech, Deng Xiaoping systematically reviewed the Chinese Communist Party’s understanding of the international situation and foreign policy formulation, and concluded: "Based on these analyses of the world trend and the analysis of our surrounding environment, we have changed our original view that the danger of war is imminent." [1](p.127) "We don’t play other people’s cards in China, and we don’t allow anyone to play China cards. We mean what we say." [1](p.128) In addition, he fully affirmed the great significance of the "two transformations". He stressed that these "two major changes" are correct, "enhancing China’s position in the international arena and enhancing China’s right to speak on international issues", and are also beneficial to "our opening-up policy", "accelerating our development" and "using the international peaceful environment to absorb more useful things for us". Accordingly, he confidently put forward: "As long as we adhere to such judgments and policies, we can boldly and wholeheartedly carry out our four modernizations." [1](p.128)
(B) the "two changes" diplomatic thought of contemporary China’s far-reaching impact.
As an important thought of the Chinese Communist Party in foreign policy and national strategy in the new period, the proposal of the diplomatic thought of "two transformations" has had a far-reaching impact on contemporary China.
First, under the guidance of this idea, the China government made a major decision to disarm one million people. The second generation of central collective leadership of the Communist Party of China with Deng Xiaoping as the core, marked by the diplomatic thought of "two transformations", strengthened the important judgment that the world war could not be fought for a long time. It is on the basis of this idea that the China government made a major decision to disarm one million people. Since then, the practice has also proved that "one million disarmament" is not only an important strategic decision for China’s army building in the new era, but also won a wide range of good responses for China in the international arena. [11](pp.251-252)
Secondly, under the guidance of this thought, the China administration has completed the adjustment of its foreign policy in the new period and created a new situation in China’s diplomatic work in the new period. Under the guidance of the diplomatic thought of "two transformations", the Fourth Session of the Sixth National People’s Congress held in 1986 comprehensively expounded China’s independent foreign policy of peace in the new period from ten aspects. This shows that China has basically completed the adjustment of its foreign policy in the new period. Since then, in accordance with the above foreign policy, the China government has resolutely adjusted its strategy of "one line" and "one large area", constantly improved and developed its relations with major countries, and established and developed diplomatic relations with all countries in the world on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. China’s international status and reputation have become higher and higher, and more and more friends have been made, thus creating a new situation in China’s diplomacy in the new era. [12]
Third, under the guidance of this thought, the concept of the strategic opportunity period of the CPC has been nurtured and developed and matured. Following the development logic of the diplomatic thought of "two transformations", by the end of 1980s, Deng Xiaoping finally formed an important judgment that the Chinese nation had met "a rare opportunity for development". In his view, there are two basic points of this judgment. Namely: the Chinese nation has encountered a once-in-a-century development opportunity; Chinese should cheer up and seize this opportunity to develop China. Since then, the "strategic opportunity period" has become an important basis for the CCP to analyze, judge and make decisions on the world trend; All previous congresses of the Communist Party of China have also deepened their understanding and grasp of this concept in accordance with the constantly developing and changing international situation. For example, while emphasizing that "China’s development is still in an important period of strategic opportunities that can make great achievements", the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China further put forward that "we should accurately judge the changes in the connotation and conditions of the important period of strategic opportunities". [13] Practice has proved that the concept of strategic opportunity period conceived under the guidance of the thought of "two transformations" and its continuous development and maturity not only mean that the CPC has a more sober historical consciousness of China’s current historical position and historical opportunities, but also have a great impetus to the modernization and reform and opening up of contemporary China.
(C) the "two changes" in the diplomatic thinking of enlightenment
To sum up, after entering the new era, under the background of profound changes at home and abroad, the second generation of central leading collective of the Communist Party of China with Deng Xiaoping at the core, relying on rich political experience and keen insight, on the basis of inheriting the international strategies of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, closely focused on how to understand the relationship between China and the world, and how to understand the international situation and formulate what kind of foreign policies, sized up the situation and drew up the overall situation. It not only accurately grasped the trend of the times and the general trend of the world behind the great changes at home and abroad, but also formed a series of important strategic judgments that profoundly influenced contemporary China. Undoubtedly, this historical process fully explains the strategic wisdom and decision-making ability of the second generation of the CPC Central Leading Group with Deng Xiaoping at the core, which is also an important inspiration for us to sort out this period of history. In this regard, the supreme leader once spoke highly of it. He said: How did the reform and opening up come about? It is crucial that our party correctly judges the general trend of the world. As a result of making a correct judgment on the general trend of the world, our party has established the understanding that peace and development are the themes of the times, and only with the transfer of the work center of the party and the state can a new era of reform and opening up be opened.
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(The author is an associate researcher in the third editing and research department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Literature Research Office)
Source: Deng Xiaoping Theory Studies in Mao Zedong, No.5, 2015.
