TNAG-1457-FCO40-1981-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1986 — Page 33

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The article lays heavy emphasis on the need for real independence, so that every communist party is responsible to its own country and people instead of being responsible to a certain foreign party or international centre. It points out that each party should select its own road to development in line with the country's conditions under the guidance of the basic tenets of Marxism instead of copying the model of another country. Each party should manage its own affairs and handle its relations with other parties and oppose any outside interference or control.

5. At the same time, the article acknowledges that parties have their strengths and weaknesses, and their differences. It should be perfectly possible for a party to develop friendly relations with other parties in spite of these differences, without trying to force other parties to adopt the same views as their own. It is important to learn from experience to overcome the difficulties of dealing with such problems which were left over from history.

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The article called for a realistic approach to Marxist tenets, which should serve as guiding principles for communists in action, but not dead dogma. Some Marxist conclusions have to be broken through, and even some basic Marxist tenets need to be tested, enriched and developed in practice. Therefore, ruling communist parties and socialist countries should exchange views internally on a voluntary basis, and not resort to open criticism. While it is permissible to exchange views, no one should force his experience and views onto others.

7. Comment. Although we do not know the identity of Lian Yan, the fact that this article was published on the eve of the sixty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the CCP suggests that it is the pseudonym of a very senior member of the Party. It is likely that the article is intended to be an authoritative statement of party policy towards the development of relations with other parties.

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Its main theme is that communist parties should be independent, and not accept instructions from other parties. There may be scope for exchanging views and airing differences in private, but this should not be allowed to develop into public quarrels. Perhaps most interesting is the repetition of the views put forward by Hu Yaobang in his speech at the Prime Minister's banquet for him in London and at his meeting with Natta in Rome, to the effect that Marxism is not an immutable creed, and that it can and should be altered and improved.

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