The East is Still Red - Chinese Socialism in the 21st Century

by Carlos Martínez, Danny Haiphong (Contributor)

Professor Radhika Desai (University of Manitoba; Convenor, International Manifesto Group): In a world gone beserk with US-incited rage against People's China; in a world where the bulk of Western scholarship has become so deeply compromised so as to yo-yo between the most tendentious anti-Chinese positions and confusion; in a world where the left has lost its ability to distinguish between imperialism and liberation; in a world that fails to understand just how world-changing have been the achievements of actually existing socialisms; Carlos Martinez shines the light of his crystal-clear prose and his acute political and scholarly insight on China's achievements, material, ecological, scientific and social. If you want to understand the most profound earthquake shaking up our world, read this book.
Dr Francisco Dominguez (Specialist on Latin American politics): This is a most welcome and timely book. In it, Carlos Martinez furnishes us with rigorous and illuminating analyses covering crucial features of socialist construction in China, essential, especially for Western audiences, to grasp its highly progressive nature. The penetrating discussion Martinez engages in, elegantly pierces through the thick fog of malicious and aggressive imperialist anti-China propaganda. A must for all those who wish to build a better and peaceful world.
Professor Roland Boer (Renmin University of China): In this important new book, Carlos Martinez sets out the case for the Western Left's resolute support of the socialist project in China. Based on in-depth research and written in an accessible style, the book will soon become an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to know the facts concerning China. Read it carefully, absorb its insights, and rectify your view of Chinese socialism! Professor Ken Hammond (New Mexico State University): Carlos Martinez's The East is Still Chinese Socialism in the 21st Century, brings together essays and commentaries from his recent writings on a wide range of issues, both historical and contemporary, concerning China's revolutionary path and its ongoing efforts to build a socialist future for the Chinese people. Recognizing the challenges inherent in this effort, and the obstacles being placed in China's way by American-led imperialism, Martinez clearly demonstrates that China remains committed to the revolutionary mission of creating a just and equitable social economy for itself and as part of the imperative work of addressing the challenges of global climate change. He rejects those voices which see China as a neoliberal member of the global capitalist order, and upholds the need to recognize China's achievements in eliminating absolute poverty and improving the lives of its people as well as in leading in the construction of a new international order outside the hegemonic domination of the United States and its allies. This is a most welcome contribution to the discourse about China on the Left, and for a broader audience of the politically engaged.
Elias Jabbour (Associate professor of theory and policy of economic planning at Rio de Janeiro State University's School of Economics; Co-author of 'Socialist Economic Development in the 21st A Century after the Bolshevik Revolution'): Carlos Martinez has excelled in defending frontier positions on the nature of the Chinese socioeconomic formation. In fact, it is very rare to find intellectuals with his argumentative power and intellectual sophistication. In this book, the reader will have access to a wide source of information and living theory necessary to understand China and its unique socialism. Carlos Martinez, great intellectual and friend, is an honourable exception among Marxists in the West. Marxism in the West depends heavily on the talent and creativity of people like Martinez

Genres: China, Politics, History, Nonfiction, Economics, Theory, Historical

238 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2023

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carlos Martinez has achieved a clear, considered breakdown of China's socialism—considering economic and political theory, historical development, current institutions and policy, the impact on citizens, and international commitments to persuasively argue that, despite Western media cycles, China remains a beacon of socialism that the international left has failed to properly engage with (and, counter-productively, often mislabels as imperialist). I will say upfront here, before picking through this previous claim in more detail, that I think this is an excellent text that is well-researched, comprehensive, and deserves a wide audience. Below I look at the contents in depth.

Before I run through what the book does so well, and consider any gaps, I should go over the central thesis of the text, which I think is a vitally important and worthwhile one. Martinez seeks to roundly refute an idea pervasive in the West that China is no longer a socialist country, an idea rooted largely in US-allied media reporting following the reform and opening up period that commenced under Deng. This thesis is considered from multiple interesting angles throughout the text: ideological continuity across Mao and reform periods; the influence of the USSR's collapse; anti-poverty measures; the Western media blitz; the US's New Cold War; the environment. Importantly, the idea that elements of capitalist economy being present disproves socialism is thoroughly rebuffed.

Let's start with this last claim, since it is likely the main objection that most readers will have to China's socialist status. Surely the many capitalist elements of China's economy, not to mention the presence of billionaires, is antithetical to a socialist project? Before directly addressing this, lets look, as Martinez does, to political theory and historical context.

The Chinese Communist Party (CPC) are very clear on how they are shaped by the work of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and others who highlight the importance of productive forces to the equal distribution of high living standards in a communist state. That means, in short, that communism requires a level of productive development that was far, far out of the reach of the People's Republic of China (PRC) for most of its existence. In fact, when it was founded, it was one of the poorest nations on earth thanks to the infamous "century of humiliation"—a period of intense imperialist and capitalist predation that greatly exacerbated dire ecological circumstances, leading to tens of millions of deaths in famines and many more millions of excess deaths in none famine years, accompanied by the destruction or plundering centuries worth of development. It is hard to truly capture the extent of this destruction and the vast human misery and death toll that it caused—for more on this I recommend Late Victorian Holocausts by Mike Davis to understand the scale and big picture (Davis possesses a level of ecological awareness I've found rare in historians, and which is vital to truly understanding the events), and What Remains by Tobie Meyer-Fong or the excellent History in Three Keys by Paul Cohen (this one will require a bit of prior knowledge to get the most from) to understand the level of human suffering and misery that the CPC inherited.

How best to build socialism with this level of poverty and suffering? Due to an environment of international hostility (including the Sino-Soviet split), Mao had no choice: China must try and build it alone. This first period of development met many successes, but also considerable failures—infamously including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, which Martinez does a good job of quickly outlining (the latter was recognised by the CPC in 1981 as the "most severe setback and the heaviest losses suffered by the Party" since the PRC's founding). By the time of Mao's death China had managed to greatly improve standards of living, but failed to improve its economy at a speed which could withstand capitalist pressure, so Deng, taking advantage of more favourable international conditions, and influenced by seeing the struggles of the USSR, helped initiate the reform and opening up period whereby elements of capitalism were carefully introduced.

The aims? To more quickly improve living standards, to grow the size of the pie as quick as possible (even at risk of rising inequality) to finally eradicate absolute poverty, to gain access to the industrial knowledge of the countries that had historically denied China its own industrial revolution, and to avoid missing out on the technological revolution taking place. For these ends, China opened itself up to world markets and companies. So how could China still be socialist? The introduction of these forces was done gradually and with utmost care, with an immovable boundary drawn around them to deny the emergent capitalist class any political power. The central political structure—the dictatorship of the proletariat, and the complex democratic apparatus that entailed, whereby people participate at every level of government and are consulted directly on policy—would not be shifted. Heavy industry, energy, transport, communication, foreign trade, and banking all remained firmly in state control. Many of the most successful companies are SOEs, meaning they are not nationalised but are majority state owned, allowing the government to bend their activities to fit national development goals. Companies that traded with China had to do so on China's terms, meaning they were required to share knowledge, provide training, and assist in development. With all of this China would complete its own industrial and technological revolution in a mere fraction of the time any capitalist country ever managed (Deng referred to a "latecomers advantage").

Looking at the above summary of China's and political model, justified by the CPC through historical circumstance (a developed Western country, for example, would not need to undergo that process as part of its own communist revolution), we can disprove many claims made about China being capitalist. The vital question that should follow is, what does this socialism, Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, mean for the people of China and their future? Martinez has heaps of references here, and the picture is clear: to quote the UN Secretary General, the path the PRC have navigated in China is nothing short of "the greatest anti-poverty achievement in history". Life expectancy in the PRC had increased by more than 31 years by the time Mao died (a statistic that includes the impact of the disastrous Great Leap Forward and Cultural revolution, helping to explain why Mao still enjoys popularity and respect in China), and has continued to rise at a slower rate after the reform period to now be higher than the US. Less than a percent of the world population now live in a country with higher life expectancy than China. Absolute poverty, along with homelessness, has been effectively eradicated, and in their efforts to tackle poverty generally the CPC have now mobilised almost a million community workers to enact their policy of "Two Assurances and Three Guarantees"; namely, that everyone has access to adequate food and clothing, medical services, safe housing with drinking water and electricity, and at least nine years of free education—a much more comprehensive and humanitarian perspective on what poverty means than the world bank poverty line of earning $1.90 a day. These are achievements that any Western country could do with much more ease (UK homelessness, for example, could effortlessly be eradicated overnight were there political will to challenge the landlord class), and yet only socialist countries are performing them.

As China continues its march towards ending poverty, the economic question has changed. A common criticism of the international left has long been whether such anti-poverty efforts justify the rise of inequality and billionaires. In this criticism, the international left is lagging behind the CPC. In 2021, Xi Xinping declared a new direction as the modern strength of the Chinese economy allows it to enter the next stage of its socialist path: "We cannot allow the gap between rich and poor to continue growing... We cannot permit the wealth gap to become an unbridgeable gulf... We must be proactive about narrowing the gaps between regions, between urban and rural areas, and between rich and poor people".

Is there cause to believe him? The current targets are for inequality to be meaningfully reduced by 2025 (the end of the 14th five-year plan), fully equitable access to public services by 2035, and the achievement of "common prosperity" by 2049. Is there any reason to believe this possible? Besides China's staggering record at doing what it says it will do (even anti-China press in the US has had to acknowledge that, unlike the liberal democracies that deride it, China has met or nearly met every single promise it has made to the international community), you need look no further than its actions since this declaration. Profiteering in the private education sector (an immense industry) has been ended; measures to tackle exploitation through gaming and gambling addictions have been imposed; stricter rent controls have been enforced; a slew of new labour laws have been passed to protect the rights of workers in the "gig economy", after which tech companies were forced to issue new contracts to all of their gig workers, including insurance being provided through state-run insurers; Trade Union laws revised to promote, ease, and encourage the unionisation of gig workers; the expansion of state control in various sectors and further limitations on capitalist growth. Is this enough? No. Is it a start greater than in any capitalist country? Yes. In this same time period, western liberalism has seen massive increases in inequality and poverty, with life expectancies stalling or falling while corporations rake in unprecedented profits.

Next, Martinez turns to the news about China that readers will be most familiar with: accusations of imperialism, authoritarianism, and genocide. This section is particularly thorough, given the severity of the accusations and the influence they have (as previously mentioned, in the developed world even committed socialists echo the US Department of Defence, a mistake not made as easily by socialists in the developing world that have experienced real imperialism). Accusations about the Belt and Road Initiative—Xi Xinping's flagship foreign policy initiative intended to break the global domination of the US by better connecting global markets and breaking the dependency much of the "third world" has been trapped in by the IMF and World Bank—are dismissed region by region. In short, the idea of Chinese "debt traps" is a counterfactual myth; Chinese loans are popular precisely because they offer half the interest rates of the West and come with none of the strict stipulations of austerity that are used to foster neo-colonialism. It is worth noting that here that, unlike Western loans, Chinese loans and support directly contributes to the sovereignty and national self-sufficiency of the countries it goes to, with 40% of funding going to energy production and 30% going towards infrastructure—all while China has shown a consistent willingness to forgive debt where necessary. China's "aggression" in the South China sea is analysed, proving in short that it is the US that is intentionally militarising the region, escalating tensions, re-igniting dormant disputes, misrepresenting China's threat level, and carrying out needless "freedom of navigation" patrols despite not a single case of navigation freedom being affected by China in an area that sees over 100,000 vessels passing through annually. Clearly a country is performing aggressive military expansionism, and it isn't China.

Claims of genocide in Xinxiang are rightfully given the largest appraisal, given the overwhelming domination of such accusations in news cycles. Martinez investigates the origin of such claims, finding, unsurprisingly, that all link back the US Department of Defence. Adrien Zenz is the first person to conjure up the oft-cited figure of 1 million in concentration camps (a number surely easily provable in a region with a population of 13 million), and it is him that almost every story on Xinjian uses as evidence. Who is he? He's a born-again Christian who has written books about the evil of homosexuality, employed by the far-right think-tank the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, created by the US Congress to further their foreign policy aims. Besides Zenz, the main sources are an Australian think-tank (ASPI) mainly funded by the US Department of Defence, and the Newlines Institute, whose leadership is comprised of US military advisors and ex-employees of infamous "shadow CIA" spying company Stratfor. The guy who led the Uyghur report for the Newlines Institute? Adrien Zenz.

Once the insidious origins of the genocide claims have been investigated—which again, all fail to provide any evidence of any of their claims (the closest any get is providing satellite footage of a regular prison)—Martinez looks at actual policy in Xinjian, what its living conditions are like, and what foreign ambassadors have to say. In Xinjiang, life expectancy has leapt up by 30 years, in line with the rest of China; minority languages and cultures are promoted and taught in school; thousands of texts are printed in the Uyghur language, with even banknotes having five languages on them (Chinese, Tibetan, Uyghur, Mongolian, and Zhuang); there are over 25,000 mosques, one of the highest mosques per capita figure in the world; the Uyghur population increased 25% from 2010-2018, with birth rates declining slightly now due to general lessening of patriarchal controls of women as more enter education and the workforce; popular religious schools engaged in international discourse; and a steady stream of diplomats, officials, and journalists visiting every year. In fact, the only Muslim member of the UN to support America's claims of genocide is Albania (a NATO member), and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation voted 37-1 in supporting China against such claims. There is no evidence of a single one of the refugee camps that would likely pop-up around Xinjiang's borders in the case of a genocide. Claims have been fuelled in part by China's education effort in the region, which have an anti-terrorism focus due to the rise of terror groups such as ETIM (linked to Western activity promoting terrorism in the middle east and central Asia), but these schools are far from concentration camps—representing attempts to operate within the framework of international law and best practice, China follows the UN 'Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism', and provides an educational focus on sociology and ethics while providing marketable skills to ensure upward mobility, supports in obtaining standard of living increases, and aids the equitable integration of potentially vulnerable groups into society in order to undermine terrorist activities. Far from US claims, which shamefully diminish the suffering of real genocides, these efforts have been praised by the international community.

The final argument of great interest to me is China's environmental and ecological policy, to which Martinez devote a large and well-referenced chapter. Again, we see an immeasurable gulf between reality and the claims of the US military-industrial complex. While many will be familiar with the argument that we can't tackle climate change while China is doing so much polluting, the reality is that China has been an internationally recognised and lauded leader of global sustainability for a decade now, with safe and sustainable ecologies being an official central priority of the CPC since 2014, when Xi Xinping forcefully emphasised "We will never again seek economic growth at the cost of the environment". The reality is that China has undergone an industrial and technical revolution in just over 30 years (a feat that took well over 300 years here in England!), and this did result in large amounts of pollution—as recently as 2007, just over 80% of Chinese energy was supplied by coal. Even with this development however, China (a country with 13% of the world population) is responsible for only 18% of the cumulative greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, while the US (with only 4% of the world population) is responsible for a full 25%. This statistic is doubly staggering when you consider that the US, like the rest of the Western world, has actively obscured much of its pollution by moving its industries and its waste to the developing world. Looking past the immense hypocrisy of this, what is China doing about the environmental crisis? Time for another big semicolon list! Over 100 coal plant plans have been scrapped, with BRICs refusing to fund coal plant abroad; remaining coal plants have been refitted to be much cleaner; it has become the world leader in wind and solar installation, electric vehicle production, batteries, hydro, nuclear, ground heat pumps, grid transmission, reforestation efforts, and green hydrogen; many of its cities have fully electric bus fleets and much cleaner air, and regions have been connected intensively with high speed rail—massively cutting the need for flights. China's ecological efforts are unparalleled, and impossible to imagine happening under capitalism. To quote Martinez, "Humanity has done almost nothing in the face of a global existential crisis, and the reason is simply that the dominant economic system in the world is capitalism" (p. 152). In the same period, the West has failed almost every one of its climate pledges, and, in order to undermine Russian energy profits, much of Europe has been pressured by the US to turn to coal or fracking.

In summary, China deserves support from the international left. To be clear, this support should be critical. Anti-inequality measures, though successful, should be more aggressive, censorship should be lifted, and LGBT-rights are in dire need of comprehensive state program to change current attitudes and allow media representation. These latter two issues are notable absences of the text in my opinion, that should be urgently rectified in a second edition.

[Siyang Wei · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lot of things i already kind of knew but seeing it all laid out so methodically.... absolutely essential reading!

[Jamie Bookboy Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carlos is immensely talented. China is so inspiring dawg.

[Brayden Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched account of how Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is quickly overtaking the west. The author tackles several of the modern criticisms that western nations and media lob at the PRC these days with well researched skill. Often citing reports by sources that are respected by the West that would seek to proclaim to the contrary (i.e Belt and Road Initiative ). What I found particularly interesting and exciting is the section that discusses the PRCs rapid shift to a green economy and transition from fossil fuels. Exciting to learn how a nation that just turned 75 (and catches insane flak for being a major polluter despite being at a lower per capita emissions rate than the US) is quickly surpassing other nations in their efforts.

In short - I will keep this one close at hand for future reference. Especially given the great suggested reading section contained at the end, as well as the detailed footnotes throughout.

[Matt Lucente · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our movement has a responsibility to learn about China; to build solidarity and friendship with China. If the first century of human experience of building socialism teaches us anything, it is that the road from capitalism to socialism is a long and complicated one, and that ‘actually existing socialism’ varies enormously according to time, place and circumstances. China is building a form of socialism that suits its conditions, using the means it has at its disposal, in the extraordinarily challenging circumstances of global imperialist hegemony. No socialist experiment thus far - be it the Paris Commune, the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, Mozambique, Venezuela or anywhere else - can claim to have discovered a magic wand that can be waved such that peace, prosperity, equality and comprehensive human development are achieved overnight. China is forging its own path, and this is worthy of study and support” (p. xx)

This was an excellent text with a lot of really valuable, well-researched, and clear information about the People’s Republic of China, its political economy and geopolitical strategy in the 21st century, and exactly why it remains socialist (despite common misunderstandings and miseducation in the West). I didn’t necessarily need convincing of this fact, but for someone unfamiliar with the topic, this text would be a fantastic jumping-off point for a more nuanced and informed view of the PRC than we are usually equipped with here in the U.S. Indeed, anyone at all interested in engaging with these issues with even a modicum of good faith or willingness to learn should be well aware that the common talking points and discourses surrounding China in the west are facile, shallow, and not actually based in material reality. Martinez’s work here can serve to deconstruct and wade through the rhetorical muck we’re mired in here in the U.S. (and indeed in the U.K.), and arrive at an understanding of China’s real historical role at the cutting edge of human development, environmental preservation, and world peace.

Martinez rigorously demonstrates how China is building and continuously developing a form of socialism tailored to its own material conditions and informed by the historical experiences of past socialist states e.g. the USSR, and of the People’s Republic itself. This unique form of socialism with Chinese characteristics has, under the guidance of the CPC, resulted in precipitous increases in living standards for the Chinese people, complete eradication of absolute poverty, development of infrastructure, incredible innovations in ecological development and technology, and more. But how is China socialist? Martinez correctly states that “people simply find it difficult to get their heads round the idea that today’s China, with its stock markets and billionaires and multinational corporations, is still socialist” (p. ix). Westerners who don’t really know what they’re talking about might (understandably) conflate the presence of such phenomena with capitalism as such, and thus come to the conclusion that China itself is capitalist. This is, as Mao might have said, “muddle-headed”; it ignores outcomes and only looks at the most basic shapes of Chinese society. It ignores historical reality, it ignores the structure and concentration of political power in China, and it ignores the real-world considerations, struggles, and compromises inherent in the process of building socialism and working towards communism.

The third chapter of the text, “Will China Suffer the Same Fate as the Soviet Union?”, elucidates this idea further, but I think particular attention should be paid to political power in the PRC. Here in the west, political power is subordinate to capital, while in China, the reverse is true; our politicians and elected officials exist to maintain power and capital in the hands of those who already have it; they are beholden first and foremost to their lobbyists and corporate donors and property interests, and the wellbeing of the people is not paid even the slightest consideration. While there are markets and corporations and billionaires in China, they are ultimately beholden to the CPC, the CPC maintains tight regulation and direction of the country’s productive forces and distribution of capital, and has been working tirelessly to eradicate the inequality which arises naturally from the introduction of market forces. It has used “Reform and Opening Up” and the introduction of private capital so as to develop the productive forces in order to build socialism and improve peoples’ lives. In China, the private is subordinate to the public: this, in the simplest terms possible, is why China remains socialist. And its system has had remarkable success. Martinez states, regarding poverty alleviation in China:

“the UN Development program in 2010 described China as having achieved ‘the most rapid decline in absolute poverty ever witnessed.’”

“Average life expectancy in China in 1975 was 62 — impressive for a large developing country at the time, certainly when compared with India’s 49. However in the US it was 71. By 2022, China’s average life expectancy had reached 78.2, while in the US it was 76.4”

“Colin Mackerras notes that infant mortality in China ‘fell from 37.6 deaths per 1000 live births around the late 1970s to 5.4 per 1000 in 2020, just lower than the United States, where it was 5.69 per 1000 live births the same year” (p. 95)

China announced in 2020 that it had met its goal of completely eliminating extreme poverty by 2021 (imagine having a government that sets goals and then meets them; unheard of in the capitalist world). ”Meanwhile in the advanced capitalist countries, where the capitalist class is the ruling class, and where neoliberal economic theory has dominated for the last four decades, we are seeing an alarming rise in poverty and inequality. Rather than pursuing common prosperity, the US and its allies are drifting towards mass destitution. This disparity highlights that China’s continuing achievements in poverty alleviation are a function of its socialist system. As Deng Xiaoping said in 1987, ultimately, ‘only the socialist system can eradicate poverty’” (p. 102).

Regarding the remarkable success of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in improving peoples’ lives, providing access to education, healthcare, high-quality infrastructure, and more, Martinez revealingly notes that “The continuously improving economic situation and corresponding improvement in people’s quality of life has led to strong popular support for the government and for Chinese socialism. The Pew Research Centre reports that President Xi Jinping enjoys a confidence rating of 94 percent, which compares favourably with US President Joe Biden’s approval rating of 40 percent. In 2014, 89 percent of Chinese rated their economy ‘good’, compared with 64 percent for India and 40 percent for the US. British academic Peter Nolan writes that, ‘under Communist Party rule, China has experienced the most remarkable era of growth and development in modern history.’ Because of that, the Chinese government enjoys tremendous popular support and legitimacy, and its rule can be expected to continue for a long time to come.” (p. 68). This, in a nutshell, is the result of a government and system which puts human needs and development at the forefront of its economic planning rather than prioritizing private profits above all else. This is why China continuously improves and advances and innovates, while the US slides further and further into decline.

Anyway, the text contains excellent chapters on varied topics related to China’s system, including an incredible chapter on ecological development in China. It is a further testament to the strengths of China’s system: the capitalist west is fundamentally unable to meaningfully address the existential crisis posed by climate change because of its class character. China, on the other hand, can meaningfully and effectively allocate and direct resources towards improving green development because of its socialist system; and it has done so and continues to do so.

Renewable energy sources made up 28% of its electricity at time-of-writing compared to the U.S.’s 20% (China’s has increased to 34.5% in 2026, seemingly meeting the CPC’s goal of 33% by 2025); China has been the world’s largest producer of solar panels since 2009 and now accounts for over 80% of global solar panel production; China’s renewable energy capacity on 2021 (1,020 GW) was three times higher than that of the US; China is carrying out the largest forestation project in the world, “doubling forest coverage from 12 percent in 1980 to 23 percent in 2020”; around 98% of the world’s electric buses are in China, and China at the time-of-writing had 59% of its urban public buses being electric (pp. 140-145). They have now met their goal of 72% electric by 2025. According to the World Resources Institute, 81% of China’s public buses are electric; a significant figure when considering how robust China’s public infrastructure network is and that it is the world’s most populous country. The author goes on, and much more robust data than I can include in a Goodreads review is included to support Martinez’s ultimate conclusion, which is that such incredible strides towards building a green and sustainable future is only possible under socialism, and that the west’s abominable failures at meaningfully addressing the climate crisis are a direct result of an exploitative economic system which seeks infinite growth on a finite planet.

Other highlights of the text include the chapter on rhetoric and anti-China propaganda in the west (“Manufacturing consent for the containment and encirclement of China”), the included article “The universalization of ‘liberal democracy’” by Martinez and Danny Haiphong (originally published in the academic journal “International Critical Thought”), and the overall fantastic sourcing, citations, and research present throughout the text. Martinez also very helpfully provides a few pages on recommended readings at the very end of the text, some of which I have read and some of which are now definitely on my radar when it comes to deepening and broadening my knowledge on China. Really great text, would highly recommend.

[Evan Streeby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough, educated work on the China’s socialist government from and its leadership in wake of the disasters capitalism and climate change are causing. If you want to break through western racist propaganda and read about a solution-based governing approach and the challenges its surmounting, this is your book.

[Victor Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very convincing case for modern Chinese Socialism. One thing that would have definitely made the book a stronger case would have been a more in depth critique of the media coverage of what's going on in Xinjiang. Overall, though, one of the good primers along with Roland Boer's Socialism with Chinese Characteristics book.

[Jackson D. C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Americans must unite and oppose the New Cold War against China our leaders are dead set on pursuing to the detriment of the world.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book which I think should be read by everyone, though of course many would remain in denial. Martinez’s work is succinct, well-sourced and hugely convincing. As someone who is firmly a socialist and believes communism should be the ultimate goal of humanity at this moment, this book didn’t surprise me much, but it was good to see such a thorough defence, and also appropriate critique, of the PRC. I’d like to think this book would be hugely valuable in the hands of those on the left who sit more in the democratic socialist camp and still struggle to see through the deluge of Western propaganda, or even those who aren’t too well-versed in the subject but don’t particularly lean either way politically.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well cited and argued case for supporting the ongoing socialist project in China, opposing the encroaching new cold war, and rebuffing a number of arguments against China, including an honest analysis of the successes and failures of the Great Leap Forwards, the Cultural Revolution, and opening up and reform of Deng's era and beyond.

Vital reading for any communist and important take-aways to bring into the trade union, anti-imperialist, and proletarian struggle.

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well documented book about how the Chinese socialist system works and how the western democracies try hard to undermine its achievements over the years by the spread of anti Chinese propaganda.

[Craig Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty cover but not very good, idk I feel like people on here just give a 5 to anything they nod their head to while reading but I was hoping for a little more meat. I think it's a good basic overview, probably just not for me specifically

[Bakari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how "The East Is Still Red" argues that China continues to be a developing socialist country by emphasizing the state's control over key economic sectors and its commitment to socialist principles. The book highlights that despite private capital, the Chinese economy is largely directed by the state, which maintains control over critical areas like heavy industry, energy, and finance. While private production is encouraged to support modernization and employment, the state sets the fundamental economic agenda.

The book also points out China's significant social progress, such as doubling life expectancy and achieving near-universal literacy since 1949. China's approach to socialism uniquely blends market mechanisms with state guidance, ensuring that capital does not become politically dominant. This strategy aims to develop productive forces while maintaining a socialist path.

Additionally, the book discusses China's efforts to build an ecological civilization and its alignment with the Global South, positioning itself as a counterbalance to Western neoliberalism.

I wish however that Carlos had responded to leftist criticism of China, which argues that the existence of billionaires contradicts the claim of socialism, suggesting wealth is being extracted from workers and concentrated among the wealthy.

Left-wing critics of China concentrate on a orthodox understanding of socialism, overlooking the need for a socialist economy focused on boosting productivity, global capitalist competition, and addressing the difficulties of establishing an economy based on the practical application of labor and capital rather than need. I could be wrong about that, but the issues are important discussions and debates that the left need to have.


*My Analysis of China's Path to Socialism*

To confidently support the notion that China is on a socialist path, further reading and study are indeed necessary. "The East is Still Red" provides several quotes from Chinese leaders, both past and present, asserting that China aims to achieve full socialism by 2049. This aligns with the Chinese Communist Party's centenary goal of building a "great modern socialist country" that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful by the centenary of the PRC’s founding in 2049.

However, the concept of "common prosperity," a key political goal for President Xi Jinping, focuses on wealth redistribution and improving the well-being of all citizens. While it emphasizes reducing wealth disparities, it does not directly address the collective ownership of the means of production, which is a fundamental aspect of traditional socialism. Critics argue that significant capitalist elements, such as private enterprises and income inequality, suggest a deviation from orthodox socialist principles.

The coexistence of state-owned enterprises and private companies, along with the influence of market mechanisms, shows a complex economic model that some describe as state capitalism. This model integrates with global capitalism while maintaining state control over strategic sectors, which can be seen as contrary to the socialist ideal of collective ownership and economic equality.

In summary, while China's leadership articulates a vision of socialism, the practical implementation involves a blend of socialist and capitalist elements. This nuanced approach raises questions about the true nature of China's economic system and its alignment with socialist ideals. It would be great to hear Carlos debate these criticisms.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top 3 best books I’ve read this year. An incredible in-depth analysis on China’s socialist journey and how it is maintaining its core mission from 1949 to today. Points out Western hypocrisy, and debunks many anti-China myths, while still holding the CPC to a rigorous standard. All must read.

[lukas · Rating 4 out of 5]

mám pocit že táto kniha bola zväčša sykofantstvo a nehovorila dosť o governance ale veľa o ekonomických úspechoch, moc neodporúčam, sú lepšie knihy o tomto

[Mykolas Yamakaitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well structured, very informative, and doesn’t assume past knowledge. Super easy to understand. Highly recommend.

[Zeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent content. the writing is pretty good but the author repeats himself a lot which is understandable sometimes but slightly annoying. valuable information about chinese socialism for anyone interested and step by step dismantling of western arguments against it

[Aidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A succinct and exhaustively researched exploration of modern Chinese politics.

While I've always been sympathetic to anti-revisionist critiques of the CPC and its decision to liberalize the Chinese market, this book has given me a much greater understanding on both the reasoning behind the change and how it's actually bolstered Chinese socialism rather than eclipsed it. I still regard the new Chinese billionaire class with a lot of disapproval; however, the CPC seems reassuringly in charge.

Though it's not the focus of the book, I really appreciated the brief overview of the Chinese Revolution in its early stages. It expanded on several aspects that I previously have been meaning to explore more, the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution especially. Great if, like me, you aren't too familiar with the construction of socialism in the PRC.

Importantly, this book makes great efforts to dispel the libelous rumours that the U.S. and its allies repeat ad nauseum with little-to-no evidence. Martínez definitively debunks the Uyghur "Genocide" myth, destroys the accusation that China is not meeting its climate commitments and explains the sinister resurgence of McCarthyism in the West.

I would recommend everyone read this, communist or no. In a world increasingly shaped by the New Cold War, it's important to understand the role China is playing from a multitude of different views. Ultimately, the People's Republic of China is showing that socialism *is* possible in a post-Soviet world. I'm glad that amongst the squawking of a relentless bourgeois press, books like this exist.

[Becks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the easiest and most enjoyable book on Chinese socialism I have read so far. :)

[⭕ slt · Rating 3 out of 5]

a brief review of the Chinese Revolution and its achievements. Full of numbers and statistics.
Sometimes I thought it was a bit too "pro-Chinese" but the author did a good job supporting its claims about China with tons of numbers and references.
I was skeptical of China's socialism. after reading this, think I'm more open to considering China's system a Red one.

[Maitiú · Rating 5 out of 5]

The East is still red:

Repeats himself a lot, uses the same quotes multiple times.

Interesting analysis of the opening up of the Chinese economy, with the allowance of private sector capital into the economy some would say that the CPC is no longer following Marxism- Leninism. However, this is a simplistic view of a socialist economy. Private capital can have a place, especially for rapid industrialization but this does come along with a rise in inequality. As long as private capital doesn’t become the dominant production force and has a tight leash kept on it, the dictatorship of the proletariat remains in place.

Xi Jinping, compared to the last two general secretaries of the CPC seems to understand Marxist theory much better. He’s vocal about Chinese socialism and has even introduced “Xi Jinping thought” into the constitution. It is however hard to believe him given the people he keeps close, with Li Qiang (Premier) being extremely pro private capital and stating that he wishes there were more billionaires. Close family members have gained extreme wealth.

Overall, as my first delve into Chinese socialism I thought this was a great introduction and covered briefly the historical context for the formation of the state and its evolution.

4.5/5

[Ishaan Kumar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book was so controversial to what I know that I don't know if I'm equipped to give a rating. Feel like ventured many times into tankie territory, but some parts about economy, climate, and general history pretty amazing. Felt he was making the same mistake he accused chomsky of some times. But what do I know. Would recommend, but don't know where I stand on it. Maybe one day I'll give it a rating when I make up my mind. It's either 5* or 2*

Kk I decided it's 2* - didn't take long. Great sections on the overall modern Chinese economy, but can't excuse tankieness. Barring tankieness would be a 5*

[flora · Rating 5 out of 5]

informative, based, and a wonderful read. basically demolished the US in this book and calls out US's hypocrisy and dirtiness! i am not a CCP supporter, but i can say that the endless jealousy and demonization of China that the West has created is detrimental to the world and esp. to the Chinese population. we've seen this happen before with the Middle East as well (with the US creating Islamophobic propaganda and making the Middle East seemingly be the bad guys). the US has an agenda and the author argues that China goes against imperialism and it is the US that is the imperialist country. so true!

[Donal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An instant and indispensable classic of modern politics exploring the deeply held views of China's political establishment, how it has survived during an unprecedented imperial bombardment and how it is set to lead the world on every major issue facing it this century.

[Alhembd]

Very interesting. I think that China has the potential to become the world's leader because of her commitment to raise the poor out of poverty.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

An empirical account of Chinese government beyond US proganda.

[Laura Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veel moeilijke woorden in het Engels, waardoor ik het ook niet altijd kon volgen. Wel veel nieuwe en goede inzichten over China.

[Alexander Morozov · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kinda liked it, it's easy to read and provides lots of food for thought. But it's very obviously a propaganda piece, not bad but partiality just flows from the pages. There are some omissions (like no mention of Sino-Vietnam war or support of Khmer Rouge) and references are mostly to party officials or other "non-scientific" articles and books. I tried to check the most dubious stuff online and most of it seems to be true.
Excellent book if you wish to know what kind of stuff China is currently into.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summary of why everyone on earth who doesn't profit from exploitation and longs for a better tomorrow should loudly and proudly support China.

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading. Make up your own mind about China--its socialist character, its national ambitions, its domestic record. Just don't do it without reading this book first.