In 2006, 15 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the reporter of "Global People" had the opportunity to interview the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Talking about his experience with perestroika and the reasons for his failure, Gorbachev said something from the bottom of his heart to reporters:
I would like to give an important piece of advice to my friends in China......”
Misunderstandings of economic reform
Gorbachev's perestroika, which began in 1985, was aimed first and foremost at the economic problems of the Soviet Union.
At that time, the Soviet economy was already in a slump and stagnant, social efficiency was low, and the standard of living of the people was declining.
In April 1985, statistics from the Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union showed that manual labor accounted for 60% of the food industry in the Soviet Union, 70% lower than in Western countries. In agriculture, 30 per cent of agricultural products and 100,000 tonnes of livestock are lost each year.
Agriculture is the basis of the national economy, but from 1979 to 1982, agricultural production in the USSR fell for four consecutive years, and until 1985 it did not improve, and the USSR had to import large quantities of grain.
All this shows that the Soviet economy is on the verge of crisis and is in dire need of profound reforms.
In April 1985, Gorbachev proposed the "accelerated development strategy" at the "April Plenum" of the CPSU, which was written into the revised draft of the Soviet Union, which marked the official beginning of his reforms.
His reform idea was to take scientific and technological progress and social productive forces as the core, focus on developing heavy industry, and improve economic efficiency.
He believed that at that time, Western countries were developing information and automation technology, which was a good prescription for the Soviet economy.
However, he neglected the development of light industry and agriculture, which were directly related to the standard of living of the people.
The Soviet Union already had a strong base of heavy industry, and the perestroika made some progress in heavy industry, which made Gorbachev misjudge the economic situation.
In March 1986, the Soviet Union formulated the basic guidelines for economic and social development for the period 1986-2000
By the end of the 20th century, national income will double and labor productivity will increase by 15 times, the per capita energy consumption should be reduced by 50%, and the total consumption should be reduced by 50%. ”
From this it can be seen that Gorbachev's judgment was still based on the development of heavy industry.
In reality, however, the economic reform of the Soviet Union did not fundamentally change the system of the past, but only made some adjustments on the original basis, and could not solve the deep-seated problems.
Sure enough, soon after, difficulties also arose in heavy industry in the USSR, light industry and agriculture were in decline, life for the people became more and more difficult, and social contradictions became more and more intensified.
On the other hand, Gorbachev's reform measures were also met with local resistance.
Some localities are worried that the reform will weaken their power, so they are perfunctory about the reform measures, which exacerbates local contradictions.
Gorbachev's economic reforms failed in this way. In his view, the root cause of the obstacle to economic reform was the political system of the Soviet Union.
Fatal consequences of political reform
In 1988, Gorbachev wrote in a memorandum: "We realize that it is necessary to carry out a fundamental reform of the system itself, which should be based on other ideological views, the basis of which is the idea of social democracy." ”
Beginning in 1989, he formally implemented his own political reforms. He probably didn't think that his political reforms were like adding fuel to the fire of the Soviet Union and hastening its collapse.
The goal of his political reform was the comprehensive westernization of politics, the implementation of Western systems such as the ** system, the parliamentary system, and the ** system, and advocated slogans such as "openness and democratization".
Under the influence of this thinking, various elected political parties have sprung up in various places.
In February 1990, Gorbachev proposed a resolution to amend the Constitution, abolishing the legal leadership of the CPSU over state power.
Ironically, it was in this year that Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Finally, on the night of December 25, 1991, Gorbachev made a televised speech in which he officially announced the cessation of the existence of the Soviet Union.
The drastic changes in Eastern Europe, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the collapse of a large socialist country that had existed for nearly 70 years have brought endless amazement and emotion to the world.
Even after more than thirty years, the ashes of the USSR are still burning.
Friendly exchanges with China
At the time of Gorbachev's reforms, China had already begun the process of reform and opening up.
Historically, the Soviet Union was of great help to New China in the 50s, helping China build its industrial base and building its national defense.
But by the end of the seventies, both China and the Soviet Union were facing an important turning point in history.
From a personal point of view, Gorbachev has always wanted to see China for himself, and this is one of his wishes.
With the joint efforts of China and the Soviet Union, in May 1989, Gorbachev began his only visit to China as a Soviet leader.
Gorbachev's visit to China is also an event of great significance for China.
On May 15, Gorbachev's plane arrived in Beijing, and immediately delivered a very friendly speech, in which he specifically mentioned:
There is a famous saying in both China and the Soviet Union, 'it is better to see than to hear', and I have already heard of China's reform, and it is for this 'sight' that I am here today. ”
During the talks with China, in addition to talking about some historical issues, the two sides also put forward their own views on the reform process between China and the Soviet Union.
In light of the changes in the international situation over the past century, he pointed out that China and the Soviet Union are facing the common task of peace and development, and they should abandon their past ideological differences, restore and develop friendly and cooperative relations, and contribute to the maintenance of world peace and stability.
"Our reforms are aimed at building socialism, not abandoning socialism," he said. Our reform has been carried out on the basis of adherence to, and not wavering on, the four cardinal principles. Our reforms are carried out under the leadership of the Party, not weakened. Our reform is carried out on the premise of respecting the characteristics and differences of various nationalities and regions, and not intensifying the contradictions between nationalities and regions. ”
He also said: "Our reform is step-by-step, planned, and focused, rather than one-size-fits-all and rushed. Our reforms have been carried out under the conditions of maintaining social stability, not causing social unrest. Our reforms have been carried out at the same time as the strengthening of national defence and diplomacy, not at the expense of national defense and diplomacy. Our reform has been carried out under the principle of upholding independence and self-determination, and has not been subject to external pressure and interference. ”
Gorbachev listened to ***'s words, and he felt a little uneasy and a little admired. He felt that the ideas and methods of reform were very different from his, and perhaps this was the difference between the success and failure of the reform of China and the Soviet Union.
He thought that his reforms had met with a lot of opposition and resistance, and that they had also brought a lot of crises and difficulties to the Soviet Union. He couldn't help but say with emotion
I would like to offer an important piece of advice to our friends in China: don't follow the path we have taken, and don't make the mistakes we have made. Your reforms are correct, promising, and promising. You have to persevere, don't waver, don't give up. You have to believe that your reforms will bring happiness and prosperity to your country and your people. ”
Listened to Gorbachev's words, smiled and said:
Thank you for your advice, we will seriously consider it. We also hope that your reforms will succeed and that the USSR will become stronger and more united. We also believe that the friendly cooperation between China and the Soviet Union will bring benefits and benefits to our two countries and two peoples. ”
The two leaders shook hands and said goodbye, and they both had their own feelings and thoughts in their hearts. They all know that their reform is a difficult exploration and practice, and a historical choice with no turning back. They all hope that their choice is correct and beneficial to their country and people. But they are also aware that their choices can also be wrong and harmful to their own country and people. They are all paying the price for their choices, and they are also taking responsibility for their choices. They are all fighting for their choices and praying for their choices. They are all looking forward to the outcome of their choices, and they are also worried about the consequences of their choices.
This is the reform of China and the Soviet Union, this is the fate of China and the Soviet Union, and this is the story of China and the Soviet Union.
February** Dynamic Incentive Program