DSA Activists Sign Public Pledge to Support and Defend “Chinese Socialism”

A group of activists identifying themselves as members of the Democratic Socialists of America or its International Committee have signed a public declaration committing to support and defend the political system of the People’s Republic of China.

The pledge, organized by the London-based platform Friends of Socialist China, has drawn more than 950 signatories overall. Reporting has identified at least 11 individuals who list affiliations with the DSA or its International Committee among those endorsing the statement. Signatories resolve “to support, defend and build understanding of Chinese socialism.”

The document presents socialism as essential to humanity’s survival and prosperity, describing capitalism as incapable of addressing poverty and inequality and as linked to war, empire, racism, and environmental harm. It singles out China for particular emphasis, stating that the country’s size and level of development give it “an objectively critical role in the global transition to socialism.” The pledge describes the Chinese government as “the most prominent force pushing for the establishment of a multipolar system of international relations and a new international economic order” and as “a global leader in the struggle to avoid climate breakdown.” It concludes that “the continued survival of Chinese socialism is a crucial matter not only for the Chinese people but for all humanity.”

Two signatories hold identified roles within DSA structures: one lists herself as co-chair of the Middle East and Africa Subcommittee of the DSA International Committee, and another identifies with the committee’s anti-war work. The affiliations appear as self-reported on the pledge list. The Democratic Socialists of America as an organization has not issued an official endorsement of the statement.

The signatures occur against a backdrop of earlier internal DSA discussions about engagement with Chinese entities. Meeting records from recent years have referenced outreach efforts framed around anti-imperialism, including conversations about organizing exchanges and travel. A small DSA-linked delegation visited Beijing in 2025 for anniversary events. Some internal guidance has reportedly advised caution around sensitive subjects such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang when interacting with Chinese counterparts.

Critics have characterized the pledge as an explicit alignment with a foreign communist government by American activists. Within DSA circles, at least one International Committee member has expressed disagreement, stating that such positions do not reflect what many members signed up for. The Friends of Socialist China platform continues to promote the declaration as an expression of international solidarity with states it regards as building socialism.The episode highlights ongoing ideological debates within the American socialist left over relations with the Chinese Communist Party and the framing of Beijing’s domestic and international policies. Individual signatories remain publicly listed on the platform’s website.