The past century
has witnessed the Communist Party of China leading a revolution, founding the
People’s Republic and relentlessly pursuing economic development and social
change for the better. The Chinese people have changed their fate, made great
contributions to humankind, and are now on way to realizing national
rejuvenation.
With its membership growing from just over 50 when it was established in 1921
to more than 96 million, the Party today is leading a country of more than 1.4
billion people and has become the world’s largest governing party with
significant global influence.
As Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC
Central Committee, addressed a ceremony marking the centenary of the founding
of the Party on July 1, 2021, the image China presented to the world was one of
a thriving country that is advancing toward national rejuvenation.
In its more than 100-year history, the Party
has made extraordinary historic achievements on behalf of the people. Today, it
is leading the people on a new journey toward realizing the second centenary
goal of developing China into a great modern socialist country that is
prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and beautiful.
Under the Party’s leadership, China has made
milestone economic and social achievements, consolidated its position as the
world’s second-largest economy and realized its first centenary goal of
building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
The Party’s governing principle is based on
Marxism, and it has implemented scientific theories to develop the country and
strengthen inner-Party democracy. A key reason why the Party has been able to
fulfill enormous tasks, inconceivable for any other political force, is its
adherence to Marxism. So upholding the Party’s scientific theories can further
develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, and modernize China’s
governance system and capacity.
However, it is also important to uphold the
Party’s centralized and unified leadership, guarantee political stability, and
ensure that the country follows the socialist path.
The Party has a materialistic worldview, and
works for the betterment of the people. It views the people as the fundamental
force behind the advance of history, regards itself as a tool for realizing the
people’s interests, and takes the mass line as the fundamental guideline for
its work. Since its founding in 1921, the Party has always followed the
people-first principle. In contrast to many Western political parties, the
original aspiration and the mission of the CPC are to achieve national
rejuvenation and bring happiness to the Chinese people.
The past decade has seen the Party making even more remarkable achievements in
terms of improving people’s living standards, eradicating absolute poverty,
strengthening the education system, and improving healthcare services and
disease control.
The Party has fought to establish its
leadership, and has been striving to consolidate the people’s support. One of
the party’s valuable historical experiences is to follow an independent path.
According to the “Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major
Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century”
released last year, the Party has always followed an independent path, relied on
its own efforts to drive forward the country’s development, and firmly believed
that China’s affairs should be managed by the Chinese people.
No wonder China’s governance system, long
derided in the West, has proved more effective in advancing the country’s
development and offers more choices than Western democracy. Also, unlike
developed countries which took several centuries to industrialize, China has
completed the process in a matter of decades, achieving the twin miracles of
rapid economic growth and enduring social stability, thanks to the Party’s
leadership.
The CPC has always attached great importance
to fostering high-caliber Party officials. With the CPC’s political guidelines
clearly defined, how officials perform their duties makes a great difference to
the overall performance of the Party.
The task of national governance hinges on
having the right people for the job. Over the past hundred years, the CPC has
always insisted that its members have both the integrity and the ability to
deliver, giving priority to the former, and has appointed officials based on
merit. Dismissing cronyism and clique culture, the Party has brought together
people from different walks of life to fight for just causes and improve the
well-being of all the Chinese people.
It has reformed the official selection system, in order to build a contingent
of competent and professional Party officials who are honest and upright, firm
in their ideals and conviction, willing to serve the people, diligent in their
work, and ready to take on responsibilities.
The Party is capable of responding to the
risks and challenges faced by China. It is also good at rectifying its mistakes
and reforming, improving and purifying itself. It has no special interests of
its own, nor does it represent any interest group. And it has always advanced
people’s interests.
The world is undergoing unprecedented changes
as China moves toward realizing national rejuvenation. And the Party is
prepared to meet the people’s needs for a better life and ensure the country
can overcome any challenges and withstand any tests.
The
author is a professor of politics and law at the Party School of the CPC
Central Committee.
The views
don’t necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
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