100 years of CPC: From subjugation to rejuvenation

Mustafa Hyder Sayed

Military aircraft fly over Tian’anmen Square in echelons ahead of the grand gathering celebrating the CPC’s centenary in Beijing, capital of China, July 1, 2021. /Xinhua

As the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates the 100 years of its founding, it is important to put into context the journey that has brought what started as 13 members on a red boat in Jiaxing in 1921 to over 95 million members today, making it the biggest political party in the world.

Several factors distinguish the CPC from other political parties of the world, propelling it to become the architect of modern-day globalization and ultimately ensuring that the People’s Republic of China gets a seat on the “big boys table,” which earlier would only have been a far-fetched thought.

While the founding of the CPC and Thursday’s centenary celebrations are separated by 100 years, the speech of Chinese President Xi Jinping saw the same zeal, aspirations and ideology that the founding fathers had a century ago.

In 1921, the founding fathers of the CPC also had the well-being of the Chinese people in their long-term vision, to give them a better standard of living and achieve Xiaokang, which is a moderately prosperous society.

The fact that the CPC remained true to its ideology and aspirations despite successive changes in its leadership demonstrates that the institution of the Party eclipses individual discretion and preferences, and the two centenary goals remained etched in Party ideology as well as the priorities of its leadership.

Military aircraft fly over Tian’anmen Square in echelons in celebration of the CPC’s centenary in Beijing, China, July 1, 2021. /Xinhua

The process of achieving Xiaokang was initiated by the CPC when it was created and involved the delivery of a state in the form of China for the Chinese people, elimination of feudalism which was a major obstacle for progress of that time, preserving the Chinese culture and heritage which is at the core of CPC’s resilience (many of the works of the Zhou dynasty are still referred to in key CPC policy statements), and coming out stronger from years of humiliation.

When the first phase of consolidating sovereignty for the Chinese people was achieved, and a functional system of governance was at play, the CPC embarked on the reform and opening-up policy in 1978, integrating China into the global economy.

The “moderately prosperous society” comes in tandem with a renewed Chinese consciousness of self-confidence, a collective national pride, and a collective aspiration that “seeking rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” is a process, not an event, which is still underway.

“Seeking rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” also signifies that the Chinese nation is no longer susceptible to being bullied by foreign powers, and that China has emerged as a resilient civilization with a rich culture that did not amorph despite immense colonial intervention by Western powers, and is now economically, militarily and politically sovereign and independent.

In his speech, President Xi also underscored that while China has acquired strength and influence, it does not intend to exert this strength on other countries to intervene or interfere in their affairs, as China, historically, has never sought to colonize, and that will never be its aspiration.

However, alluding to the “new Cold War” being imposed by certain countries against China, Xi said that China would use all the instruments at its disposal to defend its sovereignty and interests.

Since the “Century of Humiliation” is embedded in the national and political consciousness of the Chinese people and body politic alike, Xi declared that never again could it be possible for any country to trample on the rights and interests of the Chinese people.

His speech showed the Party’s reassurance and a reminder to the Chinese people that the guarantor of harmony, economic growth and internal stability remains the CPC as the true representative of the Chinese people.

The Party has evolved into a dynamic phenomenon of development, dynamism and meritocracy that has redefined social and economic development by poverty eradication by the end of 2020, being the pioneer of unprecedented economic growth, preserving harmony and security of the Chinese people without the use of military might.

The CPC has drawn its legitimacy not only by founding the People’s Republic of China but by delivering results that even developed countries have not witnessed. It is critical to understand the CPC, its history, and China’s culture before we jump on the bandwagon to demonize it.

Mustafa Hyder Sayed is the executive director of the Pakistan-China Institute.