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The Communist Party of China (CPC), the
world's largest governing party, celebrated its centenary on Thursday
with a solemn ceremony and the grand accomplishment of "building a
moderately prosperous society in all respects." At
100, the CPC is loaded with vigor and all set for tests ahead as China
continues the journey to "build a great modern socialist country in all
respects." Speaking at the ceremony
on Tian'anmen Square at the heart of Beijing, Xi Jinping, general
secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said that over the past century,
the CPC has secured extraordinary historical achievements on behalf of
the people. "Today, it is rallying
and leading the Chinese people on a new journey toward realizing the
second centenary goal," proclaimed Xi, also Chinese president and
chairman of the Central Military Commission. Over
70,000 people cheering with exhilaration thronged the public square,
festooned with red flags and a large Party emblem installation. It was a
celebratory aura -- golden figures of "1921" and "2021" represented the
100-year timeline, aircraft flew past in echelons overhead and a
100-gun salute roared through the sky. The
Chinese civilization has lasted five millennia, but the country plunged
into a century of humiliation due to the corrupt feudal rule and
invasion by Western powers. Many attempts were made to salvage the
nation and all ended in failure. In
1921, the CPC was founded, taking up the mission of "seeking happiness
for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation." Through
a century of endeavors, the CPC led the people to overthrow the "three
big mountains" of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat-capitalism,
founded a new China, pioneered the path of socialism with Chinese
characteristics, and built a poor state into the world's second-largest
economy. With merely over 50 members
at the time of its founding, the CPC today is the world's largest
governing party with more than 95 million members, leading a country of
more than 1.4 billion people. It also enjoys tremendous international
influence. The Tian'anmen Rostrum,
where Xi made his speech, stands witness to history. This was where Mao
Zedong proclaimed the founding of New China in 1949. It also saw people
in festive parades paying respect to Deng Xiaoping, the architect of
reform and opening-up in 1978 that has led China to moderate prosperity. Martin
Albrow, a renowned British sociologist, said the CPC's promoting the
building of a human community with a shared future and the development
of the Belt and Road Initiative through joint efforts are benefiting the
world. The Party's 100th anniversary
is marked across China and congratulatory messages were also sent from
space station core module Tianhe about 400 km away from Earth. The
profound changes that the CPC has brought to China and its deep impact
on the world have led many to decode the formula to the Party's success. The
firm leadership of the Party, its people-centered philosophy of
development and upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics are
considered to be among the most important factors and hallmarks that
distinguish it from other political parties. In
a joint congratulatory message, the non-CPC political parties, the
All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without
party affiliation said they have kept in mind the original aspiration of
cooperation, and will continue to stand and work together with the CPC. Faced with changes unseen in a century, the journey ahead is bound to be challenging. In
his remarks, Xi called on the Party to continue its great founding
spirit. It is comprised of the principles of upholding truth and ideals,
staying true to the original aspiration and founding mission, fighting
bravely without fear of sacrifice, and remaining loyal to the Party and
faithful to the people. "Looking back
on the path we have traveled and forward to the journey that lies
ahead, it is certain that with the firm leadership of the Party and the
great unity of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, we will achieve
the goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects
and fulfill the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation," Xi said.
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