A Century of the Chinese Communist Party: Overcoming the Challenges

(Jul 3, 2021)

The Chinese Communist Party, the world's second largest political party, has entered its centenary on July 1. On this day, 100 years ago, Mao Zedong formed this party in a secret meeting in a small brick house in Shanghai. This traditional party defeated the main rival Kuomintang in the civil war and later established and ruled the People's Republic of China. According to US media outlet CNN, the party currently has more than nine and a half million members, about (.) seven percent of China's total population. Mao Zedong, the father of the People's Republic of China, one of the founders of the party, ascended to power in 1949 and led the country and the party for nearly three decades. He is one of the dreamers of present day China. Zhou En-lai's path as an ally of Mao and one of the heads of his government is almost the same. The two leaders ascended to power and died in the same year. Zhou En-lai's efforts strengthened China's ties with the West. Despite the fragile economy and the burden of the population, the Chinese Communist Party-led government has remained steadfast in overcoming the multifaceted crisis. The country controls two economic superpowers, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It has implemented all the difficult policies.

Photo Credit: REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Performers rally around the Red Flag during a show commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China at the National Stadium in Beijing, China June 28, 2021.
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The crisis that the country had to face in order to gain membership in the UN Security Council is today paying off in full. The country has become the new superpower of the world economy. Despite receiving trade benefits from the United States, the country has recently shown its current economic potential by responding to the US trade war with equal pace. Although communism has been defeated in many countries of the world in the face of capitalism, the Chinese Communist Party has maintained its power by bringing timely reforms in China. In particular, the party is credited with overcoming the fears created by the collapse of the neighboring Soviet Union. The Chinese Communist Party did not collect only praise but also condemnation! On the one hand, the transition from one of the world's poorest countries to an economic superpower and on the other hand, the loss of countless starving people in famine as compensation for a failed policy has created a dark chapter in the country's history. The indiscriminate killing of protesting students in Tiananmen Square is one of the most brutal incidents of the last century. It is the only party in China that has been able to suppress dissent. Freedom of expression has been regulated along.  The recent persecution of Uyghur Muslims is dissipating the image of the party celebrating its centenary. The insignificant presence of women has also left the door open for criticism at the moment of the party's centenary celebrations.

However, current President Xi Jinping replaced Hu Jin Tao in power in 2013. He has already hinted at China's long-term leadership. His policies have opened new horizons for China. From the very beginning, grand projects like the Belt and Road Initiative have given China a breakthrough on the world leadership highway. The country will invest in about 70 countries and international organizations under this project. Xi's government is making alternatives while continuing the ownership dispute in the South China Sea. The country has already succeeded in taking control of important ports in the Indian Ocean. Several African countries, along with Myanmar and Sri Lanka, have also become bases for China. The country did not hesitate to approach Bangladesh to face India in the Bay of Bengal. On the other hand, the United States is busy resisting China by implementing the 'Indo-Pacific Strategy' with India in which Japan and Australia are providing military support. China has also been prudent in dealing with border tensions with India. China is mainly alerting the United States by sending energy to neighboring countries including Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. By accepting the enemy of the enemy as a friend, it is as if China is applying the principle of philosophical cunning of Kautilya of ancient India. China has relations with isolated countries namely Iran and North Korea. The Xi Jinping government has already begun to succeed in tackling the US-based global economic system. AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) has also attracted US allies. It currently has the potential to become the next center of the world economy with 103 members. China is the biggest ace in technology.  As the Chinese market becomes more accessible, it is turning into a world market.

The world media has covered the centenary celebrations of the Chinese Communist Party and the current leader of China, Xi Jinping. Xi warned that if anyone stood in the way of China's becoming a superpower, it would be resisted like the Great Wall of China. China will not tolerate anyone's interference. Needless to say, Xi Jinping hinted at confronting the Western superpowers. He outlined himself as the leader of China's groundbreaking change and outlined a modern, powerful one-party state. The melody of nationalism can also be heard in the program. The idea is that this is an attempt to restore the image of the minority. Various media outlets have suggested that Xi Jinping could take advantage of the centenary celebrations to bring himself to same status with the memory of Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

Furthermore, Covid-19 has spread from China. Although it was awkward for China at the beginning, China has been the pioneer in dealing with the pandemic. While most countries in the world, including Europeans, are unable to cope with the pandemic, China has maintained its unstoppable pace. Although the Western media has accused China of withholding information about the pandemic, it is not having much of an impact on China. Xi Jinping congratulated Bangladesh on the 50th anniversary of its independence. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted him on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of the Chinese Communist Party as well. Greetings to the people of China who are cooperating in the development of Bangladesh.

Author: Md. Ferdous Alom, a former student of International Relations, University of Dhaka.