China’s Communist Party turns 86, still going strong
CHINA: China’s ruling Communist Party turned 86 on Sunday
vowing to make itself stronger, cleaner and more responsive in order to
take on fresh challenges and meet the people’s new expectations.
The party, which boasts 73 million members, needs to enhance
“self-construction” in the face of “unprecedented opportunities and
challenges” facing China’s development, said an editorial in the party
mouthpiece, the People’s Daily.
“We should comprehensively grasp new demands coming up as our country
develops and the people have new expectations,” said the editorial
marking the 86th anniversary of the founding of the party, which has
monopolised power since the 1949 revolution.
The editorial unusually was relegated to page two as the party bash
took a back seat to celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Hong
Kong’s return to Chinese rule.
About 2.6 million people joined the party in 2006, or 160,000 more
than the 2005 figure, state television said. One-third of the new
members are women and 80 percent of them aged below 35.
The editorial was in line with a keynote speech by party chief Hu
Jintao last Monday, setting the tone for the 17th party congress in the
autumn. Hu is expected to further consolidate power at the congress
through a leadership reshuffle and unveil his national agenda for the
next five years.
Hu’s speech elevated his political doctrines — harmonious society and
scientific development — to the same political status as those of his
predecessors. Analysts said this paved the way for him to join the
country’s pantheon of socialist greats.
Hu, who took the party’s top job in 2002, pledged cautious reforms to
expand citizens’ “orderly political participation” but insisted they
should adhere to a “correct direction” with continuous one-party rule.
“A great cause needs a great party, and only a great party can
shoulder a great cause,” the People’s Daily editorial said.
“We should train high-quality leaders, cadres and party members,” it
said.
“The party’s creativity, cohesion and combat capability must be
unremittingly enhanced.” The editorial echoed Hu’s call to deepen
intra-party democracy and his emphasis on the battle against graft,
which leaders have repeatedly warned threatened the party’s survival.
“We should fully understand the long-term, difficult and complex
natures of the anti-corruption struggle,” the editorial said. “Facing an
arduous mission and heavy tasks, all party comrades must think of danger
while in times of safety.”
Beijing, Sunday, Reuters |