At 99, CPC governance legitimacy shines brighter in time of global uncertainty

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects poverty alleviation work in a tea farm of Laoxian Township, Pingli County of the city of Ankang, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. [Xinhua/Yan Yan]

   The Communist Party of China (CPC) is embracing its 99th anniversary as it leads the country's homestretch toward building a moderately prosperous society in all respects despite the impact of COVID-19 and a global economic recession.

   The CPC has reaffirmed its commitment to realizing its first centenary goal of creating a well-off society for 1.4 billion Chinese people on schedule. This transformation will be one of the world's most exciting stories in modern history.

   This miracle is created by a political party that has faced misunderstanding, distrust and even misjudgment that its existence would be short-lived.

   Uncertainties ripple through the world today, calling into question the definition of governance legitimacy. In this context, the CPC's ideas and practices are increasingly relevant and inspiring in the eyes of the international community.

   Staying true to founding mission

   Ever since the Party's founding on July 1, 1921, the Chinese communists have been struggling to seek fulfilment for the Chinese people, and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. After seven decades of governance, the CPC has transformed China from an isolated agricultural society into the world's second-largest open economy.

   Now the CPC is leading the nation's battle to wipe out the absolute poverty that has haunted the nation for thousands of years. The Party sends its finest cadres to the frontlines to make sure not a single-family is left behind on the nation's way to common prosperity.

   Sticking to its people-centred philosophy, the Party never stops striving to meet the people's needs for a better life, ranging from those in education, employment, medical services and housing, to environment, security, and fairness and justice.

   The Party has no special interests of its own. It has never been afraid of breaking the shelters of vested interests, and sweeping out obstacles hampering development.

   That is why the CPC is competent to think both strategically and pragmatically. The leadership keeps its eye on the country's sustainable future and formulates long-term plans, while at the same time setting short-term goals to solve prominent issues that concern the people the most.

   A recent survey by the Pew Research Center finds China tops the 2019 global rankings in terms of the levels of satisfaction with government performance, with over 86 per cent of Chinese surveyed expressing satisfaction, far above the global average of 47 per cent.

   This wide public support is the key to the CPC's strength and confidence in long-term governance.

   Sticking to its own path

   The CPC has created China's recipe for success, officially called "socialism with Chinese characteristics." It is a path suited to China's national conditions.

   Following this path, China keeps pushing forward reform and opening up. The market-government relationship, where the market plays a decisive role in resource allocation and the government better serves its duty, boosts steady and healthy economic development. Stability is maintained. Social creativity is sparked. The principle of "the people running the country" is put into practice in China's political and social activities.

   China is proving its resilience in the face of challenges, with its innovation faster, middle class bigger, cultural life richer, and confidence stronger than ever before.

   As the global economy contracts by 4.9-percent in a coronavirus-driven plunge in output, China is the only major economy that could see growth this year, according to a forecast by the International Monetary Fund.

   Ability to purify, improve, reform itself

   To have the courage to carry out self-reform and conduct strict self-governance is the most distinctive part of the Party's character.

   The CPC has drawn lessons from many political forces that have failed to break the historical cycle of gaining political power only to lose it. It tightens discipline, improves work styles, fights corruption, and punishes wrongdoing. China has also completed massive institutional reform, touching upon a wide range of entities of the Party and the state, paving the way for future development. Its self-reform will never end.

   The CPC is a dynamic organization with a strong ability to learn and to adapt. It has been advancing theoretical explorations and adapting Marxism to a Chinese context. By improving itself, the CPC has enhanced its ability to lead the country in the course of innovation-driven, coordinated, green, open, and shared development.

   Stressing unity & vitality

   The CPC upholds democratic centralism. It fully expands intraparty democracy, giving play to the initiative and creativity of Party organizations at all levels as well as its members. Once decisions are made, they should be effectively implemented.

   The Party exercises overall leadership and coordinates work in all areas. Under the CPC leadership, people's congresses, governments, and supervisory, judicial, procuratorial, and social organizations work together coordinately.

   Such mechanisms are especially vital for a big country with complicated national conditions. The system has proven efficient in pooling resources to deal with major problems, such as epidemic prevention and control, relieving natural disasters, and supporting the development of ethnic minorities.

Tourists admire the skyline view of Lujiazui area at the Bund in Shanghai, east China. [Xinhua/Wang Xiang]

   The CPC forges a contingent of competent and professional officials, who are a central pillar of strength for the cause of the CPC. Its distinctive organizational arrangements of selecting and appointing officials guarantee the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and maintain stability and continuity of policies, while stimulating vitality for development.

   Global perspective

   The CPC maintains an open mind towards development experiences of other countries, and is ready to share its own in this increasingly connected world. It embraces the surging trends of global multi-polarity, economic globalization, IT application, and cultural diversity.

   The Party is committed to building a community with a shared future for humanity. China has become an indispensable force in resolving global and regional issues, from wealth inequality and trade and investment to climate change, terrorism, and peace-keeping.

   The CPC has not only sought to serve the Chinese people but also made contributions to the development of the whole world through the Belt and Road Initiative, said Salah Adly, general secretary of the Egyptian Communist Party. "China pursues a strategy of international cooperation based on mutual benefit, peace, and prosperity."

   China is now moving closer to the world's centre stage, and closer than ever before to national rejuvenation.

   The victory to realize the first centenary goal lies ahead, but so do hardships. China is still the world's biggest developing country. It is also facing a complicated external environment, especially when protectionism and unilateralism are bringing uncertainty to the world.

   The CPC must continue to reinforce itself for another lofty target: a great, modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful.

   As it turns 99, the Party is starting anew to answer history's call in a new era.