What distinguishes the Communist Party of China (CPC) from so many other political parties across the globe? How has the CPC survived for 105 years, boasting over 100 million membership?
Essentially it has held the country together as a bond, with leaders of immaculate integrity shouldering the responsibility of peoples’ power. From Chairman Mao to Deng Xiaoping and Xi Jinping, the basic ethos of the party has remained resilient and undefeatable.
In the post-Gorbachev era, Russia abandoned the organic Communist Party ideals to stay in step with the changes. The Communist Party of China (CPC), on other hand, stuck to the core ideals as spelt out a 105 years ago, but stayed dynamic, particularly under Deng Xiaping. It retained the essence of ideology while embracing change through recalibration. No surprise China has shocked the world with its progress in leaps and bounds – leaving the rest of the world behind.
As a reflective body, the CPC remained open to change, entirely people-centric, wedded to the ideals of inclusive social justice, equitable development and committed to across-the-board rule of law.
What is the Party’s mission” keep the country together despite the immense socio-cultural, ethnic and geographical diversity under the motto of democracy with Chinese characteristics.
What are those characteristics?
Top of all is the party leadership – the secretary general Xi and the the 7-member Politburo Standing Committee (PSC). The current composition is:
- General Secretary
- Politburo Standing Committee (7-members including Xi)
- Politburo (24 members)
- Party Congress Central Committee
What is the secret behind widespread consensus around the CPC?
The party stands out as a dynamic, reflective entity with its people-centric, responsive governance that is rooted in ancient Chinese wisdom; the king is a boat and the people are the sea. Turmoil of sea can take down the king. The top seven leaders including XI boast unmatched integrity and command respect across the board for the simple reason; no body has ever pointed finger at them for misconduct. Whoever gets caught is instantly shown the door and subjected to trial.
Since 2012, President Xi has, together with six members of the Politburo Standing Committee, has anchored the China boat, entirely focused on the redressal of peoples’ problems.
The party, said Zheng Huan, a party official during a symposium at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, draws its strength from a thinking rooted in a rule-of-law, people-centric and development strategy. Instead of blaming others, we have institutionalized truth-seeking through introspection, reflection , said Huan who is associated with the Party’s Accountability/Anti-Corruption department.
After almost 14 years, China’s anti-corruption campaign has evolved from a crackdown into a permanent governing mechanism that Chinese government and party officials dread alike because of the certainty of punishment if caught.
In the words of Xi, corruption represents the gravest threat to both the party and the society. We must fight it at all levels and must win.
Still guided by the spirit inculcated by Chairman Mao (keep moving on undeterred by the enemy) the party and its leadership exudes confidence in victory, pursues social stability and justice through responsive governance driven by pragmatic policy adjustments.
