Focus on Arts and Ecology

July 2, 2021

On July 1, the Communist Party of China (CPC) turned 100 years old. During that time, it has grown from a small group of intellectuals inspired by the 1917 Bolshevist-led revolution in Russia to one of the largest political parties in the world, with more than 95 million members.

On Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a landmark victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, known as a "Xiaokang" society in Chinese. 

"We have realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects," Xi Jinping said at a grand gathering at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing. 

In addition, Xi called on all members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to rally and lead the Chinese people on a new journey towards realizing the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

A wide range of celebratory events took place over the last week including PLA aircraft formations flying over Tian'anmen Square as well as "Epic Journey," an art performance featuring four chapters depicting how the Chinese people carried out revolution, construction and reform over the past century.

CGTN has continued to provide ongoing special coverage of Centenary including the following series:

The Art of Party 

"The Art of the Party" series shows you the historic moments of the Party in the run-up to the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding. Check out the following episodes released this week: 

• A critical moment in modern Chinese history was captured in oil paints by artist Shen Yaoyi in 1997. The painting depicts the famous Zunyi Conference, a meeting by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Southwest China's Guizhou province in 1935 during which Mao Zedong was named Party leader and assumed command of the Red Army.
• To repel Japanese invaders during World War Two, Chinese peasants resorted to tunnel warfare. In 1941, the Sino-Japanese War was in its fifth year. The Chinese call it the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. That year, the fighting entered a decisive stage. Chinese forces refused to surrender. 
• The Communist Party of China and Chairman Mao Zedong decided China would make self-reliance in these technologies a top priority. Scientists and engineers returned from abroad to help.They found themselves in the vast Gobi Desert in Western China, starting from scratch. Artist Luo Genxing was one of them, who recorded this special chapter of Chinese history with brush and color.

New Endeavors 

The New Endeavors series focuses on the people, movements and forces that shaped modern China. Here are a few of our latest episodes: 

• With only 10 percent of the world’s land resources, China needs to feed 20 percent of the world’s population. Since 1978, China has already managed to lift more than 800 million people out of poverty – most of them in rural areas through modern agriculture.
• During some of the worst moments of the coronavirus in Wuhan, Chinese workers came together and built a hospital in just 10 days. Protecting the environment was a crucial part of the process, especially when it came to dealing with an infectious disease. See how technology and sustainable development play a role in modern China.
• Shield machines are indispensable when it comes to large-scale tunnel projects such as urban subways, mountain tunnels, and sea crossing tunnels. Now, the “made in China” shield machine has been exported to 25 countries and regions globally.

Why the CPC survived?

According to Rana Mitter, a professor of the history and politics of modern China at the University of Oxford, one of the factors behind the CPC's longevity compared with other political movements is its ability to adapt.

(Sources: China Report)