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Changing perspective of Communist Party of China
This month the world`s largest political party -- Communist Party of China (CPC) - with a membership that is running beyond the 66 million mark-- observed its 82nd anniversary. However, the anniversary came at a time when the new generation leaders, headed by Hu Jintao, are trying to strengthen their grip on the apex body in a fast-changing, increasingly capitalist Chinese society.Report: Prionka Jha
Report: Prionka Jha
This month the world’s largest political party -- Communist Party of China (CPC) - with a membership that is running beyond the 66 million mark-- observed its 82nd anniversary. However, the anniversary came at a time when the new generation leaders, headed by Hu Jintao, are trying to strengthen their grip on the apex body in a fast-changing, increasingly capitalist Chinese society. It has to be understood in the light of major swings that the party has undergone over the years. One can see the consistent yet magnificent struggle undertaken by CPC before it finally emerged victorious and founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Under the leadership of stalwarts like Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin - China was transformed from a war-ravaged and poverty-stricken country in 1949 to an Asian superpower of today. CPC was founded on July 01, 1921 in Shanghai, though it came to power in 1949 after defeating the Nationalists in a civil war that ended with the latter fleeing to Taiwan. Mao Zedong was the hero of that struggle. It was he who guided the ideology and tactics for the nascent Chinese nationalism and thus emerged as the first leader of CPC. Mao Zedong – The Great Helmsman
Mao Zedong, one of the founding members of CPC, is viewed by some within CPC as the person whose policies proved disastrous and whose tenure was marked by corruption and decadence all around. The so-called “Great Leap Forward” policy of collectivised farming and rapid industrialisation led to nationwide famine that took the life of millions. This policy led to muted criticism of Mao. But neither he nor the Party ever apologised for the scale of the mistake. The Cultural Revolution, which he launched to purge political opponents, dragged on for ten years and ended up destroying much of China’s social fabric. Though he tried his best to maintain a semblance of unity and prosperity in the veil of communism, it slowly eroded the confidence of the younger generation as they suffered unemployment and alienation from their past. It uprooted them and the result was social chaos. Despite this, the view among a large chunk of partymen now is that although the so-called “Great Helmsman” committed serious mistakes and created ideological upheaval, these were secondary to his contributions to the Party and to modern China. Deng Xiaoping – The Architect
He was the next line of leaders who saw through the modernisation of China especially after 1978. Chinese reforms went ahead at a great pace though it was a cautious approach to open to the world straight away. Part of his desire was to undo the harm done by Mao earlier and part was to undertake China on the path of the modern world, so that it does not lag behind the rest. It was he who oversaw the historic change of direction for China by instituting “Four Modernisations” that implied reforms in agriculture, industry, defence and science and technology. As a result in the 1980s, China became the fastest growing economy in the world. On the flip side, he however, is also remembered as the one who had sent troops to clear Tiananmen Square in 1989. During his tenure CPC exercised great control over the direction and intensity of Chinese reforms. Even after him Jiang Zemin, his chosen successor, continued to work on the same lines. Jiang Zemin – The Chief Engineer
He has been credited with repairing China’s international ties following condemnation over Tiananmen Square and for overseeing a decade of rapid economic growth. He was described as an imaginative leader whose priority was to maintain social stability, continue with gradual economic reforms and keep the Party’s grip on power secure. He expounded the “Three Representations Theory” in an attempt to modernise the party. This theory implied that the party should further the development of “advanced social productive forces” (allow entrepreneurs and professionals to become party members), develop culture and represent the majority of the people. “Communist Party itself must adapt and allow capitalists to join its ranks,” said Zemin. When he was heading the CPC, he pushed very hard for the Party to change its attitude towards the once hated exploiters of the workers and peasants. Private entrepreneurship has been invited to join the party ranks for the first time in the history of CPC. This represents a totally new perspective of CPC in a changing global scenario. It is a clear indication that the party does not want to lose its grip over the emerging social and economic order. Hu Jintao –New face of CPC
Only time will tell whether Hu Jintao, the new generation leader, keeps up the promises made in the constitution of Communist Party of China that reads as following: “The Communist Party of China is the vanguard both of the Chinese working class and of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. It is the core of leadership for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and represents the development trend of China`s advanced productive forces, the orientation of China`s advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people. The realisation of communism is the highest ideal and ultimate goal of the Party.”
This month the world’s largest political party -- Communist Party of China (CPC) - with a membership that is running beyond the 66 million mark-- observed its 82nd anniversary. However, the anniversary came at a time when the new generation leaders, headed by Hu Jintao, are trying to strengthen their grip on the apex body in a fast-changing, increasingly capitalist Chinese society. It has to be understood in the light of major swings that the party has undergone over the years. One can see the consistent yet magnificent struggle undertaken by CPC before it finally emerged victorious and founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Under the leadership of stalwarts like Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin - China was transformed from a war-ravaged and poverty-stricken country in 1949 to an Asian superpower of today. CPC was founded on July 01, 1921 in Shanghai, though it came to power in 1949 after defeating the Nationalists in a civil war that ended with the latter fleeing to Taiwan. Mao Zedong was the hero of that struggle. It was he who guided the ideology and tactics for the nascent Chinese nationalism and thus emerged as the first leader of CPC. Mao Zedong – The Great Helmsman
Mao Zedong, one of the founding members of CPC, is viewed by some within CPC as the person whose policies proved disastrous and whose tenure was marked by corruption and decadence all around. The so-called “Great Leap Forward” policy of collectivised farming and rapid industrialisation led to nationwide famine that took the life of millions. This policy led to muted criticism of Mao. But neither he nor the Party ever apologised for the scale of the mistake. The Cultural Revolution, which he launched to purge political opponents, dragged on for ten years and ended up destroying much of China’s social fabric. Though he tried his best to maintain a semblance of unity and prosperity in the veil of communism, it slowly eroded the confidence of the younger generation as they suffered unemployment and alienation from their past. It uprooted them and the result was social chaos. Despite this, the view among a large chunk of partymen now is that although the so-called “Great Helmsman” committed serious mistakes and created ideological upheaval, these were secondary to his contributions to the Party and to modern China. Deng Xiaoping – The Architect
He was the next line of leaders who saw through the modernisation of China especially after 1978. Chinese reforms went ahead at a great pace though it was a cautious approach to open to the world straight away. Part of his desire was to undo the harm done by Mao earlier and part was to undertake China on the path of the modern world, so that it does not lag behind the rest. It was he who oversaw the historic change of direction for China by instituting “Four Modernisations” that implied reforms in agriculture, industry, defence and science and technology. As a result in the 1980s, China became the fastest growing economy in the world. On the flip side, he however, is also remembered as the one who had sent troops to clear Tiananmen Square in 1989. During his tenure CPC exercised great control over the direction and intensity of Chinese reforms. Even after him Jiang Zemin, his chosen successor, continued to work on the same lines. Jiang Zemin – The Chief Engineer
He has been credited with repairing China’s international ties following condemnation over Tiananmen Square and for overseeing a decade of rapid economic growth. He was described as an imaginative leader whose priority was to maintain social stability, continue with gradual economic reforms and keep the Party’s grip on power secure. He expounded the “Three Representations Theory” in an attempt to modernise the party. This theory implied that the party should further the development of “advanced social productive forces” (allow entrepreneurs and professionals to become party members), develop culture and represent the majority of the people. “Communist Party itself must adapt and allow capitalists to join its ranks,” said Zemin. When he was heading the CPC, he pushed very hard for the Party to change its attitude towards the once hated exploiters of the workers and peasants. Private entrepreneurship has been invited to join the party ranks for the first time in the history of CPC. This represents a totally new perspective of CPC in a changing global scenario. It is a clear indication that the party does not want to lose its grip over the emerging social and economic order. Hu Jintao –New face of CPC
Only time will tell whether Hu Jintao, the new generation leader, keeps up the promises made in the constitution of Communist Party of China that reads as following: “The Communist Party of China is the vanguard both of the Chinese working class and of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. It is the core of leadership for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and represents the development trend of China`s advanced productive forces, the orientation of China`s advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people. The realisation of communism is the highest ideal and ultimate goal of the Party.”