Centenary of Communist Party of China celebrated
THE Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) marks the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on July 1, and celebrations are already under way to mark the occasion.
China has much to celebrate, having reached a GDP last year of $14.7 trillion (about R209 trillion) when the GDP of the US stands at $21 trillion, making the PRC the second-largest economy in the world.
The Chinese embassy in Pretoria, together with the National Press Club, hosted a special virtual event yesterday to honour the occasion. Former president Kgalema Motlanthe, ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile and Solly Mapaila, first deputy secretary of the SACP, were among the speakers who paid tribute to the inspiration that the CPC has given the world in terms of its developmental path.
“The CPC, which is the largest political party in the world, has blazed a path of economic development that has been unprecedented,” Deputy Minister of Finance David Masondo told the virtual gathering of over 100.
“Today China stands at the frontier of global innovation, whether in artificial intelligence, robotics or biotechnology.”
Chinese Ambassador Chen Xiaodong outlined the secrets of the CPC’s success in driving the developmental agenda in the country, the foremost of which has been the principle of people-centred development.
“Political power comes from the people, and people’s support for the party is key for the party’s survival,” he said.
Dr David Monyae, the director for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, began his address by quoting the chairperson of the CPC and founding father of the People’s Republic of China, Mao Zedong, who said “people are the water, and the comrades the fish”.
China says it has lifted 770 million people out of poverty since the beginning of reform and opening up in 1978, which is more than the entire population of Europe. China achieved its goal of eradicating absolute poverty by the end of last year.
“We achieved the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule,” Ambassador Chen said. Key to China’s success has been its long succession of five-year development plans, the first one being formulated in 1953; the 14th five-year plan was set out last year.
Anil Sooklal, deputy director-general for Asia and the Middle East at the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, praised the implementation of the successive five-year plans, which he said showed that the CPC had not made empty promises. Sooklal said Africa could learn lessons from China’s achievements.
Another major achievement of the CPC has been its successful fight against corruption within the party and government. One million party officials, including 400 at the provincial level or above, have been disciplined for corruption.