Born at a moment when the Chinese nation was mired in a life-or-death crisis in 1921, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has always maintained an optimistic outlook for the nation’s future, arduously explored a development path suitable to China, and tirelessly striven for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the country’s remarkable achievements in the fields of economics, politics, the military, diplomacy, society, people’s livelihoods, ideology, education, science and technology, infrastructure, and environmental protection are all inextricably linked to the strong leadership of the CPC. Today, building upon the tremendous achievements of the past, the Chinese people are full of confidence in overcoming difficulties and achieving self-reliance to fulfill the historical mission of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization by 2049.
Today, a common phenomenon in the world is “leadership deficit”: Political leaders in many countries face low public approval, abysmal political trust, limited governance capacity, and poor governance effectiveness. In contrast, the CPC’s strong leadership, high prestige, broad popular support, and excellent governance capability stand out.
The CPC’s strong leadership stems from several important factors, some of which are tied to China’s history and national conditions and are difficult to replicate elsewhere. That said, leaders of other countries and regions can still learn from the CPC’s experience.
First and foremost, the biggest difference between the CPC and other political parties is that its service targets are not certain social classes or interests but the entire Chinese nation. The Party Constitution clearly stipulates that the CPC is the vanguard of the Chinese working class, the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. Therefore, the Party has an extremely broad range of service targets and enjoys mass support, earning the strong endorsement of the people.
Second, political parties in other countries often prioritize their own interests and are focused on short-term gains, lacking a sense of historical mission. In contrast, as Meng Jie and other scholars point out in their book The Key: The Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Path (2024): “The historical mission of the CPC today, as a mission-driven party, encompasses three dimensions: First, to promote the construction of contemporary China as a nation; second, to lead the Chinese people to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and third, to lead China and unite the world toward a world of great harmony.” This strong sense of historical mission not only strengthens the Party’s cohesion and unity but also enhances its members’ fighting spirit and pride, bolstering the Party’s overall prowess, courage, and resilience. Such lofty and far-reaching ideals are virtually unparalleled among political parties and ruling forces in other countries.
In short, the CPC’s leadership capacity is unparalleled globally today. This is a major achievement of the Party, worthy of being highlighted in its 105-year anniversary celebration; it lays a solid foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation
Third, the CPC possesses strong ideological leadership capabilities and is continually innovative in its thinking, enabling it to respond effectively to changes and maintain vitality. From the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the CPC to armed struggle, from urban uprisings to the encirclement of cities from the countryside, from relying on the working class to establishing a worker-peasant alliance, from dependence on the Soviet Union to self-reliance, from taking class struggle as the guiding principle to reform and opening-up, and from a planned economy to a socialist market economy, the CPC has made continuous progress in ideological innovation. Today, “socialism with Chinese characteristics”, “Chinese-style modernization” and “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” are the guiding ideas advocated by the CPC. All of them have powerful appeal and influence in the country, inspiring people to strive tirelessly under the CPC leadership.
Fourth, while ideological leadership plays a crucial role in the CPC, the Party, in governing the country, demonstrates a high degree of pragmatism, rationality, flexibility, inclusiveness, and strategic thinking. It particularly values policy research and scientific decision-making and is not bound by dogmatism. All major policies and plans must undergo scientific research, broad consultation, repeated argumentation, and careful consideration before being introduced, ensuring they can be implemented effectively.
Fifth, the CPC possesses a powerful and unparalleled capacity for organization and mobilization. In the past, the Chinese people were ridiculed as “a sheet of loose sand”. Today, under the leadership of the CPC, they have become a highly organized collective, capable of working together to accomplish great things under the mobilization, overall planning, and coordination of the central government. China’s “whole-nation system” allows the country to concentrate national resources on major undertakings and development. This institutional advantage is extremely rare, if not nonexistent, in other countries.
Sixth, the CPC possesses the capacity for self-correction, reform, and renewal. Over its long history, the Party has strayed from its path and made mistakes at times. However, it managed to adjust its course, strategies, and policies promptly, ensuring that the Party and the nation return to the correct path. As the authors quoted above stated: “Faced with real and ever-emerging severe tests, the Party needs to maintain its vanguard role through continuous ‘self-revolution’ and party building, including ‘remaining true to its original aspiration and keeping its mission firmly in mind’, to become the core force in promoting the modernization of national governance.” Notably, the implementation of concepts and measures such as “modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity”, the “Four Comprehensives” (comprehensively building a modern socialist country, deepening reform, governing the country according to law, and strengthening Party discipline), and “anticorruption and integrity building” attests to the CPC’s commitment to self-renewal in recent years.
Finally, the CPC is not only the leader of the Chinese people but also wields increasingly prominent international leadership. Today, many countries, especially those in the Global South, hope that China will assume greater responsibility for global peace and development. President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, the ideal of a “community with a shared future for mankind”, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative represent China’s determination and actions to fulfill its responsibilities to all humanity and have garnered widespread international support and recognition. The CPC’s rising international leadership, in turn, further strengthens its leadership position within China.
In short, the CPC’s leadership capacity is unparalleled globally today. This is a major achievement of the Party, worthy of being highlighted in its 105-year anniversary celebration; it lays a solid foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The author is professor emeritus of sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
