The Communist Party of China (CPC) is fundamentally distinct from Western political parties in nature and purpose, and its survival and dynamism across a century depends on always being committed to its original aspiration and founding mission and serving the interests of the vast majority, a prominent Chinese scholar said on the CPC's 105th founding anniversary.
Li Junru, former vice president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, underscored the CPC's essence at "The Power of Ideas," a flagship speech series of the China Global Television Network (CGTN) focused on ideas shaping China's development and global governance.
In a speech at the CGTN program which aired on Tuesday, one day ahead of the CPC's 105th birthday, Li offered a detailed explanation of the CPC's historical origins and its distinct political identity.
Noting that Western political parties primarily serve as electoral instruments competing for power, he stressed that the CPC, by contrast, is of a different kind.
"The CPC was born out of the convergence of Marxism-Leninism with Chinese workers' movement against the broader backdrop of national awakening and rejuvenation. Historically, the Chinese people have been averse to the idea of a 'party' as a factional organization formed by a select group of people to pursue their own political interests and compete for power. The CPC was established in accordance with the principles of the Communist Manifesto, which seek benefits for the vast majority, and at the same time, its founding principles were deeply aligned with the teachings of Chinese fine traditional culture. Although the English translation for the CPC still uses the word 'party,' the connotation is entirely different," he said.
Turning to the CPC's governing responsibilities, Li reaffirmed the Party's original aspiration and founding mission is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.
He also emphasized that CPC must have the strong determination to fight against the corrupting pull of power and privilege among its members to maintain its enduring strength and credibility with the people.
"The original aspiration and founding mission of the Communist Party of China is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. At the same time, CPC members are well aware that the road ahead is fraught with risks and challenges, and after becoming the governing party, it is even more essential to guard against the dual corrosive effects of power and personal gain among Party members and officials. Therefore, just as General Secretary Xi Jinping said, only by remaining true to our original aspiration, keeping our mission firmly in mind, and forging ahead unremittingly can the Communist Party of China remain young forever," he said.
CPC fundamentally different in nature from Western political parties: scholar
