Celebrating the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China

The Communist Party of China, commonly known as the CPC, is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China, with its membership up to 95 million. 

The significant achievement of the CPC has been the unity of the Chinese people on one platform and one structure. The CPC has changed the fate of the Chinese people and has improved their standard of life. Today, Chinese people enjoy great quality of life, purchasing power, as well as outstanding public transport, infrastructure, housing, healthcare and public security.

I believe several events changed the historical destiny of the Chinese people; starting with the patriotic nationalist Dr. Sun Yat-sen and his movement for China's sovereign independence, the Long March of the Communists during the years of internal upheaval and the years in Yan'an, particularly 1942-45 when the Communist Party of China (CPC) adopted a party constitution that endorsed Marxist-Leninist and Mao Zedong Thought as guiding ideology.

The generational leadership efforts and the ideological steadfastness of the CPC from its founding, to the era of opening up and reform process ranging from Comrade Deng Xiaoping to the new era guided by Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era at the core is reason why the Party has been constantly improving its character and its member's quality, exercising guidance over all its members by means of its principles, rules, discipline and duties.

Unique System

The CPC holds up ideals of self-discipline and social commitment with its 'people-first' form of wise leadership and policymaking. Since its founding, the CPC has courageously developed its ideology through self-correction and this has enabled it to move in the right direction.

Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people through resilience, hard work, and with great courage and insight have been in control of their own destiny. Notwithstanding the complexity of running a nation with a population of more than 1.4 billion people, which demonstrates China's need for and ability of an efficient decision-making mechanism.

The Chinese people take harmony as an important principle in daily affairs and interpersonal relationships; one firmly embedded in the Chinese culture. The year 2020 saw China achieve a milestone never before seen in the history of mankind; that of moving all of the Chinese people out of abject poverty.

The way the CPC has been dealing with the reform and opening up process, both politically and economically has demonstrated how it is able to steer its development at a pace where the ultimate result is greater prosperity for its people.

As China strives to build a community with a shared future for mankind, some of the challenges are to dispel the view that modernization means westernization, and for China to protect and defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and promote national interests. China's development path has shown how to integrate market forces into socialism.

China's political party system perfectly combines both theory and practice. The theory of the CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation system is rooted in the history of modern China, specifically arising after the Opium Wars in the 19th century. It was a choice made by the Chinese people in the effort to propel their nation to greater heights through the fusion of Marxist political party theories and China's actual conditions. One can see a peaceful co-existence between Marx, Engels, Lenin, Mao, and now Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The CPC's governance capacity is strong theoretically, intellectually, ideologically and has great implementation ability; all embedded in its system of socialism with Chinese Characteristics. Thus, making it a Party with a culture of strategic knowledge, and long-term development plans which focus on the people's well-being, with policies that benefit society at large.

In the process of developing its system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation, the CPC, non-communist parties and personages without party affiliation, have achieved great political innovation. The history and achievements of the People's Republic of China have proven that this new type of political party system that integrates theory and practice can authentically represent and realize the fundamental interests of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.

China's new type of political party system avoids the challenges which arise from a lack of democratic supervision under "one-party rule", as well as the political upheaval caused by power rotation and destructive competition amongst multiple parties. The CPC, the non-communist parties and those without any party affiliation have formed a harmonious and democratic political ecosystem through which effective cooperation and interaction is able to take place. It is very unique in nature and in outlook.

Political consultation emphasizes the role of institutions and respect for procedure while avoiding the social fragmentation caused by ideological differences between political parties. Political consultation advocates dialogue and inclusiveness, and represents an important contribution to the political civilization of humanity. In the mantra of Namibian President, H.E. Dr. Hage Geingob: nobody must feel left out.

The world's Marxists are appreciating the CPC because it has used all the phases through its existence to come to where it is today. The CPC has developed a culture of its own in the 100 years of its existence, guided by Marxism, and with the spirit of indigenous innovation which has been able to integrate theories, teachings found in the Chinese culture and civilisation to form its own strong ideology. This political party system features characteristics that are distinctly Chinese.

I think the CPC has been loyal and practical to the call of Marxism, and they also learned from the challenges and lessons from the Soviet Union. As a person who lived in the Soviet Union, I can say that the CPC has promoted socialism by maintaining good relations with sister parties who are like-minded, in terms of socialist ideals. The CPC has also been training cadres from other parts of the world in their respective party schools.

Harmonious Interaction

The rejuvenation of China is a great contribution to the world and it has been playing an increasingly important role on most international and global issues, and the involvement in international affairs has improved the world's stability and harmony.

China has opened up to the world and is sharing its prosperity, experience, expertise and technological know-how to assist other nations to achieve their own respective development plans. Namibia could draw many lessons from China, which is the first developing country to realize one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for poverty reduction; an achievement representing 70 percent of the global poverty reduction effort.

The contributions of CPC towards the liberation movements in Africa and the new era of cooperation through Belt and Road Initiative are commendable and admirable efforts from China; an opportunity for China to share her prosperity with the world. It might be helpful to read President Xi Jinping's books to fully appreciate this system with Chinese characteristics in the New Era.

The close contact between SWAPO of Namibia and CPC has enabled the leaders of the two parties to collaborate on many important issues. SWAPO established contact with the CPC in 1965, when Dr. Sam Nujoma came to China to ask for assistance, and of which Chairman Mao and the CPC gave, to help our revolution.

I have been in China for five years. This year, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The People's Republic of China is endowed with a sophisticated political system and a great people, led by the powerful and strong Party which ended the century of Chinese humiliation.

As a Head of Mission for the Embassy of the Republic of Namibia, in Beijing, I have had the honour of attending the National People's Congress "Two-Sessions" as an invited guest. I have also had interesting and meaningful contact with members of the CPC and provincial local governments, and this has helped me to learn more about the CPC and China as a country.

My travels in this great nation have acquainted me with the level of development in different Chinese cities and provinces. Also worth mentioning is the central government's focus on improving people's livelihoods and the protection of intangible and tangible cultural heritage and rites.

SWAPO, in 2017, adopted socialism with Namibian Characteristics as its ideology, and the scope of collaboration between SWAPO and CPC includes party-to-party exchanges, training and education. The bilateral relationship between Namibia and China, at present, enjoys strategic partnership based on mutual benefit cooperation with good diplomatic relations since 1990 at our independence.

No mountain or valley shall separate two nations working together toward a common goal of global peace, security and harmony. May the People's Republic of China under the guidance of the strong leadership of the CPC with the patriotic spirit of the Chinese people shown over the century, continue to work toward realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

Lastly, I wish to extend best wishes and congratulations to the rank and file of the CPC on achieving this important milestone.

The author is a member of the CC of SWAPO Party and ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to China.