CPC draws strength from history amid its centenary

When Xi joined discussions with legislators and political advisers during the two sessions earlier this month, he underlined the importance of the education campaign in building a stronger Marxist ruling party and striving for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

Speaking to deputies to the National People's Congress from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Xi stressed that "no matter how far we may go and how glorious the future is, we should not forget where we came from and why we started".

In discussions with legislators from Qinghai province, he said that through the education campaign, Party members and officials should be guided not to lose their direction amid the complex situation and not draw back when confronting arduous struggles.

The Chinese people, particularly young people and children, should be guided to better understand "why the CPC and Marxism work in China and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good for the country", he added.

The campaign will focus on reviewing the glorious journey of the CPC's centurylong struggle and guiding all Party members to fully understand the Party's great contributions to the nation as well as the fundamental purpose of the Party to serve the people, according to a circular issued by the CPC Central Committee in February.

Xi sets great store by history. He particularly emphasizes revolutionary history, describing it as "the best textbook" for Chinese Communists. Over the past eight years, he has paid several visits to places with a milestone significance in the Party's history. These visits represent the CPC's efforts to rediscover the strength it needs in its unwavering quest for national rejuvenation.

For example, in October 2017, the CPC leadership, led by Xi, visited the replica of a historic boat in eastern China where the Party's dream set sail. In 1921, the founders of the Party, attending the First CPC National Congress, were forced to leave a small building in Shanghai where the meeting had been taking place. They then continued the proceedings of the congress in a boat on Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province.

In September 2019, Xi visited a revolutionary memorial site in the Fragrant Hills in suburban Beijing ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China. In March 1949, the CPC Central Committee made the Fragrant Hills its headquarters for half a year, where the Party led the War of Liberation (1946-49) to nationwide victory.

"We must be clearheaded and determined as preparing for tough tests to deliver performances that can withstand the test of time in the new era," Xi said during the visit.

Observers said that the campaign of Party history learning and education, along with previous thematic education campaigns such as "staying true to our founding mission", will become part of the prelude to China's journey of future success.

Qin Qiang, deputy director of the Research Center of the National Publicity Cadres Academy, said that drawing wisdom and strength from the Party's history and experiences has been the fine tradition and political advantage of the CPC in its development over the past century.