Party stands firm in its ideals and convictions: China Daily editorial

As some Western powers spare no effort to smear the Communist Party of China for their narrow ends, the publication the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee issued on Thursday comes at exactly the right time to set the record straight.

"The CPC: Its Mission and Contributions" summarizes all the struggles, sacrifices and achievements the Party has made in seeking happiness for the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation since its founding in 1921.

These are its aspiration and mission, and the CPC, which has never represented any interest group, unlike the parties in developed countries that represent the interests of certain groups, has united and led the Chinese people to realize the most extensive and profound social changes in the history of the Chinese nation.

By applying the guiding theories of Marxism and the principle of seeking truth from facts to address the practical needs of the country, the Party has made a series of innovations in theory and practice that have enabled China to catch up with the times.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics is a virtuous circle of theoretical breakthroughs, tried and tested and applied. This has enabled the Party to raise the living standards of the Chinese people from bare subsistence to an overall level of moderate prosperity, and to transform the country into the world's second-largest economy.

This process has also helped to maintain the vitality of the Party, as it has never ceased in its efforts to improve itself. And this has enabled it to overcome one test after another, and stay true to its original aspiration and mission.

As such, the difficulties it has faced and overcome, instead of weakening it, have strengthened it. That is true today, as its adaptability, governance capacity and leadership capabilities continue to be enhanced in the face of the current challenges.

It is no accident that the Party has developed from a small political organization with just a few dozen members to become the largest ruling party in the world with more than 95 million members.

The great development achievements the country has made have driven home the point that the Party, which was chosen by history and the people, was and is the right choice for the country.

To realize national rejuvenation and a better life for the Chinese people, the Party has remained true to what General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping has succinctly described as "its great struggle, great project, great cause, and great dream". No matter how the world changes, the Party will always uphold and act on the values shared by all human beings — peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom.

The Party will carry forward the spirit of internationalism, and always stand on the right side of history, and work to build a new type of international relations to realize a global community with a shared future.