Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, emphasized the need for more achievements in the Party’s theoretical innovation during a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The session took place on Friday, a day before the CPC’s 102nd founding anniversary, which fell on Saturday.
Xi underscored the importance of deepening the understanding of the Party’s theoretical innovation. He emphasized that it is the solemn historical responsibility of today’s Chinese Communists to pioneer new frontiers by adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and contemporary needs.
Chinese analysts interpreted Xi’s remarks as an acknowledgment that the CPC must forge its own path and renew its theories through innovation and practical experience, as there are no precedents to guide the Party’s journey toward the goals of Chinese modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
An article by Xi, who is also the Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, was published in the 13th issue of this year’s Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee. In the article, Xi called on young officials to develop into individuals capable of shouldering the responsibilities of their time.
The article urged young officials to remain loyal and deserving of the trust of the Party and the people. It emphasized that the growth of young officials is crucial for the Party and the people’s cause, which must be carried forward by future generations. The article stressed the importance of unwavering faith in Marxism and the pursuit of the great ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Furthermore, the article cautioned young officials to guard against corruption and moral decline, highlighting corruption as the most serious problem facing the Party, as it can lead to the subversion of political power.
Experts noted that across the nation, numerous young officials and Party members born after 1985 and in the 1990s have been appointed to key positions at various levels. These young Party members, well-educated and equipped with new thoughts and ideas, are capable of exploration and innovation.
Guided by a sense of mission, providing trust, space for practice, and opportunities for innovation are seen as vital for the Party to receive new strengths and impetus from the younger generations, including those born in the 1980s, 1990s, and even 2000s, according to analysts.
Shi Jiacheng, a graduate student at Shanghai Jiaotong University and a probationary Party member, expressed that the common goal of young Party members in this new era is to strive for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the realization of Communism. Shi also highlighted the responsibility to guide and contribute to the joint development of mankind, as China is expected to become one of the leading countries globally in the next two to three decades.
The Communist Party of China witnessed an increase in its membership to 98.041 million by the end of 2022, according to the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee. This represents a 1.4 percent growth from 2021, making it the world’s largest Marxist governing party.
Yang Xuedong, a professor of political science at Tsinghua University, emphasized the leadership role of the CPC as a large party with a significant number of members. He highlighted the Party’s responsibility to lead China’s 1.4 billion people in overcoming unprecedented challenges amidst a volatile global landscape. Yang stated that the Party must innovate, explore, and find new strengths from the upcoming generations to realize its great historic goals in the coming decades.