BEIJING (Dispatches) — China is marking the centenary of its ruling Communist Party this week by heralding what it says is its growing influence abroad, along with success in battling corruption at home.
Party officials on Monday heaped praise on President Xi Jinping, who has established himself as China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, and has eliminated any limits on his term in office.
China has seen huge improvements in living standards over the past four decades, accompanied by rising international economic and political heft.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s international influence, appeal and attraction have continually increased, placing it at the forefront of world politics,” Guo Yezhou, deputy head of the party’s external liaison department told reporters at a news conference held at the opening of a media center for the centenary celebrations.
Xi has made fighting corruption — and ensuring political loyalty — a hallmark of his nine years in office. Nearly 800,000 officials have been investigated for malfeasance under Xi’s rule, including 392 at or above provincial or ministerial level, said Xiao Pei, deputy head of the party’s corruption watchdog body, the Central Commission for Disciplinary Inspection.
“The struggle against corruption has attained total success and been deeply ingrained,” Xiao said at Monday’s news conference.
Xi is scheduled to confer medals and speak at an award ceremony for party heroes Tuesday, as well as presiding over Thursday’s centenary celebration at Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing. In his public addresses, Xi has reinforced the party’s goal of achieving “national rejuvenation,” more than 70 years after it took power amid civil war.
That includes bringing Taiwan under China’s full sovereignty amid rising meddling by the U.S. and its allies in the island’s affairs. Under Xi, China has also built up its military presence in the South China Sea.
A fireworks display at the Olympic stadium known as the Bird’s Nest is planned for Monday as well as a range of celebratory events across the country.