Аннотация: I was a participant of the 10th Beijing Conference. I thank professors Chan and Chong for their attention, as well as Ms. Ma, who gave me time and allowed me to defend my work on March 25, 2025. History of the CPC (Chinese Communist Party).
Explanatory note
I. Motivation for Studying Chinese Topics
Initial Curiosity and Philosophical Influence
Why did you become interested in this (Chinese) topic (name: History of the CPC)?
My interest in Chinese history, culture, and traditions began with a childlike curiosity, which deepened after I encountered several works by European philosophers discussing China. This led me to pursue Sinology (Chinese studies) as a field of exploration.
Influence of Key European Thinkers
After familiarizing myself with the writings of Georg Hegel (1770-1831), Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924), Oswald Spengler (1880-1936), and Karl Jaspers (1883-1969), I was motivated to investigate Chinese thought and history more thoroughly. Each philosopher offered a unique perspective that shaped my approach:
Georg Hegel: In works such as "Philosophy of Right" (1820) and "Encyclopedia of Philosophical Sciences" (1817-1830, including "Science of Logic"), Hegel described Eastern thought as "empty and stagnant" compared to Western (Judeo-Greco-Roman) philosophy. He viewed it as a spiritual substance lacking subjectivity, submissive to despotic rule, and devoid of freedom, famously asserting that "there is no 'Eastern philosophy.'" Intrigued by this Eurocentric stance, I sought to determine its validity for myself.
Vladimir Lenin: Lenin, as left Hegelian influenced by Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872), argued that China, particularly a future communist China, would succeed Soviet Russia as a global leader. He predicted Soviet Russia"s dominance for at least 200 years (though it lasted only 73 years, 1917-1991), after which China would carry the "communist banner."
In works like 1. "The Chinese War" (1900), 2. "On the National Pride of the Great Russians" (1914), 3. "Imperialism as the Highest Stage of Capitalism" (1916), 4. "Theses for the II Congress of the Communist International" (1920), 5. "Better less, but better" (1923) and 6. "On China" (1926, posthumous work), Lenin envisioned a shift of economic and social power from Europe to China following the collapse of the "Second Communist State" (after the Paris Commune of 1871, how First Communist State). His ideas about intellectual refuge in China amid European bourgeois oppression inspired me to explore his political theories on the transmission of communist ideals from France and Germany to Russia and China.
Oswald Spengler: In his two-volume "The Decline of the West" (1918 and 1922), Spengler predicted the decline of Western (Faustian) culture and a shift in historical dynamics toward Asia. In Volume II, Part II, Chapter IV, he declared Europe"s time was ending, with leading nations like Germany, France, and Britain facing degradation over the next century due to the loss of valor and honor, replaced by mercantilism and profit-driven motives. Spengler suggested China or Japan could assume leadership in Asia and globally, a theme echoed in "Prussianism and Socialism" (1920). This prompted me to analyze why European institutions of free speech and human rights might be deteriorating, as Spengler claimed.
Karl Jaspers: Jaspers introduced the "axial time" (Achsenzeit) hypothesis (800-200 BCE) in "On the Origin and Goal of History" (1949), identifying five regions - China, India, Persia, Israel, and Greece - where philosophical thought emerged. Challenging Hegel, his intellectual mentor, Jaspers highlighted China"s autonomous development of Confucianism, Taoism, and other schools during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (8th-5th centuries BCE). Figures like Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Mo Tzu gave China a global philosophical presence. I became curious about the accuracy of Jaspers" view of human history"s diverse intellectual awakenings.
II. Impact of Confucianism and Taoism
Personal Philosophical Development
Confucianism and Taoism have profoundly influenced my everyday worldview. My interest in Taoism was sparked by studying the Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), who favored it in therapeutic practice.
This led me to explore all aspects of Taoism, which I see allegorically as "Yin" (water), complementing Confucianism as "Yang" (fire).
Exploring Taoism
Historical Context: Taoism emerged as a philosophical school during the "Hundred Schools of Thought" period (8th-3rd centuries BCE), founded by Lao Tzu with his seminal text "Dao De Jing".
Core Principles: Dao represents an inexpressible, universal law of being - both the source and natural flow of existence. It aligns with Hegel"s notion that "everything real is rational, and the rational is - real." (Was vernünftig ist, das ist wirklich; und was wirklich ist, das ist vernünftig). The principle of "non-action" (wu wei) resonates with Stoic acceptance of fate, promoting harmony over struggle. I am drawn to philosophical Taoism, not its religious form, which focuses on immortality through internal alchemy (neidan) and qi energy work.
Key Influences: Lao Tzu (6th century BCE), Zhuangzi (4th century BCE) with "Zhuangzi", Zhang Daoling (2nd century CE) with "Tianshi Dao", and Ge Hong (283-343 CE) with "Baopuzi" have shaped my philosophical perspective.
III. Self-Review of My Work: History of the Communist Party of China
Overview of the Work
My study, "History of the Communist Party of China", comprises an annotation (introduction), thirteen chapters, conclusions, and a bibliography.
Chapter Breakdown
Chapter I: The fall of the monarchy and rise of republican and communist states.
Chapters II-III: The Chinese Civil War (1927-1949), Comintern involvement, and political rivalries.
Chapter IV: Deng Xiaoping"s reforms and their effects.
Chapter V: Xi Jinping"s biography and political ascent.
Chapter VI: CPC goals and functions.
Chapter VII: Key dates in China"s transformations.
Chapter VIII: "Socialism with a Chinese face."
Chapter IX: CPC party congresses timeline.
Chapter X: Kuomintang history.
Chapter XI: Demographic trends during the Civil War.
Chapter XII: Political factions and their modern status.
Chapter XIII: The roles of Mao, Deng, and Xi in history.
Annotation
This work is dedicated to the history of the formation and evolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) from its founding in 1921 to the present day. The study covers key stages: from the Xinhai Revolution (1911-1912), which ended the Qing monarchy, through the period of interregnum and fragmentation of China, to the proclamation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949 year, and with subsequent reforms. Special attention is given to the influence of the Comintern, the cooperation and rupture between Soviet and Chinese communists with the Kuomintang, the Northern Expedition (1926-1928), the Long March (1934-1936), and the formation of the Red Army (People's Liberation Army). The role and personality of the first General Secretary of the CPC, Mao Zedong, which adapting Marxism to Chinese realities are analyzed. The transition from radical Maoism to the moderate policy of "reform and opening-up" under Deng Xiaoping is examined. An overview of Xi Jinping's current course towards building a unique "Chinese Dream" is provided. Internal currents within the CPC, including the struggle between the intelligentsia and the peasantry, as well as the consequences of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) and the Tiananmen Square protests (1989), are evaluated. The work emphasizes how the CPC, overcoming civil wars, Japanese intervention (aggression), and internal ideological splits, transformed China into a global power while maintaining a one-party system and socialism with a "Chinese face." The research is based on historical documents and contemporary sources. It offers a comprehensive view of the party's more than century-long history and its contribution to China's development.
Novelty of the Research:
- Providing a comprehensive overview of the history of the CPC with an emphasis on its unique path from Marxism-Leninism to "socialism with Chinese characteristics."
- Analyzing the role of key figures (Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Xi Jinping) in shaping the ideology and strategy of the CPC.
- The work stands out for its focus on the adaptation of Marxist ideas to Chinese realities and the transformation of the CPC into an instrument of China's global influence.
Practical Significance:
- The work contributes to a better understanding of modern China's political system, its political-economic model, and foreign policy.
- The results can be useful for political scientists, historians, sociologists, and anyone interested in China's role in the world.
- The materials can be applied in educational contexts and in developing strategies for interaction with China on the international stage.
Keywords: Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese Revolution, Comintern, May Fourth Movement, Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.
I
"When public hatred concentrates around a government agent, when this agent becomes a symbol of violence and despotism, when his actions become harmful to the public good, when the country has no means to neutralize him, and when his existence becomes an insult to public conscience, the latter opens the door to terror-the executor of the sentence burned into the hearts of conscious citizens. And when the bomb explodes, everyone understands: the people's judgment has been served! No explanations or proclamations are needed. The country awaited this judgment, the country knows why this oppressor was killed, the country knows that not killing him was impossible, the country knows that only by killing him could the people be saved. This is when murder, from which human nature recoils, becomes a great feat, and the 'murderer'-a national hero [Gershuni 1907: 13]."
The birth of the nationwide communist movement in China was a long and bloody path.
After XL centuries of monarchy, by the 20th century, China embarked on the path of a republic.
Following the fall of the Chinese monarchy through the Xinhai Revolution (October 10, 1911 - February 12, 1912) [A], led by Sun Yat-sen (1886-1925) and financed by Japan [B], a military aristocracy under a republican guise [C] came to power.
Disparate political groups tore China apart for decades after the fall of the Qing monarchy [Liu 2013: 15-175].
On May 4, 1919, the modernization of China by the Japanese, British, Americans, and Russians began. This movement, known as the "May Fourth Movement [Skosyrev 2023: 111-127]," became a catalyst for the spread of new ideas, including Marxism, among the Chinese intelligentsia and youth [D].
II
The history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a history of struggle, revolutions, reforms, and the formation of modern China, spanning over 100 years.
The CPC was founded on July 1, 1921, in Shanghai with the support of the Comintern (1919-1943) [Saich 1991: 209-212].
The role of the Comintern in the creation of the CPC is significant. In the early stages, the CPC was actively supported by the Comintern, which provided financial, ideological, and organizational assistance. This allowed the CPC to strengthen its positions and establish connections with the international communist movement [E].
Initially (1921-1927), the CPC cooperated with the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) under the leadership of Sun Yat-sen [David 1982: 34-64].
The first political role in the early socialist movement in China was played [Bukharin 1927: 8-27] by Li Dazhao (1889-1927), Chen Duxiu (1879-1942) [F], Chen Yannian (1898-1927), Hu Shi (1891-1962), Zhang Guotao (1897-1979), Lu Xun (1881-1936), Li Lisan (1899-1967), Qu Qiubai (1899-1935), Li Weihan (1896-1984), and many others.
The early socialist-communists were guided by the principle: "first the party, then the army." [Pozhilov 2019: 334-343].
The first Chinese communists, on one hand, drew from the experience of the Great October Revolution (1917), and on the other hand, borrowed Franco-American socialist, anarchic, and pragmatic ideas [Dirlik 1989: 57-252].
The Northern Expedition (1926-1928) was a major military campaign organized by the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) of the Kuomintang with the support of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Soviet Union. The goal of the expedition was to unify China under Kuomintang rule, eliminate the power of regional militarists (warlords), and create a centralized state [Gerasimov 2022: 14-32].
The Northern Expedition began in July 1926 from Guangdong Province, where the Kuomintang's base was located.
In September 1926, the NRA captured Wuhan, an important industrial and transportation hub.
In March 1927, the NRA took Nanjing, which became the new capital of the Kuomintang.
In March 1927, Shanghai was captured, and a rift occurred between the Kuomintang and the CPC.
In 1927, cooperation with the Kuomintang ceased after the massacre of communists in Shanghai (April 12, 1927), organized by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975).
The Canton Uprising from December 11-13, 1927, became a sacred sacrifice during the Civil War. The fallen communards inspired the CPC to fight against the Kuomintang [G].
In 1928, the NRA occupied Beijing, symbolically completing the unification of China. Chiang Kai-shek announced the establishment of the National Government of China with its capital in Nanjing [H].
The Civil War in China (1927-1949) began. During this period, figures such as Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) [I], Zhu De (1886-1976), Peng Dehuai (1898-1974), Mao Zedong (1893-1976), He Long (1896-1969), Xiang Zhongfa (1880-1931), Zhang Wentian (1900-1976), and others emerged.
Internal party struggles elevated Mao Zedong, particularly through the Long March (a series of guerrilla-sabotage actions against the Central Government). The people's war, promoted by Mao, involved many strata of the population in the struggle against the Kuomintang [Yuanzhe 2022: 84-92].
In 1934-1936, the party undertook the Long March, a 12,000-kilometer retreat through mountains, rivers, and deserts, simultaneously eliminating "class enemies" and devastating the country's economic and agricultural base. The White Movement in China perceived the communists as troublemakers who rose against their masters: the Kuomintang and the Imperial Japanese administration.
The formation of the Chinese Red Army (officially the People's Liberation Army, PLA [J]) occurred after the Shanghai Massacre (April 12, 1927).
On August 1, 1927, in Nanchang (Jiangxi Province, southeast China), the Nanchang Uprising took place, when political instructor Zhou Enlai led a rebellion against the Kuomintang to expel "Japanese interventionists," collectively referred to as "militarists."
Key Figures:
Zhu De (1886-1976) - Organized the new army, akin to Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) in his time.
Zhou Enlai - Contributed to the PLA, similar to Leon Trotsky (1879-1940) for the Red Army.
The Chinese Red Army was primarily composed of peasants, workers, and former Kuomintang soldiers who defected to the communists.
Recruitment for the PLA mainly came from remote provinces away from the Kuomintang center: Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, and Hubei.
Out of over 100,000 people at the beginning of the Long March (1934-1936), only about 8,000 survived to the end [Snow 1937: 277-322].
Mao Zedong - The chief political ideologue and strategist, who developed the concept of "people's war" (scorched earth) [Kovalev 2020: 121-133].
Zhu De - Military leader, commander of the Red Army.
Zhou Enlai - Political leader ("the brain of the party"), ensuring communication between the party and the army, and the army and the people [Mamaeva 2023: . 63-71].
Peng Dehuai (1898-1974) - One of the main commanders, later becoming the Minister of Defense of the PRC.
Through the Long March, Mao Zedong forged a future "praetorian guard" loyal exclusively to him and his comrades [Smirnov 2012: 380-386].
Ideological Evolution: From Marxism-Leninism to Maoism. Mao Zedong adapted Marxist ideas to Chinese realities (communism with a Confucian face), emphasizing the peasantry as the driving force of the revolution.
The communist movement was one of the first to widely include women in the country's political life, which was considered unprecedented for patriarchal China [Verchenko 2021: 6-20].
The result of the CPC's wanderings was the creation of a new base in Yan'an (Shaanxi Province, northern China), which became the center of revolutionary activity [Stavrov 2021: 83-101].
The Yan'an period of the CPC (1936-1940) was a time of party purges orchestrated by Mao Zedong (notably eliminating the political opponent "moderate" Zhang Guotao). The Central Rada (Kuomintang) was only able to send punitive armies across the country to destroy feudal formations and pseudo-democratic republics, allowing the communists to find a "quiet" haven and bide their time [Selden 1971: 121-177].
The CPC carried out a series of reforms in Shaanxi Province, testing them in one region, an experience later applied throughout the country [Pozhilov 2016: 41-53]:
1. Land reform and distribution of land among peasants;
2. Creation of cooperatives and development of local handicraft industry;
3. Establishment of a party academy to train CPC members.
The Chinese set a goal during the construction of communism: "to fix the Earth," i.e., to establish truly revolutionary and progressive ideas worldwide.
In January 1935, Mao began "purging" the CPC of unreliable elements, eliminating the "Soviet" group [K]. Mao Zedong established a right-nationalist trend in the CPC [L]. This purge achieved its result during the rectification campaign (zhengfeng), directed against dogmatism and empiricism (1941-1945), to consolidate the CPC, but in reality, it was the final phase of the struggle of Maoists against other communist currents in China.
III
"If you [workers and people] united, you would have every opportunity to end the glaring poverty and slavery at once, if only you wanted to... Learn, then, at last, to want! " [Liebknecht 1923: 77]
In December 1936, General Zhang Xueliang (1901-2001) arrested Chiang Kai-shek, demanding an end to the Civil War and the unification of forces against Japanese aggression.
Under pressure from the CPC and the public, Chiang Kai-shek was released, and a temporary truce was concluded between the CPC and the Kuomintang.
In July 1937, full-scale Japanese aggression against China began (the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, or name Lugouqiao Incident). The CPC temporarily united with the Kuomintang to fight against the Japanese invaders [Fedotova 2021: 470-476].
By 1940, significant territories in Northern and Central China were under CPC control.
After the end of World War II (1939-1945), the Civil War in China continued between the CPC, the Kuomintang, and various independent political groups.
IV
On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China (PRC) was proclaimed [M].
In 1958, the "Great Leap Forward" campaign began, leading to an economic crisis and famine [Lauri 2015: 27-36].
Chairman Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) - mass campaign to combat "bourgeois elements" in the party and society (intellectuals, Confucians, clergy, doctors, etc.). This led to chaos, repression, and the destruction of cultural heritage [Donchenko 2021: 44-57]. The Cultural Revolution was a red terror to retain power, similar to the 1930s in the USSR. The catastrophic consequences of the Cultural Revolution stagnated and degraded the social life (moral and intellectual) of China but allowed Mao to die a natural death.
In 1976, Mao Zedong died, and a power struggle began. Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997), who advocated for reforms, defeated all his political rivals, especially the "Gang of Four" (supporters of radical Maoism): Mao's wife Jiang Qing (1914-1991), political figure Zhang Chunqiao (1917-2005), writer Yao Wenyuan (1931-2005), and political figure Wang Hongwen (1935-1992) [Yi 2012: 92].
In 1978, Deng Xiaoping [N] launched the policy of "reform and opening-up":
Development of a market economy while maintaining CPC control.
Attraction of foreign investment.
Creation of special economic zones (SEZs - the locomotive of China's economic growth) [O], [Kalashnikova 2024: 181-200].
Protests against the CPC leadership occurred in Tiananmen Square (Beijing, April 15 - June 4, 1989). They were harshly suppressed.
Students and intellectuals at Tiananmen Square demanded political reforms, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and democratization of the political system.
Protesters opposed corruption within the CPC and demanded accountability of the authorities to the people.
Due to China's "acceleration" in 1978, China faced inflation, rising unemployment, and social inequality. The construction of communism ended, and with Deng Xiaoping's light hand, the capitalist era began. Social transformation-from communism to capitalism, and from capitalism to socialism - a was carried out by Hu Yaobang (1915-1989) on Deng's behalf. Yaobang, the former General Secretary of the CPC, was considered a "left" Maoist, reformer, and symbol of liberal ideas. The death of Hu Yaobang provoked the Tiananmen Square protests. Yaobang became a "symbol" of freedom, and his death would have marked the "sunset" of liberal reforms in the country. Therefore, protesters gathered to pay respect to Hu Yaobang's personality and to demand that the CPC preserve the "Western" course in China. But the venture failed. On June 4, 1989, Chinese government troops were deployed to Tiananmen Square, suppressing pro-American and pro-Japanese expressions of the people's will [Lawrence 2021: . 149-247].
V
Xi Jinping was born on June 15, 1953, in Beijing, into the family of prominent revolutionary Xi Zhongxun (1913-2002), a comrade of Mao Zedong.
In November 2012, Jinping was elected General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, becoming the supreme leader of the party [P].
Since March 14, 2013, Xi Jinping has been the leader of China. Sometimes Jinping is called the "communist leader of the V generation."
In 2017, at the 19th CPC Congress, "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" was included in the party charter. This placed Xi Jinping alongside Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, whose ideas were also canonized by the CPC.
In general, the cult of personality in China is in their genetic code. A strong leader is perceived as a guarantor of stability and development. The cult of personality helps strengthen Chairman Xi Jinping's authority within the party and the country. The thesis is put forward about such an "important" position due to external pressure from the United States, the conditions of the fight against corruption, and internal disagreements in the CPC.
China, under Xi Jinping's leadership, pursues the policy of the "Chinese Dream [Q]," aimed at restoring the nation's greatness, strengthening the economy, and enhancing international influence [Rumyantsev 2017: 47-64].
VI
The Communist Party of China (CPC) throughout its history has experienced internal disagreements and the formation of various currents, reflecting the struggle for power, ideological differences, and strategic approaches to the country's development.
Early Currents of the CPC (1920s - 1940s): Urban intellectuals versus peasant activists.
The Intelligentsia (e.g., Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, etc.) argued that "educated" people (Girondins) should be included in the revolutionary process. The working class (proletariat) is the "hammer of the revolution," and the urban intelligentsia is the "head of the revolution." This political current lost influence after the failure of cooperation with the Kuomintang in 1927. They operated with classical Marxism.
Representatives of the Peasantry (e.g., Mao Zedong, Zhu De, etc.) declared universal inclusion in the revolutionary cause for the stabilization of China. These Jacobins achieved an alliance rather than an "either-or" between the proletariat and the intelligentsia. These "expressors" of the people were themselves petty-bourgeois elements, marginals ("petty-bourgeois peasant ideology"). This political movement revisionistically approached Marxism, integrating Leninism and Confucianism. After the Long March (1934-1935), they took power in the CPC.
The Era of Mao Zedong's Dictatorship (1949-1976): Permanent revolution, class struggle, and the cult of personality of Mao. This political current was more "red" than "white"-the party of pragmatists: Liu Shaoqi (1898-1969) and Deng Xiaoping. The pragmatists were more Trotskyist with their universal party bureaucracy and reliance on the intelligentsia.
Due to Mao's policies from 1958 to 1962, about 37-65 million people died from excessive labor and hunger [Dikötter 2011: 298].
The right-radical instigators, the Red Guards (1967-1979), discredited the revolution. These Pisarevts and Bakuninist nihilists "nullified" the entire thousand-year revolution, similar to what happened in Russia from 1917-1925, followed by "détente" in China.
The Era of Reforms (1978-2012): Here, the antagonism was between two political currents: reformers (Deng Xiaoping, Zhao Ziyang, Hu Yaobang) and conservatives (Chen Yun, Li Xiannian).
The Modern Period of the CPC (2012 - Present): Consists of technocrats-centrists (Li Keqiang and Wang Qishan), ideologists-conservatives (Wang Huning and Li Zhanshu), and left-democrats (Xi Jinping and Zhang Youxia) [Fang and Xiaobing 2024: 13-28. 85-164].
VII
1965 - China fully repaid its external debts, including obligations inherited from the monarchy (Qing dynasty) and the Kuomintang government.
July 1, 1997 - Britain returned Hong Kong to China.
December 20, 1999 - Portugal returned Macao to China.
2001 - China joined the WTO, which allowed it to accelerate China's integration into the world economy.
China's "Belt and Road" Initiative (2013 to Present) - Has propelled the PRC into the top ten prosperous countries. The political-economic program "Belt and Road" is a large-scale infrastructure project establishing ties with Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. The international initiative "Belt and Road" is the Silk Road of the 21st century.
March 5, 2018 - At the 6th plenary session of the 1st session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), restrictions on the number of presidential terms were abolished.
2020 - The CPC announced the complete elimination of extreme poverty. 800 million people were lifted out of poverty.
China has improved its education sector; its universities, Tsinghua and Peking, are among the best in the world [R].
VIII
"Socialism with Chinese characteristics" - this concept was developed in the late 1970s under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping [Boyarkina 2023: 94-107]. Socialism with Chinese characteristics was a reaction to the era of stagnation and isolation of China [S] (the period of the Cultural Revolution, 1966-1976).
The new agrarian campaign in China in the 1950s-1970s laid the foundations for the modernization of the country's modern agricultural base [Beloglazov 2019: 70-85].
Xiaoping argued that ideology hinders societal development. The main Xiaoping state formula: "it doesn't matter what color the cat is, as long as it catches mice [Sandra 2024: 20]," akin to the principle: "money has no smell."
Chinese chairmen after Deng Xiaoping-Jiang Zemin (1997-2002) and Hu Jintao (2002-2012) - adhered to the outlined reform boundaries [Merkulov 2022: 17-27].
Principles of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics:
One-party system.
Market economy under state control.
Social justice.
National revival.
Cultural identity.
Today, China positions itself as a "socialist country" but with pragmatic approaches [Veremeichik 2015: 254-268].
IX
July 23-31, 1921 - 1st CPC Congress (Shanghai, later moved to a boat on Nanhu Lake). Founding of the CPC.
July 16-23, 1922 - 2nd CPC Congress (Shanghai).
June 12-20, 1923 - 3rd CPC Congress (Guangzhou).
January 11-22, 1925 - 4th CPC Congress (Shanghai).
April 27 - May 9, 1927 - 5th CPC Congress (Wuhan).
June 18 - July 11, 1928 - 6th CPC Congress (Moscow).
April 23 - June 11, 1945 - 7th CPC Congress (Yan'an). Affirmation of Maoism as the official ideology of the party.
September 15-27, 1956 - 8th CPC Congress (Beijing, and all subsequent congresses below).
April 1-24, 1969 - 9th CPC Congress.
August 24-28, 1973 - 10th CPC Congress.
August 12-18, 1977 - 11th CPC Congress.
September 1-11, 1982 - 12th CPC Congress. Beginning of economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping's leadership.
October 25 - November 1, 1987 - 13th CPC Congress.
October 12-18, 1992 - 14th CPC Congress.
September 12-18, 1997 - 15th CPC Congress. Approval of the course towards building "socialism with Chinese characteristics."
November 8-14, 2002 - 16th CPC Congress.
October 15-21, 2007 - 17th CPC Congress.
November 8-14, 2012 - 18th CPC Congress. Election of Xi Jinping as General Secretary.
October 18-24, 2017 - 19th CPC Congress. Inclusion of "Xi Jinping Thought" in the party charter.
October 16-22, 2022 - 20th CPC Congress [T], [Usov 2010: 109-119].
X
The Kuomintang, or the National Party of China (bourgeois-democratic), is one of the oldest political parties in the world, founded in 1894 by Sun Yat-sen. The party played a key role in China's history, including the overthrow of the Qing dynasty, the unification of the country under the Central Government, the creation of the Republic of China, and the struggle against the communists. After defeat in the Civil War in 1949, the Kuomintang moved to Taiwan, where it became the ruling party. Today, the Kuomintang remains one of the leading political forces in Taiwan, advocating for the preservation of the status quo in relations with China and the development of democracy.
The Kuomintang supports the policy of "one China" but emphasizes that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign state.
Key Figures of the Kuomintang:
Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) - Founder of the Kuomintang and "father of the nation" of the Republic of China. Developed the "Three Principles of the People" (nationalism, democracy, and people's welfare), which formed the basis of the party's ideology. Yat-sen played a key role in overthrowing the Qing dynasty and establishing the Republic of China in 1912.
Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) - Leader of the Kuomintang after Sun Yat-sen's death. He led the struggle against the communists in the Chinese Civil War. After defeat in 1949, Kai-shek moved the government of the Republic of China to Taiwan, where he established an authoritarian regime.
Lee Teng-hui (1923-2020) - The first president of Taiwan (1988-2000) elected in democratic elections. Teng-hui initiated democratic reforms and the transition to a multi-party system.
Ma Ying-jeou (born 1950) - President of Taiwan (2008-2016). Pursued a policy of rapprochement with China, including signing the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA).
Eric Chu (born 1961) - Chairman of the Kuomintang since 2021. Chu advocates for a moderate approach to relations with China and strengthening ties with the United States.
Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi, 1887-1975) is a significant figure in 20th-century Chinese history. Chiang was the leader of the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party of China), commander-in-chief of the Chinese army, and later the leader of the Republic of China on Taiwan. The Chinese politician's activities spanned the period of civil wars, Japanese occupation, and the Cold War (1947-1991).
In 1925, after Sun Yat-sen's death, Chiang Kai-shek became the leader of the Kuomintang. In 1926-1928, Chiang led the Northern Expedition to unify China. The Chinese leader managed to defeat many militarist cliques and establish control over most of the country.
In 1928, Chiang Kai-shek proclaimed the establishment of the Republic of China with its capital in Nanjing.
Leader of China Chiang, after the end of the active phase of the Northern Expedition, focused on fighting the CPC. In 1927, he began the "White Terror" in China, destroying any dissenters, especially communists and their allies.
During the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), Chiang Kai-shek led the resistance against Japanese invaders. Despite the weakness of the Chinese army, Chiang managed to maintain control over a significant part of the country and received support from allies (USA, UK, and USSR).
Chiang Kai-shek's government was highly corrupt and incapable of effectively countering the Japanese.
Chiang Kai-shek lost the Civil War due to weak popular support, corruption, and military failures.
In 1949, Chiang fled to Taiwan, where he founded the government of the Republic of China. Chiang Kai-shek sided with the USA in the Cold War [Lukin 2007: 408-470].
General Chiang was a staunch Chinese nationalist, advocating for China's unity and the fight against foreign influence. His ideology was based on Sun Yat-sen's "Three Principles of the People": nationalism, democracy, and people's welfare.
XI
At the time of the collapse of the Qing Empire (in 1912), the population of China was approximately 370-375 million people. There is no exact population count because the monarchy did not engage in this [Lavely 1998: 714-748].
By 1949, China's population was about 542 million people.
In 1953, the first official census took place. China's population was 582 million people [Peng 2011].
In 2020, according to the latest official census, China's population was 1.41178 billion people.
Between 1912 and 1949, China experienced one long civil war, Japanese occupation, famine, and epidemics.
During the Civil War (1912-1949), the Chinese exterminated themselves by more than a million people.
The greatest destruction of the human gene pool occurred during the Japanese occupation (1937-1945), when 10 to 20 million people died.
There were three major famines in China, but the most "fierce" was from 1928-1930, with up to 4 million deaths.
Terrible epidemics of typhus, cholera, etc., also took their "bloody harvest."
Considering all the above, researchers from different countries have roughly calculated that the number of losses from 1912 to 1949 was 50-80 million people [Banister 1987: 123].
XII
Main Political Movements During the Chinese Civil War (1912-1949):
1. Kuomintang - Moderate republicans who overthrew the monarchy in the country.
2. CPC - Jacobins due to their radical revolutionary program and orientation towards mass movements.
3. Chinese Socialist Party - Girondins led by Jiang Kanghu (1883-1954). The political program of the CSP: moderate socialism, democratic reforms, and social justice. The CSP focused on parliamentary methods of struggle.
4. Anarchist Groups - Ba Jin (1904-2005) - follower Bakunin and Kropotkin, and Liu Shifu (1884-1915) - follower Proudhonist. In both currents of anarchism, the central idea was the complete annihilation of state institutions and the establishment of an anarchist republic in China.
5.Militarist Groups (Beiyang Militarists) - This is the "swamp." "Ghouls" who seized power, usually generals who collaborated with whoever was beneficial, but most often with the Kuomintang or the CPC.
6. Federalist-Hebertists - This political current quickly faded by the late 1920s.
Tang Hualong (1874-1918) advocated for the creation of provincial assemblies.
Anarchist Chen Jiongming (1878-1933), the "Chinese Makhno," advocated for the creation of provinces with significant autonomy (the state ideal of the United States of China).
7. Federalists and federalist-anarchists built their republics in two regions: Guangdong and Guangxi [Dirlik 1991: 47-197].
8. Tibetan Nationalists - After the collapse of the empire, they proclaimed a theocratic republic led by the 13th Dalai Lama (Thubten Gyatso, 1876-1933), but almost bloodlessly returned to the PRC.
9. Inner Mongolia - Having seceded from China, declared its sovereignty. A nationalist and feudal formation led by De Wang Demchigdonrov (1902-1966). The Principality of Inner Mongolia wanted to reunite with Mongolia or become a broad autonomy within China.
10. Uyghur Nationalists in Xinjiang - Proclaimed their republic (aristocratic-oligarchic). The East Turkestan Republic existed from 1944 to 1949. It was led by Governor-General Sheng Shicai (1895-1970) and religious leader Alihan Ture Saguni (1885-1976).
Federalist and regional movements in China were a reaction to the weakness of the centralized government. These local elites, as a rule, sought to maintain control over their territories without higher ambitions.
XIII
From open and public sources, a certain view of China emerges. Over the past two centuries (since the 18th century), the Chinese have been in stagnation, and now their country, over 110-120 years, has "awakened." Today, China is crowding out advanced and global superpowers. It should be noted that the Chinese made themselves, but without avant-garde thoughts of liberalism and communism, and without advanced technologies and methods, they could not have made such a rapid leap. China has gone from lethargy to mimicry, from mimicry to imitation (taking the best from other peoples, trying to copy and adopt), and now, in the XXI century, is developing and producing its original products.
From 1921 to 2025, China has had three "strong" and autocratic leaders with their unique management methods and views:
1. Mao Zedong (Years of Leadership 1949-1976) - As a personality, very scandalous and ambiguous. Mao, who grew up in the traditions of the Qing monarchy, generally repeated his own policies after the collapsed despotism. Chinese communism under Mao is a wig of innovation with a jabot but in a "dark and downtrodden Qing body". The Chinese people dressed, expressed themselves, and tried to mimic the movements and thoughts of advanced world powers but remained unprepared for everything "unknown." Mao Zedong tried to instill new advanced instincts and reflexes in an entire people, breaking them over his knee, shooting and hanging entire layers of retrogrades as "class enemies." Mao Zedong, due to narrowly selfish fears, feared for his power and life throughout his life, therefore, acting preemptively, suppressed any dissent, even at the level of rumors and gossip, as he saw how, before him, governments of the empire and the republic were torn apart by political debates and bought with foreign money. The "Great Helmsman" did not care about human casualties. Mao created one big "Sparta" but with a special physiognomy. "Everything for the state, everything in the state, and nothing outside the state" - such a principle prevailed under Mao Zedong's rule, who disregarded human rights and private property. One cannot categorically call Mao a "thoughtless executioner," "mad king," or "demon of the revolution," etc., for the Chinese people. The Great Leap Forward program pushed tens of millions of Chinese from the backyards of society to the surface, purposeful, ambitious, and active, who began to rebuild patriarchal China. It was these "soldiers" of the revolution who made a big step, shortening the distance with the West [Clayton 2023]. Chairman Mao, with his comrades, undertook the titanic task of raising the Chinese ship from the bottom. The activities of the Maoists are reformism comparable to the transformations of Russian Emperor Peter I. Who among the Maoists could know for sure where revolutionary activities and social changes in China would lead, and what the cost would be? One can speak insultingly or positively about Mao Zedong, but one conclusion suggests itself - he took responsibility for the Chinese people in a difficult time, and all his victories and defeats are an act of his will.
2. Deng Xiaoping (Years of Leadership 1978-1997) - contemporary of Mao, but seeing the "mistakes" of his predecessor both inside and outside the country, took decisive steps to eliminate them [Gasanova 2012: 118-122]. In 1978, he launched the policy of "reform and opening-up," aimed at modernizing the economy and integrating China into the world system. China, under Mao Zedong, carried out the second industrial revolution, i.e., a sharp leap, which, among other things, resulted in colossal human casualties. China, under Chairman Deng Xiaoping, gradually transitioned to the third industrial revolution. Mao imported ideas and technologies of the first two industrial revolutions from the USSR, while Deng Xiaoping purchased innovations from advanced countries of world democracy: the USA, France, Britain, and West Germany. Chairman Deng introduced a new unwritten state principle: half of your labor to the state, and the other half of your labor for yourself. Under him, a new economic policy was implemented in China. China began to restructure itself under a capitalist management model. Deng Xiaoping, compared to Mao Zedong, became a true humanist for the Chinese, abolishing the "barracks position" in the state, and he tried to stay in the shadows, not flaunting himself and his relatives [Teiwes 2001: 4-36]. But under Deng, corruption and nepotism flourished [Mikhailova 2023: 68-80]. Deng Xiaoping is his "Chinese Richelieu."
3. Xi Jinping (Years of Leadership 2012 - Present) - Being a "post-revolutionary child," was a representative of the first generation of "new" Chinese - the builders of modern China, who raised it from ruins. Xi did not experience the Civil War and Japanese intervention on his shoulders, but he grew up in an era of great transformations in the country: the Cultural Revolution, the Great Leap Forward, and China's departure from communist and socialist ideas with the transition to the capitalist camp. Xi Jinping took power in the country at the moment of China's "takeoff" and managed not to lose the achievements of his predecessors. There is an opinion that Xi Jinping became the leader of China during its "decline," that the "Chinese economic miracle" occurred in the 2000s, and now the whole world is witnessing China's "nosedive." But the reality is that Xi, continuing Deng's policy of "soft power," took a number of anti-corruption measures and, to the best of his ability, is carrying out modernization and the fourth industrial revolution in the country. China, for more than 50 years, has not participated in major wars, only in local or border conflicts, which allows it to spend resources on its own development and creation. Under Xi Jinping, the construction of a new international architecture began with the help of the "Belt and Road." In 2013, China initiated the international program "Belt and Road Initiative." The "Belt and Road" is today a key element of Chinese foreign policy aimed at strengthening economic, political, and cultural ties with other countries, as well as enhancing China's global influence. The "Belt and Road" program is a large-scale infrastructure and investment project involving 140 countries. The "Belt and Road" is sometimes also called the "Silk Road of the 21st century."
But is everything so "rosy" in modern China? China suffers from corruption, clannishness (nepotism, favoritism, and cronyism), where in one bureaucratic sphere, all are relatives or "their" people, and human rights are still trampled in China (for example, persecution on religious grounds: Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Christians, and Falun Gong practitioners, LGBT propaganda is banned, etc.) [U.S. 2023:].
China suppresses the will of Hong Kong and Taiwan [Human Rights Watch 2024].
Public executions are welcomed in China, with children allowed to attend.
The party's terrible decision was the "One-Child Policy" (1979-2015). This slowed population growth, and even allowing two children in 2015 did not help the country with its demographic issue. The one-child policy had a short-term effect: it allowed maintaining economic well-being. However, in the long term, the one-child policy plays into the hands of China's opponents: population aging and labor shortages will lead China to a demographic crisis in the next 20-30 years, by 2050-2060, which may lead to "stagnation," then "rollback" in the economy and society, and also cause its "great depression."
Historical Transition from Mao to Deng, and from Deng to Xi:
Deng condemned and abandoned Mao's ideological narratives, focusing on economic recovery. The reasons for this transition were economic decline and the need to strengthen the legitimacy of the CPC.
It was Deng, taking the experience of advanced countries of world democracy, who made a name for China; it was Deng who brought China onto the world stage. He supported collective leadership and relative liberalization in the CPC and society. Now, at the "breaking point" of years in China, "left Maoism" is returning in the person of Xi, who has centralized power, bringing back elements of autocratic governance.
Deng adhered to the principle of "hiding one's capabilities," while Xi, on the contrary, "flaunts his merits."
Throughout the historical period described in the article, the CPC, under the leadership of its leaders, like clay, adapted from Maoism to Deng's market economy, and from the market economy to Xi's global ambitions.
The CPC is a tool of the General Secretary, not a collar for him.
General View of the CPC's Actions Throughout History:
Ideological purity versus pragmatism - this was before the reforms and opening-up (1921-1978).
Centralization versus regional interests.
Personal loyalty is valued, creating a faction around a charismatic personality.
Dissatisfied with Xi's Power:
Pragmatists-reformers and regional elites are the main opposition forces against Xi Jinping's power.
Pragmatists-Reformers - Advocate for a more moderate and capitalized course in China: Liu He (1952), Wang Yang (1955), Li Qiang (1959), Hu Chunhua (1963), etc.
Regional Elites in China - Leaders of provinces (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Shenzhen), resisting centralized power (e.g., Guangdong, Sichuan, Shanghai, etc.), as well as autonomies (Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia). Sabotage and resistance are expressed by delaying the execution of central orders, raising discussions in the Politburo about the advisability of directives, establishing connections with local businesses so that, in case of removal, the entire chain collapses (they all go to the scaffold together), etc.
Xi's Authoritarianism:
Western politicians and media paint Xi Jinping's image in "negative" colors. Main criticisms:
1) Xi Jinping has concentrated an unprecedented level of power in his hands, becoming simultaneously the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chairman of the PRC, and the head of the Central Military Commission. He has taken control of the party, the state, and the army, making Xi the most influential leader of China since Mao Zedong.
2) Under the current chairman, everything is censored: free and liberal media, news, the internet, and social networks are under strict state control.
3) Xi Jinping promotes a "socialist market economy," combining state intervention with market mechanisms. If a citizen deviates from the party line and "embezzles," they face the death penalty.
But which national leader does not defend their national interests? And the chorus of voices only misleads. Modern China demonstrates to the world that it can be taken as an example at the moment. The three great leaders of China - Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, and Xi Jinping are for their people qilins (idols) - defenders and guardians of China, who have put China's interests above all else.
Conclusions
1. The history of the Communist Party of China spans over 100 years of struggle, revolutions, reforms, and the formation of modern China.
2. It is thanks to the leadership of the CPC that there has been a sharp economic-industrial and socio-economic leap in China.
3. The CPC adapted Marxism to Chinese realities, creating unique ideological models: from Marxism-Leninism to Maoism, then to "socialism with Chinese characteristics."
4. Consolidation of power despite internal currents and disagreements, the party strengthened its position thanks to strong leadership (Mao, Deng, Xi) and ideological evolution.
5. The Chinese, through painful and bloody decades, integrated the best from other nations bit by bit. China, through trial and error, swinging from side to side in political and economic terms, and with the help of a mosaic principle, achieved what elevated them above other nations. The modern principles of the Chinese can be characterized as: through blood, sweat, and hard work - to achieve prosperity and well-being.
6. From the historical overview, it follows what a tragic fate the Chinese people went through with their numerous sacrifices. China won its rights and freedoms, China forged itself as a state, China earned its place as a superpower through suffering.
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Footnotes
А. October 10, 1911 - Wuchang Uprising, which marked the beginning of the Xinhai Revolution.
B. Some Chinese communists learned from their Japanese communist colleagues, or indirectly through literature, without any meetings or teaching from Japanese to Chinese. Here are some famous Japanese communists:
1. Sen Katayama (1859-1933)
2. Sanzo Nosaka (1892-1993) - worked with Mao.
C. Beiyang Clique (I think it is more correct to call it "military league"). Founded by Yuan Shikai (1859-1916), after his death it split into several factions. Yuan Shikai was the first president of the Republic of China.
In fact, China split into a number of feudal political entities:
1. The Anhui Clique, led by Duan Qirui (1865-1936), controlled the central government in Beijing.
2. The Zhili Clique: Feng Guozhang (1859-1919), Wu Peifu (1874-1939) and Cao Kun (1862-1938).
3. The Fengtian Clique controlled Manchuria. Consisted of the family of the father (Zhang Zuolin (1875-1928)) and the son (Zhang Xueliang (1901-2001)).
4. Guangxi clique: Lu Rongting (1859-1928) and Li Zongren (1890-1969).
5. Guangdong clique led by Chen Jiongming (1878-1933).
6. Shanxi clique led by Yang Xishan (1883-1960).
7. Sichuan clique: Liu Xiang (1890-1938) and Liu Wenhui (1895-1976).
8. Hubei clique led by Xia Douyin (1884-1951).
9. Hunan clique with leader Tang Shengzhi (1889-1970)
10. Ningxia-Gansu clique with leader Ma Bufang (1903-1975)
11. Xinjiang clique with leader Sheng Shicai (1897-1970).
D. The May 4th Movement was provoked by the injustice of the Treaty of Versailles. China was a member of the Entente. The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy) had Chinese territories (Germany had the Shandong Peninsula). China expected that after signing the treaty they would have their territories returned to them, but the Entente allies handed over Chinese lands to the Japanese Empire.
Semi-feudal China, due to the tsarist debts (Qing), was in a semi-colonial dependence on the European empires, and such national humiliation was unbearable for them to endure.
The country had already been undergoing a 4-year program of Europeanization of China (the New Culture Movement, since 1915), where ideas of democracy, science, equality, etc. were put forward.
For example, Hu Shi carried out his own "Leninist" language reform, simplifying classical Chinese (wenyang) into a simple written language (baihua) in order to make education accessible to everyone.
On May 4, 1919, students and intellectuals gathered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. These nationalist revanchists called for the return of China's original territories and a revision of the Treaty of Versailles. The May 4th Movement is the forerunner of the Communist Party of China. The May 4th Movement united the Chinese against the Japanese, paving the way for unity.
E. The main political figures of the Comintern in China:
1. Michael Markovich Borodin (1884-1951) - the main Soviet representative in China in the 1920s. Borodin was sent by the Comintern to help organize the CPC and strengthen its ties with the Kuomintang.
Borodin participated in the creation of not only the CPC, but also the Kuomintang, and founded the Whampoa Military Academy (Guangzhou).
2. Grigory Naumovich Voitinsky (1893-1953). He was in China from 1921 to 1927, where he organized meetings between Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu and other future leaders of the CPC, and also participated in the preparation of the 1st Congress of the CPC in 1921. Voitinsky laid the foundations of the intra-party mechanism of the CPC. Grigory Voitinsky's translator was Yang Mingzhai (1882 -1942).
3. Vasily Konstantinovich Blucher (1889-1938) - advised the Chinese communists on military strategy.
4. Pavel Andreevich Mif (1901-1939) - historian, laid the foundations for the political preparation of the CPC.
5. Nikolai Vladimirovich Kuibyshev (1893-1938) - military strategist, participated in the planning of the Northern Expedition (1926-1928).
6. Karl Bernhardovich Radek (1885-1939) - diplomat, taught international law to comrades from the CPC.
7. Alexander Stepanovich Panyushkin (1905-1974) - intelligence officer, taught intelligence and counterintelligence to the Chinese communists and Republicans.
8. Ivan Vladimirovich Koval (1893-1938) - strategist, taught modern military art to members of the CPC.
9. Lev Mikhailovich Karakhan (1889-1937) - Soviet diplomat.
10. Pavel Andreevich Pavlov (1892-1924) - military adviser.
11. Ivan Kirillovich Mamayev (1895-1938) - military adviser.
12. Otto Braun ("Li De", 1900-1974) - German communist. Braun participated in the development of the strategy of the Red Army of China (PLA) and accompanied the CPC during the Long March.
F. Li Dazhao, a professor at Peking University, was one of the first to popularize Marxism in China. Chen Duxiu, a publicist, founded the magazine "New Youth", which became the first socialist platform in China.
G. The period of the Chinese revolution before Canton was called so. The center of the revolution was Canton, but after the tragic events it moved to a nomadic phase.
H. Nanjing Decade (Golden Decade, 1912-1936).
I. Zhou Enlai is one of the key leaders of the CPC and the first premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China (1949-1976).
K. For example, Mao got rid of the "Hébertists" led by Li Lisan (1899-1967), and the Marxist-Leninist Wang Ming (1904-1974) with his group of "28 Bolsheviks". The group of 28 Bolsheviks was led by the economist Pavel Aleksandrovich Mif (1901-1939).
L. The August 1st Manifesto of 1935 is a single communist document calling on all Chinese to fight against the Japanese.
M. From 1640 to 1700, the English bourgeoisie was formed. From 1790 to 1830, the French bourgeoisie appeared. From 1900 to 1960, the Russian bourgeoisie. From 1975 to the present day, the Chinese bourgeoisie has been formed.
N. Deng, along with other comrades, marked the "bridge" between the old and new Chinese comrades. Deng Xiaoping's NEP is a turning point in Chinese history. Deng's group became known as the 8 Immortal Communists. The 8 Immortal Communists are influential political functionaries who played an important leadership role in the country for over two decades (from the 80s to the 2000s):
1. Deng Xiaoping - 2nd Minister of Finance of the PRC.
2. Li Xiannian (1909-1992) - Minister of Finance of the PRC.
3. Bo Yibo (1908-2007) - 1st Minister of Finance of the PRC
4. Chen Yun (1905-1995) - First Deputy Premier of the State Council of the PRC.
5. Peng Zhen (1902-1997) - Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee.
6. Yang Shangkun (1907-1998) - 4th Chairman of the PRC.
7. Wang Zhen (1908-1993) - Secretary of the Xinjiang Uyghur Committee of the CPC.
8. Song Renqiong (1909-2005) - Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the CPC.
O. List of the first special economic zones (SEZ):
Shenzhen (Guangdong Province, 1980).
Xiamen (Fujian Province, 1980).
Coastal villages and then cities: Zhuhai and Shantou (Guangdong Province, 1980).
The concept of SEZ (Special economic zones):
1. Benefits for investors: tax breaks, simplified customs procedures and access to cheap labor.
2. Export orientation on the production of goods for export.
3. Technological and infrastructural progress. FEZs became centers for the introduction of new technologies and innovations, where modern infrastructure was laid: roads, ports and airports.
P. The New Gang of Four (Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Lin Jihua and Xu Caihou) - arrested and convicted in 2012-2015 for obstructing Xi Jinping's political course.
Q. The concept of the "Chinese Dream" (中国梦) is the formation of a position for China's global hegemony. The Chinese Dream has major internal and external political objectives, sometimes intertwined and crossed with each other. The concept of the "Chinese Dream" is inextricably linked with the term "Chinese socialism".
The main ideas of the internal political implementation of the Chinese Dream:
Improving the standard of living and reducing poverty with the subsequent elimination of poverty. Creating a "society of moderate prosperity" (xiaokang), where all citizens have access to basic benefits.
Reduce the gap between cities and villages.
Fight against corruption and nepotism at the local level.
The main external political goals of the Chinese Dream:
Restoring China's historical greatness as a world power through the use of "soft power" - this is the conquest of the world with the help of its economic and industrial forces, as well as the influence and popularization of Chinese culture and traditions.
Improving the level of education, healthcare and protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity (for example, Taiwan).
Putting forward the concept of a multipolar world based on "One Belt, One Road", where China plays one of the leading roles in governing the planet.
R. I will summarize the entire historical chronology of the CCP:
Early stage (1921-1949). The founding of the CPC with the support of the Comintern, cooperation and subsequent break with the Kuomintang, the Civil War, the Long March and the rise to power of the communists in 1949 with the proclamation of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Maoist era (1949-1976). The establishment of the PRC, the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution campaigns, which led to economic crises, famine and social chaos.
Reform and openness (1978-2012). Deng Xiaoping's policy aimed at introducing a market economy, creating special economic zones and suppressing protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
Modern period (2012 - present). The strengthening of Xi Jinping's power, the development of the ideology of "socialism with Chinese characteristics", the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, and the lifting of presidential term limits.
S. The period of "stagnation" in China is called the "era of destruction" (1958-1976).
T. In May 1980, the Committee of the Central Committee of the CPC for the collection of materials on the history of the party was established - CPC figures began to standardize the history of their political party.