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A grand concert marks the 105th founding anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party on June 29, projecting its immense authority and political clout / State-run China Central Television (CCTV)

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which holds the record for the world's longest-running ruling party in the socialist bloc, marked its 105th founding anniversary on the 1st. Judging by current developments and the prevailing political climate, the party looks certain to extend this record for a long time to come. According to reports published on the 1st by state media, including the party's official mouthpiece the People's Daily, the CCP's political clout is as formidable as its longevity. Most notably, its global influence is expanding. It is safe to argue that the CCP now wields greater power than the British Conservative Party, which boasts a history spanning nearly 400 years. This shift is clearly illustrated by the reality of leaders from major ruling parties worldwide competing to visit Beijing over the past several years, increasingly disillusioned by the erratic trajectory of the United States.

Its dominance within domestic borders requires little explanation. Backed by explosive support from the fiercely patriotic MZ generation, the party operates with immense confidence. Simply put, its long-term survival prospects remain exceptionally strong. Maintaining the current trajectory, the party appears well on its way to becoming a bicentennial institution, even if matching the sheer longevity of the British Conservatives remains a distant benchmark.

The scale of its authority is vividly reflected in its membership numbers. According to state-run Xinhua News Agency, the party's membership was estimated at 101,286,000 as of the end of last year. This represents an increase of 1.0%, or 1,015,000 members, compared to the previous year when membership surpassed the 100-million milestone for the first time in history. Recalling that the party was founded in 1921 at the French Concession in Shanghai, where 13 delegates—including Chen Duxiu and Mao Zedong—convened the first National Congress, this transformation feels like a lifetime away. At its inception, the party's membership stood at a mere 54 individuals.

In terms of demographic breakdown, female party members number 31,914,000, accounting for 31.5% of the total. Members from ethnic minority groups reach 7,878,000, making up 7.8% of the roster. Given that party members constitute 7.1% of China's overall population, this represents a highly robust ratio. Educationally, 59,765,000 members hold a college degree or higher, representing 59.0% of the total membership.

Furthermore, members who joined before the founding of New China in October 1949 total 43,000, while those who entered the ranks after the 18th National Congress in November 2012—when General Secretary and President Xi Jinping took power—are estimated at 30,187,000. This clearly demonstrates that the party's membership expanded exponentially under President Xi's administration.

Naturally, the festive atmosphere is reaching a crescendo across the nation. This was evident on the 29th, when a grand commemorative concert titled "The People First" was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The event was attended by the highest echelon of China's party and state leadership, including President Xi, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CCP Central Committee Cai Qi, and Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.

A selected audience of approximately 3,000 rank-and-file party members watched the performance alongside the top leadership. "China has weathered adversities together for 105 years, moving forward hand in hand," Xinhua reported, capturing the atmosphere. "The concert delivered profound emotion through a majestic and diverse lineup of performances from start to finish."

A formal grand rally to celebrate the 105th anniversary is scheduled to take place at the Great Hall of the People at 10 a.m. on the 1st. During the ceremony, the party will confer the "July 1 Medal," its highest honor, upon outstanding recipients. National exemplary communist party members, exceptional party workers, and advanced primary-level party organizations will also receive formal commendations.

President Xi is expected to deliver a pivotal address at the event. Analysts predict his speech will outline major domestic and foreign policy directions, addressing topics such as economic recovery, technological self-reliance, relations with the United States, and defense and security strategies, while offering key messages on the shifting global landscape. This grand display serves as another indicator of China's trajectory toward becoming a top-tier global superpower capable of rivaling the United States in the near future.

                                                                                                           Hong Soon-do