Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China. Here's an overview:
History
- Founding: The CCP was officially founded on July 23, 1921, in Shanghai. Its first National Congress was attended by 13 delegates, including notable figures like Mao Zedong and Chen Duxiu.
- Early Years: Initially, the party was influenced by Marxist-Leninist theory, and its early activities were centered around organizing workers and peasants for revolutionary change.
- Long March: During the 1930s, the CCP faced numerous setbacks, including the Long March, a military retreat that solidified Mao Zedong's leadership.
- War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression: The CCP significantly grew in influence and strength during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
- Chinese Civil War: After World War II, the CCP defeated the Kuomintang (KMT) in the Chinese Civil War, leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
Structure and Ideology
Current Role and Policies
- Government Control: The CCP exercises comprehensive control over the state apparatus, military, and various aspects of life in China, including the economy, education, and media.
- Economic Reforms: Post-1978, under Deng Xiaoping, the party initiated reforms that shifted China towards a socialist market economy, significantly increasing economic growth.
- Foreign Policy: The CCP's foreign policy aims to protect China's sovereignty, promote economic development, and enhance China's global influence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
- Human Rights: The CCP's approach to human rights has been a subject of international scrutiny, particularly concerning issues like freedom of expression, religious freedom, and the treatment of ethnic minorities in regions like Xinjiang and Tibet.
Leadership
- General Secretary: The current General Secretary of the CCP is Xi Jinping, who has been in office since 2012.
- Collective Leadership: While the General Secretary holds significant power, the CCP also operates under a system of collective leadership, where decisions are theoretically made by consensus within the Politburo Standing Committee.
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