Party keeps coping with challenges toward national rejuvenation

No one can argue against China's success in achieving long-term economic growth and social stability. Behind what is often called the "Chinese miracle" is the tenacious struggle of the Communist Party of China in leading the country toward national rejuvenation since its birth a century ago, according to experts. Maintaining a fighting spirit is the CPC's most distinctive characteristic and is also a major contributor to the Party's triumph over the difficulties, risks and challenges seen during the Chinese revolution, through construction and reform, and has enabled the country to become the world's second-largest economy and an influential player on the international stage, they said.

The CPC was born during a time of fierce struggle in which the Chinese people overthrew feudal rule and foreign oppression, and developed through decades of painful struggle to pursue national independence and liberation.

Under the leadership of the CPC, the nation reversed its fate of continuous decline following the Opium Wars in the 1840s and 1850s via steady progress toward prosperity and strength.

The century-long history of the CPC is a process of great struggle that has spanned the decades from the founding of the People's Republic of China to the reform and opening-up policy, as well as advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, said Li Jie, president of the Association of Chinese Historians.

"By struggle, we mean not only fighting against those who are hostile or confront us, but also prevailing over natural hazards, overcoming difficulties arising from the modernization drive and dealing with problems, risks and challenges that pose threat to the development of the Party and the nation," Li said.

President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has warned on many occasions of the growing complexity of the risks and tests China has to face in realizing its dream of national rejuvenation. He has stressed the long-term nature of various struggles and called for the courage to fight and the mettle to win.

In March 2019, while addressing the opening ceremony of a study session dedicated to young and middle-aged officials at the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC, Xi called for the continuation of the Party's fighting spirit and urged officials to strengthen the ability to struggle.

Xi said achieving national rejuvenation is no easy job and that realizing the great dream demands great struggle. Resolute efforts must be made to fight against the risks and challenges that endanger the CPC's leadership and the socialist system, harm China's sovereignty, security and developmental interests and jeopardize the core and fundamental interests of the nation, he added. Saying that fighting is an art which demands strategies and skills, Xi urged efforts to mobilize all resources available to strive for unity, cooperation and win-win results.