China celebrates 100 years of ruling Communist Party- In Pics

Beijing marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of China`s ruling Communist Party a flyby of fighter jets and helicopters at Tiananmen Square in the centre of the capital.

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The Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949 under Mao. It initially recruited peasants and workers but has evolved to embrace markets and entrepreneurship under "socialism with Chinese characteristics" while retaining a Leninist model of authoritarianism.

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The data released on Wednesday (June 30) showed that the party ranks swelled by 2.43 million in 2020, the largest annual gain since Xi became president in 2013, to 95.15 million members now.

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In a televised address from the square, Xi said China had achieved its centenary goal of building "a moderately prosperous society."

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President Xi in his address said China will build up its military to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development, elevating it to world-class standards.

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Xi and the party are riding high as China recovers briskly from the COVID-19 outbreak and takes a more assertive stand on the global stage, although Beijing also faces criticism over its actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and contends with a worsening demographic outlook that imperils long-term economic growth.

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