On the morning of July 1, 2021, a ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Tian’anmen Square in Beijing. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the ceremony. People from all walks of life in ASEAN countries have extended warm congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. They have raved about the great achievements of the CPC and expressed confidence that under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the CPC will embark on a new journey to glory in the new century.
Congratulations on the CPC’s Achievements
“Over the last 100 years of tremendous and rapid changes in the world, the CPC has led China to overcome various challenges both inside and outside its borders and navigated the country’s route to peace and prosperity,” commented Lee Hsien Loong, secretary-general of the Singapore People’s Action Party, in his congratulatory letter. Under the leadership of the CPC, China has made rapid progress in its development that has improved the lives of countless Chinese people, according to Lee. China has recently eradicated absolute poverty and achieved the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China also successfully addressed the COVID-19 pandemic, paving the way for robust economic recovery.
Lee noted that a prosperous and stable China fully integrated into the international system benefits not only China, but also other Asian countries and the whole world. He expressed hope that the increasingly close ties between the two parties would stay abreast of national development and bring more benefits to the two peoples.
In an interview with China Report ASEAN, Vejjajiva Abhisit, former prime minister of Thailand, expressed congratulations on the centenary of the CPC and more importantly, the historic achievements of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC. Under its leadership, he said, China rose from a poor and weak populous country into the second largest economy in the world, raising the living standards of its people from bare subsistence to moderate prosperity in all respects, which has contributed to the well-being of 1.4 billion Chinese people.
Abhisit thinks that alongside the tremendous achievements of the Chinese people at home, China has played a big role on the international stage by promoting Belt and Road cooperation and building a community with a shared future for mankind in cooperation with more than 100 countries around the world. China has stood firm on the global stage, another irrefutable success worthy of congratulations.
Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, former Malaysian ambassador to China and current president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association (Persatuan Persahabatan Malaysia-China, PPMC), said that the CPC has led the nation, which had suffered greatly from foreign invasion in modern history, through the transformation from standing up to growing rich and strong. In this process, it played a positive role in promoting world economic development and maintaining peace and stability. In the face of COVID-19, China led the development of effective containment measures for timely resumption of economic activities against headwinds, which again demonstrated the governing capacity of the CPC.
Chea Munyrith, Cambodian scholar and president of the Cambodia-China Relations Development Society, boiled down the relationship between the Chinese people and the CPC to just one word: trust. As translator of the Cambodian version of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, he has acquired a deeper understanding of the CPC’s governing philosophy. In an interview with China Report ASEAN, he said that the CPC is committed to a people-centered philosophy. Under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, he continued, it has deepened reform comprehensively and rooted out incompetence and negligence, which has upgraded its governing capacity and improved CPC’s governing image substantially. China’s development achievements testify to the fact that the CPC has succeeded in exploring the right path of development and will lead the Chinese nation to great rejuvenation.
Congratulations on Motherland’s Development
As the CPC celebrates its centenary, overseas Chinese in ASEAN countries have beamed with pride for the development achievements of their motherland. They have expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Yao Bin, chairman of the Vientiane Chinese Business Council and the Lao Chinese Chamber of Commerce, was invited to attend the July 1 ceremony at Tian’anmen Square as an overseas Chinese leader. In an interview with China Report ASEAN, he revealed that he was deeply moved and encouraged by General Secretary Xi’s speech and claimed he would remember it forever. Xi’s speech provided a comprehensive look at China’s history over the last hundred years and a deeper understanding of the capabilities of the Party and the strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Such factors have been key to the protracted and arduous efforts of generations of Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC.
“I’m confident that the leadership of General Secretary Xi will ensure that the CPC leads the people to achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, which is the glory of the Chinese people all over the world,” exclaimed Yao. “I will make my own efforts and contribution.” Yao was particularly impressed with Xi’s remarks on youth. The future belongs to the young people, who should make it their mission to contribute to national rejuvenation and aspire to become more proud, confident, and assured in their Chinese identity, Xi said.
Wang Quancheng, president of the Hua Yuan Association of Singapore, was emotional and thoughtful after the July 1 ceremony. He called Xi’s speech significant for learning from history to create a bright future. He was particularly impressed with several of Xi’s declarations including “Chinese nation carries no aggressive or hegemonic traits in its genes” and “The CPC wishes to move forward in tandem with all progressive forces around the world. China has always worked to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, and preserve international order.”
Wang commented that the ceremony showcased the background of the founding of the CPC, its founding mission, and CPC members’ commitment to upholding truth and ideals, staying true to the Party’s original aspiration and founding mission, fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice, and remaining loyal to the Party and faithful to the people. The occasion has also helped educate youth on the significance of the CPC’s call to “remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind.”
Lee Yeow Seng is a fourthgeneration overseas Chinese in Malaysia. He was proud to have been invited to attend the July 1 ceremony in person. The experience helped him gain a deeper understanding of the CPC’s success, why CPC was the optimal institution to save China, why China chose the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and how the CPC grew from a party with only 50 members to the largest governing party in the world with 95 million members. He believes that China’s comprehensive strength and sense of responsibility as a major country will ensure China a warm welcome and general support from most countries in the world in promoting a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by General Secreta Xi Jinping.
“As an overseas Chinese, I was moved to tears by General Secretary Xi’s speech,” said You Jianmin, president of the Lashio Fujian Folks Association in northern Myanmar. “I will always remember the moment I waved a mini Party flag at the July 1 ceremony.” He recalled that Xi’s speech was very warmly received by the audience as evidenced by rounds of applause and cheers. The speech reflected on the past and looked towards the future, which helped overseas Chinese in attendance gain a deep understanding of how their motherland stood up, acquired wealth, and grew stronger. Miraculous achievements in space exploration, high-speed rails, bridge construction, defense, marine industry, agriculture, and other areas have enhanced the sense of identity and belonging of the Chinese people.
By Wang Fengjuan
China Report ASEAN 