Gopal Khanal (KATHMANDU, 24 JUNE) – On 1 July 2026, the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates the 105th anniversary of its founding. Established on 1 July 1921 in Shanghai by a small group of revolutionary intellectuals and workers, the CPC emerged at a time when China was facing political fragmentation, foreign intervention, economic hardship, and social instability. From its humble beginning with just a handful of members, the party has grown into the world’s largest governing political party and has led China through one of the most remarkable transformations in modern history.
Today, the CPC has more than 100 million members organised through over five million grassroots party organisations across China. From leading a revolution to governing the world’s second-largest economy, the Party’s journey over the past 105 years has been a story of struggle, resilience, reform, innovation, and national rejuvenation. Few political organisations in modern history have had such a profound impact on the destiny of a nation and the course of global affairs.
The history of modern China cannot be discussed without acknowledging the historic contribution of Chairman Mao Zedong. Mao led the Chinese revolution and played a decisive role in ending decades of internal conflict, political fragmentation, and foreign domination. Under his leadership, the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, restoring China’s sovereignty, unity, and national dignity. Mao’s greatest contribution was laying the political foundation for a new China. He was not merely an individual leader; he was a movement that inspired millions and fundamentally altered the course of Chinese history.
Equally significant was the contribution of Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China’s Reform and Opening Up policy. If Mao transformed China’s political destiny, Deng transformed its economic destiny. Beginning in 1978, Deng introduced pragmatic economic reforms, encouraged market-orientated development, welcomed foreign investment, and opened China to the world. His famous strategy, often summarised as “Hide your strength and bide your time”, reflected a pragmatic approach that enabled China to focus on internal development and economic modernisation. Deng’s reforms unleashed the productive potential of the Chinese people and laid the foundation for China’s rise as a major economic power.
Together, Mao and Deng laid the twin foundations of modern China—political sovereignty and economic modernisation. Their combined legacy created the conditions that enabled China to rise from poverty and isolation to become one of the world’s most influential countries. China is no longer an emerging power; it is an established global power whose economic, technological, and diplomatic influence extends far beyond its borders. China’s modern transformation is often understood against the backdrop of what Chinese historians call the “Century of Humiliation”, a period stretching from the mid-nineteenth century to the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949. During those years, China experienced foreign invasions, unequal treaties, territorial losses, and national decline. The CPC’s central mission has consistently been the realisation of national rejuvenation and the restoration of China’s historical place in the world.
From the Century of Humiliation to more than seven decades of national development and over four decades of reform and opening up, China has undergone an unprecedented transformation. Hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty in what is widely regarded as the largest poverty reduction campaign in human history. The eradication of absolute rural poverty stands as one of the CPC’s most celebrated achievements and reflects its commitment to ensuring that development benefits all citizens. Infrastructure development has been another defining success story. China today possesses the world’s largest high-speed railway network, modern motorways, world-class airports, advanced ports, and extensive digital infrastructure. Cities that were once underdeveloped have become global centres of manufacturing, commerce, technology, and innovation. Massive investments in connectivity have transformed domestic mobility and strengthened China’s links with the rest of the world.
The achievements of China extend far beyond economic growth. The country has become a global leader in science and technology, renewable energy, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, healthcare, education, and space exploration. China’s successful space missions, advances in high-tech manufacturing, and growing innovation capacity reflect the CPC’s emphasis on long-term planning and strategic development. Another important aspect of CPC governance has been its commitment to combating corruption. One of the most notable features of President Xi Jinping’s leadership has been his unprecedented anti-corruption campaign. Since taking office in 2012, more than seven million officials and party members have been disciplined for corruption-related offences and violations of party regulations. The campaign has targeted both senior leaders and grassroots officials, reinforcing party discipline, improving governance, and strengthening public confidence in the party. It has sent a powerful message that no individual is above party discipline or the law.
Today, China is no longer merely a participant in the international system; it is one of the principal powers shaping it. As the world’s second-largest economy, the largest trading partner of more than 120 countries, and a leading manufacturing and technological power, China has become a major pillar of the global economy. Whether in trade, infrastructure development, climate governance, poverty reduction, digital transformation, or international development cooperation, China’s role is increasingly indispensable. Unlike the unipolar era that followed the Cold War, the contemporary world is moving toward a more multipolar order, and China stands at the centre of this transformation. Discussions about the future of global governance, economic growth, and international cooperation cannot be complete without considering China’s role and contributions.
At the centre of China’s contemporary development stands President Xi Jinping, who serves as General Secretary of the CPC and President of China. Since assuming leadership, President Xi has articulated a comprehensive vision for China’s future through the concept of the “Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation”. His leadership has emphasised national development, social stability, technological innovation, ecological civilisation, party discipline, and greater engagement with the international community.
President Xi’s leadership is characterised by strategic thinking, long-term vision, and a strong commitment to governance modernisation. He has consistently emphasised that development must serve the people. His frequently quoted statement, “The people’s aspiration for a better life is our goal,” has become a guiding principle of governance. Under his leadership, policies promoting common prosperity, rural revitalisation, poverty alleviation, healthcare improvement, environmental protection, and social equity have received unprecedented attention.
One of the major departures during the Xi era has been the transition from high-speed growth to high-quality development. Rather than focusing solely on expanding economic output, China has increasingly prioritised innovation, technological self-reliance, environmental sustainability, green development, and balanced regional growth. This shift reflects an understanding that sustainable prosperity requires not only economic strength but also social harmony and ecological responsibility.
President Xi has also expanded China’s engagement with the world through several major international initiatives. The Global Development Initiative (GDI) seeks to promote inclusive and sustainable development and accelerate progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Global Security Initiative (GSI) advocates a cooperative and sustainable approach to international security. The Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI) encourages dialogue among civilisations and mutual respect among cultures. Together, these initiatives reflect China’s vision of building a more balanced, equitable, and peaceful international order.
President Xi’s global outlook is reflected in his belief that “mankind is a community with a shared future”. This idea has become a cornerstone of Chinese diplomacy and serves as the philosophical foundation for many of China’s international initiatives. It emphasises cooperation over confrontation, mutual benefit over zero-sum competition, and shared development over exclusion.
Among China’s international initiatives, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) remains the most influential. Introduced by President Xi in 2013, the BRI aims to enhance connectivity through infrastructure development, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Guided by the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, the initiative seeks to promote common prosperity and shared development. For many developing countries, the BRI has provided opportunities to improve infrastructure, expand connectivity, attract investment, and accelerate economic growth.
A defining feature of Xi Jinping’s governance philosophy is its people-centred orientation. The Chinese leadership consistently emphasises that development should improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens. From poverty alleviation and rural revitalisation to housing, education, healthcare, and environmental protection, public welfare remains central to China’s modernisation strategy. This focus on the people has been a key source of the CPC’s legitimacy and public support.
China’s diplomacy under President Xi has become increasingly confident and proactive. At the same time, China continues to uphold the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. These principles have resonated with many developing nations that seek greater policy independence and a more equitable international system. China has also emerged as a leading voice of the Global South. Through platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, China has advocated greater representation of developing countries in global governance institutions. Beijing consistently argues that international institutions should better reflect the realities of the twenty-first century and the aspirations of emerging economies.
For Nepal, China’s development experience carries valuable lessons. Nepal and China enjoy a longstanding friendship based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and good-neighbourly cooperation. Over the years, bilateral relations have expanded to include trade, investment, connectivity, infrastructure, tourism, education, cultural exchanges, and development cooperation.
A historic milestone in bilateral relations was President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal in October 2019, the first visit by a Chinese president in more than two decades. During the visit, President Xi articulated a vision of helping Nepal transform from a landlocked country into a land-linked country through enhanced connectivity and infrastructure cooperation. The visit elevated bilateral relations to a new strategic height and generated fresh momentum for cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Relations between the CPC and Nepal’s communist movement have also played an important role in strengthening bilateral ties. The CPC and Nepal’s communist parties have maintained longstanding exchanges based on mutual learning, political dialogue, and party-to-party cooperation. These interactions have enhanced understanding, strengthened friendship, and contributed to closer people-to-people relations between the two countries.
As the Communist Party of China celebrates its 105th anniversary, it does so not only as the governing party of China but also as the architect of one of the most remarkable transformations in human history. From a nation weakened by foreign intervention and poverty to a global leader in development, technology, infrastructure, and diplomacy, China’s journey has been extraordinary. The CPC’s success demonstrates the importance of visionary leadership, political stability, strategic planning, and a long-term commitment to national development.
Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China continues to pursue national rejuvenation while promoting peace, development, cooperation, and a community with a shared future for mankind. For Nepal, China’s achievements offer important lessons in development, connectivity, poverty reduction, and national confidence. As Nepal and China deepen their partnership in the years ahead, the spirit of friendship, mutual respect, and common development will continue to strengthen the bonds between the two neighbours.
The celebration of the CPC’s 105th anniversary is therefore not merely a commemoration of a political party’s founding. It is a celebration of a remarkable national journey from humiliation to rejuvenation, from poverty to prosperity, and from isolation to global leadership. It is also an occasion to look ahead toward a future of deeper Nepal-China cooperation, stronger regional connectivity, and a shared commitment to peace, development, and mutual prosperity.