Chinese Communism marks 90 years

China’s Communist Party is celebrating its 90th birthday on Friday, even if it was born at a meeting of 12 intellectuals in Shanghai at the end of July 1921. By 1949 via two alliances and two civil wars, it had taken power.

Television is crammed with documentaries about its history and lauding its achievements. Bookstores are full of red-bound volumes, and museums are hosting special exhibitions. The president is due to give a keynote speech to cap it all.

The party says it has restored prosperity and dignity after what it calls a “century of shame and humiliation.”

Flagmakers are doing a roaring trade, as are the party’s recruiters, who claim 80 million Chinese are now party members, although a quarter of them are over 60.

The Chinese also have another huge building project to celebrate for the anniversary; the world’s longest maritime bridge, four years in the making and nearly 42.5 kilometres long. It opened to traffic today.

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