Chinese cinemas are ordered to screen patriotic films with titles such as “Sacrifice” and “Red Sun”. Elementary students in some cities are told to create paintings and calligraphy that exalt the “Chinese dream.” Buses and subways send nationalist messages about revolutionary heroes.
The Communist Party of China is preparing for a patriotic extravaganza to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding on July 1. Officials are going too far to make sure the commemorations go smoothly – and open the message that the party alone can restore what China considers the country’s legitimate place as a global power.
While much of the focus will be on the past, the party’s centenary will have a significant impact on China’s future. The holidays will provide China’s top leader Xi Jinping with a forum to present himself as a transformative figure on a par with Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. Mr. Xi, 67, is maneuvering to stay in power indefinitely, an effort that seems to have taken on greater urgency as a new US president builds alliances to reduce Beijing’s influence.
“We need to educate and guide the whole party to carry the red tradition forward,” Xi said during a recent conference with political leaders about the centenary, according to the Daily Daily, an official newspaper.
Chinese officials, using the slogan “Watch the Party Forever”, are eager to trumpet China’s force in a pandemic-ravaged world and justify the party’s growing adherence to China’s daily life.
The news media provides special coverage of China’s fight against extreme poverty and corruption. Universities organize plays about young lovers killed in the 1920s for their communist activism, and state theaters revive Mao-era operas.
Officials in the southern city of Nanjing offer an advantage for residents eager to show their love for the party before its big day: a free wedding ceremony in June for 100 couples (hotel, makeup and dresses included). The party’s more than 91 million members are given priority. Recently married couples can apply.
Yan Dianjian, an official from Nanjing, said in a telephone interview that the ceremony was meant to “send a tribute” to her birthday party. He said the party slogans inspired several themes for the event, including a play on one of Mr. Xi’s distinctive phrases, “Always remember your original mission. Love follows. “
As the government pushes pomp and propaganda ahead of the anniversary, authorities are simultaneously stepping up efforts to limit dissent. The Ministry of Civil Affairs is leading a nationwide crackdown on “illegal” non-profit organizations, including religious and social groups, as part of efforts to ensure a “good environment” for the centenary.
Officials also warned of the consequences for those who “distort” the party’s history or “defame” communist heroes before the centenary. China’s cyberspace administration, which regulates the Internet, recently unveiled a website and hotline for citizens to report “historic nihilists” and encourages the public to help eliminate those who “deny the excellence of advanced socialist culture.” .
Officials in eastern Jiangsu Province detained a 19-year-old man this month, accusing him of posting offensive comments to China over the Japanese occupation of Nanjing before World War II.
The campaign against such dissent reflects the concern among China’s top leaders that the party must do more to strengthen public loyalty and strengthen control over society.
Mr Xi has long warned that the communist government could disintegrate if the party does not assert control over society, including in the private sector, schools and the media. Party bodies at the national and local levels host study sessions on party history for cadres. Chinese military officials say they are using the centenary to “absolutely retain” the party and Mr. Xi.
“They are worried about the collapse at any moment, that a small protest could trigger an avalanche of a revolution,” said Wu Qiang, a political analyst in Beijing. “They tried their best to eliminate any noise, dissent and objections.”
Mr. Xi’s government seems nervous about even the voices within the party’s institution before the centenary. Authorities recently deleted an article by Wen Jiabao, a former Chinese prime minister, from several websites without explanation. Mr. Wen, in a tribute to his mother published in a Macao newspaper, wrote about the need for fairness, justice and equality in China.
The opportunity also gives Mr. Xi an opportunity to project power on the global stage. The Chinese party survived its Soviet counterpart to become the longest communist party in history. Party officials are keen to promote China’s top-down system as a model for other countries and a rival to Western-style democracy.
China’s rivalry with the United States will be a strong current in the party’s big celebration. President Biden, describing the need to “prove that democracy works,” sought to bring an alliance of countries together to counter China’s harsh authoritarianism. Many Chinese officials and scholars believe that the United States is trying to prevent China’s rise.
“No person or force can stop the march of the Chinese people towards a better life,” says an official slogan for the centenary.
The party aims to take advantage of the anniversary to support the party’s continued leadership in the 21st century, said David Bandurski, co-director of China Media Project, a research program affiliated with the University of Hong Kong.
“There is clearly an effort to make a strong emotional call for unity around the party to propel China’s development and rise as a global power,” Mr Bandurski said.
The centenary will also be critical of the political fortunes of Mr. Xi, one of China’s most influential leaders in recent history. Mr. Xi is set to claim a third five-year term at a party convention next year. In 2018, the party let Xi go indefinitely, abolishing the terms of office that served as control over leaders after Mao and Deng.
“Neither party politicians nor the urban public are enthusiastic about giving up the two-term limit, so Xi must gain his support and eliminate any potential opposition,” said Susan Shirk, president of China Century 21st Center at the University. from California. San Diego. She called the centenary a “crucial part” of Mr. Xi’s campaign for another term.
Mr. Xi is already approaching discussions on this stage. Government officials spoke of the importance of promoting Xi Jinping’s thinking, his political doctrine, before the centenary. Mr. Xi will preside over the festivities, hand out exemplary medals to party members, and deliver a speech.
While trying to gain more followers, the party infuses popular culture by talking about the centenary.
Television networks are launching anniversary documentaries and dramas, such as “Minning Town,” a popular series depicting the Poverty Reduction Party’s work in Ningxia, a northwestern region of China.
The government has trained thousands of cinemas across the country to screen propaganda films at least twice a week by the end of the year. Local officials are expected to mobilize party members and others to participate in screenings to “enhance their social impact,” according to an opinion issued by China’s National Film Administration.
Local governments, which are facing pressure from Beijing, are working hard to add themed party activities to the calendar. Companies register employees for extracurricular lessons about party history and visits to famous revolutionary sites.
“I’m tired to death,” a commentator wrote on Weibo, a popular social networking site. “I will not have any of my own until the end of April. This centenary of the party’s founding is so annoying. ”
Albee Zhang contributed to the research.