The Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrated its 95th anniversary on Friday, July 1, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The occasion was marked by a speech from President Xi Jinping, which came at the end of a week-long series of events, ceremonies, and concerts; attended by elite businessmen, politicians and celebrities.

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The CPC came into being in 1921 after a Congress. The 12 delegates who attended the Congress called for the establishment of a communist party as a branch of the Communist International and elected Chen Duxiu as its leader.

For party members, the 95th anniversary of the CPC is an occasion of great pride and celebration as it commemorates the struggles and sacrifices of all who fought for the country's Independence and later worked to strengthen China into a world super power.

President Xi's speech which was telecast live on TV and was also streamed online on websites like YouTube, which is otherwise unavailable in China.

The speech focused on Marxism as the "guiding principle" of the party and the core of its identity.  President Xi also touched on the issue of corruption as the biggest threat to the party.

"As the ruling party, the biggest danger we face is corruption," Xi said. "We must have staunch will, not let up on zero tolerance attitude, investigate all cases and punish those who are corrupt, to give corrupt elements no place to hide in the party."

Although he did not make any direct reference to the South China Sea, Xi sent a clear warning that although Beijing does not intend to create any trouble, it would not allow others undermine its interests.

TagsCPC, Chinese Communist Party, President Xi Jinping, Marxism, Karl Marx, china, China politics, Beijing, Great Hall of the People, National Museum of China, South China Sea, Wang Tieniu, Lio Shaoqui, Lenin, Leninism, Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu, CPC 95 anniversary, May Forth Movement 1919, 1919, 1921