Editor's note: Xia Lu, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the School of CPC History & Party Building and a research fellow at the National Academy for Development and Strategy as well as the Academy of Xi Jinping Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Renmin University of China. Gao Lei, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Center for Xi Jinping Thoughts on Opening-up, Research Institute of Globalization and China's Modernization, University of International Business and Economics. The article reflects the authors' opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Today marks the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Three years ago, at a ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, clearly summarized the scientific connotation and historical status of the great founding spirit of the CPC: "A hundred years ago, the pioneers of Communism in China established the Communist Party of China and developed the great founding spirit of the Party, which is comprised of the following principles: upholding truth and ideals, staying true to our original aspiration and founding mission, fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice, and remaining loyal to the Party and faithful to the people. This spirit is the Party's source of strength."

This spirit is deeply engraved in the mind of the Chinese communists. It inspires generations of them to withstand all kinds of challenges, effectively promoting the great practice of China's revolution, socialist construction, reform and opening-up in the new era, and is also profoundly reflected in the various historical stages of the Party's century-long glorious struggle.

Upholding truth and ideals

As Russia's October Revolution broke out in 1917, Marxism-Leninism was introduced to China. At that time, Li Dazhao, a pioneer of the CPC, realized that Marx's theory was the solution to strengthening China and the guidance to lead people to prosperity. He then, with other pioneers such as Chen Duxiu, began to take active actions and planned to found the Party.

In 1921, the First National Congress of the CPC announced the founding of the Party and adopted the first Party program, which clearly stipulated that the Party was committed to the ideals of communism.

The CPC's upholding of Marxism is not merely reflected in its choice of Marxism, but also in its application of Marxism to China. Marxism "does not provide ready-made dogma but provides a starting point for further research and methods for this research." The newly founded CPC did not stick to the principles and dogmas of Marxism, but insisted on combining it with China's real condition, which substantially distinguished the CPC from other socialist political forces at the time.

Staying true to the original aspiration and founding mission

Seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation is the mission of the CPC. The reason why the pioneers chose Marxism is that Marxism can provide the scientific guidance and a feasible path for realizing that great cause.

When the CPC was founded, the deputies to the First National Congress of the CPC guarded against, and worked hard, to abandon old-style political parties with disadvantages, so that the CPC could move towards a broad world that represents the interests of the people and promotes social progress.

The above self-consciousness was the consensus of the Chinese communists who have been determined to resist foreign invading forces and to make the Chinese people stand tall among the nations of the world, reflecting their staunch responsibility to improve the livelihoods of the people and strive for the rejuvenation of the nation.

Fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice

The First National Congress of the CPC decided that the Party would carry out a resolute political struggle and social revolution and not compromise with any other forces. The Party leaders were willing to take risks to accomplish the great cause of Party building, embodying the Party's revolutionary spirit of not being afraid of sacrifice.

Wang Jinmei, a representative of the Party's First National Congress from Shandong, insisted on the revolutionary activities until the last moment of his life at the age of 27 when he was seriously ill. He Shuheng, the veteran representative from Hunan, died heroically in 1935 during the transfer of a group of people to a safer location. The list of such examples goes on. It shows that the revolutionary spirit of fighting till the end for ideals and convictions has continued through the generations.

Remaining loyal to the Party and faithful to the people

Attaching significance to the strength of the masses is an important part of Marxist theory. The CPC, armed with Marxism, made clear its stand with the people at the very beginning of its founding.

After the establishment of the Party, the Party pioneers actively mobilized and implemented activities with the workers. In sharp contrast, other political forces in the same period relied solely on the elites. They stayed high above the masses, alienated themselves from the masses, and eventually failed due to the lack of a mass base.

From upholding the principle of relying on workers in the early days, to attaching significance of peasantry in the revolutionary base in rural areas, to mobilizing all classes and strata to participate in revolution, socialist construction and reform, the CPC has relied on the people to get to this new era. The CPC has grown, developed, and strengthened itself through close ties with the masses who are the source of the Party's strength and the foundation of its victory.

The CPC, which has gone through over 100 years, will continue to maintain its adherence to its original aspiration and mission, its dedication to ideals and beliefs, its reverence for the people and the nation, and its spirit of conquering difficulties and obstacles, to inherit and carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, and lead the people to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

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