Going back 97 years to 1921, China was a weak nation. It was torn apart by western powers, as they semi-colonized regions where they had strong interests. And there was no unified national government to rule this sleeping Asian giant. To seek the way ahead for China, some intellectuals realized that the October Revolution in Russia, which was based on Marxist theories, might be a possible model for China's reform.

On July 23rd, 1921, thirteen people gathered in Shanghai, claiming to be members of a summer tour group from Peking University.

But their real aim was to establish the Communist Party of China.

It was an "underground" meeting that began in a Shikumen building, a typical Shanghai-style construction in what was then the French Concession area of Shanghai.

The group, including Mao Zedong, represented little over 50 people across China, who believed that communism might save the country.

The delegates all came from different parts of the country and all spoke different dialects but they gathered around a table and discussed the party's goals and working plans.

On the 8th day of the meeting, while they were heatedly debating about China's future, they were forced to suspend the Congress due to a search by the police.

They moved on to Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province, about 100 kilometers from Shanghai. They resumed the final day's meeting on the South Lake, in a boat they rented to avoid inspection.

In the boat, they adopted the party's first resolution, elected the party's first central leadership, and proclaimed the founding of the CPC.