College students have their say on becoming CPC members

World
Europe

02:24

Chinese youths take up quite a share of the nearly 89 million members of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The latest data from the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department suggests that nearly a quarter of CPC members are below the age of 30. Just ahead of the CPC's 97th birthday, CGTN visited one university in Beijing to take a closer look at why young students are joining the Party.

At Beijing Foreign Studies University - best known for its diverse cultures and languages - post-graduate student Zhang Yisheng is one of 33 CPC members in his department. He's been part of the Party for four years.

"My grandparents and parents are all Party members. So when I was young, they told me that without the CPC, there won't be a new China. So, it's my family traditions that teach me I should love and respect the CPC." Said Zhang Yisheng, a student leader at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Zhang Yisheng, a post-graduate student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, has been a CPC member for four years. /CGTN Photo

Besides Yisheng, others have their unique reasons for joining, from historical factors to personal belief.

"My hometown is Nanjing city and I live very close to the monument to the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign, a symbol of CPC victory. So, I was deeply influenced by the history and have been eager to join the Party ever since my childhood. " Said Wu Mengyu.

"I joined the CPC mainly because I appreciate its governing philosophies and I firmly believe the CPC can lead China to realize its great rejuvenation." Says Lin Xuliao, who become a CPC member this May.

"I am now a probationary member of the CPC. I chose to join it because I would like to contribute more to China's future development. After joining it, my understanding and admiration of the Party has grown even more." said Fan Yaxin, as she still thinks that there is a lot more to learn from the Party.

As young members, students say they feel more obliged to bring the positive impact of the Party to their classmates.

"For those who have little understanding of the CPC, I will definitely offer them help. But as college students, we are forming our own value systems. So it depends on the students' own thoughts." added Fan Yaxin.

Zhang Yisheng told CGTN while the majority of his friends love and respect the CPC there are still some doubts. He said he will try his best to tell them that no one is perfect and you should be part of the solution in order to improve it.

Huang Jiajun, a recent graduate from Beijing Foreign Studies University, says CPC members around him have become powerful role models. /CGTN Photo

Not everyone we met in the school is ready to join the Party. While some still think they are not qualified, others like recent graduate Huang Jiajun say they haven't thought it through.

"During my studies here, I was not fully aware of the great significance of joining the CPC. But later I was largely motivated by Party members around me as they usually play the leading role in organizing class activities." Said Huang Jiajun.

Right now, more than 1.7 million CPC members are students. One thing they have in common, they are trying their best to become model members of society.