BEIJING -- What started as a humble group of over 50 idealistic Chinese has swollen into an 80-million-strong political party, ruling over the world's most populous country.
The first National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Shanghai in July 1921. Thirteen delegates, including Mao Zedong, representing over 50 Party members nationwide, attended the meeting, which marked the founding of the CPC.
After nine decades, China has become the world's second-largest economy under CPC leadership. With foreign exchange reserves totaling 3 trillion U.S. dollars, China has become the largest creditor of the United States. China also boasts the world's largest banking, petroleum and telecommunications companies by market value.
The Communist Party of China has brought this country with a civilization of over 5,000 years back to the center of the international arena. In the meantime, nevertheless, the country is facing challenges. For instance, the per capita GDP is still around the world's 100th. Corruption still runs rampant in some areas.
Where will the Communist Party of China (CPC) lead China to and what are the implications of China's development to the world?
The questions have grabbed a great deal of attention and have been the subjects of much debate. Sometimes history and what is happening presently indicate the future.
