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Last Updated:
2024-09-22 08:21:10

Chinese Communist Party

Ruling political party in China
Ruling political party in China

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded in 1921 and emerged victorious in the Chinese Civil War in 1949, establishing the People's Republic of China. With over 98 million members, the CCP follows socialism with Chinese characteristics. The party is led by Xi Jinping, who holds key leadership positions.

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1398
Rapid Economic Growth

Since its establishment, the Chinese Communist Party has overseen rapid economic growth in China, propelling the country to become a global economic powerhouse. This growth has been a key factor in the CCP's continued dominance.

1905
Zhu Zhixin's Promotion of Marxism

In 1905, Zhu Zhixin published the first Chinese translation of The Communist Manifesto, promoting Marxist ideas in China.

1919
Communism's Growth after May Fourth Movement

Following the 1919 May Fourth Movement, communism began to gain traction in China, leading to the development of reading groups focused on Marxism.

1920-07-05
Meeting to Promote Establishment of CCP in China

On 5 July 1920, Grigori Voitinsky attended a meeting of Russian communists in China to promote the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party, marking a significant step in the party's formation.

1921-06-01
Establishment of Chinese Communist Party

The Chinese Communist Party was formally established on June 1, 1921, with its first congress marking the beginning of a new chapter in Chinese revolutionary history.

1921-07-23
First Session of the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party

The first session of the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party was held in Shanghai on 23 July 1921. Thirteen delegates, including Mao, attended the congress, which later moved to a boat on South Lake near Jiaxing, Zhejiang, to escape detection.

1921-07-23
Founding of the Chinese Communist Party

The CCP was officially founded on 23 July 1921 during the 1st National Congress of the CCP. The congress called for the establishment of a communist party as a branch of the Communist International (Comintern) and elected Chen Duxiu as its leader.

1922-08
Sneevliet proposes CCP members join Kuomintang

In August 1922, Sneevliet proposed that party members of the CCP join the Kuomintang, believing it was easier to transform the Nationalist Party from within rather than trying to replicate its success. This decision was met with opposition from some CCP members.

1923-10-06
Establishment of Relations between CCP and KMT

On 6 October 1923, the Comintern sent Mikhail Borodin to Guangzhou to establish friendly relations with the Kuomintang (KMT). This marked the beginning of cooperation between the CCP and KMT in China.

1924
First United Front Formation

In 1924, the First United Front was formed as an alliance between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to combat warlords during the Northern Expedition campaign. Sun Yat-sen played a key role in orchestrating this alliance.

1925-05-30
May Thirtieth Movement

The May Thirtieth Movement in 1925 marked the CCP's first major involvement in large-scale urban worker militancy. This movement led to significant growth in the party's membership, increasing from 1,000 members to over 57,000 by 1927.

1927-07-15
Expulsion of Communists from the Wuhan KMT government

On July 15, 1927, the Wuhan government expelled all communists from the KMT, leading to the founding of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army of China by the CCP.

1927-08-01
Nanchang Uprising

The Nanchang Uprising took place on August 1, 1927, when General Zhu De led a battalion to take the city of Nanchang in a battle against the KMT, marking the beginning of the Red Army's military actions.

1927-09-09
Autumn Harvest Uprising in Changsha

In September 1927, Mao Zedong led an army against Changsha in the Autumn Harvest Uprising, aiming to spark peasant uprisings. Despite initial setbacks, Mao's forces marched to the Jinggang Mountains of Jiangxi.

1931-09-18
The Mukden Incident

On September 18th, 1931, the Mukden Incident occurred, leading to the Japanese military occupation of Manchuria and the establishment of a Japanese puppet regime in the region.

1932-01-28
Shanghai Incident

Japanese forces attack Shanghai in response to staged assaults on Japanese persons and property.

1933-09-25
Fifth Encirclement Campaign by Jiang Jieshi

Jiang Jieshi initiates the Fifth Encirclement Campaign, recruiting warlord armies to increase Nationalist forces to more than one million men.

1934-02-19
New Life Movement Initiated by Jiang Jieshi

Jiang and his wife Soong Mei-ling initiate the New Life Movement, promoting Confucian and neo-fascist social values.

1934-10-16
Start of the Long March

Mao Zedong's First Red Army breaks out of the Nationalist encirclement at Jiangxi and begins the Long March.

1935-01-15
Zunyi Conference

The Zunyi Conference led to a shift in power within the CCP, with Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai taking command of the First Red Army.

1935-05-29
The Battle of Luding Bridge

During the Battle of Luding Bridge, the Red Army successfully secured a crucial river crossing in Sichuan province.

1935-11-30
The Battle of Xiang River

The Battle of Xiang River concluded with a devastating defeat for the Red Army, resulting in the loss of 40,000 soldiers.

1936-12-12
Xi'an Incident

During the Xi'an Incident, Jiang Jieshi was abducted by Zhang Xueliang and compelled to form an anti-Japanese military alliance with the CCP.

1937
Abduction of Chiang Kai-shek

In 1937, a group of generals abducted Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek to force him to reconsider cooperation with the Communist army amidst the Japanese assault and internal threats.

1939-12
Wang Jingwei's Deal with Japanese

Former Guomindang leader Wang Jingwei signs a secret deal with the Japanese and establishes a puppet government in Nanjing.

1940-08-20
Hundred Regiments Offensive

The CCP and Red Army launch the Hundred Regiments Offensive against the Japanese, a successful major campaign lasting almost four months.

1941-01
Conflict between Nationalist and CCP forces in Anhui

Nationalist and CCP forces clash in Anhui, resulting in significant losses for the CCP and effectively ending the Second United Front.

1942-04-28
Establishment of the official flag of the Communist Party of China

The Central Politburo decreed the establishment of a sole official flag with a hammer and sickle symbol, representing the interests of the masses and the people.

1945-08-06
US drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima

On August 6th, the US Air Force drops an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

1945-08-09
Soviet troops enter Manchuria

Soviet Russian troops enter Manchuria on August 9th to combat the Japanese.

1945-08-14
Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance

Jiang Jieshi’s Nationalist government signs the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance with the USSR on August 14th. Moscow promises to stop supporting the CCP but does not adhere to this promise.

1945-08-15
US drops atomic bomb on Nagasaki

On August 15th, the US Air Force drops an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki.

1945-08-28
Mao Zedong arrives in Chongqing for peace talks

Mao Zedong arrives in Chongqing on August 28th for a series of peace talks with Jiang Jieshi, organized by the Americans.

1945-09-02
Japanese surrender in the Pacific and China

Japanese forces in the Pacific and China sign the instruments of surrender on September 2nd, bringing World War II and the Sino-Japanese War to an end.

1945-10-01
Proclamation of the People's Republic of China

Mao Zedong declared the establishment of the People's Republic of China in front of a large crowd at Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1949. This marked the end of the Chinese Civil War and the beginning of communist rule in mainland China.

1946-06
CCP banned by Nationalist government

After World War II, the civil war between Kuomintang and CCP resumed. In June 1946, the CCP was officially banned by the Nationalist government.

1949-10-01
Founding of the People's Republic of China

Mao Zedong established the People's Republic of China after defeating Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang forces. The new government implemented state-controlled economy, land reforms, and strict regulations on social behaviors.

1950-03
Suppression of Counter-Revolutionaries Campaign

Mao initiated a political campaign to eliminate perceived threats to the Communist regime, resulting in the arrest, imprisonment, and execution of millions of individuals, including former Kuomintang members, landlords, and criminals.

1952-01-02
Reds Mark Foes as Pariahs

In January 2, 1952, the Reds identified their enemies as pariahs, marking them out for social exclusion and ostracism.

1953-01-06
China to Start First 5-Year Plan

On January 6, 1953, China announced the initiation of its inaugural 5-Year Plan, a significant economic strategy for the country's development.

1954
Enactment of PRC constitution establishing CCP's sole ruling system

In 1954, the PRC constitution was enacted, shifting to a sole ruling system by the CCP.

1957-06-13
Text Shows Reds 'Liquidated' 800,000 Since '49

A text on June 13, 1957, revealed that the Reds had executed around 800,000 individuals since 1949, showcasing the brutal actions taken by the Communist regime.

1957-06-19
Mao Theory Asks More Freedoms but With Limits

On June 19, 1957, Mao Zedong's theory proposed granting more freedoms to the people, albeit with certain restrictions and boundaries in place.

1957-07-15
Dissent in Red China

Reports indicate that dissent is widespread in Communist China.

1957-07-21
Mao Curbs 'Bloom-Contend' Phase

Mao Zedong implements measures to control the 'Bloom-Contend' phase in China.

1958-09-07
Organizing a Peasant Force

Efforts are made to organize a peasant force in China.

1958-10-21
China's Communes Shock Some Reds

The establishment of communes in China surprises some Communist party members.

1958-12-19
Red China Slows Commune Drive; Pushes Reforms

China reduces the pace of commune establishment while focusing on implementing reforms.

1958-12-25
Officers to Help Reorganize Communes

On December 25, 1958, officers were sent to assist in the reorganization of communes in China.

1959-05-17
Red China Eases Life in Communes to Meet Unrest

On May 17, 1959, China implemented measures to improve living conditions in communes in response to growing unrest.

1959-08-27
Peiping Cuts '58 Output Figures, Conceding Gross Overstatement

On August 27, 1959, Peiping (Beijing) reduced the reported output figures for 1958, acknowledging a significant overstatement.

1960
MAO admits that the Great Leap Forward was a disaster

In 1960, Mao Zedong publicly acknowledged that the Great Leap Forward, an economic and social campaign, had resulted in a disaster.

1961-01-10
Red China's 'Leap' Slowed by a Limp

In January 10, 1961, the 'Leap' movement in Red China faced obstacles and challenges, hindering its progress.

1961-02-12
Khrushchev-Mao Clashes on Party Issues Revealed

On February 12, 1961, conflicts between Khrushchev and Mao regarding party issues came to light, indicating tensions within the Communist leadership.

1961-03-11
Peiping Retreats in Economic Field

By March 11, 1961, Peiping (Beijing) showed signs of pulling back in the economic sector, suggesting setbacks or strategic changes in economic policies.

1961-04-15
Red China Hunger Reported Stirring Strong Opposition

Reports in April 15, 1961, indicated that hunger issues in Red China were causing significant opposition and unrest among the population.

1961-04-16
The Long Shadow of Mao Zedong

On April 16, 1961, the enduring influence and legacy of Mao Zedong continued to cast a significant impact on Chinese politics and society.

1961-10-24
Chou Quits Talks of Red Leaders; Returns to China

Chou quits negotiations with Communist leaders and goes back to China in October 24, 1961.

1965
Mao introduces the Cultural Revolution

In 1965, Mao Zedong initiated the Cultural Revolution, a socio-political movement aimed at preserving communist ideology in China.

1966-08-16
Effort to Steel Youth Seen Behind Peking Purge

In August 16, 1966, it is observed that the Peking purge is driven by an attempt to radicalize and mobilize the youth.

1968-07-03
CCP CC Public Notice

The CCP CC issued public notices ordering mass factions to end armed conflicts immediately, while also allowing regional leaders to suppress rebels by armed force. This led to large-scale massacres in some provinces, followed by the establishment of revolutionary committees in all provinces of China.

1969
Ninth National Congress of the CCP

The Ninth National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in 1969 issues a new Party Constitution that appoints Lin Biao as 'Comrade'. This event signifies a significant change in the leadership structure of the CCP.

1971-09-13
Death of Lin Biao in Plane Crash

On September 13, 1971, Lin Biao, Mao's anointed heir and party vice-chairman, died in a mysterious plane crash in Mongolia.

1972-02
Richard Nixon's Visit to Beijing

From February 21 to 28, 1972, US President Richard Nixon made a historic visit to Beijing, marking the beginning of improved relations between the United States and China.

1975-03-06
Symposium on National Tourism Work

Comrade Geng Biao of the CCP CC International Liaison Department delivers a speech at the Symposium on National Tourism Work.

1976-01-08
Death of Zhou Enlai

Zhou Enlai passed away due to bladder cancer.

1976-02-07
Deng Xiaoping Named Acting Premier

Deng Xiaoping was appointed as acting premier on February 7, with expectations that he would succeed Zhou Enlai.

1976-04-04
Tiananmen Incident

The Gang of Four, led by Jiang Qing, ordered the crackdown on mourners of Zhou Enlai, resulting in the 'Tiananmen incident'.

1976-04-05
Mass Demonstration in Tiananmen Square

A mass demonstration took place in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on April 5 over the removal of wreaths honoring Zhou Enlai.

1976-04-07
Deng Xiaoping Stripped of Posts

The Politburo stripped Deng Xiaoping of all his posts on April 7 and named Hua Guofeng as full premier and first vice chairman of the CCP.

1976-07-06
Death of Zhu De

Zhu De, a prominent Chinese military leader and one of the founding fathers of the People's Republic of China, passed away on July 6.

1976-09-09
Death of Mao Zedong

Mao Zedong died due to motor neurone disease, marking the end of an era in Chinese history.

1976-09-10
Mao Zedong: Father Of Chinese Revolution

Mao Zedong, a prominent figure in Chinese history, is known as the Father of Chinese Revolution. He played a crucial role in shaping the modern history of China through his leadership and revolutionary ideologies.

1976-10-25
Hua Is Proclaimed Chairman of Party at Rally in Peking

Hua Guofeng is declared as the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party at a rally held in Peking. This event marked a significant political transition in China following the death of Mao Zedong.

1978-02-27
Peking Party Chief Pledges to Improve Standard of Living

The Party Chief of Peking makes a commitment to enhance the standard of living for the people. This pledge reflects the government's efforts to address socio-economic issues and improve the quality of life in the region.

1979-01-01
US Switches Diplomatic Recognition to Beijing

On January 1, 1979, the United States shifted its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, signaling a major shift in international relations. Beijing abandoned its military approach towards Taiwan in favor of peaceful reunification.

1980
Deng Xiaoping becomes China's premier

Deng Xiaoping assumes the position of Premier of China in 1980. Known for his economic reforms and modernization policies, Deng played a crucial role in shaping China's development and global standing.

1981
Hua Guofeng becomes Party Chairman

After Mao's death, Hua Guofeng became the party chairman until 1981.

1982
Creation of Current Chinese Constitution

The current Chinese constitution was established in 1982 and has undergone several revisions since then, guaranteeing civil rights such as free speech, press, worship, trial rights, and private property ownership.

1984-12-23
Leader Hopes to Include Taiwan in His Legacy

On December 23, 1984, a Chinese leader expressed his desire to include Taiwan in his legacy.

1986-05-23
China Revives Its Test of Capitalism

On May 23, 1986, China made a significant move by reviving its test of capitalism.

1987
Zhao Ziyang becomes Party General Secretary

In 1987, Zhao Ziyang succeeded Hu Yaobang as the party general secretary.

1988-04-10
China Affirms Li Peng as Prime Minister

On April 10, 1988, China officially affirmed Li Peng as the Prime Minister.

1988-05-05
China, in Shift, Says Dalai Lama Can Return to His Home in Tibet

On May 5, 1988, China announced a shift in policy by stating that the Dalai Lama can return to his home in Tibet.

1989-04-15
Death of Hu Yaobang and Tiananmen Square Protests

The death of Hu Yaobang on April 15, 1989, triggered student-led pro-democracy protests centered around Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The protests were violently suppressed on June 4 by troops and tanks under Deng's orders.

1989-06-04
Tiananmen Square Protests and Massacre

The 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, a student-led movement calling for political reform and democracy, were violently suppressed by the Chinese government, resulting in a tragic massacre.

1991
Collapse of the Soviet Union

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 triggered existential crises within the CCP, leading to a reevaluation of its mandate and the implementation of intraparty reforms.

1992
Deng's Southern Tour

In 1992, Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour reignited economic reforms that had stalled after the Tiananmen Square incident.

1996
Tension between mainland China and Taiwan

Since 1996, the relations between mainland China and Taiwan have been increasingly tense.

1997-02-19
Death of Deng Xiaoping

On February 19, 1997, Deng Xiaoping passed away, just over four months before the handover of Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule on July 1.

2000
Introduction of the Three Represents by Jiang Zemin

Jiang Zemin introduced the ideological theory of the Three Represents, which some critics argue marked a departure from the CCP's formal commitment to Marxism-Leninism. However, party theorists like Leng Rong maintain that this move aimed to provide a modern interpretation of Marxism and socialism.

2002
Hu Jintao elected General Secretary

In 2002, Hu Jintao was elected as the general secretary of the CCP.

2003
Ratification of Three Represents

In 2003, the Chinese Communist Party ratified the Three Represents as a guiding ideology for the party, emphasizing the representation of advanced productive forces, China's culture, and the people's interests, allowing private business owners to join the party.

2006
CCP inviting Kim Jong Il to Guangdong

In 2006, the CCP invited then-WPK general secretary Kim Jong Il to Guangdong to showcase the success of economic reforms in China, in an effort to persuade North Korea to introduce similar reforms.

2007
Xi Jinping promoted to Standing Committee

In 2007, Xi Jinping rose to the Politburo Standing Committee during the 17th party congress, solidifying his position as the heir apparent in the Chinese Communist Party. This marked a significant step in Xi's political career.

2008
CCP's Interest in Latin America

Around 2008, the CCP showed a keen interest in Latin America, particularly focusing on the 71-year rule of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in Mexico. The CCP analyzed the reasons for PRI's long reign and eventual downfall, attributing it to various factors such as the lack of inner-party democracy, political corruption, and American interference.

2009-07-05
Anti-Chinese Rioting in Urumqi

In July 2009, anti-Chinese rioting erupted in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, resulting in the deaths of nearly 200 people and injuries to over 1,700, primarily Han Chinese. The violence led to Beijing declaring a war on terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism.

2010
China Becomes World's Second Largest Economy

In 2010, China surpassed Japan to become the world's second-largest economy, marking a significant milestone in its economic growth and global influence.

2012-11-15
Election of Xi Jinping as CCP Leader

Xi Jinping was elected as the leader of the CCP at the 1st Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee in 2012, and has been reelected twice since then.

2014
CCP's Actions in Xinjiang

Since 2014, the Chinese Communist Party has been involved in repressive measures in Xinjiang, including the detention of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, leading to accusations of genocide by some parties.

2015-11
Historic Meeting Between President Xi and Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou

In November 2015, President Xi, also the CCP general-secretary, held a significant meeting with Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore. This encounter marked the highest level meeting between the two parties since 1949.

2017
Repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang

Since 2017, the Chinese government has detained over a million Muslims in reeducation camps in Xinjiang, subjecting them to rights abuses like forced labor and involuntary sterilizations.

2019-01
President Xi's Declaration on Taiwan Reunification

In January 2019, President Xi declared that Taiwan 'must be and will be' reunified with China. Despite the statement, no specific timeline for reunification was provided.

2019-12
Outbreak of Covid-19 Pandemic in China

In December 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak originated in China, leading to global repercussions. China faced criticism for its initial handling of the outbreak, including extreme measures like locking down an entire province.

2020
CCP's Central Military Commission oversees PLA and People's Armed Police

The CCP's Central Military Commission, led by Xi Jinping, supervises both the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police. The PLA is considered a practical instrument of China's statecraft, actively involved in advancing the country's foreign policy.

2021-06-25
Mao Zedong Images Exhibition at Museum of the Communist Party of China

People were observed viewing images of Mao Zedong at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on June 25, 2021.

2021-07-01
100th Anniversary of CCP

On July 1, 2021, the Chinese Communist Party celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking one of the Two Centenaries in the party's history.

2021-07-06
Communist Party of China and World Political Parties Summit

On July 6, 2021, Xi Jinping chaired the Communist Party of China and World Political Parties Summit, urging global political parties to oppose 'technology blockades' and work towards a shared future for mankind.

2022-10
Xi Jinping expected to secure a third term as general secretary of the CCP

Xi Jinping is anticipated to be granted a third five-year term as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party during the CCP's twentieth party congress in October 2022, deviating from the two-term tradition of recent leaders.

2023
Status of Women in the CCP

As of 2023, 29.30 million women are CCP members, representing 29.9% of the party. Women face underrepresentation in powerful political positions.

2024-04-22
Chinese general's stance on Taiwan

A Chinese general takes a tough stance on Taiwan and other disputes during an international naval gathering.

2049
Xi Jinping's vision for China

Xi Jinping envisions China to become a fully developed, rich, and powerful nation with significant international influence by 2049.

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Chinese Communist Party
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