The role of the CCP
The CCP justifies its role in decision-making in China by asserting that only through communism can the country be held together and China develop its full potential. Chinese leaders reject Western democratic ideas claiming these would lead to social and economic chaos.
The Chinese Constitution acknowledges the leading role of the CCP. It claims the CCP is the only organisation by which progressive ideas enhancing the lives of all the people of China can be carried forward. Therefore, once a policy decision has been reached at any governmental level, support is mandatory.
Note: Although China is effectively a 'one-party state' there are a number of other political parties in China. For example, the China Democratic League has over 200,000 members. However, these other political parties are not in opposition to the CCP but support the CCP in taking China forward.
The CCP controls not only the government but also the police and the military. There are no opposition political parties, and any disagreement or criticism of the government brings the risk of arrest and detention. (Source: BBC news)
Although Xi Jinping has gained a reputation as an authoritarian leader he has overseen many positive changes to life in China. Many Chinese would point to the country’s progress in economic growth, poverty reduction, investment in infrastructure and expansion in innovation and technology as successes which have resulted from how the country is run. (Source: Harvard Business Review)
The media of China is strictly controlled. Newspapers, radio and television are state regulated, access to the internet is closely controlled and online censorship is increasing. (Source: BBC News)
Membership of the CCP
As of 2022, around 98 million people in China are members of the CCP (Source: Statista). Membership is by invitation and only those who strongly support the policies of the CCP are asked to join. Membership of the CCP brings opportunities for individuals to gain promotion in the workplace, obtain better housing, and have access to the best health and education services.(Source: BBC News)
There have been allegations of corruption within the CCP. Since 2012, President Xi Jinping has waged an intense anti-corruption campaign which has led to millions of corruption cases being uncovered and millions of individuals punished.
At the 20th National Congress of the CCP, Xi said As long as the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption still exist, we must keep sounding the bugle and never rest, not even for a minute, in our fight against corruption.
From 2012 to 2022, 4.39 million cases of corruption have been investigated, resulting in 4.7 million individuals being punished.(Source: Global Times)
