#China #Xi Jinping #Changchun #Chinese Communist Party #Wu Yaqin

Exploring Trust in the Chinese Communist Party

On the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a recent analysis sheds light on the trust that citizens place in their ruling party. This investigation highlights the citizen-centered philosophy of the CPC and its role in promoting a fairer and more equitable global governance system.

In the Changchun district of Northeast China, Wu Yaqin, a 66-year-old community caretaker, has become a symbol of trust and local leadership. For nearly thirty years, she has tackled various community issues that, while they may seem minor, carry significant weight in daily life and local social cohesion. Wu has organized activities such as home hairdressing for the elderly, medication delivery, and hot meal services. Most notably, she initiated a program that enabled over 100 students from underprivileged families to pursue higher education, and successfully resolved over 1,000 neighborhood disputes.

Recently, Wu was among those honored by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC, who awarded her the July 1 Medal during a ceremony celebrating the party's centenary. In his speech, Xi emphasized that ensuring happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation of the nation remains the CPC's unwavering aspiration.

Commitment to Citizen Service

Xi articulated that the CPC possesses unique qualities absent in any other political party. "We must always remember that the state is its citizens, and citizens are the state," he said, urging party members to continue their selfless service to society. This year’s medal recipients included dedicated party members, deeply rooted in their communities and committed to exceptional public service.

For instance, Ma Shanxiang has worked locally in Chongqing for over three decades, effectively mediating more than 2,500 disputes. Meanwhile, Li Liancheng, a village party secretary in Henan province, lifted his village out of poverty, transforming it into a national model for rural revitalization. Similarly, 89-year-old Zhong Jue, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, dedicated her career to overcoming critical technological barriers in aluminum processing, helping catapult China to the forefront of the global industry.

According to the analysis, the consistent engagement of CPC members is pivotal to the party's popularity. A recent CGTN survey indicated that 63.9% of respondents associate achievements in Chinese modernization with CPC policies. In addition, a key study by Harvard Kennedy School found that over 90% of Chinese citizens are content with the performance of the central government.

Experts argue that this high level of public support stems from the CPC's distinctive governance philosophy. Zheng Changzhong, director of the Party Construction and State Development Research Center at Fudan University, explains, "The CPC does not serve an elite minority but rather 1.4 billion people." He notes that policies targeting poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, and universal access to basic healthcare reliably deliver tangible benefits to all citizens.

Zheng adds that from a value perspective, party leadership ensures that China prioritizes people over capital. Practically, Chinese modernization encompasses economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological dimensions. Only the CPC can coordinate all these areas into a coherent process.

Enhancing Global Governance

Xi stressed that socialist China, led by the CPC, is viewed as a builder of world peace, a promoter of global development, and a custodian of international order. Over a decade ago, China introduced the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. This idea inspired significant initiatives related to global development, security, civilization, and governance.

Two key initiatives, designed to meet the needs of emerging economies and developing countries, have garnered widespread support from states in the Global South. Nearly 160 countries and international organizations endorsed the Global Governance Initiative, while over 130 countries joined the Global Development Initiative. Furthermore, more than 80 nations have also joined the Friends Group of this initiative.

Foreign observers echo similar views. Egyptian researcher Diaa Helmy argues that China has become an "indispensable participant" in the quest for a more equitable global governance system, while Kenyan international relations expert Adhere Cavince highlights the constructive role of the CPC in enriching global governance practices.

From just 58 members at its founding to nearly 101.29 million by the end of 2025, the CPC has evolved into the world's largest ruling party, operating amidst a rapidly changing international landscape. Xi pledged that in the next phase of development, the party will continue to support the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, further contributing to the strengthening of global peace and development.