A girl wearing a mask whilst waving the national flag during the centenary of the founding of the CPC history lantern show at Expo Garden on June 25, 2021 in Wuhan, Hubei. China.IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES
image captionChina has seen a ramped-up propaganda drive in recent weeks

 


China is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Communist Party, in the culmination of a huge propaganda drive.

Officials have not disclosed a programme but President Xi Jinping is expected to give a speech on Thursday.

The country has seen several large-scale events and a media blitz in recent weeks promoting a party-approved version of China’s history.

Hong Kong is also marking its handover anniversary on the same date.

How has China prepared for this anniversary?

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which was founded in 1921, came to power 72 years ago after a long civil war.

In that time the country has undergone massive changes – but some of these milestones were conspicuously missing in the propaganda drive.

On Monday, an art performance titled The Great Journey was staged at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing, where performers put on extravagant set-pieces detailing the history of the party and country.

But significant events such the Cultural Revolution purges, the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, and the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong were missing, reported AFP news agency.

Performers dance during a Cultural Performance as part of the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China, at the Bird's nest national stadium in Beijing on June 28, 2021IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES
image captionThe Great Journey showcased party history highlights, but some chapters were reportedly omitted 
Performers dressed as nurses take part in a Cultural Performance as part of the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China, at the Bird's nest national stadium in Beijing on June 28, 2021.IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES
image captionA segment of Monday’s show was dedicated to how China beat Covid-19

 

 

Since April, Chinese cinemas were ordered to screen propaganda films, known as “red films”, at least twice a week.

Meanwhile, 100 television dramas celebrating the anniversary have been scheduled to broadcast throughout the year.

A song, called 100%, that praised China’s achievements and featured 100 rappers was also released.

People walk past a poster for '1921', a film about the founding of the Communist Party of China in the same year, ahead of the Chinese Communist Party's 100th founding anniversary at a cinema in Beijing.IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES
image captionPatriotic films such as 1921 – about the founding of the Chinese Communist Party – will be screened in cinemas through the year

 

 

“Red tourism” has also become popular, with travel companies such as Ctrip launching 100 unique routes for “red pilgrims”.

Several sites across the country deemed historically significant for the party, including former revolutionary base Yan’an city, have reported spikes in tourists.

Visitors walk inside of the Memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, on June 17, 2021 in Shanghai, China.IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES
image captionTourists have been thronging “red tourism” sites such as the Memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai

 

But not all are pleased with the propaganda.

“Now when I turn on the TV at night, dozens of stations are airing dramas about revolutionary wars,” a Beijing resident told BBC Chinese.

“Every day, it’s all about building a party and building a nation – do you have any other choice?”

Why is the anniversary significant?

With celebrations focusing on the intertwining histories of the party and country, the CCP appears keen to make itself synonymous with China’s rapid development, say experts.

The centenary is “clearly an important moment for the party and has been planned meticulously,” Tom Rafferty from The Economist Intelligence Unit told the BBC.

“A consistent element in the official messaging has been the emphasis on the current period as representing a ‘new era’ distinct from the post-1978 reform period,” he said, adding that this “underscores the ambitions of the current leadership”.

But the centenary might not lead to any major announcements, say experts, who believe those may come at next year’s party congress instead.

What about Hong Kong?

Thursday also marks the 24th anniversary of the former British colony’s handover to Chinese rule.

Though the city usually holds celebrations, in recent years it has seen anti-Beijing protests on the date – though a controversial national security law put in place last year has muted dissent.

 

Hong Kong police have denied permission for a rally, citing coronavirus restrictions, organisers said.

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