(Image Source: Novinite)

BY UNA LUE

The Chinese Communist Party celebrates its 90th anniversary on July 1st. Grand celebrations are  being held nationwide -- with red songs, red dramas, red tourism -- everything delivering a clear message - the Communist Party has led China to a golden age .
Video: BBC

The Russian communist publication -- Pravda -- sings China’s praises.

“...the Communist Party of China has prepared blockbuster festivities in several cities... in an alliance with eight other parties, it restored the prosperity and dignity of the Chinese, burying the period that went down in history as the “century of shame and humiliation,” the pre-revolutionary time, in which the country was dominated by Western colonial powers.”

Officially, the Chinese Communist Party has nearly 90 million members -- roughly the equivalent of the entire population of Germany. The government says the party is more popular than ever, but Voice of America found some student party members who view membership as a “brick to knock at the door”.

REPORTER: 22-year-old Wang Yaping is not a party member yet, but she know it’s helpful if her application be accepted.
College Students: “Party member compare oridnary people have higher political standing, have more social recogition and more respect. I do have more practical motives.”

Despite nearly a century of dominance, some question if Communist China has a future as vital as its past. Rampant corruption has mired the party down, and many Chinese citizens are taking notice.  The Australian quotes researcher and author of ‘The Party,’ Richard McGregor -- who says...

“The CCP is a self-governing, self-regulating and self-enriching elite: when things are on the up-and-up, that might be fine, but when they flatline, they are not.”

Still -- few argue -- times are relatively good for China right now.This year it steamed past Japan to become the world’s second largest economy.  CNBC wonders if China can maintain the momentum if global financial difficulties continue.

“A grappling with rising prices pressures, a growing wealth gap, demands for a higher wages, a fragile banking sector and harsh criticism about China’s booming trade’s surplus and currency regime.”
 

India’s IBN Live reports, even Chinese leader Hu Jintao understands, the party is only as strong as popular support allows it to be.  And he is mindful -- corruption -- has corroded some confidence.

“The whole Party must remain vigilant against corruption, be fully aware that fighting corruption will be “a protracted, complicated and arduous battle,” and give higher priority to combating corruption and upholding integrity...”