Lu Xueqing: A Century of Glory, My Heart Turns to the Party

In July 1921, on the South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang, the Communist Party of China was officially declared founded. That small red boat began to lead ancient and time-worn China on a journey to forge glory.

In the blink of an eye, from Shikumen to Tiananmen, from Xingye Road to "the road to rejuvenation", this party, born amidst internal and external strife, growing from an initial 58 members to over 90 million, celebrated its centenary. From the launch of the red boat on South Lake to the gunfire on the Nanchang city walls, from the spark ignited on Jinggang Mountain to the 25,000-li Long March, from the arduous eight-year War of Resistance to the hail of bullets in the War of Liberation, this strong and glorious collective exploded a brilliant new China from the ashes of darkness. This is the People's Republic, the dream of all the toiling masses. It completely ended the history of semi-colonial and semi-feudal society in old China, carried out land reform and socialist revolution according to China's actual conditions, formulated ambitious "Five-Year Plans", and steadily consolidated the economic foundation of the Republic, raising the international status of New China. In the exploration of socialism, it also took detours. Through emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, it finally ushered in the great reform and opening up, opening up our own path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, relying on the people to overcome one hurdle after another, achieving one victory after another. Today, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, and the comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society has achieved historic achievements. We see: "national treasures" exploring the sky and the sea; "super projects" overcoming difficulties and setting new records; "Chinese wisdom" astonishing the world. Every Chinese is immensely proud of their country. Our economic strength and comprehensive national strength are constantly increasing, and the people's living standards are continuously improving. All 98.99 million rural impoverished people have been lifted out of poverty. This is the glorious path traversed by the Communist Party of China!

In the century-long journey, there have been times of smooth sailing and triumphant songs, as well as times of survival against all odds, resolute resurgence after setbacks, and rectification after mistakes. No matter what, it never gave up. Along the way, it has always adhered to self-revolution, never forgetting its original aspiration, and always maintaining a childlike heart towards the people. When faced with life-or-death choices, when faced with tests of faith, we see how the communists of that time saved the nation from disaster in the face of profound national calamities, and how they fought bravely in the smoke-filled war, willingly sacrificing their blood for China. Today's communists are still fighting to the death to defend the dignity and territorial integrity of the motherland, willingly sacrificing their youth and lives for the majestic boundary markers of the Karakoram Mountains. That pure love is only for China. They are always at the forefront when the people need them most, forgetting their own safety and striving to be "the most beautiful retrograde." Time and again, they have used their actions to prove that the Party's cause is more precious than life. The hearts of the communists always beat in unison with the pulse of the destiny of the Chinese nation. 100 years of tremendous changes, 100 years of brilliance. The great Communist Party of China has led a brand-new China to "tread the stars" across the turn of the century, and "ride Chang'e" to stand among the ranks of powerful nations. 1.4 billion people are striving for self-improvement, living and working in peace and contentment. A beautiful China is peaceful, prosperous, and strong.

As the year of the Xin Chou Treaty, which recorded national humiliation, comes again, the history of "no diplomacy for a weak country" will not be repeated. Chinese diplomats, facing the malicious provocations of superpowers, slammed their fists on the negotiating table: "Americans have no right to speak to China from a position of superiority; Chinese people don't buy that." 1901-2021, two cycles of sixty years. We are no longer the "sick man of East Asia" at the mercy of Western powers. The Communist Party has allowed China, this Eastern lion, to stand tall. Countless communists have used 100 years of struggle to erase the stigma of the Xin Chou Treaty. To be born in this era when China has returned to the top of the world is an honor. How can I not be devoted to the Communist Party? The Party is a monument, a lighthouse, a flag, inspiring my reverence, guiding my path, and urging me forward. On the centenary of the founding of the Party, my heart will always be with the Party. I wish to follow in the footsteps of those young people a hundred years ago, take up the blood-stained flag, and march on the century-long journey of comprehensively building a socialist modern country, continuing to strive for the strength and further strength of the Chinese nation, and for a better and even better China!

【Three Departments/Lu Xueqing Editor/Hu Hengjin】