NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 16-Africa has a lot to borrow from the Communist Party of China (CPC), in an effort to realize political stability as well as achieve prosperity and economic growth.
Academic scholars and think tanks who attended a seminar on CPC’s centenary celebrations at the University of Nairobi on Wednesday said CPC has succeeded in transforming the country due to strong visionary leadership.
Having been founded in 1921, the Chinese Communist Party will on July 1, mark 100 years, making it one of the world’s strongest political parties. It has more than 90 million members.
The party was formed at a time when China was driven by feuding warlords, deeply entangled in poverty and powerless on the international stage, a contrast to modern China which is now an emerging superpower and economic giant complete with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Dr. Zhou Pingjian while addressing a seminar on CPC’s centenary celebrations organised by the University of Nairobi on Wednesday said CPC has united the country and led them in launching the great new revolution of reform and opening up, in removing all ideological and institutional barriers to the country’s development.
“The Communist Party of China (CPC) is a success story. Since 1949 China has made great progress in its modernization drive through rapid economic progress and lasting social stability. CPC is always dedicated to change and CPC is always peoples’ first,” Ambassador Zhou told the Seminar held virtually ad physically with more than 100 representatives from think tanks, political parties, scholars and media.
In attendance was University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Kiama, Professor Peter Kagwanja who is the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Policy Institute as well as Professor Fred Jonyo and Dr Oscar Otele–all from the university’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration.
University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Kiama speaks during a seminar of centenary celebrations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the university on June 16, 2021.
Jubilee Party’s Director of International Relations Ambassador Mutinda Mutiso was also present.
As the world’s largest political party with a membership of 92 million, the CPC is the highest force fo political leadership in China, the world’s most populous country with a population of over 1.4 billion.
The party has grown from a membership 50 of when it convened its first national congress 100 years ago with just 13 delegates.
Through the leadership of the Party, over 850 million Chinese people are said to have been lifted from extreme poverty.
“For the party that champions the cause of lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation, the centenary of the CPC sees it in the prime of life,” Ambassador Zhou said, “dedicated to change, always people first with conviction, the CPC will without any doubt continue to generate waves of positive energy throughout the party which build a mighty nationwide force driving China’s development and progress.”
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012 under the leadership of the CPC with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, Ambassador Zhou said, the historic achievements in China’s reform, opening up and socialist modernization have touched every area and broken new ground.”
Professor Peter Kagwanja of the Africa Policy Institute said parties in Kenya and across the continent have a lot to learn from the Chinese Communist Party.
Professor Peter Kagwanja, the CEO of Africa Policy Institute (API) speaks during the seminar on the centenary celebrations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the University of Nairobi on June 16, 2021.
“One of the most enduring lessons from the experience of CPC over the last century is that long-term stability of political parties is necessary for development,” Professor Kagwanja said, “Another lesson is that constant monitoring and review of policies leads to party renewal and reforms of society in response to emerging challenges enhance the relevance of party. CPC’s zero-tolerance to corruption has enabled it to maintain discipline within its ranks, assert the rule of law and safeguard crucial resources for development. Finally, is the need to build solidarity across peoples and civilizations. Assert globalization.”
Jubilee Party’s Director of International Relations Ambassador Mutinda Mutiso said just like the CPC, Jubilee Party is on a journey to creating a better future for current and future generations.
“Unity, oneness and togetherness are the foundation pillars of Jubilee Party. In 2019 the World Bank ‘ease of doing business report’ ranked Kenya position 65, a rise from position 129. This is a clear indication that the Jubilee government is on a successful plan of reform and transformation,” Mutiso said and hailed the CPC in the massive transformation achieved in the past 100 years.
In 2018 Jubilee Party agreed to deepen collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party in order to enhance party management and democracy.
Political and Administration Scholar from the University of Nairobi Dr. Oscar Otele noted that long-term stability of political parties is essential for economic prosperity and development.
He said African countries should embrace constant review of policies, monitoring and renewal of political systems to achieve sustainable development.
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