"Beyond the West" China’s Communist Party’s 100th Anniversary Self-Praise

Hong Kong, Sovereignty Return Commemoration Amid Chief Executive Vacancy
Taiwan Criticizes Attendees of Communist Party Event

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 1st, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, Chinese state media criticized the West and positively evaluated the achievements of the Communist Party in their commentaries.

On that day, Global Times published an editorial titled "The Communist Party led the Chinese people to break through the encirclement and achieve victory," self-praising that "the practice of the Communist Party has greatly surpassed the cognitive framework based on Western political knowledge and historical experience."

It also stated, "The United States, while having favorable conditions in terms of geopolitics and resources, committed atrocities such as slave trade, colonial wars, and ethnic oppression," and argued that "Western elites should respect the great inclusiveness of Chinese society and the foundation of its millennia-old civilization."

People's Daily, in its editorial, said, "Great historical achievements have been made in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and in winning the battle against poverty." It further proposed, "By 2035, socialist modernization will be basically achieved, and with another 15 years of effort, by the mid-21st century, a socialist modernized power will be comprehensively realized."

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, about 10,000 police officers were deployed in preparation for potential unrest, and in Taiwan, criticism was raised against attendees of the Communist Party's commemorative events.

In Hong Kong, where there is resentment toward the anti-China media Apple Daily's closure and the one-year anniversary of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law), police were deployed on a large scale to mark the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party's founding and the 24th anniversary of the sovereignty handover.

Since 2003, marches demanding democratization have taken place in Hong Kong, but authorities have prohibited gatherings this year as well as last year, citing COVID-19. Security authorities warned of illegal assemblies and terrorism risks in a statement issued the day before.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam attended the Communist Party's 100th anniversary ceremony on this day but did not preside over the sovereignty handover ceremony for the first time. This was interpreted as an example showing the "Sinicization of Hong Kong."

Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee said at the sovereignty handover ceremony, "Since the implementation of the Hong Kong Security Law, Hong Kong society has emerged from chaos and regained order," and added, "The Hong Kong Security Law guarantees human rights, including freedom of the press and assembly."

Hong Kong police also arrested and charged Chou Hang-tung, vice-chairperson of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (the Alliance), which has hosted the annual "6.4 Tiananmen Democracy Protest" memorial rally, on charges of inciting participation in an illegal assembly the previous evening.

The U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong stated on its official Facebook account the day before, "We have observed 114 people being arrested under allegations of violating the Hong Kong Security Law, including for 'political motives,' and we are monitoring them."

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, the agency responsible for China-related affairs, urged Taiwanese people not to attend or cooperate with Chinese political events the day before. The council emphasized, "China's invitation of Taiwanese figures to events is to demonstrate the 'One China' principle," and warned, "They must not become tools of China's united front."

According to Liberty Times, about 100 Taiwanese figures attended the commemorative ceremony held that day, and former Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan sent a congratulatory message. Online in Taiwan, voices emerged demanding, "Investigate who attended and revoke their Taiwanese household registration," alongside criticism labeling former Chairman Lien as a "traitor to Taiwan" and a "quisling."

However, due to the decline in government approval ratings caused by the spread of COVID-19, the Communist Party's 100th anniversary event has not become a major issue. Taiwan's political circles and media are focusing more on issues such as the supply of COVID vaccines rather than political problems with China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.