Leading up to the centenary celebrations, the Chinese government has been promoting Xi Jinping's outlook on history as the new orthodoxy.[1]Internet censorship was stepped up while museums across the country curated exhibitions related to history of the CCP.[6]The Guardian reported that the CCP has been assiduously pushing the official narrative and its official history across the entire country since the beginning of 2021. Adulatory messages such as "Listen to the party, appreciate the party, follow the party" adorned banners and billboards, foreign journalists were given tours to spread the official narrative, and Buddhist temples held special anniversary events.[1] The National Film Administration mandated local film authorities, film and cinema companies and production firms to screen and promote, starting 1 April, "outstanding films" – works "closely focused on the themes of loving the party, loving the nation and loving socialism", and "sing the praises of ... and eulogise the Party, the motherland, its people and its heroes".[7]China Central Television (CCTV) produced a patriotic television series, called The Awakening Age, glorifying Chinese revolutionary history from 1915 to 1921;[6] a collection of 100 rappers produced a 15-minute track praising the Party called "100%".[6]
In preparation for the Centennial, efforts at suppressing and tailoring the Party's history were stepped up. The Party uses manufactured historical memories to legitimize the Party's place in society. The highlighting of the Party's centenary followed the CCP's general pattern of periodizing history. It is contrasted with the century of humiliation trope.[8]
The first full rehearsal for the festivities took place on 13 June 2021.[9] Security was strengthened leading up to the celebrations, with an increase in the number of officers of the People's Armed Police and officers of the state security police in Beijing.[10] The first press conference hosted by the Press Center took place on 27 June 2021.[11]
Hong Kong
Heavy police presence in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong on 1 July 2021
Although the Civil Human Rights Front, traditional organizers of the annual march, announced that it was cancelling its plans, three other pro-democracy groups stepped in with an application to hold a demonstration, but the request was refused by police on the grounds of COVID-19 restrictions.[12] Thousands of police were mobilized to prevent any possible protests, one day after the first anniversary of the implementation of the national security law in the territory. Victoria Park, the traditional starting point of the annual march, was declared off limits due to public order concerns, and all occupants were banished.[13][6]
Light shows and television extravaganza
Fireworks set off in Changsha, Hunan, on 30 June 2021
Throughout June 2021, light shows took place in celebration of the anniversary in multiple Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.[14][15]
While Xi warned during his speech that "any foreign force who attempted to bully China would find their heads broken and bashed bloody against the great wall of steel forged by the blood and flesh of 1.4billion Chinese people",[6][21][23] the official translation used the analogy "on a collision course with a great wall of steel".[13][23][24] Xi praised the Communist Party, saying that there would be no new China without it, and it had "profoundly transformed the advancement of the Chinese nation ... [being] ... the foundation and lifeblood of the party and the country, and the crux upon which the interests and wellbeing of all Chinese people depend."[13]
With respect to Taiwan, he stressed the need to "crush any Taiwan independence", reiterating the adherence to the one China principle and the 1992 Consensus, and the goal of completing unification, although the People's Republic of China has never ruled over the island.[21][25] The spokesperson of Taiwan's Presidential Office, Kolas Yotaka, retorted that the CCP ought to "grow up" and "just pick another birthday gift for itself",[25] while the Taiwanese Mainland Affairs Council called for a democratic transition in China on the CCP's 100th anniversary.[26][27][28]
Amidst heavy police presence in Causeway Bay aimed at stopping demonstrations along the traditional march route in Hong Kong, a 50-year-old man stabbed a police officer in the back with a knife at 10pm, and then turned the knife on himself. The police officer was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but survived, while the alleged assailant was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.[29][30] Hong Kong's newly appointed Security Secretary, Chris Tang, declared it a "terrorist act" committed by a "lone wolf", but blamed "many people who have encouraged violence and incited hatred toward society and the country".[29] After mourners started laying flowers at the location where the suspect fell, police warned against mourning, amounting it to "supporting terrorism".[31]
Symbols
The Commemorative medal and its introduction card
Commemorative coins
On 21 June 2021, the People's Bank of China issued a set of nine commemorative coins for the anniversary.[32]
Since June 2021, the "Glorious 50 Years in the Party" Commemorative Medal had been awarded, and the awarding continued until 1 July. It consisted of the party emblem, a five-pointed star, the flag, a monument, a sunflower, and other elements.[33] The CCP award ceremony to present the 1 July Medal to outstanding CCP members took place on 29 June 2021.[citation needed]
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Z-8L carrying the flag of the Chinese Communist Party flying over Beijing on 1 July 2021.
29 Z-19's forming the number "100".
10 J-10's forming the number "71".
The first of three groups of 5 J-20 fighters.
10 JL-8's formation.
2021 postage stamp of Serbia, commemorating the event
2021 postage stamp of Serbia, commemorating the event
2021 postage stamp of Serbia, commemorating the event
