IN July 1921, a group of young people with an average age of less than 28 years old, harboring firm beliefs and shouldering the mission of saving the nation, gathered in Shanghai and established the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society of old China. From 1921 to 2021, the CPC has traveled long distances in the past century.

As the Filipino proverb goes, “A person who does not remember where he came from will never reach his destination.” On the occasion of celebrating the centennial anniversary of the founding of the CPC, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders visited an exhibition on CPC history themed “staying true to the founding mission” at the Museum of the CPC in Beijing. Looking back at the magnificent achievements of the CPC leads to a better foresight of the future.

The past 100 years have seen the CPC unswervingly fulfilling its original aspiration and founding mission of seeking well-being for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. The CPC has led the diligent Chinese people of all ethnic groups to overthrow imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, established the People’s Republic of China and the socialist system, implemented reform and opening up, and embarked on a path of socialist development with Chinese characteristics. China has now become the world’s second largest economy and created unprecedented development miracles. China has realized industrialization in just a few decades, which took developed Western countries several centuries. China now has the most complete modern industrial system in the world. It is also the biggest trader in goods. China has achieved its first centenary development goal as scheduled by building a moderately prosperous society in an allround way, completely eliminating absolute poverty, and bringing to reality “the greatest economic revolution in human history.”

The past 100 years have seen the CPC consistently putting people’s overall interests and welfare as the top priority.

General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping pointed out that to meet people’s desire for a happy life is the CPC’s mission. Unlike other political parties that usually represent the interests of particular groups and are parties of segmental interests and electoral politics, whose primary goal is to win the elections, and protect the interests of certain groups, the CPC represents the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people and practices the motto of “serving the people.” Committed to the principle that development is for the people and reliant on the people, and all the fruits are shared by the people, the CPC safeguards people’s fundamental interests, stimulates the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the people as a whole, promotes social justice and people’s livelihood and continues to realize people’s wish for a better life.

The past 100 years have seen the CPC unwaveringly striving for the common good for the world. New China abandoned the obsolete colonialist path of Western powers. It always pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. China is committed to a new path of state-to-state engagement, which advocates dialogue and partnership, instead of confrontation or alliance. China seeks to enhance friendship and cooperation with all countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. China advocates equality among all countries, regardless of their size, wealth or strength. China respects the rights of people of all countries to choose their own development path. China opposes the strong bullying the weak or seeking supremacy. As the world’s largest developing and socialist country, China is helping other countries develop through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), sharing its own development achievements and huge market with other countries, and building a community with a shared future for mankind. In the past seven years since the Belt and Road Initiative was launched, China has registered more than $7.8 trillion in trade and $110 billion in direct investment with BRI partner countries. China has hosted the International Import Expo for three years to share its market with the world. In its Covid-19 response, China has provided medical supplies to over 150 countries and 13 international organizations. Despite difficulties at home, China has provided over 350 million doses of vaccines to the world.

Since 2016, the China-Philippine relations have been flourishing under the guidance of our two heads of states. Practical cooperation across the board between two countries has made remarkable progress. So far, 12 government-to-government cooperation projects have been completed, 12 projects are under implementation and others going forward smoothly, covering such fields as infrastructure, anti-drug rehabilitation, education and agriculture. China remains the largest trading partner, the largest source of imports, the third largest export market and the second largest foreign investors of the Philippines. And our two governments and peoples have helped each other and joined hands to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, forging a closer China-Philippine partnership.

China will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC on July 1. From a small party with only a few people at the beginning of its establishment, to a ruling party with more than 90 million members, the CPC has achieved great success through persistent and unrelenting efforts. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Chinese people will surely create greater miracles on the road to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation! China will continue to ride the wind and cleave the waves with the Philippines and write a new chapter of cooperation with neighborliness, friendship and strong partnership!