Xi hails 'irreversible' rise of China at 100th birthday of Communist Party

Pro-democracy activist Raphael Wong (C), from the League of Social Democrats, marches during a protest in Hong Kong on July 1

As it marks its 100th year, China's Communist Party has delivered a selective version of its history

President Xi Jinping hailed China's "irreversible" course from colonial humiliation to great-power status at the centenary celebrations for the Chinese Communist Party on Thursday, in a speech reaching deep into history to remind patriots at home and rivals abroad of his nation's -- and his own -- ascendancy.

Speaking above the giant portrait of Mao Zedong which dominates Tiananmen Square, from the podium where the famous chairman proclaimed the People's Republic of China in 1949, Xi said the "era of China being bullied is gone forever", praising the party for raising incomes and restoring national pride.

Xi, wearing a Mao-style jacket, added that the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical course" and vowed to continue to build a "world-class" military to defend national interests.

"Whoever wants to do so will face bloodshed in front of a Great Wall of steel built by more than 1.4 billion Chinese people."

"All sons and daughters of China, including compatriots on both sides of the strait, must work together and move forward in solidarity, and resolutely crush any 'Taiwan independence' plots," he said.

It now counts around 95 million members, garnered over a century of war, famine and turmoil, and more recently a surge to superpower status butting up against Western rivals, led by the United States.

A fly-by of helicopters in formation spelling '100' -- a giant hammer and sickle flag trailing -- and a 100-gun salute followed, while young communists in unison pledged allegiance to the party.

Xi has presented a defiant face to overseas rivals, revving up nationalist sentiment. He has batted back criticism of his government's actions in Hong Kong, attitude towards Taiwan and treatment of the Uyghurs Muslims.

The president, whose speech braided the economic miracle of China with the longevity of the party, has cemented his eight-year rule through a personality cult, ending presidential term limits and declining to anoint a successor.

On Beijing's streets, there was praise for the party.

"Now the streets are full of light. Food, clothes, education, traffic are all better."

- Party time? - 

Instead, it has drawn attention to China's rebound from Covid-19, which first emerged in the central city of Wuhan but has been virtually extinguished inside the country.

Thursday also marks the 24th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule -- a date once met with mass demonstrations against Beijing inside the former British colony.

The measure has seen activists charged, anti-China slogans criminalised and even the closure of a critical newspaper as the law sinks the once freewheeling city into what Amnesty International calls a "human rights emergency".

"The CCP can go to hell," a Hong Konger who gave his name only as Ken told AFP.

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