This Day in History: Founding of the Communist Party of China

By Ned Kelly, July 23, 2022

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Founded in Shanghai in July 1921, the Communist Party of China turns 101 this month. The First National Congress took place on July 23, but, for simplicity’s sake, July 1 has become the anniversary on which the CPC is celebrated.

The venue was a typical Shanghai shikumen-style residence at 76-78 Xingye Lu, in what is now Xintiandi. You’ll find the Museum of the First National Congress of the CPC there today.

Thirteen delegates representing 53 members secretly convened in one of the sitting rooms on the ground floor. CPC cofounders Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao were there, while Mao Zedong represented Hunan.

Meanwhile, Dutch-born Communist Henk Sneevliet was the Russian Comintern representative.

READ MORE: This Day in History: The Foreign Founder Member of the CPC

Today, the CPC is the world’s second largest political party, with a membership exceeding 95 million. The largest is India's Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with more than 180 million members.


For more, This Day in History stories, click here.

See a listing for Museum of the First National Congress of the CPC.

[Image via Chinese Posters]

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