This is a news report from chinadaily.com.cn.
BEIJING, June 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Communist
Party of China celebrates its
100th birthday this year, a young American communist is traveling
around China to find out how the
CPC works.
Many of the people Ian Goodrum
talked to on his journey mentioned the country's people-first
philosophy, which has played a key role in the CPC's century-long
march to success and greatness.
"Since its founding, the CPC has been representing the interests
of the people," said Chen Shuguang, a professor from the Party
School of the CPC Central Committee.
President Xi Jinping has said the goal of the CPC is to meet
people's aspiration for a better life. With this goal in mind, the
CPC always stays in tune with the people's most urgent needs.
Most recently, in the COVID-19 fight, China has put people's lives and health before
anything else. "'The people' we say here has a very broad meaning.
It includes everyone, especially the vulnerable like senior
citizens, children and the poor," said Tao Wenzhao, deputy dean of
the School of Marxism Studies at Renmin University of China.
Tao also compared the people-first concept to Western notions of
"freedom".
"It seems some countries give consideration to people's
'freedom', and treat everyone as equals when it comes to anti-virus
polices," Tao said. "But in fact, the rich people have much more
options while the poor, though enjoying 'freedom' as it seems, fall
into a helpless situation since they have neither money nor
power."
As part of its efforts to treat all fairly and equitably,
China provides COVID-19 patients
with free treatment. All COVID-19 patients, confirmed or suspected,
receive subsidies from state finance for any medical bills not
covered by basic medical insurance, serious disease insurance or
the medical assistance fund. Additionally, China gives COVID-19 vaccines to all citizens
free of charge.
A grassroots Party chief also mentioned what the experts focused
on. When asked why the CPC remains resilient after 100 years, Liu
Yuguo, Party chief and head of Dongliuzhuang village in
Beijing's Tongzhou district, said:
"Because the CPC always puts people first."
This concept has been seen throughout the CPC's history.
Isabel Crook, 105, has witnessed
much of that history personally. As one of China's oldest foreign friends, Isabel has
spent most of her life in China.
One example her son Michael recalled was in the assignment of
living quarters of a newly-built building. CPC members were called
on to choose rooms with northern exposure, meaning less warmth or
light.
"So the Party was not fighting for privilege.
Quite the reverse, it was offering, it was
taking the hardship," Michael said.
Throughout the Party's history, members have stepped up to fight
the difficult battles before anyone else. Whether repelling
invasion, alleviating poverty or facing down natural disasters,
Party members are the first to rise to the challenge.
The CPC is driven by its original values, not by personal gain
or profit. That's one key to its continued success. Goodrum learned
this and more during his travels.
Check out this video for more details:
https://youtu.be/6ZeEoh6bwTE
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