Cpc Founding Day
CPC Founding Day is a state holiday in China that celebrates the creation of the Communist Party of China in 1921. This holiday also commemorates the date on which ownership of Hong Kong was transferred from Great Britain back to China on July 1, 1997. It’s a holiday filled with various events, including speeches by public officials, military color parades, and public performances.
Although most businesses remain open on this day, people still find ways to participate in the celebrations. Other things that people can expect to see are celebratory parties broadcast on television and the widespread consumption of television series, films, and documentaries about the Chinese Communist Party.
The History of CPC Founding Day
Communist organizations from across China sent their representatives to Shanghai on July 1, 1921, to hold the First Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. This essentially established the Communist Party of China. Mao Zedong would later set July 1st as the official anniversary of the CPC’s founding, making the date known as the Chinese Communist Party’s Birthday.
This day is also known as the “97 Return” or the day that Hong Kong returned to its motherland. On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was returned to China after having been under British rule as a colony for 156 years. Hong Kong had been a British colony since the end of the First Opium War in 1842, which was fought between Great Britain and the Qing Empire.
The territory was expanded with the addition of Stonecutters Island and the Kowloon Peninsula and was expanded again when the British obtained a 99-year lease for the New Territories in 1898. July 1, 1997, marked the date when that lease expired, and Hong Kong was returned to China.
Observing CPC Founding Day
Speeches, parades, and events are held all over China to celebrate this holiday. There are also widespread documentary films, holiday specials, and other media promoting the CPC on this day. Public performances are also held on this day to celebrate the founding of the CPC and the return of Hong Kong to mother China.