This Week in History: Founding of the Communist Party

By Ned Kelly

Founded in Shanghai in July 1921, the Communist Party of China turns 97 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 (you'll find the Museum of the First National Congress of the CPC there today), in what is now Xintiandi. Thirteen delegates representing 53 members secretly convened in one of the sitting rooms on the ground floor.

CPC co-founders Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao were there, while Mao Zedong represented Hunan and a Dutch-born Communist, Henk Sneevliet, was the Russian Comintern representative.

The CPC is now said to the world's largest political party, with a membership of 89,450,000 as of 2017.

[Image via Chinese Posters]

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