Commentary by: Lawal Sale
Founded in July 1921, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has been the vanguard of the Chinese working class and the leading core of the Chinese people of all nationalities. It has traveled a glorious path of struggle for the liberation of China and the happiness of its people, as well as the progressive cause of mankind. In over a century (105 years), the CPC has grown into the world’s biggest political party, with more than 101 million members to date.
Despite tortuous struggles, internal turmoil, foreign aggression, and humiliation, the CPC defied all odds and continued to strengthen itself by summing up experiences and building confidence.
Since its founding, the Party courageously took on the historic mission of national rejuvenation and remained committed to providing happiness to the over 1.3 billion Chinese people through a governance model that prioritizes welfare, accountability, organizational capacity, and service. Today, under the CPC’s leadership, China has grown into the world’s second-largest economy, advancing in science and technology and becoming a pillar of stability in a turbulent world.
The CPC pioneered a socialist China that contributed to global development and advocated for a community with a shared future for mankind. CPC’s enduring strength is widely attributed to its commitment, institutional discipline, consistent self-reform, long-term strategic planning, and a people-centered approach.
The Party has achieved significant transformations, in particular its poverty eradication policy that saw the upliftment of 800 million Chinese people from absolute poverty by 2020, achieving a historic feat and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Another significant achievement of the CPC in its 105 years of existence is the establishment of comprehensive education, social security, and healthcare systems.
Chinese people in both urban and rural areas enjoy improved infrastructure in transport, energy, agriculture, and the digital economy.
Unlike Western political systems that are often plagued by turbulence, the CPC maintains a long-term perspective. Five-Year Plans have been its guiding principle, providing strategic consistency, which is key to China’s rapid growth.
Global affairs experts observe that China’s modernization path under the CPC offers developing countries an opportunity in development framework for pursuing inclusive growth and common prosperity.
With the unveiling of four global initiatives by President Xi Jinping—the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and Global Governance Initiative (GGI)—the CPC has set a good example and contributed significantly to global development and stability. As a role model for the Global South, including Africa, the CPC’s century of experience provides practical insights into party building, institutional development, and governance rooted in local realities. China’s experience demonstrates the importance of visionary leadership, strong institutions, continuous reform, and an unwavering commitment to citizens.
In 2013, President Xi announced the vision of ‘building a global community with a shared future for mankind’ to shape a new model of international relations. Furthermore, he launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013 with the aim at addressing challenges like the North-South divide.
Often called the “project of the century,” the BRI involves infrastructure development and connectivity, with membership growing to more than 150 countries. Notable completed projects include the China-Laos Railway, Hungary-Serbia railway, China-Europe freight train, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Lagos Lekki deep seaport, Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, Nairobi-Mombasa railway, and China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbek railway.
Experts believe that Nigeria and the wider Global South can learn from the Chinese modernization process, to achieve that, these countries need to stabilize their own political systems comparable to China’s CPC.
Nigeria has been China’s long time partner in Africa. In the 55 years since establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries have stood together as trusted partners.
According to Yu Dunhai, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, the partnership provides tangible benefits, and the CPC remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s modernization based on its own national conditions. Through frameworks like FOCAC and the BRI, the two nations have maintained exchanges on governance, aligning China’s development plans with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ambassador Yu further reaffirmed that the CPC and the Chinese Government stand ready to deepen exchanges on state governance and consolidate mutual trust.
Experts believe that Nigeria stands to gain from the Chinese modernization drive, especially regarding poverty eradication and agricultural development.
–– Lawal Sale is an Abuja-based Global South Affairs Analyst and recipient of the 2025 Belt and Road News Network Global News Award
