China's Communist Party membership grows to 78M

[Cao Pi]

Jun 28, 2010

China's Communist Party membership grows to 78M

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By The Associated Press

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</noscript>BEIJING, China - China's Communist Party, the world's largest political party, grew even bigger last year as more people sought membership seen as a ticket to the ruling class elite and a means for getting ahead. Party membership in 2009 swelled to nearly 78 million people — an increase of more than 2 million people or nearly 3 per cent from 2008, said Wang Qinfeng, the party's deputy minister, according to a transcript posted on the website of the party's flagship People's Daily newspaper.

The number of members is almost equal to Germany's total population. More than just an ideology, membership in the elite Communist Party also means access to a large networking opportunity with China's ruling class — including health care perks, retirement benefits and heightened career opportunities. Wang said 20 million people applied to join in 2009, but only 10 per cent were accepted. Applicants for party membership need recommendations from current members and his or her company or work unit leader showing a strong degree of party loyalty, plus "good behaviour."

They also have to submit essays expressing support for the party. A recent book, "The Party: The Secret World of China's Communist Rulers," by Richard McGregor, describes how China's one-party system has taken ruling-class networking to a new level while keeping the party's efforts to maintain power off the front stage of public life in China. Wang said more than 20 per cent of party members are women and nearly a quarter of the members are younger than 35.