Speaking to international journalists recently, Professor Zheng Qi of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) outlined how the Party is rising to this challengeâ€"not just through reforms or digital campaigns, but through a strategic effort rooted in ideological education, historical consciousness, and theoretical innovation.
During a recent exchange program in Beijing, international journalists were hosted at the Central Party School, a top-tier institution under the CPC Central Committee that plays a critical role in shaping the ideological direction of the Party and its governance capacity.
Professor Zheng Qi, from the Party Building Teaching and Research Department, addressed the group, detailing how the school is adapting its methods to resonate with a younger, globally minded Chinese population.
She explained that the CPC is not only addressing internal challenges such as corruption and governance capacity but is also focused on securing the support of the country's youth. With this in mind, the Central Party Schoolâ€"once mainly responsible for training senior cadresâ€"is now producing short video courses, hosting ideological outreach, and organising history education campaigns aimed squarely at younger audiences.
Founded in 1933 as the Marxist Communist School and renamed the Party School of the CPC Central Committee in 1935, the institution has played a central role in maintaining the ideological integrity of the CPC.
It trained generations of revolutionary and post-1949 leaders and became the intellectual engine behind major theoretical innovations that have shaped China's modernisation. Since 1978, the school has been instrumental in supporting the country's reform and opening-up agenda.
In 1994, the establishment of the National Academy of Governance aimed to professionalise China's civil service, focusing on training mid-level and senior civil servants in public administration and policy. The two institutions were merged in 2018, creating a single entity with dual designations: the Party School of the CPC Central Committee and the National Academy of Governance.
It now stands as the highest-level educational institution within the CPCâ€"an elite school for training Party cadres and promoting ideological and theoretical development. Its unique nature is reflected in the fact that nearly all of its students, faculty, and administrators are CPC members.
Professor Zheng Qi revealed that the CPC's strategy to engage young people hinges on connecting ideology with current realities and cultural traditions.
'First, we need to always keep pace with theoretical development,' she said.
'Because our ideals and convictions are connected with our cultural practices and fine traditions. And they keep developing. So, from the past theoretical developments to today's Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we endeavour to address the problems at present.'
By doing so, the Party seeks to show that its political thought remains relevant and responsive to the real-world issues that younger generations care about.
Recognising that many young Chinese are looking beyond material success and striving for personal meaning, the CPC is providing platforms that align national development goals with individual ambition.
'Many young people today may no longer be content with just meeting their material needs. They also aspire to have self-realisation,' Zheng said, noting that opportunities such as university teaching support and rural development initiatives are designed to 'contribute their due share to our national development' while allowing them to 'realise their potential and their value.'
To bring these ideas closer to youth, the Central Party School has taken to modern communication platforms.
'We also convey our theoriesâ€"political theoriesâ€"in a way popular among young people. We have many micro party courses. And me and many of my colleagues have made 10-minute-long courses,' Zheng explained.
'Those videos have been posted onto the Chinese version of TikTok and other new media platforms. They have been visited or clicked by a large number of netizens. In this way, we can enable young people to learn about our Party's theories and to form their own opinion.'
Historical education also plays a key role in this engagement strategy. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party has prioritised campaigns that encourage young people to study the CPC's and the nation's past.
'General Secretary Xi also emphasised the importance of history,' said Zheng. 'We have organized a study about Party history and our national history, by which we can draw inspiration and strength and show the important role of the CPC in China's history.'
But this outreach to the younger generation is not taking place in isolation. Zheng underscored the broader internal challenges facing the CPC as it attempts to remain relevant and resilient.
'How can we continue to serve the people wholeheartedly or adopt a people-centred approach?' she asked, acknowledging that after over seven decades in power, the Party must remember 'who we are and who we are for.'
She continued, 'To govern such a country like China, we are facing so many arduous challenges of reform, which may be even more grave than when we just founded the PRC.'
Zheng noted that many of these reforms touch on entrenched interests and demand that the CPC constantly improve its governance capacity. She added, 'This is attested to our leading capacity and governance level.'
Moreover, the CPC is grappling with the issue of corruption and the need to maintain the purity of its ranksâ€"an issue Zheng said has contributed to the downfall of other political parties around the world.
'So, whether it's in terms of resolve and our attitudes, as well as our reform measures, we can see that our Party has been committed to maintaining our purity,' she said. 'People's support rate or satisfaction rate for our combat against corruption is over 90%.'
In light of these challenges, the Party's efforts to engage young people through theoretical development, historical education, and media-savvy communication are not merely tacticsâ€"they are existential necessities. And institutions like the Central Party School are playing an outsized role in ensuring that the CPC's ideological roots remain strong, relevant, and persuasive in a rapidly evolving society.
Christian Mugisha
