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China’s Communist Party
OpinionComment
Chi Wang
Chi Wang

Opinion | Lesson from history: how Chiang Kai-shek lost China

  • In reviewing history, the Communist Party made no mention of the collapse of KMT rule in mainland China
  • But, for Beijing, the blunders and character flaws that culminated in the Nationalists’ defeat in the civil war could be more instructive than the collapse of the Soviet Union

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An exhibition featuring President Xi Jinping in the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on June 25. Photo: Simon Song
Chi Wang
The Chinese Communist Party concluded its plenum last week with the passage of a resolution on party history. The purpose of the new resolution is evidently to enshrine the Xi Jinping era as a major turning point in the party’s history and to help secure his precedent-breaking third term as party leader next year.
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“Looking back on the Party’s endeavours over the past century, we can see why we were successful in the past and how we can continue to succeed in the future,” read the communique of the plenum. “This will ensure that we act with greater resolve and a stronger sense of purpose in staying true to our Party’s founding mission, and that we more effectively uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.”

The focus on history is nothing new for President Xi. Since taking office in 2012, he has been preoccupied with the collapse of the Soviet Union, reportedly directing cadres to watch a documentary that blames the collapse on Soviet officials losing sight of ideological control. He has also routinely evoked China’s “century of humiliation” to parry Western criticism of his policies.

One episode that went unmentioned in the recent communique but could offer Xi more resonant lessons is the collapse of Kuomintang rule in mainland China. For all the strengths of Mao Zedong and the Communists, the weaknesses of Chiang Kai-shek and the KMT were decisive in bringing about an end to Nationalist rule on the mainland.

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After its founding in 1921, the Communist Party grew slowly and secretly, relying on dual membership within the ranks of the KMT.

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