Chinese Communist Party still inspires the country's youth   2002-11-07 14:39:35 Since it was founded 81 years ago, the Communist Party of China has become the world's largest political party, with a membership exceeding 66 million. New recruits are joining at all times, adding fresh blood. When the Chinese Communist Party celebrated its 80th anniversary a year ago, 800 Peking University students joined it at a collective ceremony. The university has a special status in the party's history, and in fact some of its early graduates were instrumental in starting the party off. Sixteen percent of the school's students are party members. The number of applicants increases every year, and this year it exceeded 1,800. But compared with some years ago, membership now has a different meaning. Only a decade ago, being a Party member could mean more chances for promotion or at least a stable job. But today, political affiliation is not so much about enhancing career prospects, at least in the eyes of these college students. Twenty－year－old Fan Aiai is in her first year studying for a master's degree in Peking University and is in no hurry for a job. Joining the Party about a year ago, she said her reasons were pure and simple. "I am in such a group of people. I can contribute to it with what I do. At the same time, I am also inspired and lifted by the group's collective power, its beliefs and its theories," said Fan Aiai. Not all applicants succeed. Two thirds of them are turned down every year by the stringent requirements. But for many, membership still feels like a magnet, such as for 20－year－old senior student Wang Jianhao. "The Chinese Communist Party is the most elite organization in the country. Though it's very large in number, it is a collection of the most outstanding people. An individual would always regret not being a member of it," said Wang Jianhao. Wang said he didn't think being a member could help him much in getting a job. Many of his job applications were sent to overseas－owned companies, where membership is not considered as important as it might be in government organizations. As director of the Party School of the University, Zhang Xiaoli is responsible for holding seminars about the Party with the students. "As the country's reform goes further, we have more and more job opportunities. A person's political pursuit will not necessarily decide their career. Under such conditions, joining the Party is more out of non－utilitarian considerations," said Zhang Xiaoli. Party membership attracts even younger generations. On Saturday, nearly 2,000 high school students in Beijing submitted their applications. More than eight decades after it was founded, the Communist Party of China still appears to be inspiring the country's youth.