The Chinese Communist Party, or the CPC, is the sole political party of China. Founded in 1921, the party fought against the Kuomintang, eventually pushing them out of mainland China and onto Taiwan. The party structure was destroyed during The Cultural Revolution and subsequently rebuilt, as "communism with Chinese characteristics," by Deng Xiaoping after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. It was at this time that the party adopted a blended economic and political system that embraced elements of Marxism and free-market capitalism while at the same time maintaining authoritative political domination. The party has been widely criticized for its human rights record, censorship of the internet and media and, as illustrated most recently by protests in Tibet, its "one China policy."

• 1921: Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao start a Marxist study group in Shanghai

• 1921: July, The First Congress is held during which the Communist Party of China is officially named

• 1923: With help from the Soviet Union, the party reorganizes to follow a Leninist ideal

• 1926-1927: Communists fight alongside the Kuomintang in the Northern Expedition

• 1934-1935: The Communist Party is sent on The Long March

• 1949: October 1, After a long civil war, the People's Republic of China is established by Mao Zedong

• 1949-1961: The Great Leap Forward leads to rapid growth followed by collapse and famine

• 1966-1976: The Cultural Revolution leads to widespread chaos and destruction

• 1976: September 9, Mao Zedong dies

• 1976: Deng Xiaoping initiates "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" and economic reform

• 1989: The Tiananmen Square Protests highlight social and ideological unrest

• 1997: The Deng Xiaoping Theory is adopted into the Party constitution

• 2003: Under Jiang Zemin, the "Three Represents" are ratified as a new ideology

• 2005: Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao introduce the Harmonious Society and Scientific Development Concept

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