Today China marks the 90th birthday of its ruling Communist Party, which first emerged as a tiny grouping of intellectuals and now presides over the world's second-largest economy.
The country's top leaders are due to attend a glitzy ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing amid a nationwide propaganda blitz, but experts warn the future is less certain for the one-party regime.
China, which likes to mark official anniversaries with pomp, has already released a star-studded patriotic film, launched a flagship high-speed rail link, and broadcast multiple revolutionary-style shows on television.
The nation's first aircraft carrier could also go on sea trials on Friday, according to a Hong Kong Commercial Daily report that cited unnamed military sources -- a move that would garner worldwide attention on the anniversary.
The CCP was established in July 1921 in Shanghai as the brainchild of a dozen intellectuals. It took power in China in 1949 after defeating the rival Nationalists in a long and bloody civil war.
The country was then plunged into nearly 30 years of chaos due to policies enacted by revolutionary leader Mao Zedong that triggered political purges, famine and social upheavals in which millions died.
After Mao's death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping took over and launched a period of reforms that transformed China into the economic powerhouse it is today.
But the party's small group of elite leaders continues to exercise an iron grip on the country's political system, controlling the media and managing the world's largest military.
Analysts say a lack of social and political reform have fostered problems such as corruption, government abuses, illegal land seizures, a growing rich-poor divide and pollution -- issues that threaten the party's future.
But Chinese authorities are not letting these problems cloud anniversary celebrations -- newspapers are full of glowing editorials about the CCP, and upbeat slogans and huge flower arrangements dot cities.
An epic film recounting the Communist Party's origins and featuring many of China's biggest stars -- "Beginning of the Great Revival" -- is expected to smash box-office records.
And on the eve of the anniversary, Premier Wen Jiabao launched a new $33 billion high-speed train line between Beijing and Shanghai -- an event that was widely covered in the media.
The following are key facts about the CCP:
MEMBERSHIP
More than 80 million members, making it the largest political party in the world. Growing numbers of youths and private entrepreneurs have joined the party in recent years.
FOUNDING
Formally established in 1921 in Shanghai by delegates to the 1st Party Congress, which included a 27-year-old Mao Zedong.
BASIS OF POWER
China is ruled as a one-party state, with the CCP's leadership enshrined in the Chinese constitution.
PARTY GENERAL SECRETARY
President Hu Jintao, since 2002. His second term will end in 2012, at which point he is expected to step aside for a new generation of leaders.
IDEOLOGY
The CCP has veered far from its roots in the Leninist concept of a vanguard party spearheading a proletarian revolution. Today it effectively promotes an ideology of capitalist development -- while retaining a closed political structure in which the party remains all-powerful.
KEY EVENTS IN PARTY HISTORY
1921: CCP formally established, setting out a Leninist vision of an elite party standing at the vanguard of a proletarian revolution based on China's vast masses.
1934-35: Party relocates revolutionary base from southeastern to northern China to escape Nationalist encirclement in a gruelling trek -- the "Long March" -- that sees Mao emerge as undisputed leader.
1949: CCP triumphantly takes power in Beijing after defeating Nationalists in a bloody civil war.
1966-76: Mao launches "Cultural Revolution" in bid to return party to its roots and reinforce his flagging power. China is plunged into chaos.
1978: After Mao's death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping begins party's shift away from Marxist economic ideology and towards acceptance of "market forces". China's economy begins its spectacular rise.
1989: Deng's reforms embolden students to demonstrate for democracy at Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Communist leaders call in the army to violently suppress the demonstrations on June 3-4.
2001: Party chairman Jiang Zemin promotes the recruitment of China's new business class into the party in a further move away from the CCP's roots.
2002: Hu replaces Jiang as party chief.
2009: China marks 60 years since the CCP took power.
2010: Vice President Xi Jinping is named vice-chairman of the influential Central Military Commission, which is widely seen as a step towards succeeding Hu.
