A GRAND ceremony will be held to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), where outstanding Party members will be given the “July 1 Medal” for the first time, Party officials announced yesterday.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, will deliver a speech at the ceremony and award the “July 1 Medal,” the highest honor in the Party, to Party members who have made extraordinary contributions to the Party, Wang Xiaohui, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said at a press conference in Beijing.

Other outstanding Party members, Party affairs workers, community-level Party organizations and senior Party members who have been members for 50 years will also be awarded.

The ceremony will highlight a deep reflection of history, allowing CPC members and the public to understand why Chinese people and history chose the CPC, a socialist path, and the reform and opening-up path, as per the conference.

It is part of a series of key events to mark the Party’s 100th birthday, according to Wang.

Other events include holding major theme exhibitions, organizing seminars and symposiums on theoretical study, and creating and promoting a series of literary and artistic works as well as publications. Commemorative stamps and coins will also be issued.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is preparing for a high-standard, high-quality theatrical performance, which will be presented in the form of a large-scale epic drama, said Hu Heping, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and head of the ministry, during the press conference.

Meanwhile, a large number of revolution-themed fine literary and artistic works will also be launched. Classical dramas including the Chinese opera “The White-Haired Girl” and ballet “The Red Detachment of Women” will be remade, said Hu. Multiple new Chinese dramas reflecting the great achievements in the new era such as poverty eradication will also be staged.

(Continued on P4)