From the revolution to the opening to the markets: 100 years of the Chinese Communist Party

A heavily armored Beijing is preparing for the big party. Traffic blocked, safety doubled. Tiananmen, the political heart of the capital, has been off limits for days. Patriotic flower arrangements and national flags on the streets: rejoice comrades, this year the Party turns 100 years old. But the biggest political celebration in China’s modern history remains shrouded in mystery. No one knows what to expect on Thursday, July 1, which – by convention – marks the CCP’s birth date.