2nd LD-Writethru: China Focus: Researcher considers objectivity obligatory in recording CPC history

2nd LD-Writethru: China Focus: Researcher considers objectivityobligatory in recording CPC history

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A researcher says it's an obligationof historians to record the history of the Communist Party of China(CPC) with the "utmost objectivity."

Li Zhongjie, deputy director of the Party History Research Centerof the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a press conferenceThursday, while summing up his experience in compiling the "Historyof the Communist Party of China."

Historians have completed two volumes and are now working on thethird that covers the post-1978 period when China embarked a periodof opening up and reform.

The second volume, which was published in January after 16 yearsof editing, features major events of the CPC from 1949 to 1978 andhas dominated sales in major Beijing bookstores for weeks.

More than 1 million copies of the second volume had been sold asof mid-May, Li said.

The first volume covers the years from 1921 through to 1949, arevolutionary period before the founding of New China.

According to historians, editing the second volume was difficultbecause it covers controversial periods, including the Great LeapForward of 1958 and the Cultural Revolution.

"But as ideological research workers, we are obliged to work hardand strive to ensure what we have compiled reflects the CPC'shistory in the most accurate and comprehensive way," Li said.

During the process of organizing the book, Party historyresearchers were careful in the selection of historical records andsolicited opinions from various circles, while adhering to theprinciple of "seeking truth from facts, " according to Li.

Li said the publication not only acknowledges the Party'spositive contributions, but also analyzes the causes of policyfailures and the misjudgment of Party leaders.

For example, an entire chapter of the second volume is devoted tothe Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), a time of turbulence when manysuffered extraordinary hardships.

BEING OBJECTIVE TOWARD MISTAKES

Li said the CPC is "objective and candid" toward the mistakes ithas made.

The history of society is a process where problems persistperpetually, and require solutions before progress can be made.China, like other countries, will encounter different kinds ofproblems at different stages of development and will make efforts tosolve the problems, Li said.

"Under the new historical conditions, the CPC, which has putforward the Scientific Outlook on Development and advocates theconception of constructing a harmonious society, has been going allout to accomplish the goal," Li said.

"All important figures and events will eventually get animpartial judgement in the compilation of the tome on the Party'shistory," Li said.

The second volume provides a clear account of the 1959-1961natural disaster in China. According to the book, the nationalpopulation in 1960 was reduced by 10 million from that of theprevious year, deaths of which were partially attributed to policyfailure.

Li also cited late Chairman Mao Zedong as another example,explaining that the CPC did not dodge Mao's mistakes but conductedserious reflection.

"As the great leader of the CPC and the people, Mao made certainmistakes in his later years that caused serious damage," Li said.

Mao's feats outweighed his mistakes, Li said, adding thatjudgments of Mao should be made on a realistic basis rather thansimply concluded with a complete denial of his achievements -- suchas leading the nation in expelling imperialist invaders and foundingthe New China.

"The socialist construction is explored without precedents, sofrustration and error are inevitable," Li said, adding that "the CPChas and will continue to remain in power as it has kept learningfrom experiences," he said.

Li called for a serious, prudent and scientific attitude towardParty history and urged the public to be careful about someunconfirmed rumors and anecdotes on the Internet.

"We have been collecting diverse opinions regarding the CPChistory on the Internet, but we take them merely as clues forfurther research, as there is a lot of inaccurate and unfoundedinformation online," he said, adding that his organization willcontinue to provide authoritative historical records.

The CPC, the world's largest political party with 78 millionmembers as of 2009, will mark its 90th anniversary on July 1.