India, July 19 -- He claimed the CCP had lifted the Chinese people out of 'absolute poverty' and credited it with steering the nation to its present level of development.

Amid growing popular dissatisfaction caused by the slowing economy, increasing unemployment and rising cost of living, grand celebrations were organised across China between June 29-July 1 to commemorate the 105th founding anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The celebrations sought to boost the CCP's sagging popularity and simultaneously bolster Xi Jinping's image in the run up to the 21st Party Congress scheduled for late next year.

Predictably Xi Jinping's "important" approximately 4,000-word speech dwelt largely on domestic issues and highlighted the C...