Happy birthday, comrade – why China’s Communist Party sends a card on the date you joined
- Stern red cards quote the mission from last year’s party congress and remind members to follow the direction of the Central Committee
- Cards are sent by party branches, which must now be established in companies as Xi Jinping strengthens the party’s control
Members of the Chinese Communist Party are receiving “Happy Birthday” cards from their party branch, not on their actual birthday but on each anniversary of them joining the party.
The practice has gained popularity in the past two years since Xi Jinping, the president and party chief, vowed to strengthen the party’s control over China.
One party member who worked for a state-run energy company told the South China Morning Post he was surprised to receive a “Happy Political Birthday” card from the party branch last week, congratulating him on the anniversary of him joining the party four years ago.
Unlike the lighthearted and warm messages in traditional birthday cards, the red political birthday card is stern. Its message quotes the slogan from last year’s 19th National Party Congress – “stay true to our founding mission, we can accomplish the mission” – and offers a reminder to the recipient not to forget why they joined the party.
Such cards are also available in digital form. A search for “best wishes for political birthday” shows that many e-card providers, such as Maka, started to offer this service last year.
The paper cards and e-cards carry similar messages, asking party members to remember their responsibility and party discipline, to be mindful of their daily conduct and to follow the direction of the party’s Central Committee.