The second stage begins with Deng Xiaoping at the core of the second generation of leadership, though following a different path, but the basic cause being the same. The legacy of building a nation was added with a metaphor of building a strong nation.

The emphasis was clearly defined in the three-step strategy, which aimed at resolving the "wenbao" (温饱 enough to eat and wear) problem of the masses, boosting the economic growth of the country, and developing China to a modernized level.

Particular emphasis was also in strengthening the composite form of national identity. With this view, the Party strived to regain control and sovereign rights over Hong Kong and Macau, which was achieved with much fanfare and smooth transition.

To me the glory of the return of Hong Kong was a big event, which was also undertaken while Jiang Zemin was the core leader. I was studying in the People's University of Beijing during that time and there was this entire aura of people's joy surrounding you with some bit of tension. Many controversies mushroomed and fell to a slow death.

Besides, the heart touching moments for me during those days was the group of volunteers in the university engaged in working for the welfare of the society. I was invited to be a part of one such group that catered free English classes for the young kids.

Apart from free classes, the group also held intense discussions over issues that engulfed the university students. Was people's voices heard? Yes, to a very large extent. The main idea of such discussions was to find solutions that were within the principles of Communist goals. A strong sense of community welfare prevailed and youngsters were in full vigor to build a socially integrated and harmonious society.

The fourth stage with Hu Jintao has kept the spirit of building a strong nation alive. In order to attain the goals, a scientific development concept has been put in place. Besides, the stress has moved in preserving the harmony.

Today, the People's Republic of China, once considered as the "sick man of Asia", stands as a powerful nation. A nation that bestows its people with a strong sense of nationalism and pride in being a part of it.

You walk around the roads of big cities and unintentionally see the glares of the developed world. Shopping malls are crowded with people carrying loaded bags; high-end cars block the vision of streets; high-tech gadgets form part of life; eating outlets run 24 hours a day; and safety poses no problem for men and women even during late nights.

Decades have passed since the founding of the party and so the ground realities have changed. Today the major obstacles the Party faces are not the same as they were 90 years back. The demands of the growing masses have shifted from having a well-off standard of living to greater transparency in the system. Information now spreads at super fast speeds to the masses and pressures of all forms radiate around the Party.

There are deeper issues that the Party will have to address in the future course that threaten the trust people have showed for the Party over the decades. The daunting task for the central leadership in future is how to maintain its superiority while winning the hearts of the majority.

However, as of now the ground reality that the world fails to understand is that CPC has build institutions and structures that unite people around one identity – being Chinese. This identity can stand the test of time and still be one under a single party rule. One wonders why?

Dr. Geeta Kochhar is a Visiting Fellow at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. She is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Chinese & South-East Asian Studies, School of Language, Literature & Culture Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. She could be reached at geeta@mail.jnu.ac.in. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the China Daily Website.