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This photo taken on June 11, 2021 shows people with a flag of the Chinese Communist Party preparing to pose for a photo as they visit the museum of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai. - As the ruling body celebrates its 100th birthday on July 1, current members describe an increasingly cult-like atmosphere under leader Xi Jinping, propagandising successes such as its control of the coronavirus, and viewed as the only viable saviour for China. - TO GO WITH China-politics-party-anniversary-members,FOCUS by Dan Martin (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) / TO GO WITH China-politics-party-anniversary-members,FOCUS by Dan Martin (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)

This photo taken on June 11, 2021 shows people with a flag of the Chinese Communist Party preparing to pose for a photo as they visit the museum of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai. - As the ruling body celebrates its 100th birthday on July 1, current members describe an increasingly cult-like atmosphere under leader Xi Jinping, propagandising successes such as its control of the coronavirus, and viewed as the only viable saviour for China. - TO GO WITH China-politics-party-anniversary-members,FOCUS by Dan Martin (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) / TO GO WITH China-politics-party-anniversary-members,FOCUS by Dan Martin (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
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AFP HECTOR RETAMAL