On the Road in China: Joining the Party 

Source: ONE News

Only one Westerner has ever managed to join the Chinese communist party. American Sidney Rittenberg gained access to the exclusive enclave in the years just after the second world war.

A broadcaster, Rittenberg filled several roles and twice interpreted messages from the United States for Chairman Mao Tse-Tung.

He got close enough to play gin rummy with (Chairman) Mao Tse Tung, future premier Zhou En Lai and other key figures but also spent two spells in jail during a turbulent career.

Searching for an office in a Beijing high rise I came across a door which seemed to be an entry to the party. It couldn't be. I didn't dare to knock but tried to unsuccessfully turn the handle.

Not this time but it got me thinking. What would it take to become the second? How many figurative doors would I have to pass through?

A Chinese media colleague told me it is "now not that hard" to join the group that has ruled the Middle Kingdom unopposed for 60 years.

After applying to the local office (the party has representatives in every town -even in schools as they want to identify young prospects) you can then be recommended for appraisal.

At this point your community involvement, career and general status will be considered.

Family is not as important as before my friend explained while we sat in a Mongolian style restaurant.

"We have a saying here", he continued, "better to have the talent on the inside than outside."

Things have loosened up in China as everybody knows.

Just a few decades ago the situation was similar to North Korea now, where the government completely controlled people's movement, purchases and by definition their lives.

Now Starbucks, McDonalds and Hooters are here and Chinese nationals can travel where they please.

But the state apparatus still touches every corner, especially in the media, where content is completely controlled.

And while you can get into sites such as Wikipedia, some searches, such as 'China Communist Party' will prove impossible.

As impossible as my quest, it would seem, to join a particular political party.

tvnz.co.nz's Michael Burgess is in China courtesy of the Asia New Zealand foundation and travelled there with Air New Zealand. He is aiming to investigate the impact and legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and will be writing about the sights and sounds of China along the way.

Michael is in China for three weeks. Check out his archive of articles here