Confined to the special circumstances in foreign companies, the Communist Party of China (CPC) members are regarded to be isolated from the organization even if they don't want so. However, Li Muzi, a CPC member working in KPMG, a Chinese member firm of a Swiss entity providing audit, tax and advisory services, tells people it is not true with her personal experience.

"I was also a little worried about being identified as a CPC member. But it turned out that I was over anxious," Li told ChinAfrica. After she reported for duty at the company, the secretary of the Party Branch Committee in KPMG filled her in on relevant information about the branch. "It made me feel more at home," she recalled.

Li's case is not unique. As China has been attracting more and more foreign companies since opening up more than three decades ago, the number of employees in those companies who are the CPC members is also rapidly rising. Taking Beijing as an example, according to statistics given by Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau, in foreign companies, there are about 2,832 CPC members, making up 20 percent of the total employees, and over 200 Party organizations. Through these members the CPC's image is portrayed to foreigners in work place.

Role models

In foreign companies, people are curious why Party members regularly hold seminars and other activities, and this sometimes makes company management suspicious. However, the Party members dispel the misgivings of others with their concrete action.   

The CPC members in the Party Branch Committee of KPMG, the first one established in a foreign public accounting firm, hold regular seminars to discuss the latest CPC policies and documents. "In addition, we often talk about the company's business and contribute proposals on its future development. Many of the proposals are adopted," Li said. Meanwhile, many CPC members become role models in the company due to their good performances.

In addition, the CPC branch committee helps promote the social image of the firm. "Recently, under the initiative of our organization, we went to a community to offer assistance to the lonely elderly people there. During the activity, the CPC members took the lead," Li said. She added that such activities were frequent and they help the company perform its social responsibility.  

"Being a CPC member won't bring you any benefits in foreign companies, no fame or no money. We are the same as ordinary staff. If there are differences, I think we should give more and do better in the work place," said Li.

Young members

Due to the comparatively higher pressure, faster pace and better salaries, foreign companies attract bigger numbers of young people. "The CPC members in foreign companies are mainly young people. They are well educated and open-minded, and will be pillars of the society. So it is necessary to strengthen the cohesion between them and the CPC. Further, with the bridging role of these members, the CPC will draw more young people to support it," Zhang Dong, Director of CPC Committee Office of Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau, told ChinAfrica.

In this regards, both the CPC branch committees and the CPC members play unique roles. "The organization should exert its role in strengthening its members' sense of belonging," Zhang said. In light of the characteristics of foreign companies, the Party organization of Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau combined educating the CPC members with activities related to the companies' business. "Each month we organize the Party members in foreign companies to visit local enterprises, during which, activities of the Party buildings will be held," Zhang said, adding that the visit also provided opportunities for foreign companies to seek business cooperation.

Being role models is what is expected of the CPC members. "In this sense, we should be stricter with ourselves and perform better in the company. It is also what a CPC member should do no matter where they work," said Li.