China celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), on Thursday (today).

Military jet fly-pasts, cannon salutes and patriotic songs witnessed during the celebration.

Crowd were in attendance in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, many of whom were not wearing masks.

Amid the ceremony, China’s President delivered a speech at an event marking the centenary of the ruling Communist Party.

Xi Jinping stated “foreign powers will ‘get their heads bashed’ if they attempt to bully or influence the country.”

Mr Xi also said Beijing would not allow “sanctimonious preaching”, in remarks widely seen as directed at the US.

It comes as China faces criticism over alleged human rights abuses and its crackdown in Hong Kong.

Relations between the US and China have worsened in recent times over trade, espionage and the pandemic.

Hong Kong is also marking its handover anniversary on the same day.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the founding and ruling political party of modern China, officially known as the People’s Republic of China.

The CCP has maintained a political monopoly since its founding a century ago, overseeing the country’s rapid economic growth and rise as a global power. As the party marks its one hundredth anniversary in 2021, it faces challenges abroad and at home, including economic inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis.

Since President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, he has consolidated his control over the infamously opaque party, with many experts calling him the most influential Chinese leader since Mao Zedong.

In 2017, the CCP reaffirmed Xi’s dominance and elevated new officials to support him in setting the agenda for the second-largest economy in the world.

Championing a vision for China’s “rejuvenation,” Xi has pursued a more assertive foreign policy strategy, which has increased tensions between China and the United States and its allies.