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A.
United States is not correct.
The
United States is the world's third-most-populous country,
behind China (1.3 billion people) and India (1.2 billion).
However, the U.S. population of 312 million people outnumbers
the membership of China's Communist Party by a wide margin.
China's
Communist Party, founded in 1921, emerged victorious from
China's civil war — and became the dominant force in the People's
Republic of China, which was established in 1949.
Despite
the country's rapid economic growth and increasing private
property ownership, the Communist Party still exercises broad
political and ideological leadership over most aspects of
life in China.
B.
Brazil is not correct.
Brazil
is the world's fifth-most-populous country. Currently home
to 195 million people, its population also outnumbers the
membership of China's Communist Party. The Chinese Communist
Party has held power for 62 years.
To
date, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union holds the record
for the longest period of one-party rule, at 74 years (1917-1991)
— followed by the 71 years the Institutional Revolutionary
Party ruled Mexico (1929-2000).
C.
Germany is correct.
China's
Communist Party has 80 million members — about equal to the
entire population of Germany. If the party were a sovereign
nation, it would be the world's 16th most populous. Its membership
is bigger than the populations of France or the United Kingdom
(both with about 63 million people).
Around
6% of China's population belongs to the Communist Party. The
vast majority of its members are drawn from the ranks of the
military, college graduates, government officials and businessmen.
According to the Chinese government, more than 38% of members
are women, and about a quarter are under the age of 35.
D.
South Africa is not correct.
South
Africa is the world's 25th-most-populous nation, with about
51 million people. Thus, its population is only about two-thirds
as large as the number of Chinese who pay regular membership
dues for the privilege of Communist Party membership.
Membership
in the Communist Party is viewed as a way to get ahead in
Chinese society because it opens doors to the country's ruling
class. In addition to improved career prospects, members can
expect to receive healthcare and retirement benefits.
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