<p>China is ramping up a propaganda blitz ahead of the 100th birthday of the ruling Communist Party, with banners and billboards around the country reminding citizens to live a "civilised" life and obey authorities.</p>.<p>The world's second-largest economy has been lauding its achievements in the weeks leading up to July 1, which marks the centenary of the party's founding in Shanghai.</p>.<p>Large boards with a red-emblazoned "100" showing the Communist hammer and sickle emblem have been hung above retail stores and along busy streets to mark the superpower's rise.</p>.<p>"Listen to the party, appreciate the party, follow the party," declares one roadside sign in Beijing.</p>.<p>The Communist Party has more than 91 million members, according to the official Xinhua news agency -- many of them grassroots cadres and ordinary civil servants.</p>.<p>Party propaganda is a part of daily life in China, where red banners giving advice, encouragement and official messages are seen on streets all year round.</p>.<p>But public displays have proliferated in recent weeks as the centenary draws near.</p>.<p>"Build a civilised image everywhere, let's all be civilised citizens", reads one banner, against a warm-hued silhouette of families against the capital's skyline.</p>.<p>Some boards show a portrait of Lei Feng, modern China's most famous model soldier, whose purported exploits and recognition by former leader Mao Zedong have turned him into a national folk hero.</p>.<p>Authorities have used his legend to encourage citizens to strive hard, and messages under his visage urge the public to "learn the Lei Feng spirit".</p>.<p>Elsewhere at a major downtown street corner in Beijing, a bright red screen is broadcasting a row of People's Liberation Army troops in helmets, holding bayonets and yelling.</p>.<p>"Raise a new generation of spirited, capable, courageous and morally upright revolutionary soldiers," the text underneath reads.</p>.<p>China has the second-largest military budget in the world after the US, although Beijing's defence spending still accounts for less than a third of Washington's outlay.</p>.<p>Next month's anniversary celebrations will see the release of a blockbuster film about the party's founding featuring some of China's top movie talent.</p>.<p>Key party members will also receive a special medal at a ceremony in Beijing.</p>
<p>China is ramping up a propaganda blitz ahead of the 100th birthday of the ruling Communist Party, with banners and billboards around the country reminding citizens to live a "civilised" life and obey authorities.</p>.<p>The world's second-largest economy has been lauding its achievements in the weeks leading up to July 1, which marks the centenary of the party's founding in Shanghai.</p>.<p>Large boards with a red-emblazoned "100" showing the Communist hammer and sickle emblem have been hung above retail stores and along busy streets to mark the superpower's rise.</p>.<p>"Listen to the party, appreciate the party, follow the party," declares one roadside sign in Beijing.</p>.<p>The Communist Party has more than 91 million members, according to the official Xinhua news agency -- many of them grassroots cadres and ordinary civil servants.</p>.<p>Party propaganda is a part of daily life in China, where red banners giving advice, encouragement and official messages are seen on streets all year round.</p>.<p>But public displays have proliferated in recent weeks as the centenary draws near.</p>.<p>"Build a civilised image everywhere, let's all be civilised citizens", reads one banner, against a warm-hued silhouette of families against the capital's skyline.</p>.<p>Some boards show a portrait of Lei Feng, modern China's most famous model soldier, whose purported exploits and recognition by former leader Mao Zedong have turned him into a national folk hero.</p>.<p>Authorities have used his legend to encourage citizens to strive hard, and messages under his visage urge the public to "learn the Lei Feng spirit".</p>.<p>Elsewhere at a major downtown street corner in Beijing, a bright red screen is broadcasting a row of People's Liberation Army troops in helmets, holding bayonets and yelling.</p>.<p>"Raise a new generation of spirited, capable, courageous and morally upright revolutionary soldiers," the text underneath reads.</p>.<p>China has the second-largest military budget in the world after the US, although Beijing's defence spending still accounts for less than a third of Washington's outlay.</p>.<p>Next month's anniversary celebrations will see the release of a blockbuster film about the party's founding featuring some of China's top movie talent.</p>.<p>Key party members will also receive a special medal at a ceremony in Beijing.</p>