Amid much festivity and fanfare, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China is being celebrated across the world on June 1. The Party set off on its historic journey with only 50 members, from a boat in East China's Zhejiang province on July 23, 1921.

In late January 1927, four Party members – Lyu Xiong, Hua Yuefeng, Zhou Shihua and Cheng Benyi – raised their hands for the establishment of the first Party organization in Quzhou city in Zhejiang province. The founding of the Quxian county branch of the CPC lit up the revolution in the city.

All those years later, four centenarian Party members recently reeled off stories of the experiences – recounting some of the ups and downs the CPC has had throughout its journey.

Lu Honglin:

Lu Honglin was born in 1921 and joined the CPC in 1955. He lives in Hemu village, Jiangshan, a county-level city in Quzhou.

Lu's best wishes to the CPC: "As Party members never plan for fame and fortune, this guarantees the CPC remains resilient." [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

In the summer of 1942, a boy in his village was crossing a bridge when he accidentally fell into the fast-flowing water. Lu, who was doing farm work by the river, dived into the muddy water and saved the boy. He dived so hard that his knees were covered in blood, after they were lacerated by a stone.

In 1943 and 1957, Lu saved another two lives from heatstroke and drowning.

The 100-year-old Party member saved three people, but few people know his story. His eldest son Lu Shoufu said: "When I was a child I learnt from my father about his brave deeds, but he rarely tells outsiders."