BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) -- A total of 2.64 million people joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2006, 160,000 more than the previous year, according to the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee.

    The fresh blood brought the number of CPC members to 72.39 million, a net increase of 1.58 million over 2005.

    More than 19 million people applied to join the CPC in 2006, an increase of 6.8 percent over 2005, a sign of the attractiveness and cohesiveness of the CPC, according to the organization department.

    About 22.2 million members -- 30.7 percent of the total - have received higher education, an increase of 1.7 percent over 2005.

    The proportion of female Party members and members under the age of 35 both increased in 2006.

    An internal educational campaign in 2005 and 2006 has given the86-year old CPC renewed vitality and energy, according to the organization department.