The MCP was founded in 1991 following the formation of the Socialist Party of Manchuria, the successor to the formally ruling Communist Party of Manchuria. Former CPM officials were unhappy with the announcement of new party, and subsequently founded the MCP to serve as a more communist alternative to the SPM. They soon became the second largest left wing party in the legislature after the Socialist Party, and became dominated by Maoists and Stalinists. Until 2010 they were the third largest party in the legislature, but moved to fourth after the New Progressive Party's surprising success in the 2010 elections and moved further down in the 2015 elections after the Qinglonghui.