Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Wednesday hailed the 105-year history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as the "most magnificent epic" of the Chinese nation and urged the Party to press ahead to build China into a modern socialist country on schedule.
Addressing a gathering marking the CPC's 105th founding anniversary, Xi, also Chinese President and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on Party members to remain steadfast in their convictions and work tirelessly to fulfill the Party's missions in the new era and on the new journey.
The gathering was also attended by Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice President Han Zheng.
Before the gathering began, recipients of the July 1 Medal, the Party's highest honor, headed to the Great Hall of the People for a special award ceremony held at the gathering.
Li Qiang, also Chinese Premier, declared the opening of the grand ceremony at 10:00.
Cai Qi, also a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, read out the decision of the CPC Central Committee on conferring the July 1 Medal.
Xi then conferred July 1 Medals on model CPC members.
Eight people have been awarded the July 1 Medal this year. They are:
Ma Shanxiang, a retired official rehired to lead a mediation center in Chongqing, southwest China. Ma has spent more than three decades resolving disputes for the masses of the people and serving local communities;
Wang Yuchang, a veteran who twice shot down intruding high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and has made outstanding contribution during his service in the Chinese People's Liberation Army;
Li Liancheng, a village Party secretary who has dedicated his life to poverty alleviation and rural revitalization efforts;
Uhas Sulayman, a doctor who has made outstanding contribution to promoting health care development and ethnic unity in China's frontier areas;
Wu Yaqin, a community Party chief who has dedicated herself to improving grassroots-level governance and training community workers for 30 years;
Zhao Yafu, an agricultural expert committed to China's agricultural modernization efforts for more than six decades;
Zhong Jue, an outstanding engineer who has made great contribution to equipment development for major national projects;
Chen Junwu, a prominent academician who dedicated his entire life to the development of China's petroleum and petrochemical industry.
Seven of the honorees attended the ceremony in person to receive the award. Chen, who passed away in 2024, was honored posthumously.
Xi also conferred medals on the outstanding Party members, Party workers, and primary-level Party organizations selected.
Xi then delivered an important speech, in which he underscored that the CPC has led the Chinese people in writing the most magnificent epic in the millennia-long history of the Chinese nation through unremitting endeavors.
"On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, I extend festive greetings to all Party members, and also extend warm congratulations to the recipients of the July 1 Medal and the commended outstanding Party members, Party workers, and primary-level Party organizations," Xi said.
Founded in 1921 against the backdrop of a weak China plagued by foreign humiliation and poverty, the CPC has grown from a small group of just over 50 members into the world's largest governing party with tremendous global influence.
The endeavors over the past 105 years have fundamentally transformed the future of the Chinese people, opened up the right path for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and demonstrated the strong vitality of Marxism, said Xi.
They have also produced a profound influence on the course of world history, and made the CPC a powerful Communist Party, he said.
The CPC boasts fine qualities with no parallel among other political parties and political forces, Xi pointed out.
It remains committed to seeking truth, and always adheres to the right direction. It is deeply rooted in the people, and always boasts a solid foundation, he noted.
Xi said that the CPC courageously rises to its historic missions and always keeps a strategic initiative in hand. It follows the development trend, and always remains at the forefront of the times, he said.
The CPC has the courage and ability to fight and is always confident about winning. It focuses on constant self-improvement, and is always full of vitality, Xi said.
Xi urged all CPC members to strive for more achievements in the new era.
All members of the CPC should stay firm in convictions, and forge ahead with continuous efforts to realize the Party's missions in the new era and on the new journey, Xi said.
The whole Party must adhere to the basic theory, basic line, and basic policy of the CPC; always rely on the people to create great historical feat; actively respond to risks and challenges on the path forward; promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity; and advance full and rigorous Party self-governance with sustained efforts, Xi said.
Xi stressed upholding the absolute Party leadership over the people's armed forces.
He urged efforts to achieve the goals for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027, and elevate the people's armed forces to world-class standards at a faster pace.
He also called for efforts to resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and make greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and development.
Promoting the long-term prosperity and stability in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) is essential for realizing national rejuvenation, Xi stressed.
Efforts must be made to fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of 'one country, two systems', under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong and Macao should be supported in better integrating into and contributing to the country's overall development, Xi said.
Xi highlighted the CPC's unshakable commitment to resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification.
Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification is a historic mission and the common aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation, Xi said. He pledged resolute actions to fight secessionists seeking Taiwan secession' separatist forces, oppose external interference, and advance national reunification.
Calling the youth a dynamic force in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi urged the entire Party to value, care for, and support young people, creating favorable conditions for their growth and success.
"Comrades and friends! The glorious 105-year history of the Communist Party of China fills us with pride, yet we must never become complacent or rest on our laurels. By the middle of this century, we will build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieve the Second Centenary Goal. Time waits for no one. History waits for no one. All comrades in the Party must stay true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind, must remain modest and prudent and work hard, and must have the courage to fight and the fortitude to win. We must closely rely on, unite with, and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country to forge ahead on the new journey and make our mark in the new era, striving to write a new glorious chapter in history!" Xi said as he concluded the speech.
Li Qiang, who chaired Wednesday's gathering, urged all CPC members to implement the spirit of Xi's speech. Party members must carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, fulfill their original aspiration and mission, and strive tirelessly to comprehensively advance the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization, Li said.
Wu Yaqin, on behalf of all recipients of the July 1 Medal, also delivered a speech at the gathering.
The gathering concluded with all present singing the Internationale.
According to the latest census, the CPC now has nearly 101.29 million members and over 5.43 million primary-level Party organizations.
The July 1 Medal was first awarded in 2021 to mark the centennial of the founding of the CPC.
The medal, which features red, gold and white as its main colors, adopts key elements such as the Party emblem and the five-pointed star.
Xi hails CPC's 105-year "epic", urges building modern socialist China
Xi hails CPC's 105-year "epic", urges building modern socialist China
