he Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrated its centenary on July 1 with a series of celebrations in Beijing and around the country. General Secretary of the CPC Xi Jinping said the Party will continue to lead the Chinese people to realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
A celebration on the morning of July 1 which included representatives from all walks of life and different parties, people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and from foreign countries, regions and international organizations was held in Tiananmen Square. A 100-gun salute was fired and the national flag was hoisted to the national anthem.
Representatives from China’s democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and nonParty members made a joint speech at the ceremony, in which they vowed to rally around the CPC and make a bigger contribution to the socialist construction and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Representatives of the China Communist Youth League and the Chinese Young Pioneers also expressed their determination to study and work for the country.
In his speech, Xi said the founding of the CPC “changed the course of Chinese history in modern times, transformed the future of the Chinese people and nation, and altered the landscape of world development.”
“Since the very day of its founding, the Party has made seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation its aspiration and mission. All the struggle, sacrifice, and creation through which the Party has united and led the Chinese people over the past hundred years has been tied together by one ultimate theme – bringing about the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” Xi said.
Xi paid tribute to previous Party leaders that made great contributions to the revolution and socialist construction, represented by Chairman Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, the chief designer of China’s reform and opening-up strategy, and former Chinese presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao.
Xi expressed gratitude to all Chinese people, including those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan,that are working for the country. He emphasized that the people are the true heroes who create history.
Xi said China’s future development must insist on the firm leadership of the CPC and hold true to the “people first” principle. He added that China will continue to “adapt Marxism to the Chinese context” and will follow China’s own socialist path with Chinese characteristics.
Xi pledged the CPC will adhere to its absolute leadership over the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and accelerate the modernization of national defense and the armed forces and meanwhile remain independent in diplomatic affairs and promote ties with other countries characterized by “peace, development, cooperation and win-win.”
Xi also emphasized the continuation of high autonomy in Hong Kong and Macao by fully and correctly implementing “One Country, Two Systems,” and meanwhile ensure the CPC central committee’s overall jurisdiction over those regions. As for Taiwan, Xi emphasized adherence to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus made between Chinese Taiwan and the Chinese mainland and called on both Taiwanese and mainland people to defeat any attempt toward “Taiwan independence” and revitalise the Chinese nation.
“No one should underestimate the resolve, the will, and the ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
The ceremony ended with a chorus of “The Internationale.”
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