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Highlights of General Secretary Xi Jinping's Speech Marking the CPC's 95th Founding Anniversary
  ·  2016-10-10  ·   Source: Web Exclusive

A JOINT TRANSLATION PROJECT   

BY BEIJING REVIEW & KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON   

Editor's Note 

On July 1, the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a gathering in Beijing to mark its 95th anniversary. At the meeting, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a keynote speech. In his speech, Xi reviewed the path that the CPC has led the Chinese people on, envisioned the future prospects of the Party and the people working together, and called on the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups to confidently strive toward the goal of building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and realizing the Chinese dream of national renewal.

It summarized the three greatest historic contributions that the CPC has made to the Chinese nation and their significance. 

In his speech Xi pointed out that in the CPC's 95 years of splendid history it has overcome one obstacle after another through its firm reliance on the people. It has also continued to score one victory after another and as a result made historic contributions to the Chinese nation.

In particular, the historic contributions that he mentioned include: leading the Chinese people through 28 years of bloody battles and civil war; defeating Japanese imperialism; overthrowing the anti-revolutionary rule of the Kuomintang; completing the New Democratic Revolution; and founding the People's Republic of China. These contributions are significant because when combined, they show how the CPC thoroughly put an end to the era when China was a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. The CPC brought together a China that was fragmented, and in the process completely abolished unfair treaties forced upon China by foreign powers and revoked the privileges that imperialists had enjoyed in China. Hence, China transformed from a feudal autocracy that had lasted for thousands of years to a people's democracy.

The Party has also made a historic contribution to uniting and leading the Chinese people to complete the socialist revolution, set up a basic socialist system, eliminate all exploitative systems and push ahead with socialist construction. The significance of this lies in that it has brought about the most extensive and profound social transformation in the history of China. It also laid the fundamental political and institutional foundation for all of the progress made in contemporary China and created a solid basis for the country to become strong and prosperous. The Chinese nation has reversed its fate from a continuous decline to increasing prosperity.

Additionally, the Party united and led the Chinese people through reform and opening up. This process greatly inspired the general public's creativity, unleashed social productivity and boosted social vitality. It also improved people's lives, as well as China's national strength and the country's international standing. Overall, the contribution is significant in that it has opened a socialist path with Chinese characteristics, formulated a system of theories with Chinese characteristics and established a socialist system with Chinese characteristics. It allows China to keep up with the times, and for the Chinese people to stand up and become richer and stronger.

The speech drew three important historical experiences from the CPC's 95 years of history. 

Xi pointed out that history has proven that without the leadership of an advanced Party, China would not be where it is today. The Party is defined as advanced because it is armed with advanced theories, follows historical trends, courageously shoulders its duties and makes huge sacrifices for the people. Without this, the Chinese people would not have been able to defeat various reactionary forces, would still be oppressed and enslaved, and would not have become united and prosperous along the socialist path.

He also pointed out that history has proven that the great cause of rejuvenating the Chinese nation under the CPC's leadership, which was chosen by history and people, is correct and must be adhered to unswervingly. The socialist path with Chinese characteristics opened by the Chinese people under the CPC's leadership is correct and must be followed steadfastly. The CPC and Chinese people's strategy to develop the country based on national conditions and drawing on the excellent fruits of human civilization is correct and must be carried out firmly.

Xi said that history has shown that the road traveled by China has been paved by the CPC and the Chinese people with blood, sweat and tears. It has been full of plights and setbacks, yet also splendor and victories. It is an unforgettable and undeniably spectacular chapter in the development of the Chinese nation and a foundation on which the Chinese people can build upon and forge ahead.

The above experiences show that only the CPC can save China. Without the CPC, there would not be the People's Republic of China. The Chinese people are confident that national renewal will be obtained under the CPC's leadership.

The speech emphasized that the CPC should stay true to its mission and keep moving forward. 

Xi pointed out that all Party members should stay true to their mission and keep moving forward. As a result, Party members must keep the following eight requirements in mind:

--Adhere to the guiding role of Marxism; closely combine the basic tenets of Marxism with the realities of contemporary China and characteristics of the times; promote innovation in theory and practice; and continue to adapt Marxism to China's conditions.

--Firmly remember that since its founding, the Party's basic principle has been to struggle for the victory of communism and socialism; stick to the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and continuously pursue this great ideal.

--Strengthen confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; adhere to the Party's basic line; and continue to further the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

--Concertedly promote economic, political, cultural, social and ecological progress; implement the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy; and spare no effort in pushing for the completion of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the realization of the Two Centenary Goals.

--Steadfastly hold high the banner of reform and opening up; audaciously deepen comprehensive reform; further emancipate our thoughts; unleash social productivity and vitality; and continuously push forward reform and opening up.

--Firmly believe that the Party is rooted in the people and its power comes from the people; stick to the principles of serving the people and relying on the people; give full play to the people's initiatives and creativity; and continuously advance the undertakings to benefit the people.

--Unswervingly follow the road of peaceful development; implement the mutually beneficial opening-up strategy; strengthen friendship and exchanges with various countries; and work together with people in various countries to carry on the lofty cause of peaceful development.

--Maintain the advanced and pure nature of the Party; energetically improve the Party's governance and leadership capability and its ability to resist risks and corruption; and continuously push forward the great project of Party building.

Other highlights 

In his speech, Xi also made comments on army building, peaceful reunification of the motherland and nurturing talented young people.

When talking about army building, Xi said that the Party's absolute leadership over the military must be adhered to and endeavors should be made to build a people's army that follows the command of the Party, can win battles and has good working style. China follows a military strategy of active defense, so it will not threaten others with the use of force or flex its muscles at others' doorsteps.

When talking about peaceful reunification of the motherland, Xi said that faith and determination in "one country, two systems" should not be shaken regardless of what difficulties or challenges are encountered. Additionally, Xi said that adhering to the 1992 Consensus and objecting to "Taiwan independence" are the political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. He stressed the importance of resolutely opposing "Taiwan independence." The 1.3 billion Chinese people and the entire Chinese nation will absolutely not accept any form of activities to split the country.

When talking about nurturing talented young people, Xi said, in the past 95 years, all the achievements of the Party embody the enthusiasm and contribution of young people. The Party should pay attention to young people, care about them, listen to their voices, make friends with them, enthusiastically support their work and be their guide.

Comments to yanwei@bjreview.com 

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