Chinese President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivered an important speech at a ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC on July 1. 

Commenting on Xi’s speech, Jon Taylor, a professor of political science and chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography at the University of Texas in San Antonio, told Beijing Review that China’s accomplishing its first centenary goal is a remarkable achievement for the CPC, China and the world at large. The following are edited excerpts of Professor Taylor's comments: 

[General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee] Xi's message was clear: This is a historic moment for the Party, China and the world. He made obvious the need to remember both the Party’s and nation’s history because they are intertwined. There was a strong emphasis on the Party’s leadership, both as a revolutionary party and as a governing party.  

Xi went on to strongly emphasize the role of the Chinese people and their link to the Party, further noting that the CPC was chosen by the people and it is there to serve the people. 

He then reminded the world that China opted for a socialist path under Marxism-Leninism, but successfully molded it to suit China's conditions: socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.  

I was particularly struck by his announcement that China had achieved its first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. That is a remarkable achievement for the Party, China and the world.  

Xi's speech was not designed to discuss policy. Rather, it was a speech that sent a strong message to the world: China today is more determined and ready to defend its sovereignty, security and developmental interests.   

While the Party has been committed to serving the people and rejuvenating the country, the CPC is also determined to pursue new tasks and challenges to fulfill the second centenary goal, namely that of building a modern socialist country by 2049. 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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