(Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday hailed the 105-year history of the Communist Party of China (CPC), calling it the “greatest epic” of the Chinese nation, and urged the Party to continue its efforts to build China into a modern socialist country on schedule.
Speaking at a gathering marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on Party members to stand firm in their beliefs and work tirelessly to accomplish the Party’s missions in the new era and new march.
Founded in 1921 in a weakened China plagued by foreign humiliation and poverty, the CCP has grown from a small group of just over 50 members to the world’s largest ruling party with considerable global influence.
Xi stressed the importance of reaching the goal of fully realizing socialist modernization by the middle of the century.
“Time stops for no one, and neither does history,” he said.
The entire Party must adhere to its fundamental theory, line and policy so as to “not be discouraged by passing clouds and stay the course through thick and thin”, he said.
Stressing that the Party must rely closely on the people to achieve new historic feats, Xi urged Party members to “further revitalize the spirit of initiative to successfully complete projects.”
He also called on the entire Party to actively face the risks and challenges that will arise on the way.
“China’s development is currently going through a period where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and factors of uncertainty and unpredictability are increasing. We must always be prepared to face major challenges, such as strong winds, raging waves, and even violent storms,” he warned.
As profound changes unprecedented in a century accelerate, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, with humanity once again finding itself at a crossroads, Xi said.
“We must continue to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity,” he added.
Xi also stressed the need to promote the full implementation of strict discipline within the Party ranks, making sustained efforts to win “the difficult, protracted and merciless battle against corruption.”
“It is imperative that each of us in the Party never forget our initial commitment and our founding mission, that we always remain modest, prudent and hardworking, and that we have the courage and ability to continue our fight,” he added.
According to the latest census, the CPC now has nearly 101.29 million members and more than 5.43 million grassroots Party organizations.
At the rally, Xi awarded the July 1 Medal, the Party’s highest honor, to exemplary CPC members.
