Beijing celebrated the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China yesterday, Tuesday, with a formal reception attended by senior Party, state, and military officials, as well as foreign diplomats. On this occasion, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech retracing the path traveled since 1949 and calling for stronger national unity to face the challenges of the future.

At the outset, he extended, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, his "festive greetings" to all the Chinese people, the armed forces, as well as to compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, not forgetting the Chinese living abroad. He also expressed his gratitude to the foreign nations and partners who, according to him, "have long shown understanding and support" towards China.

China from national survival to great rejuvenation

The head of state hailed the "remarkable" achievements made over the past 76 years thanks to the "self-reliance and relentless efforts" of the people. According to him, history will remember this trajectory as "an extraordinary journey that has led China from national survival to great rejuvenation."

Xi Jinping recalled that earlier in September, China commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. He stressed that the commemoration had "rekindled patriotism, inspired the people to forge ahead, and strengthened national confidence."

Evoking the legacy of past generations of revolutionary leaders and fighters, he called for continuing their cause and drawing inspiration from their determination to build an even stronger China.

Looking back on the past year, Xi Jinping stressed that the country had faced "complex developments" but had continued reform in all areas, improved people's well-being and strengthened internal Party discipline.

 

Global development, global security, global civilization and global governance

He announced that next month, the Communist Party will hold the fourth plenary session of its 20th Central Committee, where recommendations for drafting the 15th Five-Year Plan will be discussed and adopted. "We must ensure the implementation of the strategic goals and initiatives of this plan," he said, asserting that China aims for decisive progress in socialist modernization.

Addressing the national issue, the President reaffirmed his commitment to fully implementing the "one country, two systems" policy, enabling Hong Kong and Macao to better integrate into the country's overall development. He also reiterated his "resolute" opposition to any separatist inclinations advocating "Taiwan independence" and any form of foreign interference, while stressing the need to strengthen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.

Internationally, Xi Jinping affirmed that China would continue to defend "the common values of humanity" and promote "true multilateralism." He recalled the four major initiatives supported by Beijing: global development, global security, global civilization, and global governance. According to him, these are instruments for international cooperation and the construction of "a community with a shared future for humanity."