Full Text of Chinese president's written speech at APEC CEO Summit

LIMA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a written speech at the APEC CEO Summit on Friday under the title "Keeping Abreast of the Trend of the Times and Jointly Promoting Prosperity Around the World."

Following is the English version of the full text of the speech.

Keeping Abreast of the Trend of the Times and Jointly Promoting Prosperity Around the World

Written Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the APEC CEO Summit

Lima, November 15, 2024

Representatives of the Business Community,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

I am very pleased to visit the beautiful city of Lima. It is truly heart-warming to set foot on this dynamic country again after eight years.

Although China and Latin America are thousands of miles apart, we have carried forward our exchanges in spite of the vast Pacific Ocean. As early as in the second half of the 16th century, the China Ships, laden with silk and porcelain, reached the far coast of Latin America, starting friendly interactions between China and the region.

Several hundred years later, today, China and Latin America and the entire Asia-Pacific are deeply woven into the fabric of economic globalization. We are now an interdependent community with common interests and a shared future. On the other hand, the world is in a new period of turbulence and transformation. Unbridled unilateralism and protectionism and an increasingly fragmented world economy threaten to reverse the trend toward economic globalization. The grave challenge for us is like sailing up a river -- we either forge ahead or drift downstream. Where will the Asia-Pacific economy be going? It is a decision we must make.

Economic globalization is an objective requirement of growing social productive forces. It is a natural outcome of advancement in science and technology and a mighty historical trend. Despite headwinds and undertows, economic globalization has always been the general trend. The attempt to block economic cooperation under all sorts of pretexts and break up the interdependence of the world is nothing but backpedaling.

Economic globalization is caught now in a tug of war between driving and obstructive forces, but the driving forces still prevail. New technological revolution and industrial transformation are getting more profound, and the world is moving faster to embrace a digital, green and smart economy. All this is building up powerful energy for further expedition of economic globalization down the road.

We should steer economic globalization in the right direction. We must reject the beaten path that a few countries have taken to pursue dominance and hegemony. We should see to it that economic globalization generates more positive outcomes and is taken to a new phase that is more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Tougher times call for greater confidence. We should join hands to promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization to the benefit of various countries and communities.

First, we should take innovation as the driving force for stronger growth of the world economy. Innovation is the source of productivity. We should make full use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to rev up the world economy and stimulate its growth with the current technological revolution. Advances in science and technology should benefit the entire humanity. We should help developing countries with their capacity building in science and technology and promote global flow of knowledge and technologies.

Second, we should keep pace with the times and reform the system of global economic governance. We should follow the principles of "plan together, build together and benefit together" to ensure that the global economic governance system better reflects the new reality of the world economic map. The representation and voice of the Global South should be enhanced continuously, and all countries should be ensured of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules in conducting international economic cooperation. We should uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading regime, push for an open world economic system, and keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth.

Third, we should always take the people-centered approach and seek to settle imbalances in development. Global prosperity and stability cannot be achieved when the rich get richer and the poor poorer. True development means common development of all countries. We should ensure people's well-being while seeking economic growth, and foster a development environment that is inclusive and beneficial for all. We should pursue economic globalization that is people-centered and delivers more balanced development and more equal opportunities, so that different countries, classes and communities can all benefit from development. China hopes that all parties will take an active part in the Global Development Initiative to help expedite the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promote balanced and full development of all countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

APEC was born on the eve of the end of the Cold War when a new round of economic globalization was gradually emerging, and has since taken it as its mission to promote economic globalization. It has contributed immensely to boosting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the Asia-Pacific, economic mutual benefit between member economies, and the interests and well-being of the people in our region. Asia-Pacific economies have maintained robust growth and created the remarkable Asia-Pacific miracle.

The success of the Asia-Pacific is due to our firm commitment to peace and stability in the region, to our continuous practices of true multilateralism and open regionalism, and to our deep faith in the trend toward economic globalization as well as mutual benefit and mutual success.

The Asia-Pacific should remain the locomotive of economic globalization in the future. We should stay on the right course and seek to break new ground at the same time. While further burnishing the Asia-Pacific hallmark of openness and inclusiveness, we should make new brand-building efforts to foster a green and digital Asia-Pacific, build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, and usher in another 30 golden years of development for our region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Last July, the Communist Party of China held the Third Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee, and adopted a comprehensive plan for further deepening reform across the board to advance Chinese modernization. More than 300 important reform measures were introduced at the meeting, and they will be fully implemented within five years. This will provide not only strong impetus for China's economic and social development, but also more opportunities for global development.

-- China will deepen reform comprehensively and continue to provide robust momentum for the world economy. China will build a high-standard socialist market economy, foster a fairer and more dynamic market environment, and make resource allocation as efficient and productive as possible. China is endeavoring to achieve breakthroughs in key areas such as reforming the fiscal and tax systems, building a unified national market and advancing new urbanization. It is taking targeted steps to boost consumption and increase domestic demand so as to improve the effectiveness of reforms. China has adopted a full range of major reform measures, which will give a vigorous boost to the rebounding and growth of the economy. We have full confidence in meeting the growth targets for this year and remaining the biggest engine of world economic growth.

-- China will advance high-quality development and continue to lead the efforts to improve the performance of the world economy. In the first half of this year, investment in China's high-tech manufacturing and service sectors achieved double-digit growth, and its economic structure and growth model improved steadily. China will continue to nurture new quality productive forces in line with actual conditions, promote deep integration of the real economy and digital economy, boost the service sector, further modernize infrastructure, and make industrial and supply chains more resilient. China is committed to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and will work with all participants to put in place a network of connectivity featuring integrated land-sea transportation and coordinated development.

-- China will stay firmly on the path of green development and continue to be an important force for global green transition. In recent years, the "green quotient" in China's social and economic development has continued to rise. China has become the first country around the world with "zero increase" in land degradation, and its newly-added area of afforestation accounts for a quarter of the global total. China is actively expanding new energy sectors and facilitating international cooperation on green mining. It has achieved one of the world's fastest rates of energy intensity reduction. China's wind and solar power products have helped other countries reduce about 810 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and enabled them to access clean, reliable and affordable energy. All this has been an important part of the global effort to address climate change.

-- China will build new, open and higher-standard economic systems and continue to share China's development opportunities with the world. Opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. Since the start of this year, China has lifted all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing, and established for the first time a nationwide negative-list system for cross-border trade in services. We have taken systematic steps to further open the telecom, Internet, education, culture, medical service and other sectors. We have also taken the initiative to apply high international standards of economic and trade rules, including those in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), as part of our plan to steadily enhance institutional opening up. We have expanded the coverage of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to facilitate inbound visits to China, and "Travel to China" is getting very popular around the world. Going forward, China will introduce more policies for voluntary and unilateral opening up, expand its globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas, and open its door even wider to the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

As an ancient Chinese scholar said, "When eating fruits, one should remember the tree; When drinking water, one should remember the source." China's development is inseparable from the Asia-Pacific, and it will in turn further benefit the region. As a Latin American proverb goes, "Just as a ship is powered by its sails, people are inspired by their hearts." I am pleased to learn that "From Chancay to Shanghai" has become a fashionable saying in Peru, an echo to the China Ships that arrived here over 500 years ago. This fully shows that as long as we act in the spirit of openness and connectivity, the vast Pacific will become a thoroughfare for more prosperity and growth. Let us enhance our solidarity and cooperation, stand up together to the global challenges, jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, and form a mighty force for the common prosperity of the world and a brighter future for humanity.

Thank you. ■

Full Text of Chinese president's signed article in Peruvian media

LIMA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in Peruvian media outlet El Peruano on Thursday under the title "China-Peru Friendship: Setting Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future" ahead of his state visit to Peru, where he will also attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Following is an English version of the full text of the article:

China-Peru Friendship: Setting Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future

Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

Early summer in the Southern Hemisphere is a season brimming with vitality and hope. At the invitation of President Dina Boluarte, I will soon pay a state visit to the Republic of Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

This is my second visit to Peru, a "neighbor" of China across the Pacific Ocean, since I took office as President of the People's Republic of China. Peru is home to ancient civilizations such as Caral, Chavín, Chimú, and Inca. Peruvians endearingly refer to the Chinese people as paisano. Peru's Congress has recently declared every February 1 as the Peru-China Fraternity Day. Chinese restaurants in Peru are called chifa, which is similar to the Chinese word chifan, meaning dining. Every time I came here, I was overwhelmed by the friendly sentiments of the Peruvian people toward the Chinese people.

This bond of friendship and affection is rooted in the wisdom of our ancient civilizations. The Chinese civilization is the only one in the world that has continued uninterrupted for more than 5,000 years. The maritime civilization represented by Caral and the continental civilization represented by Inca are a testament to the time-honored history, profound richness, and tremendous diversity of the Peruvian civilization. It is widely believed in the archeology communities of China and other countries that the Chinese civilization and the civilizations of the Americas were in fact created by descendants of the same ancestors at different periods and different locations. Through the wisdom of our civilizations, our minds find common ground and our hearts resonate. The Chinese people always regard "sincerity as a fundamental principle" and "benevolence as an essential virtue." The Incas believe in the rules of "Do not steal, do not lie, and do not be lazy." Peruvian thinker José Carlos Mariátegui once said, "Spiritually and materially, China is closer to us than Europe. The psychology of our people is more Asian than Western." This is the "code of civilization" that explains the inseparable bond between immigrants of Chinese origin and the local people, forged through seamless integration and familial ties over the past 175 years. Recently, a documentary titled From the Great Wall to Machu Picchu will premiere in Peru under the auspices of the broadcasting and television authorities of the two countries. Also to be screened in Peru are a number of popular Chinese film and television productions including 3 Body Problem. I believe that they will help our Peruvian friends know more about China.

This bond of friendship and affection is a legacy that shines brightly across the ages through our respective histories. Many told me that Chinese and Peruvian peoples would feel an instant warmth upon their first encounters and would have a déjà vu when appreciating each other's ancient artifacts. For example, the gold masks of the Incas unearthed in Peru are strikingly similar to the gold masks uncovered at an archeological site at Sanxingdui in China's Sichuan Province. The Intihuatana stone on an altar in the ancient city of Machu Picchu, which the Incas used to mark the seasons and compose calendars according to changes of solar shadows, was in fact based on the same principle that inspired the creation of sundials in ancient China. The people of the ancient Shu kingdom in what is now China's Sichuan Province expressed reverence for the sun and the sun god through the image of a soaring sunbird. The Inca civilization expressed its sun worship the same way. The longing for brightness was valued in both of our cultures. Last year, the "Journey Through Civilization" exhibition arrived in Peru as part of its world tour. "The Inca Sky Road South American Continental Andean Culture Exhibition" and the "Inca and Their Tawantinsuyo: The Land of Four Quarters" were on display in China. These events are an immediate hit among our peoples. An exhibition of "Great Ancient Civilizations: China and the Tawantinsuyo in Peru" is now jointly held by the two countries in Peru. You are most welcome to visit the exhibition to see the remarkable commonality and connections between our splendid civilizations.

The bond of our friendship and affection has become stronger through China-Peru win-win cooperation. Peru is one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. For over 50 years, our bilateral relations have been progressing steadily. Especially since the elevation of our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, our ties have grown stronger and our practical cooperation fruitful, bringing tangible benefits to our peoples. In fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, China sent a medical expert team to Peru. We also provided vaccines and other medical supplies to the best of our ability. We have proven through concrete actions that China is a trustworthy friend that Peru can rely on in crucial moments. Peru is the first Latin American country to sign a package FTA with China. It is also among the first in Latin America to participate in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. China has been Peru's largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 consecutive years. Last year, Peru's exports to China accounted for 36 percent of its total exports. Chinese businesses have an investment stock of about US$ 30 billion in Peru. The Las Bambas copper mine, a project with investment from Chinese enterprises, contributes to about 1 percent of Peru's GDP, creating tens of thousands of job opportunities. The Saúl Garrido Rosillo Hospital in Tumbes, a project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, will serve over 100,000 local residents. The water project in the three districts of Lima will enable more than 400,000 people to access clean water and sanitation services.

As an ancient Chinese saying goes, "Bringing benefit to the people is the fundamental principle of governance." There is also a Peruvian saying, "The voice of the people is the voice of God." Both China and Peru are striving for a better life for the people. We must build on our traditional friendship to expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across the board, and make it more responsive to the requirements of the new era. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July made systemic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. This means new opportunities for Peru and the world, and promises a bright future for China-Peru mutually beneficial cooperation.

During my upcoming visit, President Boluarte and I will attend via video the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port. This is not only an important project under Belt and Road cooperation, but also the first smart port in South America. The first phase of the project, when completed, will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. It is expected to generate US$ 4.5 billion in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs. The completion of Chancay Port will enable Peru to put in place a multi-dimensional, diverse and efficient network of connectivity spanning from coast to inland, from Peru to Latin America and further on to the Caribbean. It will also help build an Inca Trail of the New Era with Chancay Port as its starting point, thus boosting the overall development and integration of the region. The port's development plan also includes establishing animal rescue services to fulfill its social responsibility for the rescue and protection of penguins, seals, and birds and to improve the environment of wetlands, beaches, and habitats. It is thus very important that we work together to ensure the success of Chancay Port from construction through operation, so that the route from Chancay to Shanghai will lead China, Peru and Latin America to common development and prosperity. China is also ready to launch in Peru more "small and beautiful" livelihood cooperation projects, open more Luban Workshops and centers for Chinese language learning, and strengthen cooperation on vocational education. We will encourage Chinese companies to create more jobs and fulfill their social responsibilities in Peru, making our paisano friendship more tangible and beneficial.

Our two countries should embrace the responsibility of our times concerning mutual learning among civilizations. We should strengthen exchange and cooperation in culture, arts, education, scientific research, tourism, youth, cultural heritage protection, archeology and other areas. We should take more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges to garner greater public support for our relations. We should enhance cooperation under the framework of the Ancient Civilizations Forum. We should explore the establishment of a global network for dialogue and cooperation among civilizations, and support their exchanges and mutual learning. We should ensure that civilizations, diverse in many ways, complement each other and shine brightly together, just like the multicolored pools of China's Jiuzhaigou and Peru's Salt Terraces of Maras, thus making greater contributions to the progress of human civilization.

This will be the third time that APEC economic leaders meet in Peru after the country successfully hosted the meetings of 2008 and 2016. The themes of the three meetings, from "A New Commitment to Asia-Pacific Development" to "Quality Growth and Human Development," and on to this year's "Empower, Include, Grow," attest to Peru's firm resolve to promote an open Asia-Pacific economy and world economic growth. They also represent a strong "Lima Voice" for openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation. China firmly supports Peru's presidency of APEC and will work closely with Peru to ensure a successful and productive meeting, enhance Asia-Pacific cooperation with a "Lima Imprint," and make new contributions to building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.

The world is undergoing faster transformation unseen in a century. Humanity has again come to a crossroads in history. To fully appreciate the grandeur of the Nazca Lines, we must view them from a height because at the ground level, their true splendor remains hidden from view.

To quote a Chinese poem to the same effect, "Fear not the clouds that obscure your view, for you stand atop the highest summit." China is ready to join Peru in embracing a broader vision and grasping the underlying trends of our times from a long historical perspective to champion true multilateralism, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and build together a community with a shared future for mankind.

As our friends in Latin America often say, without courage, one will never conquer the mountains or cross the sea. On a new historical juncture, China is ready to work hand in hand with our Peruvian friends with one heart and with the same goal and steer the ship of our friendship toward an even brighter future. ■

Xi urges Hubei to write its own chapter in Chinese modernization

WUHAN, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, emphasized the need for Hubei Province to thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He was on an inspection tour in the province. He stressed the importance for the province to uphold the principle of pursuing development while ensuring stability, and have a clear understanding of its mission and task in forging the new development paradigm. Hubei was urged to leverage its local strengths, and work diligently, ambitiously, continuously and effectively to pioneer high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, work faster to build itself into a strategic fulcrum for the rise of the central region, and write its own chapter in Chinese modernization.

From Nov. 4 to 6, accompanied by Secretary of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee Wang Menghui and Governor Wang Zhonglin, Xi visited the cities of Xiaogan, Xianning, and Wuhan, where he traveled to a number of places, including a museum, a farm, a village, and a research institute for scientific, technological and industrial innovations.

On the afternoon of Nov. 4, Xi visited the Yunmeng County Museum in Xiaogan to view an exhibition of unearthed bamboo slips dating back to Qin and Han dynasties. The display of eighteen types of Qin laws indicates that over 2,200 years ago, ancient China's legal system had already been systematically established. Xi listened to detailed presentations on what the bamboo slips are about, their historical and cultural values, and how they have been preserved and studied. He pointed out that China should continue to strengthen archaeological research and improve the protection of cultural artifacts, so as to provide solid support for carrying forward the best of traditional Chinese culture and boosting cultural confidence. In this way, the treasures of Chinese civilization will be well preserved to benefit future generations, and inspire people to constantly enhance national pride and self-confidence.

On the morning of Nov. 5, Xi went to Jiayu County in Xianning City, where he visited a vegetable farm in Panjiawan Township. It was late autumn, but before people's eyes, greens were everywhere and full of vibrancy. Xi went into the field to inspect the growth of vegetables and asked about vegetable varieties, planting techniques and sales in detail. He stressed that the countryside offers vast opportunities, and agriculture holds great potential. To develop modern agriculture and build a strong agricultural sector, continuous advancement of science and technology is a must, and a good job must be done to make it possible for scientific and technological progress to help advance agricultural modernization, Xi said. He encouraged local officials and residents to apply science and technology, enhance product quality and build reputable brands, and do an even better job in planting vegetables which can directly benefit residents, so as to increase income for more people.

Xi then visited Siyi Village in Panjiawan. He visited the village's elderly care service station and public service center, inspecting the elderly-care facilities and local amenities and services, and learning about the operation of the village-level organizations and their efforts in tackling pointless formalities to reduce burdens on primary-level officials. He said that the role of Party building should be given better play to promote work in other sectors, and taking good care of elderly people and children should be the focus, so as to address people's concerns and difficulties in a targeted and effective manner. He also called for efforts to continuously reduce burdens on grassroots officials, to ensure that they can dedicate more time and energy to serving the people.

At the home of villager Xiong Chenglong, Xi carefully looked at the family's living environment, sat with them, and asked about their production, the employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the younger generation, their income, and their access to elderly-care and healthcare services. He was pleased to know that the basic public service system in both urban and rural areas has been continuously improved over recent years, and that farmers' living standards and their access to cultural services are constantly improving. He expressed the hope that the family will continue their efforts to manage their work and life well, nurture their children well, and live an even better life.

When Xi was leaving, villagers warmly bid farewell to the general secretary. Xi told them that to advance Chinese modernization, it is a must to accelerate rural revitalization, with a primary focus on developing industries that can increase people's income. Xi expressed his hope that, under the Party's leadership, villagers will work together diligently to make their specialty industries more profitable, make their village even more beautiful, and collectively create a happy and prosperous life.

On the afternoon of Nov. 5, Xi visited the Wuhan Institute of Industrial Innovation and Development to view demonstrations of the technology innovation supply chain platform and its achievements. He learned about the measures adopted to promote technological innovation and had in-depth discussions with researchers and enterprise leaders. He emphasized that achieving high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology and developing new quality productive forces have entailed urgent demands for the integration of technological and industrial innovations. He called on scientific and technological workers and entrepreneurs to boost their confidence, aim high, take collaborative steps and make new progress in raising the overall efficiency of the innovation system and building a modern industrial system.

On the morning of Nov 6, Xi listened to work reports from the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee and the Hubei provincial government. He commended what the province has achieved in various aspects of its work and put forward clear requirements for the work in the future.

Xi noted that Hubei has prominent strengths in science and education talent cultivation and a relatively strong capability for sci-tech innovation. It is therefore imperative for the province to strive forward in terms of sci-tech and industrial innovation. He called on Hubei to integrate into the national innovation chain, work hard to create a sci-tech innovation center with national influence, and better play its role as a hub in this regard. Xi also said that Hubei should strengthen the integration of innovation, industrial, capital and talent chains with a focus on key industries, achieve more breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, build a mechanism to promote collaborative innovation in large, medium and small-sized enterprises, and promote the application of scientific and technological advances. It is imperative for the province to take simultaneous steps to upgrade and transform traditional industries while fostering and boosting emerging and future-oriented industries, said Xi, who also called on Hubei to develop new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions and create more well-known brands. He urged the province to prioritize the work to restore the ecosystem of the Yangtze River, build a modern water network that is safe and resilient, push forward comprehensive governance in the Yangtze River basin and take solid steps to enforce the ten-year fishing ban.

Xi stressed that Hubei should be bold to make explorations in comprehensively deepening reform and expanding high-level opening up. It is imperative to deliver good results in reform in key sectors and links, integrate into the building of a unified national market, and build a market that is fairer and more vigorous. It is imperative for the province to unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and unswervingly encourage, support, and guide the development of the non-public sector, and promote the common development of enterprises under diverse forms of ownership. He also called on Hubei to open up to both the domestic and international markets, forge an inland highland for opening up, deepen regional cooperation, and optimize the industrial layout in an orderly manner. He called on the province to deepen the integrated reform in domestic and foreign trade, actively participate in the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and systematically enhance its function as a hub for opening up.

Xi urged Hubei to proactively advance integrated urban-rural development and all-around rural revitalization. With the Wuhan metropolitan area as the center, the province was urged to promote the development of city clusters along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Xi called for strengthened efforts to promote the new-type urbanization with a focus on county seats, and develop county economies based on their unique characteristics. He called on Hubei to keep in mind its responsibilities concerning grain production, and make solid efforts to secure output and ensure the supply of key farm produce, as well as improve the agricultural sector's development quality and benefits by tapping into the potential of specialty industries and developing a diversified rural economy. Xi underlined the efforts to consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, and speed up the revitalization and development of old revolutionary base areas. The province was urged to promote the development of the system for guaranteeing basic public services and advance primary-level governance in an integrated manner, and make solid efforts to ensure people's livelihoods. He also called for extensive efforts to promote cultural-ethical progress in both urban and rural areas, as well as further change outdated social mores.

Highlighting Hubei's profound historical and cultural heritage and rich revolutionary resources, Xi urged the province to proactively strengthen the conservation of cultural resources and promote innovative development of the cultural sector. Hubei was urged to systematically advance the protection, inheritance, and proactive application of historical and cultural heritage, and strengthen research into the origins of the Yangtze River civilization and relevant public communication. Xi called on the province to vigorously promote the spirit of the Dabie Mountains, the spirit demonstrated in the battle against major floods, and the spirit demonstrated in the fight against COVID-19, and widely apply core socialist values. Hubei should implement cultural projects for the people, and actively develop new forms of cultural industry, so as to provide more high-quality cultural products and services to the people. Xi called on the province to develop premium cultural tourism brands and routes, cultivating the cultural tourism sector into a pillar industry.

Xi pointed out that Hubei should strengthen Party building by focusing on promoting development through reform, and strive to boost the morale and enterprise of Party members and officials, who should be bold enough to pioneer and innovate, and at the same time persevere in implementing relevant policies and plans. They should make bold moves in their work and know how to collaborate with others, so as to make achievements that can stand the test of time and win the support of the people. The province was urged to strengthen the building of primary-level Party organizations and forge a strong bastion to ensure the implementation of the Party's policies. Xi called for efforts to make the study of Party discipline regular and effective, to unremittingly improve Party conduct, enforce Party discipline and combat corruption, and to continuously consolidate and develop a clean and upright political ecology.

Xi stressed that since there are less than two months left this year, all work, especially economic work, should be further strengthened and implemented to achieve the economic and social development goals for the whole year.

He Lifeng and leading officials of relevant central Party and state departments accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. ■

Xi stresses high-quality development of social work

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese President, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently made an important instruction on social work, highlighting that social work is a crucial component of the Party and state's operations. He noted that whether a good job can be done in social work is key to the Party's long-term governance, the nation's enduring stability, social harmony, and the well-being of the people. Since the beginning of the new era, the CPC Central Committee has made significant decisions and plans that have propelled social work to achieve notable milestones. Currently, China's social structure is undergoing profound transformations, notably with rapid advancements in emerging sectors. A large number of new economic and social entities are emerging, the demographic of groups in new forms of employment is expanding continuously, and as a result, social work is confronting fresh challenges and tasks, requiring relevant departments to shoulder new responsibilities and make new progress in this regard. We should follow the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guidance, fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, put the people first, practice the Party's mass line for a new era, unswervingly follow the path of social governance under socialism with Chinese characteristics, and improve social work systems and mechanisms. We should do a good job in Party building in new economic organizations, new social organizations, and groups in new forms of employment, and constantly strengthen the Party's appeal, cohesive force and influence in emerging sectors. Party building must be strengthened to lay a solid foundation for governance and government at the primary level. Work must be done to rally the support of the people and serve the people, so as to promote the high-quality development of social work in the new era.

Stressing that making sound efforts in social work is a shared responsibility of the entire Party, Xi called on Party committees (leading Party members groups) at all levels to shoulder their political responsibility, strengthen their work in organizing, leading and coordinating in this regard, and ensure that the Party Central Committee's decisions and arrangements concerning social work are properly implemented. Xi also called on local governments and relevant departments to take initiative in relevant work, cooperate with each other, and focus on both their professional work and their work in Party building, so as to create a strong synergy for social work. Social work-related agencies were urged to strengthen their self-development, enhance political responsibility, be brave in exploring in practice, fulfill their duties diligently, and make new contributions to building China into a strong country on all fronts and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

A central conference on social work was held in Beijing from Nov. 5 to 6, and Xi's instruction was read out at the conference. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the conference and delivered a speech.

Cai pointed out in his speech that Xi's important instruction is insightful, incisive and of political, ideological and guiding importance. The instruction points out the direction for doing a good job in social work in the new era, and it is crucial to thoroughly study and resolutely implement the instruction.

Cai observed that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has prioritized social work as an important task. General Secretary Xi has given a series of significant expositions on why and how social work should be strengthened, and put forth a range of new thoughts, viewpoints, and judgments. General Secretary Xi's important expositions on social work profoundly interpret the fundamental principles, value orientation, development direction, major tasks and basic support for social work in the new era. They are an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Cai stressed that it is imperative to implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee in an all-round way, thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi's important expositions and instructions, profoundly understand the decisive significance of "Two Affirmations," resolutely act on "Two Upholds," have a thorough comprehension of the overall requirements for doing a good job in social work in the new era, and have a stronger sense of responsibility and mission to strive for new breakthroughs in social work in the new era. Cai stressed the necessity to reinforce Party building in emerging sectors as the top priority, strengthen coordination, and offer sector-specific guidance, with focused efforts on Party building among new economic organizations, new social organizations, and groups in new forms of employment, so as to expand the reach of Party's organization and the scope of its work, and promote the healthy development of emerging sectors.

He also urged continued efforts to promote Party building and reform in industry associations and chambers of commerce. He underscored the need to further guide primary-level governance and government through Party building, tackle the prominent issue of overburdened primary-level institutions, as well as further empower and unburden them in a coordinated manner. Cai also called for solid efforts to rally the support of the people and serve the people, apply and further develop the Fengqiao model for promoting primary-level social governance in the new era, advance a law-based approach in the work to handle public complaints in the form of letters and visits, widely solicit suggestions from the public, as well as advance the cause of volunteerism. It is imperative for Party committees at all levels to strengthen their leadership over social work, fulfill their political responsibilities, perfect the working system, and build a strong team of social workers to promote high-quality development of social work in a spirit of reform and innovation.

Li Ganjie presided over the meeting. Li Shulei, Chen Wenqing, and Mu Hong attended the meeting.

Those who delivered speeches included leading officials from the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, Beijing Municipality, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Shaanxi provinces.

Those who also attended the meeting included leading officials from various provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and cities specifically designated in the state plan, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, central Party and state departments, people's organizations, centrally-administered financial institutions, enterprises and universities. ■

Xi calls for pooling wisdom, strength to advance reform in steady and sustained manner

BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- On the morning of Oct. 29, a study session for senior provincial and ministerial-level officials to study and implement the guiding principles of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was inaugurated at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance). Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the opening ceremony. He emphasized the need to further study and implement the guiding principles of the third plenum, calling for guiding the entire Party and the nation to have more confidence in reform, and pool collective wisdom and strength to advance reform in a steady and sustained manner.

Li Qiang presided over the opening ceremony. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi attended the event. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Han Zheng, Chinese vice president, also attended the event.

Xi noted that the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee heralded a new journey to comprehensively deepen reform and to advance reform through systematic and comprehensive design in the new era. This session has broken new ground for reform and opening up, and is of epoch-making significance. Comprehensively deepening reform in the new era has yielded significant outcomes in practice, system, and theory, representing one of the most remarkable chapters in China's history of reform and opening up. It has provided strong momentum and institutional support for building China into a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and for carrying on the "two great miracles" (sustained rapid economic growth and lasting social stability). It has also laid a solid foundation and offered valuable experience for further comprehensively deepening reform on the new journey.

Xi emphasized that maintaining the right political orientation and breaking new ground is a major principle that must be firmly upheld in further comprehensively deepening reform. China's reform has direction and principles to follow. We must uphold the Party's overall leadership, Marxism, socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the people's democratic dictatorship, with promoting social fairness and justice as well as enhancing people's well-being as our starting point and ultimate goal. These principles are fundamental, directional, and long-term, reflecting the nature and mission of the Party, conforming to China's realities, and tallying with the fundamental interests of the people. They must be firmly upheld on any occasion and at any time. We should continue to improve and develop the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, work hard to realize the reform's overall goal of modernizing the national governance system and governing capabilities, and consistently march forward in the direction guided by this overall goal, decisively reforming what should be reformed and never reforming what should not be reformed. In response to the new trends of the times, the new requirements for development, and the new expectations of the people, efforts should be made to advance reform in all aspects in a comprehensive and coordinated manner with an emphasis on economic structural reform, Xi said, urging vigorous work to promote innovations in theories, practice, institutions, culture, and other areas, so as to provide strong impetus and institutional support for Chinese modernization.

Noting that reform is a systematic undertaking, Xi said relevant work should be done through proper means and by carefully balancing concerns in various aspects. He underlined the need to adhere to the coordination between reform and the rule of law, advance the rule of law with reform measures, further deepen reform in the realm of law-based governance, and continuously better the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. The role of the rule of law should be given better play in removing the obstacles in reform and consolidating the achievements of reform, and it is important to think in terms of the rule of law and adopt a law-based approach in advancing reform to ensure that major reforms are carried out in accordance with the law and the legitimate rights and interests of all citizens and legal entities are under equal protection, Xi said. He added that it is necessary to adhere to the dialectical unity of breaking the old and establishing the new, focusing on both parts with efforts for the latter coming first. What needs to be established should be put in place proactively; what is no longer needed should be repudiated in due course after what is needed is established; and reform should be promoted in a steady and rapid manner in the balanced development of both, Xi said. It is a must to maintain a unified approach to reform and opening up, steadily expand institutional opening up, actively align with international high-standard economic and trade rules, and deepen the reform of the management systems for foreign trade, foreign investment, and outbound investment, so as to create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. It is essential to effectively manage the relationship between how work plans are made and how the arrangements are implemented. The design of reform plans must be made on the basis of how things should be done reasonably, and various measures for reform must be compatible with and support each other, so as to keep the orientation of the reform consistent. It is imperative to establish a working mechanism, under which responsibilities are clearly defined, and work in various aspects is well connected. Follow-up evaluation of work results must be strengthened to make sure that reform measures are implemented thoroughly and effectively.

Xi emphasized that officials, particularly senior officials, bear the crucial responsibility of advancing reform. They must cultivate a strong sense of political responsibility and historical mission, confront problems and challenges head-on with political courage to tackle difficulties, decisively address entrenched issues, face up to risks without hesitation, and strive to break new ground for reform and development. The right approach should be adopted to promote reform, arrangements must be made systematically, and actions should never be taken before decisions are made.

Xi noted that extensively building consensus and fully mobilizing all positive factors are quite important for smooth reform. It is imperative to do a good job in guiding public opinion, intensify efforts to conduct positive public communication, champion the overarching theme, and project positive energy. It is essential to conduct further research and interpretation on the major theoretical propositions put forward in the resolution adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, with a focus on strengthening public communication and interpretation of the propositions to the people. It is imperative to timely address confusions, respond to the concerns of society, and extensively build consensus, so as to consolidate the intellectual foundation and public support for the whole Party and entire society to jointly promote reform. Officials and the general public should be guided to think with a broad perspective and have a correct understanding of the adjustment of interests and personal gains and losses in the reform.

Xi finally stressed that all regions and departments must conscientiously implement a slew of major measures decided by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, implement the existing and new policies to the letter, and employ a combination of policies to ensure that good results are delivered from the work in the next two months, and the economic and social development goals and tasks set for this year are fulfilled.

Li Qiang, when presiding over the ceremony, said General Secretary Xi's important speech is visionary, thought-provoking, incisive, and substantive. He said that the speech is of political, theoretical, targeted and guiding significance, and is of great importance for the Party, especially for senior officials, to comprehensively and faithfully understand the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and to grasp the guiding principles, overall targets, key rules and scientific methodology of the ongoing drive to further deepen reform. Studying the speech is also important for them to boost confidence in reform, follow the right direction, have a stronger sense of responsibility for reform, leverage synergies, and push for the desired delivery of reform measures.

It is imperative to study Xi's speech with a sense of mission and responsibility, and a focus on solving problems to have a thorough understanding of the connotations, essence and practical requirements of the speech. It is imperative to profoundly understand the decisive significance of "Two Affirmations", resolutely act on "Two Upholds", effectively align our thoughts and actions with the spirit of Xi's speech and the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, and creatively implement the reform tasks, Li said.

Those who attended the ceremony included members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice-chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress who are Party members, State Councilors, the president of the Supreme People's Court, the vice-chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference who are Party members, and members of the Central Military Commission.

Those who participated in the study session included leading officials of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the relevant central and state departments, relevant people's organizations, centrally-administered financial institutions, enterprises, universities, as well as leading officials from various units of the People's Liberation Army and the Armed Police Force. Leaders of the central committees of the other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and relevant sectors sat in on the opening ceremony. Enditem

Notes:

"Two Affirmations":

The affirmation of Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the affirmation of the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

"Two Upholds":

"Two Upholds" refers to upholding General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership.

Xi calls for continuously developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for new era

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- On the afternoon of Oct. 28, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held its 17th group study session. The topic was on developing a strong culture in China. General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping, while presiding over the session, emphasized the importance of sticking to the strategic goal of developing a strong culture in the country by 2035. He highlighted the significance of upholding Marxism as the fundamental guiding ideology, drawing inspirations from the rich heritage of Chinese civilization, keeping abreast of trends in information technology development and continuously fostering a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the new era that offers strong theoretical guidance, spiritual cohesion and value appeal, and has global influence. It is essential to enhance the spiritual strength of the people, thereby laying a robust cultural foundation for building a strong country and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said.

Professor Wang Bo, vice president of Peking University, gave a lecture on this issue and put forward suggestions. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened carefully to the lecture and held discussions.

Xi delivered an important speech after listening to the lecture and discussions. He pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have persisted in placing cultural development in a prominent position in the governance of the country, made a series of major arrangements, and formed the thought on socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the new era. We have worked to make historic achievements in cultural development through thoroughly overhauling cultural concepts and cultural theories as well as in upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. As a result, we have made great strides in developing a strong socialist culture.

Xi stressed the need to develop a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, as well as to uphold the Party's leadership, enhance governance capacity in cultural sector in the information age, and consolidate the foundation of the Party's governance and public support for the Party in terms of ideology, ethos and culture. The fundamental system for ensuring the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain must be upheld, Xi said, calling for efforts to fully implement the thought on socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the new era and develop a sound, people-oriented socialist culture for our nation that embraces modernization, the world, and the future. He also highlighted the necessity to adhere to the guidance of core socialist values, continuously bolster the Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength, and develop and strengthen mainstream values, mainstream public opinion, and mainstream culture.

Xi emphasized the need to stimulate the cultural innovation and creativity of the entire nation. He advocated for a people-centered approach to creation that prioritizes social benefits while integrating social and economic outcomes. He identified the stimulation of innovative and creative vitality as a central element in deepening reform of cultural system and mechanisms, calling for accelerated improvements in cultural management systems as well as production and operational mechanisms. To enhance originality in creating cultural works, he called for efforts to improve the mechanisms for providing services, guidance, and organization work for artistic creation and production, and thus make it possible to nurture a batch of deeply resonant contemporary classics, so as to attain a new zenith of Chinese culture. He noted the need to actively create a favorable cultural environment, promote academic and artistic democracy, and support writers, artists, and experts in getting what they need for creation from life and dedicating themselves to their creations so that they will continuously maintain their vitality for cultural innovation and creativity. Furthermore, he urged the exploration of effective mechanisms for integrating culture and technology, and achieving digital empowerment and information transformation in cultural development, so as to convert advantages in cultural resources into strengths for cultural development.

Xi stressed the principle that cultural development must be for the people and of the people. To satisfy the people's diverse, multilevel and multifaceted cultural needs, efforts must be made to advance the capabilities of providing cultural services and products, so as to ensure that the people have a stronger sense of fulfillment and happiness in terms of culture. We should attach importance to the role of culture in fostering will and virtue, so as to foster a higher level of morale throughout the nation. We should also respect the way talent develop, and improve the mechanisms that comply with the characteristics of the cultural sector to select and cultivate talent, put them to proper use and motivate them, so as to make sound policies that will help to recognize, attach importance to and cherish talent. In this way we will be able to build a strong and well-structured team of high-caliber cultural talent that is bold to innovate in creating excellent works.

Xi urged continued efforts to carry on China's cultural tradition through creative transformation and innovative development. Stressing the need to leverage the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, he underlined the necessity to conserve, promote, and develop the treasures of Chinese culture that have survived the historical vicissitudes. It is a must to further explore and explain the values of traditional Chinese culture, as well as activate their excellent elements with Marxism and update their connotations, in order to develop a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the new era. Urging respect for history and passion for culture, Xi called for efforts to promote systematic conservation and unified regulation of cultural heritage, upholding the principles of conservation first, reasonable utilization and minimum intervention. Xi also emphasized continued efforts to build sound institutions and mechanism for cultural heritage conservation and inheritance, and fast-track the drive to improve the system of regulations and institutions in this regard.

Xi highlighted the need to continuously enhance China's cultural soft power and Chinese culture's influence. It is imperative to promote the restructuring of the international communication framework, innovate the approach to conduct online international publicity, and create a multi-channel and full-dimensional framework for international communication. It is a must to more proactively promote China's stand, spread Chinese culture, and showcase China's image. It is imperative to carry out extensive and diverse international cultural exchanges and cooperation. It is essential to learn from all the outstanding achievements of human civilization, so as to achieve cultural outcomes that integrate the past and present, and connect China with the rest of the world.

Xi finally stressed that building China into a country with a strong culture is the common task of the whole Party and the whole society. It is necessary to strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over public communication and cultural work, and optimize the leadership and management system and mechanism for cultural development. Party committees and governments at all levels should effectively strengthen organization and leadership, do a good job in assignment of officials, cultivation of talent, and investment of resources, and stimulate the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of all sectors to form a powerful synergy for building up China's cultural strength. ■

CPC leadership reviews disciplinary inspection report

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee convened a meeting on Oct. 28 to review the "Comprehensive Report on the Third Round of Disciplinary Inspections Launched by the 20th CPC Central Committee." General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping presided over the meeting.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the inspections were carried out with focus on the central tasks and serving the overall situation. A problem-oriented approach was adopted, rigorous measures were maintained, new methods of organizing inspections were used, and coordination between upper- and lower-level units was deepened. The inspections have consistently exerted their deterrence as a weapon against malfeasance.

Based on the inspection findings, it was noted that Party building in central Party and state departments, as well as in centrally-administered financial institutions, has been strengthened, and new achievements have been made in various areas of work. Nonetheless, some problems still exist.

Rectification of problems identified in inspections must be carried out with seriousness and dedication, according to the meeting. It is essential to reinforce the political responsibilities of both "top leaders" and leadership teams of the inspected institutions. It is crucial to strengthen the organization, coordination and daily oversight of the rectification work. The necessity was noted at the meeting to align rectification work with ongoing reforms, with full and rigorous Party self-governance, and with the building of leadership teams and ranks of officials. The rectification work should also be made part of daily work and part of duties and job performance, so that outcomes of the rectifications will drive high-quality development.

It was stressed at the meeting that Party committees (leading Party members groups) at all levels should enhance political awareness, strengthen political responsibility in performing their duties, take bold and effective actions to overcome challenges, and take the initiative to share the Party's concerns and fulfill their duties to the country. They should also earnestly implement the decisions made at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and effectively carry out reform tasks with unwavering determination, according to the meeting. Also, they are called on to be more mindful of potential dangers, make sound efforts to ensure both development and security, prevent and defuse risks in key areas, and see that the line is never crossed as far as security is concerned. The leadership teams should be strengthened, democratic centralism should be strictly practiced, leading officials should be prepared for promotion and demotion, and leadership teams' cohesion and ability should be continuously enhanced, according to the meeting.

It is essential to have a clear understanding of the battle against corruption, make significant advances in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, and combat corruption to the letter with the spirit of self-reform. It is imperative to take coordinated steps to see that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to be corrupt, address both the symptoms and root causes in a systematic way, and maintain tough actions against corruption. It is a must to keep improving the mechanisms for applying checks over the allocation and exercise of power, work hard to eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption, and make consistent and sustained efforts to prevent and address corruption.

Other matters were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Full Text: Address by Chinese President Xi Jinping at "BRICS Plus" leaders' dialogue

KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday delivered an important speech at the "BRICS Plus" leaders' dialogue in Kazan, Russia.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Combining the Great Strength of the Global South To Build Together a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the "BRICS Plus" leaders' dialogue

Kazan, October 24, 2024

Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin,

Colleagues,

I would like to thank President Putin and the Russian government for putting together this "BRICS Plus" leaders' dialogue, and warmly welcome all the leaders joining us today. It is a great pleasure to see old and new friends in Kazan.

The collective rise of the Global South is a distinctive feature of the great transformation across the world. Global South countries marching together toward modernization is monumental in world history and unprecedented in human civilization. At the same time, peace and development still faces severe challenges, and the road to prosperity for the Global South will not be straight. Standing at the forefront of the Global South, we should use our collective wisdom and strength, and stand up to our responsibility for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

-- We should uphold peace and strive for common security. We should come forward together to form a stabilizing force for peace. We should strengthen global security governance, and explore solutions to address both symptoms and roots of hotspot issues. Many parties have warmly responded to my Global Security Initiative. Under the Initiative, we have made prominent progress in maintaining regional stability and in many other areas. China and Brazil jointly issued the six-point consensus, and launched the group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis together with other Global South countries. We should promote early deescalation to pave the way for political settlement. Last July, Palestinian factions reconciled with each other in Beijing, marking a key step toward peace in the Middle East. We should continue to promote comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and revive the two-State solution. We must stop the flames of war from spreading in Lebanon and end the miserable sufferings in Palestine and Lebanon.

-- We should reinvigorate development and strive for common prosperity. The Global South emerges for development and prospers through development. We should make ourselves the main driving force for common development. We should play an active and leading role in the global economic governance reform, and make development the core of international economic and trade agenda. Since its introduction three years ago, the Global Development Initiative has helped make available nearly US$20 billion of development fund and launch more than 1,100 projects. And recently the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing Center of Excellence has been established in Shanghai. China will also build a World Smart Customs Community Portal and a BRICS Customs Center of Excellence. We welcome active participation by all countries.

-- We should promote together development of all civilizations and strive for harmony among them. Diversity of civilization is the innate quality of the world. We should be advocates for exchanges among civilizations. We should enhance communication and dialogue, and support each other in taking the path to modernization suited to our respective national conditions. The Global Civilization Initiative I proposed is exactly for the purpose of building a garden of world civilizations in which we can share and admire the beauty of each civilization. China will coordinate with others to form a Global South Think Tanks Alliance to promote people-to-people exchanges and experience-sharing in governance.

Colleagues,

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made systemic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. This will provide more opportunities for the world. Last month, we held in Beijing a successful summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and announced ten partnership actions for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization. This will instill new energy for the Global South on its way toward modernization.

No matter how the international landscape evolves, we in China will always keep the Global South in our heart, and maintain our roots in the Global South. We support more Global South countries in joining the cause of BRICS as full members, partner countries or in the "BRICS Plus" format so that we can combine the great strength of the Global South to build together a community with a shared future for mankind.

Thank you! ■

Full Text: Address by Chinese President Xi Jinping at 16th BRICS Summit

KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday delivered an important speech at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Embracing a Broader View and Cutting Through the Fog of Challenges to Advance High-Quality Development of Greater BRICS Cooperation

Statement by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the XVI BRICS Summit

Kazan, October 23, 2024

Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin,

Colleagues,

First of all, I wish to extend my warm congratulations on the successful opening of this summit. I also wish to thank President Putin and our host Russia for the thoughtful arrangements and warm hospitality.

I would like to take this opportunity to once again welcome new members to our BRICS family. The enlargement of BRICS is a major milestone in its history, and a landmark event in the evolution of the international situation. At this summit, we have decided to invite many countries to become partner countries, which is another major progress in the development of BRICS. As we Chinese often say, "A man of virtue regards righteousness as the greatest interest." It is for our shared pursuit and for the overarching trend of peace and development that we BRICS countries have come together. We must make full use of this summit, maintain the momentum of BRICS, and consider and devise our strategy to address issues that have a global impact, determine our future direction, and possess strategic significance. We must build on this milestone summit to set off anew and forge ahead with one heart and one mind.

As the world enters a new period defined by turbulence and transformation, we are confronted with pivotal choices that will shape our future. Should we allow the world to descend into the abyss of disorder and chaos, or should we strive to steer it back on the path of peace and development? This reminds me of a novel by Nikolay Chernyshevsky entitled What Is to Be Done? The protagonist's unwavering determination and passionate drive are exactly the kind of willpower we need today. The more tumultuous our times become, the more we must stand firm at the forefront, exhibiting tenacity, demonstrating the audacity to pioneer and displaying the wisdom to adapt. We must work together to build BRICS into a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations and a vanguard for advancing global governance reform.

-- We should build a BRICS committed to peace, and we must all act as defenders of common security. We humans are an indivisible community of security. Only by embracing the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security can we pave the way for universal security. The Ukraine crisis still persists. China and Brazil, in collaboration with other countries from the Global South, initiated a group of Friends for Peace to address the crisis. The aim is to gather more voices advocating peace. We must uphold the three key principles: no expansion of the battlefields, no escalation of hostilities, and no fanning flames, and strive for swift deescalation of the situation. While the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the flames of war have once again been rekindled in Lebanon, and conflicts are escalating among the parties. We must promote an immediate ceasefire and an end to the killing. We must make unremitting efforts toward a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question.

-- We should build a BRICS committed to innovation, and we must all act as pioneers of high-quality development. As the latest round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is advancing at an accelerated speed, we must keep pace with the times and foster new quality productive forces. China has recently launched a China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center. We are ready to deepen cooperation on innovation with all BRICS countries to unleash the dividends of AI development. China will establish a BRICS Deep-Sea Resources International Research Center, a China Center for Cooperation on Development of Special Economic Zones in BRICS Countries, a China Center for BRICS Industrial Competencies, and a BRICS Digital Ecosystem Cooperation Network. We welcome active participation from all interested parties to promote the high-quality upgrading of BRICS cooperation.

-- We should build a BRICS committed to green development, and we must all act as promoters of sustainable development. Green is the defining color of our times. It is important that all BRICS countries proactively embrace the global trend of green and low-carbon transformation. China's high-quality production capacity, as exemplified by its manufacturing of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, provides a significant boost to global green development. China is willing to leverage its strengths to expand cooperation with BRICS countries in green industries, clean energy and green mining, and promote green development through the entire industrial chain, so as to increase the "green quotient" of our cooperation and upgrade the quality of our development.

-- We should build a BRICS committed to justice, and we must all act as forerunners in reforming global governance. The international power dynamics is undergoing profound changes, but global governance reform has lagged behind for a long time. We should champion true multilateralism and adhere to the vision of global governance characterized by extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. We must ensure that global governance reform is guided by the principles of fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness. In light of the rise of the Global South, we should respond favorably to the calls from various countries to join BRICS. We should advance the process of expanding BRICS membership and establishing a partner country mechanism, and enhance the representation and voice of developing nations in global governance.

The current developments make the reform of the international financial architecture all the more pressing. BRICS countries should play a leading role in the reform. We should deepen fiscal and financial cooperation, promote the connectivity of our financial infrastructure, and apply high standards of financial security. The New Development Bank should be expanded and strengthened. We must ensure that the international financial system more effectively reflects the changes in the global economic landscape.

-- We should build a BRICS committed to closer people-to-people exchanges, and we must all act as advocates for harmonious coexistence among all civilizations. BRICS countries boast a profound and illustrious historical and cultural heritage. It is important that we promote the spirit of inclusiveness and harmonious coexistence among civilizations. We should enhance the exchange of governance experiences among BRICS countries, and fully harness the untapped potential for cooperation in areas such as education, sports, and the arts so that our diverse cultures can inspire one another and illuminate the path forward for BRICS. Last year, I proposed an initiative for BRICS digital education cooperation, and I am delighted to see that it has become a reality. China will implement a capacity-building program for BRICS digital education. We will open 10 learning centers in BRICS countries in the next five years, and provide training opportunities for 1,000 local education administrators, teachers and students. This will be a tangible step to deepen and strengthen people-to-people exchanges among BRICS countries.

Colleagues,

China is willing to work with all BRICS countries to open a new horizon in the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and join hands with Global South countries in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Thank you. ■

Xi calls on Fujian to play leading role in country's modernization drive

XIAMEN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- On a recent inspection tour in east China's Fujian Province, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, emphasized the need for the province to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He stressed the importance for the province to comprehensively implement the new development philosophy and uphold the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. Xi also underscored the importance for Fujian to steadfastly pursue the goals of creating a new Fujian characterized by dynamic mechanisms, thriving industries, prosperous communities, and a beautiful environment, staying committed to translating these objectives into realities. He called on Fujian to make further progress in accelerating the building of a modernized economy, make greater achievements in serving and integrating into the new development paradigm, take even greater strides in blazing a new trail for integrated cross-Strait development, and achieve greater breakthroughs in improving quality of life. He urged the province to deepen reforms across the board, promote high-quality development comprehensively, and strive for a leading role in China's modernization drive.

From Oct. 15 to 16, Xi -- accompanied by Zhou Zuyi, secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, and Zhao Long, governor of the province -- conducted an inspection and research tour in the cities of Zhangzhou and Xiamen, visiting sites including a village, a revolutionary education base, a cultural heritage site under government protection, and an area of the Fujian pilot free trade zone.

On the afternoon of Oct. 15, Xi first inspected Dongshan County in the city of Zhangzhou. The village of Aojiao, located in Chencheng Town in the southeastern part of the county, faces the sea on three sides. Over the past few years, the village has embarked on a new path of development by leveraging the sea to revitalize and develop itself. Xi took a walk to inspect the marine environment of Aojiao Bay and the appearance of the village, and inquired in detail about the trading of dried seafood and freshly caught seafood products. Xi was glad to learn that many seafood products are in high demand and that the incomes of villagers have been on the rise. Speaking to the villagers and fishermen who gathered around him, he said: "I visited your village 23 years ago, and it left a deep impression on me. Seeing the significant changes here today is gratifying and inspiring." He said rural areas will undoubtedly have a brighter future and farmers will enjoy a more vibrant life on the new journey in the new era. He urged the village Party committee to play a leading role, guide villagers to make good use of the sea, and strive forward to achieve rural revitalization and common prosperity.

Xi then visited the Gu Wenchang Memorial Hall, where he learned about the inspiring deeds of Comrade Gu Wenchang and was briefed about how revolutionary traditions were carried forward. During the visit, he also engaged in cordial exchanges with representatives of teachers and students from Gu Wenchang Cadre College. Xi pointed out that public recognition is the key gauge to evaluate an official's performance, calling on leading officials at all levels to learn from Gu, have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, and bring benefits to local people during their term in office. He also asked the officials to deliver tangible results, make constant efforts for achievements in the long run, and build a good reputation in the hearts of the people. "Learning from Gu requires not only deep admiration, but also concrete deeds to follow his example in fostering integrity and performing duties," Xi said.

At the Guandi cultural industrial park, Xi was briefed about local efforts in strengthening the protection of cultural heritage and promoting cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait. He stressed that cultural heritage is a precious legacy left by our ancestors and should be protected and carried forward.

On the morning of Oct. 16, Xi inspected the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone. He visited an exhibition showcasing the achievements in the construction of the pilot free trade zone, and was briefed about local work in further expanding reform and opening up, as well as in exploring a new path for integrated development across the Taiwan Strait. He also talked with the staffers at a comprehensive service hall. Over more than 40 years of development, the Xiamen Special Economic Zone has experienced tremendous changes that were once unimaginable, he said. Today, the requirements for reform and opening up, both in depth and breadth, are higher than ever before. Fujian and Xiamen need to adapt to the changing situation, steadily advance institutional opening up, align with international high standards, and achieve more institutional and policy outcomes to contribute to the expansion of high-level opening up, Xi said.

On the afternoon of Oct. 16, Xi listened to work reports from the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and the provincial government. He commended what Fujian has achieved in various areas of its work and put forward clear requirements for the province's work in the future.

Xi noted the need to explore new pathways for the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation. He called on the province to accelerate the building of an all-around innovation support system, promote integrated reforms in education, technology, and talent systems in a coordinated manner, and strengthen the building of high-level scientific and technological innovation platforms. He also emphasized the importance of implementing major technological initiatives, enhancing the role of enterprises as major players in innovation, and improving financial policies and mechanisms that support technological advancement, so as to create a better environment for boosting innovation and attracting talent.

He urged the province to firmly develop the real economy, consolidate the strengths of traditional industries, vigorously promote the transformation and upgrading of industries, cultivate and expand strategic emerging industries, make plans for future industries, develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions, and shape new advantages in industrial development.

Xi stressed efforts to comprehensively deepen reform and expand high-level opening up. He called for continued efforts to boldly practice, explore and reform on its own, with a focus on key sectors and links and economic structural reform as the spearhead. It is imperative to unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and unswervingly encourage, support, and guide the development of the non-public sector, and innovatively develop the "Jinjiang Experience" to fully stimulate the whole society's vitality for investing and starting businesses. It is essential to prioritize reforms aimed at improving the people's well-being, with a focus on delivering on the people's aspirations and expectations. Xi also called for efforts to further upgrade pilot free trade zones, align with major regional strategies, further integrate into high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, build a core area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, and consolidate and expand the roles of the province as an important link and an important channel in the interplay between domestic and international economic flows. He urged Fujian to build itself into a demonstration zone for integrated development across the Taiwan Strait.

Xi noted that Fujian should play an exemplary role in promoting coordinated regional development and integrated urban-rural development. It is imperative for the province to advance the mechanism for collaboration between mountainous and coastal areas, further coordinate their development and strengthen the complementarity of their functions. It is essential for Fujian to advance the building of national ecological conservation pilot zones, build a great pattern of protection and governance covering from the mountains to the sea, strengthen overall governance in key areas, river basins and sea areas, and expand the capacity of the ecosystem. Xi called for efforts to strengthen coordinated integration of rural revitalization across the board and new-type urbanization, as well as to expedite integrated urban-rural development. He highlighted the need to bolster the county-level economy, speed up the revitalization and development of former revolutionary bases, and consolidate and further expand the achievements of poverty alleviation. It is imperative to ensure that the total area of farmland remains above the specified red line, adopt an all-encompassing approach to food and agriculture, and forge specialty-based agricultural clusters. Xi also underscored the importance of deepening the collective forest tenure reform and developing forest foods and under-forest economy, thus continuously exploring the forests' potential in boosting the economy and grain production. Xi also urged accelerated efforts to develop the cities of Fuzhou and Xiamen as national-level marine economic development demonstration zones, as part of the wider endeavor to expand and strengthen the marine economy. He also stressed the imperative to guard against natural disasters, such as typhoons and earthquakes, and strengthen the capacity for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief.

Xi urged continued efforts to improve the appeal of culture and present the province's fresh image. He called on the province to inherit and carry forward the revolutionary traditions, commit to the construction of national culture parks for the Long March in Changting and Ninghua, as well as deepen the research and interpretation of revolutionary historical materials and relics. He underlined the need to strengthen the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, stay committed to the work of cultivating people morally and intellectually, and actively transform outmoded habits and customs. He also stressed advancing deeper integration of culture and tourism, and developing the culture and tourism sector into a pillar industry. Xi urged continued efforts to promote cross-Strait cultural exchanges, jointly carry forward Chinese culture, and enhance the common sense of the Chinese national and cultural identity among Taiwan compatriots. Xi called on Fujian to rely on ties such as ancestral bonds and ancestral land culture to extensively rally the support of overseas Chinese.

Xi pointed out that Party members and officials should be educated to inherit the best of traditions, carry forward our revolutionary heritage and the pioneering and innovative spirit of daring to think big and fighting to win big, forge ahead with fortitude, and make further achievements. All Party members and officials should have an understanding of performing their duties to serve the people, never forget the original aspiration, take on responsibilities, be honest and clean in performing duties, and always maintain the political integrity of communists. It is imperative to fight pointless formalities, and take further steps to ease the burdens on grassroots. He urged efforts to implement the practices of going into communities to communicate the Party's lines and policies, carry out fact-finding missions, address people's complaints, and conduct field work, follow the Party's mass line in the new era, and raise the effectiveness of Party building in boosting grassroots governance.

Xi stressed the necessity to conscientiously implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, spare no efforts to do a good job in the economic work of the fourth quarter, and strive to achieve the economic and social development objectives for the whole year.

Vice Premier He Lifeng and leading officials of relevant central Party and state departments accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. ■

Xi delivers speech at reception held in Beijing to celebrate 75th founding anniversary of PRC

BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- A grand reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) was held at the Great Hall of the People on the evening of Sept. 30. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the reception and delivered an important speech. He noted that for the past 75 years since the founding of the PRC, the Party has united people of all ethnic groups and led them to struggle relentlessly, creating the twin miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. China has undergone tremendous changes, and its national rejuvenation is now on an irreversible historical course. On the journey ahead in the new era, the Chinese people will score more remarkable achievements and make greater contributions to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity.

Li Qiang presided over the reception. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the event. Approximately 3,000 people from home and abroad gathered to celebrate the PRC's 75th founding anniversary.

In the Great Hall of the People, the banquet hall was brightly lit and radiant with festivity and warmth. The national emblem was displayed high above the platform. Two giant numbers "1949 - 2024" stood out prominently against the backdrop of bright red flags.

At around 5:30 p.m., to the lively tune of the "Welcome Song," Xi and his colleagues walked into the banquet hall, waving and greeting those present. Applause erupted.

The reception began, and the entire audience rose to their feet to sing the national anthem -- March of the Volunteers. The magnificent music reverberated throughout the hall.

Amidst the sound of bugles, Xi walked onto the platform and delivered an important speech. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, he first paid high tribute to the people of all ethnic groups in the country, to the officers and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, and to non-CPC political parties and personages without party affiliation. He extended sincere greetings to compatriots in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese. Additionally, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to friendly countries and international friends who care about and support the PRC's development.

Xi noted that building China into a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization is the central task for the Party and the state on the journey ahead in the new era. The best way to commemorate the PRC's 75th founding anniversary is to continuously push forward this unprecedented cause. To promote Chinese modernization, we must always uphold the core role of the Party in exercising overall leadership and coordinating the efforts of all sides, resolutely uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, persevere in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, and steer great social transformation via Party's own transformation. We must always follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, further deepen reform comprehensively and open wider to the outside world, promote high-quality development, and ensure the future of the country's development and progress remains firmly in the hands of the Chinese people. We must always adhere to a people-centered approach, act for the people and rely on the people in everything we do, and enable all the people to benefit from reform and development while working hard together. We must always follow a path of peaceful development, uphold the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and promote world peace and stability as well as the common progress of humanity.

Xi emphasized that achieving national rejuvenation is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation, including compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. It is imperative to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy, and it is essential to firmly safeguard and promote the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao.

Xi said that Taiwan is an integral part of China's sacred territory, and the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are bound by blood. We must adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, deepen economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation across the Strait, forge closer bonds between people across the Strait, and resolutely oppose any separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence." Achieving complete national reunification is an irresistible trend. It is where the greater national interest lies, and what the people desire. No one can stop the wheels of history.

He emphasized that humanity shares one planet, and people from all countries share a common future. We must promote humanity's shared values, and advocate an equal, orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We must promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system, and work together to build a human community with a shared future.

Xi pointed out that after 75 years of strenuous efforts, Chinese modernization has unfolded a magnificent chapter and presented promising prospects. At the same time, the road ahead will not always be smooth, and difficulties and obstacles are inevitable. We must remain mindful of potential dangers and be well-prepared, and resolutely overcome uncertain and unforeseen risks and challenges. No difficulties can impede the progress of the Chinese people.

Amid joyful music, domestic and international guests raised their glasses to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the PRC and wished for the prosperity of China and the happiness and health of its people, as well as the lasting friendship between the Chinese people and people from other countries.

Also present at the reception were Wang Yi, Yin Li, Shi Taifeng, Liu Guozhong, Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Li Hongzhong, He Weidong, He Lifeng, Zhang Youxia, Zhang Guoqing, Chen Wenqing, Li Ruihuan, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Li Lanqing, Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun, He Guoqiang, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, and Zhang Gaoli, as well as leading officials of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and the Central Military Commission, and those who have retired from leadership positions.

The reception was also attended by leading officials of central authorities and Beijing Municipality; leaders of the central committees of non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and representatives of personages without party affiliation; representatives of outstanding members from various sectors; some deputies to the NPC and some members of the CPPCC National Committee; representatives of veteran generals and officials; the spouses of late Party and state leaders currently in Beijing; representatives of recipients of the Medal of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, the July 1 Medal, the August 1 Medal, and national honorary titles; representatives of national model workers and exemplary individuals; representatives of the Chinese sports delegation to the Paris Olympics and Paralympics; representatives of exemplary individuals who support the military, families of martyrs, disabled revolutionary veterans, and retired military personnel; representatives of role models who have attended a meeting to honor them for their contributions to ethnic unity and progress and representatives of ethnic minorities; personages from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, Taiwan compatriots and representatives of overseas Chinese, currently in Beijing; diplomatic envoys of foreign countries, representatives of international organizations, and some foreign experts and friends. ■

Xi stresses learning from heroes, role models to make China stronger

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- On the morning of September 29, a ceremony was held to confer national medals and national honorary titles in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presented medals to recipients of the national medals and national honorary titles and delivered an important speech. Xi emphasized that a great era calls for heroes and nurtures heroes. When heroes emerge generation after generation, the cause of the Party and the people will flourish forever. Party committees and governments at all levels should care for and cherish heroes and role models, and promote the whole of society to respect, learn from, and strive to become heroes. He hoped that those being honored would cherish the honor, work harder, and strive for greater glory.

Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended the ceremony, and Cai Qi presided over the event.

At about 9 o'clock, the honorees of national medals and national honorary titles took the concierge car to the Great Hall of the People from their residence, escorted by a convoy of motorcycles. Outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People, honor guards were standing on both flanks, and children cheered warmly. The honorees walked the red carpet and went into the Great Hall of the People. Relevant leading officials from a working committee on Party and state medals and honorary titles were there to welcome their arrival.

The atmosphere in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People was solemn and warm. The designs of Medals of the Republic, the Friendship Medal and the medals of national honorary titles shone on a large red background board. In front of the board, 18 bright five-star red flags were erected on both sides, and 18 guards of honor stood with guns in a heroic and gallant manner.

At 9:58, accompanied by joyful music, Xi, along with winners of national medals and national honorary titles, walked into the hall, and all in the hall stood up and gave them warm applause.

At 10 o'clock, the trumpeter of the military band blew the ceremonial horn, and the ceremony began. "March of the Volunteers" was played and the national anthem was sung.

Cai Qi read out a decree of the President of the People's Republic of China, which was signed by Xi. The presidential decree said that in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, for the purpose of honoring eminent people who have made outstanding contributions to the building and development of New China and carrying forward the national spirit and the spirit of the times, and in accordance with the decision made by the 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee at its 11th session, Wang Yongzhi and three other people are awarded the Medal of the Republic; Dilma Rousseff is awarded the Friendship Medal; and Wang Xiaomo and nine other people are awarded national honorary titles.

Two flag bearers held high the national flag, while three honor guards, carrying the Medals of the Republic, the Friendship Medal, and the medals for the national honorary titles, walked in resolute strides to the ceremony site.

Amidst the majestic melody of "Salute to the Heroes of the Motherland," Xi presented medals to recipients of national medals and honorary titles, warmly shaking hands with them and offering his congratulations. The entire venue erupted in enthusiastic applause. Young pioneers presented beautiful flowers to the exemplary models and saluted them to express their respect.

Amidst enthusiastic applause from the entire assembly, Xi delivered an important address. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the National People's Congress, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, he first extended heartfelt congratulations and profound respect to the heroes and exemplary figures awarded the Medal of the Republic and national honorary titles, as well as to the international friend bestowed with the Friendship Medal.

Xi pointed out that over the 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the CPC has united and led people of all ethnic groups nationwide to accomplish two feats: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. The great motherland has undergone tremendous changes, and the country has embarked on an irreversible historical journey to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Throughout this grand journey of development, a galaxy of heroes and exemplary figures have emerged across various sectors. Those honored today are outstanding representatives among them. Their exemplary deeds and significant contributions will be eternally inscribed in the annals of the Republic. Their loyalty, dedication and modesty are worth learning from by the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the nation.

Xi stressed that China is now in a crucial period for building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. He said that the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country should learn from the examples of heroes and role models, strive forward in unity and forge ahead with tenacity to form a mighty force for jointly building a strong China. Xi also emphasized the need for people to have the ambition of making the country greater, cherish the ideal of making the country strong and prosperous, have the aspiration to strive for people's happiness, be loyal to the country, and do their bit for the country. He called on the Chinese people to integrate their personal careers into the overall national development, and realize personal value and exhibit life's worth in fulfilling duties for the country and serving the people. Xi also encouraged the Chinese people to hone their skills for building a strong country, meet the new requirements for the development of the times, learn new knowledge and master new skills, bring passion and dedication to their jobs and become masters of whatever work they engage in, and work hard to become experts in whatever they do or whatever business they start. To make greater achievements for building China into a strong country, the Chinese people were urged to proactively seize their time and shoulder historical responsibility as masters of the country to forge ahead while coping with difficulties in pursuit of excellence. They were called on to strive for extraordinary achievements at ordinary posts, and continuously make progress in overcoming challenges and difficulties in development and reform, as well as in safeguarding social harmony and stability.

Xi pointed out that over the past 75 years, there have been many old friends and good friends across the world who have worked together and weathered storms together with the Chinese people, and Dilma Rousseff, who was awarded the Friendship Medal today, is a prominent representative of them. The Chinese people will never forget those international friends who have made remarkable contributions to China's development, and to enhanced friendship between the Chinese people and the peoples of other nations. The Chinese people are willing to join hands with people of all countries to safeguard world peace, push forward shared development, promote the building of a global community of shared future, and create a better future for the humanity.

Xi stressed the need for the Chinese people to jointly open up a brighter future, and jointly create a new history. He also called on the Chinese people to unite as one, and make proactive endeavors with focus on well-defined goals, jointly writing an even more splendid chapter for the People's Republic of China.

At the ceremony, Huang Zongde, winner of the Medal of the Republic, and Dilma Rousseff, winner of the Friendship Medal, delivered speeches on behalf of all the laureates.

After the ceremony, President Xi and other leaders with the laureates had a photo taken together.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, some vice-chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, state councilors, the president of the Supreme People's Court, the procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, some vice-chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and members of the Central Military Commission attended the ceremony.

Present at the ceremony were also leading officials of central authorities and Beijing Municipality, representatives of the laureates' relatives and units they work for, representatives of previous honorees, diplomatic envoys of relevant countries to China, officials and representatives from all walks of life, totaling about 1,000 people. ■

Xi urges boosting building of community for Chinese nation

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The National Conference on Commending Models for Ethnic Unity and Progress was held in Beijing on the morning of Sept. 27. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the conference and delivered an important speech. He emphasized the need to comprehensively implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially the important thinking on strengthening and improving work on ethnic affairs. He stressed that, with a focus on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, it is imperative to continuously advance the cause of ethnic unity and progress, promote the high-quality development of the Party's work on ethnic affairs in the new era, boost the building of a community for the Chinese nation, and tirelessly strive for the building of a strong country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.

Li Qiang presided over the conference, and Wang Huning read out the commendation decision, with Zhao Leji, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi in attendance.

At 10 a.m., the conference began, and all attendees stood up and sang the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.

Wang Huning read out the Decision of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Commending Model Groups and Individuals for Ethnic Unity and Progress. A total of 352 model groups and 368 model individuals were honored.

Amid the joyful music, President Xi and others presented awards to representatives of the commended model individuals and exemplary groups.

Amid a warm applause, Xi delivered an important speech. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, Xi first extended congratulations to the commended model groups and individuals, and expressed sincere greetings to comrades on the work front of ethnic affairs and people from all walks of life who care about and support the cause of ethnic unity and progress.

Xi pointed out that the CPC has always attached great importance to work on ethnic affairs. For over 100 years, we have persisted in combining Marxist ethnic theory with the specific realities of China's ethnic issues and with the best of traditional Chinese culture, creatively blazing a right path with Chinese characteristics to solve ethnic issues. On this path, the CPC has united and led the people of all ethnic groups in the country to achieve national independence and people's liberation, creating a new situation of developing equal, united, mutually supportive, and harmonious relations among all ethnic groups. It has promoted unprecedented progress in the economic and social development in ethnic regions and improved their lives. China's ethnic minorities, regions of ethnic groups, relations between different ethnic groups, and the Chinese nation have undergone profound and historic changes.

Xi said that since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have continuously promoted the efforts to adapt Marxist ethnic theories to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and made it clear that fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation should be a focus in the Party's work on ethnic affairs in the new era and a focus in the work on all fronts in ethnic regions. As a result, the Party's important thinking on strengthening and improving the work on ethnic affairs has been formed, and we have promoted ethnic regions to join the other parts of the country in securing a victory in the fight against poverty, finished the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and embarked on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects. The Party has achieved new historic progress in its work on ethnic affairs.

Xi pointed out that on the path with Chinese characteristics to handling ethnic affairs with a focus on the fundamental and overall interests of the Chinese nation, we have maximized the cohesion among all ethnic groups, so that they can strive in unity to achieve shared prosperity and development. On that path, we have adhered to the principle of equality among all ethnic groups and opposed oppression and discrimination among different ethnic groups, which ensure that people of all ethnic groups truly enjoy equal political rights and jointly run the country. On that path, we have handled well the relation between maintaining national unity and implementing regional ethnic autonomy, combining unity with autonomy, and integrating ethnic and regional factors, to see that the Chinese nation becomes a community with a stronger sense of identity and a greater level of cohesion. Practice has proven that this path is a completely correct one.

Xi emphasized that the Chinese nation, with a civilization spanning over 5,000 years, is a great nation. All ethnic groups have collectively developed the vast territory of the motherland, created a unified multi-ethnic country, written the glorious history of China, developed the brilliant Chinese culture, and cultivated the great national spirit. The intermingling of bloodlines of all ethnic groups has laid the historical foundation for the formation and development of a community for the Chinese nation. The shared convictions of all ethnic groups have served as the endogenous driving force for the founding of a unified multi-ethnic country. The cultural connections among all ethnic groups are the cultural genes that have shaped the pluralistic and integrated civilization of the Chinese nation. The economic interdependence of all ethnic groups is the powerful force for building a unified economy. The emotional bonds among all ethnic groups are the strong ties that bind the Chinese nation as one family. The formation and development of a community for the Chinese nation is the will of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, the trend of the times, and a historical inevitability.

Xi stressed the importance of steadfastly adhering to the leadership of the Party, and guiding people of all ethnic groups to continuously strengthen their identification with the great motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. Efforts should be made to sharpen the awareness that people from all ethnic groups are in the same community, where they share weal and woe, stick together in life and death, and continuously consolidate the common ideological and political foundation for all ethnic groups to strive in unity.

Xi called for further efforts to build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation and deepen inculcation of public awareness of patriotism, collectivism and socialism with core socialist values as guidance. He also stressed that people from all ethnic groups should be helped to develop a correct understanding of state, history, ethnicity, culture and religions, and efforts should be intensified on historical and cultural education for young people. He added that the use of standard spoken and written Chinese should be promoted in an all-round way to provide strong spiritual and cultural support for building a community for the Chinese nation.

Xi noted that to advance Chinese modernization and achieve common prosperity, not a single ethnic group should be left behind. It is imperative to speed up high-quality development in regions with large ethnic minority populations, promote closer economic connection and integration among all regions, and take solid steps to promote common prosperity among all ethnic groups. It is essential to remain committed to ensuring and improving the people's wellbeing in the course of pursuing development, and do more practical work to meet people's needs, deliver real benefits to the people and win their approval, so as to meet the people's aspirations for a better life.

Xi stressed that all-round integration among all ethnic groups should be facilitated to promote exchanges and interactions among them. It is a must to coordinate planning of socioeconomic development and allocation of public resources, strengthen infrastructure construction such as transportation and other facilities in border and ethnic regions, proactively promote the people-centered new urbanization, and orderly boost population flow among ethnic groups and make it possible for people from different ethnic groups to dwell as neighbors, so that they would cling together like pomegranate seeds.

Xi pointed out the necessity to govern ethnic affairs in accordance with the law, and continuously improve the capability for governing ethnic affairs. It is a must to uphold and improve the system of regional ethnic autonomy, gradually improve relevant laws, regulations and differentiated policies to support regional development, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic groups in accordance with the law. It is also a must to strengthen publicity and education on the rule of law, and guide people from all ethnic groups to enhance their awareness of the state, citizenship and the rule of law.

Xi stressed that CPC committees and governments at all levels should place work on ethnic affairs high on their agenda, study and resolve key issues in this regard in a timely manner, strengthen the efforts to foster high-caliber officials and talents in ethnic regions, and attach importance to fostering officials from ethnic minority groups and put them on posts where they can put to the best use their capabilities. It is necessary to improve the institutional mechanism for forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, give full play to the leading role of role models, and create a favorable atmosphere for society-wide attention and support for work on ethnic affairs.

While presiding over the conference, Li Qiang pointed out that, in his speech, General Secretary Xi comprehensively summarized the great achievements the country has made in promoting ethnic unity and progress over the past 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially in the new era. The speech profoundly revealed the root and soul of the formation and development of the sense of community for the Chinese nation, and clearly put forward the overall requirements for consolidating the sense of community for the Chinese nation and promoting the building of a community for the Chinese nation on the new journey in the new era. With profound insight and broad vision, it is a programmatic document for promoting the building of a community for the Chinese nation. We must conscientiously study, understand, and thoroughly implement it. We must fully implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thinking on strengthening and improving work on ethnic affairs, profoundly understand the decisive significance of "Two Affirmations," resolutely act on "Two Upholds," closely focus on consolidating the strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, promote the high-quality development of the Party's work in this regard, and make unremitting efforts for building a modern socialist country in all respects.

Representatives of the commended model individuals and groups delivered speeches at the meeting.

Some members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, leaders of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission attended the conference.

Representatives of the commended exemplary groups and individuals, leading officials of the relevant departments from various provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and leading officials from central authorities attended the conference. Enditem

Notes:

"Two Affirmations":

The Party has established Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and defined the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

"Two Upholds":

"Two Upholds" refer to upholding General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upholding the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership.

Xi encourages industrial workers to contribute to full revitalization of northeast China

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently sent a reply letter to representatives of industrial workers from China First Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (CFHI), expressing warm encouragement and earnest expectations for them.

Xi said he visited CFHI twice and was deeply impressed by the persistent pursuit of technological innovation and product quality by the workers there. In recent years, CFHI workers have focused on tackling core technological challenges in major equipment manufacturing and made many new breakthroughs, demonstrating patriotism and creativity of Chinese industrial workers in the new era.

Xi stressed that manufacturing is the foundation of a country and the basis of a strong nation, expressing his hope that on the new journey in the new era, the workers will adhere to the original aspiration of serving the country with skills, promote the spirit of model workers, the value of work and the spirit of workmanship, diligently hone skills, improve competence, and continue to contribute wisdom and strength to building a country that is strong in manufacturing and to promoting the full revitalization of northeast China. Centrally administered enterprises should boost reform and innovation, enhance their core functions and competitiveness, and strive to become stronger, better and bigger. They should contribute more to the endeavor to build a great country and realize national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

CFHI is a leading equipment manufacturer headquartered in the city of Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi has inspected CFHI's manufacturing bases twice and made instructions on its reform and innovation as well as operation and management. Representatives of the company's industrial workers awarded the title of role model wrote a letter to Xi recently, highlighting their efforts to strengthen technological research and development following Xi's instructions, and expressing their determination to contribute to the full revitalization of northeast China and the cause of building China into a great country. ■

Xi chairs CPC leadership meeting to analyze economic situation, arrange for economic work

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on September 26 to analyze and discuss the current economic situation and make plans for future economic work. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

It was noted at the meeting that since the beginning of this year, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the people of all ethnic groups in tackling difficulties and challenges calmly, intensifying macroeconomic regulation, focusing on deepening reform and opening up, expanding domestic demand, and optimizing economic structure. As a result, the overall economic operation has been generally stable, with progress being made and overall situation stable. New quality productive forces have been steadily advanced, solid work done to secure people's livelihood, efforts made in preventing and defusing risks in key areas, high-quality development solidly promoted, and overall social stability maintained.

It was pointed out at the meeting that the fundamentals and favorable conditions of China's economy, such as a broad market, strong economic resilience, and great potential, remain unchanged. At the same time, there are some new developments and problems in the current economic performance. It is imperative to calmly and objectively look at the current economic situation in an overall perspective, face up to difficulties, have greater confidence, and strengthen our sense of responsibility and urgency in doing a good job in economic work. It is also imperative to focus efforts on key areas, take a proactive approach, effectively implement existing policies, intensify the introduction of new policies, make policy measures even more targeted and effective, and strive to fulfill the annual economic and social development goals and tasks.

The need was emphasized at the meeting to increase the intensity of countercyclical adjustments in fiscal and monetary policies, ensuring necessary fiscal expenditures, and do solid work to make sure that people's basic living needs are met, salaries are paid, and governments function smoothly at the primary level. It is necessary to issue and put to good use ultra long-term special treasury bonds and special local government bonds, and better leverage government investment to drive development. The reserve requirement ratio should be lowered, and so should interest rates in a powerful manner. Efforts should be made to reverse the downturn of and stabilize the real estate market, strictly control the increase of new commodity housing projects, optimize the existing stock, and improve the quality. Greater efforts should be made to provide loans for projects on the "white list" and support the efforts to make good use of idle land resources.

The need was also stressed at the meeting to respond to public concerns by adjusting policies restricting housing purchases, lowering interest rates on existing housing loans, and promptly improving policies related to land, fiscal and tax matters, and finance to promote the establishment of a new model for real estate development. Efforts should be made to boost the capital market, vigorously guide medium- and long-term funds into the stock market, and clear the hurdles for funds from social insurance, insurance, and wealth management into the stock market as well. Mergers and restructuring of listed companies should be supported, and reform of publicly-offered funds should be steadily advanced. Policies should be studied and introduced to protect the interests of small and medium investors.

Furthermore, the need was noted at the meeting to assist enterprises in overcoming difficulties and to further regularize the way laws are enforced and supervision conducted over enterprises. It is essential to formulate a private sector promotion law to foster a favorable environment for the development of the non-public sector. It is imperative to integrate the efforts to boost consumption and improve people's wellbeing, enable the low- and middle-income groups to earn more and optimize the consumption structure. New forms of business for consumption should be cultivated. It is essential to support and regulate private entities' involvement in the development of elderly care and childcare industries, and speed up refining the policies for boosting birth rate. Efforts should be intensified to attract and secure investment, speed up reform measures such as allowing foreign investment access to the manufacturing sector, and further optimize a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized.

It was stressed at the meeting that people's basic living needs must be met. Priority should be given to the employment for fresh college graduates, migrant workers, those lifted out of poverty, and zero-employment families. Aid should be strengthened for employment-challenged groups such as the older adults, persons with disabilities, and those who have been unemployed for a long time. It was also emphasized that the assistance should be strengthened for low-income earners. Efforts should be made to ensure the adequate supplies and stabilize the prices of essential goods such as food, water, electricity, gas, and heating. Moreover, it is important to effectively promote agricultural production, show enough concern for increasing the income of rural residents, do a good job in agricultural work in autumn and winter, and thus safeguard national food security.

All regions and departments were required to earnestly implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements, get down to work, unite as one, and stimulate as much as possible the whole society's enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity in advancing high-quality development so as to promote sound and steady economic growth, according to the meeting. CPC members and officials were urged to take on responsibility and pursue innovation, and hone their capabilities and make achievement through overcoming difficulties and challenges. It is essential to set right benchmarks for selection and appointment of officials, and apply "three distinctions" to throw weight behind those who proactively take on responsibilities and those who do their work earnestly. It is also imperative to support economic powerhouse provinces to play leading and pillar roles in propelling the country's economic development.

Other matters were also discussed at the meeting. Enditem

Note: "The three distinctions" refers to those between errors caused by lack of experience in pilot reforms and deliberate violations of discipline and law; between errors made in conducting experiments that are not explicitly restricted by higher-level authorities and arbitrary violations of discipline and law in the face of higher-level authorities' explicit prohibition; and between unwitting errors made in pursuing development and violations of discipline and law for personal gains.

Xi stresses cultivating more high-caliber journalism, communication professionals

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently replied to a letter from the faculty and students of the Communication University of China on the occasion of its 70th anniversary, extending congratulations and greetings to the faculty, students and alumni of the university.

Xi urged the university to take solid steps to implement the fundamental task of fostering virtues and educating people on the new journey in the new era. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the needs of the press and public communication, highlighting the university's distinctive features, deepening reform and innovation, and continuously improving its teaching and research capacity, in a bid to cultivate more high-caliber journalism and communication professionals and make new contributions to the development of the Party's cause concerning public communication and culture.

The predecessor of the university was founded in 1954 as a technical training program of the central administration for broadcasting. In 2004, it changed its name from Beijing Broadcasting Institute to the Communication University of China.

Recently, the faculty and students of the university wrote a letter to Xi, reporting on the achievements of the university in the past 70 years, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, and expressing their determination to better serve the Party's work on public communication and culture and to contribute to advancing Chinese modernization. ■

Xi urges continuously promoting ethnic unity across generations

BEIJING, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently replied to a letter by descendants of the representatives from diverse ethnic groups who established an oath-taking monument featuring ethnic unity in Pu'er.

In his letter, Xi conveyed warm encouragement and sincere wishes to the descendants. He pointed out that representatives from various ethnic groups, including their ancestors, erected the monument in 1951 and made a solemn pledge to stay united and follow the Party. For over 70 years, people from all ethnic groups have stood in solidarity with the Party and worked in unity, making historic achievements in the economic and social development of border regions. This has written a vivid chapter of ethnic unity and progress, Xi said.

Xi stressed that the Chinese nation is a big family where 56 ethnic groups love and care for each other. He expressed the hope that descendants of these representatives will carry forward the proud traditions of their ancestors, add new chapters to the story of the oath-taking monument, and let the tale of ethnic unity be passed down from generation to generation. People of all ethnic groups should enhance their sense of community for the Chinese nation, safeguard the motherland and build a better home together, so as to let the flower of ethnic unity and progress bloom more brilliantly.

In 1950, representatives of different ethnic groups in Pu'er, Yunnan Province, were invited to Beijing to participate in celebrations marking the first founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China. They were warmly received by Party and state leaders, including Mao Zedong. On Jan. 1, 1951, the people from various ethnic groups of Pu'er held an oath-taking rally to put up the monument following the customs of the ethnic minorities, pledging to stay united under the leadership of the CPC and strive for building an equal, free and prosperous society. A total of 48 representatives signed their names on the monument. In recent days, their descendants wrote to General Secretary Xi Jinping, reporting on the happy life of local ethnic communities under the Party's leadership and expressing their resolve to uphold their oath, follow the Party, and contribute to ethnic unity and the prosperity of the border regions. ■

Xi stresses cultivating more high-caliber officials for Xinjiang

BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of a training program for ethnic officials in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region under the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an important instruction, pointing out that establishing the program was an important decision of the CPC Central Committee. Over the past 70 years, the program has been advancing in tandem with the cause of the Party and the country. It has gone through an extraordinary journey, cultivating outstanding officials who are loyal and honest to the Party, command profound theoretical knowledge, grasp policies accurately, and are dedicated to serving the people. The program has played a significant role in strengthening the ranks of officials, boosting economic and social development, and promoting social stability and long-term security in Xinjiang, Xi said.

Noting that the 70th anniversary of the training program should be seen as a new starting point on the new journey, Xi emphasized the need to follow the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles from the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and fully implement the guiding principles from the second and third central symposiums on work related to Xinjiang. It is imperative to fully and faithfully implement the Party's policy for the governance of Xinjiang, and adhere to Party schools' original aspiration of cultivating talent for the Party and providing policy advice to the Party. Efforts should be made to improve regular training, especially the basic training mechanism, in line with Xinjiang officials' characteristics and their practical needs in work. Persistent efforts should be made to use the Party's new theories for the new era to help the officials maintain firm ideals and convictions and foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation throughout the process of running the training program. It is important to strengthen research on the basic theories and key issues of ethnic affairs and improve the quality and effectiveness of the training program, thereby cultivating more loyal, upright and responsible high-caliber officials for Xinjiang, Xi said.

Xi stressed further improving the working mechanism in which relevant central departments offer guidance and coordination, Xinjiang provides support, and the Party School of the CPC Central Committee plays the leading role. Various policies should be implemented to create favorable conditions and provide a strong guarantee for the success of the training program, he said.

A symposium marking the 70th anniversary of the training program was held on Saturday in Beijing. Chen Xi, president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), read out Xi's instruction and delivered a speech at the symposium. Chen underscored the need to thoroughly study and implement Xi's important instruction and his discourses on the work of Party schools, map out a coordinated plan for the training program with a focus on fulfilling the Party's central task in the new era, and ensure that the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee are effectively implemented in Xinjiang. It is necessary to make education and training more systematic and targeted based on the characteristics of the officials in Xinjiang and their practical needs in work, carry out basic training effectively, arm the officials with the Party's new theories, and enhance education on fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. It is necessary to advance reform and innovation and pool strength from various sides to nurture more loyal, upright and responsible high-caliber officials for Xinjiang, Chen said.

Leading officials of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) and the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, as well as representatives of the organizers and participants of the training program, made speeches at the symposium. ■

Xi urges continuous efforts to run people's congresses to good effect

BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) held a grand meeting at the Great Hall of the People on the morning of Sept. 14 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the NPC. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the meeting and delivered an important speech. He stressed the need to further firm up confidence in the path, theory, system and culture, develop whole-process people's democracy, and continuously uphold, improve and run the system of people's congresses to good effect to provide a solid institutional guarantee for the Party and the people to achieve their goals on the new journey in the new era.

Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice President Han Zheng, attended the event. The meeting was presided over by Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.

The meeting commenced amidst the resounding national anthem. Xi delivered an important speech. He pointed out that the system of people's congresses is the result of the arduous exploration and long-term struggles of the Chinese people under the CPC leadership. It is an entirely new political system that has grown from the Chinese soil and a great invention in the evolution of political institutions. The establishment of this system marked a great transformation in China's political system, signifying a great shift from a power structure where the power was concentrated in the hands of a few while the majority faced oppression and exploitation, to one that is led by the Party and empowers the people to govern the country as its masters.

Xi emphasized that over the past 70 years, the system of people's congresses has, under the Party's leadership, effectively ensured that our country continues to advance along the socialist path. It has demonstrated significant political advantages in guaranteeing that the Party leads the people in governing the country according to law, ensuring that the people are the masters of the country, maintaining political life that is both vibrant and orderly, promoting the rule of law in all aspects of national governance, and safeguarding long-term stability and peace. This system has provided an important institutional guarantee for creating miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. Practice has proven that the people's congress system is a sound system that accords with China's national conditions and realities, embodies the nature of socialist countries, and effectively rallies the strength of all Chinese people to advance Chinese modernization.

Xi pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, our Party has stood at a new historical juncture, gained a deep understanding of the new changes to the principal contradictions in Chinese society, actively responded to the people's new demands and aspirations for democracy and rule of law, and improved the organizational and working systems of people's congresses, making historic achievements in its work. We adhere to adapting the basic tenets of Marxism to China's specific realities and fine traditional Chinese culture, deeply grasp the laws governing the development of socialist democracy, and continuously promote theoretical and practical innovations in the system of people's congresses. Noting that the system of people's congresses is an important institutional vehicle for realizing whole-process people's democracy in China, Xi said it is imperative to uphold the CPC's leadership, adhere to the use of a system of institutions to ensure that the people run the country, exercise law-based governance on all fronts, uphold democratic centralism, and stick to the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics. Efforts must be made to modernize China's system and capacity for governance, give full play to the role of deputies to people's congresses, strengthen the self-improvement efforts of people's congresses at various levels to uphold their four-fold role as political, working, representative institutions, and institutions of state power. This series of new concepts, ideas and requirements form the Party's important thoughts on upholding and improving the system of people's congresses, providing fundamental guidance for the high-quality development of people's congresses in the new era, Xi said.

Xi emphasized the need to give full play to the role of people's congresses in ensuring full and effective implementation of the Constitution and laws. People's congresses at all levels and their standing committees must fully perform their functions, firmly safeguard the unity, dignity, and authority of the country's legal system, ensure effective implementation of the Constitution and laws, and make sure that all state organs fulfill their duties and carry out their work within the scope permitted by the Constitution and laws.

It is important that people's congresses play a leading role in legislative work, Xi said. He urges efforts to improve the legislative framework featuring guidance from Party committees, the leading role played by people's congresses, support from the government, and participation by all parties. Efforts should be made to step up legislation in key, emerging, and foreign-related fields, improve the quality of legislation, and continuously improve the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics. He also urged efforts to accelerate the improvement of a legal system featuring equal rights, equal opportunities and fair rules for all to ensure that citizens fully enjoy their rights.

Xi emphasized the need to give full play to the key role of the oversight by people's congresses in the Party and state supervision systems. It is imperative to improve the system through which people's congresses oversee the government, the supervisory commissions, the people's courts and the people's procuratorates. Xi urged people's congresses to strengthen oversight of the implementation of the Constitution and laws, and intensify the review and oversight of government budgets and final accounts and the oversight over the management of state-owned assets and government debts. People's congresses should work to promote the implementation of the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans, and ensure that all state organs exercise their powers by law and that the legitimate rights and interests of the people are safeguarded and realized. Administrative, supervisory, adjudicatory and procuratorial organs at various levels should readily accept oversight from people's congresses and effectively fulfill their respective supervisory duties, he said.

Xi pointed out that people's congresses should play an exemplary role in maintaining close ties with the people. All state organs and their employees must foster a strong sense of service to the people, put the people above all else, and maintain close ties with them. Deputies to people's congresses shoulder the honorable duties entrusted to them by the people, Xi noted, urging them to faithfully represent the interests and will of the people, and serve as the bridge that links the Party and the state with the people. He stressed the need for all state organs to provide support for the deputies to the people's congresses to perform their duties in accordance with the law, improve the systems and mechanisms for contact with deputies, and ensure that deputies reach out to the public on a greater variety of issues and in more diversified ways.

Xi emphasized that party committees at all levels should strengthen their overall leadership over the work of the people's congresses, and support the people's congresses and their standing committees in exercising their powers and carrying out their work in accordance with the law. The leading Party members groups of the standing committees of the people's congresses at all levels should always adhere to the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, fulfill their main responsibilities for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, and strengthen the political, ideological, organizational, work style, and disciplinary construction of the people's congresses in line with the requirement to uphold the four-fold role. They should train personnel that maintain political resolve, serve the people, respect the rule of law, promote democracy, and are diligent and responsible, and continuously improve the quality and level of the people's congress work in the new era and on the new journey.

While presiding over the meeting, Zhao Leji said that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech reviewed the glorious course of the CPC leading the Chinese people in establishing and improving the system of people's congresses, and profoundly expounded on the remarkable political advantages of the system. The speech has systematically summarized the major achievements in theoretical and practical innovations of the system in the new era, and made comprehensive arrangements and clear requirements for upholding, improving, and running the system at a new historical starting point. The speech is forward-looking and inspires people to forge ahead. It enriches and develops Xi's important thoughts on upholding and improving the system, and is a guiding document shining with the brilliance of the truth of Marxism. We must study and comprehend it earnestly and firmly implement it. We must gain a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and consciously uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We must unwaveringly keep to the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics, and uphold, improve and run the system of people's congresses to good effect.

The meeting was attended by members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, State Councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, some vice chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, senior comrades who had assumed leading positions at the NPC Standing Committee, as well as members of the Central Military Commission in Beijing.

Approximately 3,000 people attended the meeting, including leaders from various departments of the CPC Central Committee, government, military and people's organizations as well as leading officials from Beijing, leaders of the central committees of democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of non-party personages, members of the NPC Standing Committee and various special committees, senior officials from the standing committees of people's congresses at the provincial, regional and municipal levels, some NPC deputies, representatives from all walks of life in the capital, and foreign envoys in China. ■