H.E. Commissioner Liu Xianfa
November 26, 2021
Your Excellencies, Consul-Generals,
Deputy Secretary-General and representatives of the Portuguese-speaking countries of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao,
Heads of the English and Portuguese media in the SAR:
Good afternoon! Welcome to our press briefing. Since I came to Macao, I have met with most of you on different occasions, and we had very good exchanges of views. It is my great pleasure to meet with you again at this briefing. We hope to maintain and enhance our friendly relations and communications through various activities. Now please let me start my briefing.
As you all well know, this year marks the 100 anniversary of the founding of the CPC. Over the past hundred years, the Party has led the people to a number of important milestones: achieving great success in the new-democratic revolution; achieving great success in socialist revolution and construction; achieving great success in reform, opening up, and socialist modernization; and achieving great success for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. The endeavors of the Party and the people over the past century represent the most magnificent chapter in the millennia-long history of the Chinese nation.
On November 8th to 11th, the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China convened its sixth plenary session. At the session, the Central Committee heard and discussed the report on the work of the Political Bureau presented by General Secretary Xi Jinping, and considered and adopted the Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century and the Resolution on the Convocation of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The session attracted worldwide attention.
The CPC has always attached great importance to reviewing its historical experience. The CPC central committee has adopted three historical resolutions in total. The first resolution was made before the end of the Anti-Japanese War and World War II. The second one was made at the beginning of China’s reform and opening-up. These two resolutions unified the whole Party in thinking and action at key historical junctures. The 6th plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee comprehensively reviewed the major achievements and historical experience of the Party. The resolution adopted this time is important in both a practical and historical sense. Here I’d like to share with you the most important figures:
——A strong leadership core and scientific theoretical guidance is of crucial and fundamental importance to the destiny of a party, a nation and a people.
The resolution forms one major political judgment, which is called “两个确立” in Chinese：establishing Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and defining the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This reflects the common will of the Party, the armed forces, and Chinese people of all ethnic groups. It is of decisive significance for advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the new era.
——The CPC is a political party attaching great importance to theoretical guidance
The resolution summarizes three historic steps in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The first historic step was marked by Mao Zedong Thought, which was established during the new-democratic revolution and developed in the socialist revolution and construction. During the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization, the Party upheld and developed Marxism in light of new practices and the features of the times. Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development were established, thereby forming the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics and achieving a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. Since the Party’s 18th National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has set forth a series of original new ideas, thoughts, and strategies on national governance. He is thus the principal founder of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This is the Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century. It embodies the best of the Chinese culture and represents a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.
——How to understand the major achievements of the CPC in a century?
The resolution summarizes four great transformations. In the new-democratic revolution, China achieved the great transformation from a millennia-old feudal autocracy to a people’s democracy. In the socialist revolution and construction, China achieved the great transformation from a poor and backward Eastern country with a large population to a socialist country. During the reform and opening up, and socialist modernization, China achieved the tremendous advance of the Chinese nation from standing up to growing prosperous. Following the Party’s 18th National Congress, China has achieved the tremendous transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong.
——How to understand the historical significance of the Party’s endeavors over the past century?
First, they have fundamentally transformed the future of the Chinese people; Second, they have opened up the right path for achieving rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; Third, they have demonstrated the strong vitality of Marxism; Fourth, they have produced a profound influence on the course of world history, profoundly altered the trends and landscape of world development through its unremitting efforts in self-improvement. The Party has led the people in pioneering a uniquely Chinese path to modernization, creating a new model for human advancement; Fifth, they have made the Party a forerunner of the times.
——How to understand the historical experience of the Party?
There are 10 aspects as follows: upholding the Party’s leadership; putting the people first; advancing theoretical innovation; staying independent; following the Chinese path; maintaining a global vision; breaking new ground; being courageous to fight for ourselves; promoting the united front; and remaining committed to self-reform.
——How to understand the historic achievements by the CPC with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core since the 18th CPC National Congress?
The resolution summarizes these historic achievements and shifts in the cause of the Party and the country in the new era in thirteen aspects:
First, upholding the Party’s overall leadership. There is greater unity among all Party members in terms of thinking, political resolve, and action. The Party has significantly boosted its capacity to provide political leadership, give guidance through theory, organize the people, and inspire society.
Second, full and rigorous self-governance. The Party’s ability to improve and reform itself and maintain its integrity has been significantly strengthened. An overwhelming victory has been achieved in the fight against corruption.
Third, economic development. China has scored a complete victory in its poverty alleviation efforts and put an end to absolute poverty, which accounts for over 70 percent of poverty reduction worldwide. Since the founding of new China, over 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty. China’s GDP exceeded the 100-trillion-yuan threshold, China’s GDP per capita exceeded 10,000 U.S. dollars. China’s economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and composite national strength have reached new heights. Our economy is now on a path of higher-quality development that is more efficient, equitable, sustainable, and secure.
Fourth, deepening reform and opening up. The third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee decided to establish the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reform. It enabled the transformation of reform from trials and breakthroughs limited to certain areas into an integrated drive across the board. It marked the beginning of a new stage in China’s reform and opening up. Over the past 7 years, a total of 2485 reform programs have been put forward in various fields. The modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance has reached a higher level.
Fifth, strengthening political work. China has actively developed whole-process people’s democracy, advanced comprehensive, extensive, and coordinated development of the systems and institutions through which the people run the country. We established diverse, unimpeded, and well-organized democratic channels, diversify forms of democracy, and expand the people’s orderly political participation at all levels and in various fields, so as to ensure that China’s governance and institutions in all sectors give full expression to the will of the people, protect their rights and interests, and spark their creativity.
Sixth, comprehensively advancing law-based governance. The system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics has constantly been improved. Solid progress has been made in building China into a rule of law country. The Party’s ability to lead and govern the country through law-based methods has been notably enhanced.
Seventh, cultural advancement. We have seen a sweeping and fundamental shift in the ideological domain, a notable boost in confidence in our culture among all Party members and all Chinese people, and a major increase in cohesiveness throughout society.
Eighth, social development. The people’s lives have improved in all aspects. Public participation in social governance is growing. Social governance is smarter, more law-based, and more specialized. China’s miracle of long-term social stability has continued.
Ninth, eco-environmental advancement. China has played an active role in global environmental and climate governance, and pledged to reach peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, demonstrating its commitment to act as a responsible major country. We made significant progress in building a Beautiful China. Our environmental protection endeavors have seen sweeping, historic, and transformative changes.
Tenth, strengthening national defense. Our defense capabilities have grown in step with our economic strength. Our people’s military has taken concrete actions to safeguard our national sovereignty, security, and development interests with an indomitable fighting spirit.
Eleventh, safeguarding national security. We have enhanced security on all fronts and withstood the many political, economic, ideological, and natural risks, challenges, and trials.
Twelfth, upholding the policy of One Country, Two Systems and promoting national reunification. The Central Committee has adopted a series of measures to address both symptoms and root causes of relevant issues and resolutely implemented the principle that Hong Kong and Macao should be governed by patriots. These moves have helped to restore order in Hong Kong and ensure a turn for the better in the region. All this has laid a solid foundation for advancing law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao and for securing steady and continued success of the One Country, Two Systems policy. We uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus. We firmly oppose separatist activities seeking “Taiwan independence.” We firmly oppose foreign interference. We have maintained the initiative and ability to steer cross-Strait relations.
Thirteenth, pushing forward major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on all fronts. Under the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed to develop a new type of international relations, promote the building of a community of a shared future for mankind, champion the shared human values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom. China has broken new ground in its diplomatic endeavors amid profound global changes and turned crises into opportunities amid complex situations on the international stage. These efforts have resulted in a marked increase in China’s international influence, appeal, and power to shape.
China has realized the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. In the new era, the CPC will focus on the Second Centenary Goal of building a great modern socialist country. We will make unremitting efforts to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The whole Party, the military, and Chinese people of all ethnic groups will remember the glories and hardships of yesterday, rise to the mission of today, and live up to the great dream of tomorrow, and make tireless efforts to realize the Second Centenary Goal and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
Besides, I would like to take today’s opportunity to further introduce some new important concepts and progress concerning not only China’s development but also the world’s future:
First, about developing whole-process people’s democracy. It is a major proposition that General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward based on the development of democracy in China. Democracy is a shared value of all human beings and a critical philosophy that the CPC and the Chinese people have unswervingly upheld. Democracy is not an exclusive patent of Western countries and should not be defined and dictated by Western countries. Democracy is, at its core, all about the people running the country. The electoral democracy that some Western countries are proud of is an election ruled by capital and a game of capitalist groups. It is the “democracy” of the rich. It is not a real democracy.
Next month, the U.S. is to host a so-called summit for democracy. The intention is clearly to undermine other countries and divide the world into two groups or multiple groups. The results will be nothing but worse. To this, the CPC and the Chinese people have always had a clear head. We are eager to learn what lessons we can from the achievements of other cultures and welcome helpful suggestions and constructive criticism. However, we will not accept sanctimonious preaching from those who feel they have the right to lecture us.
Second, about the Global Development Initiative. General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative at the general debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. This initiative follows a people-centered approach, pursues practical cooperation, and upholds openness and inclusiveness. It calls on the international community to speed up the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, pursue more robust, greener and healthier global development, and build a global community of development with a shared future. The Global Development Initiative draws a blueprint for international development cooperation, and charts the course for advancing global development cause.
Third, about the new progress of Belt and Road Initiative. Last Friday, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the third symposium on the development of the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI). He stressed full, accurate and comprehensive implementation of the new development philosophy, and the need to make BRI high-standard, sustainable and beneficial to public well-being. China will consolidate the foundation for BRI cooperation on interconnectivity and create new opportunities for international cooperation. By August 2021, a total of 172 countries and international organizations have signed over 200 cooperation agreements with China on the joint construction of the Belt and Road. Cumulative trade between China and its BRI partners has exceeded USD 9.2 trillion, and Chinese direct investment in countries along the BRI route exceeded USD130 billion. The BRI has truly become the world’s broadest-based and largest platform for international cooperation. The Belt and Road cooperation has greatly contributed to the anti-pandemic fight as well as global economic recovery. It is bound to yield more win-win achievements in the Portuguese-speaking countries and bring more benefits to the people.
Thank you for attending today’s briefing and for your strong support to me and my office. I hope we will continue to deepen our cooperation and jointly contribute to the development of Macao and your countries.
The weather is turning cold, but the development of Macao remains heated, our desire to working together remains heated. Our office will, as always, continue to provide support and assistance to all of you.
I wish you all good health and every success in your work. Thank you!
Text courtesy of the Foreign Ministry Commission in Macau
