BEIJING – President Xi Jinping presided yesterday over a grand display of the nation’s strength in Beijing – declaring that no force could stop the country’s rise.
Speaking at the start of a massive parade marking 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Xi called for stability in Hong Kong, unity among Chinese ethnic groups, and the “complete unification” of the country. Xi delivered the remarks at the site where Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the PRC on Oct. 1, 1949.
“Today, a socialist China is standing in the east of the world and there is no force that can shake the foundation of this great nation,” Xi told a crowd of guests under smoggy skies in the center of the capital. “No force can stop the Chinese people and the Chinese nation from forging ahead.”
Xi’s rallying cry came before an hours-long pageant showcasing the nation’s industrial and scientific achievements, including sophisticated weaponry such as DF-17 ballistic missiles believed capable of circumventing US defense systems.
“We gathered here today for a grand rally to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC,” said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).
Xi remembered the country’s revolutionary forefathers and martyrs for their feats in pursuing national independence and liberation, a stronger and more prosperous country and the people’s well-being.
The founding of the PRC completely changed China’s miserable fate of being poor and weak and being bullied and humiliated for over 100 years since the advent of modern times, Xi said.
“Seventy years ago on this day, Comrade Mao Zedong solemnly declared here to the world that the PRC was founded and the Chinese people had stood up,” Xi said.The Chinese nation has since then embarked on the path of realizing national rejuvenation, he said.
No force can ever shake the status of China, or stop the Chinese people and nation from marching forward, Xi said.
Xi said Chinese people of all ethnic groups have made great achievements that amaze the world, over the past seven decades through concerted efforts and arduous struggle.
Upholding CPC leadership
Xi called for upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
Xi underlined the importance of staying on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and fully implementing the party’s basic theory, line and policy.
He also called for efforts to constantly meet people’s aspirations for a better life and make new historic achievements.
Xi pledged that the country will stay on the path of peaceful development, and pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up.
“We will continue to work with people from all countries to push for jointly building a community with a shared future for humanity,” Xi said.
He stressed that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police Force (PAP) should always preserve their nature, purpose and character as the forces of the people, resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and firmly uphold world peace.
Maintaining prosperity & stability of HK & Macau
“On our journey forward, we must uphold the principles of ‘peaceful reunification’ and ‘One Country, Two Systems,’ maintain lasting prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macau, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, unite all Chinese sons and daughters, and continue to strive for the motherland’s complete reunification,” Xi said.
Xi called for concerted efforts to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
China’s yesterday had been inscribed in human history while China’s today is being created in the hands of hundreds of millions of Chinese people, Xi said, adding that “China will surely have an even brighter future.”
All party members, armed forces and people of all ethnic groups should unite more closely together, stay true to the founding mission, build on existing achievements and continue to develop “our people’s republic”, Xi said, adding that continued efforts should be made to achieve the two centenary goals and national rejuvenation. – Bloomberg, Xinhua, MPD
President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), reviews the nation’s armed forces during yesterday’s celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Beijing. – Xinhua
