Socialism with Chinese characteristics reflects will of Chinese people, he says
Xi Jinping has called on all Chinese people to stay united as "a piece of hard steel" under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and pull together in steering the nation toward its great rejuvenation.
He made the remarks in a group discussion on Monday with delegates from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region attending the 20th CPC National Congress. Xi, a member of the Guangxi delegation, was elected in April by unanimous vote at the region's Party congress.
The delegates were discussing the report delivered by Xi on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee at the opening session of the congress on Sunday.
During a lively discussion, in which five delegates from Guangxi shared their views on the report, Xi stressed that the report has charted the way forward for the cause of the Party and the State, and it serves as a political declaration and program of action for the CPC, the world's largest Marxist ruling party, to unite and lead the nation in upholding and furthering socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
The five delegates expressed unanimous endorsement of the report and agreed that, from a commanding height in considering both China's national rejuvenation and the drastic changes in the world unseen in a century, it scientifically lays out goals, tasks and major policies for developing the cause of the Party and the country in the next five years or an even longer period, putting forward a series of new approaches, strategies and measures.
Xi highlighted the need to firmly bear in mind the mission of seeking national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization.
The past five years and the past decade have been truly momentous and extraordinary, with the CPC and the nation securing a host of breakthrough developments and landmark results after overcoming various challenges and obstacles, he said.
This has fully vindicated the policies and work plans laid out by the CPC Central Committee and proved that socialism with Chinese characteristics is a path that suits China's reality, reflects the will of the Chinese people and is in keeping with the trends of times, he added.
The path is not only correct and practicable but also promises stability and good prospects, he said.
Xi called on CPC members to firm up their confidence in history, exhibit greater historical initiative, and perform their duties well for history and the people on the road ahead.
He called for Party members to gain a faithful command of the key principles laid out in the report — putting the people first, maintaining self-confidence and self-reliance, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, adopting a problem-oriented approach, applying systems thinking and maintaining a global vision.
In his report on Sunday, Xi used a special chapter to map out a Chinese path to modernization, which he said is more characterized by features that are unique to the Chinese context.
He said in the report that China has entered a period of development in which strategic opportunities, risks and challenges are concurrent and uncertainties and unforeseen factors are rising.
He told the delegates on Monday that Chinese modernization is rooted in China and is suited to the country's realities.
China should always base its national development objectives on its own strengths and gain a firm grasp over the future of its development and progress, he said.
Xi mentioned the decadelong efforts led by the CPC Central Committee in exercising strict governance over the Party and launching an unprecedented fight against corruption, a campaign that saw 553 high-ranking officials being investigated.
The CPC must make constant efforts in furthering its self-reform to ensure that the Party will never change its nature, its conviction, or its character and forever serve as the strong core of leadership in building socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said.
Only unity can lead to victory, and working hard is the only pathway to success, Xi said, adding that the most important task right now is to work hard to ensure the solid implementation of major decisions and plans made during the 20th CPC National Congress.
