Xi stresses upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics to build modern socialist country

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping has stressed holding high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and striving to write a brand new chapter in building a modern socialist country in all respects.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a study session of provincial and ministerial-level officials held from Tuesday to Wednesday in Beijing.

Xi stressed adherence to socialism with Chinese characteristics and the guidance of the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times on the new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects.

He underscored strengthening confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics and driving forward the historical process of national rejuvenation.

Xi also highlighted the coordinated implementation of the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in writing a brand new chapter in building a modern socialist country in all respects.

The opening ceremony of the study session was attended by Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Vice President Wang Qishan also attended the event.

Noting the importance of the upcoming 20th CPC National Congress to be held at a crucial moment on the new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, Xi said goals, tasks and policies for the cause of the Party and the country for the next five years and beyond will be made at the congress.

It is of key importance to building on past successes to further advance the cause of the Party and the country, to the future of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi added.

Against the backdrop of accelerating global changes unseen in a century, and more complex risks, challenges, contradictions and problems, the fundamental task is to run our own affairs well, Xi said.

The past five years since the 19th CPC National Congress have been extremely extraordinary, Xi said.

The CPC Central Committee has united and led the entire Party, military, and the Chinese people in effectively coping with the grave and complex international situation and a stream of severe risks and challenges, and advanced socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Xi said the Party's overall leadership and the CPC Central Committee's centralized, unified leadership have strengthened.

We made every effort to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, promote high-quality development, and advance reform swiftly but steadily. We also made solid progress in developing whole-process people's democracy and proactively fostering an advanced socialist culture, he said.

China prioritized ensuring and improving people's well-being, mobilized all sectors of society in the anti-poverty campaign, and devoted significant energy to ecological conservation.

We have resolutely safeguarded national security, maintained overall social stability, pushed forward defense and military modernization, resolutely safeguarded peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and advanced major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on all fronts, said Xi.