Anniversary address offers Party guidance to build China into a modern socialist nation: China Daily editorial

The 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China has offered the opportunity for the Party's leadership to articulate how it views the Party's future trajectory at a time when profound changes are transforming both the domestic and international landscape.

Addressing a gathering marking the occasion, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, called on Party members to remain steadfast in their convictions and work tirelessly to fulfill the Party's missions in the new era and on the new journey.

Hailing the 105-year history of the Party as the "most magnificent epic" of the Chinese nation, he urged the Party to press ahead to build China into a modern socialist country on schedule.

His address reaffirmed the Party's consistent emphasis on political continuity and long-term planning in pursuit of the country's high-quality development objectives.

Underscoring continuity as an important source of policy stability, he stressed that "time stops for no one", and that the whole Party must adhere to its basic theory, basic line and basic policy to "remain undaunted by passing clouds and stay on course through wind and waves".

"It is imperative that all of us in the Party never forget our original aspiration and founding mission, that we always stay modest, prudent, and hard-working, and that we have the courage and ability to carry on our fight," Xi said.

Equally prominent was the emphasis he put on the people as the driving force behind national development.

China's modernization is linked not only to economic growth but also to improving public well-being, expanding opportunities and strengthening grassroots governance.

Xi's address echoed this perspective by underscoring the importance of relying closely on the people to create new historical feats. Xi urged Party members to "further reinvigorate the enterprising spirit for getting things done".

The sustainable development of China ultimately depends on broad public participation and should bring about tangible improvements in people's livelihoods.

Global economic headwinds, geopolitical tensions and accelerating technological competition have all contributed to a more challenging international landscape. Against this backdrop, Xi called on the whole Party to actively respond to risks and challenges on the path ahead.

"China's development is now in a period where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and where uncertain and unpredictable factors are on the rise. We must always be prepared to withstand major tests of high winds and raging waves, and even violent storms," Xi warned.

That entails resilience and preparedness as enduring priorities rather than temporary responses to specific events. So greater emphasis should be placed on coordinating development with security and strengthening governance capacity across multiple sectors.

The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, with humanity once again standing at a crossroads of choice. Yet China's vision for international engagement remains constant.

"We must continuously promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity," Xi said.

China will continue promoting multilateral cooperation and dialogue as the means to find solutions to shared global challenges. Xi's address reinforced that position by linking China's domestic modernization with its broader engagement in international governance.

The importance attached to Party self-governance also featured prominently throughout Xi's remarks. Continuous efforts to strengthen discipline, improve governance effectiveness and maintain organizational vitality have become characteristics of Party-building endeavors.

He stressed advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance with sustained efforts to win "the tough, protracted and all-out battle against corruption".

The CPC has grown from a small group of just over 50 members when it was founded in 1921 to be the world's largest governing party with tremendous global influence. According to the latest census, the CPC now has nearly 101.29 million members and over 5.43 million primary-level Party organizations.

At the gathering, Xi conferred the July 1 Medal, the Party's highest honor, on model CPC members, whose work spans scientific innovation, rural vitalization, public services and community development. The recognition of their achievements demonstrated how dedication, professionalism and service at the grassroots level are regarded as essential contributions to Party building and national development.

Viewed together, the Wednesday gathering presents a coherent picture of China's current development priorities. Mutually reinforcing political continuity, people-centered development, resilience in the face of uncertainty, international cooperation and strengthened Party governance will help the country advance on the next stage of its modernization journey.