Chinese President Xi Jinping instructs cadres to "prepare for critical moments" ahead of the Party Congress

Speech Ahead of the 20th Party Congress Confirming Third Term

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized "be prepared for important moments" at a gathering of national growth and minister-level officials.

According to major local media including China's state-run Xinhua News Agency and Hong Kong's South China Morning Post on the 28th, President Xi made these remarks during a two-day seminar held the day before ahead of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which will decide on his third term. The seminar was held in Beijing from the 26th to 27th under the theme "Studying the Important Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's Speech and Welcoming the 20th Party Congress."

President Xi stated, "This Party Congress is a very important meeting held at a crucial moment in our new journey toward building a socialist modernized country," and emphasized, "We will scientifically discuss major policies related to the future of the Party and the country, the future and destiny of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." He urged, "We must firmly grasp the issues of unbalanced and inadequate development and focus on strengthening our weaknesses." Xi also said that at this Party Congress, development goals and major policies for China over the next five years and beyond will be presented to achieve socialist modernization by 2035.

He also called for strengthening the leadership of the Communist Party of China. He said, "The key to fully building a socialist modernized country and realizing various tasks of the new era and new journey lies with the Party," adding, "As the world's largest Marxist ruling party, our Party must forever maintain a clear mind and firmness to consolidate its long-term ruling status and win the hearts of the people." Furthermore, he warned, "Practice repeatedly reminds us that we must never relax our vigilance in managing the Party," emphasizing, "We must strictly govern the Party, deeply promote Party building and new great tasks in the new era, and lead social revolution through the Party's self-revolution."

President Xi also mentioned his achievements, stating that China has succeeded in pioneering a new path. He said, "The great transformation of the past decade in the new era holds milestone significance in the history of the Party, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening-up, the history of socialist development, and the history of the Chinese nation's development," praising the accomplishments of his term over the past ten years. He continued, "Over the past decade, we have adhered to the three major important ideologies?Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory?and the scientific outlook on development, fully implementing the thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era," emphasizing, "Through strategic measures and transformative practices, we have achieved breakthrough progress and a series of symbolic achievements." He claimed, "We have solved long-standing problems, overcome risks and challenges in political, economic, and ideological fields, and achieved historic transformations in Party and state affairs."

Regarding the past five years, he described them as "very unusual and extraordinary," urging unity in facing crises and challenges while continuing to pursue the development of a socialist modern society. He said, "Despite the sudden COVID-19 pandemic, we achieved the best results in the world in balancing economic development and epidemic prevention," and added, "Facing rapid changes in the international situation, we protected the nation's dignity and core interests and firmly secured our country's development and security leadership."

Meanwhile, the exact date of this year's Party Congress has not yet been specified but is expected to be held in mid to late October. The Congress is anticipated to decide on Xi Jinping's 'third term' as well as promote younger officials to senior positions through major leadership reshuffles.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.