Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 30 (Xinhua) -- A reception celebrating the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People on the evening of the 30th. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the reception and delivered an important speech. He emphasized that achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a great undertaking unprecedented in history. Both the aspirations and the challenges inspire us to seize the day and never slacken our spirit of struggle. We must unite more closely around the Party Central Committee, forge ahead with determination, work diligently, and strive to write a more brilliant chapter in China's modernization.
Li Qiang presided over the reception, which was attended by Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng. Approximately 800 Chinese and foreign guests gathered to celebrate the birthday of the People's Republic of China.
The banquet hall of the Great Hall of the People was ablaze with lights, filled with a festive and lively atmosphere. Above the rostrum hung the solemn national emblem, the era "1949-2025" in large characters standing out against the vibrant red flag.
At around 5:30 p.m., to the cheerful rendition of "Welcome Song," Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders entered the banquet hall, waved to the audience, and the audience erupted in applause.
The reception began. The audience stood and sang the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, while the majestic "March of the Volunteers" echoed throughout the hall.
Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. First, on behalf of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, he extended holiday greetings to the people of all ethnic groups across the country, to the officers and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the Armed Police Force, to all democratic parties and non-partisan personages. He also extended sincere greetings to our compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to friendly countries and international friends who have long cared for and supported China's development.
Xi Jinping pointed out that over the past 76 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Party has led the people through self-reliance and continuous struggle, achieving brilliant achievements that will go down in history. Looking back on history, the Chinese nation has journeyed from the brink of extinction to great rejuvenation, a journey filled with hardships and arduous struggles, but also with pride and triumph. Not long ago, we solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which greatly inspired the national spirit, stimulated patriotic enthusiasm, and consolidated the strength of struggle. We must continue to draw on historical experience to build our country better and ensure the continued prosperity of the cause pioneered by the older generation of leaders and revolutionary martyrs.
Xi Jinping emphasized that since the beginning of this year, despite complex circumstances, we have further comprehensively deepened reform, solidly promoted high-quality development, focused on ensuring and improving people's livelihoods, and deepened comprehensive and strict governance of the Party. New progress and new achievements have been made in all aspects of the Party and the state. Next month, our Party will convene the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee to study and formulate proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan. We must closely focus on the Party's central tasks in the new era and new journey, and carefully plan and implement the goals, tasks, and strategic measures for the 15th Five-Year Plan to ensure decisive progress in basically achieving socialist modernization.
Xi Jinping pointed out that on this new journey, we must unswervingly implement the "one country, two systems" policy, support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating into the overall national development, and better develop the economy and improve people's livelihoods. We must deepen cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, resolutely oppose separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" and external interference, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Xi Jinping emphasized that in the face of an international landscape undergoing accelerating changes over a century, we must vigorously uphold the shared values of all mankind, practice true multilateralism, promote the implementation of global initiatives on development, security, civilization, and governance, and work with all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Amidst the cheerful music, Chinese and foreign guests raised their glasses to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, wishing China prosperity and its people well-being, and wishing the everlasting friendship between the Chinese people and the people of all countries in the world.
Also attending the reception were: members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, secretaries of the CPC Central Secretariat, vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, vice premiers and state councilors of the State Council, director of the National Supervisory Commission, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, vice chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and comrades who have retired from leadership positions; as well as members of the Central Military Commission and comrades who have served as members of the Central Military Commission.
Leaders of relevant central Party, government, military, and mass organizations departments and Beijing Municipal Government; leaders of the central committees of democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and representatives of non-party members; representatives of recipients of honors and awards in Beijing; representatives of national model workers and outstanding figures; representatives of ethnic minorities who have made significant contributions to the stability, development, and unity of ethnic minority areas; residents of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, Taiwan compatriots, and overseas Chinese in Beijing; diplomatic envoys to China; representatives of international organizations in China; and some foreign experts.
On the morning of September 30, Party and state leaders including Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended the ceremony of presenting wreaths to the people's heroes on Martyrs' Day in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.
On the morning of September 30, Party and state leaders including Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended the ceremony of presenting wreaths to the people's heroes on Martyrs' Day in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. (This photo shows Xi Jinping adjusting the ribbon on the flower basket.)
On the morning of September 30, Party and state leaders including Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended the ceremony of presenting wreaths to the people's heroes on Martyrs' Day in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.