XINHUA, Beijing
Chinese people will never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress, or subjugate them, said President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
“Anyone who would attempt to do so will find themselves on a collision course with a great wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people,” said Xi, also the chairman of the Central Military Commission, at a ceremony on Thursday in Beijing marking the centenary of the CPC.
"We have never bullied, oppressed, or subjugated the people of any other country, and we never will," he said.
China has always worked to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, and preserve international order, Xi said, calling for continuous efforts to promote the building of a human community with a shared future.
He said the CPC and the Chinese people, through tenacious struggle, have shown the world that China's national rejuvenation has become a historical inevitability.
They have shown the world that the Chinese nation has achieved the tremendous transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong, Xi said.
The Chinese leader said the image China presents to the world today is one of a thriving nation that is advancing with unstoppable momentum toward rejuvenation.
The CPC is rallying and leading the Chinese people on a new journey toward realising the second centenary goal, Xi noted.
"It is certain that with the firm leadership of the Party and the great unity of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, we will achieve the goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects and fulfil the Chinese Dream of great national rejuvenation," he said.
The Chinese president said the great founding spirit of the CPC is the Party's source of strength.
He said the founding spirit, developed by the pioneers of Communism in China, consists of several principles -- upholding truth and ideals, staying true to the original aspiration and founding mission, fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice, and remaining loyal to the Party and faithful to the people.
Xi said any attempt to divide the Party from the Chinese people or to set the people against the Party is bound to fail.
"The more than 95 million Party members and the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people will never allow such a scenario to come to pass," he said.
The Chinese leader said the firm leadership of the CPC must be upheld.
The leadership of the Party is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and constitutes the greatest strength of this system, he said.
It is the foundation and lifeblood of the Party and the country, and the crux upon which the interests and wellbeing of all Chinese people depend, he added.
China Daily adds: The grand gathering celebrating the centenary of the Communist Party of China was held at Tian'anmen Square at the heart of Beijing.
Premier Li Keqiang announced the beginning of the ceremony.
Military aircraft flew over Tian'anmen Square in echelons. Helicopters flew in the formation of "100," representing the 100 years of the Party. A 100-gun salute was fired. A national flag-raising ceremony was held.
A congratulatory message jointly issued by eight other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation was read out at the ceremony.
Representatives of the Chinese Communist Youth League members and Young Pioneers saluted the CPC and expressed commitment to the Party's cause.
