Day to cherish at start of new journey

The ceremony progresses at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Thursday. LIU JINHAI/XINHUA

While reviewing the CPC's century-old history and its significant role in rallying and leading the Chinese people to secure victories in revolution, construction and reform, he stressed the Party's commitment to achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Resolving the Taiwan question to realize China's complete reunification is a historic mission and an unshakable commitment of the Party as well as the shared aspiration of all the Chinese people, Xi said, adding that resolute actions must be taken to defeat any attempt at "Taiwan independence", and to create a bright future for national rejuvenation.

"No one should underestimate the resolve, the will, and the ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

Xi called on the whole Party to take history as a mirror, stay true to the Party's founding aspirations and mission and uphold the people-centered philosophy to create a brighter future in the new era.

Calling the people "true heroes, for it is they who create history", he said that the people are all that matters.

The CPC has always represented the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people, Xi said, and any attempt to divide the Party from the 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 underlined the need to wholeheartedly serve the people, stick to the people-centered development philosophy, promote people's democracy and uphold social fairness and justice.