(FOCAC) Full text: Toast by Chinese President Xi Jinping at welcoming banquet of 2024 FOCAC summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a welcome banquet for international guests attending the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted the banquet here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on Wednesday hosted a banquet to welcome international guests who are in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The following is the full text of the toast by President Xi at the banquet.

Toast by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Welcoming Banquet of the

2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation

Beijing, September 4, 2024

Your Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye,

Distinguished Colleagues and Your Spouses,

Friends and Distinguished Guests,

Good evening!

It is my great pleasure to meet you here on the eve of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in the name of my wife and myself, I extend a warm welcome to you all.

To quote a Chinese poem, "True friends always feel close to each other, no matter the distance between them." I have been to Africa 10 times and hosted many African leaders in China. All our meetings have been cordial and heartwarming. They have reinforced my belief that the China-Africa community with a shared future is built on a strong foundation, has been blessed with a good start, and enjoys broad prospects. It sets a stellar example for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The China-Africa community with a shared future is deeply rooted in our traditional friendship. Since the mid-20th century, we have been fighting shoulder to shoulder imperialism, colonialism, and hegemonism, and advancing hand in hand along the path of development, revitalization, and modernization. China-Africa friendship remains robust and is growing stronger through generations no matter how the world changes.

The China-Africa community with a shared future thrives on the strength of win-win cooperation. Twenty-four years ago, FOCAC was born at the dawn of a new century. Through this key cooperation platform, we have together built roads, railways, schools, hospitals, industrial parks, and special economic zones. These projects have changed the lives and destiny of many people.

The China-Africa community with a shared future grows in step with the times. Following the Eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference in Dakar in 2021, we have worked together to fully implement the nine programs and deliver on other outcomes of the meeting. We pulled together in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. We maintained close cooperation and coordination on major international and regional issues. Together we have made the voice of the Global South stronger.

Friends and Distinguished Guests,

We human beings have been dreaming of a community with a shared future, and modernization is what it takes to turn our dream into reality. China and Africa have been, and remain, pioneers in building this community, and we will stay at the forefront in pursuing modernization. I am confident that as long as the 2.8 billion-strong Chinese and African people are united for this common goal, we will accomplish new and even greater feats together on the way toward modernization, spearhead the modernization drive of the Global South, and make greater contributions to a community with a shared future for mankind.

Now, I would like to propose a toast:

To the prosperity of China and African countries and the well-being of our people;

To the everlasting friendship between the Chinese and African people;

To the success of the Summit; and

To the health of all distinguished guests and your families.

Cheers! ■

Xi demands all-out efforts to carry out reform tasks

BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over the sixth meeting of the Central Commission for Deepening Overall Reform on the morning of Aug. 29 and delivered an important speech. He is also director of the commission. Xi emphasized that further deepening reform comprehensively is being advanced based on the foundation of deepening reform across the board since the new era, and that it has a solid foundation and favorable conditions. It is necessary to make good use of the existing reform achievements and important experience, to emancipate the mind, seek truth from facts, keep pace with the times, take a realistic and pragmatic approach, and fully mobilize the enthusiasm of all parties to ensure the successful implementation of the reform tasks.

Li Qiang, Wang Huning, and Cai Qi attended the meeting. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy directors of the Central Commission for Deepening Overall Reform.

The meeting reviewed and adopted a plan for central Party and state departments to implement major reform measures set in a key resolution adopted last month at the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and a guideline on implementing the strategy for upgrading pilot free trade zones.

The meeting underscored that the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee made arrangements for further deepening reform comprehensively, and put forward over 300 major reform measures. It is imperative to uphold the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over reform and strictly enforce the system for requesting instructions and reporting. The strategic priorities and key directions of reform must be accurately grasped, and the order, pace, and timing of reform measures must be reasonably arranged. Reform should be more closely integrated with economic and social development and the implementation of landmark reform measures should be accelerated. Efforts should be made to strengthen the systematic integration of reforms, enhance the consistency of reform policy orientations, actively assess the impact of reform on economic and social development, and forge synergy between reform and development.

The implementation mechanism of reform should be optimized and coordination on major issues should be strengthened. All reform-initiating departments and participating departments should dare to shoulder responsibility, take solid steps, strengthen research and demonstration of major reforms, and formulate reform organization and implementation plans. Efforts should be made to strengthen the supervision, evaluation, and inspection of reform, and actual results and the satisfaction of the people should be the yardstick of reform, according to the meeting.

The meeting highlighted the milestone and pioneering institutional innovations introduced by the country's 22 pilot free trade zones since the 18th CPC National Congress held in 2012, which play an effective role in serving as a comprehensive pilot platform for reform and opening up. The purpose to implement the plan of the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the strategy for upgrading pilot free trade zones is to carry out exploration in a wider range and at a deeper level, and realize the comprehensive upgrade of institutional opening up of pilot free trade zones, and the effectiveness of systematic reform as well as the quality of an open economy.

It's necessary to adhere to the high-quality opening up as the guide and institutional innovation as the core while encouraging testing pilot programs, conducting pioneering and integrated exploration, promoting innovative development of the entire industrial chain, enhancing the overall competitiveness of foreign trade, promoting investment liberalization and facilitation, and improving the policy system that focuses on trade, investment, capital flow, transportation, free and convenient personnel exchanges, and secure and orderly flow of data. It is necessary to coordinate development and security, steadily expand opening up by making institutional improvement in rules, regulations, management and standards, and improve risk prevention and control capabilities.

Members of the Central Commission for Deepening Overall Reform and leading officials from central Party and state departments attended the meeting. ■

CPC leadership reviews measures on western region's development

BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Friday to review policies and measures to open up a new vista in the large-scale development of China's western region. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the meeting.

The meeting noted that the large-scale development of the western region is a major strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee. It is imperative to thoroughly understand the strategic intent of the CPC Central Committee, accurately grasp the positioning and mission of the large-scale development of the western region in promoting Chinese modernization, maintain strategic resolve, consistently implement relevant measures, focus on well-coordinated environmental conservation, large-scale opening-up, and high-quality development, and move faster to create a new pattern of development to elevate overall regional strength and sustainable development capacity.

The meeting stressed that efforts should be made to deepen reform comprehensively, further unleash and develop the productive forces, tap into and boost the vitality of society, and blaze a path of Chinese modernization that suits the realities of the region. The region must take into account the functional positioning and industrial foundation, to develop distinctive and competitive industries that leverage local strengths, enhance scientific and technological innovation capabilities, and promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries. Work must be done to promote high-level environmental conservation, build a beautiful western region, coordinate the integrated conservation and systematic management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, thoroughly carry out pollution prevention and control, and advance green and low-carbon development.

The meeting urged the western region to increase the internal driving force for development, enhance the openness of the economy, enhance capacity building for security in key areas, strengthen the guarantee capacity of energy and resources, and promote the construction of clean energy bases. It is necessary to advance the new urbanization in accordance with local conditions, make solid efforts to promote rural revitalization across the board, consolidate and expand the poverty alleviation achievements, and make sure that there will be no falling or relapsing into poverty on a large scale in rural areas. The meeting also noted that a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation should be forged to safeguard ethnic unity and stability in border areas. The Central Leading Group for Coordinated Regional Development should strengthen the overall coordination, make clear specific tasks, and facilitate the fulfillment of the tasks. Relevant departments should conduct research, put forward targeted policies and measures and strive to achieve substantial results. Party committees and governments at all levels in the western region should shoulder their principal responsibilities, strive for better development, and form synergy in work. It is necessary to take steady steps forward with strong determination and persistent efforts and solidly carry out all arrangements to write a new chapter in the large-scale development of the western region.

Some other issues were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Xi urges advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics at symposium held to mark Deng Xiaoping's 120th birth anniversary

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a symposium on the morning of Aug. 22 at the Great Hall of the People to commemorate the 120th birth anniversary of Comrade Deng Xiaoping. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivered an important speech. Xi emphasized that Comrade Deng Xiaoping is recognized by the entire Party, the military, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country as an outstanding leader with high prestige, a great Marxist, a great proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist, diplomat, and a long-tested communist fighter. Deng was the core of the second generation of the Party's central collective leadership, the chief architect of China's socialist reform, opening up and modernization, the trailblazer of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the principal creator of Deng Xiaoping Theory. He made significant contributions to world peace and development as a great internationalist. Deng made outstanding contributions to the Party, the people, the country, the nation, and the world. Deng's achievements have been immortalized in history and will always inspire future generations.

The symposium was attended by members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, as well as Vice President Han Zheng. The symposium was presided over by Cai Qi, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

In his speech, Xi noted that Comrade Deng Xiaoping's life was a glorious, fighting and extraordinary one. Deng made outstanding contributions to the Party-led causes of national independence and people's liberation, and to the founding of the People's Republic of China. He carried out highly effective work in establishing the socialist system and advancing socialist construction. After the end of the Cultural Revolution, as the core of the second generation of the Party's central collective leadership, Deng led the Party and the people in achieving a historic shift, drove a new leap forward in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, broke new ground in socialist modernization, set a right path for realizing China's complete reunification, firmly upheld the splendid banner of socialism, and successfully initiated socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi emphasized that Deng's historical achievements are comprehensive and groundbreaking, with profound and lasting impact on both China and the world. Deng's lifelong journey of struggle fully demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the lofty ideals of communism and the belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics, his deep love for the people, his adherence to the principle of seeking truth from facts, his political courage in continuous innovation, his far-sighted strategic thinking, and his broad-mindedness and selflessness. We will forever remember his great historical achievements and forever revere his noble revolutionary conduct.

Xi highlighted that the most important intellectual legacy left to us by Comrade Deng Xiaoping is Deng Xiaoping Theory, which he primarily developed. Deng Xiaoping Theory represents a significant milestone in the process of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. As we embark on a new journey of the new era, we must continue to thoroughly study and apply Deng Xiaoping Theory, fully and accurately grasp its scientific essence and core principles. This involves both adhering to the major conclusions, fundamental viewpoints, and correct propositions Deng Xiaoping made based on his understanding of the laws of socialism, and correctly grasping the theory's core and essence in light of changing circumstances to solve contemporary problems. This ensures our unwavering commitment to truth and our consistent application of theory in practice.

We must always uphold Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and fully implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is essential to steadfastly maintain Marxism as our guiding principle and China's fine traditional culture as our foundation, and learn from and absorb the outstanding achievements of human civilization. By continuously exploring truth and addressing the practical issues in advancing Chinese modernization, we can profoundly answer the questions posed by China, the world, the people, and the times. This will further advance the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, allowing the Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century to shine with even greater brilliance.

Xi emphasized that the best way to honor Comrade Deng Xiaoping is to continue advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics that he initiated. We must focus on the central task of building a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, carrying forward the legacy and striving for progress. It is essential to uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, further deepen reforms comprehensively, and continuously provide robust momentum and institutional guarantees for Chinese modernization.

We must prioritize high-quality development as the primary task, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy, and advance the coordinated implementation of the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy. We must move faster to build a modernized economy, work toward greater self-reliance in the science and technology sector, vigorously develop advanced socialist culture, and boost material and cultural-ethical advancement and harmony between humanity and nature.

We must adhere to the principle of putting people first, develop whole-process people's democracy, build a higher level of the rule of law in China, and ensure that development is accompanied by the safeguarding and improvement of people's livelihoods, thus making substantial progress toward common prosperity for all. We should also promote high-standard opening up to the outside world, steadily expand institutional openness, boost high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and balance openness with security to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

We must unswervingly advance the full and rigorous self-governance of the Party, improve the system for Party self-discipline, and resolutely win the tough and protracted battle against corruption. This ensures that the Party will never change its nature, its conviction, or its character, and it is always the firm core leadership guiding the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi noted that realizing China's complete reunification has long been the aspiration of Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and other members of the older generation of revolutionaries, a common will of Chinese people both at home and overseas, and an unstoppable historical trend. We should fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of "one country, two systems," under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We should support and promote the further integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the country's overall development, enabling them to achieve better development. We should resolutely implement the Party's overall policy framework for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and oppose "Taiwan independence" to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China has always been a staunch force for world peace. We should always uphold peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, advance the building of a human community with a shared future, and champion humanity's shared values. We should implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, take an active role in the reform and development of the global governance system, and create new opportunities for the world with new progress in advancing Chinese modernization, Xi said.

While presiding over the meeting, Cai Qi said that General Secretary Xi's important speech profoundly reviewed the glorious, fighting, and great life of Comrade Deng Xiaoping. Xi's speech lauded the great historical achievements of Deng in leading the CPC and the Chinese people to usher in the new period of reform and opening up, and socialist modernization, in initiating socialism with Chinese characteristics, and in establishing Deng Xiaoping Theory. Xi's speech emphasized the need to faithfully study and apply Deng Xiaoping Theory, to learn from Deng's noble revolutionary demeanor, and to carry forward the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics that Deng initiated. The speech is insightful, profound, and of political, ideological and theoretical significance. It is of great importance to guiding the Party to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics under new conditions in the new era. We should earnestly study, grasp, and thoroughly implement Xi's speech, and jointly strive to build a strong country and realize national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

At the symposium, Qu Qingshan, president of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, Miao Hua, a member of the CMC and director of the Political Work Department of the CMC, and Wang Xiaohui, secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the CPC, delivered speeches in turn.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, as well as relevant leading officials from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the CMC attended the symposium.

Also in attendance were leading officials from relevant central authorities, the Beijing municipal government and the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the CPC, representatives of central committees of non-CPC parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation, relatives of Deng Xiaoping, his former staff and representatives from his hometown, and participants of a national academic seminar to commemorate the 120th birth anniversary of Deng Xiaoping. ■

Xi meets Chinese sports delegation, hails Olympians for winning glory for country

BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with all members of the Chinese sports delegation to the 33rd Summer Olympic Games at the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of Aug. 20. He emphasized that during the Paris Olympics, the team united as one, fought tenaciously, and courageously pursued excellence, fulfilling their mission and achieving the best results in the history of China's participation in overseas Summer Olympic Games. This accomplishment marked a dual victory in both competition results and sportsmanship, bringing honor to the nation and the people, he said. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, Xi welcomed the delegation back, extended warm congratulations and sincere regards to the members, and conveyed heartfelt greetings to all comrades of the sports sector nationwide.

The meeting was also attended by Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Li Xi, who are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, as well as Vice President Han Zheng.

The Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People was filled with a festive and lively atmosphere. Around 3:20 p.m., Xi and other Party and state leaders arrived to join the members of the delegation, greeted by prolonged and enthusiastic applause from the entire room. Xi and the other leaders warmly shook hands with everyone and took group photos to commemorate the occasion.

Amid the enthusiastic applause, Xi delivered an important speech. He stated that the outstanding achievements of the Chinese sports delegation are not only a concentrated reflection of the progress and development in China's sports endeavors but also a microcosm of the accomplishments in Chinese modernization, fully demonstrating the strength of China in the new era. When the nation prospers, its sports thrive; when the country is strong, its sports are strong. The fundamental reason why China has joined the ranks of the world's leading sports nations and become a major Olympic player is the country's growing national strength. This has provided sound technological and material support for sports training as well as a good environment and broad foundation for the development of talent in various sports. In the new era and on the new journey, endeavors to build a great country and move toward national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization will undoubtedly provide better conditions for and inject a strong impetus into the development of China's sports industry. China must continue to vigorously develop sports with a people-centered approach, promote the deep integration of national fitness and national health initiatives, and move constantly toward the goals of building China into a sports powerhouse and healthy nation.

Xi pointed out that the outstanding achievements of the Chinese delegation have carried forward the Chinese sports spirit and the Olympic spirit, allowing the spirit of the Chinese nation and the spirit of the times to shine together. They have vividly embodied the spirit of China in the new era. On the field, everyone kept the Party's and the people's trust in mind, with powerful pledges like "National honor always surpasses individual glory" and "I dedicate this gold medal to our great motherland." These words echoed with conviction, showcasing a deep love for the motherland and a determination to bring glory to the nation. They also demonstrated an indomitable fighting spirit, an unwavering belief in victory, the invaluable quality of teamwork, and the confident, optimistic and friendly demeanor of the new generation of Chinese youth. You have shown the world the profound heritage of China's fine traditional culture, the openness, inclusiveness and enterprising spirit of modern China, and the determination, invincible spirit and confidence of the Chinese people. The motherland and the people are proud of you and applaud your achievements.

Xi stressed that the Chinese delegation has been committed to winning gold medals for morality, conduct and integrity, and has demonstrated sportsmanship and earned broad respect and recognition, fully showcasing the image of China in the new era. On the field, everyone followed the rules, respected their opponents, referees and spectators, and maintained good sportsmanship and civilized etiquette. They remained humble in victory and resilient in defeat. They have achieved gold medals in competition, morality and sportsmanship.

Noting that preparations for the next Olympics have started, Xi expressed his hope that the country's Olympians will remain humble and make persistent efforts to improve their performance in training and competitions. Efforts should be made to further develop strengths and address weaknesses, accelerate talent development, and ensure high-quality preparations. Competitive sports and mass sports complement each other. He hoped that the Olympians will help to further enhance the overall strength of competitive sports, promote national fitness and the vigorous development of youth sports, and make new contributions to building the country into a sports powerhouse.

The meeting was also attended by Wang Yi, Liu Guozhong, Li Shulei, Li Hongzhong, He Weidong and Chen Wu, along with leading officials from relevant central Party and state organs, as well as leading sports department officials from all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. ■

Xi stresses enhancing Party building in instructions to central Party and state departments

BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has recently issued important instructions on how central Party and state departments should study and implement the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and promote the high-quality development of Party building. Xi noted that studying and implementing the guiding principles well is and will continue to be a major political task for the whole Party and the entire country at the present and for some time to come. As the vanguards in executing the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, central Party and state departments should lead by example in comprehensively studying, publicizing, and putting into action the guiding principles from the plenary session.

Xi stressed that on the new journey of the new era, it is necessary for the central Party and state departments to adhere to and strengthen the overall leadership of the Party and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, deeply understand and grasp the theme, major principles, major measures and fundamental guarantees of further comprehensively deepening reform, and take the lead and set an example in further comprehensively deepening reform and promoting Chinese modernization. It is imperative to thoroughly implement the important ideas of the CPC Central Committee on Party building and the important ideas of the Party's self-reform, sum up and make good use of the practical experience of implementing the spirit of the Party building work conference of central Party and state departments, and deepen the reform of the Party building system. It is imperative to take the lead in ensuring the "Two Upholds," furthering theory study, consolidating the foundation at the primary level, and improving conduct, enforcing discipline and fighting against corruption. It is necessary to comprehensively improve the quality of Party building in central Party and state departments, lead by example in the in-depth study and implementation of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, maintaining a high degree of unity with the CPC Central Committee, and resolutely implementing its decisions and arrangements, and build these departments into role models. The Working Committee of the Central Party and State Institutions (WCCPSI) must fulfill its duties more effectively, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and do a good job in implementing policies and plans, taking new responsibilities and making new achievements in promoting high-quality development through high-quality Party building.

The symposium on studying and implementing the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and promoting high-quality development of Party building in central Party and state departments was held in Beijing on July 31. Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the WCCPSI, attended the meeting, conveyed important instructions from General Secretary Xi Jinping, and delivered a speech.

Cai pointed out that the central Party and state departments should strengthen their political standing, study and implement the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping. It is imperative to gain a profound understanding of the significance of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, fully understand the new ideas, new viewpoints, and new judgments put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping on comprehensively deepening reform, and gain a good command of what the resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee is all about, so as to align thoughts and actions with the Party Central Committee's decisions and arrangements. He emphasized the need for central Party and state departments to do what they should in fulfilling missions and tasks, firmly follow the correct political direction, make sure those in charge take responsibility, effectively implement reform measures, and adopt scientific methods. It is crucial to fully motivate Party organizations, members and officials at all levels to proactively and creatively promote reform and development, so as to implement the guiding principles from the third plenary session with a strong sense of responsibility.

He highly commended what all departments have done and achieved in recent years in implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speeches and directives concerning Party building in central Party and state departments. He noted that Party organizations, members and officials at all levels within central Party and state departments should enhance political loyalty and improve capabilities to do political work. They should have a thorough understanding of the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," and constantly strengthen awareness of the "Four Consciousnesses" and "Four Confidences," thus taking the lead in ensuring the "Two Upholds."

It is essential to promote the study of the Party's new theories, improve the long-term mechanism for officials to forge inner strength, acquire wisdom, rectify conduct and improve work performance through study, and strengthen the education of and guidance on young officials so that they can play their due roles well. It is imperative to not only make up deficiencies but also improve work quality and functions to consolidate the foundation at the primary level. Efforts should be continued to combat corruption, refine the systems and mechanisms for tackling pointless formalities and bureaucratism, and establish a discipline education mechanism that combines regular study with intensive study. Responsibilities for Party building must be placed on specific persons in the departments, and the compulsory constraints of institutions must be further intensified, so as to promote the high-quality development of Party building in central Party and state departments through deepening related institutional reform. Such endeavors will provide strong guarantee for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization.

Those who took the floor at the meeting included leading officials of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the General Office of the State Council.

Jiang Xinzhi was present at the meeting.

Those also present at the meeting included secretaries of the leading Party members groups (Party committees) of the relevant central Party and state departments, secretaries and executive deputy secretaries of the Party affairs committees of all central Party and state departments, and leading officials of the WCCPSI. ■

Xi calls for modernizing China's border, sea, air defense

BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held its 16th group study session on July 30. The topic was promoting the building of modern border, sea and air defense.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the session, and delivered an important speech.

He stressed that advancing the building of modern border, sea and air defense is an inherent requirement of national defense and modernization of the military. It is the rightful approach to ensuring high-quality development with high-level security. It is of great significance to comprehensively promote the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization.

To do the work well in this regard, it is imperative to steadfastly uphold the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focus on the overall national security and military strategy, and coordinate both domestic and international imperatives.

It is also important for those in relevant sectors to grasp the new circumstances, characteristics and requirements of the work to develop border, sea and air defense, strengthen their sense of responsibility, foster innovative ideas and measures, do solid work in implementing policies and plans, and strive towards building strong, secure and modern border, sea and air defense.

This group study session was held prior to the Army Day, which falls on Aug. 1. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission (CMC), Xi extended festive greetings to all commanders and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army, officers and soldiers of the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel posted in the military, and members of militia and reserve forces.

Huang Jizhong from the CMC's Joint Staff Department gave a lecture on issues concerning the building of modern border, sea and air defense and put forward suggestions. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened attentively and had discussions afterward.

Xi delivered an important speech after listening to the lecture and discussions. He pointed out that border, sea and air defense is important symbol of national sovereignty, crucial gateway to national security and important guarantee of national development, to which the CPC has always attached great importance.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee has consistently placed the development of border, sea and air defense in an important position in governing the country, strengthened the joint efforts of the Party, government, military, police, and civilians to consolidate the border defense, led a series of major reforms in the leadership and management system, structure of forces, and policy system concerning border, sea and air defense, commanded and carried out a series of major actions in this regard, having effectively defended China's territorial sovereignty as well as maritime rights and interests, and safeguarded national security and strategic initiative for development.

As a result, historic achievements have been made in the development of our country's border, sea and air defense. We are at a new starting point in this regard.

Xi noted that, as the world undergoes profound changes of a magnitude unseen in a century at an accelerating pace, the connotations and denotations of China's border, sea and air defense have changed dramatically, and the influencing factors have become more intricate and complex. As a result, the development of the country's border, sea and air defense is confronted with new opportunities and challenges.

It is imperative to adhere to systems thinking, strengthen overall coordination, and enhance the comprehensive capability to safeguard national sovereignty and border security.

Efforts should be made to coordinate the development of border, sea and air defense with the economic and social progress of border and coastal regions, strengthen infrastructure connectivity and collaborative construction and utilization, and establish a defense system that effectively ensures security while supporting development.

It is essential to strengthen technological empowerment, enhance the development of new methods and conditions for border, sea and air defense, and build an intelligent and multi-dimensional control system in this regard. It is also important to foster neighborly relations and pragmatic cooperation with neighboring countries to create a favorable surrounding environment for the development of border, sea and air defense.

Xi stressed that it is imperative to conscientiously implement the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, conduct in-depth research on major issues related to border, sea and air defense, consolidate and improve what has been achieved in reform, do a good job in fulfilling existing reform tasks, and intensify efforts to make arrangements for follow-up reform, so as to explore new ways of developing border, sea and air defense.

It is essential to ensure simultaneous actions on operation, reform and improvement, optimize the leadership management system of border, sea and air defense, refine the mechanism for military-civilian coordination, and strengthen the relevant legal system, so as to ensure that all aspects of work related to border, sea and air defense are regularized, orderly, smooth and efficient.

It is imperative to do a good job in managing the country's air traffic, and promote the healthy development of the low-altitude economy. The mode for developing civil air defense should also be optimized, and a modern civil air defense should be built.

Xi stressed that border, sea and air defense involves multiple departments and levels across both military and civilian sectors. It is imperative to strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, give full play to the strengths of the combined efforts of the Party, government, military, police, and civilian sectors in reinforcing border stability and national defense, strengthen military-civilian joint planning, task alignment and resource integration in border, sea and air defense, and improve coordination of command and action between the military, police, and civilians to see that they unite as one and make joint efforts.

It is important for the military to proactively communicate and coordinate with local governments. The relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and central government, as well as local Party committees and governments, must strengthen awareness of national defense, diligently perform duties, and fully implement all tasks related to the development and consolidation of national defense. ■

CPC Central Committee seeks opinions, suggestions from non-CPC personages on economic work for second half of this year

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a symposium at Zhongnanhai in Beijing on July 26 to seek opinions and suggestions from leaders of the central committees of non-CPC political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and representatives of personages without party affiliation on the country's current economic situation and economic work for the second half of the year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech. Xi emphasized that in order to do the economic work well in the second half of the year, it is imperative to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully and faithfully implement the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerate the forging of a new development paradigm, develop new quality productive forces in line with local conditions, and strive to promote high-quality development. It is necessary to further deepen reform in an all-around way to promote Chinese modernization, intensify macro regulation, deepen innovation-driven development, tap the potential of domestic demand, strengthen new growth drivers and strengths, enhance the vitality of business entities, stabilize market expectations, increase public confidence, strengthen sustained economic recovery, effectively ensure and improve people's well-being, maintain social stability, and determinedly accomplish the economic and social development targets for the year.

Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, who are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. Entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, Li Qiang briefed the meeting on the economic work in the first half of the year and introduced relevant considerations about the economic work for the second half of the year.

Those who took the floor at the symposium included Zheng Jianbang, chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Ding Zhongli, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Hao Mingjin, chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, Cai Dafeng, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, He Wei, chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, Jiang Zuojun, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Wu Weihua, chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society, Su Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, Gao Yunlong, chairman of the ACFIC, and Ouyang Changqiong, a representative of personages without party affiliation. They fully agreed with the CPC Central Committee's analysis and judgment of the current economic situation and its planning and considerations about the economic work for the second half of the year. They put forward opinions and suggestions on further comprehensively deepening reform, promoting high-level opening up to the outside world, consolidating the industrial and technological foundation of new quality productive forces, deepening the reform of the scientific and technological system, promoting the reform of the management of natural resources, coordinating the development of the bio-manufacturing industry, supporting the transformation and upgrading of Taiwan-funded electronic information industry on the Chinese mainland, stabilizing employment and expanding employment opportunities for young people, boosting the implementation of policies to promote consumption, assisting the healthy development of enterprises and the real estate industry, and further boosting the non-public sector's confidence in development.

After listening to their speeches, Xi delivered an important speech. He stated that in the first half of this year, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, facing the complex and ever-changing domestic and international situations, we withstood pressure, took proactive actions, strengthened macro regulation, deepened reform and opening up, effectively responded to risks and challenges, and as a result, the economy continued to recover and improve, and new strides were made in promoting high-quality development.

Xi emphasized that the current difficulties and challenges arising in China's economic development are issues in the course of development and transformation, which can be fully overcome through efforts. We must boost our confidence in development, maintain strategic resolve, and proactively respond to problems and challenges, thereby achieving tangible results in advancing high-quality development to boost optimism on China's economy.

Xi pointed out that in the first half of the year, central committees of the non-CPC political parties and personages without party affiliation, centering around the central tasks of the Party and country, offered valuable suggestions on developing new quality productive forces in line with local conditions, keeping the domestic flow of the economy unclogged, raising the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system, promoting the integration of artificial intelligence with economic and social development, and alleviating local fiscal difficulties. They continuously exercised democratic oversight of the ecological conservation along the Yangtze River. What they have done has provided important references for the CPC Central Committee's scientific decision-making. Xi expressed heartfelt thanks to them on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi proposed three hopes to the other political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation. First, they should further study and implement the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, guide all their members and the people they represent to firmly grasp the major significance, principles and measures of further comprehensively deepening reform, and transform the decisions and arrangements made by the CPC Central Committee to the common will and conscious actions of all walks of life. Second, they should continue to reinforce the common ideological and political foundation of the united front, take solid steps to align their thinking with the analysis and judgment of the economic situation by the CPC Central Committee, have a correct understanding of the current situation, as well as problems arising in reform and development, and form a synergy to prevail over various risks and challenges that lie ahead. Third, they should continue to offer ideas and do what they can for achieving economic and social development targets. Focusing on implementing the major reform measures outlined at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, addressing significant challenges in economic and social development, and conducting preliminary research and preparations for the making of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), they should conduct in-depth fact-finding missions in order to offer advice for the scientific decision-making of the CPC Central Committee.

Shi Taifeng, Liu Guozhong, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing and Wu Zhenglong, along with leading officials of relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, attended the symposium.

Non-CPC personages also present at the symposium included Shao Hong, He Baoxiang, Wang Guangqian, Qin Boyong, Zhu Yongxin, Yang Zhen, Zhang Endi, Jiang Liping, An Lijia and Li Lin. ■

CPC leadership sets out economic priorities for 2nd half of 2024

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on July 30 to analyze the current economic situation, make arrangements for economic work in the second half of the year, and review "Certain Provisions on Rectifying Pointless Formalities to Reduce Burdens on the Grassroots." Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

It was noted at the meeting that since the beginning of this year, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, all regions and departments have risen to difficulties and taken proactive actions to deepen reform and opening up, strengthen macro regulation, and effectively respond to risks and challenges. As a result, the overall economic recovery and growth has been stable, and the upward trend has continued. The cultivation of new growth drivers and strengths has accelerated, high-quality development has been steadily promoted, and the overall social situation has remained stable.

It was pointed out at the meeting that the unfavorable conditions brought about by changes in the external environment have increased. There is a lack of effective domestic demand, economic growth shows signs of disparities, and there are still risks and hidden dangers in key areas, and difficulties in the transformation from old growth drivers to new ones. These are problems in the process of development and transformation. On the one hand, we must have a strong sense of preventing risks and prepare for worst-case scenarios to proactively respond to challenges. On the other hand, we must maintain firm strategic resolve, have greater confidence in development, and be optimistic about the bright prospects of the Chinese economy.

It was emphasized at the meeting that the task to promote reform, development and stability in the second half of the year is very heavy. It is imperative to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully and faithfully implement the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerate the forging of a new development paradigm, develop new quality productive forces in line with local conditions, and strive to promote high-quality development. It is necessary to further deepen reform in an all-round way to promote Chinese modernization, intensify macro regulation, deepen innovation-driven development, tap the potential of domestic demand, strengthen new growth drivers and strengths, enhance the vitality of business entities, stabilize market expectations, increase public confidence, strengthen sustained economic recovery, effectively ensure and improve people's well-being, maintain social stability, and determinedly accomplish the economic and social development targets for the year.

It was stressed at the meeting that reform should be promoted as the driving force to maintain stable growth, make structural adjustments and guard against risks. It is imperative to give full play to the leading role of economic restructuring to timely launch a number of reform measures that are ready, tangible and attainable. It is necessary to unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and unswervingly encourage, support, and guide the development of the non-public sector, and promote sectors under all forms of ownership to complement each other and seek common development. It is important to improve the basic system of market economy such as property rights protection, market access and bankruptcy as well as market exit, and prevent and rectify the use of administrative and criminal means by some localities to interfere in economic disputes. It is imperative to promote entrepreneurship and speed up the development of more world-class enterprises through reform, innovation and fair competition.

It was pointed out at the meeting that the implementation of macro policies should continue to be strengthened. It is imperative to intensify countercyclical regulation, implement a proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy, accelerate the comprehensive implementation of established policy measures, and have in stock and launch a batch of incremental policy measures in a timely manner. It is imperative to speed up the issuance and use of special bonds, put to good use ultra long-term special treasury bonds, support the building of the capacity for maintaining security in major strategies and key areas, and make greater efforts to promote large-scale equipment renewal and trade-in of durable consumer goods. It is imperative to optimize the structure of fiscal expenditure and make sure that basic living needs are met, salaries are paid and governments function smoothly at the primary level. Various monetary policy tools should be comprehensively utilized, financial support for the real economy should be increased, and work should be done to stabilize and reduce the overall cost of social financing. It is essential to maintain the basic stability of the RMB exchange rate at a reasonable and balanced level. It is imperative to effectively enhance the consistency of macro policy orientation and form a strong synergy of all aspects to promote high-quality development. Moreover, it is important to continue to leverage the role of major economically developed provinces in supporting the growth of the national economy.

It was noted at the meeting that the emphasis should be placed on boosting consumption to expand domestic demand, and the focus of economic policies should shift towards bringing real benefits to the people and promoting consumption. It is necessary to increase residents' income through multiple channels, enhance the capability and willingness of the medium-to-low income groups for consumption, make service consumption a major driver in the expansion and upgrading of consumption, and support consumption in cultural tourism, elderly care, childcare, domestic services and other areas. In addition, efforts should be made to further stimulate the enthusiasm of private investment, and expand effective investment.

The need was emphasized at the meeting to cultivate and expand emerging and future industries. It is imperative to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, strive for breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries. Efforts must be made to support the development of "gazelle" and "unicorn" enterprises. It is a must to reinforce industry self-discipline to prevent vicious "involution" competition. Market competition mechanism must be strengthened to ensure smooth channels for the exit of outdated and inefficient production capacities.

The need was emphasized at the meeting to advance high-level opening up. It is essential to further efforts for creating a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized. Steady progress should be made in expanding institutional opening up, requirements should be implemented to gradually eliminate restrictions on access for foreign investment to the manufacturing sector, and a new round of pilot measures should be carried out to expand opening up of the service sector, so as to promote the steady increase in the utilization of foreign capital. It is imperative to actively foster new growth drivers for the development of foreign trade, and expand trade in intermediate goods and green trade. It is essential to solidly advance the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The importance was stressed at the meeting to continuously prevent and mitigate risks in key areas. It is imperative to implement well the new policies for the stable and healthy development of the real estate market, and it is important to reduce inventory and optimize new supply of housing. The purchasing of existing commercial housing to be used as affordable housing should be actively supported. Work must be done to ensure the delivery of presold houses, and accelerate the establishment of a new model for the development of the real estate sector. It is essential to improve and implement a package of local debt-clearing plans and create conditions for speeding up efforts to defuse debt risks of local financing platforms. It is also essential to coordinate efforts to prevent risks, tighten regulation and promote development, so as to boost investors' confidence and enhance the underlying stability of the capital market.

It was noted at the meeting that solid steps should be taken to advance rural revitalization across the board, consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, and ensure that no large number of people in the rural areas become poverty-stricken again. It is imperative to strengthen farmland protection and quality improvement, and do a good job in agricultural production for a grain harvest for the whole year.

It was stressed at the meeting that efforts should be intensified to ensure and improve the people's well-being. It is imperative to strengthen the employment-first policy and deliver good results regarding providing employment support for key groups such as college graduates. It is essential to strengthen support for low-income residents and build a tightly-woven network of social security. It is imperative to do a good job in flood prevention, control and relief, secure adequate supply of electric power during the peak summer season, ensure workplace safety, and conscientiously solve issues related to food safety, social security and others. It is essential to further the fight against pollution and work prudently toward the goals of reaching peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. Research and preparations must be done well for the making of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

It was noted at the meeting that pointless formalities and bureaucratism are deep-seated problems which require greater efforts to address. Primary-level governments are the final stops for implementing the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, and therefore pointless formalities and bureaucratism should never be allowed to get in the way of their work. The Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee should persistently address this deep-rooted problem. The special working mechanism of the CPC Central Committee for rectifying pointless formalities to unburden grassroots officials of unnecessary workload must regularly supervise and inspect how work is done in this regard. All CPC central organs and central government departments, all provincial-level party committees and governments must be realistic in making work arrangements. Party committees at all levels below the provincial level must fully assume their principal responsibilities, and discipline inspection and supervision departments at all levels must strengthen their efforts in supervision and implementation of discipline and rules.

The need was stressed at the meeting to strengthen the building of systems and the efforts to make the systems work. Efforts should be coordinated to unburden grassroots officials of unnecessary workload and empower them. It is imperative to act on the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving Party conduct and its implementation rules, continuously reduce the number of meetings convened and documents issued, and regularize inspections, checks, and evaluations to effectively reduce their excessive frequency and complexity. It is crucial to strictly regulate the transfer of officials on secondment from the primary level, enhance the standardized management of government service mobile internet applications, and address "pointless formalities at one's fingertips." More efforts must be made to further clarify the rights and responsibilities of primary-level governments, facilitate the deployment of resources, services and management to the primary level, and streamline the creation of exemplary models and standard-setting activities, focusing instead on the good results such activities can yield.

Work must be done to address those prominent problems, about which Party members, general public at the primary level in particular, are gravely concerned, with swift action taken to deal with them as soon as they are identified. For those problems that are somewhat typical and widespread, concentrated efforts must be made to carry out special rectification and cleanup actions. It is important to effectively relieve the primary-level governments from the constraints of pointless formalities and bureaucratism, ensure that Party members and officials have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, take the lead in shouldering responsibility, and spend more energy on implementation of policies and plans. ■

Full text: Explanation of resolution of CPC Central Committee on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization

BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Explanation of the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization was made public on Sunday.

The explanation was made by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Please see the attachment for the English translation of the full text of this document.  Enditem

Full text: Explanation of resolution of CPC Central Committee on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization

Xi chairs symposium to solicit opinions of non-CPC personages on key reform resolution

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a symposium on May 20 at Zhongnanhai in Beijing to solicit views and suggestions of non-CPC personages on drafting a resolution to further comprehensively deepen reform and advance Chinese modernization. The symposium was attended by leaders from the central committees of other political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and personages with no party affiliation. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech. Xi said that the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee decided to convene the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to discuss arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization, and to make a resolution in this regard. The decision was made out of consideration for the new situation and new tasks faced by the Party and the country on the new journey. It was meant to thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, make systematic planning and arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform, and provide strong impetus and institutional guarantees for achieving the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the symposium.

Those who took the floor at the symposium included Zheng Jianbang, chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Ding Zhongli, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Hao Mingjin, chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, Cai Dafeng, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, He Wei, chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, Jiang Zuojun, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Wu Weihua, chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society, Su Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, Gao Yunlong, chairman of the ACFIC, and Piao Shilong, a representative of personages without party affiliation. They fully agreed with the draft resolution of the CPC Central Committee on further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization, and agreed that it scientifically planned major measures for further comprehensively deepening reform, clarified the guiding ideology, objectives, principles and key tasks of reform at the new historical starting point, and was of great theoretical, practical and epoch-making significance. They also put forward opinions and suggestions on stimulating economic vitality, creating a new paradigm for coordinated regional development, promoting high-quality population growth, developing new quality productive forces, deepening the reform of the medical and health system, overcoming institutional barriers in talent cultivation, establishing a fin-tech system that caters to scientific and technological innovation, boosting joint efforts between state-owned and private enterprises in innovation, advancing high-level opening up, and promoting integrated development across the Taiwan Strait.

After attentively listening to their speeches, Xi delivered an important address. He first introduced the considerations of the CPC Central Committee for further deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization to be reviewed at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and drafting process of the document. He emphasized that they are consistent practices and fine traditions of the CPC Central Committee to promote democracy, draw on the wisdom of the people, and widely solicit opinions from various sectors when studying major issues and formulating documents for important meetings. Entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, the United Front Work Department sought opinions and suggestions from non-CPC personages on issues concerning the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in December last year. They put forward a lot of opinions and suggestions on what has been achieved in comprehensively deepening reform in the new era, and the general targets of work and important principles that must be followed in this regard. Their opinions and suggestions are also about targets and tasks as well as measures to be adopted in various fields in deepening reform. They also suggested on how non-CPC personages should play their roles in this regard. Xi appreciated the opinions and suggestions non-CPC personages put forward at the meeting, and extended gratitude to them on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. He said that their opinions and suggestions will be seriously studied and adopted.

Xi stressed that it is imperative for us to face problems in comprehensively deepening reform. It is imperative to be more conscious of problems, adopt a problem-oriented approach, focus on the needs for development and respond to what the people aspire for. It is essential to work hard to overcome the bottlenecks and obstacles constraining high-quality development, address the hot issues that go against social fairness and justice, respond to the challenges and difficulties regarding people's well-being, solve the prominent problems concerning Party building, and defuse risks in all areas, so as to ensure that the reform is more targeted and effective. Both the symptoms and root causes must be addressed, with focus on addressing root causes. Not only should great efforts be made in all areas, so that the reform measures will cover all prominent problems that need to be solved to advance Chinese modernization, but also should more concrete actions be taken with focus on the economy to remove deep-rooted barriers in institutions and mechanisms and address structural problems.

Xi noted that more consensus should be built to further deepen reform comprehensively. It is imperative to fully stimulate the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the entire Party and nation, and ensure that they are of one mind and make concerted efforts. It is necessary to encourage investigation and research, implement the Party's mass line, understand people's needs, and seek people's advice. It is imperative to respect the creativity of the people and the grass roots, strive to identify key areas where efforts should be intensified and breakthroughs made for reform from the most pressing difficulties and problems that are of great concern to the people, and boost people's sense of fulfillment and identity. It is also imperative to promote democracy, draw on the wisdom of the people, make reform policies more scientific, and strengthen the implementation of such policies.

Xi stressed that it is a must to stick to systems thinking and adopt a holistic outlook while planning and promoting reform. Efforts must be made to strengthen strategic and dialectical thinking, prioritize urgent issues, and pay more attention to system integration. It is imperative to strengthen the coordination of reform measures, promote reform measures across fields and in all aspects towards one direction, and increase overall efficiency. It is imperative for all relevant areas, departments, and sectors to jointly promote reform, and they should be resolutely prevented from going their own ways and constraining each other.

Xi pointed out that reform requires careful planning and even more importantly, effective implementation of plans and policies. It is essential to hammer away at implementing policies and plans for reform. Officials should have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well and come up with down-to-earth and effective solutions that deliver real results. It is imperative to resolutely prevent and overcome pointless formalities, and avoid engaging in vanity projects that are only for show and projects for personal political gains that waste money and manpower. Efforts should be made to formulate a sound plan for appropriately and timely implementing policies in a targeted way, do the best and act within capabilities, and avoid being divorced from reality. It is imperative to stay true to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, and pay attention to establishing the new before abolishing the old, and not the other way round. It is important to strengthen organizational leadership, effectively assign responsibilities, improve the ability and level of leading teams and leading officials at all levels in implementing reform measures, and ensure that the reform decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee yield results.

Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Li Hongzhong, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Chen Wenqing, Wang Xiaohong, Mu Hong, and leading officials from relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council attended the symposium.

Those non-CPC personages also present at the symposium included Shao Hong, He Baoxiang, Wang Guangqian, Qin Boyong, Zhu Yongxin, Yang Zhen, Zhang Endi, Jiang Liping, Fang Guanghua and Yang Huayong. ■

Full Text of Chinese president's signed article on Tajik media

DUSHANBE, July 5 (Xinhua) -- A signed article by Chinese President Xi Jinping titled "Working Together for a Brighter Future of China-Tajikistan Relations" was published Friday on the Narodnaya Gazeta newspaper and the state-run Khovar News Agency upon his state visit to Tajikistan.

Following is the full text of the article:

Working Together for a Brighter Future of China-Tajikistan Relations

Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

In this lovely midsummer season, I will pay a state visit to the Republic of Tajikistan at the invitation of President Emomali Rahmon. This will be my third visit to Tajikistan. I last set foot on this beautiful land five years ago. The famous Tajik poet Rudaki once said that nothing could compare to the joy of a reunion with family or friends. I look forward to my meeting with President Rahmon to jointly open up brighter prospects for China-Tajikistan relations.

China and Tajikistan, connected by mountains and rivers, share a common destiny. The ancient Silk Road bears witness to the 2,000-plus years of friendship between our two nations. Zhang Qian, a royal emissary of China's Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD), Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang), an eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) who travelled westward for Buddhist scriptures, and Chen Cheng, a diplomat of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) all left their footprints of friendship in Tajikistan. Sogdian merchants, travelling across the Eurasian continent, facilitated trade between China and Central Asia, West Asia, and even Europe, and made distinctive contributions to cultural exchanges and mutual learning among peoples along the Silk Road.

Thirty-two years ago, China and Tajikistan established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in our relations. Over the past three decades and more, China-Tajikistan relations have stood the test of the volatile international situations and maintained the momentum of sound and steady development. Our overall relationship has made a historic leap from good-neighborliness to a strategic partnership, and to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Together, we are committed to building a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future, blazing a successful path for growing relations between neighboring countries.

— China and Tajikistan treat each other with sincerity, respect and trust. We firmly support each other on issues that bear on our respective core interests, particularly independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We respect the development path that each has chosen in light of our respective national conditions. We resolutely oppose interference in internal affairs by any external force under any pretext. As always, we understand and support each other on issues related to our respective major concerns. We take pleasure in each other's progress in development and national revitalization. We have established cooperation mechanisms in key areas, which provide an important institutional guarantee for furthering bilateral relations. President Rahmon and I have met 15 times. We enjoy a good working relationship and a deep personal friendship as we jointly guide the development of China-Tajikistan relations.

— China and Tajikistan both pursue mutual benefit and win-win in cooperation. China has long been Tajikistan's largest source of investment and its major trading partner. Our two-way trade was close to 4 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, reaching another record high. Such strong momentum has continued in the first four months of this year. Tajikistan was among the first countries to participate in Belt and Road cooperation. A number of China-Tajikistan joint projects have been implemented, including a cement plant in Yavan, an agriculture technology demonstration center in Khatlon, and an agriculture and textile park in Dangara. They have helped upgrade Tajikistan's industrial technology and created thousands of local jobs. The China-Tajikistan highway and the Vahdat-Yavan railway tunnels, which are built by Chinese companies, make places along the routes more easily accessible. Premium green produce of Tajikistan such as cherries, lemons and grapes have steadily made their way to Chinese households and are quite popular among Chinese consumers. It is particularly heartening that the Tajik parliament building and government building, which President Rahmon and I jointly launched five years ago, will soon be completed. They will be new landmarks in Dushanbe and new symbols of China-Tajikistan cooperation.

— China and Tajikistan remain committed to mutual learning through friendly exchanges. The Confucius Institutes and the Luban Workshop have helped train a large number of Chinese speakers and technical personnel, who are now a vital force for the development and cooperation between our two nations. The Sino-Tajik Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and the program of Lifeline Express International Sight Saving Mission that provides free cataract surgeries for patients in Tajikistan have contributed to public health in our two countries through a combination of traditional Chinese medicine and modern technology.

The Culture Day programs, seminars on specific subjects, student exchange programs, and the translation and publication of literature in our respective languages have helped foster greater mutual understanding and strengthened the ties between our two nations. These initiatives are akin to small streams that will ultimately converge to form a vast ocean of friendship between our two nations. There are now nine pairs of sister provinces/cities between our two countries. This is another example of how our friendship has been growing with vigor and vitality.

— China and Tajikistan treat each other with sincerity and stand in solidarity in times of challenge. In response to COVID-19, our two countries pulled together in combating the pandemic. We provided each other with a large number of medical supplies, and China sent professional medical teams to Tajikistan to assist in its COVID response. Together, we erected an ironclad line of defense against the virus. We timely consulted with each other and took actions together to resolve the issues concerning the Karasu-Kulma Pass, and ensured safe and smooth passage through the artery route of transportation and logistics. China and Tajikistan have maintained close coordination and collaboration on the international stage, supporting and responding positively to each other's major initiatives. Both of our countries firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its center, the international order based on international law, and the norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We both endeavor to contribute to safeguarding international fairness and justice.

China and Tajikistan are both at a critical stage of national development and revitalization. China is pursuing high-quality development and advancing high-standard opening up. The Chinese people are working in unity to build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects, and to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. Tajikistan is making great strides on its path to realizing the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan up to the period of 2030. I look forward to my meetings with President Rahmon to discuss how best to promote closer cooperation and bring our bilateral relationship to new heights.

— We need to improve the top-level design for our relationship to ensure its steady development in the right direction. We need to maintain high-level exchanges as frequently as necessary, deepen our experience sharing on governance and build stronger mutual political trust so as to always keep the relationship on the right track. We need to deepen our cooperation at all levels and in all areas, and spare no effort to implement the top-level consensus in full so as to add an enduring momentum to the China-Tajikistan relationship.

— We need to expand results-oriented cooperation to provide stronger material foundations for China-Tajikistan relations. China will work with Tajikistan to strengthen complementarity between the Belt and Road Initiative and the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan up to the period of 2030 as a concrete step to boost our respective development and revitalization. We need to consider new measures for trade promotion and expansion, accelerate the construction of the key section of the China-Tajikistan highway, and open more direct flights in response to the travel needs of our peoples. Other areas of cooperation include high and new technologies such as new energy vehicle, solar panel and satellite communication. China will import more premium produce from Tajikistan, and encourage strong Chinese companies to make more investments in Tajikistan as a step to help modernize its industrial system.

— We need to deepen security cooperation and build a strong development security shield. We need to jointly act on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, enhance exchange between our law enforcement and security agencies, crack down on terrorist, extremist and separatist forces such as ETIM, and prevent and combat infiltration and sabotage by terrorists and extremists. We should remain resolute in opposing any attempt by external forces to interfere in our internal affairs or to undermine regional stability, so as to provide strong and effective safeguards for the development of our countries.

— We need to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges to strengthen public support for a lasting friendship between our two nations. We welcome more Tajik friends to China for sightseeing, academic studies, as well as investment, business and exchange opportunities. China will continue to expand cooperation with Tajikistan in such areas as culture, education, health and sports. I hope to see more exchanges between our young people and more exchanges at subnational levels. I also hope our people-to-people exchanges will be as frequent as those between relatives. The Luban Workshop, Confucius Institutes, and the Sino-Tajik Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine are expected to play a greater role. We need to accelerate the mutual establishment of cultural centers, and expand cooperation at subnational levels as steps to ensure that China-Tajikistan friendship is sustained through generations.

— We need to enhance unity and collaboration and help foster an international environment favorable for peace and development. The two sides need to step up coordination and collaboration on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the China-Central Asia mechanism. We need to practice true multilateralism and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We need to deliver on the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, stand up for our common interests and those of other developing countries, and make our contribution to safeguarding international fairness and justice.

A Chinese poet in the Tang Dynasty once wrote, "One can enjoy a grander sight by climbing to a greater height." We from China look forward to working with our Tajik friends to draw a new blueprint for stronger China-Tajikistan friendship, write a new chapter in our mutually beneficial cooperation, and create a brighter future of our two nations. ■

Full text of Xi Jinping's speech at "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting in Astana

ASTANA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech Thursday at "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Joining Hands to Build a More Beautiful Home Of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Statement by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting in Astana

Astana, July 4, 2024

Your Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,

Colleagues,

It is a great pleasure to be with you in beautiful Astana. I would like to thank President Tokayev for the warm hospitality and thoughtful arrangements. Kazakhstan has done an excellent job as President of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) over the past year, and the SCO has made new progress.

As a Chinese saying goes, "No mountain or ocean can distance people who have shared aspirations." Today, we get together for our first "SCO Plus" Meeting, with good friends and new partners in the same room holding important discussions. This shows that under the new circumstances of the new era, the vision of our Organization is widely popular, and that SCO member states have friends across the world.

At present, changes of historical significance across the world during our times are unfolding in ways like never before. The international landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. A new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is advancing fast. As human civilization marches forward in big strides, factors of insecurity, instability and uncertainty are evidently increasing.

To cope with this major transformation, the key is to have the wisdom to see the changes, the ability to deal with the changes, and the courage to make changes. We need to bear in mind that we live in a community with a shared future, and always uphold the Shanghai Spirit. We need to stay firmly on the development paths that suit our respective national conditions and regional realities, and jointly build a more promising home of the SCO so that our peoples can live a peaceful, successful and happy life. To that end, I wish to propose the following:

First, we should build a common home of solidarity and mutual trust. A few days ago, China held the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The Shanghai Spirit is consistent with the essence of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It is the shared value of our Organization, and should be all the more cherished and faithfully observed at all times.

We need to respect the development path of respective, independent choosing, and support each other in safeguarding core interests. We need to bridge our differences, build more consensus, and enhance mutual trust through strategic communication. China proposes that SCO member states do more to share their experience on governance and hold the SCO Political Parties Forum at an appropriate time.

Second, we should build a common home of peace and tranquility. Security is a prerequisite for national development, and safety is the lifeline to happiness of the people. No matter how the international landscape changes, our Organization must hold the bottom line of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. Real security is premised on the security of all countries.

We need to have a complete set of measures under the security cooperation mechanisms, because more lines of defense will give us more protection. The SCO should move faster to build a universal center and its branches to address the challenges and threats to the security of SCO member states and the Anti-Drug Center. It should strengthen intelligence sharing and conduct joint operations to jointly safeguard security in our part of the world. As the current chair of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, China will do what it can to ensure the success of the Interaction-2024 joint counterterrorism exercise and other events.

Afghanistan is indispensable for the security in the region. We need to make best use of the mechanism of coordination and cooperation among Afghanistan's neighbors and other platforms to increase humanitarian support to Afghanistan, and encourage Afghanistan to establish a broad-based and inclusive political structure and embark on a path of peace and reconstruction.

Third, we should build a common home of prosperity and development. Modernization is the shared goal of all countries in the SCO. China proposes that 2025 be designated as the SCO Year of Sustainable Development so as to help us focus on fostering new forces for growth. China is ready to work with all parties to fully implement the eight major steps under high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We will promote regional cooperation through platforms such as the demonstration base for agricultural technology exchange and training, the local economic and trade cooperation demonstration area, and the ecology and environment innovation base. We will also expand local currency settlement, and actively promote the establishment of an SCO financing platform.

China welcomes all parties to use the Beidou Satellite Navigation System and participate in the development of the International Lunar Research Station. China proposes establishing an SCO digital education alliance, and is willing to provide at least 1,000 training opportunities on digital technology to fellow countries in the SCO in the next three years. We should also modernize the governance system of our Organization, improve its operation mechanisms, and boost its effectiveness.

Fourth, we should build a common home of good-neighborliness and friendship. Dialogue among civilizations is ever more important for world peace and harmony. China is ready to provide quality platforms for countries in the SCO to engage in such dialogues. It will give full play to the role of non-official organizations such as the SCO Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. It will continue to organize events under signature programs such as the Forum on Traditional Medicine, the Forum on People-to-People Friendship, the Youth Campus, and the Youth Development Forum. It will hold a green development forum and a women's forum in Qingdao, the tourism and cultural capital of the SCO. We welcome all parties to take an active part in these events.

In the next five years, China will host 1,000 young people from countries in the SCO for exchange opportunities in China. I believe that with our joint efforts, there will be more robust interactions and mutual learning among regional countries as well as deeper understanding and friendship among our peoples.

Fifth, we should build a common home of fairness and justice. The current SCO Summit has issued the Astana Declaration, the SCO initiative on world unity for justice, harmony and development, and the statement on the principles of good-neighborliness, trust and partnership. It is a strong message of the new era, one that calls for solidarity, cooperation and justice rather than division, confrontation, and hegemonism.

We should jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, practice true multilateralism, and make global governance more just and equitable. The SCO should make its important contribution to eliminating the deficits in peace, development, security and governance.

Colleagues,

A Chinese adage reads, "Victory is ensured when people pool their strength together; Success is secured when people put their heads together." The SCO owes its success to solidarity and cooperation throughout the years. This is also naturally the inevitable way for us to respond to the changing world and open new horizons on the new journey ahead.

China will take the rotating presidency after the Astana Summit. We will work with SCO partners in the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, and join hands with more countries and international organizations that identify with the Shanghai Spirit to strive for common progress and foster brighter prospects for a community with a shared future for mankind.

Thank you. ■

Full Text of Chinese president's signed article in Kazakh media

ASTANA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper and Kazinform International News Agency on Tuesday under the title "Staying True to Our Shared Commitment and Opening a New Chapter in China-Kazakhstan Relations" ahead of his state visit to Kazakhstan, where he will also attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Following is the full text of the article:

Staying True to Our Shared Commitment and Opening a New Chapter in China-Kazakhstan Relations - Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China

All beings are flourishing in the height of summer. I will soon pay a state visit to Kazakhstan and attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in this vibrant season at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This will be my fifth visit to your country as the President of the People's Republic of China. Kazakhstan's enchanting land, its splendid and distinctive culture, its vast and magnificent landscape, and its nice and friendly people have been most impressive. The visit offers me an opportunity to experience first hand the new progress and new changes that have been made in Kazakhstan. I look forward to meeting with President Tokayev to plan the way forward for closer China-Kazakhstan cooperation and draw a new blueprint for further growth of China-Kazakhstan relations and the SCO.

Over 2,000 years ago, Zhang Qian, a royal emissary from China led a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions, opening the door to friendship and exchanges between China and Central Asia. The ancient Silk Road, of which Zhang was a pioneer, contributed to the friendly exchanges and mutual learning between our two great nations. Over 80 years ago, Chinese musician Xian Xinghai and Kazakh composer Bakhytzhan Baikadamov met and came to know each other in Almaty. They soon became bosom friends and devoted brothers despite their different nationalities. Thirty-two years ago, China was among the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan's independence. China-Kazakhstan relations have since embarked on a new journey. The history of China-Kazakhstan friendly exchanges is a strong testament to the fact that the development of our bilateral relationship conforms to the trend of history and that of our times.

It was in Kazakhstan eleven years ago that I first proposed the initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt, which was warmly received by people from different sectors in Kazakhstan. This marked a magnificent chapter in Belt and Road cooperation between our two countries. And the development of China-Kazakhstan relations have since entered a new stage.

Our two countries have always supported each other and have always been partners in times of challenge. Our mutual political trust has reached a new level. The China-Kazakhstan relationship has made a leap from a comprehensive strategic partnership to a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership. The two countries have agreed on to promote the pursuit of a common future in the spirit of eternal friendship, profound mutual trust and solidarity, development and prosperity. We have rendered each other firm support on issues that bear on our respective core interests and are of major concern to us. We respect the development path that each has chosen according to our respective national conditions. We have always been trustworthy and reliable partners and would invariably extend a helping hand and do our utmost to support each other when we were hit by disasters like floods and pandemics. Such unbreakable mutual trust and support are invaluable, forming the strongest political cornerstone that underpins our bilateral cooperation.

Our two countries have always pursued mutual benefit, win-win and coordinated development, achieving new success in results-oriented cooperation. Last year, our two-way trade registered a record high of US$41 billion. China is now Kazakhstan's largest trading partner and its top export destination. Major strategic projects including the Zhanatas wind farm, Turgusun hydropower station, and the modernization of Shymkent Oil Refinery have been completed and commissioned. China-Kazakhstan crude oil and natural gas pipelines are operating in a safe and stable manner. The "green lanes" for fast customs clearance of agricultural products are available at all border ports between the two countries, which makes green agri-products of high quality from Kazakhstan easily accessible for Chinese consumers. The potential for cooperation in new energy and transportation infrastructure has been unleashed. The transport and logistics terminal in Xi'an, the Western Europe-Western China Highway, and the China-Europe Railway Express all operate smoothly, providing a strong boost to the development of both China and Kazakhstan.

Our two countries have always helped and learned from each other and witnessed a new upsurge in people-to-people and cultural exchanges. A China-Kazakhstan agreement on mutual establishment of cultural centers has been signed. Chinese and Kazakh filmmakers have co-produced a film entitled "The Composer," which is their first co-production. Our bilateral programs for cultural cooperation, including a Chinese university campus in Kazakhstan, a Luban Workshop, and a center of traditional Chinese medicine, have been fully implemented. These institutions are now up and running. Thanks to our mutual visa-exemption arrangements, our people can visit each other as frequently as relatives do. Last year, a total of 600,000 cross-border trips were recorded. In the first quarter of this year, the number of visits in both directions amounted to 200,000 and are expected to reach a new high. Subnational cooperation is also booming, with the number of sister cities increasing to 26 pairs. The much respected and lauded ophthalmologist Dr. Saulebek Kabibekov, the "panda-man" Ruslan Tulenov, who voluntarily donated his rare type of blood in China, and the immensely popular singer Dimash Kudaibergen have become China-Kazakhstan friendship envoys in the new era.

Our two countries have always worked together in response to various challenges, and our coordination and collaboration at the international level has achieved new and tangible results. China and Kazakhstan hold similar positions on international and regional affairs. Both countries champion the vision of common, comprehensive cooperative and sustainable security. And both are committed to acting as a world peace builder, a global development contributor, and an international order defender. We have jointly created a China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism, and maintained close coordination and collaboration in the United Nations, the SCO, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, among other multilateral organizations. We have actively supported each other's constructive proposals for international cooperation, and taken resolute measures to safeguard our shared strategic, security, and development interests.

China and Kazakhstan can and will accomplish a great deal in bilateral cooperation in the years to come. I hope my visit will help renew our traditional friendship and deepen the all-round cooperation between our countries. During my visit, President Tokayev and I will meet and plan the way forward for further growth of China-Kazakhstan relations and discuss how best to take the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.

First, our two countries need to further consolidate our political tradition of mutual support. As a Chinese saying goes, "We must be people of our word in dealing with friends." China will continue to treat our Kazakh friends with sincerity and engage them with trust. China will work with Kazakhstan to further consolidate mutual political trust, strengthen strategic communication, and firmly support each other on issues that bear on our respective core interests and are of major concern to us. As always, China will support Kazakhstan in upholding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, in continuing on the development path suited to its national conditions, in implementing domestic and foreign policies in the interest of its development and prosperity, and in opposing interference in its internal affairs by any external forces. Our two countries need to always follow the four principles that hold key to the success of our cooperation, namely, mutual respect, good neighborly friendship, solidarity in trying times, and mutual benefit, so as to ensure sustained and steady growth of China-Kazakhstan relations.

Second, our two countries need to stay committed to the golden rule of mutual benefit and win-win in our cooperation. China and Kazakhstan have different yet complementary resource endowments and industries. This offers huge potential for cooperation. China stands ready to promote greater synergy between Belt and Road cooperation and the economic policies under a Just Kazakhstan at a faster pace, and further open our super-sized market to Kazakhstan so that our Kazakh friends can share the opportunities of our development. Our two countries need to deepen cooperation in traditional sectors including business, trade, industrial capacity, investment, energy, mining and agriculture, and enhance the efficiency of customs clearance at border ports. We need to ensure the high-quality operation of the China-Europe Railway Express, advance the construction of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, and make the network connecting our two countries more multidimensional, diverse and efficient. We need to significantly unleash the potential for cooperation in such high-tech areas as new energy, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, cross-border e-commerce, aviation and aerospace, and build more industrial and supply chains with high added-values, in order to inject new impetus to our cooperation.

Third, our two countries need to strengthen public support for an everlasting China-Kazakhstan friendship. A deeper and stronger China-Kazakhstan friendship is what our two peoples aspire to. It is therefore important that we carry forward such friendship and enhance mutual understanding and affinity between our peoples through a diverse range of cultural and people-to-people exchange programs. Our two countries need to ensure the success of the Luban Workshop, Confucius Institutes, and the Kazakh campus of the Northwestern Polytechnical University to foster future generations who will carry forward the China-Kazakhstan friendship. China welcomes joint education programs and joint research projects between Chinese and Kazakh higher education institutions, think tanks and research institutes. China supports closer interactions between people from all sectors across Chinese and Kazakh societies. Both countries need to encourage more twinning between our provinces and cities and more cooperation on education, tourism, archaeology, arts, and media, so as to expand the depth and scope of China-Kazakhstan cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Fourth, our two countries need to be responsive to the accelerated changes on a scale unseen in a century that are unfolding across the world. Changes and turbulence in the global landscape pose new threats and new challenges, but also bring new opportunities and create new possibilities for all-round cooperation of mutual benefit between China and Kazakhstan. We Chinese believe that in every challenge lies an opportunity, and that challenges and opportunities are interchangeable. China stands ready to join hands with Kazakhstan in response to the changes of historic significance that are taking place in our world and in our times. We need to foster new opportunities amid crises, and open up new horizons on a shifting landscape. China will work with Kazakhstan to uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, act on true multilateralism, oppose hegemonism, power politics and bloc confrontation. We will work together to build an equal and orderly multipolar world, promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and bring about more positivity and certainty to world peace and stability.

Another important item on my agenda in Kazakhstan is to attend the SCO Summit. China highly commends the successful and fruitful work Kazakhstan has done in its capacity as the SCO chair to grow the influence of the organization. I have no doubt that the SCO Astana Summit will be a great success through concerted efforts of all parties and will help rally the SCO family closer and open up new prospects for SCO cooperation.

As a Chinese saying goes, "Success comes to those who share in one purpose. Triumph belongs to those who pull together in times of challenge." In Kazakhstan, people say that five fingers held together make a powerful fist, and many people working in unity form a mighty force.

China will work shoulder to shoulder with Kazakhstan on the path to national prosperity and rejuvenation. Let us jointly draw up a new blueprint for closer cooperation and open a new chapter in China-Kazakhstan friendly relations. ■

Xi stresses improving systems for exercising full, rigorous Party self-governance

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held its 15th group study session on the afternoon of June 27. The topic is about improving the systems for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the session. He said that Party building in the new era is a systemic project, with strengthening the Party itself politically as the overarching guide and efforts in all other initiatives aligned. Important thoughts of the Party Central Committee on Party building and the Party's self-reform must be followed as fundamental principles. It is important to uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership and the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, and to implement the general requirements for Party building in the new era. Systems thinking and scientific methods must be employed to ensure that the Party's governance covers all relevant content and targets, duties are performed at all levels and links, and all systems complement each other. As a result, scientific, standardized and highly efficient systems that involve all factors and functions for Party building will be further improved.

Zhang Jinghu, secretary-general of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, gave a lecture on the issue and put forward suggestions on the work. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened attentively and had discussions afterward.

Xi delivered an important speech after listening to the lecture and discussions. In a few days will be the 103rd anniversary of the birth of the Party. On behalf of the Party Central Committee, Xi first extended festive greetings to all Party members in the country.

Xi pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have unswervingly promoted full and rigorous Party self-governance, achieved a series of theoretical, practical and institutional innovations, built the systems for full and rigorous Party self-governance, and opened up a new frontier for the century-old Party's self-reform. At the same time, we must also see that the tests the Party faces in long-term governance, reform and opening up, the market economy, and the external environment will exist for a long time to come, so will the dangers of a lack of drive, incompetence, disengagement from the people, and inaction and corruption, and all of us in the Party must bear in mind that full and rigorous self-governance is an unceasing endeavor and that self-reform is a journey to which there is no end, Xi said. He said that the whole Party must remain vigilant and resolute to prepare for tough tests. By establishing sound systems for full and rigorous Party self-governance, we will continually advance the great new project of Party building in the new era.

He underlined the necessity of establishing a well-structured, cohesive, and effective organizational system. He stressed the need to uphold the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, and improve the mechanisms for implementing the major decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, to ensure its directives are well received at all levels and policies implemented to the letter. It is imperative to uphold and improve the leadership system and organizational management system for Party building work, create a working pattern where each level holds the level below it accountable, effectively manages its own level and leads the level below it, and consolidate work at the primary level, so as to ensure that Party organizations at all levels and in all fields are comprehensively competent. Work must be done to guide community-level governance through Party building, keep strengthening weak and lax Party organizations at the primary level, and improve their capability to lead primary-level governance. Efforts are required to explore and strengthen Party building in new types of economic and social organizations as well as groups in new forms of employment, and innovate the setup and activities of Party organizations. It is imperative to adeptly apply information technology, including the internet, in promoting Party building, to ensure Party organizations and their work are covered both online and offline.

Xi noted the necessity of improving the education system to keep the roots of the Party members' convictions healthy and strong, enhance cohesion and forge their soul. He called for more efforts to work on the foundation of strengthening the Party theoretically, unswervingly arm Party members with the Party's new theories and continuously enhance education in Party consciousness. He also noted the need to combine regular study with intensive study, theoretical knowledge with practical application, and strengthening the Party consciousness with enhancing capabilities. It is imperative to improve the long-term mechanism for forging inner strength, acquiring new knowledge, rectifying conduct, and improving work performance. The ongoing campaign of the study of Party disciplines across the whole Party should be a good opportunity to guide Party members and officials to incorporate enhancing Party consciousness, strictly adhering to disciplines and courageously forging ahead into their daily lives.

Xi stressed that a supervision system, that combats corruption in a targeted and intensive manner and addresses both symptoms and root causes, should be refined. It is imperative to work in concert to enhance Party consciousness, improve Party conduct and tighten Party disciplines, and combine "treating illnesses" with "improving health." It is essential to improve the mechanisms for managing Party members, improve the mechanisms for strictly managing and supervising officials, refine the mechanisms under which Party conduct is rectified and Party disciplines are enforced on a regular basis, and improve the working mechanisms for taking coordinated steps to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to be corrupt. It is imperative to combine the Party's self-supervision with public oversight, generate synergy between various forms of oversight, and improve the total-coverage, authoritative and highly effective oversight system under the Party's unified leadership. Efforts should be intensified to do a good job in political oversight, oversight on leadership teams, especially their heads, oversight on decision-making on major issues, important appointments and removals of officials, arrangement of major projects and the use of large sums of money, and oversight on sectors with a high concentration of power, funds and resources, so as to ensure that privilege-seeking practices and corruption have nowhere to hide.

Xi noted the need to improve the institutional system and make it more scientific, comprehensive, and effective. It is imperative to strengthen the integration of systems, align institution-building with the needs of Party self-governance and the Party's various work, and strengthen the cage of the institution in all aspects. It is a must to deepen reform in building regulations and systems within the Party and strengthen efforts in top-level design, checking for loopholes, filling the gaps, and improving the quality and efficiency of Party building. To meet practical needs, valuable experience and good practices should be developed into systems in a timely manner, and efforts should be made to improve the enforcement of the institution, and promote the in-depth development of full and rigorous Party self-governance in line with regulations and institutions.

Xi emphasized the need to improve the responsibility system under which requirements for specific persons are clarified. It is a must to establish and improve such a multi-tiered and categorized responsibility system and urge Party organizations at all levels as well as all Party members and officials to understand, undertake, and fulfill their responsibilities. It is essential to clarify that Party committees (leading Party members groups) assume the principal responsibility for full and rigorous Party self-governance, discipline inspection commissions at all levels take on the supervisory responsibility, and secretaries of a Party committee (a leading Party members group) bear the primary responsibility. The responsibilities in governing the Party of members of the leading bodies should be clarified and the responsibilities of Party members and officials should be specified. It is imperative to improve the accountability mechanism, ensuring that it is precise and scientific and the pressure for taking responsibility is pushed from higher levels to lower ones. Efforts should be made to promote the assumption of responsibility for governing the Party by clarifying principal responsibility, specifying requirements of responsibilities, and enforcing evaluation and accountability.

Xi finally pointed out that in order to improve the systems for full and rigorous Party self-governance and further advance the work in this regard, members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee should take the lead and set a good example, be strict with themselves, fulfill their responsibilities seriously, and strictly manage those under their jurisdiction. They should unite and lead the entire Party in governing and strengthening the Party well, so as to provide a strong guarantee for advancing the building of a strong country and achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. ■

Full Text: Address by Chinese President Xi Jinping at conference marking 70th anniversary of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and delivers an important speech titled "Carrying Forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind" at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence on Friday in Beijing.

The following is the full text of his speech:

Carrying Forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

Address by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence

June 28, 2024

Distinguished Guests,

Diplomatic Envoys,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Seventy years ago, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were officially initiated. It marked a groundbreaking and epoch-making achievement in the history of international relations. Today we gather here to commemorate its 70th anniversary for the purpose of carrying forward these principles under the new circumstances, building together a community with a shared future for mankind, and providing a strong driving force for human progress.

At the outset, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in my own name, let me extend a warm welcome to all distinguished guests and friends present here!

In the course of the modern history of human society, handling well state-to-state relations, jointly maintaining world peace and tranquility, and promoting development and progress for humanity have always been big topics on the minds of all nations.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence answered the call of the times, and its initiation was an inevitable historic development. In the wake of the Second World War, national independence and liberation movements swept across the globe, and the colonial system around the world crumbled and collapsed. At the same time, the world was overshadowed by the dark clouds of the Cold War and menaced by the rampant clamors that "Might is right." Newly independent countries aspired to safeguard their sovereignty and grow their national economy. New China followed the principle of independence, actively sought peaceful coexistence with all countries, and endeavored to improve its external environment, especially in its neighborhood. Against this backdrop, the Chinese leadership specified the Five Principles in their entirety for the first time, namely, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. They included the Five Principles in the China-India and China-Myanmar joint statements, which jointly called for making them basic norms for state-to-state relations.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were born in Asia, but quickly ascended to the world stage. In 1955, more than 20 Asian and African countries attended the Bandung Conference. They proposed ten principles for handling state-to-state relations on the basis of the Five Principles, and advocated the Bandung spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation. The Non-Aligned Movement that rose in the 1960s adopted the Five Principles as its guiding principles. The Declaration on Principles of International Law adopted at the 25th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1970 and the Declaration on the Establishment of the New International Economic Order adopted at the Sixth Special UNGA Session in 1974 both endorsed the Five Principles. With their inclusion in important international documents, the Five Principles have been widely recognized and observed by the international community.

Over the past 70 years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have transcended time and space and overcome estrangement, showing robust resilience and everlasting relevance. They have become open, inclusive, and universally applicable basic norms for international relations and fundamental principles of international law. They have made indelible historic contributions to the cause of human progress.

First, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have set a historic benchmark for international relations and international rule of law. They fully conform with the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, with the evolving trend of international relations of our times, and with the fundamental interests of all nations. In addition, they stress the importance of mutuality and equality in handling state-to-state relations, thus highlighting the essence of international rule of law, i.e. the intercorrelation of rights, obligations and responsibilities of all countries. The Five Principles provide a whole set of basic norms for peaceful coexistence among countries across political, security, economic and diplomatic domains. They constitute an unequivocal and effective code of conduct for all countries to follow in promoting the spirit of international rule of law and finding the right way to get along with each other.

Second, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have served as the prime guidance for the establishment and development of relations between countries with different social systems. When following the Five Principles, even countries that differ from each other in social system, ideology, history, culture, faith, development stage, and size can build a relationship of mutual trust, friendship and cooperation. The Five Principles offer a new path toward peaceful settlement of historic issues and international disputes, triumphing over obsolete, narrow-minded, antagonistic and confrontational mindsets such as bloc politics and sphere of influence.

Third, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have been a powerful rallying force behind the efforts of developing countries to pursue cooperation and self-strength through unity. They mirror the deep thoughts of developing countries about improving their future and about reform and progress. Inspired and encouraged by the Five Principles, more and more countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America have voiced and extended support to each other, stood up against foreign interference, and embarked on an independent path of development. The Five Principles have also boosted South-South cooperation, and improved and further developed North-South relations.

Fourth, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have contributed historic wisdom to the reform and improvement of the international order. The Five Principles were initiated with the purpose of protecting the interests and pursuits of small and weak countries from power politics. They categorically oppose imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism, and reject belligerent and bullying practices of the law of the jungle. They have laid an important intellectual foundation for a more just and equitable international order.

Having traversed an extraordinary journey of 70 years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence are a common asset of the international community to be valued, inherited and further promoted. At this moment, I recall with deep admiration leaders of the older generation who jointly initiated the Five Principles. I also wish to pay high tribute to the visionaries from all countries who have been promoting the Five Principles with perseverance over the years!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The baton of history is passed from generation to generation, and the cause of human progress moves forward from one era to another as mankind seek answers to the questions of the times. Seventy years ago, our forefathers, who experienced the scourge of hot wars and the confrontation of the Cold War, concluded that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were the crucial way to safeguard peace and sovereignty. This answer has withstood the test of international vicissitudes, and has become more appealing rather than obsolete. Seventy years later today, challenged by the historic question of "what kind of world to build and how to build it," China has answered the call of the times by proposing a community with a shared future for mankind. Today, this Chinese initiative has become an international consensus. The beautiful vision has been put into productive actions. It is moving the world to a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.

The Vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind carries forward the same spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Both are rooted in traditional Chinese values such as "Be kind to your neighbor," "Seek amity through integrity," and "Promote harmony among all nations." Both attest to China's diplomatic tenets of self-confidence, self-reliance, justice, protection of the disadvantaged, and benevolence. Both demonstrate the broad vision of the Communist Party of China to contribute more to humanity. Both manifest China's firm resolve to follow the path of peaceful development. The Vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind is the most effective move to sustain, promote and upgrade the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in the new circumstances.

The Vision captures the reality that all countries have a shared future and intertwined interests, and sets a new model of equality and coexistence for international relations. China believes that all countries, regardless of their size, strength and wealth, are equal members of the international community. They have common interests, common rights, and common responsibilities in international affairs. All countries should join hands to overcome challenges, achieve shared prosperity, build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security, and shared prosperity, and realize peaceful coexistence with greater security and prosperity for mankind.

The Vision responds to the world's prevailing trend of peace, development, cooperation and win-win, and opens up new prospects for peace and progress. China calls on all countries to bear in mind the future of humanity and the wellbeing of the people, and uphold their essential commitment to equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence. We should all champion the common values of humanity, promote global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and cultivate a new type of international relations. We should all work together to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and deliver more benefits to all peoples.

The Vision keeps pace with the historic trend toward multipolarity and economic globalization, and inspires new ways to achieve development and security. China has been working together with all sides to take profound and real measures to build a community with a shared future for mankind. We have together enabled the Vision to make historic achievements - expanding from bilateral to multilateral, regional to global, development to security, and cooperation to governance. This has guided and boosted the efforts for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. It has given the international community broad prospects of peace and stability, and presented the world with more prosperity and development.

Looking at the past and future at this critical moment in history, we believe our exploration for the betterment of human civilization will not end, and our efforts for a better world will not end. No matter how the world evolves, one basic fact will not change. There is only one Planet Earth in the universe, and the whole mankind have one common home. Our shared future depends on Earth. We must take good care of it, and leave a happy land for our future generations.

The future beckons with promise, and challenges must be tackled. At this historic moment when mankind have to choose between peace and war, prosperity and recession, unity and confrontation, we must champion more than ever the essence of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and we must always strive tirelessly for the lofty goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

We need to uphold the principle of sovereign equality. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence center on the principle of sovereign equality. And on that basis, they promote equal rights, equal opportunities and equal norms for every country. They reject the big subduing the small, the strong bullying the weak, and the rich exploiting the poor. An equal and orderly multipolar world means every country can find its place in a multipolar system and play its due role pursuant to international law, so that the process of multipolarization is stable and constructive on the whole.

We need to cement the foundation of mutual respect. Countries must make equality, mutual respect and mutual trust the ground rules of engagement. They should show respect for different historical and cultural traditions and different stages of development, for each other's core interests and major concerns, and for the development paths and systems independently chosen by people of all countries. We must jointly uphold the "golden rule" of non-interference, and jointly oppose acts of imposing one's will on others, stoking bloc confrontation, creating small circles, and forcing others to pick sides.

We need to turn the vision for peace and security into reality. The past and present have enlightened us that all countries must shoulder their common responsibility for peace, and commit to a path of peaceful development. They must work together to seek peace, safeguard peace, and enjoy peace. In today's interdependent world, absolute security and exclusive security are just not viable. The China-proposed Global Security Initiative is aimed to advocate the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. It strives to achieve development and security through cooperation, and put in place a more balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.

We need to unite all forces to achieve prosperity. An ancient Chinese philosopher observed, "The benevolent treat others with love, and the wise share with others benefits." As a Latin American saying goes, "The only way to be profitably national is to be generously universal." An Arab proverb has it, "With unity, the fire grows; without unity, the fire extinguishes." In the era of economic globalization, what is needed is not gaps of division but bridges of communication, not iron curtains of confrontation but highways of cooperation. China has been advocating a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and endeavoring to deliver on the Global Development Initiative. Our goal is to benefit all with the opportunity of development, to diversify development paths, to help all nations share development fruits, to encourage common development and prosperity for all countries in the global village, and to turn win-win into a solid consensus.

We need to commit to fairness and justice. Without them, power politics will be the order of the day, and the weak will be at the mercy of the strong. In face of the new developments and challenges, the authority and central role of the United Nations can only be strengthened rather than weakened. The purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter are never outdated, and they are getting ever more important. China advocates the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and China believes in true multilateralism. Our goal is that international rules should be made and observed by all countries. World affairs should be handled through extensive consultation, not dictated by those with more muscles.

We need to embrace an open and inclusive mindset. All countries are on board the same giant ship. It carries on it not only aspirations for peace, economic prosperity and technological advancement, but also the diversity of civilizations and the continuation of the human species. In history, different civilizations helped each other prosper through interactions, and brought about great progress and prosperity for mankind. This has left us with splendid chapters of mutual reinforcement and mutual learning among various civilizations. The Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China is aimed at increasing understanding and friendship among peoples and promoting tolerance and mutual learning among civilizations. The world is big enough to accommodate the common development and common progress of all countries. It is entirely possible for different civilizations to prosper together and inspire each other through mutual learning on an equal footing.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The past 70 years have proved time and again that an effective way for countries to meet challenges together and create a better future is to enhance unity, cooperation, communication and understanding. Of all the forces in the world, the Global South stands out with a strong momentum, playing a vital role in promoting human progress. Standing at a new historical starting point, the Global South should be more open and more inclusive, and join hands together to take the lead in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Together, we should be the staunch force for peace. We should promote peaceful settlement of international disputes, and participate constructively in the political settlement of international and regional hotspot issues. Together, we should be the core driving force for open development. We should restore development as the central international agenda item, reinvigorate global partnerships for development, and deepen South-South cooperation as well as North-South dialogue. Together, we should be the construction team of global governance. We should actively participate in reforming and developing the global governance system, expand the common interests of all sides, and make the global governance architecture more balanced and effective. Together, we should be the advocates for exchange among civilizations. We should enhance inter-civilization communication and dialogue, and strengthen experience sharing on governance. We should deepen exchanges in education, science, technology and culture as well as subnational, people-to-people and youth interactions.

To better support Global South cooperation, China will establish a Global South research center. It will provide 1,000 scholarships under the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Scholarship of Excellence and 100,000 training opportunities to Global South countries in the coming five years. It will also launch a Global South youth leaders program. China will continue to make good use of the China-U.N. Peace and Development Fund, the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and the Climate Change South-South Cooperation Fund, and will work with interested parties to set up a tripartite center of excellence for the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, so as to facilitate growth in Global South countries. It will renew the China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation Facility, and make an additional Renminbi contribution equivalent to US$10 million to be used to support agricultural development of the Global South. China is ready to discuss free trade arrangements with more Global South countries, continue to support the WTO's Aid for Trade initiative, and renew its contribution to the WTO's China Program. It welcomes more Global South countries to join the Initiative on International Trade and Economic Cooperation Framework for Digital Economy and Green Development. Between now and 2030, China's import from fellow developing countries is expected to exceed US$8 trillion.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence has been written into China's Constitution long before. They are the bedrock of China's independent foreign policy of peace. At present, China is working to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieve national rejuvenation through the Chinese path to modernization. On this new journey, we will continue to champion the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, work with all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make new and greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

China's resolve to stay on the path of peaceful development will not change. We will never take the trodden path of colonial plundering, or the wrong path of seeking hegemony when one becomes strong. We will stay on the right path of peaceful development. Among the world's major countries, China has the best track record with respect to peace and security. It has been exploring for a distinctly Chinese approach to resolving hotspot issues. It has been playing a constructive role in the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and issues relating to the Korean Peninsula, Iran, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. Every increase of China's strength is an increase of the prospects of world peace.

China's resolve to develop friendship and cooperation with all countries will not change. We will actively expand global partnerships based on equality, openness, and cooperation, and commit to expanding shared interests with all countries. China will promote coordination and sound interactions among major countries, and work to foster major-country dynamics featuring peaceful coexistence, overall stability, and balanced development. In its neighborhood, China will adhere to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness as well as the policy of developing friendship and partnership with its neighbors. It will seek to deepen friendship, trust and common interests with its neighboring countries. With developing countries, China will stay committed to the principle of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith, and take the right approach to friendship and interests. It will strengthen unity and cooperation with developing countries and safeguard our common interests. China will practice true multilateralism, and take an active part in the reform and improvement of the global governance system.

China's resolve to promote common development across the world will not change. High-quality development of the Chinese economy will provide strong impetus to world economic growth. Modernization achieved by 1.4 billion Chinese people means the addition of a new super-large market larger than all developed countries combined. China will only open itself ever wider to the outside world. Its door will never close. We are planning to take, and in some cases already taking, major steps to further deepen reform across the board and expand institutional opening up. We will build a business environment that is more solidly based on market and rule of law and is up to international standards. "Small yard with high fences," decoupling, and severing industrial and supply chains simply run counter to the tide of history. They will do nothing but harm the common interests of the international community.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

A forerunner of Chinese revolution wrote a century ago, "The course of history is never smooth. It is sometimes beset with difficulties and obstacles. Nothing short of a heroic spirit can help surmount them." Today, the historic baton of advancing world peace and development has been passed to our generation. Let us take the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence as a starting point, shoulder the historic missions, and forge ahead together to build a community with a shared future for mankind and usher in an even better future for humanity.

Thank you. ■

CPC to convene 3rd plenary session of 20th central committee on July 15

BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee convened a meeting on June 27 to discuss the issue of further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

It was decided at the meeting that the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee will be held in Beijing from July 15 to 18.

The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened to a report about opinions collected within and outside the Party on the draft of The CPC Central Committee's Decision on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese Modernization. It was decided that the draft will be revised according to the discussion at this meeting before it is submitted to the coming plenum for deliberation.

It was noted at the meeting that the solicitation of opinions has fully promoted intra-Party democracy and pooled the wisdom of the whole Party, and all regions, departments and parties fully affirmed the draft, believing that the new situation and new problems faced in advancing Chinese modernization were thoroughly analyzed, the overall arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform centering around advancing Chinese modernization were scientifically planned, and the draft will serve as a guiding document for further comprehensively deepening reform on the new journey. They all agreed that the draft has fully accentuated the initiative of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core to improve and develop the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and modernize China's system and capacity for governance, and its firm resolve to open up broad prospects for Chinese modernization through further comprehensively deepening reform.

It was emphasized at the meeting that the overarching goal of further comprehensively deepening reform is to continue improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and modernize China's system and capacity for governance. By 2035, the building of a high-standard socialist market economy will be completed across the board, the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics will be improved, the country's system and capacity for governance will be basically modernized, and socialist modernization will be basically realized. All these will lay a solid foundation for building a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century.

It was noted at the meeting that to deepen reform across the board, it is imperative to summarize and apply valuable experience gained in reform and opening up, especially in the new era, and stick to the following principles: We should adhere to the overall leadership of the Party, uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, ensure that it fully exerts its core role in providing overall leadership and coordinating the efforts of all sides, and uphold the Party's leadership throughout the reform, so as to advance reform in the right political direction. It is imperative to adhere to a people-centered approach, respect the principal position and the pioneering spirit of the people, ensure that reform will always respond to what the people call for, and ensure that reform is for the people and by the people and that its fruits are shared by the people. It is essential to remain committed to upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, adhere unswervingly to socialism with Chinese characteristics, keep pace with the times, adapt to the evolution of practice, and adopt a problem-oriented approach to promote innovation in practice, theories, institution, culture and all other sectors from a new starting point. Institution building must be carried out as a linchpin to strengthen top-level design and overall planning, combine phasing out the old and bringing in the new, and establish the new before abolishing the old. It is a must to consolidate fundamental systems, improve basic systems, and innovate important systems. It is also imperative to adhere to exercising law-based governance on all fronts, and deepening reform in line with the rule of law to advance Chinese modernization. Major reforms must have law as supporting basis, and what has been achieved from reform must be developed into legal systems. It is necessary to adhere to systems thinking and do a good job in handling major relationships between the economy and society, between the government and market, between efficiency and fairness, between vitality and order, and between development and security. Reform must be made more systemic, holistic, and coordinated.

It was noted at the meeting that the Party's leadership is the fundamental guarantee for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization. It is a must to uphold the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over further comprehensively deepening reform, maintain a high degree of consciousness that the Party's self-reform must guide social revolution, adhere to the spirit of reform in governing the Party, hammer away at implementing policies and plans for reform, and transform the strategic arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform into a powerful force for advancing Chinese modernization.

Other matters were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Xi stresses sci-tech modernization, innovation

BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A conference conflating the National Science and Technology Conference, the National Science and Technology Award Conference, the 21st General Assembly of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the 17th General Assembly of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the morning of June 24.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the conference, presented medals and certificates for China's top science and technology award to laureates and delivered an important speech.

He stressed that the nation will thrive when science and technology develops, and the country will be strong when science and technology becomes advanced. Chinese modernization must be supported by scientific and technological modernization, and achieving high-quality development relies on new driving forces cultivated by innovation in science and technology. China must have a clear understanding of the strategic leading position and fundamental supporting role of science and technology, have the determination to achieve the strategic goal of building China into a great country in science and technology by 2035, strengthen top-level design and overall planning, and accelerate the building of greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

Li Qiang presided over the conference, and Ding Xuexiang announced the decision of the award. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, and Li Xi attended the conference.

The conference began at 10 a.m. The Chinese People's Liberation Army military band played the national anthem, "March of the Volunteers," and everyone stood up to sing the national anthem.

Ding announced the Decision on the National Science and Technology Award for 2023 by the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council.

As the horn of the ceremony sounded, Xi first presented medals and certificates for 2023 China's top sci-tech award to Academician Li Deren from Wuhan University and Academician Xue Qikun from Tsinghua University, shook hands with the two scientists and extended his congratulations. Later, Xi and other Party and state leaders, together with the two winners of the top sci-tech award, presented certificates to the delegates who received the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award and the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China.

Amid warm applause, Xi delivered an important speech. He pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee has promoted the implementation of the strategy for innovation-driven development, proposed the strategic task of accelerating building an innovative country, continuously deepened the reform of the scientific and technological system, and vigorously promoted the building of self-reliance and strength in science and technology. As a result, new breakthroughs have been made in basic frontier research, new strides have been achieved in strategic high-tech fields, new progress has been made in innovation-driven high-quality development, new prospects have been opened up in the reform of the scientific and technological system, and new progress has been made in international opening-up and cooperation. In general, historic achievements and transformations have been realized in the development of science and technology.

Xi stressed that in the development of science and technology in the new era, we have continuously deepened our understanding of its principles and accumulated much important experience. It is as follows: upholding the overall leadership of the Party, adhering to the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics, insisting on innovation-driven development, making sure that sci-tech development must be oriented towards the global frontier, major sectors of economic development, the major needs of the country, and people's health, stimulating innovation vitality through deepening reforms, promoting a virtuous cycle of education, technology, and talent, fostering an innovation culture, and emphasizing open cooperation in science and technology for the benefit of humanity. This experience must be adhered to for a long time to come and continually enriched and developed in practice.

Xi pointed out that momentous changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, and a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is profoundly evolving, greatly reshaping the global order and development landscape. There are still some deficiencies and weaknesses in the development of China's scientific and technological undertakings, necessitating a heightened sense of urgency. It is therefore imperative to further intensify efforts in scientific and technological innovation to seize the high ground in technological competition and future development.

He also underscored the importance of fully leveraging the advantages of the new system to mobilize resources nationwide for accomplishing major tasks, improving the system of centralized and unified leadership by the Party Central Committee over scientific and technological work, and establishing a coordinated and efficient system for decision-making and organizing implementation of plans and policies. It is imperative to give full play to the decisive role of market in the allocation of scientific and technological resources, also to the role the government plays in this regard, and motivate all the links of industry, academia, and research, together forming a synergy for achieving breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields. Efforts should be made to strengthen the building of national strategic strength in science and technology, enhance the organizational level of basic research, and encourage free exploration in research, so as to lay a solid foundation for scientific and technological innovation.

Xi pointed out that it is essential to promote integration between innovation in science and technology and industrial innovation, so as to help develop new quality productive forces. He said that the focus should be placed on the key areas and weak links in the building of a modern industrial system. Efforts should be made to increase the supply of "high-quality science and technology", cultivate and develop emerging and future industries, and transform and upgrade traditional industries with new technologies. He also noted the necessity to reinforce the principal role of enterprises in innovation and intensify the application of scientific and technological achievements. A great job should be done in the development of fintech.

Xi stressed the need to comprehensively deepen the reform of the scientific and technological systems and mechanisms, coordinate the construction of major innovation platforms and optimize the allocation of innovation resources. It is imperative to improve overall planning of scientific and technological innovation, refine the management of science and technology and invest more effectively in this regard. He urged faster steps to improve categorized assessment and evaluation mechanisms in line with the law of science and research activities and refine the incentive system, so as to unleash the vitality of innovation.

Xi noted that reform of the systems and mechanisms concerning education, science and technology and talent should be advanced with a holistic approach, and the mechanism where science, education and talent cultivation are coordinated should be improved, so as to accelerate the efforts to create a large, well-structured, high-quality team of innovation personnel. Disciplines and programs for higher education should be optimized, and new ways of nurturing talent should be explored, so as to improve the level and quality of nurturing talent at home. It is essential to speed up efforts to build a contingent of personnel with expertise of strategic importance and focus on cultivating outstanding engineers, master craftsmen and highly-skilled workers. Efforts should also be accelerated to cultivate young scientists, encourage dedication to science, and inspire all scientific researchers to aim high and remain patriotic, dedicated and committed to innovation.

Xi stressed the need for further efforts to promote the development of a community with a shared future for humanity, and that self-reliance and strength should be built via opening up and cooperation. He called for efforts to further implement the initiative for global scientific and technological cooperation, further broaden the government and non-governmental channels for exchanges and cooperation in this regard, give full play to platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative, and support scientists and researchers from all countries to jointly achieve breakthroughs. Xi also called for efforts to integrate into the global innovation network, take part in global governance of science and technology, and jointly respond to global challenges so that the development of science and technology can better benefit the humanity.

Xi expressed the hope that academicians with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering will continue to play well a pioneering role in exploring frontiers of science and technology, a leading role in undertaking major tasks, a guiding role in promoting the growth of young talent, and an exemplary role in dedication to science so as to make new contributions to the development of China's science and technology. Science and technology workers must conscientiously integrate academic pursuit into the great cause of building a leading country in science and technology, and make new achievements that are worthy of the times and live up to people's expectations. It is imperative that Party committees and governments at all levels make concrete efforts to strengthen the organization and leadership of work in science and technology, and secure all-out service support.

When presiding over the conference, Li Qiang noted that General Secretary Xi's important speech hails the historic achievements in China's scientific and technological development and innovation in recent years, and summarizes in depth the important experience in this regard in the new era. Xi's speech also insightfully and pithily expounds the significant role of scientific and technological innovation in advancing Chinese modernization and realizing the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects, systematically elucidates the basic connotations and main tasks of accelerating the building of a leading country in science and technology under the new situation, and points the direction for doing a good job in scientific and technological work in the new era. It is thus a must to conscientiously study, thoroughly understand, and earnestly implement the speech. On the new journey, it is a glorious mission and weighty responsibility to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology and build a leading country in this regard. It is necessary to rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, adopt a more conscientious and firmer stance in doing scientific and technological work well, and work together to build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization.

At the conference, Li Deren and Xue Qikun made speeches on behalf of all the award winners.

Before the conference, Xi and other leaders met with representatives of the national science and technology award winners and had a photo taken with them.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, relevant leading officials of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, State Councilors, the President of the Supreme People's Court, the Procurator General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and relevant leading officials of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference attended the conference.

About 3,000 people participated in the conference. They include leading officials from all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities under separate state planning, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, relevant central Party and state departments, relevant people's organizations, and relevant units of the military, as well as academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, some foreign academicians, and representatives of the national science and technology award winners.

A total of 250 projects and 12 scientific and technological experts were selected for the national science and technology awards in 2023. Among them, two scientists won the highest science and technology award, 49 projects were granted with the State Natural Science Award with one for first prize award and 48 for second prize award, 62 projects were presented with the State Technological Invention Award with eight for first prize award and 54 for second prize award, 139 projects won the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award with three for special award, 16 for first prize award and 120 for second prize award, and a total of 10 foreign experts won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China. ■

Xi stresses Yellow River basin ecological conservation, high-quality development

BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, Chinese president, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region should thoroughly implement the new development philosophy on all fronts, and adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability. He made the remarks during an inspection tour in the northwest autonomous region.

He urged Ningxia to take it as the guiding principle to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and make it a major task to build an ecological conservation and high-quality development pilot zone in the Yellow River Basin. Under the guiding principle and major task, Ningxia should coordinate the promotion of high-quality development and high-level protection, comprehensively deepen reform and expand opening up, advance a new type of urbanization and rural revitalization, and strengthen its work on ethnic unity and common prosperity. The autonomous region is urged to accelerate the building of a new Ningxia with a prosperous economy, ethnic unity, beautiful environment and well-off people, so as to write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

On June 19, Xi arrived in Ningxia after he wrapped up his inspection tour in Qinghai Province. In the afternoon, he made an inspection tour in Yinchuan, capital of the autonomous region, accompanied by Liang Yanshun, secretary of the CPC Ningxia Autonomous Regional Committee, and Zhang Yupu, governor of Ningxia.

The Changcheng Garden community in Jinfeng District of Yinchuan City is a large community inhabited by residents from a number of ethnic groups. Xi first came to the community service center. He visited the service hall, community public health station, and a supermarket, and was briefed on the community work. He learned in detail how Party organizations in the community play their role in organizing neighborhood activities and providing services to residents. After that, he came to the community activity room, and, with great interest, he watched some residents doing paper-cutting and rehearsing dance. He talked cordially with residents there, encouraging retirees to not only enjoy elderly care and develop hobbies, but also have something meaningful to do.

Xi pointed out that community Party organizations are the "nerve ends" of the CPC to establish contact with people at the grassroots, and they should play a leading role in a community. When community Party organizations are well established and strong, community work has its anchor, Xi said. Party building should function as a linchpin for community work, which should focus on addressing the pressing difficulties and problems that concern people most, and do everything possible in earnest to serve the needs of residents.

Xi came to the home of Zhao Shoucheng, a community resident, and sat with his family to chat about their employment, income, medical insurance, and children's education, appreciating their happy life and encouraging their children to develop moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility, and work skills. Zhao told Xi that the local Party committee and government are very concerned about community development, especially in renovating old neighborhoods and organizing cultural and sports activities for residents. They have done a lot of practical work in these areas, and people of all ethnic groups live harmoniously in the community and enjoy a comfortable life. Xi emphasized that the CPC is dedicated to serving the people, and the well-being of the people of all ethnic groups and every household is his concern. He expressed the hope that residents maintain a sound family environment so that their lives will get better and better.

In the evening, the community square was very lively. When the residents saw Xi arriving, they gathered around, applauding warmly to welcome him. Xi cordially said to them, "After four years, I come to Ningxia again to visit the officials and people of all ethnic groups. I am very happy to see you all!" The Chinese nation is a big family and people of all ethnic groups should be closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate, he said. He stressed the need to consolidate the sense of community for the Chinese nation, bringing people's hearts of all ethnic groups closer, and rallying forces from all sectors to jointly advance Chinese modernization and participate in the grand endeavor of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

On the morning of June 20, Xi was briefed on the work of the autonomous region by the CPC Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Committee and the regional government. He affirmed what the autonomous region has achieved in the various aspects of its work.

Xi pointed out that with its unique geographical conditions and rich resources, Ningxia should take a special and different path for its industrial development, so as to build a modern industrial system with special advantages and competitiveness. He urged the autonomous region to constantly refine and intensively develop its modern coal chemical industry, new materials industry as well as clean energy such as wind power, photovoltaics, and hydrogen energy, along with other characteristic industries like wine and goji berries. Efforts should be made to make the development of these industries sustainable. He also noted the need for the autonomous region to integrate culture and tourism, and vigorously develop characteristic and "all-for-one" tourism. It is imperative for the region to advance the integration between scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, intensify the application of scientific and technological achievements, boost the transformation and upgrading of its traditional industries, develop strategic emerging industries, and forge new quality productive forces according to local conditions. Given the fact that the northern irrigation area of the Yellow River, the central drought area and the southern mountainous area have their own characteristics, Xi called on the region to have a clear understanding of their respective foundation for industrial development, their resource capacity and development potential. Then, the autonomous region needs to strengthen overall planning, and promote industrial cooperation, creating a new development paradigm under which different areas complement each other in development, urban and rural development is integrated, and different parts of the region interact with each other.

Xi stressed that Ningxia should intensify efforts to deepen reform in major areas and explore reforms with its own local characteristics. He called on Ningxia to improve the systems underpinning the market economy, actively integrate itself into the building of a unified national market, continue to advance reform of state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises, conscientiously implement the policies boosting the development of the private sector, optimize the business environment, and give impetus to social investment. Ningxia should also remain committed to coordinating opening up both domestically and abroad, take an active part in the Belt and Road Initiative and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, deepen economic and trade cooperation with Arab countries, and improve the level of opening up in inland regions, said Xi. He added that the baseline for Ningxia to plan reform and development is to protect well the ecosystems of the Yellow River, the Helan Mountain, the Liupan Mountain and the Luoshan Mountain. It is imperative for the autonomous region to advance reform on market-based allocation of resources and environmental factors, refine the mechanisms to realize the market value of ecosystem goods and services and the compensation system for ecological conservation, and implement the strictest management system for water resources. It is imperative for the autonomous region to win the tough battle against desertification in the riverbend region of the Yellow River, and promote in a coordinated manner the conservation and restoration of forest, grassland, wetland, and desert ecosystems as well as the comprehensive treatment of saline and alkaline land, so as to make the "oasis land north of the Great Wall" increasingly beautiful.

Xi noted the need for the autonomous region to see that the work to support people's livelihood is inclusive, meet essential needs, and ensure basic living standards for those in difficulty, spare no effort to resolve the pressing difficulties and problems that concern people most, and take solid steps to promote common prosperity among all ethnic groups. Efforts should be made to prioritize employment and effectively assist key groups including college graduates, migrant workers, and ex-service people in finding jobs. The autonomous region should actively promote urban renewal and strengthen the renovation of old urban residential communities. It is also imperative for the region to promote the integrated development of urban and rural areas in accordance with the movement of population, and advance the integration of urban and rural industry development, infrastructure, and public services. It is a must for the autonomous region to advance rural revitalization across the board, implement the action plan well to help millions of migrants become prosperous, advance the construction of beautiful rural areas, and promote the transformation of outdated rural customs. Efforts should also be made to consolidate and expand what has been achieved in poverty alleviation, and deepen paired assistance and social support to see that no large number of people become poverty-stricken again. Good work must be done to ensure workplace safety, and strengthen the work to identify and address risks and potential dangers, so as to effectively safeguard the safety of people's lives and property.

Xi stressed that Ningxia should fully implement the Party's major principles and policies for work on ethnic affairs in the new era, and strive to make the autonomous region a demonstration area for consolidating the sense of community for the Chinese nation. The autonomous region should govern ethnic affairs in accordance with the law, focus on building a social structure and community environment where residents from different ethnic groups live as neighbors, and continuously broaden the practical path for all ethnic groups to be fully integrated. It is essential for Ningxia to fully implement the theories, principles and policies of the Party's religious work in the new era, and strengthen ideological and political guidance for the religious circle.

Xi pointed out that the on-going campaign to study the Party discipline across the entire Party must be carried out in earnest so that real outcome can be achieved. Party members and officials should be encouraged to conscientiously study the Party discipline and regulations. Abiding by the Party discipline and regulations, Party members and officials should focus on their work, stay open-minded, forge ahead, and try to achieve as much as they can. Concerted work must be done to enhance Party consciousness, improve Party conduct, and tighten Party discipline. Work on improving Party conduct must continue permanently. It is essential to further fight against pointless formalities so as to reduce the burden on primary-level officials. Coordinated steps should be taken to see that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to be corrupt so that sound Party conduct will help rally people's support and guide social morals.

Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, and leading officials from relevant Party and state departments accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. ■