Full text of Xi Jinping's speech at first session of 14th NPC

BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech Monday morning at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress, the country's national legislature.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Speech at the first session of the 14th NPC

March 13, 2023

By Xi Jinping

Fellow deputies,

I was elected at this session to continue to serve as the president of the People's Republic of China (PRC). I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the trust placed in me by all the deputies and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.

It is my third time to take on this noble position of the president of the PRC. The people's trust has been my greatest source of strength to go forward and also the greatest responsibility on my shoulders. I will faithfully fulfill the duties prescribed in the Constitution, take the needs of the country as my mission and the people's interests as the yardstick to follow, be committed and honest in my duties, devote myself to my work without reserve, and never fail to live up to the great trust of the deputies and the people.

Fellow deputies,

The Chinese nation, with a civilization spanning over 5,000 years, has created a myriad of glories and also been through a lot of hardships and adversity. With the advent of modern times, China was reduced to a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society, when bullying by foreign powers and frequent wars tore the country apart and plunged the Chinese people into an abyss of great suffering. Since its founding, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has closely united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in working hard for a century to put an end to China's national humiliation. The Chinese people have become the masters of their future, the Chinese nation has achieved the great transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong, and China's national rejuvenation has become a historical inevitability.

From now until the middle of the century, the central task of the Party and all Chinese people is to complete building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts. And the baton of this central task has now been historically passed on to our generation. In accordance with the strategic plans made at the 20th CPC National Congress, we must implement the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, speed up Chinese modernization, strive in unity, and continue to break new ground, so as to make achievements on the new journey that answer the call of our times and history and meet the expectations of our people, and make due contributions of our generation to building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation.

Fellow deputies,

On the new journey to build China into a great country and to achieve national rejuvenation, we must unswervingly promote high-quality development. We must fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts and accelerate the efforts to foster a new development pattern. We must fully implement the strategy for invigorating China through science and education, the workforce development strategy and the innovation-driven development strategy, and focus on achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology. We must also promote transformation and upgrading of industries, promote coordinated urban-rural and regional development, make further efforts to build a green and low-carbon economy and society, and effectively upgrade the quality and appropriately expand the output of our economy, so as to constantly increase our economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities and composite national strength.

We must remain committed to putting the people first. The people are the decisive force for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. We must proactively develop whole-process people's democracy, uphold the unity between the Party leadership, the running of the country by the people and law-based governance, improve the system of institutions through which the people run the country, fulfill the people's will, protect their rights and interests and fully inspire their enthusiasm, initiative and creativity. We need to implement a people-centered philosophy of development, improve the system of income distribution, perfect the social security system, and enhance basic public services. We must ensure that the basic living needs of all our people are met, and work hard to resolve the pressing difficulties and problems that concern them most. We must do a better job of seeing to it that the gains of modernization benefit all our people fairly, and make more notable and substantive progress in promoting common prosperity for all. We must strengthen the great unity of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups and the great unity of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad, thus mobilizing all positive factors to give shape to a mighty joint force for building a great country and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

We need to better coordinate development and security. Security is the foundation of development and stability is the prerequisite for prosperity. We must resolutely pursue a holistic approach to national security, improve the national security system, strengthen our capacity for safeguarding national security, enhance public security governance, and improve the social governance system. With this new security architecture, we will be able to better safeguard China's new pattern of development. We should comprehensively promote the modernization of our national defense and our armed forces, and build the people's military into a great wall of steel that can effectively safeguard our nation's sovereignty, security and the interests of our development.

We should solidly promote the practice of "one country, two systems" and the great cause of national reunification. The long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions is indispensable to the building of a great China. 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 will remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao and will support Hong Kong and Macao in developing their economies and improving people's livelihood, so that they can better integrate themselves into the overall development of the country. Realizing China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation as well as the essence of national rejuvenation. We should implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, actively promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, resolutely oppose foreign interference and separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence," and unswervingly promote progress towards national reunification.

We must strive to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China's development benefits the world, and China cannot develop itself in isolation from the world. We must solidly promote high-level opening up, not only making good use of the global market and resources to develop ourselves, but also promoting common development of the world. We must hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, always stand on the right side of history, practice true multilateralism and the common values of mankind, actively participate in the reform and development of the global governance system, and promote the development of an open world economy. We should promote the implementation of Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, so as to add more stability and positive energy to world peace and development, and create a favorable international environment for our country's development.

Fellow deputies,

To do a good job of governing the country, the Party should do a good job of governing itself; and to build a great country, the Party must be thriving. To promote the building of a great country, it is essential to uphold the leadership of the CPC and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and to step up Party building in a solid manner. We must remain sober-minded and resolved about addressing the challenges unique to a big political party as ours, and have the courage to carry out self-reform. We must unceasingly exercise full and rigorous Party self-governance, unswervingly fight against corruption, and always maintain the unity and solidarity of the Party. By doing so, we will be able to ensure that the Party will never change its nature, its conviction, or its character, which will serve as a strong guarantee for building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation.

Fellow deputies,

The grand goal of building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation is encouraging and motivating. We should seize the day, remain confident in our history, exhibit greater historical initiative, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, maintain strategic resolve, carry forward the fighting spirit, and strive to overcome all difficulties, to contribute to the great cause of building China into a great country and achieving national rejuvenation.

Thank you. ■

Xi calls for guiding healthy, high-quality development of private sector

BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited on Monday afternoon national political advisors from the China National Democratic Construction Association (CNDCA) and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), who are attending the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Xi participated in their joint panel discussion and heard their comments and suggestions. He stressed that the CPC Central Committee always stays committed to unswervingly consolidating and developing the public sector of the economy, and at the same time unswervingly encouraging, supporting and guiding the development of the non-public sector of the economy. The non-public sector's status and functions in the country's economic and social development have not changed, the principle and policies to unswervingly encourage, support and guide the development of the sector have not changed, and the principle and policies to provide a sound environment and more opportunities to the sector have not changed. The CPC Central Committee has always considered private enterprises and private entrepreneurs as being in our ranks. Efforts should be made to guide private enterprises and private entrepreneurs to understand the principles and policies of the CPC Central Committee, and boost their confidence and unburden them of their worries, so that they can ambitiously pursue development, and therefore the healthy, high-quality development of the private sector can be achieved.

Ahead of International Women's Day, which is celebrated on March 8, Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, extended holiday greetings and best wishes to female deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), female members of the CPPCC National Committee, and female staff of the two sessions. Greetings and best wishes were also extended to women from all ethnic groups and sectors of society on the Chinese mainland, to female compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, in Taiwan, and overseas.

Those who joined Xi in the visit and the discussion included Wang Huning, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and presides over the meetings of the presidium of the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, and Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, also members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

During the joint panel discussion, CPPCC members Zeng Yuqun, Xie Dong, Liu Zhendong, Chen Xiaoping, Xie Ru and Sun Dongsheng made remarks regarding topics on developing a globally competitive new energy industry, providing financial support for scientific and technological innovation, creating a better environment for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting the high-quality development of platform economy, advancing the revitalization of rural industries, and how to give full play to the strengths and vitality of the private sector.

Xi made an important speech after listening carefully to the members. He said he was pleased to visit and have discussions with national political advisors from the CNDCA and the ACFIC. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, he extended sincere greetings to those who were present, to members of the CNDCA and the ACFIC and individuals from the non-public sector of the economy, and to all CPPCC members.

Xi stressed that the year 2022 was an extremely crucial year of great importance in the history of the CPC and the country. Faced with high winds and choppy waters in the international environment and multiple greater-than-expected factors at home, with all the Chinese people meeting difficulties head-on and striving in unity, we secured some accomplishments of major significance and far-reaching influence, resulting in substantial achievements in advancing the cause of the Party and the country.

The CPC successfully convened its 20th National Congress, drawing an ambitious blueprint for building a modern socialist country in all respects. We overcame difficulties and challenges including the COVID-19 epidemic, and safely and successfully hosted the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics as scheduled. We dynamically optimized and adjusted the measures and policies for COVID-19 prevention and control, securing a smooth transition within a relatively short period of time. As a result, China's mortality rate of COVID-19 has been kept at the lowest level globally. We have scored a major and decisive victory in our response to COVID-19. We fully and faithfully applied the new development philosophy on all fronts and focused on fostering a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development. While the global inflation reached a new high in over four decades, consumer prices in China remained stable in general. China's economic growth for the whole year was 3 percent, which is quite high among major economies in the world. All these achievements did not come easily.

Xi pointed out that the past five years since the 19th CPC National Congress have been truly momentous and extraordinary. The external environment for China's development has changed drastically, with uncertainties and unexpected factors increasing remarkably. In particular, Western countries headed by the United States have contained, encircled and suppressed China in an all-round way, bringing unprecedentedly severe challenges to China's development. At the same time, China has also faced various difficulties such as the resurging COVID-19 epidemic and the mounting downward pressure facing the domestic economy.

Adhering to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, we have met obstacles and difficulties head on and responded to them calmly, remained unswayed by fallacies, not cowed by pressure or hardships. China's GDP registered an annual growth rate of 5.2 percent over the past five years. We won the critical battle against poverty as scheduled and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thus attaining the First Centenary Goal, achieving impressive advances in the cause of the Party and the country, and taking China on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. The achievements of the past five years should be attributed to the concerted efforts of the whole Party and the Chinese people, as well as to the contribution of the CPPCC members.

Xi stressed that, in the face of profound and complex changes in the international and domestic environment, we must remain calm, maintain firm resolve, pursue progress while ensuring stability, demonstrate enterprise in our work, unite as one, and have the courage to carry on our fight. To remain calm and maintain firm resolve means to keep a cool head in observing the profound changes in the international landscape, and calmly respond to various risks and challenges. We should accurately identify, soundly respond to, and actively steer changes, and timely optimize and adjust our strategies and policies. At the same time, we should maintain firm strategic resolve, stay tenacious, never be afraid of any risks, and move forward firmly toward the established strategic plans. To sustain progress while ensuring stability and demonstrate enterprise in our work means to maintain stability in our general direction, principles and polices, as well as strategic plans. On the basis of securing our foundation and position, we must forge ahead vigorously, move forward as fast as possible and strive for the best possible results.

We should unite as one and have the courage to carry on our fight as we draw our strengths from unity. Over the years, we have encountered various risks, challenges and battles one after another, and have overcome every one of them with all the people striving in unity and fighting tenaciously. In the near future, we will only face more and increasingly serious risks and challenges. Only when all the people work together with one heart and one mind, unite as one, and have the courage and ability to carry out our fight, will we continue to win new and greater victories.

Xi pointed out that the private sector is an important force for our Party to maintain its long-term governance and to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups to realize the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. We always regard private enterprises and private entrepreneurs as being in our ranks, giving them support when they are in difficulties and offering them guidance when they are uncertain about what to do. We should improve the development environment for private enterprises, remove the institutional obstacles that prevent them from fairly participating in market competition, and safeguard the property rights of private enterprises and the rights and the interests of private entrepreneurs according to law. We should substantiate the requirement that state-owned enterprises and their private counterparts should be treated equally through institutional arrangements and legal guarantee to encourage and support the development of the private sector and growth of private enterprises, and boost market expectations and confidence.

It is necessary to give full play to the important role of private enterprises in stabilizing employment and boosting income, take more effective measures to support the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed individuals, and support the platform companies to play an active role in creating jobs, expanding consumption and competing in the global market. Work should be done to fully establish a cordial and clean relationship between government and businesses, and resolve concerns and difficulties for private companies and private entrepreneurs, so that they could be given a free hand and concentrate on development with no worries. It is also necessary to strengthen theoretical and political guidance, help private companies and private entrepreneurs properly perceive the Party Central Committee's principles and policies of unswervingly consolidating and developing the public sector, unswervingly encouraging, supporting and guiding the development of the non-public sector, as well as promoting the healthy growth of the non-public sector of the economy and encouraging those working in this sector to achieve success, so that they can let go of misgivings, be unburdened and develop with courage.

Xi stressed that the pursuit of high-quality development places higher requirements on the private sector. Private enterprises should put into practice the new development philosophy, thoroughly understand the shortcomings existing in and challenges faced by the private sector, so that they can transform their growth model, adjust industrial structure and shift to new growth drivers, stick to the main business, strengthen their industries and consciously take the path of high-quality development. Those who have the ability and the conditions should strengthen self-dependent innovation to play a greater role in promoting sci-tech self-reliance and strength and the application of sci-tech achievements.

Efforts should be made to unleash the vitality of private investment, and encourage and attract more private capital to take part in the development of major projects and programs in key industrial and supply chains, enabling such capital to make a greater contribution to fostering a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development. Work should be done to regulate and guide the sound development of all types of capital in accordance with law, and effectively prevent and defuse systematic financial risks, with the goal of creating an environment for enterprises under all forms of ownership to compete equally and grow together.

Xi pointed out that Chinese modernization is meant to realize common prosperity for all Chinese people. Both state-owned enterprises and their private counterparts are important forces for promoting common prosperity. Both should take their social responsibilities in this regard. He called on private entrepreneurs to strengthen their sentiment and concern for the country and the people, and consciously apply people-centered development philosophy, and have a strong sense of responsibility and mission to help others get rich and promote common prosperity.

Xi said that private enterprises should strive to build harmonious internal labor relations and foster an employees' community with shared interest, making sure that the achievements of private enterprises' development can equally benefit all staff members. He underlined the requirement that private enterprises and private entrepreneurs should adhere to the bottom line that their business operations must be in compliance with law and regulations, carry forward the fine spirit of entrepreneurship, and act as patriotic and dedicated role models who always abide by law in business operations, actively start up businesses while seeking innovation, and repay the society. Private enterprises and private entrepreneurs are called on to pass on and further develop traditional Chinese virtues, actively join in and initiate social charities, being responsible, righteous and benevolent while being wealthy.

Shi Taifeng, He Lifeng, Hao Mingjin, Gao Yunlong and others were present. ■

Xi stresses high-quality development with Jiangsu delegation

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that high-quality development is the top priority in building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon during a deliberation with deputies from the delegation of Jiangsu Province at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress. Xi is a deputy of the delegation.

Xi stressed that we must fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, and as far as understanding, assessing and promoting development is concerned, we must make sure that the development is innovative, coordinated, green, open and for everyone in a well-integrated manner. A better balance must be maintained between effective rise in quality and reasonable growth in quantity, with quality first and priority given to economic and social benefits. We need to raise awareness of quality, and regard quality as precious as life to pursue higher quality. We must stay committed to deepening reform and opening up, further transform the growth model, and work for better quality with higher efficiency and more robust drivers of economic growth through reform, so as to accelerate the development of institutions and mechanisms for sustainable high-quality development. Our ultimate goal is to meet people's increasing expectation for a better life, so it is important to transform the achievements of development into quality of life so as to constantly increase people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.

Xi was received by a round of warm applause when he came to the Jiangsu delegation.

The atmosphere was warm and serious in the delegation's panel deliberation. Deputies Xu Kunlin, Liu Qing, Shan Zenghai, Wei Qiao, Zhang Dadong and Wu Qingwen shared their opinions on how to serve the fostering of a new development pattern, how to vigorously promote coordinated innovation across regions, how to develop a stronger manufacturing industry, how to be "new farmers" of the times, how to cultivate talents for the Party, and how to be the pacemaker of the Chinese path to modernization. Xi would often make remarks between their speeches and compare notes with other deputies.

Having listened carefully to the deputies, Xi made a speech. He said that, first of all, he thought well of the Report on the Work of the Government, and affirmed the achievements that Jiangsu has made over the past five years in various areas including social and economic development as well as Party building. He said he hoped that Jiangsu would continue to forge ahead with solid efforts and take the lead on the journey of high-quality development, so as to make a good start for the new chapter of Jiangsu's modernization drive featuring strong economy, prosperity for residents, beautiful environment and developed culture and ethics, and make new and greater contributions to the overall development of the country.

Xi pointed out that speeding up efforts to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology is the path we must take to promote high-quality development. Facing fierce global competitions, we must open up new areas and new tracks in development and foster new growth drivers and new strengths, which, fundamentally, depends on sci-tech innovation. Whether we will be able to finish building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects as scheduled or not depends on whether we can achieve self-reliance and strength in science and technology. We must adhere to the principles of targeting global scientific and technological frontiers, serving the economy, meeting major national needs and striving to improve people's lives and health. We must accelerate the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy, promote in-depth cooperation between industries, universities and research institutes, and intensify efforts to develop major platforms for sci-tech innovation. We must support top scientists to take the lead in conducting original and pioneering scientific and technological research in order to achieve breakthroughs and overcome difficulties in core technologies in key fields, so as to ensure that key areas and links can fall within our own hands. We must strengthen the dominant position of enterprises, promote deeper integration of the innovation, industrial, capital and talent chains, give full play to the guiding and supporting role of key high-tech enterprises, and promote healthy development of micro, small and medium-sized technological enterprises. We must constantly promote the transformation and industrial application of scientific research and technological development results, so as to build a center for industrial and sci-tech innovation with global competitiveness. We need to deepen reform of science and technology system, vigorously foster a culture of innovation, and perfect the system for appraisal of science and technology and the incentive mechanism, so as to create an enabling environment for innovative personnel to stand out and give full play to their talents.

Xi pointed out that accelerating the creation of a new development pattern is the strategic foundation for promoting high-quality growth. We should make sure that our implementation of the strategy to expand domestic demand is integrated with our efforts to deepen supply-side structural reform, and move faster to modernize the industrial system. In pursuing economic growth, we must continue to focus on the real economy. We need to advance new industrialization, intensify efforts to re-engineer the industrial foundation and tackle key issues in major technologies and equipment, so as to make the manufacturing sector high-end, smarter, and greener. We should move faster to build up Jiangsu's strength in manufacturing, vigorously develop strategic emerging industries, and accelerate the development of the digital economy. We should, in accordance with the requirements of building a high-standard socialist market economy and promoting high-standard opening up, deepen reform in key areas, make coordinated efforts to put in place a modern infrastructure system and a high-standard market system, and steadily expand institutional opening up.

Xi emphasized that strong agriculture is the foundation of a strong modern socialist country, and promoting agricultural modernization is a prerequisite for achieving high-quality development. We should safeguard the red line of 120 million hectares of farmland, keep sown area at a stable level, increase the area of high-standard cropland, and secure the stable and safe supply of grain and important agricultural products. We should take industrial development as the top priority of rural revitalization, actively extend and expand the agricultural industry chain, cultivate and develop new industries and new forms of business in rural areas, so as to create more channels for farmers to increase their incomes. We should optimize the layout of townships and villages, coordinate the development of rural infrastructure and public service system, carry out in-depth actions to improve rural living environment, and speed up the building of a beautiful and harmonious countryside that is desirable to live and work in. We should leverage the strengths of science and technology and reform to advance reform of the rural land system, consolidate and improve the basic rural operation system, develop new rural collective economies, cultivate new types of agribusiness and commercial agricultural services, and support appropriately scaled agricultural operations, so as to inject momentum and vitality into the agricultural and rural development.

Xi pointed out that promoting high-quality development is for the wellbeing of the people. Primary-level governance and livelihood support concern people's immediate interests, and are thus a foundation-laying work for promoting common prosperity and achieving a high quality of life. Party committees and governments at all levels must bear this in mind, do the work well all the times and make sure that achievements are made in this regard. They should improve the mechanism for community-level self-governance guided by primary-level Party organizations, strengthen the development of grassroots-level organizations, and perfect the platform for primary-level governance featuring grid-based management, meticulous services and information technology support. They should also improve the governance system for urban and rural communities to bring high-quality service and detailed management to the doorsteps of the people. They should carry on and develop the "Fengqiao Experience" in the new era, improve the mechanism for appropriately handling disputes among the people under new circumstances to timely defuse them at grassroots level and initial stage. They should focus on the most pressing difficulties and problems that are of great concern to the people, take more measures that can improve people's livelihood and warm the cockles of their hearts, refine the basic public service system, make an effort to support employment of key groups, adjust income distribution, improve the social security system and boost the service for the elderly and the children. Practical and targeted efforts should be made for the control and prevention of the COVID-19 epidemic in the new phase, and every measure must be taken to manage COVID-19 as a Class B infectious disease. Efforts should be made to persistently strengthen the development of public health system, disease control and prevention system, and healthcare service system.

Lastly, Xi stressed that, to promote high quality development, the overall leadership of the Party must be upheld, and full and strict governance over the Party must be exercised in a steadfast manner. Party committees at all levels must take their due responsibilities for full and strict governance over the Party, take practical steps in further studying, publicizing and applying the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, strengthen team building of leaderships and officials at all levels after the change of office terms, reinforce Party building on all fronts, carry out thematic education on thoroughly learning and putting into practice the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, in order to provide staunch political guidance and political guarantee for us to forge ahead in the new journey and make contributions in the new era.

Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and He Lifeng were present. ■

Communique of the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of the communique of the second plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China:

Communique of the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

(Adopted at the Second Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on February 28, 2023)

The second plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Beijing from February 26 to 28, 2023.

The session was attended by 203 members and 170 alternate members of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Deputy secretaries of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and leading officials of related departments attended as non-voting participants.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered an important speech at the session which was presided over by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

At the session, the Central Committee heard and discussed the report on the work of the Political Bureau, presented by Xi Jinping on behalf of the Political Bureau. The session reviewed and adopted a list of proposed candidates for the leading positions of state institutions to be recommended to the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), and a list of proposed candidates for the leadership of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee to be recommended to the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee. The Political Bureau has extensively solicited opinions within and outside the Party for putting forward the lists, which have also been discussed time and again. The plenary session decided to recommend the two lists respectively to the presidium of the first session of the 14th NPC and the presidium of the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee.

The session deliberated and adopted a plan on reform of Party and state institutions. The plan was put forward on the basis of extensively soliciting opinions. Xi Jinping delivered explanatory remarks on the draft plan on reform of Party and state institutions. It was agreed at the session that part of the reform plan will be submitted to the first session of the 14th NPC for deliberation in accordance with due legal procedures.

The plenary session fully affirmed the work of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee since the first plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. It was unanimously agreed at the session that, in the face of a complex and severe international environment and the arduous task of carrying out domestic reform and securing development and stability, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee has comprehensively implemented the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the first plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. It has held high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and adhered to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. By doing so, it has better coordinated the domestic and international imperatives, the COVID-19 response and socioeconomic development, and the development and security priorities. With its leadership, a wave of enthusiasm for studying, publicizing and implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress has swept across the country. It held a memorial meeting to mourn the passing of Comrade Jiang Zemin, and made preparatory work for the new term of the NPC and the National Committee of the CPPCC. It has dynamically optimized and adjusted the measures for COVID-19 prevention and control, vigorously pushed forward the steady economic recovery to promote high-quality development, and strengthened with solid efforts the building of socialist democracy and the rule of law as well as publicity, ideological and cultural work. It has solidly secured and improved people's well-being and resolutely safeguarded national security and social stability, launched the new journey for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and strengthened full and strict governance of the Party, making new strides in all aspects.

It was emphasized at the session that making the first sessions of the 14th NPC and the 14th CPPCC National Committee a success is of great significance to further mobilizing the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to be united and strive for building a modern socialist country in all respects and realizing national rejuvenation on all fronts.

It was noted at the session that, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has made deepening the reform of Party and state institutions an important task in modernizing China's system and capacity for governance. It has deepened the reform of Party and state institutions in accordance with the principles of upholding the Party's overall leadership, maintaining a people-centered philosophy, stressing optimization, coordination and high efficiency, and exercising law-based governance on all fronts. As a result, the functions of Party and state institutions have been transformed in a systematic and holistic manner, which has provided a strong guarantee for the Party and the country to make historic achievements and see historic changes in the pursuit of the cause of the Party and the country. Valuable experience has also been accumulated in this process for further deepening the reform of Party and state institutions.

It was pointed out at the session that important arrangements were made at the 20th CPC National Congress for deepening the reform of Party and state institutions, which is of great and far-reaching significance to building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. We must uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the overarching guide, consider strengthening the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee as the pivot, and regard promoting the modernization of the national system and capacity for governance as the orientation. We must adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, adapt to the requirements for the coordinated implementation of the five-sphere integrated plan and the four-pronged comprehensive strategy, and adapt to the needs for building a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development. We must adopt a problem-oriented approach, coordinate the institutions of the CPC Central Committee, the NPC, the State Council, and the National Committee of the CPPCC, and coordinate the central and local authorities. We must deepen institutional reform in key areas to make the Party's leadership over socialist modernization more sound in institutional setup, more optimized in functional allocation, more refined in institutional mechanisms, and more efficient in operational management.

It was stressed at the session that all localities and departments, bearing in mind the overall advancement of the cause of the Party and the country, must fully recognize the importance and urgency of the reform of Party and state institutions. They must deeply understand the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, strengthen consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, and consciously align their thoughts and actions with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. They must resolutely uphold the authority and seriousness of the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, strengthen their confidence and resolve for reform, enhance organizational leadership, and faithfully implement the tasks of the reform of Party and state institutions.

It was pointed out at the session that thorough study, publicity and implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress is a top political task for the entire Party at present and for some time to come, and efforts should be made to further promote this task and see concrete results. We need to diversify and innovate the channels and approaches, and disseminate the guiding principles in such a way that they can be made popular with the people in Party and government departments, enterprises, public institutions, communities in urban and rural areas, schools, military units, various new types of economic and social organizations as well as online platforms, so that the guiding principles can truly win the hearts of the people. Officials should set a good example in fully studying, comprehending and implementing the guiding principles, thoroughly understand the significance of the great transformation over the past 10 years of this new era, gain a comprehensive command of the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as well as its stances, viewpoints and methods, and fully grasp the goals, tasks, strategic plans, and major measures for advancing the cause of the Party and the country on the new journey of the new era. We should formulate and implement specific plans and measures in light of the actual conditions of their regions and departments, and implement to the letter the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress.

It was emphasized at the session that at present, changes of a magnitude not seen in a century are accelerating across the world, which has entered a new period of turbulence and change. Our country has entered a period of development in which strategic opportunities, risks, and challenges are concurrent and uncertainties and unforeseen factors are rising, and we have to be ready to withstand high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms. China's reform, development and stability still face many deep-seated problems, the triple pressures of shrinking demand, disrupted supply and weakening expectations are still relatively heavy, the foundation of economic recovery is still not solid, and various unexpected factors may occur at any time. All Party members must have firm confidence, maintain strategically sober-minded, meet challenges head on, and better coordinate domestic priorities with international priorities, COVID-19 response with social and economic development, and development and security imperatives to strive to achieve all the goals and tasks for this year. We should apply the new development philosophy in a comprehensive and accurate manner, accelerate efforts to create a new development pattern, and promote high-quality development. We should faithfully implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and deployments on the COVID-19 prevention and control in the new phase, which has been downgraded under the management of Class B infectious diseases. We should make efforts to expand domestic demand, effectively improve the resilience and security level of the industrial and supply chains, continue to develop a more market-oriented, law-based, and international business environment, effectively forestall and defuse major economic and financial risks, and maintain a vigilant guard against systemic risks.

We must strive to guarantee and improve living standards, implement in detail the employment-first policy, ensure the basic livelihood of people in difficulty, strengthen the network of social security, address shortcomings in health and medical services, especially public services at the grassroots level in urban and rural areas, and improve the policy system for boosting birth rates. We must push forward all-round rural revitalization, consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation, and prevent large-scale poverty from recurring.

It was pointed out at the plenary session that it is necessary to unswervingly deepen reform and opening up, focus closely on the goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects, introduce a series of strategic, creative and pace-setting reform measures, strengthen the synergy in advancing reform to achieve coordination and high efficiency, and make new breakthroughs in key areas. We must uphold and improve the basic socialist economic system, optimize the modern enterprise system with Chinese characteristics, strengthen and improve modern financial regulatory system, promote high-level opening up, and make overall plans for reforms in various fields. We should focus on improving the reform implementation mechanism, ensure that reform measures are implemented and effective, constantly enhance the momentum and vitality of socialist modernization, and better transform our institutional strengths into the outcomes of national governance.

The plenary session emphasized that we must thoroughly implement the strategic arrangements for Party building made at the 20th CPC National Congress, remain sober-minded and firm in addressing the unique difficulties faced by a large political party, improve the system for full and strict governance over the Party, take enhancing the Party's political building as the overarching principle, solidly promote all aspects of Party building, and promote the new great project of Party building in the new era in a thorough manner. The session called for thematic education activities on thoroughly learning and putting into practice Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in the whole Party. Efforts are required to reinforce theoretical study and application with scientific planning and meticulous organization, so as to achieve tangible results. It was agreed that after the change of terms, ideological and political education among leadership needs to be consolidated, democratic centralism should be strictly upheld to create a clean and upright political ecosystem, so that a vibrant environment can be developed, where all officials can unite and cooperate with each other, have a strong sense of responsibility and a good job can be done to achieve what should be achieved. We should rigorously tighten the disciplines and rules, relentlessly combat the Four Malfeasances of pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance, vigorously promote investigation and research, be realistic and pragmatic in doing our work, so as to make tangible achievements that withstand the test of the time and win people's support. We need to make coordinated efforts to ensure that officials do not dare, are not able, and have no desire to commit corruption, so as to win the tough and protracted battle against corruption.

The session called on the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups to unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. We should hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, and bear in mind that all of us in the Party must never forget our original aspiration and founding mission, that we must always stay modest, prudent, and hard-working, and that we must have the courage and ability to carry on our fight. We must be self-confident and self-reliant, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, forge ahead and be resilient. We need to make solid progress in the development of Chinese modernization and make joint efforts to realize the goals and tasks set at the 20th CPC National Congress. ■

Xi Jinping presides over consultative meeting

BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a consultative meeting on Tuesday at Zhongnanhai in Beijing with the central committees of other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and personages without party affiliation, who were informed of the plan on the reform of Party and state institutions, a list of proposed candidates for the leading positions of state institutions to be recommended to the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), and a list of proposed candidates for the leadership of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee to be recommended to the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee. The meeting was also held to hear their opinions on the above-mentioned issues.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech.

Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.

In the speech, Xi Jinping said that important arrangements were made at the 20th CPC National Congress for deepening the reform of Party and state institutions. They include specific requirements for deepening the reform of financial system, improving the system in which the Party Central Committee exercises unified leadership over science and technology work, optimizing the government responsibility system and organizational structure, improving the coordinating institutions for the Party Central Committee's decision-making on and deliberation of state affairs, and optimizing the allocation of staffing resources for Party and state institutions. Efforts were specified for Party building to guide community-level governance, for stepping up Party building in enterprises of mixed ownership and non-public enterprises, and for improving the management systems for Party building in trade associations, academic societies and chambers of commerce, among others. In order to implement these requirements made at the 20th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee has formulated the draft plan on the reform of Party and state institutions on the basis of in-depth study and analysis as well as extensive solicitation of opinions. After being reviewed and adopted at the second plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, part of the reform plan will be submitted to the first session of the 14th NPC for deliberation in accordance with due legal procedures. In general, the reform of Party and state institutions this time, highlighting key industries and fields, is more targeted and intensified, covering many areas and involving a wide range of interests. It focuses on resolving challenging issues that are of great significance and of great concern to society, which will have an important impact on the economic and social development.

Xi stressed that the first session of the 14th NPC and the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee are about to be held. The election of new leading officials of state institutions and the new leadership of the CPPCC National Committee is an important task of the two sessions this year. It is also an important issue that concerns the overall situation.

The CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to the personnel arrangement of the NPC and the National Committee of the CPPCC, and has made arrangements, discussed it within certain scope and solicited opinions as well. In deliberation, it was agreed that in deciding candidates for the new leadership of state institutions and the CPPCC National Committee, we should fully implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; thoroughly understand the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; strengthen consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; stay confident in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We must firmly stay on the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics, uphold the unity between the Party leadership, the running of the country by the people and law-based governance, strengthen the work of the NPC and the CPPCC National Committee, and unite forces from all sectors.

We must adhere to the principle of the Party managing and supervising officials, select officials on the basis of both integrity and ability, with more consideration given to integrity, and on the basis of merit regardless of background, apply the criteria for judging competent officials in the new era and the requirements of being loyal, upright and responsible, and set high standards of political commitment, integrity, and image for candidates. On the basis of fully listening to opinions, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee comprehensively considered the qualifications of candidates, various structural requirements and work needs before putting forward proposed lists of candidates, which were submitted to the second plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee for deliberation, Xi said.

Xi said he hoped that other political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation would thoroughly understand the great significance of the reform of Party and state institutions, align their thoughts and actions with the reform plan, and vigorously support the reform, so as to ensure the smooth completion of the tasks of the NPC and CPPCC National Committee sessions and make both sessions democratic, unified, cohesive and with an atmosphere of integrity.

Xi said he hoped that the central committees of the other political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation could have a clear understanding of the situation and convey confidence, unite and lead their members and contacts among the general public to closely follow, in both thinking and action, the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, actively provide advice and suggestions, consolidate broad consensus, effectively dispel doubts, and educate and guide them in a targeted manner, in order to rally their strength and strive together to achieve the goals and tasks throughout the year.

Those who made speeches include Zheng Jianbang, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Ding Zhongli, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Hao Mingjin, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, Cai Dafeng, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, He Wei, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, Jiang Zuojun, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Wu Weihua, chairperson of the Central Committee of Jiusan Society, Su Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, Gao Yunlong, chairperson of the ACFIC, and Li Wei, a representative of personages without party affiliation.

They believed that the plan on the reform of the Party and state institutions, and the proposed lists of candidates for the leading positions of state institutions and the leadership of the CPPCC National Committee were produced on the basis of extensive consultation and deliberation, reflecting the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and bearing on the advancement of the cause of the Party and the country on the new journey in the new era.

They expressed staunch support for the reform plan and the proposed lists, and put forward their advice and suggestions on the further reform of Party and state institutions, as well as on endeavors to support strengthening the self-improvement of non-CPC parties.

Wang Chen, Shi Taifeng, Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, Zhang Qingli and Chen Xi, together with officials in charge of relevant central departments, were present at the meeting.

Non-CPC members including Chen Zhu, Wan Gang, Chen Xiaoguang, Gu Shengzu, Liu Xincheng, Shao Hong, He Baoxiang, Wang Guangqian, Qin Boyong, Zhu Yongxin, Yang Zhen, Zhang Endi, Li Yuefeng, and Zhou Zhonghe also attended the meeting. ■

Xi Jinping calls for strengthening basic research to solidify self-reliance in science and technology

BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presided over the third group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on strengthening basic research on Tuesday afternoon. Xi stressed that strengthening basic research is an imperative for higher-level self-reliance and greater strength in science and technology, and is the only path to building China into a world leader in science and technology. Party committees and governments at all levels should make it a priority to place promoting basic research on the agenda of science and technology work, step up coordination and policy support, so as to promote the high-quality development of basic research.

Professor Gong Qihuang, president of Peking University and an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, gave a lecture on this issue and put forward suggestions. After listening to the lecture, members of the Political Bureau had a discussion.

Xi made an important speech after listening to the lecture and the discussion. He pointed out that the Party and the government have always attached importance to basic research. Our country has made major achievements in this area since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and, especially since the reform and opening up in 1978. At present, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is advancing rapidly. Interdisciplinary research and integration are progressing, and scientific research paradigms are undergoing important transformations. Science and technology are becoming intertwined with social and economic development at a faster pace, and the transformation cycle of basic research into application and commercial value has been significantly shortened. International competition in science and technology is moving closer to the frontier of basic research. To respond to international sci-tech competition, achieve higher-level self-reliance and greater strength in science and technology, foster a new development pattern, and promote high-quality development, it is urgent to strengthen basic research and address key technological challenges from the source and the bottom, Xi noted.

Xi stressed that we must strengthen the forward-looking, strategic and systematic layout of basic research, which is the initial end of the scientific research chain from research to application and then to production. Only when a solid foundation is laid, will the sci-tech building be built tall. We must adhere to the principles of targeting global scientific and technological frontiers, serving the economy, meeting major national needs, and striving to improve people's lives and health. We must place emphasis on goal-oriented research as well as the freedom to experiment. We must integrate the frontier science and technology in the world with the major national strategic needs and economic and social development goals. Efforts should be made to coordinate frontier questions raised in light of the law of scientific progress with theoretical questions drawn from major applied research, and sum up key scientific questions in basic research. We should keep abreast of the sci-tech trends and the strategic needs of the country, strengthen feasibility studies, selection and evaluation of major basic research projects, give full respect to the opinions of scientists, grasp the general trends and make "a good first move."

We should boost China's strength in strategic science and technology, and promote strategy-oriented systematic basic research, frontier-oriented exploratory basic research and market-oriented applied basic research in an organized manner. We should give full play to the guiding role of national laboratories, the organizing role of national research institutes, the role of advanced-level research universities as a leading force, and the role of leading sci-tech enterprises as those setting, taking the "exams" and reviewing the "results." We should optimize the layout of basic disciplines, support the development of key, emerging, less-popular and weak disciplines, and promote the integration of disciplines as well as interdisciplinary research, so as to build a high-quality discipline system with comprehensive and balanced development.

Xi noted that the world has entered an era of "big science," in which basic research is becoming more and more organized, and thus the impact of institutional support and policy guidance on the output of basic research is becoming increasingly stronger. It is therefore imperative to deepen reform of systems and mechanisms of basic research, so as to give better play to the driving and leading role of institutions and policies in value and strategy. We should steadily increase financial investment in basic research, encourage enterprises to increase investment through various methods such as tax cuts, encourage non-governmental sectors to invest through diverse channels such as scientific funds or donations, improve the funding capacity of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and its joint funds, so as to establish and improve an investment mechanism for basic research which combines both competitive support and stable support.

We should optimize the support system for the basic research within the national science and technology plan, improve the mechanisms for the organization, submission, assessment and decision-making of basic research projects, adopt differentiated and classified management as well as international and domestic peer-reviews, organize coordinated efforts to tackle key scientific problems, encourage studies based on free exploration and non-consensus innovation.

We should well handle the relations between a new "whole-nation system" and the market mechanism. In line with the long cycle of basic research, we should refine evaluation and incentive system for scientific and technological study, application and transformation system for findings, salary system for scientific and technological personnel. Long-term and stable support should be provided to innovation centers, preponderant teams and key focuses for basic research, with an aim of establishing cradles for initial innovation and building a force to spearhead basic research.

Xi stressed that a national laboratories system with Chinese characteristics should be established in a collaborated manner, research centers for basic scientific disciplines should be founded and a new information-based platform for scientific research should be deployed in advance, so that a backbone network for basic research can be established. We need to scientifically plan the layout for major scientific and technological infrastructure that is forward-looking and leading, strategically oriented and supports application. We should strengthen supervision during and after the infrastructure construction, improve all-cycle management, and promote openness and sharing as well as operational efficiency.

It is important to win the critical battle in developing scientific and technological apparatus, operating systems and basic software domestically. Scientific research institutions, universities and enterprises should be encouraged to launch joint projects for breakthroughs, with a view to providing more domestically-developed alternatives to those imported devices and apparatus in a large scale, so that we might be able to use at an early date independently-developed research platforms and apparatus to solve problems facing key basic research.

Xi pointed out that strengthening basic research ultimately depends on high-quality talented researchers. So efforts must be made to build an institutionalized and high-level platform to cultivate talented personnel for basic research, so that an increasing number of such research personnel can be trained.

He stressed that support from various talent training plans for basic research talents must be beefed up, strategic scientists must be cultivated and used, young scientific and technological talents should be supported to shoulder important duties, and the teams of leading scientific and technological personnel and first-class innovation teams should be continuously expanded. The mechanism for differentiated evaluation of basic research talents must be optimized and so must the mechanism that provides long-term support for them, and leading scientific and technological talents should be given greater say in terms of human, financial and material resources and the choice of technical routes, so that an evaluation system that conforms to the law of basic research and the law of talent growth can be established. Efforts must be made to improve the academic atmosphere and conduct of scientific research, guide scientific and technological personnel to abandon the style of boasting and exaggeration, and not to be impetuous, so that they can make persistent efforts with more than enough patience.

We should adhere to the approach of independent cultivation of basic research talents, thoroughly implement Middle School Talents Program, Strengthening Basic Disciplines Plan, and Top-Notch Student Training Program in Basic Disciplines, and optimize the education system of basic disciplines. We should give full play to the role of universities, especially world-class universities, as the main force in the cultivation of basic research talents, strengthen the fostering of high-level talents urgently needed by the country, and continuously create a large reserve force for basic research.

Xi stressed that, to overcome common development challenges, humanity needs international cooperation, openness, and sharing more than ever before. We should build a platform for international cooperation in basic research, set up a global-oriented scientific research fund, step up the opening-up of the national science and technology programs. We should broaden and deepen joint scientific research between China and foreign countries on climate change, energy security, bio-security, outer space utilization and other global issues. We should have forward-looking plans and deeply participate in global science and technology governance, join or initiate the establishment of international science and technology organizations, and support domestic universities, research institutes, and science and technology organizations to establish connections with international counterparts. We should strive to promote the openness, trust and cooperation of the international science and technology community, make new and greater contributions to the progress of human civilization with more major original innovations and breakthroughs in key core technology, and at the same time effectively safeguard the interests of China's scientific and technological security.

Xi pointed out that generations of science and technology personnel have jointly shaped China's unique innovation ecology through their unrelenting pursuit of the spirit embodied in the development of the atomic and hydrogen bombs, missiles, artificial satellites, manned spaceflight, lunar exploration and the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in the new era, together with the "westward relocation spirit" and the spirit of scientists, becoming an inexhaustible driving force for the development of basic research.

It is necessary to vigorously promote the scientific spirit of pursuing truth and scaling new heights throughout society, widely publicize role models and deeds emerging in the fields of basic research and other science and technology fields, educate and guide science and technology personnel to inherit the glorious traditions of the previous generations of scientists who devoted themselves to the country and cared for the people, and base their research on the land of China.

It is also necessary to strengthen the development of China's capacity for science popularization, thoroughly implement the action to boost the scientific literacy of the whole society, disseminate scientific knowledge and showcase technological achievements through both online and offline channels, and establish a social trend of love for and advocacy of science.

In the work to ease the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring for students undergoing compulsory education, efforts should be made to promote science education, stimulate the curiosity, imagination and exploratory desires of young people, and cultivate a group of young people with the potential to become scientists and the willingness to devote themselves to scientific research.

Lastly, Xi emphasized that officials at all levels should learn science and technology knowledge, carry forward the scientific spirit, proactively take the lead in solving difficulties for science and technology personnel, reducing their burden and encouraging them, and earnestly implement the Party Central Committee's series of strategic deployments on science and technology innovation. ■

Full text: 20th CPC Central Committee to hold second plenary session

BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The second plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee will be held from Feb. 26 to 28 in Beijing, according to a decision made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Tuesday. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

At the meeting, the Political Bureau's work report to the CPC Central Committee was discussed.

The Political Bureau discussed the draft plan on reform of Party and state institutions, and decided that the draft plan, after being revised in accordance with the opinions put forward at the meeting, will be submitted to the second plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee for review.

It was pointed out at the meeting that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has made deepening the reform of Party and state institutions an important task in modernizing China's system and capacity for governance. It has comprehensively deepened the reform of Party and state institutions in accordance with the principles of upholding the Party's overall leadership, maintaining a people-centered philosophy, stressing optimization, coordination and high efficiency, and exercising law-based governance on all fronts. As a result, the functions of Party and state institutions have been transformed in a systematic and holistic manner, which have provided a strong guarantee for the Party and the country to make historic achievements and see historic changes in the pursuit of the cause of the Party and the country. Valuable experience has also been accumulated in this process for further deepening the reform of Party and state institutions.

It was stressed at the meeting that the 20th CPC National Congress has made important arrangements for deepening the reform of Party and state institutions, which is of great and far-reaching significance to building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. We must uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the overarching guide, consider strengthening the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee as the pivot, and regard promoting the modernization of the national system and capacity for governance as the orientation. We must adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, adapt to the requirements for the coordinated implementation of the five-sphere integrated plan and the four-pronged comprehensive strategy, and adapt to the needs for building a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development. We must adopt a problem-oriented approach, coordinate the institutions of the CPC Central Committee, the National People's Congress (NPC), the State Council, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and coordinate the central and local authorities. We must deepen institutional reform in key areas to make the Party's leadership over socialist modernization more sound in institutional setup, more optimized in functional allocation, more refined in institutional mechanisms, and more efficient in operational management.

The meeting discussed candidates for the leading positions of state institutions to be recommended to the first session of the 14th NPC and candidates for the leadership of the national committee of the CPPCC to be recommended to the first session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC.

It was decided at the meeting that the aforementioned content will be on the agenda of the second plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

The draft report on the work of the government, which will be submitted by the State Council to the first session of the 14th NPC for deliberation, was discussed at the meeting.

It was agreed at the meeting that 2022 represents a year of historic significance to the Party and our country. The 20th CPC National Congress was successfully held, and a grand blueprint was drawn up at the congress for building a modern socialist country in all respects.

The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has brought together the Chinese people of all ethnic groups and led them in meeting obstacles and difficulties head on to implement the requirements that COVID-19 must be contained, economic growth be stabilized and development safe, making greater efforts in macro regulation, and securing overall stability in social and economic development.

The past five years have been truly momentous and extraordinary. We have responded effectively to difficulties, risks and challenges, efficiently coordinated COVID-19 response with socioeconomic development, eradicated absolute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects as scheduled, achieving impressive advances in the country's economic and social development.

It was stressed at the meeting that this year marks the first year of implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. For the government to deliver, we must, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress.

In line with the arrangements made at the Central Economic Work Conference, we should solidly advance Chinese modernization, adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, accelerate the efforts to foster a new development pattern and focus on promoting high-quality development. We should also better balance domestic circumstances with international situation, coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and development with security imperatives. We should comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, boost market confidence, integrate the implementation of strategy to expand domestic demand with the efforts to deepen supply-side structural reform, give priority to the work of ensuring steady growth, employment, and stable prices, effectively forestall and defuse major risks, promote the overall improvement in economic work to achieve both qualitative and quantitative growth, so as to keep improving people's livelihood, ensure overall social stability and make a good start on building a modern socialist country in all respects.

It was stressed at the meeting that it is imperative to fully implement the decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee, pursue progress while ensuring stability, implement proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy, strengthen policy coordination, and form a synergy to promote high-quality development.

Efforts should be made to expand domestic demand, speed up the establishment of a modern industrial system, and effectively implement the policy that the public sector must be unswervingly consolidated and developed and the development of the non-public sector must be unswervingly encouraged, supported and guided. Efforts should be intensified to attract and utilize foreign investment, effectively forestall and defuse major economic and financial risks, stabilize food production and promote rural revitalization, boost the green transformation of development models, guarantee basic livelihood and develop social undertakings, and strive to accomplish this year's goals and tasks of economic and social development.

The government must intensify its self-improvement efforts and vigorously conduct research and study.

Other issues were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Xi Jinping delivers speech at meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on COVID-19 prevention and control work

BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Feb. 16 to hear a report on the recent COVID-19 prevention and control work. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech.

It was pointed out at the meeting that over the past more than three years, China has undertaken an extraordinary journey in its fight against COVID-19. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has always put the people and their lives first, and has united and led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to fight COVID-19 with one heart and one mind. With a strong sense of responsibility and strategic resolve, we have optimized and adjusted the COVID-19 prevention and control measures in light of the evolving situation, and effectively balanced pandemic containment with economic and social development. As a result, we have succeeded in preventing the widespread prevalence of variants that are more virulent and fatal, effectively protecting people's safety and health, and buying us precious time for winning the battle against the pandemic. Since November 2022, we have been optimizing our response measures to focus on safeguarding health and preventing severe cases, and secured a smooth transition within a relatively short period of time. As a result, more than 200 million people were treated and nearly 800,000 patients in severe condition received effective treatment. China's mortality rate of COVID-19 has been kept at the lowest level globally. We have scored a major and decisive victory in our response to COVID-19. China has created a remarkable feat in the history of human civilization, in which a highly populous nation has successfully pulled through a pandemic. Practices have proved that the Party Central Committee's key assessments of the epidemic situation, its major decisions about the prevention and control work, and important adjustments it has made to the response strategies are absolutely correct and recognized by the people. That explains why remarkable progress has been made.

It was stressed at the meeting that the overall situation of COVID-19 response is good nationwide, and the country is steadily entering a new phase of COVID-19 prevention and control, which has been downgraded under the management of Class B infectious diseases. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, and the virus is still mutating.

All departments and local authorities should, with a strong sense of responsibility, thoroughly review the experience and practices of the past three years, especially those implemented in recent period, improve relevant mechanisms and measures, strengthen the COVID-19 prevention and control work in the new phase, build a stronger health service system, and firmly consolidate what has been achieved.

The meeting called for earnestly implementing the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, stressing that local authorities, relevant departments, employers and individuals should strictly shoulder their own responsibilities. Particular attention should be paid to key links of pandemic prevention and control, those at high risk from COVID-19 should be put under strict management, and more work should be done to strengthen response measures on the basis of what has been achieved.

Efforts must be made to strengthen the capability for epidemic monitoring and routine warning, improve the epidemic monitoring and information reporting system, so that timely and accurate early warnings can be issued and necessary prevention and control measures taken in emergency. The next phase of vaccination work should be arranged in a scientific manner based on virus mutations and vaccine efficacy, and work should be done to have more elderly people vaccinated. Endeavors should be made toward building a tiered, multi-level, and referral-based healthcare system in a regular manner. Work should continue to optimize the distribution of resources, and build stronger three-tiered healthcare networks with public medical institutions as the mainstay.

It was stressed at the meeting that efforts should be made to better secure the production and supply of medical materials, improve the reserve system and catalog, consolidate and improve the mechanism responsible for coordinated allocation of personnel and supplies, and effectively make up the deficiencies in terms of capacity, medicines, equipment and other aspects at the primary level. Breakthroughs in scientific and technological research in the health field need to be achieved in a well-coordinated way, and the strength from all parties should be pooled to improve the technological level in this regard. It is important to cherish what has been achieved in the fight against COVID-19, tell well stories about China's fight against the virus, inspire the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups to have confidence in prevailing over whatever adversities in the future and march forward by overcoming all obstacles on the new journey in the new era.

Other matters were also discussed at the meeting. ■

Xi Jinping stresses accelerating the establishment of a new development pattern when presiding over a political bureau group study session

BEIJING, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held the second group study session on accelerating the establishment of a new pattern of development on the afternoon of January 31. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the session and stressed that accelerating the establishment of such a pattern is a strategic decision to realize the Second Centenary Goal and ensure both development and security, as well as a strategic plan to seize the initiative of future development. Only by accelerating the establishment of a new development pattern will China be able to consolidate the foundation for its economy and strengthen the security and stability of its development. And only by doing so will China be able to better survive, compete, develop and sustain its progress amid all sorts of predictable and unpredictable storms and high winds, so as to ensure that the process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not be delayed or interrupted, and the goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects will be realized.

During the session, members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee conducted self-study and shared work experiences with each other. Yin Li, Liu Guozhong, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Chen Jining and Huang Kunming made speeches about their work in the fields and regions they are in charge of, and shared their views with each other.

Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He pointed out that in recent years, some achievements have been made through arduous efforts in establishing a new development pattern, with ideological consensus being consolidated, work foundation being cemented, and policies and mechanisms being improved. However, there is still a long way to go to have the new development pattern established in an all-round way. We must adopt a problem-oriented approach and apply systems thinking, work hard to resolve the major problems that constrain the building of a new pattern of development, comprehensively deepen reform, promote practical and institutional innovation, and constantly carry on strengths and make up deficiencies.

Xi noted that, efforts must be made to coordinate the expansion of domestic demand and deepening of supply-side structural reform, so as to create a dynamic balance at a higher level, in which demand drives supply and supply creates demand, and achieve a virtuous cycle of the national economy. We must resolutely implement the outline of the strategic plan for expanding domestic demand, form a complete domestic demand system as soon as possible, and strive to expand consumption demand supported by income, investment demand with reasonable returns, and financial demand with principal and debt constraints. We must establish and improve a long-term mechanism for expanding residents' consumption, so that residents can consume with a stable income, dare to consume without worries, and are willing to consume due to the excellent consumption environment and strong sense of gain. We must improve and enlarge the investment mechanism, expand the space for effective investment, appropriately deploy new infrastructure construction in advance, increase investment in high-tech industries and strategic emerging industries, and continue to stimulate the vitality of private investment. We must continue to deepen supply-side structural reform, promote scientific and technological innovation and institutional innovation, break through blockages, stuck points and vulnerabilities in supply-side constraints, and promote the competitiveness and security of the industrial chain and supply chain, meet existing demand with independent, controllable and high-quality supply, and create and guide new demand.

Xi noted that it is imperative to move faster toward self-reliance in science and technology so as to relieve the stranglehold some countries have tightened on China's development of core technologies. We must improve our new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, build up China's strategic scientific and technological strengths and ensure better allocation of innovation-related resources to make our country a global pacesetter in major sci-tech areas and pioneer in advanced interdisciplinary fields, and ensure that China will become a major world hub for science and innovation as soon as possible. We must ensure an effective coordination of the strategy for invigorating China through science and education with the workforce development strategy and the innovation-driven development strategy, and promote the integration of the development of education, sci-tech innovation and personnel training to form a virtuous cycle. We must adhere to the unified design of original innovation, integrated innovation and open innovation to ensure that they are well coordinated. We must also realize the unified deployment of innovation, industrial and talent chains so that they can be deeply integrated.

Xi stressed that a modernized industrial system is the foundation of the new pattern of development, as orderly links between industries are a prerequisite for smooth economic circulation. In pursuing economic growth, we must continue to place emphasis on the development of the real economy, take solid steps to advance new industrialization and move faster to boost China's strengths in manufacturing, product quality, cyberspace and digital development, so as to build internationally competitive digital industry clusters. To keep with the general trend of industrial development, we should encourage industries with weak links to make up the deficiency, industries with strong advantages to further develop, traditional industries to upgrade, and emerging industries to build industrial chains, so as to make industrial development more sustainable and competitive, he said. We should improve the distribution of productive capacity, promote the orderly transfer of key industries at home and abroad, and support enterprises' deep involvement in the global industrial division of labor and cooperation. We should also promote deeper integration of domestic and foreign industries, and build a modern industrial system that is independent, controllable, safe, reliable, and highly competitive.

Xi pointed out that coordinated development between urban and rural areas and between regions should be promoted to increase the coverage of domestic circulation. We should give full play to rural areas as a consumer market and factors market and comprehensively promote rural revitalization. We should also promote urbanization with county towns as a pivot, promote integrated urban and rural development, strengthen economic ties between urban and rural areas, and smooth economic circulation between urban and rural areas. The local self-circulation and regional barriers should be prevented and eliminated to form a real national unified market, he said. We should promote deeper integration of the strategies for coordinated regional development, major regional strategies, and functional zoning strategies, optimize the distribution of major productive capacity, and promote the proper flow and efficient aggregation of various factors of production to boost the domestic circulation of the economy.

Xi stressed the need to further reform and opening up, increase the driving force and vitality of the domestic circulation and its interaction with the international market. We should advance reforms for the market-based allocation of production factors, put in place a high-standard market system, and to accelerate the building of a unified national market. It is also imperative to refine the systems underpinning the market economy, such as those for property rights protection, market access, fair competition, and social credit, take stronger action against monopolies and unfair competition, and conduct law-based regulation and guidance to promote the healthy development of capital, so as to create a favorable environment for all types of business entities to invest and start their own businesses, and stimulate their vitality, Xi said. He also noted the need to promote high-level opening up and steadily push for institutional opening up regarding rules, regulations, management and standards, so as to strengthen China's voice in the global economic circulation. We will promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, actively participate in the negotiation on international economic and trade rules, promote the formation of an open, pluralistic and stable world economic order, and create conditions for realizing the linkage and circulation between the resources in domestic and international markets. ■

Full text of Xi Jinping's speech at 2023 Spring Festival gathering

BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech at the Spring Festival gathering at the Great Hall of the People on Friday.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Speech at the 2023 Spring Festival gathering

Jan. 20, 2023

by Xi Jinping

Comrades and Friends,

The Year of the Rabbit is coming. Today, we are gathered here to bid farewell to the old year and usher in a new year.

First, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, I wish to extend the best holiday wishes to all of you. I wish Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese a happy New Year! Happy New Year to you all!

The Year of the Tiger, which is about to pass, is a very important year in the development history of the Party and the country. Confronted with the complex and unpredictable international situation and arduous domestic tasks of continuing reform and development and maintaining stability, the entire Party, the military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups rose to the challenge and worked together. With their energy, courage and perseverance, they wrote a new chapter in the development of socialist modernization.

We held the 20th CPC National Congress successfully and drew up a grand blueprint for comprehensively building a modern socialist country. The entire Party, the military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups have embarked on a new journey in high spirits and are heading towards a new goal.

Over the year, we have fully implemented the new development philosophy, adhered to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully implemented the requirements for keeping the epidemic at bay, stabilizing the economy and ensuring safe development, and accelerated the efforts to foster a new development pattern and pursue high-quality development. We have maintained economic growth, achieved a bumper harvest of grain, kept employment and prices stable, and firmly ensured people's well-being. We have also consolidated our gains in poverty elimination, made one achievement after another in the fields of sci-tech innovation, kept improving the ecological environment, taken solid steps to modernize the national defense and the armed forces, made further efforts to exercise full and rigorous governance over the Party, and maintained overall social stability.

We have put people and their lives first and kept optimizing the epidemic prevention and control measures according to the mutation of the virus and the anti-epidemic situation, so as to protect people's lives and health to the greatest extent and minimize the impact of the epidemic on economic and social development. Now, epidemic prevention and control still requires much efforts, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, as long as we work together and persevere, we will surely win the final victory.

We successfully hosted the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, respectively, presented a streamlined, safe and splendid Games to the world, and achieved great achievement in organizing the Games and our athletes also achieved a success in competition, making Beijing the first city holding both Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games in the world.

We held a grand celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Hong Kong and Macao have remained prosperous and stable. We have been fighting resolutely in major struggles against separatism and foreign interference, maintaining the initiative to steer cross-Strait relations. We have vigorously advanced major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and made many friends, providing the volatile global environment with stability.

The achievements of this year did not come easily, and were made by the Party and the people together. What has been achieved has shown that as long as the Party and the people stand together, think together and work together, no storm can shake our iron will, and no difficulty can stop our sonorous steps.

Comrades and Friends,

2023 is the first year to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, with both hopes and challenges. We will take keeping stability the top priority, and seek progress while maintaining stability. We will better balance both domestic and international situations, coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and development with security. We will comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, strive to achieve an overall upturn in economic performance, and continue to improve people's lives. As long as we work hard with firm confidence, we will get off to a good start on our new journey.

The greatest truths are the simplest, and hard work is the key. The new journey is a long one full of glories and dreams where there is no shortcut, but hard work. We should come down to earth, work hard, and not fall into fantasies or distractions. We should be honest and studious, respect the reality, do not act against rules or work recklessly. We should seek truth and be pragmatic, focus on the actual effect, and do not make superficial work or show. Those who work will succeed, and those who walk will arrive at their destination. A person of action will leave a good name in history. We created a glorious past with hard work, and we will create a better future in the same way.

Comrades and Friends,

In traditional Chinese culture, rabbit (tu) is called Ruitu (auspicious rabbit) or Yutu (jade rabbit), representing quickness and wit, purity and kindness, peace and beauty. The auspicious rabbit bodes well for China, which is increasingly peaceful, and full of vigor and vitality. In the lunar year of the Rabbit, I hope that the people of the whole country, especially the young people, sprint up and run at full speed like a moving rabbit to exhibit their ability and elegance in whatever work they do.

At this time of family reunion, there are many people who are still at work, leaving their shining footprints in the great journey of building the Chinese dream together. We pay tribute to these selfless contributors!

Finally, I wish you all a happy family reunion, good health, good luck in the year of Rabbit and all the best!

Thank you all! ■

Xi Jinping delivers speech at Spring Festival gathering

BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council held a Spring Festival gathering at the Great Hall of the People on the morning of Jan. 20. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech and extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

Xi stressed that the Year of the Tiger, which is about to pass, is a very important year in the development history of the Party and the country. Confronted with the complex and unpredictable international situation and arduous domestic tasks of continuing reform and development and maintaining stability, the entire Party, the military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups rose to the challenge and worked together. With their energy, courage and perseverance, they wrote a new chapter in the development of socialist modernization.

Li Keqiang presided over the gathering. Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Han Zheng, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Wang Qishan attended the gathering.

In the banquet hall of the Great Hall of the People, the lights were bright and the atmosphere was warm. People from all walks of life gathered together to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year.

At about 10 a.m., amid the cheerful music, Xi and other Party and state leaders entered the hall and waved hands and exchanged greetings with all present, prompting warm applause from the whole gathering.

In his speech, Xi noted that during the past year, we held the 20th CPC National Congress successfully and drew up a grand blueprint for comprehensively building a modern socialist country. We have fully implemented the new development philosophy, adhered to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully implemented the requirements for keeping the epidemic at bay, stabilizing the economy and ensuring safe development, and accelerated the efforts to foster a new development pattern and pursue high-quality development. We have maintained economic growth, achieved a bumper harvest of grain, kept employment and prices stable, and firmly ensured people's well-being. We have also consolidated our gains in poverty elimination, made one achievement after another in the fields of sci-tech innovation, kept improving the ecological environment, taken solid steps to modernize the national defense and the armed forces, made further efforts to exercise full and rigorous governance over the Party, and maintained overall social stability. We have put people and their lives first and kept optimizing the epidemic prevention and control measures according to the mutation of the virus and the anti-epidemic situation, so as to protect people's lives and health to the greatest extent and minimize the impact of the epidemic on economic and social development. We successfully hosted the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, respectively, and presented a streamlined, safe and splendid Games to the world. We held a grand celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Hong Kong and Macao have remained prosperous and stable. We have been fighting resolutely in major struggles against separatism and foreign interference, maintaining the initiative to steer cross-Strait relations. We have vigorously advanced major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and made many friends, providing the volatile global environment with stability.

Xi stressed that the achievements of this year did not come easily, and were made by the Party and the people together. What has been achieved has shown that as long as the Party and the people stand together, think together and work together, no storm can shake our iron will, and no difficulty can stop our sonorous steps.

Xi pointed out that 2023 is the first year to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, with both hopes and challenges. We will take keeping stability the top priority, seek progress while maintaining stability. We will better balance both domestic and international situations, coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and development with security. We will comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, strive to achieve an overall upturn in economic performance, and continue to improve people's lives. As long as we work hard with firm confidence, we will get off to a good start on our new journey.

Xi stressed that the greatest truths are the simplest, and hard work is the key. The new journey is a long one full of glories and dreams where there is no shortcut, but hard work. We should come down to earth, work hard, and do not fall into fantasies or distractions. We should be honest and studious, respect the reality, do not act against rules or work recklessly. We should seek truth and be pragmatic, focus on actual effect, and do not make superficial work or show. Those who work will succeed, and those who walk will arrive at destination. A person of action will leave a good name in history. We created a glorious past with hard work, and we will create a better future in the same way.

Xi pointed out that, in traditional Chinese culture, rabbit (tu) is called Ruitu (auspicious rabbit) or Yutu (jade rabbit), representing quickness and wit, purity and kindness, peace and beauty. The auspicious rabbit bodes well for China, which is increasingly peaceful, full of vigor and vitality. In the lunar year of the Rabbit, Xi expressed the hope that the people of the whole country, especially the young people, will strive hard and run at full speed like a moving rabbit to exhibit their ability and elegance in whatever work they do.

Leading members and veteran comrades of the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Commission of Supervision, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Central Military Commission attended the gathering.

Also present at the gathering are leaders of departments of the CPC Central Committee, central government, the military, people's organizations and leaders of Beijing Municipality, heads of the central committees of the non-CPC parties, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of public figures without party affiliation, retired veterans, famous experts and scholars, and people from all walks of life in the capital. Literary and art workers gave a wonderful performance at the gathering. ■

Xi Jinping pays visit to officials and ordinary people at grassroots via video link and extends best wishes for the Spring Festival to all

BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- As the Spring Festival, a traditional gala of the Chinese nation, is approaching, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited grassroots officials and ordinary people via video link and extended his best wishes for Lunar New Year to the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, wishing them good health, happiness, career progress and good luck in the Year of the Rabbit, as well as wishing the great motherland prosperity and peace.

Li Qiang, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, joined the visit via video link.

As the Spring Festival is approaching, the whole country is filled with a festive atmosphere. On the morning of January 18, Xi had video links, in the east hall of the Great Hall of the People, with officials and people at the grassroots level in Heilongjiang, Fujian, Xinjiang, Henan, Beijing and Sichuan. He held virtual talks with medical workers on the frontline of epidemic prevention and control, senior citizens at a welfare home, employees of an energy supply enterprise, officials and workers of a high-speed railway station, vendors and customers at a wholesale market, and officials and villagers in a village, sending them regards from the CPC Central Committee.

Xi, who has been deeply concerned about the prevention and control of COVID-19 and the treatment of patients, first had a video link with the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in Heilongjiang Province, and talked with medical staff and inpatients, asking in detail about the fever clinic treatment, the treatment of severe cases, drug allocation and patient rehabilitation after the optimization and adjustment of COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

He was quite relieved when the hospital director said the number of patients in acute and severe conditions was declining and there were enough wards, beds and medicines. After that Xi had a conversation with an elderly inpatient. Knowing the inpatient's condition had obviously improved and he would soon be discharged, Xi wished him a quick recovery and a happy Spring Festival at home. He pointed out that since the COVID-19 outbreak, especially the current wave of the epidemic, the medical workers have been busy with both epidemic prevention and control as well as daily treatment, and worked long hours with high intensity and overload, making a major contribution to protecting people's life and health.

Xi extended Lunar New Year greetings to medical workers across the country on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. He stressed that over the past nearly three years, we had made the right choice when classifying COVID-19 as a Class B infectious disease but managing the prevention and control of it as a Class A one. China has thus withstood several rounds of outbreaks of virus mutations, lowered the proportion of severe cases and fatality rate to the greatest extent possible, protected people's lives and health, and bought precious time for the later moves to optimize response and downgrade the prevention and control level of COVID-19 to Class B. We have now entered a new phase of the COVID-19 response. Tough challenges remain, but the light of hope is right in front of us. Perseverance means victory.

He said that the focus of the current COVID-19 response has shifted from infection prevention to medical treatment, with protecting people's health and preventing severe cases being the priority, so hospitals are now undertaking more arduous tasks. More efforts should be made to increase medical resources and the supply of medical services and drugs, and to prepare for medical treatment of severe cases in particular, as well as to ensure the order of normal medical service. Efforts should also be made to strengthen the protection of and care for medical workers to ensure their health.

Party committees and governments at all levels should always put people first and their lives first, adhere to scientific prevention and control, and take targeted measures. They should do a good job in areas including prevention and control of COVID-19 in key institutions, key units, and key groups, in the coordination of various medical resources, so as to secure the needs of the public for medical treatments and drugs, and to make up for the insufficiency of necessary materials for the prevention and control of epidemics in rural areas, Xi said.

The camera of the video link switched to a social welfare home in Fuzhou, capital of east China's Fujian Province, where the elderly and nurses greeted the general secretary, and Xi extended his festival greetings to everyone. He inquired carefully about the living and medical conditions, epidemic prevention and control as well as the vaccination of the elderly in the welfare home, and talked with the elderly about their physical condition and daily life, telling them to take good care of themselves.

Xi was very pleased when he learned that there is a rich variety of food, adequate stocks of medicines, and that daily monitoring of health conditions for the elderly with chronic diseases have been strengthened, as well as that the New Year's goods were prepared for the Spring Festival. The elderly took out a paper-cut "blessing" they made to offer their sincere blessings to the general secretary, and Xi expressed his gratitude. He stressed that at present, the virus is still mutating. Although the virulence of the current epidemic has been reduced, the variants transmit much faster and are more contagious, posing a greater threat to the elderly. "I am particularly concerned about the elderly friends," he noted. Xi said that stricter epidemic prevention and health management measures should be taken at nursing homes and welfare facilities to prevent clusters of infections, as older people are the key group for protection in the current COVID-19 response stage. Nursing homes and welfare homes should strengthen cooperation with medical institutions to promote vaccination and improve prevention, control and treatment mechanisms to ensure that patients in serious conditions receive timely treatment, he said.

Xi pointed out that respecting the elderly is a fine tradition and virtue of the Chinese nation. Whether a society is a happy one or not, it is very important to see whether the elderly are enjoying a happy life. As the pace of population aging is becoming faster in China, it is imperative to ensure that the elderly have a happy life. We need to vigorously develop old-age care undertakings and industries, develop public old-age care institutions and inclusive old-age care services, and especially strengthen all-round protection for the extremely poor, those living on subsistence allowances, those very old, those who have lost the ability to live on their own. It is also necessary to organize some sports and cultural activities to enrich the life of the elderly, so that older people could have a happy, healthy and peaceful Spring Festival.

Located in the Taklimakan Desert, Xinjiang, the Tarim Oilfield of China National Petroleum Corporation is the country's third-largest onshore oil and gas producer, and also a major natural gas source for the country's West-to-East gas pipelines. It provides natural gas for residents in southern Xinjiang and other 15 provinces, regions and municipalities along the pipelines. Xi was connected through video link to Kelaji gas zone, the first station of West-to-East gas pipelines under Lunnan Oil and Gas Reserve Center of Tarim Oilfield. "Can everyone have days off by turns during the holidays? Are you all prepared for the Spring Festival? How do you make sure the safety of production and ensure a smooth gas supply during the holiday?" Xi asked in detail, and all the questions were answered by the staff members at the station. The general secretary urged them to perform their duties well and provide an adequate power supply to ensure that the people enjoy a happy and auspicious Chinese Lunar New Year holiday.

Xi stressed that energy security is closely related to our country's overall social and economic development, and is one of the most important security concerns. Winter is the peak season for energy use in China. Authorities of all localities and all sectors must conscientiously implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, keep in mind the overall situation of the country, organize and arrange work meticulously, spare no efforts to ensure stable supply and price of coal, electricity, oil and gas, and be fully prepared to respond to extreme cold waves, so as to safeguard the bottom line of energy consumption for people's livelihood and ensure that the people stay warm in winter. Centrally-administered state-owned enterprises are pillars for ensuring stable power supply, they should further enhance political awareness, strengthen the sense of responsibility and mission, and take multiple measures to increase output and ensure stable supply, so as to meet the needs of energy consumption for the economic and social development.

The Zhengzhou East Railway Station is one of the largest high-speed railway stations in China. It's estimated that the station will transport 3.37 million passengers during the Spring Festival travel rush. Xi conveyed greetings to officials and workers via video link. From Platform One of the station, the station master reported the overall situation concerning the station's passenger transport during the Spring Festival travel rush. Xi then asked in detail questions about the daily passenger flow of the station, how well the anti-COVID measures are implemented, and what measures have been taken to safeguard security during the travel rush. Xi urged them to meticulously organize work and make arrangements and strictly safeguard the bottom line of security, so as to guarantee safe travel for passengers.

After seeing the general secretary on the screen, passengers on the platform rushed to the screen to greet him. Xi asked them amiably whether they were heading back home for family reunions or out for traveling. He told them to take care of themselves during their trips.

Xi noted that the transport of passengers during the Spring Festival is of great concern to people's immediate interests, economic development and social stability. The travel rush this year is the first of its kind after the country's COVID-19 prevention and control entered a new stage, with a major recovery of passenger flows. Transportation departments should firmly implement the policies of the CPC Central Committee and increase their transport capacity to ensure people's travel safe and the flows of essential supplies smooth and orderly. They should also keep in mind the worst scenarios, strengthen the monitoring and early warning of extremely adverse weather conditions, take further steps to identify and address risks and potential dangers, and firmly prevent the occurrence of severe and major safety accidents. They should also intensify efforts to serve and guide the flow of migrant workers and students whose travels are relatively concentrated, so as to ensure that they can safely return home ahead of the festival and smoothly return to their workplaces or schools after the holiday. Epidemic prevention measures must also be strictly implemented to reduce the risks of cross-infection to the minimum and protect passengers' health.

Xi stressed that officials and workers of the transportation system have long been working hard, shouldering responsibilities and making invaluable contributions. Many comrades have to work during the Lunar New Year holiday. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi expressed Spring Festival greetings to all the officials and workers of the transportation system and wished all the passengers a smooth journey home.

Xinfadi wholesale market is an important "vegetable basket" and "fruit plate" of Beijing. Xi conveyed greetings via video link to the merchants who stayed at the market and to the people who were buying goods for celebrating the coming Lunar New Year. The merchants and the crowd on the spot applauded warmly and greeted Xi at the open-air trading zone in the market's vegetable section one. After listening to the wholesale market manager's introduction of the supply and logistics situation, Xi carefully asked about the market's running situation these days, the businesses of the merchants and the wholesale prices this year. Xi was very pleased to learn that the prices of vegetables remained stable and that there were sufficient varieties.

He pointed out that food is the paramount necessity of the people, and vegetables, grains and fruits are important to millions of families and are the most basic things about livelihood. He said that safety must be safeguarded during the festival, and wholesale markets should not only expand sources, increase varieties and ensure quality, but also strengthen food testing and market management so that citizens of the capital can eat safe and good food. Rural product markets are usually crowded and therefore should be one of the key venues for epidemic prevention and control, and the flow of people and goods should be properly controlled, epidemic monitoring and detection strengthened, market sanitation improved so as to reduce the risk of epidemics, Xi said.

Xi stressed that the Party committees and governments at all levels should fully implement the system of provincial governors assuming responsibility for the "rice bag" and city mayors for the "vegetable basket," guarantee the production and sales of grain, oil, meat, eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables and mushrooms and other important livelihood commodities, smooth logistics, and adequate market supply during the holiday, and ensure sufficient quantity, rich varieties, assured quality and stable prices, so as to let the people enjoy a happy and peaceful Lunar New Year.

Shiyi Village, Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, Mianyang City of Sichuan Province, is a village that has been reconstructed after the Wenchuan earthquake, and now it has become an exemplary village in China. It is known as the "mountain village on the clouds," and has beautiful mountains and clean waters and shrouded in clouds and mist. Featured agricultural products such as loquat and tea are developing well. Cultural activities and rural tourism are flourishing there, and people of all ethnic groups live in harmony, showing a thriving scene. On the big screen, Qiang people dressed in traditional ethnic costumes gathered together, singing and dancing, with smiles on their faces.

Xi extended Lunar New Year greetings to villagers and tourists, farmers across the country and comrades in the front line of rural revitalization via video link. Xi communicated with village officials and tourists about the village's income and the number of tourists in the village during the Spring Festival. The villagers told Xi that, with the beautiful natural scenery and unique ethnic customs, the agricultural products, agritourism in Shiyi Village became increasingly popular, and they warmly invited Xi to visit the village.

Xi said with pleasure that they have set a good example for rural revitalization in the new era, which requires the development of special agricultural products and rural tourism. He expressed the hope that they should work harder, make further progress and greater achievements in rural revitalization, and strive together toward common prosperity and a more prosperous life. Xi stressed that after the country adjusted its COVID-19 response measures, what he is concerned most about are the rural areas and farmers. Medical conditions in rural areas are relatively poor, and COVID prevention and control are a more difficult and heavier task. As in poverty alleviation, Party secretaries at the provincial, municipal, county, township and village levels should focus on rural COVID-19 prevention and control, and those in the county, township and village levels in particular should assume their responsibilities, strengthen prevention services for returned migrant workers and college and secondary school students, improve medical care for rural key groups such as the elderly, young, sick, disabled, pregnant and others, and safeguard the health of rural residents and their normal production and life order to the greatest extent, so as to ensure that people enjoy a safe Chinese Lunar New Year.

Subsequently, Xi delivered an important speech in the warm applause and cheers of the officials and masses at the grassroots level. Xi stressed that, as an old Chinese saying goes, one thinks more than ever of dear ones far away on festive occasions, he said that, with the Spring Festival approaching, he cares more about officials and the masses at the grassroots level. "At this time of the year in the past, I would go to the grassroots to chat with people, see what difficulties they still have, hear what plans they have for the Lunar New Year, and share their joy in welcoming the New Year. This year, through video link, I can see more places around the country. Separated from the screen, I can still feel the strong atmosphere of the Chinese Lunar New Year across the country, feel the happiness and joy of everyone, and my heart is always with you and with the hearts of people of all ethnic groups across the country! Here, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, I would like to extend my sincere greetings to all of you, and my regards to those still working hard at their posts," Xi said.

Xi pointed out that the Chinese New Year's Eve and Spring Festival are traditional festivals of the Chinese nation and days for families to reunite and ring in the Lunar New Year. My biggest wish is that all of us will have a happy Lunar New Year. Party committees and governments at all levels should earnestly ensure the supply of electricity, gas and heating during the festival, ensure that the necessities such as "vegetable baskets," "rice bags" and "fruit plates" are in ample supply, and strengthen supervision over food safety. In particular, they need to implement all epidemic prevention and control measures in the new stage, guard against all kinds of emergencies and safety accidents, and ensure that people of all ethnic groups enjoy a happy and auspicious Spring Festival.

Xi stressed that the past year was extraordinary and difficult. We worked together to overcome all kinds of difficulties and challenges and made new achievements on all fronts. Everybody did their bit and is amazing. The new year will be the first year for fully implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. He hoped all of the Chinese people will have strong confidence, be in high spirits, and work together to make even greater achievements in the new year.

Liu Guozhong, Sun Chunlan, He Lifeng and other leading officials from departments of the CPC Central Committee and State Council also joined the visit via video link. ■

Xi Jinping holds symposium with non-CPC parties, personages without party affiliation to welcome Spring Festival

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, held a symposium on the morning of January 16 at the Great Hall of the People with leading officials of other political parties' central committees and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and representatives of personages without party affiliation, and welcomed the coming Spring Festival. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended warm congratulations to the newly elected leading officials of other political parties' central committees and the ACFIC, and sincere greetings and good wishes for Spring Festival to these parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation, as well as to members of the united front.

He stressed that 2023 is the first year to study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress after the congress, with both hopes and challenges. He hoped that all would fully study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, perform their duties and work hard, play a greater role in bringing together the will and strength of the people and serving the overall interests of the country, and mobilize their members and the people they have close ties with to work together to promote Chinese modernization.

Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, and Wang Huning and Ding Xuexiang, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium.

Zheng Jianbang, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Ding Zhongli, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Hao Mingjin, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, Cai Dafeng, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, He Wei, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, Jiang Zuojun, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Wu Weihua, chairperson of the Central Committee of Jiusan Society, Su Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, and Gao Yunlong, chairperson of the ACFIC, gave speeches successively and talked about the successful holding of national congresses of their parties and the ACFIC, and the successful election of their new leaderships under the care and support of the CPC Central Committee, as well as their plans for future work. Xi Nanhua, a representative of personages without party affiliation, also made a speech. They said that, with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guide, they will thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, deepen political transition, comprehensively improve themselves, actively perform their duties, and strive in unity to achieve the goals and tasks set at the 20th CPC National Congress.

After listening attentively to everyone's speech, Xi Jinping made an important speech. He said that in a few days, it will be the Spring Festival, which is a traditional Chinese gala. "It gives me great pleasure to gather with you to welcome Spring Festival, to talk about friendship and to discuss state affairs."

Xi pointed out that 2022 was extremely important in the history of the Party and the country, and it also marked the 100th anniversary of the Party's release of its united front policy. All non-CPC parties have carried out education about political handover on the theme of "unswervingly following the Party and joining hands to forge ahead into the new era." They have kept in mind the original intention of cooperation and carried forward fine traditions, and our ideological and political consensus has been consolidated. The central committees of all these political parties and personages without party affiliation have conducted in-depth investigations and carried out democratic supervision on major issues in reform, development and stability. What they have done has provided important references for the CPC Central Committee to make decisions and policies, and effectively implement them. The ACFIC has promoted the "Ten Thousand Enterprises Helping Ten Thousand Villages" campaign to guide private enterprises to actively fulfill their social responsibilities and achieve high-quality development. He expressed heartfelt thanks to all on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi stressed that upholding the leadership of the CPC and always working with the CPC in solidarity are the fundamental political foundation for multiparty cooperation.

Xi said that the primary political responsibility of the new central leaderships of the non-CPC parties is to carry on the political legacy, deepen political consensus, and always maintain the political essence of pursuing the common goal with unity in thought and action and working together with the CPC.

Xi hoped that they will make studying and implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress an important part of deepening the political transition, strengthen theoretical and political guidance, and guide the members of their parties and the people they have close ties with to boost their commitment to the Four Consciousnesses, the Four-sphere Confidence, and the Two Upholds, so that their thoughts and actions will conform to the major decisions and arrangements made at the 20th CPC National Congress.

It is imperative to consolidate and expand the achievements made in learning and education on the history of the CPC, launch a new round of themed education activities at an appropriate time, and continue to strengthen political, ideological, theoretical and emotional identification with the leadership of the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said.

Xi pointed out that it requires concerted efforts from the whole country to accomplish the central task of building China into a strong modern socialist country in all respects and promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. He hoped that the non-CPC parties will combine the strengths of multi-party cooperation with what the central task of the CPC Central Committee and overall development requires, pool their wisdom in participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, put forward forthright admonitions in democratic supervision, offer good advices in political consultation, and be a good advisor, a good helper and a good colleague of the CPC. They need to focus on major issues such as creating new development pattern, materializing the principle that the public sector must be unswervingly consolidated and developed, and the development of the non-public sector must be unswervingly encouraged, supported, and guided, making solid progress in promoting common prosperity, and carry out in-depth investigations and actively offer advices, Xi said. They need to diversify forms, expand channels, and constantly improve the pertinence and effectiveness of democratic supervision. They should guide their members and the people they have close ties with to strengthen their confidence, enhance their fighting spirit so that they will have the courage to overcome difficulties and obstacles on the road ahead. The ACFIC should promote the implementation of relief policies for enterprises, help private enterprises overcome specific difficulties, and boost the confidence of private sector in economic development.

Xi stressed that, to give full play to the political strengths of China's new type of political party system, the non-CPC parties should further improve themselves, and take steps to make them more capable of staying on top of the overall political situation, participating in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, improving their leadership, cooperating with other parties and solving their own problems. He hoped that they inherit the fine traditions of multi-party cooperation, namely, being of one heart and mind with the CPC, loving the country and serving the people, working closely together and dedicating themselves to the common cause, so as to become parties participating in building socialism with Chinese characteristics with firm political stand, solid organization, effective performance of duties, excellent conduct and sound institutions. They should intensify their efforts to consolidate leaderships, embrace solidarity and coordination, and give full play to the overall functions of leaderships, so as to build a good image featuring pragmatism, enterprise and integrity. As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ACFIC, Xi called for efforts to inherit and carry forward the fine traditions of the federation, adhere to reform and innovation, and advance education and guidance of the prominent members, so that the federation can better play its role as an assistant to the CPC and a bridge between business circle and the CPC.

Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the committee's United Front Work Department, Chen Xi, head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, heads of the central committees of other political parties and the ACFIC, and leading officials of relevant central authorities took part in the activity. ■

Xi Jinping makes important speech at meeting of criticism and self-criticism of Political Bureau

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting of criticism and self-criticism from December 26 to 27. The meeting was themed on fully implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; developing a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of the thought; strengthening the consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; staying confident in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; upholding Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and upholding the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership; and uniting and leading Party officials in implementing with great effort and determination the major decisions and plans made at the 20th CPC National Congress.

At the meeting, the Political Bureau summarized achievements and examined inadequacies in the work of the Political Bureau; in taking the lead in upholding Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and upholding the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership; in taking the lead in enhancing cohesion and forging the Party's soul with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; in taking the lead in upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership; in taking the lead in upholding the people-centered development philosophy; in taking the lead in carrying forward the fighting spirit; and in taking the lead in implementing the political responsibility of full and rigorous Party self-governance. The Political Bureau conducted analysis according to Party spirit, and carried out criticism and self-criticism at the meeting.

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

Before the meeting, all bodies concerned made preparations carefully. Members of the Political Bureau held talks with relevant leaders, listened to their opinions and suggestions, and wrote outlines of their speeches. Focusing on the themes of the meeting, members of the Political Bureau made their speeches one by one at the meeting, carried out self-examination and self-criticism according to the Regulations of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Strengthening and Safeguarding the Centralized and Unified Leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and the Implementation Rules of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on the Central Party Leadership's Eight-point Decision on Improving Conduct, in an open and honest manner. The meeting proceeded in serious and lively atmosphere, and achieved expected results.

The speeches of members of the Political Bureau focused on six key points. First, while having a deeper understanding of the great significance of studying and implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, they said that they would consciously make real achievements and seek actual results in studying, grasping and implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress.

Second, while having a deeper understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, they said that they would further uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Party Central Committee's authority as well as its centralized and unified leadership with enhanced ideological, political and action consciousness.

Third, while having a deeper understanding of the long-term guiding significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, they said that they would use it to arm their minds, guide their practice, and advance their work.

Fourth, while having a deeper understanding of the Chinese characteristics, essential requirements, major principles and strategic decision of socialist modernization in comprehensively promoting Chinese modernization, they said that, in the face of arduous tasks and risks, they would dare to fight, take responsibility, perform their duties for the Party and do their bit for the people.

Fifth, while having a deeper understanding of the leading officials' role as a bellwether in exercising full and strict governance over the Party, they said that they would be strict in self-reform, and consciously set an example for the whole Party in obeying regulations and disciplines.

Sixth, while having a deeper understanding about staying alert and determined to tackle the special challenges that a large party like ours faces, they said that they would conscientiously fulfill the political responsibility for full and strict governance over the Party.

It was stressed at the meeting that this year was an extremely important year in the history of the Party and the country, and we successfully held the 20th CPC National Congress and drew up a grand blueprint for comprehensively building a modern socialist country.

In the face of an international environment featuring high winds and choppy waters and the challenging and arduous tasks of reform, development and ensuring stability at home, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the whole Party and the Chinese people to tackle the challenges head on, having fully implemented the requirements of containing the epidemic, stabilizing the economy, and ensuring safe development, coordinated both domestic and international situations, the epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, as well as coordinated development with security, strengthened macro-control, and responded to the impact of factors exceeding expectations, thus ensured overall economic and social stability, according to the meeting. The economy has maintained positive growth over the year, with overall stability in employment, stable prices and good performance on the balance of international payments, said the meeting.

China's grain output has exceeded 650 million metric tons for the eighth year in a row, with food security, energy security and people's wellbeing effectively ensured. The country has also successfully hosted the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, according to the meeting. All the achievements did not come easily and should be dearly cherished, the meeting noted.

It was unanimously agreed by members of the Political Bureau that the past year has once again proved the decisive significance of the "two affirmations." On the new journey, the whole Party must fully understand the decisive significance of the "two affirmations," strengthen the "four consciousnesses," bolster the "four confidences," ensure the "two upholds," and firmly implement the principles, policies and work plans of the CPC Central Committee. Next year will be the starting year for fully implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, and we must fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, keep in mind the "three imperatives," work in unity to break new ground, and strive to get off to a good start, so as to lay a solid foundation for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.

Xi commented on the self-assessment remarks by the members of the Political Bureau one by one, put forward requirements for each of them, and made summing-up remarks. He said that the meeting was successful and very effective and everyone opened up to each other, exchanged ideas, examined the problems and made clear the way for the next step, which is beneficial to enhancing the unity, improving the work and undertaking the mission of the CPC central leadership, and very helpful to strengthening the cohesion, readiness to meet challenges and centripetal force of the central collective leadership.

Xi stressed that the 20th CPC National Congress drew a blueprint for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, and outlined the goals and tasks for the development of the Party and the country on the new journey in the new era. Implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress is the primary political task for the whole Party, both at present and in the near future. Members of the Political Bureau should take the lead and set a good example in comprehensively studying, understanding, and implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, live up to their mission and the expectations of the people, and earnestly align their thoughts and actions with the decisions and arrangements made at the 20th CPC National Congress.

Xi noted that upholding the centralized, unified leadership of the Party's Central Committee is one of the founding principles of a mature Marxist ruling party. For a party and a country as big as ours, if the CPC Central Committee cannot exercise strong, centralized and unified leadership, there will be a situation in which each person does things in his own way, and nothing can be accomplished.

Upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee is concrete rather than being abstract. First and foremost, the authority of the CPC Central Committee must be upheld, and the "four consciousnesses" as well as the "four confidences" must be strengthened, and the "two upholds" must be ensured with concrete actions.

All members of the Political Bureau, at all times and under all circumstances, must maintain a high degree of consistency with the CPC Central Committee and form harmony in the ensemble under the unified command of the central committee. No one should be out of tune.

All members of the Political Bureau, at all times and under all circumstances, must keep following the banner, the course and the will of the Party. They must resolutely follow what the CPC Central Committee advocates, firmly implement what the CPC Central Committee decides, and must not do what the CPC Central Committee prohibits. They must often make self-assessments and correct their deviations promptly.

At all times and under all circumstances, all members of the Political Bureau must maintain absolute loyalty to the Party, work in concert with the CPC Central Committee, love the Party sincerely, concern themselves about the Party at all times, firmly protect it, and do their utmost to promote it. All members of the Political Bureau must promptly request instructions from and report to the CPC Central Committee on major decisions, issues and situations in their work.

Xi stressed that the Chinese modernization is an unprecedented pioneering cause that requires our exploration and innovation. That entails new and higher requirements for the quality and ability of Party organizations and leading officials at all levels, as well as for their frame of mind, style of work and posture. Citing the political ability as the most important competence for members of the Political Bureau to perform their duties, Xi urged them to be strict with themselves by Marxist standards, continuously improve their capacity for political judgment, thinking and implementation. He asked them to be good at judging the overall development trend at home and abroad, keep in mind that the most important things for us are to work for the betterment of the country and the Party, to serve the people and win their support. He asked members of the Political Bureau to constantly improve their competence in pursuing high-quality development, serving the people, and guarding against and defusing risks in accordance with the requirements of the 20th CPC National Congress.

Xi pointed out that to make the grand blueprint envisioned at the 20th CPC National Congress come true requires officials at all levels to take on responsibilities and make contributions. Leading officials at all levels should commit themselves to the Party, work hard for the public, and fulfill their duties and responsibilities for the Party and the people with a sense of responsibility and a spirit of active commitment. Officials should actively create favorable conditions and eliminate unfavorable factors to search, cultivate, and support officials who dare to take responsibilities and make contributions, so as to make taking responsibilities a trend. Officials must carry forward the fighting spirit, dig deep to surmount the difficulties and challenges on the road ahead, and harness the indomitable fighting spirit to open up new horizons for our cause, Xi stressed.

He urged the members of the Political Bureau to take the lead in strengthening systems thinking and enhancing political awareness, and be good at making well-coordinated efforts to advance our great struggle, our great project, our great cause, and our great dream, advancing the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan as well as the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in a coordinated manner. He asked them to keep the whole country in mind and act in line with the overall interests of the Party and country, adhere to the principle of subordinating minor principles to major principles and subordinating local interests to the interests of the country as a whole. They should constantly improve their ability to adopt a strategic perspective and apply a historical, dialectical, and systematic approach to thinking, and get better at thinking creatively, thinking in terms of the rule of law, and considering worst-case scenarios, so as to effectively think ahead, plan comprehensively, and advance all causes in a holistic manner. They are told to have long-term thinking rather than making personal calculations, and consciously guard against and oppose self-centered behavior, decentralism, behavior in disregard of the rules and a silo mentality. They should do credit not only to a single department but also to the overall situation, Xi said.

Xi pointed out that the conduct of leading officials, especially high-ranking ones, has always been a bellwether of the Party and social conduct, and an important window for the people to observe the Party's work style. Comrades of the Political Bureau must strictly examine themselves according to every single article of the newly-revised measures of the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct, and implement the measures to the letter, to tackle the chronic problems with an emphasis on pointless formalities and bureaucratism, and play an exemplary role in carrying forward the fine traditions of the Party. They should conduct extensive fact-finding missions and study, and go down to grassroots units under their charge, and to where difficulties and complaints from the masses are concentrated and hard nut is to crack for the work. They need to get to know the real situation, and analyze typical cases, so as to be acquainted with the overall situation and know what's what. They should create sound environments and favorable conditions to encourage officials and people at the primary level to tell the truth and open their hearts. Once problems are discovered, they must analyze the causes, accurately identify the crux and solve them in a targeted manner, Xi said.

Xi stressed that our Party has always represented the fundamental interests of all Chinese people, and it has never represented any individual interest group, power group or privileged stratum. Leading officials free from corruption are not vulnerable to unhealthy tendencies. To be honest and clean, self-discipline makes the difference, remaining clean and honest is valuable and thoroughly being so is even more valuable. Comrades of the Political Bureau should set an example in abiding by the code of honest conduct and taking the lead in fulfilling the political responsibility for governance of the Party, make efforts to strengthen the Party conduct and build integrity in the sectors or localities under their charge, and take strong actions to combat misconduct and corruption, so as to build a clean work relationship among colleagues and between ranking officials and their subordinates, and draw a clear demarcation line between government departments and businesspeople. They must play a good role in guiding, creating and safeguarding a good political atmosphere within the Party and a good social tendency as well. At the same time, members of the Political Bureau must be strict with their family members, relatives and people around them, and never allow them to seek illegitimate interests by taking advantage of their power and influence.

Xi noted that comrades from the Political Bureau put forward many good suggestions and advice on improving our work during the meeting. They will be studied immediately after the meeting so that measures will be worked out to improve the work, and efforts will be made to make practical progress. ■

Xi Jinping makes important instruction on patriotic health campaigns

BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- On the 70th anniversary of the launch of the patriotic health campaigns, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an important instruction, and pointed out that, over the past 70 years, under the leadership of the CPC, the patriotic health campaigns have focused on people's health and given priority to prevention, playing an important role in changing the landscape of urban and rural environment and sanitation, effectively responding to major infectious diseases, and improving the level of social health management. He hoped that the comrades on the national patriotic health and sanitation front would always stay committed to their original aspiration and missions, inherit and carry forward fine traditions, diversify working contents, innovate working methods and make new contributions to the building of a Healthy China.

At present, Xi Jinping stressed, China's COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control is facing new situations and new tasks, and it is necessary to carry out more targeted patriotic health campaigns, and give full play to the strengths such campaigns can gather in organization and mobilization. People should be guided to actively learn health knowledge, have a command of health skills, develop good personal hygiene habits, practice a civilized and healthy lifestyle, and build a social defense line for epidemic prevention and control with thousands of civilized and healthy small environments, so as to effectively protect people's safety and health, Xi said.

Premier Li Keqiang pointed out that, over the past 70 years, remarkable achievements have been made in such campaigns with the participation of the people, which have played an important part in protecting people's health, and they are a major project for the people. Li said that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era must be studied as the guide to implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in carrying out patriotic health campaigns. Prevention must be maintained as the priority, and mechanisms and work methods must be innovated to further improve environment and sanitation in urban and rural areas, and promote health education, so as to make new contributions to the building of a Healthy China.

Currently, China is optimizing its adjusted COVID-19 prevention and control measures in an orderly manner. We should give full play to our strengths so as to keep all relevant parties motivated in their response to the epidemic in a science-based manner. Governments at all levels should redouble their efforts to ensure people's access to medical services and anti-epidemic materials, so as to protect the people's health and safety.

Patriotic health campaigns are our Party's successful practice in applying the mass line to the work in the sector of health and disease prevention. Over the past seven decades, the campaigns have been carried out under the leadership of Party committees, guided by governments, with coordinated efforts from all multiple departments and participation of the whole society. Adhering to the "big health" concept, efforts have been made to address problems at the source in carrying out such campaigns and remarkable progress has been made. ■

Xi Jinping replies to letter from artists of China Oriental Performing Arts Group

BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on December 24th wrote back to artists of China Oriental Performing Arts Group, encouraging them to earnestly study and disseminate the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, and make new contributions to building a socialist country with strong culture.

Xi said in the letter that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of Central Song and Dance Troupe and 60th anniversary of the founding of Oriental Song and Dance Troupe, two predecessors of China Oriental Performing Arts Group. "On this occasion, I would like to extend my warm congratulations and sincere greetings to you and all the cast and crew," Xi said.

Xi pointed out that, over the years, you have conscientiously implemented the Party's principles and policies on literature and art, produced many excellent works, made positive contributions to the prosperity and development of the performing arts, and to cultural exchanges with foreign countries, and become an important "cultural envoy" and a bright "cultural card" of New China. Generations of artists stay true to their original aspirations and keep their missions in mind. They sing for the times and dance for the people, demonstrating their missions and responsibilities as artists, Xi said.

Xi said that he hoped that the group will further study, publicize and implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, adhere to people-centered orientation in creating art works, seek integrity and high standard in pursuit of art, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground. Xi also said that he hoped that the group will fully demonstrate the mainstream values of the new era and the vigor of the Chinese people in singing and dancing performances, so as to make new contributions to the prosperity of performing arts, to building cultural confidence and strength, and to developing China into a socialist country with strong culture.

China Oriental Performing Arts Group developed mainly out of Central Song and Dance Troupe, which was established in December 1952, and Oriental Song and Dance Troupe, which was established in January 1962. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the group has created and performed a number of widely acclaimed cultural and artistic works, such as The Splendor of China, Dance & Music Chinese Stories - Twelve Chinese Zodiacs, Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting and Teacher Guimei.

Recently, 10 artists from the group wrote to General Secretary Xi Jinping to report their achievements in cultural and artistic creation over the past 10 years in the new era, and express their determination to stay true to their original aspiration and missions as well as better tell stories about China and make China's voice heard through art. ■

Xi Jinping delivers speech at central rural work conference

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends and addresses the annual central rural work conference in Beijing, capital of China. The conference was held in Beijing from Dec. 23 to 24. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The annual central rural work conference was held from Dec. 23 to 24 in Beijing. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), attended the conference and delivered an important speech. He stressed that it is a strategic plan the CPC Central Committee has made to advance rural revitalization across the board and accelerate the building of a strong agriculture, with a view to building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

He emphasized that a country must first strengthen agriculture to make itself strong, and only when agriculture is strong can the country be strong. Without strong agriculture, there won't be a great modern country. The socialist modernization won't be complete without agricultural and rural modernization.

He also called for efforts in areas relating to agriculture, rural areas and farmers, with rural revitalization as the focus, to vigorously promote the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, and speed up the building of a strong agriculture.

Li Keqiang presided over the conference. Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Han Zheng, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the conference.

Xi pointed out that a strong agriculture is the foundation of a great modern socialist country. Agricultural development is essential to meeting the people's needs for a better life, achieving high-quality development and consolidating the foundation of national security. The efforts to build a strong agriculture should reflect Chinese characteristics, and be based on China's national conditions, on the reality of more people and less land, on the historical background of agricultural civilization, and on the requirements of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

He said we should go on our own path rather than simply copying the model of any foreign country. We should rely on our own strength to secure food supply, rely on the two-tier management system to develop agriculture, develop ecological low-carbon agriculture, continue our farming civilization, and solidly promote common prosperity.

Currently, we should stay focused on the goal of building up China's strength in agriculture, scientifically plan and advance the work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers, strengthen top-level design, and formulate plans for building a strong agriculture. We should make steady move, proceed step by step, and do more to lay the foundation that can deliver long-term benefits. We should adopt measures suiting local conditions, emphasize practical results, and base our work on China's resource endowment and stages of development, so as to address the most pressing problems in agricultural and rural development that farmers feel most strongly about, instead of engaging in vanity projects that are divorced from reality.

Xi stressed that ensuring the stable and secure supply of grain and important agricultural products has always been the top priority of building up China's strength in agriculture. We will formulate implementation plans for a new round of actions to increase China's grain production capacity by 50 million metric tons. Special attention must be paid to farmland and seeds, ensuring that the red line of 120 million hectares must be kept as far as the country's total area of farmland is concerned. Efforts will be made to gradually develop all permanent basic cropland into high-standard farmland, make real progress in the campaign to invigorate the seed industry, and keep major varieties firmly in our own hands. Work must be done to refine the mechanisms for ensuring the incomes of grain growers and for compensating major grain-producing areas. To ensure food security, efforts must be made to both increase production and reduce food losses, continuing to further prevent food waste. An all-encompassing approach to food must be adopted to build a diversified food supply system, and develop food sources in multiple ways. Assessment of officials' performance must be tightened to urge all localities to shoulder their responsibility for securing food security.

Xi noted that advancing rural revitalization across the board is an important task in building a strong agriculture in the new era, so we need to shift human resources, material resources, and financial support to it.

Work must be done to revitalize the five areas including industries, competent personnel, culture, ecosystems, and organizations in rural areas in a coordinated manner, with emphasis placed on major fields and deficiencies addressed. The development of industries is the most important on the agenda of rural revitalization, and supportive policies must be implemented to the letter in this regard. Particular attention should be paid to local specialties. By relying on special agricultural and rural resources, benefits should be sought through developing a variety of agricultural functions, tapping multiple types of value in rural areas and integrated development of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. Leading enterprises must be further developed, weak links of all types strengthened, all forms of business boosted and self-developed brands established, so as to promote the whole-chain upgrading of rural industries and their market competitiveness as well as capabilities of sustainable development.

To consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation is the bottom line of comprehensively promoting rural revitalization. We will continue to make sure that relevant departments fulfill their responsibilities, align supportive policies and implement measures for the people and areas that should be lifted out of poverty, and resolutely prevent entire villages and townships from returning to poverty. We will continue to make increasing farmers' incomes the central task of the work concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers, and do everything possible to expand channels for farmers to increase incomes and get richer.

Xi stressed the need to rely on science and technology as well as reform to speed up the building of a strong agriculture. We should focus on the frontier of world agricultural science and technology, vigorously promote the level of country's agricultural science and technology, and accelerate the realization of agricultural science and technology self-reliance and self-strengthening at higher levels. Efforts should be made to improve the overall effectiveness of the innovation system, and address prominent problems such as lack of coordination and cooperation, low levels of duplication, and low conversion rates.

He said it is imperative to take breakthroughs in key and core agricultural technology and agricultural sector's urgent need as the guide, focus on fields such as fundamental technologies, core germplasm resources, as well as key agricultural machinery and equipment, and give full play to the strengths of the new system, which can mobilize the resources nationwide on key national projects, to integrate superior scientific research resources at all levels and of various types, strengthen the dominant position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation, and establish an agricultural scientific and technological innovation system with distinct echelon, coordination and cooperation, and moderate competition.

He also called for building national strategic strength in agricultural science and technology and support the development of major platforms for innovation in agriculture. To deepen rural reform, we must continue to focus on properly handling the relationship between farmers and land. We must align strengthening the foundation of collective ownership, safeguarding and realizing the rights of farmers' collective members with activating resource elements, so as to improve the separation of rights and interests over rural collective resources and assets, and make sure farmers can share more of the fruits in the reform.

Solid work should be done to extend the contract period for another 30 years, so as to ensure the original contract rights of most farmers remain stable and are smoothly extended. It is necessary to develop appropriately scaled agricultural operations, support the development of new business entities such as family farms and farmers' cooperatives, speed up the improvement of the socialized service system for agriculture, and provide good services to and support small household farmers.

Trials for the reform of rural allocation of homestead must be carried forward in a steady and prudent manner, and further progress must be made in the pilot programs for market-based transfer of use right to rural collective land designated for business-related construction, and the mechanism be optimized for the distribution of value-added benefits of land. Work will be done to remove the institutional barriers that hamper the equal exchange and the two-way flows of urban and rural production factors, so as to ensure that more development factors and services are available in rural areas, so that the urban-rural dual economic structure will be first broken in counties.

Xi stressed that rural modernization is a must for and prerequisite to building up China's strength in agriculture, and that developing a beautiful and harmonious countryside that is desirable to live and work in is essential in this regard. We must make coordinated efforts to promote modernization of both agriculture and rural areas, and ensure that rural areas are upgraded from inside out and in both form and essence. With the target of "ensuring basic modern living conditions in rural areas," development projects must be well organized and implemented to especially speed up the construction of public service facilities in areas such as anti-epidemic, elderly care, education and healthcare. Efforts should also be made to ensure that the rural infrastructure is complete, public services are more accessible and the environment is more desirable to live in, so that farmers can enjoy a modern life where they are now.

Work will be done to improve the rural governance system under the Party's leadership and featuring the combination of self-governance, rule of law and rule of virtue, so as to make rural areas not only full of vitality but also stable and orderly.

Progress in culture and ethics should be promoted in rural areas and so should the education in the rule of law and transformation of the established traditions. Farmers should be guided to handle affairs in accordance with the law, seek law-based solutions in case of trouble, solve problems and settle disputes in accordance with the law, and consciously abide by village rules and regulations.

Xi said that the Party's leadership must be firmly maintained over work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers, the leadership system and working mechanism must be optimized, providing a strong guarantee for accelerating the building of a strong agriculture.

He emphasized the principle that Party secretaries at province, city, county, township and village levels must be held accountable for the work of rural revitalization, and a county's Party secretary must play well the role of a "frontline commander."

Training of officials related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers should be intensified, and their work capability and conduct be improved so that a team of officials, who are politically committed, competent to meet the requirements of the new era and capable to lead the building of a strong agriculture, will be built.

Training of local officials must be combined with introduction of competent officials from other localities, particular importance should be attached to the training of village Party secretaries and those in charge of new agricultural businesses, so as to comprehensively improve the quality and literacy of farmers, and better foster and use local talents.

Competent personnel should be introduced from other localities. University graduates, able people, migrant workers and entrepreneurs should be guided to go or return to rural areas in an orderly manner, and work should be done to relieve them of their family worries so that they are willing to stay and start their own businesses.

Work should be done to improve village-level organizations led by the village Party committees and see to it that primary-level Party organizations in rural areas play a key role in ensuring the exercise of the Party's leadership.

When presiding over the conference, Li Keqiang pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech is of guiding significance, as it systematically explained a series of major theoretical and practical issues in building a strong agriculture, accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, and in comprehensively promoting rural revitalization. The speech has clarified work objectives and tasks, strategic priorities and the main direction that related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, Li said. Xi incorporated in his speech the implementation of the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the vision for the overall situation of building a great modern socialist country in all aspects, Li said.

Li said that the speech must be thoroughly studied and understood and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era be maintained as the guide to combine the theme of the conference and the working practice, and implement well the plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

Hu Chunhua delivered a concluding speech, during which he said that Xi's remarks are a sound guide and an action program for building up China's strength in agriculture, accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, and advancing the rural revitalization across the board.

Hu also stressed the importance of comprehensively studying and implementing General Secretary Xi's important remarks on work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers, so as to resolutely accomplish the basic tasks in this regard, pay close attention to the production of grain and important agricultural products, consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, make solid progress in building rural areas that are comfortable and beautiful to live in, and fit for work, expand channels for farmers to increase their incomes, and strengthen and improve rural governance.

Party secretaries at the provincial, municipal, county, township and village levels must work together to proceed from local realities, act in accordance with the law of agricultural and rural affairs, respect the will and initiative of farmers, and constantly improve the effectiveness of their work, Hu said. At present, a good job must be done on the prevention and control of COVID-19 in rural areas, local leaders must be held accountable for work in this regard. COVID-19 prevention services for returned migrant workers and college and secondary school students must be strengthened, medical care for the rural elderly, young, sick, disabled, pregnant and other key groups must be boosted, so that health of rural residents and normal order for their production and life can be safeguarded to the greatest extent.

The draft document "Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Comprehensively Promoting the Key Work of Rural Revitalization in 2023" was discussed at the conference.

Those who also attended the conference include some members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, secretaries of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, leading members from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Also present at the conference were members of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, leading officials from different provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, cities specifically designated in the state plan and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, as well as leading officials in charge of agricultural and rural affairs, leading officials from relevant departments of central and state organs, relevant people's organizations, relevant financial institutions and enterprises, and relevant departments of the CMC. It was a video and telephone conference, and provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities set up sub-venues. ■

Full text of Xi Jinping's address at the opening of the high-level segment of 2nd part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of the address delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) via videolink on Thursday.

Address by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

At the Opening of the High-Level Segment of Part II of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Good morning.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and also in my own name, I would like to extend warm congratulations to the convening of today's meeting.

Humanity lives in a community with a shared future. Be it in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, or in enhancing biodiversity protection and achieving sustainable development globally, solidarity and cooperation is the only effective way to address global challenges. A sound ecosystem is essential for the prosperity of civilization. We must work together to promote harmonious co-existence between man and Nature, build a community of all life on the Earth, and create a clean and beautiful world for us all.

-- We need to build global consensus on biodiversity protection, jointly work for the conclusion of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, and identify targets and pathways for global biodiversity protection.

-- We need to push forward the global process of biodiversity protection, turn ambitions into action, support developing countries in capacity-building, and coordinate efforts to address climate change, biodiversity loss and other global challenges.

-- We need to promote green development through biodiversity protection, speed up the green transition of development modes and lifestyle, and leverage the Global Development Initiative (GDI) to deliver greater benefits to people of all countries.

-- We need to uphold a fair and equitable global order on biodiversity protection, firmly defend true multilateralism, firmly support the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and form strong synergy for protecting the Earth, our common homeland.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

China has made active efforts to promote ecological progress and biodiversity protection. We have continuously strengthened biodiversity mainstreaming, applied a system of ecological conservation red lines, established a protected areas system with national parks as the mainstay, carried out major biodiversity protection projects, and conducted most stringent enforcement and supervision. A large number of rare and endangered species have been placed under effective protection, and the diversity, stability and sustainability of the ecosystem have kept improving. We have found a path of biodiversity protection with Chinese characteristics.

Going forward, China will continue to advance ecological progress, and plan its development in the context of promoting harmonious co-existence between man and Nature. We will respond to the Action Plan for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and launch a large number of key projects on biodiversity protection and restoration. We will deepen international exchanges and cooperation, and support international forums on biodiversity. We will do our best to provide support and assistance to fellow developing countries through the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition (BRIGC) and the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, so as to elevate global biodiversity governance to a new height.

As an old Chinese saying goes, "All living things should flourish without harming each other; all ways of life should thrive without hindering each other." Let us work together to open a new chapter in building a community of all life on the Earth and create a bright future of harmonious co-existence between man and Nature.

Thank you. ■

Full text of Xi Jinping's keynote speech at China-Arab States Summit

RIYADH, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech here Friday at the first China-Arab States Summit.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Carrying Forward the Spirit of China-Arab Friendship and Jointly Building a China-Arab Community with a Shared Future in the New Era

Riyadh, 9 December 2022

Distinguished Colleagues,

Friends,

Good afternoon!

At the outset, I wish to thank Saudi Arabia for the warm hospitality and thoughtful arrangement. I am very pleased to join you for the first China-Arab States Summit. The Summit is a milestone in the history of China-Arab relations, and will take us to a more promising future of friendship and cooperation.

China and Arab states enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges. We have come to know and befriend each other through the ancient Silk Road. We have shared weal and woe in our respective struggles for national liberation. We have conducted win-win cooperation in the tide of economic globalization. And we have upheld fairness and justice in the changing international environment. Together, China and Arab states have nurtured the spirit of friendship featuring "solidarity and mutual assistance, equality and mutual benefit, and inclusiveness and mutual learning."

Solidarity and mutual assistance is a distinct feature of China-Arab friendship. We trust each other, and have forged a brotherly friendship. We firmly support each other on issues involving our respective core interests. We work hand in hand and make progress together to realize the dream of national rejuvenation. We brave wind and storms together in fighting the COVID pandemic. The China-Arab future-oriented strategic partnership of comprehensive cooperation and common development is unbreakable.

Equality and mutual benefit is a constant driver for our friendship. China and Arab states have set an example for South-South cooperation in pursuing mutually beneficial collaboration. The two sides have established 17 cooperation mechanisms under the framework of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. Over the past decade, our trade has grown by 100 billion U.S. dollars, with the total volume exceeding 300 billion dollars; China's direct investment in Arab states was up by 2.6 times, with the stock of investment reaching 23 billion dollars; over 200 Belt and Road projects have been carried out, benefiting nearly two billion people of the two sides.

Inclusiveness and mutual learning is a key value inherent in our friendship. We appreciate each other's civilizations, and have written a splendid history of mutual learning. We keep drawing wisdom from each other's time-honored civilizations, and jointly promote "peace, harmony, integrity, and truth", the very essence of civilization. We stay true to our principles despite the clamour for "clash of civilizations", advocate together inter-civilizational dialogue, oppose discrimination against particular civilizations, and endeavor to safeguard the diversity of world civilizations.

Colleagues,

Friends,

The world today is in a new period of turbulence and transformation. The Middle East is undergoing new and profound changes. The aspiration of the Arab people for peace and development is much more compelling, and their call for equity and justice is stronger than ever. As strategic partners, China and Arab states should carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friendship, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and foster a closer China-Arab community with a shared future, so as to deliver greater benefits to our peoples and advance the cause of human progress.

- We should stay independent and defend our common interests. China supports Arab states in independently exploring development paths suited to their national conditions and holding their future firmly in their own hands. China is ready to deepen strategic mutual trust with Arab states, and firmly support each other in safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity. Our two sides should jointly uphold the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, practice true multilateralism, and defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

- We should focus on economic development and promote win-win cooperation. We should strengthen synergy between our development strategies, and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We should consolidate cooperation in traditional areas including economy and trade, energy and infrastructure development. In the meantime, we should strengthen new sources of growth such as green and low-carbon development, health and medical services, and investment and finance, and expand new frontiers including aviation and aerospace, digital economy and peaceful use of nuclear energy. We should also tackle major challenges like food security and energy security. China will work with the Arab side to implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and drive sustainable development of South-South cooperation.

- We should uphold regional peace and strive for common security. China supports the Arab side in promoting political settlement of hotspot and challenging issues with Arab wisdom, and build a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture in the Middle East. China urges the international community to respect the role of the Middle East people as masters of their own affairs, and add positive energy to the security and stability of the region. China welcomes the Arab side to participate in the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and will continue to contribute Chinese wisdom to promoting peace and tranquility in the Middle East.

- We should increase exchanges among civilizations to enhance mutual understanding and trust. We need to increase personnel exchange, deepen people-to-people cooperation, and promote the exchange of governance experience. We need to jointly oppose Islamophobia, carry out cooperation on deradicalization, and reject association of terrorism with any particular ethnic group or religion. We need to advocate humanity's common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, and set an example of inter-civilizational exchanges and mutual learning in the new era.

We are pleased to see the decision by the Summit to build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era and to formulate the Outline of the Comprehensive Cooperation Plan Between China and Arab States, laying out the blueprint for future China-Arab relations. As the first follow-up step of that decision, China will, in the next three to five years, work with the Arab side to advance eight major cooperation initiatives in areas including development support, food security, public health, green innovation, energy security, inter-civilizational dialogue, youth development, and security and stability. China has briefed the Arab side on the details of the eight initiatives, and will work with the Arab side to promote their early implementation and strive for early harvest.

Colleagues,

Friends,

The Palestinian issue bears on peace and stability in the Middle East. The historical injustices done to the Palestinian people should not be left unattended indefinitely. The legitimate rights and interests of a nation are not up for trade, and the demand to establish an independent state shall not be denied. The international community should stay firm in its commitment to the two-state solution and the principle of "land for peace", make resolute efforts to promote peace talks, provide more humanitarian and development assistance to Palestine, and strive for a just settlement of the Palestinian issue at an early date. Recently, through the efforts of Arab states, important progress has been made in Intra-Palestinian reconciliation. China welcomes these developments. I would like to reiterate that China firmly supports the establishment of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 border and with East Jerusalem as its capital. China supports Palestine in becoming a full member of the United Nations, and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine, support livelihood projects in the country, and increase donations to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Colleagues,

Friends,

Recently, the Communist Party of China successfully convened its 20th National Congress. The Congress laid out the tasks and path of advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, and provided a blueprint for China's future development. China will stay committed to upholding world peace, promoting common development, and building a community with a shared future for mankind. China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and upholding international fairness and justice. China is committed to promoting friendship and cooperation with other countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and will work to deepen and expand global partnerships. Acting on a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, China will continue to promote high-standard opening up and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. By doing so, we wish to create new opportunities for Arab states and all other countries with China's new development.

Colleagues,

Friends,

A great cause begins with a dream and turns into reality through hard work. Let us carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friendship, jointly build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era, and usher in an even brighter future for our relations.

Thank you! ■