BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- A grand assembly marking the 105th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held on the morning of July 1 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. At the event, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, conferred the July 1 Medal on model CPC members and delivered an important speech. He stressed that over the past 105 years, the CPC has remained committed to its original aspiration and founding mission of working for the happiness of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and has made historic achievements through unremitting efforts. Xi said that on the new journey, all CPC members should strengthen their confidence, forge ahead with sustained efforts and continue to create new achievements worthy of the times and the people's expectations.

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 -- as well as Vice President Han Zheng were present at the event.

At around 9 a.m., the recipients of the July 1 Medal departed for the Great Hall of the People in ceremonial vehicles, accompanied by a motorcycle escort. Outside the north gate of the Great Hall of the People, guards of honor lined up on both sides of the road, while children and teenagers greeted the medal recipients with enthusiastic cheers. Upon arrival, the recipients ascended the red-carpeted steps and entered the building, where they were welcomed by officials from the working committee overseeing affairs related to Party and state awards and honors.

The atmosphere in the grand auditorium of the Great Hall of the People was solemn yet vibrant. Above the rostrum hung a banner reading "Assembly Celebrating the 105th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China." At the center of the backdrop gleamed the radiant emblem of the CPC, with the inscription "1921-2026" beneath it, flanked by five red flags on each side. On the second-floor balcony, a slogan read: "Unite closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, stay true to the original aspiration and founding mission, and strive tirelessly to comprehensively advance the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization."

At 10 a.m., Li Qiang declared the commencement of the meeting. All present rose to their feet and sang the national anthem.

Cai Qi read out the decision of the CPC Central Committee on conferring the July 1 Medal. The decision states that, in recognition of outstanding Party members who have long worked at the grassroots level, devoted themselves to the Party and the people, and made remarkable contributions, and to inspire the entire Party to remain true to our original aspiration and founding mission, and forge ahead with enterprise and fortitude, the CPC Central Committee decides to confer the July 1 Medal on Ma Shanxiang, Wang Yuchang, Li Liancheng, Uhas Sulayman, Wu Yaqin, Chen Junwu (posthumously), Zhao Yafu and Zhong Jue.

Two flag-bearers holding high the Party flag and one guard of honor carrying the July 1 Medal marched with vigorous steps to the ceremony venue.

Amidst the majestic melody of "Salute to the Heroes of the Motherland," Xi presented the July 1 Medal to the recipients individually, warmly shook hands with them, and extended his congratulations. The recipients were then invited to take their seats on the rostrum, amid bursts of enthusiastic applause throughout the venue.

Cai Qi read out another decision of the CPC Central Committee on commending outstanding Party members, Party workers, and primary-level Party organizations from across the country.

Xi and other leaders presented awards to representatives of the commended Party members, Party workers, and primary-level Party organizations.

Amid rapturous applause, Xi delivered an important speech. He noted that the grand assembly in celebration of the CPC's 105th founding anniversary was held to review the Party's glorious history, look ahead to the bright prospects for the development of the cause of the Party and the people, and rally the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to strive with confidence toward the great goals of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and rejuvenating the Chinese nation. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended greetings to all CPC members and offered warm congratulations to the recipients of the July 1 Medal, and the honored Party members, Party workers, and primary-level Party organizations.

Xi said that 105 years ago, against the backdrop of the Chinese nation's profound awakening and the integration of Marxism-Leninism with the Chinese workers' movement, the CPC emerged in response to the needs of the times. Since then, the Chinese people and the Chinese nation have a reliable pillar to lean on, and China, once beset by domestic turmoil and foreign aggression and mired in chronic poverty and weakness, has embarked on a course of earth-shaking historic transformation.

Over the past 105 years, the Party has united and led the people of all ethnic groups across the country in unremitting struggles, achieving great accomplishments in the new-democratic revolution, socialist revolution and construction, reform and opening up and socialist modernization, and in the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and composing the most magnificent epic in the millennia-long history of the Chinese nation. One hundred and five years of tireless struggle have fundamentally changed the future and destiny of the Chinese people, blazed the right path to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, demonstrated the robust vitality of Marxism, profoundly influenced the course of world history, and forged a strong CPC, which truly deserves to be called a great, glorious and correct party, Xi said.

He pointed out that the fundamental reason why the CPC has been able to continuously forge glories over 105 years of struggle, and why history and the people have chosen the Party, lies in its fine qualities with no parallel among other political parties and political forces. The Party remains steadfast in pursuing truth and always steers the right course; it is deeply rooted in the people and always rests on a solid foundation; it bravely shoulders its historic mission and always holds the strategic initiative; it keeps pace with the trend of development and always stands at the forefront of the times; it dares to struggle and excels in it, and always maintains full confidence in victory; and it focuses on self-strengthening and always brims with vigor and vitality. In light of new realities, we must continuously carry forward and enhance the Party's fine qualities, ensure that the Party will never change its nature, its conviction, or its character, and always maintain its strong creativity, cohesion, and combat capability, Xi said.

Xi stressed that to fulfill the Party's mission on the new journey in the new era, all Party members are required to strengthen confidence, make unremitting efforts, and continue to create new achievements worthy of the times and the people's expectations. On strengthening confidence and making unremitting efforts, Xi said it is imperative to adhere to the Party's basic theory, basic line and basic policy, uphold the Party's overall leadership and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and thoroughly implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is essential to have firm confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, build on past achievements and strive for progress while staying committed to fundamental principles and breaking new ground.

He urged the whole Party to remain undaunted by passing clouds and stay on course through wind and waves. The Party must rely closely on the people to create great historic achievements, put into practice a people-centered development philosophy and fully stimulate the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the people. Efforts must be made to implement the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in a coordinated way, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, speed up the creation of a new development pattern, and take solid steps to promote high-quality development.

Xi called on the whole Party to actively respond to risks and challenges on the path ahead, enhance awareness of potential dangers, be prepared to deal with worst-case scenarios, be ready to fight, and enhance the ability to struggle. Efforts should be made to better coordinate domestic and international imperatives and ensure both development and safeguard security. He stressed the need to continuously promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, champion humanity's common values, and advance the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, so as to inject more positive energy into world peace and development.

He also emphasized the need to advance full and rigorous Party self-governance with sustained efforts, fully implement the thought on Party building for the new era and improve the system for exercising full and rigorous self-governance. Efforts must be made to strengthen all aspects of Party building with political building as the overarching principle, resolutely win the tough, protracted and all-out battle against corruption, and continuously strengthen the Party's ability to provide political leadership and theoretical guidance, to organize and inspire the people, and to motivate the public.

Xi pointed out that to make our country strong, we must build a strong military, as only a strong military can ensure national security. He called for efforts to fully implement the Party's thinking on strengthening the military for the new era and maintain the Party's absolute leadership over the people's armed forces. It is imperative to take comprehensive measures to enhance the military's political integrity, strengthen the military through reform, development of science and technology, as well as talent cultivation, and run the military in accordance with the law. Xi underscored the importance of advancing the modernization of national defense and the armed forces, ensuring the realization of the People's Liberation Army's centenary goals in 2027, and accelerating the building of the people's armed forces into a world-class military.

Xi stressed that promoting the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao is an inherent requirement for realizing national rejuvenation. It is imperative to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the "one country, two systems" policy, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy, promote economic and social development in Hong Kong and Macao, and support them in better integrating into and contributing to the country's overall development, he said.

He noted that resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland are, for the Party, a historic mission and an unshakable commitment. They are also a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. It is essential to fully implement the Party's overall policy for the new era on resolving the Taiwan question, stay committed to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, unite the vast number of Taiwan compatriots, and promote exchanges, cooperation, and integrated development across the Taiwan Strait. We will resolutely fight against separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence," and oppose external interference, sparing no effort to advance the great cause of national reunification, Xi said.

He stressed that the youth are a vital force for realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The entire Party must attach importance to, care for, and support young people, creating favorable conditions for their growth and success. Young Chinese in the new era should unswervingly follow the Party and its guidance, set lofty goals and shoulder responsibilities of the times, carry the baton of history forward on the new journey, blaze a path with their zeal, and illuminate the journey with aspirations.

The Party's glorious 105-year history is a source of pride, but we must never become complacent or rest on our laurels, Xi stressed. By the middle of this century, we will have built China into a great modern socialist country in all respects to realize the Second Centenary Goal. All Party members must never forget the CPC's original aspiration and founding mission, always stay modest, prudent, and hard-working, and have the courage and ability to carry on the struggle, he said, calling on the CPC to closely rely on, unite with and lead people of all ethnic groups across the country in forging ahead on the new journey, making achievements in the new era, and striving to create historic accomplishments.

When presiding over the gathering, Li Qiang noted that General Secretary Xi's important speech provided a comprehensive review of how the CPC has united and led people of all ethnic groups across the country to achieve remarkable historic accomplishments over its 105-year history. The speech profoundly revealed the fine qualities that have enabled the Party to keep scaling new heights. It set out clear requirements for all Party members to strengthen their confidence and continue their efforts on the new journey, and issued a powerful call to the entire Party to strive for new historic achievements. With strategic vision, penetrating insights, and rich substance, General Secretary Xi's speech has further clarified the direction and provided fundamental guidance for fulfilling the Party's central tasks in the new era on the new journey. All Party members should study it carefully and effectively translate its essence into everyday work, carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, remain true to the Party's original aspirations and founding mission, and strive tirelessly to comprehensively advance the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Li said.

At the assembly, Wu Yaqin, the first secretary of the Party Committee of Changshan Garden Community in Kuancheng District, Changchun City, Jilin Province, delivered a speech on behalf of the recipients of the July 1 Medal.

The meeting concluded to the powerful strains of The Internationale.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairperson of the Central Military Commission, vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, state councilors, the president of the Supreme People's Court, the procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and vice chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, who were in Beijing, attended the meeting.

About 3,000 people attended the assembly, including leading officials from central Party and government departments, the military, people's organizations, and the Beijing municipal government; leaders of the central committees of non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce; representatives of personages without party affiliation; the July 1 Medal recipients' family members and colleagues; previous recipients of national medals and honorary titles; veteran Party members and retired officials; representatives of the honored Party members, Party workers and primary-level Party organizations; foreign experts working in China, grassroots Party members and people from all walks of life in Beijing; and those of military personnel stationed in the capital.■