Having undergone a century of arduous struggle, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese nation, determined to revive its great cause, are once again ushering in a historic moment that draws worldwide attention—
Beijing, Tiananmen Square. Around 9 a.m., more than 2,300 delegates and specially invited delegates attending the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China began to arrive one after another from their respective accommodations throughout the capital city of Beijing.
Bearing the heavy trust of more than 96 million Party members and the earnest expectations of over 1.4 billion people, the delegates ascended the steps with vigorous, steady, and confident strides.
In their eyes, there shines a profound sense of confidence, self-reliance, and strength—looking back on the journey so far, we’ve successfully achieved our first centenary goal, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical course. How hard-won and how magnificent it is!
In their hearts brim with unwavering determination, moral integrity, and inner strength—looking ahead, as we embark on the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country and draw up grand blueprints for national rejuvenation, how magnificent and awe-inspiring it is!
The river of history flows ceaselessly, and at critical junctures, only a few steps often determine the outcome. The 20th National Congress of the Party finds itself at precisely such a pivotal historical juncture—
At this critical juncture as we embark on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country, the Congress will scientifically formulate the goals, tasks, and major policies for the development of the Party and the country over the next five years and beyond. This is of vital importance for carrying forward and opening up new prospects for the cause of the Party and the country, for determining the future and destiny of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
This historic arrival signifies another historic departure.
Fifteen delegates stepped onto the “Party Delegate Corridor” to share their heartfelt journeys of achieving success in the new era and forging ahead on a new journey, showcasing the spirit and sense of responsibility of Chinese Communists in the new era.
Inside the auditorium, which can accommodate ten thousand people, the atmosphere was solemn yet fervent. On the rostrum, the golden Party emblem gleamed brilliantly against the backdrop of vibrant red flags, while the dazzling dome above sparkled with radiant splendor.
On the second and third-floor viewing platforms, massive banners proclaiming, “Hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carry forward the great spirit of Party building, and unite in striving to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!” and “Long live the great, glorious, and correct Communist Party of China!” are solemnly displayed, strikingly visible and deeply inspiring.
The hour hand points to 10 a.m. The majestic sound of the national anthem rings out—the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China officially opens in grand style!
Amid enthusiastic applause, General Secretary Xi Jinping strode confidently toward the podium and delivered a report to the congress on behalf of the 19th Central Committee.
A calm yet resonant voice echoed through the grand auditorium, accommodating ten thousand people, and then spread far and wide—across the rivers and mountains of China and throughout the world—via television and the internet.
The five years since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China have been extraordinarily unusual and remarkable—
The Party Central Committee, taking into account both the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the unprecedented global changes unfolding over the past century, has made major strategic plans for the development of the Party and the country. It has united and led the entire Party, the armed forces, and all ethnic groups across the nation to effectively respond to the severe and complex international environment and the mounting, enormous risks and challenges, and with a spirit of vigorous striving, continues to push forward socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.
Looking back over the past five years to the decade since the advent of the new era, I feel even more filled with pride and enthusiasm—
“Over the past decade, we have witnessed three major events of profound practical significance and far-reaching historical importance for the cause of the Party and the people: First, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China; second, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era; and third, we have accomplished the historic task of eradicating poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thus achieving the first centenary goal.”
“We are all firsthand witnesses and active participants in these three momentous undertakings.” Gao Derong, the “leader” who spearheaded poverty alleviation among the Dulong ethnic group and traveled from the southwestern frontier of our motherland, spoke with deep emotion: “Since entering the new era, the Dulong people have achieved poverty alleviation for the entire ethnic group—truly a leap forward that has spanned millennia for this ‘direct-transition ethnic group’! Without the Chinese Communist Party, under the helm and guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping, how could we have witnessed such a miracle etched in history?”
The evolution of history is like a grand, rousing symphony. The past decade since socialism with Chinese characteristics entered a new era has undoubtedly been a majestic and powerful movement within that symphony.
This has been an extraordinary decade during which the cause of the Party and the country has achieved historic accomplishments and undergone historic transformations—
“We have taken a series of strategic initiatives, advanced a range of transformative practices, achieved a series of breakthrough advancements, and attained a series of landmark results. We have successfully withstood the tests and challenges posed by risks and threats from political, economic, ideological, and natural spheres.”
This has been an extraordinary decade marked by major breakthroughs in economic and social development—
“Our country’s economic strength has achieved a historic leap,” “the scale of our manufacturing sector and our foreign exchange reserves consistently rank first in the world,” and “we have made major breakthroughs in manned spaceflight, lunar and planetary exploration, deep-sea and deep-earth exploration, supercomputing, satellite navigation, quantum information, nuclear power technology, large aircraft manufacturing, and biopharmaceuticals, thereby joining the ranks of innovative nations.”
This has been an extraordinary decade during which the people have enjoyed greater well-being and a better quality of life—
“Continue to make sustained efforts to ensure that children have access to childcare, students receive quality education, workers earn fair compensation for their labor, the sick receive adequate medical care, the elderly are provided with proper care and support, everyone has a place to live, and vulnerable groups receive necessary assistance.” “Build the world’s largest education system, social security system, and healthcare system.”
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With wings in our hearts, we soar freely through the skies and beyond; with boundless dreams, we set forth to explore the stars and the vast ocean.
“In 2013, I traveled to space aboard Shenzhou-10 for 15 days; from last year to this year, I’ve been stationed in orbit aboard Shenzhou-13 for 183 days. From those 15 days to these 183 days, China’s aerospace program has made a tremendous leap forward—a testament to the great transformation of the new era that I’ve personally witnessed,” said Wang Yaping, the astronaut representative, with deep emotion.
“The historic achievements and transformative changes made in the cause of the Party and the country are fundamentally attributable to the guiding helm provided by General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the entire Party, and to the scientific guidance offered by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” said Li Mingjun, Secretary of the Lankao County Party Committee in Henan Province, speaking with firm conviction.
As history marches into 2022, the world is witnessing a major shift unseen in a century, accelerating its evolution. The characteristics of global change, epochal transformation, and historical upheaval have become even more pronounced. China now faces risks and challenges that are more intricate and complex than ever before, as well as contradictions and problems that require urgent resolution. Standing at the commanding heights of national rejuvenation and this century-long transformative era, how can the Chinese Communists—carrying forward the past and opening up the future—respond to the changing situation, foster new opportunities, and create new prospects?
— Clearly state that “from now on, the central task of the Communist Party of China is to unite and lead all ethnic groups across the country in fully building a modern socialist power and achieving the Second Centenary Goal, and to comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization.”
— Proposing the overall development goals for China by 2035 and outlining the key tasks and objectives for fully building a modern socialist country over the next five years;
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“The times are calling on us, and the people are counting on us. Only by remaining steadfast in our commitment and persevering with unwavering dedication can we live up to the times and live up to the people.”
Tidal applause rang out again and again in the Great Hall of the People.
On and off the stage, dreams of family and country surge and blend together; inside and outside the conference hall, the Party’s heart and the people’s heart resonate in unison.
This round of applause expresses a unified will: We firmly uphold the “Two Establishments” and steadfastly practice the “Two Safeguards.” Together, we will surely achieve even greater victories and glory!
This round of applause expresses a firm conviction: With the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, our path is viable, correct, and leads to great success!
This round of applause conveys firm confidence: By fully advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization, China will surely keep its destiny of development and progress firmly in its own hands!
“The Party has created a century of great achievements through its extraordinary endeavors, and it will surely continue to forge new great achievements through even greater endeavors,” declared General Secretary Xi Jinping with unwavering conviction. His words resonated throughout the grand auditorium filled with tens of thousands of people, echoed across the magnificent landscapes spanning over 9.6 million square kilometers, and reverberated deep within the hearts of more than 1.4 billion Chinese sons and daughters...
At around 11:50, the opening ceremony concluded amid enthusiastic applause.
From the Great Hall of the People, as you gaze into the distance, the National Museum rises solemnly and majestically—a symbol that encapsulates more than 5,000 years of splendid Chinese civilization. As we march forward toward the grand dream of national rejuvenation, the sons and daughters of China will surely continue to create a great historical epoch for the Chinese nation in the grand chronicle of human history!
