Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a major speech on July 1 to mark the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), projecting a tone of heightened confidence in the party’s governance and its global role. Speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Xi underscored the CPC’s status as the world’s largest ruling party and emphasized its "significant global influence" alongside the broad support it commands domestically.
Highlighting the party’s accomplishments, Xi said China’s rapid development provides a new model of modernization for developing countries, framing it as a distinct civilizational path. He called for the construction of an international community with a shared future, portraying socialist China as a stabilizing force in world peace, a contributor to global growth, and a defender of the international order. His remarks came amid ongoing global instability, with unresolved conflicts such as those between Ukraine and Russia and tension between the United States and Iran.
Xi stressed the importance of party discipline and warned members to remain vigilant against internal threats to the party’s purity, a reference to anti-corruption efforts and demands for political loyalty. He urged officials to confront challenges with resilience and creativity, citing the need to prepare for “high winds and rough waves” in economic, political, and security arenas. The address included calls for scientific risk analysis and an unyielding will to overcome adversity.
Celebrating party veterans, military experts, and grassroots civil servants, Xi awarded the July 1 Medals to eight individuals recognized for significant contributions, continuing a tradition initiated at the CPC centenary.
Looking ahead to the party’s national congress next year—which is expected to confirm Xi for a new five-year leadership term—he made clear the priority of military modernization. Xi urged the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to achieve its centenary modernization goals by 2027 and work toward becoming a world-class military by 2050. He also reiterated the party’s commitment to political control over the armed forces and governance in accordance with law, following recent purges of several high-ranking military officials accused of corruption and disloyalty.
On the sensitive issue of Taiwan, Xi reaffirmed the party’s goal of reunification, describing it as an “unswerving historical mission” but did not imply an immediate escalation. He promised a firm stance against separatist forces and foreign interference while encouraging deeper cross-strait economic cooperation and exchanges. Observers noted the speech conveyed a measured approach toward Taiwan, with some analysts interpreting the tone as a steady, long-term strategy rather than an accelerated timeline for reunification.
In the context of intensifying China–U.S. competition, Xi acknowledged the challenges posed by Washington’s containment efforts but suggested the relationship has reached a phase of strategic stability marked by a more balanced power dynamic.
The ceremony also included tributes to past Chinese leaders Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao for their roles in the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” underpinning Xi’s message of continuity and national strength amid complex global challenges.