A grand gathering commemorating the 160th anniversary of the birth of China`s great revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen was held on Thursday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese President, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the ceremony and delivered a keynote address.

In his speech, Xi Jinping praised Sun Yat-sen as a great national hero, a fervent patriot, and the foremost pioneer of China`s democratic revolution. He noted that Sun dedicated his entire life to the struggle to rejuvenate China, making indelible contributions to the Chinese people and nation, and earning the profound reverence of all Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad.

Xi remarked that Chinese Communists are the staunchest supporters, most loyal collaborators, and most faithful successors to Dr. Sun`s revolutionary cause. Over the past century and more, under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have achieved historic triumphs across the new democratic revolution, socialist revolution and construction, reform and opening-up, and the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics—writing a glorious chapter in the millennia-long history of the Chinese nation. These monumental achievements, Xi said, represent the highest tribute to Dr. Sun`s enduring legacy.

President Xi underscored that for over a century, Dr. Sun’s rallying cry to "rejuvenate China" has inspired successive generations of Chinese people, taking on richer meaning as times evolve. Today, the best way to honor Dr. Sun is to study, carry forward, and build upon his invaluable spiritual legacy while striving relentlessly toward building China into a strong, modern socialist country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xi emphasized that Dr. Sun placed the well-being of the people at the center of his lifelong endeavors. Carrying forward his spirit requires upholding a people-centered philosophy and serving the people wholeheartedly. On the new journey ahead, he said, it must be kept firmly in mind that the people are the foundation and true strength of the state. This entails standing firmly with the people, responding to their aspirations, respecting their creativity, pooling collective wisdom, advancing whole-process people`s democracy, safeguarding public well-being, and taking solid steps toward all-round human development and common prosperity for all.

Highlighting Dr. Sun’s broad global vision, Xi called for championing the shared values of humanity and actively promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. On the new journey, China must view human destiny through a global lens, conduct external relations with an awareness of overarching human progress, shifting global dynamics, and China’s historical trajectory, and contribute Chinese solutions by implementing the four major global initiatives.

Xi noted that Dr. Sun remained steadfast throughout his life in safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity, resolutely opposing any rhetoric or actions aimed at splitting the nation. His profound aspiration and unyielding resolve for the reunification of the motherland continue to inspire Chinese people worldwide.

He affirmed that resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is an unshakable historic mission of the Communist Party of China, the shared aspiration of all Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad, and an indispensable prerequisite for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xi reiterated that China has long adhered to the conviction that "people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one family," working consistently to expand cross-Strait exchanges and integration for the benefit of compatriots on both sides.

Looking ahead, Xi stressed that China will remain committed to the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and One Country, Two Systems." On the basis of the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, Beijing stands ready to engage in dialogue and consultations on cross-Strait relations and national reunification with farsighted individuals from all walks of life in Taiwan, taking full account of Taiwan`s realities as well as the interests and sentiments of Taiwan compatriots. However, he warned, no space whatsoever will be left for separatist activities pursuing "Taiwan independence" in any form.

Concluding his remarks, Xi stated that Taiwan`s future lies in national reunification, and the well-being of the people of Taiwan is inextricably linked to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and all Chinese people worldwide must unite to resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and work together to advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and achieve the complete reunification of the motherland. No force can halt the tide of history, he declared, affirming that the complete reunification of the motherland must be realized—and can certainly be realized.

Source: Xue, Touhid, Zinia | China Media Group (CMG)