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Full Text of Jiang's Speech at CPC Anniversary Gathering
Following is the full text of an important speech made by Jiang Zemin, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), at a grand gathering marking the 80th founding anniversary of the CPC at the Great Hall of the People Sunday.
Comrades and Friends,
We gather ceremoniously here today to celebrate, together with the people of all ethnic groups across the country, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and along with all people in the world who love peace and pursue progress, look to the bright future of the development of China and the world.
The Communist Party of China had only some 50 members at its birth 80 years ago and what it faced was a calamity-ridden old China. But today, 80 years later, our Party has become a big party that has been in power for more than 50 years and has more than 64 million members and what the Chinese people see is a prosperous socialist motherland. The tremendous change is a historic miracle in the development of the Chinese nation.
Reviewing the course of struggle of the Party and the people in last century, we feel infinitely exultant and proud. Looking into the great journey of the Party and the people ahead in the new century, we are filled with confidence and strength that we are bound to win.
I. Achievements and basic experience of the Communist Party of China in the 80-year struggle Invariably, the people pioneer their road of advance in the movement of social contradictions; so do they seek, reveal and develop incessantly the truth that guides their advance from practice and by comparison in their historical activities.
Eighty years ago, amidst the torrential anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggle of the people of all ethnic groups of China and in the tempestuous movement of the proletarian revolution in the world, the Communist Party of China was founded. This is the inevitable result of the development of social contradictions and deepening struggle of the people in the modern times of China.
After 1840, the invasion by Western imperialist powers reduced China to the status of semi-colonial and semi-feudal society and subjected the Chinese people to twofold repression by imperialism and feudalism. The national crisis and social crisis were unprecedentedly grave. From the Opium Wars, through the Movement of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the 1898 Reform Movement and the Yihetuan Movement, the Chinese people carried out dauntless struggles and numerous people with lofty ideals were trying to explore strenuously for the road of salvaging the country and the nation. But all the attempts ended in failure one after another, although they helped promote progress in China under given historical conditions. The 1911 Revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, which overthrew the autocratic monarchy that had ruled China for several thousand years, was of great significance in promoting China's social progress. Yes, it did not succeed in altering the semi-colonial and semi-feudal social nature of China and the miserable destiny of the Chinese people, either.
Facts show that neither the self-improvement movements and reformism, the old peasant wars and the democratic revolution led by the revolutionaries of the bourgeoisie that did not touch the foundation of feudalism nor other solutions that ape western capitalism can accomplish the national mission of saving the nation from subjugation and ensuring its survival and the historical tasks against imperialism and feudalism. China was then looking forward to a new social force that could find advanced theories leading to a path of salvaging the country and the nation.
It was exactly at that time, in 1917 and 1919, two major events took place in Russia and China, that is, the October Revolution of Russia and the May 4 movement of China. The salvoes of the October Revolution brought the advanced theory of Marxism-Leninism to China. Starting from the May 4 movement, the Chinese working class began to cut a striking figure as an advanced social force in the country. At the same time, a number of advanced intellectuals held high the banner of democracy and science and opened up a path for disseminating the new ideas and new theories in China. In 1921, the Communist Party of China emerged just as the times called in the process of applying Marxism-Leninism in the Chinese workers' movement.
From then on, the great historical mission of leading the anti- imperialist and anti-feudal revolutionary struggle, winning national independence and people's liberation and invigorating the Chinese nation has fallen upon the shoulders of the Communist Party of China. The Chinese revolution thus entered a brand new period of development.
From the Opium War (1840-1842) to the founding of the Communist Party of China, and from the founding of the Party to the present, China has experienced two completely different periods of 80 years. In the first 80-year period, the feudal rulers surrendered the country's sovereign rights under humiliating terms, the whole society was thrown into utter chaos caused by wars, the country became impoverished and weak and the people lived in hunger and cold. In the second 80-year period, the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, have got united and unprecedentedly organized, overcame numerous difficulties and won one victory after another in their revolutionary struggle. Since the founding of New China, the economy and society have developed rapidly; the country has become increasingly prosperous; the people's social status, living standards and cultural and educational level have risen markedly. The comparison of the two periods of 80 years has made the Chinese people and all the patriotic forces of the Chinese nation fully aware that it is precisely the leadership of the Communist Party of China that has enabled the country to materialize the great historical transformation from the most miserable circumstances to a situation that promises a bright future. Without the Communist Party, there would have been no New China. With the Communist Party, China has put on an entirely new look. This is the fundamental and most important conclusion drawn by the Chinese people from their long years of struggle.
The memorable days and glorious achievements of the 80 years of our Party leading the people to fight are like a huge picture scroll unfurled before the people of the world, meandering yet full of power and grandeur, vigorous yet bright and colorful.
We have fulfilled the task of new democratic revolution and realized national independence and the liberation of the people. We founded the People's Republic of China after defeating the Japanese militarist aggression and overthrowing the Kuomintang reactionary rule through the Northern Expedition (1926-1927), the Agrarian Revolutionary War (1927-1937), the War of Resistance Against Japan (1937-1945) and China's War of Liberation (1945-1949). The Chinese have since stood up, and the development of the Chinese nation has since ushered in a new era.
We have established a socialist system and realized the most extensive and most profound social transformation in the Chinese history. We have creatively materialized the transformation from new democracy to socialism and established the basic system of socialism in an all-round way, enabling this big country in the orient whose population accounts for a quarter of the world total to enter the socialist society. This is a big leap in China's social change and historical progress, and also serves as a powerful support and impetus to the cause of socialism in the world.
We have created the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics and started a correct road to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Marked by the Third Plenum of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC, our country has entered a new period of development of the cause of socialism. Basing ourselves on the long period of socialist construction, we have practiced new policies of reform and opening to the outside world and formulated the basic theory, line and program of our Party in the primary stage of socialism after summing up both the internal and external historical experience and through hard exploration. Even in a situation where world socialism experienced serious twists and turns and domestic and foreign situations changed drastically, our Party steadfastly stood its ground like a firm rock in midstream, and socialism in China has displayed its vigor and vitality.
We have established a state power of people's democratic dictatorship, with the Chinese people being the masters of their own destiny. Though China is an ancient country with a civilization of more than five thousand years, it is only after our Party came to power that the people being the real masters of their country, their society and their own destiny has become a reality. This represents a fundamental change in the social and political status of the Chinese people. It marks China's realization of a great leap from centuries-old feudalistic autocratic politics to people's democratic politics.
We have built an independent and relatively complete national economic system, with our economic power and comprehensive national strength enhanced markedly. It has taken us just a little more than half a century not only to put an end to the backward state of poverty and blankness characteristic of the old China, but also set up a modern industrial system with a complete range of production. The annual gross domestic product (GDP) has increased by 56 times since the founding of New China. The strength of our economy, national defense and science and technology has been markedly enhanced. Our country has edged into the advanced ranks in the world in many areas of industry, agriculture, national defense, science and technology. The 1.2 billion-plus Chinese people have not only solved the problem of food and clothing but also secured in general a relatively comfortable life.
We have consistently promoted the development of socialist culture and the cultural life of the people all over the country is getting richer and more varied. Upholding the guiding role of Marxism, we have educated the people in patriotism, collectivism and socialism and made vigorous efforts to promote progress in socialist culture and ideology. We have persistently carried forward the excellent cultures of all ethnic groups of the country and actively absorbed what is advanced in other civilizations in order to make our socialist culture increasingly flourish. The ideological and ethical standards and the educational, scientific and cultural qualities of the people have kept improving, exhibiting to the world a new mental outlook of the Chinese people.
We have thoroughly put an end to the loose-sand state of the old China and realized a high degree of unification of the country and unparalleled unity of all ethnic groups. We have abrogated the unequal treaties imposed upon China by Western powers and all the privileges of imperialism in the country. The feudalistic segmentation of the country has gone forever on this land of China. The 56 ethnic groups breathe the same air, share the same fate and join their hearts as one, evolving a socialist relationship among all ethnic groups featuring equality, unity and mutual aid. All political parties and people's organizations unite as one, help each other and share weal and woe. All socialist laborers, patriots endorsing socialism and patriots supporting national reunification have formed the broadest possible patriotic united front for the reunification and prosperity of the motherland. The successful return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland has fulfilled the long-cherished wishes of the whole nation. The exchanges between compatriots on the two sides of the Taiwan Straits have been increasing. The ultimate resolution to the Taiwan issue and the accomplishment of the reunification of the motherland are bound to come true.
We have forged a people's army under the absolute leadership of the Party and built a strong national defense. We created a revolutionary path of encircling the cities from the rural areas and seizing state power by armed force. With the people's army as the backbone, we relied on the people and armed them. We persisted in educating the officers and men in the Party's theory and program and defeated the well-equipped ferocious domestic and foreign enemies in the prolonged revolutionary wars. The People's Liberation Army has always upheld the purpose of serving the people whole-heartedly. It has played a major role in consolidating national defense, resisting aggression, safeguarding the socialist system and peaceful work of the people, and taking part in socialist construction of the country. Our country's national defense has constantly been enhanced; steady progress has been made in the drive to build a revolutionary, modern and regular army. The People's Liberation Army led by our Party is the staunch pillar of the people's democratic dictatorship, a great wall of steel in defense of the motherland and an important force in socialist construction.
We have adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace, making important contributions to the lofty cause of world peace and development. We have thoroughly ended the history of humiliating diplomacy in modern China and effectively safeguarded state sovereignty, security and national dignity. We have actively advocated and safeguarded the Five Principles of Peaceful Co- existence, resolutely opposed the hegemonies and power politics with the strong domineering over the weak. We have upheld principle and justice, striving to let justice prevail and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the vast developing countries, and pushed the establishment of a just and reasonable new international political and economic order. The international standing and influence of socialist China are growing with each passing day.
Facts have fully proved that the Communist Party of China is worthy of a great, glorious and correct Marxist political party and that it deserves to be the force at the core that leads the Chinese people in the incessant efforts to break new ground.
The outstanding achievements in China's revolution, construction and reform are the results of the joint efforts of the people of all ethnic groups of the country, the results of endless and unremitting efforts made by people with lofty ideals, and also the results of the selfless devotion of generation upon generation of Chinese Communists. We cherish dearly the memory of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping, Chen Yun and other late proletarian revolutionaries of the older generation who made great contributions to China's revolution, construction and reforms and to the founding, consolidation and development of the Communist Party of China. We cherish dearly the memory of the revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives heroically for the sake of founding, defending and building New China. We cherish dearly the memory of all the pioneers who fought for the independence and liberation of the Chinese nation in modern times. Their meritorious deeds for the motherland will ever be remembered in the annuals of history��
The people are the true makers of history. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, I would like to extend my salute to the broad masses of the workers, peasants, intellectuals, all democratic parties, people's organizations and patriotic personages in all walks of life�� and to the People's Liberation Army, the armed police and officers and men of the public security forces throughout the country; my cordial greetings to compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan as well as all overseas Chinese; and my heartfelt thanks to the people and friends in all the countries who live on good terms with us, care for and support China's revolution, construction and reforms��
The 80 years of the Communist Party of China are 80 years of constant pursuit for truth and pioneering and creation by integrating Marxism-Leninism with China's practice; they are 80 years of ceaseless and unremitting hard struggle for the liberation of the nation, the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people; and they are 80 years of withstanding endless tests and growing steadily in strength in the course of accomplishing the historical missions.
The practice of the eighty years tells us that it is imperative to always persist in integrating the fundamental principles of Marxism-Leninism with the specific situation in China, persist in taking scientific theories as the guide and unswervingly follow our own road. This is the most essential experience we have drawn from the summing up of our Party's history. Marxism is a powerful ideological weapon for us to understand and transform the world; it serves as a guide to action in our revolution, construction and reforms. Marxism is not a dogma. Only by being correctly applied and constantly developed in practice, does it exhibit great vitality. The first generation of the collective leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Mao Zedong at the core and the second generation of the collective leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Deng Xiaoping at the core led our Party in persisting in closely combining the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism with China's concrete practice, resulting in the formation of Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory. The two great theoretical achievements constitute Marxism that have been localized in China, embodying both the basic principles of Marxism- Leninism and the splendid thoughts of the Chinese nation and the practical experiences of the Chinese communists. It is exactly because we have had Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory as the guide, is it possible for our Party to lead the people in overcoming all hardships and setbacks and winning one victory after another. As the great crystallization of the practical experiences and collective wisdom of the Party and people, Deng Xiaoping Theory is the best continuation and creative development of Mao Zedong Thought under the new historical conditions. It has made major contributions to creating a completely new situation in China's cause of socialism. Holding high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory, all the comrades in the Party are continuing to study new situations and resolve new problems, working to promote creatively and in an all-round manner the great cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The key to upholding Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought in the new historical period lies in persistent use of Deng Xiaoping Theory to observe the present-day world and contemporary China, incessantly sum up practical experience and generalize it in the new theoretical light and open up new ways forward.
The practice of the eighty years tells us that it is essential to always rely firmly on the masses of the people, sincerely work for the interests of the people and draw inexhaustible strength from the masses of the people on the road of advance. Maintaining the flesh-and-blood ties with the masses of the people is the fundamental guarantee for our Party to overcome difficulties and risks and make continuous success in our cause. In no time and under no circumstances, can the stand of sharing the common fate with the masses of the people be changed, the purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly be forgotten, and the viewpoint of historical materialism that the people are the real heroes be discarded. We must always take what reflects the will and interests of the people as both our starting point and end point in all work we do; we must always take reliance on the wisdom and strength of the people as the basic line of work in promoting our cause.
The practice of the eighty years also teaches us that we must always consciously strengthen and improve Party building, continuously enhance the creativity, rallying power and combat capability of the Party, and always maintain the vigor and vitality of the Party. If we are to do China's affairs well, the key lies in our Party. We must make incessant efforts to strengthen Party building in close conjunction with the development of the situation and the Party's central tasks. We must be good at summing up experience, uphold the truth, correct mistakes and be modest and prudent. We must have the courage to face up the problems existing in the ranks of Party members and cadres and resolve them by relying on all Party members and the masses of the people. This is where the vigor and vitality of the Party lies. We must continue to forge ahead with the new great project of Party building centering round the basic issue of what kind of Party to build and how under the new historical conditions so as to further revolve the two major historic subjects of enhancing the abilities of administration and art of leadership and resisting corruption, guarding against degeneration and warding off risks.
Reviewing the course of struggle and the basic experience over the past 80 years and looking into the arduous tasks and bright future in the new century, our Party should continue to stand in the forefront of the times and lead the people in marching from victory to victory. In a word, we must always represent the development trend of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people in China (hereafter referred to as "Three Represent's"). (to be continued)
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