Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the ruling Communist Party to adapt to changing circumstances while safeguarding its achievements, as it marked the 105th anniversary of its founding.
Speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Wednesday, Xi urged party members to remain united and disciplined as China navigates a period of growing opportunities alongside mounting risks.
Xi Warns of Challenges Ahead
During his 40-minute address, Xi acknowledged that China is entering a period where “strategic opportunities, and risks and challenges, coexist.”
Although he did not identify specific threats, analysts point to slowing economic growth, demographic decline, technology restrictions imposed by Western countries, strained trade relations with the United States and tensions over Taiwan as some of Beijing’s biggest challenges.
Xi called for better coordination across the party to tackle both domestic and international issues.
Strengthening Party Control
Xi also stressed the need to preserve what he described as the party’s “purity”, urging members to eliminate practices and individuals that could weaken the organisation.
He called for removing “all viruses that erode the party’s healthy body”, emphasising the importance of discipline and loyalty.
Since taking power in 2012, Xi has strengthened the Communist Party’s control over Chinese society while expanding Beijing’s global influence.
A Party of More Than 100 Million Members
Founded in 1921 by a small group of revolutionaries, the Communist Party of China now says it has more than 100 million members, representing about 7.2% of the country’s population.
According to state news agency Xinhua, the party now aims to become the world’s “most powerful political party”, moving beyond its status as the world’s largest political organisation.
Anti-Corruption Campaign Continues
Xi also reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s long-running anti-corruption campaign.
Since 2012, millions of officials have been investigated, while hundreds of senior officials and military commanders have been removed or prosecuted in one of the most extensive anti-graft drives in modern Chinese history.
(with inputs from Reuters)
