Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the Chinese people to carry forward the legacy of revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen and unite in pursuing national rejuvenation, describing the complete reunification of China as an unstoppable historical mission.
Xi made the remarks on Thursday at a gathering in Beijing commemorating the 160th anniversary of Sun’s birth.
The event, held at the Great Hall of the People, was attended by about 3,000 people, including senior Chinese leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
Wang presided over the gathering, while Xi met Sun’s relatives and representatives of overseas guests before the event.
Born in 1866, Sun led the 1911 Revolution, which ended the absolute monarchy that had ruled China for thousands of years. He died in 1925.
In his speech, Xi described Sun as a great national hero, patriot and pioneer of China’s democratic revolution.
He said Chinese communists were the most steadfast supporters, loyal collaborators and faithful successors to the revolutionary cause initiated by Sun.
For more than a century, the CPC had led the Chinese people in writing what he described as the most magnificent chapter in the nation’s history.
‘The best way for us to remember Dr Sun is to emulate, inherit and carry forward his invaluable spirit, steadily advancing our endeavours to build a great country and rejuvenate our nation,’ Xi said.
Xi calls for patriotism and national unity
Highlighting Sun’s lifelong devotion to China, Xi urged the people to learn from his example and promote patriotism in the pursuit of a strong and prosperous country.
He also praised Sun’s dedication to the people, stressing the importance of putting public interests first and serving the people wholeheartedly.
Xi said China must make steady progress in promoting well-rounded personal development and common prosperity.
He also highlighted Sun’s lifelong pursuit of truth, calling for greater theoretical exploration and innovation, as well as continued efforts to adapt Marxism to China’s national conditions and the needs of the times.
Xi urged the Chinese people to demonstrate the same determination as Sun in overcoming challenges and opening new paths for national development.
‘We must carry forward the fighting spirit, build up our ability, be ready to withstand high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms, and overcome all the risks and challenges we face on the way forward,’ he said.
Xi also called for strengthening national unity through the united front and promoting solidarity among all members of the Chinese nation.
Highlighting Sun’s global vision, he urged China to promote the common values of humanity and actively advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Xi reiterates call for Taiwan reunification
Xi said Sun had consistently upheld national unity and ethnic solidarity while firmly opposing any attempts to split the country or divide the Chinese nation.
He stressed that resolving the Taiwan question and achieving the complete reunification of the motherland remained an unwavering historical mission of the CPC, a shared aspiration among Chinese people and a natural requirement for national rejuvenation.
Xi called on people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as Chinese people at home and abroad, to oppose what he described as ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.
He urged them to work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and achieve the complete reunification of China.
Xi said Beijing was willing to engage in dialogue and consultations with people from various sectors in Taiwan who supported the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus on issues concerning cross-strait relations and national reunification.
‘We will definitely give full consideration to Taiwan’s realities and take full account of the interests and feelings of our compatriots in Taiwan,’ he said.
‘But we will never leave any room for “Taiwan independence” separatist activities in any form.’
Xi concluded by saying that the historical trend towards reunification could not be stopped.
‘The complete reunification of our motherland must be realised, and it can, without doubt, be realised,’ he said.
