On July 1, 2026, a grand gathering was held in Beijing to mark the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, comprehensively reviewing the glorious journey and great achievements of the CPC over the past 105 years in uniting and leading the Chinese people of all ethnic groups. He revealed the key factors behind the CPC's continuous success and issued a call for all Party members to strengthen confidence and strive for new historical glories.
Historic Economic Leap and Poverty Alleviation
Xi emphasized that the CPC has remained committed to seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. Under CPC leadership, China overthrew the three mountains of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, established a people's republic, and achieved a historic leap from inadequate food and clothing to moderate prosperity in all respects. China's GDP surged from 67.9 billion yuan in 1952 to 140.2 trillion yuan in 2025, with per capita income reaching $13,400. Manufacturing value added accounts for nearly 30% of the global total. Since the 18th National Congress in 2012, Xi has led the Party in writing a new chapter of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. China won the largest-scale battle against poverty in human history, lifting nearly 100 million rural people out of poverty, and established the world's largest education, social security, and medical systems.
Current Economic Performance
This year marks the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. China's economy maintained steady progress despite pressures. In the first quarter of 2026, GDP grew 5% year-on-year. From January to May, industrial output above designated size grew 5.4%, service sector production index rose 4.8%, and total imports and exports expanded 15.3%. By end of May, foreign exchange reserves remained stable at over $3.4 trillion.
Global Contributions and Belt and Road Initiative
Xi noted that the CPC has always pursued progress for humanity. Under its leadership, China is advancing Chinese modernization, creating a new form of human advancement, and expanding pathways for developing countries. China champions the common values of humanity and promotes the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become the world's largest platform for international economic cooperation, driving nearly $1 trillion in investment, delivering over 3,000 cooperation projects, and creating more than 400,000 jobs in countries along the routes. According to World Bank research, full implementation of the BRI could lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty.
Call to Action
Xi called on all Party members and the Chinese people to thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of his speech, heed the call of the CPC Central Committee, forge ahead on a new journey, and strive unremittingly to build China into a great modern socialist country and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The article was written by Jiang Zaidong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan.
