Xi Jinping Makes Public Appearance, Issues Directives at Chinese Communist Party's 105th Anniversary

President Xi Jinping openly asserted the significant global influence now wielded by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during an official speech marking the party’s 105th anniversary on Wednesday. The political stance delivered at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing reflected a more open outlook towards the international community compared to previous anniversary speeches. Xi detailed how the CCP had successfully overthrown imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism to pave the way for national industrialisation. Thanks to this struggle, China now successfully commands approximately 28% of the global manufacturing output despite facing massive trade tariff pressures from the United States and the European Union. This assertion of strength comes ahead of Xi’s planned state visit to the US in September, following President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing in May. ‘The Chinese Communist Party has profoundly changed the trends and trajectory of world development through unremitting struggle,’ Xi stated in his 40-minute address. As the party’s general secretary, Xi described the CCP as the world’s largest ruling party, holding highly significant global influence. Referencing his signature phrase regarding ‘changes unseen in a century,’ he assessed that this geopolitical shift is now accelerating under global uncertainty. ‘The world has entered a new era of turmoil and transformation,’ Xi declared, adding that China will continue to promote the construction of a new type of international relations. Xi, who is currently serving an unprecedented third presidential term, also used the speech to reinforce national defence doctrine. He deemed military strengthening a non-negotiable necessity to safeguard Beijing’s sovereignty on the international political stage. ‘A strong country must have a strong military, and only a strong military can guarantee national security,’ Xi proclaimed before party cadres. To support this vision, China is reportedly increasing its defence budget by 7% this year, placing its military spending as the second largest in the world after the US. Concluding his speech, Xi voiced firm rejection of any efforts towards Taiwanese independence or external intervention, while urging closer economic integration for Hong Kong and Macau to support China’s comprehensive development. ‘Resolving the Taiwan issue and realising the complete reunification with the motherland is the party’s unshakeable historical responsibility,’ Xi concluded with an optimistic tone.