The first plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) yesterday elected its new-term top leadership – the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau. It consists of seven members: Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng. Xi Jinping was again elected as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. The CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core will lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and to realise the magnificent goal of building the country into a socialist modern country with Chinese characteristics by the year 2050.
Yesterday afternoon, led by General Secretary Xi Jinping, the new team walked into the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to meet journalists from home and abroad. At that moment, the whole world focused on China, on this brightly-lit hall. It is by no mean accidental for China to once again become the focus of the world. A future China will be closer than ever to realising the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, closer than ever to the centre of the world arena. The new CPC leadership with Xi Jinping as the core is the opener of this new era for China and the guide to the new march.
Near the end of the meeting with the press, Xi Jinping said to the 500-plus reporters from home and abroad: Seeing is believing, "we welcome all journalist-friends" to travel more and see more about China, continuing to follow China's development and progress after the 19th National Congress of the CPC and to learn about and report on more dimensions of China. "We do not need lavish praise from others, however, we do welcome objective reporting and constructive suggestions, for this is our motto: 'Not angling for compliments, I'd be content to let my integrity fill the universe'."
This is the gospel truth. What a role will the successful convention of the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the addition of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to the party Constitution play in China in future? What an impact will this have on China? This is bound to be a focus of attention and reporting by journalists from various countries. Facing history, facing the people, facing the world and with the fullest self-confidence and sincerity, General Secretary Xi Jinping welcomes journalists to report on more dimensions of China. China does not need "lavish praise" from others but wishes the a China with more confidence, a clear goal and direction after the 19th National Congress of the CPC will be more truthfully presented to the world.
As a matter of fact, how to correctly view the new central leadership with Xi Jinping as the core, how to understand the historical significance and implication of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and how to evaluate the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the two-stage strategic goal, these are brand new topics attracting attention of journalists from home and abroad. A couple of media organs in Hong Kong only know to use out-of-date empty words such as "cult of personality" and "concentrating the power in the hands of one individual" in commenting on these topics. They are not just like "seeing the sky from the bottom of a well" and as short-sighted as mice, but fall far behind reality and make a laughing stock of themselves.
That China is entering a new era and starting a new march – this is the strongest voice heard from the 19th National Congress of the CPC; that Xi Jinping has been established the core of the whole party, whole armed forces and whole nation – this is the most important achievement of this meeting. (To be continued)
26 October 2017
