BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the Chinese people to uphold the revolutionary legacy of Sun Yat-sen and work together towards national rejuvenation, describing the country’s complete reunification as an essential historical mission.
Xi made the remarks on November 12 while addressing a gathering in Beijing marking the 160th birth anniversary of Sun Yat-sen, a prominent figure in China’s democratic revolution.
The event, held at the Great Hall of the People, brought together around 3,000 participants, including senior Chinese Communist Party (CPC) leaders. Xi attended the ceremony in his capacity as CPC Central Committee General Secretary and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Wang Huning presided over the gathering.
Born in 1866, Sun played a leading role in the Revolution of 1911, which ended China’s centuries-old imperial monarchy. He died in 1925 and remains an influential figure in the country’s modern history.
Addressing the gathering, Xi described Sun as a national hero, patriot and pioneer of China’s democratic revolution. He said the Communist Party had continued the revolutionary cause initiated by Sun and led the country through significant historical transformations.
Xi said the best way to honour Sun was to inherit his spirit and continue efforts to build a strong and prosperous nation. He urged Chinese people to prioritise patriotism, public welfare, national development and unity.
Emphasising the importance of people-centred development, Xi called for advancing common prosperity and improving people’s well-being. He also highlighted the need for continued theoretical innovation and adapting Marxism to China’s national conditions and contemporary challenges.
Xi further urged the country to strengthen its ability to confront risks and challenges, saying China must maintain its fighting spirit and remain prepared to overcome difficulties on its development path.
On national unity, Xi reiterated Beijing’s position on Taiwan, describing reunification as an essential part of the broader goal of national rejuvenation. He called on people across the Taiwan Strait and Chinese communities overseas to oppose Taiwan independence movements and support peaceful cross-Strait development.
Xi said China was willing to engage in dialogue and consultations with people from different sectors in Taiwan on cross-Strait relations and reunification, based on the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus.
However, he maintained that Beijing would not allow separatist activities advocating Taiwan independence.
“The complete reunification of our motherland must be realized, and it can, without doubt, be realized,” Xi said, expressing confidence in China’s long-term national objectives.
