CPC's Great Spirit Will Always Be an Invaluable Asset to the Party and the Country

CPC's Great Spirit Will Always Be an Invaluable Asset to the Party and the Country 

XI JINPING 

1

To realize the Chinese Dream, we must carry forward the Chinese spirit, which is made up of our national spirit, centered on patriotism, and the spirit of our times, centered on reform and innovation. The Chinese spirit is vital for rallying the people and pooling their strength to rejuvenate and strengthen the country. Patriotism has always united the Chinese nation, while reform and innovation have spurred us to keep pace with the times during the course of reform and opening up. It is crucial that we, the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, carry forward this great national spirit and the spirit of our times and continue to strengthen our bonds of unity and our motivation for continued self-improvement, so that we will forever march with vigorous strides into the future. 

—Excerpt from an address to the First Session of the 12th National People's Congress, March 17, 2013 

2

My arrival here in Yimeng immediately brought to mind the heroic years of the revolution. This revolutionary ground gave rise to the stirring stories of countless heroes, including the six sisters of Yimeng, and the mothers of Yimeng. Similar to the Yan'an spirit, the spirit of the Jinggang Mountains, and the Xibaipo spirit, the Yimeng spirit is an invaluable asset to our Party and our country. We must continue to carry it forward in the context of this era. 

—Excerpt from a speech given during a visit to Shandong Province, November 24-28, 2013 

3 

Jiao Yulu was a true public servant and an example to all secretaries of county Party committees and all Party members. The Jiao Yulu spirit, which is centered on affection for the people, hard work, sound pragmatism, courage before difficulty, and selfless devotion, was, is now, and will remain an invaluable source of inspiration for our Party and will always remain relevant. Life is impermanent, and heroes and role models have limited time to grow a noble spirit, but once forged, that spirit becomes invaluable and timeless. The Jiao Yulu spirit exists alongside the spirit of the Jinggang Mountains, the Yan'an spirit, the Lei Feng spirit, and the Red Flag Canal spirit. Every nation needs a spirit like this to build up its cultural strength; a spirit like this will never be obsolete no matter how the world develops. 

—Excerpt from a speech at an enlarged meeting of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Lankao County Committee, Henan Province, March 18, 2014 

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, delivers a keynote speech during a ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, July 1, 2021. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER JU PENG 

 4

Yan'an is sacred revolutionary ground. The Chinese revolution led by our Party underwent a historic transformation during the Yan'an period, going from a low point to a new high. During this period, the older generation of revolutionaries and Communists developed fine traditions and conduct and forged the Yan'an spirit. Along with the traditions and conduct, this spirit, characterized by commitment to the right political direction, the ideological line of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, and the pioneering spirit of self-reliance and hard work, is an invaluable asset of our Party. During my days in Yanchuan County, I gained a keen understanding of the Yan'an spirit, and every trip to Yan'an filled me with reverence and emotion. This trip to Yan'an has been as inspirational as ever. Today, as we work to ensure full and rigorous self-governance of the Party, we should continue drawing strength from the Yan'an spirit. 

—Excerpt from a speech given at the end of a visit to Shaanxi Province, February 15, 2015 

President Xi Jinping toured Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 25 to 27, 2021. He is pictured here on the morning of the 25th presenting flowers for Red Army soldiers who laid down their lives during the Battle of Xiangjiang River on the Long March at a park commemorating the battle in Quanzhou County. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER XIE HUANCHI 

5

The Zunyi Meeting marked a great turning point in the history of our Party. The meeting left us with valuable experiences and insights with regard to applying the basic tenets of Marxism to the Chinese context, pursuing a path of independence and self-reliance, following the right political line, policies, and strategies, and building a strong and experienced central collective leadership. We should make good use of these experiences and ensure that the spirit of the Zunyi Meeting shines on forever. 

—Excerpt from a speech given during a research tour to Guizhou Province, June 16-18, 2015 

6 

The Jinggang Mountains were the cradle of the Chinese revolution. The great struggles waged in these mountains were of critical importance to the explorations and choices made in search of the right path for the Chinese revolution and to the growth of our Party and the people's army. The spirit of the Jinggang Mountains has transcended time and space to become our most valued asset from that period. This spirit is about firm conviction, working hard, seeking truth from facts, daring to blaze new trails, relying on the people, and fighting courageously for victory. Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao all set clear requirements for championing this spirit. Today, we should work according to the context of our era to make this spirit shine with new luster in our time. 

—Excerpt from a speech delivered at the end of a visit to Jiangxi Province, February 3, 2016 

7

When it comes to improving the conduct of our officials, Heilongjiang has an abundance of resources—the spirit of the Northeast United Resistance Army, the spirit of the Great Northern Wilderness, the Daqing spirit, and the Iron Man spirit have inspired people for generations. We should continue using these to inspire the Party members and officials of today and guide them to carry forward the Party's fine traditions and take the lead in promoting positive new trends throughout society. 

—Excerpt from a speech delivered at the end of a visit to Heilongjiang Province, May 25, 2016 

8

The historic feat of the Long March left us with a most precious asset: the spirit of the Long March, which was forged with the lives and blood of Chinese Communists and Red Army officers and soldiers. 

The spirit of the Long March is about regarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese people and nation as paramount, holding fast to revolutionary ideals and convictions, and firmly believing that just causes will prevail. It is the spirit of sacrificing everything to save the country and the people, no matter the difficulties and obstacles. It is the spirit of being independent and self-reliant, seeking truth from facts, and grounding all we do in reality. It is the spirit of looking after the big picture, upholding strict discipline, and maintaining strong unity. It is the spirit of relying closely on the people, sharing their fate, standing together through tough times, and working hard alongside them. 

The spirit of the Long March encapsulates the revolutionary conduct of Chinese Communists and the people's armed forces under their leadership, exemplifies our national character of making relentless efforts to strengthen ourselves, and gives supreme expression to our national spirit centered on patriotism. 

Without an ethos, a person cannot stand firm, nor can a country be strong. This is the essential force a nation depends on for longterm survival. Only when its ethos reaches a certain level can a nation stand tall and forge ahead in the great current of history. The spirit of the Long March, as an important part of Chinese Communists' revolutionary heritage, is deeply infused in the soul of the Chinese nation; it is a rich source of nourishment for our core socialist values and a powerful drive spurring the Chinese people to keep surmounting difficulties and advance from victory to victory. 

—Excerpts from a speech at a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, October 21, 2016 

9

Since the launch of the space laboratory program, we have relied on our own strength to develop breakthroughs in a host of key and core technologies, enabling our astronauts to complete a medium-length stay in orbit for the first time. This achievement has laid a firm foundation for building China's strength in aerospace. We have respected and harnessed the creativity of our aerospace workers, and we have trained up a large pool of high-quality personnel, including many young bright minds, who can hold their own on the frontiers of world aerospace technology and who are ready to explore new ground. By carrying forward our fine traditions and embracing our manned spaceflight program's spirit of enduring extreme hardships, being competent, dedicated, and effective against barriers, you have demonstrated strong confidence in the path, the theory, the system, and the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics and created a powerful inspiration for upholding and developing Chinese socialism. 

—Excerpt from a speech at a meeting with astronauts of the Tiangong-2 space laboratory and Shenzhou-11 manned spaceflight and representatives of those who worked on these programs, December 20, 2016 

10

I have been deeply moved and inspired on this trip. Each period of our Party's revolutionary history is a classic example of how we should uphold our ideals and convictions. All of us in the Party must remain true to our Party's original aspiration as we move forward and always honor the memory of the revolutionaries who fought and sacrificed themselves for the independence of the nation and the liberation of the people. We must forever preserve our hardworking spirit as Chinese Communists and our devotion to the people as we strive to create a better, happier life for the people. 

—Excerpt from a speech delivered during a visit to Shanxi Province, June 21-23, 2017 

11

Answering the call of the Party, the workers of the Saihanba Forest Farm in Hebei Province worked with dedication for the past 55 years in a desert where it was said that "yellow sands blot out the sun and birds cannot find a tree for shelter." Over this time, they performed a miracle by turning a vast wasteland into a lush swathe of forest. Through their actions, the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets was made manifest, and they forged the Saihanba spirit of always remembering one's mission, breaking new ground through hard work, and championing green development. Their dedicated efforts and moving stories serve as a model for our drive for ecological progress. 

—Directive on the inspiring deeds of the workers of the Saihanba Forest Farm, Hebei Province, August 2017 

12

Ever since the cornerstone ceremony for the South Lake Revolutionary Memorial was laid in 2006, I have wanted to come for a visit once the memorial was finished. Today, I am finally here, and I feel truly enlightened and encouraged. When I worked in Zhejiang, I defined the Red Boat spirit as a pioneering spirit of creating something from nothing, a spirit of hard work based on a steadfast ideal and strong tenacity, and a spirit of service that honors the Party's commitment to the public good and its loyalty to the people. We should carry forward this spirit in the context of this era. 

—Excerpt from remarks given during visits to the site of the First CPC National Congress in Shanghai and the Red Boat on the South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, October 31, 2017 

13

Wang Jie never sought honors, benefits, or wealth. The spirit of Wang Jie should serve as a mirror by which all of us in the Party can examine our conduct. Unyielding courage can be succinctly defined as having no fear of hardship or death, and this should be the motto of our revolutionary officers and soldiers. The Wang Jie spirit was, is now, and will always be an invaluable asset for us. We must study and implement this spirit and carry it forward in the new era. 

—Excerpt from a speech delivered during a visit to the 71st Group Army, December 13, 2017 

President Xi Jinping visited Shanxi Province, June 21 to 23, 2017. The photo shows him speaking with veterans of the Shanxi-Suiyuan border area, morning of the 21st at the site of a former military region command in Xingxian County. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER PANG XINGLEI 

14

Special economic zones (SEZs) should serve as experimental platforms for reform and opening up. The establishment of such zones has been an important method for reform and opening up in China and a measure that has been proven effective in practice. One important duty of SEZs is conducting pilot programs with the goal of testing new avenues and approaches for realizing reform and opening up, so as to chart the path of reform and opening for the country as a whole. Only those who are willing to walk paths untaken are rewarded with unique views. To shoulder their responsibility in this era, SEZs must adapt to new developments at home and abroad; rise to our country's new requirements for development and the new expectations of our people; and, in the spirit of blazing new trails, leading the way forward, and making all-out efforts, remain at the forefront of reform and opening up. SEZs should boldly explore and pilot a full range of institutional reforms in order to come up with approaches that we can apply across the rest of the country. 

—Excerpt from a speech at a gathering celebrating the 30th anniversary of the founding of Hainan Province and Hainan SEZ, April 13, 2018 

President Xi Jinping paid a visit to Chengde, Hebei Province, August 23 to 24, 2021. He is seen here on the afternoon of the 23rd speaking with staff members while visiting the Shanghai Memorial Forest at the Saihanba Forest Farm. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER LI XUEREN 

15

Lei Feng may have been a role model of his time, but his spirit is an ethos lasting forever. To realize national rejuvenation, we will need many more such role models. We should learn from Lei Feng's spirit and his way of doing things in order to translate our lofty ideals, beliefs, and moral aspirations into concrete actions, deeds of everyday work and life, so that each one of us makes our due contribution and passes the spirit of Lei Feng onto the next generation. 

—Excerpt from a speech at a forum on the revitalization of northeast China during a visit to the three northeastern provinces, September 25-28, 2018 

16

Chongqing is a land of heroes with glorious revolutionary traditions. It was here that Mao Zedong entered into peace negotiations to determine China's future. It was here that Zhou Enlai led the Southern Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in a resolute struggle against reactionary forces. And it was here that Deng Xiaoping led the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in completing a great amount of groundbreaking work. Chongqing has produced many staunch, noble, and honorable Communists—people like Zhao Shiyan, who was firm in his faith and unafraid of sacrifice; Wang Liang, who possessed an outstanding record of skill and bravery in battle; Jiang Zhuyun, Wang Pu, and Chen Ran, who never yielded and never betrayed the Party; and Qiu Shaoyun, a combat hero who maintained strict discipline even as he bravely went to his death. During the War of Liberation, many Chinese Communists were imprisoned in the Zhazi Cave and the Bai Mansion, where they were subjected to all kinds of cruel torture, but they refused to capitulate to the enemy, choosing instead to give their lives to liberate the Chinese people. Their deeds gave rise to the Hongyan spirit. 

Chongqing should use these revolutionary resources to guide Party members and officials in staying true to our ideals and convictions and cultivating integrity. Party members and officials must strengthen their consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership. They should maintain confidence in the path, the theory, the system, and the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. They should uphold the General Secretary's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and they should uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. They must always follow the Party Central Committee closely in terms of political stance, direction, principle, and path. 

—Excerpts from a speech given at the end of a visit to Chongqing, April 17, 2019 

17

With the strength of the entire nation, the May Fourth Movement of 1919 upheld patriotism. The movement produced the May Fourth spirit, which features progress, democracy, and science, with patriotism at its core. Patriotism also sits at the heart of our national spirit, and it is the bond that inspires us to work together and ceaselessly strive for self-improvement. During the May Fourth Movement, when the fate of the country and the nation hung in the balance, a group of young patriots stepped to the fore, and the entire Chinese people rose to put up a courageous fight, vowing to "never give up our territory and never surrender." They wrote a noble and enduring tale of patriotism. 

History shows us that patriotism has run through the Chinese nation's veins since ancient times; it is indelible, indestructible, and inextinguishable. Our patriotism is a powerful source of strength that enables our people and our nation to safeguard our national independence and dignity. By upholding patriotism, the Chinese people and nation will be able to tap into a tremendous force for changing China and the world. 

—Excerpts from a speech at a ceremony marking the centenary of the May Fourth Movement, April 30, 2019 

18

The spirit of the Jinggang Mountains and the Soviet Area spirit encapsulated the founding mission of Chinese Communists and gave shape to the great revolutionary spirit of the Communist Party of China. These ideas cut across time and space to always remain current and serve as an endless source of inspiration for us to remain faithful to our founding mission. 

—Excerpt from a speech given at the end of a visit to Jiangxi Province, May 22, 2019 

19

The People's Republic of China was forged with the lives and blood of countless revolutionary martyrs. We must recognize that our Red political power was hard won, and the Republic and socialism with Chinese characteristics were hard won. The fearless heroism of the West Route Army and its ethos of sacrificing oneself for the Party and the people can be traced back to the spirit of the Long March. These are an important part of the revolutionary tradition of Chinese Communists and an invaluable asset of the Chinese nation. We must tell the stories of the Party, the Red Army, and the West Route Army in an engaging way and pass on our revolutionary traditions. 

—Excerpt from a speech given during a visit to Gansu Province, August 19-22, 2019 

20

Sixty years ago, the Party Central Committee made the major strategic decision to move our oil exploration efforts eastward. Enduring great hardships, our oil workers and geologists discovered the Daqing Oilfield, which marked a turning point in the history of oil exploration in China. Since then, several generations have worked with an enterprising spirit to turn what was once a wasteland into China's largest oil production base. The outstanding contributions of the Daqing Oilfield are etched in the history of our great motherland, and the Daqing spirit and the Iron Man spirit are important components of the great spirit of the Chinese nation. 

—Excerpt from a congratulatory letter to mark the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the Daqing Oilfield, September 26, 2019 

21

Over its 13 years in Yan'an, the Party Central Committee forged the great Yan'an spirit. The Yan'an spirit has inspired generations of Chinese Communists and is an invaluable asset of our Party. We must continue to use this spirit as a means to guide Party members and officials, and we must use it as a way to keep in mind our Party's founding mission, reinforce our conviction, examine our commitment to the Party, and determine the course for our future endeavors. 

We should give play to the Yan'an spirit in the endeavor to clean up our political ecosystem. A healthy political ecosystem will ensure that our officials have integrity and are united and that the atmosphere in society is positive and uplifting. An unhealthy political ecosystem will only give rise to undesirable trends and harmful practices. Chairman Mao once listed "ten bad practices" that could not be found in Yan'an. It was the great contrast between the conduct of those in Yan'an and those in Xi'an that made many democratic figures realize China's future lay in Yan'an. 

—Excerpts from a speech given at the end of a visit to Shaanxi Province, April 23, 2020 

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The core of the spirit of "moving west" is patriotism, and its essence is following the Party's command and sharing a common fate with the Party, the country, the nation, and the people. This spirit is of far-reaching practical and historical significance. We must uphold the Party's overall leadership over work concerning institutions of higher learning. We should place importance on fostering virtue in education, improve the quality of our educators, and work hard to cultivate greater numbers of first-rate personnel. 

—Excerpt from a speech given during a visit to Shaanxi Province, April 20-23, 2020 

President Xi Jinping visited the Beijing Aerospace Control Center and spoke with Shenzhou-12 astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming, and Tang Hongbo who were stationed in the Tianhe core module, June 23, 2021. PHOTOS BY XINHUA REPORTERS JU PENG (LEFT) AND YUE YUEWEI (RIGHT) 

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Fifty years ago, China successfully launched its first man-made satellite, Dongfanghong-1. I was thrilled when the news reached me in Liangjiahe, northern Shaanxi Province. During that time, you showed tremendous enterprise and diligence to create a remarkable achievement that brought pride to all of us in China and demonstrated the great spirit of continued self-improvement that defines our nation. The extraordinary feats of China's veteran aerospace scientists and engineers are recorded in the annals of the People's Republic. No matter how much our conditions should improve, we must never lose this spirit of self-reliance and hard work. 

Aerospace scientists and engineers of the new era should learn from their predecessors, carry forward the spirit forged in the development of China's first atomic and hydrogen bombs and artificial satellite, and bravely overcome all difficulties and obstacles to scale new heights in aerospace science and technology, so that the Chinese people can steadily explore deeper into space and move closer to our dream of becoming a strong aerospace nation.

—Excerpts from a letter replying to veteran scientists who participated in the Dongfanghong-1 program, April 23, 2020 

24

Shanxi also carries glorious revolutionary traditions. It was home to the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army and served as one of the major battlefields in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. The Shanxi-Suiyuan, Shanxi-QaharHebei, and Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan resistance bases were established here. The well-known Battle of Pingxingguan and the famous Hundred-Regiment Campaign also took place in Shanxi. The Taihang spirit and Luliang spirit are invaluable assets of our Party. We should fully tap into these and translate Shanxi's historical and revolutionary cultural resources into a strong force for driving development here. 

—Excerpt from a speech given at the end of a visit to Shanxi Province, May 12, 2020 

On March 10, 2020, President Xi Jinping traveled to Wuhan, Hubei Province to inspect prevention and control efforts against the novel coronavirus. He is pictured here at a residential community waving and conveying his greetings to residents quarantining at home. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER XIE HUANCHI 

25

The Chinese people fostered a great spirit in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. They showed the world a patriotic sense of responsibility for the fate of the nation, a sense of national integrity that empowered people to never yield even in the face of death, a heroic fortitude that instilled in people the courage to fight to the very end, and an unyielding, indomitable belief in victory. This great spirit is precious to all Chinese people. It will forever be a profound source of inspiration that sees the people through all kinds of adversity and difficulty on their way toward national rejuvenation.

—Excerpt from a speech at a meeting commemorating the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Global War Against Fascism, September 3, 2020 

26

In the desperate battle against Covid-19, the Chinese people and Chinese nation demonstrated the courage to fight and win and forged a great spirit of putting life above all else, rallying the entire nation, braving danger, respecting science, and standing together through adversity. 

—Excerpt from a speech at a national meeting honoring heroes of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, September 8, 2020 

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Without an ethos, a person cannot stand firm, nor can a country be strong. Indeed, only through cultural strength can a nation stand tall and firm in the great tide of history. The ability to overcome difficulties demands not only material strength but mental toughness. The great spirit displayed in the battle against Covid-19 is of a common origin with the Chinese nation's national character and cultural DNA, which evolved over a long period of time. It builds on patriotism, collectivism, and socialism, captures the Chinese spirit, and enriches the ethos of both our nation and our time. We should promote this great spirit in our society and turn it into a powerful source of momentum for building a modern socialist country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation. 

—Excerpt from a speech at a national meeting honoring heroes of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, September 8, 2020 

28 

A source of strength is vital for scientific achievement. The scientist's spirit is an invaluable asset that has been developed by science and technology workers through their practical endeavors over many years. Since the founding of the People's Republic, they have built monument after monument to scientific innovation throughout the country, nurturing a unique spirit in the process. In May 2019, the CPC Central Committee issued the Guidelines on Further Promoting the Scientist's Spirit and Improving Research Conduct and Academic Integrity. These guidelines called for the promotion of the patriotic spirit of keeping our motherland in our heart and serving the people, the innovative spirit of bravely scaling new heights and being the first to break new ground, the pragmatic spirit of conducting rigorous and painstaking research in pursuit of truth, the dedicated spirit of pursuing research for its own sake and not for fame or riches, the cooperative spirit of solving problems through collective wisdom, and the educational spirit of fully supporting and guiding young talent. Scientists and engineers must shoulder the responsibility of technological innovation that history has given them. 

—Excerpt from a speech at a meeting with scientists, September 11, 2020 

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In the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the heroic Chinese People's Volunteers forged a great spirit. They were patriots who always put the interests of our country and our people first and risked everything to defend our national dignity; they were revolutionary heroes who showed true courage in the face of mortal danger; they were optimists who always remained in high spirits no matter how tough things got; they were loyal soldiers who readily sacrificed themselves to complete the mission entrusted to them by our nation and our people; and they were internationalists who fought for global peace and justice. 

This spirit has transcended time and space to remain relevant even today, and it will continue to be passed on from one generation to the next long into the future.

—Excerpts from a speech at the meeting marking the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers' setting out to join the fight to aid the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in resisting US aggression, October 23, 2020 

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We should promote the spirit of model workers, of labor, and of workmanship. There is an old Chinese saying: "All virtue comes from the absence of indolence." Over many years, we have fostered the model worker spirit of dedication to one's profession, pursuit of excellence, hard work, courageous innovation, indifference to fame and wealth, and readiness to make sacrifices; we have fostered the spirit of labor, which is about working with pride, enthusiasm, diligence, and honesty; and we have fostered the spirit of workmanship, which is defined by the relentless pursuit of perfection in a dedicated and meticulous fashion. Each of these is a vivid reflection of our national spirit, which is centered on patriotism, and of the spirit of our times, which is centered on reform and innovation, and they are a great source of strength that inspires the whole Party and all Chinese people to forge ahead through all difficulties. 

—Excerpt from a speech at a national conference commending model workers and exemplary individuals, November 24, 2020 

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As the saying goes, "Life is a long journey made up of rugged trails and smooth paths." No other political party in the world has encountered as many difficulties and obstacles, faced as many perilous tests, or made as many sacrifices as our Party has. Negotiating myriad difficulties and challenges over its hundred years, our Party has forged the strength of character to confront enemies and risks and to fight and face them down. This is the most distinctive characteristic of our Party. On this extraordinary journey, each generation of Chinese Communists has battled and persisted, producing its own cohort of revolutionary martyrs who faced death without fear, heroes who fought with everything they had, and role models who made selfless contributions, thus giving shape to a long line of inspiring principles for Chinese Communists. Included in this are the spirit of the Jinggang Mountains, the spirit of the Long March, and the spirit of the Zunyi Meeting; the spirit of Yan'an, of Xibaipo, and of Hongyan; the spirit forged in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea and in developing China's first atomic and hydrogen bombs and artificial satellite; the spirit of our special economic zones, our fight against serious flooding, and our earthquake rescue and relief efforts; and the spirit of the battle against Covid-19, among others. This line of spirit and traditions, characterized by revolution and self-sacrifice, is a powerful source of strength for our Party and the very reason it has thrived over a hundred years of trials and hardships and remains as vibrant and vigorous as ever. 

These precious assets transcend time and space, never fading despite the passing years. They reflect our Party's firm conviction, fundamental purpose, and fine conduct, and they embody Chinese Communists' great qualities of working hard, making contributions and sacrif ices, and breaking new ground. Rooted in the heart of our Party, country, nation, and people, they have nourished the endeavors to found, develop, and strengthen our Party. 

—Excerpts from a speech at a meeting to launch a campaign on Party history learning and education, February 20, 2021 

32

The complete success of the Chang'e-5 mission marks the conclusion of China's three-phase lunar exploration program to orbit, land on, and return from the moon. This is yet another major achievement of the new mechanism for pooling national resources in meeting major challenges and difficulties and is an important milestone on the journey of building China's strength in aerospace. It is also highly significant for the development of our space program. Over the past 17 years, all those engaged in the research and development of the lunar exploration program have championed a spirit of pursuing dreams, daring to explore, tackling difficulties through collaboration, and engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation, and they have scaled new heights in science and technology. This is deeply gratifying and deserves our congratulations. 

President Xi Jinping toured Guizhou Province, February 3 to 5, 2021, where he visited with officials and members of the public and conveyed his Spring Festival greetings to people of all ethnic groups across the nation. He is pictured here on the morning of the 5th meeting with the heads and main researchers of the Tianyan Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope to learn about the project's development as well as technological innovations and international cooperation involved. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER XIE HUANCHI 

Exploring the vast cosmos is a common dream of humanity. We should push forward the implementation of the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program to solidly embark on a new journey of interstellar exploration. With overall coordination and planning, we should redouble our efforts to make the best use of the new mechanism for pooling national resources in meeting major challenges and difficulties and to ramp up Chinese innovation, and we should promote innovation and development in space science, technology, and applications in China's aerospace industry. We should engage actively in international cooperation to make new and greater contributions to advancing the wellbeing of humanity. 

—Excerpts from remarks at a meeting with representatives of those who worked on the Chang'e-5 lunar mission and during a visit to an exhibition on the lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e-5 probe and China's lunar exploration achievements, February 22, 2021 

President Xi Jinping visited Anhui Province, August 18 to 21, 2020. He is pictured here on the morning of the 19th speaking with model workers and worker representatives at Masteel Group in Ma'anshan. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER JU PENG 

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Great causes breed great spirits, which go on to guide those causes. Our struggle against poverty has forged such a spirit, through which we have all come together and given our utmost, made precise and pragmatic efforts, pursued pioneering advances, tackled tough issues, and worked hard to live up to the people's expectations. This spirit is a vivid representation of the nature and purpose of the CPC, the determination of the Chinese people, and the spirit of the Chinese nation; it is a concentrated reflection of patriotism, collectivism, and socialism; it is a full manifestation of China's spirit, values, and strength; and it is a continuation of our great national spirit and the spirit of our times. The whole Party, the entire nation, and all of society should carry forward the spirit of the battle against poverty and continue to unite and fight heroically so that we can resolutely overcome any difficulties and risks that lie on the road ahead and win new and greater victories in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. 

—Excerpt from a speech at a national conference to review the fight against poverty and commend individuals and groups involved, February 25, 2021 

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The great spirit and fine traditions of our Party are invaluable assets and powerful sources of inspiration that keep us forging ahead. China today is at a critical point in the effort for national rejuvenation. Making our country strong and realizing national rejuvenation involves not only material accumulation but also cultural and ethical elevation. We must never forget the spirit of revolution and self-sacrifice; never disregard our traditions of maintaining modesty and prudence, guarding against arrogance and impetuosity, and remaining committed to hard work and economy; or never lose the courage to face powerful enemies and risks and to fight and win. All Party members should draw on the great spirit formed over our Party's one-hundred-year history to nurture and encourage themselves to carry out the work of the Party and country with even greater energy. 

—Excerpt from a speech at the 31st group study session of the Political Bureau of the 19th CPC Central Committee, June 25, 2021 

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Those who received the July 1 Medal today are outstanding representatives of Party members serving on all fronts. They embody CPC members' noble qualities of remaining firm in one's convictions, acting on the purpose of the Party, working with dedication, and being upright and devoted. 

Remaining firm in our convictions means staying true to our Party's original aspiration. All members of the Party must bear in mind our commitment to our ideals and beliefs and our loyalty to the Party and the people. We should honor our commitment to real action, give our all—even our lives—to the Party and the people, and never stop working for the ideals and convictions of the Party. 

True belief gives us the strength to move forward. All of us in the Party must always stay true to our beliefs in Marxism and socialism with Chinese characteristics. We should trust in the Party, love the Party, and serve the Party, and we should each work hard with commitment and determination at our respective posts to realize the noble ideals of our Party.

Acting on the purpose of the Party means caring about the people and always bearing them in mind. We should work to serve the people, address their concerns, and attend to their problems. We should stay close to and depend on the people in order to create a better life for them. Such concrete actions are a vivid demonstration of Chinese Communists' people-centered philosophy. 

This country is its people; the people are the country. All Party members must stand firmly with the people and put them above all else, work tirelessly to do practical and good things for them, and always maintain close bond with the people. 

Working with dedication means committing oneself to the lifelong goals of serving the Party and the country and fulfilling one's duties and responsibilities. We should be ready to make sacrifices without fear of hardship or danger, be hardworking and unyielding, and fully demonstrate the selfless dedication and tenacious fighting spirit of communists. 

The greater the undertaking, the tougher the challenges and the heavier the responsibilities. Every Party member should demonstrate a valiant spirit in stepping to the fore when dangers and difficulties arise and a strong determination to effect real change in the world. We must make solid efforts, overcome all difficulties, and strive to create achievements that match the expectations of our Party, our people, and our times. 

Being upright and devoted means carrying forward communists' glorious tradition of hard work, modest living, and selflessness. We should never style ourselves as heroes, never count personal gains and losses, and never covet comfort or luxury. Instead, we should maintain discipline, abide by the rules, and exemplify the moral character of communists. 

It is strength of character that allows communists to win the support of the people. All Party members must be mindful of the greater good, observe public morality, and maintain strict personal integrity. We must be incorruptible in character and deed. We must devote ourselves wholeheartedly to our public duties, cultivate ourselves by living simply, and forever preserve our righteous and upstanding political character. 

The July 1 Medal recipients come from and are rooted among the people. They are ordinary heroes who have fulfilled their duties and quietly made their contributions. Their stories are both exemplary and replicable, and their mindset is within reach of us all. Their actions have demonstrated that every Party member with firm faith, determination, tenacity, and the readiness to take the lead on a daily basis, to step forward at critical moments, and to risk everything in times of danger can secure extraordinary achievements in the process of national rejuvenation in service of the Party and the people. 

—Excerpts from a speech at a ceremony to confer the July 1 Medal, June 29, 2021 

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A hundred years ago, the pioneers of communism in China established the Communist Party of China and developed the great founding spirit of the Party, which is comprised of the following principles: upholding truth and ideals, staying true to our Party's original aspiration and founding mission, fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice, and remaining loyal to the Party and faithful to the people. This spirit is the Party's source of strength. 

Over the past hundred years, our Party has carried forward this great founding spirit. Through its protracted struggles, it has developed a long line of inspiring spirit and traditions for Chinese Communists and tempered a distinct political character. As history has moved forward, the spirit of the Party has been passed on from generation to generation. We will continue to promote our glorious traditions and sustain our revolutionary legacy, so that the great founding spirit of the Party will always be kept alive and carried forward. 

—Excerpts from a speech at a ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China, July 1, 2021 

These are excerpts from General Secretary Xi Jinping's speeches, directives, and correspondence regarding the great spirit of the Party between March 2013 and July 2021. 

(Originally appeared in Qiushi Journal, Chinese edition, No. 17, 2021)