President Xi Jinping's speech at the reception marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Tuesday reviewed the great transformations of China over the past 76 years and charted the course for advancing Chinese modernization and contributing to global peace and development.

He emphasized that the nation's monumental achievements — through self-reliance and continuous struggle — are fundamentally rooted in the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the tireless efforts of all ethnic groups.

This journey has seen the Chinese nation evolve from a state of peril to a path of great rejuvenation. To ensure that the great cause pioneered by the older generations of leaders and revolutionary martyrs continues to flourish, the nation should continue to leverage its historical experience. The nation now has more solid material foundations and stronger institutional underpinnings for its modernization, and as Xi urged, it should firmly adhere to the Party's leadership so it can seize the day and maintain a firm grasp on the country's development and progress.

The country will continue to forge ahead, and not be swayed by fallacies, or cowed by pressure and intimidation, meeting any obstacles and difficulties it encounters head on. The recent commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War serves as a reminder of how national spirit and unity can triumph over adversity.

Despite the achievements that have been made, there is still a long way to go to build a modern socialist country in all respects. The 15th Five-Year Plan, which draws on the collective wisdom of the nation, will chart the country's course from 2026 to 2030. The 20th CPC Central Committee will study and formulate proposals for the plan at its fourth plenary session in Beijing later this month, mapping out the goals, tasks and strategic measures to ensure decisive progress toward the basic realization of socialist modernization.

Xi's emphasis on the importance of supporting Hong Kong and Macao in integrating into the overall national development to improve livelihoods and prosperity shows Beijing's intent to give strong support to the two special administrative regions' development in the new era.

Equally firm is China's resolve to deepen cross-Strait exchanges. The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now on an irreversible historical course and the country will resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. That the national unity is the foundation of rejuvenation should be taken as a grave warning to the secessionists that their attempt to separate Taiwan from the motherland is doomed to fail.

In the face of a rapidly evolving international landscape, China will continue to champion the common values of all humanity and practice true multilateralism. By implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, China is actively working to push the reform of the global governance system and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

As the country prepares for the next phase of its modernization journey, Xi's call for the entire nation to unite closely around the Party, forge ahead, and work diligently is a resounding mandate to compose a more splendid chapter in the history of the nation and make fresh contributions to peace, progress and prosperity for all humanity.