Path: Xi says country will uphold its self-reliance

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has underlined the need to advance reform and innovation to keep forging new growth drivers and strengths and fully invigorate social creativity as the nation continues on its path to modernization.

Speaking at the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee on Tuesday, Xi, expounding on the Chinese path to modernization, said it is not only necessary to achieve a higher level of efficiency than that offered by the capitalist system, but it is also necessary to more effectively maintain a higher degree of social equity.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Li Qiang, and attended by Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

It was also attended by newly elected members and alternate members of the CPC Central Committee, as well as principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels, representing the highest-level study session of its kind hosted by the Party School.

Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, underscored that the theory of the Chinese path to modernization marked a major theoretical innovation and was the latest major achievement of scientific socialism.

This theory must be cherished, expanded and moved forward, he said.

Xi proposed and elaborated on the Chinese path to modernization in his report to the 20th CPC National Congress in October, which elected 205 members and 171 alternate members of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Addressing the study session on Tuesday, Xi reviewed the nation's arduous efforts to attain rejuvenation in the modern era, including the Party's efforts in leading the establishment of the People's Republic of China, conducting reform and opening-up and making historic breakthroughs to become the world's second-largest economy.

China's historic achievements in eliminating absolute poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects provided further institutional guarantees and more solid material foundations, and ensured more proactive efforts in achieving Chinese-style modernization.

Only with the Party's leadership can the Chinese path to modernization see bright prospects and prosperity.

Meanwhile, Xi pointed out that the nation's great achievements in terms of rapid economic growth and social stability since the founding of New China, and especially since the start of reform and opening-up, proved that the Chinese path to modernization is the only correct way toward national rejuvenation.

This pathway breaks the myth that modernization equals Westernization, displays a different vision for modernization and expands the choices for developing countries in their modernization, he said.

The general secretary emphasized that advancing on the Chinese path to modernization is a systemic project requiring coordination, systematic planning and a holistic approach.

In terms of its top-level design, insights on the general trends of global development and an accurate understanding of the common aspirations of the people are essential, he said.

He reiterated the need to coordinate development and security, saying that the nation must pursue a holistic approach to national security, improve its national security system and enhance its capacities in this regard.

The nation will uphold independence, self-reliance and strength, remain committed to development based on its own strengths, and maintain a firm grasp on the future of its development and progress, Xi said.

Meanwhile, he also reaffirmed Beijing's pledge to keep expanding high-level opening-up, deepen participation in the global division of labor and cooperation and better utilize domestic and international resources.

Xi warned of various predictable and unpredictable risks and challenges ahead, saying that it is imperative to be more mindful of potential dangers, stay prepared to respond to challenges and always have the courage and capacity to fight.