CPC Marks 105th Anniversary; Xi Awards July 1 Medals

President Xi Jinping delivered a major policy speech and awarded the prestigious “July 1 Medal” to eight outstanding Party members on Wednesday at a grand ceremony in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC). The event served as a significant political milestone reaffirming the Party’s leadership role in China’s development and outlining its vision for the decades ahead.

Context and Historical Significance

The CPC was founded in July 1921, and major anniversary celebrations held every five years are among the most significant political events in China. The 105th anniversary represents a mid-point milestone between the centenary celebrations of 2021 and the upcoming 110th anniversary, coming at a time when China is pursuing its “Second Centenary Goal” of building a “modern socialist country in all respects” by 2049, according to Xinhua News.

The ceremony follows a week of commemorative activities. On June 29, a grand theatrical performance titled “The People First” (《人民至上》) was held at the Great Hall of the People, attended by Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other top Party and state leaders along with approximately 3,000 audience members.

The July 1 Medal Ceremony

At the heart of Wednesday’s ceremony was the awarding of the “July 1 Medal” (七一勋章), the highest honor for Party members. The CPC Central Committee awarded the medal to eight individuals representing diverse fields: Ma Shanxiang, a retired cadre known for grassroots mediation work in Chongqing; Wang Yuchang; Li Liancheng, a village Party secretary recognized for rural development; Wuhasi Sulaiman, an ethnic minority representative; Wu Yaqin, a community-level Party worker; Chen Junwu, a scientist and engineer; Zhao Yafu, an agricultural expert known for rural poverty alleviation; and Zhong Jue, a female scientist and academician, as reported by Xinhua News.

Xi Jinping presented the medals to the tune of “Salute to the Heroes of the Motherland” (《向祖国英雄致敬》) as the audience offered warm applause, underscoring the Party’s narrative of serving the people through diverse role models.

Key Themes from Xi Jinping’s Speech

In his keynote address, Xi Jinping — in his capacity as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission — delivered a comprehensive speech that touched on the Party’s history, achievements, and future direction. The full text was published by China Military Online.

On the Party’s founding and achievements, Xi stated: “105 years ago, in the great awakening of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation… the Chinese Communist Party emerged as the times required. From then on, the Chinese people and the Chinese nation had the most reliable pillar of strength.” He highlighted that 105 years of struggle had “fundamentally changed the destiny of the Chinese people” and that China had “completed in just a few decades the industrialization journey that took developed countries centuries, creating two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability.”

On the CPC’s distinctive qualities, Xi outlined six key attributes: pursuing truth, rooting in the people, shouldering historical missions, keeping pace with the times, daring to struggle, and focusing on self-improvement. These qualities, he said, represent “the key code for why the CPC is capable.”

On Taiwan and national reunification, Xi reiterated the One-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, vowing to “resolutely combat ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces, oppose external interference, and steadfastly advance the cause of national reunification.”

On military modernization, Xi emphasized that “a strong country must have a strong military” and called for accelerating the modernization of national defense to “achieve the centenary goal of military building on schedule” — a reference to the 2027 target marking the 100th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army.

On global governance, Xi positioned China as a force for international cooperation, stating: “We promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, contributing Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to solving major human problems.” He called for advancing the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative.

On the future tasks, Xi declared: “To build a modern socialist country in all respects and achieve the second centenary goal by the middle of this century… Time waits for no one! History waits for no one!”

Analysis and Implications

The 105th anniversary celebration, while less expansive than the centenary in 2021, serves as an important mid-term political rallying event. Xi’s speech reinforced the Party’s ideological orthodoxy and leadership at a time when China navigates economic challenges including a property sector downturn, demographic pressures, and external trade tensions.

The emphasis on “struggle” (斗争) and risk preparedness signals a continued assertive posture both domestically and internationally. The presence of all top leaders — including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng — at the cultural performance on June 29 demonstrated collective leadership unity.

What to Watch For

Looking ahead, several key areas merit attention: how the 2027 PLA centenary goal will be pursued in the coming year; what specific economic measures will follow from the speech’s emphasis on “high-quality development”; and how the international community, particularly Western governments, will respond to the speech’s messaging on Taiwan and global governance. The speech’s call for technological self-reliance and high-quality development suggests continued policy focus on innovation-driven growth amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

As Xi concluded: “All Party members must never forget their original aspiration and mission, must remain modest and prudent, and must dare to struggle and be good at struggle, uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country to forge ahead on the new journey and create new historical glories.”