Xi Jinping, who was elected general secretary of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at its first plenary session, met with Chinese and foreign journalists who were covering the 20th CPC National Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at midday on October 23. Along with him were Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, also members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee elected at the session. 

Decorated in brilliant lights, the Golden Hall in the Great Hall of the People was permeated with a lively and solemn atmosphere. Over 600 journalists from home and abroad gathered here to report to the world the first group appearance of the newly elected Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. 

At 12: 05 pm, Xi Jinping and his colleagues stepped into the hall amid a round of warm applause as they waved to the journalists. 

After a brief introduction made by Sun Yeli, spokesperson of the 20th CPC National Congress, Xi delivered an important speech. First, he expressed his gladness to meet friends from the media. Xi said, on Oct 22, the CPC successfully concluded its 20th National Congress. It was a congress of holding high our banner, pooling our strength and forging ahead in unity. Xi said, the international community has been following the 20th CPC National Congress with great interest. Political parties in many countries have sent congratulatory messages and letters, many of which were from heads of state or government and from leaders of political parties or important organizations. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi expressed heartfelt appreciation to them all. 

Xi presented his colleagues who have also been elected to the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. On behalf of the CPC's new central leadership, Xi expressed his sincere thanks to the whole Party for their trust. "We shall keep in mind the Party's nature and purpose and our own mission and responsibility and work diligently in the performance of our duty to prove worthy of the great trust of the Party and our people," he said.

Xi noted that, thanks to the concerted efforts of the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, we have fully established a moderately prosperous society according to plan, thus completing the First Centenary Goal. Now, we are taking confident strides on a new journey to turn China into a modern socialist country in all respects, to advance toward the Second Centenary Goal, and to embrace the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. 

Xi stressed that on the journey ahead, we shall always keep an enterprising spirit. To build a modern socialist country in all respects has been the long-cherished goal and dream of the Chinese nation. To make this happen, the Chinese people have offered sweat and toil. The CPC and our people have sought long and hard to open a Chinese path to modernization. This is a great yet enormous undertaking. The enormity of the task is what makes it great and infinitely glorious. Successive generations of Chinese have dedicated themselves to this worthy cause and, with extraordinary efforts, they have blazed a path from modest beginnings. We shall always remember their dedication and sacrifice. For our part, we must forge ahead with resolve and take on more responsibilities. We must show greater historical initiative in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, write new chapters in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and strive hard to achieve the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Xi pointed out that on the journey ahead, we shall always act for the people and rely on them in everything we do. To date, we have secured one tremendous achievement after another by relying closely on our people. In the future, we will continue relying on them in creating new historic achievements. The journey ahead is long and arduous, but with determined steps, we will reach our destination. We will not be daunted by high winds, choppy waters or even dangerous storms, for the people will always have our back and give us confidence. We will always ride out the storm with our people and stay heart to heart with them. Taking their priorities as ours and acting on their wishes, we will continue the hard work to turn their aspiration for a better life into a living reality. 

Xi stressed, on the journey ahead, we shall always press forward with self-reform. A political party can only achieve lasting greatness if it remains committed to its original aspiration despite the many hardships it has gone through. It can only become invincible if it remains committed to self-reform even though it has had a glorious past. The revolutionary travails and tempering of the past century, and especially of the first decade of the new era, have made our Party stronger and more dynamic. Confronted with new challenges and tests on the journey ahead, we must remain on high alert and stay sober-minded and prudent, like a student sitting for a never-ending exam. We must not halt our steps in exercising full and rigorous intra-Party governance. We must make sure that our century-old Party will become ever more vigorous through self-reform and continue to be the strong backbone that the Chinese people can lean on at all times. 

Xi pointed out, on the journey ahead, we shall always champion the common values of humanity. The world is grappling with unprecedented challenges. We have consistently called on the people of the world to grasp and shape the future and destiny of humanity. When all countries pursue the cause of common good, we can live in harmony, engage in cooperation for mutual benefit and join hands to create a brighter future. We will work with all other peoples to champion humanity's common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, to promote global peace and prosperity, and to keep pursuing a human community with a shared future.

Just as China cannot develop in isolation from the world, the world needs China for its development, said Xi. Through over 40 years of relentless reform and opening-up, we have created the twin miracles of fast economic growth and long-term social stability. The Chinese economy has great resilience, potential and latitude. Its strong fundamentals will not change, and it will remain on a positive trajectory over the long run. China will open its door ever wider. We will be steadfast in deepening reform and opening up across the board and in pursuing high-quality development. A prosperous China will create many more opportunities for the world. 

Xi pointed out that the new journey ahead will be a long one filled with glories and dreams. The road-map has been drawn and the bugle has been sounded. We must forge ahead with enterprise and fortitude and endeavor to create an even brighter future for our country. 

Over the past week, the media have covered the 20th CPC National Congress extensively. "With your help, China's voice and the CPC's views have been heard across the globe and the world has turned its eyes to China. Thank you for your hard work and a job well done!" Xi said. "We welcome you to visit more places in the country and present to the world unbiased and truthful stories of China, of the CPC and of the new era we are living in," he added.

At 12:30 pm, the meeting came to a conclusion. Xi and his colleagues waved farewell to the journalists. Another round of warm applause rose at the Golden Hall. 

(Cover: Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, October 23, 2022. /Xinhua)