A speech delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at the second full assembly of the seventh plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, will be published on Thursday.

The speech by Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published in this year's 23rd issue of Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

The speech noted the 20th CPC National Congress is a meeting of great importance. "It takes place at a critical time as the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups embark on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advance toward the second Centenary Goal."

Xi spoke highly of these documents as the plenary session discussed and adopted a report to be made by the 19th CPC Central Committee to the 20th CPC National Congress, a work report of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) to the congress, and an amendment to the CPC Constitution.

The speech also pointed out that the election of a good CPC central leadership is essential, adding the candidates of members and alternate members of the 20th CPC Central Committee, as well as members of the 20th CPC CCDI are all the Party's backbone personnel and advanced representatives from different regions, departments and various fronts and all walks of life and the candidate's lists feature a well-structured contingent with a balanced composition.

Noting the CPC is a large Party with more than 96 million members and over 4.9 million grassroots Party organizations, Xi in the speech stressed the need for the Party to shoulder the historic responsibility of uniting and leading more than 1.4 billion Chinese people to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.

A large Party and a large country are our advantages in accomplishing great tasks and advancing the noble cause, but also make us face many unique difficulties in governing the Party and the country, according to the speech.

To adhere to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics and meet people's aspiration for a happy life in the world's most populous country, Xi called for upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership, especially upholding the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee.

The speech stressed that Party members and cadres, whether in office or retired, no matter when, where, or on what occasion, must always remember that they are members of the CPC, always play an exemplary role, adhere to and maintain the Party's leadership, and maintain the unity of the Party. 

All Party members should bear in mind the country's most fundamental interests, enhance confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics and strive for the cause of the Party and the people.