Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on the nation to firm up confidence and strive for unity in the relentless endeavor toward building a strong China and realizing national rejuvenation.

"Our strength comes from unity, and confidence is more valuable than gold," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, at a grand reception held in Beijing to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Xi and other Chinese leaders attended the event together with around 800 Chinese and foreign guests.

Xi told attendees that the future is bright and the nation should continue to surmount difficulties and march forward.

The Chinese president conveyed high regard and warm greetings to people from all walks of life across the nation and heartfelt appreciation to friendly countries and international friends supporting China's modernization drive.

In his address, Xi recalled that over the past 74 years since the founding of New China, the country has moved from poverty to moderate prosperity in all respects. It has embarked on a new journey to build a strong nation and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

Xi pointed out that China this year has coordinated the COVID-19 response with economic and social development, worked to ensure both development and security, and actively promoted sustained economic recovery, among others.

He went on to cite some more of the "hard-earned and heartening" progress achieved so far this year – the economy is on an overall recovery trajectory, grain harvests can be expected, people's lives have been improved, and social stability has been maintained, among others.

Noting that there are still many risks and challenges on the journey ahead, Xi stressed greater efforts to strengthen macro regulation, expand effective domestic demand, stimulate the vitality of business entities, keep promoting sustained economic recovery, work to continuously improve social expectations, and forestall major risks.

"We should strive to meet this year's economic and social development targets," Xi said.

The Chinese president stated that continuing high-level opening-up, deepening reforms, expanding institutional opening-up and promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation will enhance economic resilience and dynamism.

Xi also stressed the importance of meeting people's needs for a better life by strengthening social welfare measures, boosting employment, addressing difficulties, enhancing assistance for disadvantaged groups, consolidating and expanding poverty alleviation achievements, and promoting rural vitalization.

He reiterated the pledge to fully and faithfully implement the "One Country, Two Systems" policy and realize the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and "patriots administering Macao," vowing to support the two special administrative regions (SARs) in developing their economies and improving people's livelihoods and actively participate in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Xi called for efforts to adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus and advance the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Straits, saying the complete reunification of the motherland is what all Chinese people aspire for and is a tide and a historical trend that cannot be stopped by any one or any force.

The Chinese president emphasized that the country will pursue peaceful development and a mutually beneficial strategy of opening-up, adding China will uphold international justice, practice genuine multilateralism, promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

He also urged efforts to promote the building of a global community of shared future and work hand in hand with the peoples of all countries to jointly address various global challenges and create a better future for humankind.

(With input from Xinhua)