Editor's note: Zheng Haizhen, a special commentator for CGTN, is an assistant researcher at the Department for Global Governance and International Organization Studies, China Institute of International Studies. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In his important speech at the conference celebrating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Party, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping reviewed the Party's glorious journey, summarized its historical experience and outlined its mission and tasks on the new journey ahead in the new era.

Against the backdrop of profound changes unseen in a century and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the speech offers valuable insights into the foundations of the CPC's enduring success.

The 105-year journey of the CPC is a history of advancing from victory to victory, and a history of creating one miracle after another. At a time when China was beset by domestic turmoil and foreign aggression, the CPC stepped forward. It united and led the Chinese people in a protracted and arduous struggle, overthrew the "three mountains" of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat-capitalism, claimed victory in the New Democratic Revolution, and founded a new China in which the people are masters of the country.

During the years of socialist revolution and construction, the basic socialist system was established. The CPC led the people in completing the socialist transformation of the means of production and building relatively complete industrial and national economic systems.

The period of reform, opening up and socialist modernization marked another historic turning point during which the CPC blazed the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. With great political courage, it advanced reform and opening up, successfully achieved the transition from a planned economy to a socialist market economy, and greatly liberated and developed the productive forces.

In the great transformations of the new era, another round of historic achievements has been made. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the country has achieved the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects as scheduled, secured a historic resolution to the problem of absolute poverty and advanced Chinese modernization with firm steps.

On the new journey toward national rejuvenation, the CPC has opened up a new path of Chinese modernization, which has not only changed China's development trajectory, but also provided a new choice for humanity's pursuit of modernization, continuously enriching and developing a new form of human advancement.

The fundamental reason why the CPC has been able to succeed lies in its ability to follow the trend of history, seize the historical initiative and fulfill its historic mission. From opening up the path of New Democratic Revolution, to establishing the socialist system and then to launching reform and opening up, the CPC has always found the right direction amid complex circumstances and made strategic choices that serve the people's interests and follow the laws of development.

Another key to the CPC's success has been its ability to drive progress by addressing the principal contradiction facing Chinese society. From pursuing national independence, to tackling underdeveloped productive forces, to responding to unbalanced and inadequate development in the new era, the CPC has adjusted its strategic arrangements accordingly, ensuring both continuity and stability in China's development.

At a deeper level, the CPC's success demonstrates not only the vitality of Marxism, but also the enduring relevance of a Marxism that is adapted to China's realities and responsive to the needs of the times. Marxism has provided scientific guidance for China's revolution, construction and reform, and equipped the CPC with a scientific worldview and methodology as well as powerful theoretical tools to understand and transform the world.

From Mao Zedong Thought, which marked the first historic leap in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, to Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, which enriched and developed the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and then to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which represents a new historic leap, the CPC has always upheld the unity of theoretical innovation and practical innovation.

Throughout this process, the CPC has upheld the "two integrations" – integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and its fine traditional culture, thereby giving Marxism new connotations of the times. This ongoing process of theoretical innovation has enabled China to broaden its development path, strengthen and refine its system, mature its governance capacity and foster growing confidence in Chinese culture.

The purpose of revisiting more than a century of history is not to dwell on past achievements, but to draw strength from history for the journey ahead. Standing at a new historical starting point, and facing both profound changes unseen in a century and the complex tasks of domestic reform, development and stability, the CPC must continue to draw more wisdom and strength from its history and continue to enhance its historical initiative and strategic resolve.

History never stops moving forward. With firm conviction, the CPC is leading China toward an even brighter future.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)