We have thoroughly put an end to the loose-sand state of the old China and realized a high degree of unification of the country and unparalleled unity of all ethnic groups. We have abrogated the unequal treaties imposed upon China by Western powers and all the privileges of imperialism in the country. The feudalistic segmentation of the country has gone forever on this land of China. The 56 ethnic groups breathe the same air, share the same fate and join their hearts as one, evolving a socialist relationship among all ethnic groups featuring equality, unity and mutual aid. All political parties and people's organizations unite as one, help each other and share weal and woe. All socialist laborers, patriots endorsing socialism and patriots supporting national reunification have formed the broadest possible patriotic united front for the reunification and prosperity of the motherland. The successful return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland has fulfilled the long-cherished wishes of the whole nation. The exchanges between compatriots on the two sides of the Taiwan Straits have been increasing. The ultimate resolution to the Taiwan issue and the accomplishment of the reunification of the motherland are bound to come true.

We have forged a people's army under the absolute leadership of the Party and built a strong national defense. We created a revolutionary path of encircling the cities from the rural areas and seizing state power by armed force. With the people's army as the backbone, we relied on the people and armed them. We persisted in educating the officers and men in the Party's theory and program and defeated the well-equipped ferocious domestic and foreign enemies in the prolonged revolutionary wars. The People's Liberation Army has always upheld the purpose of serving the people whole-heartedly. It has played a major role in consolidating national defense, resisting aggression, safeguarding the socialist system and peaceful work of the people, and taking part in socialist construction of the country. Our country's national defense has constantly been enhanced; steady progress has been made in the drive to build a revolutionary, modern and regular army. The People's Liberation Army led by our Party is the staunch pillar of the people's democratic dictatorship, a great wall of steel in defense of the motherland and an important force in socialist construction.

We have adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace, making important contributions to the lofty cause of world peace and development. We have thoroughly ended the history of humiliating diplomacy in modern China and effectively safeguarded state sovereignty, security and national dignity. We have actively advocated and safeguarded the Five Principles of Peaceful Co- existence, resolutely opposed the hegemonies and power politics with the strong domineering over the weak. We have upheld principle and justice, striving to let justice prevail and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the vast developing countries, and pushed the establishment of a just and reasonable new international political and economic order. The international standing and influence of socialist China are growing with each passing day. Facts have fully proved that the Communist Party of China is worthy of a great, glorious and correct Marxist political party and that it deserves to be the force at the core that leads the Chinese people in the incessant efforts to break new ground.

The outstanding achievements in China's revolution, construction and reform are the results of the joint efforts of the people of all ethnic groups of the country, the results of endless and unremitting efforts made by people with lofty ideals, and also the results of the selfless devotion of generation upon generation of Chinese Communists.

We cherish dearly the memory of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping, Chen Yun and other late proletarian revolutionaries of the older generation who made great contributions to China's revolution, construction and reforms and to the founding, consolidation and development of the Communist Party of China. We cherish dearly the memory of the revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives heroically for the sake of founding, defending and building New China. We cherish dearly the memory of all the pioneers who fought for the independence and liberation of the Chinese nation in modern times. Their meritorious deeds for the motherland will ever be remembered in the annuals of history!

The people are the true makers of history. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, I would like to extend my salute to the broad masses of the workers, peasants, intellectuals, all democratic parties, people's organizations and patriotic personages in all walks of life; and to the People's Liberation Army, the armed police and officers and men of the public security forces throughout the country; my cordial greetings to compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan as well as all overseas Chinese; and my heartfelt thanks to the people and friends in all the countries who live on good terms with us, care for and support China's revolution, construction and reforms!

The 80 years of the Communist Party of China are 80 years of constant pursuit for truth and pioneering and creation by integrating Marxism-Leninism with China's practice; they are 80 years of ceaseless and unremitting hard struggle for the liberation of the nation, the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people; and they are 80 years of withstanding endless tests and growing steadily in strength in the course of accomplishing the historical missions.

The practice of the eighty years tells us that it is imperative to always persist in integrating the fundamental principles of Marxism-Leninism with the specific situation in China, persist in taking scientific theories as the guide and unswervingly follow our own road. This is the most essential experience we have drawn from the summing up of our Party's history. Marxism is a powerful ideological weapon for us to understand and transform the world; it serves as a guide to action in our revolution, construction and reforms. Marxism is not a dogma. Only by being correctly applied and constantly developed in practice, does it exhibit great vitality. The first generation of the collective leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Mao Zedong at the core and the second generation of the collective leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Deng Xiaoping at the core led our Party in persisting in closely combining the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism with China's concrete practice, resulting in the formation of Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory. The two great theoretical achievements constitute Marxism that have been localized in China, embodying both the basic principles of Marxism- Leninism and the splendid thoughts of the Chinese nation and the practical experiences of the Chinese communists. It is exactly because we have had Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory as the guide, is it possible for our Party to lead the people in overcoming all hardships and setbacks and winning one victory after another. As the great crystallization of the practical experiences and collective wisdom of the Party and people, Deng Xiaoping Theory is the best continuation and creative development of Mao Zedong Thought under the new historical conditions. It has made major contributions to creating a completely new situation in China's cause of socialism. Holding high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory, all the comrades in the Party are continuing to study new situations and resolve new problems, working to promote creatively and in an all-round manner the great cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The key to upholding Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought in the new historical period lies in persistent use of Deng Xiaoping Theory to observe the present-day world and contemporary China, incessantly sum up practical experience and generalize it in the new theoretical light and open up new ways forward.

The practice of the eighty years tells us that it is essential to always rely firmly on the masses of the people, sincerely work for the interests of the people and draw inexhaustible strength from the masses of the people on the road of advance. Maintaining the flesh-and-blood ties with the masses of the people is the fundamental guarantee for our Party to overcome difficulties and risks and make continuous success in our cause. In no time and under no circumstances, can the stand of sharing the common fate with the masses of the people be changed, the purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly be forgotten, and the viewpoint of historical materialism that the people are the real heroes be discarded. We must always take what reflects the will and interests of the people as both our starting point and end point in all work we do; we must always take reliance on the wisdom and strength of the people as the basic line of work in promoting our cause.

The practice of the eighty years also teaches us that we must always consciously strengthen and improve Party building, continuously enhance the creativity, rallying power and combat capability of the Party, and always maintain the vigor and vitality of the Party. If we are to do China's affairs well, the key lies in our Party. We must make incessant efforts to strengthen Party building in close conjunction with the development of the situation and the Party's central tasks. We must be good at summing up experience, uphold the truth, correct mistakes and be modest and prudent. We must have the courage to face up the problems existing in the ranks of Party members and cadres and resolve them by relying on all Party members and the masses of the people. This is where the vigor and vitality of the Party lies. We must continue to forge ahead with the new great project of Party building centering round the basic issue of what kind of Party to build and how under the new historical conditions so as to further revolve the two major historic subjects of enhancing the abilities of administration and art of leadership and resisting corruption, guarding against degeneration and warding off risks.

Reviewing the course of struggle and the basic experience over the past 80 years and looking into the arduous tasks and bright future in the new century, our Party should continue to stand in the forefront of the times and lead the people in marching from victory to victory. In a word, we must always represent the development trend of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture, and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people in China ( hereafter referred to as "Three Represent's").

II. Correctly understand and fulfill the requirements of the " Three Represent's" in an all-round way

In the new century, the great historical tasks for our Party are to continue the modernization drive, accomplish the great cause of the reunification of our motherland, safeguard world peace and promote common development. Facing the profound changes in the domestic and international situations, our Party should follow closely the progressive trends of the world and unite and lead people of all ethnic groups throughout the country in seizing the opportunities and taking up challenges to accomplish the three major historical tasks successfully. To this end, we must unswervingly fulfill the requirements of the "Three Represent's". The "Three Represent's" are the foundation underlying all our efforts to build the Party, the cornerstone for exercising political power and a source of strength of our Party. They are also the fundamental requirements for us to push Party building in an all-round way in the new century, constantly bring forth new ideas in theories, institutions and science and technology, and win fresh victories in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

In order to remain a representative of the requirements of the development of China's advanced productive forces, it is necessary to bring the Party's theory, line, program, principles, policies and all work into line with the law governing the development of productive forces, make them reflect what is required in promoting the release and development of social productive forces, especially in the development of advanced productive forces so that the living standards of the people improve steadily through the development of productive forces.

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