BEIJING, 30 September, 2026(Kamran Raja): Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the Chinese nation to move forward with confidence and take concrete steps towards achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He made the remarks while addressing a reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Premier Li Qiang presided over the event, which was attended by senior Chinese leaders and around 800 guests. Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, said national rejuvenation was an unstoppable process and urged the country to remain focused on its goals while maintaining steady progress. He said that over the past 77 years, the Communist Party of China had led the Chinese people in achieving rapid economic growth and enduring social stability. Reviewing the economic situation, Xi said the Chinese economy had continued to advance despite pressures since the beginning of the year and called for sustained efforts to promote innovation-driven and high-quality development, improve people’s livelihoods and achieve the targets set for 2026. He described these efforts as important for a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan covering 2026 to 2030. On Hong Kong and Macao, Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to the “one country, two systems” principle and said the central government would support both regions in integrating more closely with the country’s overall development while maintaining their long-term prosperity and stability. He also called for greater exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, while reiterating Beijing’s opposition to “Taiwan independence” forces and external interference. On foreign policy, Xi said China would continue pursuing an independent policy of peace and implementing its four major global initiatives, while promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.