President Xi Jinping called on Chinese to be prepared to overcome all uncertainties on Monday, claiming Taiwan is China's sacred territory and Beijing opposes Taiwanese independence, in a toughening warning to "separatists" as he spoke on the eve of National Day.
Chinese people will score more remarkable achievements and make greater contributions to the noble cause of peace and development of humanity, Xi said while addressing a reception held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
China's National Day falls on October 1.
On this new journey of the new era, Xi said the central task of the ruling Communist Party and the country is to build China into a strong country and realize national rejuvenation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Heading the Party, the military, and the Presidency, 71-year-old Xi is now serving his unprecedented third five-year term in power; unlike all his predecessors who resigned to suit the Party's convention of limiting tenures to two five-year terms.
Be prepared for the future and resolutely overcome all uncertainties, Xi was quoted as saying by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post in an apparent reference to the growing strategic rivalry with the US.
He also said Taiwan was Chinas sacred territory and the people on both sides of the [Taiwan] Strait are connected by blood.
"We must … promote the spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides of the strait, and resolutely oppose Taiwan independence separatist activities," Xi said, the Post reported.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory, and Xi in recent years has been stridently touting reunification of the self-ruled island through a gargantuan military build-up, though he maintains it would be accomplished in a peaceful manner.
China has ramped up its strident campaign against Taiwan "separatists" since pro-independence William Lai Ching-te was elected President of Taiwan this year.
On the economic side, Xi vowed to continue in reform and opening up for the world's second-largest economy that currently faced continued slowdown weighed down by a host of internal issues, particularly the stagnant domestic consumption and the bankrupt property market resulting in huge financial losses, besides high tariffs imposed on Chinese Electric Vehicles and batteries imposed by the US and EU.
"There will certainly be detours and potholes along the way… but no potholes can stop the pace of the progress of the Chinese people," Xi said.
The comments come on the back of a series of measures announced by the Chinese government to regain economic momentum, including interest rate cuts.
Advancing unprecedentedly modernization steadily is the best way to celebrate the anniversary of the PRC, Xi stressed.
It was imperative, in advancing Chinese modernization, to always uphold the core role of the Communist Party in exercising overall leadership and coordinating the efforts of all sides, he said, and to unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, uphold a people-centered approach, and remain committed to peaceful development, Xi said.
More than 3,000 Chinese and foreign guests were present at the reception.
He also thanked friendly countries and international friends who care about and support the development of the PRC.
Earlier, he along with other state and party leaders paid floral tributes to fallen heroes to mark Martyrs' Day at the sprawling Tiananmen Square in central Beijing.
The Martyrs' Day was observed on Monday ahead of the 75th National Day of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Representing the entire nation, Xi was accompanied by Premier Li Qiang and other leaders as they visit to pay their respects to the monument erected in memory of martyrs of the revolutionary struggle during the 19th and 20th centuries culminating in the founding of the PRC on October 1, 1949 led by the CPC founder Mao Zedong.
China will shut down for a week starting Tuesday for national day holidays.
The occasion was marked by Xi on Sunday by awarding the highest state honors to several Chinese veterans.
He also presented China's Friendship Medal to Dilma Rousseff, former Brazilian president and the Chair of the Shanghai-based New Development Bank of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).
Praising Rousseff as an excellent ambassador for China's old and good friends, Xi said that the Chinese people will never forget international friends who have made remarkable contributions to their country's development as well as Chinese-foreign friendship.
"The CPC has led the Chinese people in building the two miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability," Xi said.
He said that China stands at a critical juncture of building a great modern socialist country in all respects and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation through modernization.
Xi called for all party members and people from all ethnic groups to learn from heroes and good role models, rally and strive forward to form a powerful force in building a powerful China.
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