Xi touts China Communist Party’s global influence in speech marking 105th anniversary

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech on July 1, 2026, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. In his address, Xi highlighted the global impact of the Communist Party of China, marking a departure from his previous speeches that focused primarily on domestic issues.

During the 40-minute speech, Xi emphasized how the Chinese Communist Party has played a pivotal role in shaping the world’s development trajectory through relentless struggle. He described the CCP as the world’s largest ruling party with significant global influence, attributing its success to the overthrow of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, which paved the way for China’s industrialization.

Founded on July 1, 1921, the CCP established the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Over the last few decades, China’s economy has gradually opened up to foreign investment and trade, propelling it to become the world’s second-largest economy in 2010. Despite facing tariffs from the U.S. and EU, China now accounts for about 28% of global manufacturing output.

Xi reiterated his often-used phrase “changes not seen in a century,” underscoring the acceleration of global shifts and the onset of a new era characterized by turbulence and transformation. Against this backdrop, he pledged to promote the building of a new type of international relations without specifying any particular countries.

Looking ahead, Xi announced plans to visit the U.S. in September following President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing in May. He emphasized the importance of a strong military for national security, announcing a 7% increase in defense spending this year, the slowest since 2021. Despite this, China ranks second to the U.S. in military expenditure.

In addressing long-term national goals, Xi reaffirmed China’s opposition to “Taiwan independence” and external interference in the Taiwan issue, stating that reunification with Taiwan is the party’s historical responsibility. Regarding Hong Kong and Macau, Xi stressed the need to promote their long-term prosperity and stability while integrating them into China’s overall development strategy.

In conclusion, President Xi Jinping’s speech highlighted the global influence of the Chinese Communist Party and outlined China’s strategic priorities in the face of evolving global challenges. The speech underscored China’s commitment to upholding its national interests while seeking to play a more prominent role on the world stage.