Xi Jinping tries to build symbolic bridge between past and future at Chinese Communist Party centenary
- The party chief urged young Chinese to follow the party, while paying tribute to past leaders such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping
- His predecessor Hu Jintao was present, but former leader Jiang Zemin did not attend – probably for health reasons
Delivering his speech at Tiananmen, the Gate of Heavenly Peace, where Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, Xi praised the older generations for their contribution to the country.
04:14
Xi Jinping leads celebrations marking centenary of China’s ruling Communist Party
“We owe all that we have achieved over the past hundred years to the concerted efforts of the Chinese Communists, the Chinese people and the Chinese nation,,” Xi said in his hour-long speech.
“Their great contributions to our motherland and our nation will be immortalised in the annals of history, and their noble spirit will live on forever in the hearts of the Chinese people.”
Xi was joined by Hu, his immediate predecessor, but Jiang – the party chief between 1989 and 2003 – was a notable absentee along with former premier Zhu Rongji.
Hu, his hair now white, stepped on to the rostrum together with Xi. His former premier Wen Jiabao was also present.
