On the evening of September 30, 2026, a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People. General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping attended the reception and delivered an important speech. He emphasized that the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics has demonstrated tremendous strengths through long-term exploration and practice, and that China has continued to make progress in modernizing its system and capacity for governance. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable. As long as we remain confident, stay focused on our goals and move forward steadily, step by step, success will ultimately belong to the great CPC, the great Chinese people and the great People’s Republic of China.

Li Qiang presided over the reception. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the event. Around 800 Chinese and foreign guests gathered together to celebrate the National Day of the People’s Republic of China.

The banquet hall of the Great Hall of the People was ablaze with dazzling lights, suffused with a festive and jubilant atmosphere. A solemn national emblem hung prominently above the rostrum, while the large “1949–2026” numerals stood out against the backdrop of bright red flags.

At around 5:30 p.m., Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders entered the banquet hall to the cheerful strains of the Welcome Music, drawing warm applause from everyone present.

The reception began. All stood and sang the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China. The magnificent March of the Volunteers echoed in the hall.

Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He first extended, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, festive greetings to people of all ethnic groups across the country, officers and soldiers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Armed Police Force, and members of the democratic parties and personages without party affiliation. He also extended sincere greetings to compatriots in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, Taiwan compatriots, and overseas Chinese, and expressed heartfelt thanks to friendly countries and international friends who have long cared about and supported China’s development.

Xi Jinping noted that over the past 77 years, the Party has led the Chinese people in achieving two miracles: rapid economic growth and enduring social stability. We have achieved the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and are forging ahead toward the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. At this moment, we take immense pride in the extraordinary achievements of New China and have full confidence in the bright prospects of Chinese modernization.

Xi Jinping stressed that since the beginning of this year, the entire Party and the whole country have forged ahead with determination and worked tirelessly, drawing up and implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan and steadily advancing work across all fronts. The Chinese economy has continued to progress despite mounting pressure and achieved innovation-driven and high-quality development, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality. New progress and new achievements have been made in the cause of the Party and the country. We must adhere to the overarching principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy, accelerate efforts to foster a new development paradigm, further deepen reform and opening up, and better coordinate development and security. We should promote innovation-driven, high-quality and sound economic development, take practical steps to safeguard and improve people’s livelihoods, and meet the targets and tasks set for the year, so as to ensure a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Xi Jinping stressed the need to remain firmly committed to the policy of “one country, two systems,” under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong, the people of Macao administer Macao, and both regions enjoy a high degree of autonomy. We will support Hong Kong and Macao in integrating more fully into the country’s overall development, and maintain their long-term prosperity and stability. He also called for efforts to deepen exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, resolutely fight secessionist forces seeking “Taiwan independence,” oppose external interference, and promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations to advance national reunification.

Xi Jinping stated that China will stick to its independent foreign policy of peace, advance the implementation of the four major global initiatives, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity to contribute greater certainty and positive energy to a turbulent world.

Amid cheerful music, Chinese and foreign guests raised their glasses to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, wishing China prosperity and its people happiness and well-being, and expressing their hope for lasting friendship between the Chinese people and people around the world.

Also present at the reception were members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairpersons of the Central Military Commission, vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, vice premiers of the State Council, state councilors, Director of the National Commission of Supervision, President of the Supreme People’s Court, Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, vice chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, comrades who have retired from leadership positions, and former members of the Central Military Commission who are in Beijing.

Also in attendance were officials from relevant departments of the Party, the government, the military and mass organizations, as well as officials of Beijing; leaders of the central committees of the democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and representatives of personages without party affiliation; representatives of recipients of national awards and honors in Beijing; representatives of national role model workers and other outstanding individuals; representatives of ethnic minority figures who have made significant contributions to stability, development and solidarity in ethnic minority areas; representatives of people from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, Taiwan compatriots, and overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals residing abroad; and diplomatic envoys from various countries to China, representatives of international organizations in China, and some foreign experts.