China held a gathering to mark the centenary of the May Fourth Movement on Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the event and delivered an important speech.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses a gathering marking the centenary of the May Fourth Movement at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 30, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

Speaking to young representatives from all walks of life, Xi underlined the importance of the role of Marxism and the leadership of the Communist Party of China in realizing the national rejuvenation.

He urged the young adults to ardently love their country, shoulder their responsibilities, fight through their hardships and risks, and hone their abilities.

He also called on the CPC to shoulder the political responsibility of nurturing a new generation of capable young people.

The May Fourth Movement in 1919, launched by young intellectuals and drawing the participation of people from all walks of life, was a great patriotic and revolutionary campaign resolutely fighting against imperialism and feudalism. 

Below are the key points from his speech:

• May Fourth Movement spirit

Xi said the May Fourth Movement, with its mighty force, inspired the ambition and confidence of the Chinese people and nation to realize national rejuvenation. 

It was a great social revolutionary movement launched by the Chinese people to save the nation from subjugation, safeguard national dignity and pool national strength together,  and a great enlightenment and new cultural movement of disseminating new thought, new culture and new knowledge.

• Upholding patriotism

Xi called on the country's youth to uphold patriotism. 

He said the May Fourth Movement gave birth to the great spirit centered on patriotism, progress, democracy and science, with patriotism at the core.

As long as the banner of patriotism is being held high, the Chinese people can unleash great power in their endeavors to transform China and the world, Xi said. 

• Marxism & CPC leadership

Xi highlighted the important role of Marxism and the leadership of the CPC in the Chinese nation's pursuit of truth and progress.

History proves that the pursuit of truth and progress by the Chinese people and nation has been made unstoppable since China embraced Marxism, the CPC leadership, and the great awakening of the Chinese people and the nation, Xi said.   

Experiencing the May Fourth Movement in 1919, more and more Chinese pioneers gathered under the banner of Marxism, and the CPC announced its establishment in 1921, opening a new page in the Chinese history, Xi noted. 

• 'Heroic fight' for national rejuvenation

Xi highlighted "the heroic fight" of the Chinese people for national rejuvenation.

The development of Chinese society, the national rejuvenation and people's wellbeing must be achieved by the Chinese through their own heroic efforts, said Xi.

"A bright China is not a gift that can be given by anybody," he said.

 As long as the Chinese people and the nation have the courage to fight and sacrifice themselves for changing their destiny, the country will surely become prosperous and strong and national rejuvenation will be realized, he said.

• Pioneers in realizing national rejuvenation

Xi said Chinese young adults and adolescents always play a vanguard role in realizing national rejuvenation.

In the new era, the theme and direction of the Chinese youth movement and the mission of Chinese young adults and adolescents are to uphold the leadership of the CPC, and work along with the people to realize the two centenary goals and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, he said.

• Establishing great ideals

Xi reiterated the new era to the young Chinese of establishing belief in Marxism, faith in socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as confidence in the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

•Loving country ardently

Xi urged Chinese youth of the new era to love their country ardently, saying the essence of patriotism is having unified love for the country, the Communist Party of China, and socialism.

He said that young Chinese of the new era should follow the instructions and guidance of the Party, and remain dedicated to the country and the people.

• Bearing responsibilities of times

Xi said as long as the young people are brave enough to shoulder responsibilities and fight hardships and risks, the socialism with Chinese characteristics will be full of vitality, potential and hope.

• Promoting spirit of arduous struggle

Xi underscored the importance of carrying on the spirit of arduous struggle by the Chinese youth.

There will definitely be daunting challenges, difficulties and obstacles in the new journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi said, adding that the spirit of arduous struggle is especially needed during the process.

The Chinese youth should always maintain their fine tradition of forging ahead, he said. 

• Honing abilities

Xi urged Chinese young adults and adolescents to hone their abilities. He asked young people to work hard in learning the Marxist stance, viewpoints and methods, mastering scientific and cultural knowledge and professional skills, and improving their humanistic quality. 

• Being grateful

Xi said Chinese young adults and adolescents of the new era should be grateful to the Party, the country, the society and the people. He asked young people to nurture and practice core socialist values, and guard against wrong ideas such as money worship, hedonism, extreme individualism and historical nihilism. 

• Nurturing young generation is a political responsibility

Xi called on the CPC to shoulder the political responsibility of nurturing a new generation of capable young people who have a good and all-round moral, intellectual, physical, and aesthetical grounding in addition to a hardworking spirit, and who are well-prepared to join the socialist cause.

"We should listen to young people's views on social issues and phenomena, as well as their opinions and advices on the work of the Party and the government," he said.

"Even if they express harsh or partial criticism, we should correct our mistakes when we have made any and guard against them when we have not," he said.

Xi called on the Party to address young people's concerns in employment, starting a business, integrating into the society, love, marriage and making friends, caring for the elderly and raising children, so as to create favorable conditions for their development.

"We should educate and guide young people to view the world properly, to understand the national conditions comprehensively, and to grasp the trend of the era," he said. 

• Mobilizing the youth for the Chinese Dream

Xi asked the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) to unite and lead the Chinese youth of the new era to strive for the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

The CYLC should serve their duties of guiding and uniting the youth, mobilizing them, connecting them and providing services, he said. 

• Building a community with a shared future for humanity

Xi said young people should not only care about their family and country, but also have concerns for humanity.

He urged young people to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and push forward the joint building of the Belt and Road and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.