Xi Jinping Addresses CPC 105th Anniversary, Highlights Continuity and Modernisation

Summary

Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the celebration of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, reviewing the Party's 105-year history. He outlined the Party's characteristics: unwavering pursuit of truth, deep roots among the people, courageous historical mission, alignment with development trends, willingness to struggle, and continuous self-improvement. Xi called for confidence and sustained effort through adherence to the Party's basic theories, reliance on the people to create history, response to risks and challenges, promotion of a community with a shared future for mankind, and comprehensive advancement of strict Party governance.

The address also covered military strengthening, prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, the Taiwan issue, and youth work, urging the entire Party to remain true to its original aspiration and mission and to strive to build China into a great modern socialist country by the mid-21st century.

Commentary

Xi Jinping’s speech reaffirmed China’s long-term governance goals and modernisation blueprint. For New Zealand SMEs, this indicates policy continuity and evolving market dynamics in China. China has been New Zealand’s largest trading partner for consecutive years, with bilateral trade exceeding NZ$40 billion in 2022.

Fonterra’s Greater China revenue accounts for about 25 per cent of its global turnover, buoyed by gradual tariff removal on milk powder under the upgraded FTA. Xi’s emphasis on high-quality development and a community with a shared future for mankind suggests that upgrading domestic demand in China will sustain demand for high-quality dairy, health products, and agri-tech. SMEs can leverage RCEP’s accumulation rules and cross-border e-commerce channels to enter the market.

However, the discourse on technological self-reliance and secure development highlights a ‘de-risking’ trend in supply chains. While direct impact on the primary sector is limited, technology collaboration projects may face stricter scrutiny. Businesses should note that Xi’s mention of practical frameworks such as the Global Development Initiative may further facilitate green and digital trade.

New Zealand has a first-mover advantage in clean tech and smart agriculture and could pursue pilot cooperation. China-New Zealand relations are stable but not without ripples; attention to China’s strategic language on the Taiwan Strait and the South Pacific is needed to assess longer-term geopolitical risks.

Keywords: Xi Jinping, 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China, original aspiration and mission, Chinese-style modernisation, community with a shared future for mankind, comprehensive strict party governance, military strengthening, one country two systems, reunification of the motherland

Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand