At the ceremony to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence and continuing to strive, stating that “we must proactively address the risks and challenges that lie ahead.” He called upon the entire Party to strengthen its awareness of potential dangers, adhere to a bottom-line thinking approach, cultivate a spirit of struggle, and enhance its ability to engage in and overcome challenges. This is both a heartfelt admonition to the vast number of Party members and cadres, as well as a renewed call to action for all Party members.

Over the past 105 years, there have been many trials and tribulations. The history of struggle of the Communist Party of China over the past 105 years is a history of great struggles. The founding of the Communist Party of China, the birth of the People’s Republic of China, and the promotion of reform and opening-up were all marked by difficult and complex struggles. Especially since the new era, the situation facing the Party and the country has been unprecedentedly complex, the struggles have been unprecedentedly severe, and the tasks of reform, development, and stability have been unprecedentedly arduous. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have persisted in fighting against poverty and backwardness, achieving the goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way; we have persisted in fighting against corruption and malpractices within the Party, achieving an overwhelming victory in the fight against corruption and fully consolidating that victory; we have persisted in fighting against environmental pollution, bringing about historic, transformative, and comprehensive changes in environmental protection; and we have persisted in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, passing a grueling and historic examination… We have overcome long-standing problems, accomplished many long-term tasks and undertakings of great significance, and achieved remarkable accomplishments in advancing the cause of the Party and the country.

The spirit of struggle and the ability to engage in struggle are complementary. Whether one dares to engage in struggle reflects the spirit of struggle, while one’s proficiency in struggle demonstrates one’s ability. The guiding role of the spirit of struggle is immense. By boldly embracing this spirit, one can better and more thoroughly utilize one’s proficiency in struggle. Without strong proficiency in struggle, one lacks confidence and clarity, making it impossible to effectively embody the spirit of struggle. Embracing the spirit of struggle is not just a simple slogan; it is based on the premise of enhancing proficiency in struggle and serves as a fundamental requirement. Proficiency in struggle is not innate; it can only be acquired through rigorous mental refinement, political training, practical experience, and specialized training.

Our Party has come this far through struggle, and it will inevitably rely on struggle to secure a bright future. Currently, China’s development is in a period where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing. We need to be prepared at all times to withstand significant tests of high winds and turbulent seas, or even fierce storms and raging waves. The more challenging the times, the more we must refrain from wavering at will, the more we must be willing to fight and adept at doing so, with unwavering determination to overcome obstacles and with superior skills to navigate through turbulent waters.

Military struggle is an important aspect of carrying out great struggles. A nation dedicated to its great rejuvenation must rely on struggle to achieve victory; a military striving to become world-class must rely on struggle to gain initiative. President Xi Jinping pointed out, “The Chinese people do not believe in evil or fear it, nor do they provoke trouble or fear it. Any foreign country should not expect us to trade our core interests, nor should they expect us to swallow bitter consequences that undermine our sovereignty, security, and development interests.” Struggle leads to victory, submission leads to loss. For revolutionary soldiers, when the interests of the Party, the country, and the people are under significant threat, the People’s Liberation Army must engage in resolute and direct struggle in order to shoulder the responsibility of national rejuvenation and strengthening the nation and military, and to fulfill their mission without betraying their trust.

“Skilled warriors outmaneuver their opponents rather than being outmaneuvered themselves.” All officers and soldiers should continuously strengthen their awareness of national security. They should cultivate strategic confidence and unwavering determination to win, while adhering to a bottom-line and extreme-condition thinking. Focus all their attention on warfare, direct all their efforts towards combat readiness, and prepare for actual combat situations by considering the most complex and challenging scenarios. Establish a combat-oriented mindset, uphold the standards of combat effectiveness, comprehensively enhance military training and preparedness, and strengthen the spirit of combat, fortitude in combat, and combat skills in military struggle practice. With unparalleled capabilities and reliable means, resolutely safeguard the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and deliver an outstanding response to the Party and the people by demonstrating superior combat skills and the ability to win decisively. (Looking into the New Era)