BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council held a Spring Festival reception for the year 2026 at the Great Hall of the People on the morning of Feb. 14. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, Xi extended Spring Festival greetings to the people of all ethnic groups in China, to compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, and to overseas Chinese.

Describing the ending Year of the Snake as extraordinary, Xi said in the face of a complex and volatile environment at home and abroad, China met difficulties head-on and forged ahead with perseverance and resolve, driving new progress and achievements in the cause of the Party and the country. The accomplishment of main goals and tasks for economic and social development throughout the year marked the successful completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Xi said, noting that the country's economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, defense capabilities, and composite national strength reached new heights -- the latest solid strides in advancing Chinese modernization.

Li Qiang presided over the gathering. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng were present at the event.

The banquet hall of the Great Hall of the People was brightly lit and filled with festive joy. More than 2,000 people from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the upcoming festival, filling the venue with a festive atmosphere of joy and harmony.

At around 10 a.m., Xi and other Party and state leaders walked in the hall to cheerful music. They warmly greeted the attendees, and exchanged Spring Festival greetings and wishes with them. The hall erupted into rapturous applause.

Xi said over the past year, China implemented more proactive macro policies, further deepened reform comprehensively, and progressed with concrete measures in building a modernized industrial system. China's economy maintained robust growth against pressures, and achieved new and higher-quality progress, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality. China made solid advances in socialist democracy and the rule of law, cultural development, ecological conservation, and national defense and military development, ensuring that all these endeavors reinforce one another. Efforts were intensified to safeguard and improve people's livelihoods and ensure overall social stability. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was successfully convened, where the development blueprint for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) was mapped out, Xi said. In the past year, China solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, established the Taiwan Recovery Day, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and held the 15th National Games in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, further rallying a mighty force for advancing Chinese modernization. China put forward the Global Governance Initiative, and successfully hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. With these efforts, China actively promoted the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, thus injecting much-needed certainty and positive energy into a world fraught with changes and turmoil, Xi said. China also unswervingly advanced full and rigorous self-governance of the Party, and carried out the study and education program on thoroughly implementing the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct, having achieved notable results in improving Party conduct, upholding integrity, and combating corruption, with continued improvement in the political environment and the social ethos observed, Xi said.

Xi stressed that substantial achievements have been made over the past year, thanks to the concerted efforts of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the nation. The achievements are encouraging, and our efforts have strengthened confidence. As long as we maintain strategic resolve, forge ahead step by step, and advance steadily from one stage to another, we will continue to turn small victories into great success in advancing the cause of the Party and the country, and our goals will surely be achieved.

Xi noted that the year 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, and the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. We must consistently follow the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and all plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, earnestly carry out the decisions and plans made at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy, speed up efforts to forge a new development paradigm, focus on promoting high-quality development, maintain social harmony and stability, and steadfastly exercise full and rigorous Party self-governance, so as to strive for a sound start for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Xi stressed that our Party is for the people, and successful because of the people, and that all its work is dedicated to the people's well-being. He underscored the need to always put the people first, foster and practice a correct view of work performance, and deliver solid achievements that can stand the test of practice, the people and history.

Xi noted that in Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes strength, vigor and an unyielding spirit, heralding a promising future of steady progress and prosperity. He expressed the hope that in the Year of the Horse, people of all ethnic groups across the country will rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee, strengthen their confidence in victory, maintain high morale, press ahead with resolve on the new journey toward Chinese modernization, and work together to create an even brighter future.

Art workers presented splendid performances at the gathering.

Leading officials and retired senior officials of the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission attended the reception.

The event was also attended by leading officials of central Party and government departments, the military and people's organizations, as well as leading officials of the Beijing municipal government. Also present were leading officials of non-CPC political parties' central committees and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of personages without party affiliation, representatives of retired veterans and officials, renowned experts and scholars, and representatives from all walks of life in Beijing.