Beijing, June 14, 2025 – The Europe Today: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on Party members and officials to draw inspiration from the life and legacy of veteran leader Chen Yun, emphasizing the need for an enterprising spirit and hard work to advance China’s goal of becoming a strong and modern socialist country.
President Xi, who also serves as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered the remarks at a solemn gathering held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Chen Yun’s birth.
Describing Chen Yun as a “great proletarian revolutionary and statesman,” Xi highlighted Chen’s pioneering contributions to the foundation and development of China’s socialist economy. He underscored Chen’s central role in both the Party’s first generation of collective leadership under Mao Zedong and its second generation under Deng Xiaoping.
“Chen Yun was a tested and distinguished Party and state leader who made enduring contributions to the cause of the Party and the people,” Xi said, recounting Chen’s life of unwavering dedication to the socialist cause.
Xi urged all CPC members to study Chen Yun’s lofty ideals and noble character. He emphasized the importance of staying true to the Party’s founding mission, upholding ideals and convictions, and maintaining political composure amid a complex and volatile international landscape.
The President also stressed the need to enhance the Party’s capacity for economic and social governance by drawing lessons from Chen’s leadership experience. Xi called for strengthening the Party’s overall leadership in economic work and deepening understanding of the principles underpinning socialist economic development.
“It is important to comprehensively deepen reform at a swift and steady pace, and to remain steadfast in pursuing higher-standard opening up,” Xi stated.
Praising Chen’s pragmatic approach, Xi noted his adherence to the principle of seeking truth from facts and his emphasis on research as a critical element of sound governance. He encouraged CPC officials to adopt scientific thinking, conduct thorough studies, make informed assessments, and base decision-making on objective reality and the people’s aspirations.
Born in 1905 and joining the Communist Party in 1925, Chen Yun played a critical role throughout the Party’s revolutionary and nation-building phases until his passing in 1995 at the age of 90.
Top CPC leaders, including Premier Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi—members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee—attended the commemorative meeting. The session was presided over by Zhao Leji, also a member of the CPC’s top leadership.
