Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the ruling Communist Party to learn from the legacy of early party figure Chen Yun – a pioneer of China’s economic planning – in remarks on Friday to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the late statesman’s birth.
Xi called on the party to have unwavering confidence when facing “chaotic and complex turbulence”, and to strengthen its ability to cut a path for China’s economy with “objective and thorough” research, according to state news agency Xinhua.
The party is preparing for an annual conclave, to be held later this year, focusing on the next five-year plan covering 2026–2030. The national economic development plan will serve as a blueprint to sharpen China’s competitive edge and address weak links exposed in its rivalry with the United States.
Xi made the remarks at a meeting in Beijing to mark the anniversary of Chen’s birth in 1905. China’s ruling party typically commemorates the birthdays of revolutionary elders every 10 years.
Modern leaders often weave their policy priorities into their commemoration speeches as a way to rally the party and draw inspiration from the elder statesman’s political legacy.
Xi praised Chen, who joined the party in 1925 and died in 1995, as a “great proletarian revolutionary and statesman”. He added that Chen was “one of the founding figures of the country’s socialist economy” and a “key member” of the party’s first and second generation of leaders – comments that were consistent with the party’s past commemorations.
