中文

Speakers:

Wang Xiaohui, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee;

Li Qun, vice minister of culture and tourism;

Lin Keqing, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and executive vice mayor of Beijing;

Du Feijin, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee;

Cong Liang, secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC);

Cai Zhijun, deputy director of the Leading Group Office of Military Parade and deputy director general of the Operations Bureau of the Joint Staff Department under the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Chairperson:

Guo Weimin, vice minister of the State Council Information Office

Date:

August 29, 2019

Guo Weimin:

Ladies and gentlemen, media friends, good morning. Welcome to the press conference held by the State Council Information Office. October 1 this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Our country will hold a series of celebrations. The event has drawn nationwide and worldwide attention, and the media are also very concerned about it, so we are holding this press conference here today to share more information on the celebrations. Present at the conference are: Mr. Wang Xiaohui, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; Mr. Li Qun, vice minister of culture and tourism; Mr. Lin Keqing, member of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and executive vice-mayor of Beijing; Mr. Du Feijin, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee; Mr. Cong Liang, member of the Leading Party Members' Group and secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); and Major General Cai Zhijun, deputy director of the Leading Group Office of Military Parade and deputy director general of the Operations Bureau of the Joint Staff Department under the Central Military Commission (CMC). Now, Mr. Wang Xiaohui will give an introduction first, and then the other five gentlemen will proceed to answer your questions.

Wang Xiaohui:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It is my great pleasure to share more information on the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with you. As everyone knows, this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. Beijing, the capital city of China, will hold a series of grand and exciting celebratory events. These celebrations will fully demonstrate the glorious course, great achievements and valuable experience of the PRC since its founding 70 years ago. The celebrations will also highlight the fact that, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the entire Party, military and Chinese people of all ethnic groups in carrying out our great struggle, building our great project, advancing our great cause, realizing our great dream, making historic progress and prompting historic shifts for the cause of the Party and the country. The celebrations will encourage and motivate the whole Party, military and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind. We should secure a decisive victory in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and realize the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation.

Wang Xiaohui:

The celebration activities will mainly include:

First, a grand celebration, a military parade and a mass parade will be held. The grand celebration will be held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Oct. 1 in the name of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Central Military Commission to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, president of the PRC and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will deliver an important speech at the event. The celebration will be followed by grand military and mass parades, which officials from the military forces and Beijing municipal government will brief you on later.

Second, a National Day gathering. It will be held at Tian'anmen Square on the evening of Oct. 1, during which the Party and state leaders as well as representatives from all walks of life in Beijing will celebrate together and watch art performances and fireworks.

Third, awarding national medals and titles of honor. A grand award ceremony will be held at the Great Hall of the People. The Medals of the Republic, the Medals of Friendship and national titles of honor will be awarded respectively to prominent figures who have made great contributions to building socialism with Chinese characteristics and in safeguarding the country. This will include foreigners who have made great contributions to China's socialist modernization drive and who have helped to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and the world as well as safeguard world peace. Prominent figures who have made great contributions and earned outstanding reputations in different fields will also be given awards. Chinese President Xi Jinping will award the medals and issue the certificates in person.

Fourth, a ceremony to present flower baskets to the People's Heroes. The ceremony will be held in front of the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Sept. 30, the Martyrs' Day, to commemorate the heroes and martyrs. The Party and state leaders as well as representatives from different fields in Beijing will attend the event.

Fifth, a National Day reception. The grand reception will be held at the Great Hall of the People in the name of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, president of the PRC and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will deliver an important speech.

Sixth, a National Day gala. The art gala will be held at the Great Hall of the People to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. The evening gala will take the form of a large-scale music and dance epic, whose title can be literally translated as "Go for it, Chinese". Li Qun, vice minister of culture and tourism, will brief you on it later.

Seventh, a large achievement exhibition. The exhibition will be held in the Beijing Exhibition Center from September onwards to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. Officials from the National Development and Reform Commission will brief you on it later.

Eighth, awarding commemorative medals celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. The medals will be awarded in the name of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission to living veterans and comrades who began their careers before the founding of the PRC, living individuals who received honors and awards at the state level and above after the founding of the PRC, living service personnel and veterans who received honors above the first-class merit citation for fighting wars after the founding of the PRC, and foreign friends who have made outstanding contributions to the founding of the PRC.

Ninth, the production and broadcasting of full-length documentary feature programs. Programs showcasing the brilliant achievements made in the last seven decades since the founding of the PRC will be aired during the prime time hours on the CCTV-1 Channel on the eve of the National Day. At the same time, a number of brilliant plays, songs, dances, fine arts and other cultural and art works with high ideological and artistic standards will be presented to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. A number of films and TV series on major themes will also be shown and aired, and a number of key publications will be launched.

Tenth, issuing commemorative stamps and coins. A set of commemorative stamps and coins with the theme of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC will be issued.

In addition, local government departments in various regions will hold diverse celebrations based on conditions in their respective locales. The Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee organizes large-scale media trips, educational campaigns and publicity activities centering on the theme of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, which aims to showcase the development of the country and popularize the hardworking ethic and spirit of Chinese in the new era.

The activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC should be ceremonious and warm, but at the same time, practical and frugal. We should strictly implement the eight-point austerity rules of the CPC Central Committee, and avoid superficial and extravagant practices.

That's all. Thank you.