In his speech marking the 95th anniversary of the CPC's founding in July 2016, Xi Jinping made comprehensive and incisive remarks on stepping up Party-building and strengthening and improving CPC leadership.

1.Grasping the fundamental point

What has enabled the CPC to lead the Chinese people from victory to victory during its near century-long journey? Above all else, the CPC has relied on two things: the fighting spirit of Chinese Communists and their devotion to the people. What, then, must we rely on to further the cause of Chinese socialism? The answer is the same: the fighting spirit of Chinese Communists and their devotion to the people. In his speech, Xi stated, "Whenever we move forward, we must remember the path we have trodden; no matter how far we go and how glorious our future may be, we can never forget the past, and we can never forget why we embarked on this journey in the first place. As we confront the future and face challenges, our Party must stay true to its cause and continue marching forward." Staying true to our cause and continuing to march forward are fundamental to our efforts to step up Party-building and strengthen and improve CPC leadership.

2.Highlighting priority points

Our efforts to step up Party-building and strengthen and improve CPC leadership should be approached from eight angles. These are as follows: First, we must uphold the guiding role of Marxism; continue to closely integrate the basic principles of Marxism with China's realities and contemporary features; promote innovation in both theory and practice; and constantly advance the adaptation of Marxism to suit China. Second, we must remember that our Party established communism and socialism as its program at the time of its founding; remain committed to the great ideal of communism and the common ideal of Chinese socialism and constantly advance the cause for our ideals. Third, we must remain confident in the path, theories, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; uphold the basic line of the Party with unswerving resolve; and constantly advance the great cause of Chinese socialism. Fourth, we must advance the five-pronged overall plan for developing Chinese socialism; promote the "FourComprehensives" strategy; engage in an all-out push to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects; and work constantly towards attaining the "Two Centenary Goals." Fifth, we must firmly uphold reform and opening up; have the courage to comprehensively continue reform; further emancipate our minds, release and develop productive forces, and boost social dynamism; and drive reform and opening up to a new depth. Sixth, we must firmly believe that the people are the foundation of the CPC and the source of its strength; remain committed to serving the people and relying on them in all endeavors; give full scope to the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the people; and keep working to make their life better. Seventh, we must remain firmly committed to the path of peaceful development and to a mutually beneficial strategy of openness; strengthen friendly ties with all countries; and work with all peoples to advance the grand cause of peace and development for humanity. Eighth, we must preserve the pioneering nature and purity of the CPC; raise our ability to govern and lead; enhance our capacity to withstand risks, resist corruption, and prevent degradation; and bolster a grand new undertaking of Party-building.

3.Focusing on key points

There are six key points that we must focus on. First, we must preserve the pioneering nature and purity of the CPC. Second, we must do a good job of governing the CPC before we can do a good job of governing the country, and that means governing the CPC strictly. Third, we must maintain a high standard for political norm within the CPC and comprehensively purify the political environment. Fourth, we must continue our effort to improve Party conduct, so as to ensure that the Party always stands with and maintains its bond with the people. Fifth, we must always remain alert of the need to combat corruption, foster integrity, and prevent degradation. Sixth, we must strengthen our ranks and raise the competence of officials. These key points reflect the fundamental requirements and objective laws of Party-building and CPC leadership. Embodying the new circumstances and features of Party-building and CPC leadership in a new period, they point out a clear direction and goals for our efforts to step up Party-building and strengthen and improve CPC leadership.