President Xi Jinping, who's also the head of the Chinese Communist Party, on Sunday called on all party members to help build a modern socialist China as the 20th party congress got under way in Beijing.

In a report at the opening session of the congress, Xi said the past decade marked three major events of deep historical significance for the party and the people.

"We embraced the centenary of the Communist Party of China; we ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and we eradicated absolute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thus completing the First Centenary Goal," he said.

"We have, once and for all, resolved the problem of absolute poverty in China, making significant contributions to the cause of global poverty reduction."

Xi said the great transformation over the past 10 years marked a milestone in the history of the party and the country, as well as of reform and opening up.

He also highlighted efforts to fight Covid-19.

"We’ve put the people and their lives above all else and tenaciously pursued a dynamic zero-Covid policy. In launching the all-out people’s war to stop the spread of the virus, we have protected the people’s health and safety to the greatest extent possible, and made tremendously encouraging achievements in both epidemic response and economic and social development."

Meanwhile, Xi stressed the need to safeguard national security and social stability. "National security is the bedrock of national rejuvenation, and social stability is a prerequisite for building a strong and prosperous China," he said.

Xi also declared "an overwhelming victory" by the party in the fight against corruption.

"We have waged a battle against corruption on a scale unprecedented in our history. Driven by a strong sense of mission, we have resolved to offend a few thousand rather than fail 1.4 billion, and to clear out the party of all its ills.

"We have used a combination of measures to 'take out tigers,' 'swat flies' and 'hunt down foxes,' punishing corrupt officials of all types." (Additional reporting by Xinhua)
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Last updated: 2022-10-16 HKT 12:32