Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to achieve the country’s economic targets for 2026 while reiterating Beijing’s opposition to Taiwan independence and outside interference in cross-Strait affairs.

Xi made the remarks at a reception in Beijing on Wednesday, September 30, marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The event was held on the eve of China’s National Day, which is observed on October 1.

The Chinese president said the country’s economy had continued to demonstrate resilience despite pressure and called for a balance between economic development and stability.

Xi Jinping Focuses on China’s Economic Targets

With China dealing with both domestic and international economic challenges, Xi urged authorities to continue supporting growth and improving people’s livelihoods.

He said Beijing should maintain the principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability and work towards completing the economic targets and tasks set for the year.

“In the face of a complex and intricate international and domestic environment, we must uphold the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability,” Xi said.

He also said China should continue promoting economic development while taking steps to “effectively safeguard and improve people’s well-being and strive to accomplish the year’s targets and tasks”.

Xi’s comments came as part of the annual National Day reception, an event he regularly attends before the October 1 celebrations.

Xi Reiterates China’s Taiwan Position

The Taiwan issue was another key part of Xi’s remarks.

Xi called for closer exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait while restating Beijing’s opposition to forces supporting Taiwan independence and what China describes as interference by external forces.

“We should … deepen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, resolutely combat separatist forces advocating Taiwan independence, and oppose interference by external forces,” Xi said.

Xi Reiterates China's Taiwan Position
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Xi reiterates China’s Taiwan position. Credit: X/ANI

He also called for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations while linking it to Beijing’s stated goal of national reunification.

China has long opposed Taiwan independence and maintains that Taiwan is part of China. Taiwan has its own elected government and political system, while Beijing continues to assert its sovereignty claims over the island.

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Xi Jinping Attends Martyrs’ Day Ceremony

Earlier on Wednesday, Xi and other senior Chinese leaders attended a Martyrs’ Day ceremony at Tian’anmen Square in Beijing.

The annual event is held on September 30, one day before National Day, to honour people who died in China’s struggles for national independence and development. China’s top legislature established Martyrs’ Day in 2014.

Xi, Premier Li Qiang and other senior officials attended the ceremony. Participants sang the national anthem and observed a moment of silence as part of the tribute.

Nine large flower baskets were placed before the Monument to the People’s Heroes.

China Prepares for National Day Holiday

China will begin its National Day holiday on October 1, with the break scheduled to continue through October 7.

This year’s celebrations come as China marks the 77th anniversary of the People’s Republic. The year also marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March.

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The Long March took place from 1934 to 1936 and remains an important episode in the history of the Chinese Communist Party.

As China enters its National Day celebrations, Xi’s latest remarks have placed economic performance, cross-Strait exchanges and Beijing’s position on Taiwan among the key themes of the country’s official messaging.