Chinese President Xi Jinping has praised socialism as the country’s saviour during a speech marking 100 years since the founding of the Communist Party.
Mr Xi’s remarks were delivered to a huge crowd in Tiananmen Square – none of which were wearing masks.
“In the process of socialist construction, we overcame subversion, sabotage and armed provocation by imperialist and hegemonic powers,” he said.
“This great transformation of China from a poor and backward country … into a socialist country laid down the fundamental political conditions and the institutional foundation necessary for realising national rejuvenation.
“Through international struggle, the party and the Chinese people showed the world that the Chinese people were capable of not only dismantling the old world but also building a new one.
“That only socialism could save China and that only socialism with Chinese characteristics could develop China.
“To realise national rejuvenation, the party united and led the Chinese people in freeing the mind and forging ahead, achieving great success in reform, opening up and socialist modernisation.”
