Comrade Robert Griffiths,

Consul-General Zheng Xiyuan,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

Good afternoon!

Four days ago, the Chinese Embassy in the UK hosted a symposium to mark the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Today, it is a real delight to join colleagues from the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester and the Communist Party of Britain in commemorating this momentous anniversary.

In the past 100 years, the CPC traversed an epic journey and grew bigger and stronger. From a small group of a dozen to a membership of nearly 92 million, it is now the world's largest political party.

Over the years, the CPC has always been of one heart with the people and has always had a close bond with the people. To the Chinese people, the CPC is the strong pillar of leadership and enjoys their wholehearted support. This is the fundamental source for the CPC's strength and vitality.

Marxism has always been the guiding philosophy of the CPC. It is the very soul of the ideals and belief of the communists in China. Today's event bears special significance because of Manchester's special place in the inception and development of Marxism.

Karl Marx, the architect of Marxist parties and pioneer of the international communist movement, visited Manchester many times; and his close comrade Frederick Engels lived in the city for years. It was here over 170 years ago that they discussed about and drafted the Manifesto of the Communist Party.

More than 100 years ago, Marxism was introduced to China and inspired the founding of the Communist Party of China. For 100 years, the CPC has worked strenuously and made extraordinary achievements. It combined the basic tenets of Marxism with the practical realities of China. It has led the Chinese people to overcome all difficulties and achieve enormous success in the new democratic revolution and the socialist revolution, development and reform.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, under the strong leadership of its Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the CPC has continued to put the Chinese people front and centre, pursue coordinated progress in the five-sphere integrated plan and four-pronged comprehensive strategy, implement the new development philosophy and foster a new development paradigm. Both the Party and the nation have achieved historic progress and transformation. Poverty based on current standard is completely eliminated. Decisive progress has been made in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The country is embarking on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in a comprehensive way.

We have full confidence that under the strong leadership of the CPC, China will definitely realize national rejuvenation, embrace a more promising future and make even greater contribution to the world!

The CPC attaches great importance to its friendly exchanges with the Communist Party of Britain. Our two parties have engaged in close interactions in recent years. Comrade Griffiths has visited China and attended symposiums many times, which further enhanced mutual understanding and deepened the friendly relations between our two parties.

The CPC stands ready to strengthen mutual learning with the Communist Party of Britain, deepen our traditional friendship and join hands to make greater progress in the future.

In conclusion, I wish today's event great success!