Chinese President Xi Jinping has used the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to highlight Beijing’s growing role in global affairs, presenting China as a champion of peace, development and international cooperation at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.
Speaking at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday, President Xi delivered a speech that placed China’s international influence at the centre of his message, marking a noticeable shift from previous anniversary addresses that largely focused on domestic development and national rejuvenation.
The Chinese leader said the world was undergoing profound changes that required countries to strengthen cooperation, uphold multilateralism and pursue shared development.
“As profound changes unseen in a century accelerate across the globe, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, and humanity stands once again at a crossroads,” President Xi said.
He called on nations to uphold peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit while working together to address global challenges.
President Xi said the Communist Party of China had played a significant role in shaping modern global development.
“The Communist Party of China has deeply changed the trend and trajectory of the world’s development through relentless struggle,” he said.
Founded in 1921, the CPC established the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and has since overseen the country’s transformation from a largely agrarian economy into the world’s second-largest economy.
Today, China accounts for nearly 30 percent of global manufacturing output and has become a major player in international trade, investment and development financing.
President Xi described the CPC as “the world’s largest ruling party with significant global influence,” emphasizing China’s growing role in global governance and international cooperation.
His remarks are particularly significant for Africa, where China has emerged as one of the continent’s largest trading partners and development partners over the past two decades.
Chinese investment has supported infrastructure projects across Africa, including roads, railways, power stations, airports, dams and industrial parks.
In Zimbabwe, Chinese companies have invested in mining, energy, manufacturing, agriculture and infrastructure development, helping to expand productive capacity and improve connectivity.
For many African countries, President Xi’s message of cooperation and shared development aligns with efforts to accelerate industrialisation, improve infrastructure and create employment opportunities.
The Chinese leader said China would continue promoting initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation, including the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.
These initiatives seek to address common challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, climate change, economic inequality and global instability.
President Xi said China’s development experience had created opportunities for other developing countries seeking alternative pathways to economic transformation.
“Today, as the Party leads the people in advancing Chinese modernisation, we have created a new form of human advancement and expanded the pathways to modernisation for developing countries,” he said.
For many African nations, China’s rapid economic growth and industrial transformation provide important lessons on infrastructure development, manufacturing growth and poverty reduction.
President Xi also stressed the importance of global stability and security, noting that development and peace are closely linked.
“A strong country must have a strong military, and only a strong military can ensure national security,” he said.
China remains the world’s second-largest military spender and has increasingly participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations, including missions in Africa.
The Chinese leader also reiterated Beijing’s position on Taiwan, opposing what he described as “Taiwan independence” and external interference in the issue.
He said resolving the Taiwan question remained the Communist Party’s historical responsibility while calling for continued stability in Hong Kong and Macau.
For African countries, China’s emphasis on sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in domestic affairs continues to resonate strongly.
Many African governments have traditionally supported these principles and have often called for greater representation of developing nations within international institutions.
Zimbabwe, which is preparing to assume a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, may find particular relevance in President Xi’s emphasis on dialogue, multilateralism and peaceful coexistence.
As geopolitical tensions, climate challenges and economic pressures continue to affect developing countries, China’s role in Africa is expected to remain significant.
For many African nations, President Xi’s speech represents not only China’s vision for the future international order but also a reaffirmation of Beijing’s commitment to partnerships with the Global South.
As the world enters what President Xi described as a “new period of turbulence and transformation”, Africa is increasingly becoming an important player in global affairs, with China positioning itself as one of the continent’s key strategic partners in development, trade and international cooperation.
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