Speech at the ceremony celebrating the 35th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China

October 1, 1984

Comrade commanders and fighters of the Chinese People's Liberation Army! All fellow-countrymen, comrades and friends!

On this glorious occasion of the 35th anniversary of the founding of the great People's Republic of China, I wish to express my warmest congratulations to the comrades, compatriots and friends who are working for our socialist modernization, for the reunification of our motherland and for the security of our country.

Thirty-five years ago Chairman Mao Zedong, the great leader of the people of all our nationalities, solemnly proclaimed here the founding of the People's Republic of China. Ever since then the Chinese people have stood on their feet. In the past 35 years not only have we ended for all time a dark period of our past and created a socialist society in China, but we have changed the course of human history. Particularly since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party -- when the reactionary deeds of the counter-revolutionary Gang of Four were put to a definitive end, the ideological line of seeking truth from facts advocated by Comrade Mao Zedong was restored and developed and a number of important policies suited to the new situation were adopted -- the whole country has taken on a new look. On a foundation of national stability, unity, democracy and the rule of law, we have given socialist modernization the highest priority in our work. Our economy has grown more vigorously than ever before, and achievements in all other fields are widely acknowledged. Today, all our people are full of joy and pride.

The Party's Twelfth National Congress set a goal of quadrupling the gross annual value of industrial and agricultural output between 1980 and the year 2000.6 The experience of the past few years indicates that this magnificent goal can be reached. Our primary job at present is to reform systematically everything in the existing economic structure that is impeding our progress. At the same time, we should carry out the technical transformation of existing enterprises throughout the country as planned. We should redouble our efforts in scientific and technological research, in education at all levels and in the training of workers, administrative staff and cadres. The entire Party membership and the community at large must truly value knowledge and let intellectuals make their contribution. All this will ensure that we gradually realize our programme of modernization.

China's foreign policy is known to all, and it will remain unchanged. We stand firmly for the maintenance of world peace, for the relaxation of international tension and for arms reduction -- above all, the reduction of the superpowers' nuclear and other weapons -- and we are opposed to all forms of aggression and hegemony. China will remain open to the outside world and is ready to establish and expand diplomatic relations and economic and cultural ties with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. We believe in settling international disputes through negotiations, as China and the United Kingdom have done with regard to the Hong Kong question. The international situation being far from tranquil, we must strengthen our national defence. The commanders and fighters of the Chinese People's Liberation Army must be alert at all times, constantly increase their military competence and their political understanding and strive to master the skills of modern warfare.

We want peaceful reunification with Taiwan, which is part of our sacred territory. Our policy in this regard is also known to all and will not change. The desire for peaceful reunification of the motherland is taking hold in the hearts of the entire Chinese nation. It is an irresistible trend, and sooner or later it will become a reality. We hope that the people of all our nationalities, including our compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and those residing abroad, will work together for its early realization.

Long live the great People's Republic of China!

Long live the great Communist Party of China!

Long live the great Chinese People's Liberation Army!

Long live the great unity of all nationalities of China!

(From Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Volume III <1982-1992>)