(Ecns.cn)!A grand gathering to commemorate the 90th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Friday morning.
Top CPC and state leaders Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang, and Zhou Yongkang were present at the rally.
Outstanding CPC grassroots units, members, and Party workers were commended at the gathering.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, also the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a keynote speech at the rally.
CPC accomplishes three major events
The Communist Party of China (CPC), chosen by history and the people, has accomplished three major events since its formation 90 years ago, President Hu said in his speech at the grand gathering.
The first achievement is that the CPC, relying on the people, completed the new-democratic revolution and won national independence, liberating the people, Hu said.
The second is that the CPC completed the socialist revolution and established a basic socialist system, he said.
The third is that the Party carried out a great new "reform and opening up" revolution, creating, upholding, and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said.
"These three major events reshaped the future and destiny of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation," Hu said.
Uphold Marxism under new conditions
President Hu Jintao said the Party should uphold and adapt Marxism both to new historical conditions and to the current times.
To take a scientific approach toward Marxism and use Marxism as an evolving theory to guide practice in new realities, is vital for the Party to retain and develop its advanced nature as a Marxist political party, Hu said.
"We Chinese Communists believe that the principles of Marxism are an irrefutable truth and that Marxism must be constantly enriched and developed. We shall never take Marxism as an empty, rigid, and stereotyped dogma," said Hu.
It is important to promptly address new issues emerging in practice, and thus, provide scientific guidance for practice in order to uphold Marxism under the new historical conditions, Hu said.