In this beautiful season full of spring vitality, the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) grandly opened. More than 2,100 members of the National Committee of the CPPCC from 34 sectors gathered in the capital city to jointly discuss state affairs. We extend our warm congratulations on the convening of this conference!

The year 2024 was truly extraordinary. There were tests like the tempestuous trials, but even more so, there was the unwavering striving despite all difficulties. Facing the complex and severe situation of increasing external pressure and growing internal difficulties, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has united and led the entire Party, the people of all ethnic groups across the country to respond calmly, implement comprehensive measures, overcome difficulties, and forge ahead. It has comprehensively deepened reforms, expanded opening-up to the outside world, steadily advanced high-quality development, and promoted the stable development of new-quality productive forces. People's livelihood has been effectively safeguarded, and the main objectives and tasks of economic and social development throughout the year have been successfully completed. Solid new steps have been taken in Chinese path to modernization. The achievements of China's development have not come easily and are truly inspiring, fully demonstrating that the centralized and unified leadership of the Central Committee of the Party is the fundamental guarantee for doing all work well. As long as more than 1.4 billion people, under the leadership of the Party, maintain firm confidence, unite as one, and strive to translate all positive factors into development achievements, the ship of Chinese path to modernization will surely ride the waves and move forward steadily and far.

Marching in step with the times and striving together with the motherland, the CPPCC, which has gone through 75 glorious years, continues to show its strong vitality. In the past year, from organizing various consultation and deliberation activities closely related to the "major national issues" to carrying out more than 6,000 "serving the people" activities for members to perform their duties in depth, the CPPCC has adhered to the leadership of the Party, always taken Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, fully implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee, thoroughly studied and implemented the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and his important thoughts on strengthening and improving the work of the CPPCC, and thoroughly studied and implemented the important speech of General Secretary Xi Jinping at the grand ceremony celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. It has adhered to the nature and positioning of the CPPCC, given full play to the role of a specialized consultative body, fulfilled its duties focusing on the central tasks of the Party and the state, promoted the construction of its performance capabilities with the spirit of reform and innovation, improved the levels of political consultation, democratic supervision, and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, and made new contributions to the development of the cause of the Party and the country. Practice has shown that as a political organization led by the Communist Party of China, the CPPCC is a scientific, effective, and practical institutional arrangement, with a profound cultural foundation, theoretical foundation, and practical foundation, and it has distinct Chinese characteristics and remarkable political advantages.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized, "In the process of Chinese path to modernization, there will not only be sunny days, but also strong winds and rains, and even turbulent waves. We must maintain our strategic focus and pool the powerful joint forces of all Chinese sons and daughters to strive in unity." At present, the changes in the world, the times, and history are continuously expanding in breadth and depth, and the tasks of reform, development, and stability in our country are more arduous and complex than ever before. There is an urgent need to further rally the people's hearts and consolidate the great unity of the people of all ethnic groups across the country, and strengthen the great unity of Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad. As the broadest patriotic united front organization, the CPPCC has a glorious mission and a heavy responsibility. By adhering to the two themes of unity and democracy, combining the leadership of the Party, the united front, and consultative democracy organically, and giving full play to the remarkable political advantages of the CPPCC, and earnestly fulfilling the political responsibility of implementing the decision-making arrangements of the Central Committee of the Party and the requirements for the work of the CPPCC, and gathering the wisdom and strength of Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad, it will surely be able to more widely rally the people's hearts, consensus, wisdom, and strength for promoting Chinese path to modernization.

To gather broad consensus and pool strong joint forces, the key is to adhere to focusing on the central tasks and serving the overall situation. This year is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan. We should adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, concentrate on promoting high-quality development, drive high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, maintain a good momentum of economic and social development, and complete the objectives and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan with high quality, laying a solid foundation for achieving a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan. This puts forward new and higher requirements for the CPPCC to perform its duties and play its role. The CPPCC has the advantages of a large gathering of talents and concentrated intelligence. CPPCC members are the bridges and bonds connecting the Party and the government with the people of all sectors. It is expected that the vast number of CPPCC members will uphold the sentiment of performing their duties for the country and fulfilling their responsibilities for the people, keep the cause in mind and shoulder the responsibilities, and consciously engage in the specific practices of rallying the people's hearts, providing decision-making consultations, promoting consultative democracy, and participating in national governance. They should conduct in-depth investigations and discussions on further comprehensively deepening reforms and promoting high-quality development, and offer sincere advice, good strategies, and practical measures for promoting Chinese path to modernization.

With the unity of will, we can split the towering mountains, and with one heart, we can break through countless barriers. Now, Chinese path to modernization is being comprehensively promoted, and the Chinese nation is striding towards great rejuvenation with an irresistible momentum. The times call for bold responsibilities and summon hundreds of millions of Chinese sons and daughters to join hands and move forward. We should more closely unite around the Central Committee of the Party with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishes", strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses", firm up the "Four Spheres of Confidence", and ensure the "Two Safeguards". We should work with one heart and one mind, pool our wisdom and efforts, and continuously push forward the great cause of building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation.

We wish this conference a complete success!