Chapter 120 Striving to build a great socialist country[1]

(September 15, 1954) Delegates! The first meeting of the first National People's Congress of the People's Republic of my country was held today in Beijing, the capital of our country. The total number of delegates was 1,226, of which 1,211 delegates reported for duty, 15 delegates who did not report due to sick leave, and 70 delegates who reported due to sickness and were temporarily absent today.A total of 1,141 delegates attended today's meeting, which is a quorum. The First Session of the First National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China shoulders important tasks.

The tasks of this meeting are: make a constitution; Enact several important laws; Adopt the government work report; Elect a new national leadership staff. Our meeting is of great historic significance.This conference is a milestone marking the new victories and new developments of our people since the founding of the People's Republic of my country in 1949. The constitution enacted by this conference will greatly promote the cause of socialism in our country. Our general task is to unite the people of the whole country, enlist the support of all international friends, and strive to build a great socialist country, to defend international peace and to develop the cause of human progress.

The people of our country should work hard, try to learn the advanced experience of the Soviet Union and other fraternal countries, be honest, diligent, encourage and help each other, refrain from any pomp and arrogance, and prepare to transform our present situation into a new one within a few five-year plans. An economically and culturally backward country is being built into a great industrialized country with a high degree of modern culture. Our cause is just.A just cause cannot be broken by any enemy. The core force leading our cause is the Chinese Communist Party. The theoretical basis guiding our thinking is Marxism-Leninism.

We have full confidence to overcome all difficulties and hardships and build our country into a great socialist republic. We are moving forward. We are doing an extremely glorious and great cause that our predecessors have never done. Our goal must be achieved. Our goal must be achieved. The 600 million people in China unite and work hard for our common cause! Long live our great motherland! According to the "People's Daily" published on September 16, 1954. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] This is Mao Zedong's opening speech at the First Session of the First National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China.