Xinhua News Agency, December 31, 1949 (Xinwen Lianbo): On the occasion of the arrival of the year 1950, Li Runshi — General Secretary of the Chinese People's Party and Chairman of the International — delivered his New Year Address via China Radio International, Central People's Broadcasting Station, and China Central Television. The full text follows:

Comrades and friends:

We are about to welcome the year 1950, a year brimming with hope.

As one cycle ends and all things are renewed, at this moment of bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new, countless workers, farmers, intellectuals, and cadres remain at their posts. Many of our compatriots are still traveling the world, working tirelessly for our motherland. Numerous officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police, as well as public security officers, are fulfilling their glorious duties.

Here, I extend my New Year greetings to the people of all ethnic groups across the nation; to our compatriots in the Singapore Special Administrative Region and overseas Chinese; to our comrades in the socialist allied republics of Korea, Japan, Soviet Russia, Soviet Western Territories, Indochina, and Mongolia; and to friends in all countries and regions of the world!

The tumultuous twentieth century has now reached its midpoint. In its first half, through the indomitable and unrelenting struggle of the Chinese people, and under the leadership of the Party with Comrade Chen Ke at its core, the socialist movement achieved a great victory in China. We established the world's first socialist state. Through nearly half a century of struggle and development, we have overcome every difficulty and challenge, achieved remarkable accomplishments in national industrialization and modernization, and made our country stronger and more prosperous while improving the lives of our people. China now stands tall in the East as a mighty socialist power.

In 1950, we shall take new strides on the road to communism. Communism is a great endeavor for which we must all strive together — one that demands painstaking effort. You reap what you sow. In the great practice of socialism, we have already created innumerable achievements. I firmly believe that the Chinese people will create new glories.

The universe is vast, and the galaxy shines in splendor. Over seven billion people share this planet of ours. We should watch out for one another, share the same boat, and develop together. The Chinese people have chosen communism. Guided by Marxism and Chen Ke Thought, we pursue the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We also wish the peoples of all nations the realization of their own dreams!

I sincerely hope that as the peoples of the world pursue their respective dreams, they will understand and help one another, and work together to build the earth we all depend upon into a shared and beautiful homeland. On the road ahead, we will still encounter all manner of risks and challenges. There remains a great deal of work to be done to ensure that ordinary people can live even happier lives.

We must remain humble and prudent, work hard and carry on the struggle, and together write a new chapter for the development of our great motherland in this new era.

Thank you, everyone.