在庆祝中国共产主义青年团成立100周年大会上的讲话
Speech at a Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Communist Youth League of China
习近平 Xi Jinping
2022年5月10日 May 10, 2022
共青团员们，青年朋友们，同志们：
Members of the Communist Youth League of China (League), young friends, and comrades,
青春孕育无限希望，青年创造美好明天。一个民族只有寄望青春、永葆青春，才能兴旺发达。
Youth gives rise to infinite hope, and young people are the creators of a bright future. A nation can thrive and prosper only when it places hopes on its youth and maintains its youthful vigor.
今天，我们在这里隆重集会，庆祝中国共产主义青年团成立100周年，就是要激励广大团员青年在实现中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的新征程上奋勇前进。
Today, we are gathered here at the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Youth League of China to encourage League members and young people to forge ahead on the new journey toward realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
首先，我代表党中央，向全体共青团员和各级共青团组织、团干部，致以热烈的祝贺和诚挚的问候！
First of all, on behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, I would like to extend warm congratulations and sincere greetings to all League members as well as Communist Youth League organizations and staff at all levels.
共青团员们、青年朋友们、同志们！
League members, young friends, and comrades,
中华民族是历史悠久、饱经沧桑的古老民族，更是自强不息、朝气蓬勃的青春民族。在5000多年源远流长的文明历史中，中华民族始终有着“自古英雄出少年”的传统，始终有着“长江后浪推前浪”的情怀，始终有着“少年强则国强，少年进步则国进步”的信念，始终有着“希望寄托在你们身上”的期待。千百年来，青春的力量，青春的涌动，青春的创造，始终是推动中华民族勇毅前行、屹立于世界民族之林的磅礴力量！
The Chinese nation is an ancient nation with a long, enduring history and has experienced many years of vicissitudes. More importantly, it is also a youthful nation that continuously pursues self-improvement and remains vibrant. With a civilization of over 5,000 years, our nation has long cherished the traditional belief that heroes are cultivated from young age and embraces the idea that the waves behind drive on those ahead. We believe a nation will be strong only when its young people are strong and a nation will make progress only when its younger generations make progress. We have always believed that the future of our nation rest on youths. For hundreds of years, the strength, vitality, and creativity of the youth have always been a mighty force that drives our nation forward against all challenges and enables it to stand tall among the nations of the world.
青年的命运，从来都同时代紧密相连。1840年鸦片战争以后，中国逐步成为半殖民地半封建社会，国家蒙辱、人民蒙难、文明蒙尘，中华民族遭受了前所未有的劫难。一批又一批仁人志士为救国救民而苦苦追寻，一大批先进青年在“觉醒年代”纷纷觉醒。伟大的五四运动促进了马克思主义在中国的传播，拉开了新民主主义革命的序幕，也标志着中国青年成为推动中国社会变革的急先锋。
The destiny of the youth is always closely connected with the times. After the Opium War of 1840, China was gradually reduced to a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society and suffered greater ravages than ever before. The country endured intense humiliation, the people were subjected to great pain, and the Chinese civilization was plunged into darkness. Many noble-minded patriots sought to pull the nation together. Many progressive young people were enlightened at this “Awakening Age.” The great May Fourth Movement promoted the spread of Marxism in China, ushered in the new-democratic revolution, and marked the beginning of the youth’s role as the pioneers advancing social changes in China.
青春力量一经觉醒，先进思想一经传播，中华大地便迅速呈现出轰轰烈烈的革命新气象。在马克思列宁主义同中国工人运动的紧密结合中，中国共产党应运而生。中国共产党一经诞生，就把关注的目光投向青年，把革命的希望寄予青年。党的一大专门研究了建立和发展青年团作为党的预备学校的问题。1922年5月5日，在中国共产党直接关怀和领导下，中国共产主义青年团宣告成立。这在中国革命史和青年运动史上具有里程碑意义！
With the youth awakened and advanced ideas disseminated, the dynamic revolution quickly swept across the vast land of China. As Marxism-Leninism was becoming closely integrated with the Chinese workers’ movement, the Communist Party of China was born. Since the day of its founding, the Party has paid particular attention to the youth and placed the hopes of revolution on them. At its First National Congress, the Party carried out specific studies into the establishment and development of a youth league as the prep school for the Party. On May 5, 1922, the Communist Youth League of China was founded under the direct care and leadership of the CPC, marking a milestone in the history of China’s revolution and youth movement.
坚定不移跟党走，为党和人民奋斗，是共青团的初心使命。一百年来，在党的坚强领导下，共青团不忘初心、牢记使命，走在青年前列，组织引导一代又一代青年坚定信念、紧跟党走，为争取民族独立、人民解放和实现国家富强、人民幸福而贡献力量，谱写了中华民族伟大复兴进程中激昂的青春乐章。
Faithfully following the Party and working for the Party and the people constitute the Communist Youth League’s original aspiration and founding mission, to which the League has stayed true over the past century. Under the Party’s strong leadership, it has organized and guided generation after generation of young people to stay firm in their convictions and loyal to the Party, fight for national independence and the people’s liberation, and contribute to the country’s strength and prosperity and the happiness of the people. Through these efforts, a stirring chapter of youth was written on our path toward China’s national rejuvenation.
新民主主义革命时期，共青团广泛传播马克思主义，用先进思想启迪青年觉醒、凝聚青春力量，团结带领广大团员青年踊跃投身反帝反封建的工人运动、农民运动、学生运动，积极参加党领导的革命武装，在打倒军阀、抗日救亡、推翻国民党反动统治的伟大斗争中冲锋陷阵，展现出不怕牺牲、浴血斗争的精神风貌。刀光剑影，枪林弹雨，广大团员青年对党忠贞不渝，经受住了生与死的考验，为中国革命胜利贡献了青春、建立了重要功勋！
In the period of the new-democratic revolution, the Communist Youth League actively engaged in promoting Marxism in China, enlightening young people with advanced ideas and rallying their force. Under the League’s leadership, its members and young people devoted themselves to anti-imperialist and anti-feudal movements of workers, peasants, and students, actively served in revolutionary armies led by the Party, and fought in the battles to bring down warlords, resist Japanese invaders, and overthrow the rule of the Kuomintang. They manifested a spirit of fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice. Charging forward through hailstorms of bullets, League members and young people showed their firm faith and passed the test of life and death, dedicating their youth to the victory of China’s revolution and making outstanding contributions.
社会主义革命和建设时期，共青团积极参与中华民族有史以来最为广泛而深刻的社会变革，组建青年突击队、青年垦荒队、青年扫盲队，开展学雷锋活动，团结带领广大团员青年激发“敢教日月换新天”的豪情，喊出“把青春献给祖国”的响亮口号，向科学进军，向困难进军，向荒原进军，展现出敢于拼搏、辛勤劳动的精神风貌。艰难困苦，千难万险，广大团员青年主动作为、勇挑重担，哪里最困难、哪里就有团的旗帜，哪里有需要、哪里就有团员青年的身影，为祖国建设贡献了青春、建立了重要功勋！
In the period of socialist revolution and construction, the Communist Youth League took an active part in the most extensive and profound social reform in the Chinese history. Its members acted as the spearhead in various campaigns and they were organized to reclaim uncultivated land, educate the illiterate, and learn from the model soldier Lei Feng. Under the League’s leadership, its members and young people were empowered by the spirit of “daring to make the sun and the moon shine in the new sky” and shouted out the slogan of “devoting our youth to the motherland.” They rose to all sorts of challenges, no matter in scientific researches or the harsh natural environment. They manifested a spirit of daring to struggle and working hard. Pulling through hardships and dangers, League members and young people took the initiative to shoulder responsibilities and braved themselves in the most challenging and demanding missions, dedicating their youth to the country’s construction and making outstanding contributions.
改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期，共青团适应党和国家工作中心战略转移，解放思想，锐意进取，广泛开展争当新长征突击手、“五讲四美三热爱”、希望工程、青年志愿者、青年文明号、保护母亲河等一大批青春气息浓烈的创造性活动，团结带领广大团员青年发出“团结起来、振兴中华”的时代强音，在现代化建设各条战线上勇立潮头，展现出敢闯敢干、引领风尚的精神风貌。革故鼎新，建设四化，广大团员青年勇作改革闯将，开风气之先，为改革开放和社会主义现代化建设贡献了青春、建立了重要功勋！
In the new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization, the Communist Youth League adjusted itself to the strategic shift in the focus of the Party and the country’s work, freed the mind, and forged ahead with resolve. It launched a large number of creative initiatives, encouraging young people to be “pacesetters of the New Long March,” to uphold “five things to stress,” “four things to beautify,” and “three things to love,” to join the Project Hope for children’s education in rural areas, to serve as volunteers, to perfect their professional performances, and to work for the environmental project “Mother River Protection.” Under the League’s leadership, a call of the time that “let us unite for national rejuvenation” resonated, and League members and young people rode the waves on all fronts of modernization. They manifested a spirit of daring to explore and setting the trend. Engaging themselves in the modernization drive by destroying the old and establishing the new, League members and young people acted as trailblazers of reform and led the way ahead, dedicating their youth to the country’s reform and opening up and socialist modernization and making outstanding contributions.
中国特色社会主义新时代，共青团积极投身伟大斗争、伟大工程、伟大事业、伟大梦想波澜壮阔的实践，坚持守正创新、踔厉奋发，全面深化自身改革，团结带领广大团员青年在脱贫攻坚战场摸爬滚打，在科技攻关岗位奋力攀登，在抢险救灾前线冲锋陷阵，在疫情防控一线披甲出征，在奥运竞技赛场奋勇争先，在保卫祖国哨位威武守护，在党和人民最需要的时刻冲得出来、顶得上去，展现出自信自强、刚健有为的精神风貌。“清澈的爱，只为中国”，成为当代中国青年发自内心的最强音。伟大梦想，伟大使命，广大团员青年自觉担当重任，深入基层一线，让青春在实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦中绽放异彩，为党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革贡献了青春、建立了重要功勋！
In the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Communist Youth League has pursued a great struggle, a great project, a great cause, and a great dream, made innovation on the basis of what has worked in the past, advanced its work with full strength, and reformed itself comprehensively. Under the League’s leadership, its members and young people did their best in the fight against poverty, in cutting-edge scientific researches, in disaster rescue and relief missions, on the epidemic response frontline, in the Olympic arena, and at posts of defending the motherland, stepping up and responding to the calls of the Party and the people when they were most needed. They have manifested a spirit of self-confidence, self-reliance, vigor, and action. “My pure love is only for China,” a phrase written by a young soldier and martyr, has become the most powerful expression of young people in contemporary China. Bearing a great dream and a great mission, League members and young people have willingly carried the ball on the frontline and demonstrated their brilliance in the course of realizing national rejuvenation, dedicating their youth to historic achievements and changes in the cause of the Party and the country and making outstanding contributions.
时代各有不同，青春一脉相承。一百年来，中国共青团始终与党同心、跟党奋斗，团结带领广大团员青年把忠诚书写在党和人民事业中，把青春播撒在民族复兴的征程上，把光荣镌刻在历史行进的史册里。
Although the times keep changing, young people in China have been committed to the same mission. Over the past century, the Communist Youth League has been of one heart and mind with the Party and followed in its footsteps. It has united and led League members and young people in dedicating themselves to the cause of the Party and the people, devoting their youth to the journey toward national rejuvenation, and thus engraving their glory in the annals of history.
历史和实践充分证明，中国共青团不愧为中国青年运动的先锋队，不愧为党的忠实助手和可靠后备军！
Both history and reality tell us that the Communist Youth League of China is worthy of being regarded as the vanguard of the Chinese youth movement, a loyal aide to the Party, and a reliable reserve force.
共青团员们、青年朋友们、同志们！
League members, young friends, and comrades,
越是往前走、向上攀，越是要善于从走过的路中汲取智慧、提振信心、增添力量。一百年来，共青团坚定理想、矢志不渝，形成了宝贵经验。这是共青团面向未来、再立新功的重要遵循。
The further we advance and the higher we climb, the better we should be at absorbing wisdom from our past experience, boosting our confidence, and improving our strength. Over the past century, with firm ideals and strong will, the Communist Youth League has amassed valuable experience which should be drawn upon to make new achievements in the future.
——百年征程，塑造了共青团坚持党的领导的立身之本。没有中国共产党，就没有中国共青团。共青团从诞生之日起，就以党的旗帜为旗帜、以党的意志为意志、以党的使命为使命，把坚持党的领导深深融入血脉之中，形成了区别于其他青年组织的根本特质和鲜明优势。听党话、跟党走始终是共青团坚守的政治生命，党有号召、团有行动始终是一代代共青团员的政治信念。历史充分证明，只有坚持党的领导，共青团才能团结带领青年前进，推动中国青年运动沿着正确政治方向前行。
The 100-year history of the Communist Youth League has defined that upholding Party leadership is crucial to the League’s success.
The Communist Youth League would not have taken shape without the Communist Party of China. Since the very first day it was founded, the League has shared the same banner, will, and mission with the Party, integrated upholding the leadership of the Party into its lifeblood, and developed its particular character and distinct advantage which differentiate it from other youth organizations. Following the instructions and guidance of the Party remains the political career of the League, and that the League will act upon the Party’s call is the political belief of League members from generation to generation. History has proved that only if it upholds Party leadership can the Communist Youth League unite the youth and lead them in moving forward and ensure that the Chinese youth movement is advancing in the right political direction.
——百年征程，塑造了共青团坚守理想信念的政治之魂。共青团把青年人组织起来，是在理想信念感召下坚定信仰的结合、科学主义的结合。团的一大就明确提出了建设共产主义社会的远大理想，亮出了社会主义的鲜明旗帜，在一代又一代青年心中点亮理想之灯、发出信念之光，这是共青团最根本、最持久的凝聚力。历史充分证明，只有始终高举共产主义、社会主义旗帜，共青团才能形成最为牢固的团结、锻造最有战斗力的组织，始终把青年凝聚在党的理想信念旗帜之下。
The 100-year history of the Communist Youth League has instilled its political essence of having firm ideals and convictions.
Inspired by ideals and convictions, the Communist Youth League has organized and united young people with firm belief and scientific thinking. The first national congress of the League defined building a communist society as its ultimate ideal and made clear its banner of socialism, which has lighted the beacon of ideals and convictions among generations of young people. This is the most fundamental and enduring cohesion of the League. History tells us that only by holding high the banner of communism and socialism, can the Communist Youth League form the most solid unity, forge the most effective organization, and ensure that the youth are united under the banner of the Party’s ideals and convictions.
——百年征程，塑造了共青团投身民族复兴的奋进之力。党的奋斗主题就是团的行动方向。共青团紧扣党在不同历史时期的中心任务，团结带领广大团员青年积极投身人民群众的壮阔实践，在民族复兴征程上勇当先锋、倾情奉献，发挥生力军和突击队作用，使实现民族复兴成为中国青年运动一以贯之的恢弘主流。历史充分证明，只有牢牢扭住为中华民族伟大复兴而奋斗这一主题，共青团才能团结起一切可以团结的青春力量，唱响壮丽的青春之歌。
The 100-year history of the Communist Youth League has helped build up its strength for contributing to national rejuvenation.
The Party’s goal determines the orientation of the Communist Youth League’s action. Focusing on the Party’s key tasks in different stages of history, the League has united and led its members and youths in joining the people in practice. It has served as pioneers in efforts toward national rejuvenation and played their role as a fresh driving force and the spearhead, ensuring that the goal of achieving national rejuvenation become the main theme throughout the Chinese youth movement. History has fully demonstrated that only by centering on endeavoring for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, can the Communist Youth League unite as many young people as possible to write an epic chapter of youth.
——百年征程，塑造了共青团扎根广大青年的活力之源。共青团历经百年沧桑而青春焕发，依靠的就是始终扎根广大青年，始终把工作重点聚焦在最广大的工农青年和普通青年群体，把心紧紧同青年连在一起，把青年人的心紧紧同党贴在一起。历史充分证明，只有不断从广大青年这片沃土中汲取养分、获取力量，共青团才能成为广大青年信得过、靠得住、离不开的贴心人。
The 100-year history of the Communist Youth League has identified taking root among young people as its source of vitality.
The Communist Youth League is glowing with youth and vigor after a hundred years of vicissitudes because it has consistently taken root among young people, put its focus of work on the overwhelming majority of young workers and peasants and ordinary youths, and stood with the youth while building a bridge to bring young people closer to the Party. History has shown that only by drawing nourishment and strength from the fertile soil of the vast number of young people, can the Communist Youth League be a close friend to youths that is trustworthy, reliable, and inseparable.
共青团员们、青年朋友们、同志们！
League members, young friends, and comrades,
在中国共产党坚强领导下，全国各族人民万众一心、齐心协力，胜利实现了第一个百年奋斗目标，在中华大地上全面建成了小康社会，正在意气风发向着全面建成社会主义现代化强国的第二个百年奋斗目标迈进。
Under the strong leadership of the Party, people of all ethnic groups in China have united as one with a shared purpose, have fulfilled the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and are moving on toward the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.
实现中国梦是一场历史接力赛，当代青年要在实现民族复兴的赛道上奋勇争先。时代总是把历史责任赋予青年。新时代的中国青年，生逢其时、重任在肩，施展才干的舞台无比广阔，实现梦想的前景无比光明。在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上，共青团员、少先队员代表响亮喊出“请党放心、强国有我”的青春誓言。这是新时代中国青少年应该有的样子，更是党的青年组织必须有的风貌。
Realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation is a relay race of history in which today’s young people should strive for excellent performance. The times have always endowed young people with historical responsibilities. For generations of youths in the new era, the time could not be better for them to complete weighty tasks since they have an incomparably broad stage to display their talents and brighter prospects than ever before to realize their dreams. At the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China, representatives from the Communist Youth League and the Young Pioneers declared the commitment of making due contribution to building a strong country. This is what Chinese youths are supposed to do in the new era and what the Party’s youth organizations must be committed to.
在新的征程上，如何更好把青年团结起来、组织起来、动员起来，为实现第二个百年奋斗目标、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而奋斗，是新时代中国青年运动和青年工作必须回答的重大课题。共青团要增强引领力、组织力、服务力，团结带领广大团员青年成长为有理想、敢担当、能吃苦、肯奋斗的新时代好青年，用青春的能动力和创造力激荡起民族复兴的澎湃春潮，用青春的智慧和汗水打拼出一个更加美好的中国！
On the new journey ahead, how to better unite, organize, and mobilize young people in China’s efforts to achieve the Second Centenary Goal and realize the Chinese Dream is a major topic that needs to be addressed in the Chinese youth movement and work related to youths in the new era. The Communist Youth League must enhance its leadership, organization, and services, unite and help its members and young people grow into new-era exemplary youths who have ideals, dare to assume responsibility, and are hardworking and able to endure hardship. In this way, they will build up the momentum for national rejuvenation with their youthful energy and creativity and build a better China with their youthful ingenuity and effort.
这里，我给共青团提几点希望。
Here I would like to share a few of my hopes with the League.
第一，坚持为党育人，始终成为引领中国青年思想进步的政治学校。志存高远方能登高望远，胸怀天下才可大展宏图。火热的青春，需要坚定的理想信念。我们党用“共产主义”为团命名，就是希望党的青年组织永远站在理想信念的高地上，用党的科学理论武装青年，用党的初心使命感召青年，用党的光辉旗帜指引青年，用党的优良作风塑造青年。新时代的中国青年，更加自信自强、富于思辨精神，同时也面临各种社会思潮的现实影响，不可避免会在理想和现实、主义和问题、利己和利他、小我和大我、民族和世界等方面遇到思想困惑，更加需要深入细致的教育和引导，用敏锐的眼光观察社会，用清醒的头脑思考人生，用智慧的力量创造未来。共青团作为广大青年在实践中学习中国特色社会主义和共产主义的学校，要从政治上着眼、从思想上入手、从青年特点出发，帮助他们早立志、立大志，从内心深处厚植对党的信赖、对中国特色社会主义的信心、对马克思主义的信仰。要立足党的事业后继有人这一根本大计，牢牢把握培养社会主义建设者和接班人这个根本任务，引导广大青年在思想洗礼、在实践锻造中不断增强做中国人的志气、骨气、底气，让革命薪火代代相传！
First, I hope the League would nourish the youth for the Party and remain a political school that leads the political advancement of the Chinese youth. Only those aim high would scale the heights and look afar, and only those with a global vision would achieve great success. The passion of youth should be accompanied by firm ideals and convictions. By including the word “communist” into the League’s name, the Party hopes that this youth organization would always stand on the high ground of ideals and convictions, equip the youth with the Party’s theories, inspire them with the Party’s original aspiration and founding mission, guide them with the Party’s glorious banner, and shape them with the Party’s fine conduct. The youth of China in the new era are more confident and capable of self-improvement, and they think more critically. At the same time, they are facing the influence of various trends of thought and would inevitably get confused about matters such as ideals and reality, doctrines and issues, egoism and altruism, individual and collective identities, and the nation and the world. More meticulous education and guidance is needed to help them make social observations with a sharp eye, think about life with a sober mind, and create the future with wisdom.
As a school for the young people to study socialism with Chinese characteristics and communism through practice, the Communist Youth League should be politically-minded, start with ways of thinking, and take into consideration the characteristics of the youth in helping them set lofty goals at an early age, and in fostering their trust for the Party, confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics and belief in Marxism from the bottom of their hearts. The League should be guided by the vitally important goal of making sure that the cause of the Party is carried forward by future generations, and focus on the fundamental task of preparing the youth to contribute to and carry forward the socialist cause. It should help the youth become more proud, confident, and assured in their identity as Chinese people through tempering both in thinking and practice, so that the cause of the Party will be carried on from generation to generation.
第二，自觉担当尽责，始终成为组织中国青年永久奋斗的先锋力量。奋斗是青春最亮丽的底色，行动是青年最有效的磨砺。有责任有担当，青春才会闪光。青年是常为新的，最具创新热情，最具创新动力。党和人民事业发展离不开一代又一代有志青年的拼搏奉献。只有当青春同党和人民事业高度契合时，青春的光谱才会更广阔，青春的能量才能充分迸发。青年是社会中最有生气、最有闯劲、最少保守思想的群体，蕴含着改造客观世界、推动社会进步的无穷力量。共青团要团结带领广大团员青年勇做新时代的弄潮儿，自觉听从党和人民召唤，胸怀“国之大者”，担当使命任务，到新时代新天地中去施展抱负、建功立业，争当伟大理想的追梦人，争做伟大事业的生力军，让青春在祖国和人民最需要的地方绽放绚丽之花！
Second, I hope the League would take up its responsibilities and remain a vanguard in organizing the Chinese youth to keep going forward. Working hard is the brightest color of youth, and taking actions is the best trial for young people. Responsibilities and commitment are what make the youthful years shine. The youth are always pioneers who are most passionate about innovation and most motivated to innovate. The cause of the Party and the people would not be advanced without the endeavor and dedication of generations of young aspirants. Only when youth fully aligns with the cause of the Party and the people, can its spectrum be broadened and energy fully stimulated. Young people are the most vigorous, enterprising, and least conservative group in society, who possess infinite power to improve the objective world and promote social progress. The Communist Youth League should unite and lead its members and young people in catching the contemporary waves, heeding the call of the Party and the people, bearing in mind the country’s most fundamental interests, shouldering their missions, and realizing their aspirations and making achievements in new fronts in the new era. The League should encourage its members and young people to pursue the great ideal, drive forward the great cause, and let their youth blossom in fields where the Party and the people need them most.
第三，心系广大青年，始终成为党联系青年最为牢固的桥梁纽带。共青团是党领导的群团组织，也是青年人自己的组织。团的最大优势在于遍布基层一线、深入青年身边。要紧扣服务青年的工作生命线，履行巩固和扩大党执政的青年群众基础这一政治责任，既把青年的温度如实告诉党，也把党的温暖充分传递给青年。要千方百计为青年办实事、解难事，主动想青年之所想、急青年之所急，充分依托党赋予的资源和渠道，为青年提供实实在在的帮助，让广大青年真切感受到党的关爱就在身边、关怀就在眼前！
Thirdly, I hope the League would bear in mind the interests of the youth and remain the strongest bond between the Party and the youth. The Communist Youth League is a people’s organization under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, as well as the youth’s own organization. The greatest strength of the League lies in its network at the primary level that allows the League to stay close to the youth. The League should uphold the lifeline of serving the youth and carry out its political duty of consolidating and expanding the support from the youth for the Party’s governance. While letting the Party know about the wellbeing of the youth, the League should also fully pass on the Party’s care to the youth. The League should make every effort to benefit the youth, solve their difficulties, think from their perspective, respond to their concerns, and make full use of the resources and channels provided by the Party to offer the youth tangible support. In this way, young people would genuinely feel that the Party is always close by and ready to attend to their needs.
第四，勇于自我革命，始终成为紧跟党走在时代前列的先进组织。对共青团来说，建设什么样的青年组织、怎样建设青年组织是事关根本的重大问题。“常制不可以待变化，一途不可以应无方，刻船不可以索遗剑。”共青团只有勇于自我革命，才能跟上时代前进、青年发展、实践创新的步伐。要把党的全面领导落实到工作的全过程各领域，走好中国特色社会主义群团发展道路，聚焦不断保持和增强政治性、先进性、群众性的目标方向，推动共青团改革向纵深发展。要敏于把握青年脉搏，依据青年工作生活方式新变化新特点，探索团的基层组织建设新思路新模式，带动青联、学联组织高扬爱国主义、社会主义旗帜，不断巩固和扩大青年爱国统一战线。要自觉对标全面从严治党经验做法，以改革创新精神和从严从实之风加强自身建设，严于管团治团，在全方位、高标准锻造中焕发出共青团昂扬向上的时代风貌！
Fourthly, the League should have the courage to reform itself and remain an advanced organization that closely follows the Party and stays at the forefront of the times. For the Communist Youth League, what kind of youth organization it should develop itself into and how to build it are major questions of fundamental importance. “A fixed system is not capable of responding to infinite changes, one road would not lead to myriad destinations, and a lost sword would hardly be located in a river by leaving a mark on the boat.” Only through bold self-reform can the League keep pace with the times, the youth’s development, and the trend of practice and innovation.
The Communist Youth League should ensure the overall leadership of the Party throughout the whole process of its work in all areas, follow the Chinese socialist development path of people’s organizations, focus on the goal and direction of maintaining and strengthening its political character, pioneering nature, and connection with the people, and deepen its reform. The League should develop a keen understanding of the youth and, in light of the new changes and features of young people’s work and life styles, explore new approaches and models for its primary-level organizations. It should lead youth and student federations in promoting patriotism and socialism and constantly consolidate and expand the patriotic united front among the youth. The League should also use the Party’s experience and effective practices in strict Party self-governance to improve itself with the spirit of reform and innovation and in a strict and practical manner, and at the same time exercise rigorous self-governance. Through comprehensive and high-standard self-improvement, the Communist Youth League will take on a positive image that reflects the spirit of the times.
“人生万事须自为，跬步江山即寥廓。”追求进步，是青年最宝贵的特质，也是党和人民最殷切的希望。新时代的广大共青团员，要做理想远大、信念坚定的模范，带头学习马克思主义理论，树立共产主义远大理想和中国特色社会主义共同理想，自觉践行社会主义核心价值观，大力弘扬爱国主义精神；要做刻苦学习、锐意创新的模范，带头立足岗位、苦练本领、创先争优，努力成为行业骨干、青年先锋；要做敢于斗争、善于斗争的模范，带头迎难而上、攻坚克难，做到不信邪、不怕鬼、骨头硬；要做艰苦奋斗、无私奉献的模范，带头站稳人民立场，脚踏实地、求真务实，吃苦在前、享受在后，甘于做一颗永不生锈的螺丝钉；要做崇德向善、严守纪律的模范，带头明大德、守公德、严私德，严格遵纪守法，严格履行团员义务。广大共青团员要认真接受政治训练、加强政治锻造、追求政治进步，积极向党组织靠拢，以成长为一名合格的共产党员为目标、为光荣。
As a line in an old Chinese poem goes, “Everything in life must be experienced by oneself; it is the minor steps that take one to a wider world.” Striving for progress is the most precious character of the youth, and it is also what is most expected of them by our Party and people. League members in the new era should be role models of upholding lofty ideals and firm beliefs, take the lead in studying Marxist theory, build the ideal of communism and a shared ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, conscientiously practice core socialist values, and fully promote patriotism. They should play an exemplary role by studying hard and boldly engaging in innovation, take the requirements of their jobs as the starting point to improve their capabilities and strive for excellence, and try their best to become backbone personnel and advanced youths. They should be both brave and adept in carrying out our struggle, lead the way in rising to challenges and tackling tough problems, and refuse to be taken in by fallacies or to tremble in the face of danger. They should be models of hard work and dedication, take the lead in remaining committed to standing on the side of the people, be realistic, pragmatic, and down-to-earth, be the first to suffer hardship and the last to enjoy comfort, and be willing to play a minor but forever effective role in their posts. They should set an example in acting in a good and virtuous manner and in observing a strict code of discipline, uphold public and personal morals, abide by disciplinary regulations and the law, and strictly fulfill their obligations as members of the Communist Youth League. All League members should receive political training, intensify political tempering, and strive for political advancement. On this basis, they should actively draw closer to the Party, set it as their goal to become a qualified Party member, and take pride in achieving it.
长期以来，广大团干部发扬优良传统，认真履职尽责，为党的青年工作作出了重要贡献。团干部要铸牢对党忠诚的政治品格，高扬理想主义的精神气质，心境澄明，心力茁壮，让人迎面就能感受到年轻干部应有的清澈和纯粹。要自觉践行群众路线、树牢群众观点，同广大青年打成一片，做青年友，不做青年“官”，多为青年计，少为自己谋。要培养担当实干的工作作风，不尚虚谈、多务实功，勇于到艰苦环境和基层一线去担苦、担难、担重、担险，老老实实做人，踏踏实实干事。要涵养廉洁自律的道德修为，心有所畏、言有所戒、行有所止，不断锤炼意志力、坚忍力、自制力，做一个一心为公、一身正气、一尘不染的人。
For many years, the staff of the Communist Youth League have carried forward their fine traditions, diligently performed their duties, and thus made significant contributions to the Party’s work related to youths. League staff must refine their political character of being loyal to the Party, champion the spirit of pursuing noble ideals, and remain clear-minded and strong-hearted so that they make people feel the lucidness and pureness of young officials at first sight. They must consciously practice the mass line and firmly establish a correct mass viewpoint, maintain close ties with youths, be friends instead of “bureaucrats” to youths, and work to better benefit youths rather than themselves. They must develop a work style of being responsible and practical, refrain from empty talk to do more pragmatic work, have the courage to bear hardships, take on difficult tasks, shoulder heavy responsibilities, and face risks under harsh environments and at the community level, and conduct themselves properly and do solid work. They must improve moral cultivation to remain honest and self-disciplined, hold regulations and the law in awe and speak and act prudently, constantly build up their willpower, perseverance, and self-control, and be persons who always bear the public good in mind, have a strong sense of righteousness, and remain untainted by malpractices.
共青团员们、青年朋友们、同志们！
League members, young friends, and comrades,
革命人永远是年轻。中国共产党立志于中华民族千秋伟业，百年恰是风华正茂。列宁曾经引用恩格斯的话说过：“我们是未来的党，而未来是属于青年的。我们是革新者的党，而总是青年更乐于跟着革新者走。我们是跟腐朽的旧事物进行忘我斗争的党，而总是青年首先投身到忘我斗争中去。”历史和现实都证明，中国共产党是始终保持青春特质的党，是永远值得青年人信赖和追随的党。
Revolutionaries are always young. Today, a hundred years on from its founding, the Communist Party of China is still in its prime, and remains as determined as ever to achieve lasting greatness for the Chinese nation. Quoting from Engels, Lenin once said, “We are the party of the future, and the future belongs to the youth. We are a party of innovators, and it is always the youth that most eagerly follows the innovators. We are a party that is waging a self-sacrificing struggle against the old rottenness, and youth is always the first to undertake a self-sacrificing struggle.” Both history and reality have shown that the Communist Party of China is a party that always preserves its youthful features and a party that is worthy of the young people’s trust and worth following.
在实现中华民族伟大复兴的征程上，中国共产党是先锋队，共青团是突击队，少先队是预备队。入队、入团、入党，是青年追求政治进步的“人生三部曲”。中国共产党始终向青年敞开大门，热情欢迎青年源源不断成为党的新鲜血液。共青团要履行好全团带队政治责任，规范和加强少先队推优入团、共青团推优入党工作机制，着力推动党、团、队育人链条相衔接、相贯通。各级党组织要高度重视培养和发展青年党员，特别是要注重从优秀共青团员中培养和发展党员，确保红色江山永不变色。
On the quest to realize national rejuvenation, the Communist Party of China is the vanguard, the Communist Youth League is the spearhead, and the Young Pioneers is the reserve force. Joining the Pioneers, the League, and then the Party makes up the “trilogy of life” for youths seeking political advancement. The Party has kept its gate open to all young people and will continue to welcome more youths who will add new blood to the Party. The Communist Youth League must perform its political duty of guiding the Young Pioneers, standardize and strengthen mechanisms for the Young Pioneers recommending outstanding members to the Youth League and from the League to the Party, and work hard to improve the interconnection and coordination between personnel cultivation in the Young Pioneers, the League, and the Party. Party organizations at all levels must attach great importance to the training and recruitment of outstanding young people and should, particularly, focus on cultivating and admitting outstanding League members into the Party, so as to ensure our socialist country never changes its nature.
李大钊说过：“青年者，国家之魂。”过去、现在、将来青年工作都是党的工作中一项战略性工作。各级党委（党组）要倾注极大热忱研究青年成长规律和时代特点，拿出极大精力抓青年工作，做青年朋友的知心人、青年工作的热心人、青年群众的引路人。各级党组织要落实党建带团建制度机制，经常研究解决共青团工作中的重大问题，热情关心、严格要求团干部，支持共青团按照群团工作特点和规律创造性地开展工作。
Li Dazhao, a Chinese communist, once said, “The youth are the soul of a country.” The Party’s work related to young people was, is, and will be of strategic importance. Party committees and Party leadership groups at all levels must study the laws governing youths’ growth and their contemporary features with great enthusiasm, devote great energy to the work related to youths, and serve wholeheartedly as their confidant and their guide. Party organizations at all levels must implement the systems and mechanisms for using Party building to lead League building, study and resolve major issues regarding League work on a regular basis, care about and expect more of League staff, and support the League in creatively carrying out their initiatives in accordance with the features of and the laws governing the work on people’s organizations.
共青团员们、青年朋友们、同志们！
League members, young friends, and comrades,
早在两千多年前，孔子就说：“后生可畏，焉知来者之不如今也？”青年之于党和国家而言，最值得爱护、最值得期待。青年犹如大地上茁壮成长的小树，总有一天会长成参天大树，撑起一片天。青年又如初升的朝阳，不断积聚着能量，总有一刻会把光和热洒满大地。党和国家的希望寄托在青年身上！
More than 2,000 years ago, Confucius said, “A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?” For the Party and the country, young people deserve the best protection and bear our highest expectations. They are like the young trees thriving on earth that will eventually grow into towering trees to provide shelter for those in need. They are like the rising sun whose energy keeps on increasing as it climbs up the sky until the moment when it lights and warms up the earth. The Party and the country place their hopes on the youth.
1937年，毛泽东同志为陕北公学成立题词时说：“要造就一大批人，这些人是革命的先锋队。这些人具有政治远见。这些人充满着斗争精神和牺牲精神。这些人是胸怀坦白的，忠诚的，积极的，与正直的。这些人不谋私利，唯一的为着民族与社会的解放。这些人不怕困难，在困难面前总是坚定的，勇敢向前的。这些人不是狂妄分子，也不是风头主义者，而是脚踏实地富于实际精神的人们。中国要有一大群这样的先锋分子，中国革命的任务就能够顺利的解决。”今天，党和人民同样需要一大批这样的先锋分子，党中央殷切希望共青团能够培养出一大批这样的先锋分子。这是党的殷切期待，也是祖国和人民的殷切期待！
As the Northern Shaanxi College was set up in 1937, Comrade Mao Zedong wrote the inscription “We need to cultivate a large number of personnel who will become the vanguard of China’s revolution. They are politically far-sighted and full of the spirit of struggle and self-sacrifice. They have largeness of mind and are loyal, active, and upright. They do not pursue any personal gain, but work for the sole purpose of national and social liberation. They always meet difficulty head-on with resolve and brave persistence. They are neither swaggerers nor people who seek the limelight, but rather practical people who keep their feet firmly on the ground. Once our country has a large number of such vanguard, the task of China’s revolution will be carried out successfully.” In present-day China, the Party and the people still need a large number of such vanguard, and the Party Central Committee earnestly hopes the Communist Youth League can deliver results in this regard. This is the ardent expectation of the Party as well as our motherland and people.
