President's National Day address hailed

Overseas Chinese across North America have voiced strong support for President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the reception marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Tuesday, hailing it as a message of confidence, unity and responsibility that resonates deeply with Chinese communities abroad.

At the event, he emphasized China's historic achievements, its firm commitment to national rejuvenation, the safeguarding of sovereignty and the pursuit of global cooperation. The remarks drew widespread praise from overseas Chinese, who highlighted the inspiration they drew from his call for unity and progress.

Edward Cai, president of the All American Chinese Association in Southern California, said these remarks carried "patriotism and national confidence" and highlighted China's tremendous achievements.

"A prosperous motherland is a strong backing for overseas Chinese," Cai told China Daily, adding that the message inspired pride and strengthened the community's resolve to contribute.

Cai noted that Southern California has long served as a vital bridge in China-US exchanges. He emphasized the role of overseas Chinese in high-tech, education and healthcare, noting that China's emphasis on high-quality development aligns closely with California's innovative environment.

"This creates opportunities for cooperation in areas such as new energy, artificial intelligence and biotechnology," he said.

Cai also underscored the need to foster understanding amid complex China-US relations.

"It is crucial to promote people-to-people exchanges and alleviate misunderstandings and barriers through community organizations, chambers of commerce and cultural exchange activities," he said, adding that the region's cultural diversity aligns with the Global Civilization Initiative.

Zhang Yong, chairman of the Roundtable of Chinese American Organizations in Southern California, highlighted Xi's reaffirmation of "one country, two systems" and opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

"This is the common will of all Chinese people," Zhang said. "We firmly support the resolute stance of the Chinese government and the Chinese people in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Proposals welcomed

Zhang also welcomed China's proposals of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, describing them as contributions that "will inject more positive energy into world peace and development".

Looking ahead, he pledged that Chinese American organizations will "continue to serve as a bridge, promote friendly exchanges between China and the United States, and unite the overseas Chinese community to support the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation".

For Betty Yuan, a council member of Chinese for Peaceful Unification-Northern California, the speech served as a reminder of China's resilience and unity over the past 76 years. She noted that this year also marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), which Xi referenced to highlight the spirit of perseverance.

"His emphasis on national unity and the need to uphold 'one country, two systems' while opposing 'Taiwan independence' and external interference is crystal clear, and I fully support this," Yuan said. She stressed that safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait remains a top priority for the Chinese both at home and abroad.

Zheng Xiaofeng, secretary-general of the Canadian Chinese Entrepreneurs Council, said the address provided a roadmap that blended domestic priorities with international engagement. He pointed to four key themes: national rejuvenation, deepening reform and high-quality development, safeguarding sovereignty through "one country, two systems," and promoting global cooperation.

"These messages are not only a source of cohesion domestically, but also a clear signal to the world," Zheng said. He contrasted China's vision of multilateral cooperation with what he described as the US reliance on tariffs and confrontation.

He emphasized that the speech "clarified the directions of reform, development and governance, while stressing international cooperation and multilateralism, sending a signal that China is willing to participate in global affairs and take on responsibilities".

For Chinese communities across North America, the address resonated as both a celebration of past progress and a call to action for the future. They expressed a common determination to strengthen ties with their ancestral homeland, support its development and contribute to the broader vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Lia Zhu in San Francisco and Gao Yang in Toronto contributed to this story.

renali@chinadailyusa.com