Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived at Tian'anmen Rostrum.

Premier Li Keqiang announced the beginning of the ceremony.

Military aircraft flew over Tian'anmen Square in echelons. Helicopters flew in the formation of "100," representing the 100 years of the Party. A 100-gun salute was fired. A national flag-raising ceremony was held.

A congratulatory message jointly issued by eight other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation was read out at the ceremony.

Representatives of the Chinese Communist Youth League members and Young Pioneers on Thursday morning saluted the Communist Party of China and expressed commitment to the Party's cause.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered an important speech at a grand gathering celebrating the centenary of the CPC's founding at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Thursday.

Here are the highlights:

- China has realized the first centenary goal -- building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

- The CPC has united and led the Chinese people over the past 100 years for one ultimate theme -- bringing about the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

- Seeking happiness for the people and national rejuvenation has been Party's aspiration and mission since founding.

- The Party unites and leads the Chinese people in fighting bloody battles with unyielding determination, achieving great success in the new democratic revolution.

- The Party unites and leads the Chinese people in endeavoring to build a stronger China with a spirit of self-reliance, achieving great success in the socialist revolution and construction.

- The Party unites and leads the Chinese people in freeing the mind and forging ahead, achieving great success in reform, opening-up and socialist modernization.

- The Party unites and leads the Chinese people in pursuing a great struggle, a great project, a great cause and a great dream through a spirit of self-confidence, self-reliance and innovation, achieving great success for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.