Developed Western nations have long-term economic, technological and military advantages over China and the Communist Party has to realize that some people will use the West's strong points to criticize socialism's failings, President Xi Jinping said.
Since assuming power in China more than six years ago, Xi has ramped up efforts to ensure total party loyalty and discipline, including a sweeping crackdown on corruption, warning the party's very survival is at stake.
This year, which is marked by a series of sensitive anniversaries, including three decades since the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in and around Tiananmen Square, has seen a further increase in calls for party loyalty.